How to Train Your Dragon 2 Is a Special Chiasmus

Posted on September 17, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

How to Train Your Dragon is one of my favorite films of all time. So its sequel had a lot to live up to. I mean, the first one introduces us to a village called Berk under siege by a variety of dragons, as well as many colorful Viking characters, unlikely friendships, the loss of a limb, and a hint of burgeoning romance. Oh, and it also happens to be an almost perfectly symmetrical film in which the first half is repeated in reverse order in the second half, creating an absolutely stunning chiasmus.

Thankfully, How to Train Your Dragon 2 was up to the task to match the first film’s daring and creativity. It reintroduces us to Berk once again under siege by mind-controlled dragons, new interesting Vikings like Eret and Valka, unlikely alliances, the loss of a loved one, and a rekindled romance. Oh, and it also happens to be another perfect chiasmus!

A big difference between the Cinematic Chiasmus article I wrote for How to Train Your Dragon and this one is that I didn’t discover this chiasmus. Everything you’re about to read was written by an astute reader of mine named Jo.

Jo gave me an incredibly in-depth description of each point of the chiasmus in How to Train Your Dragon 2 and gave me permission to publish it here. And that’s what I’m going to do. Get ready for an emotionally powerful chiasmus. Continue reading →

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This Poem Brought Tears to My Eyes

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

I had never heard of an early-20th-century poet named Eugene Field nor his poem entitled Little Boy Blue until recently. But I’ve definitely seen his poem play out in at least two films. I found it in a talk entitled “The Faith of a Child,” and I’d like to share it with you here.

Both the talk and this poem brought tears to my eyes. I suppose I’m sensitive that way. Touching words like these speak to something deep inside me, and I think they will speak to you, too. Continue reading →

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10 Actors Who Became More Powerful Than You Can Possibly Imagine After Being Struck Down

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi told Darth Vader, “If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.” And he was right. Not just about the character becoming more powerful in a spiritual existence after being killed, but also about the actor obtaining immortality for his performance.

Sir Alec Guinness was nearing the end of an illustrious career as an actor when he uttered that famous line, having starred in numerous classics over the years, including Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, and Doctor Zhivago, to name a few. But Star Wars is what he is best known for.

Kenobi’s quote also applies to other situations. Many actors, after they endure a memorable death scene, go on to play much more powerful characters. Here are 10 examples. Continue reading →

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Serenity Answers the Question: What’s Worth Dying for?

Posted on August 27, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

“A world without sin.” That is how Captain Malcolm Reynolds in Serenity describes a planet called Miranda in which every inhabitant was given an airborne drug called the Pax to calm them down. The Alliance did that. It thinks of itself as a benevolent government, but it is little more than a puppet master.

As we’re told in the film, the Pax stopped the people from fighting and becoming aggressive, but that was only the beginning of its effects. Thirty million people eventually stopped going to work, breeding, talking, and eating, and they let themselves die. The question is, why?

What could a drug do to people to stop them from doing natural things that perpetuate life? I’m pretty sure I know the answer, and it came from an unusual source. Continue reading →

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The Purpose of Cinematic Chiasmus

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

I tend to think of this website as a place for me to share deeply personal sides of myself. Each time I post an article, it speaks to my mindset or what is important to me. With that in mind, it is with both excitement and trepidation that I share something that I think is of the utmost importance that I fear could easily be discarded as of no worth. I have learned the true purpose of Cinematic Chiasmus, and I’d like to reveal it to you. Continue reading →

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Tron and the Difference Between Standing Out and Fitting in

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

Tron isn’t really known for its philosophical discussions on the meaning of life, but more for its unique visual style and music. But you know me. I like to look at movies differently than the norm. So I’d like to discuss what Tron has to say about standing out and fitting in. Continue reading →

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Unmasking Predator’s Chiasmus

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

Predator is one of the most iconic action movies of all time, and it’s about to be the latest trophy in my collection of Cinematic Chiasmus. Chiasmus is a storytelling style in which the first half mirrors the second half. And Predator amazingly falls into this symmetrical pattern.

I felt compelled to write this as soon as possible, and I hope you will enjoy joining me as we unmask Predator’s chiasmus. Continue reading →

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The Final Countdown Is the Star Trek II We Never Got to See

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

I remember hearing that shortly after Star Trek: The Motion Picture debuted in 1979, Gene Roddenberry pitched the idea of having the U.S.S. Enterprise crew go back in time in their advanced spaceship to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Then that would change history and possibly create a paradox in which the Federation never existed, a la the classic Star Trek TV show episode “City on the Edge of Forever.”

We all know how history turned out.

Roddenberry’s idea for a sequel was shot down by the studio, he was replaced by producer Harve Bennett, and the film series was guided to live long and prosper by creating one of the best sequels of all time: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

But what if Roddenberry’s original idea for a sequel had been allowed to go into production? What would that film have looked like? I guess we’ll never know. Or maybe we already do. Continue reading →

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I Love Everything About Krull

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

Krull is the kind of movie that makes me smile every time I watch it. It doesn’t have a single cynical bone in its body. Instead, it’s full of joy, positivity, and good old-fashioned heroics. It’s the story of an alien menace known as the Beast who comes to the planet Krull in a spaceship that looks like a mountain/fortress. He sends his unstoppable army to kidnap a princess named Lyssa on her wedding night to the rightful king of the land named Colwyn.

The rest of the movie is about her fighting off all the temptations the Beast sends her way while Colwyn works tirelessly to come to her rescue. Here are the many reasons why I love Krull. Continue reading →

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I Keep Seeing Chiasmus Everywhere

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

This isn’t related to movies, but since I began finding chiasmus in films 10 years ago, I can’t help seeing it in real life, too. Here is a fun example I asked my wife to take a picture of while I was driving a little while back. Continue reading →

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