The newest entry in the Terminator series lives up to its legacy. The action is top notch. The darkness permeates the movie, as does the twisted hope.
The acting in this entry is better than the previous movies. The story is also better written and more complex. The central dilemma of the film is what makes us human. Is John Connor less human at the end of the movie?
There are a few weak spots such as the coincidence that Marcus stumbles into Kyle Reese. I also found the fact that Marcus has a real heart a little trite.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Star Trek
This "reboot" of Star Trek is good. I think it comes in just after "Wrath of Khan".
The new cast deliver a fun ride that pays homage to the original without slipping into the realm of a cheap copy. I particularly liked the new Kirk, Bones, and Uhura. The new Scotty and Sulu showed promise. Quinto's Spock was OK, but not a real standout.
The script is also good. The pacing is taught and has plenty of action. I also liked the few little touches that are tossed in to show the lineage. The 3rd space diver was a nice touch. I also liked the shout out to Star Wars fans when Kirk has his Skywalker moment on the ice.
There are a few things that I found disappointing. The first was the device the plot revolve around. I think time travel is a tired plot device. Sure it frees Abrahms from the baggage of the Star Trek universes history, but a really creative film maker could have stuck with the baggage and still made good movies. I also found the "relationship" between Uhura and Spock flat and troubling. It seemed like little more than a way to trump up the rivalry between Kirk and Spock.
The new cast deliver a fun ride that pays homage to the original without slipping into the realm of a cheap copy. I particularly liked the new Kirk, Bones, and Uhura. The new Scotty and Sulu showed promise. Quinto's Spock was OK, but not a real standout.
The script is also good. The pacing is taught and has plenty of action. I also liked the few little touches that are tossed in to show the lineage. The 3rd space diver was a nice touch. I also liked the shout out to Star Wars fans when Kirk has his Skywalker moment on the ice.
There are a few things that I found disappointing. The first was the device the plot revolve around. I think time travel is a tired plot device. Sure it frees Abrahms from the baggage of the Star Trek universes history, but a really creative film maker could have stuck with the baggage and still made good movies. I also found the "relationship" between Uhura and Spock flat and troubling. It seemed like little more than a way to trump up the rivalry between Kirk and Spock.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Burn After Reading
Maybe I missed something, but this movie was dreck. A bunch of terrible, uninteresting, stupid people doing terrible, uninteresting stupid things eventually wind up being killed for terrible, uninteresting, stupid reasons.
The only character I felt any thing other than contempt for was the poor gym manager. He may have been pathetic, but he was genuine.
The only character I felt any thing other than contempt for was the poor gym manager. He may have been pathetic, but he was genuine.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Alone in the Dark
This movie has all the things that make for a horror movie that is bad enough to be on SciFi Saturday. The acting is terrible, the script is banal, and it stars Stephen Dorf and Tara Reid.
What makes this worse is that it had a big budget and at least an A- list star. The typical SciFi fare is way low budget.
What makes this worse is that it had a big budget and at least an A- list star. The typical SciFi fare is way low budget.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
State of Play
A great murder mystery. The script is smart and the cast is excellent. The plot has just enough twists to keep you interested but not enough to make you feel confused. It is the clarity that makes the ending work.
Sure the set pieces are pretty tired: corporate bogey men, corrupt politicians, over ambitious reporters. Even the hero is well worn. None of that stops the film from being a fun ride that exercises your brain.
Sure the set pieces are pretty tired: corporate bogey men, corrupt politicians, over ambitious reporters. Even the hero is well worn. None of that stops the film from being a fun ride that exercises your brain.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Monsters Vs. Aliens
In 3-D this movie is a good diversion. We saw it using passes and it was worth the three dollars. Not sure I'd pay full price.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Foresaken
Saw this on FEAR.net the other day. It was a good rainy day, free, vampire flick. The action was OK, but predictable. They could have done more with the blonde character. She was little more than eye-candy.
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