Project Almanac

I didn't expect much but this flick was still a disappointment. It was shot in that steady cam, home made movie style that was popularized by the Blair Witch Project. So it's already got one big strike against it, this style of movie making just begs for hard to follow crappy scripting.

So, they did have some moments that would have been fascinating if done in a normal movie style but it seemed so much more fake being a steady cam "real" experience.

And the ending was horrible! It's like they got tired of telling the story so they just wrapped it up! All through the movie they build up to a scene they discovered on an old videotape, so it comes and they just throw it away with no good resolution. 

Disappointing.

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The Maze Runner

I haven't posted about movies for awhile, sometimes I'm just not as driven but "Maze Runner" got me interested in writing again.You see, it's a pretty good movie, it really grabs you and you get set into the action with the hero who, like us, is confused and disoriented and doesn't know whats going on. We get to go go along with him as he discovers the secrets of the "Glade" and it's occupants as the story unfolds.

The story holds up well and the effects work, it is your "typical" teenagers in trouble who need to save the world (as has been so popular in recent cinema). But the ending is very dissatisfying and at times I found myself disengaged from the story, even though I really wanted to figure out what was going on. I think it was a matter of paceing. If they had revealed some elements of the story more quickly it would have helped and at the end, when things were revealed..it happened too quickley. There was never a time where they let us as an audience take a breath and say "Oh, That's what's going on."


I hope you watch it and write your comments, I'm anxious to hear what you think of it.

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Limitless

As you know, I'm a science fiction fan and this is a near perfect SF tale. Imagine if you could take a drug that would allow you to be a better version of yourself. This is the premis of the story and it's great!

I especially like the way they show scenes that are tinted in yellow when the perosn is on the drug. Magical!

It's been out awhile, but I gave it another view last weekend and it's still a great tale!

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

Netflix has a three disk collection and I just watched the extra "making of" feature that is continued across all three disks. The thing that makes this such an impressive and worthwhile movie is that all the effects were done before CGI. They had to come up with film methods and models to create each part of the film. This is such an achievement!

I really enjoyed the features on this set of DVD's and if you're a film buff, you'll enjoy it too!

Galaxy Quest

It's a little surprising that this movie was made nearly 12 years ago. Just a funny, really funny parody of the phenomenon that happened to to actors that starred in "Star Trek."

But, what if REAL aliens contacted the washed up actors? I love this show! Tim Allen as the glory hound that believes in helping the aliens and going on the adventure. Allen Rickman is hilarious as the embittered Spock character and Sigourney Weaver is the communications expert who repeats everything the computer has just said.

"The Office" fans will recognize Raiin Wilson in a minor alien role.
Brandon Long is the head of the geeks who work to save the actors, you'll recognize him from Apple vs Mac commercials.

This is really clever while being FUN science fiction!
Time to revisit this great comedy.

Source Code

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga and Michelle Monaghan

Here's a science fiction movie that one of the actors describes as being a cross between Ground Hog Day and Speed and De'ja vu on a train.

It's very good, very entertaining, and could easily be ruined by hearing too much about it.

You should see it as soon as you can before someone ruins it for you.

You may recognize Jake Gyllenhaal from "Moonlight Mile" or "The Prince Of Persia". The director, Duncan Jones also directed "Moon", which was a selected film at the Sundance Film Festival.

This is one of those movies that has something for everyone, it's sf, but Jeanne even got engaged in it!

Adjustment Bureau

I waited till it came out on home video, but I've been excited to see this movie since it was announced. The short story by Phillip K Dick, who has brought so many great scifi stories to us is superb.

Just great, pure fantasy.

I highly recommend it.

Repo Men..R rated

Jude Law and Forrest Whitaker star in this first rate science fiction film. It's reminiscent of Blade Runner as well as Minority Report, but it's completely unique and fast paced. No science fiction film works if it doesn't have a solid plot, there has to be a story and this has a very clever story that held my attention. I really don't want to say more because I wouldn't want to ruin it for you. It is graphic in many blood and guts scenes, these repo men deal in organs and they went for realism.

The Book Of Eli

I don't recommend R rated movies often, but this is one that I have to suggest. Similar to "The Road" this is a more hopeful post apocalyptic story. We meet Eli, Denzel Washington, a wanderer, a walker, heading towards the West. By the title and the previews we have a good idea that he's got a book that is precious to him and he is driven to head West. Turns out, he's been on his journey for thirty years. There has been a war that burned the Earth and killed most inhabitants, but unlike "The Road" there is still life on Earth, birds, animals and people.

It got it's rating for some violence and well deserved, there are some well done action scenes. There are a few language moments, but they aren't so offensive that I felt bad about the scenes, but I wouldn't watch this with my five year old grand kids.

This is one of those depth of character roles that Denzel plays so well. Good Science Fiction.

Star Trek - 2009

Christopher and I went to see "Star Trek" tonight. He had already seen it, but was up to seeing it again.

Here's my review, "Man, oh man, oh man, OH MAN!!!! It was non stop, but not the kind that never lets up, there was a real plot, with real character development. The writing was smart, not at all like the original...but it was so true to the original...only so much better. Comedy is sprinkled through out, but not so much that it wrecks the show...just a well done ride! This has to be my vote for best summer movie, I can't imagine anything topping this!

The Day The Earth Stood Still

We watched it this evening. I thought it was pretty good update on the original black and white movie. The original was an okay 50's sf story. And now it's an okay 2008 movie. The story line is still a little lame but the effects are better and it is a stronger story.