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Reviews
The Eagle (2011)
Excellent adaption from Sutcliff's novel
I thoroughly enjoyed Rosemary Sutcliff's adventure novel and I felt this movie was true to the book, with a few changes that actually made the story better.
First off, Sutcliff wrote a book for teen readers and the movie was done in such a way that I felt comfortable bringing my teenage son to see it. There was violence, owing to the times, but not graphic like most movies these days. In fact, people were killed or executed with most of the gory parts off screen or to the side so you didn't see the actual act. There was no sex or nudity, which for me is a nice change when I want to see a feature film for the story and not have these scenes thrown in for that type of audience.
The story is an intelligent historical adventure bringing the viewer into an unknown world in Northern Scotland. It depicts accurately the relation between the conquering Romans and their subjugated Brittons and Celts. We see Roman period soldiers accurately represented and native Picts as they may have been (without many historical records to verify their way of life).
The movie is also about a friendship that builds between two men from opposite sides of the conflict and the bonds that build despite their differences in culture. There are lots of battles, beautiful scenery, and excitement.
The movie follows Sutcliff's hunt for the 9th Legion Eagle, lost beyond Hadrian's Wall in the the mysterious land of the Picts, ruthless tribes of barbarians in present day Scotland. Despite some recent evidence that the 9th Legion was never destroyed in Scotland, the story is captivating and despite being fiction has a real authentic feel.
I loved this movie and hope for more like it. 10/10
The Event (2010)
Too jumpy and incoherent
In Lost, you had character flash backs, to enrich the backgrounds of each of the survivors. They were timed well, sometimes annoying, but you knew what was happening. In The Event, the flash backs make the plot to incoherent and hard to follow. It makes the viewer work too hard to catch up and figure out what is going on, so many, like my wife, give up. Introducing a new subplot at the end of a commercial was to confusing as well, because it was hard to tell if you were back to the show or into just a slick commercial.
I was really looking forward to watching Jason Ritter, as a big fan of his father. He seemed charismatic enough, but there was absolutely no chemistry with his girlfriend. Nothing but a forced scene between Barbie and Ken. Maybe they needed more time together, it was just too rushed.
The President seemed competent enough, but I was so reminded of 24. Why another black president and a black Chief of Defense Staff, who looked bloated and too overweight for a soldier? Well, maybe President Martinez was an Obama cut out. But he sure let his CIA Chief walk all over him. Still, too much like 24 might be a good thing because this is looking like a bad copy of Lost and needs some sort of distraction.
I realize that it is difficult to judge a show from the pilot, after all, many superb shows had mediocre pilots. I am giving it a 5 in hopes it will improve. It is not terrible, but not great either.
I will continue to watch and wait and see.
Stargate Universe (2009)
Good, keep it up
First of all, the sex scene. While I prefer a family oriented Stargate series, I guess all you whiners forgot about the very first SG1 premier that depicted full frontal nudity. Then they quickly changed the venue to make the series a little more suited to family viewing.
As for the Voyager, BSG feel, well, since both those shows ran successful runs, with BSG being one of the more successful franchises, perhaps audiences like me would like to see more along those lines. I did like many aspects of Voyageur so I look forward to a similar kind of lost in space premise. After all, there are so many things you can do with Space Travel Science Fiction: lost in space being one of them.
The characters aren't all that bad, in fact some of them were pretty good. I thought Lt. Scott was well done as a young officer thrown into a situation over his head and Eli looks promising. Everett also looks promising as a fatherly figure and competent commander, and medic Johansen is a refreshing change from the medical 'doctor know it alls' who seem to be able to solve the weekly extra-terrestrial bio-chemical mystery. Rush is definitely going to be interesting as a single-minded 'science before team player' figure. Greer as a released prisoner and loose canon is a refreshing change. The characters are a mix with potential for many conflicts and plots.
I like the new direction and look forward to more.
Star Wars: Revelations (2005)
Nice effort ... good things, and bad things
Well, first off I would just like to say that it was a very good effort. I hope they continue and improve. Things look very promising.
First, the good.
I loved the special effects. Not quite Lucas, but very few professionals ever are! Light saber duels looked convincing enough, though not as fast as in the professional movies.
Declan's ship. Nice design. It was a cool looking space vessel, even Lucas should take notes on this one.
The city, party scenes, storm troopers, all well done. Some quick clips obviously borrowed from the movies, with the tie fighters and pilots, but the whole layout had the look and feel of a professional movie. The sets, backdrops, and locations all looked professional.
The plot, I thought, was also well written. The names nicely thought out. The sophistication was there and the ideas interesting.
Very well done.
Now the bad.
The first thing I noticed was the actors. Now, I am no actor, and I am no Harrison Ford or Ewan Mcgreggor, but the actors and actresses just did not look convincing or anywhere close to professional. Now, don't get me wrong, I know this is an amateur production, but if they spent all that effort with the set designs, CGI, artwork, and realistic light saber duels and ship to ship combat, they should have also perhaps thought about better actors.
OK, I know I'll get flamed for this, but the actors were a little pudgy and not as attractive. The first scene cuts to Taryn in her ship. I am sorry, and I apologize to the actress, but she is just not visually stimulating. In fact, she looks so amateur in appearance that I shut off the clip and came back to it later after deciding to give it another chance. The make-up looked amateur, and she was just not .... charismatic. Yeah, I know, they are amateurs. But surely in the Stars Wars fan base there are better looking people and better actors who would jump at the chance for recognition. Of course, if it were just a garage project for fun, I could understand casting friends and neighbors, and I could accept that ... but, then there are those awesome special effects, CGI, space battles, space ships, so to even it out, they really needed attractive and charismatic actors. Maybe I am asking too much, but I thought that was what it lacked. There were extras who certainly looked more attractive.
Also, the main actors all looked a little flabby or less muscular than I believe a Jedi would look. I envision Jedi knights, or warriors, to be in a little more shape. Declan's beer gut was bulging, but then again perhaps this was realistic for a space smuggler type, though Harrison Ford was certainly the opposite.
The acting, at times was fair, and could pass as a low budget movie, but I have seen better acting in college plays and acting school productions.
I don't want to be two harsh, but what I see is a great effort with the look and feel, but a let down with the main characters due to their visibly amateurish abilities.
I compare this to Troops and IMPS where I thought the acting was definitely a step up, but then again they all wore armor and helmets! But, with better trained actors, this could turn into something! Looking forward to more from these people.
Melody (1971)
touching and memorable
I remember when I was about 9 I saw this in 1974 on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). But I only saw the last half. For years the scenes would remain in my memory. Well, now with the internet I was able to obtain a really bad copy on DVD and watch it all the way through. Timeless. I love the ending and the message of young innocence, friendship, and love. The soundtrack is awesome, with the Bee Gee's and the last song. It should be redistributed on DVD once again for this generation of children to watch.
Where are these kind of films today? They all seem to be about quick formulas and toilet humor.
Now, granted, Mark Lester lacks a little masculinity at times, but Tracey Hyde is too cute.
SPOILERS
My favorite scene is when Melody is waiting after the spanking. How she holds her ground. This is one actress that should have gone a little further in the industry, but then again, perhaps it is best we remember her the way she was, and not spoiled by grocery store tabloids.
This is one of my all time favorite films.
Big Fish (2003)
A great film about a father and son relationship
I really enjoyed this film. Being the father of a young son and an occasional story-teller, like my father before me, it really hit home.
I thought it was well acted, especially by Ewan McGregor and Jessica Lange. I thought the story line to be original, though some compare it to Forest Gump, I think that would be like oranges to apples.
The tall tales envoked a fantasy setting, though with a charming down to earth style. You really wanted those stories to be true. And in the end, it was hard to tell the fact from the fiction, perhaps lost in time.
It's the story of a son who just wants to know the truth about his father and is fed up with all the tales. A no-nonsense guy who has to come to grips with the fact his father is dying, yet he has never been able to understand him or all the stories.
Wonderfully told.
Saturday's Warrior (1989)
Nice songs, kind of a corny plot
This is a stage play that was video taped!
It takes a few liberties with Mormon beliefs and pokes fun at Mormon culture in a light-hearted way. Basically it is about a Mormon family and the issue of Mormon pre-existance, large families, and over-population. Some of the songs are nice, but Lex de Azevedo is a well known composer of LDS songs and usually does a good job.
This was fairly big in Utah in 1989-90. Erik Hickenlooper (who plays Jimmy)was a minor celebrity for a while.
If you're not Mormon, you probably won't enjoy it. And even if you are Mormon, you may find the plot a little corny. At BYU or in Utah it may be appreciated. I enjoyed some of the songs, and the parts about the Mormon missionaries.
But if you're looking for a story on Mormon missionaries or a little of the culture, rent "God's Army" or "The Other Side of Heaven" instead.
Mormon films are starting to make inroads, especially Richard Dutcher's stuff. But this one is really just a Mormon Ward play made into a video.
When I first saw it in Utah in 1989, I liked it, because I was part of the culture there, so I gave it a 7/10. But having been removed from Utah culture for a number of years, and looking back, I would give it a 5/10, because some of the song are still nice.