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Reviews
Deathstalker (1983)
It's so bad it's good
This is a classic that is so bad it's good. It's a likely intentional parody of itself.
It's cheap, dumb fun, something to relax and shut off your mind. This makes it pretty hard to rate, but let me try anyway.
Will this movie make you think? Absolutely not! Not a chance.
Will it make you burst out into laughter? That depends on your taste. It might, but also it isn't a comedy. Instead it plays with cliches, cliche fantasy and I think at that it does a decent job.
The story, as is usual with such movies is extremely thin. You can essentially ignore it. If you feel like something doesn't make sense, you are absolutely right! Nothing makes sense, but it's also not really meant to.
If you want to go for a silly, 80s cult movie, maybe watch something with friends, be it real ones or a can of beer, or whatever you are into, this movie might make for a wonderful, joyful evening.
Star Trek: Voyager: Resolutions (1996)
Incredibly boring
It feels like they had a nice setup and I like how it atypically for the show throws you right into events.
However that's about it. Nothing happens in this episode. It feels like Chakotay and Janeway are having "summer vacation", the crew is upset evidently, and nobody is having a good day. Maybe they need a summer vacation as well?
Then some non-dramatic drama is added. A previous character is sprinkled in on the screen for continuity.
And that's it. Chakotay and Janeway come back from their vacation, sit down and they go on, warp speed of course and the credits roll in.
No story, no character development, no nothing.
I've been wondering if there is anything that that could be a setup, or some form of character development. I don't know, maybe Chakotay and Janeway get together or something? In any case, I don't feel like it was a worthwhile watch.
Star Trek: Voyager: Tuvix (1996)
The most interesting episode so far
This was the most interesting episode so far. The concept, the overall story, the characters picked, the implications, the lack of judgment. Something more real than enforcing a right choice.
And sadly also something that rarely is dared more often. The need to satisfy often stands above real questions, real dilemmas, real no-win situations.
The execution is great.
I am sorry to say it, but if one criticizes science fiction for not being realistic is completely detached from science and reality. The whole point of going into fiction is to explain stories in a better way than reality might be able to. I think this episode is a wonderful example.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
Hit and miss, but good overall
There are some cringe-worthy developments and some really bad acting, but overall it's a very good show.
The main crew is both horrible in story and acting. While they all have their good episodes and ups here and there the main characters are particularly horrible, while the side characters are above excellent.
Benjamin Sisko (by Avery Brooks): He has a good and interesting storyline other than the semi-religious god-like figure, the forced ethical dilemmas, the sadly often really bad "robotic" acting, his son (kid characters in Star Trek...), the social interaction with everyone else, etc.
Odo (René Auberjonois): Interesting concept, very bad acting. He feels like the cliche of an emo or nerd wanting to have a deep story and acting. Like I said they all have some good parts, but for the most part he gets carried by other actors and/or the story.
Jake Sisko: I really like the idea of having a more regular kid, but sadly it completely failed again. It feels like this character never was fleshed out. He frequently changed character, maturity, role, traits. And so he became yet another annoying kid character.
Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell): Pretty, intelligent, smart, and yet interested in the weird, not judging other cultures, being Ferengis and Klingons. I wished that this character would have gained what Sisko, Kira Nerys. And both of the Siskos got in screen time. While there was some episodes about her a lot of this character's concepts were underused. From the age, to the symbiotic relationship with effectively another race and the society around it had so much more potential that was unused.
Kira Nerys.(Nana Visitor) While basically a major, the second major character the story and the acting were absolutely horrible. She is supposed to be a surviving rebel fighter, but acts more like that naive older woman. No rebellious behavior, nor strong emotions, nothing ever felt natural in the acting. The interaction and relationship with Odo also felt very forced. Sadly everything about this character simply felt off and forced. Maybe she was just a bad cast, because she (like some of the others) is a way better character in the Mirror Universe.
But then there are are the absolutely amazing side characters!
Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) A great character that sometimes felt a bit shallow and even has a secret plotline that makes it feel like bad acting when he is actually acting to a degree. He gets a lot more interesting and makes a lot more sense once this is revealed. The interaction with Garak is absolutely amazing. The role of being relatively civilian but part of the crew is excellent, giving perspective. The interaction with Miles O'Brien is also excellent. That hateful/teasing friendship is amazing.
Quark (Armin Shimerman) Probably the character that makes a lot of people watch this show. Probably one of the best charming evildoers ever. He single-handedly turned the Ferengis from ridiculous to interesting.
Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) The not so normal normal guy. In this show alone he is an engineer, a family father, a spy and someone plagued by feelings just about everything. He is probably the most relatable in the sense that he his a job, a private life, isn't the great big heroes, has opinions, and wants to go for a beer at the end of shift. He isn't always happy, he isn't always sad. He is real.
Dukat (Marc Alaimo) Amazing super villain right until they decided to make him go insane in the most ridiculous, forced and weird way one can imagine. After that he is your standard James Bond villain that makes no sense whatsoever, but somehow still has to to remain the villain. Sad ending for a great character.
Nog (Aron Eisenberg) The best kid character there is in Star Trek. By a stretch. This is what kid characters should be. Emotional, but also kids, and funny,, and serious, while not being taken seriously, but not forced as in so many movies where kids are just used as a cheap excuse to not take their word.
Rom (Aron Eisenberg) Maybe a cliche Ferengi. Not a deep character for the largest part, but serious in the right moments, which can be a hard sell. It's maybe not a believable character, but at times he can be relatable, especially when it comes to being nervous and stupid about things.
Elim Garak.(Andrew J. Robinson) Absolutely brilliant acting. Maybe the most interesting character in a way, his conversations and relationship with Bashir is grandiose, his circumstances just as hilarious a life is, both in the funny and dark way.
Andrew J. Robinson.(Rosalind Chao) Realistically annoying. A person with feelings, ups and downs. Just like the person you love and is close to you. One half of the one of the most realistic relationships in Star Trek.
Winn Adami.(Louise Fletcher) Yet another realistically annoying character, but in a completely different way. She fills her role as influential, yet power hungry, but still religious and the hero in her own story amazingly. They managed to not let her drift into the black and white villain character too much, even though she is, but it makes sense that she still sees herself as the good one and doing the sane thing. At least I believe that she could.
Leeta.(Chase Masterson) While a shallow side character, I think she is a wonderful actress in the sense that she filled the role of a third grade side character really well. I am happy that she appeared more than once and while she in a way was "just the employee/wife/love of" side characters she appeared often enough that one can say she is a believable character which isn't true for ones that only seem to have one mood, one activity, one dimension.
Ishka (Andrea Martin Cecily Adams) The hero that isn't. Again a great character that also plays a very side role, but also an influential one that - in the context of Ferengis - did so very realistically. Without making her a completely hero or anything like that - despite her being one.
Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs) I don't know how to describe what makes this character so good, but he is. He is one of the best evil assistants there is. He displays so many little facets so believable, right until they maybe put him to the center maybe a bit too much, breaking the character a bit or at least giving it a bit of a crack.
Worf (Michael Dorn) Overall well done even though he seems to kind of break his character in some episodes. The continuation from the Next Generation is actually really good, giving him more depth, slowly removing some too forced parts, but also making him not move from his former self just like that.
Damar (Casey Biggs) another really rather side character that excels by being in the background yet having a story and acting it out solidly.
Kor (John Colicos) Dramatic, heroic, amazing. He plays the role of a former hero that is aging incredibly well. In a way I don't think was ever seen. And there is time for it. One of the things that makes this show so great.
Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) Who would have thought Lwaxana Troi without changing too much would surprise everyone by being a character with real depth. She even made Odo actually likable. Maybe the biggest surprise in Star Trek history.
Running with the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee (2022)
Some nobodies talking about their experience with John McAfee
This isn't really about John McAfee.
It's about some really horrible reporters talking about their feelings when meeting John McAfee in a really sensationalistic way.
They are acting like that one guy in the bar that is full of himself, and how great he is and what horrible stories happened to him. All while pretending to be humble. It's actually really annoying to listen to them.
I know McAfee had an "interesting life" to say the least and probably had a screw or two loose, but I feel like most of this "documentary" could be just some wild fever dreams of the "journalists".
Overall very much not recommended, which is sad, because from all that I know the chance that they had could have made for something really interesting.
Star Trek: Voyager: Resistance (1995)
Nice, but slow plotline
The plot is pretty standard, but what stands out is whom the captain meets and his story.
Sadly the acting by the crew certainly isn't the best and the story has a lot of random chance plot twists. How they run around undetected makes it feel highly unrealistic. It's like every fool can go in and out of what is supposed to be a well-protected prison.
Again convenient beams, and.pretty standard, generic story. I know this story could be made into a big blockbuster with how generic it is, but I feel like it was a bit forced into the universe and it doesn't feel like it suited the regular crew actors.
Star Trek: Voyager: Prototype (1996)
One of the better episodes in this season
This episode is pretty good compared to others in this season. It doesn't feel forced, in feels both well-acted and well-written for the largest parts.
It finally talks about the prime directive in a more serious manner other then the whole "we need to bend the law here" trope of many episodes, and shows and movies.
If that is the baseline for this season I think I am going to enjoy it.
The negative part is that Torres character is really rather quick with her decisions even with ones that don't seem to fit her character. I think it overall helps the story, but maybe it would allow. Also for more depth.
I also enjoyed that at least the necessary context for any of story to make sense was given. I think this episode even would have the potential to create a whole story arc, both with another alien race being influenced and Torres being responsible for what happened.
Star Trek: Voyager: Threshold (1996)
Bad plot, good acting
I am currently watching through voyager. The plot didn't make much sense and the evolution-talk was non-nonsensical.
I think the acting in this episode is really good. However both the plot itself is a nice premise, but leads nowhere.
The concept of "evolution going it's natural way, but sped up" makes no sense, if you even have elementary school understanding of what evolution implies.
Also that somehow a human turns amphibian and that he turns into a primitive amphibian seems stretched.
Also let's assume that somehow humans get stranded on a planet somewhere and because there is no food, the body shrinks, simplifies and since this is basically time traveling these future events are the ones that will happen to some humans. It doesn't make sense at all that so far in the future both the captain's and his offspring would be that way.
The idea of them producing offspring is hilarious though and a funny little thing to happen.
Again, given the nonsensical plot I think the acting was good compared to some other episodes.
Star Trek: Voyager: Meld (1996)
Bad even by B-Movie standards
Wow, I am currently watching Voyager, and this has to be the worst episode so far. The acting of everyone involved is pretty bad. The plot is cringe-worthy. It makes me think of bad B-movies where writers try really hard to get a point across but fail so badly, one feels like bursting out into laughter.
It's supposed to be dramatic and deep, but it's shallow and ridiculous. Dropping a few lines on the topic of violence reminiscent of a discussion one might have at 4am at a bar with people drinking all night. Even though in such a discussion I'd expect a bit more depth.
And then the tech babble and logic part. While it is said that he might not have "any tendencies" in the genes hits on there only being tendencies the fact that the rest of the show depicts both Tuvok and Sudor as obviously fighting with their mental state also completely throws that out the window.
The end on the other hand is at the level of magic recovery due to a prince kissing the princess.
The question of revenge/satification vs lost potential is quickly thrown in and not thematized, neither are mental illness or human nature really gone through. Instead we have ridiculous scenes like the captain giving Tuvok strange over-dramatic looks, Tuvok having destroyed his room, but otherwise being fine other than his face looking a bit different. Despite messing up his room, smashing it into pieces and somehow knocking out a guard off-screen he is to weak to even stand up-right.
There is no area in which this episode is good, even though the premise sounds like it could be interesting.
Suder feels pretty okay. Hard to tell, because there is nothing but forced drama, but I like that he is a not overplayed psychopath/sociopath.
The Marquis topic - Suder being from the Marquis - also feels like a "why not" decision.
There are no twists, whatsoever.
The best scene is towards the end where it appears that Suder is worried that probably the only person understanding him feels bad.
Overall highly disappointing. It feels like no effort was put into this episode by neither the writers nor the actors at large.
Stranger Things: Chapter Eight: Papa (2022)
Finally an episode that doesn't look like a ridiculous trailer
So finally we had an episode not completely littered with flash backs, standard scenes and tropes and people awkwardly standing in super heroes formation and then they ruin it with music band, synchronized choreographic walk in the last scene.
Mein bester Feind (2011)
Don't like movies about World War II? Watch this one!
This is a movie playing in the second World War, but it is not about the second World War. If you really want to watch a(nother) movie about how evil Nazis have been there a really good ones, but this one will possibly disappoint you.
However this movie is great anyways. It is a drama that isn't as depressing as many others out there, but still manages to not travesty the whole thing. It's a bit hard to describe the movies, because with every genre describing it would sound like a stereotype. They may describe what you'll see if you watch this movie, but be assured it is most likely lighter and more enjoyable than you might think.
One should watch this movie for enjoyment, but please don't expect a long lasting mood coming from this one. Still I recommend it.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Hollywood trying to create an independent movie
With this movie Hollywood tried to create something like an independent movie. In my opinion they failed. It's like adding lots of elements people like about independent movies and expecting something meaningful. If you liked this one you should really have a look on some serious movies.
On the other hand it is a good thing they at least tried to create something more meaningful. They tried to create something you could really call art. Maybe they have been out of ideas, maybe they were experimenting and the financial success and it's board recognition are good signs. Just please don't create a movie if you don't really have anything to talk about.
Small Time Crooks (2000)
Underrated?
I consider this movie to be real art. It is very proactive since it is about people who are not special in any way. They don't really have a lot of "bad" habits and attributes, but nevertheless could be considered as paragons. It really puts a mirror to this society, but not in a dry way like in what many of us would consider an art movie. It is very humorous and the characters, especially, but not only the minor roles are very exaggerated. However this is intended. It is needed to describe something that you can't just express in a few words.
I haven't seen any movie unifying a cozy small, humorous movie with such a huge load of provocative social criticism. Such a balancing act has been tried over and over and many have failed. Not so this movie. Woody Allen created a masterpiece.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Disappointing
First off the good thing. The movie has some really funny jokes and creative scenes in it. For a while it seems like it could become interesting.
Sadly, one gets disappointed. The movie lacks real depth. I didn't really think it would have much depth, so that's not what really disappointed me. However the lack of it isn't compensated by good special effects, violence or interesting characters. It is defiantly different from other Batman movies and one could maybe consider it as an experiment to mix an action film based on a comic with more casual parts. However it least this time I wouldn't call it a success.
It was said this movie is very violent, but it is only when compared to other Batman movies. One should expect it to be any where to splatter, horror or even psycho thrillers.
Still not everything is bad. I am certainly not a Heath Ledger fan, but he had an awesome performance.
If you are looking for an action movie it may still be worth watching it, even if you aren't a big fan of other films based on comics.
Maybe my reason for disliking this film is just that I focused too much on characters besides Joker.
Ergo Proxy (2006)
Hard philosophy
What is very special about this anime is that while many animes are focused around philosophical themes this one goes very deep. It doesn't only have references to many philosophical themes it really bases on many of them.
It is really heavy-wight and because of its omnipresence it is very hard to not get too confused with all this topics. Without basic knowledge many things would appear pretty pain. Especially the first half of the series could be pretty hard. Many things seem to be very plain. Also the way this anime 'describes' the characters are so well-thought that I thought about stopping to watch it. The style of how the characters personalities are described is pretty unique and hard to describe especially if I don't want to tell too much. I can just assure that the anime isn't as plain as it looks in first place. It's ironic that the reason for the characters and the story seem to be plain is the very same reason they achieve an incredible depth. So it really work looking it. Even if you usually do not look animes.