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Reviews
Solar System: The Secrets of the Universe (2014)
Wandering Eyes...But Rather Good...
The narrator had a good voice, a pity about the wandering eyes. Obviously trying to read whilst looking into the camera. Perhaps they should,very used him as a voice over, and the virtual studio just wasn't rendered that well either.
What really saves it is, the narration and accessible delivery, comes across as an ideal programme for schools or someone with a passing interest in our solar system.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
It was The Best of Them, It Was The Worst of Them...
I've got mixed feelings about Star Trek 5. Things I enjoyed...the Trinity...Kirk, Spock & McCoy and their lighthearted banter. And the rest of the crew have some nice comical moments.
The Kingon Crew: quite comical, I saw a young commander, quite bored of "peace", and looking to make a name for himself.
Then there's Sybok, although not a true Villain persay, he was a good counterpoint to Kirk. Both are quite self assured and charismatic leading a group/crew on a quest/mission to find God/explore the Unknown.
It was quite obvious when I saw this that ILM had not done the VFX, oh dear, it went out to an independent effects house. Although some of the sets weren't bad, and even places at that time I don't think we'd ever seen on a starship..a toilet (Kirk sits on one in the brig).
I think the main moral of the story is quite solid...don't go charging after something based on preconceived notions of what you believe something is...be curious and explore the Unknown with an open mind to discover and learn the truth of a situation.
All in all not a bad bad film, but let down by some unfortunate production decisions.
Joker (2019)
Taxi Joker
Definitely feeling Taci Driver vibes from his film.
The cinematography, costumes and settings alone evokes a gritty 70s style.
It shows a person's descent into madness in a world that doesn't understand him. There are some funny moments dotted throughout the film too. But they're funny in a kind of "laugh out loud, but should I have laughed out loud at this?" moments. Also, this does show another more sinister side to the Wayne family, quite effective, albeit briefly.
Pennyworth (2019)
My Name is Alfred Pennyworth...
Early days yet but loving the 60s London setting and references. Somebody knows their stuff. The Alfred actor is quite charming, evoking a Michael Caine-esque style bravado of the time. Also of particular note is Paloma Faith, surprisingly natural acting chops for a singer.
Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (2016)
Shadows of Smallville...
On watching this I have started to notice some familiar styles used in Smallville. The most obvious being the inclusion of a mixture of an instrumental score and the insertion of a contemporary pop song every so often. And a bit of contemplative slow motion. The pop song intrusions can be a bit superfluous and distracting yet I learned to tolerate this style on Smallville.
No surprise in production similarities here as producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer also worked together on Smallville.
The Institute appears to be a nightclub disguised as a clandestine immortal protectorate. Full of young, pretty and gym fit cool people with tattoos in nightclubbing outfits. Er, Shadow Hunters.
The acting seems to veer between painfully stilted and entertaining. Let's just say the character actors are what save the show.
Although I am sounding like I am criticising the show, there is something inherently watchable about it. Generally an entertaining sho. I don't know much about the books so happy to go along for the ride.
Book of Monsters (2018)
Good Bad Vs Evil
I say Good Bad as it's one of those films you know you shouldn't watch but somehow end up seeing through to the end.
Although I am on my second bottle of wine as I write this review.
The actors perform well above par for this kind of fare (if you can accept the Hollywood Style Teenagers - where the average age is 16 going on 30, although this could be a piss take).
The film definitely tries it's best to keep up the tension and action. Which is quite impressive given it looks like there was virtually was no SFX or make up budget. Or any budget at all really.
To summarise: a passable film to watch on your second bottle of wine.
Geostorm (2017)
Almost...but not quite
This is one of those films that set up an impending cataclysmic threat and the chase to prevent it from happening. It's fairly paced, nothing original persay. But it was a decent enough film to chill out to after a 12 hour shift. No real need to concentrate too hard. Gerard Butler puts in his usual dependable performance and the rest of the cast performances are adequate if not passionate. Some humorous, if not laugh out loud moments. Best not to over analyse this film, to be honest, what is there to analyse anyway?
Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018)
Lots of Action but Nothing Happens
Must be one of the first films I have "seen" were literally nothing is happening. Even during the action sequences.
Camera action is your basic point and shoot. The film seems to have been filmed entirely in close-up. Sets are minimal and unimaginative. Most of the actors are bland and forgettable. It got so uninteresting I actually picked up book of poetry I bought about 15 years ago that I've been meaning to read.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Not Bad for a Cheesy Genre
Let me just say I hate US TV Christmas Movies with a passion.
Every year in the UK, Channel 5 attempts to lull us all into a TV induced diabetic coma with this genre from early November.
Having said that, I found this rather engaging. This actually was quite funny, bittersweet and ultimately, uplifting.
Kurt Russell was made for this take on Santa. It does have cheesiness, yes, but it relishes in that fact. Is it predictable? Yes, but it's still engaging. In fact the brother and sister were the least annoying child actors I've seen in a film like this in a long time.
Is it made on a budget? Yes. Are the visual effects perfect? No. But this all adds to it's charm.
To conclude, if you feeling melancholy at this time of the year, watch this. It just might make you feel better. Said The Christmas Cynic. 😉 Ho-Ho-Ho!
Supergirl (2015)
A Tale of Two Series...
I do like the comic book aspects of Supergirl it's done reasonably well considering budgetary restraints of even a well financed show.
The problem is that is seems to be an entertaining live action comic series that's continuously getting stuck in a soapy quagmire. And not in a good way. The dialogue can be grinding and overponderous. Too much talking and no doing! This problem isn't the case in Arrow or The Flash. That still deals with interpersonal drama which runs alongside the action seamlessly - one symbiotically supports the other.
But somehow this show's presentation seems a little disjointed. It's an odd feeling because I feel like I'm watching two continuously shifting interpretations of a show within one show!
Day of the Dead: Bloodline (2017)
Fast and the Furious Zombies
Young gym fit people running around shouting and pouting.
Then dying.
The End.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
Very enjoyable.
Very enjoyable in a comic book sense.
Although the efforts of the GI team to stop Cobra destroying the Eiffel Tower seemed to consist of them ploughing through Parisian rush hour traffic in a trail of destruction. And the Eiffel Tower was still destroyed. By Cobra.
Didn't we witness a similar scenario in the opening scenes (I think) of Team America: World Police?
I bet those Parisians heaved a sigh of relief.
Anyway Christopher Eccleston was great as always. A modern day Peter Cushing, the Tenth Doctor (Doctor Who) effortlessly added a touch of authenticity to proceedings.
Incidentally, Peter Cushing has also played a film version of The Doctor.
Stargate: The Ark of Truth (2008)
Glad this was made!
When I was watching the last episode of Season 10, I thought - Is that the end?! Then I heard about this little gem and for the most part it works. Pity we didn't see O'Neill though I believe he may have a part in the forthcoming Continuum movie.
The only thing I have a bug bear with is the plot device, er, device called The Ark Of Truth.
This kind of reminded me of a plot line from Star Trek where the crew conveniently find some machine or technology to deal with the whole problem just by turning it on. As much as I like Trek, mind you.
And why do the Ancients harp on (haha so to speak) about non-interference? I mean they are the first ones to help when their backs are against the wall (in a non-coporeal sense of course).
Still plenty of action and more expansive location work esp over the mountains. Well worth a watch. I'm one of the lucky ones to be able to afford digital TV which broadcast this last Easter Monday.
Battlestar Galactica (2004)
Blurs the Line between Good and Evil
This show seems to have learnt a lot from other more Earth based shows like 24. This is especially apparent with the cinematography and camera angles & motion. It's almost as if the camera is you looking in on what's happening.
That also goes for the style of the storytelling. Nobody's perfect, the humans created the Cylons who virtually wipe them out. Cylons that look human and some that are unaware they are Cylons.
Even when they sometimes kill others they are still unaware about why they have done it. A metaphor for brainwashing perhaps? And some of the human cylons regret what they have done and what they are.
And there are some human cylons who help the humans - they wish to control their own fate - not be "controlled" by their programming.
It's kind of analagous to the uncentred terrorism and paranoia we presently face. We're never quite sure who people are and what they are capable of.
I could go on and on about this show but all I can say is if you're unsure about science fiction this is definitely a show for you.
Flash Gordon (2007)
Bland Gordon
One always is a little concerned when the SCIFI channel airs a new series.
The problem is I think the benchmark for Science Fiction shows is so high now and there is a lot of superior productions - see Battlestar Galactica, Stargate SG1, StarGate Atlantis, Smallville, Doctor Who.
The major problem with this show is that it seems to have diluted the Flash Gordon campness down to blandness.
I just don't have any connection to this on any level.
And Ming just isn't threatening enough.
Shows like this should thrive on their theatrics, its a pity it couldn't have been set in its original era ie the 30s.
Update: Having seen a few more episodes its starting to grow on me hence an increase from 5 to 7 out of 10.
Hollyoaks (1995)
Hollyoaks: Attack of the Clones
This show did show promise it being the brainchild of Brookside creator Phil Redmond. Nowadays every time I see this show there seems to be populated by an inordinate amount of "blonde clones". Has someone created an underground laboratory no-one is aware of? Frankly I'm surprised this hasn't attracted the attentions of the Jedi Council. I keep half expecting Obi-Wan Kenobi to turn up any minute to investigate this.
Furthermore everyone seems to be surrounded and binded by some strange influence known as "The Farce." They have learnt to harness "The Farce" quite well.
If George Lucas is thinking of another direction to take his Star Wars franchise he should check this out.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Very entertaining but I hope this isn't the last one...
After the scope and setting up of the first two films they decided to go down a more personal route with Spiderman and the villains with a humiliation/revenge theme running through the movie.
One of the scenes I related to was when MJ - Kirsten Dunst - seems to tell Peter that he doesn't understand her insecurity regarding her acting career. It was almost as if she was forcing the issue rather like a bored girlfriend gets and she wants to take it out on someone. This builds up in the movie even though I thought that Peter was supporting her with the "you have to pick yourself up, get back on the horse and look how my life's improved" speech.
This part of the film reminded me of a previous girlfriend who was going through a similar "I can't cut it at work and what am I doing with my life it's all a tragedy and you don't understand me even if you think you are I'm just gonna be bloody minded and take it out on you" phase.
Indeed it was a cathartic experience. It seems like she's jealous of his Spiderman alter-ego which in this film is becoming more popular to the people of New York. Which in turn related to my cheerful, positive and hopeful outlook on life and my girlfriend's resentment of that.
Anyway back to the film. There was a particularly enjoyable scene with J. Jonah Jameson being "bothered" by his secretary regarding his medication. Harry Osborn didn't really become the New Goblin i.e. a villain at all - he just used/upgraded some of his dad's stuff and wound Peter up about MJ. Although Parkers and Harry's fight scenes were cool but not overwhelming.
The Sandman transformation was good and seemed to be the only mature i.e. sensible character in the movie. The Venom character was played well by Topher Grace/CGI. His Eddie Brock character reminded me of James Spader in Wolf. But I have to agree that there were too many character developments in this film to give them any depth esp. the evolution of Venom - a parasite which can't be killed so I've heard - which was a bit rushed. Maybe Venom will return. Spiderman forgiving Sandman was a bold move, maybe they'll team up in the next one.
All in all an entertaining film for most parts although Peter Parker as a bad boy worked ironically if you think of it as him trying too hard esp when you see the bemused looks of women he scopes as he walks down the street in some scenes. I thought that part was quite funny.
But as I said at the beginning, I hope this isn't the last one.
Torchwood (2006)
Adult Doctor Who
The adventures of the Secret Agency to deal with paranormal activity set up by Queen Victoria - see new Doctor Who - whose headquarters are in Wales.
This show is more Earth based and in the present fighting off or investigating various unusual activities in the area. I think it was reasoned because there was some sort of local rift that attracts these events or something blah blah blah.
This show's more adult than Dr Who, showing more blood and violence and sexual scenes/tension. One episode also had a same sex love story which was portrayed excellently by the lead John Barryman who is actually Scottish but uses an American Accent.
And who could've predicted there would ever be a science fiction show set in Wales!
Starship Troopers (1997)
Action with a touch of irony...
Probably one of the best non A-list action movies of the 90s. A colony of insect-like bugs launch an attack on a future Earth which is in a totalitarian militaristic state.
The irony is of course that both sides are equally as vicious as the other - the bug race being an almost unstoppable force as per the humans who have an equally vast army and attitude themselves. This makes for an equally unstoppable force wanting to wipe out the alien bugs.
The intelligent humans are sent off to military intelligence and/or commissioned as officers while the more athletic i.e. stupid, are used for the front line.
Propaganda clips in the Earth media also add to the feel of an extreme right-wing state and the pressure for young people to join the fight against the bugs - you can't obtain full citizenship unless you enlist.
Anyway all good action to boot. But by the end of the film you start wondering who really are the bad guys?
Superman Returns (2006)
Watch it in IMAX if you dare!!
Went to see this at the IMAX theatre in London on the day of release, and can sum it up in one word. Wow!! About 20 minutes of the film was converted to 3D, which really played havoc with my eyes!! But it was worth it. See it, if you dare, both you, and then one day, your heirs!!
Brandon Routh truly is Superman, and also does well as his alter ego Clark Kent.
We see him briefly as the Smallville Clark, upon returning from a five year trip into space to find survivors of the Planet Krypton.
There's a humorous scene with the family dog involving a game of fetch the ball.
This Superman is slightly darker in tone than previous efforts, being that he has been away for sometime and the world (esp Lois Lane - who's now a mother and engaged to someone else) having moved on.
It is this element that seems to be the emotional focus of the film, quite possibly the first introspective Superman to be put on screen.
This is probably because people have generally come to expect that nowadays visual effects would be impressive anyway (which they are - although not overused in the new Star Wars sense) but they are also used in a humorous way (take the rooftop shootout scene as an example).
More screen time is given to Routh's Superman than the Kent character. I find this quite understandable as Kent is the disguise (at least the Metropolis Kent is) and Superman is the real person. I think this is the major difference Superman has with other Superheroes. By that I mean in most other stories the hero wears the mask (Batman, Spiderman, Daredevil).
What little screen time Routh gets as Kent he pulls off quite well - the clumsiness and the difficulty with social interaction.
Kevin Spacey's revels in his role as Lex Luthor, fashioning the character into a drier, darker and more sadistic personality than has been seen before. This is especially apparent when Lex is beating up Superman on a Krytonite laced island.
Fans of the 1978 film may recognise some dialogue that has been slipped into certain scenes in this film too.
(I also love Christopher Reeve as Superman and am an avid watcher of Smallville and even quite enjoyed Dean Cain's efforts, but I think there's room for all of them. Each has their place in history.)
Essentially what this film has is Superman developed as a character with depth, emotions, and the drive to do as much as one can to help others.
That's a lesson we could all learn from: superpowers or not.
We are a great people, we wish to be, we only lack the light to show the way...Superman has truly returned.
An inspiration to us all.
The Box of Delights (1984)
Just found out this is on DVD
Wow! One of the greatest shows from my childhood on DVD finally! I have as much feeling for this story as the Harry Potter saga has for the children of the present.
Actually some very interesting parallels with Harry Potter - a flying car, public schoolchildren, a wise old mentor. I wonder if Ms Rowling took some notes here?
Very clever use of clergymen as villains, somewhat terrifying as I was a choirboy at the time!
A great Christmas classic, I will be purchasing this very soon! It's £11.99 from play.com. Just FYI!
Cold Case (2003)
Good Drama with slight fantasy element
I've always preferred dramas set around the workplace rather than home life, they always seem more "real".
Soaps are OK but nobody seems to go to work unless they work in a pub or café! Anyway I have been impressed by this show, the pre-credit grainy flashback, music playing from the period and the on-screen edits between how-they-looked-then and how-they-look-now.
Just saw a creepy episode with John Billingsley - aka Dr Phlox from Star Trek: Enterprise. He played a Prime Suspect in some previously unsolved serial murders. But the police only had a theory and no hard evidence. That was probably the first ep that really had some tension in it! It looks like that story's been left open...
Some good stories overall and I like the ending when they arrest their suspect and look over and see the victim watching them. Or do they? A slight fantasy element.
Doctor Who (2005)
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue!
That's how I can really some up the New Dr Who Series.
It's on a par with the transition from The Original Star Trek to The Next Generation. You see something familiar, yet different.
It's a familiar tale that's been updated, a more assertive and resourceful female companion (who actually rescues The Doctor at one point).
I watched some of the old series on UKGold recently and the female companions primary role just seemed to be for them to have the ability to scream occasionally.
Eccleston's Doctor is quite funny, the offhand comments to Rose's mother outside her bedroom, the explanation for his northern accent - "Most planets have a north!".
There are signs of a good on-screen chemistry between Billie Piper (Rose) and Christopher Eccleston (The Doctor), joking about the mannequins invasion "They want to take over all the high street shops", "They're starting a Price War!".
You can obviously see that Rose wants more out of life than dead end jobs and a clingy boyfriend.
A good introductory start to the series. Well done to everyone involved.
Post Script: Just found out that Chris Eccleston has left after 1 series. I hope that the next actor stays for a bit longer otherwise the Doctor may run out of regenerations! Anyone offered it to Richard E.Grant? Or even one of the Monty Python crew? Eric Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin?