Tag: movie review

Movie Review: Total Recall (2012)

Total Recall (2012)

3 out of 5 stars

I find myself drawn to movies inspired from PKD short stories.  I was a bit disappointed when the Adjustment Bureau did not win the Nebula Award (Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation) in 2011.  And I suppose it’s time I watched Minority Report and Bladerunner, but first I’m going to read the original stories as written by the incomparable Phillip K. Dick.  In the case of Total Recall, the short story is entitled ‘We Can Remember It For Your Wholesale.’  Since I have not read the original short story, I will refrain from making comparisons and questioning the adaptation as portrayed in this latest re-imagining.

I will however compare this 2012 version to the other 1990 edition, which I’ve watched many times.  Off the top of my head, I didn’t care for the excision of Mars from the plot.  The Colony became Britain’s Penal Colony continent (Australia) and the world is toast, chemically speaking, except for the British Isles and Australia, connected by a super-fast (17 minutes one-way) tunnel through the Earth’s core called the Fall.  I remain skeptical and would like to see a bit more science and less fiction explaining that setup.

I actually found it hard to watch this remake because I knew, before hand, some of the key plot points that would occur.  No, they didn’t coincide completely with what I suspected, but enough doubt remained in my mind that I did not enjoy the film as much as I probably could or should have.  For example, I really hoped that the ending would return us to Rekall and leave us wondering if it was ‘real’ or ‘Memorex’ but this adaptation preferred to alter reality and continue with less ambiguity.  I think I would have preferred the more thought-provoking ending.

I guess the best thing I can say about this movie is I didn’t fall asleep while watching it.  I know, that’s not saying much, but it happens to me quite frequently.  But it didn’t knock my socks off as I expect when you’re adapting material from one of the 20th century’s most lauded science fiction authors.

Postcards from Mars and Beyond

I skim a plethora of feeds daily, either on my smartphone or my laptop.  A headline really needs to grab my attention in a microsecond before I’ll bother to follow through with a click to drill into the meat of an article.  I almost missed last week’s post by the Kansas City Science Fiction & Fantasy Society about a review challenge gauntlet they’ve thrown down before us.   But I stopped, looked and decided, ‘Why not?’ because I’m wrapping up the Adult Winter Reading Program with the KC Library and need something else to set my sights on.

Writing shorter reviews (between fifty and a hundred words) of science fiction or fantasy books, movies, games, graphic novels, podcasts, etc. should take me less time than my normal longer-winded ones.  I’ve submitted a half dozen of these mini-reviews in the last few days, and will continue to due so until the challenge ends at ConQuest in late May.  I’m disappointed to report I will not be able to attend the con this year (at least I’ve already met the author guest of honor so I have some small consolation there) do to conflicting travel arrangements.   Perhaps 2014 will be less hectic for the Memorial Day weekend.

For more information about the challenge, follow this link and start sending in your submissions today:

KCSFFS 50-Word Review Challenge

Movie Review: Robot & Frank (2012)

Robot & Frank (2012)

3 out of 5 stars

I saw a preview for this indie drama recently, either at the theatre or on another DVD, so I added it to my Netflix queue.

The story intrigued me by having an aging jewel thief, suffering from dementia, pass on the tricks of his trade to the domestic robot his son purchased as a home-health aide.  High-tech parental neglect? Hard to say, since Frank refused to be shuffled off to the near-future nursing home (called a Brain Center).  As expected, Frank also despised the robot foisted upon him by his son, going so far as to pit his daughter, the epitome of the idealist activist, against his son in a human v. robot philosophical battle.  Meanwhile, Robot (Frank never deigns to name it) slowly grows on Frank.

You won’t find any evidence of Asimov’s Three Laws in Robot’s programming.  His primary directive is to take care of Frank, helping him stay on a regular schedule, eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise and take up a hobby, like gardening, to stimulate his brain and fight off the ravages of the dementia.  Frank scoffs at grubbing in the dirt, but eventually shows Robot how to pick a lock, using his old cat burglar lock pick set.  Frank even questions Robot about his ethics, showing that Robot can lie and has no qualms about stealing.  That was all the excuse Frank needed to plan their first job and return to his favorite past-time.

One (or two) of the funniest scenes involve children harassing Robot outside the library while Frank visits with the librarian and checks out more books.  Franks runs off the kids and advises Robot that next time he should say ‘Self-destruct sequence initiated’ and start counting down from ten.  Robot puts this to good use later, only using it against more gullible adults.  I chuckled both times.

All of this plays out against the backdrop of his family:  His son who is torn between visiting and caring for his father and spending time with his own family; his globe-trotting daughter traveling the third world in pursuit of her next research grant; and his forgotten ex-wife, played charmingly by Susan Sarandon, as the nearly superfluous local librarian.  Frank Langella’s performance as, um, Frank, also shined.  True to form, Robot did as programmed, no matter how much Frank or the audience hoped it might surpass or overcame said programming.  Or did it?  Check the garden, under the tomatoes.

Movie Review: Double Indemnity (1944)

Double Indemnity (1944)

4 out of 5 stars

I rarely find time to watch all the movies I’ve recorded to my DVR from TCM.  Saturday afternoon I started watching Double Indemnity with my daughter, who happened to be visiting.  I didn’t get very far into the movie before we left to attend a wedding reception.  I picked up where I left off Sunday morning and finished before lunch.

I especially wanted to view this noir classic in light of the KC Public Library‘s Winter Reading program, While the City Sleeps.  I attended one of the ‘main events’ last month, a talk by local screenwriter Mitch Brian entitled ‘Noir: From Page to Screen.’  James M. Cain wrote the Double Indemnity story, but William Chandler adapted for the movie and both authors were highlighted by Mitch during his talk.  Not having yet read the novel, I can’t confirm that ‘bad books make good movies,’ but this movie definitely kept my attention.

Aside from the cinematography, what I found most appealing about this movie of ‘bad people doing bad things’ was the performance of Edward G. Robinson as Keyes, one of the few good guys in this noir classic.  He stole nearly every scene he was in.  Outstanding and completely against his normal type-casting as a gangster.  His performance even got me excited about a career as an insurance claims adjuster or actuary.

What intrigued me most, though, was constantly trying to puzzle out how this story could be redone in modern times, with the prevalence of security cameras, cell phones and the Internet.  If it could be done, it would have to be some sort of hacker techno-thriller, as far as I could determine.  Or in rural America, where none of those modern-day conveniences work reliably.

Movie Review: Lockout (2012)

Lockout (2012)

2.5 out of 5 stars

I regretted not adjusting my Netflix queue last week when I saw this sitting in my mailbox Friday afternoon.  I can’t even remember why I added it in the first place.  I suppose I was fishing for some non-existent intelligent and intriguing science fiction to watch.  Instead, I reeled in Lockout.

The plot has been done before, and done better.  The special effects were obvious CG and not completely well integrated with the filmed aspects of the movie.  The military tactics employed during the climax made me roll my eyes, as they were obviously used to create a dangerous and completely unnecessary CG dog fight between fighters and a falling orbital prison.

I did, however, get several chuckles from the snarky dialog, most of it emanating from the side of Snow’s mouth (portrayed by Guy Pearce with a convincing American accent).  The quotes page at IMDB for Lockout doesn’t really do them justice, as you really need to see and hear them in context to get the full impact of many of the punch lines.

I’d have to say, though, that Pearce is batting a thousand for appearing in scifi duds in 2012.  First this one, then followed by the much hyped and disappointing Prometheus.  At least his character in Lockout grows on your.

Movie Review: The Hobbit ~ An Unexpected Journey (2012)

totem-trekThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

4 out of 5 stars

I waited until the last possible moment to decide to watch The Hobbit ~ An Unexpected Journey this past weekend.  If I plan to spend the money to watch a movie in a theater, I do it opening weekend, because then most of the money goes back to the studio, which in turns means more movies that I like being produced.  In other words, I vote with my money.  And, Terry and I prefer to watch movies from the VIP seating on the balcony of Theater 7 at the Legends.  Well worth the climb up the stairs to the third floor Saturday afternoon.  We arrived with eight minutes to spare and sat through an amazing number of previews, but not any advertisements, which was a change for the better.

My most recent reading of The Hobbit occurred three years ago, when it was chosen as the book of the month for November 2009 for the Fantasy Book Club at GoodReads.  While I like The Hobbit, I’m not really the target audience for the book, since Tolkien wrote it for children.  But as with most well written children’s tales, there is much to be gleaned and learned by the adult reader.  I’m excited to re-read The Silmarillion next month for the same book club. In fact, I may read it as an ebook and also listen to it as an audiobook.

I loved the increased frame rate speed used to film The Hobbit.  I’ve been screaming for smoother sharper filming for years.  Really, there’s no excuse not to.  My eyes can drink in more than just 24 frames per second so please flood me with clean, crisp imaging.

I felt the focus of the story shifted away from Bilbo almost too much, and became Thorin’s story with Bilbo relegated to comedic sidekick. My foggy memory of reading The Hobbit three years ago recalls an older Thorin, still prideful to the point of arrogance, but not this brooding barely middle-aged dwarf, a veteran of many hard-fought battles.  I came away thinking Peter Jackson tried to turn Thorin into a darker, shorter Aragorn.

And the whole albino orc and warg subplot is just a bit much.  I’m pretty sure that wasn’t conceived in Tolkien’s mind.

Overall, I’m satisfied with the first installment of the drawn-out film trilogy adaptation of Tolkien’s The Hobbit.  If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d encourage you to catch it on a big screen near you soon.

Movie Review: Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

2.5 out of 5 stars

Disturbing to watch, and not just because of the language and violence.  I cannot endorse ‘the ends justify the means’ as proclaimed by the real Childers during the end credits.

Gerard Butler definitely hit the nail on the head with his portrayal of Sam Childers.  Michelle Monaghan also performed well as his wife, Lynn, and provided at least one beacon of Christian grace.

I recommend perusing this review from ChristianAnswers.net which resonates with my feelings and conclusions after ‘sleeping’ (restlessly) on the viewing of Machine Gun Preacher.  The only bit I disagreed with involved the amount of sexuality protrayed in the film.  First, the sex was between Sam and his wife.  Second, nothing explicit is shown on screen.  After scanning through the positive comments, I found a reference to an excellent essay (an excerpt from On Combat by by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman) called On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs which I do highly recommend.

Movie Review: The Hunger Games (2012)

The Hunger Games (2012)

3.5 out of 5 stars

Better than the book, barely.  I read the book and gave it three stars.  I knew then, when I finished reading it, that a movie would deliver more impact in some respects, and it does.  I missed some of the back-story (although the first book doesn’t give you much to work with).  The book did provide a better window and more intimately through Katniss’ eyes and thoughts, into the plight of the ‘citizens’ of the Districts.

I have gripes with the casting though.  Peeta in no way convinced me of his strength or of even being a baker’s son.  Same goes for Gale, only I thought the casting went over-the-top the other way on that one.

I noticed from the credits that the author, Suzanne Collins, had her fingers in most of the pots, including as an executive producer, so I really have no quibble with deviations from the written vision.

I will say I was a bit disappointed by the special affects, which seemed on par with a television show and not a ‘normal’ science fiction film.

Movie Review: Taking Chance (2009)

Taking Chance (2009)

4 out of 5 stars

Truth may be stranger than fiction, but it is an arrow aimed straight for your heart and cannot be denied or denigrated.  Films based on actual events have an allure I can’t seem to resist and Taking Chance caught me with its simplicity and humility.

I am struggling this morning to write this review.  I can’t see my screen very well.  It keeps blurring out of focus as I continue to tear up.  Yes, I’m a sentimental fool, but I’m also a mother.  I watched the DVD extras and I’m amazed at the strength of Chance’s mother.  From the home videos and family memories related there, I could easily see a reflection of my son Derek, who was born just two years after Chance.  They had similar interests, personalities and capabilities.  This story could easily have been my story had Derek made different choices.

I would agree with most of what I found under the ‘Critical Reception’ heading at Wikipedia, especially with respect to the ‘apolitical nature’ of the film:

One review from The Baltimore Sun, said that it “… is one of the most eloquent and socially conscious films the premium cable channel has ever presented,” and USA Today, said “A small, almost perfectly realized gem of a movie, Taking Chance is also precisely the kind of movie that TV should be making.” On the other end is Slant Magazine, saying “Instead of well-drawn characters or real human drama, we are presented with a military procedural on burial traditions. The film desperately wants the viewer to shed tears for its fallen hero without giving a single dramatic reason to do so.”

The film was the most-watched HBO original in five years, with over two million viewers on the opening night, and more than 5.5 million on re-airings. Critics often attribute this success to its apolitical nature, not directly depicting nor offering an opinion of the Iraq War.

Critical Reception, Taking Chance, Wikipedia

I found it refreshing to hear the name Phelps and not have to cringe.  Imagine my relief when the marine’s funeral proceeded without blemish and no apparent protest from the other Phelps of Westboro fame (or shame).

I also found this film more recommendable and uplifting than a similar ‘based on a true story’ tale I watched about eighteen months ago called The Tillman Story.

I may add this film to my library so that I can watch it each Memorial Day.  A reminder of all our soldiers, past and present, who gave the ultimate gift to preserve our freedoms and keep us safe at home.

Semper fidelis.