Change Your Image
NostromoX
Reviews
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Poor editing choices hurt latest Star Trek Film
I feel we cannot judge this film fairly until the director's cut of this film is released. They hired the writer of `Gladiator,' the master of the multi-layered epic film and then filmed his long complicated script. Then the studio insisted that they cut the movie down. This left many plot threads dangling and questions unresolved. I know from reading various articles there were more scenes developing B-4's character, explaining the political dealings on Romulus, expanding upon the mental violations of Troi, giving Worf some more to do, looking into Picard's psyche, and expanding the one-second cameos of Wesley and Guinian. These scenes would have addressed many of the fan criticisms toward the movie and made the storyline feel more complete. Why hire the "Gladiator guy" if you don't want an epic film. Show the full thing. Fans would much rather see a longer epic film than a short choppy one. This is probably why there is not much repeat view. The fans know there is a longer film out there and there waiting for the DVD to see it.
Red Planet (2000)
Painfully boring characters derail Red Planet
This movie had some really good special effects and some moderately exciting sequences . . . however the characters were so unmercifully uninteresting that I had difficulty wanting to spend any time with them. (Let alone care what happened to them.)
The "villain" of the story was a really cool looking robot that accidentally went from "surveying" mode to "military" (i.e. killing) mode. Why don't they ever just remove the military programing in these movies. You would think that was the safe thing to do. Of course, we've seen this happen on countless occasions, so even though the effects and design of the robot was well done, its antics were as uninspired as the characters. So they go all the way to Mars to combat a man-made machine. What a waste.
Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)
When is a hellraiser movie not a hellraiser movie
When its a lame rip-off of the Christmas Carol or a bad episode of the twilight zone. The director of this thing had the gall to say that Clive Barker didn't know what he was doing anymore. The writer/director of this movie seemed not to have even seen the other four - he just knew there was a Pinhead and a magic box and he inserted them into a script he had already written that had nothing to do with the original Helllraiser movies at all.
Pinhead was on about three minutes.
The puzzle box was on about five.
The story has been done to death many times - I knew the "it didn't really happen now I can change, wait it did happen, its too late" ending would finish this film about half way through it (although I hoped I was wrong.)
Why would a b-movie/genre film villain-star like James Remar be in this film playing the small part he played - maybe the part has a surprise to it? Saw that one coming too.
This was the worst film in the series, not because it was totally awful - some scenes and make-up were kind of scary - but because it had nothing to do with any of the events and the mythology established in the movies that came before it.
Highlander (1992)
Come on, the series is far superior to the movies.
First of all, Adrian Paul can act. Christopher Lambert can't. Secondly, If it wasn't for Sean Connery and some really good fight choreography, even the first Highlander would not be interesting. It was a pretty campy effort. The premise was okay, but the execution left a lot to be desired. With five hundred years to choose from the flashbacks (besides those with Connery) were done as a joke and a lame one at that. This villains were all one-dimensional, droolers and maniacal gigglers. The movie series started to deteriorate about halfway through the first film (right after Sean left the story) The series, on the other hand, took its premise quite seriously and tackled some very serious themes - loss, prejudice, immortality and loneliness, revenge, etc. . . . Duncan, grew as a character over the years, the supporting cast was flawless and your really cared about the characters. So when one of them died, it was very affecting. (And Highlander, like may syndicated shows, had no qualms abut killing off major characters.) My hope for the new move is that most of the focus is on the characters from the TV series because as it was with Alien Nation, the TV series transcended a mediocre film to become a self contained success.
Homicide: Life on the Street (1993)
Quite simply one of the best series in the history of television and THE best police drama ever!
What's more to say than what I stated above: Quite simply one of the best series in the history of television and THE best police drama ever! Hill Street Blues comes in at a very close second.
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
One of the most accurate movie adaptations I've ever seen. It was both chilling and compelling.
Radford's vision of George Orwell's 1984, is close to perfect. It is, in fact, one of my all time favorite films. From the set design, which seems to come straight from Orwell's vision to the performances, this is a great albiet depressing creation.
The great performances of the two male leads are also of note. In his final big screen role, Richard Burton gives the strongest performace of the last decade of his career. His world-weary O'Brien is a masterful creation. He makes a character who performs evil acts, almost sympathetic. His obviously poor health adds to his character, but it does not detract from the power of his perfomance. John Hurt gives a great performance as well.
All in all, this is a chilling and prophetic view that was still relevent in 1984 and it is still relevant today.
Sleepstalker (1995)
Although it was not entirely original it had enough creepy moments to make it all worth while, especially the Sandman's Lullaby
Although the movie reminded me of the "Freddy" films and the movie "Dust Devil," It had enough creepy moments to make it a worthwhile viewing. A repeated flashback/dream sequence was exceptionally disturbing and the Sandman's Lullaby was really chilling. Also, the ending was unexpected. Some thought and creativity went onto the Special Effects and for once the killer was underplayed.
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
One of the most accurate movie adaptations I've ever seen. It was both chilling and compelling.
Radford's vision of George Orwell's 1984, is close to perfect. It is, in fact, one of my all time favorite films. From the set design, which seems to come straight from Orwell's vision to the performances, this is a great albiet depressing creation.
The great performances of the two male leads are also of note. In his final big screen role, Richard Burton gives the strongest performace of the last decade of his career. His world-weary O'Brien is a masterful creation. He makes a character who performs evil acts, almost sympathetic. His obviously poor health adds to his character, but it does not detract from the power of his perfomance. John Hurt gives a great performance as well.
All in all, this is a chilling and prophetic view that was still relevent in 1984 and it is still relevant today.