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MarkSaltzer
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Powers (2015)
Kept me interested the whole time
For a Playstation Original it wasn't too bad at all. Sharlto played an excellent Walker/Diamond, his American accent was flawless. The production value was top notch, the effects worked, although they were few and far between. I loved the shots of the White PS4 staying in frame for obvious reasons. The rest of the cast were great, Noah Taylor played a rather intricate character and Eddie Izzard gave David Tennant a run for his money, with regards to portraying an eccentric monster. My only gripe, and this is the main reason why I am writing the review, is was why they cast younger actors for flashback scenes for Walker/Diamond & Johnny Royale, yet Retro Girl was still the same old actress. It didn't make sense at all. But apart from that, I thought this show was worth a second season and I'm glad it received the green light to continue.
Horace and Pete (2016)
A dissection of society portrayed brilliantly
Louis C.K.'s new show "Horace & Pete" is a breathtaking masterpiece, and I'm only 15 minutes into it. I actually took it back and watched it from the beginning again, because the acting and writing is absolutely top shelf. This show could win a Golden Globe, an Emmy and a Tony. It's like watching a live stage show shot on multiple cameras with the flawless cast portraying characters that slice, dice, resonate and connect with you like you've known them all your life. Sublime Entertainment that leaves an indelible stamp on your psyche. Just completed the first episode and I am totally blown away. Every actor in this visual banquet delivers a stunningly natural and powerful performance in each scene. Buscemi's speech to Uncle Pete gave me chills, the passion in his delivery was truly electric.
The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
Much Prefer the Sequel
This movie is an awesome dissection and reflection of today's society. The sickeningly wealthy preying on the poverty stricken. I guess in our reality, the wealthy elite prefer to slow kill us and fast kill civilians in other countries in order for them to steal the wealth.
This movie breathes life into the Class War currently waging on Earth. The film went by quickly which is always a good sign of a great film. The performances were solid, the storyline was well written and the direction and production was executed (pardon the pun) flawlessly. I felt for all the characters which is something I didn't do in the first film. Sergeant played an important role in the film and I would definitely have him on my Zombie team. Looking forward to the next Purge. Well done team, entertaining from beginning to end.
The Darkest Hour (2011)
Entertaining Sci Fi Flick
This movie is copping a lot of flack, and what I would like to know is just how many reviewers actually paid to see it? These days, the torrent sites hail as overlords to Hollywood, now in some ways, this is a good thing, but if you watch a downloaded torrent of a big budget Hollywood film, you can't really complain, after all, it was pretty much FREE.
That being said I wouldn't be too angry if I had have seen this at the cinemas, and paid my 15 bucks, sure it was a "leave your brain on the seat" kind of thing, but it was still an interesting take on the Alien invasion premise. I can understand negative reviews for a movie like Skyline, but this Alien invasion story had some original ideas, not just your standard Falling Skies kind of vibe. Aliens cloaked within a frequency unseen by the human eye was cool, and the use of electricity as a weapon both up close and personal and on a city wide grid shutdown was clever.
Sure it had the typical 10 pages into the script something happens, 30 pages something else happens, formula, but you can't really escape that, unless you want to make an Alien film where the protagonist is trapped in the cargo hold of the mother ship and they can't get out, then only to find at the end of the film the main character is actually in his basement on a bad LSD trip.
I really enjoyed the film and I don't look at it as 90 minutes of my life that I will never get back, it deserves at least 7 stars across the board IMHO.
Straw Dogs (2011)
The Wayan Brother's are hanging out!
Good casting can take a half decent script and turn it into a masterpiece, bad casting will do the complete opposite. Actually, in this case it was the script too. An American husband???? Which genius came up with that idea. If this movie had have had a British scriptwriter husband it would have been a masterpiece or sorts. American hubby destroyed it for me. All I could think of was Orlando Bloom or Ewan McGregor in the role. Everything would have been superb with a British protagonist instead of James Marsden, all the scenes would have played out perfectly and the audience would have been far more compelled. It was too hard to distinguish between the locals and the new kid in town. Even Dustin Hoffman was an American in a British town with a British wife. This remake should have been UK husband with U.S. wife in backwater U.S. town. You'd think Hollywood would have some standards with all that money being thrown around..
Fright Night (2011)
Excellent Remake, Top Shelf
This movie stands on its own two feet as a suspenseful, action packed, comical and blood soaked Vampire movie of the highest regard. Being a huge fan of the original, at the tender age of 15 at the time, I was worried that they may destroy the legacy that Fright Night '85 gave us... although when you really think about it, Fright Night 2 did that already.
Fright Night '11 has excellent moments, sublime casting and truly magical performances from all of its talented cast members. The casting team should give themselves a great big pat on the back for their work, because this movie could have easily gone pear shaped if they had have been effected with the CBF virus, as seen in other casting companies of late.
One of the things I love about Fright Night '11 is the fact that it loosely bases itself on the premise of the '85 version, ie. Living Next Door To A Vampire, but makes the story, scenes and character depictions it's very own. I love the new version of Peter Vincent, he made me want a Midori and Lemonade so bad while I was watching his scenes. Colin Friel also gave a tremendous performance and was an awesome and flawless vampire, I really tried to score him down (Don't know why, maybe I just loved Sarandon's performance), but every second of every scene that he was in, he shone like the true star that he is.
One thing that I did miss from this modern version, something that shone like a diamond in the sunlight in the original, was the soundtrack. The Tom Holland version had an awesome soundtrack including Brad Fiedel's haunting "Come To Me" which kind of became Jerry Dandridge's anthem. I even bought the original motion picture soundtrack on cassette back in 1986 and loved it, can't say I will buying the soundtrack for this version on iTunes anytime soon, but I guess the kids today aren't all that interested in quality music anymore, thanks Ke$ha and GaGa.
Wrapping up, I would thoroughly recommend Fright Night '11 to any lover of good horror, action, adventure, sitcom movies, it's "Double Snaps" from me.
Terra Nova: Bylaw (2011)
Major Plot Hole in this Episode
Watched this episode and couldn't understand the logic of sending a guilty Terra Nova citizen into the wild with a weapon. The Sixers would go wild, they'd get word of a forced defect and wait in the bushes. The banished citizen would gladly join the Sixers for safety reasons plus they would be more than willing to join the Sixers to go against the ones who banished him. If the citizen didn't want the Sixers help at least they get a new weapon. What topped it for me was the ending, a guilty party who gets bashed by the Terra Nova leader winds up being a soldier. The Sixers can't go wrong, they get a seasoned soldier who has a grudge against the same man they do.
Monsters (2010)
Who Are The Real Monsters?
Of all the Monster movies made in recent years, this movie earns the trophy for the best in show. People seem to think the title is misleading, it's not, there are Monsters in the movie lots of monsters, want to re-title the film, go ahead but I'd bet you wouldn't be able to come up with anything that could describe such an enigmatic film in one word. I think the best thing about this movie that sits it head and shoulders above the rest is the fact that it isn't full of gratuitous action sequences, instead it is a well crafted character driven film filled with sensitivity and suspense. The chemistry of the actors is superb and their performances are flawless, oh and the realism is refreshing to say the least, they actually have bladders.
In many ways I think the title describes more than just the 100 Meter Alien Creatures that terrorize the locals. I think it would be easy to say that Monsters refers to multiple subjects in the film ie. the heavy military presence, sloppy human desire mixed with unreciprocated affection, the poverty surrounding the protagonists throughout the film and the neglect of a government when dealing with devastated communities. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the final sequence of the film was shot somewhere in New Orleans, what monsters would neglect such a tragedy. Also how can you forget the monsters lurking in the closet, the monsters of the past coming back to haunt you on their birthday, the monster nightmare you left behind, never really contemplating that you would have to return to it.
The irony of Monsters is the fact that all in all the so-called monsters are more congruous to whales, and are shown to be peaceful and harmonious, except of course when set upon by the real monsters. As nature has shown us, if your species is attacked for whatever reason, you learn to adapt. If the last time you heard the sound of a motor engine you were blasted with gunfire, then the next, even if it is a school bus rolling on by, you are more than likely going to attack it just to be on the safe side. I guess the movie shows that when you boil it all down, we are all monsters to some degree.
Monsters shows the world that you can create a film that effects the way you think, more than just what you see, and with Monsters it is showcased in such a way that it truly leaves an indelible stamp on the viewers mind.
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Entertaining None The Less
The story may be a copy of the 1981 Classic, but who cares, this version was well executed with visual effects that did it justice. The adventure was well worth the watch. The performances were typical of a Hollywood blockbuster, but after all the negative feedback on my shoulders, I was still able to carry myself through this film without complaining once. Everything from the costumes and production design to the visual effects and stunt work was spot on. Excellent detail and a black Pegasus just to keep the political correctness in place, probably would have been a white Pegasus if Bush was still in power. Highly recommend this film for those of us who enjoy a good adventure even if it is a stylish and well executed rehash.
Footnote: This came directly from IMDb news updates.
Warner Brothers is backing a "REMAKE" of Ray Harryhausen's Clash of the Titans and has attracted some first rate talent to the project.
Death Race (2008)
So Accurate It's Scary
This movie is more like a documentary. The acting, the storyline and the chilling look at the not too distant future is right on the money. Privatised Prison's, just like Privatised Health Care is a scary proposition. Cashing in on death, suffering and murder isn't uncommon in 2009, just look at the Wars and Conflicts for Resources (Including Heroine) all over the planet. This film is a stark reminder of where we are headed and Mr. Anderson deserves a hug and a pat on the back for delivering a well oiled, fully armed, adrenalin rush that keeps you glued to the screen for the entire duration.
This movie is up there with Mad Max 2.
Love it.
PS. Jason is smooth actor, but like all actors, would not have shined without his spectacular supporting cast.
Cloverfield (2008)
Superb Execution - The Best Sci Fi Reality Film Ever
Currently in the middle of watching Cloverfield for the second time and I have to admit the second time round, forgetting all the hype, this is an incredible film. The attention to detail of the film, the production design, the acting and the gritty one camera filming is nothing short of superb and flawless. While watching the film you feel immersed in the action and it really is a good survival guide for disasters, so long as you're single.
If reality TV is so cool, then a reality Movie, even though it is fictional and full of breathtaking effects, is a breath of fresh air for Hollywood and I for one think it's one of the coolest takes on Sci Fi in Hollywood's history.
Two thumbs up for Cloverfield.
Powder (1995)
Humanity Portrayed To Perfection
This movie should be shown to every High School student on the planet. For a movie that is 14 years old, it truly captures the essence of consciousness and discusses the reality of life, devoid of the man made fantasy stories based on a cataclysmic event that spawned God and all his many forms... and wars for that matter. Powder is an essential addition to the nutritional mind food needed for Humanity to understand they must surpass technology and get back to nature. All actors delivered intimate performances, Lance especially. I believe this movie is a true masterpiece on all levels.
It is fast becoming obvious that we are no longer paying any attention to the most precious creature in our world. Like the whale and many other species of animal, Humans tend to torture, rape and poison this creature to a level that is truly inconceivable. This creature is like any other living and breathing creature in our world. This creature has a name and it is called Gaia. If we don't change our ways the creature we simply call a planet, will slip into a coma.
The Mighty Boosh (2003)
30 Minutes Of My Life I'll Never Get Back
So I bought series 1 and 2 of this show. I only watched the first episode. The longest half hour of my life. This is getting rave reviews, for what. The pilot episode was ignorant and devoid of comedy. I song that was a complete rip of Forever Autumn, with the lyrics of a 4 year old. The Boxing Guru Uncle strummed a bass guitar as if it were a six string, Indigenous Australians that bore no resemblance to the real thing. A punchline at the end that needed a flashback just in case the mentally challenged audience forget the last 10 minutes of the show. This was the first and last episode I will be watching, even if the show miraculously turns into a classic. Will be using the DVD's as beer coasters and the cases will be salvaged to replace some PS2 games I have with tatty cases. Enough said.
The Wrong Door (2008)
The Wrong Category
This show was dismal at best. CGI, WOW, I guess the last three Star Wars movies showed you what good CGI and no storyline can achieve, disappointment all round. The CGI effects in this show are good if it was broadcast in 1997, but let's face facts, YOUTUBE has some better stuff to offer.
The sketches in this show were very weak and drawn out with no payoff, some of them were marginally humorous, but where's the quality of the old days ie. THE FAST SHOW. Not many BBC sketch comedies have hit the mark lately. LITTLE Britain really took the toilet humour to a whole new pathetic level and after the first season, went down hill faster than an Olympic snowboarder. MITCHELL & WEBB however was quite a clever show, with some intelligent sketches and overall was and hopefully still is a great series. Maybe it's the dumbing down of society that is making the BBC target it's comedy department to purile rubbish, we had the YOUNG ONES in our day, the kids today have THE MIGHTY BOOSH. The comparison... put it this way I still haven't laughed once while watching THE MIGHT BOOSH. Have both seasons, based on rave reviews, but found it to be as funny as a Royal Christening, The Wrong Door is even worse.
The Golden Compass (2007)
Truly Wonderful
I didn't read the book, blessing me with an open mind to the film. It captured my imagination, the cast, the direction, the effects, superbly performed and executed. The story was fantastic, well portrayed and had moments that inspired me. Unlike most films these days, The Golden Compass, was truly remarkable.
The animation of the animals was impeccable and a step further than the original Chronicles of Narnia movie. To those of you who wrote it off after reading the book first, books are books, you can put them down and go to the bathroom without effecting the storyline, a movie is to be delivered with no toilet break, and The Gold Compass, although being 2 hours long, filled my satisfaction meter with 100% Pure Dust, and my bladder remained in tact.
The message I took away from the film was this, don't let the corrupt and mind dumbing authorities take away your freedom to dream, imagine and create. Oh, and teachers, leave them kids alone, although that is not true, without teachers where would we be. But I guess Pink Floyd wouldn't have had a hit if they replaced the word teachers with Magisterium Scientists. Well done, finally a film that makes you switch of the DVD player knowing you truly can go out and make a difference.
Jumper (2008)
Capitalistic Super Hero
This film really shows what capitalism can do to a person with super human powers. Imagine if you could do what David could do, would you rob banks or assist in the rescue of people drowning in a flood. This film is quite remarkable, Doug Liman has taken Hollywood on a "Read Between Lines" journey. You may think that, yes, David has done what is necessary to survive in a psychotically twisted society. Steal money from a bank to raise your status in society. Visit all the so called "Must See" tourist attractions around the world, but what about humanity. SAVE A LIFE. Is it that hard when you have these powers, not at all. I am only halfway through the film and so far I can see Doug's blatant attack on how most people in our pathetic system of status and survival would utilise these powers to make their own pointless life more commercially successful. Who cares about the life existing under the materialism we endure on a daily basis. What about the life that continues after our physical vehicle expires. This is the life we should cherish, not the life that People Magazine expects us to achieve, high flying, multi-millionaire status. BS. You need to express your life in the way that improves the lives of others that don't have what you take for granted. Given the script, I would have made David a politically incorrect fighter of real justice, rid the world of fascism, don't create your own, where you are the glorified dictator, and Samuel L. Jackson is the freedom fighter. Of course David may grow to become the selfless, unconditional hero he is destined to fulfill. So one question begs to be asked, WHERE IS THE SEQUEL?????
Deja Vu (2006)
Back To The Future 4 The DRAMA
This movie as with most movies was marketed sneakily. The trailer made you think it was Deja Vu but in reality it was TIME TRAVEL.
This movie wreaks of plot holes, but the biggest problem was the forced scriptwriting to get Denzel into action sequences that were a joke. Apart from the fact that he probably killed several people in the car chase, this was totally unnecessary. For a US Government, Black Ops kind of project, surely if the glimpses of the past 4 days camera goes out of range it would be easier to have a helicopter with a receiver mounted to it to access out of range footage.
Come on, sending a guy out in a truck with a helmet that let's you see the 4 days ago NOW, would be the dumbest car chase in Hollywood history, accept for Blues Brothers, but that's a comedy.
The scriptwriters had a 22 minute twilight zone episode to work with and were forced to flesh it out in the typical Hollywood formulaic style. BRING BACK TWILIGHT ZONE.
The whole thing with the red laser light piercing the time space continuum was in word, LAME, so was throwing a desk chair at highly intricate technology that could create a time space paradox or shut down the entire network, was very immature.
If accessing the past was the case, and the fact that they could send back a note stating the facts of the future, why didn't they just send back another note to any one of the characters, like say VAL KILMER or his boss, or the DEJA VU computer geeks. One successful attempt and they give up, only to use a Special Helmet that blocks the vision of the driver. Come on, it's almost as if George Bush was one of the script writers.
The clincher was after stating that sending a fly and a small animal back in time failed miserably, why then would they bother sending a human, also why didn't Denzel (A Brilliant Actor, just a bad Agent, where's Ari when you need him), strip down to the Full Monty for his time travel trip, even Arnie traveled back in time naked in T1 and T2.
All in all this movie was a multi million dollar Twilight Zone episode that really needed some love and attention to bring it up to speed.
Oh Jerry, Terry and Ted let some new writing blood on to the lot, who knows you might earn millions and educate your audience all at the same time.
It seems TV is starting to, or already is, out writing FILMS.
Dead Like Me (2003)
Undead Like Me
Although I am only 3 eps into this show, I am finding it depressing. George's voice over is the problem, her voice is very close to a computer voice that swears, and that's what my beef is, how many shows need to have so much swearing. It doesn't make a show smart using the "F" word, although it seems HBO lives by it.
The show itself is nothing special, grim reapers from Seinfeld, it simplifies death to an annoying level, heaven, gravelings, grim reapers who swear like troopers, Mandy Patinkin saying Jesus Christ, come on if Grim Reapers were working for God, why would they say that.
Call me old fashioned, but the show, 3 eps in, isn't doing it for me.
Of course, I should give it a few more episodes, maybe having a week between shows makes a difference, but at this point, if I was watching it on TV like the good old days, I wouldn't be crushed if I missed an episode.
One last thing, the "F" word is not funny when it is forced, and used by characters who should be intelligent, if they have come from old fashioned values, plus living as Grim Reapers for decades. It would be understandable if George used the word, but the others, NO WAY. Also undead, why do they need food, especially if they heal from major wounds.
Anyway the rules of death are superficially altered to make a so called Legendary Series.
I for one can see why they canceled it after 2 seasons, if I've counted over 100 fux in the first three episodes then I can see where it's going.
Mind you the show may hit me with it's Heroine injection in Episode 4, who knows. All I can say is one word continually used in a script to make it sound sophisticated is NOT FUNNY nor clever.
So many questions need answering, but this review page don't allow you to cover them.
Stick to Star Trek, Bryan, stick to Star Trek or maybe Battlestar Galactica at least then you will be able to get some mileage out of the word FRAK.
PS. For a mother who couldn't stand the word MOIST she sure lets fly with some colourful language when George calls her MUM. Character continuity people for FRAK's sake.
ADDENDUM.
This show should be called UNDEAD LIKE ME yeah!
After all the Grim Reapers are UNDEAD not DEAD.
Also now that I am into Episode 6, I have a few POF's.
1. If George had to wait for her body to be Buried before she could meet her fate, remember the wake, where some guy sits on her. Well what about the Little Girl on the train, she went straight to the Carnival up to heaven, no funeral, no wake. Or the parachutist, he took up to his puzzle filled heaven without so much as a bouquet of flowers on his tombstone.
2. Maybe I am mistaken, but my guess is if the Reaper takes you soul before the death moment, you retain your normal physical appearance. If not, then why do some dead people have vicious wounds from the death's but George, who would have been blown to iddy biddy pieces, remains in tact. Let me know what's going on here.
More additions to come.
23 August, 2007
Watching Episode 7.
Rube (You Killed My Father, Prepare To Die, Love Mandy) tells George she is a facilitator not a participant. If this is true, then why is she working in an office surrounded by people wanting her to participate in Bowling Matches or Scrapbook Making, how can she be a facilitator when she is forced to Participate. Just another GRIPE!!!
Heroes (2006)
So Far So Good
I'm only into the first episode of the first season and I can see the pieces adding up.
I am guessing that the characters with the Super Abilities all need to join forces to work as a Justice League.
One to see events in the future.
One to Fly the needed Heroes to the event.
One to stop time in case of an emergency.
One to get into the thick of it and get injured only to recover.
One to check their reflection to see if anything else needs to be done.
I will keep watching the DVD set to see if I am on the right path.
But so far so good.
Carnivàle (2003)
Where's Season 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and 9
This show was destined to be the greatest show on Television, it won loads of awards and the cast, writers, directors, art directors, costume designers and every member of the crew deserve a place in the Television Hall of Fame.
What was HBO thinking when they canned this masterpiece. It is without doubt the best piece of Televised Artwork to come out of America since Twin Peaks (Go Sampson) and dare I say, The X-Files.
I just finished watching the second season and was destroyed when I discovered the show had been axed.
Jonesy, Lodz, Sophie the Omega, Brother Justin and the dying Corn Field.
BRING IT BACK.
By the power of Greyskull I command HBO or any other Network with the balls and brains to give Danial Knauf, Tracey Torme and the Army of Incredible artisans the green light to continue this awe inspiring Feast of Visual Entertainment.
Let's create a Carnivale petition on the IMDb.
If you want this show back, VOTE HERE!!!
YES - Bring it Back.
NO - Leave it be.
Superman Returns (2006)
Da Kent Code or The Usual Plot holes
This film has it's usual (Look what we can do with our computers) Hollywood effects moments, but overall the movie left me feeling flat. It was as if someone had injected a soap opera storyline into the Man of Steel legacy.
Some thoughts plagued my mind while watching this film, Kevin Smith, came into mind when it was discovered that Jesus Christ... I mean Superman had a kid. I'm sure Mallrats summed it up, when Jason Lee made the comment that Superman would blow a hole through Lois Lane's back if they were to ever indulge in the sexual act. But I guess Bryan never saw Mallrats.
Okay, as a scriptwriter myself, story lines work within their own universal laws. These laws cannot be broken, yet I found myself seeing many illegal acts perpetrated in this film. Let me list them for all to see.
1. If Superman can fly through space and not need oxygen, then why couldn't his parents simply fly off Krypton and fly to another planet, why did they even need to place the infant Kal-El in a spaceship if the guy can fly and survive in Space. Die hard fans may say the Sun in the galaxy of Krypton made their species weak. If this is the case how did Superman fly to that galaxy and retrieve a piece of the planet. Wouldn't the Krypton sun turn him into a regular human being and wouldn't he have been killed. Please explain.
2. If the kid was his son, and his hair was long, how do you cut it to make it the standard Superman length, in fact, how did Mr. and Mrs. Kent cut Clark's hair when we all know it is Super Strong.
3. When Superman was rushed to hospital, how did the Nurses remove his suit so easily, especially when the same suit can withstand Space Shuttle Rocket Boosters (Without Superman or the suit receiving soot stains), Re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere and God knows what other stresses it received throughout the film. More to the point, how can simple human surgical instruments penetrate Superman's skin to retrieve Kryptonite fragments. You may say the Kryptonite weakened his skin, but in the same scene we see a syringe needle bend in the process of injecting Superman with morphine or whatever it was they were administering. You also saw the defibrillator go berserk when the Doctor said CLEAR.
4. How did Lois remain in tact while carrying Kal-El Jr in her womb. One kick from this baby and she would have been thrown across the room like the piano. Of course in this film Lois appears to have Super powers herself, the 777 Aircraft scene was a good example of her Super powers. She was thrown around that aircraft like a Rag doll, yet when Jimmy Marsden asks if she is okay, she doesn't even have a bruise, let alone a limp. To top it off Lois cops a severe head wound from the Refrigerator Door dropping on her head. This girl definitely has Super Powers, Wonder Woman watch out.
5. If the new continent created by Lex Luthor was created from 70% Kryptonite, Superman would not have been able to Fly and Land on the surface of this continent without shattering his ankles, we clearly see the ground below him shatter like chocolate, but 5 minutes later he is being kicked around like a hacky sack by the human henchmen. Lex pushes him down a flight of stairs without breaking a sweat, yet Superman flies to his enemy's lair and manages to land and smash the ground without breaking his legs.
6. Kate is 23 years old. If this is the case Lois was 18 when she became a seasoned journalist earning a Pulitzer Price.
7. The Boat in which Lois and the munchkin were locked in, was, as seen in the film, many miles from the point of impact of the Kryptonite/Crystal in the ocean. Lex and his crew used the Helicopter to get to the continent. If this is the case, how did a piece of this new continent rise up directly underneath them. According the laws of this continent creating crystal, the jagged monoliths rose up in a diagonal direction, therefore being such a long distance away from the boat, there was no way known a monolith could have risen directly below the boat. OK, so maybe this is a bit picky, but hey this is Superman we're talking about.
8. In one scene we see Superman launch into the air via the elevator shaft, straight up. How did he exit the Daily Planet building without taking out the roof or the Daily Planet Globe.
9. The acting of Superman when holding back the 777 and catching the Daily Planet Globe showed strain on his behalf, and lots of it. However with a Kryptonite shiv stuck in his side, he manages to lift the entire Crystal/Kryptonite Continent, which I might add is still made up of 70% Kryptonite, which is clearly shown when we see him under the continent heaving it into space. How does Superman perform to 100% of his power if Kryptonite is supposed to KILL him. And wouldn't the Crystal/Kryptonite Continent ultimately become a second moon, trapped within the Earth outer gravity orbit.
Also in relation to the Crystal Continent, Lex demonstrates the displacement of the ocean water under the weight of his new continental creation swamping the US Continent. Why did we not see a Tidal Wave swamp Metropolis, and why didn't the underwater earthquake, that was depicted so vividly in the movie, split Metropolis in half.
Something tells me Superman Begins or whatever the sequel will be titled may wind up being better than it's predecessor with Richard Donner at the helm of course.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Plain Jane and John Doe
True Lies was a far superior version of this mistaken identity Secret Agent storyline. This script had potential but it went no-where. I heard it took 50 drafts to get it right and an abundance of writers. Seems Hollywood is still a fickle industry.
Do the actors actually read the script before they sign on, and if they do is it the same as the final movie release script. If this is the case then Pitt and Jolie need to take a long hard look at themselves. And why was Osama Bin Laden's painting on the ensuite wall in their house. 15 minutes into the film you will see what I am talking about, can someone tell me what this portrait signifies.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Awesome!
I tried but I couldn't picture any other actor playing the role of Joel Barrish. Jim Carrey was superb. Kate Winslett was also brilliant, she has this amazing ability to make you fall in love with her characters. Sterling effort. The rest of the wonderful cast were so perfect it helped make the leads shine. You know something, to tell you the truth, the whole film is a masterpiece. Charlie Kaufmann's script was once again mentally challenging and fantastic.
Well done to the Production Team, I loved 21 Grams too, it was an amazing movie. It's wonderful to see a new quality and standard coming out of Hollywood today. Movies for the mind, after all it's about time our mental diet got some real nutrition instead of all the fast food we're served by the toxic fox... I mean box. Please don't Supersize Me.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Finally, The Bar Is Raised The Competition Is On.
Well it's taken a while but finally Peter Jackson has taken Hollywood by storm and actually shown them how to deliver an entertaining movie that keeps the storyline in tact and visualises the mastery, mysticism and grandeur that is J.R.R. Tolkien.
Gollum is nothing short of Breathtaking. The Academy need to add a new Acting Award to the Oscars in the very near future. Best Performace by a Digital Character. Gollum's presence in the film was felt in a way only human actors can deliver. "Weta Effects" should be proud of their skills and talents in bringing Numbers together on a PC to give life to a character that makes the human audience Laugh, Cry and Feel Compassion.
Although the movie was slow in places overall it was a great film. 9/10 is an accurate score.
On a difference note, my Friend & I do have a question to ask either Peter Jackson (Screenplay) or Mr. Tolkien's estate (Novel). Q: If Saruman has the technology for his troops to fire large crossbow catapults over the walls. Why then didn't they just simply fasten the gunpowder bombs to them and fire them over the wall. Seems it would have been smarter to do that then have an Orc run up to the castle carrying the Bomb.
Also in an earlier scene, Saruman let's Wormtongue know he has stumbled upon this new form of Weaponry. Wormtongue brings the candle closer to the gunpowder (Secret Weapon) and Saruman fends him off for obvious reasons. If this secret weapon "GUNPOWDER" is so secret or such a new threat to the kingdom of man, then why did Gandalf have a wagon full of Fireworks for all to see in the Hobbiton Shire. If Saruman was as clever as he looks don't ya think he would have invented the Gun. Even the Chinese used rockets in war when they discovered that Fireworks could be fired in a certain direction. Look at Mulan. I guess Saruman... I mean Christopher Lee is overworked from his appearances in two of the biggest franchises in Hollywood History. Hey I know maybe Christopher could take over the role of Dumbledore in Harry Potter.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
The Novelty Wears Off Quickly
He's no James Bond but I'm sure he'll get the franchise milked out of him until he is petrified like the HalfBlood Wizards in the movie. The movie itself was just like the first, the storyline was just like the first, same spells, same Quidditch, same characters and even the same bad guy. Apart from a house elf, a screaming Mandrake weed, Oh and not to mention the Eight Legged Freaks and a tree cinematically reminiscent of Poltergiest; there were no real exciting moments in the movie to rival the first. I guess that's why there was no sequels to E.T. or Willy Wonka. Of course if you are to create a character for recurring storylines take a leaf out of the Indiana Jones and James Bond movies. Location Location Location. I'm sure Indiana Jones would be just as exciting if all his movies were set in the Temple of Doom. I hope the next instalment sees Harry's adventures locate to London for some Muggledom Antics with the powers that be.
Oh and when I get round to it I will read the novels. In fact I will read the novels before I see the next cinematic version of the literary classic.
And on a personal note, the IMDB should remove the line in the first comment by dsbauer99@yahoo.com Illonois referring to the late, great actor of the 20th Century, Richard Harris as kicking the bucket. A fine human being should be remembered with dignity and his passing was not a matter of kicking the bucket but a great loss to the film industry as well as the Harry Potter Franchise.