Change Your Image
ScottFM1
Reviews
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
A movie that calls out unsophisticated audiences
This movie is about how the American public will shell out good money to watch action packed junk and the disdain that the writer/director feels towards them. The movie plot is about a former action movie star who wants to show the world he is a real actor. But he will not get that chance. The public does not want him to move past his role as the super hero Birdman, critics do not like him because he is too Hollywood and other theater actors do not like him because he is not a real actor, an actor who only measures success "one weekend at a time" as Ed Norton's character states.
The audience is given the story very early on in the movie. I cannot even call it foreshadowing because the ending is so blatantly given away by a couple of characters. There should be no surprise to anyone watching this movie what will happen. But alas, the unsophisticated in the audience where I viewed the film were surprised. The dance sequence after the ultimate ending scene in the play in the movie pokes fun at Spiderman on Broadway, Marvel comic book movies, Michael Bay via his Transformers series, etc. That along with the earlier speeches with the critic, one feels that this movie is nothing more than a giant middle finger from the director and writer to the viewer.
Michael Keaton does a great acting job. But the story is not something that I would call moving or revealing. The final irony is that a viewer will be out at least $10 for being told that they really don't matter.
The Ride (1997)
Tripe
So here I am sitting in a hotel in Sanya, China with only one, sometimes, English TV station. This movie comes on and of course I have to watch, if only to hear English spoken. The movie revolves around a has-been rodeo cowboy played by Micheal Biehn of Terminator fame and his problems with life, alcohol, women, and his new problem, the Christian far right.
The movie reminds me of those drivers ed type movies you may have seen in high school. There are predictable, barely believable issues that are resolved with prayer and faith. Smokey continues to have problems even as he is given a chance by the local sheriff to rehabilitate himself after a DUI. He is asked to be a counselor at a boys ranch and to teach one of the kids how to ride a bull. There are many predictable problems and even though Smokey keeps messing up the rest of the camp counselors continue to have faith in him and, as he eventually sees the error of his way, embraces Jesus thus making his life better.
Unless you are also trapped on a remote island of the coast of China I recommend missing this one.
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Bravo Mr. Moore. Thank you!
This is a very well done film and is Mr. Moore's best ever. It is told mostly through the words and actions of those that have opened themselves up to criticism.
As the polling shows people are very polarized on the entire issue of the Bush regime. I do not think this film will change anyone's mind but if it at least makes you think and then to check the facts out yourself it has done more than the US media has done.
So take the chance to watch a truly amazing work of film. The documentary style is so much the richer for this addition to the genre.
---SPOILERS BELOW---
The part of the movie I found to be the most moving was when each of President's staff gave their speech on why Iraq needed to be attacked and then their statements of just a few months prior to the war talk were made and the two statements for each person were completely contrary. It is interesting that the facts as we know them now in Iraq support their statements of Iraq not being a threat.
Star Trek: The Experience - Borg Invasion 4D (2004)
Great Fun while in Las Vegas!
Saw it last weekend at the Las Vegas Hilton. It is indeed part of the Star Trek exhibit/experience there. They still have the original experience for those that are wondering.
-----Spoliers----
'4D' starts of with you receiving a briefing at Conpernicus station from a Lt (live in the room with you) and the Doctor (Robert Picardo of Voyager) on the view screen. It seems that you have been identified as probably having a gene that makes you immune to the Borg nanoprobes and Star Fleet wishes to do some research with you. But before that research can start the station is attacked by a Borg cube. While the attack is underway several crewmen rush in and the floor shakes form the phaser blasts. The order is given to evacuate you to a shuttle pod. So you are quickly rushed into a passageway inside the station where before you can reach the shuttle several crewmen are attacked by the BOrg, and you yourself have some close encounters with them.
Eventually you reach the shuttle pod and are orderd to put on protective gogles (3d glasses) and enter the pod, which is a large theater decorated to look like a shuttle with a big view screen and crewmen 'flying' it. The floor will move and you will feel things such as wind and 'nanoprobes' while trying to escape. But eventually all is lost and you are pulled into the Borg cube for assimilation. After some additional 'fun' you are rescued by Capt. Janeway and the Voyager.
-------------Spoliers off--------
The whole encouter takes about 15 minutes and is great fun if you are a fan. Your ticket includes the other experience and of course a visit to Quark's Bar is a must afterwards.
Pride and Prejudice (2003)
A must MISS!
Puh-lease! comes to mind after watching this version of the movie. The story would be passable if it did not try to capitalize on Austin's work, which is one of the best novels ever written. Instead the uncreative writing team stole concepts and characters to fulfill their lack of creative talents. I think that if you are attracted to this moving because you are fan of Austin you will be very disappointed. However, if you have no idea who Miss Austin is or what she has done you find this movie barely entertaining.
All About Us (2001)
Thankfully on TV
Having been trapped in a non-English speaking area for a couple of weeks I was channel surfing looking for something that at least looked good and came across this and it was in English with Malay subtitles.
WOW what a great show!! It was the first thing I had seen that I could understand!
But, had I seen it in the US I think I would not have watched it again. It is definetly a teenaged girl show and an OK one a that.
Armageddon (1998)
Fun!
I seldom enjoy these types of action movies but I caught this one on a pay channel one day and got hooked. Yes, it is really way out there with highly unlikely situations but I enjoyed the interaction of the characters. I also think the actors playing those characters were a lot of fun to watch too.
I recommend this movie as long as you do not take it too serious. Just watch and listen some of the lines are really good like when Rockhound is tied up and the shuttle engines won't start he starts complaining about loosing his front row seat to the end of the earth.
Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
A night to remember, with apologies to Walter Lord
I can recall the screening of this film like no other. I was 18 and in love with Sci-fi, I took my then girlfriend to see the movie and she was intrigued to see it having the hype of Star Wars and a new Star Trek film of the past few years be such a part of HS years. So here I am in the theater watching 'Jon-boy' get his characters inspiration from several walnuts telling him to save the universe. After about 45 minutes I could not take it anymore and we walked out. Yes, this is the first movie I ever walked out on! A memorable movie for that fact alone. Do pass this one up!