me-17 Reviews

Project: Valkyrie (2002)

OK movie, needed streamlining

[5/10 · 6 January 2008]

Project Valkyrie is a case of a great idea and a so-so execution. The robot has a great appearance- very 1940s. The idea of the Nazis developing some sort of nano-virus is also kind of cool, as is the idea of the creator's grandson finding his grandfather's work in the modern day. Acting is decent for an indie film, and the music is surprisingly good IMHO.

There are plot holes though. The film fails, for instance, to explain what benefit the virus was- other than turning those sprayed into minions. The creatures created surely wouldn't fit Hitler's idea of an 'Übermensch' or a superior human- and they did not appear to have superior strength or other attributes that would have made them super soldiers. A nanite virus that turned the victim into a super strong warrior (perhaps with blond hair and blue eyes) would have been more clever. Nor is it clear why Project Valkyrie would be needed to combat these guys given their lack of superpowers. In fact the US Army with millions of men would have worked better, as one robot couldn't combat an army of these things had they been created.

All in all a good flick, with a great idea that could have been developed further.

The Thin Red Line (1998)

One of the worst war movies ever...

[3/10 · 27 December 2003]

Thin Red Line is without a doubt one of the worst war movies ever. Why? Because of WHEN it was set, using the story that was used. The whole problem can be summed up by "why are we here?" In short, the main charachters felt that they are in a horrible situation that no one should have to be in. And they question why.

This plot would do very well in a Vietnam era film. But this was World War Two. The "good war." No war is good, and I'm sure that the soldiers on Guadalcanal hated being there, but I don't think any of them EVER questioned WHY they were there. They were there because the US had been attacked. They were there because of the Japanese and Pearl Harbor. Though unrelated, one could even say that They were there because Hitler had declared war on the US. World War two was the last war that the US fought that REALLY had a sense of purpose. We were in the right and we knew it. People don't want to see a move about the greatest generation questioning their worth and values. It just isn't realistic. Even though it is a bit hokey and doesn't reflect the reality of the last mission, Memphis Belle is what people want, and reflects more the reality of the war and the men's attitudes toward it, I think.

Do yourself a favor and leave this miserable piece of revisionist propaganda on the shelf.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Very good movie, but more like a movie based on cliff notes of the book

[29 December 2002]

I was impressed with Fellowship and Two Towers in terms of cinematics, visuals, action scenes, and so on. However, in both films, key elements are left out. Two towers left out fewer though, and I liked the approach of skipping back and forth between Sam/Frodo and the rest of the group, whereas the book presents the rescuing of Merry/Pippin in the first half, and Sam and Frodo's quest in the second. That said however, there are SO many details left out from both films so far that it is like watching a movie based on the cliff notes of the book. If the viewer REALLY wants to know what is going on, he needs to read The Hobbit, and preferably also the Silmarillion, as both set the scene for the trilogy seen here. Nonetheless, a great movie on its own, worthy of an 8 or 9.

Arachnid (2001)

Nothing great here, but I've seen worse

[5/10 · 3 April 2002]

This movie features bad special effects in some areas, and pretty good ones in others. The idea had a lot more potential than the script delivered. Not an edge of your seat movie, and several things did not hold together; don't waste your money. On the other hand, if it comes on the late show or you have a free movie rental coupon, it's worth a look.

That's My Bush! (2001)

Not a very clever show

[4 April 2001]

You know, when Saturday Night Live poked fun at a president, it was funny. When people made jokes about Bill Clinton and Monica, it was funny. But this show has gone over the line. George Bush hasn't had time to do anything to make fun of yet; so they have just made up a comedy (if you can call it that) poking fun at the president. What an irrevrant insult to the most distinguished office in the land! I vote both Democrat and Republican, so I don't really have a bias. This show may be protected by free speech, but it is a sad commentary on American respect for the president, continuing the unfortunate precedent started by the Clinton administration. I hope this show doesn't last long.

Enemy at the Gates (2001)

Good movie, pretty true to history, but...

[8/10 · 21 March 2001]

This movie is one of the better war movies of late, as it is based on an historical event. Very gritty, very realistic. As an avid collector of military rifles, I found most guns in the movie to be historically accurate, as were the planes. But I have one problem. So many historical dramas recently incorporate a love interest. While I don't know if Zaitsev had such a love interest, I doubt it. Like Titanic, the drama of the real life event is more than enough to make a movie good. The love story just isn't needed. As for the lovemaking scenes (if you can call such animalistic behavior lovemaking) they weren't romantic, just nauseating. Still, overall, a great film, strongly recommended!

Moontrap (1988)

A great sci fi idea hurt by low budget

[6/10 · 26 August 2000]

This is a case of a movie where I found the premise to be quite interesting, but it just couldn't survive a very low budget, plot holes, poor special effects, and, I hate to say it, bad acting, even on the part of veteran Walter Koenig, who should have done better. The movie left me unsatisfied. Where did the ancient astronauts come from? Where they ancient egyptians? If so, Koenig's girlfreind didn't look very egyptian. How come the robots didn't kill the girl in stasis? Why did NASA even dream of using and obsolete Apollo capsule in the 1980's? As I say, quite a few plot holes. Still, the movie held my interest despite all this, so I give it a 6.

Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1995)

No prize winner, but not deserving of the bottom 100

[5/10 · 13 July 2000]

I didn't have high expectations for this movie, as I didn't think the first Lawnmower man was great and this was after all a sequel. I can't say I thought the film was good. However, I didn't walk away. I have seen some really BAD movies in my day, and while this was no prize winner, I wouldn't put it on my all time s*** list. Bottom line: If you're really bored and you can see this for free on cable, its worth a look. Otherwise, forget it.

Masculine Feminine (1966)

Makes no sense, but strangely holds attention

[8/10 · 15 April 2000]

This film by all rights should be awful. There is little continuity, the interspersed sounds of gunfire and breaking glass hurt my ears, the acting was bad (though it is neo-realism) and there was no identifiable plot. Yet for some reason it held my attention. And the girl who played the lead role has a beautiful singing voice, if it is indeed her who sings in the film.

Mission to Mars (2000)

Nothing great

[18 March 2000]

Well, I have to say that I was disappointed overall. A lot of actors who I liked were in this film, including Jerry O'Connell (I am a big Sliders fan), but this could not help the film. Showing the actual Mars Landing, showing less of the trip out on the rescue mission, and having had the alien say something may have helped. I think that this movie tried to do shoot'em up style with the dust twister, drama with the rest of the script, and adventure throughout and so failed. Had the writers picked just one of these angles, even the trite shoot-em-up, the movie would have been more enjoyable.

Species II (1998)

Not as bad as the other guy said

[7/10 · 3 December 1999]

This film has gotten bad reviews, but I don't see why. I quite liked it. The opening scenes were pitiful though; Mars looked all wrong. There should be a significant time lapse in communications between Mars and Houston. There shouldn't have been gravity on the ship. These science problems aside though,I thought it was as good as the original.

Das Boot (1981)

Great film

[10/10 · 21 September 1998]

A true action film, truly great, on the edge of your seat.