Change Your Image
planetp
Reviews
Tron: Legacy (2010)
Powerful Score, Fantastic Effects, Good Enough Plot
The score by Daft Punk is top notch, probably one of the best and most powerful scores I've heard in a in a long time. The music is perfectly scored to the action, pace and tone of the movie. It is powerful, deep, and will rock your socks off. I can't say enough about it, other than it made the movie. I'm almost certain they will get an Oscar nod.
The effects are groundbreaking and take cyberspace to a whole new level. Not only will they get an Oscar for the effects, they will probably win it.
I'm not sure why this movie has gotten such negative reviews. The plot is good. Different in tone than the first, but good. Perhaps these negative reviews are coming from people who did not see or were not influenced by the first film. I came of age during the arcade era, and the first movie captured that age perfectly. To see it come to life again with this stunning movie was thrilling. I could see a few more plot twists this movie could have explored, but it did a good enough job with attention to detail, some interesting conceptual ideas, and plenty of references to the old movie to be enjoyed by fans of the first movie.
The Phoenix (1981)
Best scifi show ever!
It might sound quaint to say this was the best scifi show ever, but given the time when this show was made (1981), it was WAY ahead of its time. What made this show so compelling wasn't the special effects but the entire conceptual premise, which was more far out and mystical than any other show before or since. As a long-time fan of scifi such as Star Wars and Star Trek, this show more than any other is the most memorable in influencing my young mind about the possibilities of extraterrestrial intelligence, consciousness, and the outer reaches of human potential. Despite only 5 shows, I still see its influence on my conceptions of what's possible to this day. Judson Scott did an outstanding job of portraying a highly evolved, spiritual, intelligent and compassionate being that has been unmatched since this show. Like others here I would do almost anything, pay almost anything to get a copy of the show.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Too fast, Too cut, Too short
This is hard to post this, but I'm disappointed with the third film. Oh, don't get me wrong, the style, the acting, the mood, the intensity and visauls... all were simply awesome, best yet in fact! I was even able to get past some of the major discontinuities.
However, this film was paced too fast, almost as if everyone was over caffienated. All the scenes felt rushed. Very little was explained, too little detail, too many jumps from one scene to another - disjointed, not smooth.
I mean, the film went from fall to spring (as evidenced by the Womping willow dropping, and then getting its leaves back) in less than 15 minutes by the clock! Think about it, 6 months of the school year went by in 1/8 of the film!! Rushed, rushed, rushed.
They also changed the ambient "situationals" of several of the scenes, apparently all in an effort to get through this film as fast as possible.
And finally, I think the smoking gun, is this film is 15 minutes shorter than the first two films, yet the story is longer and more complex. Why did they cut out so much? What were they thinking?
No mention of Moony Padfoot, Wormtail?!!
From what I can tell, this film basically went from the highlights of every OTHER chapter.
Hopefully, upon repeated viewings this film will grow on me. But unlike the first two films, I walked out of the theatre feeling cheated. This film deserved to be 30 minutes longer. When the film came to an end.. my feeling was, "that's it, it's over?"
I think it obviously comes down to a combination of direction and editing. Was Alfonso on speed? Sure seems like it to me.
Hopefully, they will come out with an extended version at some point, assuming they filmed more critical scenes. Please oh please, lets pray they did!
Hopefully the new director, Mike Newell will do a better job for the fourth film, which is even more demanding of complexity, detail, pacing, and length.
P.S. Gary Oldman was brilliant!
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Awesome, Best Mind-Bend Ever.
After reading the reviews here and the in the newspaper I was expecting a less than stellar sequel. They were wrong! Yes, the film dragged at first. Yes, the some of the Zion scenes dragged a bit. Yes, there could have been more polished editing in parts. And yes, the music could have been better, more emotionally pulling like the original one.
Beyond those minor annoyances this film blew my mind. The scene with the Architect is truly one of a kind. If you didn't follow all of the implications then I suggest you watch that scene again.
Spoilers Below:
In case you didn't figure this out:
1) The Oracle is the mother of the Matrix, and as such is maintaining the status quo. She is not on the humans side, and probably never was. She is simply doing what she does, which is to cultivate "The One" to perpetuate the cycle of death and rebirth of Zion, whose sole purpose is to give the humans they can't entirely control, the illusion of choice. In other words, Zion is merely a release valve for the most spirited humans to play out their choices in a safe and controlled manner.
2) Since this cycle has now played out 6 times, that means it's not even close to 2199 as Morpheus once believed, but probably closer to 2699, since each cycle appears to take a minimum of 100 years to get from birth of Zion to "The One".
This is mind blowing stuff. And that alone, I give this movie a 10/10. Oh, and some of the effects are absolutely mind-blowing, especially the truck explosion.
Wo hu cang long (2000)
Heart Achingly Beautiful
I watched this film 3 days ago, and I have been struggling to find a film that I would consider better. I have not. Since 1981, my favorite film of all time has been 'The Empire Strikes Back'. There have been several very good films in the last few years, 'The Usual Suspects', 'American Beauty', 'Shawshank Redemption' and 'The Matrix'. None of these comes close to the heart-aching beauty and reverence this film has. This film has it all and more - plot, emotion, action, passion and suspense. Several times throughout the film I was moved to tears, not necessarily because it was sad, but because it was moving. I even cried during an action scene! After 20 years, finally a film that takes over as my favorite film of all time. Please go see this film , you won't regret it.
The 6th Day (2000)
Engaging and Action Packed.
I loved this movie. Arnold has done it again. Besides all the packed in action and great special effects this movie has an engaging and intelligent plot that takes you for a ride. Its got all the fun, action, humor and drama that you can fit into a two hour span. Other than what I felt was an overly negative portrayal of cutting edge bio-technologies, it saved itself in the end on that note as well. Go see it, its great entertainment for 8 bucks.
Titan A.E. (2000)
Visually Unique!
I have to disagree with the critics once again - Boy I hate those guys! I found the animation on this film to be the best yet. With its combination of traditional 'disney' animation and 3cgi it pops a wallop of a ride. There were times when it seemed completely real. What I liked even more about the film was the very original settings, the hydrogen trees, the backdrops. It felt like I was really in another distant part of the galaxy. It was a refreshing part from the traditional fray of films which feel like the same old crap rehashed with a slightly re-written story. This movie was fresh, new and enthralling. There was so much visual content that I have to go see it again to absorb more of it. The films weakness was that it didn't develop the characters enough, and certain of the rock songs didn't fit well with what was going on.
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Best Action-Adventure movie ever made.
Beyond all the wonderful things that can be said about this film and one of the best movie scores ever, Conan the Barbarian contains many layers of subtlety often overlooked. Near the beginning of the film, Conan looses his parents to Thulsa Doom. This shock leaves him extremely vunerable and you could say re-imprints Thulsa Doom as his father who then shortly thereafter sells him into slavery. This instills him a tremendous degree of rejection and rage towards Thulsa and a subsequent quest for revenge or re-demption. This is why when Conan approaches Thulsa at the end of the film with the intent of killing him, Thulsa points out rather poignantly that who would Conan be if it wasn't for him. That Thulsa gave Conan all these desires, that without these desires Conan would not be the person he is - strong and powerful. Conan hesitates to kill Thulsa with the truth of Thulsa statement, realizing that ina way Thulsa has played a father-type significance in his life. But shortly Conan trancends his childhood programming iniatiated by Thulsa as well as the current hypnotic trance Thulsa puts on him and kills Thulsa - thus ending the cycle of revenge, pain, suffering and the ability for Thulsa to continue his evil on the world.
Titan A.E. (2000)
Visually Unique!
I have to disagree with the critics once again - Boy I hate those guys! I found the animation on this film to be the best yet. With its combination of traditional 'disney' animation and 3cgi it pops a wallop of a ride. There were times when it seemed completely real. What I liked even more about the film was the very original settings, the hydrogen trees, the backdrops. It felt like I was really in another distant part of the galaxy. It was a refreshing part from the traditional fray of films which feel like the same old crap rehashed with a slightly re-written story. This movie was fresh, new and enthralling. There was so much visual content that I have to go see it again to absorb more of it. The films weakness was that it didn't develop the characters enough, and certain of the rock songs didn't fit well with what was going on.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Who cares, its STAR WARS!
Despite all the negative reviews, I still loved this movie and have gone back to see it 2 more times already, and its only Thursday! The one thing I always liked about Star Wars is its ability to capture my imagination and take it on a ride. This movie delivers on that thrill. I can't help but to continue picturing myself wandering around in dazed wonder at the places depicted in this film and all other things Star Wars.
Naboo is the most beautiful place I have ever seen depicted on film. I just wish Lucas would leave more room for human character development and plot - that is where the real story lies. The story line is good, but can be drowned out by too much computer generated characterization. Jar Jar Binks is a little too much, and the junket dealer and slave owner is too contorted. And what the hell is 'Willow' doing in there? The coincidence of C3PO being made by Anakin, come on! Lets have a little plot diversity - not everything can be that connected, force or not - leave a little more to chance.
On the other hand, all of the characters were well acted. Natalie Portman did not give a stiff performance. Jake Lloyd did a fine job. Liam Neeson and Ewan MacGregor were perfect as Jedi's.
Overall, the story unfolds perfectly, setting the tone for episodes II and III. I loved the movie and plan on seeing it a few more times on the big screen. Wow!
The Matrix (1999)
Replaces Blade Runner as the Premier Cult Classic
I absolutely loved this movie! This movie is all plot! The special effects are the medium to express it. We all know how amazing those two films are. I expect this film to do very well at the box office and continue to garnish a steady stream of revenue for many years to come as a favorite cult classic of the techno-savvy and psychologically astute audience. This is not a film for the sedate.
For those familiar with Moore's law and the eventual emergence of nanotechnology, the plausibility of 'The Matrix' is all to real. The Matrix reminds us of the value of our humanity and I think cautions us to wake up and not take things for granted; that we may go forward with wisdom and compassion aboard a technological rocket ride that frees us, not enslaves us. The message is simple - increase your intelligence now!
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Immortality 1, Technology 0?
With some irony, Star Trek - a show of the future, finally ventures into the issue of immortality in a positive way, as if it's a good thing afterall. Finally! You would think that people still dying off around 100 years old in the 24th Century is a gross example of medical neglect. However, this immortality is won not by embracing technology, but by shunning it. What is Star Trek trying to tell us this time? I enjoy this movie's venture into the wisdom and beauty capable of people who've lived centuries, but I'm very disappointed at Star Trek continuing its long charade of humanity remaining stagnant amidst tremendous technological capacity. Not only is this illogical as Spock would say, but is evidence once again, that Gene Roddenberry's humanistic legacy continues to hold this show back from its TRANS-humanist potential.