randolf-destaller Reviews

Another Life (2019–2021)

Best science fiction TV show in 15 years!

[9/10 · 28 October 2021]

For me, the age of good science fiction on TV ended with the wonderful "Xindi"-Season of Star Trek Enterprise in 2004. Then - nothing. Next: pretentious dumb action movies, at the same time brutal and p.c. Called "Star Trek Discovery". Next: pretentious dumb-to-the-extent-of-retarded action movies, cynical and brutal, called "Star Trek Picard". Then: "Another Life" combining the best of old "Star Trek" and "Earth Two" with a bit of "Alien" and "2001" and what's the result? - 1 to 5 point reviews? Seriously? What's "Picard" then? Minus 10? I say: disappointed trekkers, come here and support this show! Oh dear.....

Brummi (2020)

Professional low-budget movie with some defects

[4/10 · 28 June 2020]

Professional low-budget movie with some serious defects, in detail: The dialogue contains a certain amount of script-speak, the plot uses all-too-easy references to GDR past and doesn't dare to show the escalation of the central psychological conflict when one main character, Thomas, begins to lapse into anarcho-capitalistic delusion. The end consists of a natural cause of death for Thomas, unfortunately not emerging from the plot. Steffen Böye's abilities to play the other main character, the likeable mid-fifties Rolf, who is at risk to become an old bachelor, would have deserved a better frame.

Undertow (2009)

Showpiece of unintended homophobia

[1/10 · 13 May 2020]

Outdated reproduction of the clichee that every male-to-male love story has to contain either separation or the death of one of the men, as endlessly retold in 20th century cinema from 1919 ('Anders als die andern') to 1996 ('Beautiful Thing', first major exception). Typical progressive panels like the ones at Sundance and GLAAD unexplainably ignored the imagery of unintended and internalised homophobia.

Tan Lines (II) (2005)

Perfectly sensitive coming-out- and lovestory

[9/10 · 13 May 2020]

A contemporary masterpiece of the Arthouse genre, featuring impressive performances by adolescent lead actors and a more mature supporting one (Christian Willis). Atmosphere and emotion without neglecting the plot. The incorporation of elderly amateur actors and surreal elements doesn't really fit in, but could be explained as an exercise in style, done by the director to make his long-film debut more diverse. - Absolute recommendation for all gay and straight audiences interested in coming-out related stories, and that - in my opinion - from the age of 12, unlike the actual certifications.

Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)

Only tolerable if you consider this non-canon

[2/10 · 13 May 2020]

Not-so-dumb science fiction story that would have been tolerable as a stand-alone movie. Whithin the Star Trek universe it's unbearable in its negativity. Going from 1966-to-2005-utopia to fashionable dystopia is not bold but cowardly, because it requires much less creativity and imagination. The Characters resumed from TNG resp. VOY don't fare well: Picard is embittered, Troi and Ryker kitschified, Data mystified and Seven morally degenerated. In this condition, they have to act in a web of plagiarism reaching from Star Trek itself (Search for Spock) via Star Wars (the Millennium Falcon with its crew) to Underworld (Romulan = Vampire aristocracy). This is the consequence of rushing out the whole production staff in 2005 instead of letting Rick Berman build up a competent successor.