jaziro1 Reviews

Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Fantastic and Underrated

[26 April 2020]

When you watch a movie as an adult, and it hits like when you were 7, you know its well written. No awkward prologue, no clunky transition, no agenda, no sanitation of affection between boys and girls. its a more than a fine movie, its a perfect adventure. Well, almost perfect. I could do without the annoying Pee Wee Herman voice. I hated it then, still hate it now.

A time when people thought NASA actually had some sort of authoritative power. When calling someone a geek was really an insult. And when a '64 mustang was a car you gave to a teenager.

So I took off a few points off for the Pee Wee Herman imitations. Of course, I know Pee Wee's gross adventures weren't known at this time but that's not way. I took off a few points because the pluky voice throws the WHOLE flow and feel of the movie off. It doesn't match. I refuse to believe that the people who wrote this movie are the same people who made the alien talk like the Pee. It was as if someone in the board room (someone who didn't even read the script) told them , "Hey, good work, but the alien needs to talk like Pee Wee Herman because Pee Wee is a hit with the kids. k bye."

Shows nowadays sanitize kid's movies so much that they are flavorless. I think things were simpler then. But I am most impressed that there is some significant tension between the alien and the boy, rather than just a typical love at first sight. So if I took a few points off for Pee Wee, then I'm adding a point for those things.

Almost thirty years now, so I definitely have accepted the answer to David's final question. Good luck Max.

ps. I can't believe they said the S word!

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Good movie about friendship

[15 April 2020]

This is the first time I seen a movie go through a rewrite that actually ended up good. I'm sure if they took a bit more time with it they could have polished up the script even more, but as it stands, its a nice family movie about friendship.

Jim Carey absolutely delivers. He made that movie, end of story. It's great that Dr. Robotnik was just a generic villain in the video game, that way Carey could basically mold it into whatever he wanted. Without Carey, its hard to imagine it delivering as well.

Script still felt a bit rushed toward the end, but I enjoyed it. I'm hoping they take their time with it on the next go round. And continue to bring in people faithful to the brand. The friendship storyline was a good bet.

Pitch Black (2000)

When humanity needs the animal side.

[10 March 2020]

I think Pitch Black is one of the few movies I consider to be the pinnacle of sci fi story telling. Suspense, terror, honor, aliens, survival, humanity, fear, and sacrifice, all wrapped up evenly and perfectly timed to smoothly digest in one sitting. The universal physics doesn't require explaining, you never get pulled out of the moment. The build up is perfectly done. It touches you. I think a Hitchcock lover would be proud.

This movie remains on my top 10 sci fi movies. I can immerse my self in this movie and feel deeply for every character in the brief moment they strut upon the stage.

Just watch it, even if you've seen it. Watch it again.

Flash Gordon (1980)

Its like hot pizza fresh out the oven for your mind

[10 March 2020]

If there is a Sci Fi story didn't steal material from Flash Gordon, then it's probably not that good. I don't think people fully understand the gravity Flash Gordon has on science fiction as a whole. I have a full set of digital reprints of Flash Gordon dating back to the 30's and in it you can feel the birth of everything we watch today.

Flash Gordon and Calvin and Hobbes were the reason I went with my dad every Sunday to buy the paper. So I could read the next tale of adventure in the funnies. I honestly don't think anyone who grew up in the digital era can comprehend how much your imagination had to work to make a four panel comic strip last for a week in your mind.

That is probably why the ending of Flash Gordon has me scarred. There was always another adventure in the tank. There was always another monster around the corner. Every comic strip was like the Arabian Nights tales. It always left you with another story ready to be told. So even now, 40 years later, I'm still waiting for that sequel because, the boy in me just knows that wasn't the End!

This movie, while budgeted, does fantastic, but how could it not with the close to century of material to choose from. Add a Queen soundtrack and forget about - I'm done.

I have my Flash Gordon costume ready for whenever I can find my Princess Aurora.

Galaxina (1980)

A must watch for sci fan geeks

[10 March 2020]

I had to read through the comments to see why this movie has such a low rating. I still don't get it. If you are not a B sci fi fan, why would you watch this movie? Everyone is a critic to the point that nothing can be enjoyed unless it is formulaic.

The movie is dumb? Maybe. Acting is bad? It is somewhere between porn and soap opera level. Do you stop and say, "What? Hol up!" Several times? YES! But for the people that really like corny, fluffy, B sci fi movies, this is perfect!

Yes, Dorthy is beyond beautiful, and it breaks my heart to hear what happened to her (which I didn't know until after I watched the movie). But the screenplay, story board, universe, and physics were spot on. The jokes were spot on, even if some people don't get it, or think it is funny.

Well, not everything is for everyone, but I think this should be considered a classic, even if its just a cult one.

Blue star! (ahhh)

MacGyver (2016–2021)

Lacks charm but good for a fix

[10 March 2020]

So, tbh, I only watch the show for nostalgia and for Tristin Mays. My God that woman is a work of art.

There is really no charm to the show. At times I can't tell if this is Mission Impossible or James Bond, but whatever it is, MacGyver it really isn't.

So nobody asked me, but here's my two cents. The Phoenix foundation was never really the focus ya'll. Neither was Mac's love life. He was just a guy at the office for kids like me to fantasize about. You're doing it wrong. Stop writing the show for 40yo's man-childs and write it for 10 y.o. adults. Cuz that's who watched it.

The shows are actually okay from a screenplay stand point. Every show is usually memorable in about 10 second spurts, and the corniness will get a few puffs of air out of my nose.

I loved Classic MacGyver as a child, and thought it was everything righteous. Rewatched it as an adult and found it was really corny, and over the top, but it had that good ole 1985 charm to it, so it worked.

This new serious added a better story line, cohesion between the episodes, a better character plot, but left out the charm, like it is very forgettable. I still don't know any cast member except Tristin. If I were them, I would make her MacGyver.

Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

Decent sci fi, Weak Captains, Intriquing plots, lotta crying.

[6 March 2020]

Pretty intriguing plot lines, that are well connected and keep you guessing what will happen. When the scripts deal with interpersonal relationships, however, it's pretty awkward ie forced. The Klingon love was the only believable connection.

I could do without all the whispering and the crying - who talks like that? Ninety percent of the dialogue, especially between a certain mom and sister, is in whisper with hugs every other take. Tf are you whispering for??

There is one character that reminds me of Jar Jar Binks cuz she never shuts up, and is clearly there for comic relief. She's actually not so bad. But maybe that's because of lack of screen time.

All the captains are pretty lame. There isn't a single captain I'm like, "Yea, what a powerful leader!" I get Michael is supposed to be the star of the show, but come on. Discovery formula: a. Something bad happens. b. Captain makes decision c. Michael says no. d. Captain says okay, you right.

I almost got turned off completely to the show at that one part where Michael convinces a certain character not to annihilate a certain thing. And even though that certain character had ALL the bargaining power, was untouchable, had no reason to relent, and had achieved checkmate, that character was still like, "Okay, you win Michael! Darn, I give up." Like how???

Captain Pike is way too weak for my taste, How did he ever become a captain? He doesn't make any decisions, his crew does. He constantly needs saving. ALL THE TIME. Pike's Number One angers me with her disrespect. Who talks to their Captain in such a snarky, casual way, like she couldn't care less who he is? Captain Pike's Number One acts like his superior, and all of that kinda shut me down to the show all together.

If I want to see crying, I'll watch the Flash, and if I want I want to see weak characters without conviction I'll watch Star Wars.

Iron Eagle II (1988)

I've seen worse.

[4 February 2019]

Oh come on, this movie isn't that bad. The 80's has definitely applauded cheesier things. The dog fights were fun to watch, the sound effects were great, and the over maniacal General who's twisted plans get thwarted by the misfits was spot on, the out of place love story, I mean... if you hate this movie then you probably hate just about everything coming out of the 80's.

Van Wilder: Freshman Year (2009 Video)

Actually pretty good

[23 October 2010]

First, if anyone is watching a National Lampoon movie for Oscar nominations is a fool.

Second, its actually fairly funny. They just followed the basics.... lots of t&a, a douche bag, a hero, and some chick between the douche bag and the hero.... plus a lot of t&a

third, the only thing I didn't like is the lack of creativity of the jokes. They basically took a page out of Ace Ventura, and Adam Sandler.

I think Ryan Reynolds really made the first one good because, well it was Ryan Reynolds. And even though there have been a lot of N. Lapmoon movies, most of them were pretty... lame compared to this.