stathisart Reviews

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

marvelous!

[10/10 · 7 October 2009]

This series is a true marvel! I don't recall seeing any other series so diverse in its thematology, so rich in ideas. Patrick Stewart really adds a lot of depth to his role, throughout the series there are references to drama, literature, science that make some episodes a true journey through beautiful ideas. Also, the plot is sometimes very good, despite the scientific discrepancies one often encounters, or the effects that might at some points appear outdated. This is science fiction that aims to elucidate the eternal human questions, not just give a dramatized prospect of human evolution. Data is a unique character, his interaction with the captain (and the rest of the crew) is uniquely enjoyable, often giving insights into the evolution of human ethics, as for example in an episode where Captain Piccard is called to support the view that Data is a conscious life form and thus has the right to decide for his own fate; that he cannot be considered as property, even though he is a human construct. You really never know where the next episode will take you...from MacBeth to Cyrano, or from Data's love affair to the first contact with the crystaline entity, or Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Truly, I have never seen any other series with such a broad range of ideas and references. I wish to thank all those who made it possible, and Patrick Stewart for adding such a dramatic depth to his role. Truly, in no other case has an actor in TV done such a great job at combining so diverse elements in a single character, and with so superb acting...Patrick Stewart really carries you away with his acting, it is epic to say the least. I remember him in so many roles, never did he disappoint me.

Its a magnificent work of art, one that stretches across many marvels of the human intellect to create its beautiful and educating (in the Greek sense, as actors become teachers of life through their dilemmas and adventures) drama.

Brazil (1985)

Giliam's Manifesto

[9/10 · 13 September 2005]

Gilliam's manifesto as a director. With this movie he gave us his aesthetic, he expressed through it a dark world of suggestion, fear and isolation. Bureocracy, rigid identity of people and services, adoration of the ego to the point of elevating oneself to divinity,where no mistakes are made, the world is perfectly perfected with each and every move one makes, that sinks him deeper into utter isolation and self-admiration. This is not about Orwell, about 1984; It is more about Kafka.It is about endlessly seeking the other person, about the need to participate, to communicate, the need to love, to know, to Be, and the Rejection of this need. The need is rejected both internally and externally, the worst pipes and proper channels are inside our heads, and threaten our very dreams. Structures that torture our subconscious minds are reproduced into our social life, they become the structure of society itself. The world of Brazil is an abstraction of these archetypal figures that reject our individuality, our needs as individuals. Societies are not made of governments or regimes or monarchs; they are made by people, and this movie is about the universe, the mythology, the symbols of an individual with chained wings.Revolution will come crashing the walls of reality, together with the shattered body that was tragically bound to them. What a great beauty this film possesses! How masterfully directed, the visual suggestion is crystal clear throughout the duration of the film, everything fits perfectly into an original,provocative and Sarcastic whole. There is Irony behind these sets, sometimes bitter. There is irony, fear and ruthlessness.There is Elliot's poetry,with Nietschze's sarcasm.It is one of the greatest films.