For a supposedly 'true story,' this sorry tale is awfully derivative of a number of earlier sci-fi flicks, all far better than this one. The slightestly astute viewer will notice the shameless inclusion of elements of Close Encounters, Village of the Damned, Deep Space Nine, Contact, and Stargate. Bren Foster is a terrible lead man; his acting is appropriate for first semester acting class. Denise Richards looks awful; her lips appear so full of silicone and her face rendered motionless with botox that her mouth barely moves as she delivers her lines. It surprise one to note that Randy Couture is the only actor to portray range and depth, despite playing a character that could have been as atrociously predictable as every other in this vapid script. Nothing original, absolutely nothing, happens in this movie. Literally, very little happens at all. The cinematography is uninspired film school quality and the direction seems have been completely absent. If the production had taken the matter less seriously, dropped the whole claim to a 'true story,' and played it up big for a campy B sci-fi flick, this empty story might have been more fun for the crew and actors to make, and so, more fun for an audience to watch. As it is, it is dreadful.
Reviews
7 Reviews
The Rig
(2010)
Massive waste of talent; dozens of euros wasted in production values
6 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Hoped each episode would improve the narrative. Exactly the opposite. Final episode could have been written a bored first-year undergrad film studies major trying to please her professor by tapping every possible climate-alarmist anti-capitalist cliche. Compston's is the only character who manages to avoid truly idiotic dialogue. Maybe he smelled the stink and negotiated some distance between himself and this farce. The villain is, of course, the bad ol' human race: we've "not been listening" to a sentient form of microscopic life, hundreds of millions of years old, an achingly obvious metaphor for Gaia/Mother Earth, that, for some unclear reason might regard us as a threat?!? On one hand, according to the entirely muddled climax, we can kill it; except - oh wait! - we can't possibly kill it because it exists all around the planet; or we can convince it through mental telepathy that we mean it no harm(?!?) and we'll avert global disaster. I've been eager to see a new Compston vehicle. This one was a train-wreck. He needs a new one as quickly as possible to put this sad mess we'll behind him.
A Christmas Carol
(2019)
Fresh and faithful
2 December 2022
A fascinating and intellectually satisfying interpretation of the Dickens tale. The telling is far different from the original, yet simultaneously completely recognizable. It should go without saying, given the rating, that this not a presentation for children to gather 'round. But, if one bothers to read Dickens' own telling, rather than rely on a cartoon or cinematic interpretation, one will learn the original Carol is quite dark and challenging. For all the interpretation on this version, the exegesis is accurate, faithful, and satisfying to adult sensibilities. These characters are three-dimensional, visceral, articulate, and therefore properly challenging.
The acting is masterful by all involved, suggesting that Nick Murphy's direction commendably held to a singular vision. Much of the movie's brilliance is found its exploration of the characters of Marley's ghost (not Marley per se, but his ghost), Mary Cratchet, and the inventive personifications of the three spirits. These help to transform A Christmas Carol from the novella it was originally to the depths and breadth of a full-on novel. This is no judgment; just an observation. This version restores A Christmas Carol to the the challenging and inspiring riches the readers of the original were blest to find therein.
Don't look here for a Christmas card, a happy noise to play in the background, or a familiar fairytale to provide nostalgic comforts. This telling requires diligent attention from the viewer, lest the viewer's laziness dismiss it upon the most superficial grounds of disappointed expectations. Nevertheless, tending to the presentation as it is may lead others viewer, as it led me, to appreciate both the comparisons and contrasts, and to be happily amazed at the renewed inspiration thus movie can provide, and the strangely familiar comforts that do indeed arise from it. Wholly in the spirit of the original and yet quite original on its own, I am glad, blessed, to have this Carol now included in my Christmas brief. Pray, enjoy!
The acting is masterful by all involved, suggesting that Nick Murphy's direction commendably held to a singular vision. Much of the movie's brilliance is found its exploration of the characters of Marley's ghost (not Marley per se, but his ghost), Mary Cratchet, and the inventive personifications of the three spirits. These help to transform A Christmas Carol from the novella it was originally to the depths and breadth of a full-on novel. This is no judgment; just an observation. This version restores A Christmas Carol to the the challenging and inspiring riches the readers of the original were blest to find therein.
Don't look here for a Christmas card, a happy noise to play in the background, or a familiar fairytale to provide nostalgic comforts. This telling requires diligent attention from the viewer, lest the viewer's laziness dismiss it upon the most superficial grounds of disappointed expectations. Nevertheless, tending to the presentation as it is may lead others viewer, as it led me, to appreciate both the comparisons and contrasts, and to be happily amazed at the renewed inspiration thus movie can provide, and the strangely familiar comforts that do indeed arise from it. Wholly in the spirit of the original and yet quite original on its own, I am glad, blessed, to have this Carol now included in my Christmas brief. Pray, enjoy!
Jean-Claude Van Johnson
(2016–2017)
critics screw the public again - JCVJ is great!
19 November 2022
JCVJ is fun, funny as he'll, and poignant all rolled into a unique and supposedly personal presentation. Amazon caved before they bothered to pay attention to the viewers. Why don't programmers realize that audiebces of streaming services differ from audiences of cable and network services? Duh! This is one terrific example that represents a plethora of series that were denied reasonable opportunity to build a fan base. In turn audiences are deprived of enjoying the series they discover in the streaming universe and come to appreciate. JCVJ is a great series, well written, well-produced, and wonderfully characterized by van Damme and his co-stars. Catch this gem. We can anticipate more from van Damme. Catch the feature titled JCVD (the initials) which further encourages us that van Damme is back; but more accurately: Jean Claude van Damme has moved way, way forward. Great show! Fascinating 'new' actor.
Battleship
(2012)
Critics get it wrong AGAIN
16 November 2022
Battleship is straightforward good! Director Peter Berg does here what he does well. It's a internationally patriot flick fleshed out with characters that are affectionately recognizable. To compare this film to Top Gun, as one dimwitted critic did, is to compare apples to oranges. This movie celebrates the team, the the unit, the crew and individuals shining performances above and beyond their duties in that context. Top Gun glorifies an arrogant personality who happens to fly jets; oh, but then the same story is retold shortly thereafter in the context of the racetrack (Days of Thunder). The patriotism of individuals working together confuses the critic, and the viewer, who cannot figure who this movie's main character is. Like Big Trouble in Little China, also initially panned by critics, this movie is quietly becoming a favorite of movie fans. A few years from now, the 'boob-ish' oh-so-clued-in critics will catch up with real audiences and change their professional opinions of Battleship. It's absolutely wonderful at every viewing.
Kimi
(2022)
A Great Movie that requires the viewer's attention
1 April 2022
It's too bad that viewers find it impossible to pay attention to a movie without having to be on Instagram or Twitter at the same time. Much of what comes to the screen these has accommodated a more distracted and self-absorbed audience in the gen-Y and gen-Z viewer. Kimi does not compromise. Even the critics who give the movie 'thumbs up' have demonstrated that they missed key elements of this beautifully subtle narrative. This is suspense film that ranks with Hitchkock's Rear Window and Kravitz's performance measures better than Audrey Hepburn's in Wait Until Dark. Derivative? Yes, but so what? This movie deserves your attention. If you can put down the fu#@%ing phone for 90 minutes, you'll be massively rewarded. If not, you won't get it; don't bother.
Seeking Justice
(2011)
Nice surprise and a better movie than the title.
25 October 2021
A departure from Nic Cage action star flicks. This flick reminds us he is an actor with range and capable of playing the everyman trying to tread rising waters out of chaos. This us a smart narrative that wisely capitalizes on the dark mystique of New Orleans to bring credibility to the narrative device of an underground network ostensibly effecting the justice that official police and court systems do not. Guy Pearce is outstanding, fortunately inhabitabing a role worthy of his talent. January Jones is at her best and there is an authentic rapport between her and Cage. No more so as not to spoil the show. Watch. You'll be rewarded with a great flick and some fine surprises along the way.
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