Change Your Image
sly13
Reviews
Masters of Science Fiction (2007)
Really un-American show
From the first sight this show is very different from the others sci-fi shows. The difference in a nutshell - no running, no shooting, no fighting. Instead of it - thinking. No wonder many of the US watchers have found this show "boring" and switched to more usual time killers.
It seems that creators of the show tried to make people think. And subjects happened to be uncomfortable and hard. Why do we fight each other? Why don't we see that all is connected, that all people are the same, that we all are the same humans. And what is the human, anyway? How one human can think that he is better than other, that he knows what others should do?
Great SF masters brought up these questions.
In the series American presidents shown as a representatives of the Americans attitude - they are stronger, they are better, so they could dictate other people and tell them what to do. And of course, the consequences of such delusions are also shown - as the results of the nuclear world war (Clean Escape), or the world just on the brink of war (The Awakening).
Those and other important questions are described in the books these series are based upon. But unfortunately, they are too heavy. And the watchers need something lighter. Don't think, just watch - nowadays motto.
While it is so, the happy days of humanity are still far away.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Disappointed
New director ruined the movie. That says it all. Yes, the book was way too big to bring it fully to the screen, it lacked action and contained too many intrigues and political nuances. It was hard to screen, but I'm sure, doable. Why not Mr. Columbus? Why not Mr. Cuaron? Why, at least, Mr. Newell, who's dark and depressive, but still whole and logical adaptation of the fourth book was quite watchable? But this, I-don't-know-who director, that has no big experience..
His movie looks torn apart. Cutting is awful. For viewer, unfamiliar with the book, events are odd and happening without order and logical connection between them. Such an "Blair Witch" effect in all. Special effects stepped down (remember, for example, talking through chimney with Sirius now and before).
Having watched all movies in a row, I stumbled upon last - like beautiful ladder suddenly ended with a missing footstep. Such a pity!
Stargate SG-1 (1997)
Very good show, mostly because of characters
I started watching the show from the first season, and at the beginning I was pretty skeptical about it. Original movie was kind of childish, and I was just looking for some sci-fi show while waiting for the BSG new season.
But after few episodes I became a fan. I've loved the characters - the not-so-stupid-as-you-think-he-is Jack O'Neill, the not-only-smart Samantha Carter, the glorious Teal'c, women and kids favorite, and brilliant Dr. Daniel Jackson.
Of course, stories sometimes not serious, sometimes even ridiculous, but mostly it's not about technology or space fighting - it's about helping your friend, even risking your life for him. It's about "we don't leave anybody behind". Struggling to the end when all hope is lost. About the free will, and all good qualities that makes a human - Human.
And now it's breaking a record, going 10th season, and still doing good.
A Man Apart (2003)
The charm is not enough. Sometimes.
Vin Diesel - is a new action hero.
As a novice, he has the right to fail, but not very frequently. In other case he'll never be the real action hero.
I intended to watch "XXX" for a long period of time, because of bad reviews. But occasionally I saw the "Pitch Black", and was surprised by Diesel's ability to pull up such a bad movie, along. He was really a man apart there. As a result I saw another movies with him, including XXX (and I liked XXX).
Diesel has a charm that I can't understand. It's between the Schwarzenegger and Vinnie the Pooh. It seems that any action movie will stand on it. But..
But the "Man apart" is the worst thing he could manage. He was not only an actor, but also a producer of this project.
The storyline was old 15 years ago - revenge to mafia for killed wife/brother/sister/friend/... - no comments.
And the charm is useless - not as the agent, not as the loving husband, not as the avenger.
Something like Collateral Damage-2, with the dubbing actor instead of Arnold.
If Stallone could make such a movies again and again ("Get Carter"), or Arnlod could in "Collateral Damage" - it's a habit for them. Old mans..
But the new action hero should make a new action movies. The "XXX" is the top of Diesel's works. And next projects - Chronicles of Riddick and XXX-2 are not very promising.
Basic (2003)
I always cheer the good story
[No spoilers inside]
In nowdays the good story is a rare thing. All stories have been written, and even all jokes about all that stories has been made (in general, by Leslie Nielsen).
So if somebody manages to write something, that attaches you to the screen until the end, and if every 15 minutes plot of the movie makes the hard turn... It's really the entertainment, it's really a good movie.
BASIC is such kind of movie. You really wouldn't be able to tell what's going on until the last minute of the film. So, stop reading it - go and see!
The Golden Spiders: A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2000)
Good work, the best of the efforts have been made.
Nice try to put on screen books of my favorite author. It looks like director loves them too. Of course, events go too fast - the books are pretty thick, and the time for the TV series is strictly limited, nevertheless scenery is the good work too. Maybe characters are not quite as I think of them - Wolfe should be bigger (handsomer :)), and Archie should be a little more attractive, and Fritz little younger. Saul+Fred+Orrie are good, and Cremer is perfect. But it's the best effort of putting the books on screen I've seen. It's made with love and application.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Excellent director's work
As I was waiting for the film premiere to come to Russia, I was wondering would it be so good as it claimed by watchers from other countries. Almost all reviewers were excited and impressed. But all my fears were gone when the movie started.
It's the most successful screen version of the any book I ever seen. The soul, the smell, the unique spirit of the book was perfectly re-created. All characters are good. The places which Adventure passes are wonderful (I think New Zealand should expect great raise of tourism industry).
You are watching this spectacular and starting to remember the feelings of you childhood, the feelings of exploring fairy tales world, where magic is in the air..
This movie - it's a kind of Magic.