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Reviews
Bonekickers (2008)
Interesting Show - I Liked It
I'm surprised how many people seemed to hate this show. Sure, it's not the best I've seen, but the characters are likable and have a good rapport, the scenarios are interesting, and if some of the history is a bit heavy-handed, well, it doesn't have to be a deal breaker.
We decided to give this show a try because we like Adrian Lester (Michael Stone from Hustle) and the girl who plays Martha's sister in Doctor Who is one of the ensemble cast, also. The show mixes humor, a little science in a forensic mold, and action, and that might throw most people. Also episode 1 had a story I'd think is controversial since it includes a theme that involves religion.
Okay, some of the action - including the flashbacks - aren't ready for the big screen, and it's obvious that the BBC doesn't have the big budgets some U.S. shows have. But honestly if they weren't all that, I guess I'm not that picky as long as there's an interesting plot.
If you're not expecting Raiders of the Lost Ark, you like ensemble casts and don't mind humor and some cheesy effects mixed in, chances are you might like this show. I found it good easy watching, and wouldn't have minded a second season.
Doctor Who: The Doctor's Wife (2011)
The Sense of Wonder Returns
Something that's been missing for me from the more recent Doctor Who episodes is a sense of wonder. Sometimes there's silliness, but it's been feeling a bit hollow to me. This episode WAS different from the others, and that's a good thing. The Tardis made an excellent humanoid, and was well-written and very well played. The Doctor's deeper relationship with the Tardis adds something more to the show - something I like. Neil Gaiman's interpretation of the Doctor, his companions and the situation he's trapped in was sometimes just a little predictable, but it didn't hurt the overall good feelings I had by the end. Exciting, playful, magical, with plenty of scifi, a little fantasy, and a look further into the Tardis than we've been before.
Great episode!
True Blood (2008)
Wish I Liked It :(
As a long-term fan of Charlaine's Southern Vampire Mysteries, I've been looking forward to True Blood since I first heard about it a year ago. Since Alan Ball had said he really liked the novels, I had high hopes that he would stick to the existing characters and situations that made the novels so popular - and some of my favorites. In fact, I was really excited and couldn't wait to see the show.
I can't even begin to express how let down and angry I felt about some of it.
*SPOILERS* Tara was changed from a dress store owner to a black chick with anabusive alcoholic mother. Tara being changed to black was no problem, but she's now a black racial stereotype -sometimes it was embarrassing to watch. And not only does she come to work at Merlotte's - she is in love with Jason and she sleeps with Sam. And she's around all the time, since she is now tending bar at Merlotte's and insulting the customers. Lafayette now works construction with Jason days and is Tara's cousin. Huh? Sookie's brother has turned into a complete jerk instead of the selfish but lovable guy he was originally. Those brief references to Jason's sexual activities? The show is bogged down with long sex scenes between Jason and his women. The collie hanging around on the show? Not Sam.
Sookie is flirtatious with Bill from the moment he comes in, and scared of him most of the time. Anyone remember that being part of her character in the books? I sure don't.
And yet there was just enough of the books and the characters to keep me watching, hopeful and somewhat annoyed. Anytime the show would suddenly switch to the personality of the books and I'd start to enjoy myself, Tara would re-appear, and since her entire personality and sad personal history was made up and almost couldn't happen in a town like Bon Temp, it wasn't only annoying but frustrating.
If you're into vampire TV/movies/books and haven't read the novels that the series is taken from, you might like it better than I did. If you enjoy the books, go in expecting important differences from the books and you will also probably enjoy it more than I did.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Generic Children's Action
I love fantasy movies, made for both children and adults from Labyrinth to Lord of the Rings to the 1939 Wizard of Oz and the Harry Potter series. The two things I don't love are generic fantasy movies and directors/writers who feel that they can rewrite an epic tale better than the original author. And they did it by leaving out almost everything that made the Narnia stories emotionally believable or unique.
The movie is much more confrontational than the book. Peter battles the White Witch in a sword battle and Aslan saves Peter by knocking her off physically. The children and the beavers leave the beavers' place as the wolves arrive so that there is a chase scene.
And the movie starts with a world war 2 bombing and the children being sent away in a long good bye in the train station scene. It also makes the Professor sort of goofy and inaccessible and the housekeeper just plain mean, not merely put off her stride by children.
The kids? Well, the movie makes a point of showing Edmund as mean, selfish and awful all the time before Narnia. They're also none too bright - they break a window and run to hide in the Wardrobe. Like if the housekeeper doesn't find them right now, she'll forget all about it? And Lucy is just a little too young.
If you were expecting Jadis to be magnificent or regal, forget it. She's a medium level evil character with no real malevolence and nothing of the royal and completely selfish and powerful queen who followed Digory and Polly from elsewhere to Narnia.
This movie also dots every i and crosses every t. Children are a lot smarter than this movie gives them credit for, and if they have to stretch just a little to understand everything, that's how we grow. If you dumb everything down - particularly a book or movie that was originally something that made us think, all you succeed in doing is not letting us think.
And last - Aslan. There is no mention of his powers - heck, no mention of whether he even HAS powers or a long life or anything else - or of his being the son of the emperor across the sea. Aslan and Lucy do not develop a special relationship.
If you love children's action and fantasy adventures, you may like this movie. If you loved the Narnia books for the wonder and character development of all the characters and the country of Narnia, don't expect much and you won't be too disappointed.
Star Trek: New Voyages (2004)
More Than the Sum of Its Parts
When I first heard about Star Trek: New Voyages, I was blown away by the concept. Getting together at a convention is one thing - making your own show is really something else.
I knew going in that I had to sort of open my mind to watch New Voyages. After all, James Cawley is not suddenly going to become Shatner as he was in the 60's. None of the actors here were going to transform into the actors from the original show. With that in mind I watched a couple trailers and one of the episodes.
The first actor I adjusted to is the guy who plays Spock. Sure, he looks nothing like Leonard Nimoy, but he has a dry delivery that really works for me. I'd say his interpretation of Spock is... er... quite logical. Next I began to adjust to the new Captain Kirk. My biggest problem was the Elvis Hair - I realize that Mr. Cawley is an Elvis impersonator, but the hair distracts from the Star Trek feel. He's sort of "doing" Shatner's Kirk, complete with pauses, but with some character exaggerations. But that's okay. I got used to it - really.
The two characters I never really was able to let become the original characters for me were the New Voyages Scotty and Dr. McCoy. I didn't see any of McCoy's folksy crustiness or Scotty's depth. But I'll keep trying.
I could nitpick all night long, and it wouldn't change the fact that this show so far is more than the sum of its parts. The enterprise is magnificent as is the concept of a fan-driven show and the dedication that went into doing it. Honestly the effects are much better than the original show's effects, the acting isn't much worse and the plots are fun to watch develop. And I hope that it goes without saying that it was wonderful to see the actors from the original show, as well as David Gerrold and professional talents like effects people, directors and makeup people working on this project.
The webisodes are fun to watch, engaging, and the effects are wonderful. I look forward to the next one to be released. One thing Star Trek is known for is bringing fans together, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the New Voyages episodes.
My Name Is Modesty: A Modesty Blaise Adventure (2004)
Modesty Blaise - great comics, dismal movies :(
I have been reading Modesty Blaise comics and novels since the '70s. The character is strong, intelligent, charismatic. The stories are, for the most part, action-packed, well thought out and not campy.
So what is it about Modesty Blaise that makes people create second or third rate movies of her starring actresses who couldn't be less like her unless they 90 year old women with blond hair and no teeth? I think Modesty could be a very successful movie if the producers/directors/whoevers would stop trying to make the character and the stories into something entirely else. Even if they have no respect or interest in the books or comics (which is obviously the case), don't they want our money??? Modesty Blaise fans are used to paying graphic novel prices for our Modesty (which are almost $20 per book) and we pay much more than the price for the average paperback for the novels when we have to replace one.
So what is the point of giving us something most of us will never enjoy and will never pay good money for? I love Peter O'Donnell's work but his involvement in a project does not guarantee anything. His involvement in the DC comic certainly didn't save it - even though it was taken from the novel. But even if DC convoluted the story so no one but a Modesty fan could enjoy it, they DID try and I did buy a copy for my collection. That's certainly more than can be said for either movie :(
I would love to see a reasonably well-cast version of Modesty, Willie, Sir Gerald. I'm not greedy - I don't expect great casting, although I would be ecstatic. But a story that looks and feel like Modesty will get me to the theater several times minimum and guarantee I will be buying the DVD. The sad part is with each failure, this wonderful and dynamic character gets thrust into the mind of the movie industry and the public as a failure. And that's a real shame!
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Yesterday's Enterprise (1990)
A Very Powerful and Well-Done TNG
While I enjoy the show, for me this is both the most powerful and well-realized episode of all. While science fiction is supposed to be speculative fiction, television sci fi so rarely is - and when it is, it is generally very formula.
Not so this episode, with its well-drawn characters and decisions that must be made despite the fact that there are no positive options. And while I didn't care for Tasha Yar originally, the author of this episode made perfect use of her so that I not only liked her but respected the character very much.
An excellent episode that goes beyond the usual formula TV boundaries.
Be Cool (2005)
Be Cool is No Get Shorty
If you're thinking of reading the book "Be Cool" before seeing the movie, don't! The movie isn't very good, but if you've read the book, it's much worse.
Instead of a sequel to Get Shorty, Be Cool seems to be a vehicle for some of the comedians in the movie. They changed characters to make them goofy, instead of quirky in the book. They deleted a very pivotal and major character. They re-wrote situations that were very well crafted so that they were simply more low-grade Hollywood hokum.
The entire ending of the novel - what the entire thing worked up to - is sweepingly changed in the movie for a typical happy ending instead of an off-beat ending.
And John Travolta's portrayal of Chili wasn't as cool.
The only good thing I can say about seeing Be Cool today is that we had a free rental coming, so at least I didn't have to pay for it.
Blade Runner (1982)
blade runner - a nearly perfect movie
i read "do androids dream of electric sheep", but it didn't have the impact for me that either version of blade runner has.
although i prefer the original version, the director's cut is a very close second. this movie is so visually beautiful, the city shown in such vivid color and feel, that i am always blown away when i get the chance to see blade runner in a theater instead of at home.
this movie offers up a lot of philosophical questions, quirky characters, and a view of the future that is neither full of soaring hope nor riddled with despair. something else i particularly appreciate is that there are no real good guys or bad guys - just like in life, all the characters are a mix of both.
without a doubt in my personal top five movies of all time, and definitely number one for science fiction.
Doom Asylum (1987)
Doom Asylum - Great horror/slasher spoof
i love doom asylum. i enjoy the concept of the abandoned asylum, and the characters remind me of "return of the living dead". even though the blood in the slashing scenes is so thin that i found myself REALLY wondering about their budget, it's fun.
it hits almost every slasher stereotype dead on. if it isn't a deliberate horror parody, it can certainly be viewed as such. great friday night viewing.
Doom Asylum (1987)
Doom Asylum - Great horror/slasher spoof
i love doom asylum. i enjoy the concept of the abandoned asylum, and the characters remind me of "return of the living dead". even though the blood in the slashing scenes is so thin that i found myself REALLY wondering about their budget, it's fun.
it hits almost every slasher stereotype dead on. if it isn't a deliberate horror parody, it can certainly be viewed as such. great friday night viewing.