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firstconsul
Reviews
Away (2020)
Don't bother
Dull, illogical and lacking any real science basis. Essentially, a character "reveal" every episode vehicle, with the problem that none of them are interesting enough to want to know any more about. The science is just awful, which is an unforgivable for "today" science fiction in an age of Internet. Anything involving cell phones in space is just an example in this series. It was supposed to have 3 seasons, and canceled after 1, which probably tells you all you need to know-- nothing to get invested in.
The Great Martian War 1913 - 1917 (2013)
A interesting way to view alternate realities
I watched this BBC production "The Great Martian War" and found it a hoot to watch, especially for those that have spent the last several years watching History, History International, PBS and/or BBC productions sealing with historical events such as WWII, the Depression, Rise of Hitler, etc.
Yes, as the previous viewer says, they re-use the same "historical" film clips from the War (1913-1918) over and over and over. Because that is EXACTLY what they do in the shows they are making a parody of!! Plus, think about it-- how many bits of film do you suppose you'd SEE from the Martian War? Watch a documentary on WWI and see how many times you see the same clips. If I had a beef with technique, it would not be the low budget graphics (which, again, lends itself to being a "documentary", not a sci-fi movie) but the fact that the past interviews seen in the film, although they go for the quality of film or video for the time still seem a bit out of sync. The 1990s interviews, for instance are still a bit too clear for video transfer. The 1970s look more like 1980s videotape, for instance.
Of some interest is how they splice the history of WWI into an alternate history of the Great Martian War. The rise of underwater sea war and power (for instance), the general use of new technology for warfare, the sinking of the "Aquitania" that begins to drive the Americans to enter the War, etc. Even the end-- with the spread of the "Martian Flu", parallels the spread of Spanish Flu after WWI. All and all, I'd say a "documentary" to be seen by those fans of the History Channel (back when it played history shows) and historical documentaries in general. If you are looking for "The Avengers" science fiction, go look somewhere else.
The Last Ship (2014)
A Good Idea, But Terribly Logic Challenged (Some spoiler)
I've watched 4 episodes of "Last Ship", giving it a try as a new series. The basic premise of the show is a good one-- VERY loosely based on the novel-- about the crew of a US Navy ship that is in the midst of a global viral pandemic. The biggest problem with the show, though, is the writing. It is, to be blunt, awful. The cast does the best it can with the script, and there are some talented actors in the mix (and some not very talented, but that's OK)...but the logic and reasons behind each of the episodes, the actual story, is so poorly thought out and with plot holes you could drive an aircraft carrier through.
Take, for instance, a stand-off with a Russian cruiser (guess we aren't the last ship, after all) that is supposed to be commanded by a brilliant Russian naval commander. Problem is, he doesn't even do the smallest things, or local tactics, in the interchanges with the US ship. Like knowing when high tide would be in his locality. Like not putting eyes on the port facilities and ship when over the horizon (landing marines, for instance) or guarding the only other exit out of the harbor. Same episode, dealing with inmates in Gitmo....who are often dressed in Afghani clothing. In Cuba. Think about it.
In episode 4, we are dealing with failing engine equipment. So far so good. But two things make very, very little sense- one, as they have no way to process fresh water, they end up pouring COORS LITE (in case you didn't catch the product placement) into desalinization pumps. WHY? It is already purified and frankly speaking as it is Coors Lite, dang near nothing but water anyway. Why put it through a system that can only contaminate it? Second, they get the ship moving by...three para-drop chutes, tied to the ship. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a 9,000 ton ship was moved by three essentially bedsheets. Which, BTW, is fast enough to turn the several ton screws on the drive-shaft, which in turn is enough to produce power. Like I said, none of it makes sense.
This is a show that COULD be good, but would require a completely different writing staff than what they have. It is for me, after 4 episodes, off my recorder as a total waste of my entertainment time.
Donnie Darko (2001)
In my top 10 Best Films of all time
This quirky little film is, simply, one of my picks for Top 10 Films of all time. I cannot express how much I enjoy this film, nor have even a remote count the number of times I've seen it.
Cast is solid, complex, and perfect in their roles. The plot will make you scratch your head for years to come-- is Donnie crazy? The Messiah? A Super Hero? You figure it out.
One note for all that have not seen this film-- see the original, not the Director's Cut. Changes made in the director's cut, in my view, add nothing to film, and actually reduce the impact (and lose some of the cooler music). The original release is much better. The DVD extra scenes are great, but for whatever reason, they didn't end up splicing them into the Director's Cut (which MIGHT have made it better).
Aside from just being a great film, this flick is also a great encapsulating of the 1980's. Music is great, especially if you were a fan of New Wave alternative bands like Echo and the Bunnymen back then.
Silent Running (1972)
A great, forgotten film
OK, I admit, I am a sucker for this flick. As a matter of fact, it makes my "Top 10 films I'll stay up until 3AM to watch on TV if I see that it is on" List. I cannot think of a higher praise for a film.
Though it suffers a bit from 1970's-itis, the core idea behind the film is more controversial (and relevant) than ever. Dern is excellent is the (perhaps?) mad scientist of the spacecraft Valley Forge.
One of the most important aspects of this film is the treatment of life in space-- this is one of the first (if not the first) film that treats spaceflight as more like working on a tanker at sea-- stuff leaks, garbage gets left on tables, smudges on windows, etc-- NOT a sterile, lifeless workplace like 2001: A Space Odessy.
There are 'droids, or robots, that for the first time are not Human-shaped, but more like you would design for practical use. Overall, the film is excellent in creating a believable world (in the form of the Valley Forge) in a fictional setting.
If you get a chance, see it. Ignore the fact it cannot meet the current fetish for special effects. It is a great story.
Serial (1980)
An excellent period film
For those that didn't live through the 1970's, this is a great film to get a handle on that particularly stupid period of American history.
Cast is great. Film is funny as hell, especially for those that remember the decade.
Martin Mull is the great straight man for the rest of the cast. Tuesday Weld is wonderful as the massively dingy wife, and Christopher Lee is wonderful as Mull's overbearing boss.
Based on a the novel that was a send-up of Orange County, CA, this is a great film, if you can find it. I used to have it on video, and have no idea if they ever released on DVD. I doubt it, honestly.
And remember- Nunca!
Reality Bites (1994)
it's OK, if a bit naval gazing
It's an OK film-- if you can get past Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke, the rest of the cast is really good. Ryder's character ends up being an annoyance, and what anyone saw in Ethan Hawke as an actor is totally lost on me. My main issue with the film is not the self-referential Generation X pity us feel of the film (which is, whether intensional or not, the actual overall theme) but rather the overwhelming sense of entitlement that everyone in the film seems to have, for no particular reason. I found it hard to like any of the characters, with the possible exception of Garafalo.
For those that haven't seen the flick-- a group of apparently University of Houston graduates leave the collage world, to face life as young urbanites in the trendy Montrose area of Houston, Texas. Hawke and Ryder are our romantic pair-- he being a drunken buffoon of a boyfriend (but very musical, in a sort of performance art way). Janeane Garafalo is the pudgy best friend to Ryder, and possibly the only reality-based character in the story. The earlier scenes in the film ring more true than the latter half of the film, which frankly had me looking at my watch in the movie theatre waiting for it to end.
An over-hyped film, in my view, but not a bad way to past time.