Star Trek Into Darkness

Saw this one in IMAX 3D. Didn't need the 3D in my opinion but the IMAX format was awesome as always. I saw this episode with the wife and Justin and we all enjoyed it very much. Good action, great cinematics and sound, and a wonderful performance by Cumberbatch as Khan. Lots of 'winks' to prior Star Trek  movies that I found very entertaining. 

As with all reboots, or at least all those that I've seen, there is a lot more action in the new version. Sometimes it takes over and dampens the experience for veterans of the series (see James Bond). In this movie there was plenty of action, most justified and worthy. However, Spock fist fighting with Khan for several minutes seemed out of character for Spock. And I admit I still have a hard time accepting Chris Pine as Kirk. Too boyish looking, though he is a fine actor. 

There was plenty of action, tension, excitement and humor in this movie to push my concerns aside, and so I really did enjoy this one. Production values are awesome throughout and J.J. does not disappoint. Highly recommended. 

Whither next, Star Trek?

Evil Dead 2013

Saw the new Evil Dead this past weekend with Justin. We watched the original and 2nd versions done by Bruce Campbell to prepare for this newest version.

The production values were much improved, of course; that's what $17 million will provide for, and then some. There were some changes to the story line, as expected, but the central theme remained, contributing greatly to an enjoyable and successful result. This remake also retained the Evil Dead notoriety as a very bloody film. Even those prepared for this aspect of the film may be taken aback a bit by the chainsaw scene. It even made me a bit uncomfortable, just due to its length, and all the red in that scene.

Overall, the acting was good, the original theme was maintained, and the genre notched up another win. Even so, recommended only for diehard fans of horror flicks.

A night at the movies

Well, I'm back. It's been quite a while since I've posted; many things, good and bad, have come and gone since my last post, but we will let them rest where they lie. For now, a movie review.

My latest cinematic foray was motivated entirely by the fact that I was going to see the movie free of charge. In fact, that's the only way I would have agreed to see it in a theater. The movie in question:         

As I've said, I only went to see this because it would be free. Good thing. The only part of this movie that has ANYTHING to do with the Die Hard franchise is the title. It didn't feel like Die Hard, it certainly didn't look like Die Hard, and Bruce looked bored throughout the movie. The dialogue was weak, the interaction between John McClane and his son Jack is contrived and predictable. Of course, John wins out against the bad guys in the end, as expected, but the "family reunion" scene at the close of the film is just pathetic. As far as I am concerned, Mr. Willis owes me a refund, even though I didn't pay to see it.

Lawless

A good movie, predictable ending, though only in hindsight. Shia and Tom Hardy were great but I was looking for a main role for Gary Oldman and it wasn't there, which is a disappointment. It is a good period movie, and even gave us a glimpse of the birthing process that begat NASCAR. Overall, good but not great.

An answer to the idiocy

The election process is so ridiculously inane at this point that only a response such as that shown here can be expected.

Prometheus

Saw this movie a few days ago at IMAX 3D. It didn't really need the 3D, but the big screen was nice. The movie was really well done and I did enjoy it. The only problem was that because I already knew the Alien story it made the movie a little less adventurous, almost a bit of too much familiarity with the subject. And having the girl who will eventually survive run around for a while in her panties a la Sigourney Weaver in Alien was a bit too much. So I was a bit disappointed in what Ridley gave us here, but I did enjoy the movie overall and recommend it to Alien fans. And the ending positions the story for a sequel that doesn't follow the Alien story path. I look forward to that.

Sunday's annular eclipse