Starman, 1984. Three Stars.
I had no idea that this movie existed! It's so cute! Jeff Bridges is stellar (har har) as the alien dude. Also, he is YOUNG and ADORABLE! I had only really known him as The Dude! I would make out with alien Jeff Bridges! That's as far as I would go; I don't want no alien baby business!!!
So, this was enjoyable to watch. I don't really have anything special to say about it.
Though I was a little disappointed in that the TV guide said that the alien "borrows" a guy's body, so I thought there would be some gory slaying happening here. Turns out it's the good old-fashioned "Your husband's dead, and I'm going to take on his familiar shape so you will hopefully not fear me." Which, ultimately, I'm okay with.
Monday, March 31, 2008
"They Call Me Sensitive. Am I Too Sensitive?"
Autism: The Musical, 2007. Four Stars.
A very fun presentation, which makes it easier to watch something about such a devastating topic. The opening credits is adorable, and it's the best use of The Go! Team ever!
Elaine Hall is amazingly magnificent for her compassionate involvement with her son Neal's life, and for coming up with the Miracle Project. Basically, her son is autistic; she noticed that her son's therapists were having a difficult time understanding his unusual behavior, so she brought in a bunch of actors. The actors accepted and immediately joined in with his unusual behaviors, which brought them into his world. I think this was probably her main inspiration for putting on a musical with autistic kids.
One of the coolest things about this movie for me was seeing how this Jewish family celebrated some of their Jewish traditions. I'm not Jewish, and unfortunately I've never witnessed nor been involved in any of my Jewish friends' traditions, so this was interesting!
I loved seeing the process of how this play was put together, and the different involvement and strengths from each kid, and their interaction with "Coach E" and the other helpers.
Also, I learned so much about autism. It was heartbreaking to see how it can affect not only the kids who have it, but also how it changes their relationships with the people around them, and how it even affects the people around them's relationship with each other. There's a lot of heavy stuff to think about after seeing this movie, but there is a main message of hope, and fun, and love, which is awesome.
A very fun presentation, which makes it easier to watch something about such a devastating topic. The opening credits is adorable, and it's the best use of The Go! Team ever!
Elaine Hall is amazingly magnificent for her compassionate involvement with her son Neal's life, and for coming up with the Miracle Project. Basically, her son is autistic; she noticed that her son's therapists were having a difficult time understanding his unusual behavior, so she brought in a bunch of actors. The actors accepted and immediately joined in with his unusual behaviors, which brought them into his world. I think this was probably her main inspiration for putting on a musical with autistic kids.
One of the coolest things about this movie for me was seeing how this Jewish family celebrated some of their Jewish traditions. I'm not Jewish, and unfortunately I've never witnessed nor been involved in any of my Jewish friends' traditions, so this was interesting!
I loved seeing the process of how this play was put together, and the different involvement and strengths from each kid, and their interaction with "Coach E" and the other helpers.
Also, I learned so much about autism. It was heartbreaking to see how it can affect not only the kids who have it, but also how it changes their relationships with the people around them, and how it even affects the people around them's relationship with each other. There's a lot of heavy stuff to think about after seeing this movie, but there is a main message of hope, and fun, and love, which is awesome.
"Hi, Big Brother. How's Your Ass?"
The Omega Man, 1971. Three Stars.
To recap: I had watched The Last Man on Earth (click here for my review!), and now I have just seen The Omega Man. Next on my Netflix list is I Am Legend. Then, to finish my completist's journey, I will read the novel!
I liked The Omega Man, though I happened to enjoy The Last Man on Earth a little more, I'm not sure why. I think I was a little confused by Robert Neville's "humorous" monologues, they just seemed a little forced to me. I tried to keep the particular decade in mind while I was watching this, which helped in general.
My favorite scene is when he's in the movie theatre watching a movie about Woodstock. Very adorable and poignant!
I appreciate that this virus was spread by bio weapons, but I happen to like the mysteriousness of it's origins in The Last Man on Earth better. The "mutants" were cool though, I liked that they were actually pretty human and could speak and think and stuff!
To recap: I had watched The Last Man on Earth (click here for my review!), and now I have just seen The Omega Man. Next on my Netflix list is I Am Legend. Then, to finish my completist's journey, I will read the novel!
I liked The Omega Man, though I happened to enjoy The Last Man on Earth a little more, I'm not sure why. I think I was a little confused by Robert Neville's "humorous" monologues, they just seemed a little forced to me. I tried to keep the particular decade in mind while I was watching this, which helped in general.
My favorite scene is when he's in the movie theatre watching a movie about Woodstock. Very adorable and poignant!
I appreciate that this virus was spread by bio weapons, but I happen to like the mysteriousness of it's origins in The Last Man on Earth better. The "mutants" were cool though, I liked that they were actually pretty human and could speak and think and stuff!
"Have the Chef Whip Up a Light Balsamic Vinaigrette. Something that Goes Well with Chrysanthemums."
Star Trek: Insurrection, 1999. Three Stars.
I've been obsessed with watching Star Trek movies! After watching all of the recommended movies with the characters from the original series, I've been impatiently waiting on a few people to let me borrow their copy of Star Trek: First Contact.
I recorded Insurrection on my DVR, so I decided to watch it to tide me over until I get to see First Contact. I enjoyed Insurrection!!
Though I must stress that I am not a Trekkie, and currently I'm not nearly as familiar with the Star Trek universe as I'd like to be. I used to watch The Next Generation when I was a young'un. I totally thought Commander Riker was a hottie, and Data was really interesting (and kind of cute, I have to admit!!), and I thought Dr. Crusher was super cool, and I always wore my headband over my eyes so I could be like Geordi. Though, if I had known that Geordi was on Reading Rainbow, I probably would've stopped watching TNG; I had strong negative feelings toward Reading Rainbow, it was SO BORING, but I think it was mostly the wussy theme song that put me off. I know, I'm a jerk. :(
I also watched a bit of Deep Space Nine, and I'm also a fan of Enterprise. Fun fact: Pre-Pubescent Chrissy also had a crush on Scott Bakula in Quantum Leap. I love me my sci-fi guys!!
I've been obsessed with watching Star Trek movies! After watching all of the recommended movies with the characters from the original series, I've been impatiently waiting on a few people to let me borrow their copy of Star Trek: First Contact.
I recorded Insurrection on my DVR, so I decided to watch it to tide me over until I get to see First Contact. I enjoyed Insurrection!!
Though I must stress that I am not a Trekkie, and currently I'm not nearly as familiar with the Star Trek universe as I'd like to be. I used to watch The Next Generation when I was a young'un. I totally thought Commander Riker was a hottie, and Data was really interesting (and kind of cute, I have to admit!!), and I thought Dr. Crusher was super cool, and I always wore my headband over my eyes so I could be like Geordi. Though, if I had known that Geordi was on Reading Rainbow, I probably would've stopped watching TNG; I had strong negative feelings toward Reading Rainbow, it was SO BORING, but I think it was mostly the wussy theme song that put me off. I know, I'm a jerk. :(
I also watched a bit of Deep Space Nine, and I'm also a fan of Enterprise. Fun fact: Pre-Pubescent Chrissy also had a crush on Scott Bakula in Quantum Leap. I love me my sci-fi guys!!
"I'm Not From Here! I Have My Own Customs! Look at My Crazy Passport!"
Futurama, 1999–2003, 2008–Present? Three and a Half Stars.
I didn't get to watch a lot of Futurama when it was originally aired, but Comedy Central has been re-airing old episodes. Even though I only seem to catch the same few episodes over and over... they're pretty darn funny! This was a good show!
So, following in the footsteps of Family Guy and Jericho (well, not any more), Futurama is apparently back on the air. Huzzah! Last weekend the two-hour season premiere, Bender's Big Score, aired. It was hilarious! But when I tried to find out about this show online, I guess this was considered a movie? Click on that last link; what?? I just can't believe that I hadn't known that there was a Futurama movie.
I set up a series recording on my DVR to record all the Futurama repeats, and now I'm seeing lots of episodes I didn't even knew existed previously. This post's title is a quote from one of my favorite episodes, "Raging Bender" (I don't care what that reviewer wrote, I still think it's a wicked funny episode).
Also, I always loved the title "Futurama," it's hysterical and ridiculous and totally up my alley!
I didn't get to watch a lot of Futurama when it was originally aired, but Comedy Central has been re-airing old episodes. Even though I only seem to catch the same few episodes over and over... they're pretty darn funny! This was a good show!
So, following in the footsteps of Family Guy and Jericho (well, not any more), Futurama is apparently back on the air. Huzzah! Last weekend the two-hour season premiere, Bender's Big Score, aired. It was hilarious! But when I tried to find out about this show online, I guess this was considered a movie? Click on that last link; what?? I just can't believe that I hadn't known that there was a Futurama movie.
I set up a series recording on my DVR to record all the Futurama repeats, and now I'm seeing lots of episodes I didn't even knew existed previously. This post's title is a quote from one of my favorite episodes, "Raging Bender" (I don't care what that reviewer wrote, I still think it's a wicked funny episode).
Also, I always loved the title "Futurama," it's hysterical and ridiculous and totally up my alley!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
"We're in the Bitch's Back Yard!"
Stay Alive, 2006. One Star.
Elizabeth Bathory creates a videogame that allows her to kill people in the 21st century. Bwa ha ha ha ha!
Actually, this sounds pretty awesome! But unfortunately, the movie is not awesome. Much potential for ridiculous funtimes, but instead, it's just... icky and obnoxious. I hope that someone someday remakes this into something spectacular. At least Peter Petrelli shows up in the beginning, he's a cutie.
BTW, Frankie Muniz inexplicably lives at the end. Which I'm okay with, because I liked him in Malcom in the Middle.
Elizabeth Bathory creates a videogame that allows her to kill people in the 21st century. Bwa ha ha ha ha!
Actually, this sounds pretty awesome! But unfortunately, the movie is not awesome. Much potential for ridiculous funtimes, but instead, it's just... icky and obnoxious. I hope that someone someday remakes this into something spectacular. At least Peter Petrelli shows up in the beginning, he's a cutie.
BTW, Frankie Muniz inexplicably lives at the end. Which I'm okay with, because I liked him in Malcom in the Middle.
Friday, March 21, 2008
"I Am a Man... THE LAST MAN."
The Last Man on Earth, 1964. Three Stars.
I really want to see I Am Legend, but first I want to see the previous versions of this story and how it all adds up to and compares to the, well, current "remake" (Isn't this supposed to be an awesome, more accurate telling of the novel, as opposed to the previous movies? So, is it actually a "remake"?). So the plan is to watch The Last Man on Earth, then Omega Man, then I Am Legend. Then read the novel I Am Legend (click on the link; I am hoping to get my mitts on that fabulous old copy!!).
Effective use of narration; I like narrated movies, and this was especially great, because... he had no one to talk to! He was The Last Man! So how else would you know what he was thinking? And it was great that the story started when the shit had been hitting the fan for three years, then explained things in flashbacks (I like non-linear storytelling). The acting was pretty terrible, and the sound / dubbing was pretty annoying. But it is what it is, and I quite enjoy what it is.
It's cool that the vampires are also like zombies and that it's caused by a virus. It's like the best of the coolest kind of well-known horror monsters.
The lady that he meets up on the hill, Ruth, first reminded me of that annoying little boy in Six-String Samurai. I am so glad that she actually speaks fluently!
I watched the Special Feature on this DVD: It's a little sad that the guy who wrote this book, Richard Matheson, was so disappointed by the movie that he used a fake name in the credits. But this means that I have so much to look forward to for the other movies, and I can't wait to read the novel!
P.S. The reason I watched Panic in Year Zero! (see preceding post) in the first place was because it was also included with the DVD of The Last Man on Earth that I rented. Double Feature of Terror!!!
I really want to see I Am Legend, but first I want to see the previous versions of this story and how it all adds up to and compares to the, well, current "remake" (Isn't this supposed to be an awesome, more accurate telling of the novel, as opposed to the previous movies? So, is it actually a "remake"?). So the plan is to watch The Last Man on Earth, then Omega Man, then I Am Legend. Then read the novel I Am Legend (click on the link; I am hoping to get my mitts on that fabulous old copy!!).
Effective use of narration; I like narrated movies, and this was especially great, because... he had no one to talk to! He was The Last Man! So how else would you know what he was thinking? And it was great that the story started when the shit had been hitting the fan for three years, then explained things in flashbacks (I like non-linear storytelling). The acting was pretty terrible, and the sound / dubbing was pretty annoying. But it is what it is, and I quite enjoy what it is.
It's cool that the vampires are also like zombies and that it's caused by a virus. It's like the best of the coolest kind of well-known horror monsters.
The lady that he meets up on the hill, Ruth, first reminded me of that annoying little boy in Six-String Samurai. I am so glad that she actually speaks fluently!
I watched the Special Feature on this DVD: It's a little sad that the guy who wrote this book, Richard Matheson, was so disappointed by the movie that he used a fake name in the credits. But this means that I have so much to look forward to for the other movies, and I can't wait to read the novel!
P.S. The reason I watched Panic in Year Zero! (see preceding post) in the first place was because it was also included with the DVD of The Last Man on Earth that I rented. Double Feature of Terror!!!
"They Came from the Hills, No Radiation Sickness." "Yep, Five More Good Ones."
Panic in Year Zero!, 1962. Three Stars.
I am crazy for sci-fi movies, and I am especially mad for apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic themes. I totally dug this movie!
Firstly, I love the use of Agency Open in the title screen! (I'm a graphic designer, and I am really into typefaces, and I currently have a crush on Agency, and particularly Agency Open!!). And I love the jazzy music used in the movie. The story line was interesting to me (of course), even though the execution wasn't the best. I like watching old sci-fi movies to see how the concepts and themes that are around today first originated, so I don't care if technology, special effects, script-writing abilities, acting talent, or visualization in general back then wasn't so hot. It's still cool!
The acting in this isn't very stellar. The character of the teenage girl, Karen, is tragically underwritten (but I like that she refers to the end of the civilization is "a drag," haha!), and the father character, Harry, is almost annoyingly excitable. I only realized that Frankie Avalon was in the movie once the credits rolled. The only thing I remember him in is Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special! I grew up in the 80's. My fam still gets together to watch is at least once a year, it rules!
So, I still enjoyed this movie. I might even watch it again at some point in my life. Very worth it for peeps who like the end-of-the-world genre to check it out.
An important thing I almost forgot to mention: The title of this movie is so cool!! Even though in the movie, the governments of the world seem to arbitrarily call their situation "Year Zero." But they probably realized how cool "Year Zero" sounds, and who can blame them for having similar logic as me, haha! Fun fact: Since watching this movie earlier today, I've had "Panic in Detroit" by David Bowie stuck in my head... Because the song and movie have almost the same titles and because I'm a nerd like that.
I am crazy for sci-fi movies, and I am especially mad for apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic themes. I totally dug this movie!
Firstly, I love the use of Agency Open in the title screen! (I'm a graphic designer, and I am really into typefaces, and I currently have a crush on Agency, and particularly Agency Open!!). And I love the jazzy music used in the movie. The story line was interesting to me (of course), even though the execution wasn't the best. I like watching old sci-fi movies to see how the concepts and themes that are around today first originated, so I don't care if technology, special effects, script-writing abilities, acting talent, or visualization in general back then wasn't so hot. It's still cool!
The acting in this isn't very stellar. The character of the teenage girl, Karen, is tragically underwritten (but I like that she refers to the end of the civilization is "a drag," haha!), and the father character, Harry, is almost annoyingly excitable. I only realized that Frankie Avalon was in the movie once the credits rolled. The only thing I remember him in is Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special! I grew up in the 80's. My fam still gets together to watch is at least once a year, it rules!
So, I still enjoyed this movie. I might even watch it again at some point in my life. Very worth it for peeps who like the end-of-the-world genre to check it out.
An important thing I almost forgot to mention: The title of this movie is so cool!! Even though in the movie, the governments of the world seem to arbitrarily call their situation "Year Zero." But they probably realized how cool "Year Zero" sounds, and who can blame them for having similar logic as me, haha! Fun fact: Since watching this movie earlier today, I've had "Panic in Detroit" by David Bowie stuck in my head... Because the song and movie have almost the same titles and because I'm a nerd like that.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Get to the Point
I am considering posting my ridiculously subjective movie reviews. ...To be continued!!
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