Posts Tagged ‘Sci Fi’
Under the Radar | Monsters
Following article is not a review, but more of a stance on why I believe Monsters is an underrated film. It does contain minor spoilers for the film, so if you would like to read a spoiler free review be sure to check out Mr. Edens’ review here. Otherwise, by all means, continue on.
Last year a small independent film called Monsters made its way on to my top ten films of 2010. It starred no “names” and was shot with no more than a crew of six people. There was no shooting script and only a loose outline was used as a guideline for the actors to understand the scene. Some were mislead. After all a film with the ambiguous, yet straightforward, title Monsters, yields certain expectations. However, director Gareth Edwards abandoned the traditional monster disaster movie extravaganza in favor of a somber character piece. With Andrew (Scoot McNairy) and Sam (Whitney Able) taking center frame, we are able to see a road film romance used as a parable for all humanity. Read the rest of this entry »
Agent Mulder Was His Idea! | Review of Paul
As I sat down for Paul, I begin to think about the niche sub-genre of film geek road movies. Fanboys, Kyle Newman’s 2008 tribute to all things located in a galaxy far away came to mind. Kevin Smith’s übergeek comedy, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and (a film I have not seen, but Mr. Will has) Free Enterprise both fit nicely into this category. Then I started thinking about where those movies fail. Is it the enclosed nature of the stories? After all, you do have to be familiar with (if not a full blown fan) of geek culture as pertaining to film. Is it the talent involved? Jay and Silent Bob was loaded with stars in roles, but they only seemed to have taken the job to cut up. So my hopes were high for Paul. A broader take on this type of material couldn’t hurt, and the film is directed by Greg Mottola (Adventureland, a recent favorite of mine) and stars two of the funniest men around, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Read the rest of this entry »
All is Fair in Love and Fate | Review of The Adjustment Bureau
The Adjustment Bureau has the capability to be a polarizing film. On one hand, it is hard sci fi based on one of the masters Philip K. Dick’s story “Adjustment Team”. On the other hand, it is a love story in the truest sense. Two people meet, fall in love, obstacles keep them from each other, but they fight to be together. So, your ability to be taken by this film really hinges on the melding of those two genres. If you are looking for a dark and gritty realistic film about the nature of predestination, this isn’t it. Instead it is a light (at times thought provoking) well made film taking the stance that love conquers all. Read the rest of this entry »
The Dark Tower to become Motion Picture Trilogy and Television Series
Stephen King‘s sci-fi, fantasy, western, horror, epic The Dark Tower series has finally found a cinematic shepherd in Universal and Ron Howard. The series (beloved by so many King fans) has been looking for a movie going lift off for some time. Lost creators J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof were attached at one point (they left after finding the project to be to vast) and were then followed by Imagine Entertainment partners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, along with writer/producer Akiva Goldsman. The team has recently announced what they have in store for the saga, and I must say it is beyond ambitious.
Dark Side’s Light and The Vampires Roam | Rental Review of Daybreakers
The vampire genre has really taken off over the past few years thanks to the harlequin love story Twilight. Twilight has also completely mishandled the genre. So when I heard about Daybreakers, a hard R Sci Fi action film, I thought for sure the genre would rebound. I was wrong. Read the rest of this entry »
Under the Radar | Jeff Bridges
This is a new column that will focus on little known films, directors, writers, and actors. The column does not exist to tell you what to watch, but to simply help raise interest in the great art and talent that goes unseen year by year. So let’s begin.
In honor of one of my favorite actors’ recent (and first) oscar win; I will be profiling “The Dude” himself… Jeff Bridges. The following films showcase some of Bridges’ greatest performances, that you may have missed. Read the rest of this entry »
