Showing posts with label sci-fi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sci-fi. Show all posts

Monday, June 21, 2021

Oxygen (Netflix, 2021)

 Le film français "Oxygen" est, de loin, le thriller de science-fiction le plus agréable que j'ai vu depuis des années. (Sous-titres et tout.)




Tuesday, April 02, 2019

Captive State

I'm certain that when an alien race takes over the earth -- and it's just a matter of time! -- Captive State is a pretty good depiction of how things will play out.

When it all goes down, I'll be your William Mulligan.


Sunday, November 09, 2014

Interstellar

Early reviews for Interstellar have generally been positive, but varied. The Christopher Nolan flick been called "sentimental" and "thrilling", "clunky" and "epic." Like many movies of this scope, Interstellar has its hits and its misses.

Where it doesn't miss? It tells one hell of a story!

Despite its ambition, Interstellar stays focused on the narrative. It doesn't allow special effects -- there are plenty, and they are cool -- or the characters to overshadow the story. The story is told so well the audience can feel the emotional bond between pilot-turned-farmer Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) and Cooper's daughter, Murphy, even though the two have few scenes together after the first act.

Nolan's epic -- and it is an epic -- may be flawed. But those flaws are forgiven.

Interstellar is just that damn good.



Thursday, June 16, 2011

Super 8

"What do you get when you mix E.T. and The Goonies with Stand By Me?"

In truth, that joke isn't a fair way to describe Super 8, the Steven Spielberg produced movie written and directed by J.J. Abrams. The flick is solid, especially in the first half when we are becoming acquainted with the characters. Super 8 can stand on its own as a well made, moving, thought-provoking work of art; it was well acted, visually appealing, and interesting.

Throughout, though, I kept waiting for a discussion about Pez candy. Or -- during one of dozens of bike scenes -- for one of the kids to fly his bike into the sky and across the moon in silhouette.

Abrams' Super 8 is that much of an homage to the coming of age movies from a generation ago. So much so it was distracting.

Coming of age flicks rely on young actors to carry a mature storyline. The child actors of Super 8, particularly Joel Courtney and Riley Griffiths, give complex and layered performances. The adults in the film, however, are stereotypical and one-dimensional.

Just like most kids see adults in real life.

Filmed in and near Weirton, West Virginia, Super 8 garnered a lot of buzz during the past few months. Most of that buzz had to do with how secretive Abrams was with details about the movie. The anticipation caused me to leave the theater disappointed, even though I generally liked the movie.

I just expected more.

Thursday, June 02, 2011





Sci-Fi wannabe.
Strange hats, magic doors, and rain
Makes for waste of time