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David McK (3728 KP) rated Around the world in 80 days in TV
Jan 30, 2022
Around the world in 80 days.
One of Jules Vernes most famous novels, and the inspiration for many a movie (and even a 80s cartoon).
I've never seen or heard of a TV series until this one, which - in retrospect - actually surprised me quite a bit, as you think the story would (and does) lend itself perfectly to the episodic nature of the journey.
This adaptation stars David Tennant in the lead role, alongside strong support from Ibrahim Koma as the French valet Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as the gender flipped/reimagined journalist Abigail Fix (instead of Inspector Fix), while still keeping its late Victorian setting.
Yes, you know how it is going to end.
Still very enjoyable!
One of Jules Vernes most famous novels, and the inspiration for many a movie (and even a 80s cartoon).
I've never seen or heard of a TV series until this one, which - in retrospect - actually surprised me quite a bit, as you think the story would (and does) lend itself perfectly to the episodic nature of the journey.
This adaptation stars David Tennant in the lead role, alongside strong support from Ibrahim Koma as the French valet Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as the gender flipped/reimagined journalist Abigail Fix (instead of Inspector Fix), while still keeping its late Victorian setting.
Yes, you know how it is going to end.
Still very enjoyable!
David McK (3728 KP) rated V for Vendetta (2005) in Movies
Oct 23, 2022
Remember, remember, the fifth of November ...
2005 adaptation of the 1980's Alan Moore classic, set in a near-future dystopian Britain where the populous is afraid of the (fascist) government, and where a vigilant known only as V uses terrorist tactics to rebel against said government and slowly falls for a young reporter named Evie
The story, then, has more than a hint of The Phantom of the Opera about it - both involve masked figures who live in the shadowy underworld, both involve melodrama and a star-crossed love story - with Hugo Weaving never once showing his face through the entire runtime, but still - impressively - able to convey his emotions through his acting.
The story, then, has more than a hint of The Phantom of the Opera about it - both involve masked figures who live in the shadowy underworld, both involve melodrama and a star-crossed love story - with Hugo Weaving never once showing his face through the entire runtime, but still - impressively - able to convey his emotions through his acting.
Wicked (2024)
8.0
Rate It
Movie
Wicked (2024) brings the iconic Broadway musical to life in a dazzling cinematic adaptation directed...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Ghost in the Shell (2017) in Movies
Jul 12, 2019
Ghost in the Shell is a film adaptation of a 1989 manga and subsequent 1995 anime. Set in the “not so distant future,” Scarlet Johansson plays as Major, the first functioning human brain/consciousness saved from an accident and placed into a full cybernetic body. Effectively, she is the perfect soldier and member of the Section 9 special task-force devoted to counter-terrorism operations.
As an adaptation, fans of the franchise will be pleased to know that Ghost in the shell nails the aesthetic and tone of the source material to provide a stunning, “lived in” future world. The special effects are excellent and really shine to bring this film to life and help us understand the world these characters inhabit.
The characters themselves, while “cool,” lack any real depth. It is not that Scarlet Johansson does an excellent job at being pensive and fits the role fine. It is just that there is no real human quality to her for us to attach to. Instead, everything she does feel “robotic.” Similar to her performance in Lucy with a little bit of Black Widow from the marvel universe crossed in.
Yes, I know she is supposed to be a cyborg. But the film wants us to believe she has actual interest in finding out who she was before the “accident,” but she shows very little human emotion to get us there. Furthermore, if she was the first human mind saved and put into a cyborg body, why doesn’t she show more human emotion when she starts to uncover her past. Meanwhile, her partner, Batou (Pilou Asbaek) showcases just slightly more emotion because he likes to feed stray dogs, however in his case, we at least understand that he is a loyal solder and friend to Major, and thus understand why he is along for the ride.
Additionally (or perhaps as a result) the story suffers from some pacing issues as the film doesn’t always provide clear or strong markers to help the viewer understand what exactly is motivating the characters throughout the film. Rather the film often holds a bit too long on sequences in an attempt to showcase the beautiful world and let the view ponder their own meaning of what they are watching.
This becomes problematic as the characters never really become likeable or establish any depth beyond the paint by numbers plot. Human becomes Cyborg, Cyborg works for a corporation/government, Cyborg figures out they have been lied to, revenge ensues.
In the end, I found myself checking my watch more than I had hoped as the film felt long and tired. If it wasn’t for the stunning world created on screen I would have been completely bored. It’s a shame because I really wanted to like this film. I cannot help but think that if this film had come out in 1999, it would have been amazing!
But in 2017 it feels average at best. Still, Ghost in the Shell is an adequate adaptation that fans of the franchise will enjoy. However I feel this adaptation does not help elevate the franchise beyond what the 1995 Anime has already accomplished.
As an adaptation, fans of the franchise will be pleased to know that Ghost in the shell nails the aesthetic and tone of the source material to provide a stunning, “lived in” future world. The special effects are excellent and really shine to bring this film to life and help us understand the world these characters inhabit.
The characters themselves, while “cool,” lack any real depth. It is not that Scarlet Johansson does an excellent job at being pensive and fits the role fine. It is just that there is no real human quality to her for us to attach to. Instead, everything she does feel “robotic.” Similar to her performance in Lucy with a little bit of Black Widow from the marvel universe crossed in.
Yes, I know she is supposed to be a cyborg. But the film wants us to believe she has actual interest in finding out who she was before the “accident,” but she shows very little human emotion to get us there. Furthermore, if she was the first human mind saved and put into a cyborg body, why doesn’t she show more human emotion when she starts to uncover her past. Meanwhile, her partner, Batou (Pilou Asbaek) showcases just slightly more emotion because he likes to feed stray dogs, however in his case, we at least understand that he is a loyal solder and friend to Major, and thus understand why he is along for the ride.
Additionally (or perhaps as a result) the story suffers from some pacing issues as the film doesn’t always provide clear or strong markers to help the viewer understand what exactly is motivating the characters throughout the film. Rather the film often holds a bit too long on sequences in an attempt to showcase the beautiful world and let the view ponder their own meaning of what they are watching.
This becomes problematic as the characters never really become likeable or establish any depth beyond the paint by numbers plot. Human becomes Cyborg, Cyborg works for a corporation/government, Cyborg figures out they have been lied to, revenge ensues.
In the end, I found myself checking my watch more than I had hoped as the film felt long and tired. If it wasn’t for the stunning world created on screen I would have been completely bored. It’s a shame because I really wanted to like this film. I cannot help but think that if this film had come out in 1999, it would have been amazing!
But in 2017 it feels average at best. Still, Ghost in the Shell is an adequate adaptation that fans of the franchise will enjoy. However I feel this adaptation does not help elevate the franchise beyond what the 1995 Anime has already accomplished.
The Irresistible Fairy Tale: The Cultural and Social History of a Genre
Book
If there is one genre that has captured the imagination of people in all walks of life throughout...
Mysterium: A Psychic Clue Game
Games and Entertainment
7.5
Rate It
App
The official adaptation of the famous board game Mysterium! *** IMore: "If you've played Mysterium,...
Ande Thomas (69 KP) rated Abaddon's Gate (The Expanse, #3) in Books
May 30, 2019
I've said it before, I'll say it again. The Expanse is hands down the best SF series this side of Frank Herbert. The story is so tight, the characters so real, and the plot threads so engaging, it blows my mind that the show adaptation was hanging by a thread. Not that the show should have any bearing on the books. The Expanse is <i>exactly</i> what I've been wanting out of a science fiction universe for years. It hits all the buttons for me and hits them hard.
In this installment, every conflict seems dire. The villains are sinister and competent, the protomolecule is apathetically devastating, and humanity is unsurprisingly shortsighted and self-centered. What could go wrong?
All hail JSAC.
In this installment, every conflict seems dire. The villains are sinister and competent, the protomolecule is apathetically devastating, and humanity is unsurprisingly shortsighted and self-centered. What could go wrong?
All hail JSAC.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
“Marvel has gone mad.” This was the kind of reaction that many film-fans greeted the news of a film adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy, one of the comic-book company’s lesser known band of heroes.
Thankfully, the film is an absolute masterclass. With the best ensemble cast of the entire MCU, some crazy set design and a great soundtrack, James Gunn’s MCU directorial-debut is practically perfect in every single way. We even get a decent villain in Lee Pace’s Ronan the Accuser. Plus, it’s got Glenn Close spouting absolute nonsense and Vin Diesel getting paid a ridiculous amount of money to say three words over and over again. What could be better?
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/04/21/the-entire-marvel-cinematic-universe-ranked/
Thankfully, the film is an absolute masterclass. With the best ensemble cast of the entire MCU, some crazy set design and a great soundtrack, James Gunn’s MCU directorial-debut is practically perfect in every single way. We even get a decent villain in Lee Pace’s Ronan the Accuser. Plus, it’s got Glenn Close spouting absolute nonsense and Vin Diesel getting paid a ridiculous amount of money to say three words over and over again. What could be better?
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/04/21/the-entire-marvel-cinematic-universe-ranked/
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
This film started my love affair with the wonderful Robin Williams and his loss feels raw even today.
Mrs Doubtfire has become something of a cult classic over the years and its impressive script means it still remains relatable today – and just as hilarious.
Chris Columbus, who later went on to direct the first two Harry Potter films crafted a near-perfect adaptation of Anne Fine’s Madame Doubtfire. Most people don’t realise the film is based on a novel, and I have to admit, I only discovered this a few years ago.
Even decades after its theatrical release, Mrs Doubtfire proves films can still throw up a few surprises if you look deep enough.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/04/films-that-influenced-me-adam-brannon/
Mrs Doubtfire has become something of a cult classic over the years and its impressive script means it still remains relatable today – and just as hilarious.
Chris Columbus, who later went on to direct the first two Harry Potter films crafted a near-perfect adaptation of Anne Fine’s Madame Doubtfire. Most people don’t realise the film is based on a novel, and I have to admit, I only discovered this a few years ago.
Even decades after its theatrical release, Mrs Doubtfire proves films can still throw up a few surprises if you look deep enough.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/04/films-that-influenced-me-adam-brannon/
Connie (244 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Jun 10, 2018
Pretty good adaptation of a phenomenal book!
The book led me to expect great things... And I wasn't disappointed. Granted, I had to convince myself that they were different to enjoy the movie, since Spielberg wanted to leave references to his own works out, which basically changed everything.
I have been waiting for this movie for a long time, and I habe to say I wasn't disappointed. I can see why it took so long... There was a lot of CG work, and much of it was as smooth as an actual video game. I think they chose the right people for each role and it's clear that the alternate story line was considered heavily before it was implemented. Well done!!
I have been waiting for this movie for a long time, and I habe to say I wasn't disappointed. I can see why it took so long... There was a lot of CG work, and much of it was as smooth as an actual video game. I think they chose the right people for each role and it's clear that the alternate story line was considered heavily before it was implemented. Well done!!