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David McK (3547 KP) rated Goblins (The X-Files, #1) in Books
Oct 13, 2024
The X-Files was huge during the 90's.
Especially during the mid-90s, which is when this novel was released (1995) so even before, I believe, the X-Files movie (1997?) or the more recent 2000 attempt to reboot the franchise.
back here, we're still in the hey-day of the more famous Mulder and Scully than their later replacements, with this novel seeing the two agents off to investigate the murder of an ex-sergeant and (later) a corporal, with the perpetrator vanishing into thin air both times.
I remember I read this when it was first published but, truth be told, I'd forgotten pretty much everything about it until I cam across it again recently in 2024.
The fact that I had tells you pretty much everything you need to know: largely forgettable, I'm not so sure about the characterisations of Mulder or Scully, and that the plot itself could - maybe - do with a little bit more work.
Especially during the mid-90s, which is when this novel was released (1995) so even before, I believe, the X-Files movie (1997?) or the more recent 2000 attempt to reboot the franchise.
back here, we're still in the hey-day of the more famous Mulder and Scully than their later replacements, with this novel seeing the two agents off to investigate the murder of an ex-sergeant and (later) a corporal, with the perpetrator vanishing into thin air both times.
I remember I read this when it was first published but, truth be told, I'd forgotten pretty much everything about it until I cam across it again recently in 2024.
The fact that I had tells you pretty much everything you need to know: largely forgettable, I'm not so sure about the characterisations of Mulder or Scully, and that the plot itself could - maybe - do with a little bit more work.
Fred (860 KP) rated Love, Death & Robots in TV
Mar 24, 2019
A Heavy Metal reboot? I'm in!
This is an anthology series, airing on Netflix. Originally, it was going to be a theatrical reboot of the Heavy Metal animated movies, but became a series instead. It's split into 18 animated shorts (well, 17 & one mostly live-action) with an average length of about 10 minutes or so each. Unlike the original Heavy Metal movie, there is nothing tying the shorts together, like the Loc-nar.
I want to say, overall, the series is great. Most of the animation is great. Some of it, like in the short "The Witness" is so realistic, you'll think you're watching actual film. However, there are some shorts where the animation is done in the choppy, crappy CGI-drawn animation & this takes away from them. Just like the original Heavy Metal, some shorts work, some don't. Fortunately, most of them work, overall. Some have problems with their endings. They seem to either have no ending, or they're just not satisfying enough. I kind of wish they were 20 minutes each. But there are also some where the ending is the best part.
My favorite short is probably "Three Robots", which is about...3 robots. They're "taking a vacation" through an apocalyptic wasteland. It's funny & smart. My least favorite is probably "When the Yogurt Took Over", which is about...sentient yogurt. Fortunately, this one is also the shortest of them. Funny enough, both of these shorts were written by the same writer.
I see people complaining about the show's sexism towards women. Yes, this is a problem. But a minor one. The show does have fan service, especially in the short "The Witness" I mentioned. There's nudity just for the sake of having nudity. I feel that although in this day & age, in America, this is frowned upon, it fits with these shorts. It's not like it's non-stop nudity, it's just here & there. It also fits with the Heavy Metal series & I'm happy that it's there.
I could talk about each short separately, but I don't think they need to be. You can watch the entire series in a few hours & it's worth it. So what you waiting for?
I want to say, overall, the series is great. Most of the animation is great. Some of it, like in the short "The Witness" is so realistic, you'll think you're watching actual film. However, there are some shorts where the animation is done in the choppy, crappy CGI-drawn animation & this takes away from them. Just like the original Heavy Metal, some shorts work, some don't. Fortunately, most of them work, overall. Some have problems with their endings. They seem to either have no ending, or they're just not satisfying enough. I kind of wish they were 20 minutes each. But there are also some where the ending is the best part.
My favorite short is probably "Three Robots", which is about...3 robots. They're "taking a vacation" through an apocalyptic wasteland. It's funny & smart. My least favorite is probably "When the Yogurt Took Over", which is about...sentient yogurt. Fortunately, this one is also the shortest of them. Funny enough, both of these shorts were written by the same writer.
I see people complaining about the show's sexism towards women. Yes, this is a problem. But a minor one. The show does have fan service, especially in the short "The Witness" I mentioned. There's nudity just for the sake of having nudity. I feel that although in this day & age, in America, this is frowned upon, it fits with these shorts. It's not like it's non-stop nudity, it's just here & there. It also fits with the Heavy Metal series & I'm happy that it's there.
I could talk about each short separately, but I don't think they need to be. You can watch the entire series in a few hours & it's worth it. So what you waiting for?
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Sep 26, 2017
I was a little hesitant over a third Spider-Man reboot, even tho I really enjoyed his introduction in Civil War. I was pleasantly surprised when we were given an origin movie without rehashing yet again the way that Peter Parker receives his powers (it's all mentioned in conversation, since I think everyone is fairly familiar with the particulars at this point). What we're given is a young kid of 14 who has been handed these amazing powers and we get to watch as he struggles to find his place in a superhero world where there isn't much room for a kid 14. Of course, he thinks he can handle situations far outside his capabilities, and we watch as he predictably fails, and comes to terms with his limitations. It's a stereotypical hero's journey film, but somehow Tom Holland's performance captures that early teen awkwardness and nothing seems heavy handed in telling Spider-Man's story. I'm hoping this is the Spider-man that's going to stick around for a while.
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Doctor Who - Series 1 (New Season - 1) in TV
Jul 28, 2017
I hadn't watched Doctor Who since I was a kid with the Fourth Doctor (I didn't remember enough about the show since that time to inform my opinion going into New Who), and to be honest, I had a really hard time getting into the first couple of episodes, but friends kept telling me to stick with it, and I'm glad that I did. Chris Eccleston as Nine is my least favorite of the New Who Doctors, but I really feel it is very important to watch the show from the beginning of the reboot and not just skip to certain Doctors. There is a definite progression of story here and I don't think new watchers would appreciate the show as much if they skip right to 10 or 11 as I hear many people say should happen. Nine may not be the best Doctor (IMO), but he is important in the grand scheme of the show.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018 (Updated Feb 19, 2018)
It's (not really) alive!
Hammer's third Frankenstein movie is basically a soft reboot, disregarding the continuity of the first two. Down-on-his-luck Baron F (Cushing) rediscovers frozen body of his original monster (Kingston), doesn't really think through consequences of hiring someone called Zoltan the Evil Hypnotist (Woodthorpe) to help with monster-wrangling duties as he prepares to try and restore his reputation.
Hammer won the rights to reuse much imagery from the 1930s Universal Frankenstein series (that said, the monster looks more like an Easter Island statue than Boris Karloff); in their delight at this coup they seem to have forgotten to come up with a proper story for this film. Cushing is given a run for his money by the underrated character actor Peter Woodthorpe; in the end the parts are competently assembled but the spark of life remains elusive. Title seems a little harsh, as Frankenstein is certainly more sinned against than sinning on this occasion: poor choice of staff hardly constitutes 'evil', if you ask me.
Hammer won the rights to reuse much imagery from the 1930s Universal Frankenstein series (that said, the monster looks more like an Easter Island statue than Boris Karloff); in their delight at this coup they seem to have forgotten to come up with a proper story for this film. Cushing is given a run for his money by the underrated character actor Peter Woodthorpe; in the end the parts are competently assembled but the spark of life remains elusive. Title seems a little harsh, as Frankenstein is certainly more sinned against than sinning on this occasion: poor choice of staff hardly constitutes 'evil', if you ask me.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Last Starfighter (1984) in Movies
Dec 2, 2018
Guilty 80s pleasure still sparkles!
I have made several "Andy's Guilty Pleasures" lists in my life and Flash Gordon, Krull and this film are always at the very top. I'm sure it's because this movie was a childhood favorite, but also because it hits everything just right. It's not complicated, scary, or deep at all. Just a campy good time.
When local teenager trailer park handyman Alex Rogan finally beats his favorite video game "Starfighter" he gets more than he bargained for when it's owner comes calling and invites Alex into outer space to help the star league defend itself against its enemies.
It was one of the first movies to use any sort of CGI images as we think of them today. I'm sure nowadays people would say it looked a bit dated, but I would argue the characters and story are what keep it relevant.
There have been many stories and attempts to remake or reboot this film, even from Steven Spielberg, and thus far it hasn't happened.
Keeping my fingers crossed it never does.
When local teenager trailer park handyman Alex Rogan finally beats his favorite video game "Starfighter" he gets more than he bargained for when it's owner comes calling and invites Alex into outer space to help the star league defend itself against its enemies.
It was one of the first movies to use any sort of CGI images as we think of them today. I'm sure nowadays people would say it looked a bit dated, but I would argue the characters and story are what keep it relevant.
There have been many stories and attempts to remake or reboot this film, even from Steven Spielberg, and thus far it hasn't happened.
Keeping my fingers crossed it never does.
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