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LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) in Movies
Mar 3, 2022
The original Independence Day is a beloved sci-fi classic for a lot of people, so I can understand why this arguably unnecessary sequel takes on a lot of disdain and criticism. "Legacy sequels", a term I've heard thrown around a fair bit lately, can be very hit and miss, and Resurgence lands smack bang in the middle. It's not bad, it's not good, it's not Emmerich's best, but it's far from being his worst. It's just kind of there.
On the one hand, it's brimming with corny dialogue, bloated exposition, ridiculous set ups for sequels that will probably never happen, characters that are difficult to care about, and loads of plot points that don't make sense (the alien ship is so big, it has its own gravitational pull, causing mass destruction to Earth upon arrival, but then just fucks off at the end without any further damage)
On the other hand, I was surprised by how commited Jeff Goldblum is to his returning role, and is quite simply a pleasure for the entirety of his screentime, the ultra-destruction that's we're all here to see is visually pleasing and satisfying, there are some genuinely fun set pieces (the alien queen running around the desert fucking shit up is a blast), and it's all self aware enough to not disappear up its own arse.
I personally feel that Resurgence gets an unjustified bad rap. It doesn't need to exist, and is far from perfect, but there's enough here to enjoy. Just be sure to leave your brain at the door.
On the one hand, it's brimming with corny dialogue, bloated exposition, ridiculous set ups for sequels that will probably never happen, characters that are difficult to care about, and loads of plot points that don't make sense (the alien ship is so big, it has its own gravitational pull, causing mass destruction to Earth upon arrival, but then just fucks off at the end without any further damage)
On the other hand, I was surprised by how commited Jeff Goldblum is to his returning role, and is quite simply a pleasure for the entirety of his screentime, the ultra-destruction that's we're all here to see is visually pleasing and satisfying, there are some genuinely fun set pieces (the alien queen running around the desert fucking shit up is a blast), and it's all self aware enough to not disappear up its own arse.
I personally feel that Resurgence gets an unjustified bad rap. It doesn't need to exist, and is far from perfect, but there's enough here to enjoy. Just be sure to leave your brain at the door.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Eruption (Supervolcano, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I got really excited when I saw this book! I love reading about disasters and post apocalyptic and the concept of a super volcano under Yellowstone is something that fascinates me. [Supervolcano: Eruption] by [Harry Turtledove] lived up to all my expectations. The characters were well developed and very believable. The intertwining stories kept the plot moving.
Usually I have stayed away from [Harry Turtledove] since stuff with aliens is not my thing and that is what I thought about when I saw his books but in the first installment of [Supervolcano] I was happy to not see one alien! [Turtledove] does have a good story telling style and perhaps I may give some of his alternative history a shot.
Usually I have stayed away from [Harry Turtledove] since stuff with aliens is not my thing and that is what I thought about when I saw his books but in the first installment of [Supervolcano] I was happy to not see one alien! [Turtledove] does have a good story telling style and perhaps I may give some of his alternative history a shot.
Enyeh (71 KP) rated The War of the Worlds in Books
Aug 9, 2017
Through the first 2/3 of this book, I thought I was going to be disappointed - in fact, given how far I'd gotten without feeling particularly engaged, I think I can say I was in fact disappointed. But in the end, Wells makes up for it: not with any extreme plot twists or cheap literary tricks, but with a sense of profundity, with a moral. War of the Worlds isn't the Hollywood movie that came after it, or even the notorious radio show that caused the panic of a nation - instead, it's a novel about a man and his thoughts in the face of the worst disaster. It's a discussion of humanity, psychology, and morality, disguised as an alien adventure.
Rodney Barnes (472 KP) rated The War of the Worlds (1953) in Movies
Apr 7, 2019
Classic Gold
This movie is just classic. There is no other way to describe it. The story follows the the plight of mankind having to contend with a more advanced alien invasion force from Mars. The acting was good and the special effects were great for the time. There hasn't been a War of the Worlds movie that can touch this one in terms of a pure invasion movie( yes even the Tom Cruise version which is another story). You feel the danger and hopelessness of the situation. The acting was great and the ending was what you expect if you know the story. Maybe someday someone will do a great WotW movie that is great like this one with the technology of today.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) in Movies
Apr 9, 2019
Michael Rennie is magnificently detached but humane in this parable about an alien visitor arriving in early-50s Washington DC. He brings an important message from the galactic community, but is met with only paranoia and petty squabbling amongst the people of Earth.
Unusual amongst the early-50s flying saucer movies in not featuring malevolent aliens, although given this is famously an allegory for the life of Christ, Klaatu is a surprisingly ambiguous figure, and the film's subtext is not nearly as liberal as you might expect: the message is an authoritarian one, 'do as you are told, or else'. Still a classic of the genre, with striking, much-copied special effects sequences and music, a literate and thoughtful script, and terrific performances and direction.
Unusual amongst the early-50s flying saucer movies in not featuring malevolent aliens, although given this is famously an allegory for the life of Christ, Klaatu is a surprisingly ambiguous figure, and the film's subtext is not nearly as liberal as you might expect: the message is an authoritarian one, 'do as you are told, or else'. Still a classic of the genre, with striking, much-copied special effects sequences and music, a literate and thoughtful script, and terrific performances and direction.
Darkwriter1408 (8 KP) rated Cloverfield (2008) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
Good concept, not a great outcome
So I was watching this recently, I remember thinking what on earth is this. So it's initially set in USA and is about alien animals overturning a major city. The entire film is recorded on a hand held camera which is a good idea, but I find myself asking if it really pulled it off successfully. You spend a lot of time looking at darkness just listening.
I appreciate the thought behind it and given the visual effects crew had stepped up I think if had potential to be a real hit. Instead it has dropped under the radar.
Just another fallen potential great.
I appreciate the thought behind it and given the visual effects crew had stepped up I think if had potential to be a real hit. Instead it has dropped under the radar.
Just another fallen potential great.
Caffeinated Zombie (3374 KP) rated Patient Zero (Joe Ledger, #1) in Books
Jan 8, 2019
Character development (2 more)
Plot
Brilliant writing
One of the best zombie books I've read and the start on an epic series
Contains spoilers, click to show
Patient Zero is the first book in Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger series. Jonathan Maberry is a phenomenal writer, in this series he introduces us to the DMS (Department of Military Sciences) a shadow government agency formed to respond to advanced terrorist threats such as bioterrorism, alien technology etc..
In this book we meet an array of characters such as Mr Church, Aunt Sally, Top and Bunny when Joe is recruited by Mr Church to help deal with the potential release of a zombie virus. This book is thrilling, funny, and keeps the reader itching for more.
I give this book 10/10.
In this book we meet an array of characters such as Mr Church, Aunt Sally, Top and Bunny when Joe is recruited by Mr Church to help deal with the potential release of a zombie virus. This book is thrilling, funny, and keeps the reader itching for more.
I give this book 10/10.
Coleman Balogh (20 KP) rated Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space in Tabletop Games
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated Dec 17, 2018)
Minimalistic art (2 more)
Great maps
Unsettling fear and paranoia
An unsung masterpiece
This game is one of my absolute favorites. Its quiet, unsettling, and nerve-wracking. I like to describe it as a mixture between Battleship, Minesweeper, and The Thing. Humans are racing to outrun aliens on a shared map system. Random chance allows you to bluff or biff making noises as you try to escape. Can you fool the aliens into believing the fake sounds or will they track you down? Who is an alien anyway?! The addition of item cards and secret identities take the game to the next level. I love the malfunctioning escape pod too. This is a perfectly distilled minimalistic horror game and I AM HERE FOR IT.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated War of the Worlds (2005) in Movies
Apr 9, 2020 (Updated Apr 10, 2020)
Run From The Spaceships
War of the Worlds- is a good remake of the oringal, taking a different spin on it. Plus you have Tom Cruise running from spaceships which is a plus in my books.
The plot: Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge.
Its a good sci-fi action thriller.
The plot: Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge.
Its a good sci-fi action thriller.
THOR: The Lightning and the Storm
Podcast
THOR: The Lightning and the Storm is a 13-episode podcast love letter to Walter Simonson’s epic...