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Andy K (10821 KP) rated Alien Resurrection (1997) in Movies
Jun 18, 2018 (Updated Jun 18, 2018)
Gets a bad wrap
Certainly a major step down from the first two which are obvious classics. Even a step down from Alien 3 which is also divisive, but pretty good film. The scene with the Ripley clones and some of the Alien stuff is pretty cool here, and not as bad as the film's reputation through the years. I've seen people compare to Superman IV which should be wiped off the face of the Earth as not nearly as bad as that. I would say I liked Prometheus better than Alien Resurrection, but for different reasons. It seemed like this film just didn't have enough energy and not enough fresh ideas.
David McK (3238 KP) rated Deathwish (Cal Leandros, #4) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Fourth book in Rob(yn) Thurman's Cal Leandros series, I found this one to be both slower moving and harder to get into than the previous novels in the series.
This, I believe, is also the first book in which Thurman splits the narration between the two brothers: the problem with that being, as another reviewer rightly pointed out, that both brothers 'sound' exactly the same, meaning that (quite often) it's easy to get confused about who is narrating! Would have worked better if each of the brothers had their own tone more than they do, rather than sound like clones of each other (which they are emphatically described as being not) ...
This, I believe, is also the first book in which Thurman splits the narration between the two brothers: the problem with that being, as another reviewer rightly pointed out, that both brothers 'sound' exactly the same, meaning that (quite often) it's easy to get confused about who is narrating! Would have worked better if each of the brothers had their own tone more than they do, rather than sound like clones of each other (which they are emphatically described as being not) ...
Kelly (279 KP) rated Orphan Black - Season 1 in TV
Dec 6, 2018
Unique plot line (1 more)
Fantastic actors
Hooked!
I was originally drawn to the series after reading the synopsis, and was hooked in the first 10 minutes. The story centres around Sarah, who assumes the identity of a woman who looks identical to her, trying to escape her own troublesome past, but instead finding she has just stepped into more trouble. As the story develops, we find out that they are actually clones of each other, and are not alone in the world.
The plot thickens quickly as the series develops, becoming more sinister as Sarah tries to protect her foster family and young daughter. In all, I could the plot line unique and refreshing in comparison to what is currently out their.
The clones are played by Tatiana Maslany, who acts each one individually, the fact that she is able to demonstrate a clear identity of several characters at the same time, is a credit to her acting career.
The show itself does have a lot of drama, suspense and a little violence throughout the series, however it never takes itself too seriously, with regular breaks to add a little light heartedness into the show. The clone Alison/ soccer mom, in particular adds an air of humour to the show, particularly with her turbulent relationship with her husband and the stark contrast between herself and Sarah.
The series itself is worthy of a complete box set binge, and is definitely not one that you want to stop until the very end. This has made it to my list of favourite TV shows of all time.
The plot thickens quickly as the series develops, becoming more sinister as Sarah tries to protect her foster family and young daughter. In all, I could the plot line unique and refreshing in comparison to what is currently out their.
The clones are played by Tatiana Maslany, who acts each one individually, the fact that she is able to demonstrate a clear identity of several characters at the same time, is a credit to her acting career.
The show itself does have a lot of drama, suspense and a little violence throughout the series, however it never takes itself too seriously, with regular breaks to add a little light heartedness into the show. The clone Alison/ soccer mom, in particular adds an air of humour to the show, particularly with her turbulent relationship with her husband and the stark contrast between herself and Sarah.
The series itself is worthy of a complete box set binge, and is definitely not one that you want to stop until the very end. This has made it to my list of favourite TV shows of all time.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Total Recall (2012) in Movies
Feb 7, 2018
Good Sfx (1 more)
Good cast
A very decent film in it's own right, and no it's not a straight remake! If you watch the first film again today it sure does look dated now. The main theme or plot is similar but put into a different context and setting altogether. The technology you see in the film was very interesting as well and there is plenty of action and very good SFX. It has a few nods towards the old film but seems to borrow elements from a number of Sci-Fi films including Blade Runner, especially for the look of the city. Even Star Wars Attack of the clones, Robocop. Throw in Jessica Biel and Kate Beckinsale, it's not a bad way to treat your eyes for 2 hours!
Erika (17788 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode II β Attack of the Clones (2002) in Movies
Nov 4, 2019
Overall, I do not think the prequels are all that bad. They're not the best, but, I still find them watchable. My family, in preparation for the Rise of Skywalker, have been re-watching the Skywalker Saga.
Yes, some of the lines are strange, like the sand thing. BUT, that chase of Zam after the 2nd assassination attempt on Padme? One of the best sequences in the film. Seeing Yoda lightsaber duel for the first time? I remember the gasps in the theater (I probably saw it at least 6x in theaters).
The romance is cringe-worthy, but it has to happen. Had I been watching it by myself, I'd have skipped those chapters.
Also, this film introduced the Clones, which led to the fantastic Clone Wars series.
Yes, some of the lines are strange, like the sand thing. BUT, that chase of Zam after the 2nd assassination attempt on Padme? One of the best sequences in the film. Seeing Yoda lightsaber duel for the first time? I remember the gasps in the theater (I probably saw it at least 6x in theaters).
The romance is cringe-worthy, but it has to happen. Had I been watching it by myself, I'd have skipped those chapters.
Also, this film introduced the Clones, which led to the fantastic Clone Wars series.
David McK (3238 KP) rated Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020), Volume 2 in Books
Mar 29, 2020
The second entry in the new Darth Vader series from Marvel, and honestly? The first one was better.
In this we find an answer to the mystery of Padme Amidala (or is she?) re-appearing, pretty much straight out of the gates: it's not Padme (no surprise), but rather one of her handmaidens - remember the Queens Double bit from The Phantom Menace? And, to a lesser extent, Attack of the Clones? There's your answer.
As before, the going on are then interlaced with flashbacks to Vader's earlier life as Anakin Skywalker, before Vader and Sabe then agree to work together for their mutual benefit as long as interests coincide (Vader wants to find and punish whoever hid Luke from him, while Sabe is hunting for Padme's killer, without knowing he's right in front of her!)
In this we find an answer to the mystery of Padme Amidala (or is she?) re-appearing, pretty much straight out of the gates: it's not Padme (no surprise), but rather one of her handmaidens - remember the Queens Double bit from The Phantom Menace? And, to a lesser extent, Attack of the Clones? There's your answer.
As before, the going on are then interlaced with flashbacks to Vader's earlier life as Anakin Skywalker, before Vader and Sabe then agree to work together for their mutual benefit as long as interests coincide (Vader wants to find and punish whoever hid Luke from him, while Sabe is hunting for Padme's killer, without knowing he's right in front of her!)
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Midnight Sun (2018) in Movies
Nov 20, 2020
Brutally effective cry-porn, succeeds at that and nothing else but it doesn't really need to - and considering how clunky the rest of it feels it's probably for the best that it didn't try to be anything more. Enough has been said about the very justified anger this caused in romanticizing this incredibly serious disorder but imo it isn't all too much different from how ππ©π¦ ππ’πΆππ΅ πͺπ― ππΆπ³ ππ΅π’π³π΄ also cheesily used cancer. Thorne and Riggle are terrific, Patrick Schwarzenegger gives one of the worst performance of 2018 and it's straight-up riotous to watch this guy try and emote. Has the 2014 artsy Tumblr hipster white-Christmas-lights aesthetic and everything. Mostly all I could have hoped for out of it as this stupid, overly-quirky genre of John Green clones continues to ironically swoon me.
David McK (3238 KP) rated The Star Wars in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Based on George Lucas' original rough-draft for 'Star Wars', this is an interesting read not so much for the (somewhat disconnected) story, but to see how the movies grew out of the original rough draft: this is very different from those movie(s), albeit with some of the characters and place names still showing up but in a different manner - most noticeable, perhaps, in the characters of Han Solo and Darth Vader (and 'May the Force of Others be with you' just doesn't sound right, does it?).
Having read this, it's also now VERY clear that Lucas was to re-use elements of his original rough draft in the Prequel trilogy, particularly in the whole Princess-in-hiding section(s) that are included in both The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.
The art is impressive, but the dialogue/story? Not so much.
Having read this, it's also now VERY clear that Lucas was to re-use elements of his original rough draft in the Prequel trilogy, particularly in the whole Princess-in-hiding section(s) that are included in both The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.
The art is impressive, but the dialogue/story? Not so much.
David McK (3238 KP) rated T2: Rising Storm in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Following on from the end of <i>T2: Infiltrator</i>, this novel continues the story started in that novel. The infiltrator of the previous novel may have been destroyed, but she has left behind 2 clones who continue her work, while Sarah Connor recuperates in military hospital from the wounds she received destroying it.
For the first portion of the story, then, John is out on his own with Dieter von Rossbach, rather than working with his mother. This allows the character to grow and mature somewhat, while it also provides the opportunity to bring back some other faces from the film in the Sarah Connor portion of the story, most noticeably in Dr Silbermann (the psychiatrist from T1 and T2).
The novel also takes to opportunity to further explore the paradoxical timeline of the world, with one key scene in particular towards the end showing how Skynet became sentient.
For the first portion of the story, then, John is out on his own with Dieter von Rossbach, rather than working with his mother. This allows the character to grow and mature somewhat, while it also provides the opportunity to bring back some other faces from the film in the Sarah Connor portion of the story, most noticeably in Dr Silbermann (the psychiatrist from T1 and T2).
The novel also takes to opportunity to further explore the paradoxical timeline of the world, with one key scene in particular towards the end showing how Skynet became sentient.
David McK (3238 KP) rated Heir to the Empire (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, #1) in Books
May 8, 2021
This is pretty much the book that re-ignited the whole Star Wars craze. (Re)reading it, it's not hard to see why.
Set after the events of the original trilogy, "Heir to the Empire" also introduces a host of new characters and soon-to-be-official aliens and planet names (it is here that Coruscant is first named, for example).
Reading the trilogy as a whole, though, you also have to wonder how much inside-info Zahn had on the whole Star Wars mythos: clones are (re)introduced here, the Clone Wars are given a larger role than their original throw-away reference and the role of the Jedi are expanded upon.
I know there's a lot of hostility towards spin-off books, but do yourself a favour and read this one! After all, the original material had to be good for their to BE a spin-off in the first place, and the quality of the first spin-off can often be determined by the quantity of books that followed it ...
Set after the events of the original trilogy, "Heir to the Empire" also introduces a host of new characters and soon-to-be-official aliens and planet names (it is here that Coruscant is first named, for example).
Reading the trilogy as a whole, though, you also have to wonder how much inside-info Zahn had on the whole Star Wars mythos: clones are (re)introduced here, the Clone Wars are given a larger role than their original throw-away reference and the role of the Jedi are expanded upon.
I know there's a lot of hostility towards spin-off books, but do yourself a favour and read this one! After all, the original material had to be good for their to BE a spin-off in the first place, and the quality of the first spin-off can often be determined by the quantity of books that followed it ...