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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.
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Train to Busan (2016) in Movies
May 19, 2019
All on board for a train full of Zombies
Wow! What a film!.A zombie film that actually delivers thrilling action scenes..characters you can care about and doesn't rely on CGI special effects.
The story is simple with an outbreak of a virus that infects people and turns them into raging zombies.The main character is on the aforementioned train taking his daughter to her mother for her birthday when all hell starts breaking loose.
I dare anyone not to get a lump in their throat when it comes to the ending.
An awesome movie that deserves to be seen by all before the inevitable piss poor american remake comes along.
The story is simple with an outbreak of a virus that infects people and turns them into raging zombies.The main character is on the aforementioned train taking his daughter to her mother for her birthday when all hell starts breaking loose.
I dare anyone not to get a lump in their throat when it comes to the ending.
An awesome movie that deserves to be seen by all before the inevitable piss poor american remake comes along.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Jurassic Park (1993) in Movies
May 20, 2019
The perfect Blockbuster?
To make this clear, Jurassic Park is easily in my top 10 films of all time.
I saw it when I was young - maybe 7 or 8 years old, not too long after it came out, so one might argue that there is an element of nostalgia reflected in my opinion, but honestly, no matter how many times I see it, I never tire of it, and all these years later, the effects still stand up, which is an incredible achievement considering it came out in 1993!
The whole cast are just great, the script is solid, and the score is an all time classic - John Williams smashing it out of the park again.
An all time classic.
I saw it when I was young - maybe 7 or 8 years old, not too long after it came out, so one might argue that there is an element of nostalgia reflected in my opinion, but honestly, no matter how many times I see it, I never tire of it, and all these years later, the effects still stand up, which is an incredible achievement considering it came out in 1993!
The whole cast are just great, the script is solid, and the score is an all time classic - John Williams smashing it out of the park again.
An all time classic.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated The Incredible Hulk (2008) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
A lot of people forget this film is even part of the MCU, I do as well! And there’s a reason for this. Louis Letterier’s version of the great green behemoth is a decent film in its own right, but a little bit boring and nondescript.
Edward Norton and Liv Tyler are fine, if lacking a little in any on-screen chemistry and the story really disappoints. The special effects too, whilst better than Ang Lee’s Hulk, just aren’t up to scratch, especially considering Iron Man was released just two months earlier. This film threatened to derail the MCU before it had even got going. Thankfully that wasn’t the case.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/04/21/the-entire-marvel-cinematic-universe-ranked/
Edward Norton and Liv Tyler are fine, if lacking a little in any on-screen chemistry and the story really disappoints. The special effects too, whilst better than Ang Lee’s Hulk, just aren’t up to scratch, especially considering Iron Man was released just two months earlier. This film threatened to derail the MCU before it had even got going. Thankfully that wasn’t the case.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/04/21/the-entire-marvel-cinematic-universe-ranked/
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Jurassic Park (1993) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Released 25 years ago, Steven Spielberg’s take on Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name unbelievably holds up to this day. By holds up I’m referring to the incredible special effects that brought dinosaurs to life like never before.
The technology in the film however, doesn’t fare so well. Interactive CD-ROMs haven’t been relevant since the early 00s and Unix systems, well, the less said about that the better.
But this is a thrill ride like no other. The human characters rightly play second fiddle to the dinosaur cast. For pure popcorn entertainment, Jurassic Park is hard to beat. Make sure you watch the Jurassic Park movies in order for the best experience.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/15/jurassic-park-franchise-reviews/
The technology in the film however, doesn’t fare so well. Interactive CD-ROMs haven’t been relevant since the early 00s and Unix systems, well, the less said about that the better.
But this is a thrill ride like no other. The human characters rightly play second fiddle to the dinosaur cast. For pure popcorn entertainment, Jurassic Park is hard to beat. Make sure you watch the Jurassic Park movies in order for the best experience.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/15/jurassic-park-franchise-reviews/
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated The Day After Tomorrow (2004) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
It’s not subtle, but boy does it get the job done. The Day After Tomorrow, directed by Roland Emmerich aka the disaster movie expert, this disaster movie is a slickly shot and well-paced film that’s brimming with special effects.
Some of them hold up well and some of them don’t (ahem, the wolves). But the story is decent and Jake Gyllenhaal is always a win, plus Dennis Quaid is always reliable. It’s also much, much better than 2009’s 2012 and remains a really good addition to the genre, though maybe a little too close to home for the UK at the moment. Storm Emma is on her way and she’s not going to be pretty.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
Some of them hold up well and some of them don’t (ahem, the wolves). But the story is decent and Jake Gyllenhaal is always a win, plus Dennis Quaid is always reliable. It’s also much, much better than 2009’s 2012 and remains a really good addition to the genre, though maybe a little too close to home for the UK at the moment. Storm Emma is on her way and she’s not going to be pretty.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated The Final Destination (2009) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Touted to be the last film in the series, The Final Destination is even more disappointing than its predecessor and thankfully not the final outing for the franchise.
Utilising sloppy 3D effects that cheapened the film’s look was a bad move by director David R. Ellis and even the main disaster was uninspiring to watch – a NASCAR race just didn’t cut it after already having a vehicular disaster in Final Destination 2. The climax however, staged in a cinema, is incredibly clever.
Add to this some truly dreadful acting and awful dialogue and it makes for a low-point that thankfully was reversed just two years later. Unbelievably, this was also the most successful of the series.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/10/15/final-destination-franchise-reviews/
Utilising sloppy 3D effects that cheapened the film’s look was a bad move by director David R. Ellis and even the main disaster was uninspiring to watch – a NASCAR race just didn’t cut it after already having a vehicular disaster in Final Destination 2. The climax however, staged in a cinema, is incredibly clever.
Add to this some truly dreadful acting and awful dialogue and it makes for a low-point that thankfully was reversed just two years later. Unbelievably, this was also the most successful of the series.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/10/15/final-destination-franchise-reviews/
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.
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) in Movies
Feb 4, 2018
Another solid film in the Narnia series. The first is my fave, as I know that story so well, the 2nd had some good battle scenes and a bit more action. This is entertaining but in a different way to the others. I found the new cousin in this rather annoying and it's a pity many of the characters of the previous films are not in it that much.
Otherwise it felt a bit like the Sinbad films for me, a great looking ship, plenty of creatures and traps and riddles to overcome before a big finale. The SFX are very good, especially for the green mist effects. Overall a great family adventure if not quite on the level as the first two in my opinion.
Otherwise it felt a bit like the Sinbad films for me, a great looking ship, plenty of creatures and traps and riddles to overcome before a big finale. The SFX are very good, especially for the green mist effects. Overall a great family adventure if not quite on the level as the first two in my opinion.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Gladiator: A True Story of 'Roids, Rage, and Redemption in Books
Mar 9, 2018
This memoir was written by Nitro from the original American Gladiators. It's the story of his life and his struggle with steroids. Yes, we get some time talking about the show that made him famous, but the majority of the time was actually spent on the price of that fame. You can tell Dan is trying to issue a warning to others about the dangers of steroids.
At times the book is a tough read just because Dan never holds back on the effects of the drugs. However, I enjoyed the book overall and I'm definitely glad I read it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-gladiator-true-story-of.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
At times the book is a tough read just because Dan never holds back on the effects of the drugs. However, I enjoyed the book overall and I'm definitely glad I read it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-gladiator-true-story-of.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.