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Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Matrix (1999) in Movies
May 25, 2018
Do you remember the first time you saw this?
I think for a lot of people, The Matrix was one of their very first DVD purchases as it was once of the first major releases that sold extremely well.
Having recently upgraded my original DVD to a Matrix trilogy Blu Ray collection, I was anxious to give the film another viewing. Boy was I not disappointed.
Citing the obvious breakthrough visual effects as a marvel at the time for their truly unique vision, the story and ideas presented in the film are still really what stands out. The riveting thought-provoking vision and cinematic experience of watching the original Matrix film are still a unique experience and one which is tough to beat.
Say what you want about the sequels, the original film is still a masterpiece.
Having recently upgraded my original DVD to a Matrix trilogy Blu Ray collection, I was anxious to give the film another viewing. Boy was I not disappointed.
Citing the obvious breakthrough visual effects as a marvel at the time for their truly unique vision, the story and ideas presented in the film are still really what stands out. The riveting thought-provoking vision and cinematic experience of watching the original Matrix film are still a unique experience and one which is tough to beat.
Say what you want about the sequels, the original film is still a masterpiece.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Journeyman (2017) in Movies
Feb 16, 2019
Great performance from Paddy Considine
Paddy Considine really makes this film. I’ve always thought he’s a fantastic actor, and he proves it yet again with his performance in this film. Not only is his direction great, but his acting is truly superb. For me, the acting is the best part about this film and really what makes it better than average. Jodie Whittaker is also very good as Matty’s wife. The plot itself is good and definitely highlights the darker side of boxing, in a very stark and realistic manner. My issue is that boxing films have been done so many times before, and whilst this is a slightly different (and very good) take on the physical effects of boxing, I feel boxing has been done too many times before. Still worth a watch though for Paddy Considine’s performance alone.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Battlestar Galactica (1978) in Movies
Mar 17, 2019 (Updated Mar 17, 2019)
Theatrical version of the pilot episode of Glen A Larson's Mormons-in-space Star Wars knock-off (Lucas sued). Somewhere 'beyond the heavens' the Twelve Colonies of Man are betrayed to the evil Cylons; leader Adama (Lorne Greene) must get his Charlton Heston freak on and lead the survivors to the Promised Land (i.e., Earth).
Looks great for the first ten minutes, until it becomes apparent that they only have about three minutes of special effects which are going to be endlessly recycled. The actual story weaves between the tone of a cod-biblical epic and a fairly cheesy soap, but not unengagingly. The fact this is made up of about three different episodes stitched together is obvious, though. It's all kind of clumsy, but still oddly charismatic and enjoyable; more fun than the version with Bob Dylan.
Looks great for the first ten minutes, until it becomes apparent that they only have about three minutes of special effects which are going to be endlessly recycled. The actual story weaves between the tone of a cod-biblical epic and a fairly cheesy soap, but not unengagingly. The fact this is made up of about three different episodes stitched together is obvious, though. It's all kind of clumsy, but still oddly charismatic and enjoyable; more fun than the version with Bob Dylan.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) in Movies
Mar 24, 2019 (Updated Jan 18, 2020)
With the original 1996 film being, essentially, a B movie writ large (and one of those guilty pleasures), this one had quite a bit to live up to.
This is set 20 years after that original (and was also released 20 years after it), with Earth having survived the first alien attack and now having combined alien tech with our own. With most of the original cast returning - bar Will Smith, whose cost (I expect) wa too much - this moves the focus onto the younger generation, who have grown up in the shadow of that original invasion.
It also ends in an absolute set-up for a sequel (or series): to date, no sign of that happening as that is pretty much the epitome of a 'meh' movie.
This is set 20 years after that original (and was also released 20 years after it), with Earth having survived the first alien attack and now having combined alien tech with our own. With most of the original cast returning - bar Will Smith, whose cost (I expect) wa too much - this moves the focus onto the younger generation, who have grown up in the shadow of that original invasion.
It also ends in an absolute set-up for a sequel (or series): to date, no sign of that happening as that is pretty much the epitome of a 'meh' movie.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Polar (2019) in Movies
Apr 16, 2019 (Updated Apr 16, 2019)
Good movie!
This movie was a bit slow moving but one it picked up, it was intense. Mads Mikkelsen is a very good actor and not seen enough in movies, in my opinion. His performance here was great. There's plenty of blood and violence for any action fan. There's also more than a bit of sex and nudity. The characters were creative and the effects were great. Definitely doesn't hurt that Kathryn Winnick is in this one, either(no, she doesn't get nude but who cares, it's KW!)and she puts on a good performance, as well. Some parts of the story were predictable but it unfolded well and did have a couple pretty good twists. Overall, I'd recommend this one to any action fan, though it may be a bit dark for some and definitely not for the kids! Worth a watch!
Valerio (15 KP) rated Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Pokémons were made brilliantly (2 more)
Ryan Reynolds.
Shower of feels
Above my expectations
I am a big fan of the Pokémon franchise. I've played the TCG back when I was a kid. Still playing now and then the videogames. I went to the cinema and I was surprised. Detective Pikachu is a solid movie if you are a Pokémon fan. The visual effects are stunning, the pokémons are made really well and Pikachu is just adorable. The chess mate was made by the quite brave choice of getting Ryan Reynolds to give his voice for Pikachu. I really enjoyed his acting and the voice (and jokes) coming from the little yellow Pokémon were simply amazing. If you are a Pokémon fan or you just want to enjoy a fun movie with your kids I highly recommend this movie.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Trek: Discovery - Season 1 in TV
Feb 16, 2018 (Updated Feb 16, 2018)
Not as we have known it
Knockabout SF action series that's strong on bonkers pulp fiction ideas - mushroom-powered star drives, evil duplicates, 'species reassignment surgery', and so on - but less impressive when it comes to narrative cohesion or actually resembling anything previously released under the Star Trek banner.
Theses could and probably have been written about the myriad ways in which Discovery cheerfully ignores or rewrites continuity from previous series and movies; a more serious problem is the generally dark tone, emphasis on military conflict, and absence of humanistic optimism. Effects are okay; Doug Jones is the best thing in it as peril-averse first officer, though pushed hard by Jason Isaacs as loose-cannon captain of the ship. Not actively bad on its own terms, I expect, but very disappointing as an actual piece of Star Trek.
Theses could and probably have been written about the myriad ways in which Discovery cheerfully ignores or rewrites continuity from previous series and movies; a more serious problem is the generally dark tone, emphasis on military conflict, and absence of humanistic optimism. Effects are okay; Doug Jones is the best thing in it as peril-averse first officer, though pushed hard by Jason Isaacs as loose-cannon captain of the ship. Not actively bad on its own terms, I expect, but very disappointing as an actual piece of Star Trek.
Awix (3310 KP) rated X-Men (2000) in Movies
Feb 28, 2018
Landmark Marvel adaptation isn't quite the movie you might expect, but still competently assembled. Main plus is that it's extremely well-cast, with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen giving it some heft and Hugh Jackman and Anna Paquin a bit of glamour. Main minus is that the film was saddled with only a modest budget (Fox had recently taken a bath on Fight Club, amongst others).
Following the Batman and Robin debacle the received wisdom at the time was that comic book movies shouldn't be all that comic booky and this certainly follows that principle. Ultra-purists may also object to the way Cyclops is sidelined as hero in favour of Wolverine (but that's what the fans wanted). But, on the whole, very solidly written and performed, decent effects, takes the characters and the story seriously. From such acorns do mighty franchises sprout...
Following the Batman and Robin debacle the received wisdom at the time was that comic book movies shouldn't be all that comic booky and this certainly follows that principle. Ultra-purists may also object to the way Cyclops is sidelined as hero in favour of Wolverine (but that's what the fans wanted). But, on the whole, very solidly written and performed, decent effects, takes the characters and the story seriously. From such acorns do mighty franchises sprout...
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Three Musketeers (2011) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018 (Updated Feb 11, 2018)
Dumb and Dumas
Paul W.S. Anderson, the man behind the Resident Evil and Alien Vs Predator franchises, shows us what real creativity looks like as he gives us his take on a piece of classic literature, adding all those crucial things that Alexandre Dumas inexplicably forgot to include in the original version of The Three Musketeers: aqualungs, flamethrowers, airship battles, Orlando Bloom in a pompadour hairstyle, and Milla Jovovich doing somersaults in a basque.
Pretty much wholly ghastly from start to finish, almost to the point where banning Anderson from reading books seems like a reasonable precaution, just to be on the safe side. About as thrilling as watching your laptop install an update, with all the comic charm of an outbreak of venereal disease. The special effects are technically competent but that really is the best you can say about it.
Pretty much wholly ghastly from start to finish, almost to the point where banning Anderson from reading books seems like a reasonable precaution, just to be on the safe side. About as thrilling as watching your laptop install an update, with all the comic charm of an outbreak of venereal disease. The special effects are technically competent but that really is the best you can say about it.
Kristin (149 KP) rated By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead in Books
Dec 7, 2018
This is such a powerful, yet heartbreaking, book about the effects of bullying and how it can ultimately lead someone to commit suicide, or "bullycide". It also has wonderful resources at the end, including discussion questions about the book, as well as statistics about bullying and suicide and hotlines/websites for those who are being bullied or contemplating suicide. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is involved in education, especially at the middle/high school levels, as well as those who have children at that age, but I also think everyone could benefit from seeing this perspective. It'll make you think twice (or, it *should*, anyway) before using that derogatory term to refer to your friends when they do something stupid, or before laughing at someone because they're different than you. Five stars.
Lee Ann (116 KP) May 25, 2018
Kyle King (18 KP) Feb 16, 2019