Fantasy....meh

Happy Winter Solstice!  Or almost Merry Christmas!

Saw the Hobbit 2 today, the Desolation of Smaug.  It's a fine film with some amazing effects.  However, I found myself just being bored with the film.  I would say most people know this is the second film of a trilogy and the unwritten Lucas Law states that the bad guys seem to win in #2.  You know, one hero is removed from fighting (Han Solo in Empire Strikes Back), one suffers a shock to his beliefs (Luke) and our group of rag tag scruffy heroes suffer some losses (though usually not death except for minor characters).  Funny, I didn't realize how much Smaug was like Empire.  More than I thought...
Anyways, my main issue was the one after another implausible escapes, the utterly unbelievable fighting skills and the utterly worthless wizard.  Honestly, I think I've played too much D&D and other fantasy role playing games to enjoy these films anymore.  We know that certain characters will not die (Gandalf, Bilbo), we know that eventually the good guys will defeat evil (no mention of Smaug in LOTR, Sauron/the Necromancer being the villain) and that eventually everyone learns their lesson and life will go on.  That's the tricky part of doing a prequel with characters who we see alive in later films.  There is little or no suspense in any danger you put those characters in, we know they will get out of it. 
Plus the fact I have had my fill of fantasy for a while now.  (I'm talking elves & dwarves with magic swords here, not the other stuff!!)  I just kept wishing someone would pull out a bazooka or M-60 and go to business on the dragon.  I think I'm just tired of seeing it all, seemingly endless variations on the same theme. Most of these 'epic quest' movies seem to have the same issue.  75-90% of the story is build up.  Seemingly every epic quest goes out of it's way to take as much damn time as they can to wrap up the story.  Since Professor Tolkien did it, I guess all the other writers feel they have to also. It's kind of like the later Roger Moore James Bond films.  You come into a scene and have forgotten how the heck the story got there.  It's just been over done soooo much, it's boring. 
Don't get me wrong, it's a visually stunning film and part of the true beginnings of fantasy literature.  I don't want to take a giant crap on the hard work of lots of people starting with Prof Tolkien & Peter Jackson.  It's just.... I'm tired of it.  Maybe I'm just stuck in a modern day world flavor.  But honestly, right now, if the Hobbit 3 were to come out in a few months, I really wouldn't care.  I would probably wait for it to come to Redbox. 

Richard Matheson, storyteller.... He Is Legend!

Recently (June 23rd), the author of my favorite book pass away.  His name?  Well, if you read the title of this entry, you know it is Richard Matheson.  The book?  I Am Legend.  (One thing, forget that Will Smith movie from a few years back.  The "new" ending utterly ruined the story.  Forget it, forget it now). 

It's hard to explain how much I like this book (honestly, it's a novella but I hate that word).  It's the first real "last man on Earth" story I ever read and I believe it is the first ever.  The agony that Robert Neville goes through is so well written and strongly felt, it draws you in to the point it becomes your pain.  The loneliness that only the last man on Earth could feel.  Surrounded by crazed vampire like creatures that only want to devour him led by his former best friend in life.  The chapter in the book that always gets me is the one about the dog.  A non infected, alive dog (that should help show you how alone Neville is, there aren't even animals around to have as a pet).  I won't say anymore but to recommend you read the book.  I will add every time I read that chapter, even though I know how it's going to unfold, it makes me want to cry.  And then the resolution, again I won't spoil other than to say, while it may not be the ending you want, it very much is true to the story and satisfying. 
I Am Legend has been filmed three times, to varying degrees of success.  The first time was 1964 with Vincent Price as Neville and was adapted by Mr. Matheson himself with the title "Last Man On Earth" (well that's the translated version, anyway).  It was suppose to be produced by legendary Hammer Studios and if everything had fallen into place, this film would be a classic of all time.  However, the Hammer deal fell through, the shooting was moved to Rome, Italy (the City Eternal is a fine place but the setting of the book is Los Angeles) but at least VP was kept on.  Mr. Matheson was so disappointed by the changes, he used his pseudonym "Logan Swanson" to avoid having his name attached to it.  (While the movie is a bit of a letdown, even I as a huge Night of the Living Dead can see the influence the film had on NOTLD.  Heck, even writer/director George A. Romero has said I Am Legend directly influenced him to write the story that became to be filmed as NOTLD.)  The second time was in 1971 with Charlton Heston as Neville in The Omega Man.  This film was actually my introduction to I Am Legend and the idea of the "last man on Earth".  I remember seeing this one Sunday afternoon while stuck in a hospital waiting room while my parents visited someone.  Again, the story is changed but you can still see some major references to I Am Legend.  Being this is a sentimental favorite, it's hard to me to be objective and I admit.  The most recent time actually used the correct title and starred Will Smith.  For all it's big bucks and bluster, it could have been a great adaptation (though again, with changes...), but the ending is so tied to the story....  Well, let's just say that movie was ruined probably by some studio executives. 

However, Mr. Matheson was more than the writer of my favorite book.  He also wrote so many books that were later turned into movies.  Did you ever see a movie called "The Legend of Hell House"?  Written by Matheson.  How about "The Incredible Shrinking Man"?  Matheson.  (really due for an updated version given our CGI effects)  "Somewhere In Time" starring Christopher "Superman" Reeve?  Yep, Matheson.  More recent movies, "What Dreams May Come"?  Yep.  "The Box"?  Another one of his.  And the "Real Steele" (aka "Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots: The Movie) was very loosely based on a Matheson story. 
How about one of the greatest TV shows of all time, the Twilight Zone?  Several episodes, 15 I think.  The greatest Sci-Fi show of all time, Star Trek?  Yep, "Wolf In The Fold".  (casual fans refer to it as the "jack the ripper episode")   Remember the episode of Twilight Zone that was remade in the movie about "there'ssss something on the wing"?  Mr. Matheson again.  He wrote several of the "Corman Poe" flicks starring Vincent Price including adaptations of "Fall of the House of Usher", "The Pit & The Pendulum" and "The Raven". 

I think the point Mr. Matheson became more than a talented writer of movies & books for me came when I picked up his novel "What Dreams May Come".  You may remember the movie with Robin Williams and the incredible effects.  The story is similar but not exact to the book but then you finish the book.  And start going through his bibliography in the back of the book.  Mr. Matheson did SO much research about what happens after death.  He studied the major (and some not so major) religions of our world.  While I didn't agree with all his finding and writings, I appreciated his work and the story he told.  While I consider myself a believer of the Christian religion, I will say my view of Heaven & Hell are both majorly influenced by this book. 

I could go on more telling you what a great writer he was.  How much I enjoyed his work(s) and why I think he is so under-rated in his field.  But I honestly feel like my little "tribute" to him here is not worthy of him or his work.  I will mention a few final things.  Stephen King says Mr. Matheson was a major influence on him, that Matheson showed King that horror wasn't tied to Eastern Europe.  Horror could happen next door, in your neighborhood, your house...  (paraphrase there, I don't have the actual quote but I've read it several times).  I had just watched "Comedy of Terrors" about a week or so before he died and there was an interview with Mr. Matheson on the dvd.  It was so interesting to see this writer I had so admired as just another (very intelligent) "guy" was nice.  I recall reading somewhere that he wanted his epitaph to say, "Richard Matheson, storyteller".  He was so much more than that, but if that's what he wants, who am I to argue? 

Mr. Matheson, I salute you sir!  I thank you for all the entertainment you have given me and so many others.  You maybe gone from this world and finally found the truth about "the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns" but you will live forever through your work. 
He Is Legend!

Star Trek 12 "Trek Into Darkness" (sigh...) review 2012.

My review of “Star Trek” 12 AKA “Star Trek Into Darkness”

Let's go ahead and tell you what you already know. I didn't like it. I would point out my former suggestion that this group of creative individuals would be MUCH happier making a Star Wars film, but as director Abrams has already been announced as the director for the next “Wars” movie there is little need to make that suggestion again. Before we get into the meat of my diatribe, let me warn you of massive spoilers in my review. I mean MASSIVE SPOILERS that will ruin all kinds of “surprises” that are intended for someone to learn while viewing the film. If you ready beyond this first paragraph, it's not my fault as I have mention MASSIVE SPOILERS thrice now, twice in all caps. For a quick review, my review of Trek 11 has been posted here as the previous blog entry for your ease of reading. Now, on to the thrashing...

(Spoiler Space....)

OK, continuing some familiar rants if you've read Trek 11 review. That monstrosity they call the Enterprise... I don't think the word “UGH” covers it. The fact that EVERYBODY beats up on Kirk. If you are the worst fighter in the galaxy, why get into so many fights?

For a quick review of the plot points. The Enterprise crew goes to save a planet. They violate the Prime Directive to save Spock's life. Dr McCoy explains to Spock why Kirk saved his (Spock's) life and that he would expect the same (some heavy foreshadowing here, about as subtle an aluminum bat to the face.) Kirk gets demoted and Admiral Pike takes the Enterprise back over with Kirk as XO (First Officer). (side note, so Spock gets demoted also? I guess so but the film is so busy telling us what a screw up Kirk is, this isn't really even noted as I recall.) There is a bomb attack on Starfleet London and all the Captains & XOs from the area are brought to Earth. Most get killed (including Pike) by what we are told is a former Starfleet operative named John Harrison, Kirk stops the attack but is too late to save pretty much anybody's life. Harrison flees to the Klingon home-world, Qo'noS. Kirk is given command back of Enterprise and he is to go and kill Harrison with special torpedoes. 72 of them, to be exact, which should sound familiar to long time Trekkies (if off by about 10). A cute blond science officer is assigned to the Enterprise (whom if you've seen any promo material, you already know it's actually Carol Marcus but uses a false name). Scotty resigns his post (& seemingly commission) because he doesn't like the fact he can't examine the torpedoes and mentions how dangerous the warp core is (more foreshadowing, kids. Again, not done very well IMO). Spock gets miffed, does some detective work and finds out Carol is Carol Marcus and daughter of the admiral who gave Kirk back control of the Enterprise. Something is up with the special torpedoes, so Carol & Dr McCoy find out what it is. Scotty gets called by Kirk to examine .. something. Spock & Carol talk Kirk into not killing Harrison like the admiral wants so they beam down to meet our first ever Klingon with ridge piercings. Two groups of Klingons are slaughter by Harrison who uses some sort of mini gun and his super strength and reflexes (by now, if you are an old time Trekkie and don't know who it is, go watch something else). When told about the 72 torpedoes, Harrison surrenders and takes a beating like it's nothing. Harrison & Kirk talk, eventually revealing Harrison’s identity of someone Kirk has never heard of named “Khan”. (apparently one of the greatest mass murders of human history isn't listed in the new Trek continuities' databases) Admiral Daddy … I mean Admiral Marcus shows up and the grand plot is finally revealed. Thanks to Nero (the gift that keeps on giving) incursion into this universe, Starfleet is actively seeking all kinds of stuff and the stumble across the Botany Bay. They awake Khan, offer him a job in Section 31 (long story, let's just say it's the Federation's KGB. Very secret, very silent, does all the dirty work to allow the named officers of Starfleet to keep their hands clean without never knowing what really happened. Section 31 was introduced in “Deep Space 9” and shown in “Enterprise”.) Admiral Daddy shows up in a super ship that Scotty has sneaked on board to (which is what he found back in his search) and it utterly outclasses the abomination … I mean “Enterprise” (OK, no I didn't but to explain what ship I'm talking about...) Daddy's ship can out shoot, out run and transport while in warp. Kirk & Khan sneak on board with Scotty's help for some “Enemy Mine” action. (Really? Kirk teams up with a terrorist and know mass murderer? Again, doesn't make a lot of sense but neither of these two movies do...) Spock makes a long distance call to “Prime Spock” (Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock who stayed in this wacked up time-line. Nimoy provided pretty much the only surprise in this mess.) who explains who Khan is. (For those of you that don't remember, Khan was responsible for Spock's death in the original time-line Needless to say, Spock Prime isn't overly found of Khan..) Khan eventually takes over Admiral Daddy's ship and pounds on Enterprise some more after Admiral Daddy did so before. Scotty sabotages the super ship and it crashes into the San Francisco Bay. However, all the pounding of Enterprise has affected the warp core and it needs to fixed but the compartment if flooded with radiation. (And launches into a complete “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan” ripoff/homage with the slight reversal of Kirk going in and saving the day rather than Spock. Even the same lines are referenced with mostly slight changes for the new sacrifice. Again, some might call this homage, I call it lazy writing, you call it what you will). Kirk saves the day (for the one time in the film) and dies. Spock goes on a roaring rampage of revenge and beats down Khan only to be stopped by Uhura's insistence and handy “phaser”. Turns out Khan’s blood is “super charged” and can bring the dead back to life. (guess what? This is shown at the beginning of the film, more of that “great” foreshadowing...) Anyway, Carol joins the crew, Kirk gets to keep command and Enterprise is given a 5 year mission. Cue magic warp pixie dust trail....

On to some new complaints.

1. Given we now have two films from this group, I think we can see some re-occurring themes in their point of view. I have no problem with Spock being the hero as I am a fan of both the character and Leonard Nimoy. However, the writes of this can only do this by turning Kirk into a buffoon. Kirk is like a dog who will hump anything and anyone(s) in their eyes. He's just a lucky frat boy who hasn't a brain in his head to them. It's pretty obvious their agenda in these two films and since Kirk was a boyhood hero, I really don't care for it. There's nothing wrong with Spock, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, Chekhov, McCoy, Rand or Ensign Redshirt saving the day. You just don't have to make the original hero look like an idiot to allow your Mary Sue to save the day.
2. I think it's a very bad idea to try and reinterpret episodes and movies into a new continuity the way it's done here. You invite too many comparisons to the original with it if you change things and people yelling how you've changed it and now it's ruined. Best to do your own version of things and not reference the original stuff the way it's done here. Khan is a genetic super man from the 20^th century who escaped on a sleeper ship (cryogenic ship, human pop-sickles). Go from there and make it your own.
3. The “Enterprise” does not far well at all in two movies. In both movies, it's completely outclassed, outgunned and outrunned (hah, couldn't resist that one). It's suppose to be The Flagship of your fleet and it can't do anything. Might be time to re-figure your flagship paranoid Federation time-line (while at it, consider getting someone to make it less ugly?)
4. Spock & Uhura's bickering couple act. Geez... I would like to think people flying into enemy space would be able to not act like complete idiots and endanger the mission. But no, since Spock is the Mary Sue, Uhura comes off like the biggest shrew in the galaxy.
5. Why is Khan now a white guy? While Ricardo Montalban was Hispanic and not a Sikh (India Indian), he's closer than BBC's Sherlock Holmes (who does a good job, though). Is this some sort of “white people are always the enemy” propaganda or race apology?
6. So when Khan is refrozen at the end, where is he put? Ceti Alpha 5?
7. Carol Marcus' lack of reaction from seeing her father's head squashed in front of her. A friend pointed this out and it made me wonder. Next time we see her on the Enterprise, she's cracking a joke. Sure, it could be just a defensive mechanism, but it's a bit jarring.
8. Peter Weller's role. Not that he does a bad job or that it's not good to see him. However, he becomes yet another guest star who plays a power mad admiral. Pretty much any guest star playing an admiral is probably going to be power mad and a villain.
9. That “cute” little title. Star Trek Into Darkness. Ugh. I'm sure it was just “oohed” and “aahed” at the meetings but damn that's dumb. I mean, there's dumb and there's damn dumb and that is where this title is located. Sure, I guess Star Trek 12 The New Adventures of Khan ruins the buzz about who the villain might be but “Trek into darkness”??? Wow, that's just damn dumb (again)

In the middle of this here rant, let's list a few things that I like or * Gasp * they got right??

For those of you that didn't get it, the flying saucer the crew uses for Qo'noS arrival was Harry Mudd's. The use of Section 31. Leonard Nimoy's cameo. The few other references to the Trek Universe such as Tribbles, Gorn and Qo'noS. (yeah, this is the shortest section on my review.)

I echo my previous comment from Trek 11 about wondering why Paramount wouldn't give this kind of money for a film with the original stars of this franchise. Imagine what those stories could have been like. But every story, book or interview I read with the creators of the original Trek series and movies talk about how little money they had.

I wonder who Paramount will get to do the next one. I hope since Abrams will be busy leading the Star Wars franchise, it's someone totally different. Who actually might understand what Trek is and how to treat all the characters equally, rather than show obvious favor with the one they like the most.

One sort of good thing to come out of this movie is the revelation that this alternate continuity diverged before Nero's appearance in the previous movie. How can we tell you ask? Well, since Khan is now a white English guy, that is our earliest divergence point. Mid 20^th Century since Khan was probably born in the 60s and agreeing with author Greg Cox, probably partially derived from Nazi genetic programs. (Just a thought I had, it would be interesting to see the immortal Mr. Flint/Micah Brack fighting Khan in the 20^th Century alongside Gary 7.) Maybe this is why Spock Prime is still in the universe, trying to find the divergence point so he can save Vulcan (along with his mother and other relatives). Feel free to use that idea guys, proved you give me credit. I have a few other ideas also about that Shatner appearance...

So I'm giving this mess a 1 out of 5. Mostly for Nimoy and the effort put forth by those who were involved but not part of the creative process. Very disappointing but honestly? About what I expected.

Star Trek 11 (2009) Review Re Post

This is a reposting of my review of Star Trek 11 from my old "MySpace" blog.  Since I'm about to post my review of Trek 12 and I reference it several times, I thought I would post if here for ease of viewing.  I've tried to correct all spelling and grammar errors, but my apologies for all the ones I've missed here.  Anyway, here's 3 years ago....

Star Trek 11 review

I'll go ahead and get most of you out of the way.  I thought it was about average.  2.5 out of 5.  Nothing special, but nothing horrible.  Yeah, I know "what's wrong with him". 

So I'll tell you what's wrong with me.  Part of it is, I have a peculiar personality quirk.  If (usually) something is really popular, I don't like it.  It's not so much an intentional choice as it's just something in me.  I remember a few years ago when Batman Begins came out.  I heard so many good things about it, I couldn't wait to see it.  But when I did.... I didn't like it.  I hated the Bat-Hummer, the costume and I didn't think the writers had any idea who or what Bruce Wayne is about. 

So, that being said, let's get back into the Trek 11 review. 
SPOILER INTENSIVE! 

The Good:
Bruce Greenwood As Captain Pike, Karl Urban as Dr McCoy, Ben Cross as Sarek.  All incredibly fine performances. 
Zachary Quinto did a GREAT job playing Spock with the real Spock in the movie.  (That had to be a very hard and unforgiving job.  Playing an icon in a film with the original actor playing that same icon.  Could have easily been a career killer, but it isn't)

Leonard Nimoy as Spock & Majel Barrett doing the Enterprise computer's voice. 

I can really see Zoe Saldana growing up become Nichell Nichols.  Quinto looks a lot like a young Spock.  Winnona Rider really did look like a young Jane Wyatt. 

And something that really is refreshing these days, the money spent on this film is up on the screen.  (I wonder what would have happened if Paramount had spent this amount of money and backing during the TOS/TNG movies?)


The OK (not horrible, not great)
Simon Pegg as Scotty, John Cho as Sulu, Eric Bana as Nero and Chris Pine as Kirk. 
As a friend said, I'll bet the original actors see this movie and go "Man, I wish I had been allowed to do things that interesting in our movies".   I'm not particularly fond of what the writers did with Scotty (killing Admiral Archer's dog with the transporter.  And what the @#$% was up with the audience laughing at that?????).  Though once they stopped writing Scotty as a spaz, Pegg did a fine job with what he had. 
Nero is not really a character in my opinion.  Mostly he stands around, yelling, taking Starfleet Captains hostage and doing not a whole lot. 
Pine mostly gets beat up (a lot!  I think Chekhov is the only character in the movie who doesn't have his hands around Kirk's neck or seemingly hates his guts).  Pine does ok with what he has, but ... for me, he didn't capture the essence of James Kirk. 

The Bad:
Ok, here I go....  (and yes, there is another category after this)
Anton Yelchin as Chekov
His performance is ... ok, but the accent was way too much.  He might have been born in Russia, but oh Good God.  Can't abrams get him some dialogue coaching?  Maybe because he's from Russia it why he over did it. 

Chris Hemsworth as George S. Kirk
Not that he did a bad job, I just thought it was criminal to waste him as George Kirk.  I thought he looked and acted more like Jim Kirk. 

The story.  So, let me get this straight.  Nero shows up and has 20 something years to wait on Original Spock?  So, other than destroying the Kelvin and killing Kirk's father, he does nothing for 20 years?  Nothing?  So he wanted to wait for Original Spock to torture Original Spock I get but he did nothing?  Really?  And didn't age? 

Original Spock doesn't come off any better.  So other than his former captain, possibly the guy with the most time travel experience just accepts the destruction of his home planet & mother?  Remember City of the Edge of Forever?  This new timeline has not been corrected simply with Kirk in the center seat.  His planet's destroyed, his mother and relatives dead.  GO BACK IN TIME AND STOP NERO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FILM!!!!  I know, I know, if he does that, then we don't have the "new" continuity.  But for him to not do this is an insult to the intelligence of the character and simply make no sense.  Kind of like going to a planet and throwing away all your advanced technology just "because".  (slight reference there....) 

Kirk goes from third year cadet to captain because he stopped Nero (with help BTW!)?  Wow, wonder what they would have done if he had saved Vulcan also?  Made him the C in C?  Admiral?  I know Starfleet has always been written as a "if the end result is good, all is forgiven" organization but that was a bit much. 

Original Spock's ship from the future (or should I say Georgi's if you read the prequel mini series) looks nothing like any ship we've ever seen in Trek continuity.  Nor does Nero's ship (I think both had names but neither stuck with me).  I'll give you that Nero's was a mining ship, so it might look different but that's a bit much.  Where are the nacelles?  (the cigar shaped things extending from the original star ships, they are what create the warp field that allows the ship to go to warp) 

The "cute little abrams' touches"
The Beastie Boys song when young Jimmy destroys a vintage corvette (what?  They couldn't waste something worthless like a mustang?)  UGH!  And there was another song that came on not long after that that also dragged me out and reminded me that I was watching a movie.  The creatures on Hoth... I mean, Planet Hell looking like Cloverfield rejects.  Uhura ordering "slusho" or whatever it's called from abrams' other films. 
And there is quite a bit of convenient plot developments.  Nero's ship coming from it's time warp right in front of the Kelvan, the Enterprise being built in "Kirk's back yard" (and I still believe it was made in space but I have no proof of that), Kirk being abandoned on the same planet that Original Spock is on AND the only person who can get him back on the Enterprise (Scotty).  Convenient, convenient, convenient. 
Roger Ebert has a much better written review at his website.  He also notices a lot of the same conveniences that I did.  I'll admit that I read the review before I saw the film, so it might have brought some of those to my mind but I'll stand by seeing some of these on my own.  It's not like I have a great memory or anything. 
 (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090506/REVIEWS/905069997). 
And I didn't notice until just now that he & I both gave it the same "star" amount. 
One last "cute touch".  During the destruction of the Kelvin, we got a crew member being sucked into space and it's utterly silent.  Ok, space is a vacuum and that's how it would be.  But later, during the big fight, suddenly we can hear everything in space. 
One more last "cute touch".  The weird sliding camera angles that made it difficult and at time impossible to see what was going on.  More than once I would turn my head trying to see where the came was coming from/going.  And the damn shaky cam.  I HATE shaky cam.  And it's worse in faux IMAX. 

And lastly a heading I can call BLASPHEMY
I love, love, love the original Enterprise design (from the original series).  Love it, love it, love it.  There is just something about it looks sleek, futuristic and beautiful at the same time.  So, realize that changing the Enterprise (for no reason, because why would the destruction of the Kelvin cause a change in starship design?) is pretty much blasphemy for me.  I don't like the changes they did and it lost it's luster.  It looked like just another space ship.  And the crew seems to act like this is a just launched ship.  Captain Pike had 2 five year missions on it, Spock served with Pike for 11 years.  Maybe they are trying to get the point across that's it was a refit but they sure don't seem to worry about that. 
And no, I don't like the interior looking like the Apple Store either.  Maybe this is what Roddenberry, Coon & Jeffries would have done with the money back in the 60's, maybe not. 


Maybe I'm far too close (being a fan of Trek) to be objective of this movie.  I freely admit that possibility, and I ask, what do I do about it?  Answer?  Nothing.  I'll gladly watch my remastered Original Series on DVD along with TNG, DS9 & Enterprise.  I do kind of wish I could be like my friend Patrick who is able to look at this and enjoy it like he does.  He is able to look at it with fresh eyes and see it with those fresh eyes.  I envy him for that, but I know me.  I like what I like and I don't like what I don't like. 

It's not horrible and I hope that this helps people discover original Star Trek.  There are some good things about it and there are some good people doing good work.  I want to trash it but that wouldn't be fair because of those good things.  (and no, I don't think I trashed it here.  If I wanted to trash it, I wouldn't have tried to be fair or mention the good things about it)  There are some bad things about it and a few that I can't accept.  For me, it's not the social event that it's been for lots of others.  I won't be seeing it again but to give it a chance, I felt like I had to see it.  Now I have and I don't have to bother with it again ('til it hits basic cable...)
Two and a half starships out of 5. 

My Rating System, Explained.

My Rating System.

This topic is spawned by a recent mini movie review on my facebook page. Some times, there are reviews that are a bit misleading and require some insight into the “Bub thinking process”. So let's get to it!

I work on a 1-5 scale, one being the lowest and five being the highest. I've watched way too many movies in my years, so I'm a bit of a snob. (Ha!) Very few movies are rated a 5, fewer still retain that rating over the years. (Yeah, I wish I didn't do retroactive ratings, but at times I do.) I try to avoid not using whole numbers but I do allow half numbers. Say “3.5 out of 5”, for example. I avoid going any lower than that, as eventually you get into splitting hairs and trying to figure out what deserves a 1/10^th of a point and what doesn't.

To help give you readers a better “taste” of my “viewing appetite”, here are some examples of each whole rating. (Note: I am trying to pick movies I've liked for years and given these ratings and don't expect to change them. As always, however, change comes whether we like it or not.)

5 Rating:

To get a 5 rating, this movie has to be damn near flawless. Maybe flawless. You can watch it several times and notice something new. It has to take the story somewhere you don't expect, nay can't expect. It has to either be something like you've never seen before or done in such a way that you don't even realize you've seen this story done before.

Let's see, it's hard to come up with these. Dawn of the Dead 1978 (my favorite horror film of all time. I have literally seen this movie in the hundreds of times.). The Devil's Rejects. Casablanca. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan. The Empire Strikes Back. Iron Man (1). Captain America. The Dark Knight.

4 Rating:

4 rating means it's great. Not good, but great. But it doesn't have to be flawless. It can be a story you've seen before but done in a totally new and/or different way (Star Wars, the first one from 1977). Or it's such a ground breaking, trend setting film that every other movie copies it and it's been copied so much, it's lost some of it's power (Citizen Kane).

Examples include Star Wars (what is now called “Episode 4”, but I refuse to use Lucas' stupid added-on title). Citizen Kane (which most non movie snob fans can't understand what the big deal is about it because so many movies have copied it). Psycho (ditto the Kane note). Night of the Living Dead 1968 (ditto being copied and being trend setting. For those of you that don't know, Walking Dead wouldn't exist with out NOTLD). Star Trek 6 The Undiscovered Country. The Blues Brothers. Animal House. Iron Man 2. Thor. The Dark Knight Rises. Excalibur. 300. 13 Assassins. 28 Days Later. 28 Weeks Later. Airplane. An American Werewolf In London. Ben Hur. The Ten Command. The Big Sleep (1946).

3 Rating:

This doesn't mean the movie is bad. It means for some reason, I expected more. And for some reason, the movie just doesn't have that “Oomph” to push it further. It's lacking something that I'll try to address in each comment. It doesn't mean I don't necessarily like the film either, I'm rather fond of most films with the 3 rating. The recent remake of Evil Dead released this year got a 3 rating. I expected more, given who made it and the way they seemed to be taking it.

3 rating Films: Iron Man 3 (lots of pretty pictures, but the story was lacking. Again, I expected more). Evil Dead (2013) (Pacing, lack of horror, humor in the wrong places. Oh and I'll say it, apparently duct tape can fix anything, including an arm being cut off). American Beauty (This one is borderline. There is nothing “wrong” with it, it's a well made film that I enjoyed. But I guess it just doesn't connect with me on some level. Too many characters conveniently falling into one another's life). Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) (another movie I think there is nothing wrong with, great story, good acting. It's biggest problem is it is so obviously low budget. I honestly love this film and enjoy watching it, it should be higher rated). Bram Stoker's Dracula (I guess my biggest issue was this film was billed as being the closest to the novel. It's not closer than Dracula 2000, oh and Dracula becomes love's bitch). The Butterfly Effect (a good time travel movie for the common person not acquainted with the basic concepts. I would like to see a more complex, more mature version of it made). Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter (bad choice as lead actor, he turns an action hero into a boring slob. He almost kills the film for me. Thankfully Caroline Munro is there to be some amazing scenery)

2 Rating:

We now start to get into movies I would call bad. Boring, lame, slow pacing, but usually a 2 rated movie have only one major or multiple minor problems. It's not quite a mess, but it's not anything I would be in any hurry to watch again. Truthfully, most movies I see end up with a 2 rating.

2 rating Films

Batman Begins. Cloverfield. Collateral. Constantine. The Greatest Story Ever Told (While the story of Jesus might not be an action film, it's not this... slow... moving... film...). The Dead Pool. (easily the worst Dirty Harry movie, I blame Jim Carrey) Pirates of the Caribbean 2 (there is an hour of this movie that could be cut and never missed). Saw (I know people are suppose to do stupid things in horror movies, but come on....).

1 Rating.

Major issues through out the film. It's bad, it's real bad. I can be forgiving of low budget movies but not poorly made low budget movies with no heart. Something had rubbed me majorly wrong with this film and if you ask or read my review, you will find out what they were. Be prepared for some blunt talk here.

The alleged Star Trek 11 movie from 2009 fits in here. (I'll re post my review from my MySpace page if anyone asks, lots of things to not like about it. I would actually give it a lower rating but there were a few actual things about it that I liked, largely Leonard Nimoy playing Spock one last time even if the role is written poorly.) Hitman (the video game “adaptation”). I Am Legend (My favorite Matheson novella done very, very wrong). Miami Vice The (remake) Movie. Nightmare City. Paranormal Activity. Pirates of the Caribbean 3 (and it only gets this high of a rating due the an action god in Chow Yun Fat). Saw 2. Salt.

And lastly, we come the rating I give out the least the dreaded “Zero” or 0 rating.

This thing has to be an utter dog. If I give a film a zero, it's bad, really bad. If you follow my reviews and agree or get along with them, you probably shouldn't bother watching this film. If you disagree with my films, go Redbox it! I honestly try to not give many zero ratings as I can usually find something to give at least a half point or 1 point for, but this dreck doesn't deserve to get that kindness.

Most of the cheap, bad, Italian zombie George Romero ripoffs would fit here. The remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre from the mid 2000s would be here along with the remake of Friday the 13^th from the later naughts also. Automanton Transfusion (The first movie I was so mad at for buying, Fangoria lied to me. This is garbage.) Day of the Dead 2: Contagium (what does this have to do with the flawed masterpiece from 1985? NOTHING!). No Country For Old Men (I honestly couldn't stop laughing at the “villain” who was basically Forest Gump's Mexican cousin with a limp. It just seemed like some guy who got his foot stepped on trying to act “tough”). The Spirit (Damn you Frank Miller, Damn you!)

Oh, one last thing (man, can you tell Colombo is on while I type this?), I try to pick some thing related to the film as my rating icon. Usually one or two words to go along with the number rating. Say “3 chainsaws out of 5” for the Evil Dead remake. It could easily be “missing hands” or “evil hands” or even “evil books”. Though some of my choices are a bit more obscure (“yellow ovals” for a Batman film, for example), I try to stick with more obvious ones.

So there you go, a small peek into the movie review part of my brain. I'll take pity on you and not have you travel any further into places no one wants to go. There you go my Good Reader. As always, be good to yourself!

Things I think of...

Good Evening Good Reader (well it's evening as I type this anyway...)

  It's been a while since I sat down and put fingers to keyboard for this poor, neglected blog.  Sickness & near death in the family, moves and just life getting in the way.  Add in a lack of home internet and well, it makes getting the blog a bit rough.  But thanks to a new phone with a hotspot, we now have our "great" return...  (Ha! Ha!)

  I've just had some stuff on my mind lately, things that are kind of hard to talk to people about.  No, it's nothing like that, just some random thoughts (a possible second title for this entry).  Let's see how many I can get to. 

1. And rather importantly, IMO.  A friend asked me to stop and pick them up breakfast the other morning.  As I have plenty of time before work, I agreed.  Problem was, the friend forgot they were off work the next day.  We talked later that day and I agreed to bring them breakfast again the next morning.  I did so and here is the important part.  They not only paid for that day's breakfast, but they paid for the previous morning's breakfast that they didn't get.  It may sound like a minor thing but it was the effort and action that made this worth bringing up.  I mentioned to my friend how I thought that was "cool" of them, they replied about "doing the right thing".  I agreed but said you don't often meet people that do that.  And cool really is how I thought of their actions.  It's nice to know that other people (at least sometimes) feel the way I do about things. 

2. Free agent time in pro football.  As some/many of you know, my pro team is the Oakland Raiders.  Who have really blown chunks since the 02 season (hey, at least we made it to the Super Bowl again then.  Our 5th Super Bowl in a fourth separate decade.  No other team can say that.).  One of our two consistent All Pro or Pro Bowl players has been our punter Shane Lechler (the other is our kicker Sebastien Janikowski (from?  Florida State, of course).  I learned last night that Lechler was allowed to sign with another team.  Really?  One of the three good players we have is allowed to go?  *Sigh*  Every time I think I have reason to look forward to a season, seems like two more things happen to take it away....

3. You're going to laugh at this one, but I've had a smile on my mind.  I saw this smile and it really did seem to brighten up a whole room.  It's a good smile that actually brightened my day.  I hope I get to see it again (and more!  LOL)

4. Why does the 6 o'clock news begin at 5.58?  And the 5 at 4.58?  Can nobody read time there?  And why are your meteorologists out doing reports in the field?  Shouldn't they be in the weather center (or whatever it's called on your station) checking on the weather?  Earlier this year is was like 20 something outside one morning and the meteorologist was sent outside to tell us viewers it was cold.  Really?  I'll just take her word for it.  Seemed rather silly to me. 

5. I really hate this "winter relapse".  It would be nice if the weather/nature checked the calendar and realized it was past time to hit the road.  Honestly, after the two weeks of cold to kill off all the bugs, I'm good.  Doesn't mean I'm ready for 105 degree temperatures but I'm good. 

6. Finally got back to reading, maybe I'll get to updating my "Goodreads" list soon.  LOL 

7. Anybody got some links for painting models?  Just general all purpose checklists and helpful hints would be great.  Finally getting to the model I bought last year (the Enterprise "C", if you care) and found the old Universal Monster models I bought back when I was married (I think it was about then, they've been put up for quite a while).  Just having some reference sites would be great. 

8. Odd dreams Thursday Night/Friday Morning.  In one I got a female friend pregnant and the other one was about another friend committing suicide in front of me.  The "pregnant dream" was interesting.  The woman & I decided to not get married but we had decided to raise our kid.  While I don't believe a child shouldn't be the only reason you get married (loving & respecting each other is a much better base IMO), I would live up to my responsibilities.  The funny part was the faces on other friend when we announced she was pregnant.  I wasn't sure if they were surprised by her being pregnant or the fact that I actually fathered the child.  LOL 
The other dream wasn't quite so funny.  I was sitting in what was like a train depot with a friend.  We saw another friend walking by and we waved at them.  They waved back and then turned, jumped in front of the train as it came into the station.  And even with it being a dream, I saw everything.  (or what I presume "everything" would look like.  Let's just say it was messy and nothing I hope to ever see in real life.)  A few minutes into this dream, I woke up and hit the head.  Even though I knew it was a dream, it bothered me about the death.  So as I laid down, I was thinking about it and kind of went back into the dream.  Knowing it was now a dream, I was able to save their life using what would probably best called super powers.  Dumb I know, but I did feel better about it. 
I wonder what Freud would say about my dreams? 

9. I've been thinking too much about someone I used to know.  I really wish I could stop it, but no matter what I try, it never seems to stick.  Part of that is, of course, the fact I miss this person.  We can control our actions, but not our feelings. 

Well, that's enough for now.  Before you ask (too late!), the old Bub family is doing well.  Some minor sickness, sure.  But all in all, we are at a much better place then a year ago.  I thank each and everyone for any thoughts or prayers you sent our way.  Please keep us and so many others there and I'll return the favor.
As always, be good to yourself.
B-

A Christmas of firsts

Merry Christmas Eve-Eve to you, Good Reader.

Having some things on my mind, thought I would share. For those of you that don't know, it's been a busy time lately in the Bub household. Mom Bub was in and out of the hospital for over 2 months (hopefully that is at an end). We are all glad she is still here to spend Christmas with, don't get me wrong. But add in work, a sinus infection and just general life and well, you can understand why some things fell to the side.
I usually have Christmas Cards for the people I work with or can hand deliver. But, this year, everybody got an electronic one. I know some people look down upon electronic cards, but I honestly do not understand why. Nothing to throw away, nothing to feel guilty about. Sure, maybe you are like my parents and put the cards up around your house. I can understand that, but you can print out the electronic and put that up if you like. Anyway, like I said, everybody got an electronic one. If they don't like it, eh.
My house is a mess right now. Trying to get things down for Christmas. Shopping, working on gifts (story I can't go into right now, one of the recipients might be reading this) and all the things I mention above have played into this situation. Given I have the next three days off, I figure to get things back on the track. I'm kind of glad that nobody comes to visit right now, nobody can see this. Mind you, it's not horrible, just looks like it needs to be cleaned.
Went to the wallymart earlier tonight, just for kicks. Kind of bored about the Fortress, so I went out to "feel the living night" as Geddy used to say. Wasn't as bad as I thought but ... oh my. The things you see. Actually saw some good things and people, so I'll just say it was entertaining and leave it at that.
So, in addition to the usual shopping, I did some extra shipping. I had been talking to an ex, testing the waters and what not. I saw something that they wanted and I purchased it for them. I got a text saying it was too much, can't repay, blah, blah blah. I said nothing was said about repaying, just enjoy it, maybe we could spend some time together soon. Then 3 days later, I got a rather surprising email from that same person. Somehow my gift raised near literal Hell, it was being returned, should have never accepted it and to never contact them again. Needless to say, the slap to the face is still felt. I am 42 years old and I have NEVER had a real gift given back to me. (Sure a couple of gag gifts but that was intended all in fun) It's been a mess trying to get that gift back to the place I bought it from online with lots of headache. But to be fair, let me add something, this person's reaction involved their kids. Not quite sure what went on, but apparently it was some sort of explosion. I can't tell you everything because, as usual, I don't know it. So, pissed off (and feeling pissed on), I took this person at their word. I deleted their phone number, email(s), address and off every online connection we had (facebook, google+, etc). I understand watching out for your kids, but .... I would say this person might regret ever trying to contact me for anything but I know they never will. Besides, they probably wouldn't like what I have to say to them.
Well, there's more to write but I woke up early and am starting to get a bit tired. Re-typing far too many words here. So, I'll wrap up and put this post to bed. I hope you have a very Happy "What-ever-you-celebrate" on the upcoming holiday. Spend time with your friends, family and loved ones and think about the ones who used to be there. Try to make somebody's holiday their version of the Christmas you remember from your childhood.
As always, be good to yourselves.