Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Wow - Christian Bale in The Machinist (2004)

Wow. What a performance!



As usual, I had an itch for a good 1080p BluRay movie. I wasn't sure what I was gonna watch. So the first thing I did, was go straight to IMDB and searched their database for "Most popular Sci-Fi" movies. I have no idea how I eventually ended up in the Mystery, Thriller genre. I must have been on one of my insomnia kicks again.

So anyway, after reading the description and viewing the trailers, I decided that "The Machinist (2004)" was exactly what I needed to watch.

First of all, I have to mention that I painstakingly suffer from agonizing insomnia. No joke, and "you laugh because you think that I'm kidding, but I'm not" (credit to Dave Barry for that quote). Reading the IMDB description, I knew the movie was gonna touch some sensitive notes. Movie completely revolves around Christian Bales character who hasn't slept in over a year, trying to find peace of mind to produce sleep. That and trying to find his way through a self-induced psychosis. That was enough to catch my attention.

I don't wanna give away too much or ramble on and on like I usually do. Suffice it to say, that Bales performance and dedication to the performing arts was astonishing. Anyone that watched "Castaway" with Tom Hanks can tell you how much dedication went into to his character development. Gained several pounds of weight, and then lost a phenomenal amount of it for detail.

Exactly what Bale did in this movie, only very much to the extreme. I've got a couple of screen shots I'm gonna share.

Click on image to view the 1920x1080 res. screenshot

    1. Healthy Bale.
    2. Emaciated Bale. Pretty shocking and almost disturbing.


Funny enough, Sam Worthington of "Terminator: Salvation", "AVATAR' and "Clash of the Titans" commented in an interview on "Rove" talk show, that Bale was a very serious and dedicated professional when it came to his characters. Very funny actually. I'm including the Youtube video of his interview where he comments this.




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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Caprica (2009) IMDB Submission


My IMDB post has FINALLY been approved:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0799862/usercomments-44


Here is my content (Review) that I've submitted to IMDB through my account. It is currently pending submission, but I have no doubts that it will be declined. So here is my review contents until it is approved by IMDB for publication.


The Caprica episode (S01E01) is well done as a pilot. Really, this episode is the exact same content as the DVD pilot release. That having been said, episode 01 gives a very substantive background of the very popular "Battlestar Galactica" series (both the original and the 2007 remake). It significantly applies most to the 2007 series. As is the trending plots of sci-fi of late, this series explores "Virtual" life or environment. On top of this, we are given much background on the Adama family line as well as their relationship with the unrevealed (in the Battlestar Galactica series) creator of the Cylons. To the most part, this first episode revolves around the popular topic of "Virtual" life and (as is expected) early life of the colonies, and the birth of the Cylons.

Over all, I rather enjoyed this episode. Although, it was not new material for myself or anyone that has already seen the DVD release of the Caprica pilot, the series seems very promising. As is the case with many pilots, episode 01 leaves us with a cliff-hanger so to ensure a follow by an audience (sci-fi community). I'm definitely going to keep watching for resolve as well as development.

I give this series 8 stars







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Lost and Found: Season 6 premiere of LOST

"LOST" Season 06 premiere
(02 Feb 2010)



The season premiere of the last season of ABC's 'Lost'. "Lost and Found", is the title I'm giving this entry. A play on words really. With this last season, somehow, our friends, villains, others et. al. will somehow find there way off the island to civilization, or will remain on the island which they call home.


Tonight (02 Feb 2010 -- Tuesday), we were given a very unique experience, as far as TV series go. In a very "J.J. Abrams'", fashion, we were given quite the treat. We began our voyage with 3 hours of "Lost" entertainment. Lost Season 06E00 (the summary of season 5), Episode 01 (LAX part 1) Episode 2 (LAX part 2) were the much anticipated episodes of all Lost fans. We were not disappointed for our long wait.

"J.J. Abrams'", is a very active Tweep (Twitter member/user). He has a firm grasp of the power of social media hubs. Something that many other corporations have yet to master. He is down with the people, and talking to the people (in general mostly vs. individually). Many of "J.J. Abrams'" productions are highly intense, with a mass audience.

A summary of tonight's Season 06 atmosphere.
We (Losties as fans have come to be known) have been introduced to many concepts since season 03. Many Losties, in fact, could not keep up with the different concepts being thrown at the audience. We very quickly moved from the shows pilot of "mystery" and "fantasy" into the realm of science fiction. This was a problem for "Losties" that had no science fiction under their belts.
The shows flavor, quickly shifted from episodes seen in present tense, to episodes from 3yrs into the future with reference to the past on the island; Present tense to future tense referencing the past. You can see how this can blow your mind out of the water. The big kicker was, that the audience was never aware that the episodes were in the past, being referenced from the future, until the last two episodes of season 3. Very, very hard to keep up with for many. But most of us held true.
Season 4 brought us right into the future, 3 yrs from the rescue of Oceanic flight 815 (If you're getting 'Lost', you're not alone. You really have to be a hard-core "Lostie" to understand.)

To shorten this up, at the end of season 05, we are left with the conundrum of our main characters being in the past (in the Dharma initiative in the early 1970's), but some also being in the future.
The last we saw, was Jack attempting to implode the Swan station with a nuclear device, in the hopes that it will correct time and all of their woes and worries of being in the island, will somehow disappear through some temporal paradox of some kind. The last few minutes of Season 05 we see the juicy. The explosion that "kills" our characters in the past, and the "Jacob" we've all been hearing about for 5 years, being killed. What a way to end a season.

-- Season 06:
Finally. The fun of it all. We begin our episode 1 (LAX part 1) with all of our characters (including old and deceased ones) aboard the original Oceanic flight 815. Yes! They did it. They changed the past and prevented the catastrophes endured on the island. Everyone accounted for. That should be the end of the story of All things 'Lost'.

Of course it wasn't. We still have the rest of the season to fill. A sci-fi concept introduced to the show ( by "J.J. Abrams'" is the entire "Quantum mechanics" seen in many of our popular sci-fi shows such as the entire 'Star Trek' franchise, Stargates (all of them) etc. The idea, that time is not linear. The past, present and future are not always in that order. Further, in this sci-fi concept, two events, seeming to be mutually exclusive, actually are not.

The big question we've all been waiting for.
Q: "Did they do it?! Did the prevent Oceanic flight 815 from crash landing on the island with that HUGE explosion?"
A: Yes, and no.

Don't be so linear in thought; So 3-Dimensional. We have experienced a temporal paradox. I'm not really sure which one, as far as sci-fi standards go. Funny that eh. Causality maybe. (Look it up in Star-Trek-o-pedia or something).

We find that despite all of our main characters aboard Oceanic flight 815, that the original characters (from the future) are still trapped on the island; Seemingly 3-1/2 yrs in the future from our opening scene on Oceanic flight 815. Try to keep up. It gets really complicated in 3 hours of tying up loose ends.

Situation 1: Jacob is dead, killed by Benjamin Linus, at the order of "John". It turns out that "John" is actually the Smoke Monster. But really, just Jacob's nemesis, who found "a loop hole".

Situation 2: Our main characters, still on the island find themselves at what appears to be "The hatch" from the "Swan station". This, shortly after destroying what would've been the "Swan Station" SOB! Not to worry. We learn from a dying Juliet (who should've died in the nuclear detonation (keep up, I'm covering a lot in a very short time)) that they are actually NOT in the past where that detonation occurred, and that the "blown hatch" they found, is indeed the rubble of the nuclear detonation they made. There were no Dharma members to be found. In fact, the only thing we see, is "Jacob". Yes. The one who died an hour earlier (from the perspective of the show.) Quickly:
Jacob's orders:
1. Get to the temple to revive Sayid.
2. Give the guitar to whoever/whatever they find in the temple.
3. Tell the "Other's" (new leader now) that he (Jacob) is dead.
These orders are followed to the letter. Everybody in the temple runs and pours ashes around the inside of the temple, so as to protect themselves from "John" A.K.A. "The smoke monster".
Flare warnings are shot to warn everybody on the island.

Huge discovery here. All characters have somehow converged into the present. That is, the present in a time line as seen by the audience (3-1/2 yrs after the original crash of Oceanic flight 815. You know. The one that arrived safely at LAX 3-1/2 yrs earlier.

Still with me? Final scene in the "present", "John" A.K.A. "The smoke monster" has a score to settle with Richard. Richard is referenced as someone who wore chains at sometime. Into the jungle they both go, where nobody knows.

Situation 3: We continue to see flashes of the cast landing at LAX, safe and sound. Many things play themselves out in the order we would've expected from day 1 of the series pilot. However, there is one exception. Jack's father and coffin, still are missing.

All things seem to be where we would expected them (in a very fragmented sort of way). Let's end the show, and wait for next week. The cliff hanger we've all come to know.
Something is missing. Oh. Sayid who died at the temple, suddenly comes to life with the words, "What's happened?" My guess is that it is actually "Jacob" now. Just a poke in the dark.

I'll come back and clean up, this is my basic skeletal structure for the premiere of season 06 "Lost". Will they be or have they been found? Come back next week and read some more of the juicy.

"Lost and Found: Season 6 premiere"

"Jerry Zambrano"





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Friday, December 18, 2009

Avatar (2009)

AVATAR (2009) - Thursday Mid-night show - 12.17.2009 (SLC, UT)



IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/

When I realized that #Avatar (Twitter lingo) was one week away from release, I went straight aways to Megaplextheaters (SLC) online to purchase my ticket. I have to say, I didn't realize I was going to sign up for the Thursday mid-night showing. I'm rather glad I did. Usually, whenever a really good movie is released, I like to attend opening night. This is how I make a determination on a movie's over-all viewer experience. If a movie that is highly anticipated meets the expectation of the audience, there almost always will be a huge viewer involvement. The Star Wars trilogy (both of them) is a perfect example. No one can forget standing in line over night (errr... so I hear anyway) for a ticket. Standing in line just to show off your light-saber and your Darth Maul costume (that was my favorite by the way). But the best part was being inside the theater to feel the excitement in the air. Every time there was a kick or laser fire or any action sequence, the crowd roared. If it was a funny scene, the crowd laughed almost hysterically. These are the tell-tail signs I was looking for while watching Avatar. Sadly, there was very little audience involvement in both the action or humor scenes. My first impression: It's over hyped and the reviews will not go well.

The Plot:
Who are we kidding. All one has to do, is watch the movie trailers (Online in HD @ Apple® Trailers) and the entire plot is unfolded for you. If this is what's going to make the movie for you, then you might want to wait to watch it at a matinee showing. But definitely worth more than the dollar showing a few months later. Much of the movie reminds me of several other animated movies. I saw a bit of Disney's "Pocahontas" and the entire "mother earth" theme, DreamWork's "Prince of Egypt" and the "Moses" theme, Peyo's "Smurfs" (1981, not the 2011) - for the blue characters, and even James Cameron's "Aliens". This last one due to the alien features of the creatures. One can even see a body-armor robotic suit, very similar to the one Sigourney Weaver wore in Aliens. Imagine that. Sigourney Weaver in an alien themed movie with "loaders", fan-driven air crafts, rescue mission, etc. Truth be told, only Sigourney can get away with that. Does anyone remember the "Aliens" sequence where Sigourney is in full body armor robotic "loader", where she comes to save the day yelling out, "Get away from her you B!T@H" Something to that effect you'll see. All that's missing, from Aliens, is Sigourney running around in her underwear. Wait, does she run around in her under wear in Avatar? Dunno.


Q: Aliens? or Avatar?


In the movie itself, all plots and sub-plots are very predictable and obvious. Each development or obstacle in the movie, comes along with it, a very transparent resolve. In fact, you can pretty much put the whole thing together just by reading the IMDB summary and viewing the trailers (exactly what I said at the beginning of the "Plot" summary).

However, do we really watch a movie solely for the anticipation of a plot development or to see a sudden reversal in role or theme? Well, I suppose the answer is yes. But, if you're a big FX enthusiast, or a gamer who loves his video rendering, then you'll enjoy, if nothing else, the visual experience in and of itself.

Visual experience:
I didn't watch the 3D version of it, so I can't speak for it. In the regular showing, the colors and textures are bright and vibrant (sounds very generic and cliche, but there it is). Actually the mix of computer generated textures and actual physical textures, are remarkably seamless, and make for a good marriage. I'm including some screen shots here (no spoilers, there all screen shots from the trailer/teaser). Feel free to click on them for the much larger version.

Action:
You are going to love the action and the hand to hand combat and all conflict scenes. I was very impressed by those scenes.  If you're anything like me, you'll go to the theater and watch Avatar for the action as well as the for the visual experience.  It's a really good adrenalin rush! I don't want to say too much more on this.  You're just going to have to experience it yourself.  If this is what will make the movie for you, then you're in for a treat.










My Rating:
Visual experience: 9/10
Action: 9/10
Story/plot development: 6/10 (not very original)

However, my personal take on it is this:
I'm watching it again tomorrow at the matinee show. Well worth it for me.
For me it was the heart-pounding experience, despite the obvious plot developments. The visual affects and all of the fight sequences that grabbed the "Military" or "Marine" in me. To a less degree, It was also the "Avatar" nature of it. Social media hubs or cyber-living has given us the idea of a virtual self. "A rebirth" to borrow the phrase from "Avatar".
Go and watch it, and figure out if you like it.

Oh, I almost forgot. If you're a "Lost" (of ABC) fan, you'll be excited to see "Anna Lucia Cortez" (Michelle Rodriguez). The same actress that plays Trudy Chacon in the movie.







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Friday, October 9, 2009

Friday 720p HDTV Reviews 10.09.2009



Another Friday is upon is. This means that more of my favorite (favourite to my UK friends) shows will be airing. By far, Sunday evening brings my favorite show: ShowTime's DEXTER.
Tonight we will have the following shows that I will be watching and reviewing. Keep in mind that I only watch and review the shows I can find broadcast in HDTV 720p or 1080p.



*My favorite pick for the night:


Stargate Universe Season 01 Ep. 03: Air (3)
Keep in mind, that last week, we saw Air (1) Air (2) back to back. It's time to resolve the first and biggest problem that the new Stargate expedition faces. Resolving their problem of running out of air aboard the latest Ancient vessel: "Destiny".

Here is how TV.com summarizes the episode:
Lt. Scott and Dr. Rush travel to a desert planet to locate a mineral essential to Destiny's life support system.
---My Review will follow here---
***All links to media content delivery services removed w/in 24-36 hours***





Smallville Season 9 episode 3: Rabid
Here is the skeleton of the episode as summarized by TV.com
Zod releases a virus that transforms humans into zombies throughout Metropolis, with the only cure being found in the blood of a Kryptonian. When Lois is infected, Clark is forced to choose between using his own blood to create an antidote, which would reveal his presence to Zod, and doing nothing.
---My Review will follow here---
***All links to media content delivery services removed w/in 24-36 hours***






Dollhouse Season 2 episode 3: Belle Chose
Here is the skeleton as summarized by TV.com
At the request of a Dollhouse shareholder, Victor is imprinted with the mind of the man's nephew. The man's unstable, psychotic, homicidal nephew.
Now, just as Ballard is starting to adjust to his new role, he must call upon all of his FBI training when Victor escapes the Dollhouse to wander the streets with a killer in his head.

---My Review will follow here---
***All links to media content delivery services removed w/in 24-36 hours***




Sanctuary Season 2 episode 1: End of Nights: Part 1
Episode summary as written by TV.com:
While desperately searching for Ashley, who remains in the hands of the Cabal, the Sanctuary team encounter a con artist named Kate Freelander. After her relationship with the Cabal went sour she gives Helen the location of a secret Cabal facility that may lead them to her Ashley..
To be honest, I was very much looking forward to this episode. As we all remember, Season 1's finale left us all at the tip of our chairs begging for resolution, but being left with anticipation. This is a good sign that the writers of the show know what they're doing. It's pure strategy that captivates the audience. I really rather look forward to it. Funny that, eh.

Amanda Tapping was nothing short of exceptional in her role as Doctor Helen Magnus. We saw a part of Dr. Magnus that we had not previously seen. During an interrogation she performs, Dr. Magnus walks the fine line of searching for answers vs. seeking retribution over the unknown whereabouts of her daughter, Ashley Magnus.

The plot gets better. At the end of last season, we are introduced to the secrets of Dr. Magnus longevity. Pure vampire blood. It also happens to be the source of John Druitt's powers (AKA John the Ripper).

That Ashley disappearance and that these two powerful individuals (Dr. Magnus & John Druitt)are her parents, is no coincidence. Ashley's sudden disappearance, along with a vial of pure vampire blood is the foundation of this episode's plot. The show seems to be gravitating towards the virtually extinct civilization that was vampirism.

This episode is a must watch. I'm very much looking forward to this week's upcoming episode, "End of Nights: Part 2"

I know I haven't mentioned much, but suffice it to say that Ashley's powers have increased dramatically. The powers even rival those of her father, John. It would seem that at this point Ashley has no control of her own conscience and has become a hybrid of human and vampire. To make things worse, the organization that is holding Ashley captive, have begun creating genetically pure (wiped memories & cell regeneration properties) to be vessels for Ashley's cloned conscience/powers.

Well, something like that anyway. It's enough for me to keep hanging in there episode to episode.

Oh, and please remember that these episodes are best seen in HDTV (720p or 1080p)


***All links to media content delivery services removed w/in 24-36 hours***








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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Thursday - Misc. HDTV experiences

OK then. I'm sure I don't have to ask, "How many of you tweet" (reference to Twitter). I've made friends throughout the entire Net-universe. Funny that ;).
I didn't dawn (or is it don?) on me that some (online friends) may not be privy to international tv (HDTV 720p in my case).

I'd like to discuss some of my misc. international HDTV shows. One that I began watching about a year ago, is a British drama that follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. Law & Order: UK starring:

• Bradley Walsh (2) Detective Sergeant Ronnie Brooks
• Jamie Bamber Detective Sergeant Matt Devlin (AKA Lee Adama of Battlestar Galactica)
• Harriet Walter Detective Inspector Natalie Chandler
• Ben Daniels Senior Crown Prosecutor James Steel
• Freema Agyeman Crown Prosecutor Alesha Phillips
• Bill Paterson (1) played Crown Prosecution Service Director George Castle

Here is a summary from an online TV rating fave of many, TVRage:
"Law & Order" has been a staple in American homes for 18 years, and now London is being hit with the crime drama from Dick Wolf. "Law & Order:UK" will feature all new episodes with an all new cast exclusively for United Kingdom viewers.

Law & Order: UK summary by TVRage

For a detailed summary of each episode, visit IMDB episode guide .

Episode 1: Care
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 2: Unloved
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 3: Vice
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 4: Unsafe
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 5: Buried
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 6: Paradise
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 7: Alesha (This one has already been done by the Original Law & Order and the character of Dr. Olivet)
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 8: Samaritan
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 9: Hidden
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 10: Community Service
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 11: Sacrifice
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 12: Love and Loss
**Links and review to follow here**

Episode 13: Honour Bound
**Links and review to follow here**


Although this season has ended, I am still debating whether I liked the series or not. It has all of the elements of the Law & Order's that we're familiar with as well as a justice system that is vaguely familiar to me. I'm sure EVERYBODY had to take a class in Western Civilizations or some kind of Legal/Justice system in their college years. Right?
However, you're gonna find this funny, I never could get used to those funny looking wigs. Even more, I assumed that there would be a certain pomp and circumstance revolving the entire UK judicial system. Instead, I was awakened to the reality of how humble (economically) any public defense system is anywhere in modern times. Of course not including 3rd world countries. They're lucky if they have a legal system, much less a fair one. Back to the wigs. LOL. I couldn't get over the wigs that looked like they cost maybe $10 US dollars.
It's intriguing to watch something familiar (Law and Order-esque) with an international twist. I've decided I'm going to follow the series the following season. Season 02 begins sometime in early 2010. I'm thinking closer to February since that was its original premiere date.

For those reading this, I'll try and have some links to online media content delivery services. To my usual readers (I think it's me, my niece, my mom when she's not at church, and my doggie Jack), I'm sure I don't have to define the terms: "Media content delivery systems". So stay tuned. I'll have some links here soon, but will not be up here for very long.

You can also watch these online at iTV.com but only if you live in the UK.

Looking forward until then (prolly tomorrow 10/09/2009), I'm heading to bed and finish catching up on my HDTV shows whose seasons are about to begin.

J.




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Saturday, October 3, 2009

Saturday 720p HDTV Reviews

Unfortunately, there are not very many shows on Saturday evening at all. Even less, still are any 720p HDTV series. Still I wanted to put in an entry for Saturday. Actually for each day of the week. The only thing of interest to me on Saturday evening's schedule is Merlin 2009. Sadly it is only available in streaming media or media content delivery services (that would be me ;) ) in Xvid. Yuck. I hate Xvid and DivX codec (with the exception of DivX new DivX HD h264 codec - 6.8.5).




I'll include a little about the series here.
Merlin 2008 (Season 1), and Merlin 2009 (Season 2) are British series', and has recently been adopted by NBC for US broadcast. You can also read more about this series at TVRage, a very popular source of television information for nfo content. You can follow any of the links above to view more information, or simply follow this link to TVRage: http://www.tvrage.com/shows/id-18834


I might be back to write a review, but I don't think that will happen. Since I am interested in this series, I have decided to watch Season 2 Ep. 01-03 in XviD.

Stay tuned for Sunday's post. Sunday evening brings us Dexter, and a few other delights. As usual, I'll have links (for 24 hours) to various media content delivery services.

Until then.




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