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Reviews
Skatopia: 88 Acres of Anarchy (2010)
Fascinating
In 1995 Brewce Martin and a group of friends bought a plot of land in rural Ohio and turned it into a Mecca for skateboarders, punk rockers and other assorted outcasts. Part hippie commune, part post-apocalyptic theme park, Skatopia is a fascinating and strange place and the perfect subject for this fly-on-the-wall style documentary.
The film takes place over six months or so in 2006 as Brewce and his band of misfits prepare for their annual Bowl Bash party. Financial troubles, fracturing personal relationships and a possible prison sentence for assault form the backdrop for a broader story about how people live on the fringes of society. By casting off the rules and limitations most of us live with these men and women (mostly men) also cast off the comforts and securities most of us couldn't live without. The film does a reasonably good job of presenting this lifestyle without bias, neither glorifying nor condemning Brewce for his choices.
The film does tend to meander a little although given the subject matter this may be appropriate. Also some may find the climactic party scenes of alcohol fuelled anarchy set to punk rock overstay their welcome. However if you're willing to go along for the ride this is a fun and fascinating look at a remarkable place and way of life.
Stargate Universe (2009)
Interesting new direction for an established franchise.
As with any spin-off the creators of SG-U have tried to take the elements that made the original series successful and adapt them to a new setting with new characters. The setting is an ancient ship that was sent far out into the universe millions of years ago; for exactly what purpose it is unclear. The characters are a selection of soldiers, scientists and some civilians, who for reasons explained in the first episodes weren't the people who were meant to be sent.
The set up is engaging and provides enough interest to draw you in with questions like why was the ship was built, where is it going and how can they get home when they're on the other side of the universe. Most of the action takes place on the ship with the early episodes focusing on making it habitable. There are also scenes back on Earth that provide back stories for the main characters, and excursions to different planets that are encountered along the journey.
The characters are mostly interesting although some more so than others; Eli as the brilliant if nerdy young mathematician is likable and played well by David Blue, the various military men do fall into stereotypes a little but are still good and there are several other supporting characters that add interest. By far the standout is Robert Carlyle as Dr. Rush the scientist who brought everyone onto the ship. His motivation is often mysterious and there are some power-plays between him and Young (the commander) that are great to watch.
I'm not sure how die-hard fans of Stargate will react to this new iteration of the franchise; it dispenses with some of the sci-fi cliché of previous series and dials back on the humour of Atlantis instead favouring grittier dialogue and more drama. Personally I think the changes work well and SG-U is able to bring something new wile staying true to the spirit of the originals. Whether the show is able to sustain itself long term remains to be seen but at the moment I for one am hooked.