mmccord9126's Reviews

Ad Astra (2019)

1/10

20 September 2019

What on Earth was Pitt thinking when he signed on with this monstrosity! I would have given it a zero if allowed. With all the enhancements now provided for SF films today, to have a travesty like this represent them is, at the very least, disheartening. Not only should the screenplay for this "film" have been rejected on first read; it shouldn't have made it that far. Unfortunately, as revealed in the credits, one of the writers was also one of the producers. What can I say. This has to be the epitome of an example of what can go wrong when someone writes a screenplay for a genre when they are basically clueless about what it is all about.

Oh, well, moving on....

71 out of 146 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

7/10

On its own, a great movie

8 October 2017

Warning: Spoilers

Having been a Blade Runner devotee from its inception of the original (even during pre-production), I had great expectations for this sequel. Expectations that probably would be nearly impossible to meet. And so they were. That withstanding, the film deserves stand alone credit for proving to be an honest attempt at living up to the fictional world established in the original film. It more than adequately carried on the overall atmosphere and vitality of the original, but failed to truly capture its "future noir", as suggested in Paul Sammon's book about the film's creation(1996).

The cast and the production itself, on the other hand, combined to make it entertaining, in spite of the film's longer than necessary length. Some additional refinement would have been appropriate (ex: cut the junk yard scene with the toy horse.) Gosling's performance as "K" was truly believable; what one would expect from one of Hollywood's better actors today. Ford, as Deckard, needs no comment as he will always be Deckard. Ana de Armos, as Joi, was captivating and added an interesting twist on 'K's' backstory. Sylvia Hoeks, as Luv was okay, but she's no Roy Batty by any stretch. Robin Wright, as Lt. Joshi was well done (big fan of her). And it was good to see Edward James Olmos as Gaff again,; even if the role was minimal. Casting Mackenzie Davis as Mariette was obviously done to remind fans of Daryl Hannah's great work in the original.

Deciding to have Rachel give birth to Deckard's child worked for me, even though it's not the route I would have preferred be followed. However, Tyrell did say that the replicants were "more human than humans." It became the quest for the golden fleece that any hero's journey requires, so I can go along with it.

SF author K.W. Jeter wrote three sequels to Phillip K. Dicks original, all under the title of "Blade Runner". Together, these three books carried on a much better series of events and circumstances that I believe would have made for a better possible franchise; something that may be on the horizon with the release of this film. Especially, considering the many open possibilities presented at the end of the film (i.e. Deckard meeting his daughter; the possible Nexus8 revolt; Wallace's next move, "K's" fate, etc.) In conclusion, I really did like the film and would easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys legitimate science fiction.

1 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Grace and Frankie (2015–2022)

10/10

Up there with Friends, Northern Exposure,....

11 May 2015

Grace and Frankie is a heartfelt comedy excellently portrayed by four veteran actors. This original comedy takes you into the lives of two couples and their families as they work through a major change in family dynamics. You'll find yourself wanting to learn more about the four main characters and how they adapt to their ensuing life changes. You'll find yourself empathizing with Grace and Frankie as they each reconcile with the end of their 40 year marriages. New opportunities for personal growth and understanding of different lifestyles create a platform for growth and understanding between all four characters. I watched all 13 episodes in 3 days and I did indeed laugh out-loud! Hats off to NetFlix for delivering a much needed adult comedy. Thank you to Lily, Jane, Sam and Martin for breathing the life into these characters.

70 out of 90 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Interstellar (2014)

4/10

A Bit of a Disappointment

7 November 2014

When I first heard of the making of this film, I had reservations about it. Then, I learned that a well-known scientist(Kip Thorne) was attached to it as a technical consultant and my interest began to increase. Getting it right, scientifically, seldom works with the film industry, although there have been limited occasions where it has. Avatar, Kubrick's classic 2001 back in 1968, and one even further back, Forbidden Planet (1956) show that it can be done.

With this in mind, I thought this might be one of those rare ones that could live up to my expectations. I mean, after all, Christopher Nolan and Thorne. How could it fail. I've always believed that, in order to make a quality science fiction film, you have to have a writer that knows what the genre is all about. In this case, there is not only the potential for quality writing from Nolan but also scientific expertise from one of the top scientist in the field - what could go wrong...go wrong.... Well, in spite of all that, it did just that.

Yes, it was a visual treat that applied all the wonderful effects developed over the years. And it did that very well. But that's not enough anymore; at least not for me.

What I experienced instead was story that was based on a premise that was faulty almost from the start with scientific shortcomings and implausible circumstances. And that's where the disappointment comes in for me. I can understand Nolan's possible lack of detailed knowledge of wormholes, time dilation, gravity effects, and the like, but how could a respected scientist like Thorne allow it? Unless of course he had little control over the film's production. Alas, that is probably the case.

I'm not going into any detail about the the actual story because that is already well documented in other reviews. I end with a final summary and opinion: If you know little about that actual scientific aspects of the various theories touched upon in this film, you'll probably find it entertaining. If, on the other hand, you have sufficient knowledge of what we humans actually know of such things; you too, may be a bit disappointed.

17 out of 37 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Gravity (2013)

10/10

Been Waiting a Long Time For This One

4 October 2013

It only took 45 years for someone to top Kubrick's 2001. And now it finally happened. Not only was it technically near perfect, but Gravity had a solid story and great acting from Bullock and Clooney to boot. I'm trying to picture another actress in Bullock's role, but I can't imagine anyone who could have done a better, more believable job of it. I've been a fan of SF films (although, this isn't really SF) for about 60 years now and started reading in the SF genre when I was about 10 years old. My two favorite films to date, until now, are 2001 and Bladerunner. Of late, the only one that even came close to them was Avatar (3rd best). You may be able to find some technical glitches in this film if you look real, real hard, but I bet they'll only be trivial. All I can say is: move over 2001 and Bladerunner; you just got some brand, new competition for my vote.

Alfonso and Jonas Cuaron - Nice piece of film work, indeed.

5 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Elysium (I) (2013)

5/10

Liked the CGI and sets, but didn't like the story

10 August 2013

What seems to be a trend in big budget SF films occurred, once again, in Elysium. I'm continually impressed with what is being created (visual effects wise)today, but remain disappointed when it comes to the associated screenplays/plot lines. At the end of this film, I had the same, perpetual feeling that no one out there making SF films gets the message: without a good story, you don't have a really good film. Elysium hearkens me back to Prometheus, directed by Ridley Scott. I would have thought he, at least, would appreciate the need for a good story to match the visuals. Especially after being the brains behind Bladerunner. But, oh no - same thing. I suspect that so much talent and expense is spent on the visuals that insufficient amounts of funding and time are left for the associated story.

I just wish that, when someone comes up with future plans for making a legitimate SF film (sans comic book scenarios), they contract a real science fiction author to write the screenplay. There are any number of SF writers out there that can, I believe, turn out much better scripts than currently making their way to the big screen.

Bottom line: the world building in Elysium was excellent. Probably some of the best since Avatar. I wish there had been some of this when Bladerunner was produced. As an avid, and long time fan of true science fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of the film. As for the story, it could have been a lot, lot better.

558 out of 809 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Rock of Ages (2012)

3/10

A Reason for Avoiding Musicals

15 June 2012

Okay, I'll give credit where it's due. Tom Cruise did a great job of portraying an aging rock star, albeit over the top. And, of course, his ability to take on the actual signing, on relatively short notice, was impressive. And that's my point: take him out of the film and you have a big fat nothing.

To me, it was simply a collection of well-choreographed music videos held loosely together by one of the weakest screenplays I've experienced in a long time. When one looks back at past musicals of note (Chicago, for example), this one was lacking in any sense of accomplishment. Yes, I know, it wasn't to be taken seriously - how could it be? I'd like to say that it was, at least, worth it to see Zeta-Jones back in form. I am, however, convinced that this was, without a doubt her all time worst performance in a film. What was she thinking when she accepted the totally ridiculous role as the L.A. mayor's inhibited, self-denying wife? It just wants to make you cringe to think that such a talented actress would subject herself to such humiliation. Maybe I just didn't get it.

Without resorting to details, the scene between Baldwin and Brand's characters (anyone whose seem the film knows which one) was unsettling and absurd. It didn't affect me personally, but it just didn't seem right or appropriate.

I've never been a fan of watching characters in a film break out into spontaneous song in the middle of even a mildly dramatic scene. It always grabs me the wrong way. Thank the gods that it doesn't happen in real life.

In the end, if you're in to musicals you'll probably like this one. If not, like me, you've likely suffered through it for someone else's benefit. But hey, we all have to do that at some point. Like I said to my better half: You owe me big time for this one.

32 out of 77 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Prometheus (I) (2012)

4/10

Great Visuals - Disappointing storyline

13 June 2012

I'm only giving this film a 4 out of 10 because, and only because, of the great sets and visuals. It saddens my heart to see such terrific technology wasted on a mediocre, at best, storyline. I would think that Ridley Scott would know better than to let a couple of Hollywood hack writers anywhere near one of his films. BladeRunner is my all time favorite science fiction film. Between Scott's direction and Harrison Ford's portrayal of Deckard, no truer depiction of a possible future has ever been done by anyone else; except, of course, in Avatar. This clunker, on the other hand, is a tribute to what can go wrong when a director's common sense falls prey to the easiest way to get it done. To me, this was just a 1950's bad "B" movie dressed up in modern techniques. Anyone who knows anything about SF knows that its true fans are completely unforgiving when it comes to short changing your story. It's the stories that make us love the genre.

12 out of 24 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

3/10

Left a lot to be desired

3 June 2012

I'm not going to bother with details - there's been more than enough discussion about them already. It's a good thing I'm a big fan of Theron because I would have otherwise gone to sleep in this film. Yes, it contained some great photography and scenes. But, that's about all I can say for it, except maybe, been there and done that way too many times in the past. I will say that it was at least better than Mirror, Mirror, which was a real dud. The storyline was lame and nothing more than warmed over hacking of many earlier attempts at doing justice to the tale of Snow White.

Kristen Stewart was hopelessly miscast for the role of Snow White. I've never seen any of the Twilight movies, but then, I'm hardly a candidate for them. Anyway, her performance in this film was virtually flat-line. Also, I think it was a big mistake to have her go from the appearance she maintained through most of them film to a Joan of Arc type in the final part. It didn't work for me.

4 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Bad Teacher (2011)

1/10

Bad Teacher ?? Maybe. Bad Film? Absolutely

30 June 2011

I know others will disagree with me, but this has got to be in the running for the pick for the Razzies this year. What a pathetic piece of crap. The storyline was boring and the jokes either over-the-top, or, worst, not even close to funny. It never fails to amaze me when really bad ideas not only get to be screenplays, but they actually wind up getting produced. And...Timberlake's character...what was he thinking when he took this role??? Yeah, Diaz is still a hot body and all, but even that couldn't save something so downright dumb. I won't bother with any spoilers; it's not worth the effort. Save your money. This one will simply insult your intelligence. I would give it a minus one if I could.

254 out of 447 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Just Go with It (2011)

1/10

Forget It

14 February 2011

This terrible remake of I.A.L. Diamond's work on Cactus Flower back in 1969, itself based on an excellent stage play, was difficult to sit through: Too long, too unfunny, and to formulaic. Relying on sight gags and stale jokes cannot save a bad film, much less a screenplay that probably required very little effort on the part of the writers. Of late, much of what's coming out of Hollywood reeks of paranoia. When one is afraid to take a risk, in the genre of romantic comedies, remake something that was successful years ago. This travesty is indicative such a mentality. Also, when will Jennifer A. wake up and stop getting herself involved in films that will do little for her career? Save your money and rent Cactus Flower. Trust me, you'll be happy you did.

75 out of 147 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Book of Eli (2010)

5/10

Great acting - been there done that story

19 January 2010

I can't imagine the likes of Washington and Oldman in a film and it not be entertaining. However, the screenplay left much to be desired. Not being a fan of the hero against many and coming out without a scratch usually leaves me snickering. Way too many holes in the story (don't want to spoil it by discussing them) and an ending that was hardly feasible, I have to say that I've seen much better stories in the past. That maybe why this one was so predictable. Any time someone wants to develop an after WWWIII story, they really need to spend some time thinking about it and spending more time in research. My guess is that this didn't happen with Book of Eli. The best way I can sum up this one is that it felt like Mad Max in the desert southwest of the US. And that one was done long before a lot of the fans of this one were ever born.

0 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

mmccord9126

Reviews

Tell Your Friends

Recently Viewed