Change Your Image
jackferwerda-1
Reviews
Futurama: The Impossible Stream (2023)
The Characters look the same but the writing is lame
I must say that I really loved the first seasons of Futurama. The writing was clever and the jokes were genuinely funny. The stories put you in a world that had its own rules and within that world, the shows made logical sense. This was not the case with this new episode 1 of season 11.
The story doesn't really make enough logical sense for me to care at all about what is going on. Fry decides to binge watch an unwatchable amount of TV. That is the central storyline conflict in this episode. I don't really understand why the character has to do this. I don't understand why any of the other character care why he is doing it. I also don't understand why his attempt to do this puts him in mortal danger.
It really comes down to poor writing. It's terrible that there isn't any talent out there that is strong enough to take on this kind of project. Futurama deserves more because it had such a great beginning back in the old days. People love these characters. Why can't we find decent writers that can provide new stories?
Stranger from Venus (1954)
Stranger From Venus - better than you would think
When first considering to watch this film I expected it to be very bad. The title seemed cheesy, it was made 40 years ago. Also I had viewed other online reviews and on average it didnt seem favorable.
This being said I am a fan of older sci fi and horror films. I found the acting, rather subtle compared to the cheesy performances I was imagining. I found that the film displayed the best traits of the 40 year old sci fi movies I had seen in the past. Such traits like the fun playful whimsy while still gladly lacking exaggerated attempts to shock or scare unnecessarily. The thing I like about these old movies is that they are fun, light and at the best of time thoughtful without being preachy.
I would agree that this film may lose points for lack of originality in parts. This being said the critics scored this film a lot poorer than it deserved. Part of the problem is that we just dont have a large number of people who have seen the film to give an accurate depiction of what the average person who likes old movies would feel about it.
I must finally say that it is not an all time classic must see film. This being said, if you like older sci fi and are looking for some light fun with the subject matter, "stranger from venus" is a decent watch for you. I feel it deserves at least 7 stars and I found it a relaxing and enjoyable sci fi story.
Star Trek: The Galileo Seven (1967)
Galileo Seven - Below Par for the Series
I just recently revisited this episode as I own the first series. I usually don't write reviews but was so frustrated with this episode that I thought I would give my two cents!
I agree with many of the opinions shown posted here. While I find the episode still fun and entertaining, there are some major problems that leave the viewer frustrated.
Mostly I just find the writing weak. Specifically I find the everyone behaving out of character. Their actions defy reason, and if anyone thinks for two seconds about anything they do, you realize that in a real situation almost nobody would act this way.
Some examples:
1. Boma and other landing party insisting on having a funeral, while a ten foot bloodthirsty caveman is practically destroying the ship. (During times of crisis, In human history we have heard of numerous cases of people not only abandoning all tradition when faced with death, but going so far as to resort to cannibalism to survive. yet this crew is up in arms when Spock suggests that they can't have a full funeral service and burial.) 2. The landing party is far too quick to turn on Spock. It is pointed out that some have to be left behind in order for the ship to take off. (not enough fuel to support the full weight of the whole crew) It seems obvious to suggest some stay behind. WOULD YOU RATHER EVERYONE DIE? Yet they immediately jump on Spock for suggesting the obvious. 3. In order to belabour the point further that emotion is SO important. the other crew members are out an out cruel to Spock. "OH now's your big chance Spock" Mccoy says sarcastically. "You always though logic was the best basis on which to build command!" .. already busting his chops and he is just trying to repair the ship. Why?? They are immediately out to get him. I don't really think people would behave this way and would more likely at least attempt to stick together. Let's not forget they have already been on so many missions together. Would they not have at least a small amount of sympathy for each other? instead they are immediately at each others throats. The pattern of unreasonable behaviour to Spock continues through the episode, 4 . When the ship finally does reach orbit, everyone takes pot shots at Spock again. I find it poor writing that they wouldn't have at least one character be sympathetic to Spock. It would have made for more believability and more realism. Instead everyone seems to have the same opinion. I mean couldn't they have had the Yeoman stick up for him a little bit? 5. Eventually Spock does save the day twice, and ultimately makes the decision that leads to their rescue. Do they apologize for being total ass holes to Spock throughout the journey and show some gratitude for the difficult decisions he had to make? No. The episode ends with everyone laughing at him. (not just a few chuckles) literally the whole crew is doubled over in the most phony and forced laughter that I ever witnessed. Not only is this the pinnacle of cheese, but it just makes no sense. Of course it does make for great comedy to see such a poorly executed finale!
Alright I've vented enough! it was still fun, but man I cannot get why anyone would give this episode anything more than 6 out of 10. If all Star Trek episodes were this frustrating I definitely wouldn't have bought the season on DVD. Luckily many episodes are much more entertaining.
The Fountain (2006)
Almost really liked it
The story of a dying wife is often very emotional in nature. This is obvious. It also is the type of movie that I am already not partial to. However, the other elements of the film that I saw as flaws or felt were uncomplimentary to the film, took this from a possibly great film to an above average film. (note that I would consider going up to a 7 out of 10 maybe with another viewing.) One problem is that the non-linear story telling works for some films but didn't seem to pay off for this one. They accidentally created in the viewer too strong of a desire for their to be a tying together of these stories. Not to say that you couldn't figure out what the tie in was, but films create their own world of rules and it seemed that this world wanted to explain itself.
The story makes you want to think that this fascinating visual of a man floating through space is real. Then you begin to believe that this story is really just the novel the wife was writing .. (which the way the film was made, leaves that to be the only reasonable conclusion.) However then the film makes you doubt this yet again, and you think maybe this man in space is the future doctor that eventually fulfills the destiny of sacrificing himself to give re-birth and so on. It just ends up being ambiguous.
Ambiguity is great and I'm not one of these people who can't deal with things not being spelled out for me. However, the story does set you up to think that it will be explained where as if you contrast this with Kubrick's 2001 (where it was beautifully unexplained) but you weren't being set up to think that you were getting an explanation in that film.
The imagery of heaven, the symbols of ancient religion, references to the bible and other iconic stuff also annoyed me a bit. After watching I thought 'why do you need this garbage to tell a story?'. However then I thought how many people are conditioned to react to these images as though they automatically mean something deep and profound. So, I guess it makes sense but I didn't really like it.
In conclusion I still think the movie was interesting and thougth provoking. I find it funny how it provoked so many people to have a polarized view of it. This is an example of a film that made it difficult for you not to have an extreme opinion of it. I wanted to say "I absolutely loved it" then I wanted to say "I absolutely hated it" but ultimately I have to give it a 6 out of 10. wheeeww.. now I can get on with my life !!