randomxjp Reviews

Prey (I) (2022)

Modern take on Predator

[7/10 · 5 August 2022]

I liked this Predator movie. More nuanced than other offerings in the franchise, it starts slow, and paints a picture of life in approximate balance with nature.

As others have mentioned the cinematography is excellent in presenting a near idyllic setting. It almost has a natural history documentary vibe to it. We see the hunters and their prey in their natural environments. As the nature and effectiveness of each hunter / prey / hunter encounter escalates, and various characters encounter each other you can almost hear the David Attenborough narration.

Some have commented negatively about the "Woke" agenda, however, I felt it was handled in a fairly balanced way. Very much a Predator movie of our time, and to remake the "macho" original would have been unwatchable today.

The predator is slightly different from what we are used to... Reminded me of the Ood from Dr Who.

Watch it and make up your own mind.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Top Cinema experience...

[10/10 · 29 July 2022]

I really enjoyed this movie. It was worth waiting for, and worth watching on the big screen.

As sequels go I found it to be pretty much on point, with good connection to both the original movie and the real-world industry and individuals involved in making it.

As modern movies go, I enjoyed the various nods to other movies, including (but not limited to) "I'll just call you Bob", and "the mission" itself. (Some reviewers have indicated they don't like this, so decide for yourself).

The effort related to cinematically capturing the real flight sequences comes through, real G-forces, real reactions and (mostly?) real maneuvers.

Enjoy.

Reacher (2022– )

Head and shoulders above Tom...

[9/10 · 20 July 2022]

It just had to be said really. Even Tom can't "Act tall". Reacher's physical presence was a key element in the original writing, and forms part of his character. You can't get that from wearing lifts, or standing on a box... Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movies, but they didn't quite make it to the top shelf in terms of casting.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: A Quality of Mercy (2022) Season 1, Episode 10

Now you have to rewatch "the original series" too...

[9/10 · 14 July 2022]

Nostalgic episode? ABSOLUTELY! And it might also remind you why you got into Star Trek (the original series) all those years ago.. (during 80s re-runs, and the first Movies in my case).

This episode should make you want to watch, or re-watch the original episode, and gain a full appreciation of how ground-breaking it was 50 plus years ago!

When you do you will also realise a basic problem with this episode, with an easy casting fix... Kirk could. Have. Been. A. lot. More like. The iconic. Original... (if you know what I'm hinting at), possibly even borrow Chris Pine for a guest slot? Or another actor who can play Captain Shatner.. the way Kirk would have done. (yes, i switched that on purpose). Even borrowing the new Sarek could have really worked too, in honour of Mark Lenard. (this missed opportunity in casting costs this episode 1 point)

I hope the next season continues to celebrate both iconic Trek, and other classics of the genre.., though i do hope we actually get to see some "strange NEW worlds" too!

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Elysian Kingdom (2022) Season 1, Episode 8

Feel cheated

[1/10 · 23 June 2022]

Waste of a compelling (medical) story arc, that could have been developed into something really enjoyable. Instead you wait a week for the next episode and you get this...!

At least release a "good" episode at the same time, so we don't feel completely let down...

Eternals (2021)

Difficult to review.

[2/10 · 19 February 2022]

It's not up the standard of other MCU movies and feels like it would be more at home in the DC universe, for more than just a couple of reasons.

Lacking character development, you simply don't get a sense of the vast lifespans and scope of the story.

It's difficult the reconcile with the established MCU narrative. Though the Shrek cameo is entertaining... 😜

Skylines (2020)

No interest in seeing it through

[3/10 · 21 March 2021]

Mentally switched off after 15 minutes, and actually switched off about half way through. Complete disinterest in the characters, or their fate. There are some very capable actors here, who all deserve a better script and better direction..

2036 Origin Unknown (2018)

Never was a director more aptly named...

[3/10 · 28 May 2020]

You'll probably watch this because Netflix will advertise it after you watched something else that was sci-fi-ish, and mainly because you saw "Starbuck" on the title page. You will be disappointed. Katee's talents are squandered in this 95 minute film that could have been condensed in a very satisfying 20 minute short. Instead it is a very Dullul Movie. Borrowing from classics in the genre, like 2001 and Terminator, but stretched thin by poorly executed CGI sequences in place of the ground-breaking practical effects that made the originals stand out in their time, it brings nothing new. I have no spoilers to offer, you have already seen them in other movies made over the previous 50 years...

Star Trek: Picard: Stardust City Rag (2020) Season 1, Episode 5

Strange new worlds

[8/10 · 22 February 2020]

We got a ship at the end of the third episode, and in episode 4 the story actually started its Trek through the Stars. Now we are finally visiting strange new worlds... or are we? Every seems somehow familiar with inspirations taken from the other TV and films that you probably also like - if you are a fan of the genre...

This episode draws heavily from Bladerunner, and from Tron Legacy (or is it the Matrix trilogy) for the setting of "FREECLOUD". (this name is lacking in imagination, though it was clearly neither "free" nor a "cloud")

The ship remains non-descript. Though the name, "La Sirena" sounds reminiscent of "Serenity", a thinly veiled tribute to the "Firefly" series perhaps. And a crew of holograms, yes there is a ST: Voyager link, but done this way it is as much homage to the British series Red Dwarf, or maybe Andromeda? "La Sirena" translates as "Mermaid", or maybe more meaningfully "Siren"? (Psirens was an episode of Red Dwarf too) perhaps this is a hint at where the slowly building plot is taking us..? (which may also be inspired by Firefly?)

Other reviewers have already noted various references to Han Solo/Malcolm Reynolds, Legolas/Elrond, the Magnificent 7 cast build-up, "Rangers" (maybe Lord of the Rings, maybe Babylon 5!) The question is what next?

Now we have a choice. Do we accept this ever more blatant borrowing from other movies and TV, or by opposing will we end it? thats up to you.

Think about it this way. Since Star Trek began the world has drawn heavily from from it. "Communicators", "digital assistants" for turning on lights, and more recently "replicators"... I think its ok to have a little give and take.

On another note, great to see that the "ensemble cast" seems to be starting to enjoy themselves a little in this episode. Though perhaps Patrick Stewart shouldn't relax too much...

I hope that is not the last we see of Seven.

Star Trek: Picard: Stardust City Rag (2020) Season 1, Episode 5

Not so strange new worlds???

[8/10 · 21 February 2020]

Not so strange new worlds???

We got a ship at the end of the third episode, and in episode 4 the story actually started its Trek through the Stars. Now we are finally visiting strange new worlds... or are we?

The game here is to spot the references and inspirations taken from the other TV and films that you probably also like - as a fan of the genre...

This episode draws heavily from Bladerunner, and from Tron Legacy (or is it the Matrix trilogy) for the setting of "FREECLOUD". (this name is lacking in imagination, though it was clearly neither "free" nor a "cloud")

The ship remains non-descript. Though the name, "La Sirena" sounds reminiscent of "Serenity", a thinly veiled tribute to the "Firefly" series perhaps. And a crew of holograms, yes there is a ST: Voyager link, but done this way it is as much homage to the British series Red Dwarf, or maybe Andromeda? "La Sirena" translates as "Mermaid", or maybe more meaningfully "Siren"? (Psirens was an episode of Red Dwarf too) perhaps this is a hint at where the slowly building plot is taking us..? (which may also be inspired by Firefly?)

Other reviewers have already noted various references to Han Solo/Malcolm Reynolds, Legolas/Elrond, the Magnificent 7 cast build-up, "Rangers" (maybe Lord of the Rings, maybe Babylon 5!) The question is what next?

Now we have a choice. Do we accept this ever more blatant borrowing from other movies and TV, or by opposing will we end it? thats up to you.

Think about it this way. Since Star Trek began the world has drawn heavily from from it. "Communicators", "digital assistants" for turning on lights, and more recently "replicators"... I think its ok to have a little give and take.

On another note, great to see that the "ensemble cast" seems to be starting to enjoy themselves a little in this episode. Though perhaps Patrick Stewart shouldn't relax too much... I hope that is not the last we see of Seven.

Star Trek: Picard: Absolute Candor (2020) Season 1, Episode 4

boldly going in random directions

[6/10 · 14 February 2020]

The existential pain of living with the consciousness that new Trek is not what you hoped it would be.

Four episodes in and the characters seem to be beaming in from other franchises. Possibly trying to create a dysfunctional Star Trek Firefly crossover feel...?

Do we really need to have a Romulan Jar Jar Binks sliding across the floor in his socks? Or an attack of the drunk hologram clones, with subtitles in the middle of the battle sequence?

Forced "clever" dialogue, not even technobabble, to explain obscure story elements, or provide psuedo character development. There's no warmth.

JL, really? not buying it. the "F" word, for no reason? moody emo teenager-esq captain? too many hollow-grams? even the ship design is lacking character. boldly going in random directions...

At least we have Patrick Stewart.

The Big Bang Theory: The Raiders Minimization (2013) Season 7, Episode 4

Makes you watch "Raiders" more closely...

[9/10 · 17 January 2020]

Amy is wrong... "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is about how Indy saves Hilter!

Assuming the Nazis find the head-piece, the map room, and the Well of Souls, without Indy's involvement, they were going to fly the Ark directly to Berlin, where they would open it in front of the Führer. Hitler would have been killed, and WWII averted...