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Reviews
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Those Old Scientists (2023)
Funny and great Lower Decks crossover
Unless you don't like Lower Decks, you should get a kick out of this episode. The 3D version of Boimler was just what you expect from Boimler. Same with Beckett. Their interactions with their SNW heroes were fun, and the animated endpiece was a hoot.
I've always been a fan of the funny episodes of Star Trek (all iterations - one of the many reasons I hate the gloomy Discovery so much, and enjoy Lower Decks). My favourite Trek episode is the DS9 Tribble episode. This one may be my second favourite. My husband and I laughed quite a bit.
It is obvious that the Lower Decks characters were animated to look much like the voice actors. I just wish I could have seen a live-action Rutherford (I enjoyed Cordero on Tacoma FD, and miss him)
My Christmas Hero (2023)
Cute Movie, but fraught with errors
I did like the showcasing of resources, sacrifices, and honor for the military, and liked seeing Ike from Tacoma FD starring in this movie set near Tacoma.
As someone who lived in Lacey for over 40 years, and has had access to JBLM and its medical facilities (Madigan Army Medical Center and McChord Medical Clinic, this movie's location elements made me cringe. There is no JBLM Medical Center, and Madigan, and its attached clinic, looks nothing like the facility shown. Also, the view of Mt. Rainier did not seem to match that from either Lacey or Madigan.
Additionally, all the snow shown on the ground at the Lacey event was so off from our weather. There is rarely any snow on the ground in December - if it arrives at all, it comes in January or February.
There were other issues re: historical timing and uniforms that grated (the upside-down rank on a soldier at the end really bothered my husband).
The Wylds (2010)
Family friendly light action movie with a message
How you feel about this film will greatly depend on what you are expecting. My husband and I enjoyed this a lot. This film does feel more like a Church Youth Group put it together for a project than a Hollywood blockbuster, so if you are expecting Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia, you will feel disappointed. The cinematography is well done. The special effects pale in comparison to a lot of the video games popular nowadays, but do a very good job of conveying their points. Some of the acting near the beginning feels miscast, and a bit stilted. However, the later scenes are definitely better.
This movie clearly indicates that it is inspired by John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," a very popular centuries-old Christian allegorical tale. If you were offended by the Christian message, the warning was there. I had just recently listened to an audio book of "Little Pilgrim's Progress," after attempting one of "The Pilgrim's Progress," that was too difficult to wade through (not sure if the prose or the reader was to blame), so I had a good idea of where the story was going. My husband was unfamiliar with the book's plot, but he appreciated the Christian symbolism. He said he nearly cried during the scene at the Cross.
Anyway, it is a good film for families. Non-Christians may prefer to watch it with Christian friends, especially those who have read "The Pilgrim's Progress," to help them better understand a few of the concepts. However, I think it does well as a standalone movie about a young person's journey - just don't expect Percy Jackson, Narnia, or Hogwarts!