5860backup Reviews

Firefly (2002–2003)

I liked the series when it aired but I LOVE IT ON DVD!

[23 June 2005]

When I watched the series in 2002 I was shocked and surprised when such a well written SF series jerked and stumbled along when it was aired, and truly perplexed when it was canceled. I love SF but as a rule I don't watch it in TV form because someone in the "TV world" decided (in 1966 I think) that SF is either saving the galaxy, weird aliens and or a twilight zone episode. So, I loved Firefly's dialog, ensemble cast, and the simple plot of the survival of ideals and friendship in a harsh world. And so now that Firefly has come to DVD and I can watch it in order and in it's totality I am really hooked. What really surprised me is that Firefly's dialog, timing, banter and use of a different dialect really works in defining a different but similar time and place to ours. It is also clear to see that the cast, the writers and their director have formed a real team that make this vision of people, not just of the future, work. Because no matter what a story is about, SF, fantasy, crime drama etc the people have to be real. Firefly and hopefully Serenity truly succeed in making the characters seem real, and so they provide a fascinating story that draws you in and keeps you hooked and caring about the story and the characters.

Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

One of my all time favorites

[8/10 · 11 January 2005]

I am one of the few who saw this on the big screen TWICE when it opened. This is the movie I would take to the desert island, which miraculously has electricity a big screen and a DVD player. This is one of those rare films where every single character, no matter how minor, has a major impact on the hero and the plot. This film is also rare because the Lion's share of the funny and insightful dialogue belongs to the minor characters and not the protagonists. You have to love a movie where a luggage salesman is a major plot milestone. Ossie Davis is excellent as the wise Limo driver, Lloyd Bridges is hilarious, Tom Hanks is of course everyman, and Meg Ryan, in one of her funniest roles, is actually "every woman". "You know, the first time I saw you I thought that I had seen you before." A witty hero is commonplace and witty cast is truly memorable.

The movie is probably too allegorical for most tastes, but this is a great tale about a character afraid of life, afraid of that next step, who finds his courage and puts his foot forward again.

All in all this is one of the best kinds of movies, Funny and Hopeful.

Foyle's War (2002–2015)

Excellent Historical Mystery

[4 January 2005]

I have never been one for the sort of "crime drama" which is popular in the US. But I am a big fan of mysteries. In the past few years I have really become involved with historical mysteries and this seems to be one of the best. Notice history comes first - mystery second. Solving the crime though central to the plot of the Foyle's War stories it is not the key. The important part revealing how people "back then" felt about and reacted to what was going on. I think Foyle's War does an excellent job. You can feel the tension and weariness about the war. I also liked that though the various characters try to justify their actions because "there's a war on" you can tell that internally they know what they are dong is wrong or right. Though Kitchen and cast do an excellent job bringing out these feelings and ideas without words and without over acting, I think we also have to give credit to the Director and the cinematographers.

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

I truly enjoyed it. What do you people expect?

[9/10 · 28 December 2004]

For those of you without a clue, Phantom of the Opera is a movie musical, not a translation of the Koran or the Bible. It is thoroughly enjoyable. The singing, editing and cinematography is two orders of magnitude better than in Chicago, which was an Oscar nominee and winner. The cinematography, art direction, and costuming was excellent. This is an opera, so like it or not, the acting and storyline are Operatic, and equal to anything of it's genre. This was an excellent film and worth paying full price to see twice and buy the DVD when it comes. I actually thought it was better than the musical, which I saw on Broadway, mainly because the story played out better and was more understandable and less "mysterious". Of course Michael Crawford put on a better performance but with his training and experience he should. I encourage you to spend $10 and two hours of time on this movie, not invest your life savings.

Earthsea (2004–2005)

Good, but could have been better

[7/10 · 15 December 2004]

I enjoyed the movie. The books the movie was based on were excellent. The acting was very good. Especially Danny Glover and Isabella Rossalini. But the flow of the plot was choppy at best. The "visions" of the two main protagonists didn't give us a basis for the attraction and trust at the end. Why were the "nameless one's" such a big deal? And the main plot of the books, Ged's struggle to know himself and defeat the "Gebbeth", was almost lost. Then there is my pet peeve as a long time sailor. In a movie that takes place on a world of Sea and Islands why were the sailing craft so poorly done? I did not see a single ship or boat with any standing rigging to support the masts. And I never saw enough wind at any time during the show to push a boat, all the sails were limp. The wind in an archepelago would be very strong. I have to say that I really did like the sets, costuming, and special effects (other than the boats). So many Fantasy and SF films over do these items to the extent that they are a joke.

Earthsea (2004–2005)

Good, but could have been better

[7/10 · 15 December 2004]

I enjoyed the movie. The books the movie was based on were excellent. The acting was very good. But the flow of the plot was choppy at best. The "visions" of the two main protagonists didn't give us a basis for the attraction and trust at the end. Why were the "nameless one's" such a big deal? And the main plot of the books, Ged's struggle to know himself and defeat the "Gebbeth", was almost lost. Then there is my pet peeve as a long time sailor. In a movie that takes place on a world of Sea and Islands why were the sailing craft so poorly done? I did not see a single ship or boat with any standing rigging to support the masts. And I never saw enough wind at any time during the show to push a boat, all the sails were limp. The wind in an archepelago would be very strong. I have to say that I really did like the sets, costuming, and special effects (other than the boats). So many Fantasy and SF films over do these items to the extent that they are a joke.