The Triumphant Return of a Sci-Fi Legend

Author’s Note: Originally written on Thursday, May 7th, 2009

(Left to Right) Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, John Cho, and Zoe Saldaña in Star Trek

Rating: A-

I’d like to start this review off by saying I am not the most knowledgeable of Star Trek fans. I only occasionally have watched the original show, and the only film of that series I find enjoyable as a film is The Wrath of Khan. This being said, I do know enough about the series to have understood much of the in-jokes used throughout the film. This will sway my bias on the film slightly, but there is enough balance in the film that I can review its merits as a film, as well as its merits in the Star Trek universe. Also, I’m not going to explain too much in the way of plot, as most probably know the general outline, ad I want to get straight to the review.

What makes the Star Trek series so perfect for a reboot is the fact that it has the ability to stay true to the source material while creating a unique story for its characters. This is what has been done here. This isn’t the same Star Trek story that was told 40 years ago. This is a new, fresh story, and yet it is undeniably familiar, and undeniably Star Trek.

Journalism and Political Conspiracies and Jason Bateman! Oh My!

Author’s Note: Originally written on Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck in State of Play
Starring:
Russell Crowe
Ben Affleck
Rachel McAdams
Helen Mirren
Jason Bateman

Rating: B+

Based on a 2003 BBC mini-series, State of Play is everything a political-thriller should be. It has its fair share of twists and it is constantly throwing information at the viewer, but not so much that it becomes too confusing or difficult to enjoy.

It’s Watchmen, but it’s not Watchmen

Author’s Note: Originally written on Sunday, March 8th, 2009:

Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach in Watchmen

Rating: C+

As a fan of the graphic novel — one of the finest pieces of literature I’ve read — I was incredibly skeptic as to if Watchmen could be transitioned well onto the silver-screen, and this film did nothing to initiate a change of heart. It’s sad, because there is so much here, so many possibilities — pieces of a puzzle — that ultimately, don’t come together as they should, leaving you to connect with it solely on an aesthetic level.