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Sparkle: A Unicorn Tale (2023)
Worth watching
This movie caught my eye and is worth watching because I like stories about Unicorns and it has Jessica Green in it. Jessica Green has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen and she is a fascinating actor. I try to find and see every movie or TV series she appears in. That alone is a reason for me to watch this movie. She was in the CW network sword and sorcery show The Outpost and I found that she was the main reason to watch this show. Since then I have searched for other sightings of her, the last I saw she was in FBI International. I am also seeing that she is in the latest Matt dAMON FILM, aIR.
As for the movie, it is a great coming of age story and features as its main animal creature, a unicorn. The special effects with its horn, I found magical.
This is a great children's movie and it worth a view on a winters afternoon. I recommend it for kids that love unicorns, horses and pot belly pigs.
I. hope this movie does well and that we see more movies with Jessica Green and she has a great movie career like Meg Foster.
Ahsoka (2023)
This is what Star Wars was always meant to be!
I loved watching Clone Wars and the special recorded sessions with Dave Filoni and his sessions learning Star Wars from the master, George Lucas. Dave Filoni has a special relationship with Star Wars and every episode of Clone Wars and Rebels shows his reverence for the legend. Out of this Ahsoka was established as a character who grew in stature with each season and fate caused her to strike out on her own and we learn her master Anakin was important in training her to survive order 66. What is so special about this show is that through the direction of Dave Filoni, Rosario Dawson has become the living embodiment of Ahsoka from the animated series. She plays this character so well, with the maturity you expect of an older, wiser Ahsoka. What just fills my chest with excitment is how Dave Filoni has brought to life the other characters as well from his "cat" to Sabine Wren to Hera Syndulla. They were all I could wish for. The show also brings in other characters and I find them as compelling to watch and learn who they are. This show is what I have been wishing what the last Star Wars trilogy should have been. It is not just the characters, it is the world building, the ships, the tech, the entire Star Wars galaxy like George Lucas meant it to be. Dave Filoni has learned what George Lucas envisioned for Star Wars, not only the story line but what he wanted it to grow and progress into for the future. He wanted the stories to grow and use the studio tech to tell a story of a galaxy far, far away. I am excited by Ahsoka and what it means for the future of Star Wars. Thank you Dave Filoni.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
This movie should have a higher score!
I have seen this movie many times. I do not know why this more does not have a higher score. I has good acting, a great story, beautiful cinematography, and a good score. I always enjoy watching Antonio Bandaras in the lead role. The story written by Michal Chriton is quite intriguing. Being historical fiction based upon the fife of a middle eastern diplomat and the norse saga of Beowulf.
It starts out as an intriguing mystery with a supernatural qualities which as they find out more facts all become explainable. It also is a great norse battle movie. It is based in hisotry. Michael Chriton always entertains me and his stories are never lame.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
I have raised my rating after Rings of Power
After watching Rings of Power, I have new appreciation for Peter Jackson's work. This work always has translated JRR Tolkien's vision of the characters and the book. It also reproduced the Hildebrand art work that was approved by the Tolkien estate and which grew to be synonymous with this work in my mind. They superbly casted all of the characters. The direction and the story boarding of the movie reflects and respects what was happening in the books perfectly in my mind. I was completely satisfied at the end of this move. So much so, that I went to the opening midnight showings of all of the following 3 movies.
It must be said that Rings of Power had cinematography and costumes that rivaled the Peter Jackson work, but without the superior interpretation of the original material it is an inferior work.
I may sound harsh in this review, but I read the Lord of the Rings on my own while an undergrad going to college. I did this because I understood that JRR Tolkien was writing and creating a new piece of mythology like those that have come down through the ages in a writing style befitting such a work. It is a great allegorical story for his time and is worth reading and understanding lest we forget the lessons of the past.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Alloyed (2022)
This series is an abomination
After watching this last episode, this entire series perverts all body of work by JRR Tolkien. This can only be some story that has been written for another formula TV show then adapted into the Tolkien world. After watching this mess, I am so offended by what they have done. This is now an alternate work and should not have no reference to Tolkien, the story has been so perverted. No wonder they paid 250 Million for the rights. At this point, someone from the Tolkien estate should sue Amazon. I do not understand how this could be made, changing the basic original work of the author. I read the.trilogy, the hobbit and the Silmarillion while in college. They were as a whole, a great piece of literature, a new legend of our time written in classic style. The estate should have never sold the rights, because this destroys the JRR Tolkein legacy and spits on what he was trying to do.
The Orville: Domino (2022)
All season 3 leads up to this!
This was the best episode of season 3. The only downside is to thoroughly appreciate this episode, you have to watch parts of season 2 and all of season 3 up to this point. What I found most intriguing is that a character that I thoroughly detested from the first episode of season 3, I found myself so thoroughly impressed with at the end of this episode. That I was manipulated by little scenes meant to tug on deep seated threads to endear this character to me in each of the previous 8 episodes, I found that I totally did not mind. The moral of the story is that you have to have great writing to make a great TV series.
I personally feel this show is an example of what great television should aspire to be. There was a social message in each episode, but it made a point of presenting the con with the pro. That is took 9 episodes plus to present an overall message is masterful and not a weakness. It shows that Seth MacFarland and Breandon Braga et. Al. Kept their eye on the ball and knew where they wanted to end up is what makes this show a good investment of time. I want there to be more episodes of Orville, but after this show, if that is not to be, this show has had its opus and can stand on its own as one of the great SciFi series in pop culture and TV history.
Halo (2022)
I love this series
I LOVE THIS SERIES. I am a casual video game player, so I do not compare any video game to any movie. I am familiar with the overall Halo timeline. This movie addresses that time line and turns it into a living breathing world. I really loved how they introduced Master Chief into the episode. I started yelling at the screen "Its Master Chief, Master Chief, MASTER CHIEF." The TV show, shows the Covenant warrior and are the best I have seen in all the Halo Movies that I have watched. I must have seen at least five Halo movies, including the Halo animated anthology and I loved all of them. The last one I saw was with Dolph Lundgren and used my high school german to understand what was going on, because the German version was all that I had access to. I do not care about what the special effects look like in any of these products, I am only interested in the story line. If they do a great job on visual effects, that is icing on the cake. I only have eyes for Master Chief and the over arcing Halo story. This series hits upon all of the plot elements that I love about Halo. The vision of the producers on the screen is the best that I have seen so far. I do not want this product to die on the vine, but for them to continue to make more video products. What it seems that some viewers forget or never realize, it takes great effort to create shows like Halo. You can criticize and complain about the final product, but these people had the will and fortitude to finish production and and gathered all the money and resources to complete the project. In my opinion this was a worthy endeavor and I will watch ever episode of this series, as I will watch and all productions that use Halo as its storyline basis. This is the best that I have seen in 30+ years of watching Halo productions.
Iron Will (1994)
This is one of my favorite movies
This is one of my favorite movies to watch when I am in need of inspiration. It is a well written script. Kevin Spacey makes the movie work and he plays a newspaper reporter that needs a big story to return to big home city of his paper. The great Brian Cox plays the evil capitalist railroad tycoon and makes you hate and despise his character to great effect. The wonderful late David Ogden Stiers plays Cox's competitor tycoon with great compassion that was a hallmark of his acting. McKenzie Astin plays the titular role, IronWill and does a more than adequate job at it. To tell you what this movie is about, you only need to hear Kevin Spacey's character's newspaper dispatches that only Kevin Space could so effectively deliver, "Dateline: The Canadian Wilderness -- At a time that the heart of this nation cries out for heroes, remember that there is a boy out there, an American boy racing against man, against nature, against time with his mother's fruit cake and a homemade whistle and a spirit that speaks of the truest American ideals. So when you read this name, remember it, Remember the name... Iron Will."
So next time you are in need to watch a well acted insiring movie. Watch his movie about a boy "nourished only by his mother's fruit cake... [who} carries a hand carved whistle from which emanates a melody, that people have taken to calling Will's tune."
I had forgotten to mention, Charles Haid directed this movie. He is one of my favorite actors from the police drama series, HILL STREET BLUES. Also worth a watch are fellow Hill Street alum and director, Betty Thomas.
Reacher (2022)
Best New TV Show
This is the best new TV show that I have seen is the last 12 months. The action and suspense is non-stop and a lot of people end up dead, many of whom I really like the characters and the actors that played them.. Because of the I was on pins and needles, because I did not want to see some of the characters to end up dead and that suspense was intense for me to the very last action sequence.
What I found refreshing is that this is a story about a red blooded American hero with traditional values of honor and honesty. The development of these tradition values is told in childhood flashbacks. That is part of the reason I liked the show.
The cast is excellent, which is why I grew attached to some of the characters. If you watch the show, you will see what I mean. For instance I instantly fell is love.with Kristink Kreuk and Lara Jean Chorostecki and even though I am a fan of his, Bruce McGill did an excellent job of playing the money grubbing Mayor/2nd Police Chief. I instantly hated his character, he was that good at playing that role.
If you do not mind graphic violence, I highly recommend this movie.
Cowboy Bebop: Callisto Soul (2021)
This was a great episode,
This episode actually a great episode. Adrienne Brabeau was perfectly cast as the eco-terrorist Mother Musdock. I was thoroughly entertained by. Miranda Daughtry and Zane Flemming as two of the. Space Warriors siblings. I was so entranced by Daughtry that I wanted to find out where I saw her before and discovered that sh is a relative newcomer to the screen. I talked to other friends and they looked for her other roles and were surprised by the results. I found the Murdocks hilarious. The music was.well done and that also added to the experience. Sine episode 2, this is my favorite episode so far.
Cowboy Bebop: Dog Star Swing (2021)
The story develops further...
This episodes pushes the story line further. It introduces the actress that plays Jet's daughter and introduces Ein. It also end with Ein being guaranteed a bed on the Bebop. I continue to love the soundtrack music that is play sub-loco in the background. This is very well sound mixed. I love episodes that let you hear what people what are saying rather than having the sound track drown them out. The music is there loud enough to create the mood for the scene. The story continues to develop the past history of Vicious and Spike, something that was missing in the Anime, but did not detract from the Anime. This episode is a must watch to understand and further the emotional impact of the final episode.
Cowboy Bebop: Venus Pop (2021)
The second episode was better than the first.
The second episode was better than the first. I had read the reviews and I disagree. I think that the anime is the best anime series ever created because of the original music and sound track,the voice acting, the story lines, the visuals and the character development. Episode 2 of this series has various visual elements that are reminiscent of the anime, which I appreciate, but the story lines are similar and yet different. This really makes for a new and exciting show. John Cho and the actor that plays Jet really have chemistry and if I close my eyes, it is the same Jet from the anime series. The music is what really wins me over. The opening theme over the credits which are reminiscent of the anime made my heart swell. I loved the visuals and the musical sound track again reminiscent of the anime. The floating islands on Venus really tickled me. The street visuals pulled from the anime were another visual treat. The interaction and screen chemistry between Spike and Jet really is enjoyable. And,as I wrote earlier, the plots are the same, yet different. I was ready to be disappointed by the second episode, but instead I loved this series even more. I have to thank all that put this series together. I am looking forward to episode 3.
Cowboy Bebop (2021)
This is more than a decent effort.
I am glad I saw this episode before looking at the reviews. I really liked the effort that was put in the first episode. The music, the visuals and the acting all brought the anime to into mind. I really like John Cho in this role, but I have yet to see anything that I did not like that he was in. The actor that played Jet captured the essence of the role, and the actress that played Faye Valentine was more that adequate in her role. You should not go into this with expectations. I for one was impressed by what they achieved and it was a good time well spent. I am glad I watched this. I will see if the series holds up over the long haul, but after the first episode, I give it a 9.
The Blacklist: Konets (2021)
A fitting end to Season 8
Since I have read so much SciFi, Robert Heinlein, I remain in the camp that Red is Liz's Mother. After watching the episode, all I can write is to paraphrase "the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." (Steinbeck)
The acting by James Spder was so perfect. I really felt his tiredness of life and his hopes for the future. His last line of the episode were delivered so perfectly, which he repeated on screen, it was heartbreaking. Watch this show with an eye on Spader and hopefully you will see an actor artfully convey emotion, angst and a person that is at peace with his final moments.
The Blacklist: The Protean (No. 36) (2021)
James Spder is a great actor
James Spader is a great actor. He really did an excellent job from beginning to end. The bingo scene was excellent and perfectly done and the end of the show phone conversation was perfect. I really felt the pathos in Reds voice.
The writers are doing a disservice to Keen. She is written to be so clueless and stupid, she lets her whole team die. Then she lets her sister die. She should have rendered first aid. Instead she lets her sister bleed out. She has not learned a thing from Red. At this point, I hope keen dies in the end. Dembe will raise her daughter and teach her how to survive as they ride into the sunset. That would be the best ending of this series. There is no redeeming Elizabeth Keen's character and she is too stupid to survive once Red is gone from her life. I am just watching the show because of James Spader's portrayal of a total sociopath, which he does so well. Lately, he has out done himself. He deserves recognition for all of the effort I have seen and greatly appreciate this season. I also think that Harry Lennix deserves to be noted for his acting in this episode. He and Jimmy played off of each other perfectly.
The Blacklist: Anne (2021)
James Spader's acting is inspired.
It seems that as Blacklist winds down, James Spader is drawing from a well for his inspired acting in the series. I was really amazed by his acting in episode 6 of this season, but this episode is the best so far this season and could easily be the best of the the entire series. The James Spader I saw in this episode was the same that I saw.20 to 25 years ago. He was passionate and inspired and fun and joyful and fearful and determined and angry and heart felt sad in this episode. He conveyed through his every action, body position and facial feature these reactions to the audience. The script did help bring this about, but I have watched a lot of Spader over the decades that this was something very special. I really liked what I saw and it made me feel young again. I guess that is what love does to people. I wish I had the words to describe what this episode Idid for me. He is an amazing actor.
The writing and direction and sound mixing were as top notch as I have grown to expect from The Blacklist, but this was a great view. I do not know how Spader is going to top this, but I am not going to sell him short. I now want to see how he brings his acting skills all to the very end. This was a 10 out of 10 episode.
Debris: Supernova (2021)
Debris of the week...
The show continues with its "Debris" of the week format. This time, the debris they recover does not make sense and the story line is starting to become ridiculous. The debris reverses aging. Why would this be needed on an alien ship, when they have suspended animation technology. Okay, maybe the people that stay awake on the ship to fly it through vast stretches of the cosmos may benefit, but this debris of the week is starting to wear thin. The actors that played the young kids were good in their roles and I liked their deliveries, especially the two young men and the writing I found quote worthy.
I did get an emotional lift when the CIA agent informed the MI6 agent of what he knew about her father. But, at the same time Norbert Butz's character's character was called into question by the MI6 agent. Well, if Norbert's character is working for the enemy, then this show really stinks in that it makes the only actor that I can relate to, the villain. There is already very little here for keeping me tuning in each week. The CIA agent says that Norbert cannot be a traitor, so there is hope.
Debris: Earthshine (2021)
The episodes are improving
This episode to me has the best acting so far with a lot happening. The Debris of the week is a piece that works as a pair. The CIA/MI6 team figures out that it is a transportation device and they figure out that they are going to transport a huge portion of Manhattan, though we have no idea why. Norbert Leo Butz finally makes it into the field and Fringe alumni, Sebastian Roche makes it into this episode. With both of these guys putting in solid acting, it gives me hope that the series will last beyond episode 13. It is clear that the opposition team knows more of what the Debris is about and they have a clear goal. I have no clue what is going on in that department. What is clear is that both the CIA and MI6 do not trust each other and are not sharing information, yet both sides knows information that the other side is trying to keep secret from each other. I was surprised at my reaction to one of the team getting shot, which made me realize that I am desperate to find something that I can latch on to, to like this show., even if it is a minor support character. I still think that Leo Butz and now Roche will make the episodes much more palatable in terms of the acting. I really want this show to succeed.
Debris: In Universe (2021)
The science of the debris still has me hooked.
In this episode the latest debris has the effect of adapting people to a hostile environment, though I have to agree why the humans were converted to chlorine breathers has me stumped. People are saying the the transformation happens too quickly, but we have seen how time works differently for the effects of the debris. What looks to be seconds can be days to weeks to months in the person affected versus the observer in our time line frame of reference. What the episode shows is that other debris collected can help manage the effects of new debris found. The debris that is used to help put the victims of the newest debris survive past the transformation looks like the debris from the first pilot episode, which in that episode put people into a state of suspended animation and made them appear dead.
As for the comment that the antagonists seem to be using the debris in more interesting ways rings true, since it is one of the protagonist's father that is helping them, the scientist that seems to know the most about what the debris from the ship is all about. I am starting to also see that this show is not going to end up being about "debris," but about the original ship and the debris from a single ship has to stop falling to earth. There is only so much debris. The only solution to that would be if other ships start to show up, break up and raining debris on earth. Then the question would be if the ships are from the same space faring race or species and if different, it makes it a nightmare to catalog and figure out the technology. We do not even know what the builders of the ships look like. Art they "greys" or reptillians or insectoids or octopods or something else? If there are multiple races and ships, are they at war with one another? If they are at war, then that would make sense as debris from battle wreckage will continue to rain down on earth. Then all sorts of questions open up and the direction of the show can go in multiple directions.
I have to agree with the other reviewers, that the acting and character development is not there for the two protagonists in the field. I am hoping that. Norbert Leo Butz can save the show...
Debris: Pilot (2021)
People are not paying attention...
I find it disappointing that people are bored by this TV show to the point where they do not pay attention to what is happening. I have read review after review about the TV series describing the first episode saying that they are disappointed by all of the dead bodies floating around. Well, if you watch to the very end, the people are not dead and they stop levitating and fall onto their slabs then get up off of them. So, if people do not watch to the end and note that scene, it is obvious that the TV show has long lost its audience by the end of the episode.
I am completely fascinated by the premise of the story and fascinated by the debris. What I fear is that the show has already lost its audience. This is a slow ponderous TV series. It is suppose to make you think. People are finding it painful to watch. I am not one of them, but then I have a PhD in pathology. I use to study dead people. What more can I say....
The debris in the opening of the show, shows that it has some sort of transportation technology element. I am not sure of what use the second bit of debris has. It seems to have the ability to put people into a suspended state. Maybe it was used to put the passengers into storage. The science in the TV show is fascinating.
When I tried to discuss this episode with my friend, he found it boring. He would rather talk to me about how Moscovium 115 was harvested from alien spacecraft and used to construct stealth aircraft since the 1950's. I told him that element 115 is radioactive and only made in atomic colliders. He tells me that aliens have been making or mining stable element 115 and using it in their spacecraft for thousands of years. He finds "Debris," boring because it is based too much on what is happening all around us every day.
Debris (2021)
Fascinating premise...
There is an opening text sequence that introduces the show. When I first described the show from this text to a friend, I told him that it was about an alien spacecraft that traversed our solar system for 6 months, then broke up in space and debris rained down on earth. He asked "what was the ship?" I replied that it was an extra-solar system artifact, like Oumuamua. Without missing a beat, he said, "yeah, I heard that they thought that it was a spaceship, but I did not hear that it broke up in space as it passed the sun and I did not hear that pieces of it fell to earth Why aren't they studying the pieces that fell to earth." "No, it is a fictional TV story" I replied. He replied, "But you said that it was based upon Oumuamua. I don't get it."
I do not know if this show stands a chance with a response like that. What became obvious to me was that my friend thinks that it is nothing exciting about an alien spacecraft entering the solar system and exiting. I think that they are saying that it was an asteroid of extra-solar origin. But the bottom line is that with people like my friend that believes that it is an impossibility of life not existing on other worlds, it is only an eventuality that we get proof of life and shows like Debris is "boring." He finds the clockwork launching every week and a half by SpaceX of Starlink satellites has trivialized space launches as they are now routine.
I agree that they could have picked a better starting cast. The only actor that I had previous viewing time with was Norbert Leo Butz, who I find is for me the anchor of the show. I looked up Jonathan Tucker and found that I have watched him in many series as recurring characters, like Justified, but I did not think to ever look him up until now. None of the other cast at first glance, do I have any idea of their past work. Hopefully, the cast will perform and grow on me. For now, I am watching the show because of the primary premise of the show. The special effects are awesome. I just hope the show gets time to capture an audience. If it does not, it is because the show should have been aired years ago to be groundbreaking, not something that people think is about insignificant current events. "Alien space debris falling to earth, happens all the time. Boring..."
Debris: Solar Winds (2021)
This concepts explored made this the best episode so far.
This episode has the atmosphere of the movie, "Arrival." What I found fascinating was the exploration of multiple dimensions. If they exist, why can we not see evidence of them. Theoretically, we cannot see them, because our senses are made only for a 4 dimensional world. This theory was first explored in depth in the 19th century piece of fiction named "Flatworld" by Edwin Abbott Abbott. Where the Debris comes into play is that they are implying that the beings that created and used the ship that became debris were inter-dimensional travelers. The ship traverses and the beings are in another dimension where time is slowed. That would mean that the vastness of space and the time needed to travel it becomes not a problem. I find that all very fascinating and I think the show explored it. This is the most fascinating episode so far. The concepts are very exciting to me. It also brings about the question, how did the ship get out in outer space if you can use the technology to traverse time and space on earth. Also, the episode implies that the technology would only work going forward in time, though it would seem like no time has passed or that decades have passed, depending upon your control. That is what the closing scene shows, that you can travel instantaneously. The implications are fascinating and it explains why the governments of the world want to unlock the technology of the "Debris." .
Walker (2021)
Chuck Norris is so tuough...
Chuck Norris is so tough... that he created a legend. This new new Cordell is a wimp. I want the 42 minutes back that I wasted watching the first episode.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)
I have watched this series once a year from beginning to end for two decades...
It is 2020 when I am writing this review. I have the complete DVD collection of this series and I watch every episode from beginning to end at least once a year for the past 20 years. There is no other TV series that I continue to do this. It is the only one that I can watch over and over and still find it fresh and pertinent. There are only a handful of episodes that I find that I have to struggle to get through. It is the only TV series that has this distinction in my life. I find that fact as amazing as this TV series.
There are so many reasons to watch this series, but it is mostly the compelling stories that I find so pertinent in telling and educating people about the human condition. It tells stories of love, hate, war, war crimes, death, honor, religion, survival, bravery, cowardice, race, sexual identity, politics, prejudice, and the list goes on and on.
The most memorable and meaningful to life captured in episodes to me are: The Visitor, Far Beyond the Stars, Duet, Progress, In the Pale Moonlight, The Seige of ARR 558, Homefront I and II, It is only a Paper Moon, Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges, The Wire, Past Tense I & II, Nor the Battle to the Strong, Rejoined, A Simple Investigation.
Every episode advances the arc of the series, except for The Little Ship. Every year I watch the series, I find more meaning in the plot lines, messages and dialog.
I recommend this series over anything else that has been created to date in the world of Star Trek and it holds up upon repeated viewings and from year to year.
Citizen Kane (1941)
This is one of the greatest movies ever made...
This is one of the greatest movies ever made. Orson Welles out did himself on this film. I think that it was the first movie to use a news reel format for its introduction. It went on to answer one question, what is "Rosebud," the final word uttered by John Foster Kane as he died. From there the movie embarks upon the story of his life as seen through various people that are interviewed in flashbacks. Orson Welles played Kane throughout the movie as the story progresses and the main character ages, except for the initial scene where he is a boy and is sledding in the snow. Roger Ebert thought this film so significant that he taught a class on film making that examined this film fram by frame. If you watch this film and understand what was done to get each shot, it leads to an understanding of how to make a great, engaging movie. I hope this movie never drops off of the IMDB top 250, but if it does, it should be required viewing for all aspiring film makers.