Star Trek: First Contact - Thoughts

I recall watching the trailer for Star Trek: First Contact back in 1996, around the time of the movie’s release. Seeing the trailer you’d expect to the see the Star Trek Next Generation crew in battle with the alien Borg, in mammoth galactic space combat. The movie also comes across as a hardcore action flick, with Data being in the midst of the Borg’s capture, assimilate, and transform plan.  Though I was very keen on watching the movie at the time, I don’t recall what stopped me. I finally got around to watching it last night, a good 16 years after its release.

Perhaps the most obvious observation will be the dated look that the movie has, especially in the Sci-fi space. The spaceship CGI is acceptable but lacking by today’s standards, and the sets don’t look as cool as we’d expect the 24^th century to be. The rest is probably in keeping with Star Trek Next Generation standards, as the movie feels a lot like the TV serial. All the familiar faces are back, and the plot has the usual exploration – entanglement – plan – twist – climax – resolution, formula. There are hardly any space battle sequences, and the trailer probably showcases more than 70% of the spaceship battles. There are plenty of slower moments with the earths inhabitants set in the late 21^st century.  If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll quite enjoy the big clash with the Borg; but on the flip side if you’re just looking for some Sci-fi action Star Trek: First Contact is dated and limited in its scope.

In terms of performances, you’ll find that it’s quite the mixed bag. Captain Picard played by Patrick Stewart is quite impressive, and is the grounding force to the movie. He drives the narrative, and carries the plot through from start to end. Brent Spiner plays Data, the android crew member, and also a key character in the Star Trek: First Contact plot. He does particularly well in playing the android, experiencing physical emotion and stimulation for the first time. The third and possibly only other notable performance comes from James Cromwell who stars as Zefram Cochran. He does surprisingly well in portraying the eccentric scientist with a love for alcohol. Many of the other crew members put in pretty average performances. Jonathan Frakes plays Commander Riker, and is annoying for most part with his lousy grin. Also silly and forgettable is Troi, played by Marina Sirtis. I used to watch this show, but since it was so long ago I don’t specifically remember the quality of the performances very well; my guess is that it must have been average all along.

The content I was sampling was a high definition 720p BlueRay rip. Video was clear, but there was a slightly faded look, which if my memory serves me right is how the TV show looked. It can partially be attributed to degradation during lossy compression as well probably. Sound was presented by means of a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Dialog was perfect, and with a good part of the movie being slower dialog moments, this worked. There was some noticeable surround usage, but it wasn’t anything spectacular.

My Recommendation: Watch It – (The Next Generation Crew’s first big Borg face-off)

Resident Evil: Retribution - Thoughts

While the Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers were perhaps 2012’s most anticipated movies, Resident Evil: Retribution is what I was truly waiting for. Considering my home theatre screening preference, I’d have been okay seeing the others on DVD with a delay, but for Resident Evil: Retribution, noway hosay! I actually gave thought to tickets on the first day. As it is, I was unhappy that the India release was about 2 weeks after the world release. Honestly I cannot think of any other movie that I’ve wanted to see as bad in the recent years. In this fifth installment of the franchise, Alice needs to form new alliances, to take on the all-consuming T-virus threat, and the Umbrella Corporation

 

I love sci-fi action movies, but I think the Resident Evil franchise is at a level of appreciation that trumps most others. The concept of an enormous private corporation with seemingly surplus funding and resources, that has fantabulous underground facilities all over the world, poses a threat that shadows all else. Add to that the action and the thriller/horror elements, and what we have is a winner in my eyes. Interestingly the trailer didn’t give away too much, and most audiences were going into installment 5 just expecting to see the ongoing struggle further escalate and take new shape. It truly was a case of, ‘What’s in store for Alice next?’ Since I don’t want to give away too much, let me just say that the plot development is both interesting and realistic; in the sense that it’s a plausible next step to Resident Evil: Afterlife. The action sequences are simply stellar, making good use of bullet time, thus slowing down the action and amplifying its magnitude. The combination of hand to hand and projectile combat is superb and meshed together beautifully. The narrative process was quite riveting, and except for the interval never did I look at my phone, or notice my mind wander off. Even with high expectations for the already impressive franchise, Paul W S Anderson has done a remarkable job with Resident Evil: Retribution. If you’re familiar with the series, this installment is similar to the first, which is set largely within one of Umbrella Corps mega facilities. Assuming you like the theme/premise or are a fan of the franchise, you will not be disappointed. Even if you’re just in the mood for a good stand-alone sci-fi action movie, you’ll probably like it.

With the franchise having traversed as long, Alice’s character played by Milla Jovovich has probably seen a good deal of character development, not to mention physical change over the years. At this point it’s fair to say that the Alice character and actress Milla have largely merged, with Alice’s character adapting to Milla’s reality, and not just vice versa. Milla Jovovich brings to screen her usual ‘A’ game, comprising incredible and totally believable action, with the usual survival horror sorta drama. It’s fair to ask at this point if Milla Jovovich has been typecast.  Welcome back to the action Jill Valentine played by Sienna Guillory, in her new blonde and evil avatar. Her performance is acceptable, and she does justice to the fight sequences. New to the movie franchise is Ada Wong, played by Bingbing Li. She lives up to her video game persona, and joins the ranks of other Resident Evil women who can successfully pull of over the top action and stunt sequences in a dress that certainly isn’t meant for it. For those familiar with Lost, expect to see Kevin Durand, who plays the role of Barry Burton, one of the mercenaries who fights the Umbrella Corporation alongside Alice.

Since I was pretty frantic about seeing Resident Evil: Retribution, it was sampled at the theatre. The screen setup was 35mm, and the sound acoustics were good thanks to the smaller room dimensions. Predominant colors in true Resident Evil fashion were dark blue, red, and white. Most of the sequences were indoors, and there were contrasting dark hues, and white; the later mostly being artificially lit indoor areas. Picture was pretty good, and the use of 3D was quite a bit, with elements from the action sequences regularly flying into the audiences. Editing and the technical elements were used effectively to add a sense of intensity to the action sequences. Similarly the positional sound worked well with the movie and its action to add to the level of audience immersion. The score composed by tomandandy made the action uber enjoyable, and was very impressive. The same goes for the end credits song Hexes produced by Bassnectar featuring Chino Moreno (of the Deftones) on vocals; totally loved the music!

My Recommendation: Watch It + (New fights with old foes and deadlier viruses!)

The Dark Knight Rises - Thoughts

If hype were ever to be taken into consideration, The Dark Knight Rises is probably one of the most hyped ever. Add to that, being a follow-up to the hugely popular Dark Knight, expectation were through the roof. As much as I’ve enjoyed the Christopher Nolan reboot, the first 2 movies were cool but not exactly standout in my opinion. Couple the inflated expectations with my moderate enthusiasm, and I was just about looking to check out The Dark Knight Rises, not exactly counting the minutes to release. In this third and final closing installment of the trilogy, a new terrorizing villain named Bane unravels a plan that leaves Gotham City helpless, and forces Batman to reemerge.

After over 12 months of teasers and trailers I entered the theatre telling myself, this had better be worth all the drama. As the narrative slowly unfolded, a layer of mystery became evident. Being a Batman flick, this only seemed like a natural fit. As the movie pushed on, I realized that The Dark Night Rises wasn’t just an action movie, and had some pretty intense story/drama elements, that made it exceptionally gripping.  In spite of the oddly long 3 hour runtime, The Dark Knight Rises was fluid, with the story traversing seamlessly. Not once did I look at my watch, and even the slow moments were sufficiently enthralling. I remember seeing Batman Begins and thinking to myself that this iteration was very current, real, and something audiences could relate to as every day. The Dark Knight Rises builds on that, bringing in financial implications, and corporate power struggles to the mix. What makes Batman standout from most other superheroes is his human form, and I believe that audiences get to see him here at his most human and humble best. In short, The Dark Knight Rises satisfied at every level, and was an intensely fulfilling experience. The closing moments, and taking of shape of characters in the Batman universe sealed the deal for me, leaving little to be wanted.

With so many characters, an all-star cast, and multiple performances of perfection, Christopher Nolan deserves credit for meshing it all together as well. Christian Bale, already accomplished in playing Batman succeeds in portraying a human, breakable, and recluse side to the protagonist. Tom Hardy of Inception fame played Bane, and was unquestionably the epitome of grit and terror. Not for a second was his intensity questionable; making the Bane character seemingly unstoppable. Anne Hathaway played Selina, and surprised in a feisty way that perhaps only Michelle Pfeiffer has succeeded. Between questionable loyalties and immaturity, she fit the bill of the cat burglar glowingly. Michael Caine stars as Alfred, Bruce Wayne’s butler, bringing a level of love and care that negates the need for other family figures in the Wayne residence. Morgan Freeman plays Fox, a man who stands for all that is right, and probably symbolizes the idealistic corporate head. The combination of excellent performances and well scripted characters that have developed from the first movie adds to the list of successes and strengths of The Dark Knight Rises.

Unlike most new multiplex experiences, I watched this one on a large 70mm screen. Big is better and that indeed added to the larger than life experience. Video was clear, and tones were in keeping with the other Batman movies in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy. There were no vibrant primary colors, and night scenes were predominantly blues and blacks. Sound effects were decent, and dialog acceptable; surround stage usage was also noticeable. Probably watching this on DVD in a smaller home theatre sorta environment will probably yield better acoustic results.  Worth particular mention is the fantabulous score by Hans Zimmer; the music adding to the grandeur and intensity of the scenes, contributing in large part to the goose bumps factor.

My Recommendation: Kick Ass (All real and fantasy free…. Batman’s Finest Hour)

Universal Soldier: Regeneration - Thoughts

Some franchises don’t ever go away, and Universal Soldier is perhaps one of them. The very first and original Universal Soldier was released in 1992, followed by 2 direct to video movies. Universal Soldier – The Return released in 1999 saw the return of Jean-Claude Van Damme, and started where the original left off. 10 years later we have Universal Soldier: Regeneration; and just so you know, late in 2012 Universal Soldier - Day of Reckoning was released. In Regeneration, terrorists in Russia reacquire the Chernobyl nuclear plant and threaten to detonate charges causing nuclear disaster. Decommissioned Universal Soldier Luc Deveraux is brought in as a last resort, and will have to take on a next gen Unisol to resolve the conflict.

 

Though the franchise has been around forever, most of the Universal Soldier movies have been pretty good, if you’re into the core logic and enjoy the action. That said, I did go into Regeneration with modest expectations. My thought being, it would make for entertaining action, but that’s probably it; similar to The Return. Surprisingly, Regeneration had an unexpected layer of desolation and fear, which tied in wonderfully to the Russian Chernobyl setting of the movie. With that came an eerie chill that fit the plot very well. Luc Deveraux’s character development was interesting, and tied into the long ongoing story well. The new next gen Unisol (NGU) was intense, and set the stage for a significant and new threat. There were a few scenes that seemed questionable, like the lone American soldiers successful intrusion into the enemy camp; that aside though, the narrative process was decent. The overall slow pace, tied well into the theme of this installment of the movie. The low budget and seemingly dated setting working well too. If you like action and the Universal Soldier theme, you will probably quite enjoy Universal Soldier: Regeneration.

It would be hard to imagine the Universal Soldier franchise without Jean-Claude Van Damme, as Luc Deveraux. And interestingly, his performance has transitioned gracefully with the character development and ageing of Luc Deveraux. In Regeneration he is older, more human, and as real as his character requires him to be. The NGU is played by Andrei 'The Pitbull' Arlovski, of UFC and MMA fame. His role doesn’t involve much dialog, but he makes up for it in stone-faced intense action. He is very convincing, and it would be hard not to be intimidated by him. Most other performances were average to acceptable.

The DVD being sampled was a Region 1 US release. Video had an interesting dated dull look, something expected of VHS movies from the early 80’s. There were no vibrant colors, and primary colors were either not used much, or subdued. The soundtrack was a Dolby Digital 5.1, 6 channel surround soundtrack. Positional sound was noticeable, but sound effects as of such were nothing special. Technically both the video and sound added to the dated feel of the movie.

My Recommendation: Watch It (Unisol action in the cold of Russia)

Faster - Thoughts

Though I’d seen the trailer for Faster, I didn’t quite remember what it was about when I saw the DVD at the video store. Figuring that it was probably a good action flick thanks to Dwayne Johnson, better known as The Rock, I decided to rent it. I normally give a short gist of the plot in my opening paragraph, but today I’m gonna say as little as possible, to ensure no spoilers! Things start with The Rock leaving prison after serving time; the events there after including, his unfolding plan, two detectives hot on his heels, an assassin, and an intriguing backstory to it all. 

Going by my rather unusual plot delivery, I’m sure it’s obvious that there’s something unique about Faster. Don’t ruin it for yourself by watching the trailer, or worse yet reading up on it on IMDB. The brilliance of Faster lies in not knowing and learning as the narrative unfolds. If like me you’re thinking it’s yet another in your face, Rock action movie, guess again. Faster is dark, gripping, and a wonderful blend of action and suspense. Similarly the sequences complement this mix, juxtaposing small town law enforcement investigations, flashbacks, collateral character development, and action sequences. It’s been a while since I’ve gone into a movie expecting above average to good, and coming out surprised and extremely impressed. George Tillman Jr. has done a wonderful job with Faster, making it one of the best crime drama’s I’ve seen in the recent years.

The performances in Faster are superb, with Billy Bob Thornton taking the cake as The Cop. His portrayal of the character being simply faultless; adding a level of realism to the role that makes Faster work so well. Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a The Rock, again surprising us all with his dark character delivery. While the action is consistent with his usual roles, the vengeance behind it and underlying anger come through well, leading me to believe that he isn’t just another wrestling superstar turned movie actor. Also worth mention are characters Cicero and Lily played by Carla Gugino and Maggie Grace respectively; the latter of Lost TV serial fame.

The source content sampled was a standard region 1 US release DVD. Video was good, but not crystal clear. In my opinion, that as well as the warm yellowish brownish tone was probably intentional. The intent being to present a dusty small town, seemingly in the 80’s yet in modern day. Sound was presented by means of a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack. Positional sound was good, and action sound effects decent. I felt that the volume level variation on the center channel between general dialog and sudden loud sounds was a bit annoying though, requiring for constant volume adjusting. Also worth mention are the alternate ending and deleted scenes; make sure to check them out if you’re watching the original DVD with all extra movie content.

My Recommendation: Watch It + (An intriguing dark crime drama)

Bob's Burgers - Thoughts

I don’t quite remember exactly, but I think I was watching promo trailers and came to know of Bob’s Burgers a little before it aired. Realizing that it was from the makers of other fab shows like Family Guy and American Dad, I couldn’t wait to see it. The premise being a family run restaurant, and the dynamic of the odd couple and their crazy children; add to that several double meaning puns and comments in the dialog. I finally waited till the show aired and Season 1 was done, to get my hands on it and check it out.

Expecting for the similar brand of stupid funny as with the totally awesome Family Guy, I watched episode 1 of season 1 of Bob’s Burgers. At the end I realized that it lived up to 50% of my expectation; that being, the stupid part! The characters were annoying not funny, and the plot of each episode, extremely vague and mediocre. Though there is some character development, it takes patience to get through the episodes, and more importantly all the characters are downright boring. As someone who is quite accommodating to content not exactly matching my specific tastes, I still feel that this was lame to the point of being retarded. I normally write my reviews once I complete the season, but with Bob’s Burgers, getting to episode 5 in itself has been an effort, and I expect to drop this show like a bad habit. Even if you have free time, I’d recommend playing tic-tac-toe with yourself, over wasting your time on this. Frankly just about anything beats watching Bob’s Burgers.

Bob plays the central character in the show; the dad and the chef in the restaurant. While he is presented as pretty plain, he is possibly the best character of the lot. While relatively better, he is otherwise forgettable. Linda his wife fits a stereotype that is synonymous to a nut-job, and is more like someone in their 70’s going through their second childhood. Tina is never funny, and the attempt to make her character funny just comes across as pathetic. Louise is acceptable, but reminds me for most part of someone who suffers from a personality disorder. Gene is over the top, like most of the other character on this show, and perhaps can be seen as a little entertaining. While some of these character trait elements may have worked, the mix and setting in this show just doesn't.

The content I was sampling was a lossy XviD rip, the source being HDTV telecast. The files weighed in at 175 MB for approximately 22 minutes episodes. While normally this would be average to just about acceptable bitrate, with the solid colors and animation scheme used in the show, quality was pretty sufficient. Resolution was a little under DVD specs, but video was pretty decent throughout. Sound was presented by means of a stereo 2.0 mp3 soundtrack. Owing to the simple voice and occasional background music mix, dialog was clear throughout. Technically the show is not at all demanding and well suited for high compression rips and portable media player viewing.  

My Recommendation: Skip It (An everyday setting that’s mundane, annoying, and far from funny) 

Battleship - Thoughts

I get the feeling that it’s the season for alien invasion movies; in 2010 it was Skyline, in 2011 it was Battle Los Angeles, and now it’s Battleship. Being an ardent sci-fi fan, I’m not complaining in the least. While I am yet to watch the first 2, and most reviews have rated them either poor or average, they are on my ‘to watch’ list. With Battleship I found the trailer quite impressive, add to that my friends rave reviews post watching the movie. So making an effort to check it out was a given. In Battleship an alien invasion which is largely isolated to Hawaii, forces a cut off group of battleships to engage the alien intruders, and learn of and foil their seemingly hostile intentions.

To cut to the chase early, if you like sci-fi action flicks, you can stop reading here and go watch the movie. Is it fun? Yes. Is it blockbuster scale action? Yes. Are the sci-fi elements and the aliens cool? Indeed. Is Battleship entertaining? Without a doubt! Add to that Peter Berg’s efforts, and his Transformers touch becomes very evident; from the camera angles, narrative development, scene presentation, and character romance element. The plot is pretty straight forward, so don’t go into Battleship expecting intrigue. Similarly, don’t take it too seriously, as some things do seem a little over the top and illogical. Positives include the homage to senior war veterans, which was a wonderful addition. Pace was pretty decent, and though the movie had a 131 minute runtime, it wasn’t really noticeable. If you enjoy big sci-fi action movies, you’ll enjoy Battleship, especially if the Navy and sea forces interest you.

Taylor Kitsch plays the lead role of Alex Hopper, who is interestingly a very unlikely hero. From the opening sequences he seems more cut out to be in the next American Pie movie.  That said it’s a unique change and he does a good job of playing the D game and not necessarily the best naval leader. Brooklyn Decker plays Samantha, the female lead who does justice to both her character as well as the feel good/look hot factor. Being a relatively fresh face, who did a good job with her act, her performance was quite likable. Alexander Skarsgård of True Blood fame plays Stone Hopper; Alex Hopper’s elder brother and senior Naval officer. Other notable performances include Liam Neeson and Rihanna, who is making her big screen debut. Her performance though is pretty forgettable, not bringing much worth mention. She plays Raikes, and for most part is a stereotype Afro-American woman.  

Being in a rush to check this one out, I had to make a dash to the theatre. Video was impressive and clear throughout. The look and feel of the movie was pretty impressive, special effects being quite nice. The large panorama visuals and editing was very similar to Transformers and reminded me of Michael Bay’s work. Complemented with the remarkable surround sound, with noticeable usage of the 3D sound stage, the action sequences were very enjoyable.   

My Recommendation: Watch It + (Battling aliens at high seas)