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Tag Archives: Sci-Fi

Skyline’s out to grift you

Posted on November 14, 2010 by The Filmsmith | 3 comments

(sigh)

Okay, so there are two types of bad movies: the first are jumbled, terrible-dialogue-ridden box office monsters (Wolverine). And then there are films who aren’t even aware of the audience watching them; films who do not realize that people in the crowd are sleeping, making their grocery lists, and passing frustrated comments to their buddies nearby (all in one sitting). Skyline is this latter type of bad. Continue reading →

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Film, Indepence Day, Movies, Sci-Fi, Skyline

TV Worth Watching: Community’s Battlestar Galactica is Breaking Bad at Sealab 2021

Posted on November 14, 2010 by The Filmsmith | 6 comments

I suppose one of the defining features of a film snob is abhorrence for television. All those commercial breaks, laugh tracks, overwrought dramatics. But in both film and television there’s a lot of crap – you just have to know where to find the good stuff. So as a film fan who does not have cable or those digital boxes to even watch basic channels, here are the shows (past and present) that make me wish I did. Continue reading →

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Posted in Filmsmith Faves, Lists

Tagged AMC, Battlestar Galactica, Breaking Bad, Comedy, Community, Drama, Sci-Fi, Sealab 2021, Sitcom, TV

Never Let Me Go

Posted on October 31, 2010 by The Filmsmith | Leave a comment

Back in 2002, Robin Williams lobbed three dark performance hand grenades, the most powerful of which was One Hour Photo. What was so compelling about Photo was not only Williams’ ability to channel a character who was simultaneously repulsive, pitiable, and menacing (Anthony Perkins anyone?), but director Mark Romanek’s stark photography. His shots still remain burned into my cerebral celluloid and his work with Never Let Me Go reveals the same beauty, but doesn’t quite carry the same human vitality. Continue reading →

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Andrew Garfield, Carey Mulligan, Drama, Film, Keira Knightley, Mark Romanek, Movie, Never Let me Go, One Hour Photo, Period Piece, Sci-Fi

“Inception” is one of the most cerebral, kick-ass, poignant blockbusters you will ever see. Period.

The main maxim of big budget Hollywood filmmaking is “Make it Safe.” Don’t stray from basic storytelling tropes and structures, and don’t be too smart in case you go over the audience’s head. In the end, you want to ensure that you will get a return on your investment. Thus, the prospect of losing hundreds of millions of dollars makes a lot of mainstream films ride along in the mediocrity lane of the film freeway. Continue reading →

“Predators” is a damn fine sequel to the original

The original Predator (1987) is one of those films that is a defining moment for masculinity. I saw Predator when I was 8 years old and the mixture of mass muscled men, “bad” words, bullets, and bravado introduced me to what it meant to be male. The film is not a traditional work of art, but like director John McTiernan’s Die Hard, Predator is a quintessential action/sci-fi film. Continue reading →

“Monsters” leaves audiences in shock and awe

When you start watching films for a living, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” becomes the haunting muzak filling the background of your consciousness. Films quickly pile up in the mediocre category, with few hitting genius, or even atrocious levels. When Monsters finished, however, I was covered with goose bumps and wanted nothing more than to sit quietly in the dark to mull it over. It is a film so powerful, fascinating and personal that it is a celluloid definition of why we go to the cinema.

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Tag Archives: Sci-Fi

“Moon” director has new film

Skyline’s out to grift you

TV Worth Watching: Community’s Battlestar Galactica is Breaking Bad at Sealab 2021

Never Let Me Go

Summer Movies: July-August (Part II)

“Inception” is one of the most cerebral, kick-ass, poignant blockbusters you will ever see. Period.

“Predators” is a damn fine sequel to the original

“Monsters” post-screening Q & A (no spoilers)

“Monsters” leaves audiences in shock and awe

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