Star Trek (2009)

Chris Pine
Zachary Quinto
Leonard Nimoy
Eric Bana
Bruce Greenwood
Karl Urban
Zoe Saldana
Simon Pegg
Anton Yelchin
Ben Cross
Winona Ryder
Chris Hemworth
Jennifer Morrison

PG13           126 min           2009

It explores the backstories of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) before they unite aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise to combat Nero (Eric Bana), a Romulan from the future who threatens the Federation.

I’m a casual fan of Star Trek. I almost crossed over when I was younger when Next Generation came out but Deep Space Nine happen and my world imploded. I could never recapture that magic I had from Generations. Yes I checked out the others and Enterprise may a good only because I a fan of Quantum Leap and Scott Backula. Voyager and Seven of Nine, God I miss that show.

Fanboys at work were stating that J.J. Abrams just shit on Star Trek. Although he incorporates some of his patented motifs, Star Trek was easily accessible to everyone. You don’t have to be a fanboy or a casual viewer of Star Trek. You just have to come to the theater sit down and enjoy two hours of one of the most exciting ride you will see this summer.

Abrams made a film that everyone will enjoy. It’s a good blend of characterization, drama, action, and scifi. Under this reimage some of the backstory change. With material this old you are going to have to update and modernize. It respects the fanboys and brings another generation aboard the Uniter Star Ship Enterprise.

I give Star Trek (2009) four out of five Gs.

“Underdog”

Jason Lee
James Belushi
Peter Dinklage
Patrick Warburton
Alex Neuberger
Taylor Momsen
John Slattery
Samantha Bee
Brad Garrett
Amy Adams

PG           121min           2007

After an accident in the mysterious lab of maniacal scientist Dr. Simon Barsinister, an ordinary beagle unexpectedly finds himself with unimaginable powers and the ability to speak. Armed with a fetching superhero costume, Underdog vows to protect the beleaguered citizens of Capitol City.

“Underdog” is the live action film of a cartoon that came on in the early eighties; that’s where I first saw Underdog. This version is geared more to children under 12. It is a dumb-down plot that was borderline boring. It’s redeeming factor is the voice acting.

The simplicity of the plot, the dialog, and the action is all geared to children under 12. It is something entertaining to sit them in front of and not have to worry about them for the two hours. It has bright and flashy color that the children won’t notice the time when by as for him after about forty minutes I was really ready to turn underdog into a hot dog.

The only thing that made “Underdog” bearable for me was the voice talent of Jason Lee, Amy Adams, and Brad Garrett. Their distinct voices complimented the acting of animals, which they were portraying. I got totally lost in the mouthing of the animals. The mouth morphing has been elevated to the point where at some points I forgot that these animals don’t really speak. This is a great film if you have children, a good film if you are a fan, but marginally ok if you have no idea who, Underdog is.

Even the special features to “Underdog” is geared to children. It has never before seen bloopers and deleted scenes. It has an music video by Kyle Massey of That’s Raven and Corey in the House fame, called “Underdog Raps”. A mock featurette called “Sit, Stay, Act: Diary of a Dog Actor” and an original episode of the cartoon “Safe Waif”. There are movie previews for “101 Dalmatians”, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”, “The Game Plan”, “Snow Buddies”, “The Aristocats”, “Cinderella II: Dreams Do Come True”.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

“The Simpsons Movie”

Dan Castellaneta
Julie Kavner
Nancy Cartwright
Yeardley Smith
Hank Azaria
Harry Shearer
Pamela Hayden
Tress MacNeille
Albert Brooks
Karl Wiedergoit
Marcia Wallace

PG13           87min           2007

Thanks to Lisa Simpson, Lake Springfield is cleaned up from the pollution that once fouled it. But when Homer, who’s adopted a pig (Spider-pig) and dumps a silo full of the pig’s crap in the lake, the EPA
places a large dome over Springfield, and the Simpsons family manage to escape through a sinkhole. The family flees to a better life in Alaska, but when the head of the EPA, Russ Cargill, orders the towns destruction, it’s up to Homer to save Springfield!

Essentially, “The Simpsons Movie” is and extended episode of the Simpsons. There really is not anything special about this movie and Homer said it best at the beginning of the film. “You are all sucker for paying for something that you can get for free”.

Homer misses up. Marge for gives him. Bart does what Bart does. Lisa is trying to save the town. Maggie is sucking on her pacifier. The same thing they have done for eighteen years.

Not being a fan “The Simpsons Movie” was just another Simpson episode that was thirty minutes too long and $5.00 too much. In addition, I thought there was nothing special about and agreed with Homer Simpson, DOH. But for the millions of fans out there I would like to know what made it worth paying for it.

The DVD has a cast commentary with James L. Brooks. There is a director’s commentary and deleted scenes. It also has skits with Homer on the Tonight Show, Homer introducing American Idol, and Let’s Go to the Movies. It features a bunch of trailers for the movie and preview trailer for “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and “Futurama”.

I give it 3/5

"Miami Vice (2006)"

Jamie Foxx
Colin Farrell
Li Gong
Naomie Harris
Luis Tosar

Unrated           134min           2006

“Miami Vice” is a grittier update of the 80s television show. This incarnation find Crockett (Farrell) and Tubbs (Foxx) drug running and blurring the undercover lines to bring down a drug kingpin supplying the eastern seaboard.

Those that loved the show may not prefer the movie. As a kid of the eighties and a post 9/11 world prefer the movie. It dramatized what the war on drug and what, even fictionalized, that those soldiers go through. This version is the one I would watch on television.

It was a good action drama, Under Michael Mann’s direction, Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell held their own. I didn’t see the theatrical release and cannot say what was added but I think the movie may have felt convoluted with anything missing.

The action in “Miami Vice” was action with suspense. The camera shot and use of hand-held made you feel that you were part of the action, which added to the suspense and kept you in the moment. Where it shines is that it feels more documentary that a movie. It added to the realism of it, just another case in these officers’ lives, going undercover in the war on drugs.

I give it 4/5 Gs. If you liked this you’ll like Rush (1991).

Starsky & Hutch

Ben Stiller
Owen Wilson
Vince Vaughn
Juliette Lewis
Fred Williamson
Jason Bateman
Chris Penn
Carmen Electra
Amy Smart
Snoop Dogg

PG13           101min           2004

David Starsky (Stiller) and Ken Hutchinson (Wilson) are paired together and are lead on the trail of the biggest drug deal by lovable snitch Huggy Bear (Snoop Dogg).

Starsky & Hutch is a pretty good movie, not to camp and it didn’t take itself too seriously. Having never watched the original television show I can’t say how close to the show it is. I found that this version appealed to me.

It didn’t camp itself as more of paying homage to itself. Cameos by Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul were icing on the cake. Their scene with Wilson and Stiller was as though they were passing the baton.

Other sevenities remakes are The Brady Bunch and S.W.A.T. These are just some of the several made.

I give it 3/5 Gs

Aeon Flux

Charlize Theron
Marton Cskokas
Jonny Lee Miller
Sophie Okonedo
Frances MacDormand
Peter Postlethwaite

PG13           93min           2005

“Aeon Flux” is based on the MTV’s cartoon of the same name, reimagined and reinterpreted. In a world of the future Aeon Flux is a warrior fighting against the oppressive regime of Trevor Goodchild.

When this film was announced I thought it was an ambitious undertaking. Never fully understanding what I was watching, from the hand full of episodes I saw late night when I had insomnia. It is an interesting story that felt was incomplete and poorly executed story telling. The special effects, stunts, and locations are the only redeeming qualities of this film.. I commend Charlize Theron for taking the part and coming back after her injury.

There really isn’t anything that stands out in this film. I was mildly entertained by the cartoon and maybe that’s one of the reasons I don’t get this film. The characters were under-developed and you really don’t get some of the characters’ motivation. Even after the reveal it leaves you question why anything happened in the first place.

The special effects in this film are stunning. This is nowhere near ‘The Matrix’ but they motive the story. They are cool to look at. The effects are in a heighten reality that lend to the evolution of mankind. The effects make all the stunts more believable.

The stunts as proved by Charlize Theron’s accident were risky and looked cool on film. Even stunt was fluid and moved the story. Combined with special effects it really made you think, ’what was practical and what was green screen?” This one of the few film where the stunts stood out from the story.

The locations of this film are just beautiful. It paints this future as an utopia, where everything is beautiful, peaceful, and serene. Not on scene in this film is dark or depressing even when it should. If the future could turn out like this everyone would want to live forever.

The three elements of special effects, stunts, and locations combine to create a stunning film. The breaking in sequence is a combination of all three that is just one part of this story. The story is at a lost and the characterization leaves something to wanting. This film is ok at best. But if you are truly a fan of the television show you may be a fan of this film.

I give it a 2/5 Gs.

“The Dukes of Hazzard”

Johnny Knoxville
Seann William Scott
Jessica Simpson
Burt Reynolds
Joe Don Baker
Lynda Carter
Willie Nelson
M.C. Gainey

Unrated           107min           2005

Although this is a modern reinvention of “The Dukes of Hazzard”, it still finds cousins Bo (Scott), Luke (Knoxville), and Daisy (Simpson) Duke trying to save their Uncle Jesse’s (Nelson)farm from Boss Hogg (Reynolds) and Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane (M. C. Gainey).

I found this version funnier than the television show, although I cherish the television show, it is one of those fond memories from childhood that you like to visit. The DVD has a lot of features including 2 sets of Additional Scenes and 2 Gag Reels. It is not tongue in cheek but it does have a little fun with itself.

There are a couple of easter eggs on the DVD. On the menu screen with Bo Duke highlight the Z in Led Zepplin. On the screen featuring Boss Hogg highlight his ring.

I give it a 2/5 Gs



Having seen the movie and the television show which do you like?