Blade Runner {1982 Theatrical Cut}
Overall: 8/10
Pros: Great story, great acting, interesting setting, great design and special effects
Cons: Slow moving, slow pace, no real philosophical or idealogical point until the end
I got the ultimate five disc collection of this movie just today and watched the original movie that was released in 1982. I had heard about Blade Runner years before and was yearning to watch it, seeing as how it was considered the definitive cyberpunk film for decades and inspired countless other movies, including The Matrix (Of which I am a huge fan).
Well, I have to say that I was not disappointed. The movie was awesome and completely lived up to its hype. It also lived up to being a great adaptation of Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, even if it does leave out some of the animal themes and a lot of the dialogue having to do with philosophy and trying to figure out what exactly is happening to Deckard.
The fact that the movie is awesome is really just all I can say about how good the movie is. However, there are a few issues that I have with it. First off, it is extremely slow and plodding for most of the movie, and it really doesn't have the philosophical point that Philip K. Dick's books had until the very end. And as far as this version of the film goes, the narration is cheesy and really just sucks. The movie is great, but the narration just isn't all that good and really degrades the quality of this version of the movie as a whole.
Now, one last point: This movie is interesting in that it does not exist at all to have any major idea or philosophy behind it. It exists simply to tell a good story, and that is something that everyone can and should be able to appreciate.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Movie Review #11: The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Identity
Overall: 8/10
Pros: Interesting story and characters, less of a focus on massive amounts of action and more of a focus on story
Cons: Somewhat slow and a little hard to understand
I watched this (Finally) after much prodding and poking from my sister. I had always thought the movies featuring the character Jason Bourne looked interesting, but they also looked a lot like your average action movie. Well, I was wrong about that. This movie (And presumably the other two, which I haven't seen) actually have an idea behind them, making them a set of "smart" action movies.
The character of Jason Bourne and all of his abilities as well as his past and life are extremely interesting and make for a great movie. Matt Damon is perfectly cast as Jason Bourne, and he really helps to bring the character to life. The supporting cast is also great, and they also help to flesh out the movie as a whole, making it much more than your traditional action thriller.
The story is great and the whole premise is very cool, and that combined with the execution of the movie makes it a real joy to watch and experience, and I really hope that everyone out there watches it and loves it like I did.
However, I do have a few problems with the story's pacing, as well as the fact that you really need to think about everything that is said in order to figure out what really went down in the life of Jason Bourne. That's good because it keeps the audience thinking, but it's bad because it forces you to think through and figure out something that should have been explained better.
The movie is great, though, and I hope that everyone out there goes and sees it.
Overall: 8/10
Pros: Interesting story and characters, less of a focus on massive amounts of action and more of a focus on story
Cons: Somewhat slow and a little hard to understand
I watched this (Finally) after much prodding and poking from my sister. I had always thought the movies featuring the character Jason Bourne looked interesting, but they also looked a lot like your average action movie. Well, I was wrong about that. This movie (And presumably the other two, which I haven't seen) actually have an idea behind them, making them a set of "smart" action movies.
The character of Jason Bourne and all of his abilities as well as his past and life are extremely interesting and make for a great movie. Matt Damon is perfectly cast as Jason Bourne, and he really helps to bring the character to life. The supporting cast is also great, and they also help to flesh out the movie as a whole, making it much more than your traditional action thriller.
The story is great and the whole premise is very cool, and that combined with the execution of the movie makes it a real joy to watch and experience, and I really hope that everyone out there watches it and loves it like I did.
However, I do have a few problems with the story's pacing, as well as the fact that you really need to think about everything that is said in order to figure out what really went down in the life of Jason Bourne. That's good because it keeps the audience thinking, but it's bad because it forces you to think through and figure out something that should have been explained better.
The movie is great, though, and I hope that everyone out there goes and sees it.
Movie Review #10: Big
First off, Merry Christmas to everyone out there, I hope that you had a good holiday.
Big
Overall: 8/10
Pros: Funny, interesting characters, good execution
Cons: It isn't really that funny for a comedy
I first heard about this movie a few years ago when I looked up Tom Hanks and all of the different movies that he has done. Big was one of those that was considered one of his better ones, and so I mentally filed away the title, meaning to eventually watch it.
This Christmas, my older sister bought it for me and I watched it, loving every minute. Tom Hanks is completely convincing in the role and is really good at it. I totally believed that he was the character for most of the film, which helped in terms of immersion and enjoyment. The rest of the cast is just as great and memorable, and I really loved everyone in their respective roles.
Now, onto the one complaint that I have: for a comedy, it really isn't that funny. It is funny, with several quite hilarious moments, but overall I found that it was much more of a drama than a comedy. It's a minor complaint, but still, I thought that I should say it.
Overall the movie is great and pretty funny, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a comedy with a smattering of drama thrown in for a great mix.
Big
Overall: 8/10
Pros: Funny, interesting characters, good execution
Cons: It isn't really that funny for a comedy
I first heard about this movie a few years ago when I looked up Tom Hanks and all of the different movies that he has done. Big was one of those that was considered one of his better ones, and so I mentally filed away the title, meaning to eventually watch it.
This Christmas, my older sister bought it for me and I watched it, loving every minute. Tom Hanks is completely convincing in the role and is really good at it. I totally believed that he was the character for most of the film, which helped in terms of immersion and enjoyment. The rest of the cast is just as great and memorable, and I really loved everyone in their respective roles.
Now, onto the one complaint that I have: for a comedy, it really isn't that funny. It is funny, with several quite hilarious moments, but overall I found that it was much more of a drama than a comedy. It's a minor complaint, but still, I thought that I should say it.
Overall the movie is great and pretty funny, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a comedy with a smattering of drama thrown in for a great mix.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Book Review: Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick
Overall: 3/4 Stars
This is yet again, another great Philip K. Dick novel. It is witty and funny and smart and extremely well thought through. The characters are well-developed and memorable, and the technologies in the book are flawlessly integrated and thought out.
The setting...well, call me stupid but I was sort of confused on that point so I never really got the actual setting, but that doesn't matter, at least overall, as long as you realize about the two different planets or moons that are the major areas of debate throughout the whole book.
The main characters of the book are extremely memorable and human, and the secondary characters are also some of my favorite in literature as a whole. I especially loved the slime character and the comedian Bunny Hentman.
Now, I do have to say that I really didn't understand the philosophical or intellectual reason behind this book. Unlike other PKD books that have a clear philosophical message or idea that they want to get across, this one seems to have a lot more to do with political messages, such as things like class and mental classifications and all sorts of social messages like that. However, the book was extremely detailed and thought out and wonderfully implemented. It was truly absoluteley perfect.
Overall, I can't say that this is one of PKD's best novels, and it isn't even one of his better ones, but it is still worth a read if you are a PKD fan, or if you like good science fiction.
This is yet again, another great Philip K. Dick novel. It is witty and funny and smart and extremely well thought through. The characters are well-developed and memorable, and the technologies in the book are flawlessly integrated and thought out.
The setting...well, call me stupid but I was sort of confused on that point so I never really got the actual setting, but that doesn't matter, at least overall, as long as you realize about the two different planets or moons that are the major areas of debate throughout the whole book.
The main characters of the book are extremely memorable and human, and the secondary characters are also some of my favorite in literature as a whole. I especially loved the slime character and the comedian Bunny Hentman.
Now, I do have to say that I really didn't understand the philosophical or intellectual reason behind this book. Unlike other PKD books that have a clear philosophical message or idea that they want to get across, this one seems to have a lot more to do with political messages, such as things like class and mental classifications and all sorts of social messages like that. However, the book was extremely detailed and thought out and wonderfully implemented. It was truly absoluteley perfect.
Overall, I can't say that this is one of PKD's best novels, and it isn't even one of his better ones, but it is still worth a read if you are a PKD fan, or if you like good science fiction.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Book Review: Radio Free Albemuth by Philip K. Dick
Overall: 3/4 Stars
I have not read very many of Philip K. Dick's books (3 of them) but I am quite familiar with who Philip K. Dick was. I know all about his methamphetamine addictions and his writings while on them, I know all about his religious visions and those correspondences with VALIS, and I honestly would pay practically anything to read the Exegesis, his eight thousand page journal that details his multitude of religious experiences and visions.
This book, which was only published posthumously and was originally the first draft of the book that became VALIS. I read the book in about six or seven hours, and I have to say, for a short book (214 Pages) it is extremely complex and interesting and in some cases downright hard to understand.
It takes place in three parts, the first and third being narrated in first person by Philip K. Dick himself as he observes and talks to his friend Nicholas, who basically experiences everything that Philip K. Dick himself experienced. Every religious vision, every prophetic occurence, everything that PKD went through, Nicholas goes through. The middle part is perhaps the most interesting of the whole book, because it is told from Nicholas' point of view, and has to do with his involvement with a satellite overhead known as VALIS A. This satellite gives him these visions and these pieces of information that lead him to discover his purpose within a corporation known as Aramcham.
Throughout the book there is a multitude of religious imagery and allegory, and in fact the story of Nicholas as a whole is really a lot like the story of Jesus, showing how knowledgeable PKD really was about Christianity. Anyways, the book also offers what I believe is a completely interesting and unique science fiction views of humans extraterrestial origins and alien contacts and their role in shaping what has now become human religion. For instance, it shows that these aliens, who were really the forerunners to humans, were once all together with humans. Then, when the humans did something (I can't remember exactly what), they were seperated from the aliens in much the same way that Adam and Eve and all of humanity were seperated from God.
My only complaint with this book is that sometimes it is extremely hard to understand. Especially when Nicholas converses with VALIS himself, where most of the religious aspects and philosophical elements are discussed. That can get a little tough to understand, but eventually I can pretty much guarantee that you will understand it and understand both the religious elements and the plot elements perfectly, and when you do, you'll realize that this is a near perfect novel.
I have not read very many of Philip K. Dick's books (3 of them) but I am quite familiar with who Philip K. Dick was. I know all about his methamphetamine addictions and his writings while on them, I know all about his religious visions and those correspondences with VALIS, and I honestly would pay practically anything to read the Exegesis, his eight thousand page journal that details his multitude of religious experiences and visions.
This book, which was only published posthumously and was originally the first draft of the book that became VALIS. I read the book in about six or seven hours, and I have to say, for a short book (214 Pages) it is extremely complex and interesting and in some cases downright hard to understand.
It takes place in three parts, the first and third being narrated in first person by Philip K. Dick himself as he observes and talks to his friend Nicholas, who basically experiences everything that Philip K. Dick himself experienced. Every religious vision, every prophetic occurence, everything that PKD went through, Nicholas goes through. The middle part is perhaps the most interesting of the whole book, because it is told from Nicholas' point of view, and has to do with his involvement with a satellite overhead known as VALIS A. This satellite gives him these visions and these pieces of information that lead him to discover his purpose within a corporation known as Aramcham.
Throughout the book there is a multitude of religious imagery and allegory, and in fact the story of Nicholas as a whole is really a lot like the story of Jesus, showing how knowledgeable PKD really was about Christianity. Anyways, the book also offers what I believe is a completely interesting and unique science fiction views of humans extraterrestial origins and alien contacts and their role in shaping what has now become human religion. For instance, it shows that these aliens, who were really the forerunners to humans, were once all together with humans. Then, when the humans did something (I can't remember exactly what), they were seperated from the aliens in much the same way that Adam and Eve and all of humanity were seperated from God.
My only complaint with this book is that sometimes it is extremely hard to understand. Especially when Nicholas converses with VALIS himself, where most of the religious aspects and philosophical elements are discussed. That can get a little tough to understand, but eventually I can pretty much guarantee that you will understand it and understand both the religious elements and the plot elements perfectly, and when you do, you'll realize that this is a near perfect novel.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Book Review: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
Overall: 4/4 Stars
I bought this book because I plan on buying the amazingly awesome and spectacularly cool 5-Disc set of the movie Blade Runner, which was based on the Philip K. Dick book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? I bought the book for $5 at the store and read it in two days, loving and savoring every single moment.
First off, the setting and characters are pure Philip K. Dick. It takes place in a sort of bombed out future where human barely exist on Earth, and most have migrated to colony planets. The main character is Rick Deckard, who hunts down androids who have illegally returned to Earth, and then he kills them or 'retires' them. He also uses the money that he gets from retiring them to buy a real animal, which is both regarded as a social status thing and a way to cope with what he does.
What I mean by the characters being pure Philip K. Dick is that they are, in essence, losers who really don't aspire to anything except purely human desires, including social status symbols (such as a real sheep) and all sorts of things like that while also being extremely smart and analytical. They sort of talk scientifically and philosophically just in everyday speech, which (And I don't know about you) is something that usually doesn't happen to me. This sort of speech sounds completely natural even though the setting for it is strange, and it's just that kind of oddness and indirect humor that I love about the book.
The story definitely has a theme, which is (I think) all about emotions and the way that humans form attachments to things. It is also an interesting novel in that it features what I believe to be a Philip K. Dick trademark in at least two of his books that I have read (This and, The Man in the High Castle), and by that I mean an ending that really isn't an ending.
Anyways, I highly recommend the book to science fiction readers, and I just cannot say enough about how awesome and interesting it really is. Oh, and by the way, when you're done reading the book, go watch all of the many cuts of Blade Runner. I've never seen it, but I will soon!
I bought this book because I plan on buying the amazingly awesome and spectacularly cool 5-Disc set of the movie Blade Runner, which was based on the Philip K. Dick book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? I bought the book for $5 at the store and read it in two days, loving and savoring every single moment.
First off, the setting and characters are pure Philip K. Dick. It takes place in a sort of bombed out future where human barely exist on Earth, and most have migrated to colony planets. The main character is Rick Deckard, who hunts down androids who have illegally returned to Earth, and then he kills them or 'retires' them. He also uses the money that he gets from retiring them to buy a real animal, which is both regarded as a social status thing and a way to cope with what he does.
What I mean by the characters being pure Philip K. Dick is that they are, in essence, losers who really don't aspire to anything except purely human desires, including social status symbols (such as a real sheep) and all sorts of things like that while also being extremely smart and analytical. They sort of talk scientifically and philosophically just in everyday speech, which (And I don't know about you) is something that usually doesn't happen to me. This sort of speech sounds completely natural even though the setting for it is strange, and it's just that kind of oddness and indirect humor that I love about the book.
The story definitely has a theme, which is (I think) all about emotions and the way that humans form attachments to things. It is also an interesting novel in that it features what I believe to be a Philip K. Dick trademark in at least two of his books that I have read (This and, The Man in the High Castle), and by that I mean an ending that really isn't an ending.
Anyways, I highly recommend the book to science fiction readers, and I just cannot say enough about how awesome and interesting it really is. Oh, and by the way, when you're done reading the book, go watch all of the many cuts of Blade Runner. I've never seen it, but I will soon!
Movie Review #9: Road to Perdition
Road to Perdition
Overall: 9/10
Pros: Great story, action, adventure, character, writing, imagery...
Cons: Nothing major, except that it is a little slow at the start
I first heard of Road to Perdition by reading the phenomenal graphic novel that was held in my local library. The book was amazing, filled with a great story, amazing characters, awe inspiring visuals, and stark graphic moments. The thing was truly a piece of amazing work, and I still love rereading it to this day.
I wasn't sure about the movie. I had heard that it was good, but I was worried because I loved the book so much, and what I really wanted from the movie was a complete and faithful adaptation of the book. And that's exactly what I got.
The cast is the first major part of the movie that I love. Everyone was perfectly cast, and each actor fully embodies their character, making them into living, breathing people on the screen. The writing is also excellent, faithfully translating the core of the graphic novel while also adding a whole other level of emotion and back story to the story, as well as a new character whom I absolutely love.
Overall, the film wasn't perfect. It was a little bit slow at times, especially in the beginning, but the story as a whole as well as the execution of that story more than made up for the whole thing. My one other complaint is that in the graphic novel the kid narrates the story as an adult after he became a priest, and in the movie he narrates it as a child while talking about events that happen in his future. It works but it just seem sorts of stupid to me.
Overall: 9/10
Pros: Great story, action, adventure, character, writing, imagery...
Cons: Nothing major, except that it is a little slow at the start
I first heard of Road to Perdition by reading the phenomenal graphic novel that was held in my local library. The book was amazing, filled with a great story, amazing characters, awe inspiring visuals, and stark graphic moments. The thing was truly a piece of amazing work, and I still love rereading it to this day.
I wasn't sure about the movie. I had heard that it was good, but I was worried because I loved the book so much, and what I really wanted from the movie was a complete and faithful adaptation of the book. And that's exactly what I got.
The cast is the first major part of the movie that I love. Everyone was perfectly cast, and each actor fully embodies their character, making them into living, breathing people on the screen. The writing is also excellent, faithfully translating the core of the graphic novel while also adding a whole other level of emotion and back story to the story, as well as a new character whom I absolutely love.
Overall, the film wasn't perfect. It was a little bit slow at times, especially in the beginning, but the story as a whole as well as the execution of that story more than made up for the whole thing. My one other complaint is that in the graphic novel the kid narrates the story as an adult after he became a priest, and in the movie he narrates it as a child while talking about events that happen in his future. It works but it just seem sorts of stupid to me.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Movie Review #8: Paycheck
Paycheck
Overall: 7/10
Pros: Okay action, okay story...
Cons: Everything else
When I heard of this movie I thought that it looked all right at best, and filed the title away as a movie to eventually watch in the future. Then I heard it was based on a Philip K. Dick short story and I got a whole lot more interested.
The movie was simply adequate. The acting was okay, the action was okay, and the story was okay, but it all seemed cheap and stupid looking. I mean, the story was great (It was based on the work of Philip K. Dick-Hello!) but it was implemented stupidly.
Overall the movie was just okay. It didn't stand out to me in any way, and it didn't seem spectacular at all. It was an all right movie, but that was it.
Overall: 7/10
Pros: Okay action, okay story...
Cons: Everything else
When I heard of this movie I thought that it looked all right at best, and filed the title away as a movie to eventually watch in the future. Then I heard it was based on a Philip K. Dick short story and I got a whole lot more interested.
The movie was simply adequate. The acting was okay, the action was okay, and the story was okay, but it all seemed cheap and stupid looking. I mean, the story was great (It was based on the work of Philip K. Dick-Hello!) but it was implemented stupidly.
Overall the movie was just okay. It didn't stand out to me in any way, and it didn't seem spectacular at all. It was an all right movie, but that was it.
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