Many of the scenes in the Theatrical Return beg for more exposition. I don’t know if that’s because the story has been too highly compressed, or if I’m just aware that an Extended Edition is due out in a couple of months. Probably a bit of both.
All in Action
George Lucas' THE PHANTOM MENACE
When I first saw this movie in the theater I was bored. My reaction is much more positive with this 2-DVD set.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Watching this movie I was struck by the similarities and differences with The Phantom Menace. Both make heavy use of computer animation, both were based on characters or situations already popular from previous media incarnations, and both dealt with grand issues like Good versus Evil.
Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS
I have watched parts of the film repeatedly on DVD and have seen it in a theater. Many images - too many to mention here - dazzle the senses and cry out for the big screen, there is so much rich lush detail on the screen. The performances of Ian McKellan, Ian Holm, and Christopher Lee are wonderful to behold. And the action set pieces are spectacular.
Gil Kenan's CITY OF EMBER
This extraordinary family film reminded me of the sense of wonder I experienced as a child reading my way through the best of the children’s fantasy and science fiction collection of my local public library.
Danny Boyle’s SUNSHINE
What I liked about this film were its gorgeous production values, its nonstop action, and its reverence for classic predecessor sci-fi films. These factors got me through this film which flags at the end with fuzzy story themes but. overall, it’s a fun and engrossing ride.
Scott Derrickson's THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
I really enjoyed this current film. And I still love the original. I’m living proof that these two reactions are not incompatible.
Alex Proyas' “DARK CITY”
This is what I wrote in my blog when, once upon a time in Indiana, I found myself working late at night with the TV turned on:
Ed Harris' APPALOOSA
I liked a lot of things about this movie:
Doug Liman's JUMPER
Ignore the reviews and enjoy the movie.
James Cameron's THE ABYSS
This two-DVD special edition has more than enough material to keep an SF fan happy for days.
Kevin Lima's "ENCHANTED"
If you need something pleasant and friendly, you need look no further than Enchanted.
Steven Spielberg's MINORITY REPORT
This movie expands upon the dazzling realistic-future-world special effects of Spielberg’s A.I. but wastes astonishing technical and artistic virtuosity on a hackneyed, uninvolving murder mystery.
Jean-Jacques Annaud's “ENEMY AT THE GATES”
The cast if this WWII movie is uniformly excellent; the direction balanced, detailed, and sensitive; the photography and lighting are superb; and the set designs, stunts, special effects and general environment seem real and immediate.
Steven Spielberg's AI: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
I grew up with the science fiction of Clarke, Asimov, and Heinlein. At their best they wrestled with humans coming to terms with very large ideas and concepts in stories that spanned years and vast distances. I especially loved depictions of the far future.
Edgar Wright's HOT FUZZ
This demonically funny comedy follows a super-competetent London cop banished to a small English town because he’s so good he’s showing up the rest of his colleagues.
Robert Rodriguez' “PLANET TERROR”
I’m usually not partial to zombie movies but I really loved this one.
Michael Curtiz' CAPTAINS OF THE CLOUDS
This 1942 Technicolor film starring James Cagney has some of the most gorgeous aerial photography I’ve ever seen.
John Lasseter & Joe Ranft's CARS
I’m not a big fan of automobiles as an art form and I don’t have a nostalgia for their cultural significance (though I can’t argue with their importance) but this movie is a real winner.