Quark: The Complete Series

My review of Quark: The Complete Series is now available at SF Site.

The relationship between the emotional Quark and the logical Vegaton supplied much of the narrative backbone. The literal and often insightful Ficus, brilliantly portrayed by the late Richard Kelton, had some of the most memorable quotes and the best scenes of the series. A superior example occurs in "The Good, the Bad, and the Ficus," a re-imagining of the classic Trek "Mirror, Mirror." When the crew comments that the alternate Ficus was no different than their own science officer, Ficus observes "There are no good or evil plants; there are only plants." In "Goodbye, Polumbus," a satire of Star Trek's "Shore Leave" and a title spoof of the 1969 Richard Benjamin-helmed film Goodbye, Columbus, Ficus engages in what is best described as "orgasmic mathematics."

The series achieved its pinnacle with the two-part "All the Emperor's Quasi-Norms." This heady mix of Star Wars, Star Trek, and Flash Gordon introduced Zorgon the Malevolent, and his daughter Princess Libido (the sexy Joan Van Ark at her vampy finest). The Libido-Ficus sex-pollination scenes -- the pair laying next to each other, head to foot, with legs in the air uttering "Beebeebeebeebeebee" -- afford several interesting and humorous moments. The magnificent Ross Martin (Artemis Gordon from The Wild Wild West) successfully apes Ming the Merciless as he seeks out the mysterious It.

(Remainder of review)

Batman: Gotham Knight review

Batman Gotham Knight - Sizzle Reel


My review of Batman: Gotham Knight is in the latest Austin Chronicle.

Set between the events of Batman Begins (2005) and this summer's The Dark Knight, Batman: Gotham Knight offers six animated visions of the Caped Crusader as envisioned by six unique animé directors and six different writers. This third original direct-to-DVD release in the DC Universe Original Animated Movies line loosely weaves the divergent pieces into a coherent storyline.

More...

Twice the Indy...

My review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is now available at Revolution SF.

As in the seminal Raiders of the Lost Ark, the relationship between Indy and Marion drives the story. Their ceaseless bickering never tires, though disappointingly often interrupted by the abundance of action. The absence of this interaction weakened both the dreadful Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and the excellent Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This latest adventure all but destroys George Lucas's contention that featuring a different leading lady in each Indy story strengthened the series. Any Indiana Jones project without Marion Ravenwood immediately begins with a handicap.

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Also in the current Austin Chronicle is my review of Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection.

By way of 1930s movie serials, exotic locales, and witty scripts, the Indiana Jones films introduced one of the most popular and exciting action heroes of the 20th century. The whip-wielding archaeologist Indiana Jones, portrayed by the rakish Harrison Ford, challenged world-dominating Nazis and power-hungry Kali worshippers through three highly successful, rousing adventures: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). In anticipation of the fourth installment, Paramount has reissued the three movies as Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection, available separately or as a set.

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Shameless Plug

My review of the I Am Legend DVD runs in the current issue of SF Site.

The DVD release offers a chance of redemption with an "alternate theatrical version with controversial ending," so screams the cover. While not necessarily controversial (an idea that is never addressed in any of the extras), the ending does result in a better film with a far more satisfying, albeit still too happy, finale. Without giving too much away, this version more fully examines and explains the motivations of the mutants.

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Be sure to check out my RevolutionSF review of the feature film version.

Justice League: The New Frontier review

My review of the much anticipated The New Frontier animated movie based on Darwyn Cooke's award-winning graphic novel is now available at RevolutionSF.

The excellent, near-perfect graphical look creates a quality to the project that far exceeds other direct-to-dvd animated movies. As evident from the viewing and the discussions between the contributors on the commentary tracks, the staff carefully deliberated every image and shot, even going as far as bringing in Darwyn Cooke to create new bridging sequences and consult on many story elements. In the 75 minute feature, nary a shot is wasted and most are beautifully crafted, especially the iconic 1950s-style credits sequence.
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Two Gift Reccomendations

In the latest Austin Chronicle, I contributed reviews for both their Books and Geek Out! gift guides.

For the former:

When Jack Cole killed himself in 1958 with a .22 caliber Marlin rifle, he left behind an impressive artistic legacy. His most famous creation, Plastic Man, not only introduced arguably the first pliable superhero – decades before the Fantastic Four frontman, Mr. Fantastic – but also influenced generations of artists with his outlandish sight gags and superior draftsmanship. In the early 1950s, Cole left his zany stretchable character and joined the staff of the fledgling Playboy, where he pioneered the watercolor paintings that came to typify the publication's cartoons. Not satisfied with two iconic creations, Cole invented and sold a daily strip to the Chicago Sun-Times Syndicate in 1958. Betsy and Me collects for the first time the complete run of Jack Cole's final artistic endeavor.
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And the latter:

Premiering on Sept. 8, 1966, to lackluster ratings, Star Trek ended its three-season run in 1969 and almost immediately began a wildly successful syndicated existence. The once-doomed program eventually spawned five more original series, 10 motion pictures, and an abundance of pop-culture paraphernalia, becoming the most successful television franchise of all time and joining the cultural zeitgeist. Phrases such as "Beam me up, Scotty" and "red shirt" entered the popular lexicon. NASA named the first space shuttle Enterprise. To celebrate Star Trek's 40th anniversary, Paramount, custodians of the venerable franchise, decided to give the 23rd century a face lift.
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A Difference of Opinion

Both Alan and I reviewed the recently released Ratatouille DVD with radically different opinions.

Alan wrote of the movie:

The movie did nothing for me. I didn't hate it, nor did I love it. I found it mediocre on all counts. I didn't engage with any of the characters, rodent or human, on any level. Their story didn't interest me and there seemed, with one notable exception, to be no character growth. While there were some occasionally funny lines, the script seemed to flounder with no real direction. Sub-plots that would have made for great quick asides (the frozen food line) were overplayed, while others that could have been steadily built up (the health inspector) seemed to be thrown in at the last minute.

While I ventured a somewhat different observation:

More than a movie about food, Ratatouille explores the well-trodden territory of characters reaching beyond their limitations and with a little help from their friends overcoming the obstacles to their dreams. Remy's relationships with his huge extended pack as he struggles with his dream of being a chef and Liguini overcoming his fears of, well, almost everything form the core of this charming film.

We also held opposing views on the rat protagonists and the animated short "Your Friend the Rat".

Alan:

Rounding off the DVD is a short piece of propaganda in support of genus rattus presented by two of the movie's lead characters. Your Friend The Rat vainly attempts to set the historical record straight and explains why we should embrace the existence of rats rather than try to exterminate them.

It didn't work. I still don't like rats.

Me:

Not only does Ratatouille include the animated short "Lifted," which originally appeared with the movies's theatrical release, but also features the highly entertaining original short "Your Friend the Rat." Rendered in a combination of traditional and computer-generated animation styles, Remy (Patton Oswalt) and his brother Emile (Peter Sohn) recount the history and occasionally positive aspects of rat-human relations. Did you know that the black rat (rattus rattus) first arrived in the West after hitching a ride with the Crusaders? Or that rats weren't the cause of the plague but rather it started with fleas? Remy and Emile present these fascinating facts and a lot more in a friendly, non-icky way, successfully showcasing the more appealing aspects of the vermin.

There was one area of the DVD that Alan and I agreed upon: the deleted scenes.

Alan: "The so called feature movie related bonus materials consist of three deleted scenes that add nothing to the story, nor offer any fresh perspective..."

Me: "As per usual, the deleted scenes accompany the movie and add absolutely nothing of consequence to the original film."

It's always nice when friends can agree on something.

Shameless Plug

My review of the Chinatown: Special Collector's Edition is in todays Austin Chronicle.

For many, Chinatown, directed by Roman Polanski from Robert Towne's Oscar-winning screenplay, epitomizes the peak of Seventies Hollywood filmmaking and perhaps the finest neo-noir ever made. Yet according to the four documentary featurettes on this new special edition, the movie almost didn't get made.

The Stanley Kubrick Collection

Tomorrow Warner Bros. will release a box set which includes the late director's seminal science fiction and horror movies.



Great, as if I didn't have enough trouble salivating over the Ultimate Bladerunner coming out later this year...

King Kung Fu Trailer

He came from China! He knew karate!

A Chinese gorilla who knew karate? 70s cinema at its finest!

Not surprisingly, I was sent a review copy of the recently released DVD. As soon as I get around to more than chuckling at the trailer, I'll write a full review. In the mean time, enjoy!

The Ultimate Blade Runner!

The Blade Runner Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition is coming! This puppy has five different versions of what is still the best PKD-inspired film:

1. RIDLEY SCOTT'S ALL-NEW "FINAL CUT" VERSION OF THE FILM
   Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio.
   
   
2. 1982 THEATRICAL VERSION
   This is the version that introduced U.S. movie-going audiences to a revolutionary film with a new and excitingly provocative vision of the near-future. It contains Deckard/Harrison Ford's character narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene.
   
   
3. 1982 INTERNATIONAL VERSION
   Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.
   
   
4. 1992 DIRECTOR'S CUT
   The Director's Cut omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously-controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.
   
   
5. WORKPRINT VERSION
   This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more.

And if that wasn't enough, there is a gazillion hours of extras including

• Commentaries by Ridley Scott, executive producer/co-screenwriter Hampton Fancher, co-screenwriter David Peoples, producer Michael Deely, production executive Katherine Haber, visual futurist Syd Mead, production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David L. Snyder, Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner author Paul M. Sammon, and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer
  
  
• DOCUMENTARY DANGEROUS DAYS: MAKING BLADE RUNNER
  A feature-length authoritative documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this hugely influential cinema landmark. Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film -- from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its controversial legacy and place in Hollywood history.
  
  
• Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews (audio)
  
  
• Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris

And believe it or not, there is much more!

Releasing on December 18 (just in time for my 40th birthday!), this is the perfect thing for the geek in your life!