Movies Blog : science fiction

May Bad Movie Night

wag.mado@evpl — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:01:00 GMT

It's that time again! This month's Bad Movie will feature the Cinematic Titanic version of Alien Factor (1978). Cinematic Titanic is a live riffing version of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and features the same team from the original television show in front of a live audience.

This pathetic, low budget sci-fi movie comes to life when murderous aliens crash and are set loose in a small town. Alien Factor will entertain you as the CT team poke fun at the amateur acting, technical bloopers, dreadfully slow paced so-called plot.

See what all the excitement is about on Thursday, May10 at 6:00 PM. As always, Bad Movie Night will take place at Central Library's Browning Events Room B.

Come join us. You will not be disappointed.

Meet Dave, you might not like him

E-Ville Librarian@evpl — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:10:00 GMT

I just saw Eddie Murphy's recent DVD release on my iPhone, and I think it had a few moments where it wasn't half bad. While the story was hokey, the acting wasn't anything to mention, and even though the Razzies agreed it was one of the worst movies of last year, I'm soft on it. Murphy is a master comedian in my book, and this was another example of master physical comedy. While the role no doubt required little actual work for the actor, I found the subtle expressions and stiff-jointed portrayal of the robot to be the highlight of an otherwise forgettable film. As always, Murphy plays a second character as captain of the human-shaped ship which no doubt required even less of the actor than the other role. The more I think of this movie, the more I think of Pluto Nash...

Doomsday, wrathful robots, other cheerfulness in "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Being a self-proclaimed sci-fi geek, I love the Terminator movies. With three theatrical movies, and a fourth coming in 2009 (Terminator Salvation, starring Christian Bale!), Fox decided to capitalize on the series' success with a spin-off television series. Season 1 of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles began airing in January of 2008, and was recently released on DVD & Blu-ray.

Explaining the TV show requires a bit of backstory from the movies, so here goes...

The Terminator (1984) - In 1997, a computer system called Skynet becomes self-aware, unleashes a nuclear apocalypse on humanity, and builds an army of robots to destroy the few surviving humans that have formed a resistance. The leader of this resistance is John Connor, and under his command they are able to keep humanity alive.

In 2029, Skynet decides to send an indestructible Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back in time, to the year 1984, to kill John's mother, Sarah. If they kill Sarah, John will never be born, thus never organizing the resistance. Upon learning of Skynet's plan, the resistance sends one of their own to the year 1984, to protect Sarah from the Terminator. Fortunately, Sarah stays alive and the Terminator is destroyed.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - It's now 1993. Sarah Connor is in a mental institution for "delusions". John Connor is a rebellious youth, living with foster parents. Skynet decides to send a more advanced Terminator to kill John. Future-John (in 2029) has reprogrammed a T-100 (Arnold) and sent him to 1993 to protect young-John. They bust Sarah out of the institution and destroy Cyberdyne, a company creating robotic endoskeletons (used in the future for the robot armies). This successfully delays the nuclear apocalypse.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) - Forget about this one. Has no correlation with this TV show.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles takes place in 1997. Sarah & John have been on the run for four years, pursued by the FBI for charges of terrorism. While at school one day, John discovers that his substitute teacher is a Terminator sent back in time to kill him. And guess what?

The resistance has sent a female Terminator named Cameron, played by Summer Glau (best-known for her role in Firefly & Serenity), to protect him. Cameron transports Sarah & John to the year 2007, as that is now the year that Skynet takes over. Agent Ellison of the FBI picks up the case, after it remained stagnant for the previous 10 years.

Sarah, John, & Cameron are on a mission to discover what Skynet is and to destroy it. Turns out that an advanced chess computer, that has garnered military interest, is the prime suspect. As Agent Ellison investigates Sarah's record, including visiting her former psychiatrist from the mental institution, he slowly begins to realize that she wasn't lying. The final episode features an epic battle, to Johnny Cash's "When the Man Comes Around" (one of his last songs, containing many references to the Book of Revelations), which literally gave me goosebumps.

While a bit cheesy at times, as most TV shows are, I found the acting and plot to be top-notch. It was also fascinating to see concepts, never fully explained in the movies, fleshed out. Fans of the Terminator films, good sci-fi, and thought-provoking storylines should definitely check it out!

More Information

EVPL Catalog: Check availability of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles at EVPL libraries.
Amazon.com: Buy Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles on DVD or Blu-ray using this link, and the Public Library Friends will receive a portion of your purchase.
Internet Movie Database: Find out more about the show at IMDB.
Fox.com: View the official website of the TV show.

"Hancock" worth watching

MediaPhile@evpl — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:44:00 GMT

How can a movie gross $625,000,000 worldwide and yet get a 38% rating at Rotten Tomatoes? One could say that there's no accounting for taste, but in this case I agree with the general public.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of this DVD before its official release date on Tuesday. What I remembered hearing about this action thriller was that the first half was okay, the last half a let-down.

Well, I beg to differ. I didn't think it really got interesting until the twist that came at midpoint. I was as usual only half-watching while working away on my laptop. I sensed an attraction betwen Hancock (Will Smith) and Mary (Charlize Theron) but was surprised at what developed. Suffice it to say that there is something lurking under that beautiful surface.

Which brings me to the point that I could barely recognize Charlize. I have always considered her to be flawless, but evidently she and her plastic surgeon didn't think so. There is some buzz about this on the Net.

But getting back to the movie, this is another one that I wish I had seen on the big screen. In fact, I should have shelled out the money and seen it on IMAX. The special effects were pretty amazing. Oh, well....

"Hancock" is inventive, quirky and funny...and Will Smith does his usual superb job...so count me with thumbs up on this one. I even watched it twice!

Pixar's "WALL-E"

MediaPhile@evpl — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:20:00 GMT

I was in Ahanheim, CA on June 27, the official release date of this awesome flick.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this giant WALL-E that greeted visitors at the entrance to the Downtown Disney Shopping District next to Disneyland.

There were free tickets available for the premier at the AMC Theatres but I didn't get in line in time.

I never did watch "WALL-E" until it was recently released on DVD. I stuck it in the DVD player and proceeded to sort through my bills while half-paying attention. The bills were quickly abandoned as I got hooked on this intricate and delightful CGI adventure.

And it of course has a message -- don't ruin the environment! Or your own body or spirit, for that matter.

And, finally, a movie song that actually deserves an Academy Award -- "Down to Earth" -- sung, written and produced by Peter Gabriel.

Now I see why everybody has fallen in love with WALL-E!