Movies worth your time

Star Trek (2009)

2009-05-16T00:03:00.000-07:00

Marketing Tagline: This is not your Father's Star Trek (as a father, this is a good thing)

I first saw Star Trek in 1968 as a first run series on NBC. As a nine year old, I was captivated by the storyand absorbed all the adventures each week.

Then the show was cancelled.

The original series lived on in reruns, giving the show a growing fan base larger then ever existed during the first run. Conventions and appearances by the original cast added to the demand that new adventures happen.

Then came the dog of a film known as 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture'. A poor storyline almost doomed the franchise from restarting.

Next was the sequel 'Star Trek: The wrath of Kahn'

This film has stuck with me over the years as to what Star Trek is really about. This was the pinnacle of all Star Trek, and nothing has come near to surpassing the quality.

Until now....

The movie has two stories that merge together to create a new Star Trek Universe. The first story has a time travel element. Time travel into the past has been done before, and returning to the present does not appear to alter the timeline. This rule was broken for the film. Giving JJ Abrams and company the ability to move this franchise in a new direction without having to follow the history we all know.

We also have the accidental villain, who has a spectacular death (think Soren in Star trek Generations)

The second story is an origins story. But different origins then us Star Trek fans know very well. We capture the essence of the original crew, but without the actors imitating the original stars playing the original characters. (Confusing, I know)

Full of action, with excellent effects that complement the story, he film succeeds on many levels.

Everyone gets the opportunity to quote their familiar taglines, bringing cheers from the audience.

The reboot succeeds. A good story for the sequel will keep this franchise going.

Rating PG-13 Time 2:06

Worth your time rating 97/100

W

2009-02-23T19:34:00.000-08:00

Rating PG-13
Time: 128 minutes
Viewed: on DVD - widescreen
Director Oliver Stone
Cast
W- Josh Brolin
W Sr. - James Cromwell
The VP - Richard Dreyfuss

Line of the film:"History? In history, we are all dead."

The life and times of the 43rd President of the United States. After surviving eight years of the Bush administration, I wasn't sure I could put up with two more hours. However, Oliver stone does a good job of presenting W in a very sympathetic light. Josh Brolin succeeds in playing W in various stages of his life. The film is told in a flashback/flash forward style that links experiences in his early life to decisions made during his Presidency. Richard Dreyfuss as the VP portrays him as a slick manipulative person who ends up guiding policy through the President. James Cromwell, as the senior Bush. is portrayed as a patriarch trying to hold a dynasty together.

I walked away with the following message: All a Son wants is acceptance from his Father
.
Worth your time index: 67/100

Top 25 Conservative Movies of the Past 25 Years

2009-02-20T11:45:00.000-08:00

Posted on the Fox New website today. The National Review magazine has compiled a readers list of the top 25 conservative movies of the last 25 years.

The criteria are films that "...are great movies that offer compelling messages about freedom, families, patriotism, traditions, and more..."

There are some wonderful films on this list. Many that I look forward to watching again and reviewing on this blog.

The link to the web article is here.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know.

Welcome

2009-02-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a blog about film. I will post reviews of movies that I think are worth your time to watch. Current, classic, or guilty pleasure, I will promise a film worth the rental fee or admission ticket. I may not be a Leonard Maltin or Harry Knowles, but lets journey together through the world of cinema.