‘Star Trek: First Contact’ Download and Reviews

November 22, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

“Star Trek: First Contact” Movie Details

Star Trek: First Contact tagline: Resistance is Futile.
Star Trek VIII: First Contact - DVD Cover

Star Trek: First Contact DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Robert Picardo
  • Patrick Stewart Captain Jean-Luc Picard
    Brent Spiner Lt. Commander Data
    LeVar Burton Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
    Michael Dorn Lt. Commander Worf
    Gates McFadden Doctor Beverly Crusher
    Marina Sirtis Counselor Deanna Troi
    Alfre Woodard Lily Sloane
    James Cromwell Dr. Zefram Cochrane
    Alice Krige Borg Queen
    Michael Horton Lieutenant Daniels
    Neal McDonough Lieutenant Hawk
    Marnie McPhail Lieutenant Eiger
    Emergency Medical Hologram
    Directors: Jonathan Frakes IMDB Rating: 7.6/10 out of 43,470 votes

    “Star Trek: First Contact” Movie Review

    “Star Trek VIII: First Contact” Plot Summary

    Capt. Picard and his crew pursue the Borg back in time to stop them from preventing Earth from initiating first contact with alien life. add synopsis

    Great Movie, Read Brief Review

    I have to start off by saying, that I am a Startrek buff. I LOVE everything there is to do with Startrek, and have viewed every episode of TNG and DS9 ever aired. I have also seen every Startrek movie created, and could name at least 50 people that resided on the Enterprise during TNG (not necessarily the entire show, some moved on, died, etc.).I feel that this was probably tied for the best Startrek movie ever created. I feel that First Contact and Generations are the best two ever created. This movie combines a lot of action, as well as realistic predicament, and very realistic scenarios. This certainly fit into the storyline as plausible, and never once made you ask how did this happen

    The short-version of this review is that the film was extremely successful, and very good quality. It had good acting, a great storyline, and pretty good special effects. It also had some nice upgrades to ship and uniforms that look absolutely fabulous, that almost make me want to wear one all the time! Great movie for Startrek and Scifi fans. This movie would be a good movie for any Scifi fan, with an easy storyline to follow, that doesn’t require much previous TNG knowledge to follow

    Below is a long, drawn out commentary. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, don’t read further. I have worked hard to keep it spoiler free, and have made notations on most of my information, of how it was already available from the series, so that it is not considered spoiler material. Nonetheless, if you haven’t seen it, view it, and then read my opinion, and see what you think first.***Below might contain references to the movie, but they are not anywhere close to spoilers. Just the same, wanted to give fair warning

    The storyline is that the Borg invade the Federation, and attack Earth. They go back in time, to perform a mission. (This much was stated on the back of the cover, so no spoilers there.) I often wondered, back when TNG was on the air, if the Borg would try and do this during the series. It was very plausible, because we know the power of the Borg, and we know that we would be no match for them. The only thing that could have given us an advantage, would have been Captain Picard, due to his experience with being assimilated during the series. Also, we already knew that time travel was possible, and that the Borg were experimenting with it. So, that does not leave us with any jumps in logic

    The movie was well written, acted, and directed. First off, tip of the hats to the costume and set designers. I LOVED the new uniforms, and thought that they were certainly much better looking than standard red, yellow, and blue ones from the show. Also, the new ship looked very realistic (again, we knew the Enterprise D was destroyed, so it only made sense to have a new ship built, and included in the movie). The actors put a lot of hard work into it, and it shows. I especially want to say good job to Brent Spiner, as he did an excellent job on data, acting the part, which you will understand once you watch the movie. Also, worth mentioning was the actor that played Zephram Cochran (I can’t remember the name off of the top of my head). He performed well, made the character seem very realistic for the personality portrayed. Another comment on the characters would have to be about ‘Lily’. I feel that the first part of the character, when she has the little fainting spell, was scripted and acted very well, but the script has her dealing with her ’situation’, a lot better than she should have. Even a strong character would have been a bit more reluctant to do what she did. I think that she took it a bit too well, but that is certainly not a major thing, and it’s only my opinion

    I would like to also say that the special effects were pretty good, especially for the resources that they used.***Random Knowledge Tidbit: The green plate used on assimilation tables in all of the Borg ships during TNG, were actually store-bought electric lamps. They were the same as the ones that you can buy in the store, that are sensitive to touch, sound, etc. These are the ones that pulse out electricity, similar to the electric balls that have flowing strands of electricity touching the globe, but on a flat plate instead.

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    ‘Flags of Our Fathers’ Download and Reviews

    October 27, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Drama, History

    “Flags of Our Fathers” Movie Details

    Flags of Our Fathers tagline: A Single Shot Can End The War
    Flags of Our Fathers - DVD Cover

    Flags of Our Fathers DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Ryan Phillippe John “Doc” Bradley
    Jesse Bradford Rene Gagnon
    Adam Beach Ira Hayes
    John Benjamin Hickey Keyes Beech
    John Slattery Bud Gerber
    Barry Pepper Mike Strank
    Jamie Bell Ralph “Iggy” Ignatowski
    Paul Walker Hank Hansen
    Robert Patrick Colonel Chandler Johnson
    Neal McDonough Captain Severance
    Melanie Lynskey Pauline Harnois
    Thomas McCarthy James Bradley
    Chris Bauer Commandant Vandergrift
    Judith Ivey Belle Block
    Myra Turley Madeline Evelley
    Directors: Clint Eastwood
    IMDB Rating: 7.2/10 out of 40,067 votes

    “Flags of Our Fathers” Movie Review

    “Flags of Our Fathers” Plot Summary

    The life stories of the six men who raised the flag at The Battle of Iwo Jima, a turning point in WWII.

    Best movie in years – worthy of Academy Awards

    ‘Flags of our Fathers’ is the powerful and moving true story of what happened to the three survivors of the six men that raised the flag on Iwo Jima as immortalized in the Marine Corps Memorial

    The editing of this film, utilizing flashbacks and showing how something as simple as a lightning bolt flashing can bring back memories that haunt veterans of combat is very true to life. My wife is a nurse at a Veterans Home – thunder claps in the middle of the night will invariably bring out cries from the sleeping combat veterans

    What is also true to life is how these men – Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes, and John Bradley – did not see themselves to be heroes. They felt that the heroes were those who had fallen on Iwo Jima – yet the public was continually holding them up to be more than they thought they were. This is shown very well when James Bradley is going through the box of his fathers possessions and pulls out an envelope with the Navy Cross stuffed in it. The Navy Cross is one step down from the Medal of Honor and is awarded for extraordinary heroism in combat – normally one who earned it would put it on display

    The use of sepia tone at times – plus the sheer starkness of the black sands with the stark white of flares – gave this film a look that was very compelling. As far as how emotional of a movie this was shown in the theatre where I saw it – which was a full theatre on Veterans Day. At the end of the movie, the credits started rolling – and no one stood up. A lot of noses were being blown and tears were being shed, but no comments were made at all – this movie affected the audience that much

    I consider this to be equal to Citizen Kane as far as quality movies are concerned. This isn’t light entertainment.

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    ‘88 Minutes’ Download and Reviews

    October 20, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Drama, Mystery, Thriller

    “88 Minutes” Movie Details

    88 Minutes tagline: He has 88 minutes to solve a murder. His own.
    88: 88 Minutes - DVD Cover

    88 Minutes DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Al Pacino Jack Gramm
    Alicia Witt Kim Cummings
    Amy Brenneman Shelly Barnes
    Leelee Sobieski Lauren Douglas
    Benjamin McKenzie Mike Stemp
    Deborah Kara Unger Carol
    William Forsythe Frank Parks
    Neal McDonough Jon Forster
    Stephen Moyer Guy LaForge
    Michael Eklund J.T. Ryker
    Michal Yannai Leeza Pearson
    Brendan Fletcher Johnny d’franco
    Carrie Genzel Stephanie Parkman
    Dexter Bell Reggie
    Paul Campbell Albert
    Directors: Jon Avnet
    IMDB Rating: 5.9/10 out of 28,898 votes

    “88 Minutes” Movie Review

    “88: 88 Minutes” Plot Summary

    In Seattle, the successful forensic psychiatrist and college professor Jack Gramm is in evidence since…

    Frantic and exciting thriller with good performances from Al Pacino and his nemesis Neal McDonough

    Tense and suspenseful thriller film with a stunning race against time. This Hichcockian movie deals about a forensic psychologist and University professor with tortured past named Jack Grimm (Al Pacino ) who receives a phone call telling him which has only eighty eight minutes to live. Jack was witness on trail against serial killer Jon Foster (Neal McDonough)and influenced the tribunal to condemn him to death row. In narrow time he desperately seeks to communicate with a problematic student (Ben McKenzie,OC), his associate Shelby (Amy Brenneman), assistant (Alicia Witt), his friend and FBI agent(William Forsythe), a security guard (Brendan Fletcher) and University dean (Deborah Kara Unger). Meanwhile being pursued by a delinquent (Stephen Moyer) and besieged by numerous threatening cellular calls

    Gripping, original action movie with Al Pacino desperately trying to find the means avoid to be murdered. Acceptable thriller full of intrigue and tense, this is a fast-paced, stylized action-suspense film. The tension of this picture keeps snowballing as the clock ticks ever close for continuous killings. The tale appears to unfold in real time as the many on cellular calls will verify. Most unusual is the device of having the victim play desperado and hunt the killer, and saving himself, as time runs out. The flick is well filmed in Seattle, Washington State and Vancouver ,British Columbia , Canada. Casting is frankly magnificent, Al Pacino as tormented psychiatrist, unsettling when approaches his last minutes of life, though Neal McDonough takes honors as a psychopath who attempts to turn the tables on the victims before Pacino can save them. Plus, a good secondary cast, such as William Forsythe, Deborah Kara Unger, and Stephen Moyer, among them. Adequate musical score accompanying the action by Ed Shearmur and inventively photographed by Denis Lenoir, both of whom share his skills in the following John Avnet’s movie ?Righteous kill? also with Al Pacino and Trilby Glover who again plays a defense attorney. The motion picture is regularly directed by John Avnet because of it contains some gaps and flaws. Avnet is a nice director who achieved his greatest success with ?Fried green tomatoes? and ?Up close and personal? and failures as ?The war?. He directed and produced some hits, though today also making TV movies as the excellent ?The uprising ? and television episodes.

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    ‘Minority Report’ Download and Reviews

    September 8, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi

    “Minority Report” Movie Details

    Minority Report tagline: What would you do if you were accused of a murder, you had not committed… yet?
    Minority Report - DVD Cover

    Minority Report DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • James Henderson
  • Peter Stormare
    Colin Farrell
    Samantha Morton
    Tim Blake Nelson
    Tom Cruise Chief John Anderton
    Max von Sydow Pre-Crime Director Lamar Burgess
    Steve Harris Jad
    Neal McDonough Officer Gordon ‘Fletch’ Fletcher
    Patrick Kilpatrick Officer Jeff Knott
    Jessica Capshaw Evanna
    Richard Coca Pre-Crime Cop
    Keith Campbell Pre-Crime Cop
    Kirk B.R. Woller Pre-Crime Cop
    Klea Scott Pre-Crime Cop
    Frank Grillo Pre-Crime Cop
    Anna Maria Horsford Casey
    Sarah Simmons Lamar Burgess’ Secretary
    Eugene Osment Jad’s Technician
    Office Worker
    Directors: Steven Spielberg IMDB Rating: 7.7/10 out of 127,409 votes

    “Minority Report” Movie Review

    “Minority Report” Plot Summary

    In the future, criminals are caught before the crimes they commit, but one of the officers in the special unit is accused of one such crime and sets out to prove his innocence.

    Brilliant Sci-Fi/Thriller, that really leaves you thinking, with an outstanding story and an incredible performance from Tom Cruise!

    This is a brilliant Sci-Fi/Thriller, that really leaves you thinking, with an outstanding story and an incredible performance from Tom Cruise!. All the characters are wonderful and very likable, and it keeps you guessing throughout, plus Tom Cruise is simply incredible in this!. This is a movie that requires a lot of concentration, because it’s one of those films you have to pay strict attention too, and the plot is seriously awesome, plus one of my favorite moments in the film is when Cruise chases his own eyeballs!. This is up there with one of Spielberg’s best films and believe me he has done a lot of brilliant movies, and This is one of Cruise’s finest performances,plus it’s full of awesome twists and turns so don’t blink!. It’s extremely well made and written, and for once I agree with Roger Ebert’s review!, plus you will really root for Cruise’s character throughout. I loved those little mechanical spiders, and I thought that ending was just wicked! plus while i’m not a huge fan of Colin Farrell he did a fantastic job here and really impressed me!.Max Von Sydow was also excellent, and the special effects are simply stunning, plus the chase sequences are awesome as well!. I saw this a couple years ago and was unimpressed, however after upon 2nd viewing, I must say It deserves it’s praise, so if you didn’t care for it the 1st time, give it a second viewing, you may change your opinion

    This should honestly be in the top 250 in my opinion, and there are some fantastic creepy moment as well, plus I loved the depressing atmosphere it had at times, and This is almost like The Fugitive except it’s set in the future, plus It also has some very funny scenes in it as well. Cruise had excellent chemistry with Samantha Morton, and I especially loved the dialog, plus some scenes really had me on the edge of my seat!. This is a brilliant Sci-Fi/thriller that really leaves you thinking, with an outstanding story and an incredible performance from Tom Cruise, and if you haven’t seen it, Do so immediately, you shouldn’t regret it

    The Direction is spectacular!. Steven Spielberg does a spectacular job here with amazing camera work, fantastic angles, awesome use of blue,excellent lighting,great slow mo shots, and plenty of other uncanny shots as well, plus he kept the film at an extremely engrossing pace

    The Acting is incredible!. Tom Cruise is amazing as always and is incredible here, he gives one of his finest performances, is extremely likable , blew me away in his emotional scenes, had great chemistry with Samantha Morton,as always had lots of charisma, and has really matured as an actor, and if you don’t think he can act watch this movie! (Cruise Rules!!!!!!!). Max Von Sydow is excellent here in his role, he brought tons of class, was especially good at the end, and had some awesome scenes with Cruise!, I loved him. Colin Farrell is fantastic here, I am not a big fan, but he certainly was good here, he held his own against Cruise, and really gave a good show I liked him a lot. Samantha Morton is awesome as the creepy psychic chick, she gave a great show, and had very good chemistry with Cruise. Lois Smith is good in her scene as The Doc I liked her. Neal McDonough is good as Fletch I just wished they gave him more to do. Kathryn Morris is good as Cruise’s wife I really liked her. Rest of the cast do fine

    Overall Go see it immediately!. ***** out of 5

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