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MrFilmic
Reviews
The Journey (2016)
One journey for two million lives - A real gem of a movie
This is a remarkably well written film. That it is fictionalised, based on real events and real people, is a testament to the skill of not only the writing but all the performances and direction. Both leads, Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall, as McGuiness and Paisley respectively, are particularly excellent and both subtly understated and at the same time the very heartbeat of the film. Toby Stephens captures Blair's flippancy, mannerisms and that loathsome, grinny "Blairite" smile to a tee! Given the subject matter, the Northern Ireland peace talks of 2006, this is one of the funniest scripts of the year. Although the specific conversations on the "Journey" of the title may be imagined, one is left with a feeling that there is some truth or sense of inevitability as to what their conversations with each other must have covered. Less than 24 hours after seeing it, I'm already awaiting the theatrical release so I can take anyone who loves good film making with me!
The Expanse (2015)
Epic Sci-Fi series
Everything about The Expanse is set on an epic scale. The depth and scale of our solar system provides the perfect backdrop as humans grapple with their differences and how they fit, or don't fit, among the many political games their leaders play! The production values are excellent as well as the CGI and acting! Cant' recommend this enough
Uncanny (2015)
More cerebral than thrilling
Although well traversed, especially more so since the turn of the century, artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity remains one of the main Sci-Fi tropes. Android certainly fits into this category, well written and well acted for the most part it does however ultimately let itself down at the final hurdle, with an ending that seems more fitting of a lesser film With shadows of Ex Machina and the excellent Westworld TV series, Android tackles the concepts of human vs created awareness, with some expected and unexpected consequences. With only 4 characters on screen the script is effective and the performances are engaging Certainly worth watching and without giving anything away, expect to be stimulated cerebrally rather than adrenergically!
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Major disappointment
As others have pointed out (but not as many as I thought) this ultimately feels like a poor re-hash of the franchise. Tenuously continuing the story time line in the hope of keeping the original fan base on board, there is a hint of desperation. Unfortunately the plot is an amalgam of episodes IV - VI with bits and pieces of I - III thrown in (for bad measure). A lack of characterisation and narrative drive leaves you (or me at least) caring less than you should for new and familiar faces. Oh well I doubt, given this false step, that the enjoyment of the saga can only stay the same or deteriorate! Let's hope not
Battlestar Galactica (2004)
Atrocious acting & writing
I was excited when I ordered my Blu Ray complete series of Battlestar Galactica, after all the amazingly positive reviews that I've read! Seems like I'm one of the few that was left cold by this re-vamp! Don't get me wrong, I didn't think the original TV series was spectacular but it had a self knowing sense of humour and didn't take itself too seriously, whilst still maintaining the drama to some extent With this new attempt, apart from Edward James Olmos, I felt there was no conviction from any of the actors and the characters they respectively played! If you can find the 1978 version anywhere I think you'll find the Cylons more threatening and fun than the latest versions!
The 100 (2014)
Yet more teen angst disguised as drama
Sadly like the contemporary trend at the moment The 100 is yet another attempt to get teenagers into Sci-Fi. Tho this isn't necessarily a bad thing, like so many other "teen" oriented dramas, attention is on how everybody looks and not on what they're saying or how they're acting. There is a serious lack of realism in so many ways - i.e. where do the earth stranded kids get their hair, make-up and manicures done? How come such a resource stripped "Ark" can afford to send off it's youngest, best looking, (though admittedly slightly naughty)most promising prospects of their generation ? I could go on... This wouldn't be so bad if the plot or the script had any redeeming qualities. The acting isn't terrible, per say, it's just that the words they're given to speak could have been written by a committee, whose only remit is to make a show that gives you the thrills of The Hunger Games and the deep brooding premature emotions of Twilight! Tho popular aspects to go for, deeply sad for non teenage Sci-Fi fans hoping for something more original and less teeny! Anyway in my opinion The 100 is not as good or absorbing as The 4400, for example.