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Reviews
Dune (2000)
A superb adaption of the novel.
A bit slow, and ponderous, but that is how the book was as well. The miniseries kept almost perfectly with the novel (Which I JUST finished rereading) despite what people with more selective memories say.
It isn't my favorite movie, but I give it a 10, for making the best of what it was.
Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
One of the best anime series around. . . (possible spoiler)
Combining elements of Ghost in the Shell, and Akira, this new anime is a masterpeice.
While the animation is much more simple than most mainstream anime, the plot is also much more subtle and engaging. This anime comes on both VHS and DVD, and as always, the preferred medium is DVD. There are 13 total episodes, on 4 dvds.
If you are considering renting or purchasing this anime, buy it all at once. I bought the first DVD to see if I liked it, and I called up Amazon.com later that night to order the rest of the series. It is that good.
A bit of warning though (this is the possible spoiler. IMHO it is better to watch Lain knowing this) the last episode is very weird. The first time I watched it I couldn't beleive it was over. It went by that fast.
Ok, and watch for real world references. The "be" in "To be continued" is the old corporate logo for "Be inc" a company that makes a highly graphical OS that competes with microsoft. (A highly multimedia OS. . . Hrrrrm.) Also keep in mind that when this anime was being produced, Intel was comming out with another 6th gen processor. . . and its underdog rival was comming out with a 7th gen.
As I said, there are a lot of real world references. For you technogeeks out there, this is a must watch. :)
Arslân Senki (1993)
Great anime
One of the best fantasy anime I've seen. At nearly 3 hours long, it is a serious series. My only complaint is that it feels a little unfinished.
Farscape (1999)
Best new Sci Fi series since Babylon 5
I think I like this movie simply for the fact that the invading bug monsters could be reasoned with. None of the enemies in this series are one dimensional, which leads to much better plots than the many other sci fi series out there.
Entrapment (1999)
Pretty good, just not a GREAT film
I was really looking forward to this movie. As a fan of Sean Connery, and of "Thief" stories as a whole, I thought this might be the penultimate Thief movie. While both Catherine and Sean were great in this film, they are the only reason to see it. The plot has a couple interesting twists, but is predictable throughout. All in all I gave this 7 outa 10 points. (I would watch it on TV, but won't rent it when it comes out on video) If you are looking for a REALLY good thriller, rent "Heat" or "The Usual Suspects" both of which I consider to be the best of the genre. Heat is also a longer movie, which translates to more bang for yer movie buck.
Wing Commander (1999)
Stick to the video game
Or, if you've never played the game, watch the movie. On second thought, just play Wing Commander 3, 4, and Prophesy. The cast is better, the acting is better, and the FX are better in the games. Having seen certain characters portrayed by recognised actors in the videogame, I expected them in the movie. The movie just doesn't fit in the Wing Commander universe. Paladin (James Taggert) is quite scottish in the game, and played by the superb actor John Ryse Davies. In the movie he's french, and well. . . just doesn't work for me. The primary character in the games and the movie is Christopher Blair, played by Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamil. I liked Hamil as Blair, and wouldn't have minded him being used in the movie. (though in the movie they would have made him quite a bit younger, as it takes place earlier than the interactive movies of WC 3,4, and prophesy. The other characters bore little or no resemblance to the characters in the games. All in all it made me a bit sad.
Rôdosu-tô senki (1990)
Excellent D&D based anime
This series is great. I highly recommend any anime fans to at least rent it (if you don't own a dvd player yet) and to buy the dvd boxed set if you do. The music is terrific, and the plotline is well developed. Unlike most anime I found the English voice talent to be done as well as the Japanese, and you get both on the DVD.
Le Cinquième Élément (1997)
One of my All time Favorites
Ok, I like ALL sci fi. I think there are some very simple reasons I liked 5th element. First off, I don't beleive that a single shot was held for more than 30 second, keeping with the average Sci Fi fan's attention span. I like Bruce Willis, and I like shooter flicks. This movie was both. While the plot wasn't the best, you have to keep in mind that any movie isn 't going to have a plot worthy of a good Sci Fi novel, simply because 2-3 hours isn't enough time to put a whole novel into. The FX were grand, and I think it was well cast.