Star Trek

Ahhhh.

Rented it. Watching it. Loved it.

For trekkies, of course, but also good for science fiction and space adventure stories. Excellent movie.

The actors were great!!! Especially the actors playing Spock (his voice could have been a little deeper) and Bones--Dr. McCoy-- was dead-on. Delightful. The rest were good, too.

I wondered for a long time where Scotty was, then theyadded him to the crew--he was one of the cuties that played Dr. No on BBC series. Too small, too thin. But just as lovable.

And the romantic interest was a surprise as was the appearance of an actor and character from the old TV series.

The familiar Kirk personality from the 1960's was brought in by the actor at the very end of the movie when we got a glimpse of the good old Captain Kirk-to-be coming forth. It was very satisfying. (Of course I missed Jeffery Hunter as Capt. Pike but many people won't even remember him.)

Definitely worth renting and watching.

NOTE to the producers: Bring Star Trek series back to the big screen, and we wouldn't mind a weekly series with the new, younger cast.

I'm gonna buy this one.

Insomnia

My inner child is being so bad....she will NOT go to sleep.

She is playing on the computer.

It is 1:50 AM and I have to answer to NOBODY. (Except God, and I doubt He judges me for what time I fall asleep.)

Why am I worrying about I should this, and I should that?

Serious RULE: Do not should on yourself.

Sandy Insomniac and/or Night Owl

Gamer -- Possibly the best Gerard Butler movie to date

I am so glad I got to the movies to see Gamer on the big screen. It is possibly the best Gerry Butler movie to date. Not only was he exceptional, so was the entire cast. Excellent. The cinematography, the script, the acting, the FX, some of the best I've seen.

The fact it was filmed in Albuquerque made it more exciting to see our "hometown" on the screen and guess or recognize the sets in Albuquerque. I remember being in the downtown Albuquerque area when they were filming parts of the movie in Nov. two years ago, and stopped to watch with a small crowd. Unfortunately the actors were far at the end of a long street and smoke machines were puffing smoke all over the scene, so the actors were not only a half an inch high from were we stood, but were hazy too from the smoke. (Also, I think the screenwriters were on strike and picking about that time, and did see them on the streets with signs--or was that on the nightly news? I don't know who wrote this script, but I loved it. Thank you, thank you.

I fully intend to buy this movie and watch it again & again. And not just to gaze on GB's glorious muscles. It's a shame the movie wasn't more popular when it was in the theaters but should have a DVD splurge as soon as it comes out. I recommend seeing it at the "last-chance" movie theaters in your hometown. Or rent it (better yet, buy it and tell all your friends to rent or buy it too.)

Let's stop ordinary Americans from saying "Gerry who"? every time his fans mention one of his movies. He's been in over 30 movies and numerous TV shows in Scotland and England, and on recent talk show appearances here--Jay Leno even in the new 9 PM slot. Gerry does romantic comedy (PS I Love You), silly drama (RocknRolla), and ... DUH ... Gerard (pronounced Jarod) Butler, the lovable and talented Scot was THE PHANTOM OF THE "FRIGGING" OPERA. Get a clue.

He now owns production company called Evil Twins, I believe, which was listed as one of the producers of Law-Abiding Citizen. He's in that too. so he may be the only actor this week with two movies in the same theater! AND he was in nearly every scene of Gamer and was clearly the featured star. The story revolved around his character/him.


The R rating of Gamer was unfortunate. I think it's an excellent movie and the violence and sexuality wasn't any worse than that graphic-novel movie 300. (If you recall, Gerry Butler was the scrumptious King and leader of the 300!)

Gamer is fast paced and keeps your interest throughout. It keeps you guessing unlike most American movies that seem to spell everything out and clarify everything at the end. Instead it unfolds for the viewer with suspense and surprise and is never predictable. It gives you the opportunity to pay close attention so you can realize exactly what is going on and when. Very good. Very good.

And the popcorn at the dollar-movies (Cinemark) isn't bad either.

Thanks. Sandy, Critique who loves movies.

Dark Knight

I must admit I am not a fan of Batman or any of those other cartoon fantasies, although Robert Downey Jr and Iron Man were very was a good movie regardless.

My grandson loves Spiderman but I am hoping that his mommy and daddy will NOT take him to Dark Knight.

I must also admit that I wanted to see it solely for Heath Ledger's performance. After all, it was probably his best acting and as a matter of fact, he won a posthumous scar for it. Seeing throw his heart into the villain was heartbreaking when you consider his death due to overdose of medications didn't have to happen. Very tragic when we lose a young person.

Anyway, the whole movie was dark (not enough light on the set--that kind of dark.) Much of it was gory and disgustingly violent. And I basically had trouble figuring out what was going on--mostly because of the title. Did Batman want the world to think he was The Dark Knight? And if so, why?

I think the average adult would do well to skip this one. It could be handled by mature teens, but not the psycho portion of our population.

See Iron Man instead.

Sandy Schairer, DVD Critique

Rent

I had a chance to go see RENT on the stage at Popejoy Hall (UNM.) There were times when we could afford season tickets...many of the productions are just music or just dance. Some are dramas--for instance Phantom of the Opera which I have seen on stage twice.

I didn't have a clue what the movie Rent was about so when my husband brought it home, I joined him in watching it on a rental DVD.

It was very moving. The acting and songs were very positive and uplifting.

And the movie was very very sad.

It was a movie that you want to call up the author and director and tell them "Thanks."

I burst into tears when it was over and placed a call to a gay relative to see if she had seen it. Yes, she saw it on Broadway.

So, watch it if you want a more deep almost spiritual awakening from this movie.

Sandy Schairer, DVD Critic

Junkdog Millionaire

Watched the "best" movie of the year -- received Oscar at least -- on DVD a couple of weekends ago.

Several scenes of the main character's youth (movie was done with a great deal of flash-backs) were hard to watch, they were in someplace like India and very different from the United States.
It was amazing that the child survived until adulthood.

It was a well done movie but a definite eye-opener. It was not a pleasant movie to watch, so don't rent it to escape from life for a couple hours. It makes you think. And feel.

The acting was excellent. So I recommend it if you have the guts to watch it.

Sandy Schairer, DVD Critic