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Reviews
Battlestar Galactica (2003)
A reinvention that dwarfs its namesake
This is a brilliant example of relevant science fiction. The creators of this remake have managed to create scenario very much a mirror image of the mentality of a post-9/11 america. They managed to craft a race of villains that are terrifying on an intellectual level, as well as their nightmarish appearance. The Cylons in this version are our own creation, a sentient race of machines that have taken religion as their motivation for committing genocide. They believe it was God's mandate that they usurp us in the universe as a matter of evolution. Perhaps the greatest strength of this production, aside from being conceptually strong, is the solid performances the cast delivers. Nearly every character is someone we have known or imagined in our daily life, very believable people. People placed in an extraordinarily disastrous situation and forced to make some of the most brutal decisions they will ever face.
Smartly written and economically filmed, this is a production not to be missed. If you have the means watch it, rent or buy the DVD when it comes out. I know I will.
Battlestar Galactica (2003)
A reinvention that dwarfs its namesake
This is a brilliant example of relevant science fiction. The creators of this remake have managed to create scenario very much a mirror image of the mentality of a post-9/11 america. They managed to craft a race of villains that are terrifying on an intellectual level, as well as their nightmarish appearance. The Cylons in this version are our own creation, a sentient race of machines that have taken religion as their motivation for committing genocide. They believe it was God's mandate that they usurp us in the universe as a matter of evolution. Perhaps the greatest strength of this production, aside from being conceptually strong, is the solid performances the cast delivers. Nearly every character is someone we have known or imagined in our daily life, very believable people. People placed in an extraordinarily disastrous situation and forced to make some of the most brutal decisions they will ever face.
Smartly written and economically filmed, this is a production not to be missed. If you have the means watch it, rent or buy the DVD when it comes out. I know I will.
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Don't believe the critics, it's awesome
I could go on at length as to why this is the best installment in the next generation franchise. It resembles it Wrath of Khan cousin in several ways, but there is also something very new here. The idea of "nature versus nurture" with the two dichotomous sets of characters works surprisingly well; Stewart has a younger doppleganger while Data must interact with a prototype. I like the fact that they ignored Data's emotion chip for this trip out, giving his objective view on the mechanics of personal development was interesting. The action scenes were incredibly intense, the effects were the best Trek has had to date. Finally they show that these ships are postively brimming with weapons and can use them in torrents of fire, something that has been missing from Trek action. I am looking forward to the missing scenes on this DVD release.
Due South (1994)
One of the greatest Television series' I have ever seen
The appeal of this show is very difficult to put into a few paragraphs. Its an extended modernizing of Shakespeare's Hamlet, only the Prince in this case is a Canadian Mountie, sent to Chicago to pursue his fathers killers, haunted by his father's ghost. It's more light hearted than it sounds, Benton Fraser(the Mountie) begins to get more acquainted with his father in death than he ever had been in life, courtesy of journals and interacting with Fraser Senior's ghost. The characters are both exaggerated but ultimately very believeable and Benton Fraser is by far one of the most intriguing fictional characters I have seen on television. The first season especially really does ask probing questions and deal with issues, notably the last 3 episodes featuring Fraser's warped love affair with a woman he had to imprison!
Many episodes are modernized derivatives from notable literature, one case is an episode entitled "Gift of the Wheelman", a reference to "Gift of the Magi" featuring the wheelman in a bankrobbery throwing his life away in exchange for the loot to give his son (played by Ryan Phillipe in his first major appearance) whom only wants his father's company and compassion. If you have the means you should really check into this show, if you are an avid reader it's incredible. Next to the Simpsons this is my favorite television series to date.