An excellent documentary about efforts to save a REALLY endangered species from poachers off the coast of Mexico. It follows investigators, a TV journalist, the Mexican Military; the story is well edited, and fascinating.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Revenge of the Electric Car
(2011)
Great sequel to "Who Killed the Electric Car".
28 June 2011
Bottom line- if you liked "Who Killed the Electric Car", you'll like "Revenge of the Electric Car". Where "Who" pointed fingers at people, government, and industry, "Revenge" tells the story of those working hard to bring about a renaissance of the Electric Car. This makes for a different tone in the movie, but the subject matter will seem familiar. Rather than tell the whole story, the movie focuses on representatives. Featured are a couple of large car companies, one making a battery electric, one making a extended range battery electric, a small car company battling amazing odds, and a small shop owner living his dream- converting gas engined cars with the highest possible quality, using carefully selected parts to try to out-do the major car companies. How do you out-do a major car company? Well, that's up to you, isn't it? It could be style, it could be uniqueness, it could be cost. In the case of the EV it could be range or charging time, top speed or durability. Sit back and relax, and drink it all in, as the story unfolds before you. This documentary is easily one of the finest I've seen in a long time. Thanks to the team for making the movie, and a particular thanks to the person who did the opening credits.
Quantum of Solace
(2008)
This director's ego has got to be deflated. (Spoiler)
16 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Let me try to start with the positive. I thought that the plot had great potential. I thought the acting was fine (especially Judi Dench). I walked away horribly disappointed, however. Here's why: 1. Would someone please tell Hollywood that the hand held camera idea was cute for maybe a couple of months, not a decade? PLEASE move on. Some of us would like to actually SEE more detail in what's going on. Especially with higher def movie projectors, and TVs, once it hits DVD. 2. Would someone please tell this director, and warn Hollywood, that if you're going to pay to do a stunt, the audience wants to (gasp) see how it ends. This movie has an awful habit of cutting to the next scene just as the action takes place. So we see the action, not the effect. Example (not much of a spoiler here). A car hits a truck. The movie then cuts IMMEDIATELY to the next shot, leaving us to wonder if parts flew off, if a screeching sound was heard, if the fender crumpled, etc. Herr Direktor may think this is cute, or (wait for it!)ARTSY. I think it's amazingly annoying. 3. No gadgets. You know, it didn't need any. The movie did just fine without them. 4. Us Vs Them. There is a tendency in this movie to pit the British against their closest allies, the US. This happened several times, with MI-6 personnel demonizing the US basically (along with China and Russia) as being "oil hogs". While the US may certainly use more than it's "share" of oil, I question the motivation for the writer (and my buddy the Director) to make such a stink about it. This demonizing trend is further shown with the CIA characters showing, well, a lack of morals and desire to operate within the law. While I know that this tune has been played before, I was surprised to see it hauled out to be harped on by a series as normally well thought of as a Bond movie. 5. (SPOILER AGAIN) Next time you all stage a fight, where one guy's reaching for a gun, could you all please give us enough time to figure out WHO it is reaching for that gun? I mean, it was just silly. Both guys were wearing dark suits. Both are Caucasian. Don't think we're stupid, but give us at least a little chance to catch a clue here.
Dinosaurs
(1991–1994)
Sharp satire, yet you can watch with your kids.
22 May 2006
Just like my favorite romance movie, the Princess Bride, or even Rocky and Bullwinkle for that matter, here's a show that's clearly written for two completely different audiences- the kids that love them, and the parents that watch with them. If you want the most cutting example of this, watch the Dinosaurs episode in which a Barney-like animal (a Hippo, if I remember right?)hosts a daytime TV kiddie show, but he's really a manipulative bad guy when the TV cameras are off. Throw in the French Resistance, complete with horrible Clouseau-like frrrrench accents, and, well, you get the idea. Absurdist humor at it's best. I guarantee you'll laugh at this one.
One other noteworthy episode is the last one- it appears that they knew that the show was cancelled, so they put together a parting shot; very different in tone from the rest of the series. Thank goodness this series FINALLY came out on DVD. Now I can throw all those videotapes away.
Watch this with your kids, if you have any. In the words of Baby dinosaur, "AGAIN!!!!!"
One other noteworthy episode is the last one- it appears that they knew that the show was cancelled, so they put together a parting shot; very different in tone from the rest of the series. Thank goodness this series FINALLY came out on DVD. Now I can throw all those videotapes away.
Watch this with your kids, if you have any. In the words of Baby dinosaur, "AGAIN!!!!!"
Coolfuel Roadtrip
(2005– )
Timely look at alternate fuel options while crossing America.
14 May 2006
I'd heard about this show via the net, and decided to order the series, as I'm interested in purchasing a different type of car for my next ride. Natural Gas, Bio Diesel, or a high-MPG hybrid? Australian Shaun Murphy crosses the USA, using anything but gasoline or diesel fuel. He burns trash, drives battery-electric vehicles, etc., all in a lighthearted way, accompanied by his dog Sparky. It's very well produced, moves along quickly, and, for some reason, I noticed that it's got a neat soundtrack(normally, I don't notice such things). Overall, a 9.
The show focuses on the trip, and sometimes I wish it were just a little more technical- showing more details on the alternate-fuel rides, but that's a very very small complaint on a show that easily keeps your attention, and showcases options you may not have thought of before while driving your gas engined car.
This is available through their website, but is not yet on Netflix. Enjoy! I'm hoping the show makes you realize that, regardless of what Big Oil and the current administration wants you to believe, there ARE options, and they're here now. And, they may fit your lifestyle without any major adaptations at all.
The show focuses on the trip, and sometimes I wish it were just a little more technical- showing more details on the alternate-fuel rides, but that's a very very small complaint on a show that easily keeps your attention, and showcases options you may not have thought of before while driving your gas engined car.
This is available through their website, but is not yet on Netflix. Enjoy! I'm hoping the show makes you realize that, regardless of what Big Oil and the current administration wants you to believe, there ARE options, and they're here now. And, they may fit your lifestyle without any major adaptations at all.
Norman... Is That You?
(1976)
Uneven, but terrific comedy bits inside!
8 August 2004
Norman, Is That You? was (this is all third hand, so take it with a grain of salt) adapted to an African American family from a Jewish one, when it made the transition off stage and onto screen. Also, it was one of those movies originally filmed in video, so the prints from the theater can't have been that great. Still, performances by Redd Foxx and others were pretty good.
What I wanted to tell you all is that the movie is a PERIOD PIECE: it reflected the attitudes in the mid to early 70s about finding out you have a gay son or daughter in your family. For that reason alone, it's pretty interesting- if not a little "hollywood". Don't believe me? Check out lines about curtains, etc. Very stereotypical. Not too deep.
But... the movie really shines in a couple of areas. There is a side splitting scene when Redd Foxx is trying to find his wife, who's run away with his brother (!) to Ensenada in a souped up Pinto. The phone conversation across the border is really memorable.
But... the best scene in the movie is when Wayland Flowers and Madame did his/their gay routine that he used to do in gay bars and nightclubs. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only time that routine was filmed. And, it's a slightly cleaned up and much shorter version, I'm told. Still, it's vintage Madame, and shouldn't be missed. People are still stealing lines from Wayland; the man was truly gifted. Enjoy the movie!
What I wanted to tell you all is that the movie is a PERIOD PIECE: it reflected the attitudes in the mid to early 70s about finding out you have a gay son or daughter in your family. For that reason alone, it's pretty interesting- if not a little "hollywood". Don't believe me? Check out lines about curtains, etc. Very stereotypical. Not too deep.
But... the movie really shines in a couple of areas. There is a side splitting scene when Redd Foxx is trying to find his wife, who's run away with his brother (!) to Ensenada in a souped up Pinto. The phone conversation across the border is really memorable.
But... the best scene in the movie is when Wayland Flowers and Madame did his/their gay routine that he used to do in gay bars and nightclubs. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only time that routine was filmed. And, it's a slightly cleaned up and much shorter version, I'm told. Still, it's vintage Madame, and shouldn't be missed. People are still stealing lines from Wayland; the man was truly gifted. Enjoy the movie!
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
(2002 Video)
A suprisingly good sleeper...
16 January 2004
I saw this with a friend, who 'heard it was great'. What a suprise to see a really well done remake of this classic! The acting seemed to be particularly strong. Sets, although sometimes sparse, were quite appropriate. Costuming also was a strong point of the movie. I heartily recommend it!
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