asummerstorm Reviews

Man with the Screaming Brain (2005)

Stunning B-movie fun from the King himself, Bruce Campbell

[10/10 · 12 May 2007]

OK, well, no one in their right mind(s) would pick up a movie titled "The Man with the Screaming Brain" and expect it to be serious. This is an outrageous b-movie, and that means a truly hokey plot, strange characters, clichés, over-the-top action, and oh-so-cheesy one liners. For that odd segment of the population (including myself) that gets a kick out of that kind of thing, this is a gem.

The acting is better than expected. Stacy Keach is embedded in his character. Bruce Campbell brings a spirited, convincing performance. His physical comedy skills are truly impressive in this movie and hearken back to the "Evil Dead" films.

The Rocketeer (1991)

Great tribute to serial adventure

[10/10 · 24 April 2007]

This is a terrifically fun pulp movie in the vein of "Raiders", "Sky Captain" and "The Phantom." Great family fun. Love the old planes and the terrific cast. Fifteen years later, most of the cast members have become much bigger and more renowned stars, haven't they? Anyways, I dug the hell out of this movie. Unlike "The Shadow," this is well-balanced, engaging storytelling. The direction is crisp, the art design is particularly lush. This movie conjures an idealized 1930s, and the appeal of that world is half of what I love about these movies, and movies from that time period. I grew up watching this movie, and loved it as a kid. My dad loves it to this day, so I can assure you, this is good for all ages.

Dragonstrike (1993)

Looney TSR-era fantasy madness!

[10/10 · 4 June 2006]

These computer graphics were considered state of the art, and it is kind of cool how they're dropped in Sky Captain style behind the actors, but honestly, it looks like they were made in Microsoft Paint. And there's a floating head guy with a quasi-British accent who keeps telling people, "You're on," whenever they ask to do something. The board game itself is a riff on "Dungeon," "HeroQuest," and all the other games made in the late 80s or early 90s to introduce youngsters to fantasy roleplaying games. I personally prefer HeroQuest, but really, if you do see DragonStrike at a garage sale or anything, absolutely purchase it, just to watch the video with your gaming group or anyone else who can appreciate the humor in stupendously corny fantasy films. 10/10.

Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning (2005 Video)

Extremely well-crafted fan film

[10/10 · 3 October 2005]

I have seen many of the "Star Wreck" films before, and the technical level of this one is astonishing. I am not a fan of "Babylon 5," so that level of the film escaped me.

However, the special effects were extensive and very well-done. The CGI was comparable in quality to a cinematic in a computer game, which is quite impressive for amateurs, especially given the length of the film, and the fact that many of the sets were CGI and were inserted "Sky Captain" style behind the actors.

The acting really impressed me. Samuli Torssonen is a very gifted comedic actor. The actor portraying Dwarf mimicked some of Worf's lesser mannerisms with precision. It was all certainly a step up from "Lost Contact." Add to the this the fact that it was largely filmed in a living room, and you've really got something to see for all fans of "Star Trek," or, I assume, "Babylon 5."

The Scourge of Worlds: A Dungeons & Dragons Adventure (2003 Video)

Entertaining for about 45 minutes...

[6/10 · 19 August 2005]

The concept of this DVD is particularly appealing. As a fan of both fantasy films and the long-dormant gamebook genre of the 1980's (Choose Your Own Adventure, Endless Quest, etc.), I saw this title as a potential test project in a whole new generation of "gamebooks." I'm not a big fan of computer animation. I think that most of the time, CG characters look a little too much like something out of a local Tech school commercial rather than a fantasy world. However, the animation here is pretty decent and, although not particularly atmospheric, it is reminiscent of cinematic portions of Computer RPGs.

The biggest disappointment is in the plot itself. I was expecting something much more epic than what was given. What we do get is a plot more like an episode of the old "D&D" cartoon show than "Lord of the Rings" or other high fantasy. I won't go into specifics, but the "big twist" is relatively transparent, and the various finales are extremely lackluster.

It's an interesting idea, and I hope more of these are made, so we can have a DVD gamebook worthy of this great concept.

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Great fun for Trekkers and non-believers alike!

[10/10 · 2 August 2005]

"GalaxyQuest" stands both as one of the most well-crafted and witty comedies in recent years as well as a grand space adventure with amazing special effects that have held up quite well (with the possible exceptions of the CGI baby aliens on the desert world).

Essentially, a number of cast members of a long-canceled "Star Trek"-style television series are mistaken for real astronauts by a race of aliens who receive the transmissions. The aliens begin to model their culture and technology after the show, recreating every element of the spaceship depicted in it. When they need help battling marauding lobster-faced invaders, they come to Earth and recruit the cast to lead their people to victory.

The cast is superb. Sigourney Weaver and Tim Allen are both solid and believable (notable, given the track record of Tim Allen as an actor) but the supporting cast really shines. Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, and especially Sam Rockwell are flat-out hilarious, and really get under the skins of their characters. Justin Long, as the die-hard fan Brandon, is a real find as well.

The story is average, but built on a great premise and delivered masterfully. This movie is very likable, very climactic, and enjoyable throughout. Any fan of "Star Trek" will love it for the gentle mockery and homage granted to that franchise, but people I know who are not Trekkies have adored it as well. One of my favorite comedies.

Shrek (2001)

Cynical, hateful, topical.

[3/10 · 4 July 2005]

While many praise "Shrek" as clever for adults and charming for children, keep in mind the extremely long-lasting appeal of classic animation such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Bambi," "Fantasia," and "Sleeping Beauty," based on timeless tales and hung out to dry by this film. Those movies, did not become timeless because they were funny parodies, or had fart jokes, or projected a sarcastic yuppie outlook onto more innocent, hopeful ideals. As such, this film will be forgotten in twenty years, just like more topical children's' films from twenty or more years ago, like "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes," "WarGames," and "Cloak and Dagger" have been all but forgotten. Nothing this mean lasts forever.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

Touching, well-made film

[9/10 · 4 July 2005]

Many people complain that they felt manipulated by the film. I do not understand this idea. All filmmakers, artists, writers, or any other creative folks, all of them do certain things to get their message across. Michael Moore is no different. And please, someone show me a documentary that really is completely objective! The US media certainly doesn't count.

Anyways, what we have here is a film made by a man extremely skilled at toying with your emotions and outlining his case. This movie is an argument, and, whether or not you end up agreeing with it, it is a strong, well-put-forth one.