californiarecordshop Reviews

The Outer Limits: Abduction (2001) Season 7, Episode 16

The Outer Limits Afterschool Special

[5/10 · 7 November 2020]

For those not old enough to remember, back in the 80's ABC had a show called the 'Afterschool Special'. This show was way out of line. It always had some creepy over-dramatic cheesy story trying to shove some overblown moral down your throat. This episode reminded me of those shows. It starts out ok, 5 high school stereotypes get abducted by an Alien that demands they choose one of them to die, or all 5 of the kids will die. It goes downhill very quickly from there, it has that unnatural dialogue, where the characters are being used at a mouthpiece for some point the writer is trying to make, rather than speaking from character, - The X-files would fall into this lazy type of writing / narration quite often. Although it is done in a much more entertaining way, I could not escape the feeling I was watching an errant episode of the 'Afterschool Special' that somehow is masquerading as an 'Outer Limits' show. The last half falls into this degeneracy more than the first half. One of the weaker episodes if you ask me... and no more naked ladies like Valerie 23... shame.Thanks to OL I got to find out that the chick from 'Who's the Boss?' has a nice rack... small but firm and shapely... Tonight on a special 'Outer Limits'... Samanatha gets naked.God Bless Amerka and Trumpty Dumpty 2024!

The Outer Limits: Revival (2000) Season 6, Episode 16

Underrated Episode

[9/10 · 26 October 2020]

I really enjoyed this episode. One of the better ones, the acting is superb, and draws one into the drama. This is one of those scripts that could have been mediocre in the hands of lesser actors. Busey has one of his best roles and is very believable as the slightly cynical evangelist. The plot is fairly unique and I think this is one that I saw when it came out so many years ago. The story itself is timeless and has a caveat against following faith blindly. It could have been titled 'Sheep to the Alien Slaughter' ... Not sure why anyone would be 'uncomfortable' watching this, unless they're some idiot Jebus Crispy...

The Outer Limits: Starcrossed (1999) Season 5, Episode 21

Meh. 6+ minutes of 1990s soft rock horror... meh.

[4/10 · 17 October 2020]

They actually do two full 3+ minute soft rock tunes in this, skip. I'm not even sure what you would call music like that... its just awful. Not much happens in this story... its pretty boring. Weak episode all around. No boobs in this episode either, even thought there were a couple of obvious chances, and one the least erotic love scenes ever filmed. I guess by season 5 enough jealous housewives, who couldn't stand their husbands seeing better looking women naked on TV, had made their disapproval known.

The Outer Limits: The Shroud (1999) Season 5, Episode 10

Lame from the very genesis.

[1/10 · 16 October 2020]

Maybe the writer was unaware that the Shroud of Lies, was definitively Carbon-Dated to around the 15th or 16th Century, which sounds about right, so even if they did get DNA off the thing, it could be from absolutely anyone at all... So this premise is just stupid from the beginning as its all based on a hoax, so for me, it was stupid from the very start. Skip.

The Outer Limits: Quality of Mercy (1995) Season 1, Episode 13

Best episode so far

[9/10 · 26 September 2020]

I'm usually the first one to figure out a twist in a story and I am rarely surprised by 'twists' in movies and films etc. This was a pleasant surprise as I was really caught off guard by the great twist at the end... I totally did not see it coming until the last minute, what a great episode and I'm only up to Season 4 at the time of writing, but this still remains the best episode of the series so far. I love Sci-fi and Robert Patrick and the chick from DS9 were really great in this, its difficult to do much with just a set and two actors (and one alien), but they pulled off a grand slam, very inventive and unique. Unfortunately the 'sequel' (Shut up Wesley!) - wasn't quite up to par, it was okay, but it was the antithesis of this episode, where the twist at the end was so obvious from the start, and Wesley does something so stupid that even Wesley Crusher would not have fallen for it... still a good episode though...

The Outer Limits: The Hunt (1998) Season 4, Episode 2

Excellent cast elevates average story

[8/10 · 26 September 2020]

With any other actors this could have just been an average episode. This really showed me how great actors can elevate an average story and dialogue. What a great episode to my surprise, but the acting was just superb. Can't say any more without spoilers...

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

Rise of the McGuffins

[2/10 · 12 September 2020]

Jar Jar Abrahms is the DEATH OF STAR WARS. I saw the original movie at 3 years old in the theatre, when I saw 'Empire' a few years later it altered my life... I have been a fan of the original trilogy all my life and consider 'Empire' to be one of my top 3 movies of all time. Too bad Disney just did a giant cash grab, I guess they banked in and killed at the same time that last nostalgia that we all had. I wouldn't go see another Star Wars film (Rogue One and Mandalorian seem to be flukes), and Ep. IX is the only one (besides Ep.I and Solo) that I never saw twice in the theatres... The pointlessness of the whole trilogy cannot be understated, Episode 8 adds so nothing to the actual story, that my parents never saw it, yet they had no problem following Ep. IX. Jar Jar Abrahms, made one good film, Star Trekm (2009) - clearly by accident, but everything else he's done is completely derivative. Ep. VII is just a remake of 'Star Wars' (and no I am NOT calling it "A New Grope"). The whole dyad plot thing and the stupid Star Destroyers that can't fly or shoot at anything (their tech seems to move backwards), and the God awful of bringing the Emperor back and Finn having no lines except to call out 'Rey!' over and over... to the finding McGuffin chase they needed to find the main McGuffin, which was all pointless in the end... God, please kill me. The Effects were cool though, that why it got 2 stars instead of 1. This movie has more plot holes than Swiss cheese. The last we saw Ren's helmet it was sitting in the bottom of the elevator in pieces, you're telling me it wasn't immediately thrown away by some maintenance guy? Someone actually picked up the pieces of Ren's broken helmet and KEPT THEM?!? WTF?!? For god's sake why would they do that? To bringing back the pointless 'Knights of Pointless' - that didn't do anything. Now near the end Ren gets hit in FACE and body numerous times by the brutal bludgeoning weapons the 'Knights of Ren' carry, (why is he even fighting with them? They follow Palpatine all of sudden for no reason?) yet experiences no death... he crashed his TIE and lives... I HATE THIS MOVIE MORE THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT

The Outer Limits: Valerie 23 (1995) Season 1, Episode 2

Uncensored

[7/10 · 12 September 2020]

Warning: Uncensored version may cause spontaneous tumescence. I was watching this the other day and had no idea there were uncensored versions of this show... the chick is hot. In spite her 'Doherty' eye syndrome, if you only look at one side of her face at a time; she looks like two different people. But I had no idea she was going to completely strip and leave NOTHING to the imagination... it was so unexpected that it was a real turn on and a side effect was a spontaneous tumescence that had to be dealt with... Fair warning guys... watch this when your girlfriend is around... Its a decent run-o-the-mill android flick other than that... with some fairly obvious devices, but the acting is done very well especially the android chick and she is very creepy as she stalks her man. Looking forward to the Valerie 25...

The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008)

Like trudging uphill in the snow, both ways... worse than people are saying...

[6/10 · 11 January 2019]

The movie starts out ok, but just goes downhill from there. This wouldn't even have made a decent 1 hour episode. There was so much talking, I was having trouble following and staying interested. I've only seen it once and I will probably won't be seeing it again. Its easily skipped over. They should have followed the mythology, but maybe they were hitting too close to home. Very disappointing, this almost felt like a boring documentary. I'm having trouble remembering specifics, but I just remember a lot of very dry, boring talking. The main idea was interesting, but that's about it. This is probably worse than most people are saying, at least for me. For me what made the X-files good was the conspiracies and the way they played out or not. We were still left with many questions that a big-movie is supposed to answer, or could have answered. Like were there aliens at all, or was it just men in the government using alien technology? Or none of the above? I could have written a better episode. It has none of the edginess that is necessary to drive such a film...

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)

Where are the Sea Monsters?

[7/10 · 24 December 2018]

I remember seeing this many times as a child. I clearly am from an alternate universe, because my favorite part was when they were on the raft and the two rubbery Sea Monsters come and battle it out... I recently we-watched the film and the Sea Monsters were no where to be found? What happened? Can anyone explain please?

The Expanse (2015–2022)

Excellent Sci-Fi

[9/10 · 11 December 2018]

As someone whose read the books, I am happy to say that this is an excellent adaptation. The effects are very crisp and nice. The pacing and acting are very good. They bring the books to life in a very faithful manner. Best Sci-Fi on TV right now. Thank goodness Amazon picked it up, SYFY is pretty stupid to let this great show go. I can't wait for season 4 to see how they work things out beyond the ring. Enjoy.

Shot Caller (2017)

Some Realistic Portrayal of Prison - Some obvious flaws.

[8/10 · 1 November 2018]

This is probably the closest to the real thing I've ever seen. Except for the Obligatory rape scene. As someone who spent 4 months in West Block San Quentin in 2007 - I never once feared that I would be raped. So, I'm a little tired of the Hollywood, TV portrayal of prison rape, because if you're a stand up person, it won't happen to you (in most cases, I'm sure there are exceptions). But I knew the woods had my back, and I had there's, the scene where he's hearing a rape happen in the large dorm, would never happen, there would be about 100 people getting up and saying WTF?!? and sh*t would go down hard (no pun intended). And speaking personally of West Block, you're in there with 500 other guys that don't want to get raped either. So, please Hollywood, back off of the prison rape stereotypical drama. The movie is a bit sensational, but they really nailed the prison experience (Hollywood required rape scene, not withstanding). Since I never had an unpaid dope debt and wasn't a snitch or a rapist, I didn't have anything to fear, prison is just a big jail. I'm not particularly big either, but I am a crazy and tough, so I carried myself. It reminded me how you have to walk the line in there, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive, even if it means killing your celly, that's just the way it goes down, you can't stop to think "will I get more time for this," I had to put a big biker celly in his place (bigger than me at least - I'm under 6'), and smashed him good, I would have knocked him out but I destroyed him in about 2.5 seconds. He was really surprised and wasn't expecting it from nice little me. I'm usually a very chill person, just don't get on my bad side. I was in there for not pulling over, and a chase... no drugs or violence either. The system is totally crooked, some Meth-head - same exact charge but with a bag of meth, while I just ran, I got 2 years in prison (no priors) he got (1 prior chase conviction - so his second time running) a month long drug program. Disgusting... but that's how messed up the system is, its completely corrupt, people are surprised because they are brainwashed by 'Law and Order' and no, its not like that the DA and cops are going to lie / cheat / steal / torture / break any law because they can, and they will get away with it. Believe that. No ever talks about the 'GREEN WALL' - the Quentin guards caught bringing a brick of heroin and cell phones into San Quentin, never got any charges, and that's the way it will go - forever. Don't think it will ever change... because its always been like that, and as long as the major non-prison population holds the pigs in such high regard, they will continue getting away with literal murder, they don't follow their own laws, the hypocritical nature is shown good here, I got off topic a bit, but this movie shows some of the corruption that is regular to all law enforcement, not just prisons. Its amazing what one can get used to... a stabbing would occur on the yard, and all it meant to me was that I wasn't going to the store and getting my ice cream that week. I never gave anyone a reason to want to stab me, but I was fully willing to destroy anyone that crossed me wrong, that's the only way you will survive in a place with total anarchy (Quentin doesn't follow their own Title 15 at all). The movie did a good job showing how someone has to man up and walk the narrow line. Don't get me wrong its a gladiator school, no question about that, but I always knew the woods had my back and vice versa. Best advice to anyone in prison is to keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open at all times. Unlike the Roger Ebert reviewer, I thought this was right on the money, a bit sensational, but it is a movie afterall, but its the closest thing I've ever seen to what it really is like in prison. I didn't have to put any 'work' in..., but I also had instant status because I never ratted on anyone, and my jacket was clean, people knew I did my jail time and that gave me some instant cred and sympathy. The whole time I was there the docs said I had scary high blood pressure, they were afraid I was going to pop. Like this movie does, , put a basically 'normal' person in a war-zone and that's what you get, its as close to being in a war that I can see, you have to be aware 24-7, any second things could pop off, and people are always watching to see if you were slipping, some 'Toad' - like the movie said, took my cup and I had to show the entire group about 5-6 'Toads' that I was willing to stomp every single one of them by myself if necessary, if they confessed to taking it, but no one would because of just that reason, you cannot let a single person get over on you, the second you're a 'b*tch or a punk' its over for you. If you don't handle your business shot callers will put a 'green light' on you and you might die. At the same time you can't be termed a 'trouble-maker' either, that can also get you hurt, people (like my ice cream) don't like their 'program' messed up. Always a fine line to walk in prison. I always handled my business. Never had to stab anyone, thank God. But I would have if it came down to it... that's the way you have to roll, ain't no consequences except if it isn't clear to others that you're willing to take it as far as it needs to go, you're also finished. Believe me, who wants to turn 2 years into 30? Not me. But it so easily could happen... too easily really. All the cops have to do is put the bad guy in your cell and its you or him. They know the politics, they play the 'game' .But if it came down to it, you have to choose them or me. I choose me. Damn guards kicked me over to cold-ass yard side, because I was getting to much juice on the Bay side, I would give sodas, even to blacks and stuff, so I got hella juice. Its okay to give a sealed soda, you just don't drink off someones tray that is. This movie shows the true brutality of the mind-set of prisoners in the most realistic portrayal I've ever scene (tired Hollywood 'rape' stereotype aside - there is a word for it, but I just can't remember now, its driving me crazy, tip of the tongue...). I knew who not to give drinks to also, some big bulls on the level 1 yard at Soledad, where I ended up - no more high blood pressure / gladiator / killing school, (whites but probably giant gay dudes) asked me for a soda, I just told them I was 'taking care of mine' because all of a sudden you now have to give them a soda every time and will probably get beat up or raped "What no soda today? We got a problem or something?" - So I knew when to stick to my guns, they couldn't fault me for 'taking care of my people'. Whereas I give them a soda once, I better be ready to give one every time or there will be problems. Excellent movie, glad to finally see a somewhat realistic version of prison, besides the stereotypes and obvious flaws. Some Ebert reviewer was saying how formulaic it was, I don't agree, that is exactly how it happens, one second your life is rolling along, next second your facing someone in prison yard trying to kill you...It can happen to anyone, its easy to be falsely accused, it happened to me; the corrupt cops don't care if your innocent or not. That's not their job, and people find themselves banging their heads against a wall because they've been brainwashed by 'Law and Order' and similar propaganda, to believe that any such thing other than the truth exists: that the gang and the government are different. The gang and the government are exactly the same.

Two Lovers (2008)

Movie asks: What if a guy acted like a chick?

[6/10 · 20 September 2017]

This is an OK movie. Ever since Gladiator I loved Jaquion Phoenix's acting, he truly is a pleasure to watch. A real actor and the opposite of those like Keanu Reeves. That said, I wish he had a stronger character in this movie. I don't see Phoenix's character as realistic though. This seems like a role-reversal film that asks 'What if the guy acts like the chick in the relationship?' He does what women do; he wants what he can't have and spurns the hot girl (Sandra) that actually wants him for the troubled but 'out-of-reach' (Michelle) girl he can't have. I've been with a lot of women, when I was younger (and better looking). His behavior would turn 99% of women off, they all want some sort of challenge, so of course she is going to go for the married guy, that is how women behave. Maybe a desperate (ugly/fat) girl would be OK with his behavior , but not a hottie like Paltrow's character. The quickest way to turn a girl off like Michelle would be to get clingy and cringey like he does. It was hard to enjoy after that, because it seemed more like a fantasy, 'what if?' than a look at a real relationship. I've never acted like that, no boy or man I know or have seen acts like this. He literally takes a woman's emotional role. He's pretty pathetic and in reality, Paltrow's character would continue to manipulate him; keeping him interested enough to be the 'Penis under glass to break in an emergency' and in the 'friend zone.' I wish it was more realistic, because with his behavior she wouldn't have to put out, she would keep him at arm's reach, since he was already at her beck and call. It seemed very predictable that she would not show up to go with him to SF and stay with the married guy. At least that part was realistic. I didn't like the ending either, I felt he was being untrue to Sandra by settling for her when she being such a hottie, deserves someone that actually wants her. I love the 'Blue Velvet' shout out, 'Hey, neighbor' - that in itself made this worth watching.

Get Out (I) (2017)

Average movie B-movie and Hollywood sucks the blacksnake

[3/10 · 19 September 2017]

This is an average movie. You could almost say it is a remake of 'The Stepford Wives' but with black people and a bit of 'Guess who's coming to dinner'. Not an original premise in anyway. If this movie was made by a white director/writer I don't think it would be getting all the attention and acclaim it has received. The main idea is ludicrous. The frontal cortex and parietal lobes in the front part of the brain are where personality resides. There is no personality left in the lower parts of the brain. Remove those upper portions and your left with the Medulla and Pons and other lower portions of the brains that serve mostly the autonomic functions like heartbeat and respiration. The exposition portion of the film, which in a good film is the best part usually, is just stupid and does nothing to enhance the film or our knowledge of what is happening. It starts off good, but steadily declines as the movie goes on. As we get towards the end it degenerates into a standard B-movie reel. The violence for no reason at all, in killing the father with the antlers, as if he wouldn't have heard him coming down the hall. Who starts a brain procedure without both patients being ready in the same non-sterile room with the door open? The villain brother whom by all means is DEAD or critically injured, comes back to life at the end somehow a la Jason and every other horror movie cliché villain for one more pointless jump-scare, which none got me at all, the predictability of it. The black guy bashed the brother's skull in with a heavy object - a croquet ball I believe. People are frail. There was plenty of blood shown and the force with which he hits him numerous times in the head is substantial, yet I'm supposed to believe that he jumps right up later to continue fighting the uninjured Black Guy? The 'Deus Ex Machina' TSA guy is lame, somehow he comes to save the day at the end, without any information whatsoever and shows up at exactly the right moment. Burn Hollywood Burn. This trope is used in every Hollywood movie - stop using 'Deus Ex Machina' please people, just stop. I have trouble believing any of the white family characters are real. Especially the girlfriend. This is a person that only exists in movies. No girl her age would be acting the way she does, ever. I could continue my rant, but I've already wasted too much valuable time already. With such critical acclaim I was sincerely disappointed. Its my sincere belief that with all the 'White- Washing' backlash recently for movies like 'Ghost in the Shell' and others, that Hollywood and the critics are just riding the black man's jock to make a token gesture to black film maker's "see? we're not racist". Now please someone call me a racist because I didn't like this film as much as everyone else did. I would have re-done the second half completely; left a lot of ideas unclear; if it had continued with the established unacknowledged condescension and creepiness of how the whites were treating the blacks - as objects of curiosity, and gave us a non-Hollywood ending where he undergoes the surgery, but we're not sure exactly if that is bad or good in the end, would have been much less Hollywood, and much more interesting in a broader social context. If it explored the idea if a white brain would do better in a black body, or a black person would do better with a white brain, now you've got me. Instead we get Jason XXXXIIIII horror-movie idiocy. F*** you critics. 99% on Rotten Tomatoes? I now know not to pay any attention to that sites ratings whatsoever. First half of film I give an 6 - second half a 2 for an average of 3. Feel free to skip.

Two and a Half Men: West Side Story (2014) Season 11, Episode 18

Barry - the poor man's Jake... WINNING!

[2/10 · 23 August 2017]

Clearly the soul of the show was lost when Charlie left. When first it came on with Ashton and I saw about 10 min. of Ashton making the same bald joke to Alan with the hat, when Alan isn't even bald; it was just stupid, they were writing the same jokes even though its a totally different character. That seemed more of a in-joke between brothers, there is no reason Ashton should have given Alan the hat, therefore calling him bald. That's just it... its Ashton, call him Walden if you want, but Ashton is good at playing one thing; Ashton. Although he was good in the Director's Cut of Butterfly Effect (the theatre cut with its 'Hollywood' happy ending sucked and shows why people should stick to their own vision no matter what). It was clear from the start that Ashton was nothing more than Meat filler and could not carry the show. The show we knew and loved was gone. I don't even usually watch TV, but I looked forward every week to seeing this show. I would actually laugh out loud, I can't think of another show, in recent years to make me do that. It was original and very funny. I don't blame Charlie, he does what he wants and doesn't apologize, and that's great to see. He's also paid for it with HIV. Hey that rhymed! Since Ashton's weak character couldn't hold the show, they brought in Jenny (Charlie's Daughter) - very contrived to be a female Charlie, doing all the things Charlie would do, drinking womanizing, commitment phobic. It wasn't this episode, but I think its quite a double standard to be able to show Judith kick Alan in the balls, but imagine the uproar if the opposite was shown. Gretchen kicks Alan in the balls in this episode. Is that supposed to be funny? Women aren't supposed to do that unless they're being raped. This episode has a lot of groin kicks. Any woman who does that should get the same in kind. That can cause serious damage to a man, I do not see why its considered 'funny' here, but of course the writing dropped when Charlie left. The show became more low- brow and the spark is gone. I accepted Jenny, and I think she filled a necessary hole. (!) This Barry fool, ick. Even looks like Jake, since Jake was doing his weird religious thing at the time, he wasn't much of a loss since he had grown up it was no longer 2 and 1/2 men. But to replace him with a poor man's version was just a bother. They just put someone in the spot who looked like Jake and gave him the same jokes. I hated Barry instantly and had to go to IMDb to see how many episodes he was in... only a few thank god. Pretty sad what happened to the show and Chuck and Charlie, blame each other as they may; when the immovable object (Chuck Lorre's ego) met the irresistible force (Charlie Sheen's cocaine addiction) they annihilated each other and took a great show with them. I have the DVD of the first 9 seasons - I've (5 years later) began to watch the Ashton episodes at 1.1 speed or faster (I delete them as I go - not worthy of a second watch) sometimes only paying real attention to the Alan parts (the only real scraps left for us real fans) not even sure how the show lasted 3 seasons with such poor acting and writing after Charlie. I smoke weed, and have done other things, but I don't think glorifying it the way they do on the show was responsible. I'm surprised to even see myself type that. To have a Character say Black Tar Heroin is the 2nd only to sex, is beyond irresponsible. The show before walked the line and didn't just glamorize drug abuse, alcoholism and casual sex the way the Ashton version does. Charlie had hangovers, got paranoid from smoking weed, it was more real and it never offended me that I can remember. Chuck Lorre can get the Dills. Here's to my man Charlie ---- WINNING!

Star Trek: Voyager: Workforce, Part II (2001) Season 7, Episode 16

Who stole the B'athlithffpth?

[30 July 2017]

The Bat'Leth given to B'Ellana and K'uva M'aach was a Kayless style Bat'Leth, and yet here when Neelix tries to remind her of more happy days; we see B'Ellana return to her quarters from the brain-washing planet and lo and behold, this must be a different reality, because there is just a normal Bat'Leth on the wall (maybe she hid it from Tom, thinking he wouldn't know the difference?) Maybe she's still brainwashed, and not remembering right. What a lame mistake to make... prop guy should be fired. Someone should pay me to be prop guy... OK I'm a little buzzzz buzzzz buzzzz... but now she thinks she's on Voyager... What a Beatrice.

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

I want my money back - 'The Swarm' - again.

[1/10 · 26 July 2017]

This movie recycles the same basic 'Trek' formula that has been re- hashed since 'The Motion Picture'. (from the textbook) MOVIE PLOT 1a: Alien wants to destroy Earth or other person or property (substitute Enterprise or planet or ship or person as needed) for its own selfish purposes. With a countdown to destruction at the end, that of course will be thwarted at the very last second and only ever at the very last second. (This movie stole the plot idea straight from the Voyager episode 'The Swarm') Do we ever really think for one second the good guys wouldn't succeed? That's not even the point, at least make me feel like there is something at stake, make me care that they must stop this before time is up. Even though Star Wars had the countdown, I actually cared about the destruction of the Death Star and watching them attempting to blow it up was exciting the first couple times watching it.

1. V'ger - countdown to Earth's destruction 2. Kahn - countdown to Genesis explosion 3. Klingons - literal self-destruct countdown and also to Genesis planet destruction 4. Alien probe - countdown to Earth's destruction 5. we don't talk about this movie 6. Klingons - countdown to assassination 7. Soren - countdown to missile launch 8. Borg - countdown to self-destruct missile-ship launch 9. Sona - countdown to collector launch (planet destruction) 10. Romulans - countdown to Thaleron firing 11. Romulans - countdown to Earth destruction 12. Kahn - countdown to Ship's destruction (enemy ship restoring power) 13. Stupid alien guy - countdown to whatever (weapon launch) I'm trying to block it from my mind. 2 hours of my life wasted on such garbage. I think the 3D tix were like $30. The ending truly hurt me. That Rock n' Roll will save the universe message, I cringe just thinking about it. The Enterprise flying among the ships blasting the 'Beastie's' destroying the ships with Rock n' Roll music. Hold on... Okay I'm back, I just had to go and puke my guts out. What a stupid movie. It really has nothing going for it. It did nothing for the Franchise or overall story arc. At least the other films filled in the blanks with some interesting talk or action, this movie puts a stupid motorcycle chase in there for no reason. When I saw the trailer I was hoping it would work somehow, but the motorcycle part just looked totally contrived and not interesting in any way.

Every action flick since 'Goldfinger' has had to have a countdown to create false tension. The Bat Man movies, every action film. Someone name me an action film that doesn't have some countdown to a bomb or whatever, please. I'd love to see it. Even 'Star Wars' has the countdown to the Death Star. Every single 'Star Trek' movie follows this basic formula. This is the worst Star Trek movie since V 'The Final Frontier'. Compared to that trash, this makes 'V' look like an actual film. This is the last 'Trek' I will be wasting my good money on. When I first heard about it and how it was going to be about the '5 year mission' - I thought great, it might be a little like first episodes of the Original Series. Exploring unknown space and meeting new aliens and civilizations. Was I very wrong.

Star Trek: Voyager: Prophecy (2001) Season 7, Episode 13

B'Elanna's Ladder

[7/10 · 24 July 2017]

I just wanted to point out, (and when I get to the right episode, I will include it in goofs) that the Bat'Leth that B'Ellana gets from the Klingon captain is a 'Kayless' style Bat'Leth, and she places it on the wall opposite the crib. In a later episode ('Endgame'? - I'll find it soon...) the Bat'Leth on the wall is now a traditional Bat'Leth, not in the 'Kayless' style. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame..... I love this episode. Its interesting to see B'Ellana's embarrassment at having all these 'musky' Klingons around. The part about the musk is funny. I like how Voyager puts them in their place, by using the sensors to see through the cloak and disabling them easily. Their journey is fascinating - a group following some ancient scrolls for hundreds of years, an original idea for Star Trek which - I hate to say it - is lacking on the original story lines. A few derivative character stories:

We have the Captain: the reluctant hero and his second the 'Doubting Thomas whom gets converted at the end'. Even thought the themes are overdone they carry it off well.

Star Trek: Voyager: Once Upon a Time (1998) Season 5, Episode 5

In My Top 3 of Bad Episodes

[1/10 · 23 July 2017]

My list for bad Voyager episodes would look something like this.

1. Ex Post Facto (first episode I'd ever seen, ruined it for me) they travel 70,000 light years away to find a woman with a 'doggy' (they didn't even bother with the horns), meshed into a bad episode written by a hack writer from LA Law.

2. 11:59 - Just Bad.

3. Once upon a Time - I don't come to shows like Star Trek to watch Sesame Street. I don't watch Star Trek to see a Detective story (although if done right...), or stories about the f****** Millennium Gate, ugh. I agreed with another person, - the Delta Flyer got plenty of backstory in 'Extreme Risk' - that there was no point to this story,I'm guessing Ms. Pomers is the niece of some Producer or whatever - a certain Vulcan was the nephew of one of the Production's people - and as a favor gave over an entire episode to be about Naomi. I prefer episodes that add to the overall story arc. This episode (all 3 actually) could easily lift out without and real content to be missed.

Alien (1979)

8.5?!? Go watch your 'Transformers' trash then...

[10/10 · 23 July 2017]

This is the one that will never be topped. CGI cannot compete with an actual physical presence and never will. We are all used to it now, but the first time I saw the Alien, it was difficult to look at, it was truly disturbing looking. I think I first saw this movie on VHS with my family when I was 10. I don't think any other movie gripped me; the end when Ripley is running through the corridors back and forth is classic. My heart was pounding I can remember it to this today. I was in that hallway with her. The orange lights flashing on my face. Everything about this movie is just classic. The fact that you never get to know what the Alien really looks like, because it keeps changing. So, it stayed frightening, most monster movies, you get one look at the creature and it might be scary, but soon you get used to it, this movie never allowed you the chance. First, its a pile of Bones (yes, bones), in a derelict spacecraft. Then its the egg and the face-hugger, then it changes to the chest- burster, and onto the Alien. It almost feels like 2 different movies; Act I is so different and is a really good Sci-Fi feel with the Nostromo and crew flying the ship and the lander. ACT II brings on the tension as soon as they land on LV426. I remember waiting for something to jump out at them, while walking to the ship, but in true Hitchcockian suspense nothing happened. The anticipation to the jump-scare of the face-hugger was tremendous. Add to that the parts of Dallas in the Tube and the side story about this greedy corporation, and the Ash, wow. What a movie, I don't think it will ever be topped, just as the first 5 seasons of 'Game of Thrones' will never be topped - like 'Star Wars' and 'Empire.' The times we live in are not conducive to creating similar works of art. CGI has taken over way too much for the detail to be spent on creating something from nothing. CGI creates laziness, look at the neomorph in Alien: Covenant, it looked totally fake to me, it did not look like it was in the same room with the lady. Sad we never got Prometheus II. They should have stopped after 'Aliens.' I totally agree with James Cameron. Although I liked Prometheus.

Star Trek: Voyager: Caretaker (1995) Season 1, Episode 1

Good Pilot - 'She's dead Jim... I mean Neelix'

[7/10 · 10 July 2017]

This is a pretty good episode. Part I especially has some theatrical qualities; although I'm pretty sure it was unintentional. I really want to talk about a couple of inconsistencies that bother me about Voyager. For one thing, the death of Stasi (?) the Betazed helmsman and other 'minor' characters throughout the series. Tom Paris just bends over her and says 'she's dead' and that's it - if this was a regular character, they wouldn't ever just stop there... they would build some 'bio- temporal' chamber or freeze the body until they can repair them, they would never just say, oh well 'Captain Janeway's dead'. The worst offense was in 'Random Thoughts' - The old lady had just stabbed the woman Neelix was talking to, and 'oh, she's dead' excuse me, but her stabbing was far from the EMH's abilities to heal, they could've beamed her to sickbay and she could have been healed, but they needed a death I suppose. Kes sucks - she's too goody-goody, the best thing the show ever did was exchange her for Seven of Nine. Neelix is a very weak character also IMO. I hate everything about Kes, her hair, everything... they should have changed her hair sooner... although she was good in 'Before and After'. Giving Paris the chance to 'prove himself' by saving Chakotay was contrived and derivative. Although saying derivative is now derivative. G. Wang is a poor/average actor... he was decent in 'Timeless' (a personal fav.) - but his comedic timing and delivery is non-existent. I cringe whenever I hear him make a joke - 'What makes you think were friends' and of course, the worst: 'Turkey Platter'... jeezus.

Star Trek: Generations (1994)

Picard Never Left the Ribbon

[6/10 · 29 June 2017]

You see, Picard never actually left the Ribbon is my theory. Since it was Picard's ideal to save the planet and the Enterprise etc. - that's exactly what the Ribbon gave him. It's never really explained how they leave the Ribbon; they're on horseback on second they trot into a flash of light and... then the next scene they're on the Planet with Soren (where happened to the horses. It fits that Kirk (also still being in the Ribbon) needs to die in Picard's universe because, as long as Picard believes Kirk is dead, there is no clash or paradox. Kirk probably immediately went back to chopping wood after he 'died' on Veridian 3. Everything that happens afterword - Borg, etc. is all Picard's illusion in the Ribbon. There's a free book idea for you... just give me 10%

Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Inner Light (1992) Season 5, Episode 25

Outstanding Episode

[10/10 · 28 June 2017]

One of my favorites and not a single photon torpedo is fired. This is a great episode for any show; the writing and delivery are excellent. Picard playing the flute at the end gave me chills. Brilliant! Insightful and excellent in delivery. We feel the loss with Picard as he loses one life and must again face another.

Star Trek: Voyager: 11:59 (1999) Season 5, Episode 22

Worst Episode Ever

[1/10 · 28 June 2017]

Another review here made every point I would so I will keep this short and bitter. Boring, pointless, meaningless... The dialogue is trite and really difficult to endure. I watched this episode once and won't bother again. The premise about the millennium, I guess at the time was supposed to be involving, but considering the millennium didn't start for another two years (2001) this really was out of place, technically. It drudges on and there is no real point to the story. It lifts out completely and ads nothing at all to my appreciation of Janeway. Feel free to skip without missing anything. Its not like they even make a connection to Janeway, or tell us how it has any real significance to her; maybe if they linked it and showed a real unique or unexpected time-connection that could have made it better, or ad some mystery to it. Its just not there... fire whomever wrote this tripe. I can hardly remember what it was about; a bookstore or something. Just like I don't care for the 'Fair Haven' or really any major 'Holodeck' based episode on TNG or any of the them. I watch Star Trek to see spaceships and exploration of the 'Trek' galaxy. Not to see something that would have been rejected from 'Masterpiece Theatre' for being too dull.

Star Trek: Voyager: Endgame (2001) Season 7, Episode 24

Great Ending

[10/10 · 27 June 2017]

This is a top-class episode. It has the right amount of tension, the story and pacing are interesting and exciting. Its difficult to pin down exactly what makes this such a great episode. Kate Mulgrew's acting is truly superb as she plays her Admiral self with such confidence and daring, its a treat to watch great acting like that. Its fun to see B'ellana's child as an young (hot) adult. Perhaps its always fun to get a skip ahead or see an alternative version of the people we are used to. The plan is daring and exciting, and its great to see the Borg get kicked around a bit. 'All good things...' (TNG) was a great end episode also, but this one is a little better. I preferred Voyager's more overarching story line to the single episode premise as was TNG. I always wondered why they didn't do more of a continuing story and was very disappointed to find out its the Ass Hats that wanted the single-episode story format for future syndication purposes, so they were more concerned about selling the show as a by-product in the future than actually making the best and most out of the shows potential... ick.