Hugo

Or, as I like to refer to it, the best movie I've ever almost walked out of.* A day later and I'm frankly fascinated by this movie.

It starts with the 3D. 3D's seen a lot of abuse since Avatar and, while I enjoy seeing films in 3D, some are more worth the price of admission than others. In Hugo, Scorcese shows everyone how it should be done in the opening minutes, and keeps it up throughout the film, as he immerses you in the movie's world, allowing you to experience the full 3D effect without resorting (too often) to throwing things out of the screen at you.

Steampunk Musketeers

I'm a sucker for Three Musketeers movies. It's one of my favorite books — I've read it numerous times, and have delved into several of the sequels (and yes, I knew the full list before looking it up. I own them all.)

By far my favorite film versions are the Richard Lester ones from the 80's: The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers. (Shot together, they were released one year apart.) Funny, a great cast, excellent swashbuckling/swordplay and, by far, the most accurate retelling of the book, it's the gold standard I measure all other Musketeer films against. (I do my best to ignore the egregious Return of the Musketeers… which, despite having the same director, main cast and screenwriter, is nearly unwatchable.)

Recent attempts at this story have not been particularly impressive.

Scream 5

Sidney buys a fucking gun.

Star Wars Blu(es)

File it under exercises in futility (or remnant Catholic self-flagellating tendencies), but after succumbing to the need to own the Blu-ray version of the Star Wars saga, I'm now forcing myself to sit through said 'saga' from the beginning.

Now that I've completed Episode 1, I have to suggest that (while I'm sure I'm hardly the first person to make this observation) it's really unfortunate that you can't give the script (and, it must be said, most of the acting) the same hi-def treatment the visuals received.

I'm just sayin'.

Goodbye Atlantis

I grew up fascinated by our space program… in love with the idea of space exploration and the possibilities inherent in that notion. Star Trek was my grail, and the Apollo astronauts were the heroes of my day. The interest, and hero worship, waned over time… not incidentally as NASA's agenda was redirected from space exploration to near-earth exploitation (I don't mean that with any negative connotations… but as the shuttle system was intended to be a "space truck" to ferry goods and personnel from earth to orbit and back, exploitation seems the right word.)

Dune Redux

Last year about this time I was speculating about Frank Herbert's motives when he wrote Dune Messiah. I had decided to read the entire series — starting with Frank's books then circling back to read Brian's. I got sidetracked briefly by Paul of Dune*, but have continued on with the original series… with some dismay, I have to admit.

The last time I tried reading the Dune series I got as far as God Emperor of Dune… and could proceed no farther. I hated to admit it, but I was simply bored by it all by that point.

Seriously... How is this News?

'Judgment Day' predictions threaten to be a bust - CTV News