corsoski Reviews

Encrypt (2003 TV Movie)

Poorly realised, bad props, bad dialogue, bad ....

[1/10 · 19 December 2004]

A stuttering plot, uninteresting characters and sub-par (to say the least) dialogue plagues this TV production that could hardly have been interesting even with a billion dollar production budget.

The characters aren't believable, in their motives, actions or their professed occupations. The plot reads like a bad Dungeons and Dragons(TM) hack but with plasma rifles and force fields. There are severe continuity issues and the degree of pointless interaction between the characters has this author, at least, wincing.

Avoid it like the plague. Watch any episode of Dark Angel and you will have better acting, dialogue and plot. Yuck.

Stacy: Attack of the Schoolgirl Zombies (2001)

Zombie lovers must see this.

[9 June 2004]

In the best tradition of Japanese low-budget mayhem, this film delivers everything a zombiefilm should have. Splatter effects, good one-take acting, and most of all the absolutely BEST explanation of the reason zombies exist in any zombieflick to date.

The hilarious, over-the-top characters only add to the completely bizarre tone. Then there are all the references to other zombie-classics; if you're a Romero fan you _must_ see this movie!

While there is no point comparing this movie to Japanese horror, like "Dark Water" or "Oodishon" - it isn't scary for one second - it delivers everything a zombiesplatter should have.

A good round of hearty laughs!

One Point O (2004)

Reminiscent of classical scifi

[9 June 2004]

It is easy to draw parallels between this movie and contemporary science fiction like The Matrix or less astute films like the Thirteenth Floor.

However, there is another level of storytelling in this film, something very akin to the way science fiction was told in the late 50's. Reminiscent of classical Twilight Zone or the more modern Cronenberg tradition of weird but very compelling scifi, One Point O makes a point that very few contemporary science fiction films does: it's not about effects or flashy stunts, convoluted terms or flashy names for characters. It's about the actor, director and the film crew telling a story.

The film is strange, no doubt, and maybe somewhat inaccessible to many viewers. But it delivers everything it promises in the outset, and in my opinion succeeds where so many others fail; Minority Report to name but one.

On the contrary to what many seem to think, I found the film quite clear. I had no trouble following the story and wasn't surprised at the end - but in my opinion there is no attempt made to surprise you.

One Point O is a film I will see many times again, as there are so many little details to be found - in the sets, the dialog and the characters.

Certainly it is NOT a film for the impatient.

Space: Above and Beyond (1995–1996)

Straggling story ends in glory

[8 June 2004]

The show "Space: Above and Beyond" is nothing novel at all. Many aspects of the plot, characters and backstory are directly taken/inspired from Heinlein's "Starship Troopers". The gung-ho, over the top patriotic marines are contrasted against a less-than-glorious back-story in much the same way that Verhoeven did with the film of the above mentioned book. Of course, S:AaB was produced before that film, so maybe it should be the other way around.

The characters aren't unique - although Shane Vansen is an interesting character in many ways: she is a natural leader, obviously female, emotional and caring but at the same time a hard and tough Marine. However, all things said, Captain Janeway of ST:Voyager is a more believable character in the same category.

There is one thing, though, that sets this series apart. And that is the ending. I for one hope they NEVER make a second season and ruin the brilliant two last episodes.

Rarely do the producers of a scifi series dare to think out of the Rodenberry box, so to speak, and actually do something drastic with the show.

Like the last ten minutes of the final episode of S:AaB. After a lifetime of Star Trek botches - the infamous five minutes at the end of nearly every ST episode that ruins the entire story - I'm very pleased indeed to finally see a good ending to a show.