I was drawn into this show by the clever title sequence, but the show itself was a real disappointment. Boring, thinly-drawn characters (figuratively, not literally) and lazy, unfunny humor dragged this show down. I've tried seeing the appeal in the comic strip, but that's pretty bad too. Scott Adams seems to have a 'quantity over quality' mentality to his work that seems to have paid off, but it's guaranteed that Dilbert has been relegated to the ashcan of history. Everyone remembers that it was popular for a time, but no one is really sure why... is this really the best comic strip about office minutae we had at the time? Thankfully the contemporary success of The Far Side, Bizarro and Calvin and Hobbes proved that we weren't completely devoid of comedic judgement at the height of Dilbert's popularity. I will say the show attracted some great voice talent. I just don't know why.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Dear White People
(2017–2021)
I'm white and I liked it
29 April 2017
This is a great show! Very cleverly written with timely satire and an important perspective on race relations in America. The microcosm of university is a perfect backdrop for this subject matter. If you're narrow minded or racist, you may have a hard time accepting that there are many sides to the American experience. USA is not a white nation, it is a melting pot that was been filled with many colors and cultures, some colonized violently. It is time for understanding and listening, not yelling and blocking these different perspectives. I know a lot of negative reviews have been written by closed minded idiots, but trust me, this is a fantastic series well worth anyone's time.
Starship Troopers 3: Marauder
(2008 Video)
A worthwhile sequel!
31 July 2008
When I first heard about this movie, and the fact that it was released straight to video, I was not optimistic. Then I noticed that Casper Van Dien was reprising his role, and Jolene Blalock was joining the cast. Once I watched it, I noticed the same sharp satire and power exoskeleton suits from the original Heinlein novel.
This time around, the tone is more serious, and themes of religious faith are added. This makes a commentary on the Bush administration and the current war in Iraq. The parallels are interesting, if not subtly handled.
Overall, it looks like an additional 10 million dollars could have been useful to improve the effects and overall production values. Ed Numeier handles the direction adequately, and the performances are good, if not consistent. This does mean that it is consistent with the original, however.
I loved the first Starship Troopers for its combination of great action and goof-ball satire. This movie picks up where the first left off, and adds an interesting extension of the story of the battle with the arachnids. If you liked the first, don't miss this one!
This time around, the tone is more serious, and themes of religious faith are added. This makes a commentary on the Bush administration and the current war in Iraq. The parallels are interesting, if not subtly handled.
Overall, it looks like an additional 10 million dollars could have been useful to improve the effects and overall production values. Ed Numeier handles the direction adequately, and the performances are good, if not consistent. This does mean that it is consistent with the original, however.
I loved the first Starship Troopers for its combination of great action and goof-ball satire. This movie picks up where the first left off, and adds an interesting extension of the story of the battle with the arachnids. If you liked the first, don't miss this one!
Transformers
(2007)
A Noisy Mess
10 July 2007
I was, as a youth, deep in the prime years of Transformers. I owned them, I played with them, I watched the show avidly and was 11 years old when the first "Transformers: The Movie" came out. It is with some sadness I report that Michael Bay has tarnished my fond memories.
The movie had such great potential; the action, art direction, the characters, the powerful themes of humanity and triumph over evil. Bay mangled them all. This movie suffers from many critical flaws which result in it being simply a bad movie. No character development is created for the title characters: The Transformers. We never care about their battle, we simply watch it. This leads to the next problem, with the exception of the Scorponok scene, there is no suspense or interest. Big machines just trade gunfire. If I wanted that I could play the video game - and at least be involved. The action is either too fast to see or in Bay's trademark groan-inducing slow motion. The Transformers take too long to transform, there's way too many moving parts to make it even believable, and the film makers lose track of what they should be doing (telling a story) and instead focus on fancy lighting and excessively complex noise.
Please let someone like James Cameron, who can direct technological-oriented films and not lose their heart, direct the sequel.
6/10
The movie had such great potential; the action, art direction, the characters, the powerful themes of humanity and triumph over evil. Bay mangled them all. This movie suffers from many critical flaws which result in it being simply a bad movie. No character development is created for the title characters: The Transformers. We never care about their battle, we simply watch it. This leads to the next problem, with the exception of the Scorponok scene, there is no suspense or interest. Big machines just trade gunfire. If I wanted that I could play the video game - and at least be involved. The action is either too fast to see or in Bay's trademark groan-inducing slow motion. The Transformers take too long to transform, there's way too many moving parts to make it even believable, and the film makers lose track of what they should be doing (telling a story) and instead focus on fancy lighting and excessively complex noise.
Please let someone like James Cameron, who can direct technological-oriented films and not lose their heart, direct the sequel.
6/10
The Snow Walker
(2003)
Powerful & Gripping
8 September 2004
The Snow Walker, following the Farley Mowat book 'Walk Well My Brother' introduces the characters Charlie Halliday, a self-absorbed pilot (played by Barry Pepper) and Kanaalaq, a quiet, resourceful Inuit girl (played by Annabella Piugattuk). The film is directed by Charles Martin Smith, the man who played the main character in Farley Mowat's 'Never Cry Wolf' which must have inspired him to translate this Mowat book into another film. The movie is exceptionally well made, especially considering its low 10 million CDN budget. The camera is well controlled, and the beautiful scenery is captured as well as in any film. Barry Pepper is, as always, a natural talent. He takes the arrogant Charlie on a journey not only of Canada's Northwest Territories, but of character development. Annabella Piugattuk is wonderful as the succinct Inuit girl. Despite language barriers, the two characters manage to communicate well enough, and their relationship blossoms in a fascinating way. You'll find this film exciting, and it is much more entertaining than you'd expect. My only wish was that the film's conclusion was extended; I wanted to see more. I look forward to both Charles Martin Smith and Barry Pepper's next efforts. 9/10
Shaolin Soccer
(2001)
Slapstick Soccer: Shaolin Style
8 September 2004
The movie Shaolin Soccer is marginally worth seeing if you are a fan of Chinese films or the Matrix. If you are a soccer fan, you may be turned off by the lack of research into the sport or how it is played. The movie relies on silly characters and ambitious but barely acceptable special effects. The pacing of the film is quite poor, suggesting that the filmmakers needed to pad the 89 minute film; scenes unrelated to the action or story development tend to drag on. Shaolin Soccer does have its moments, providing momentary flashes of clever writing and does introduce some interesting characters, but overall misses the goal of combining an exciting sports movie with Matrix-like action. 6/10
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