It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) is a bonafide classic

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) is a bonafide classic

Posted inFilms, Videos
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) has long been a favorite. First saw it as a kid, and despite its all-star cast of comedians largely being from before my time, it drew me in and kept me there for all its 3-hour+ running time. I've revisited it periodically ever since, and not only has it continued to hit the mark every time, it gets BETTER with each viewing. The laughs, the banter, the stunts, the social commentary - and of course, the top-shelf cast of stars. I absolutely love it. In fact, when Tig and I over on…
Basking in the majesty of Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Basking in the majesty of Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Posted inFilms
Let's talk about David Lean's landmark epic Lawrence Of Arabia. By now, the film's reputation is well established. Considered by many to be one of the greatest films of all time (it certainly ranks high on my personal list), in 1962 Lawrence Of Arabia garnered seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Peter O'Toole's tortured performance is the stuff of legend, and its on-screen vistas have inspired filmmakers from Stephen Spielberg to Martin Scorsese to Peter Jackson. Even people who have never seen it at least know of its lofty reputation. But some classic films of yesteryear have a way of…
Star Trek: Nemesis is proof that fan recommendations aren’t worth much, because it’s way better than they say

Star Trek: Nemesis is proof that fan recommendations aren’t worth much, because it’s way better than they say

Posted inFilms, Geek Stuff
Word of mouth and fan reaction can be a funny thing. Fans know their material more intimately than anyone, Trek fans especially, so when word on the street sets your expectations about a franchise, chances are pretty good they'll be met. That has been evident throughout this marathon, when this Trek neophyte's views have fallen almost exactly in line with Trek fandom's. The one major exception has been with the very first Trek movie. And now the last. Because despite the middling reviews and lukewarm word of mouth, I think Star Trek: Nemesis was pretty outstanding and a fitting end…
Star Trek: Insurrection is a glorified TV episode and does not belong on the big screen. Fact

Star Trek: Insurrection is a glorified TV episode and does not belong on the big screen. Fact

Posted inFilms, Geek Stuff
The danger of relying on your television creative team to craft a major motion picture is that your major motion picture may come across as more suited for the small screen rather than the big. Such is the case with Star Trek: Insurrection, which feels not so much like another Star Trek movie as it does like a two-part episode with a slight (very slight) increase in the special effects budget. Which is to say, it’s a disappointment that often borders on being a bore. The fact that it opens in some throwback village and then immediately descends into Data…
Star Trek: Generations is an adequate movie, and that’s about it

Star Trek: Generations is an adequate movie, and that’s about it

Posted inFilms, Geek Stuff
Two words. Often, you're asked to sum something up in two words. It's some sort of weird cultural shorthand we have that seems to be a substitute for thinking too hard about something. Regardless, it seems like a good way to begin. And, well, “perfectly adequate” sums up Star Trek: Generations about as well as two words can. Not a train wreck you want to look away from, nor a fantastic jump to the big screen by the Next Generation crew, Generations is merely … fine. In some ways, that makes this movie a failure. As the film that bridges the…