Father/Son Movie – “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008)
For my Dad’s birthday, I took him to go see the SciFi remake of “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. This was also our 6th annual Father/Son movie, where we choose a movie the rest of the family isn’t into seeing (typically SciFi!) and make it an event. The event itself is bigger than the movie, because we also use it as an opportunity to catch up and talk about a wide variety of topics. We even bring lists of dicsussion items! It makes good sense for it to be a one on one event, because anyone else would be quite bored. Â :)
On to the movie and review! (minimal plot spoilers) We both went into it with very low expectations. The reviews had not been good, and we could see that the number of theatres showing the movie were quickly dwindling. It had already been relegated to a fairly small theatre at the downtown Denver multiplex, and the number of the people in our showing was also quite small.
Surprise! We both came away enjoying the movie. First of all, Keanu Reeves was perfectly cast in his role as Klaatu the alien. Keanu does very well in roles that require little emotion (i.e. the Matrix series) and this role was just that.  Jennifer Connelly was also great in her role as Dr. Helen Benson, as the main point of contact for humanity with Klaatu. The plot of the movie is simple – humanity is destroying the planet Earth, and a representative from a group of alien races has been taking notes on us as a society. The final report is being delivered to Klaatu, who will then handle the verdict of what to do. Apparently the Earth is one of only a few viable life-sustaining planets in the universe and its too valuable to let us humans just destroy it. Dr. Benson becomes instrumental in pleading our side of the story before this verdict is delivered. The original movie was made in 1951 so this version obviously takes the time to do a major upgrade on the special effects, which are quite stunning. The plot is very simple and has few twists, but it can still be a fun ride. If you miss it in the theatres, its at least worth putting on your NetFlix rotation or picking up at RedBox.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
A simple Sci-Fi about the fate of the Earth if humans don’t change their ways
My rating:Â stars
Popularity: 41% [?]
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2011-10-24 18:00
A simple but fun tale of a father trying to find his way and re-connect with his son. A Sci-Fi tale that's safe to take the whole family too - great special effects, but a heart-warming story to go along with. Hugh Jackman did a great job in the lead role and the unknown actor that played his song was just as good.
0.3 -
Cowboys & Aliens (2011) - IMDb
2011-07-29 16:00
Not nearly as witty as the world of Joss Whedon's Firefly that you might relate this to, but still, a good time at the cinema. More action and less clever dialogue than I had hoped for. Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford were both great in their roles, even though they weren't given a lot to work with from the script.
0.3 -
2011-06-11 13:51
This movie is a modern homage to Spielberg films of the past. Think ET + Stand By Me + Goonies, updated for 2011, and you have a pretty good idea of what you are in for in this movie. I watched a behind the scenes video with Director J.J. Abrams and he said he was striving to provide a character based film that had that summer popcorn entertainment value. I think he mostly succeeded, and if you judge the film on that basis, its an above average film. There are a few major plot holes, and the ending gets a bit sappy and doesn't really deliver like the rest of the film, but I walked out of the theater with my wife, happy that I had seen it. This film is not appropriate for young children, probably under then age of 11-12, so leave them at home.
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2010-11-18 19:30
The special effects were fairly top-notch, but this convulted attempt at a Sci-Fi film quickly lost its way and became such an utter mess towards the end that I found myself squirming in my cushy theater seat, ready for it to be over!
0.3 -
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
2009-06-30 16:10
Go into this summer action blockbuster with low expectations and be prepared to not look too closely at the plot that is filled with holes, and you can walk out afterwards having had a great time. It's incredible treat to the eyes in its many action sequences, but don't look or think too deeply whenever the "story" tries to make a point. Not as good as the first movie in my opinion, but a worthy sequel.
0.3
January 10th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Great review!
Thanks again!
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