I detect the barest trace of Joss Whedon in this. (“There is only one god and I doubt he dresses like that.,” among a few other lines.) I hope they gave him a dump truck full of money for this. May he use it to resurrect Firefly or for a Dr Horrible sequel.

Of course, it’s always fun to see Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey, Jr., who was born to be Tony Stark. But this movie is 90 minutes too long (or 140) and you could show it instead of a Transformers sequel and most of the audience would be clueless. Awful. Awful. I want my time back.

True, the flying invisible aircraft carrier and the flying mechano-reptilian space ships were interesting, though the former kept me thinking about Vincent Price in Master of the World (a *much* better movie — Whedon should do penance by reworking that one). Sigh, even the wit and genius of Joss Whedon resorts to endless gunfire and smash ‘em up. What a waste of talent and money. I’m so tired of such shit.

But, I did enjoy the 1 second of screen time my friend Donavon Roberts had:

A very interesting analysis. I’ve been tempted to revisit various StarTrek series (except for the awful first). Each had innovations and interesting characters, as well as characters I hated. I mostly daunted by the time commitment. Life is short. Keep moving.

Now, "Voyager": in praise of the Trekkiest "Trek" of all | Balder and Dash | Roger Ebert by Ian Grey

As we mourn Abrams’ macho Trek obliteration, it’s a good time to revisit Voyager, at once the most Star Trek-ian of accomplishments and the most despised object of fanboy loathing in the franchise’s nearly 50-year history. From 1995-2001, it offered American audiences something never seen before or since: a series whose lead female characters’ agency and authority were the show. It was a rare heavy-hardware science fiction fantasy not built around a strong man, and more audaciously, it didn’t seem to trouble itself over how fans would receive this. On Voyager, female authority was assumed and unquestioned; women conveyed sexual power without shame and anger without guilt. Even more so than Buffy, which debuted four years later, it was the most feminist show in American TV history.

Voyager wasn’t some grrl power screed in Starfleet regalia. The ideas and emotions it explored were very much in the Star Trek wheelhouse; it just came at them from a fresh–and to some

Now, "Voyager": in praise of the Trekkiest "Trek" of all | Balder and Dash | Roger Ebert

OMG! I watched all I could stomach of this movie thinking that most of its audience wouldn’t learn the words sexism or objectification for years, if ever. Now, every one of those brainless boys and bodacious babes is on Social Security or dead, including Annette Funicello. I’d heard that Disney wouldn’t allow her navel to show in beach movies, but here she’s dressed in a pants suit as she reads a book on a blanket. Why is feckless Frankie worried enough that she, of all people, will cheat on him, that he would seek the help of Buster Keaton (!),  playing a witch doctor named Bwana. (Yes, a witch doctor ostensibly in Tahiti, filmed in a hut later used on Gilligan’s Island.)

To call those simpler times would be a whitewash (very white). Although the conjured stuffing of the title bikini is a pulchritudinous redhead, the title song defines beauty as a 36-22-36 blue-eyed blonde: cue the montage of bikini’d torsos — an actual scene from the movie — but mute the nauseating beach song that accompanies the scene.

And, yet, better ten remakes of this awful flick than more slasher gore porn that tragically defines the nadir of modern cinema. Oh, for more innocent times.

Perhaps there is a hint of the sexual revolution here, but not of anyone’s liberation. How did we go from there to Woodstock in just 4 years. (It took a lot of weed.) Even as Hollywood depicted our older siblings as fools frolicking on the beach, they were getting ready to take to the streets and change America for the better. I’m so glad we’re not in that universe anymore.

I didn’t want to like the Hunger Games, partly due to its popularity and partly due to dystopia-fatigue. (Let’s imagine a better future for a change.) At the start, the movie looked like an update to Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery set in modern day Appalachia. When the setting changed to Tim Burton’s vision of Oz, I rolled my eyes. However, I was won over by the actors who were actually incredible in their roles. I didn’t recognize Elizabeth Banks. Stanley Tucci was phenomenal. I don’t like Woody Harrelson yet he overcame my dislike. Jennifer Lawrence is solid and credible, as are all the rest.

Kudos to the set and costume designers. It’s not easy to visualize future fashion, even if it’s a mild stretch from modern-day parties in LA or San Francisco. What’s old is new again though never quite the way it was. I was fascinated by one character’s beard, of all things.

I still dislike the underlying premise. I distrust Hollywood portraying a world of haves and have-nots, at least one in which the have-nots overcome. Hollywood produces our bread and circuses. Can we trust them more than we do the Koch Brothers? Oh, but why worry about that when we can talk about the upcoming sequel.

I think Anonymous wrote an adequate summary (below). However, I have to note that I watched this two hour movie without fast-forwarding, despite slow moments and very challenging plot. Stunning visuals. A few great fights. Interesting characters and actors, including Chen Kun, who was one of my favorites in Flying Swords of Dragon Gate. As in that movie, the people out on the border are pretty freaky. Try to imagine Guillermo del Toro directing Mad Max on acid. Still, some beautiful moments.

Painted Skin: The Resurrection (2012) – IMDb

An ancient fox spirit embarks on a diabolical quest to become human after escaping an icy prison, and becomes bound to a disfigured princess who seeks the love of a noble guard as her kingdom crumbles in this lavish supernatural epic. Confined to a frozen cell for centuries, malevolent fox spirit Xiaowei (Xun Zhou) regains her freedom and seeks to preserve her beauty by seducing men and consuming their hearts. Should a man human offer her his heart willingly, Xiaowei will become mortal, breaking free of the underworld and experiencing living among the living. Meanwhile, as a dark cloud falls over her kingdom, Princess Jing (Wei Zhao) flees, hiding her deep facial scars under a mask of pure gold while seeking the love of her former protector, who remains haunted by his failure to save her years prior. When destiny brings Xiaowei and Princess Jing together, the battle for the princess’ heart begins. Written by Anonymous

From Hark Tsui, the director and producer of Inspector Dee, and countless others, and featuring Jet Li, whose IMDB profile lists 45 movies, this movie has its moments. After all these years, I’m surprised to see new weapons like the daggers with hooks that cause them to spin around and fly off in new directions, often pulling out another dagger, sending both flying. Or swords that shatter into spinning boomerangs. Like Inspector Dee, FSDG features several very interesting looking actors — compelling figures. I especially enjoyed the Tartars or Mongols (identified as both) whose faces are covered with tattoos. As in many of these films, there may be more powerful females than males, certainly no fewer. And lovers are brooding and doomed to separation. If you think two guys sword-fighting inside a tornado must be the end, there’s another half hour after that, with a few surprises, even. Not that I’m recommending this movie.

Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011) – IMDb

Set three years after Dragon Inn, innkeeper Jade has disappeared and a new inn has risen from the ashes – one that’s staffed by marauders masquerading as law-abiding citizens, who hope to unearth the fabled lost city buried in the desert.

Director: Hark Tsui

Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011) – IMDb

I don’t have this yet, but supposedly all US users will have it within days. I’ll say more when I have the feature. There is a video demo at the following link. peace, mjh

The Official Netflix Blog : US & Canada: Introducing Netflix Social

Starting today, Netflix members in the U.S. can share their favorite shows and movies on Netflix with friends by connecting to Facebook and agreeing to share.

The Official Netflix Blog : US & Canada: Introducing Netflix Social