The Wolverine
Wolverine in Japan. This film was in the middle of the cinematic X-Men franchise getting a little more mature, and it shows here, especially in the dialogue. It would appropriately crescendo, perhaps a little too late, with Wolverine’s sendoff in Logan, but this was the solid beginning.
X-Men: The Last Stand
The third of the X-Men trilogy, where a “cure” for mutant powers is introduced. Naturally, not everyone is okay with it, especially when the vaccine is weaponized. This was supposed to be fine but I honestly don’t remember a whole lot of it, even after a recent viewing.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
This was The Last Stand, dealing with Jean Grey and her Phoenix alter ego, but in the alternate timeline set in motion from Wolverine’s actions in Days of Future Past. This one was one of the worst-rated of the franchise, mainly I think the portrayal of Jean was too young adult-oriented. That and lines like the infamous/forced “X-Women” one, that just turns folks off. There are some great visuals, especially in the Phoenix vs Vuk confrontation at the end. Visual mean a lot; it is cinema, after all.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
An okay remake, though it had much moralizing than what I remember of the original. I’d like to see the older version with modern CGI, as the 1951 version wasn’t bad as far as story goes. The costuming is too hokey for modern audiences.
The Theory of Everything
The Stephen Hawking biopic. Not science fiction, but still good storytelling. However, the lead actor’s (Eddie Redmayne) depiction of Hawking after his Lou Gehrig’s takes over is fascinating to watch.
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Season 1
Attack on Titan, but with zombies. I’ll allow it, since they were produced by the same animators (WIT STUDIO). Thankfully, in this version there’s something different: you have to destroy the zombie’s iron-clad heart to kill them, so they are somewhat formidable. The story doesn’t do a lot for me; most survival-horror narratives don’t, anyways (Attack on Titan is the rare exception). The animation quality is gorgeous, though.
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato
I actually watched this first, but chronologically it happened months after the events of the series. I remember the story in this movie being a little stronger/tighter than the narrative in the series. That might be because of the length. Sometimes writers can draw things out too much if given enough space (time), and that can cause fatigue. There’s less of a chance of that happening with movie-length narratives.
Gravity (2013)
An amateur astronaut has to figure out how to survive after an orbital disaster. A fun watch because it’s not bogged down by plot complications, and the physics and reactions feel authentic. Sandra Bullock’s character is really the only one through most of the movie, but she carries it well, though it’s not hard to sympathize with someone in a “fish out of water” conflict. Very obvious gestation/birth/evolution imagery. I like the final lines, which happen a good 5 or so minutes before the actual end, as she’s transmitting about her last-ditch “landing” maneuver: “Either way, it will be one hell of a ride. I’m ready.”
Haikyu!!
Not sci-fi or fantasy, but about high school volleyball. The way a lot of modern anime treats these little subjects and subcultures: volleyball, cooking (Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma), martial arts (Baki), in a real world setting with the only fantastical elements being the depiction of the action, is something to note.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Stargate for kids. Mostly good adventure/exploration animated film, with some surprise supernatural (seeming) elements thrown in. In my view, a better, less-predictable version of Avatar. Don Bluth is good at kid’s films with characters that break out of the cutesy, Pixar/Disney-fied paradigm. It feels a little more respectful, less pandering. The Secret of NIMH, one of my favorites, might be the pinnacle of his storytelling in this area. His villains need work, though: like Avatar, the gruff, greedy military guy turns out to be the Big Bad.
2 Comments
The Secret of NIMH was good, and I suppose Atlantis looks intereting, too. I’ll pass on the rest. I saw the original Earth Stood Still as a kid and I just can’t bear the thought of a silly remake in today’s style of remakes.
Atlantis is good, even on some rewatches. My son liked it, and he’s not terribly into movies at his stage.