“When Mt. Vesuvius erupted, the people of Pompeii stayed in their homes, how do we know that Ken?” Supervolcano Review

Supervolcano was released in 2005 on BBC as a TV movie. It follows Rick Lieberman, a USGS Scientist whom is stationed at Yellowstone National Park. Basically, Lieberman suspects that the volcano beneath Yellowstone is due for an eruption. However, politics come into play, when the Governor’s office refuses to release this information to the public. Lieberman is correct and the volcano does erupt, sending the greater United States into panic.

The movie is actually watchable for being made for TV. It’s action is top-notch. The science in the film is right on the money, and very believable. The acting was superb given the characters that they had to work with. Definitely one of BBCs finer works. It’s, without a doubt, wiggled it’s way onto my favorite disaster movie list, alongside Dante’s Peak and Hard Rain.

I’m giving this one a 8 out of 10 with KUDOS to the BBC and all the cast and crew for their work on this film.

“Nice to smell you again, Mr. Kitz” Contact (1997)

Today’s film is a 1997 Sci-Fi film starring Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, an astronomer attempting to make contact with extraterrestrials. It also features Matthew McConaughey as a religious scholar and James Woods as the National Security Advisor.

James Woods as the US National Security Advisor.

The film starts off with a ten year old Ellie trying to make contact with truckers around the US. It then jumps to present day, with an older Ellie starting her work at a station in Puerto Rico. She soon receives messages from the star, Vega (Prime Numbers, Hitler’s Speech, and schematics for a device).

Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, sitting outside VLA.

The film’s scientific findings were believable. I believe the actors to have done their best, given their rather static characters. The ending was just a terrible disappointment to an otherwise, good film.

I’m giving this one a six out of ten.

“Don’t Move, Dirtbag!” Police Academy (1984)

Today’s review is of a great comedy that I rewatched over this last holiday weekend; Police Academy. Police Academy was originally released in 1984 and was #6 out of the top domestic movies of that year, falling right behind The Karate Kid and Gremlins. It’s gross was a total of $81,198,894 domestically.

“Son, where did you get this gun?”
“My mom gave it to me,”
Tackleberry happily observes his .44 Magnum while Cpt. Harris looks on.

This film hit a bulls-eye in the comedy department. It’s simply hilarious. With a cast featuring George Gaynes (Commandant Lassard), Steve Guttenburg (Cadet Mahoney), and Bubba Smith (Cadet Hightower), this film is sure to have you in stitches. There’s not a really serious moment in the entire film.

Cpt. Harris (GW Bailey) shortly before accidentally discharging a flintlock pistol.

As much as I would love to give this movie a ten out of ten, I must take into account the fact that many scenes and jokes in it make the film unsuitable for anyone under the age of 13. I’ve giving it a 8 out of 10.

“The enemy cannot push a button if you disable his hand,” Starship Troopers (1997)

Today’s review is of a Sci-Fi film made in 1997 called Starship Troopers. The film is based off of Robert A. Heinlein’s novel of the same name. It stars Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, and Neil Patrick Harris as a group of fresh out of high schoolers whom decide to join the military.

Roughneck-Two-Zero hiking through bug territory

The film’s main antagonists are a species of intergalactic arachnids whom attacking mankind. Mankind fights back, taking the fight to the Bugs home planet. Johnny Rico (Van Dien) joins the Mobile Infantry, wanting to see combat and get revenge for his parents wrongful deaths. This sends him and his comrades on an unforgettable journey through hell and back.

Arachnid Warriors attacking Whiskey Outpost and Roughneck-Two-Zero.

The film is jammed pack with action, romance, and science fiction. The battles have a special feeling to them. The characters are very dynamic, also feeling full of life and excitement. They seem to be actual living breathing characters. This movie is one of the best Science-Fiction films ever produced in the last few decades… then they made the sequels.

Disregarding the piece of crap sequels (Hero of the Federation, Marauder) I’m giving this one a 8 out of 10 for it’s lifelike characters, amazing visuals, and great storyline.

“Can you spare some cutter me brothers” A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Today’s review is of a cult classic film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film is, of course, A Clockwork Orange. It stars Malcolm McDowell as Alex Delarge, a very charming teenager with violent tendencies. The film is considered to be one of Kubrick’s greater works, alongside of The Shining (Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall) and Dr. Stranglelove (Peter Sellers, Peter Sellers, and Peter Sellers). It’s setting is a futuristic, dystopian vision of the UK.

Alex (Middle Right) with his three Droogs, Georgie, Pete, and Dim.

The film starts off in the Korova Milk Bar with Alex and his friends (Droogs) preparing for a night of “fun”.  Their night includes harassing and assaulting a homeless man, and breaking into a writer’s house. The next morning, Alex receives a visit from Mr. Deltoid, his probation officer.  From there, the film’s pace really picks up. Alex is arrested and put into a new rehabilitation program.

Alex and his Droogs harassing a homeless man.

The film’s art style is very vivid, colorful, and on occasions adult. This includes statues of exposed women in the Korova Milk Bar, a phallic-shaped statue later in the film, and full body nudity on several occasions. The film simply savage and disturbing.  If there’s one thing this film is not, it’s family-friendly. When I first saw this film, I had nightmares for a week. But taking into account, the directing decisions made by Kubrick and the outstanding acting done by McDowell, this film has every right to go down in history.

For this one, I’m declaring a 7 out of 10, with extreme viewer’s discretion.

“Banning is ex-special forces. Ranger battalion. He will move mountains or die trying!” Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

Starring Gerard Butler as ex-Special Forces member, Mike Banning, Olympus Has fallen is an 2013 action film released around the same time as White House Down (Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx). Unlike White House Down’s John Cale, Banning goes into the White House, not for personal reasons, but to protect the President.

Banning: “Sorry about the house, sir,” President Asher: “It’s okay. I believe it’s insured,”

The film starts off on Christmas Eve. The president (Aaron Eckhart) and the first lady (Ashley Judd) are on their way to a Christmas party from Camp David. A tree lands on the middle of the road, causing the Presidential limousine to crash. Banning manages to rescue to President, but cannot make it to the first lady. It picks back up a year later. Banning now holds a desk job and the President is preparing for the arrival of the South Korean Prime Minister. All hell breaks loose when a North Korean AC-130 enter restricted airspace.

Morgan Freeman as Speaker Of The House Trumbull inside the Pentagon situation room.

The film is action packed. It’s got drama; it’s got suspense; it’s even got a tiny mixture of comedy. With an all-star cast also including Morgan Freeman (Along Came A Spider), Rick Yune (Die Another Day), and Dylan McDermott (In The Line Of Fire), and the latest special effects, this movie is definitely worth seeing.

10 out of 10.

“I’ll be back.” The Terminator (1984)

Today’s film is a classic. First released in 1984, Terminator was directed by renown director, James Cameron (Titanic, True Lies). It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a machine sent back in time to locate Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton (Dante’s Peak, Children Of The Corn). At the same time, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn; The Rock, The Abyss) is also sent back in time to find Connor.

Linda Hamilton as Sarah Conner.

The film starts off with the Schwarzenegger and Biehn arriving in Los Angeles. They work trying to track her down until they meet face to face. Sarah must survive for the good of the human race.

Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator.

First off, the storyline is simply amazing. It makes for a great Science Fiction and Action combination, that no other can possibly live up to. For the first 45 minutes of the film, the viewers are unaware whose the villian and whose the hero. The acting from Schwarzenegger is awesome, along with the acting of Hamilton and Biehn, and nearly all of the supporting characters. This film made James Cameron that legend that he is today.

Simply a 9/10,

“You’re all going to die down here” Resident Evil (2002)

The Resident Evil film was released in 2002. It’s an adaptation of the video game that reinvented the survival horror genre. Despite sharing the same name and a few basic characteristics (T-Virus, Raccoon City, Umbrella Inc.), it shares very little resemblance to the game that fans loved.

Starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, the film starts off with the heroine awaking on the floor of her shower with an case of amnesia. After being taken captive by a elite private military unit whom unintentionally unleashes a horde of the undead upon them. She must fight to survive in a secret underground facility.

Milla Jovovich as Alice

The film features the best SFX of its time, but what it lacks is the charisma of its characters. The mercenaries, along with Jovovich’s character, all feel generic and lifeless. The storyline was nothing compared to that of the original game, and the dialogue was ok at best.

I’m givin’ this one at 3 out of 10 and even that’s pushing it .

“Oh my god! The quarterback is toast!” Die Hard (1988)

Die Hard was released in 1988. It stars Bruce Willis as New York Police Detective John McClane, whose visiting is wife in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. What starts off as an ordinary Christmas party turns into a night of action and suspense when a group of heavily armed terrorists enter the building and take the occupants hostage. Cut off from reinforcements outside the building, Detective McClane has no choice but to fight for his wife’s life and the lives of 30 other hostages.

Bruce Willis as Det. John McClane

Die Hard revolutionized the modern day action film. It’s formula has been copied by many films (Air Force One, Speed) but none of them have been able to capture the same suspenseful, and heart-pounding feeling that the original Die Hard held inside. This film has everything in one; Action, Drama, Suspense, even Comedy. With an all star cast featuring Bruce Willis, Paul Gleason, Alan Rickman, and Reginald ValJohnson, this film is a earth-shattering experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Definitely, at 10 out of 10.