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Surrogates, a review by Dragonfire

I decided to go see Surrogates earlier this week. 

The movie is based on a comic book series that I haven't read.  It is about people using robot replacements - surrogates - in their daily lives while the people stay at home.  People are more disconnected from each other, even from their spouses.  Crime rates have gone down so much that the is basically no crime anymore.  Then someone uses a weapon that not only disables two surrogates, but kills the people who were operating them.  The FBI investigates and eventually Agent Greer is doing things as himself instead of as his surrogate.

The plot for the movie is very interesting, though I don't think it was developed enough.  The fact that some people don't like surrogates and are against the use does come out, but it isn't explored enough to make that a strong aspect of the plot.  No moral questions are raised about using surrogates.  There really isn't an explanation for how everyone can afford one.  There is no mention of what using one for hours on end every day does to people's health.  It is pointed out that people are more detached because of living through the surrogates, but even that isn't fully explored.  I think the movie would have been stronger if those things had been dealt with.

There is some action and a bit of violence in the movie, but nothing extreme.  The special effects are fine, though nothing outstanding.  The surrogates look attractive, though there is something about them that is slightly unnatural looking.  It is sort of a ..plastic look to the skin and there is a detached look in the eyes.  Not many actual humans are shown.  Most of the surrogates just look like younger, more attractive versions of the people operating them, though some of them look completely different.  None of the characters are developed that well, so they are all rather flat.  There isn't anything impressive about the acting either.

The movie is interesting and entertaining for the most part, but it could have been a better movie if more attention had been given to the plot.

 

I did get a review posted on Epinions.

Surrogates

(From Surrogates on October 3rd, 2009)

Alvin and The Chipmunks, a review by Tom

Title: Alvin and The Chipmunks
Year: 2007
Director: Tim Hill
Rating: U
Length: 91 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85
Audio: English: DTS HD Master Audio, Audio Descriptive: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: DTS 5.1, Dutch: Dolby Digital 5.1, Norwegian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Swedish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Danish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Finnish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Norwegian, Swedish

Stars:
Jason Lee
David Cross
Cameron Richardson
Jane Lynch
Justin Long

Plot:
ALVIN AND THE CHIMPMUNKS is a hilarious adventure packed with toe-tapping tunes and fur-flying fun! When struggling songwrither (Jason Lee) opens his home to a talented trio of chipmunks named Alvin, Simon and Theodore, they become overnight music sensations. But a greedy record producer (David Gross) intends to exploit the "boys" and send them on grueling concert tour just to line his own pockets. Now Dave must use a little human ingenuity - and a lot of 'munk mischief' - to get his family back before it's too late!

Extras:
Featurettes
Scene Access

I like this movie. I especially enjoyed the first hour (the last half hour was not as good). These three guys just bring a smile to my face. I think this was a good transfer to the big screen and into a live-action movie (far better than what the Garfield movie turned out to be). I can recommend this one as a fun family movie.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on May 5th, 2009)

"Stargate SG-1" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: When Daniel saves the daughter of the local king, SG-1 is captured. Except for Daniel they have to work in the local Naqahdah mine (Naqahdah is the ore of which the Stargate is made). Daniel is enjoying the pleasures of the royal court - including a Goa'uld sarcophagus.

My Opinion: Excellently played by Michael Shanks. First the growing apathy regarding the fate of his friends and then the following withdrawal syndromes. I liked it a lot.

Synopsis: The planet, on which SG-1 destroyed Thor's Hammer (Thor's Hammer), has been overrun by Heru-ur's Jaffa. SG-1 feels responsible for the population and tries to find the "Hall of Might". They suspect that they will find weapons which can be used to fight Heru-ur.

My Opinion: "No good deed ever goes unpunished." (Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #285) One thing I like about SG-1 is, that previous events are not forgotten. They may have been written as standalone episodes but the writers often find a way to continue to tell this particular story. This will happen to several episodes we've already watched and it will happen again in the future.
I also liked the idea to present the Asgard as the Roswell aliens.

Synopsis: SG-1 retrieves an object from a planet without atmosphere. They believe it's a time capsule until it "pins" Jack onto the wall and something infects the basis from it.

My Opinion: Average episode, except for the fact the the basis is nearly taken over (again).

Synopsis: Master Bra'tac comes to Earth to tell Teal'c that his son Rya'c is being held hostage by Apophis. Teal'c and SG-1 return to Chulak to free him.

My Opinion: The family traditions amongst the Jaffa are very archaic. I liked the episode because Teal'c would have done anything to rescue his son. But the behaviour of the new husband was predictable.
The Zat'n'ktel ("Zat Guns") is a very useful weapon. It was a good idea to give the Jaffa another weapon type beside the staff weapon.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on March 4th, 2008)