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The Jackal, a review by Rich

The Jackal



Bruce Willis is The Jackal - the greatest assassin in history - out to eliminate a top U.S. government official. Declan Mulqueen, an imprisoned underground operative, is the only man who can stop him. Now, the Deputy Director of the FBI, is taking the biggest risk of all . . . he's releasing one criminal to stop another in this terrifically explosive, totally intrigueing suspense thriller.

First-off, admission this is a guilty pleasure, I know it isn't a patch on the 70's original, I know the formula was well-tested, I know Gere's Irish accent is about as ill fitting and phony as Willis's tash, but I do like it.
It is entertaining, believable, has dated reasonably well, thumping soundtrack, and I thought Willis as the cold hearted assassin works really well.
The suspense is played out well, Poitier is convincing as the FBI agent, and enough twists and turns to keep you watching.
I like it, but can concede why others would be appalled at this remake.
 


(From Riches Random Reviews on January 19th, 2009)

Baraka, a review by Danae Cassandra

Baraka
Year of Release: 1992
Directed By: Ron Fricke
Starring: Humanity
Genre: Documentary

Overview:
In the ancient Sufi language, it is a word that translates to 'the thread that weaves life together.' In the pantheon of modern cinema, it remains one of the most unique and acclaimed motion picture events of our time. Shot in breathtaking 70mm in 24 countries on six continents, BARAKA is a transcendent global tour that explores the sights and sounds of the human condition like nothing you've ever seen or felt before. These are the wonders of a world without words, viewed through man and nature's own prisms of symmetry, savagery, chaos and harmony.

My Thoughts:
If ever a movie should be called poetic, this is that movie.  This is most a work of art, a creation of tone, image, and theme.  It is also stunningly, magnificently beautiful.

Humanity reaches for, longs for, a spiritual connection.  Perhaps it is found in religion, perhaps in community, perhaps in nature.  But our commodified civilization, and humanity's cruelty (to each other, to other creatures, to nature) drive us away from each other and further from true spiritual connection. 

A film everyone ought to see, yet a film that is not for everyone.  A moving, powerful composition, meditative, forceful, simple and profound.

Bechdel Test: Not Applicable

Overall: 5/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on March 8th, 2015)

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

Synopsis: A summit of the free Jaffa was attacked and dozens have been killed. Teal'c and Bra'tac were heavily wounded. Teal'c finds out who is behind this - a Jaffa with whom Teal'c has to settle a score anyway. But this Jaffa threatens to attack Earth unless he is being left alone.

My Opinion: I was afraid they would kill Bra'tac off, four episodes before the end of the show, he is about 143 years old after all. But the show isn't written by Joss Whedon, thus we can assume that everyone will survive. After Bra'tac had survived I didn't fear for Teal'c. But I didn't like the fact that this Jaffa, who has no honour, possessed a weapon that looked a lot like a Samurai Katana.

Synopsis: The Tel'taks that are filled with Naqadah and were supposed to be used in the attack on Earth are still out there. And one is already hidden on Earth. But Vala's father knows where they are and he will reveal this information if he is granted asylum on Earth.

My Opinion: This episode implied that Qetesh possessed Vala only for a few years because the difference in age between her and her father doesn't allow for much more (she didn't age while Qetesh was possessing her). But I didn't found the story that interesting. The meeting between Landry and his ex-wife on the other hand was nice.

Synopsis: Adria is back in our galaxy and SG-1 plans to capture her. But Ba'al beats them to it and implants one of his Symbiote clones into her. Now he has access to her knowledge and he is preparing to take over the entire Ori fleet.

My Opinion: Aside from the fact that the show is soon over, I really believe that this was the last Ba'al clone (why else would he kill all the others?) and it was cool that they've made a short rift of him. I also liked it (don't get me wrong!) that Vala was honestly hurt at the begin of the episode. That shows that she has build a real emotional bond to the team and Earth.

Synopsis: The Asgard realized that their extinction is inevitable and they decide to obliterate themselves. But before that they transfer all their knowledge and technology to the Humans. But unfortunately exactly this technology makes the Odyssey detectable. Every time they return to normal space the Ori ships appear soon after. But there isn't enough time to disable the Asgard components until suddenly they have too much time at their hands.

My Opinion: Great closing. Honestly. While the show was cancelled only after the airing of this episode, the end is quite suitable. The last conversation between Sam and Thor was really moving and that is quite an achievement given the fact that Thor is only a puppet/animation. I also liked the years on the ship but I believe I also would have gone up the walls like Cameron. The aging masks still didn't look real but they've come a long way since Jack's aging in Brief Candle. Teal'c is now 157 and thus 14 years older than Bra'tac. I am curious if they will consider this in future movies. After all, he's now over 50 years without symbiote.

The Season - My Opinion: Now as it is over, it could have lasted longer. Vala and Cameron made a good addition and brought fresh blood into the show, after the Anubis arc had become a bit tiresome. Luckily I still have Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum to watch. But I am still not too thrilled about Stargate: Atlantis. Still I think it was a good idea to end it at this point. In this season a number of ideas were used again and they also had several filler episodes.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on May 3rd, 2008)