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John Carter, a review by GSyren

Title	John Carter (Netflix)
Director	Andrew Stanton
Actors	Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton
Produced	2012 in United States
Runtime	127 minutes
Audio	English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles	Swedish
Overview	From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton (Best Animated Film, WALL-E, 2008) comes John Carter - a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic novel, John Carter is a war-weary, former military captain who's inexplicably transported to Mars and reluctantly becomes embroiled in an epic conflict. It's a world on the brink of collapse, and Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands. Stunning special effects, great characters and villains - and complete with extraordinary bonus features - John Carter is a heroic and inspirational adventure that will thrill you beyond imagination.
My thoughts	This seems to be a film that most people either love or hate. I didn't hate it, but I couldn't quite get into it, either. I found Taylor Kitsch to be a rather bland hero. He didn't do anything for me. And I tend to get hung up about details. I know it's a fantasy film, and I accept some things while other just annoy me terribly. Air, water and cities on Mars? Well, that's OK, mainly because this was written long before we knew what Mars is really like. And perhaps also to some extent because it is set in the 19th century. Carter's ability to jump is another matter. While the gravity on Mars is less than on Earth, his jumps are just ludicrous. I found the story somewhat disjointed (or was that just because I was getting bored). The CGI was mostly good, but good CGI doesn't impress me much these days. I liked Lynn Collins. I wouldn't mind seeing more of her. So it was not entirely a waste of  time, but not something I'd care to revisit.
My rating

(From Reviews and ramblings by Gunnar on September 21st, 2014)

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, a review by Rich

that's livin alright in Laos...





Being a big fan of Auf Wied this was always going to appeal. Nothing ground breaking or different from the series, this special was a final hurrah for the travelling brickies from the UK, and their ages dictated that as they were pushing it for this feature. A solid 6/10, but only for existing fans.

(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on March 2nd, 2008)

Babylon 5: Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Sheridan tries to get the League of Non-Alligned Worlds sign a defense contract that allows the White Star fleet to patrol along the borders. And he does that in an very unusual way. Meanwhile Delenn (as representative of the religious caste) negoiates with Neroon (as representative of the warrior caste) in secret to end the fully outbroken civil war on Minbar.

My opinion: The episode is a great mixture of humour and seriousness. It's funny to see hwo Sheridan drives the league into the illusion that there is a new enemy to make them sign the treaty. And it's great to see how the mutual adversaries Delenn and Neroon work together to help their people. And then you realize that Neroon is going to betray Delenn. Very sad.


Synopsis: The religious caste has to surrender to the warrior caste. A place is chosen for the surrender. A place of great historical meaning from the time before Valen founded the Grey Council. Meanwhile Lyta is desperately looking for a job when Bester comes along an makes a proposal.

My opinion: While the Lyte storyline wasn't that interesting, the events back on Minbar were quite fascinating. One episode you are to believe that Neroon betrays Delenn. And the next you learn the plan hidden in another plan. It was a very good ending for the character or Neroon, an end worthy of a true warrior. And the end of the episode promises a great storyline for the next episodes.


Synopsis: After President Clark ordered the killing of 10'000 inoocent people on refugee ships, Sheridan is no longer willing to stand by. He prepares an attack agains Earth Force ships that carry out such illegal orders. They are going to retake the colony of Proxima 3, then Mars and finally Earth. A fleet of White Star ships and Starfuries has taken course to Proxima 3.

My opinion: Brother against brother. Civil war. The Minbari just had their own civil war, but it didn't feel as real as this one. This is probably because I - the viewer - am human. Of course I know it's only a TV show but nonetheless a battle between humans feels much more real than the war amongst the Minbari castes. And you hope with Sheridan that the crew of the destroyer can evacuate before it explodes. A worthy episode as name--giver of the season.


Synopsis: Garibaldi has arrived on Mars and finally meets the head of Edgars Industries, William Edgars. And Edgars fills him in on his thoughts and worries about Clark, the Psi Corps and Sheridan. Back on Babylon 5 Lyta is able to awake the teeps that were "modified" by the Shadows. Sheridan needs them for a certain task in the war to free Earth.

My opninion: A quieter episode but nonetheless an important one. Garibaldi decides to capture Sheridan and hand him over to Clark. What the hell did the Psi Corps do to him that he would do such a thing? The interesting question is: How many decisions made Garibaldi on his own and how many was he forced to do due to his Psi Corps reprogramming.

(From Babylon 5: Marathon on November 12th, 2007)