All Consuming : Rew

Consumed "Nova - Who Killed the Red Baron?"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:41:23 GMT

WORTH IT!

A story about "Speed and Angels"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:40:13 GMT

by Peyton Wilson

Very happy this film finally got picked up for wide production. You can also watch this on Hulu as well. This is the best farewell to a much beloved plane, the F-14, that anyone could ask for. Amazing documentary and footage. This will go on my “must own on Blu-ray” list as well.

Consumed "Lord of Light"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:32:36 GMT

Lord of Light

by Roger Zelazny

WORTH IT!

Consumed "To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Riverworld Saga, Book 1)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:46:45 GMT

To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Riverworld Saga, Book 1)

by Philip Jose Farmer

WORTH IT!

Consumed "A Fire Upon The Deep (Zones of Thought)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:04:47 GMT

A Fire Upon The Deep (Zones of Thought)

by Vernor Vinge

WORTH IT!

A story about "Mongol"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:00:28 GMT

Mongol

by Sergei Bodrov

An epic of old made in today’s style of film. This is rumored to be part 1 of a trilogy. I liked this movie so much that it makes it to my “films I want to own on blu-ray” list http://www.listsofbests.com/list/58955. Cannot wait for the other two in the series to be released!

A story about "Dora-Heita"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:31:01 GMT

Dora-Heita

by Kon Ichikawa

A plot that will remind you of your favorite westerns, only it is about Samurai and has a good dose of humor in it. Great fun.

A story about "Apt Pupil"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:53:12 GMT

Apt Pupil

by Bryan Singer

Believable and story driven.

A story about "Gamerz (Ws Col Sub Dol)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:52:58 GMT

Gamerz (Ws Col Sub Dol)

by Robbie Fraser

Really fun stuff. If you can remember pen and paper era games you will like this. If you like quirky Scotts you will like it even more. Don’t be a bunch of numptys! Watch it! :)

A story about "Monster Camp"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:28:29 GMT

Monster Camp

by Cullen Hoback

An entertaining look, at some interesting people, but fails to really captivate. Darkon, overall, is a much better movie about LARPing. Monster Camp does have a great soundtrack and was “worth” viewing for documentary freaks like me.

A story about "Howard Hughes' Hell's Angels"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:20:03 GMT

Howard Hughes' Hell's Angels

by Edmund Goulding

Monty!!!!!!!!!!

Though completely overdramatic at parts it’s still a decent flick. Watchable, if for nothing else, then to say you have seen it. Highlights are of-course the planes: a stolen German bomber, a large zeppelin, and the largest squadron of tri-wings probably ever seen on film.

It is also interesting to watch this and ask, what would they have done today (besides being completely based on special effects and explosions)? One of the side plots, the main characters friendship with a German they unknowingly fight against, I found much more interesting then the trivial love problems the story tries to hinge on. That probably held true for then but, I’d bet, is far more noticeable now with modern eyes.

A story about "... And Call Me Conrad (aka This Immortal"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:45:24 GMT

... And Call Me Conrad (aka This Immortal

by Roger Zelazny

Save The Vegan!

A story about "The Gods Themselves"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:37:10 GMT

The Gods Themselves

by Isaac Asimov

Very relevant to today with regards to energy and the environment.

It’s kind of like reading three books that are all interconnected by a main story arch. Good stuff.

Pay very close attention to the chapter headings in book/section two. Wonderful.

A review of "The Snow Queen"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 04:56:57 GMT

The Snow Queen

by Joan D. Vinge

This book contains, what for me, was a failed ‘hook’. For 200+ pages I had nothing I really cared about other then some tidbits about the world of Tiamat. The failed hook is that somehow we are supposed to immediately care that two young lovers are separated. This is flawed because we do not know the characters much and have not experienced them growing to love one another. The characters lose something but we lose nothing as we have no emotional investment in them.

The writing craft leads a little bit to be desired from as well. There are many instances of ambiguous pronouns which will hit you squarely as odd, shatter some of your immersion, and force you to reread the sentence for meaning.

This book does have things about it to enjoy but compared to many of my other favorite reads there was far too little enjoyment for reading investment.

Bottom Line: I would not have bothered finishing this book if it was not for my goal of reading all the Hugos. I am also slightly grateful this read is over.

A story about "Kon Ichikawa's 47 Ronin"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 03:26:07 GMT

Kon Ichikawa's 47 Ronin

by Kon Ichikawa

This story has been adapted to many many tellings both on the big screen and in print (may be up to 80 movies at this point). I was surprised to see a film release from 1994 that made it to DVD, and since I gobble up what I can of Japanese Samurai flicks, I gave it a viewing.

I did enjoy seeing some of the logistical planning, moving of supplies, and working with co-consiprators in this one but I found it to not have the depth of Chusingura or quite the visceral appeal of Fall of Ako Castle. Those still seem hard to beat.

Why I recommend "Ringworld"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 05:59:19 GMT

Ringworld

by Larry Niven

Owes a lot to Rama but I found this a much more enjoyable read. Fun stuff. The aliens really make the book.

Best of the best ...

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Sun, 27 May 2007 00:49:15 GMT

Speed and Angels

by Peyton Wilson

Hands down the best films of its type out there currently. No better look at the best interceptor on the planet: the F-14 Tomcat. The new multi-role aircraft of today are really great, but there is just something about the Intruder/Tomcat pairing. I can’t think of a much more fitting fair-well to a much loved aircraft.

I rarely see any film and want to immediately watch them again. This is one of them. The editing, cinematography, and sound is just amazing. In comparison to Operation Red Flag this is much more gritty and an in the cockpit look at being a fighter pilot.

I literally cheered at parts in this movie as well as getting pretty anxious watching the two new pilots train. Being a DVD owner, I might have to go hunt for where this is playing on the big screen now. Yes, it is that good.

A story about "Way Station (SF Collector's Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Sat, 26 May 2007 23:45:17 GMT

Way Station (SF Collector's Edition)

by Clifford D. Simak

The book didn’t really start until about page 120. It was ok but nothing that will stay with me for very long or warrant a re-read. Mostly this is a jumble of flash-backs told by the main character. For this reason it remains hard to feel any tension or believe something important will happen in the now. As that phrase about writing goes: “Don’t tell. Show.” If you can make it through the first hundred pages and a bit there is actually a story that will take place. So far my least favorite of the Hugos I’ve read.

A review of "Portrait of Hell"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Thu, 10 May 2007 21:56:49 GMT

Portrait of Hell

by Shirô Toyoda

Portrait of Hell (Jigokuhen) – 1969

Heian era Japan is in peril. The corrupt Imperial court has let inequality and poor stewardship of the country grow to a breaking point. The common people begin to starve, crime and groups of brigands are on the rise, and all hate the Emperor/Gov. for their plight.

Korean master artist, favored by the imperial court, is set at odds with the maniacal Emperor himself. A battle of wills takes place. The challenge, since the master painter can only paint truth, and scenes he has viewed with his own eyes, can he truly paint a master work portrait of hell itself?

I had thought the movie would be more sword and samurai mixed with horror. In truth this is good drama with a touch of horror. One might call it “The Japanese Wickerman”.

This is shot entirely in a studio, so scenery is a bit bland, but the acting mixed with old school special effects are darn good. The theatrical quality is almost as if you were watching a high quality recording of a play.

There are some amazingly powerful and horrific scenes. The ending of the movie actually suffers because the build up is far more potent. The film also has some interesting ideas about the power of painting/art and the nature of evil and will.

The shear uniqueness, combined with the drama, make this movie pretty unforgettable. Viewers who are tolerant of older foreign movies and special effects will probably be pleased. Any interest in art, b-horror movies, and old Japanese cinema will increase enjoyment too. Definitely not your standard fair.

A review of "The Sword of Doom - Criterion Collection"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 05:40:19 GMT

The Sword of Doom - Criterion Collection

by Kihachi Okamoto

Wow. Sad to say I think this one is over-hyped and has a major flaw. Storytellers shouldn’t make promises they don’t keep. If they do deceive, the deception must be better then the initial promise. Unfortunately “Sword of Doom” has a huge potential to make you feel cheated. Viewer be warned.

All the fans of ‘Sword of Doom’ seem to love the swordplay. Can we be honest for a second? There is a lot of sword-fighting but it isn’t very good. Maybe my threshold for desensitization is pretty low but it gets very mind numbingly repetitive. The assailants often look to be blatantly “pulling their punches” and letting themselves be killed (a common flaw in a good number of samurai movies but it is almost inexcusable in this). If your movie is going to have violence as its central theme then you ought to make me feel it a bit more.

Just how many people die by “no look kills”, charging at the backs of hero or anti-hero? I’d hazard more people meet their end due to this then straight up face to face clashes. The effect fails to impress and never seems very believable. The duels do manage to add some tension. Too bad there are only two point five of them.

If you are going to view this one, you might read the write up on the Criterion Collections page first: The Sword of Doom. It may make you feel better about the whole viewing experience. It may even convince you that the ending is how it should be or that it is ok that the story is unfinished.

Sorry, but, I’m still feeling a bit betrayed. It has no clear message and we never get the catharsis we seek. Instead the anti-hero is left, locked in a bloody killing rampage, for eternity. I for one hope he succumbs to his wounds.

While samurai in theme it comments very little on samurai, bushido, or the end of the Tokugawa shogunate time period in which it is set. This is much more a piece about karma and the capacity for humans to do violence.

There are some really memorable scenes though: a ryu tournament, a ryu challenge, one of the possible heros practicing in a dojo stabbing beams of light, and an ambush/battle in the snow. I do like the anti-hero main character story telling. It’s really too bad this movie didn’t wrap up a bit tighter or didn’t have sequels.

For a second viewing I will probably take a completely light hearted view and do a body count. I also may see if my hunch about deaths via no look kills is true. Some saki and pen and paper can’t but add to the enjoyment to be had here.

Sword of Doom enters the bottomish half of my samurai movie list. A couple stars for the memorable scenes +1 for Shinsengumi and Toshirô Mifune involvement.

A review of "Harakiri - Criterion Collection"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Rew) — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 04:16:38 GMT

Harakiri - Criterion Collection

by Masaki Kobayashi

I have a feeling this would be my favorite samurai flick had I seen it before Samurai Rebellion. I was completely riveted and blown away. I’ve kind of come the conclusion that I must see as many Masaki Kobayashi films as I can get a hold of. Harakiri firmly moves into my number two all time favorite on my list. I think the many vs one sword fights we end up seeing in many films must be trying to emulate this. You also just have to love how this film is constructed switching from present to story telling and back. The black and white cinematography is gorgeous as well (just as in Samurai Rebellion). Hard not to love this anti-samurai samurai movie. Oh, and not showing us some of the fights but just letting us hear them to increase tension … genius!