What I Saw Last Week...

1. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
Repeat View HD * * *
Big G versus Mecha G with Mothra as a referee. Tokyo’s the ring and destruction is the name of the game.

2. The Echo (2008)
First View HD * * ½
Well it’s all been done before, with much better results. The sound design is pretty decent and helps establish what little atmosphere there is.

3. Funny People (2009) Unrated
First View SD * * *
More drama than funny. It’s a tad long and not funny enough.

4. Chuck – Season 1 (2007)
Repeat View USD * * * ½
A fun geeky series.

5. Angels & Demons (2009) Extended Version
First View HD * * * *
“Angels” is a fine sequel (even though it was published before “Da Vinci”). Although I preferred the hunt for the Grail in “Code” as a storyline “Angels” is clearly a better film. “Da Vinci” occasionally suffered from pacing issues and lapses (which were made better by its extended version) “Angels” hits the ground running and is engaging until the end.

6. The Final Destination (2009)
First View SD * * * ½
The franchise is brought to its fiery end (yeah right) in “The Final Destination”. NASCAR racing is the big beginning with a lovely fiery, CGI bang. Don’t expect any new ground to be broken. Just sit back and enjoy the mayhem.

7. Black Dynamite (2009)
First View SD * * * *
Great Blaxploitation spoof. Can you dig it?

8. The General (1927)
First View HD * * * *
I believe this is my first Buster Keaton movie. I liked it. It was entertaining.

9. Beyond Sherwood Forest (2009)
First View HD *
Silly Syfy drivel that tosses dragons and other fantasy elements into the Robin Hood legend. It’s dry and lifeless. But Maid Marion is made for marrying…ba-doom, tiss!

10. The Big Boss (1971)
Repeat View USD * * * *
I was in the mood for a little hi-ya so why not go with the master?

11. Heat (1995)
Repeat View HD * * * * *
Michael Mann’s crime epic is far from perfect (there are several glaring oversights) but with a grade A cast and a wonderful script it’s easy to overlook a few minor flaws.

12. Rest Stop: Don’t Look Back (2008) Unrated
Repeat View HD * * *
I enjoy this Raw Feed series.

13. The Mummy (1999)
Repeat View HD * * * ½
It’s a decent enough Indiana Jones-style adventure film. It’s nowhere near the original.

14. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) Extended Edition
Repeat View HD * * * * *
A rousing conclusion to one of the best book adaptations…ever.

15. Logan’s Run (1976)
Repeat View HD * * * ½
“Logan’s Run” is an interesting concept but the production design is a bit sparse (actually more like sterile) for my taste but the funky and quirky Jerry Goldsmith score is fun.

16. Deep Impact (1998)
Repeat View HD * * * *
Summer of the astral impact disaster flicks. I prefer this one slightly over “Armageddon”.

17. S.I.C.K. (2003)
First View SD * * * ½
After hearing how horrible this one was I avoided it. But I gave it a go and thought it was pretty damned decent.

Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
First View SD * * * *
A wicked revenge flick.