DVD Tales: Fight Club to Fog of War

Following from Fifth Element...

Fight Club (David Fincher, 1999)
I didn't see Fight Club in the theaters though I'd heard about it of course. I simply bought it unseen after taking an interest in director David Fincher. And then did it become one of my favorite movies ever? Why, yes it did! Thanks to four commentary tracks, I saw it 5 times the first week alone. It spoke to my GenX rage like nothing else ever had. One of the tracks was between the scriptwriter and novelist Chuck Palahniuk, and so I added him to my must-read list. Never been disappointed with one of this novels as yet. If you have the DVD, watch for that fake FBI warning written by the always subversive Tyler Durden. It flashes by quick!

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Hironobu Sakaguchi, 2001)
I've never played any of the games, but Final Fantasy has very little to do with those. It's basically a photo-realistic anime that ties into the games' popularity by title alone. No matter. It still looks great today, without that creepy Beowulf feeling you get with newer, more "technologically advanced" releases. The voice acting is quite good, with the likes of James Woods, Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi and, mmmm, Ming Na. Been a fan of hers since The Single Guy. She was hot and she was married to the fuggly dude. What can I say? Oh, and the best part of any animated film like this one? The outtakes.

Flash (various, 1990)
I remember being pretty excited when this show came on the air in the wake of Batman's success. It had the same sensibilities too: a hero in a muscle suit and a Central City that was a mishmash of different eras. The show paid homage to different eras of the Flash too. He was Barry Allen, but with Wally West's power level at the time and a heroic brother named Jay (as in Jay Garrick, the original Flash). It lasted a year and that was it, but was charming enough in a "hero trying to find his place in the world" kind of way The episodes with the golden age hero Nightshade were probably the highlight for me, though I do wish he could have been called Sandman.

Fletch (Michael Ritchie, 1985)
I think I covered all my bases in This Week in Geek not too long ago. Fun documentary, smartest Chevy Chase film, dated music. Yep, everything covered. So just trying to fill space so the picture on the right doesn't overlap. Lalala. Hey, M. Emmet Walsh was in this. Isn't he great? Makes me long for that Bladerunner boxed set. Man, dude can play evil without trying. Maybe he IS evil. Let me check his credits. Sniper trying to take out Steve Martin in The Jerk? Well, there's no such thing as PURE evil.

Fog of War (Errol Morris, 2003)
Or full title, The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara. A deceptively simple documentary with some stock footage, but mostly a frank conversation with mover and shaker Robert McNamara. It's biographical, but that's only its secondary focus. Though he's talking about Vietnam, the message is really about Iraq (and Afghanistan and whatever other quagmire our governments have sunk us in). McNamara manages to criticize present foreign policy without really mentioning anything happening today. Deeply relevant and fascinating.

But what did YOU think? Next: Frank Herbert's Children of Dune to From the Earth to the Moon.

Star Trek 361: The Visitor

361. The Visitor

FORMULA: The Inner Light + All Good Things...

WHY WE LIKE IT: It is so incredibly moving.

WHY WE DON'T: We don't?

REVIEW: A life hijacked by love, that's Jake's fate in this possible future. It's incredible to me how a story so obviously meant to end with a giant reset button can be this emotional. It shouldn't be because at the heart of DS9 is the bond between Ben and Jake Sisko. Sisko came to an empty shell of a station and turned it into a place his son could grow up in. The station is in many ways a show of love for his son, and The Visitor totally plays on that. Throughout the episode, both men care only for the other's welfare, no matter what.

The narrative device of having an older Jake tell the story to a fan allows all the info-dump to stay in the background during incredibly moving scenes between the Siskos. Emotion, not dialogue, seems to be the order of the day, and all three actors involved are in top form. The Visitor wouldn't work if Tony Todd (whom we know better as Kurn) couldn't pull it off. It must be especially hard to convey a range of emotion AND a sense that he is Jake Sisko grown up through a rubber mask, but he does so beautifully. Some of the things he does with his hands and eyebrows recalls Cirroc Lofton's performance as the younger Jake. And it's not all Tony Todd. Lofton gets some very strong moments too, especially the scene with Kira allowing him to stay on the station for a while longer. And Avery Brooks? Probably his best performance to date.

It's not all tears though. Part of the fun of seeing the future, even if that future won't occur, is to at least present potentials. For example, Nog has the potential to be captain some day, and Jake has the potential to be a great writer. Some of what happens is because of Sisko's absence though, and the religious and political ramifications aren't ignored (this is DS9, after all). It's quite fun to see Bashir and Dax still palling around and taking pokes at each other. But of course, Fate had other plans...

LESSON: When you're favorite writer is about to wipe your timeline, you damn well better finish his new novel right then and there.

REWATCHABILITY - High: An intensely emotional story about how deep the love between the Siskos can go, with wonderful performances and always cool peeks at the future. Many call this the best DS9 episode ever, and for many others, that makes it the best episode of TREK ever. After just watching it, I'm not in any frame of mind to argue the point.

Walt Simonson on Doctor Who

Though Simonson has admitted to never having watched Doctor Who in his life, he HAS drawn a few Who covers and illustrations for Marvel Comics. And that right there is what I call a perfect storm of coolness. Seems to me he's the perfect man to draw long flowing scarves.And suction cup monsters.
And UNIT personnel with giant Kirby guns (guns only included in my mind).
And the hottest of the hot, my girl Leela.
Yes, I think I can forgive him his never watching it.

All pics from Marvel Premiere #60 (though some repeated elsewhere), a gift from my good friend Bauble.

Star Trek 360: The Way of the Warrior

360. The Way of the Warrior

FORMULA: The Trouble with Tribbles + Redemption + The Search

WHY WE LIKE IT: Worf! The battles! Garak vs. the Klingons! The new title sequence!

WHY WE DON'T: The needless holosuite sequence.

REVIEW: This is it. The episode where everybody ELSE came on board Deep Space 9. And yes, I'm talking about the audience. Whether the Klingons are acting on a real need to go back to the old ways, on paranoia about Cardassia having been taken over by the Dominion, or because THEY'RE being manipulated by the Founders, it hardly matters. They've fully migrated from TNG, and they've brought Worf with them. And face it, the Klingon arc was the most "DS9" thing about TNG. They probably belong here, in the more ethically complex, multi-cultural corner of the Trek universe. With them comes an operatic, epic vibe which starts off the season well.

The addition of Worf to the crew is the most important change, but there are others. Some are cosmetic, like more relaxed hairstyles for Dax and Kira, a shaved head for Sisko, and oh my lord, that new opening sequence! The station is now busy rather than a floating objet d'art, wonderfully so, and the music drives it a lot more. Some changes tie into the more military feel of the show, such as the station's new (and very cool) weapons systems, and the Defiant's ablative armor (losing shields doesn't mean you're dead anymore).

But yeah, it's Worf we've got our eyes on. Thankfully, it's more than a casting stunt, though it is that too judging from some meta-dialogue about TNG (how there was nothing they couldn't do, how those were good years, but they're over now, and how DS9 is here to stay - it's nothing I personally need to hear, though O'Brien snickering at holodeck malfunctions is worth a smile). DS9 has been very good about focusing on character development, so Worf immediately gets to interact with the cast and he has a unique relationship with each of them. Like Sisko in Emissary, he's on the cusp of an important career decision. Then there's the uneasy camaraderie with O'Brien, sparks flying between him and Dax, severe distaste for Quark, and Primmin-like antagonism with Odo. Worf was a great character whenever the Klingons were around, but often missed the mark (quite literally) when they weren't. Now they are, but hopefully he can stay cool even in Klingon-light episodes. In The Way of the Warrior, he's singing songs, getting drunk to get sensitive information, calling Gowron on his targ crap, getting Martok (a fearsomely cool new character) into his quarters, and fighting hand to hand like some kind of shaolin monk! And when there's a lull, you can always count on him for deadpan humor ("nice hat").

Not to say there aren't moments for everyone else. While Dax trying to drag Kira to the holosuites is pretty weak, you've got Quark comparing the Federation to root beer, Odo and Garak having that lunch they promised each other in The Die Is Cast, the tailor making some cutting remarks at Klingons that should never recover from them, Dax and Sisko betting on Dukat's ingratitude, Bashir organizing triage before the final battle, Odo expecting a whole opera on his death at the hands of the Klingons, the crew allowing Garak to overhear a briefing while measuring Sisko for a suit, and some very sweet romantic moments between Sisko and Kasidy Yates (despite the red herring of grooming her to be a changeling).

Character moments are what I take away from the episode, even though the story's good too, working the Klingons into the ever-shifting political landscape of DS9. To keep things exciting, there's a good ship battle for the Defiant, and an awesome one for the station with tons of ships (including everything from a new Klingon ship to the old K'tinga class!), and savage boarding action (Odo doesn't NEED a stinkin' weapon!). An enthusiastic performance for Gowron seals the deal.

LESSON: The blood will NOT tell.

REWATCHABILITY - High: At twice the running time, The Way of the Warrior can afford to mix quieter character scenes with slam-bang action and shocking reveals. Worf is ably used to guide TNG fans through the world of DS9, and with everything going on, I dare say it did the job of hooking people back to Trek after its parent show ended.

This Week in Geek (26/11-2/12/07)

Buys

Nope, still nothin'. And yet, Christmas approaches.

"Accomplishments"

Oh Doctor Who, you are my world. Flipped Series 3 this week, a nice DVD package which nonetheless could have used even more extras. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy with the commentary tracks, Doctor Who Confidential episodes and David Tennant's video diaries (which I like better than Confidential as behind the scenes featurettes go), but I've been spoiled by the Classic Who releases. Those are so complete, I miss things such as the podcasts and the flash cartoon Infinite Quest, just like I missed Attack of the Graske and the TARDISodes on the previous boxed set. Still, a good season with interesting biblical leitmotifs and my new favorite companion ever, Martha Jones.

Someone who could rival Martha is Blink's non-companion, Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan is the cat's meow), and she appears in the episode I've watched the most often (3 times only this week). Why so many times? Unauthorized cards, of course! A dozen cards done up as I write this with 6-8 more. I'm very close to finishing the Time Meddlers expansion. In the meantime, enjoy this write-up of Sally.
I also flipped 28 Weeks Later, which is a sincere effort that looks and sounds as good as the original (28 Days Later), but is sadly much more straightforward. The Americans show up in deserted London, and it's like they bring their Hollywood clichés and special effects with them. I don't mean to be too down on it, since there are good things here, but it left me a bit empty considering how much 28 Days had to say.

I could probably have accomplished more if I hadn't had an improv show to prepare and act in, but there you go. I'm not sure how geeky you would find a 2-hour improv in the style of a Greek tragedy, but I'll still mention it here. My performance was termed "Best. Oracle. Ever.", but that title really belongs to Barbara Gordon, doesn't it? I will say that I was particularly impressed with our use of masks, sometimes on, sometimes off, to create some wonderful effects. Next time guys, if we can only limit the number of wardrobe malfunctions to just a few? ;-)

Star Trek 359: The Adversary

359. The Adversary

FORMULA: The Die Is Cast + Conundrum + Whom Gods Destroy + Heart of Stone

WHY WE LIKE IT: Sisko finally captain. They're everywhere, and we're definitely not ready for them.

WHY WE DON'T: The stagey promotion ceremony.

REVIEW: The Adversary does for the Founders what last season's finale did for the Jem'Hadar. Though we've seen them before, the episode does a good job of showing how tough they really are. A single changeling can do a LOT of damage before you even notice it's there, and even afterwards. The sequence in which the changeling uses Bashir's form to screw with the blood screening process shows just how badly prepared our heroes are for fighting shape-shifters.

Before the changeling is revealed, the episode is way too slow however. After a staged promotion ceremony for Sisko, with each character approaching him one by one to deliver his or her lines (and a silly classic switch in the Commander's Log), it's pretty much O'Brien vs. rattling conduits. It's pretty tedious, especially on repeat viewings when the episode has given up its secrets. The action and tense feeling of paranoia that follows is much better, and the second half of the show hums along at a good pace until the requisite final showdown between Odo and the changeling in which Odo makes his exile a lot more permanent.

As with previous DS9 season finales, a cliffhanger is eschewed in favor of setting up the threat for the next season. After the episode's events, the revelation that the Founders are already among us is a powerful one. The Adversary also sets up other things about the status quo for next season, such as Sisko's captaincy (about time, it's true) and the Defiant's engine room (more ship stories are in the offing, and they're no longer giving reasons for Odo coming along). You might also spot the first mention of Sisko's father as still living.

LESSON: When the Dominion gives you a warning, you have about a season's head start.

REWATCHABILITY - Medium: Though it's got an important moment or two, it loses a lot of its tension and mystery on the second go, and leaves the repeat viewer impatient.

Star Trek 358: Facets

Star Trek 358: Facets

FORMULA: Frame of Mind + Invasive Procedures

WHY WE LIKE IT: Sisko's creepy Joran.

WHY WE DON'T: Leeta gets invited to all the cool parties.

REVIEW: DS9 doesn't shy away from mysticism and it's easy to attribute the zhian'tara ritual to some form of telepathy on the guardian's part. Isolating every part of Dax this way is quite an interesting hook. And though Leeta has infiltrated herself into the cool gang after just one tiny appearance, making our cast of actors incarnate the various hosts is a brilliant idea. By the looks of it, it was a great change of pace, and everyone gives a fun, quirky performance from Kira's Lela on down. Avery Brooks in particular gives an incredibly creepy performance as the psychotic host Joran, weird accent and all. It doesn't really match what has gone before or what will come later, but it's a heck of a performance. Throw in a lot of great reactions for Sisko throughout (glad she didn't break any bones, or when he realizes Quark will incarnate a woman), and you've got a good show for Brooks.

But of course, that all flies by pretty fast so that we can get to Curzon. After Joran has done playing on Jadzia's insecurities, the "old man" is in a perfect position to do the same to give himself a new life. He's certainly got a strong personality that it can get away from her like that, but it's really thanks to Odo's strange changeling nature. Odo and Curzon become joined and the joined character is a hoot, though it feels a lot more like the latter than the former. Odo as bon vivant...

In the end, I'm not sure what to think of the revelation about Curzon and Jadzia's relationship, especially since it's information that was somehow hidden from her even after joining, although like other information she learns from hosts, it could be something she couldn't quite put her finger on. I wonder how many psychologists migrate to Trill each year.

The theme of the episode is the theft of someone's life, and in the Nog subplot, Quark tries to sabotage Nog's application to Starfleet Academy. Rom comes ferociously to his defense and won't allow Quark to cross that line (as in Family Business). Rom's quickly becoming a favorite as the big dumb cluck who knows what's really important in life. And look for the first appearance of root beer, which pays off interestingly next season!

LESSON: Verad remains insignificant. Forever.

REWATCHABILITY - High: The final revelation may be touch melodramatic, but you learn so much about the Dax symbiont, and there are some really fun performances by practically everyone in the cast. It's one of my personal favorites.