Getting on the Spike Lee Joint…What happened? This highly anticipated movie seem to have faded as quickly as it came. I tracked down a discount theater and finally got to see the film. As much as I respect Mr. Lee as a filmmaker there was somthing about this latest outing that failed in my eyes. The movie was a bit dull and kind of boring as it dragged on and on. At 166 minutes it painfully persisted without release, it was almost painful.

I have experienced films far longer then St. Anna but when the plot and script fail to accomidate the long streches the audience feels every minute of it. The story seemed lost in its own greatness, it was uninteresting and I had trouble connecting with it. It was hard to follow at times as well with characters moving from one time zone to the next. The jarring and disjointed scenes proved to me that the film didn’t have to be as long as it was.

I praise Mr. Lee for making a film about the horrors and treatment of Black soldiers during World War II, but it could have been better. I was expecting a whole lot more and came away with less. This could have been a great historical documentary but the sheer lack of character development, strange dialoge between characters, nudity and stereotypes bring it all crumbling down.

Overall, the movie was below average on my scale. Not amazing, not great, definitely not an epic, but it seemed to cause me some discomfort. It was a great story, but it could have been executed much better.

The Middle Row got a change to hang out back stage at Big Daddy Kane’s 20th anniversary celebration in NYC. It was filled with legendary acts from the past such as Positive-K, Dana Dane, Roxanne Shante, and others. Take a look and see what went on backstage.

TMR:

Directed by: Gil Kenan Written By: Caroline Thompson, Jeanne Duprau Starring: David Ryall, Ian McElhinney, Harry Treadaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Murray

Book to Screen translations often get mangled. What was the director thinking when they fundamentally changed the basics of the story and  alienating core fans? All the complaints I’ve received about this film were about the script and how their favorite book was cut up in translation. While I have only skimmed over the book, (I had never heard of it until the movie trailers began to surface.) I can say that the overall feel is completely altered from the actual written narrative by leaps and bounds.

This movie was initially hyped to be another children’s book success. It failed miserably in the theaters on release, the young target audience just didn’t go to see it. The hype faded immediately away before it began. The film was hardly publizied, no commercials, no film posters, just a few trailers and that was about it. The buzz didnt help at all, it seemed as if the studio doomed the film outright.

All I can say was the visuals were amazing, the sets were spectacular and the camera work above par but there was something about the film that left me bored. The film started with little or no explanation as to why they were trapped in their underground prison. What happened in the world above? The film seems to start in the middle of everything with little or know set up. Would a better introduction set up the audience? I really dont think added fluff would of helped the film but it would have made it a better experience.

The cast is interesting in a sort of medieval sort of way.  Bill Murray makes an appearance as the Mayor lost in his own power. He plays only a rudimentary role in the film and should only be called a “special appearance”. The main characters are played by Harry Treadway and Saoirise Ronan, both of whom play their part in a limited capacity. There was little for them to do in the underground setting and it showed with the inclusion of some giant worm that had nothing to do with the plot. The storyline started to unravel when kids start off on their quest. Once they get their hands on the film’s mysterious box and go on their quest not an awful lot seems to happen.

The box itself was the plot of the film, a message passed down from Mayor to Mayor for generations locked in a secure container. The back-story was revealed during the beginning of the film and it very eloquently presented the creation of Ember but I was left in the dark as to the totality of the circumstances involved. It’s a sticking point of mine to at least be told what is going on.

Overall City of Ember was a bit bland and drawn out with no real direction. I didn’t read the book but that shouldn’t matter, the film should carry itself and it didn’t.  To many questions left hanging for the average viewer. Knowlege of the outside world? Is the box that important,why hasn’t anyone gone looking for it? Is there a freaking hole to the outide world that lets in sunlight? Why was the exit forgotten?

Entertainment Weekly [EW} scooped an exclusive first look at the new U.S.S. Enterprise. Does it remind you of the classic Enterprise? Could Abrams have done any better with the F/X available to him today? Actually, I think it looks nice, sleek and smooth without loosing any of the original imigination it took to ‘build’ the original. I know alot of Trekkers are mumbling and grubling right now but have a little faith. It will all turn out alright. I know it will.

I am just saying, go out and vote! I did today. The gang did. You can too. Finally, check out Ms.Go’s latest article on the importance of voting.

On another note - Anyone ready for Transporter 3?

Christmas time is rolling around, Be sure to check out the TMR store and buy from us. Lovingly integrated with our site we hope our selections will part you and your money. (Yes, you know you want to spend.) You will get the same sales and discounts you enjoy with Amazon but you have the thrill of a focused shopping experience with your favorite geeks.

So enjoy the holiday shopping season and shop with us.

The first picture we see is from the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise herself. Not a training deck or some dream but the actual ship. The rest are the villian Nero, some wonderful pictures of spock and a lot of “sneak peak” to keep you going through the long wait when the film finally releases during the spring.

Each of the Paramount sneak pictures have been released to different sites. (We were not one of them. ..shame Paramount.) Each picture has some telling information and gives you a wonderful glimpse into the mind of Abrams and his vision of Star Trek.

(An Image of the USS Kelvin from Entertainment Weekly)

(Spock from AICN)

(Bridge of the Enterprise from MTV)

(The Crew of the USS Enterprise from UGO)

(Nero from good old JoBlo.com)

(An Interesting picture of Kirk and Spock from AICN)

There are pictures hidden in little pockets across the internet including some nice on the scene picturesfrom JFX Online.They have also given us some nice looks at the Star Trek Fleet Officers uniform or at least what we assume them to be.

This is a skirmish level game, similar to some miniatures games out there with nice maps, backgrounds and interesting histories. The actual game play, style and cost of the miniatures is where a game takes the fall or wins big in this industry.

The game mechanics itself is about three pairs of opposing stats and a single six-sided die. Attacks and other actions are resolved by both players rolling a single die and adding the appropriate stat. This single roll determines success or failure in the game. Simple and quick is what I like in a game like this and Pulp City comes through with that.

The actually look of the figures are amazing. Nothing bad to say about the sculpts themselves. They are detailed and designed well. I love the different factions in the game. Heroes and Villians. There are more factions coming soon. Just listen to interview and get that scoop. The only downside, and this is because I am not a fan of pewter figures, is that I have to paint these things. I was never into that but if you are this is the game for you.

Directed by: Marc Caro Written By: Marc Caro, Pierre Bordage Starring: Lambert Wilson, Linh Dan Pham, Yann Collette, Bruno Lochet, Fancois Levantal

Not sure what was going on in the film but long story short it all starts in a small space station sitting above a strange inhospitable planet. Apparently the experiments there were so secret and the prisoners were so bad that they add to put them on the ass end of space. The mentally-ill prisoners live in little cube like living spaces similar to what Ive seen in the film The Cube.

The story begins to unfold with the entrance of two quiet and reserved guests. One is a new scientist who seems to have the word of the corporation on her side and a mysterious prisoner whose origins are unknown. Once they get on board we figure out that a new experiment is to take priority. As for the experiment itself or what its actually doing is beyond me.

The characters are a mush of oranges and gray. You will watch them on screen and most likely forget them the moment you see them. They all seem to look alike with the bald heads and drab costumes. Dominique Pinon will probably be the only one recognizable to American audiences as Ceasar. The stations scientist didn’t fair very well either. I forgot them the moment I saw them.

The story itself was a bit confusing. Well, I should be honest and say the story was a mix of science where they used nanomachinces do something to prisoners. (still haven’t figured that one out yet.) Magical powers were produces in the mysterious visitor and people were supposedly saved from themselves as they plummeted into the planets surface. What was going on? Don’t know but I was chalking it up to being French.

In the end we are left dumbfounded and knowing less then we knew in the beginning. The Christian symbolism was overbearing in my opinion and didn’t add to the vapor like story. It was as if the director just added it on just to have some mystical meaning at the end. In my opinion it was science fiction with a religious slant, very visually appealing but lacking any substance. I was mildly entertained but nothing more then that as my mind started wondering during the end of the film.

Carl and I sit down for the “End of Summer” movie reviews. In this episode we discuss Eagle Eye, Pineapple Express, Tropic Thunder and more. We also talk about some movies that we missed over the summer. Some actually we didn’t regret missing at all.

We also talk about some wonderful DVD reviews including 88 minutes, Torchwood, The Fall and more. Want to hear us do a little commenting on politics and Palin? Well we got it here too.

HBO recieved26 Emmys, nailing 13 for “John Adams” (which wasn’t bad) and rounding it out we have “Recount” with another three. AMC’s wins with “Mad Men” for best drama series and the star of “Breaking Bad” with a win for best drama-series actor.

I was disappointed by the choices but a few science fiction shows did make their way through the chaff. Battlestar Galactica won a creative Emmy for the episode “He That Believeth In Me.” There were a lot of shows that got the short end of the stick but us Sci-Fi geeks did sort of win out in the end.

• Outstanding Drama Series: “Mad Men”
• Outstanding Lead Actor (Drama): Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
• Outstanding Lead Actress (Drama): Glenn Close, “Damages”
• Outstanding Supporting Actor (Drama): Zeljko Ivanek, “Damages”
• Outstanding Supporting Actress (Drama): Dianne Wiest, “In Treatment”
• Outstanding Comedy Series: “30 Rock”
• Outstanding Lead Actor (Comedy): Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
• Outstanding Lead Actress (Comedy): Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
• Outstanding Supporting Actor (Comedy): Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”
• Outstanding Supporting Actor (Comedy): Jean Smart, “Samantha Who”
• Outstanding TV Movie: “Recount”
• Outstanding Miniseries: “John Adams”

An early press release reveals that the film was to be ready by late 2006 but as we discovered during Gen Con it was still in late production.According to the press release this will turn out to be an interesting production to keep your eyes on.

In the summer of 2005, Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) began work on the creation of a modern film and TV studio that would be capable of creating epic stories and visualizing worlds in a live-action format for a new age of media distribution.

By utilizing cutting-edge media capture, animation, and compositing technologies; by harnessing the incredible talent of the Minnesota creative community; and by investing in the partnerships that lie ahead in the coining revolution of media delivery, FFG hopes to create a studio that will be able to craft content for the media consumer of the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres.

“MIDNIGHT CHRONICLES is the first product of our studio: a full-length feature film that will not only function as a great entertainment product on its own, but also serves as the pilot episode for an episodal MIDNIGHT CHRONICLES series that will continue this epic tale in 45-minute installments.”

Directed by: Morgan Spurlock Written By: Jeremy Chilnick, Morgan Spurlock

Morgan Spurlock, an average man with a mission, sets out to find bin Laden so he can better protect his new born child from the horrors of the future. He risks life and limb in the search for the most wanted man in the world. The title asks a very important question that everyone wants to know. Morgan Spurlock takes this question and raises the bar. He shows us in very common sense terms that everything is not as it seems.

We all know that finding Osama is an outright impossibility. we are told several times in the film that the F.B.I. itself has so far failed in this task. The audience never really has high hopes that it will end with the discovery of capture of Osama. The documentary goes right to the jugular and takes you to the ground floor of the fight on terrorism in some very dangerous and questionable places. Morgan takes you on an around the world trip to places like Egypt, Afghanistan, Morocco and Israel in five segments. In each of these places he makes every effort to speak with the people on the ground, everyday citizens with everyday problems and concerns. This is not what you see in mainstream media.

This is the best part of the film. We get to listen to the common person and what they think of the West. In the media we never really get to see the citizens of the nations in a real light, in a human light that we can relate too. We are often misinformed by the major networks because we only see one side of the individuals we call terrorists. Because of the media we lump them into a common pool an in our ignorance stereotype them. Morgan’s confronts the large amounts of misinformation with an approach that brings out the real emotions of the people on the street. You feel sympathy for each an every individual on the screen.

9/11 dosen’t really play a roll in this film despite the supposed search for Osama. It’s about people and how people think, how people desire, how people need and how people react to the world. The viewer finally discovers that Osama wasn’t the problem and the problems we face today can’t be solved by simply killing one man. It’s all about people. We learn that Muslims and Americans want the same thing: a better world with common human rights. Morgan gives us a lesson but it seems less focused then his last film Super Size Me. His film could have been a revoluationary call against propaganda and media hype but it turned into something less. I was expecting more from Morgan with this issue.