BP Movie Review; In Time

 

 -Image from movieweb.com

IMDB Plot Summery
In a future where people stop aging at 25, but are engineered to live only one more year, having the means to buy your way out of the situation is a shot at immortal youth. Here, Will Salas finds himself accused of murder and on the run with a hostage - a connection that becomes an important part of the way against the system.

Film Review by Christian Salinas
Expectations…
The trailers made it seem this film would  be a highly stylized science-fiction film featuring an interesting concept, beautiful people and a few action scenes, but mainly they made me think this movie was going to offer something we haven’t seen from Hollywood in what seems like years;… originality. 

Entertainment Value…
This film isn’t extremely entertaining, but its concept of a world where time is literally money is very, very interesting. So much so that it keeps the movie from ever really getting boring.

Overall…
In Time is a tricky film to review. The technical side of it is less than perfect, certain elements are overly simplified. There are several scenes where the movie literally stops and verbally explain what happening, (which is really distracting) there doesn’t seem to be any real direction to it, and there’s no developed reasons for why characters are doing what they are doing. In spite of all of this however, I can’t say this is a bad film. It follows all the rules of classical science fiction, and as I previously mentioned, it’s a refreshingly original story. Originality just seems to be seriously lacking in Hollywood these days, so it was nice to see that a film like this was even made.

The Good
It’s a seemingly original story and concept in a cool, highly-stylized science fiction setting… but mainly; it’s refreshingly original.

The Not so Good
Not very well structured, and character motivations don’t seem fully developed.

STC Wants Your Art

Download MP3 | On iTunes

The South Texas College publication entitled “Interstice” is now officially excepting submissions for its next issue. Joining us on the podcast this week to offer a little more information about the submission process are managing editors Lanesa Poulton and Collen Brooks-Edgar

BP Movie Review; Real Steel

 -Image from movieweb.com

Reviewer’s Note: Since I started writing these reviews, I set as a goal for myself to, no matter what, check out at least one of each week’s new releases. This week however, I just couldn’t bring myself to reach in my pocket, and pull out cash to buy a ticket for either one of the tree new films premiering at my local theater. Hollywood just didn’t do a good enough job at convincing me that anything premiering this week was worth my time, and money. (I will say, I have heard the Paranormal Activity sequel was well made, but since I still haven’t seen the first two, that was automatically ruled out as an option.) So I figured this would be the perfect week to “make-good” on the one review a freak power-outage prevented me from properly completing a couple week’s back. 

IMDB Plot Summery
In the near future, where robot boxing is a top sport, a struggling promoter feels he's found a champion in a discarded robot. During his hopeful rise to the top, he discovers he has an 11-year-old son who wants to know his father.

Film Review By Christian Salinas
Expectations…
The trailers for this film made it pretty clear what this movie would be all about; a loud “Robotic” Rocky, with the underdog succeeding in the end, after what would no doubt be some pretty cool Robot-on-Robot boxing matches. It was also clear that there would be some kind of father-and-son bonding moments… I would say the trailers were right on the money.

Entertainment…
This film may be lacking in deep, and thought provoking meaning… but it sure is entertaining. All of the Robot Boxing sequences, are big and loud, and I would even say engaging, plus all the sets, and extras never let the screen seem dull or boring.

Overall…
Just like all science fiction where the fantastic elements like robots and spaceships are never actually what the stories are really about, Real Steel is ultimately a story about the relationship between a father his son. I like that it never leans to heavy on either the “serious” aspects of the relationships between all the characters, and the “silliness” of boxing robots. It maintains a great balance all the way through. Of course, it’s not perfect, there is a lot of unnecessary explaining, and the final match is flooded with product placement shots, but over all I would say Real Steel is worth watching on a big screen.

The Good
A very entertaining movie full of fun action sequences, and fun likable characters.

The Not So Good
Product placement shots can be a little distracting. (but I’m pretty sure that’s something that, as a movie going audience, unfortunately we are just going to have to get used to)

Why the World Won't End This Friday

Download MP3 | iTunes

In this week's episode, guest Nason Rumfield explains why valley Christians don't believe one man's prediction, which has gathered national attention, that declares the world will end in fire this Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. Subscribe to this podcast for free on iTunes, and never miss an episode, or by using the Stitcher Smart Radio App.

BP Movie Review: The Thing

 -Image from movieweb.com

IMDB Plot Summary
At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson. 

Expectations…
I really wasn’t expecting a lot of substance from this movie. Nothing in the trailers suggested that this was the next Independence Day or anything that would even come close. I appreciate that the movie was close to what it claimed to be, a story-less Special FX heavy Sci-Fi/Horror movie, but I was still hoping there were at least a few genuinely suspenseful moments… there wasn’t.

Entertainment Value…
As I said, I doubt anyone ever expects any real substance in these types of movies, or at least not anymore, but I’m sure most people buying a movie ticket to see this movie were expecting it to at least be entertaining… It really wasn’t. (I’ll explain why in a minute)

Over all…
This movie was what it claimed to be to some extent… the best way I can think of explaining it is… Lets say you were on a “Horror Movie Diet”, this movie has all the vitamins, and minerals the diet requires, but with very little flavor. It follows all the rules of a horror movie… The character that is right about everything but no one believes, people going into rooms they have no need to go into, there’s plenty of (CGI) disturbing imagery, and of course, it has a few jumps in it, but no real suspense, or any genuine thrills. This may be more due to the writing than anything else.

The Good…
If you’re a big fan of computer generated disturbing imagery, this movie has a healthy amount of it.

The Not so Good…
Not very original (even for remake/prequel standards), and no real story or memorable scenes, dialog, or characters… (I don’t even remember any of the characters names)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Download MP3 | On iTunes 

In this week's episode, guest Mary Botello of the Comfort House in McAllen Texas offers advise on local resources available to valley residents as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Also discussed in this podcast is the upcoming Bike Ride/Walk being held in McAllen on Oct. 29, 2011 with proceeds going to cancer research. Click here for more info. about the event.

Like What We Do?

Featured in this Podcast episode is music by Rick Clarke

BP Live - Script to Screen Panel Discussion

Download MP3 | On iTunes

(Bonus Podcast Episode) The 2011 CineSol Film Festival was hosted by the UTPA Library and the Dept of Communication on September 17-18, 2011. The festival featured panel discussions with outstanding filmmakers and guest speakers such as Steven Escobar, Alvaro Rodriguez, Luis Robledo, Rogelio Agrasanchez Jr, Jose Quintanilla, and Joe Castro. Please enjoy our live recording of the panel discussion entitled: Script to Screen. Note: The discussion contains explicit language.

The Border Wall 2011

Download MP3 | On iTunes

In this week's episode, guest Scott Nicol discusses recent developments on the progress of the "Border Wall" that could cause serious problems for the Starr County area of the Rio Grande Valley. Get more info. at No-Border-Wall.com.  Subscribe to this Podcast for FREE, and never miss an episode, just search "bpscast" in the Apple iTunes Store.

Like what we Do?