Science Fiction

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
  • IMDb: link

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a surprise hit in attempting to reboot the Planet of the Apes series by explaining how the seeds of humanity’s destruction were sewn and the steps which led the apes to eventually become the dominant species on the planet. The first film has a few plot holes that still nag me, and although I enjoyed Rise of the Planet of the Apes it hasn’t been a story I’ve returned to or have given much thought to seeing expanded in sequels.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes has many of the same strengths and weaknesses of the first film with the sly observations on gun violence, race relations, and how militant individuals can spur on a war which isn’t necessary or beneficial for either side. It also has the same types of nagging plot issues that Rise was saddled with as the script relies on some awfully stupid decision making by characters acting against their own interests (such as including a militant human, a one-note character played by Kirk Acevedo, who just shot one of the apes as part of a diplomatic mission the success on which humanity’s survival hinges).

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Extant – Re-Entry

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Extant – Re-Entry
  • IMDb: link

Extant - Re-Entry

Created by Mickey Fisher, the first episode of CBS’ new sci-fi series stars Halle Berry as astronaut Molly Woods who is slowly readjusting to life after spending 13 months isolated on a privately-owned space station. Her family life back on Earth is far from normal even before her return as her husband (Goran Visnjic) is a robotics inventor obsessed with creating human-acting artificial intelligence the prototype of which he has created as the pair’s son Ethan (Pierce Gagnon). Of course life on the space station wasn’t any more normal as somehow Molly got herself impregnated by some kind of alien apparition taking the form of her long-dead first husband (Sergio Harford). Cause, you know, in space shit happens.

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Super Secret Crisis War #1

/ / Comics

Super Secret Crisis War #1IDW’s big Cartoon Network crossover begins here as villains Aku, Mojo Jojo, Vilgax, and Mandark band together with an evil plan to send robot warriors to capture their enemies Samurai Jack, Ben Tennyson, Dexter, and Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttecup.

The first issue allows the various villains and heroes to each have their moments to shine (although I would have liked more Mojo) while also setting up a scenario where the various heroes’ realms are all now unprotected. The villains also accidentally send robots to several other worlds leading to the capture of Ed, Edd, and Eddy (where the story begins to falter a bit) and setting up the various other one-shots over the next six months beginning with Johnny Bravo.

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Star Trek – The Naked Time

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Star Trek – The Naked Time
  • wiki: link

Star Trek - The Naked Time

While orbiting the planet Psi 2000 Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Lieutenant Junior Grade Joe Tormolen (Stewart Moss) beam down to the surface to investigate the mysterious deaths of Federation scientists when the lieutenant is unknowingly exposed to the madness which caused their deaths. Despite transporter decontamination procedures Tormolen returns to the Enterprise spreading the madness among the crew and putting the ship in danger both from within and from outside as the planet’s increasing degradation threatens the starship’s safety.

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Star Wars: Rebel Heist #3

/ / Comics

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #3Chewbacca takes center stage in the latest issue coming to the rescue of the Imperial officer Leia rescued last month whose codes the Rebellion desperately needs. Although initially not impressed with his Rebel contact, who he sees as little more than a dangerous trained dog, the Imperial officer soon gains grudging respect for the Wookiee who puts his life on the line to reach the destination where the code can be transported back to the Rebellion (and to Han Solo stuck in a cell awaiting its arrival).

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #3 continues the trend of the series of letting the newbie narrate the action from his/her perspective allowing Chewbacca to shine without attempting to translate what exactly is going on in Chewie’s mind at the time.

Next month adds Luke Skywalker to the mix and should also put Han Solo back in play as the final issue of the mini-series will hopefully put the various pieces together and reveal just what the Rebellion deems so necessary that they’ve sacrificed some of their very best to get the job done. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

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