video review : Total Recall

video review : Total Recall

Douglas Quaid’s wife is hot, especially when she’s fighting up a sweat. He loses her, along with the normal life he thought he had, after going to Rekall, a corporation that sells fake vacation memories via brain implants. He chooses the Mars trip with the option of being a “secret agent”.

Things go wrong immediately and that’s when the adventure begins. It’s also when the confusion begins as Quaid tries to determine what’s real and what isn’t. The plot sometimes lapses to trite; the hero is prone to corny one-liners; but Total Recall is ultimately a trip that’s both fun and memorable.

my rating : 4 of 5

1990

video review : Aerial America : Florida

video review : Aerial America : Florida

This Smithsonian Channel documentary, an episode of Aerial America, is all about Florida; my favorite state. It overlooks some notable cities in favor of hot spots like Miami, but it’s an interesting watch all the while.

It’s also somewhat educational as narrator Jim Conrad gives a history lesson on everything from important events like the 1565 settlement of Saint Augustine to trivial newsbits like the killing of Gianni Versace.

my rating : 4 of 5

2012

video review : Terminator 3 [ Rise Of The Machines ]

video review : Terminator 3 [ Rise Of The Machines ]

The machines aren’t the only things rising. The sight of the TX cyborg, played by Kristanna Loken, causes my body to react automatically. Her face, which only occasionally breaks expressionless focus for a slight grin, is perfectly cute. Her body is perfectly slim. It’s her conduct that could use some work. Her merciless aggression is a turn-on, yes, but the girl is literally a killing machine. So if she touches you, it’s only to take the form of your body when you’re dead.

The “Terminator” moniker now refers to her. The T-101 model, played by an Arnold Schwarzenegger who looks older but still fit for the role, is now the savior. He’s been sent from the future to protect the lives of John Conner and his future wife from both the TX and the near nuclear holocaust the people of the world will face as a result of the Skynet computer virus. The virus has infiltrated our machines and decided to wipe us out, hence the movie’s subtitle.

This part 3, which doesn’t feature Linda Hamilton and isn’t directed by James Cameron, sadly enough, is inferior to part two but superior to part one. There are surprisingly funny moments and the overall plot, while riddled with improbable coincidences and stodgy dialogue, is consistently engaging. The best scenes are the fight and shoot ones that revolve around the TX. There’s an extended chase involving a crane truck that’s actually quite remarkable.

my rating : 4 of 5

2003