Movie review: Breaking the Maya Code

 

 A NOVA production, this is a solid look at deciphering the Maya language with history about the process as well as the Mayan’s themselves. The documentary also serves as a very good primer on the language explaining how hieroglyphs are structured and interact with each other.

Dr. Michael Coe, Ian Graham, Dr. Nikolai Grube, Peter Mathews, CCH Pounder (Narrator)

I found the graphical demonstrations of glyph construction especially helpful in understanding the language. The highlighting and shading of different glyph components and how they impacted the overall message along with video notations and audio explanations was a great way to try and explain basics of the language. The addition of period relevant history also helped to put glyphs in context.

Camera work and video were very good with excellent shots of ruins and temples, giving the viewer a good understanding of the settings in which ruins are located and the quality of glyphs being examined. Thankfully this documentary tries to stay with commonly accepted theories rather than exploring the end of the world and the Maya calendar, or entertaining theories about aliens.

The complexity of the Maya language was particularly impressive and it was very interesting to learn how deciphering the language has changed our understanding of the people. I was also happy to hear that the language is again being taught so that it may exist and be used again.

Nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2008
Reviewed: 12.5.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Documentary, Mystery

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Man from Earth

 

 Penned by Jerome Bixby, during an impromptu going away party for Professor Oldman he reveals to his closest friends that he is actually a centuries-old caveman. His closest friends also being fellow professors what ensues is a philosophical exploration of the possibility that his story is true and how what they all think they know could be not only much simpler than expected, but also wrong.

David Lee Smith (John Oldman), Tony Todd (Dan), John Billingsley (Harry), Ellen Crawford (Edith), Annika Peterson (Sandy), William Katt (Art), Alexis Thorpe (Linda), Richard Riehle (Gruber).

The plot concept for this film was absolutely incredible if you can get past the idea of a man who never dies naturally. The philosophical exploration and explanations provided by Oldman are amazing and to call them thought provoking would be a serious understatement. Quite literally he is able to explain significant spiritual events throughout history as being much less complex than is believed while his explanations are also quite solid and logical. As a warning however, any easily offended Christians may want to avoid this one as it will definitely offend your sensibilities.

Almost as impressive as the story in the film is that it takes place in primarily one room of a small cabin or house. The viewer doesn’t even get to see the entire house and except for a few scenes in the front yard there is absolutely no other set involved. This is an entirely intellectual journey with no special effects or fancy sets at all.

Although acting was pretty well done by everyone involved the film was so dark at points it was hard to even see the actors clearly, though it really doesn’t matter. Once the setting is made it really becomes secondary to the story. Camera work was poorly done in parts and this was obviously a lower budget film. Dialogue however was very good.

If you want a stimulating intellectual journey without all the Hollywood fluff seen in every single movie produced these days, this is the one. If you have an open mind and enjoy alternative historical and theological theories, you found the right movie. If you are a devout Christian who refuses to entertain possibilities, move along.

A grand total of one swear word in this film and absolutely nothing else to limit the audience in any way, though younger viewers may find it a bit boring. Put this one at the top of your Must See list.

Released: 2007
Reviewed: 12.5.18
Star rating: 5 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Memento

 

 Leonard is unable to create new short-term memories due to injuries to his brain received while he tried to stop the rape and murder of his wife. Now focused on hunting down his wife’s murderer/s, Leonard retains memories using Polaroids with notes on the back and tattoos. As the story is told backwards, and from Leonard’s perspective, the film is packed full of twists and turns.

Guy Pearce (Leonard), Carrie_Anne Moss (Natalie), Joe Pantoliano (Teddy), Stephen Tobolowsky (Sammy), Callum Keith Rennie (Dodd).

This one jumps right into the plot allowing character development to flow throughout the film. As the story is told backwards, in roughly 30 second segments (the length of Leonard’s memory), we actually see the end of the story first. But character development shows us that what we believe we have seen may not actually be the truth.
I love how this story is developed. I’ve seen this one a couple of times and find something new to ponder about the story every time. Although the ending is always the same, there are so many possibilities it is hard to actually pin down the end of the story. I also like how the result of events are shown first, then how the events transpired, and things are never what you expect.

Acting is good by everyone in this one. Pearce plays his part very well and has nice chemistry with both Moss and Pantoliano. It was nice to see Moss in something a bit more challenging, much as with Tobolowsky.

Camera work and effects were also nicely done. The film appears to have had a decent budget and good quality is exhibited throughout. Attention to detail, such as how Leonard’s car becomes cleaner and cleaner throughout the film, is very well done.

Overall this is a very enjoyable psychological thriller that has more than enough twists and turns to make multiple viewings interesting. You have to think to watch this movie or it won’t have an impact at all. Plug this one in toward the top of your Must See list.

Violence, foul language, and some drug use so save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2000
Reviewed: 11.27.18
Star rating: 5 out of 5
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Crime Drama, Suspense, Crime Thriller, Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Jack Frost 2: Revenge of the Mutant Killer Snowman

 

 Picking up where the first film left off, some of the townsfolk head to the Caribbean to relax after battling Jack for their town. Little do they know, Jack has followed and Agent Manners is already living on the island. Their relaxing tropical paradise is about to get a bit nippy.

Christopher Allport (Sam), Eileen Seeley (Anne), Chip Heller (Joe), Marsha Clark (Marla), Scott MacDonald (Jack Frost voice), David Brooks (Agent Manners), Sean Murphy (Captain Fun).

This episode was even more ridiculous and campy than the first with, believe it or not, worse acting and even fewer special effects. The movie was so unoriginal it was obvious when they copied scenes from Gremlins. The attempts at B-movie comedy were so poor they came off as lame. Jack wasn’t even seen beyond puddles and wiggling carrots until halfway into the film and then he came off as all bark and no bite.
There were a few decent scenes like a naked girl being frozen in a swimming pool which also doubled as the gratuitous nude scene of the film. Or baby snowmen exploding in bloody bits.

Acting was awful, sets were awful, special effects were ridiculous, dialogue was horrible. Overall, a film worth being forgotten.

Some nudity, violence, and gore. Other than the nudity this one is probably fine for preens and above since it is so ridiculous it couldn’t scare anyone.

Released: 2000
Reviewed: 11.27.18
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Horror, B-Movies, Comedy, Fantasy

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Last Emperor

 

 The Last Emperor, through the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards, tells the story of China's Ching Dynasty and Pu-Yi who ascended the throne at 3 years old. Raised to rule, Pu-Yi was unprepared for the changes during his reign, or how his life would change.

John Lone (Pu Yi), Joan Chen (Wan), Peter O'Toole (RJ), Ruocheng Ying (Governor), Victor Wong (Chen), Dennis Dun (Big Li), Ryuichi Sakamoto (Amakasu), Maggie Han (Jewel), Vivian Wu (Wen), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Chang).

It took me a bit to get through this one which moves pretty slow and tops out at just under 3 hours. That said, the film was pretty good. The storyline is interesting and entertaining, but slow.

Acting is good here with solid emotion and energy from what appears to be very good direction.

Technical work is well done with breathtaking visuals and a larger than life feel much of the time. Camera work is enjoyable throughout. Dialogue is good, if a bit slow at time. Sound and soundtrack are well done.

The Last Emperor is a nicely done film from several perspectives. That said, it wasn't my cup of tea. The film moves slow, like glacier slow. If the history and drawn out drama is your thing you should enjoy this one.

With some mild nudity, sexuality, violence, gore, and a foul word, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 1987
Reviewed: 11.21.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Political Drama, Biographies, Period Pieces

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel