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Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Snow and a Double Review: Star Trek Beyond and Arrival

Yup. We got hammered again. I drove home in white out conditions, wishing I'd accepted my boss's offer of a ride. He has a big giant Dodge Ram. I have a '97 Volvo wagon. Guess who's better in the snow? Guess who didn't get in her driveway without shoveling, and then just enough so the plows won't wack the rear end off. There was no way I was getting all the way in. It was way too deep. In the words of my son, good times. But let's talk about Star Trek Beyond cuz it's March and there's only 5 days left til spring and this snow is not going to be able to stick around long.



My thoughts: Disappointed. I was really hoping for something a lot better. There were so many ways this third movie could've gone but some idiot decided to blow up the Enterprise again and offer up what could at best be called a weak story-line. I also thought that the actors felt a little tired, as if they, too, wanted to roll their eyes. This movie is not a keeper in my opinion.

Arrival, on the other hand...




...is the sort of movie you'll watch again because you know you'll pick up on something you missed the first, second, or third time you watch it. Movies like Inception, Memento, or The Usual Suspects come to mind. Anyway. Arrival begins with the arrival of aliens, which prompts the government to call in linguist professor Louise Banks, played by Amy Adams (she was awesome, really, everyone was, but she was perfect, imo). The question, of course, is what do they want? But as Louis demonstrates, asking, "what do you want?" means there has to be a basic understanding of what is meant by 'you.' Is you Joe Blow alien or is you all of them? Is a weapon a tool or a tool a weapon? Or both? Language is tricky, and I love how Louis Banks shows just how tricksy it can be. This movie is a keeper. And as soon as I get it back from my son I'm going to watch it again for everything I know I missed.







31 comments:

  1. I have learned much in my recent, deep explorations of scifi. This much, I know to be true: Star Wars is at its best on the big screen, Star Trek is at its best on the small screen. Trek movies have never done much for me and the newest reboots are particularly troubling, not so much in terms of production quality but in terms of the narrative choices that have been made. Trek belongs on TV, now and always. I am very eager for the new series.

    I haven't seen Arrival yet, but all reviews have been great. I guess I'll have to watch before too long.

    We've got tons of snow, too - a couple of feet so far and it's still piling on. Zheesh!

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    1. I liked the first reboot the best which offered an alternate timeline for Kirk and the crew. The second movie was fun, helped by Benedict, and played off an old story line (Khan) but of all the places they could've gone with this third movie, and to destroy the Enterprise yet again...? Hasn't that been done to death already?! You should definitely watch Arrival. It's for the thinkers rather than the action seekers.

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  2. I actually went into Arrival without knowing much about it. It had just come out in the theater, and my father asked if I wanted to go. I've only seen it the once. Definitely need to see it again because that beginning...

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    1. Exactly. That's why I want to watch it again.

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  3. Heard you guys got a ton of snow.
    Beyond was better on the second viewing.
    Arrival was outstanding. Worthy of an Oscar nomination.

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    1. Beyond didn't do it for me like that the last two did but I totally agree about Arrival. It was the best movie I've seen in a while.

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  4. Sorry for your snow challenges. Having to shovel your driveway must have added to the stress. Sorry you didn't like the Star Trek moving more. I haven't seen it.

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    1. I wouldn't recommend Beyond but I would definitely recommend Arrival. And yeah, snow stinks, especially this close to spring but the good news it will melt :)

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  5. Sorry about all the snow. I guess you're used to it, but really? In March? No fun. After all the warm open-windows weather we've had, it's turned chilly here, too. It was only 30 degrees here when I went to the store this morning, which is FRIGID for us, but sure enough, I saw a guy wearing shorts. I guess he refuses to accept reality. :0

    We saw "Arrival" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Like you said, I think it's worthy of another viewing.

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    1. I am used to it but it doesn't mean I like it! I am not a winter person and really should be living somewhere warmer...if only I could bring my whole family with me.

      Yes, I'm looking forward to watching Arrival again :)

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  6. I fell asleep about five times with BEYOND and I have a feeling I won't like the new upcoming series either, the cast is utterly blah.
    I don't understand why they keep letting Simon Pegg write the script and put focus on his stupid character whom nobody likes instead of focusing on Dr Bones whom we all adore

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    1. I wish they'd let someone with an imagination write the script. That would be refreshing!

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  7. Never could get into Star Trek, though I made a mighty effort.

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    1. It helps to be a scifi fan, which I am. Completely. Maybe something more humorous...Firefly perhaps? Or darker and more thoughtful, Battlestar Galactica.

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  8. Shamefacedly I admit that I don't do movies. I think I have seen two in about the last ten years.
    I am pleased to hear that you got home safely. Stay warm, stay safe.

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    1. I seldom go to the movies anymore. The two movies came into the shop I work so I was able to watch from the comfort of my couch :)

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  9. It's been quite a while since I was interested in a new Star Trek but I saw the trailer for Arrival and thought I'd enjoy it. Thanks for the confirmation.

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  10. I'm so happy I live in Florida. There, I said it.

    I haven't seen either of these movies. I hate to hear that the third Star Trek disappoints. JJ Abrams is usually better than that! I haven't seen Arrival either, but I will watch it now:)

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    1. Yeah, JJ is better that. He succumbed to the big bang theory: explosions sell.

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  11. I watched Arrival, and was blown away. I thoroughly enjoyed watching that movie.

    www.ficklemillennial.com

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  12. I've been disappointed with most of the Chris Pine ST movies. Too whiny & cry-y for me. I can't wait to see Arrival, especially after reading your recommendation!

    Thanks for dropping by my blog! Having pets is a very new development in Egypt, where feral cats & dogs have been the norm for 6k years. Ex-pats settling here want pets, but good vets are few and far between. The daddy dog is now neutered, but Lily had to wait till she was 10-11 months and guess what happened at month 9?! I can't speak for the Cocker Spaniel's owner. He's Egyptian and they turn green and faint if you bring up the idea of cutting off balls, no matter what they're on. (They have no trouble spaying females though. lol) As soon as my friend's pups are old enough to be given away, Lily's going to the vet to be spayed!

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    1. Oh, men in the US still have trouble with that,too, lol. They usually spay and neuter at 6mo here because some dogs will go into heat before and cats often do. Do go see Arrival.

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  13. I will have to look for Arrival. I am still a fan of the original Star Trek.

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    1. and I should add, to rub it in, that here outside of Savannah, we did drop below freezing twice this week, tripling the number of below freezing nights for the winter. Enjoy the snow, I miss it!

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    2. I wish I could send some snow to you, lol. And I love the original Star Trek. Grew up on it :)

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  14. So much of the time I feel a bit burned with space movies and my wife tends to fall asleep. Arrival seems like it could be interesting. I'll likely give it a try. It's on my Netflix queue.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. It isn't your typical fare. I think you might like it.

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  15. Thank you for these thought provoking reviews. I may have to see 'Arrival' now.

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