‘2012’: New Meaning to the Disaster Film

In a word… disappointing. Here’s my take on this sci-fi blockbuster wannabe.

Basic Plot:

In 2009 American geologist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovers that the earth’s core is heating up and goes to warn U.S. President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) through White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) about the terrifying ramifications: an apocalyse. But before a global plan can be implemented to save the earth from disaster, global quakes and tsunamis start destroying the world.

The 2010 G8 summit decides to create giant arks to save a select 400,000 people and several animals in hopes of salvaging some of the planet.

In the middle of this chaos, writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is trying to enjoy an adventure with his kids in Yellowstone away from ex-wife Kate (Amanda Peet) when he stumbles upon a conspiracy theorist and radio host called Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson) who keeps announcing that the Mayans were right and the world will end in 2012.

Jackson now must save his family – and perhaps even repair his former marriage with Kate – by locating the arks and getting his family to safety before the whole earth is destroyed.

‘District 9’: Disturbingly Powerful

In a battle between “us” vs. “them,” no one thinks what it would be like to walk in the enemy’s shoes. The groups are clearly demarcated and everyone knows exactly what side they are on.

But what if “us” and “them” got suddenly switched? What if the so-called good guys were really the bad guys, and the so-called bad guys were actually not that bad after all? Better yet, what if the hunter becomes the hunted?

These questions and more are part of Neill Blomkamp’s creepy new R-rated sci-fi action/adventure film called District 9.

‘Transformers’ Review to Post Tomorrow

Last night I went to a screening for the new Michael Bay sci-fi action/adventure film starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. I can’t disclose my review yet. (Awww! Man!) I can’t give my official two cents until opening day, which is tomorrow, because that’s what the studios stipulate if you go to a film screening as press. My hope is to get the review up tomorrow afternoon, since I will be taping my Current FM radio review of the new romantic comedy The Proposal in the morning from the comfort of my home. 

— Laura J. Bagby

‘Land of the Lost’ Disappoints

Take the old caveman Geico ads, mix in raunchy SNL skits, and throw in a Daisy Duke Brit and a redneck good old boy and you’ve got the new Land of the Lost that opened last Friday.

The original 1974 TV series written by Sid and Marty Krofft followed the time traveling adventures of a camping father and his two kids who inexplicably find themselves in the mysterious world of man-eating dinosaurs, sinister lizard-like Sleestaks, and a monkey boy called Chaka.

On-Air About ‘Land of the Lost’

My radio film review of Land of the Lost is coming this Friday. Sorry you can’t get it sooner!

But I can tell you that you don’t want to waste your money on this new Will Ferrell flick. It seems to draw the immature and undiscerning, if my experience at the theatre has any bearing. And that is a sad reality.

I head back to the phone lines with Current FM’s Liz Lane to talk more, so watch for that this Friday.

— Laura J. Bagby

‘Star Trek’: Beaming Up This Generation

Star Trek

We haven’t seen a Trek film since 2002’s Star Trek: Nemesis. This film marks the 11th Trek film to hit the silver screen.

It’s another sci-fi flick that is returning to origins. We saw it years ago in Star Wars Episode I, then Batman Begins, and even in last week’s opening of Wolverine. And now J. J. Abrams is doing the same thing by getting back to the beginning of Trek lore.