MOVIE: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

by benmweilertNo Comments
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Year: 2005 Rating: PG Length: 109 minutes / 1.82 hours For a book that has had so many adaptations in so many forms of media (radio drama, video game, TV series, etc.), one could argue that The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) was merely the American adaptation that made it palatable to non-British audiences. While this may be the case, I think it does an excellent job of encapsulating this iconic piece of science fiction comedy with lots of high-profile actors and excellent CGI that enhances the otherworldly universe created by Douglas Adams. One of the challenges this film faces is all the different cutaway gags and bits required as the “Guide” provides exposition details for all the fantastical elements that are a staple in sci-fi. I love the style they used for the Guide and the bits with the whale were funny. The only problem is that they sometimes break the flow of the narrative—even if they...
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MOVIE: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Year: 2017 Rating: PG-13 Length: 137 minutes / 2.28 hours When it comes to the films of Luc Besson, it’s often hit or miss. Sure, he’s directed many successful films, like Nikita (1990) and Léon: The Professional (1994), but some of his recent fare like The Family (2013) have left me disappointed. One of his best films is the sci-fi space opera (literally, even), The Fifth Element (1997). When I learned that he would be returning to this genre with Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017), I certainly had high hopes for it. After viewing it for the first time, I can unquestionably say that my expectations were certainly met. Because Valerian has a French comic book series as its source, some of my qualms with this film might lie with the source material, and not the director. Some may recall the originality that came from another French comic book adaptation in the form of...
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