brianjsmith-86408
Joined Apr 2016
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Ratings6
brianjsmith-86408's rating
Reviews3
brianjsmith-86408's rating
I'm a huge fan of the original series. I agree- this isn't the original.
Several have posted words to the effect: "If this wasn't tied to the original, it wouldn't be so bad." Herein lies the key to the truth about the new series- it's not so bad.
Make no mistake, the new show is more mired in controversy than any recent remake of a 70's or 80's show. Original Magnum was iconic, perfect for the times, perfectly cast, and it was a Don Bellisario show which means it was pure awesome, win, and destined to succeed against all odds- and it did.
The hatred for the new show has been vocal and legion. In fact, I'm pleasantly surprised that it survived the mid-season break and it's back. I never pretended or expected that this show was going to hold a candle or be favorably compared to the original- just like the Hawaii 5-0 remake which preceded it, but has been on the air for almost a decade now.
I'm just going to admit it, I dig the new version. 13 Episodes in, it's slowly but surely developing a mojo all its own. Not as a comparison to the old, but for what it is in 2019. Every show on TV these days is dark, angst-ridden, gritty-realistic, and gory. (Except for Blue Bloods- my favorite show, which ironically features old Magnum!) Nu5-0 and NuMagnum are throwbacks to an earlier era, adapted for modern times. They are fast paced (too much so, sometimes), gun-toting, 'splosion-ridden, UNREALISTIC, testosterone fueled FUN. While there is a hint of 'serial-ness', they are unique in the modern era in that they are actually episodic like 'old TV'.
Even though they are retreading old, iconic, some would say legendary characters, they are slowly but surely adapting them to the modern world. Let's face it, cell phones, the internet, AI-face recognition software, and all that good stuff wasn't even on the scope during the run of old-Magnum.
I'm still waiting for the Magnum P.I.-Hawaii 5-0 crossover. I mean, McGarrett and Magnum were in the Teams together at some point, right? C'mon!
Several have posted words to the effect: "If this wasn't tied to the original, it wouldn't be so bad." Herein lies the key to the truth about the new series- it's not so bad.
Make no mistake, the new show is more mired in controversy than any recent remake of a 70's or 80's show. Original Magnum was iconic, perfect for the times, perfectly cast, and it was a Don Bellisario show which means it was pure awesome, win, and destined to succeed against all odds- and it did.
The hatred for the new show has been vocal and legion. In fact, I'm pleasantly surprised that it survived the mid-season break and it's back. I never pretended or expected that this show was going to hold a candle or be favorably compared to the original- just like the Hawaii 5-0 remake which preceded it, but has been on the air for almost a decade now.
I'm just going to admit it, I dig the new version. 13 Episodes in, it's slowly but surely developing a mojo all its own. Not as a comparison to the old, but for what it is in 2019. Every show on TV these days is dark, angst-ridden, gritty-realistic, and gory. (Except for Blue Bloods- my favorite show, which ironically features old Magnum!) Nu5-0 and NuMagnum are throwbacks to an earlier era, adapted for modern times. They are fast paced (too much so, sometimes), gun-toting, 'splosion-ridden, UNREALISTIC, testosterone fueled FUN. While there is a hint of 'serial-ness', they are unique in the modern era in that they are actually episodic like 'old TV'.
Even though they are retreading old, iconic, some would say legendary characters, they are slowly but surely adapting them to the modern world. Let's face it, cell phones, the internet, AI-face recognition software, and all that good stuff wasn't even on the scope during the run of old-Magnum.
I'm still waiting for the Magnum P.I.-Hawaii 5-0 crossover. I mean, McGarrett and Magnum were in the Teams together at some point, right? C'mon!
If you are thinking this is going to be a fun, great movie like Apollo 13, well, just rent Apollo 13 and watch that one again.
I've been a 'space-nut' and an aficionado of NASA and the space program since I was a kid in the 70's. I'm not sure how they could have made a movie about Neil Armstrong and the first moon landing more sobby-eyed or depressing. It managed to capture none of the majesty, grandeur, or scope of the undertaking- it was just a wet-blanket of constant angst.
The close ups were so close-up that they made you want to back right out of the theater, and were shot in a way to make them resemble shaky-handed home-video footage shot on a hand-held. The camera just refused to hold still for anything in this movie, and it was infuriating.
I'm sure, at least at a few points in his life, Neil Armstrong cracked a smile. You wouldn't think so from watching this. I know he shunned public attention, but I find it impossible to believe Neil Armstrong could possibly have been as lifeless and wooden as he was portrayed in this film. Foy's portrayal of his wife came across even colder and less joyful than her depiction of Queen Elizabeth.
Sorely disappointing. 6/10, and I feel that's being fairly generous.
I've been a 'space-nut' and an aficionado of NASA and the space program since I was a kid in the 70's. I'm not sure how they could have made a movie about Neil Armstrong and the first moon landing more sobby-eyed or depressing. It managed to capture none of the majesty, grandeur, or scope of the undertaking- it was just a wet-blanket of constant angst.
The close ups were so close-up that they made you want to back right out of the theater, and were shot in a way to make them resemble shaky-handed home-video footage shot on a hand-held. The camera just refused to hold still for anything in this movie, and it was infuriating.
I'm sure, at least at a few points in his life, Neil Armstrong cracked a smile. You wouldn't think so from watching this. I know he shunned public attention, but I find it impossible to believe Neil Armstrong could possibly have been as lifeless and wooden as he was portrayed in this film. Foy's portrayal of his wife came across even colder and less joyful than her depiction of Queen Elizabeth.
Sorely disappointing. 6/10, and I feel that's being fairly generous.
This game rated a solid 10/10 in its heyday, and is still a 7/10 by today's standards.
One of Lucasart's best games during the 90's, when they did their best work. Dark Forces, Jedi Knight, Jedi Outcast, X-Wing, TIE Fighter, X-Wing Alliance...Star Wars gaming still doesn't get any better than that and these games are living again on Steam and GOG, reconfigured for modern PC gaming systems.
Dark Forces was the first pure FPS set in the SW Universe, and it was a doozy. The Game designers at LA took DOOM, made an upgraded SW version of it, and took it to a whole new level with both gameplay and storyline. More than just about any other SW game I have played (and believe me, I am a SW NUT who is totally immersed in that 'verse), Dark Forces captured the look, feel, and total motif of Star Wars. Kyle Katarn was the hero Luke wanted to be before he got to be an even bigger hero.
There are a lot of people who will righteously argue that DFII Jedi Knight is the best FPS/Action game of all time, and they aren't necessarily wrong. But that game would never have been without the original Dark Forces, and the original has an addictive charm all its own. For modern-day players who feel like they might have missed the boat, fear not. There is an upgraded version of DF released in a new engine (A DOSBOX replacer) called XL, with higher-res graphics and the modern/classic mouse-look WASD control system that has become the norm for games of this type. Google DarkXL and go from there, but you'll still need a copy of the original game to play.
Rogue One may be the new canon version of how the Death Star plans were stolen, but for the classic version, nothing beats the first level of Dark Forces when Kyle and Jan pulled off the heist. Live it, love it. May the Force be with you.
One of Lucasart's best games during the 90's, when they did their best work. Dark Forces, Jedi Knight, Jedi Outcast, X-Wing, TIE Fighter, X-Wing Alliance...Star Wars gaming still doesn't get any better than that and these games are living again on Steam and GOG, reconfigured for modern PC gaming systems.
Dark Forces was the first pure FPS set in the SW Universe, and it was a doozy. The Game designers at LA took DOOM, made an upgraded SW version of it, and took it to a whole new level with both gameplay and storyline. More than just about any other SW game I have played (and believe me, I am a SW NUT who is totally immersed in that 'verse), Dark Forces captured the look, feel, and total motif of Star Wars. Kyle Katarn was the hero Luke wanted to be before he got to be an even bigger hero.
There are a lot of people who will righteously argue that DFII Jedi Knight is the best FPS/Action game of all time, and they aren't necessarily wrong. But that game would never have been without the original Dark Forces, and the original has an addictive charm all its own. For modern-day players who feel like they might have missed the boat, fear not. There is an upgraded version of DF released in a new engine (A DOSBOX replacer) called XL, with higher-res graphics and the modern/classic mouse-look WASD control system that has become the norm for games of this type. Google DarkXL and go from there, but you'll still need a copy of the original game to play.
Rogue One may be the new canon version of how the Death Star plans were stolen, but for the classic version, nothing beats the first level of Dark Forces when Kyle and Jan pulled off the heist. Live it, love it. May the Force be with you.