This does not happens often; A French-Canadian Sci-Fi Comedy on the big screen. Fortunately, this is a good one. I'm not sure if it will ever be available in another language than French-Canadian (or more precisely, Québécois, as it is a more local slang used in the Québec province...), so it probably won't be too popular outside it's target region. But inside the Québec province, it is pretty popular!
It's the story of a group of people in search of a new planet to move all humans to, as Earth is made more and more inhabitable in the 2030's because of how badly we take care of our planet. So there is a bit of a message in there, but this is mainly about the comedy. It's relatively low-budget as Sci-Fi movies goes, but $3.5M is not bad considering the restrictive market it will play in. Dans Une Galaxie Près De Chez Vous 2 should be a hit and the buzz is very good. I saw it on Day 1 and I'm sure many others will go see it soon as well.
This sequel will please the existing fans and will hopefully grab new ones as well. I hope they make more of them, as this can be a long-lived franchise, if they do it right. Good cast, good laughs, good times!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Federal government blocks sale of MDA space division
Another space news item, but much closer to home this time. MDA is one of Canada's big player in the space industry, best known for it's robotic achievements (think Canadarm & Dextre). While it is thought that there is still a one in three chance that the sale will go through, I'm happy to see that our government is trying to keep it from being bought by a US company. I have nothing against the American space program and companies, far from it, but this would mean a diminution in Canada's part in Space exploration and research and possibly a reduction in our contribution in general as a partner with other countries' important space programs.
The general public usually see the big expenses generated by space programs as wasteful and that the money should go to other projects, such as Education, Health and other public programs. While these are very important, space exploration did contribute to these programs and to many of today's everyday technology, objects and services. Also, in the longer terms, human space travel will be very important to our specie's survival. Right now, all humans are on Earth (or in very close orbit around it). If some big disaster were to happen, we could go the way of the dinosaurs and simply cease to exist... Of course, there would be no one left to claim "See? What did we tell you?" and no one to be proven wrong.
The general public usually see the big expenses generated by space programs as wasteful and that the money should go to other projects, such as Education, Health and other public programs. While these are very important, space exploration did contribute to these programs and to many of today's everyday technology, objects and services. Also, in the longer terms, human space travel will be very important to our specie's survival. Right now, all humans are on Earth (or in very close orbit around it). If some big disaster were to happen, we could go the way of the dinosaurs and simply cease to exist... Of course, there would be no one left to claim "See? What did we tell you?" and no one to be proven wrong.
Slashdot | Russia To Build an Orbital Construction Plant
So, the Russians are planning to build a space dock in the foreseeable future? Cool. Will the next version of the Enterprise going to be build there? Who knows? If so, I guess it won't be the USS Enterprise...
Let's follow up in about 12 years, shall we?
Let's follow up in about 12 years, shall we?
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Movie review: Run Fatboy Run
Run Fatboy Run is very funny, but not quite as much as I was hoping for. It does have a serious side to it, dealing with commitment, family and responsibilities, which actually was nice. Still, many "lol" moments.
It is directed by David Schwimmer (from Friends fame) and stars Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scotty in the upcoming Star Trek movie), Thandie Newton (Mission:Impossible II, The Chronicles of Riddick), Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, Mad About You), Dylan Moran (Shaun of the Dead) and Harish Patel (a whole bunch of Indian movies...).
The title refers to the way Dennis (Pegg) keeps running from his responsibilities but he ends up wanting more in life and running a marathon to prove it, despite the fact that he is not in shape for such a demanding physical activity. Newton plays Libby, his ex-lover, who he left at the alter while she was pregnant with his child. Azaria plays Whit, Libby's new love interest. Dylan plays Gordon, Dennis' best buddy. And Patel is Dennis' landlord and eventually will help Dennis prepare for the marathon, along with Gordon.
Don't go see this movie expecting a Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, although there is absurdity to be seen, but as I wrote above, there's more to it. Good cast, good story and good laughs. I really enjoyed it. It's rated PG and I would not recommend it for younger kids...
It is directed by David Schwimmer (from Friends fame) and stars Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scotty in the upcoming Star Trek movie), Thandie Newton (Mission:Impossible II, The Chronicles of Riddick), Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, Mad About You), Dylan Moran (Shaun of the Dead) and Harish Patel (a whole bunch of Indian movies...).
The title refers to the way Dennis (Pegg) keeps running from his responsibilities but he ends up wanting more in life and running a marathon to prove it, despite the fact that he is not in shape for such a demanding physical activity. Newton plays Libby, his ex-lover, who he left at the alter while she was pregnant with his child. Azaria plays Whit, Libby's new love interest. Dylan plays Gordon, Dennis' best buddy. And Patel is Dennis' landlord and eventually will help Dennis prepare for the marathon, along with Gordon.
Don't go see this movie expecting a Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, although there is absurdity to be seen, but as I wrote above, there's more to it. Good cast, good story and good laughs. I really enjoyed it. It's rated PG and I would not recommend it for younger kids...
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Movie review: 21
I went to see another movie based on a true story, but this time I knew it before seeing it, unlike The Bank Job. When I heard the synopsis for 21, I remembered hearing about a group from MIT going to Vegas to win big money by using math to get the odds on their side. And this is exactly that story, with a Hollywood spin to it, I'm sure.
In this case yet again, the IMDB rating is not too hot, but the Cinema Montreal one is. And I agree with my fellow Montreal citizens. I really liked this movie. I'm not sure how much of it was fiction ans how much is from the real events, but it does have a good story overall. A group of students, lead by a teacher with a similar past, get together and through precise planning, go to Las Vegas to play Blackjack and win a lot of money by secretly playing as a group, each with their own tasks, to avoid detection. As they say in the movie, counting cards is not illegal, but it is very much frowned upon by the casino's owners and security staff. In this case, it even gets violent.
The story deals with greed, friendship, trust, love, betrayal, money (really!), gambling, smart people, good looking people, intimidation and a few other things. Most of the actors are young and unknown to me, except for Josh Gad, who has a role on the TV show Back To You. On the other hand, I did know Kevin Spacey (the teacher) and Laurence Fishburne (in charge of security at the casino).
In this case yet again, the IMDB rating is not too hot, but the Cinema Montreal one is. And I agree with my fellow Montreal citizens. I really liked this movie. I'm not sure how much of it was fiction ans how much is from the real events, but it does have a good story overall. A group of students, lead by a teacher with a similar past, get together and through precise planning, go to Las Vegas to play Blackjack and win a lot of money by secretly playing as a group, each with their own tasks, to avoid detection. As they say in the movie, counting cards is not illegal, but it is very much frowned upon by the casino's owners and security staff. In this case, it even gets violent.
The story deals with greed, friendship, trust, love, betrayal, money (really!), gambling, smart people, good looking people, intimidation and a few other things. Most of the actors are young and unknown to me, except for Josh Gad, who has a role on the TV show Back To You. On the other hand, I did know Kevin Spacey (the teacher) and Laurence Fishburne (in charge of security at the casino).
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Movie review: Dr Seuss' Horton Hears a Who
In my never ending pursuit of becoming a kid again (as Goku did in Dragonball GT), I saw the movie Dr Seuss' Horton Hears a Who. I don't think I got any younger, but it was a fun experience just the same. While this is a movie made mainly for kids, I still found a few funny scenes and otherwise interesting parts to the story.
The animation is very good, as it is to be expected. It stars the voices of Jim Carrey (Horton) and Steve Carell (the Mayor of Whoville). Based on the book of the same name, the story is that of Horton, an elephant, who one days hears a voice coming from a speck of dust, thanks to his big hears. On that speck is a whole city called Whoville, where tiny little creatures live peacefully. Horton is the only one that can hear anything and is being mocked by many of the others living around him, none of them an elephant. His best friend is a mouse with a heavy voice tone, called Morton and voiced by Seth Rogen. Most hostile to Horton's believes is a kangaroo, voiced by Carol Burnett. She thinks it is nonsense and wants the speck destroyed.
Of course, there is a moral or two in that story. Working together is very important to achieve big goals (in this case, the survival of Whoville) and the one that is repeated many times is so many word; "A person's a person, no matter how small."
I found the movie "cute" and entertaining. Unlike my last few movies, you can absolutely bring your kids to this one. Or maybe they should bring you...
The animation is very good, as it is to be expected. It stars the voices of Jim Carrey (Horton) and Steve Carell (the Mayor of Whoville). Based on the book of the same name, the story is that of Horton, an elephant, who one days hears a voice coming from a speck of dust, thanks to his big hears. On that speck is a whole city called Whoville, where tiny little creatures live peacefully. Horton is the only one that can hear anything and is being mocked by many of the others living around him, none of them an elephant. His best friend is a mouse with a heavy voice tone, called Morton and voiced by Seth Rogen. Most hostile to Horton's believes is a kangaroo, voiced by Carol Burnett. She thinks it is nonsense and wants the speck destroyed.
Of course, there is a moral or two in that story. Working together is very important to achieve big goals (in this case, the survival of Whoville) and the one that is repeated many times is so many word; "A person's a person, no matter how small."
I found the movie "cute" and entertaining. Unlike my last few movies, you can absolutely bring your kids to this one. Or maybe they should bring you...
Saturday, March 22, 2008
'Battlestar Galactica' Prequel Pilot Finally Greenlit - 'Caprica' will begin production this spring - Zap2it
'Battlestar Galactica' Prequel Pilot Finally Greenlit - 'Caprica' will begin production this spring - Zap2it
We've been hearing about a BSG prequel for a while, now, but it's finally official! Caprica will take place 50 years before the current series and will be mostly character-driven. Not to be missed by BSG's fans, I am sure.
No date yet for Caprica, but make sure you catch the new and final season of BSG starting on April 4! Who will be the final Cylon to be revealed?
We've been hearing about a BSG prequel for a while, now, but it's finally official! Caprica will take place 50 years before the current series and will be mostly character-driven. Not to be missed by BSG's fans, I am sure.
No date yet for Caprica, but make sure you catch the new and final season of BSG starting on April 4! Who will be the final Cylon to be revealed?
'A-Team' Will Explode Into Theaters in 2009 - John Singleton is directing the June 12, 2009 release - Zap2it
'A-Team' Will Explode Into Theaters in 2009 - John Singleton is directing the June 12, 2009 release - Zap2it
If your a man of my generation, then you probably were watching the A-Team in the '80s on television and liked it for what it was: A fun ride with action, humour and, well, lots a craziness. Ex-militaries that provided their services, for a price, to anyone willing to pay the fee and were the victims of various tyrants, criminals and all sorts of bad guys. In some cases, they would do the job for free.
They always followed the same format: The leader would be in disguise and meet with the potential client (the authorities did not approve of their activities), they would have one of the other four team member escape from the asylum (certified crazy, but being a pilot he was handy to have around), they would meet the client(s), kick the bad guys' butts and go back into hiding. Not a very likely scenario, but who cares? While anyone could reach them, the army could not catch them, although they always showed up just a little too late...
Well, it has been announced that they are making a movie based on that series, which is not too surprising considering other TV-to-movie productions. For now, I'm interested to go see it, but I will have to wait and see how it turns out. Let's say these projects are not always a good thing. I have yet to see The Dukes Of Hazzard movie that came out in 2005, even though I loved the TV series, after seeing what they had done to it.
Well, here's the first clue that this could be another big disappointment: They have no script and no casting has been done, as far as we know, and yet, they have a release date of June 12, 2009. Oh boy...
If your a man of my generation, then you probably were watching the A-Team in the '80s on television and liked it for what it was: A fun ride with action, humour and, well, lots a craziness. Ex-militaries that provided their services, for a price, to anyone willing to pay the fee and were the victims of various tyrants, criminals and all sorts of bad guys. In some cases, they would do the job for free.
They always followed the same format: The leader would be in disguise and meet with the potential client (the authorities did not approve of their activities), they would have one of the other four team member escape from the asylum (certified crazy, but being a pilot he was handy to have around), they would meet the client(s), kick the bad guys' butts and go back into hiding. Not a very likely scenario, but who cares? While anyone could reach them, the army could not catch them, although they always showed up just a little too late...
Well, it has been announced that they are making a movie based on that series, which is not too surprising considering other TV-to-movie productions. For now, I'm interested to go see it, but I will have to wait and see how it turns out. Let's say these projects are not always a good thing. I have yet to see The Dukes Of Hazzard movie that came out in 2005, even though I loved the TV series, after seeing what they had done to it.
Well, here's the first clue that this could be another big disappointment: They have no script and no casting has been done, as far as we know, and yet, they have a release date of June 12, 2009. Oh boy...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
BattleBots headed to an ESPN near you -- now with less suck - Engadget
Another TV show I liked to watch, when it used to air on Discovery Canada, is Battlebots (and other shows like it, such as Robots Wars). It's got humour, action and destruction, yet, no one gets hurts! People build robots, following some set rules, then enter a competition for the chance to win a championship and gain fame. Oh, and have fun too!
If you have not seen this show or others like it, these remote-controlled robots are put in an arena to battle each others, attempting to disable the opponent, using approved weapons, until it is incapable of moving (from being flipped over to being completely destroyed) or time runs out, at which point judges decides the winner.
I hope this new run will find it's way on my cable provider's offering. Maybe it will spark other shows revivals as well...
If you have not seen this show or others like it, these remote-controlled robots are put in an arena to battle each others, attempting to disable the opponent, using approved weapons, until it is incapable of moving (from being flipped over to being completely destroyed) or time runs out, at which point judges decides the winner.
I hope this new run will find it's way on my cable provider's offering. Maybe it will spark other shows revivals as well...
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