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Ugh, I HATE Jim Schembri. And not just because of his review of Serenity (which I would link to if it were online, but let me just say it was about 10 lines long, mentioned “cheap, ineffective humour” and “spaceships that look like ceral boxes” and got 1.5 stars), but because he gets everything SO. WRONG. every time. Hell, i remember him giving FOTR something like 2 stars, with the review along the lines of “it wasn’t until half an hour into the film that I realised it wasn’t ‘visit New Zealand’ ad”.

Anyway, that made me a bit grumpy, but I didn’t feel too bad, because it’s not like everyone else doesn’t think Jim Schembri is an ass without a pinch of taste.

But, speaking of reviews,

dorrie6 linked to/posted one of the best reviews of the film I’ve seen, written by Orson Scott Card. You can read it here or in dorrie’s livejournal, here. It doesn’t have explicit spoilers, but you may be spoiled for some plot points if you’re already a Firefly fan.

I walked into this movie reasonably aware of the advance word-of-mouth (though not obsessively so) and only as the film actually began this afternoon, the day of its premier, did it occur to me that I had not heard a whisper of a breath of the actual plot of the movie. All I heard was, "It's great, you'll love it."

Well, guess what.

It's great.

I'm not going to say it's the best science fiction movie, ever.

Oh, wait. Yes I am.

But, everyone should read this review, if you have a modicum of interest or uncertainty in seeing Serenity. And I’m not just saying that because I’m rabid. It really is worth it. He talks more about the genre of science fiction, and literature, and humanity, than rambling about points in the movie itself. But don’t let that put you off - it is quite short, very succint and accessible. READ IT!

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Heck, they even have Tamara Taylor, the actress who plays Walt's mother on Lost -- you know, she of the lovely face who tears her son's father apart while always looking so kind. A bit part in this movie -- but one that is brilliantly done.

a-HA. I knew I'd seen her somewhere before. Um, not that it will mean much to you, as a non-fan of Lost, but it's a piece of the puzzle that now clicks for me.

I had to go look up on imdb to find out who she played, har. I'm glad I hadn't seen any Numb3rs before I saw Serenity for the first time, though.

I saw Numb3rs before Serenity, but it didn't bother me much. There ain't a world of difference between Mr Universe and Charlie Epps.

PS. Jim Schembri is the movie reviewer from Opposite World. It's well-known that, to get value from his reviews, you have to read everything as the exact opposite of what he says.

exactly :D that's how i usually manage to open up the EG on fridays. still bugs the crap outta me that someone THAT skewed can be in print, though.

Oh bleh, I agree. I've hated Jim Schembri for about four years now and I'm so happy he's maintaining his consistency. I thumb my nose at thee, sir.

The good news is, most people with halfway-decent taste probably know by now to use Jim's reviews as a 180-degree guide on what to see. And talk of cheesy effects will bring in the b-grade watchers, so he's accidentally done the movie a favour there, I think.

He's still a twat, though.

-Brick

PS: Have fun this afternoon! :)

Thanks, Brick! you have fun getting all psyched and stuff too :)

What a great review! Best sci-fi movie ever... wow. Thanks for sharing!

my pleasure!

Excellent review! (The Orson Scott Card one, I mean). I agree with him 100%

:) It is a great review, innit? so spot-on.

Totally. It really encapsulates what I believe about story-telling.

I can totally sympathize. E.g. I really like the six Star Wars movies as a whole and have spent hours on analysing different aspects. And I totally hate it when some critics then discard the movies with some brief comment that makes it very clear that they just didn't get it.

But, of course, people are different and they don't have to enjoy the same things. So I don't mind so much if others don' t get what I enjoy; but I do hate it when others deride things I love or call the fans of another fandom stupid. (I've seen this all happening.)

Shizzle, that was great :) Added to my big pile o' reviews.