Tag: movies

I’m a big fan of the Bourne movies. Not because of the over-the-top action or excessive violence, but because of the intriguing storyline—and the slowly unveiling connection between Jason and Nicky.

After the third movie, I wanted more and was understandably excited when a fourth one was announced. Alas, my enthusiasm was short-lived. Jason and Nicky are not part of this latest installment; there will be a new batch of characters for us to follow. This latest movie, “The Bourne Legacy,” will open in a few days.

So, I will never learn what Nicky meant when she said, “It was difficult… for me… with you. You… really don’t remember, do you?” There is certainly more there to be revealed, but what is it?

Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD, is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book The Successful Author for insider tips and insights.

Reportedly the largest grossing movie of all time in China is Avatar, ballooning up to $76 million in a couple of weeks.

That meteoric trajectory is about to stop, however; the movie was essentially banned in China when showings of all 2-D versions were abruptly halted this week.  (The 3-D and I-Max versions will still be shown through February.)

Apparently, bloggers and activists began drawing parallels between Avatar the movie and China’s large land developers’ grab on the land of the locals who merely want to live simple, peaceful lives.

Doesn’t China’s suppression of Avatar then become an admission of guilt?  After all, if there were no validity to the allegorical allusions, then allowing the movie to continue would not be problematic.  However, suppressing the source of the dialog only seems to confirm that the allegations have merit.

Did Avatar hit too close to home with the Chinese power elite?  That seems to be the case.

Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD, is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book The Successful Author for insider tips and insights.

Here are my list of favorite Sci-fi movies, which is perhaps my most appreciated genre. Originally, the list was too long. So I pulled out most of the space movies and flicks about time to be on separate lists.  (I’ve already posted my “space” list and the “time” list will be forthcoming.) As you can see, the list is quite varied.

Alien Nation

Back to the Future

Back to the Future Part II

Back to the Future Part III

Clockstoppers

Cocoon

Daredevil

E.T. (1982)

Ghostbusters

I, Robot

Innerspace

Jurassic Park

Men in Black

My Stepmother is an Alien

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over

Transformers

Tron

Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD, is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book The Successful Author for insider tips and insights.

Here are some of my favorite movies about space and space travel. I can (and have) watched these over and over:

• Contact
• Galaxy Quest
• Mission to Mars
• Space Cowboys
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
• Star Trek: First Contact
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture
• Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
• Star Wars: Episode II
• Star Wars: Episode III
• Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
• Star Wars: Episode V: Empire Strikes Back
• Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
• The Fifth Element
• The Last Starfighter
• Total Recall

The StarTrek and Star Wars series top the list. Total Recall (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Contact (Jodie Foster) are both well-done, well-conceived movies that merit special attention, while Galaxy Quest is the best spoof I have ever seen. The Fifth Element (Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Chris Tucker) is the weirdest one on the list and The Last Starfighter is the oldest. As I recall, the special effects for The Last Starfighter were notably done on a Cray supercomputer. Though they seem simple and ordinary by today’s standards, they were quite amazing in 1984.

(Also see my Sci-fi list for more related movies.)

Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD, is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book The Successful Author for insider tips and insights.

A classic movie doesn’t necessarily mean that it is old, it simply means that it has the staying power to be watched again and again.

Here are some of my favorite classics—from all eras.

A Fish Called Wanda

Casablanca

Citizen Kane

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

How to Steal a Million

Jaws

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Sixteen Candles

The Guns of Navarone

The Maltese Falcon

The Parent Trap (1961)

The Pink Panther (1963)

The Princess Bride

The Thin Man

Victor / Victoria (1982)

Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)

Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD, is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book The Successful Author for insider tips and insights.