Atari: Game Over - 8 stars out of 10

Atari: Game Over - 8 stars out of 10

“Atari: Game Over” is a telling of the history of the video game industry through the lens of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” widely considered to be the worst video game ever made.  The scene is set by the beginnings of an excavation at a landfill in New Mexico.  Allegedly, Atari produced a game so bad that the only way to deal with its millions of unsold copies was to bury them in a landfill and cover them in concrete.  This documentary explores the rise of the video game industry, the big-name designers of the 80’s, and the circumstances surrounding the 5-week deadline to take the E.T. video game from concept to final product.  “Atari: Game Over” is informative, interesting, and exciting in its storytelling through unique characters.  Whether you are a video game junkie or merely someone who is interested in history, you will love the details of this quirky piece of pop culture.

[Pictured: The mere presence of this game on my blog makes me so happy]

Shanghai Noon - 5 stars out of 10

Shanghai Noon - 5 stars out of 10

“Shanghai Noon” is a Western/martial arts film.  It’s exactly what you expect.  Add in Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson as the lead actors and it becomes even more predictable.  The excellent play on words contained in the title is an overture for the comedy that follows.  The plot is simple but effective as two opposite men are placed into a situation in which it is natural for them to pair up to save the day.  Why not also represent the Buddy-Cop genre as they work together to save the day.  Fans of Westerns and martial arts films will enjoy the many tongue-in-cheek nods to these genres.  And fear not, they do mispronounce Princess Pei-Pei's name as Pee-Pee, but only once to keep it from getting old.  The acting isn’t anything special but it matches the expectation of a comedy.  Personally, I prefer “Rush Hour” but “Shanghai Noon” is a nice departure from Jackie Chan’s typical films.

[Pictured: Who doesn't love Jackie Chan?  Seriously!]

Z for Zachariah - 6 stars out of 10

Z for Zachariah - 6 stars out of 10

They probably could’ve called this movie by any other title because there are so few similarities to the original book by Robert C. O’Brien.  I generally expect (and welcome) small alterations in a movie adaptation if it will strengthen the story or help the story to translate better onscreen, but to take a story that only has two characters and add a third?  And completely alter the personality and actions of the first character?  And rewrite the majority of the events of the film… and rewrite the ending to be the complete opposite of the original?  I would say that, as an adaptation, this film is a complete failure.  As a standalone story, it builds great drama from its simplicity.  Well, except for the most sudden ending ever written, of course.  I would dare the screenwriters to leave an ending more open-ended but I’m pretty sure that it can’t be done.  Reading the synopsis of the book, you would swear that there is no possible way that this could be the same story.  Some helpful information (not as a spoiler, but something that is implied but never clearly stated), a nuclear apocalypse destroys the earth with the exception of a small weather pocket that preserves earth as it used to be.  The setting is well-developed and the characters display great depth.  Margot Robbie (the girl from “About Time”) commands half of the film’s screen time and accomplishes the transition from girl to woman.  I love anything with Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine adds a complete contrast.  I really like the treatment of these characters and the way that their chemistry builds so much tension.  With three great performances like this, you would expect a 10-star rating but the vagueness of the story and severe departures from the original story create a distraction.  “Z for Zachariah” is a good dystopian drama but it unfortunately falls into a category with “The Giver” instead of “The Hunger Games.”

[Pictured: Three great acting performances don’t always equal one great movie]