Jurassic Park Series (1993–Present)

Jurassic Park Series (1993–Present) 

Jurassic Park (1993)

C – 127m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen – 3D & 2D
A.K.A.: Jurassic Park 3D, JP
Novel: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Screenplay By: Michael Crichton and David Koepp
Dir.: Sir Steven Spielberg
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sir Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Martin Ferrero, Joseph Mazzello, Ariana Richards, Samuel L. Jackson, Wayne Knight, Richard Kiley (voice only).
Music By: John Williams

During a preview tour, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok. This is the film that started the hit franchise and is by far Steven Spielberg’s best film, though most of his other films are still impressive. The dinosaurs were a milestone in CGI and animatronics at the time, and even decades later, are still impressive and it is easy to see why. The sound (editing and at the time new technology) really makes it though. Dig that score by John Williams too! The editing of the film is tight, the film’s pacing is great, the visuals are wondrous, the acting is spot on and the script scores a bulls–eye. Not recommended for small children though. The preferred way to see this film is the 3D rendering it received a couple of decades later. Don’t miss this one!  

Trivia: The novel and this film generated so much interest in dinosaurs, that the study of paleontology had a record increase in students. The T–Rex occasionally malfunctioned, due to the rain. The Tyrannosaurus Rex’s roars were a combination of dog, penguin, tiger, alligator and elephant sounds. Steven Spielberg wanted the Velociraptors to be about ten feet tall, which was about the full height that they were known to be. During filming paleontologists uncovered a 10–foot–tall specimens of Raptors called Utahraptors. The glass of water sitting on the dashboard of the Ford Explorer was made to ripple by a guitar string that was attached to the underside of the dashboard beneath the glass. At the appropriate time the string would be plucked and the ripples would appear in the glass. When Hurricane Iniki hit, the cast and crew were all required to move to the ballroom of the hotel in which they were staying. Sir Richard Attenborough, however, stayed in his room and slept through the entire event. When asked how he could have done it, he replied, “My dear boy, I survived the blitz!” Incidentally, this was Sir Richard Attenborough’s first acting credit since: The Human Factor (1979). 

Steven Spielberg oversaw the post–production (editing, CGI, etc.) of this film via video link while in Poland filming: Schindler’s List (1993). John Williams did the music score for this film at the end of February 1993 and recorded it a month later. Harrison Ford was offered and turned down the role of Dr. Alan Grant. Director James Cameron said he wanted to make this film but that the film rights of the book were bought a few hours before he could bid. He admitted that Sir Steven Spielberg was the better choice to direct it since he, James Cameron, would have made it much more violent. He further said that he wanted to make the movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Grant, Bill Paxton as Malcolm and Charlton Heston as Hammond. Sam Neill injured his hand lighting the flare used to distract the T–Rex. According to him the Phosphorous from the flare dropped on him, got under his watch, and took a chunk out of his arm.

In the 3D version, Steven Spielberg said that adding leaves to the Jeep chase took the excitement from a seven to a nine. Sir Sean Connery was offered the role of John Hammond but turned it down. Jim Carrey was considered for the role of Ian Malcolm. This film wrapped 12 days ahead of schedule. The film was edited for weeks to make it look good without dinosaurs; then the dinosaurs were added. The tagline for this film: “An adventure 65 million years in the making,” was derived from a joke Sir Steven Spielberg made about the thousands of years the mosquito was trapped in the amber before being discovered. This was the first film to use DTS Digital Surround Sound.      

Oscar® winner for: Best Sound, Best Effects – Sound Effects Editing, and Best Effects – Visual Effects.

Followed by: The Lost World Jurassic Park (1997), Jurassic Park III (2001), Jurassic World (2015), and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Science Fiction Terror
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on 4K / 3D & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

C – 129m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Jurassic Park II: The Lost World, The Lost World: Jurassic Park II, Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World, The Lost World: Jurassic Park 2, Jurassic Park: The Lost World, The Lost World, Jurassic Park II, Jurassic Park 2
Novel: The Lost World by Michael Crichton
Screenplay by: David Koepp
Exec. Prod.: Kathleen Kennedy
Dir.: Sir Steven Spielberg
Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Arliss Howard, Sir Richard Attenborough, Vince Vaughn, Richard Schiff, Ariana Richards, Ian Abercrombie, David Sawyer, Eli Roth (uncredited) Theodore Carl Soderberg (uncredited) and Sir Steven Spielberg (uncredited).
Music By: John Williams

A research team is sent to the Jurassic Park Site B Island to study the dinosaurs there while another team approaches with another agenda. This was a major drop in quality from the first film. The CGI and acting are fine but the script is slip–shot and the pacing is a tad too slow. As bad this one was, it isn’t the worst in the series in this reviewer’s opinion. Perhaps this was due to Spielberg’s feelings towards this film. Regardless, this film can only be recommended by the slightest of a margin. 

Trivia: The Japanese tourists running from the T–Rex in the San Diego scene is an homage to the Godzilla films because they are yelling, “I left Japan to get away from this!” in Japanese. Julianne Moore said she did this film to pay–off a divorce settlement and to work with Sir Steven Spielberg. The two animatronic T–Rex each weighed 9 tons. Due to the weight, the crew constructed sets around them rather than bring them to a set. There is roughly 50% more dinosaur action in this film than in Jurassic Park (1993). This film finished on day 69 of its 74–day shooting schedule. The T–Rex scratching its head is a direct homage to the stop–motion–animation T–Rex scratching its head in: King Kong (1933), one of Sir Steven Spielberg’s favorite films. This was the longest Jurassic Park film. Sir Steven Spielberg admitted that during the production of this film he became disenchanted with the film.

Oscar® nominated for: Best Effects – Best Visual Effects.

Sequel to: Jurassic Park (1993). Followed by: Jurassic Park III (2001), Jurassic World (2015) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sci–Fi Terror & Violence
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Jurassic Park III (2001)

C – 92m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Return To The Island: Jurassic Park III, Return To The Island: Jurassic Park 3, Jurassic Park III: The Extinction, Jurassic Park 3: The Extinction, The Extinction: Jurassic Park III, The Extinction: Jurassic Park 3, Jurassic Park III: Breakout, Breakout: Jurassic Park III, Breakout: Jurassic Park 3, Jurassic Park 3: Breakout, Breakout: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park: Breakout, Jurassic Park 3, JP III, JP 3
Characters Created By: Michael Crichton
Screenplay By: Peter Buchman, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
Exec. Prod.: Sir Steven Spielberg
Prod.s: Larry Franco and Kathleen Kennedy
Dir.: Joe Johnston
Starring: Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Tea Leoni, Alessandro Nivola, Trevor Morgan, Michael Jeter, John Diehl and Laura Dern.
Music By: Don Davis

A decidedly odd couple with ulterior motives convince Dr. Grant to go to Isla Sorna Island, resulting in an unexpected landing, and unexpected new inhabitants on the island. A step up from the second film in the series, this one boasts of even better CGI, animatronics and a couple of the original cast members returning. The script is also a noted improvement and the pacing is splendid. While this is not the classic that the first film was, this is certainly the next best entry in the series. This is the perfect B – movie for the early 2000’s. See it.

Trivia: According to William H. Macy, in an interview, the animatronic Spinosaurus had a 1,000–horsepower motor, the creature could turn its head at twice the force of gravity, with the tip of its nose moving at a speed of more than 100 miles–per–hour. Incidentally, the Spinosaurus was the largest animatronic ever built, up to that point. It weighed 12 tons and was operated by hydraulics, which allowed it to operate while completely submerged in water. The effects crew used 250 gallons of oatmeal to simulate Spinosaurus poop. The establishing wide shot of the dig site was actual footage filmed in Summer 2001 of Jack Horner’s excavation, which contained several large Tyrannosaurus Rexes and some Hadrosaurs. A few of the action sequences were borrowed from leftover ideas from the first two films. Some of them made it to being storyboarded before being scrapped due to time and budgetary constraints. The scenes included the Pteranodon and Riverboat scenes.

Shooting for this film began before the final script was completed. Stellan Skarsgard, Steve Buscemi, and Tony Shalhoub were all considered for the role of Cooper. John Williams was contacted to write the music for this film but was tied up doing the music for Steven Spielberg’s A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001). Williams recommended Don Davis, the man who did the music for this film, for the job. Originally the fight between the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Spinosaurus was supposed to be longer. Extended parts of the fight can be found in the bonus features on the Blu–ray and DVD copies of the film. Incidentally, the Spinosaurus’ and the Tyrannosaurus Rexes resided on different cotenants and in different areas. The first draft of the script involved a group of teenagers marooned on Isla Sorna Island. This was the last Jurassic Park film to be shot in the 1.85:1 – Widescreen Aspect Ratio.

Sequel to: Jurassic Park (1993) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). Followed by: Jurassic World (2015) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sci–Fi Terror & Violence
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Jurassic World (2015)

C – 124m
Aspect Ratio: 2.00:1 – Widescreen – 3D & 2D
A.K.A.: Jurassic World 3D, Jurassic Park IV, Jurassic Park 4, Ebb Tide
Based On Characters Created By: Michael Crichton
Story By: Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver
Screenplay By: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly
Exec. Prod.: Sir Steven Spielberg
Prod.s: Patrick Crowley and Frank Marshall
Dir.: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, Judy Greer, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Buffett (uncredited) and Brad Calhoun (uncredited).

A new theme park, built on the original site of Jurassic Park, creates a genetically modified hybrid dinosaur, which escapes containment and goes on a killing spree. For a Jurassic Park series entry, much less a film that received the hype that this film did, this film was a colossal screw up. The CGI and acting by most of the cast are about all this film has going for it. The action, (when there is any), is at best stagy and the script is at best corny; never mind the horrendously slow pace. Still, this film was a commercial success. Judge for yourself but it isn’t recommended.

Trivia: This was the first Jurassic Park film to be shot in 2.00:1 – Widescreen Aspect Ratio, the first three films were shot in 1.85:1 – Widescreen Aspect Ratio. Sir Richard Attenborough, John Hammond in Jurassic Park (1993), talked of making another appearance in the series but ultimately never did. When he died on August 24, 2014, it was written into the script, by implication that his character had died prior to the events of this film entry. This film was completed two days ahead of its 80–day filming schedule. 

Sequel to: Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), and Jurassic Park III (2001). Followed by: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Science–Fiction Violence & Peril
Available on 4K / 3D & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

C – 128m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen – 3D & 2D
A.K.A.: Jurassic World 2, Ancient Futures, Jurassic Park 5
Based On The Characters Created By: Michael Crichton
Screenplay By: Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow
Exec. Prod.s: Sir Steven Spielberg and Colin Trevorrow
Prod.: Patrick Crowley and Frank Marshall (P.G.A.)
Dir.: J.A. Bayona
Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, James Cromwell, Toby Jones, Jeff Goldblum, Geraldine Chaplin, Robert Emms and Peter Jason.

When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction level event. What could have been just another entry in the creature feature series turns out to be much more than that. This massively improved, from the last film entry, film boasts of almost perfect acting (except for actor), great scripting, a fantastic pace and stellar CGI. In addition of this film being a creature film, it has elements of a few classic films: 1.) The Boys From Brazil (1978) – Cloning someone and raising the clone from childhood forward & 2.) Jurassic Park (1993) & Alien (1979) – Reptile like creatures stalking humans in dark spaces. It is equal parts touching, nerve wracking, adrenaline inducing and amusing. Don’t miss this one!

For those keeping score with this reviewer’s opinions on these films: Numbers two and four are the least of the series while one, three and five are the best of the series. Odd!

Trivia: When Sam Neill was asked if he would return as Dr. Alan Grant, he indicated that he thought his time in that role had passed. This film was shot in Hawaii and the United Kingdom, some of it at Pinewood Studios. This film’s tagline was, “Life finds a way,” which is a quote from Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) in: Jurassic Park (1993). It was Goldblum’s favorite line by the way. The teaser trailer for this film premiered with: Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). This was the first Jurassic Park film to be filmed in 2.39:1 – Widescreen Aspect Ratio. The first 3 Jurassic films were done in 1.85:1 – Widescreen Aspect Ratio and Jurassic World was done in 2.00:1 – Widescreen Aspect Ratio. At 128 minutes in length, this is the second longest Jurassic Park film. The longest was: The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). Chris Pratt stated that this film required, “significantly more stunts than its predecessor.”

Sequel to: Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World Jurassic Park (1997), Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World (2015).

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Science–Fiction Violence & Peril
Available on 4K / 3D & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Life (2017)

Life (2017)

C – 104m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
Dir.: Daniel Espinosa
Starring: Hiroyuki Sanada, Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ariyon Bakare.

A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discover a rapidly evolving life form that caused extinction on Mars and now threatens all life on Earth. While this film is basically a retooling of Alien (1979), (see Trivia), it is a better–paced version of it in this reviewer’s opinion. There is one good kill in this film. Everything else is pretty much what you would expect to see.

Trivia: Ryan Reynolds intended to play the lead role but took the supporting role due to scheduling conflicts with this film while making: The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017). Rebecca Ferguson almost didn’t make the movie until she met with director Daniel Espinosa who talked her into doing the film. This was Skydance’s first [R]–rated film. In a TV Spot (commercial) it was revealed that this movie reused old B–Roll footage from Spider–Man 3 (2007). This was inspired by the film: Alien (1979).   

Rated: [R] – Language Throughout, Some Sci–Fi Violence & Terror
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Other Jack The Ripper Films & Shows (1961–2017)

 Thriller: Season 1, Episode 28: Yours Truly, Jack The Ripper (1961)

B&W – 60m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
Story: Yours Truly, Jack The Ripper by Robert Bloch
Adaptation By: Barre Lyndon
Prod.: William Frye
Dir.: Ray Milland
Starring: Boris Karloff, John Williams, Donald Woods, Edmon Ryan, Ottola Nesmith, Adam Williams, Nancy Valentine, Sam Gilman, Gloria Blondell and J. Pat O’Malley.
Music By: Jerry Goldsmith

70 years after the Jack The Ripper killings in London, Sir Guy convinces the police that Jack The Ripper may still be alive, eternally young, and still killing, currently in New York City. Smart and spooky rendering of the tale of Jack The Ripper. While the gory sensationalism of the later Ripper film and television outings is absent, the atmosphere and tension of “Who is Jack The Ripper,” is present and makes this a must watch. Milland handled the directorial work splendidly and the actors are capable. Karloff, “The Gentle Monster”, intros this tale of suspense with his soothing voice very nicely. He was the perfect host for this show. 

Trivia: The director of this episode of Thriller, Ray Milland starred in Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M For Murder with actor John Williams. The story’s author Robert Bloch is the same man who wrote the novel Psycho (1960) was based on. He subsequently wrote sequels to Psycho and a Jack The Ripper novel, after this short story, titled: Night Of The Ripper.

Out Of Print on DVD but Available on YouTube and Digital Copy

Time After Time (1979)

C – 112m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 / 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Theatrical Ratio) / 2.40:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray Ratio)
Story: Time After Time by Karl Alexander and Steve Hayes
Screenplay By: Nicholas Meyer
Dir.: Nicholas Meyer
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, David Warner, Mary Steenburgen, Michael Evans, John Colton, Corey Feldman, Neil Armstrong (archival sound), Sir Winston Churchill (archival sound), Jimi Hendrix (archival footage), John F. Kennedy (archival sound), Douglas MacArthur (archival sound), Edward R. Murrow (archival sound), Franklin D. Roosevelt (archival sound).

H.G. Welles chases Jack The Ripper through time to the 20th Century when the serial murderer uses the future writer’s time machine to escape his own time. Smart and literate Sci–fi yarn pits H.G. Welles brilliantly against Jack The Ripper. This premise has spawned several books over the years and a failed TV show in 2017 (see review below). A cult classic like this is stylish though somewhat average. Worth watching over the failed show with the same title though!   

Trivia: Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen met and fell in love while making this film. They were subsequently married from September 29, 1980 – October 1, 1990. Screenwriter – director Nicholas Meyer chose not to let them meet before they filmed the scene where they meet in order to keep their reaction fresh for the take. Malcolm McDowell listened to recordings of H.G. Welles to prep for his role as Welles. The real Welles’ voice was high and croaky according to McDowell, hence he chose not to imitate it. All four of H.G. Welles’ children were still alive when this film was released. A deleted scene had H.G. Welles meeting a punk on a bus who was playing loud music on a boom–box. The premise of the scene was later used in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), which was also co–written and directed by Nicholas Meyer. In the chase scenes at the hotel David Warner had a stunt double as he was recovering from two broken ankles at the time. In the close–ups you can see him running gingerly so as to not hurt himself. This was Corey Feldman’s film debut. Reportedly, Nicholas Meyer originally wanted Edward Fox as The Ripper; then he considered Mick Jagger as The Ripper but just couldn’t see him in the role. The studio wanted Sally Field for the role that went to Mary Steenburgen. This was the second Jack The Ripper film of 1979, the other was: Murder My Decree (1979) (see review in another entry).

Rated: [PG]
Out Of Print on Laserdisc Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through The Warner Archive Collection 

Jack’s Back (1988)

C – 97m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: A Knife To Kill, The Ripper, Red Rain
Writer – Dir.: Rowdy Herrington
Starring: James Spader, Cynthia Gibb, Jim Haynie, Robert Picardo, Rod Loomis and Chris Mulkey.

A serial killer in Los Angeles, California celebrates Jack The Ripper’s 100th birthday (anniversary) by committing similar murders and only one person has a chance at stopping him. This reviewer will resist the urge to make cutting remarks about this film. However the film does have a slow pace, iffy acting and a script that never builds suspense. It plays like a television movie, at best. Still, James Spader does his best with the lackluster material. As noted in the description of the film, the “birthday” of Jack The Ripper is actually the anniversary of his killings. This reviewer does not know many babies with surgical skills. 

Trivia: Director Harrington wanted the title to be: Red Rain, and to have Peter Gabriel’s song play over the opening credits. Due to budget restraints, he couldn’t get the rights to the song. So he had Paul Saax compose: “Red Harvest”. At the last minute the studio decided Red Rain had nothing to do with the film and changed the title to Jack’s Back.

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Ripper (1997)

C – 96m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ripper
Written By: Robert Rodat
Exec. Prod.: Mark Gordon
Dir.: Janet Meyers
Starring: Patrick Bergin, Gabrielle Anwar, Samuel West, Michael York, Essie Davis, Karen Davitt and Josephine Keen.

The tale of Jack The Ripper and the lives of the people around him. “…Someone’s sneakin’, ‘round the corner...” A typical Jack The Ripper tale is boosted by the approach of focusing on the royal family rather than the victims. While this is a 1990’s television movie, it has the quality of an indie film sleeper hit. There are some factual errors as with any Ripper film / show. This is more of a drama than a mystery but the suspense still builds making it a good thriller.

Trivia: Samuel West previously played Prince Albert Victor Edward as a young child in: Edward The King (1975), in which his father, Timothy West, played the title role.

Rated: [R] – Violence & Sexuality
Out Of Print on VHS and not available on YouTube or Digital Copy, though it occasionally runs on TV 

Ripper (2001)

C – 114m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ripper: Letter From Hell
Story By: John A Curtis and Evan Tylor
Screenplay By: Pat Bermel and Neil Bermel
Exec. Prod. – Prod.: John A Curtis (as John Cutis)
Dir.: John Eyres
Starring: A.J. Cook, Bruce Payne, Ryan Northcott, Derek Hamilton, Daniella Evangelista, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Kelly Brook and Bruce Pinard.

A massacre survivor studies serial killers under a famous expert, but her classmates soon start dying at the hands of a Jack The Ripper copycat. Excesses of excesses hamper this otherwise okay gory chiller. Followed by a sequel: Ripper 2: Letter From Within (2004).

Rated: [R] – Violence / Gore, Sexuality & Language
Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

Ripper 2: Letter From Within (2004)

C – 85m (Uncut) 89m (DVD)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Evan Tylor, Jonas Quastel, and John A. Curtis
Screenplay By: Jonas Quastel and John Sheppard
Additional Screenplay By: Pat Bermel and Neil Bermel
Exec. Prod.: John A. Curtis
Dir.: Jonas Quastel and Lloyd A. Simandl
Starring: Erin Karpluk and Richard Bremmer

When Ripper Murders start occurring to a haunted mental patient who survived the first film, time will tell who the killer is. A killer is on the loose in the nut house plot works rather well here. Better pacing than the first film and more of a coherent story make this superior to its predecessor. 

Rated: [R] – Strong Sexual Content, Violence & Language
Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

Ripper Street: The Complete Series (2012 – 2017)

C – 59m. Per Episode
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 / 1.78:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: Various. Writers: Various.

Starring: Matthew Macfadyen, Adam Rothenberg, MyAnna Buring, Jerome Flynn, David Wilmot, Charlene McKenna, David Dawson, Anna Burnett, Clive Russell and others.

The crimes of Jack The Ripper, and some of the other criminals, on the streets around the time of the Ripper killings, as they relate to Inspector Reid and company. Excellent telling of The Ripper tale bookending a series of crimes committed by thugs, rapists, murderers, and sometimes even the police force. Not one false note in this series. Although the episode count is low, the body count is high and the production is vivid. A must for Ripperphiles and fans of period piece films and shows! Be forewarned: This is NOT for the squeamish. Disclaimer: This reviewer is a self-taught Ripperphile and therefore holds some prejudice in favor of this show and others like it.     

Trivia: BBC 1 and BBC America decided to cancel the show in 2013 after two seasons. Amazon.com picked up the show and aired it on their streaming service and on BBC 1 and BBC America. That stint ran three additional seasons; totaling five seasons and 36 episodes. This show was filmed primarily in the U.K. and England.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

Time After Time: The Complete Series (2017)

C – 552m
Writers: Various
Novelization: Time After Time by Karl Alexander
Dir.s: Various
Starring: Freddie Stroma and Josh Bowman.

H.G. Welles takes his time machine through time to chase Jack The Rippers and other notable Troubledoers. This abysmal attempt to bring the Nicholas Meyer cult classic to the small screen for the modern audience should be avoided at all cost. By that this reviewer means: don’t spend money to see it! The acting resembles Charlie McCarthy sans humor and the story is stretched beyond reason. What is left is 552 minutes of agony for anyone that has good will towards the 1979 cult classic film, from which this abomination is derived. Weirdly the television show: Sleepy Hollow (2013–2017), derived from the 1999 Tim Burton film, succeeds where this one failed, in this reviewer’s opinion. Others may think differently on these points of course. But in the interest of saving people time after time, don’t bother with this one!

Available on Digital Copy

Wonder Woman (2017)

Wonder Woman (2017)

C – 141m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen – 3D & 2D
Wonder Woman Created By: William Moulton Marston (Credited), Harry G. Peter (Uncredited)
Story By: Zack Snyder, Allan Heinberg and Jason Fuchs
Screenplay By: Allan Heinberg
Producers: Deborah Snyder and Zack Snyder
Dir.: Patty Jenkins
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Said Taghmaoui, Ewen Bremner, Lucy Davis, Danielle Lewis, Zack Snyder, and Robert M. Stafford.

When a pilot crashes and tells of the conflict in the outside world, Diana, a Amazonian Warrior in training, leaves home to fight a war, discover her full powers and true destiny. Well done but slightly under–paced (slow paced), for this reviewer’s tastes, female superhero film. CGI may be obvious at times and remarkably subtle at others. This is the way the Wonder Woman story should be told though!

Trivia: Gal Gadot had to do reshoots for this film, including stunts, while she was five months pregnant. The crew created a costume with a green screen around her stomach and her stomach was edited out during the CGI process. The discussions about, “the pleasures of the flesh,” was reportedly improvised. Cate Blanchett was offered a role but turned it down so that she could make Thor: Ragnarok (2017). This was the first film that director Patty Jenkins directed since Monster (2003), with Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci.

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Violence And Action, & Some Suggestive Content
Available in 3D and 2D on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Thor Series (2011, 2013 & 2017)

Thor (2011)

C. – 115m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen; 3D & 2D
A.K.A.: Thor, God Of Thunder, Manhattan
Dir.: Kenneth Branagh.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth , Sir Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Stan Lee and Samuel L. Jackson.

Thor is cast out of Asgard due to his arrogance. He must work his way back by learning humility and helping humans. Meanwhile a small group of scientist want to learn about him and his world. A great start to the series of films! Everyone is in top form and the story is rich and full to boot. No complaints!

Trivia: The Hemsworth brothers, Chris and Liam were up against each other for the role of Thor, ultimately Chris Hemsworth won. When Anthony Hopkins and Chris Hemsworth saw each other in costume for the first time Hopkins said, “God, there is no acting required here, is there?” Stan Lee has often said he wanted to play Odin. Since the film was made though, he has stated he was very happy with Sir Anthony Hopkins in the role. And finally the film makes extensive use of actual Norse Mythology.

The preferred viewing format is 3D, though 2D is available.  Please note: This is a Marvel film, stay all the way through the end credits to see all the cut scenes.

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequence Of Intense Sci–Fi Action & Violence
Available on 3D & 2D Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

C. – 112m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen; 3D & 2D
A.K.A.: Thor 2: The Dark World, Thor 2
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard, Stan Lee, Benicio Del Toro and Chris Evans.

Thor must rescue Jane from Peril. After The Avengers (2012), this film feels more like Thor 3 rather than Thor 2. There is not much in the way of the story and the CGI is a tad too bountiful. Pacing also appears slower. It is however still entertaining and the actors do their bests with the material handed to them. Worth a watch.

Trivia: Hemsworth improvised the action of Thor hanging his hammer up on a coat hook, 1 hour 23 minutes into the movie. He had been playing with it in between takes. There are several other instances of adlibs or improvisation in the film. “Banana Balls,” being another example.

As with the first film, the preferred viewing format is 3D, though 2D is also available. Note: As this is a Marvel film, stay all the way through the end credits to see all the cut scenes.

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Intense Sci–Fi Action And Violence, & Some Suggestive Content
Available on 3D & 2D Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Thor Ragnarok (2017) Movie Poster

Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Film Review

C. – 130m.

Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen; 3D & 2D

A.K.A.: Mighty Thor: Battle Royal, Thor 3: Ragnarok, Thor 3

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Hemsworth, Sam Neill, Matt Damon and Stan Lee.

An imprisoned Thor finds himself in a Gladiator situation with The Hulk. Can he survive it and save his world from obliteration by Hela? A step up from the previous entry, Thor: The Dark World (2013). Audiences will find a plethora of humor here. There are a couple of slow parts that mar the middle of the film but, as per-usual with Marvel’s films, the film rises above it and ends on a perfect note.

Trivia: A Make A Wish child, who was visiting the set suggested Thor’s line, “A friend from work,” about The Hulk. Additionally, 80% of the dialogue was adlibbed by the cast. And finally, this is the first film in the Marvel Universe that does not have Lou Ferrigno voicing The Hulk, instead it is Mark Ruffalo that you hear.

As With the first two films, the preferred viewing format is 3D, as usual 2D is also available. And yet again, as this is a Marvel film, stay all the way through the end credits to see all the cut scenes.

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Sci–Fi Violence And Action, & Brief Suggestive Material.

Available on 3D & 2D Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.