Lost in Space 1998 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Unlike "The Lone Ranger"a film reviewed on this blog also based on a classic TV show,this 1998 release that runs 130 minutes,is harder to feel as the TV show was almost all a comedy and turning to  Gary Oldman     to play Dr. Zachary Smith / Spider Smith didn't work for me.Still in many respects its not too bad IF you haven't seen the TV show.2 cameos by the original actors from the series is thus wasted in that respect.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In the year 2058, the Earth will soon be uninhabitable after the irreversible effects of pollution and global warming! Professor John Robinson, lead scientist of the Jupiter 2 Mission, will lead his family to the habitable planet Alpha Prime to prep it for colonization. The Jupiter 2 is equipped with a hyperdrive that allows faster-than-light travel, which will eventually be employed to evacuate the citizens of Earth. However hypergates must be constructed on Earth and Alpha Prime to provide stable points of departure and arrival. Dr. Zachary Smith is bribed by a terrorist organization to sabotage the mission, and ends up an unwilling stowaway as the ship blasts off. Written by Anthony Pereyra <hypersonic91@yahoo.com>

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1336607001/

World War Z 2013 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Brad Pitt ROCKS in this new take off on the zombie apocalypse theme.Not a big fan of these sort of films but Pitt + zombies that move like or as well as us is a  grim future indeed.Like the homage to Ramero by starting the film in Philly.Released in 2013 and 116 minutes,its a must for Zombie fans.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Life for former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane and his family seems content. Suddenly, the world is plagued by a mysterious infection turning whole human populations into rampaging mindless zombies. After barely escaping the chaos, Lane is persuaded to go on a mission to investigate this disease. What follows is a perilous trek around the world where Lane must brave horrific dangers and long odds to find answers before human civilization falls. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3616319001/

The Lone Ranger 2013 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running 149 minutes,its hard to get a handle on this updated movie version of the old 50's TV series.Johnny Depp is OK as Tonto but the film is supposed to be about the Ranger,played by Armie Hammer,whose NOT in Depps league.Also the film can't make ups its mind about being serious or a FX comic send up.Still its worth one view at least as a homage to those days of yesteryear………..
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In the 1930s, an elderly Tonto tells a young boy the tale of John Reid, the Lone Ranger. An idealistic lawyer, he rides with his brother and fellow Texas Rangers in pursuit of the notorious Butch Cavendish. Ambushed by the outlaw and left for dead, John Reid is rescued by the renegade Comanche, Tonto, at the insistence of a mysterious white horse and offers to help him to bring Cavendish to justice. Becoming a reluctant masked rider with a seemingly incomprehensible partner, Reid pursues the criminal against all obstacles. However, John and Tonto learn that Cavendish is only part of a far greater injustice and the pair must fight it in an adventure that would make them a legend. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi460432921/

Godzilla 2014 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2014 and running 123 minutes,I was disappointed.It took to long to get going and the idea of Godzilla sort of kinda helping by fighting other monsters rather than straight out attacking us is what hurt the series after the CLASSIC first film,reviewed on this blog.That said,some good FX buy too little to late.For die hard franchise fans only.

The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2242293017/

Man of Steel 2013 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Disclosure,Superman is by far my favorite super hero so that must be taken into account as I review this 2013 release that runs 143 minutes.Its a very dark reboot but that seems to be the case in most instances these days,a sing of this post 911 world I guess.I have only 2 issues. Henry Cavill  as Clark Kent / Kal-El doesn't have the charisma to carry the part but he tries hard enough,and I/m, not a big fan of creatures vs high tech weapons.You'll see that in the opening Krypton storyline.That said a A+ cast overall and good enough FX and acceptable small tweaking of the storyline.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Enjoy and wait for a sequel I hope.

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind. Written by Warner Bros. Pictures

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi705668633/

Frozen 2013 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Disney animations rule and this 2013 entry that runs 102 minutes is no exception.My only problem is the story was kinda familiar and not that interesting to merit fine animations and music.But thats just me.I think you'll enjoy it and its nice to see more and more "girl"films.IMDB summary is below and a trailer URL follows the picture.My grand daughter loved it.

Anna, a fearless optimist, sets off on an epic journey - teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven - to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. From the outside Anna's sister, Elsa looks poised, regal and reserved, but in reality, she lives in fear as she wrestles with a mighty secret-she was born with the power to create ice and snow. It's a beautiful ability, but also extremely dangerous. Haunted by the moment her magic nearly killed her younger sister Anna, Elsa has isolated herself, spending every waking minute trying to suppress her growing powers. Her mounting emotions trigger the magic, accidentally setting off an eternal winter that she can't stop. She fears she's becoming a monster and that no one, not even her sister, can help her. Written by DeAlan Wilson for ComedyE.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2482677785/

TV Series - Sherlock ( BBC ) 2010 + 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Having never read the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels,of which all this is based. I have seen the old english series of movies as a youth and some more recent updated movie versions.So I have now viewed the first 3 seasons of this BBC series and will await the the next 2 scheduled to film in 2015.Season 1 and 2 were good,less so season 3 and some of the plots were stretched and somewhat uneven.That all said,I did like the updating to  modern day and yes, Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes,is outstanding as is  Martin Freeman     as Dr. John Watson.In fact all the acting is good.So if you want sharp wit and clever conversations then its for you. Trailer URL follows the picture as well as a IMDB summary below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj7ZSUkTTVI