Alphas

Alphas (2011)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


Dr. Rosen and his team of Alphas work with the government to investigate other Alphas and keep them from breaking the law or putting more people in danger. The first few episodes are a little difficult to follow as it drops you right into the thick of their world while their on a case and doesn't explain their abilities very well. As the show progresses, the world building is easier to follow, as well as who has what abilities. Things take a personal turn once Rosen's own daughter turns up as one of the Alphas they are after, leading to a series of discoveries tracing back potential Alpha influences and schemes working behind the scenes. The series ends abruptly at the end of season 2, alluding to a failed mission and multiple deaths without really showing what happens after the final events. 

Psycho-Pass: Providence

Psycho-Pass: Providence (2023)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


We see both Akane and Kogami back for this installment of the series, though Akane may be in some trouble at the end, not as a result of her psycho-pass, but because of the public actions she chooses to take in order to call into light the questions and issues regarding how the psycho-pass system currently operates. There is a bit of a fight in this movie across multiple departments and the paramilitary group known as the Peacebreakers trying to obtain information from a murdered researcher. This research has the potential to change the current Sibyl System, though if it is truly for the better remains up for debate. Things get ugly pretty fast, and it's clear their own system is working against them as their weapons won't register a threat to activate and their opponents don't seem to stay down. This series as a whole can be rather confusing with all of the moving pieces and the potential moral dilemmas up for debate. Really gives you some food for thought if you think about it, especially in the current world where AI is actually gaining more and more popularity and use.

Avatar 2: The Way of the Water

Avatar 2: The Way of the Water (2022)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Finally got around to watching this during a redeye flight to Florida when I couldn't sleep. The CGI is well done and the characters are still interesting. We don't see as much of Jake, though he's still one of the main characters, as this largely focuses on his children and how they adapt to their way of the life as they are a bit different from the other Na'vi and their family is now being hunted by other avatars. Some adapt easier than others to their new way of life as they struggle to find a new place and settle in to try and keep their family safe. It's not so easy to stay safe though when their enemy is rather relentless and has some idea at least of where they could possibly go for help.

The Book of Boba Fett

The Book of Boba Fett (2021)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The first part of the series is a little disjointed and hard to follow, especially when we get flashbacks so the story is not all in the correct order. It picks up towards the end when all of the events come together into the final expected conflict and the series ties in with The Mandalorian (to the point where some of the last episodes seem to belong more to that series than to be about Fett). It does answer some questions with the start of season 2 for Mando however, so is most likely better when the series are watched in order with the actual seasons and not just by the series on it's own.

Andor

Andor (2022)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This is a prequel series released on Disney+ to Rogue One featuring Cassian and more of his back story. While the idea behind it is good and the filming is decent, the overall story feels lacking. The pace is slow despite everything happening and Cassian, for all that he continues to survive and get things done, also seems to be one of the most unlucky people out there. While technically we know how his story ends thanks to the movie, the ending of the series itself is left as a melancholy cliff hanger. 

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This short series answers the question of how Leia knew Ben, as she seems to recognize him in the first movie, though that could also be taken just for her knowledge of the Clone Wars from her father given the dialogue at the time. We see more personal interaction here and gain more back story into the Skywalker twins' childhood, including possibly why old Ben later chooses to tell Luke that Vader killed his father. It does, however, open the doors to more interaction with the rebellion (though not referenced by that name at the time) and what happened when Anakin attacked the jedi temple. The relationship between Ben and Owen is obviously still strained, and Ben does agree to keep his distance, but Owen also seems somewhat more open towards the end, oven offering to introduce the two of them, though it would seem given previous film events that Luke would not remember this meeting (or it's another gap in the Star Wars continuity line between all of the different media). Regardless, it is a fun and very short series giving a little more history into what happens to Obi-Wan between the ending of Revenge of the Sith and the beginning of A New Hope. The ending of this first season is left open where there could be more as Qui-Gon also makes a brief appearance.

Breach

Breach (2020)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Earth is dying and people are evacuating to "New Earth". Noah stows away onboard as a junior mechanic, hoping to start a new life with Hayley and the baby they're expecting... assuming the admiral doesn't kill him for knocking up his daughter first. Turns out, that's not the worst thing they'll have to survive. When crew members start turning up dead, they discover Noah wasn't the only stowaway, and this one is set on using the entire ship as a weapon. Clay sends Noah and Hayley off in an escape shuttle, hoping they make it to New Earth... except it appears the aliens are already there, too. There is no real ending to this movie, since they escape one life or death fight just to be thrown headfirst into another one. That's not to forget they've got a baby on the way, and just how do you expect to keep an infant quiet if you're trying to sneak by killer aliens to survive?

Doctor Who

Doctor Who (2005)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thought it was finally time to check out what the hype for this new reboot was about. It started off interesting, and each of the new doctors would grow on you, with time. Different companions certainly stood out as better than others. However, I have to say the most recent incarnation has been a let down and seriously dropped my expectations of the show. So much time is spent trying to be PC that the core of the character seems lost. Additionally, where standardly there is only one companion with the occasional addition (usually a boyfriend or significant other for short periods), we now have basically an entire family blundering around even going off to find situations on their own and now try to solve it, including with their own psychic papers? Nearly surprised they don't each have their own sonic screwdrivers now, too. Not really sure what to expect with where this one is headed currently, but interest is waning at the moment.

Psycho-Pass

Psycho-Pass (2012)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some of these cases are truly horrifying, but I guess that's why the "psycho-pass" is seen as so bad in these suspects. However, is the Sibyl System really that much better? The series of checks and balances seem to work for most, but result in an unusually harsh system for any who don't conform to the standard. By some miracle or luck, it seems that any obstacle thrown at Akane so far has not "tainted" her psycho-pass, even when she does seem to start understanding the "dogs" of the Ministry that she works with as they try to solve their hardest case yet.

Psycho-Pass: The Movie

Psycho-Pass: The Movie (2015)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

The movie itself is interesting, but there are obvious references that may not make the most sense if you haven't watched the first season of the anime yet. Akane Tsunemori is sent into a different country to find out what a previous co-worker and subordinate, Shinya Kogami, is doing supposedly helping a rebellion. What she finds turns out to be much bigger, and she was the lead to get the rest of her team, and country, in to take over - which doesn't sit so well with the honest-to-a-fault inspector. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

When I think of Star Trek, this is usually the segment that first comes to mind. It was what commonly was airing on TV if I stumbled across an episode growing up, and of course Patrick Stewart is memorable (one of my favorite actors). The Enterprise is already active and in flight when this arc picks up, starting with Riker joining the crew and moving on from there. This cast also includes Data (A.I.), Worf (Klingon), and La Forge (human with his distinctive visor to see differently as he's blind) - three characters who have very distinct appearances for their race and functions on the Enterprise crew. While I might generally enjoy the overall story and it's different adaptations, it's unlikely to change that this is what I fall back on as my staple when I think of this particular series.

Star Trek: Enterprise

Star Trek: Enterprise (2001)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Enterprise makes up the sixth segment of the Star Trek saga, covering what would be seasons 20-23 in total. Captain Archer and his crew are piloting the first warp 5 engine to explore space and make first contact with other species. Some of those meetings go well, others.... not so much. The Klingons especially always seem to be keen on causing trouble. The series is so expansive it can be difficult to keep straight which segment or reboot pertains to which story arc. They all have similarities and differences at the end of the day, though the Star Trek universe has always been entertaining and diverse.

Divergent 3: Allegiant

Divergent 3: Allegiant (2016)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Tris and Four take their small group beyond the wall trying to escape a return to the Factions under Four's mother, Evelyn. In the process, they learn more about Chicago and what their lives mean to those beyond the wall, forcing them to return home once again to save their city and hope to once again make a stand that all of their lives matter. There are some hints through the series that make it somewhat reminiscent of The Hunger Games.

Divergent 2: Insurgent

Divergent 2: Insurgent (2015)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Tris is on the run with Four, but you can't run forever when all of the other Factions have been forced under Erudite's control. It seems a stroke of luck the Candor is willing to give them refuge only after undergoing their truth trials to prove their innocence. Jeanine couldn't have expected that her hunt for Tris would not bring her the ultimate control and return to regiment she craves, but instead brings her entire world crashing down with questions of what lies beyond the city wall now at the forefront as Divergents are no longer feared and hunted.

Divergent 1

Divergent 1 (2014)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Tris knows she's different, but it's only as her world turns upside down that she discovers just how much. She has to learn very quickly that her parents knew of her difference and her closest ally, Four, who helps her fit in with Dauntless after she chooses to leave Abnegation, will have to learn how to escape and search for a way to return back home. A task that will be increasingly difficult as Jeanine has taken over Erudite and the rest of the Factions from there.

Star Wars 9: The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars 9: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I actually enjoyed watching this, though my husband swears it was the worst Star Wars movie he's ever watched, and that says something given he's seen all of them, just like me. I found that if you watched the movie just for movie entertainment and/or Rey's story, you'd enjoy it. However, if you're a big Star Wars fan and want the universe to be consistent and all the great things it could be, you'll be sadly disappointed. Really shouldn't be all that surprising given they said when they started the sequel trilogy that they were scrapping everything that already existed in the Star Wars universe. Most of us all thought they just meant as far as the sequel went, erasing the Jedi Academy, the twins, and all of that amazing story line. Some might argue now that the statement included many other things that were changed or re-written to make things work how they wanted them to in this film.

Han's lecture about calculations for light speed so you don't go through a star and die from A New Hope? Forget it. Light speed jumping is now and a thing, and you can totally avoid colliding with anything coming out of hyperspace.

Can't be tracked through hyperspace as established in The Empire Strikes Back? Forget that, too. Tie fighters can now keep up with you through all that light speed jumping and keep the dogfight going.

Only the Sith are willing/able to bed the force to their will to play with life force itself as discussed in Revenge of the Sith? That should also be forgotten. Apparently even Jedi will now influence individual life forces without turning to the dark side.

That's just a few of the highlights, too. Don't go digging too far if you don't want any spoilers. There's a lot.... though there's also a lot that will be really familiar in this movie if you're paying attention.

Men in Black 4: International

Men in Black 4: International (2019)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Agent M was determined to join the MIB, basically forcing herself into the ranks against all odds after an encounter of the intergalactic type when she was a child. This encounter ends up paying off for her and her new partner, Agent H. Didn't expect a lot coming into this given the critiques I'd overheard. There are a lot of inconsistencies with the original trilogy, however, if you watch it just as a stand alone movie within the same universe, it is entertaining.

Alita: Battle Angel

Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


It was curious to see how this live action adaptation lined up to the original animated movie from back when I was still in school. Unfortunately, like with the original, there is no real ending, which is rather aggravating. Alita herself looks the most CGI of all and is a constant stand out compared to how the rest of the characters appears. There is also more emphasis on the love story than I remember from the original. Still, despite the ending being more than little aggravating, the story alone is entertaining and engaging. Would be best if it actually finished any part of the plot instead of turning it like she's working towards a pointless goal.

Star Wars 3.25: Solo

Star Wars 3.25: Solo (2018)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I actually heard really bad things about this movie when it came out, and that made me delay seeing it despite my love for the series as a whole. While it certainly won't make my favorites list (the prequel trilogy didn't either), I actually did still enjoy the story for what it is on it's own. While seeing someone else play Han Solo than Harrison Ford is certainly strange, I have to admit they did a fairly good job capturing Han's personality. It's interesting to not only see how he met Lando, Chewy, acquired the Falcon, and see his infamous dice in play, but also get some of his individual backstory in how he became a smuggler in the first place, and even how he gained the name Solo, which I hadn't caught in any of the previous books was something that had been assigned to him essentially from the Empire. It's hard to picture Han ever being a soldier and falling in line with the Empire, so hearing him be kicked out of their flight academy isn't all that shocking, either.

Star Wars 8: The Last Jedi

Star Wars 8: The Last Jedi (2017)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There's a lot to love and hate about this movie. Han is still referenced a lot even though he's no longer in the picture. Of course the next film is supposed to be about him, so we'll get at least some Han Solo fix even though he's gone from the mainstream films short of a flashback sequence at this point (he's not a Jedi so I'd be shocked to see him in ghost form like we do Yoda so often, though this option wouldn't surprise me for any of the Skywalkers). Rey was worrisome for awhile there, but appears to have found whatever foundation she needed to move forward. Kylo, however, seems to keep moving further backwards every time it looks like he might finally be turning a corner in the correct direction. This is not really helped by the different perspective of events between Kylo and Luke prior to the destruction of the Jedi temple and Luke's subsequent disappearance. There's a lot that is surprising in this film, but it doesn't manage to hit that all time thrill mark that would give it a solid 5 star rating like the original trilogy. Still leagues better than the prequel trilogy turned out however. I'd hoped Luke, at least, might last longer in the series. I guess we'll see what the end verdict will be there given how often we still see Yoda despite his death (and he's proved just how powerful he still is despite essentially being a ghost in this latest installment).