Keith McConnell

It's very easy for people like me who have been alive only a bit longer than the band has existed to take this group for granted. This film makes clear that this is a mistake. Led Zeppelin's music has always just been there and, for several decades, has usually be heard on substandard sound systems. I honestly hadn't given it a serious listen in years. The live situations shown in the movie demonstrate that this band's performance level was second to none and, in my mind, puts an end to the debate over who rocks greatest drummer is. They were playing rock, but the level of communication onstage is more like jazz. These guys had huge ears and didn't miss a note of what the others were doing. Truly inspiring musicianship. I saw this in IMAX format, which was great because this is music that is supposed to be played loud. What I liked most about the film was the band itself. During their early years, the lads avoided all the pitfalls recounted in most music biopics. The surviving members are lovely modest gentlemen who seem to still be friends just like they were at the beginning. In all the old photos, everyone is smiling. No monster egos, just clarity of vision, surpassing skill, lots of hard work and preparation, and very solid business sense: a triumph by people who knew what they were doing. I left feeling refreshed.

I am enjoying SNW. The return to the classic episodic style is most welcome, and I think the casting is mostly good (jury still out on Jim Kirk; he’s growing on me). They’ve gone a bit too far with “emotions” for my taste, but maybe they are trying to court a demographic other than dudes who debuted the same year TOS did. They are poking a lot of fun at Spock and his emotions and are maybe overdoing it. This storyline kind of undermines those rare and special moments in first-gen Trek when Spock unexpectedly reveals himself. The musical episode was hilarious and very well done (props to the composers), but perhaps they should have left it until the series was better established. Overall, it’s a good-natured show with an optimistic focus on science, exploration, and friendship—the qualities that made the franchise great in the first place. I hope they keep it going for the traditional seven seasons. Edit: Rewatching in preparation for Season 3, and I’ve decided this is just plain good Trek. I hope it gets the full seven seasons.

I guess I’m a dissenter among the ranks of mostly positive reviewers, but I don’t get the hype. This film shares a lot with Luc Besson’s lamer efforts, featuring lots of stilted dialog, contrived circumstances, unfunny cheap shots at Americans, and lots of exposition. The first half of the film plays like it was financed by the Bruges Board of Tourism, with Brendan Gleeson signed on as their chief spokesman. The second half picks up a bit, but it’s still a big, cringeworthy bore. That this screenplay was considered worthy of awards is a mystery to me. I’d give this film one star, but Bruges itself helps carry the film.

I was pretty disappointed when I heard they were making a fourth installment, as Toy Story 3 offered such elegant closure. A further sequel just seemed like another Cars 2 Disney money grab. Then I saw the movie. I don’t know what to say other than that this is the best movie franchise ever.

Fantastic. I bought season one and gave up after a few episodes. After a while I came back to it, and man I’m glad I did. This show punches way above its weight, demonstrates some real creativity, and sports a terrific cast portraying characters you can really care about. Each season’s predicament is unique and engaging. I’d like to say I wish it had gone on longer, but I think they wrapped it at just the right time. Highly recommended, especially for people interested in well thought-out explorations of post-apocalyptic scenarios.