The Backlog Check-In Vol. 446: 7/18/26: Splatoon Raiders Edition

[canedaddy]

Project Hail Mary: A bit of a slow start, but well worth it. Really enjoyed this one, it was a great feel-good original sci-fi flick. I say original, I know it was based on a book, but it wasn't based on a well-worn IP or a sequel to anything. Ryan Gosling does a great job of carrying the movie while being alone with a creature that doesn't speak for most of the runtime. It starts in the middle of things, and then fills in the backstory through flashbacks. I probably could have done with a few less flashbacks, but I feel like that's nitpicking. I'd still give the movie 5/5 stars and recommend it to any sci-fi fans.

Furious: This movie credits 4 people with writing the script, which is hard to believe since it's a pretty straightforward plot and the main character is a mute. It also credits one man with directing the action scenes, which is even harder to believe because they are absolutely mind-blowingly insane. Do you like Asian action movies? Watch this. The fight choreography is just nuts throughout the movie; we were constantly being shocked by what they managed to pull off in the incredibly fast-paced fight scenes. And it all culminates in a 5-man fight at the end of the movie that is one of the wildest fight scenes I have ever seen. You don't need a plot when there's this much ass getting kicked. 5/5 stars.

Putting both of them on my to-watch (a long list of movies that I'll probably never watch ).

We saw "Young Washington" last weekend (first time at a movie theater in a year or so) and it was great. Everyone in the audience applauded at the end, which I haven't seen in a long, long time.

[jfissel]

Project Hail Mary: A bit of a slow start, but well worth it. Really enjoyed this one, it was a great feel-good original sci-fi flick. I say original, I know it was based on a book, but it wasn't based on a well-worn IP or a sequel to anything. Ryan Gosling does a great job of carrying the movie while being alone with a creature that doesn't speak for most of the runtime. It starts in the middle of things, and then fills in the backstory through flashbacks. I probably could have done with a few less flashbacks, but I feel like that's nitpicking. I'd still give the movie 5/5 stars and recommend it to any sci-fi fans.

I enjoyed the book when it came out, have not seen the movie yet. Same writer as The Martian.

[argyle]

We saw "Young Washington" last weekend (first time at a movie theater in a year or so) and it was great. Everyone in the audience applauded at the end, which I haven't seen in a long, long time.

I had never even heard of this one, so I looked up a trailer and it looks great. This one is on my to-watch list now.

Project Hail Mary: A bit of a slow start, but well worth it. Really enjoyed this one, it was a great feel-good original sci-fi flick. I say original, I know it was based on a book, but it wasn't based on a well-worn IP or a sequel to anything. Ryan Gosling does a great job of carrying the movie while being alone with a creature that doesn't speak for most of the runtime. It starts in the middle of things, and then fills in the backstory through flashbacks. I probably could have done with a few less flashbacks, but I feel like that's nitpicking. I'd still give the movie 5/5 stars and recommend it to any sci-fi fans.

I enjoyed the book when it came out, have not seen the movie yet. Same writer as The Martian.

Oh, I didn't realize that - The Martian was a really good movie too.

I used to be a voracious reader when I was younger, but I just don't read anything anymore. I think the last thing I read was Ender's Game a few years back. I saw a trailer for a new Apple+ series coming in January based on Neuromancer, and I'd really like to read that one before then - we'll see.