Resident Evil

Having no history with the game series, I don't mind any discontinuities or breaks from lore that might disturb long-time fans.  Furthermore, I can tolerate the budget allocation typical of survival horror.  What I dislike, though, is poor casting - with several characters just plain wrong for their role - and Michelle Rodriguez cast solely for her ability to roll her eyes up into her head.

Still, the rest of the series awaits...

Resident Evil
2002, 101 minutes, directed by Paul Anderson

28 Weeks Later

I really wanted to like this.  The first film was a notably different take on zombies, and I thought a sequel could further explore the premise.

Instead the writers decided to use heavy-handed oafs from the U.S. military to do stereotypical, stupid, blundering U.S. military things, while the protagonists are slowly picked off one by one.  What a waste.

28 Weeks Later
2007, 99 minutes, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

Gamer

I'm not sure I approve of all the casting choices, but as a violent action film it hits all its marks.

Gamer
2009, 95 minutes, directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor

Urchin

The director of this film spent too much effort on the opening credits, and not enough on acting, dialog, and sound editing.  Premise aside, the rest is just nonsensical.  I can watch low-grade film.  I can watch low-budget film.  I won't watch this again.

Urchin
2007, 108 minutes, directed by John Harlacher

Legion

You know, this wasn't all that bad.  Sure, the religious stuff is over the top, but that's part of the premise.  Yes, the special effects budget was too low - a few big monsters but most just shambling extras - but the action is decent, the story consistent, the acting okay.

If you watch B grade action, check it out.

Legion
2010, 100 minutes, directed by Scott Charles Stewart

The Color of Magic (Part Two) "The Light Fantastic"

Much more of the second-half of this film involves scenes filled with darkness and impending red doom, but Rincewind and Twoflower make their way to their destinies.

Overall this was a good translation of the stories.  As funny, no, but as a new way to discover (or rediscover) Terry Pratchett, it works well.

The Color of Magic (Part Two) "The Light Fantastic"
2006, 95 minutes, directed by Vadim Jean

Princess of Mars

I've stayed away from the John Carter novel series, because, to put it frankly, it seems a little cheesy.  That said, no sci fi film is too cheesy for me, and thus here I am.

This straight-to-video classic details John Carter's first adventures on Mars, here updated to be a planet in a nearby star system, where he's sent by the CIA after suffering mortal wounds in Afghanistan.  The rest of the film, though, feels straight out of the 1950s, with rubber suits, bad acting, and broken plots.  It's about as I expected.

Princess of Mars
2009, 93 minutes, directed by Mark Atkins