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Monday, April 25, 2011

A to Z Challenge - U - and Movie to Avoid...

For the A to Z Challenge, I am featuring some awesome bloggers. These individuals have offered so much support of my book, CassaStar, and me on my blogger journey. Of course, I’ll be keeping up with the world of movies, music, and pop culture stuff as well! Ninjas are just talented that way...


Under the Tiki Hut
Carol flies in under the radar sometimes, but she’s always there when you need her. Her Top Ten Fridays are a perfect way to cap off the week with a smile. So grab a drink and hang out Under the Tiki Hut for a while.


Movie Review – Skyline

Was it REALLY as bad as everyone claimed? YES!

As expected, it started with the invasion and then switched to a little backstory. While this was an issue with most reviewers, it wasn’t long or annoying. Bland characters are introduced and we’re back to our invasion.

At this point, I think it’ll be all right. Not great, but watchable. But as the movie progresses, the ineptness of the writing took over.

Alien invasion films have been done very well before (War of the Worlds, Independence Day) and there was zero originality to the plot. While some of the effects were cool, the plot focused more on the bland characters trapped in the penthouse. Now, if you’re going to do this kind of story (like Battle: Los Angeles or Cloverfield) that aspect of the plot (and the characters) must be strong and riveting. Unfortunately for us, that’s Skyline’s weakest feature.

There’s many, many plot contrivances and situations that occur for no reason. (Immediately after the invasion begins - “We need to get to the Marina and get on a boat – the aliens aren’t over water yet!” WHAT?!) And there are long lulls of nothing. I was bored! An alien invasion film shouldn’t be boring. And it has two endings (as in the last five minutes felt very tacked-on), neither of which is satisfying – as if the writers had no clue how to end this mess.

What’s sad is producers greenlit this movie for a large release while overlooking Monsters, which was a thousand times better.

If you’re still curious, at least I warned you! It’s bad. And not even stupid-fun bad like Sharktopus.

Now that’s bad!

And just two more days to vote for my book trailer at You Gotta Read Videos!
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70 comments:

  1. Jo Schaffer LaytonApril 25, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    If it's lame--I'll PASS. (=

    ReplyDelete
  2. LisaApril 25, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    I'll wait for my sons' review, if it is good to them, then it is good to me :)

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  3. Old KittyApril 25, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Oh no!! I can't have Cap'n Ninja Alex bored!!! :-(

    What you need is a rum cocktail in a coconut with a banana and a little pink parasol Under the Tiki Hut! Off we go! Take care
    x

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  4. PK HREZOApril 25, 2011 at 4:49 AM

    Too bad. WHat a shame. I hate it when peeps ruin a potentially good story idea.

    Thanks for saving me the time of seeing it. Crossing this one off the list.

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  5. GrandpaApril 25, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    Thanks for the forewarning Alex, I hate bad movies.

    Grandpa
    Life on The Farm

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  6. LindsayApril 25, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Thanks for the warning. I was going to get this on DVD, but I chose Monsters instead. Glad I did now :)

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  7. RickyApril 25, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    Ha Ha. You were even more scathing than I was about Skyline.

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  8. S.A. LarsenッApril 25, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    Thanks for the review. It sucks when you spend time watching a movie and it bites. We watched a movie yesterday that was so bad I don't even remember the name. The plot was all over the place and the scenes were so broken up, it was way too hard to follow. :)

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  9. B. MillerApril 25, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    SO pleased I listened to my gut feeling and stayed away from Skyline... thanks for taking one for the team, Alex!

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  10. Alex J. CavanaughApril 25, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Kitty, that sounds a thousand times better!

    Pk, it really fell flat.

    Lindsay, wise choice!

    Ric, I can handle an okay movie, but this one just really bombed.

    Salarsen, I know! That's two hours we'll never get back.

    B, I'm a movie trooper!

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  11. George Beremov [Nebular]April 25, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    "Skyline" was incredibly dull, but it had great CGIs though.

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  12. mooderinoApril 25, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Did you see District 9 or Battle for LA? Just wondering what you thought of them.

    mood
    Moody Writing

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  13. Heather M. GardnerApril 25, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    Ugh! Over water? Where will you re-supply? What is wrong with people? I can't stand that! Gun store with a nearby supermarket. Dig underground tunnel.

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  14. Elizabeth Spann CraigApril 25, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Sounds like a stinky movie!

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  15. SharleneTApril 25, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    There's an age when Skyline would work for its audience, Alex. That age is when the options are films on how to make your colon work efficiently or the harmful effects of too much salt in your diet... Of course, I'm not there, yet, and can still choose many others. Thanks for the heads up.

    Hello, fellow A-Z Challenger! Here's my latest entry. Come visit either of my blogs when you can and leave some comment love:

    T is for Troubador http://bit.ly/erG2AF

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  16. Laura EnoApril 25, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Carol is the nicest person with a wonderful blog!
    I'd heard it was a terrible movie. Thanks for confirming it!

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  17. Ellie GarrattApril 25, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    I bought the DVD and Mr. G made me take it back before we opened it. LOL. He showed me all the bad reviews!

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  18. Chris PhillipsApril 25, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I thought Battle of LA looked as bad as Skyline, was it any good? I wasn't crazy over Monsters. District 9 was amazing though.

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  19. Sarah AhiersApril 25, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    we made the mistake of seeing skyline in theaters. Sigh. What a waste of money. It's clear it was just made by effects guys because the plotting is horrible and the characters just run around like chickens with their heads off. And then the ending - WTF??! WORST ENDING EVAH!!!

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  20. Summer FreyApril 25, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    No thanks. I did see Arthur over the weekend though, and really enjoyed it! Now I'm just waiting for Thor. :)

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  21. LTMApril 25, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    was it really as bad as everyone said... *snort* :D

    I watched Twister yesterday afternoon. Is it as bad as THAT? ;p

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  22. Hart JohnsonApril 25, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Carol is fabulous!

    And I agree with your assessment of Skyline. Son and I watched it a couple weekends ago and it was pretty lame.

    Leigh--worse than Twister--Twister had some redeeming features.

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  23. RHYTHM AND RHYMEApril 25, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Great post as always.
    I take it you enjoyed the movie,

    Yvonne.

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  24. HuntressApril 25, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    IMHO, sci-fi movies don't have the quality they used to have.

    One of the best alien movies was, er, Alien. That ending was logical and scary as hell.
    Aliens was excellent also but 3 & 4, eh, not so much.

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  25. Matthew MacNishApril 25, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    I'm glad I have you to filter out the bad movies for me, Alex!

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  26. UnknownApril 25, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    The very final scene and the images behind the closing credits seemed like potentially original ideas - the previous 2 hours was just so numbingly bad it didn't matter.

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  27. Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague SikesApril 25, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Thanks for letting us know what to avoid!

    I'll check out Carol and the Tiki Hut later...

    Monti
    NotesAlongTheWay

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  28. Carol KilgoreApril 25, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Thanks for the mention of Under the Tiki Hut :)

    And for the Skyline warning.

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  29. M.J. FifieldApril 25, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Sharktopus- now THAT's a great movie.

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  30. Author Joshua HoytApril 25, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Thanks for the headsup

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  31. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    LOL, yeah I suspected this movie was bad.

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  32. DafeenahApril 25, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Thanks for the warning. I am not a fan of alien invasion movies to start with so I am certain this one would not be something I would enjoy watching.

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  33. EllaApril 25, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Thanks for not sugar coating it; I hate to waste time on a boring, snore flick! Off to the Tiki Hut; it is 79 already at my house...!

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  34. Arlee BirdApril 25, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    That's sad--I was looking forward to Skyline.


    Hope you join us in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post on Monday May 2nd.
    Lee

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  35. Alex J. CavanaughApril 25, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Nebular, the creatures were cool.

    Mood, District 9 was good, Battle: Los Angeles even better.

    Heather, you should've written the script!

    Sharlene, thanks for the laugh!!

    Ellie, he saved you!

    Chris, I reviewed Battle: Los Angeles a while back - it was really good. I thought District 9 was good but overhyped.

    Sarah, I remember you saying you went to see it - I know, the ending sucked!

    LTM, oh no, Twister was good!

    Huntress, Aliens is one of my favorite movies of all time.

    Matthew, it's my job!

    Charles, you summed it up well.

    Dafeenah, it would turn you off alien movies forever...

    Ella, it's getting warm here...

    Lee, really - don't bother. Save yourself!

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  36. AngelaApril 25, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    "Was it REALLY as bad as everyone claimed? YES!"

    Love your honesty.

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  37. Mary@GigglesandGunsApril 25, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I was passing on this before and will talk the family out of it now.

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  38. N4M3L3SSApril 25, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    im a super nerd, i liked it

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  39. Summer RossApril 25, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Hey there- stopping by for a quick hello- I haven't even heard of the movie but thanks for letting me know about it. Have a fairy great Monday!

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  40. SouthpawApril 25, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    I love Carol. She was one of my very first followers.

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  41. Glynis Peters April 25, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Catching up on your posts. You linked to some great blogs.

    If these are boring films, I will not mention them to DH. He falls asleep in front of good ones! LOL

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  42. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Holy crap, Skyline was awful. I actually paid money to see it, but what I regret the most is the time I wasted sitting there in the theater. And the lobotomy. I haven't been the same since.

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  43. BTN Hip HopApril 25, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    i think ill skip out on skyline

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  44. Alex J. CavanaughApril 25, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Angela, I call them as I see them!

    Holly, she's a special lady.

    Glynis, he wouldn't last five minutes into Skyline.

    Milo, maybe there's help for both of us.

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  45. RHYTHM AND RHYMEApril 25, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Many thanks Alex for leaving a lovely comment, well we're on the home straight now of the challenge and boy what a challenge it's been.

    Yvonne.

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  46. Golden EagleApril 25, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    I do believe I'll be staying away from Skyline. :P

    Carol's Top Ten Friday posts are some of my favorites!

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  47. Karen LangeApril 25, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Thanks for the heads up on the movie. Can't believe that the Challenge is almost over!

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  48. ~Sia McKye~April 25, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    I noticed that one at the Video store and considered it but if it bored you I know I'd not watch it.

    This weekend, with the rain, was a movie weekend. I did pick up one animated I like, uh...Something Minds, made me giggle. Harry Potter was very dark and left me feeling...not satisfied. Did love The Kings Speech. I watched The Patriot again. Love the way they handled the villain in that one. I wrote about it in my post today. I'd like to see Avatar and Independence Day again.

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  49. N. R. WilliamsApril 25, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    I agree, Carol is great. I'll take your word for it and skip that movie. On the subject of entertainment, do you watch 'The Event,' on NBC. It's really good, but like 'Lost' you have to see it from the beginning.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.

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  50. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comApril 25, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    At least we got to read your enjoyable review about a lousy movie. Thanks for saving everyone the trouble and $7 (plus $2.50 for popcorn).
    xoRobyn

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  51. CopyboyApril 25, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    I'm still groaning over 3.11.11. haha. Some nice Us today. Love this A to Z thing.

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  52. UnknownApril 25, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Ah - now I know not to go and see that one. I have a feeling your review was better than the movie. Off to check the new blog...
    Sue

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  53. M PaxApril 25, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Wow, must be bad.

    Roadkill on Syfy was horrible. I didn't make it past the 20 minute mark. So, you can avoid that one, too.

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  54. Alex J. CavanaughApril 25, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    Yvonne, this year's been a stretch!

    Golden, her top ten's are the best!

    Sia, you beat me for movies this weekend! And Harry Potter WAS dark.

    Nancy, I tried to watch it, but just couldn't get into it.

    Robyn, $2.50 for popcorn? Where?!

    Lauracea, my review might be better!

    MPax, some of theirs aren't even fun-bad.

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  55. baygirl32April 25, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    So I'll scratch that on out..

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  56. LauraApril 25, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    See - I didn't think it was as bad as all the reviews, because that would have meant that there was something to actually dislike about it - I didn't care enough to get any dislike going - it was just bleugh! But the end(s) - how bloomin ridiculous.

    I love Monsters though - genious film - though the 'Making of" on the DVD is actually longer than the film itself!
    Lxxx

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  57. Jeff BeeslerApril 25, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    You've done a public service by warning us to steer clear of this flick, Alex. Thanks for the heads up!

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  58. TMWHickmanApril 25, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Bad movies are what Mystery Science Theater were all about!

    I saw the trailer for Skyline and immediately said that it was a bad movie. I'm glad my spidey-sense was working that day!

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  59. UnknownApril 25, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Under the Tiki Hut sounds flipping amazing!!!!


    Yikes! When I hear that you didn't even like it that makes me not want to see it.

    I realize that made it sound like your choice in movies was hideous... on the contrary I look up to your reviews!!

    PS - What did you think of Insidious?

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  60. Alex J. CavanaughApril 25, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    Laura, Monsters was awesome. We haven't watched the 'making of' yet though.

    Jeffrey, I'm here to save the movie-going public!

    Not Another - you got it! Long live MST3K!!

    Jen, I never got a chance to see that one.

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  61. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyApril 25, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    really? you thought Monsters was better than Skyline? I thought they were both terrible. I didn't mind Skyline until the end. I could forgive the boring characters and plot contrivances because I wasn't expecting much. I just couldn't forgive the ending. Terrible. Terrible.

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  62. Lydia KangApril 25, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Love visiting the Tiki Hut!

    Thanks for the review. Sounds like I'll pass then.

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  63. The Man-CaveApril 25, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Wow... I totally forgot that this film was released. I remember that I saw a few commercials but I forgot it soon after. Guess I see why now. And poor Sharktopus is the butt of every joke now. Ha!

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  64. AnonymousApril 26, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    I'm glad I didn;t spend the twelve bucks to see it. Or the five dollars for the rental. Thanks for the review.

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  65. SueApril 26, 2011 at 1:58 AM

    I think I'll stick with Dr Who! Sue@JumpingAground (Alliteration & drabbles)
    Sue@traverselife(Workplace bullying)

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  66. Alex J. CavanaughApril 26, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Geoff, it deserves to be the brunt of every joke! Although Skyline was worse. Really!

    Stephen, save your money.

    Sue, wise choice!

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  67. 50 foot QEApril 26, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Thanks for the heads up.
    I don't go out to the movies much but when I do, I want it to be worthwhile.

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  68. Mary AalgaardApril 26, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Thanks for sacrificing 2 hours of your time to warn us about a dreary movie. That just gets my dander up! Why does Hollywood waist their time and money on regurgitation when so many original creative writers are just dying for a chance to be accepted?!

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  69. Donea LeeApril 26, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Haven't had the pleasure of watching "Sharktopus" yet...but, I can just imagine... *shakes of weird images* So, if Skyline is worse? Wow. Thanks for x-ing a movie off my list! :)

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  70. Karen M. PetersonApril 26, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    I am totally amazed at how you you read blogs that fit in with every letter of the alphabet.

    And thanks for the review. Wasn't planning to see this movie, but now it's definitely not going to happen. Some movies are awesomely bad and still fun to watch. This just sounds awful.

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