Project Hail Mary

Outstanding offering based on Andy Weir's book by the same name. A mysterious alien "infection" is plaguing the sun and siphoning energy away. Which means that within <50 years, catastrophic environmental system collapse change life on earth. In a remarkable (and likely utopian view of the goodness of humanity) all countries on earth collaborate to find a solution. Yes, there are some science fiction stretches in this story, but "global collaboration" is the most unbelievable part of the entire thing. What ends up happening is a massive effort to use the "alien infection" as a fuel source for an interstellar investigative flight to a system that is also infected but for some reason has reached homeostasis. There are a lot of surprises and fun moments along the way, which you should see or read (or both). For me, the most fun in this entire tale comes with the 'cynical realism' of a stereotypical scientist/engineer. The background dialogue give Murderbot vibes, which I also love. 

5 stars (out of 5)

Murderbot (serial)

Season 1

An outstanding interpretation of the Murderbot books by Martha Wells. This season is based on her first entry in the series, All Systems Red. The titular protagonist is SecUnit, a cyber/organic creation with a governor chip that has been hacked (meaning the SecUnit is independent of human control). He is trying to stay under the radar (since independence is illegal), but his current assignment as Security Unit for the survey team of "The Preservationist Society" makes it hard. They recognize the sentience of robots, and are consensus decision making, anti-violence, world explorers that are quirky enough to see through his non-traditional behavior. The shining piece of this portrayal is that the irreverence and cynicism of the SecUnit are spot on with the tone created by Wells. I am all in on the book series and more seasons. Can't get enough. 

5 stars (out of 5)

Skeleton Crew (serial)

Set in the star wars universe, four kids accidentally find a space ship and launch it into hyper space. Turns out they have become the owners of a pirate ship, and have no idea how to get back to their home planet of At Attin, since it is largely an galactic myth - rumored to hold endless wealth. The kids have to grow up quickly, learn to trust each other and find a way home. Quite fun. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Atlas

J Lo as a badass action hero nerd robot scientist. Her mom created general artificial intelligence, which led to a global battle between humans and machines. The chief machine (first created being) left the planet to regroup. Now the battle resumes. Kind of a cross between terminator and pacific rim. 

3 stars (out of 5)

The Bad Batch (serial)

Season 3

This is one of the best Star Wars series, IMO. Omega got captured at the end of last season, and opens in prison on a secret planet. The season goal is to rescue Omega and learn more about why she is so important. We get a little bit of info about project necromancer, but really I feel like I am only a part time fan and that a true fan already knows the whole story, with dialogue droppings functioning as easter eggs. Regardless, great story, pacing and characters.

5 stars (out of 5) 

Halo (serial)

Season 2

Following up the first season, Master Chief and his group of spartans is trying to stay one step ahead of the Covenant. This season is more about exploring the humanity of John-117, and uncovering the connection he has with the Halo. We get the humanity, and the spartan mystique wears thin. But we end with just as much mystery at the end -- which makes a good serial. Thoroughly enjoyed this

4 stars (out of 5)

Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3

I didn't want to like this movie. I am saturated on Marvel and have not really got into the last several. And on the surface, this is a manufactured plot for the sole purpose of showing the Guardians at their best. And it is done well. In short, Rocket is the subject of an attempted retrieval by his maker. The Guardians spend the entire movie rescuing him. We get flashbacks about who Rocket his and his backstory. I enjoyed the process, and a vast improvement over vol. 2. I will say, my favorite character is Cosmo with his good dog/bad dog routine. So on point. 

4 stars (out of 5)

65

65 million years ago and alien species that happens to have evolved exactly like humans is exploring space. Adam Driver is a pilot of a transport ship that hits an asteroid that then crashes into earth. Did I say 65 million years ago... when a catastrophic asteroid collision was an extinction level event? So Driver and his only living passenger (who happens to look like his daughter) travel through 15 km of the end of the Cretaceous period to get to an escape pod before said extinction level event ushers in the Cenozoic. A few jump scares interspersed with attempts at heartfelt connection and meaning. While I am definitely looking for original content (tiring of the franchise), this is mediocre at best.

3 stars (out of 5)

Star Wars: Visions (serial)

Season 1

A series of animated shorts that fill out the star wars universe. The first season are all anime produced by Japanese studios. There is no running theme through this set, but each in independently a showcase for what storytellers can do in a well developed world. I will say, if you only watch one, watch Season 1, Episode 1. One of the most creative and visually interesting portrayals I have seen. Loved it...

4 stars (out of 5)

Passengers

This has been on my list for a long time and never came available on any of my services. A colony ship is in transit to a remote planet. This planet is far away (100 years travel, ship already traveling at 50% speed of light {don't get me started}). All the passengers and crew are in bio-hibernation for the duration of the trip, with the ship itself auto-piloting, auto-repairing, etc. Traveling through an asteroid field at some point overloads the shields, causes a failure and wakes up one passenger, Chris Pratt. After over a year of living alone and nearly ending his life, he wakes up another passenger Jennifer Lawrence, having fell in love with her bio. They live happily ever after... actually, the psychological impact of effectively being sentences to a living death by the only other person in your universe is sort of address. But then bigger problems come around and the entire ship needs to be saved. I don't think this film knew what it wanted to be. A dark psychological trauma/relationship film, or a space action film. It tries to do both, so does neither excellently. But to be fair, does both adequately.

3 stars (out of 5)

The InHumans (serial)

A human-like, yet genetically unique species lives in their city on the moon. It is protected by a shield that keeps atmosphere in and the humans from discovering the city. These InHumans also get special powers as part of a genetic modification program that they undergo at a coming of age ceremony. With this background, the royal family is ejected to the earth as part of a coup and they must fight the usurper while discovering all that is good about humans while on earth. A moderately good comic story that probably did everything it needed to in its one season.

3 stars (out of 5)

The Mandalorian (serial)

Season 3

Din Djarin and Grogu spend this season helping the diaspora Mandalorians retake Mandalor. This season is a better full season single story. Every episode had purpose. Djarin is no longer trying to get rid of the kid, but training him. Didn't really care for the Jack Black/Lizzo episode (gave me Jar Jar vibes). Otherwise, great episodic space opera.

5 stars (out of 5)

The Bad Batch (serial)

Season 2

This animated series is the best thing in the Star Wars universe right now. Picking up where Season 1 left off, the crew of clones continues to work as mercenaries, trying to stay neutral and make enough money to not be beholden to anyone. Turns out that is difficult as the Empire grows stronger and the defeated Republic becomes more and more rebel based. Add to the mix that Omega is part of the crew as a teenage girl batch 99 clone who is somehow important to the empire. I love the reality of "just getting by" paired with the struggle for when to get involved when injustice is really everywhere. 

5 stars (out of 5)

Avatar

Perhaps in preparation for the sequel, perhaps because I was just tired of all the series I am watching, Avatar was the late night diversion. I didn't remember the story at all from the first viewing, but only had a recollection of the vivid use of 3D depth. Clearly watching it on the small screen of my computer was not going to compare, so the story had better be good. But it really isn't that good, or that novel. In fact, characters are pretty predictable and lacking depth. 

2nd time around 2 stars (out of 5)

Andor (serial)

TBH, I was expecting Ewoks. It took two episodes for me to realize Andor was the main character and not the planet we were going to be centered on. Once I got over that preconception, this is a good series, providing good backstory on pre-rebellion galaxy. Andor is a bit lucky (as all good heroes must be I guess) and this was good enough that I stopped part way through to watch Rogue One again (and it gave me some reason to care). 

4 stars (out of 5)

The Bad Batch (serial)

Animated series following squad 99, a group of clone soldiers who had their dominant clone traits enhanced, making them both fierce warriors and slightly glitchy and unreliable. This series take place just as the Republic falls and the Empire is being set up. The clones, who had been fighting for the Republic now have no home as the Empire is phasing them out for "loyal humans". Pretty fun episodic storytelling where we get to know the characters and the difficulties of clone life. I would say more character development here that with Obi-wan...

4 stars (out of 5)

Obi-wan (serial)

Obi-wan is hiding from the Imperial Jedi purge. But when young Leia is in trouble (kidnapped to draw him out) he gets drawn out. Kinda basic in terms of story telling, not really adding much depth to the character or the world. If this was a book, it would be a summer beach read.

3 stars (out of 5)

Star Trek: Discovery (serial)

Seasons 1-3

Don't know why this has taken so long for me to get to, but really a pretty good series that is well in line with the "discovery and exploration" vibe that I liked about ToS and TNG. Obviously some technology timeline issues, but really an interesting series. The protagonist is Michael Burnham, foster sister to Spock, and the action take place a decade before ToS. Burnham is not a captain, and yet is in the middle of every galaxy changing event - from war with the Klingons to super-sentient life hating AI to faster than warp travel to time travel. All while staying true to the prime directive and core values of Starfleet. Two things that I find worth noting: 1) I am much more cognizant of the colonial underpinnings of Starfleet and how even in its best self, the true believers in colonial power for good are blinded to the oppression that comes with it, and 2) The title music is definitely a rip-off of the Game of Thrones title music. 

4 stars (out of 5)

The Book of Boba Fett (serial)

Having been introduced in The Madalorian season 2, we now get a series just for Boba, but not really. It is 1/3 Boba back story, 1/3 Boba where are you now and 1/3 Mandalorian. Still all pretty good. I don't really buy the idea of Boba Fett settling down and being the benevolent overlord on Tatooine, but I am not sure that believable is really the goal here. Mildly entertaining, somewhat of a stop gap until something more interesting comes along.

2 stars (out of 5)

Star Trek: Picard (serial)

Season 1

Having retired from Starfleet, Picard is enjoying growing winegrapes on his farm in Napa. Until he is drawn into a life & death struggle between good and evil. This is a pretty good story, but relies a bit too much on the nostalgia, with cameo appearance by most of the former crew and enemies. In the end, Picard is fighting for his friend Data and all sentient machines (who have been outlawed by the way). I think if you were not a fan of TNG, this will largely be a flat offering. Maybe that audience is large enough.

3 stars (out of 5)