Carrie (2002)

It seems pointless remaking a film that was perfect the first time around, but when it’s a pilot for a planned TV series (that didn't surface) it makes viewing it a little easier. Its limitations and reliance on TV conventions are clear to see, but one thing saves it: Angela Bettis. She’s fantastic. She does awkwardly withdrawn and vulnerable wonderfully. She’s no Sissy Spacek but she’s the next best thing.
Using the same source novel means some of the dialogue is identical to the previous film version. When it adds new scenes it avoids the kind of irritating teen-speak that plagues modern horror movies; I applaud it for that. It also adds some things from the novel that were missing before.

2½ police reports out of 5

Star Trek: Generations (1994)

Captains Kirk and Picard in the same film? Oh my!
Don’t analyse the plot too much or you’ll be screaming at the screen. It involves a man with a singular objective who must be stopped and, of course, it falls to the Enterprise crew to stop him. The emotional side, exploring family and duty, is handled clumsily and irritatingly twee. That part of it should've been rewritten prior to shooting. It never feels like a feature film, more like an extended episode with some moody lighting, so non-Trek fans need not apply.

3 arguments with history out of 5