SPACE STATION 76

Patrick Wilson as the captain

SPACE STATION 76 (2014). Director: Jack Plotnick.

On the Omega 76 fueling station, inter-relationships between the characters seem to take precedence over any sci fi action when newcomer Jessica (Liv Tyler of Dr. T and the Women) comes aboard. Captain Glenn (Patrick Wilson of Watchmen), who is in the closet, is upset by the departure of his lover Dan, who tells him that he is sick of the way Glenn has to get drunk to get it on and always collapses into tears afterward. Ted (Matt Bomer of Superman: Unbound) is married to Misty (Marisa Coughlan), who is having an affair with shipmate, Steve (Jerry O'Connell), who is also married. Ted and Misty have a young daughter, Sunshine (Kylie Rogers), who roams the ship, bored and boring. Jessica and Ted are drawn to one another even as the captain attempts suicide more than once. Finally there's a confrontation towards the end which very briefly wakes up the sleeping audience ... Space Station 76 has been called a comedy-drama [if only!] but it is neither funny (aside from one quick bit) nor dramatic (ditto) and descends into tedium fairly quickly. Wilson and Bomer give the best performances; Tyler is also good even if her collagen-type lips and Joan Crawford shoulders are a distraction. Ted has an artificial hand and Steve puts his mother-in-law in suspended animation and carts her around like luggage. The conceit of the film is that it takes place in the future but everything supposedly has a 1970s ambiance, although the water beds in the cabins are perhaps the only thing that ever gets this across. It's hard to believe that people actually spent time and money turning this screenplay into a movie. Calling it "minor" is an understatement; it's like a bad sitcom or TV sketch without jokes. The best scene has a huge computer-type asteroid nearly smashing the space station -- no such luck.

Verdict: Maybe a laugh track would have helped. *1/2.

SUPERMAN: UNBOUND

Brainiac versus Superman

SUPERMAN: UNBOUND (made for video/2013). Director: James Tucker.

Based on a graphic novel, this full-length animated feature details Superman and Supergirl's battle with the alien villain Brainiac, who shrinks and steals cities from around the galaxy; Supergirl's home town Kandor is now in a bottle on his spaceship, which is actually an extension of himself. [Brainiac first appeared in more human form in Superman comics of the silver age.] Sub-plots have to do with Supergirl's fear over going into combat with the powerful alien. as well as Clark Ken'ts relationship with Lois Lane, which the two are keeping secret [leading one character to suggest that Kent is gay in a stupid bit]. Superman has a fierce, final battle with Brainiac while Supergirl handles a deadly missile. Superman: Unbound has fluid animation and is typically colorful, but there's nothing very impressive about it, either. Certainly this isn't terrible but it doesn't have the quality nor the interesting storyline of Superman vs. The Elite. Matt Bomer is fine as Superman/Clark Kent.

Verdict: Disappointing comic book adaptation. **1/2.