Change Your Image
blondJasper
Reviews
ISRA 88 (2016)
That's two hours of my life wasted.
I saw this movie on the DVD rack at my local supermarket, and as I like space/sci-fi adventures, and it had a picture of the Space Shuttle on the cover,I spent £7 to buy it.Worst decision of the year by a long way!The vast majority of the running time consists of two astronauts wandering aimlessly around a set that looks like it was left over from a school play, and that's about it. Perhaps I missed something (I certainly didn't see the Space Shuttle at any time during the film) but as far as I could tell there is no plot other than a vague 'attempt to reach the edge of the universe' wherever,or whatever, that might be. I suspect the people responsible for this mess were trying to make some profound point about space, time, mankind, or some other deep concept but they have failed and the film is dull, pointless and totally without merit. If that hasn't put you off, I've got a second-hand DVD going cheap...
Panzer General (1994)
You could change history.
I have the ancient PS 1 version of this game which must be approaching its 20th birthday, but I still play it and enjoy it several times a year. It's not for anyone who likes fast-moving, real-time button-bashing type games, the animation is akin to a board game (which I think it originally was) but it really tests your powers of decision making and forward planning, and although military and historical knowledge help you to get the most from the game, they aren't strictly necessary. Starting with the invasion of Poland in September 1939, the player leads an increasingly large, experienced and well-equipped German army through Norway, Western Europe and the Soviet Union, and has the chance to see how history might have turned out if the Nazi war machine had triumphed on those occasions when, in reality, it failed, and for a very successful Panzer General player, the ultimate prize is the invasion and defeat of the USA in summer 1945. Be warned, to play the game in full will take perhaps 30 hours or more, so set aside two weekends for it, you will find it to be time well spent.
Gulag (1985)
Yes, it's anti-Soviet propaganda...that's the whole point.
After 30 years, this movie is obviously dated, but no more so than the much more numerous anti-Nazi propaganda films that are still seen today almost 70 years after Hitler's regime was wiped off the face of the Earth. When Gulag was made and first shown, there were, beyond any doubt, many thousands of prisoners in the USSR, large numbers of whom were arrested and imprisoned for their political or ideological opinions. Of course this was (and still is) the case in many other countries around the world, but when this movie was released, the USSR and its East European satellite states were the enemies of the USA and its allies, and however many clichés and inaccuracies the film contains, it was an entertaining and long-overdue look at one of the most unpleasant regimes of the 20th century, and a warning to all of us on both sides of the former Iron Curtain that we must ensure that Soviet Communism stays in the garbage can of history where it belongs.
The Falklands War (1992)
The definitive history.
This 4-part series,broadcast ten years after the events it depicted,stands without rival as the most comprehensive and informative history of the 1982 Falklands War.Perhaps little-known outside Britain and Argentina,this three-month war was significant for many reasons,and the series covers every aspect of it,from the decades of indifference and neglect by British politicians,to the turbulent military regime which governed Argentina and sought to use the invasion to divert attention from problems at home,to the brave young servicemen of both sides who fought and died in the Falkland Islands and the seas surrounding them. The series makes excellent use of archive footage as well as interviews with those who were there at the time,from senior politicians and military officers to combat veterans and Falkland Islanders themselves.Ten years is the ideal time interval for such a series,the interviewees are able to remember the events clearly and even the oldest of those involved were still alive and able to share their memories. As the war fades further into history,we still have this educational and well-produced series to remind us,and perhaps teach us a few lessons.
Executions (1995)
Horrifying beyond belief,but...
The makers of this film have very strongly held opinions on the subject of capital punishment,and I respect their right to express such opinions.However,they have thrown the baby out with the bath-water by claiming that execution is never appropriate in any circumstances.While it is undoubtedly true that many regimes have,over the centuries,misused capital punishment either by killing innocent people or by using harsh and cruel methods of execution,this is more of a reflection on these regimes and their leaders.Like many people throughout the world,I believe that for very serious crimes such as acts of terrorism,murder of children or so-called 'serial killing',a quick and humane execution should be one of the options available to a judge and his colleagues.The people who commit such acts were largely ignored in the film,with the emphasis being on mass executions to serve political or religious agendas,which is an unforgivable atrocity but has little to do with selective and humane judicial execution.
Power Play (1978)
Under-rated classic.
Why is this movie not better known,on the very rare occasions it's on British TV it's tucked away in the middle of the night and is dismissed in a few indifferent clichés by TV reviewers.I admit it's not the easiest movie to follow,the characters' names come from a bewildering variety of cultures,it's far from clear what part of the world the fictitious country is located (the Canadian locations could,at a pinch,pass for the Balkans/Eastern Europe) and the pace drags a little at times.However,these minor flaws are of little importance when you consider the excellent line-up of A-list stars who form the cast,the tense and most unusual subject matter and the absolutely savage twist,the scene with Hemmings and O'Toole in the recently-vacated Presidential palace is,or certainly should be,an all-time classic.There is a lesson there for anyone who thinks they have a simple answer to an intolerable situation,and overall the movie is thought-provoking and challenging as well as being great viewing.