Change Your Image
ffedarko
Reviews
Against the Wind (1978)
A classic view into the colonization and early history of Australia.
Many have already sung the praises of this wonderful miniseries. So I can add nothing but my high regard for the production values, the score, and the actors performances in "Against the Wind." The opening lines and music are forever etched in my memory. I saw it when it was broadcast on the British TV channel in Hong Kong while I was active duty USAF on assignment in Japan. The series illuminated a period in world history about which I knew very little. As with so many other viewers, I was captivated by how well the episodes drew you into the lives portrayed on screen. For those interested in the DVD version of the series, I found a collectors edition disc on Amazon many years ago. EMI produced it in Australia circa 2006. This DVD may still be available on Amazon. Be advised that it was formatted to play only in the Australian region. So you'd need an Aussie-made player or an all-region player to watch it. Hope you find it!
10,000 BC (2008)
It's a movie, not a documentary.
As escapist entertainment fare goes, I found this movie quite acceptable. If I wanted historical or paleontological accuracy, I'd have watched something on NatGeo or the Smithsonian Channel. The FX were quite arresting. I liked the intersection of alien visitors, an Ice Age pre-Egyptian society, and a multilevel romance all rolled into one story. Camilla Belle alone was worth the price of admission! The acting wasn't Oscar-worthy, but adequate to tell the tale in a satisfyingly engaging way. Roland Emmerich isn't a John Ford. But his work is entertaining like a favorite book for reading on the beach. I've watched this one more often than Independence Day.
Behemoth the Sea Monster (1959)
Entertaining but Inaccurate
Interesting concept, an irradiated dinosaur making an appearance after an absence of millions of years. But inaccuracies like an essentially land creature hiding in the ocean depths or its power to radiate like an eel detracts from its qualifications as sci fi.
NOTE: There is an error in the Behemoth's Quotes section. The one attributed to the Doctor about his fearing what disease the creature has brought belongs in the article for "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms."
Island City (1994)
Movie review and desire to own it.
This movie was one that my daughter and I enjoyed watching when it first came out. Not the best of sci-fi. But as a lot of reviewers have cited, I agree that it had great potential to become a series of 20th century morality tales similar to what Star Trek offered in the late '60s. There were so many aspects of pitfalls of society coping with science gone bad and its impact on people's lives, social institutions, relationships, and morality. Also enjoyed seeing Brenda Strong, Eric McCormack, and Constance Marie early in their careers. We were sorry that the show didn't get a chance to develop its potential.
Would love to find out where I can pick up a copy of the movie!