Reviews

This is a fun tongue-in-cheek quasi-historical science fiction series. There are other series that duplicate and parallel including but not limited to "Eureka." Characters were exchanged with "Eureka" and "Warehouse 13."

With each adventure, the custodians of Warehouse 13 are challenged with a new form of evil that is bent on using the items in Warehouse 13 for some nefarious purpose. They must be identified and the threat neutralized preferably on the same episode; however, some problems are complex enough that they might take a couple of episodes and some bad guys are so complex that they might take odd episodes now and then.

The program is packed tight and flexible enough that you will want to re-watch this hence purchasing the DVDs instead of just going through at one time on some sort of streaming device.

You also find the voiceover interviews add quite a bit to your viewing enjoyment and help you understand what they were trying to portray in the 63 different adventures. There are many other specials on the DVD that contribute to these adventures also.

The characters speak clear enough and slow enough that you can keep up with them, however, I still like to use the subtitles as a supplement. It is also fun sometimes to use subtitles and in other languages and see how they translate or mistranslate what is being said.

"No one would have believed, in the last years of the 19th century, that this world was being watched keenly and closely by an intelligence greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own..." H. G. Wells

A tad changed to the 21st century.

The actual HG Wells story is more closely aligned with Nevil Shute's book "On the Beach." A man realizing this is possibly the end of the world observes how other people handle the possibility that this is the end of the world. There is no family conflict with nerdy kids.

The 1953 version of this film also included a love interest that was not in the original story. This later version contains several attempts for us to negotiate with the aliens and or understand from the aliens' point of view what was going on.

This latest rendition is more of a family feud that meets the aliens. It was not all bad; there were attempts to keep some of the original story and included some of the designs from the 1954 film. We are also treated to a bloodsucking scene reminiscent of the original story. Of course, Stephen Spielberg didn't want to copy the book or the original movie so the aliens pop up instead of fly down, six of one-half dozen of another.

The graphics were fairly decent and did not look like the cheat CGI that you usually see on quick movies. The background music stayed in the background where it belongs.

This is not the easiest presentation to rank as for people that like bloodsucking fast action nerdy kid's stories this could be a top star production; however, for anybody seeking any kind of depth or relationship to the original story or relationship to the original movie, this is more of a run of the mill pill. Therefore, you will understand when I give it average stars to watch ability and standing on its merit.

The original film name is more appropriate "Terrarium" (2003). (Filmed in Las Vegas and surrounding area) watch and you will see why.

A new planet has been found and looks like it can be colonized. We get the standard mix of colonizers and their backgrounds.

Their spaceship has a mishap and the potential colonizers wake up (thaw out) 15 years later to find themselves stuck in their cryo-thingies. But wait, they are not alone. Looks like they may be alien munchies. But wait, it gets weirder.

However, I am not about to give the story away. Per-say the original title may give you a clue.

Do not let tales of low budget discourage you and think of the presentation as more of a play.

Agents in a secret society of assassins are being systematically dispatched. They require someone of greater talent to squelch the culprit before they are all dispatched. Their potential recruit is Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy). The head of the society Sloan (Morgan Freeman) sends Fox (Angelina Jolie), appropriately named, as the recruiter and trainer of the newly selected assassin. She has her work cut out for her. Will Wesley ever shape up? And is there more to his missions than what they told him?

This film has lots of action which requires you to suspend the laws of physics. We also have Angela who does not distract from her character. And who can dispute that Morgan Freeman is not one of the best good guys/ bad guys?

I do not like to have the media get in the way of reviews however I have only seen this on Blu-Ray and cannot compare it to other media.

Already this series is being compared to other BBC productions. So, I will also say the there is a lot in common with Midsomer Murders (1997 TV series) that spends as much time on the family as it does on the investigation. However, it is much darker in content, not bloodier but psychologically darker.

Kurt Wallander (Kenneth Branagh) must solve seemingly unsolvable crimes. This is today and not a period piece. Of course, Wallander's job may be at the cost to his family and relationships to give this series move depth.

Right after Branagh, it was surprising to see how well David Warner played Kurt's father, Povel (1 episode, 2008).

" Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a were-rabbit when the rabbit-bane blooms and the autumn moon is bright."

This movie captures the spirit of all the traditional fur-bearing creature films. Mild-mannered Wallace (voice of Peter Sallis) experiments with the nature of rabbits and men. Little could he understand the terrible beast within us that he released on the world of man and vegetables alike.

One interesting thing about the film is good and bad guys and alike have those gnarly looking British teeth. Also, the film is full of unabashed double entendre.

Be sure to look at the DVD extras then watch the movie again.

Features: Cracking Commentary Delete Scenes How Wallace & Gromit Went to Hollywood Behind the Scenes of "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit A Day in the Life of Aradman How to Build a Bunny Stage Fright The Family Album Reviews

More rabid rabbit fun in Night of the Lepus (1972).

Sir William Rutland (Cary Grant) British industrialist is in town two days early. This is during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and there is nowhere to stay. He finds an apartment to sublet from Christine Easton (Samantha Eggar) who posted it not even dreaming that a male would answer her ad. Later Steve Davis (Jim Hutton) an Olympic competitor is also early and sublets from Sir Rutland's sublet. On top of this Christine's fiancée works at the British embassy and must maintain a proper background. Now you see the makings of a good comedy.

I learned to make coffee from this movie (a unique proportion of grounds to water) and there are many parallel mysteries as just what sport does Steve Davis compete in?

Being Grant's last movie surely did not slow him down and he has those Grant expressions down pat.

I have always enjoyed both Johnny and June. But I was not too interested in their lives. And I have to admit that this film was a bit depressing at first. It reminded me too much of Steinbeck. I started to question my purchase when before I could finish the thought, I was sucked into their lives and this movie. This adds a new perspective on classic songs. We see that they were just people and subject to personalities and environments as we all are.

You will find these songs going through your head days after viewing this movie. Note at the ending credits the real thing as the real duo sings "Long Legged Guitar Pickin' Man"

This is one movie that you do not want to dive into the detail as it is fun to be surprised as it unfolds. It looks as though some lucky sod in the village has won the lottery. The trick is to find out who it was. Then if found what chain of circumstances will it trigger.

I about died laughing before the beginning credits and could not contain myself to the end. One thing led to another the snowballed out of hand. I could not believe the actors could keep a straight face.

Now before you get the wrong idea and think this is some slapstick comedy or some Monty Python script. You would be wrong. This film gives you the feeling that you are there experiencing a small snippet of real life in a small village. This has depths like "Ladies in Lavender"; there are many underlying stories of the individuals and you want to see how they play out. You will not be disappointed.

Log before "The Deep" there was "Wake of the Red Witch" A fury-filled adventure and a passionate love story with Gail Russell who says ...I can't be bought."

It is the 1860s in the South Pacific, Capt. Ralls (John Wayne,) is the skipper of the ship, Red Witch.

John pits himself up against a ruthless Dutch shipping magnate Mayrant Sidneyeand (Luther Adler), a giant (flimsy) octopus and (sturdy) Gail Russell to recover some pearls, even gold. And someone of course, is killed in the movie.

Be prepared for flash-backs, lots of them and a possible flash forward.

You get an early view of Gig Young as Sam Rosen who can be seen again in "Ask Any Girl" (1959).

All in all, it is a very watchable movie and you may be surprised that you are caught up in the story.

Deadly Messages, originally titled Ouija, was a made for TV movie which aired in 1985 on ABC

Cindy (Sherri Stoner, appropriately named for the part) erotically strokes the Ouija Board. Sprouting mumbo-jumbo about contacting the dead.

Formula movie and you can pretty much figure the plot and who is who from the beginning. However, it is well acted and without an excess of gore.

After forgetting her key, Laura Daniels( Kathleen Beller) and not being able to get her roommate Cindy to answer the door (Phone) of a third story apartment, Laura Daniels is gutsy enough to use the fire escape. You guessed it she witnesses a murder. Naturally without clues the police do not believe her. Things start to snow ball as Laura plays with a Ouija Board, and figures out she is being stalked. The whole thing would be over in 15 minutes if anyone would believe her. And there are plenty of 'Stay in the Car' type scenes. The only thing I guessed wrong was there were no scenes with jumpy cats.

Are we sure this is the end? Is anybody there?

A brand-new jumbo aircraft that fly its self is being piloted by a cowboy who hates computers. Keeping an eye on him is a rival for his girl (the other pilot). Sure, as shoot'n there is a second plane, privately owned and piloted by a 200-hour pilot sort of clips the jumbo. Turns in to the jumbo jet now has disabled the ailerons in an upward position. This is just the beginning.

This movie is closer to the original Airplane movie with the exception that all the people just half expose their past a little at a time as the disaster proceeds. The ending is predictable and the constant problems are part of the formula. However, tithe actors make a very good mix and do their jobs well enough to make you forget that it is a movie.

Jonathan Raven is a young lad learning standard Japanese defenses when he gets the news that both his parents have been dispatched by a secret group that everyone knows about called the Black Dragons. He joins the Black Dragons and becomes the only occidental to survive Black Dragon training. He turns on them unexpectedly at the last moment taking out some top dogs. Naturally this makes them extremely annoyed. By this time, he is married and has a kid that he never sees. Wife dies in child birth and the kid is sent away for safety.

This is where this story starts and in this episode Jonathan (Jeffrey Meek) is a bartender that has to protect his boss from a karetsu type take over. He enlists the help of the gun, knife, blunger, brass knuckle etc. Wielding buddy Ski (an old Lee Majors.) In the process everyone learns a lesson or two.

As with all pilots when all is settled Jonathan goes off to look for his kid.

The movie is lots of fun with formula plots and standard twists and more than natural martial arts.

Viktor Hempel (Hermann Thimig) has played many parts; one of which is of a woman. He crosses paths with Susanne Lohr (Renate Müller) at an opportune time when he has a cold and cannot go on. She goes on in his place and when she reveals herself to be a man by taking a wig off, is an instant success. The story gets complex when she falls for a man and cannot tell him that she is a woman. Little does she know he found out. So, he has fun leading her on. Will she ever find out that he knows?

The movie shows many interesting things about the Weimar era such as an automat. The singing is from the 30's so they have that warble that you heard in Disney's Snow White. And the movie has a lot of slapstick filler. Many times, Viktor is unnecessarily a dufus. I have a sparse German vocabulary and am lucky most of the characters spoke slowly or at least used basic statements. There is also a smidgen of English including a song about Spain. The film would have been easier to follow if Deutsch sub-titles were available.

The DVD I Watched is region 2 from Black Hill Pictures GmbH. You may need a multiregional player or do a little ripping and converting to play. I believe there is a region one available now.

What can I say this is a "Lost Horizon" wantabe. The characters are all unknown hallmark level actors. The background music is that of a cheap romantic novel strain. The dialog is stilted and the story flow is jerky. Many things are missing or poorly expressed. If you have not seen "Lost Horizon" you will actually be lost in this slow pace and not well thought-out politically correct filler.

A woman of great passion and negotiating skill is kidnapped along with her ex and a man with a dubious background. She must eventually find the secret of this mysterious valley and its purpose.

One day couch potatoes with live peacefully with killer tomatoes. But my responsibility lies with the outside world.

There is a theory that those that live in Dublin Texas and drink Dr. Pepper with Pure Cain Sugar can never leave.

The film parallels the book with a few risqué exceptions. What is unique is that even though major actors were picked for the movie they could not be closer to the character description from the 1959 book of the same name by Howard Singer.

Russ is a schnook. Therefore if something can go wrong it will. His wife is into insurance of all kinds. She wants him to get his GI insurance while he can. After she forces him to apply (schnook), he must explain that he has two serial numbers (schnook). When he was shot down over Germany he was presumed dead and needed a second number to get discharged (schnook). So naturally realizing that the (schnook) being in the service only one-day on the second serial number, is called up to finish his time.

He ends up on an island in the middle of the Sea of Japan. There he has a revelation that saves his sanity and that of 400 other servicemen also assigned to this remote outpost. A plan, so brilliant that I am not about to tell you what it is or how it is executed.

In the book the plan cured his shnookyness; in the movie, it takes a trial. The cast includes Dick Shawn as the schnook and Ernie Kovacs as his commander and hotshot fighter pilot.

I can relate to this as I also have two serial numbers. Luckily, they were for six completed years each.

All in all the story and plotline is very formula; there are good guys that are misunderstood and bad guys that are silly and scared. The good guys chase and chase and chase the bad guys. Will they catch the bad guys? Will the bad guys confess to unbelievable crimes? Or will just once the bad guys getaway. Don't hold your breath.

There is an added wrinkle as both Detective Joe Gavilan (Harrison Ford) and his rookie partner Kasey Calden (Josh Hartnett) take care of outside interests while in pursuit.

Meantime it is fun watching this almost cartoon-like execution, as they run past all the familiar landmarks that you may recognize out and about Los Angeles, California, USA:

Beverly Hills, Hollywood & Highland, Hollywood, Los Angeles Subway System, Mt. Olympus in Hollywood Hills, Pacific Palisades, Parker Center Police Headquarters -at 150 N. Los Angeles St., Parking Lot, L. A. P. D. Hollywood Station at 1358 Wilcox Ave., Santa Monica, Venice Canals, and Venice.

A hand full of citizens of various occupations and orientations realize the west is not all it is cracked up to be. They decide to go back east, but to do this they will need a skilled and knowledgeable wagon master. Who should stumble in? But the best wagon master in the west, James H. Harlow (John Candy). Naturally, there is a money-grubbing cabal opposed to this move and they will stop at nothing to throat the "Wagons East" plan.

Well designed with a select group of actors that never overplayed their parts. The consumes and scenes here are exceptionally good for the comedy. The Indians look like Indians and the floozies look, well, floozy. The film is jam-packed with one-liners.

The film features the voice of David Koresh "Vernon Wayne Howell" taken from 247 FBI tapes recorded during the siege.

You can still see the site where plaques are showing where you're standing, as the chapel area, the men's dormitory, and the vault.

The presentation is a tad more inclusive or has time to cover more history of David to the point that is more of visual biography. Some scenes are portrayed by actors as there was no way to be there filming. We get the meaning of the name "David Koresh" (and how to pronounce it.)

We now go into sound bite mode with various presenters that give about 10 seconds of information accompanied sometimes by cartoons.

A pretty good consistent and concise presenter is dick J. Reavis, a reporter for the Dallas Observer. Showing that the ATF needed to have a raid so they would look good for funding purposes. So, they designed "Operation Trojan Horse." This is supported by Keith Constantino of the ATF Raid Team.

You can tell how it is going to go when the ATF indiscriminately shot the dogs before even being greeted. Reminds me of The Wicked Witch of The West "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!"

Yep, everything is playing out as predicted. Phil Arnold (Bible Scholar) offers FBI help and we know their response.

Things heat up then we see "Viewer discretion is advised." Naturally, a Branch Davidian was criticized for saving one of the dogs the FBI did not get a chance to shoot in the beginning.

This film is a waste of resources as everything real has already happened and is on record. Everything that is speculation, has already been speculated and goes repeatedly. This film by Oliver stone is just beating a dead horse.

The film is just a series of encounters of work, women, and school. The later Bush mixed up as flash-forward reminds me of a cross between 12 angry men and failsafe.

I assume this is a documentary-style collage of several Oliver Stone selected books.

If you do watch this film for some reason, be sure also listen to the voiceover by Oliver Stone, as you know he always has some sort of nasty agenda. In this case, it is not obvious until you listen to the commentary.

Now she's gone and we're through Am I blue?

This movie "Voyagers" (2021) made in Bucharest is not sci-fi; it is a space opera. It is strongly based on the 1954 novel "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding. Instead of an island, they use a spaceship to strip away all cultural references to what is human nature according to people like Golding. There is a tad of Darwin tossed in.

We have all the same characters and conflicts (just no flies). Well, there is one difference; instead of all boys, they have a politically correct motley crew.

Even though the story and characters are pretty overtly "fly" people, if you are more interested in the alien being/force then you may like to watch The Village (2004) where the creature keeps the isolated villagers in line.

If you watch streaming then you will miss the DVD extras where they try to justify making this movie. It may get a little repetitive.

Recycle of Planeta bur (1962) with a few blonds tossed in.

Fun Sci-fi travel to Venus movie. We start with plastic replicas of spaceship concepts of the time. The one(s) going to Venus have to stop halfway there to refuel, as they keep their burners on all the way. When they get there, they get to explore all the wonders. There are trials and tribulations. One visitor narrates the bulk of the story. This visitor also thinks there is life on Venus and keeps telling us about it. But you and I know that there is no such thing as a bevy of wet blonds.

When our technology catches up with this movie, I want to be the first to go.

As I want my own bevy. The 1968 types.

Lawrence Bourne III (Tom Hanks) is escaping a domestic debt. In the process, he takes someone else's place in the Peace Corps. Finding the people around him a little too obsessed with their mission; He attempts to add a little civilization to it.

This movie shows glimpses into the way governments are run and the people that make it happen. How the Peace Corps makes a difference in the lives of the natives and the people in the Corps. Bridging the gap among factions (why build a bridge and its eventual use). Some are manipulators and some are sincere. The best are gung-ho (John Candy).

Worth seeing. It gets better with each viewing.

I have always suspected the tar pits of being a hotbed of adversity. And who knows what those nasty faults are planning for us. All in all, this is as good as any other disaster movie with the exception that it brings the disaster home to you and not in some remote location. The acting is as good as any disaster movie. What is spooky is that the La Brea Tar Pits are located at 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. They are approximately 6.7 miles away from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, where they have some great La Brea Tar Pits finds.

Tommy Lee Jones is a good selection and carries his character to a tee. With the lava creeping around you have plenty of time to say "watch out" and "stay in the car." In this case staying in the car might be a bad idea.

Fantastic what-if story. They picked only serious actors for this politically correct film on manifest destiny. Peter Ustinov is General Maximilian Rodrigues de Santo. Although the story revolves around him many others help carry the story such as John Astin Sergeant Valdez who keeps the general out of trouble and Jonathan Winters as General Billy Joe Hallson of the National Guard.

This film was made in San Antonio. Written by Lehrer, James

The basic story is Mexican general is going to retake the Alamo as an act of heroism for his men. What happens if he does take the Alamo? How will the U. S. government respond? Can there be a positive outcome?

Seems this film was banned in Mexico for some staring reason.