Documentaries & Biographies > Dolby Surround Documentaries & Biographies

Advantages: Accessible to everyone yet not 'dumbed down'
Disadvantages: You need at least a casual interest in the exploration of the planets otherwise it is hard going

...to eagerly watch all of the BBC "Horizon" documentaries about space exploration, when the corporation commissioned this eight-part series back in the late 1990s to tell the story of the our Solar System, I was in seventh heaven. This two-disc set has all eight 50 minute episodes (there are no extras accompanying them, but that is no great hardship). Arguably the most comprehensive account of the exploration of the Solar System, the series used state-of-the-art ...
...with leading scientists involved in the various missions. The eight episodes are as follows: "Different Worlds" - a look at space travel and the latest (for 1999) planetary exploration missions "Terra Firma" - the story of the pioneering missions to Mars and Venus "Giants" - the story of the Pioneer and Voyager missions to the Outer Planets "Moon" - exploration of the Moon and its mysteries "Star" - a new perspective on the Sun "Atmosphere" ... Read review

Advantages: Intimate and knowledgable
Disadvantages: Some meaningless asides

Julien Temple’s first documentary about The Sex Pistols, The Great Rock and Roll Swindle, often gets criticised for its bias towards Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren’s version of events and for the fact that it didn’t include John Lydon’s input at all. The Filth and the Fury was much better-received, giving all the band members as well as McLaren time to tell their own stories. If anything, it’s biased more towards Lydon’s point of view – or at least, ...
...The film sets the scene of lower-class life in the UK in the 70s, showing a grim world of repression, boredom and grime, then charts The Sex Pistols’ rise to infamy, feuds and eventual break-up, interspersing interviews and live clips (though I’m thinking not live sound recordings, most of the time) with clips of Richard III (to whom Lydon compared himself) as played by Olivier, animation of the band, archive footage and various British comics playing ... Read review

Advantages: Great Information
Disadvantages: none

...is an excellent view into Jackie Chan and how he makes movies. The DVD is in 2 parts both on the same disc = Jackie Chan - My Story + Jackie Chan - My Stunts. Jackie Chan - My Story is a bit of a potted biography and presented in a sometimes irritating MTV type pop up format it certainly is a useful introduction into who Jackie Chan is and contains some interesting footage and interviews. Jackie Chan - My Stunts has been termed a primer for Hong ...
...footage towards the end where Jackie Chan stunt-team members carry out some quick stunts that where choreographed including the 'bad' takes with an explanation as to what went wrong and why. Some interesting behind the scenes footage again with some interviews of Jackie explaining what went into the stunts. ... Read review

Advantages: A lost Italian classic
Disadvantages: A little overlong

...Shameless Screen Entertainments latest offering, Oasis Of Fear (AKA Diry Pictures, An Ideal Place To Kill, Un Posto Ideale Per Uccidere), a movie that journeys back to the directors early career. Made and set in 1971, Oasis Of Fear is a like a leftover product of the 1960's, its message during the opening moments is one of peace and love. The opening credits show young lovers Dick Butler (Ray Lovelock here credited as Raymond Lovelock) and Ingrid ...
...More than anything else Oasis Of Fear is a cultural education, lots of throwbacks to the seventies, while almost debunking the aspect that some European countries offered a much more sexually liberating lifestyle than our own. After all, the couple made their way from country to country selling pornography to the masses, and its far from being the hardcore end of the business. It's curious that even the sound of a couple having sex, would be enough ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting, learn more about Blackpool
Disadvantages: Amateurish, Weak, Boring

I have lived in Blackpool for as long as I can remember. I wasn't born here but, I moved along with my parents and older brother when I was just 18 months old. I don't remember much about when I moved here you don't tend to remember that far back. I do remember though enjoying the illuminations and getting excited about going to the beach and riding on a donkey. Now that I'm older Blackpool doesn't seem as exciting. I'm past all the night clubbing ...
...machines. When you live in Blackpool you don't do all the things that holiday makers do when they come here. You are not always in the pleasure beach, up the tower, in the wax works or any other attraction Blackpool has to offer. Blackpool just doesn't seem as appealing now I'm older, but it is home. When I first watched "Blackpool And The Illuminations" I watched it out of curiosity. I know I live in Blackpool, but I wanted to see Blackpool from ... Read review