Science Fiction & Fantasy > 1980 Science Fiction & Fantasy

Mostly Harmless

Advantages: Great story, great characters, good radio to TV transfer
Disadvantages: Poor special effects

...Having been a fan of the radio series when it originally aired, my Dad invariably made my sister and I listen to it - and I'm glad he did. I doubt my younger self would have understood or fully appreciated the jokes, but I did love the story. I can't quite remember when I first watched the television version, but it must have been some time ago - with several re-viewings over the years. I've recently re-watched the entire series on DVD, including ...
...friend Ford Prefect. The story begins one Thursday morning when Arthur awakes to discover his house is about to be knocked down. But that's the least of his worries - moments later his old friend Ford Prefect (not actually from Guildford after all, but a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse) shows up, with the news that the Earth is about to be destroyed. From there on in, things only get worse… Ford and Arthur are forced to listen ...

amytheduck 10.03.2008 · Read full review
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Review of The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy (DVD)

Attack of the Clones!

Advantages: Good range of varied special features.
Disadvantages: Special Features vary in quality.

...this adventure we see the Doctor and current companion Romana (in her second guise as played by Lala Ward) landing on the leisure planet of Argolis ~ they want a holiday and (after a brief and unsuccessful sojourn to Brighton) they decide on Argolis because it is famous for its recreational facilities. After a horrendous and destructive nuclear war between the Argolins and the Foamasi the planet is barren and everyone lives in a protective dome ~ ...
...the West Lodge. The Doctor has to thwart the plans because if he doesn't the two races may end up destroyed. He uses some circuits from the TARDIS randomizer to interfere with the machine and Pangol ends up being regressed to the age of a baby. This isn't the best story in the world but is quite entertaining if only for Tom Baker's performance. The special effects don't really stand up by today's standards, so think low budget and a little unconvincing. ...

tange 13.09.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Doctor Who - The Leisure Hive (DVD)

Yoda shows Luke a few tricks......

Advantages: Everything
Disadvantages: Nothing

In 1977, the film Star Wars hit the screens, becoming one of the best grossing films ever. It made stars out of its cast and crew, particularly director George Lucas, who was also the creator, having penned an entire series of books/scripts on the saga. Star Wars was released as part of the saga, and eventually was announced as Episode 4. So, what was next for Lucas? Well, Episode 5, of course! Niftily released as The Empire Strikes Back, the film ...
...extreme fanatics parading round in Star Wars garb, collecting toys, etc. The Empire Strikes Back was a more artistic film in my opinion than A New Hope (Episode 4) and The Return of the Jedi (Episode 6), which thrilled me when I watched it. I have watched it a number of times now, as I have the others, too. The Plot Empire Strikes Back takes off where Star Wars leaves. It is hard, really, to explain a lot about the plot without giving a certain ...

pmcds 29.03.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Star Wars - Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back (Limited Edition) (DVD)

I was counting down to the end

Advantages: The aircraft
Disadvantages: The acting and the story line

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN 1980 DVD 2002 THE STORY The U.S.S. Nimitz, a nuclear aircraft carrier, encounters a very strange storm in 1981 and, when the ship clears the storm, the crew eventually realise that they have somehow been catapulted back to 1941. (As you do !!) More importantly, they end up one day before the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour, and they are near Pearl Harbour. A fully-armed nuclear aircraft ...
...a lot of damage to the Japanese invasion force, possibly even destroy it. So, the question becomes, "Should they?" Should they tamper with history and re-write it? They are United States military servicemen, in a combat situation, and most the crew says, "Go for it!" But, what of the ramifications? That question becomes highlighted when a 1941 Japanese Zero blows up a 1941 private yacht, near the U.S.S. Nimitz, and the survivors are rescued by the ...

baherbc 06.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Final Countdown (DVD)

What if Pearl Harbour wasn't destroyed?

Advantages: Good story line, Excellent price R2 DVD from £3.99
Disadvantages: Grainy picture, only DD Stereo.

The Final Countdown was recently voted 5th in the all time list of Sci-Fi movies, in a recent poll in a DVD mag. I’m not convinced myself how it got there, however, saying this, it is a great movie that is laid out well, and makes you wonder… “Only if”! It all revolves around an aircraft carrier called the USS Nimitz, commanded by Captain Matthew Yelland, (Kirk Douglas). Warren Lasky, (Martin Sheen), is sent onboard as a government systems analysis, ...
...appears from nowhere. The storm resembles a wormhole however it’s green in effect. The ship attempts to turn away from the storm, but all is in vein as the USS Nimitz disappears within the clouds of the storm. Within seconds of the entry of the storm, all the seas are calm once again, and nothing appears to have happened to the naked eye. General quarters are announced throughout the ship whilst the Captain and her crew attempt to find out why and ...

alan74 16.03.2005 · Read full review
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Review of The Final Countdown (DVD)