Science Fiction & Fantasy > 1980 Science Fiction & Fantasy

Advantages: The original cut of the movie alongside the remastered version
Disadvantages: No special features

Star Wars. Those two words conjure up emotions in many men who were once young boys and prompt any stick, pole or broom handle to be wielded around to an accompanying 'voom voom, kapow' sound effect. Women who were once young girls look on bemused as grown men become Jedi fighting the evil Empire when they should be sweeping, mopping or doing whatever it was they should have been doing. Since 1977 George Lucas' space opera has been wowing audiences ...
...The Empire Strikes Back (or Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back as it has been retitled) is the second of the original 'holy trinity' and is seen by many as the darkest of the three movies. Starting on the ice planet of Hoth, the rebellion's new base of operations, we follow the adventures of Luke, Han Solo (Harrision Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), Princess Lea (Carrie Fisher) and the droids R2D2 and C3PO (Kenny Baker and Anthony Daniels) ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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. ... Read review

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 ... Read review

Advantages: Great special effects
Disadvantages: Predictable plot

This is a pretty cool action thriller that certainly does not stretch the grey matter but is an entertaining film to watch. James McAvoy is excellent in the lead role as Wesley Allan Gibson a young man whose life is pretty dull and boring until a mysterious woman confronts him. the woman known as Fox (Angelina Jolie) is tasked with training Wesley who has some secret abilities locked away in hos sub conscious and she needs to draw them out. Wesley ...
...of a secret society called The Fraternity. Howver he has been killed and Wesley is to take his place and also gain revenge for his death. Cast List James McAvoy ... Wesley Allan Gibson Morgan Freeman ... Sloan Angelina Jolie ... Fox Terence Stamp ... Pekwarsky Thomas Kretschmann ... Cross Common ... Gunsmith Kristen Hager ... Cathy Marc Warren ... The Repairman David O'Hara ... Mr. X Konstantin Khabensky ... The Exterminator The special effects ... Read review