zaphodb1 Reviews

Universe (2021)

No New Information or Content - and What About the Aliens

[6/10 · 5 June 2022]

The Universe is a 5 part series with episode titles: The Sun God Star, Alien Worlds, The Milky Way, Black Holes and The Big Bang. Each episode highlights at least one space telescope that was used to collect the data informing the main points in that episode. The format uses extensive 'artist impression' CGI and actual archival images where possible. The delivery style is Brian Cox inspirational shtick as usual. Episodes conclude with 5 minutes of supporting quotes from relevant researchers (listed as 'vocal performers' in the credits).

Brian Cox has narrated many astronomy and science TV documentaries. This one is sufficiently devoid of technical parameters to be suitable for the general public. The only newish information is Episode 3, which contains recent images from the Gaia 3D space map.

If you don't like Brian Cox the series is also available as Nova episodes (eg Dylan Moran parody: "Look at the Nebula. Look isn't it beautiful. It's made up of millions and millions of years of things you don't understand.")

The series was a co-production with PBS, and was released ex Brian Cox as Nova Universe Revealed episodes S48E17 to 21. They used narrator Talithia Williams and more extensive use of 'Vocal Performers'. The Name of the first episode was changed to Age of Stars.

One thing that disappoints me is the treatment of alien life in science documentaries delivered by the academic scientific establishment. There is now compelling evidence that UFO's exist (Navy ship radar, Fighter Jet radar, Fighter Jet FLIR targeting camera, unspecified space based assets and the human eyeball). The scientific establishment in their TV shows talk about the possibility of life existing on alien planets, and describe all manner of theories and possibilities, but they haven't mentioned that aliens are actually probably already here and have been watching us for the last 2000 years (aliens were first reported during Roman times). Is the scientific establishment so arrogant or stupid to completely ignore the possibility? The aliens are not following a Startrek First Contact Protocol - they are not worried about staying hidden. Their actions to date have not been threatening. They will hopefully introduce themselves when our technology has improved.

Horizon: Vitamin Pills: Miracle or Myth? (2018) Season 55, Episode 11

Preachy Lightweight Science Show - Leaves Out Key Minerals

[6/10 · 3 December 2018]

BBC Horizon is Britain's premier science program, examining issues of the day underpinned by science. One criticism in the last few years, is some of the topics have been populist (eg hair care and cats).

The show first conducts a survey measuring some common vitamins and minerals in 3 volunteers and discusses the results (finds low levels in some people in the sample). Then spends time nit picking vitamin packet labels. And later attacks some of the fads associated with supplements (anti-oxidants causing deaths and herbal supplements causing liver damage).

But it largely misses the point. There is an increasing amount of chronic disease in Western countries. According to the Wikipedia, in 2006, 48% of Americans didn't get enough magnesium (not tested for in the Horizon survey) - since magnesium is linked to diabetes and heart disease. And the blood test used to assay the vitamin levels doesn't work for magnesium - a more complex test is required.

How could this happen. It turns out that magnesium is present in unprocessed grains (not fruit and vegetables). And since we eat processed foods, we miss out. For example white bread, pasta, white rice, corn flakes and potatoes contain 25% of the level of magnesium in whole grain bread. Just as magnesium is lost in processed grains, so is a bunch of other trace minerals (eg calcium, selenium, manganese and zinc etc).

It seems it's easy for busy people to miss out on important vitamins and minerals, including in preachy light weight Horizon shows these days. And it's not solved by exercise and eating more fruit and vegetables. There appears to be a choice: eat bird seed and lawn clippings, or eat normal food and take supplements.

Nova: The Impossible Flight (2018) Season 45, Episode 2

Flight of Fancy?

[3/10 · 10 May 2018]

Follows the Solar Impulse II aircraft piloted by Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg on an around the world journey in a solar powered plane.

Made from light weight materials and maximising wing area for solar panels, the plane only has room for one pilot, is seriously underpowered and compromises flight stability and safety. The plane has to gain height during the day while charging the batteries and then descend during the night to save energy. There is a one hour margin of error on the amount of energy available. The plane has a self generated speed of 45 mph and relies on favourable tail winds. It can only fly during certain times of the year, only when there are no clouds and due to aircraft fragility when there is no turbulence. Due to a weather forecast limitation of 3 days, flights of 5 days or more require a team of weather analysts to predict the flight path for smooth flight. There were extensive delays and diversions due to weather conditions.

Launched in 9 Mar 2015, the plane completes its journey after 505 days.

In the name of solar energy a team of wealthy madcap environmentalists set about creating a record for solar flight. Only took 505 days. Never mind the energy required for control and ground crews that made it possible. Not to mention the risk involved - a disaster waiting to happen. Fortunately it didn't and they gained media coverage and an interview from Bonki Moon during the Paris climate agreement.

Volatile Earth (2017)

Really a Series About Geology and Meteorology and Scientific Analysis

[8/10 · 12 February 2018]

I watched the episode about Volcanoes and realised that the series was actually about major geological and meteorological upheavals in our recent past (ie. thousands of years). And it was not about volcanoes (or floods or hurricanes) and all the people that died in the last few years.

The Volcanoes episode uses evidence to date and identify the massive volcanic eruption that caused thousands of deaths in London in 1250AD due to starvation.

The Floods episode looks at the cause of the Scablands (100 miles east of Seattle in the USA) - shear gorges, rock islands and huge depressions in the middle of an area consisting of flat plains. It also looks at what caused Britain to become an island and separate from France.

The Hurricanes episode looks at the 1780 Caribbean hurricane and whether hurricanes are becoming more frequent using analysis of recent sediments to find hurricane impacts over time vs ocean temperature estimates.

The series should be renamed:Geological and Meteorological Upheavals - An Analysis of Recent Volcanoes, Floods and Hurricanes

World's Greatest Dad (I) (2009)

World's Worst Dad

[6/10 · 4 December 2017]

I was catching up with some of Robin Williams brilliant work (standup and movies) after his tragic demise.

Robin Williams plays Lance Clayton, high school poetry teacher and single parent. Lance Clayton is a failed writer, having had several books rejected. His son Kyle performs poorly at school, is ill tempered and disobedient, with few friends. After his son's death caused by autoerotic asphyxiation, Lance makes the death look like suicide. When the school students interpret Kyle's fake suicide note as deeply intelligent, and become the late Kyle's new best friends, Lance exploits this by publishing Kyle's fake Journal. Finally Lance admits Kyle's true cause of death and that he wrote Kyle's Journal. The message of the film is that its better to be alone than to be with people who make you feel alone.

World's Greatest Dad, is probably better titled World's Worst Dad. Neither parent or child have much empathy for each other. Both seemed to be 'losers'. The cause of Kyle's death seems implausible, given Kyle's likely novice experience. The film seems to be seeking attention through highlighting taboo subjects. The message of being alone and unliked, fails for me as the film does not offer solutions for better parenting and focuses for a time on youth suicide, which is not properly dealt with.

The acting was OK, but I felt the messages in the film were off key and inappropriate. 5.5/10

Poirot (1989–2013)

David Suchet's Poirot?

[8/10 · 27 September 2017]

Agatha Christie's Poirot is an ITV TV series based on Agatha Christies novels and short stories, some 70 in total, running from 1989 to 2013 in 13 Series. Most if not all of Agatha Christies works were adapted. Starring David Suchet (Poirot), Hugh Fraser (Poirot's assistant), Phillip Jackson (Chief Inspector Japp), Pauline Moran (Poirot's Secretary) and David Yelland (Poirot's Butler). The latter recurring characters are prevalent in the early series, but used as needed throughout and to a lesser extent in the later series, with David Yelland appearing towards the end. In Murder on the Orient Express for example, Poirot solves the case alone.

Poirot is a period piece with most of the episodes set in the 1930's, which deviates from Agatha Christies timeline. High production values and excellent casting are highlights of the series.

Poirot is a murder mystery series, with each episode following Poirot solving one of his cases, which invariably is one or more murders. Given the excellent casting, it is difficult to determine the murderer, unlike lesser shows such as Midsummer Murders, where the most accomplished supporting actor is frequently the perpetrator.

The plot is Poirot uncovering a series of apparently unrelated clues, with Poirot in front of the suspects at the end piecing the puzzle of the crime together. Each of the suspects is examined in turn and ruled out leaving the perpetrator, except on the odd occasion where they are all guilty. Poirot solves the cases by analysing the psychology of the suspects (whether they could carry out the crime), eliminating suspects and using deductive skills.

Most of the crimes are committed by the upper classes of society, with the episodes typically set in an English country mansion. One episode involves a serial murder (The ABC Murders). Series 6 onwards are double episodes, based on the novels; the earlier series were based on the short stories.

Well acted, high production values, the only criticism is the length of the latter series. Special mention goes to David Suchet for his portrayal of Poirot. 7.5 out of 10.

How the Universe Works (2010– )

Great Special Effects Lightweight on the Science

[7/10 · 19 September 2017]

How the Universe Works is a Discovery Channel series on Astronomy. To date there are five series consisting of eight or nine episodes each. The first series was developed in 2010 and the fifth 2016, so the material is reasonably up to date.

The first series was about galaxies, stars, planets etc. providing a good introduction to these topics. The later series tended to cover breaking theories such as Planet Nine, exoplanets and dark matter. As a result, as the theory is updated or revised, the information in the show tends to get a little dated.

The shows format is narration, supplemented by addition contributions from scientists and researchers involved in the relevant area. The show also uses CGI and graphics to give an 'artist's impression' of phenomena such as a solar system forming, as well as telescope images of planetary nebulas, open clusters, galaxies and Hubble's ultra-deep field.

However, I found the material to be fairly light weight. For example in the series one episode on Supernovas they describe a Type 1A Supernova: "The moment the white dwarf star starts to fuse carbon and oxygen into iron its doomed. Suddenly the white dwarf explodes." This is bunkum. When a white dwarf accretes enough matter from a companion star and its mass reaches the Chandrasekhar limit (due to electron degeneracy - approx. 1.4 solar masses), the star collapses, undergoing thermonuclear runaway, blowing itself to bits. About 0.6 solar masses of radioactive Nickel 56 is formed, which decays into radioactive Cobalt 56 and then into stable Iron 56. This process produces a consistent light curve and Type 1A supernovae known as Standard Candles, were used to determine distances of remote galaxies. Similarly for a Type II supernova, the explanation is also inaccurate. In addition, some very large stars (> 90 solar masses) collapse directly into black holes without any visible explosion, although this depends on metallicity and the star's rotation rate. These are not mentioned on the show.

So while the show popularises astronomy with great special effects, the facts have been dumbed down for ease of public consumption. Nevertheless the show is a good introduction to our amazing universe and how it works. 7/10

P.S. For a more technical explanation, try Dr Alex Filippenko's 96 lecture series (available on video): Understanding the Universe an Introduction to Astronomy.

Sergeant Cork (1963–1968)

Early UK Police Procedural - Quite Watchable

[7/10 · 30 January 2017]

Sergeant Cork is a police procedural set in the 1890's, that ran between 1963 and 1968 on ITV in the UK. It is based on the Criminal Investigation Department of Scotland Yard, which was a new department focused on introducing new techniques in the detection of crime. It stars John Barrie as Sergeant Cork and William Gaunt as Detective Constable Bob Marriott.

The first two series depict a do-good police sergeant tackling crime in a grimy and impoverished class based system in London and makes telling points about the treatment of people in society at the time. In the later series, the type of cases is more varied and less focused on the under privileged. In the later series, Marriott sometimes takes a major role in solving the cases. It is possible that John Barrie was over committed as he was also involved in Z-Cars at the same time.

In many ways the series was ground breaking with its moralising and technique - it had one of the first portrayals of a siege on TV. The cases were predictable and there was not much tension, however I found the show quite watchable. The quality was OK, however, there were not enough re-takes - quite a few stumbles with the dialog and there was the odd moving wall and stray boom microphone in the shot. Shot in black and white, all 66 episodes have survived.

Elementary (2012– )

Not Completely Mangled

[7/10 · 13 March 2016]

What to make of this American version of Sherlock Holmes. (For those that have never heard of it, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories about detective Sherlock Holmes were published from 1889-1914).

A few of the early TV series were period pieces - of note the ITV series from 1984-94 (starring Jeremy Brett), while others such as the BBC's Sherlock and 20th Century Fox's Sherlock Holmes 1939-46 (starring Basil Rathbone) were contemporary adaptations.

In this adaptation Jonny Lee Miller (an Englishman) plays Holmes and Lucy Liu plays Joan Watson. Most of the original Sherlock Holmes stories have already taken place in England and Holmes arrives in New York on a sort of sabbatical. Holmes has an arrangement with the New York Police Department to assist them with their difficult cases. Watson, hired by Holmes' father initially plays the part of therapist and eventually becomes his understudy.

OK so the Americans have adapted Sherlock Holmes, which means it has probably been completely mangled. Well not completely. Half way through series 4, the show has settled down into decent shape, good plots and fast pace. But we had to endure Sherlock Holmes attending AA meetings to solve a heroin problem, and constantly admitting he is an addict. A person with such a high intellect surely would be able to solve the problem himself. Part way through series 2, we had to endure the feminist rampage as Joan Watson took over and Sherlock dared to solve her cases. It seems they were still working out where the show was going.

Elementary doesn't have the freshness and quality of the BBC's Sherlock. Then again at three episodes a year, Sherlock is not exactly prolific. Elementary has probably settled into some sort of modified police procedural. The key thing is the flashes of brilliance Holmes injects into solving the cases. 7/10.

Natural Born Killers (1994)

Not Recommended for the Mentally Unstable

[1/10 · 25 December 2014]

A Roadie film with similarities to Bonnie and Clyde, following two subjects on their improbable journey as they cause mayhem, death and destruction. The film purports to send up the violence of the American society of the early 1990's and the attraction of the media to that violence, except it goes way way over the top.

Tarantinoesque in style (flashbacks, low camera angles), psychedelic (colour) and elements of Warhol (flashes of product advertisement). As Harry Callahan in the Enforcer would say: "Very stylish".

I generally avoid Tarantino (involved in the script) and underdog martyrdom. Film as an art form, some would argue, entitles it to experiment with different approaches. The problem is using excess violence to parody violence, as this film does, goes too far. It was difficult to watch in places. It has been linked to Columbine and other such events. Even one death caused by the film, invalidates the approach. It seems not everyone has the mental stability to cope with such an arty film.

Finally Robert Downey Jr (I'm a fan), gave a lacklustre performance with an unrecognisable accent. And it could be argued it took him ten years to recover from the film, until he found meaning in his life.

JFK (1991)

An Unfortunate Episode in US National and Political Affairs

[7/10 · 14 July 2013]

JFK is based on two books – On the Trail of the Assassins by Jim Garrison and Crossfire: The Plot that Killed Kennedy by Jim Marrs. JFK sets the scene by showing an historical account of Kennedy's Presidency, from the Bay of Pigs invasion, through to the Cuban missile crisis and finally Kennedy's assassination. The film then covers the background leading to the assassination including the planning of a second Cuban invasion by a group of ex-Cubans, Lee Harvey Oswald and his defection to Russia and return to the USA and his relationship to the ex-Cubans and Guy Bannister – ex FBI agent and investigator. The film then follows Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), the New Orleans District Attorney who in 1966 disagreed with the Warren Commission's finding of a lone assassin, and re-opens the Kennedy assassination and attempts to convict Clay Shaw (Tommy Lee Jones) of involvement. The film shows Garrison's attempts to reconstruct the assassination, his interviews with witnesses and his personal life. Garrison also has a meeting with a Government official (Mr X) who explains the big picture of a conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy and encourages Garrison to keep digging. Garrison uses the trial, via his summing up speech, as a vehicle to attack the findings of the Warren Commission, alleging a cover-up, including asserting that there were multiple gunmen and alleging a conspiracy of the military-industrial complex.

As a film, I found it too long, a little slow initially and the use of quick cuts and low camera angles, a little excessive. The film is notable for attracting a star studded cast, including several cameo appearances. Interestingly of all the A-list actor appearances, all but Gary Oldman are Democrat leaning.

However what cannot be overlooked is the film's statement, which is remarkable. The film attracted a lot of controversy, interestingly including from the press. The Warren Commission did make a lot of errors and while the film is an interpretation of the available facts and reasonable assumptions, with some modification for storytelling effect, it seems the true story may never be told. The film is perfectly valid in attempting to highlight the inconsistencies of the official account of Kennedy's assassination with assumptions/facts.

We now know that the CIA at the time was involved in destabilising a number of other countries leadership in the name of the cold war. Kennedy did try and remove covert activities from the CIA and transfer them to the US military. There were also many suspicious deaths of witnesses of the Kennedy assassination, probably to prevent Garrison's use in his court case. And there also was the assassination of Bobby Kennedy after he nominated for President and outlined that he would follow in his brother's footsteps.

On the balance of probabilities, it is very likely that there was a cover-up of Kennedy's assassination. To this day, the true killers have not been brought to justice. Does it matter. America won the Cold War, and even Democrat Presidents now endorse the tactics of the CIA and the Pentagon (eg the drone killings and the recent revelations by Edward Snowden about the US spying on its own citizens and other countries – both presided over by Obama). So perhaps Kennedy was naive and was wrong to try and tame the CIA. It is in the least, an unfortunate episode in US national and political affairs.

Against the Dark (2009 Video)

Disappointing

[4/10 · 3 June 2013]

A virus has wiped out most of the world's population. The virus turns its victims into blood thirsty zombies and is spread by fluid contact into a cut or wound. There is no cure. The military are trying to control the virus by destroying infected areas. A team of zombie hunters are conducting a sweep of a zombie infested hospital for survivors before the facility is bombed by the military.

The movie was released direct to video and had a budget of $US7 million.

The zombie hunters led by Steven Seagal are constrained by the virus, so there is minimal physical contact during the fighting and the predominant use of guns and a long (kitana) sword (although knives are also used).

The film (horror genre) creates tension through use of dark lighting as the survivors make their way through the locked down hospital with the power threatening to fail, while under constant attack by the zombies. The hunters meanwhile are trying to find them. And the military are about to destroy the building.

The script however is the biggest problem. There is inconsistency about those infected - are they zombies, mutants or vampires. Steven Seagal's fights are constrained to a sword and shot gun by the threat of the virus, and not the usual hand to hand combat, which is fair enough. However he appears to have attempted to reduce the visibility of his weight gain by wearing a full length leather coat. The survivors never pick up a club to defend themselves and have a habit of constantly getting separated from each other as a plot technique to create additional tension. There is plenty of gore - low budget gore however.

If you ignore the script and ignore the survivors that don't know how to defend themselves and have many lucky escapes, the film does create tension and has plenty of gore. As a fan of Steven Seagal, I have given a generous 4 out of 10.

Looper (2012)

Loopy

[7/10 · 26 April 2013]

Looper is set in a mob controlled society in the not too distant future. The mob use 'loopers' to carry out death sentences by transporting the victims back in time to a pre-arranged time and place. When their usefulness is over, loopers themselves are transported back in time to be terminated by their younger selves (closing the loop). If a looper fails to complete the termination, the looper then becomes a target. A new mob leader takes over all 5 mob syndicates and orders all loopers to be terminated. This leads to an attempt by one looper to use time travel to prevent the mob leader taking over.

Overall the movie is good. There is action, suspense and good acting.

The time travel used in the movie leaves a few people scratching their heads. When a looper fails to close the loop, they change their own history. If they kill their older selves, they get paid out and retire, whereas if they fail, they are tracked down and killed. The movie is confusing in the way it shows both possibilities taking place at the same time. Also, no one knows if the paradox of changing your own history (grandfather paradox) is even allowed in our universe. This includes meeting yourself (to close the loop).

Another issue is Joseph Gordon-Levitt is supposed to be a young Bruce Willis. Everyone knows what Bruce Willis looked like 30 years ago from Die Hard (well 25 years ago). Gordon-Levitt looks nothing like him - this failed for me.

And what is it with Bruce Willis and aspirin.

Some of the story elements are far fetched. The time transportation devices used in the film can transport in space and time. It would be easier to transport someone a few kilometres underground than elaborately transporting them back in time to be killed.

So what score to give it? Has a few deficiencies but Bruce Willis is in it - 7/10.

Get the Gringo (2012)

More Please

[8/10 · 17 April 2013]

The film is a reboot of the role that Mel Gibson played in Payback. The character that Gibson plays (we never learn his name) is the typical gritty, canny, bad guy cum good guy that has been so successful in the past.

The Gibson character is chased across the Mexican border with the proceeds of a robbery inflicted upon a mob boss. He winds up in an 'open' Mexican Prison and has to use his wits to deal with the squalid conditions, the inmates that run the prison, corrupt police, and the mob henchmen that want the money back. He teams up with a 10 year old street wise kid that has a secret. He has to come up with a plan that solves all the problems.

The film is set in an actual, although closed Mexican prison.

The film would have scored higher if it was a little more believable in places, although the film was very good - fast paced, entertaining and with the unexpected always around the corner.

To enjoy the movie, though, it seems you have to be a Mel Gibson fan, as late in his career, Gibson has attracted some controversy. The movie was initially released in the UK, Russia and the Middle East (where Gibson has a few fans it seems), and based on these results and projections of a US theatrical release, Icon decided to release it to Video on Demand in the US. It is unknown how profitable the film was, but it would be a shame if movies starring Mel Gibson, of such quality are not made in the future, because they cannot achieve a blockbuster US release - which is what should have happened with this one. Mel Gibson has a few more hit movies in him I'm sure.

The Lighthorsemen (1987)

Average Acting

[6/10 · 3 March 2013]

The WW1 victory by the British in the 3rd Battle of Gaza in late 1917 led to a retreat by the Ottoman Army to Jerusalem. After further battles in Jerusalem, the British were able to establish a strong front line until September 1918, when the final offensive took place.

The battle of Beersheba took place on the first day of the Battle of Gaza and consisted of a successful infantry attack on the outskirts of the town by the British XX Corps and a mounted attack on outposts to the east. The latter attacks were held up and due to concerns about water, it appeared unlikely that a combined infantry and mounted attack on Beersheba was possible that day. The Australian Chauvel, commander of the ANZAC Mounted Division, wanted to break off to water the horses, but was ordered to attack. The 4th and 12th Regiments of the 4th Light Horse attacked in 3 waves across 4 miles of open desert. The defenders in trenches, with machine gun and artillery support were caught by surprise when the Light Horse continued and failed to dismount. In addition, the attack was so swift, incorrect sighting information was given, and the Light Horse was able to successfully attack 'under the guns', and experienced very light casualties. In turn they killed or captured 2000 enemy as well as several artillery pieces and also captured 15 out of the 17 wells.

The light horse battle at Beersheba was worthy of a film and the battle scenes focusing on the light horse charge was a highlight of the film. The film also focused on intelligence that led to the Turks believing that an attack on Beersheba would only be a diversion.

The film incorrectly had Chauvel offer to attack Beersheba, when the British were faced with withdrawal due to critical water supplies.

The film tried to be realistic and portray the spirit of the Australian troops, especially as the film followed the successful ANZACS miniseries and many of the same actors were present. This was largely unsuccessful however as the acting was poor. Of note was Gerard Kennedy's now politically incorrect portrayal of 'tanned' Turkish commander Ismet Bey and a close up of Gary Sweet firing the 'recoil-less' Lee-Enfield rifle. Dean Semmler (Cinematography) was OK. Also of note was Jon Blake, who was critically injured in a car accident on the last day of filming. The accident ended his acting career.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Not that Impressive

[6/10 · 3 March 2013]

I saw the movie on DVD and again with commentary by Roger Ebert. It is rated as the number 1 movie in the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies list.

Orson Wells, child prodigy and coming after his War of the Worlds stunt was given a free hand with this film, his first director role. So it had a lot to live up to. Failed at the box office, but later rediscovered, the film experienced a revival. The story was supposedly based on Hearst, a media Baron (although this was denied by Wells). Hearst went to some lengths to try and ban the film.

Looking at it now, it is very dated. It does make some very telling points about human nature and the newspaper business. But I cant help but feel Wells tries too hard at being ground breaking, both in choice of a controversial story and in its cinematography. While the film was ground breaking, I didn't find it was a particularly entertaining film at all.

Anzacs (1985)

Important Series

[9/10 · 10 February 2013]

The ANZACS mini series consists of five 90 minute episodes taking three years to make and was shown in Australia in 1985. The series tries to create the realism of the actual battle conditions, the mood of the times and the spirit of those involved. Some roles were based on actual wartime soldiers, others were added for story telling effect. The series shows the mateship and larrikinism of the Australians as they become an effective fighting force and the appalling conditions the troops experienced as World War 1 battle tactics evolved. The series stated intention was to show modern day Australians the incredible contribution of the Australians in the war who despite making up only 10 percent in numbers, at one point in 1918 held 50 percent of the front lines on the western front. The Australian effort during the first war, except for Gallipoli, having largely been forgotten over the post war years, including up to the present day. While the intent had been to show realism, the result is nevertheless a product of its times and has been described by some as having elements of a soap opera. George Miller (Mad Max, Happy Feet) is one of three directors credited in each episode of the series.

The series follows the Victorian eighth battalion, part of the First Australian Imperial Force, and which formed part of the 2nd Brigade 1st Division. The series starts with the outset of war, with many unwitting Australians keen to participate and worried about missing out. The series shows the army recruitment, followed by training and eventual deployment in the early morning of April 25 1915 (which would later become Anzac day) north of Gaba Tepe on the Aegean Peninsular (which would later become Anzac Cove). The series then covers the attack on Lone Pine, part of a coordinated campaign to take the Gallipoli Peninsula and consisting of several attacks linking up with additional landings at Suvla Bay by the British. Although Lone Pine was taken and the landings successful, the other objectives met with failure and the result was an eventual withdrawal from Gallipoli.

The 8th Battalion in 1916 then finds itself dispatched to France to join the battle in the Western front. After training and deployment to a quiet area of the Somme battlefield, they are eventually "blooded" into the Somme offensive, fighting in the Village of Pozieres, and are one of the few units to take all their objectives. The series shows the concentration of artillery fire in a one mile area as the Germans pour all their efforts into stopping the advance. The battle field was chaotic with no maps, telephone lines cut by artillery and dust and smoke presenting limited oversight by high command. The series also portrays the poor general ship at the time. The way to win the battle of opposing trench lines was through "bleeding the other side white". The side with the greater moral courage would prevail. The cost in human terms was immense. At the time the British were losing 5000 men a week across the front lines. 'There are Australians in the area' was a phrase used by some of the British to reaffirm the earlier reputation of the Australians in the Boer war of being undisciplined. General Haig wanted to reintroduce the death penalty as a court martial punishment. The series shows Sir Keith Murdoch (father of Rupert Murdoch) a journalist, as an adviser to the Australian Prime Minister. Murdoch met with General Haig and the British War Secretary and provided reports back to Australia.

The series then covers operations against the Hindenburg line and Arras which either failed or met with limited success and high casualties. The next great offensive is the Battle of Passchendaele. By this time the tactics used consisted of advancing under creeping artillery fire and met with some success, however the weather intervenes and the fighting literally becomes bogged down in mud of Ypres.

After the Russian revolution in 1917 and the surrender of Russian forces the German army is strengthened and begins the German Spring Offensive. The Australians are shown repulsing the Germans at Hazebrouck, part of the German operation Georgette. The instructions were to fight to the last man. The Australians played a key role in stopping the German advance, which was attempting to force the British to evacuate France.

Lieutenant General Monash meanwhile was given command of the Australian Corps. Alluded to but not fully shown was Keith Murdoch with Australian war historian Charles Bean, arguing for General White over Monash to Billy Hughes the Australian Prime Minister. Under the British 4th Army Commander General Rawlinson, Monash and the Australian Corps, with the support of the British 5th Tank Brigade and elements of the American 66th Brigade launched an attack on Hamel. The operation was notable for its detailed planning and use of tanks together with infantry in spite of the Americans initially refusing to let their troops be commanded by a foreigner.

The Battle of Amiens was shown, which was the opening battle of the 100 Days Offensive, which finished with breaching the Hindenburg line, ending the war. Planned and spearheaded by Monash and the Australian Corp and also involving the British 4th under Rawlinson and the Canadian Corps under Currie, this was a battle over open terrain, leaving trench warfare behind. The battle was a coordinated effort between tanks, infantry, artillery and aircraft. After the first day the allies advanced an average of 7 miles, engulfing 5 German Divisions, although the advance was slowed later as the tanks broke down and the infantry outran the artillery. The victory was a major turning point of the war and resulted in General Monash being knighted in the field by King George V, the first time this had occurred in 200 years.

The efforts of the Australians during the First World War is fascinating story and a story worth telling and generally very well told in the ANZACS.

Margin Call (2011)

Wall Street the Soap Opera

[6/10 · 3 December 2012]

The film has a star studded cast - Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore and the Zachary Quinto, all of whom deliver fine performances.

The film is a fictionalised account of a wall street firm that figures out its risk model is wrong and the firm is massively over exposed to Mortgaged Backed Securities (MBS's), just before the rest of the market finds out they are too. The film explores the ramifications of the management decision to launch a massive liquidation of the firms position on the unsuspecting market, and thus causing the 2008 crash. Part of this is the firms reputational risk, however the film mainly deals with interplay between the staff and whether what the individuals are doing is right. All of this occurs within an environment of current and pending staff layoffs.

The film constantly poses the question - is what these guys decide to do morally correct. The film does not answer this question directly nor is the angst of the market towards the company shown or the regulatory response shown.

The film does not mention the company involved, however this is clearly Lehman Brothers (the CEO in the film is John Tuld and Lehman's CEO at the time was Richard S Fuld Jr and other similarities).

Unfortunately it never happened as depicted in the film. The film tries to create a clean cut crisis and resolution around a 24 hour period.

The financial crisis had its origins in US home prices which peaked in late 2006. The first company to get into trouble with sub prime mortgages was Nothern Rock (a UK bank) in September 2007, when it experienced a run on its funds and had to be bailed out. Bear Sterns in July 2007 announced problems with 2 of their hedge funds due to losses in sub-prime mortgages, announced a profit fall of 61% in September 2007 and eventually had to be bailed out/sold in March 2008.

Lehman's first encountered problems with its sub prime lender BNC Mortgage in August 2007, closing it and losing $25 million. Lehman's did hold considerable sub prime mortgages on its books when securitising them. It is unclear however, whether this was because they could not sell them or decide to hold them. For the March 2008 quarter, Lehman's profit was $489 million, however by June 2008 a loss of $2.8 billion was reported, due to market volatility reducing its hedges. At this time a management shakeup occurred, sidelining CEO Fuld, although he remained CEO. Ahead of the September quarter results, Korea Development Bank was reported as considering buying Lehman's, however when this was reported as not proceeding Lehman's stock fell 45% and the Dow lost 300 points on 9 September 2008. On September 10 Lehman's announced a $3.9 billion loss for the September quarter. On September 11 Lehman's stock lost another 40%. On September 15, a Monday, Lehman's announced it would file for bankruptcy and the Dow lost 500 points.

The Dow which peaked in October 2007, had fallen below 11000 points on September 15. By March 2009, the Dow had fallen to its low of about 6500 points.

So its certainly true that Lehman's triggered the Wall street crash of 2008 and the financial crisis that followed. However Lehman's did not cause the crash by bailing out out of sub prime mortgages.

So Margin Call is a film exploring the human relationships in a manufactured and simplified financial crisis. Interesting, but it doesn't explore the real issues such as the reasons for the crisis. I would much rather see a film showing what really happened at Lehman's.

Bodyline (1984)

Good Series - but check the real history as well

[8/10 · 2 December 2012]

Bodyline is a 1984 Australian TV miniseries dramatisation of the Ashes Cricket series of 1932-33, starring Hugo Weaving as Douglas Jardine and Gary Sweet as Donald Bradman.

The Australian touring side won the previous Ashes series in England, with débutant Bradman the deciding factor. In order to counter Bradman, who was predicted to be the major stumbling block, the English team set about determining the tactics for the upcoming series. The miniseries, shows the early development of Bradman and Jardine, the analysis of Bradman's weaknesses by the English team and the development of countering tactics and then shows the result over the 5 Test series. The series uses reconstructions of Test matches played and focuses on the key players involved.

The Ashes contest was controversial at the time for the 'Bodyline' tactic which consisted of short pitched leg side bowling combined with a close-in leg side field and leg side boundary protection. The intimidation of the batsmen, who at the time were virtually unprotected, resulted in several batsmen being hit. This caused claims of unsportsman like behaviour, crowd uproar, press headlines and an international incident. The key thing was the win at all costs attitude of Jardine, which led to the development and use of Bodyline and caused controversy within the English team and in Australia.

The TV series was a success at the time, however it was criticised by those that participated and were still alive. While most of the facts are correctly depicted, some are not. There is also dramatic license taken with the underlying story behind the facts.

While I never saw the series on TV, as an Australian and a cricket fan, I was aware of Bodyline. While the series was well acted, I would recommend anyone watching the series, to research Bodyline and contrast the series with the reality.

Of note was the inability of the British public to fully appreciate the tactics used, and there was no live coverage of the games in Australia. Instead, the English team were able to argue they were using 'fast leg theory' and the British public were unable to distinguish this from leg theory - (an existing tactic involving leg side bowling). Eventually Bodyline bowling was agreed to be dangerous and while legal, not in the spirit of the game. The rules of Cricket were changed to reduce the number of close-in leg side fielders behind the stumps and umpires were also given discretion to prevent intimidatory bowling.

Also, the players were amateurs and had little protection against fast bowling. Intimidatory bowling is still a tactic in the modern game, however the players are better prepared and protected. And better paid!

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Revisionist Left Wing Propaganda

[5/10 · 24 November 2012]

Great story, acting and special effects.

Only two problems.

1. Its a story about children's fairy tales and contains graphic war violence. Definitely not for children. For adults that like fairy tales, I guess.

2. The second issue is the political message. Gratuitous violence (murder and torture) is perpetrated by the fascist military in the film. The good guys are the communist rebels. Looking at the history of Spain in 1944, each side was equally violent. The film does not portray a balanced view and has the communist side winning, which was not the case.

The Franco regime was authoritarian, locked up, killed and exiled thousands of political prisoners. The other side was just as barbaric however, but lost. Spain was neutral, favouring Germany in the 2nd World War, ostracised by the UN in 1945, allied with the US against communism in 1953, experienced an economic boom in 1959 and became a democratic and constitution monarchy in 1975 (Franco's death after anointing the King). In the end the Franco regime fizzled out, but was not overthrown.

The film is an attempt to adjust Spain's history to say that the Fascist regime was the only side to commit human rights atrocities.

The DVD should contain a warning label: "This film contains material that is Revisionist Left Wing Propaganda"

Judge John Deed (2001–2007)

Brilliant but Flawed

[9/10 · 26 October 2012]

I have watched the series for the third or fourth time, however this last time including the episodes withdrawn by the BBC. I therefore write this review having finally seen the show in its entirety. I enjoy courtroom based films (Rumpole, 12 Angry Men (2 versions), The Verdict, The Wrong Man, Judgement at Nuremburg, To Kill a Mockingbird).

Each episode (except the last series) is 1.5 hours long (quite long). Each episode has three main plot threads - Deeds cases, Deeds personal life and Deed's relationship with the powers that be. The basic ideas running through the episodes is that Deed tries to get to the truth in the cases before him, he is a (mostly) radical judge, he is incorruptible, has appalling judgement in his personal life and has an excellent knowledge of the law and the operation of the courts and frequently uses it to his advantage.

Authenticity is one of the strengths of the series (up to five legal advisers are listed in the credits), although the legal system portrayed is fictionalised and the legal argument is often simplified. Initially his brother judges, the Lord Chancellor's Department (LCD), the Attorney General and the Home Secretary plot to remove Deed but are constantly out manoeuvred. Eventually his brother judges are supportive of Deed.

The series attracts criticism with Deed having his on again-off again girlfriend and daughter appearing before him, using influence to get his daughter off charges, his womanising and the over the top portrayal (for example Deed has 3 assassination attempts made against him over the course of the series).

However, in my view the series is well acted, high quality and is extremely funny in places. For example Deed locks up his ex-wife for contempt on two occasions. While sometimes over the top, the series is at its best portraying an honest judge, battling against corruption and government interference. Other highlights are Deed having a habit of taking over the questioning of the witnesses from the prosecution and defence, using various methods to get certain cases in his court, refusing to give up cases once he has started them and fighting a continuing battle with the LCD, who are constantly dreaming up ways of removing Deed.

The 2 episodes banned by the BBC relate to the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and one other episode also attracted controversy (TETRA phone towers causing motor neurone disease). This arose because the series targets populist/minority issues. The MMR vaccine episodes were based on controversy about use of the vaccine in the British Health system. Unfortunately the episodes were based on data that had been faked. It is a pity, as one of the banned episodes was titled One Angry Man and was based on the movie(s) 12 Angry Men.

Source Code (2011)

The Improbable versus the Impossible

[7/10 · 26 October 2012]

Well acted, well directed, good character development. Although repeating the train journey several times, it was not repetitive, as each time, the movie explored more of the mystery/puzzle surrounding the circumstances of the main character and the reason for the train journey.

The plot revolves around the idea of being able to reconstruct from the memories of the deceased, the last 8 minutes of what they experienced - and injecting this into someone else's brain, so that they experience an 'interactive' environment. While improbable, when this sort of thing turns up in a movie, its called science fiction.

The only problem is the ending. Ihe main character is terminated at the end of a train journey sequence, and he then goes on living in an alternative time line. While this is a nice ending, it is not explained, even within the bounds of science fiction, leaving a dissatisfied taste at the end. 7/10

Sherlock: The Hounds of Baskerville (2012) Season 2, Episode 2

A Scandal in Dartmoor

[6/10 · 8 September 2012]

I enjoyed Sherlock series one, however less so, series two, mainly because of the Hounds of the Baskerville episode. I don't mind the modernisation of the Conan-Doyle stories and the reinvention of the Sherlock Holmes character. The problem is the Hounds of the Baskerville is a traditional Sherlock Holmes story. With little trace of the original story, and the clumsy, far-fetched story replacing it, raises the question – what is the point.

The original Conon-Doyle story has the following key elements: A legendary hound killed a Baskerville two centuries ago. The recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville by a heart attack is caused by fright by a giant hound. The return of the American Sir Henry Baskerville from the USA to reclaim his inheritance. Theft of a new and old boot from Henry Baskerville. The escaped prisoner Seldon, who is related to Mrs Barrymore, a domestic servant at Baskerville Hall, is secretly fed by Mrs Barrymore through employment of signal lights and later when wearing some of Henry Baskervilles donated clothes, is killed in a chase with the Hound. Sherlock Holmes is secretly staying in a prehistoric dwelling on the moors and has Watson's letters to Baker Street intercepted. The protagonist - Jack Stapleton – a naturalist - turns out to be an heir of the Baskerville inheritance. Holmes pretends to leave again while secretly with Watson and Lestrade, watching for Henry Baskerville to complete dinner and leave Merripit House. Watson kills the Hound, before it seriously injures Baskerville. Stapleton escapes but on his way to his hideout (where he keeps the dog) in the Great Grimpen Mire, slips and is sucked into the bog.

The Sherlock story: Henry Knight witnesses his father's death by a hound 20 years ago and still troubled after receiving therapy from Dr Jacqui Stapleton, returns to the original site, only to have his fears return. The nearby Defence Base – Baskerville – that conducts secret biological weapons experiments is suspected. Holmes breaks in using his brother Mycroft's pass, and receives a tour. Watson meanwhile interprets signal lights as Morse code, which later turnout to be vehicle lights. Holmes upon visiting the site also sees the hound and then attempts to recreate the hound affect in Watson by locking him in a lab in the Defence base. To test a theory, Sherlock later exposes Watson to what he assumes is drugged sugar, which has no effect. A vegetarian restaurant is found to have ordered large quantities of meat and admits it used to keep a dog to attempt to stimulate interest in the defence experiments/local giant hound legend. Holmes using a memory technique determines that words remembered by Henry Knight are Liberty, Indiana and later determines, by accessing the base computers, that HOUND is an acronym for a cancelled secret military project to weaponise a hallucinatory drug. Dr Robert Frankland, who works at the base was involved in the original experiments on the drug. In the climax, Holmes, Watson and Lestrade are called to find Henry, who has returned to the original site of his father death. They find Henry overcome by a fog containing the hallucinatory drug, the inn keeper's dog and Frankland. The dog is killed and Frankland runs away and is killed by a mine on the Grimpen minefield that protects the military base.

As can be seen by comparing the original Conan-Doyle and the Sherlock story outlines, that while the original story elements may be mentioned, the new content is completely different. Mark Gatiss (the Sherlock writer) was quoted as saying that the popularity of the novel necessitated including more of the familiar elements of the story. Implying that the other episodes based on less well known stories had displayed more script flexibility. The new stories are in general well written and the modernising approach fresh, however the Sherlock story is in my view designed to fit the story elements and appears clumsily constructed and some of the replacement storyline is far-fetched (eg Baskervilles a military base and HOUND a hallucinatory drug).

According to the Wikipedia, the Hound of the Baskervilles has 24 film and television adaptations. In the others I have seen (Basil Rathbone 1939, Tom Baker 1982 and Jeremy Brett 1988) all were faithful to the original Conan-Doyle story, with minor variations. (It should be pointed out however that the Rathbone Baskerville was the first movie in the series and was intended to be standalone. Its success led to the other 13 movies. These 13 movies updated the stories to the early 1940's England time period - ie the 2nd World War. The Jeremy Brett series in general tried to be closest to the Conan-Doyle time period.)

In conclusion, Dartmoor still exists in Devon and is protected by National Park status. The Dartmoor bogs are still dangerous. (Baskerville Hall exists – although it's in Powys, Wales). It may have been better to keep the Hound of the Baskervilles story largely intact and modernise it – or leave it alone.

Waterworld (1995)

Post-Apocalyptic Cult Film

[8/10 · 4 September 2012]

The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world of the distant future where the polar ice caps have melted, covering the land mass with water. The survivors are 'drifters' that wander the sea in boats surviving by trading and other groups of people living on 'atolls' - floating structures. The protagonist group - 'smokers' have an oil tanker as a base and survive by launching raiding parties on the others. Food and water are scarce and technology is primitive - mainly mechanical. Everything in Waterworld (clothing, equipment etc) has a rundown/recycled look.

Kevin Costner plays the 'Mariner' - a drifter, who it turns out has evolved fish-like capabilities and does not quite fit in with the other people encountered. He plays the tough, survival hardened hero, that slowly softens over the course of the movie. The leader of the Smokers - the Deacon (Dennis Hopper) is played at times with comedic effect.

The storyline revolves around character interplay and the quest to discover the mythical 'Dryland'.

I didn't find the film overly long (135 minutes) as the evolving storyline/action kept my interest. The film at the time of release attracted controversy (cost over runs) losing money at the box office. The film is also not particularly politically correct - the 'Smokers' are literally, well, smokers. The treatment of women for a 1995 film, could be criticised.

I enjoy post-apocalyptic films (Mad Max, Terminator Salvation etc). Interestingly Dean Semler was cinamatographer - also cinamatographer for Mad Max 2 and 3. Kevin Costner played the anti-hero well, I thought and the quality was high due to the big budget. With the at times comedic role played by Dennis Hopper, the film does not take itself too seriously. 8/10.