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Space Master X-7 (1958) runs at an acceptable 71 minutes, and basically the story is summed up thus: A space probe returns to Earth covered with a strange mould, which is perfectly dormant in itself until it comes into contact with human blood, and when it does it transforms into an all consuming pile of space rust. If not stopped, this infection may cover the entire world.
Muhaaaaaaahaaaaaaa!
A scientist researching extraterrestrial life names the substance "Blood Rust" (scientists, eh. Always coming up with such imaginative names) and discovers it is deadly when it comes into contact with humans. He, however, dies from exposure to Blood Rust (careless), and a pair of government agents must track down his former lover, who is unwittingly spreading the pathogen (bad girl).
Again, there is probably some allegory about diseases or communism or something, or it could just be a story of how dangerous exploring the unknown is, or it could be something about never trusting mushrooms from outer space. Also, I’m not quite sure why it was called Space Master X-7. “Spacemaster” sounds like a character from a 1930s or 1940s Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers Saturday morning serial.
But in this story it is either the rocketship or the fungus, I’m not quite sure but what if it is the fungus? Maybe in its civilisation it is the top dog, the Alpha male. Do fungi have male/female gender differences or are they androgynous? Do they have a class or caste system? I did actually look up fungi on the internet and found that there are two classifications.
But does this mean that the Higher Classification looks down on the lower one? Is Dikarya subservient to Eukaryote? Does Eukaryote use yeast to clean out its cupboards? Assuming it has cupboards of course. I'm not sure but as you can see I did do some research into the subject, so I'm not making it up although, to be honest, I am now starting to ramble.
So until the next time...
Muhaaaaaaahaaaaaaa!
A scientist researching extraterrestrial life names the substance "Blood Rust" (scientists, eh. Always coming up with such imaginative names) and discovers it is deadly when it comes into contact with humans. He, however, dies from exposure to Blood Rust (careless), and a pair of government agents must track down his former lover, who is unwittingly spreading the pathogen (bad girl).
Again, there is probably some allegory about diseases or communism or something, or it could just be a story of how dangerous exploring the unknown is, or it could be something about never trusting mushrooms from outer space. Also, I’m not quite sure why it was called Space Master X-7. “Spacemaster” sounds like a character from a 1930s or 1940s Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers Saturday morning serial.
But in this story it is either the rocketship or the fungus, I’m not quite sure but what if it is the fungus? Maybe in its civilisation it is the top dog, the Alpha male. Do fungi have male/female gender differences or are they androgynous? Do they have a class or caste system? I did actually look up fungi on the internet and found that there are two classifications.
- The Higher Classification is Eukaryote
- The Lower Classification is Dikarya, Chytridiomycota, Yeast, etc.
But does this mean that the Higher Classification looks down on the lower one? Is Dikarya subservient to Eukaryote? Does Eukaryote use yeast to clean out its cupboards? Assuming it has cupboards of course. I'm not sure but as you can see I did do some research into the subject, so I'm not making it up although, to be honest, I am now starting to ramble.
So until the next time...
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For those of you who possibly don't follow the entertainment industry as close as the rest of us online bloggers due, consider this a "SciFi Public Service Announcement" for today: Shout Factory's release of John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) hits stores and online outlets today. For those of you looking to pick up a copy, you can easily get one from Amazon.com right here. (And -- for the record -- no, I'm not set up to receive any promotional kickback from the retailer as are some website; I just like to keep my readers informed of SciFi happenings as a courtesy. You wanna reward me? Then buy my book, Rainville, from Amazon.com. That's my thing.)
In any event, I've held back from offering my thoughts on The Thing over the years, largely 'cause I'm well aware that I'm in the minority. In short, I never quite enjoyed the flick as much as I have other features from Carpenter: sure, it's good, but in my humble estimation it's a very far cry from his true highwater mark, that being Escape From New York. The Thing seems a bit loaded down with excess for me, and perhaps I'd feel differently with a slimer edit that focused the narrative a bit tighter as some scenes play on too long (with less reward than deserved) to my untrained eye.
Still, kudos to Shout Factory for continuing to do the work they do with these older releases; they've a fantastic track record at loading up their discs with extras, many of which may have been seen before but have either disappeared from other releases or may've fallen through the cracks entirely. Fans wanted something more for the buck -- especially in the case of double or triple-dipping -- can rest assured that a release from Shout Factory is a cause for celebration.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
In any event, I've held back from offering my thoughts on The Thing over the years, largely 'cause I'm well aware that I'm in the minority. In short, I never quite enjoyed the flick as much as I have other features from Carpenter: sure, it's good, but in my humble estimation it's a very far cry from his true highwater mark, that being Escape From New York. The Thing seems a bit loaded down with excess for me, and perhaps I'd feel differently with a slimer edit that focused the narrative a bit tighter as some scenes play on too long (with less reward than deserved) to my untrained eye.
Still, kudos to Shout Factory for continuing to do the work they do with these older releases; they've a fantastic track record at loading up their discs with extras, many of which may have been seen before but have either disappeared from other releases or may've fallen through the cracks entirely. Fans wanted something more for the buck -- especially in the case of double or triple-dipping -- can rest assured that a release from Shout Factory is a cause for celebration.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
I don't know about you, but I found Amazon Studios' adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel -- The Man In The High Castle -- more interesting than I did impressive. Sure, the effects work was good, and the streaming program certainly had a lot going for it in terms of talent and ideas; but far too much of the season's middle-third bogged down in way too conventional serial melodrama, leaving the premise on the back burner in favor of building up some relatively uninteresting secondary characters. Still, I'll hang with it when its second season spawns this holiday season on Amazon, and I'm hoping this season fleshes out more of what's really going on instead of focusing on who might be sleeping with whom.
The second season trailer dropped, and I wanted to highlight it here for those of you following.
The second season trailer dropped, and I wanted to highlight it here for those of you following.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
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Consider this a public service announcement:
For those of you paying attention, Supergirl returns tonight with the premiere of its second season, but -- take note -- it'll now be airing on the CW ... probably where it should've been airing all along (you losers, CBS) after being unceremoniously dropped by its original network over what appears to have been licensing agreements and/or issues.
Like many, I caught all of the first season while it aired. I wasn't exactly thrilled with some of it, but all-in-all the cast and crew did a solid job in keeping it with the spirit of similar Superman-style properties (meaning "upbeat" and "sunny"). It's looking more and more like Big Blue himself will be a recurring character on the drama (not sure what to make of that at this point as the casting choice seems a bit uninspired); I'll be watching how the show develops and maybe I'll even sound off on it here from time to time as the opportunity and interest presents itself.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
For those of you paying attention, Supergirl returns tonight with the premiere of its second season, but -- take note -- it'll now be airing on the CW ... probably where it should've been airing all along (you losers, CBS) after being unceremoniously dropped by its original network over what appears to have been licensing agreements and/or issues.
Like many, I caught all of the first season while it aired. I wasn't exactly thrilled with some of it, but all-in-all the cast and crew did a solid job in keeping it with the spirit of similar Superman-style properties (meaning "upbeat" and "sunny"). It's looking more and more like Big Blue himself will be a recurring character on the drama (not sure what to make of that at this point as the casting choice seems a bit uninspired); I'll be watching how the show develops and maybe I'll even sound off on it here from time to time as the opportunity and interest presents itself.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
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(NOTE: The following is a Guest Column provided by one of SciFiHistory.Net's occasional readers, James Clelland. Hats off to James and a hearty thanks for sharing in our ongoing exploration here of All Things SciFi!)
Over the past few days I have been watching an American television series that ran from 1959 to 1960. It was a series that I had never heard of and accidentally found it when watching the 1929 Fritz Lang film “Frau Im Mond” (The Woman on the Moon).
During my search on YouTube (other video and audio search engines are available) I noticed several mentions of “Men Into Space”, and I then noticed it was a series and thought it might be worth watching. And I was right. It was worth watching. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long and was shot in black and white, but that in my opinion adds to its appeal.
The series has a very optimistic view of the United States Air Force Programme (1945 – 1956, although they still had missions into the 1960s). You may notice I say U.S. Air Force Programme and not that of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – NASA (1958 to the present day) or even its forerunner the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics - NACA (1915 to 1958). The United States at that time had no combined space programme, and each branch of the armed forces worked on their own trying to achieve space flight. It has to be said that not all of the research was of a scientific nature; after all if you can build a rocket to travel to the moon, you can fit an explosive payload to it and aim it at Moscow or Beijing.
The United States Air Force Space Programme ran from 1946 until 1958, and is now incorporated into the United States Air Force Space Command.
So what kind of view of space travel did “Men into Space” provide?
A very stoic one, from the 10 episodes that I have watched so far nobody seems to panic no matter what the situation. In the first 10 episodes, the crews of the various spaceflights fly to the moon, begin building a space station, encounter and land on a comet. It’s interesting as well to see that not all the astronauts return from the missions, and I’m sure it came as a bit of a surprise to those watching back in the 1960s, to see that even “All American Heroes” could die in space. I see these men as the Star Trek “red shirts” of their day. But the man who always came back (well for the first 10 episodes that I’ve seen so far) is Colonel Edward McCauley.
Over the past few days I have been watching an American television series that ran from 1959 to 1960. It was a series that I had never heard of and accidentally found it when watching the 1929 Fritz Lang film “Frau Im Mond” (The Woman on the Moon).
During my search on YouTube (other video and audio search engines are available) I noticed several mentions of “Men Into Space”, and I then noticed it was a series and thought it might be worth watching. And I was right. It was worth watching. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long and was shot in black and white, but that in my opinion adds to its appeal.
The series has a very optimistic view of the United States Air Force Programme (1945 – 1956, although they still had missions into the 1960s). You may notice I say U.S. Air Force Programme and not that of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – NASA (1958 to the present day) or even its forerunner the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics - NACA (1915 to 1958). The United States at that time had no combined space programme, and each branch of the armed forces worked on their own trying to achieve space flight. It has to be said that not all of the research was of a scientific nature; after all if you can build a rocket to travel to the moon, you can fit an explosive payload to it and aim it at Moscow or Beijing.
The United States Air Force Space Programme ran from 1946 until 1958, and is now incorporated into the United States Air Force Space Command.
So what kind of view of space travel did “Men into Space” provide?
A very stoic one, from the 10 episodes that I have watched so far nobody seems to panic no matter what the situation. In the first 10 episodes, the crews of the various spaceflights fly to the moon, begin building a space station, encounter and land on a comet. It’s interesting as well to see that not all the astronauts return from the missions, and I’m sure it came as a bit of a surprise to those watching back in the 1960s, to see that even “All American Heroes” could die in space. I see these men as the Star Trek “red shirts” of their day. But the man who always came back (well for the first 10 episodes that I’ve seen so far) is Colonel Edward McCauley.
Col. McCauley (picture above, played by William Lundigan) is a married man with a son. We not only get to see his work life dealing with organizing missions and crews, but his home life and we see how his son and wife cope with his employment. He would appear to me to be the head of the Astronauts Office, this is the only reason I can see why he gets all the good missions. Other characters appear on an irregular basis, but “Mac” is always there. He is a mentor, motivator, father figure, and one of the most experienced astronauts in the USAF.
The series is shot in a documentary style, with an occasional voiceover explaining why the crews wear magnetic boots, or why they need to re-enter earth atmosphere at a certain angle, or why Colonel McCauley can jump a crevice on the moon to look for a lost companion. What I like about it is the fact (so far) they haven’t gone for “little green men” and scary moon monsters: let’s face it travelling into a seriously hostile environment where your blood can boil, freeze, where your lungs can explode and where you could travel millions of miles before encountering any kind of orbital body isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It has to be said that they do have their fair share of issues, probably more issues than any astronaut/cosmonaut would ever encounter in a life time of orbital or lunar flights. I’m sure that even space flight simulator supervisor at NASA who come up with life threatening scenarios to test the physical and mental prowess of the astronauts would watch this and think “Wow! Why haven’t we done that one yet? Quickly get me a notebook and pen!”
If you liked the 1990s Tom Hanks and Ron Howard cinema version of the events that occurred during the Apollo 13 mission and then the Tom Hanks and Ron Howard television series From the Earth to the Moon, I would seriously recommend Men Into Space.
Right, now that’s the first 10 episodes out of the way, I’ve another 28 to catch up on. Buckle up, it could be a bumpy ride.
10…9…8…7…6…5…4…go for main engine start. 3…2…1…we have lift-off!
The series is shot in a documentary style, with an occasional voiceover explaining why the crews wear magnetic boots, or why they need to re-enter earth atmosphere at a certain angle, or why Colonel McCauley can jump a crevice on the moon to look for a lost companion. What I like about it is the fact (so far) they haven’t gone for “little green men” and scary moon monsters: let’s face it travelling into a seriously hostile environment where your blood can boil, freeze, where your lungs can explode and where you could travel millions of miles before encountering any kind of orbital body isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It has to be said that they do have their fair share of issues, probably more issues than any astronaut/cosmonaut would ever encounter in a life time of orbital or lunar flights. I’m sure that even space flight simulator supervisor at NASA who come up with life threatening scenarios to test the physical and mental prowess of the astronauts would watch this and think “Wow! Why haven’t we done that one yet? Quickly get me a notebook and pen!”
If you liked the 1990s Tom Hanks and Ron Howard cinema version of the events that occurred during the Apollo 13 mission and then the Tom Hanks and Ron Howard television series From the Earth to the Moon, I would seriously recommend Men Into Space.
Right, now that’s the first 10 episodes out of the way, I’ve another 28 to catch up on. Buckle up, it could be a bumpy ride.
10…9…8…7…6…5…4…go for main engine start. 3…2…1…we have lift-off!
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The Power Rangers franchise is a phenomenon that -- largely due to my age -- I missed out on. In fact, I really know very little about it, much less any of its various spin-off properties. I do recall reviewing a DVD release for a distributor not all that long back, but otherwise it's all Greek to me!
Still, I can appreciate a "global phenomenon" when I see one, and the Power Rangers certainly qualifies in that respect. A new teaser trailer dropped recently, and I wanted to promote it here. The feature definitely looks like it's something in my ballpark, so I'll have to check this one out theatrically when the time comes (so long as the reviews are solid).
Still, I can appreciate a "global phenomenon" when I see one, and the Power Rangers certainly qualifies in that respect. A new teaser trailer dropped recently, and I wanted to promote it here. The feature definitely looks like it's something in my ballpark, so I'll have to check this one out theatrically when the time comes (so long as the reviews are solid).
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
Let's not kid ourselves, peeps: there's absolutely nothing about the Resident Evil franchise that even remotely resembles high art. Granted, it does take a certain artistic flourish to maintain the level of cheese required to make a video-game-franchise into a series of blockbuster films, and there's something to be said for watching the lovely Milla Jovovich run around kicking ass for so long.
Still, it all had to end sometime, no?
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter comes to the multiplexes next January (2017), so prepare yourselves. Hopefully, Paul W.S. Anderson will send all of it out with the requisite "bang," and maybe I'll even catch this one on the silver screen instead of waiting for the home video.
Still, it all had to end sometime, no?
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter comes to the multiplexes next January (2017), so prepare yourselves. Hopefully, Paul W.S. Anderson will send all of it out with the requisite "bang," and maybe I'll even catch this one on the silver screen instead of waiting for the home video.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
A few weeks ago, I'd Tweeted out the announcements I'd read all over the web about the release of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century coming out for retail via Madman Entertainment (Australia).
Even though I do have a Region-Free Blu-ray DVD player (which basically means I can watch DVDs from anywhere in the world), I was particularly thrilled with this release as The Digital Bits had reported even though it was "coded" for a different region it was playable as "all regions." Well, I'm pleased to announce that mine came in yesterday's mail (from Amazon.com in the U.S.), and it works perfectly in my US-based Blu-ray DVD player.
So, last night in between watching the coverage of Hurricane Matthew (I have family in Florida) I popped in the first disc for the program's oft-maligned second season. This remastered edition is stunning in quality detail even though there are a few sequences obviously sourced from not the best master. Colors are vibrant, and the sound appears to be an improvement over Buck's original DVD release from many moons ago.
So for those of you interested, here's the link to making a purchase via Madman's site as Amazon's shipping for this was more than a few weeks delayed.
Even though I do have a Region-Free Blu-ray DVD player (which basically means I can watch DVDs from anywhere in the world), I was particularly thrilled with this release as The Digital Bits had reported even though it was "coded" for a different region it was playable as "all regions." Well, I'm pleased to announce that mine came in yesterday's mail (from Amazon.com in the U.S.), and it works perfectly in my US-based Blu-ray DVD player.
So, last night in between watching the coverage of Hurricane Matthew (I have family in Florida) I popped in the first disc for the program's oft-maligned second season. This remastered edition is stunning in quality detail even though there are a few sequences obviously sourced from not the best master. Colors are vibrant, and the sound appears to be an improvement over Buck's original DVD release from many moons ago.
So for those of you interested, here's the link to making a purchase via Madman's site as Amazon's shipping for this was more than a few weeks delayed.
- Published on
Major, major, major kudos are going out to the smilers at Warner Bros. Home Video today as they recently announced another complete series collection for the vastly underrated and under-appreciated Batman Beyond for fans and general consumers.
To be honest, this isn't the first release for the complete series (there was another one a few years prior), but the earlier one was one of those bulkier box types which quickly disappeared from shelves (Batman Beyond actually maintains a fairly large yet cult fanbase) and now sells for trillions of dollars on Ebay. (Just kidding: it isn't trillions, but you catch my drift.) So it's nice that this one is actually more shelf-friendly and much more affordably priced: this morning it's showing on Amazon as a pre-order for around $60.
And -- dare I say -- that's just in time for holiday shopping?
Here's the link to the announcement over on TVShowsOnDVD.com (a terrific site for those who haven't yet discovered it). The info provides some of the specs for those who really wish to know more about it.
To be honest, this isn't the first release for the complete series (there was another one a few years prior), but the earlier one was one of those bulkier box types which quickly disappeared from shelves (Batman Beyond actually maintains a fairly large yet cult fanbase) and now sells for trillions of dollars on Ebay. (Just kidding: it isn't trillions, but you catch my drift.) So it's nice that this one is actually more shelf-friendly and much more affordably priced: this morning it's showing on Amazon as a pre-order for around $60.
And -- dare I say -- that's just in time for holiday shopping?
Here's the link to the announcement over on TVShowsOnDVD.com (a terrific site for those who haven't yet discovered it). The info provides some of the specs for those who really wish to know more about it.
- Published on
When we’re all living at a time when more people polled recently believe in Bigfoot than believe the present Democratic nominee for President is honest, then you most assuredly know there’s an audience for films exploring what’s best known as “the Out There.” Classic television programs like The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and The X-Files long staked out territory ripe with supernatural, extraterrestrial, or paranormal oddities while occasionally reminding viewers we’re not alone, we’ve never been alone, and we’ll never be alone despite what the mainstream architects would have us believe.
I suppose its sentiments like those that will never be lost on storytellers like Joe Begos. With two feature productions under his belt, he’s clearly set himself on a path to examine “the Out There,” and I – for one – wish him well. But how worthy are his films of your time?
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
I suppose its sentiments like those that will never be lost on storytellers like Joe Begos. With two feature productions under his belt, he’s clearly set himself on a path to examine “the Out There,” and I – for one – wish him well. But how worthy are his films of your time?
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From the product packaging: “Zack Connors and Rachel Meadows were born with incredible psychokinetic capabilities. When word of their supernatural talents gets out, they find themselves the prisoners of Michael Slovak, a deranged doctor intent on harvesting their powers …”
Writer/director Joe Begos’ second feature is a modest improvement over his 2013 entry, Almost Human, a small production that hinted at big ideas (alien abduction, supernatural evil, etc.). The Mind’s Eye flirts with similar territory but offers the distinctions of expanding the storytelling to multiple locations, a slightly more talented cast, and a narrative that thankfully drills down to one selling point (to a degree): psychokinesis. Oh, sure, there are some other shenanigans worked in there, such as medical testing to improve or mutate a subject’s DNA, but all of it remains centered around the unique ability to move objects or effect outward change via only the human brain.
Sadly, those distinctions don’t really mean much when they’re paired up with such nondescript or unexplored characters.
In the role of the hero, Graham Skipper only delivers an obligatory performance: though shackled with a heavy personal remorse over a tragedy he caused when misusing his powers in the past, he’s still perfectly comfortable relying on them in the present. In fact, his character – Zack Connors – really only exists to use them regularly and otherwise wouldn’t garner a second glance (from audiences). In the role of the villain, John Speredakos oozes suitable menace when the script calls for it, but he’s provided little to no backstory about who he is, why he’s set himself on this path, or why he’s surrounded himself with the ineptest band of local yokels this side of Petticoat Junction. Perhaps the film’s saving grace remains Lauren Ashley Carter: she’s perfectly cast as the young, fetching, and vulnerable Rachel Meadows – a love interest for Connors – but Begos’ script gives her so little screen time that she’s reduced to little more than a “damsel in distress” as opposed to a full-bodied creation.
All of that said, let me definitely mix no bones about this: Begos remains a talented director and one worth watching, especially if you’re like me and naturally intrigued by this subject matter.
To his credit, Begos’ films ‘feel’ authentic though delivered with poorly developed or downright incomplete characters (i.e. ‘eyepatch’ villain or nurses who don’t quite act like nurses). Both of his features strongly suggest he’s pretty impressive at capturing old school practical effects in-camera and pairing them up with stories even when these tales might not be strong enough to hold viewers on their own. Perhaps if he found a screenwriting partner and shaved off some of the writing duties he’d have more time to do what he does well: direct.
Dare I suggest he’s otherwise spreading his gifts a bit too thin? Directing alone is certainly a daunting enough challenge for one budding talent.
Writer/director Joe Begos’ second feature is a modest improvement over his 2013 entry, Almost Human, a small production that hinted at big ideas (alien abduction, supernatural evil, etc.). The Mind’s Eye flirts with similar territory but offers the distinctions of expanding the storytelling to multiple locations, a slightly more talented cast, and a narrative that thankfully drills down to one selling point (to a degree): psychokinesis. Oh, sure, there are some other shenanigans worked in there, such as medical testing to improve or mutate a subject’s DNA, but all of it remains centered around the unique ability to move objects or effect outward change via only the human brain.
Sadly, those distinctions don’t really mean much when they’re paired up with such nondescript or unexplored characters.
In the role of the hero, Graham Skipper only delivers an obligatory performance: though shackled with a heavy personal remorse over a tragedy he caused when misusing his powers in the past, he’s still perfectly comfortable relying on them in the present. In fact, his character – Zack Connors – really only exists to use them regularly and otherwise wouldn’t garner a second glance (from audiences). In the role of the villain, John Speredakos oozes suitable menace when the script calls for it, but he’s provided little to no backstory about who he is, why he’s set himself on this path, or why he’s surrounded himself with the ineptest band of local yokels this side of Petticoat Junction. Perhaps the film’s saving grace remains Lauren Ashley Carter: she’s perfectly cast as the young, fetching, and vulnerable Rachel Meadows – a love interest for Connors – but Begos’ script gives her so little screen time that she’s reduced to little more than a “damsel in distress” as opposed to a full-bodied creation.
All of that said, let me definitely mix no bones about this: Begos remains a talented director and one worth watching, especially if you’re like me and naturally intrigued by this subject matter.
To his credit, Begos’ films ‘feel’ authentic though delivered with poorly developed or downright incomplete characters (i.e. ‘eyepatch’ villain or nurses who don’t quite act like nurses). Both of his features strongly suggest he’s pretty impressive at capturing old school practical effects in-camera and pairing them up with stories even when these tales might not be strong enough to hold viewers on their own. Perhaps if he found a screenwriting partner and shaved off some of the writing duties he’d have more time to do what he does well: direct.
Dare I suggest he’s otherwise spreading his gifts a bit too thin? Directing alone is certainly a daunting enough challenge for one budding talent.
The Mind’s Eye (2015) is produced by Channel 83 Films in association with Site B. DVD distribution for this release is being handled by the reliable RLJ Entertainment. As for the technical specifications? Even though this is an independent production, the sights and sounds provided are very good, though there were a few dips in audio (thankfully none at key moments). And kudos to the makers for releasing this with English subtitles as I used them a few times in order to capture some slightly muddled dialogue. Lastly, if you’re looking for special features, then prepared to be rewarded with a making-of short and two different commentary tracks … a nice set of extras for those who prefer nice extras.
RECOMMENDED because I tend to think that films like The Mind’s Eye probably have as many supporters as it does detractors. Today’s spoiled audiences (you know who you are) tend to prefer big budget effects and CGI-hypersplash over even modestly nuanced filmmaking, especially when it comes to events more supernatural than natural. I’m old enough to still appreciate what practical effects can do to an earthier story; I just wished these were paired with characters I cared about as opposed to ones forced on me by a sub-par script. A good effort … just quite good enough.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at RLJ Entertainment provided me with a DVD copy of The Mind’s Eye (2015) by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
RECOMMENDED because I tend to think that films like The Mind’s Eye probably have as many supporters as it does detractors. Today’s spoiled audiences (you know who you are) tend to prefer big budget effects and CGI-hypersplash over even modestly nuanced filmmaking, especially when it comes to events more supernatural than natural. I’m old enough to still appreciate what practical effects can do to an earthier story; I just wished these were paired with characters I cared about as opposed to ones forced on me by a sub-par script. A good effort … just quite good enough.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at RLJ Entertainment provided me with a DVD copy of The Mind’s Eye (2015) by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.