swanjac Reviews

Invasion Earth (1998)

dreadful show!

[1/10 · 7 March 2011]

This had soooo much promise! I remember all those years back, looking forward to a new sci-fi show...my hopes shattered within 4 minutes! A cassette player in a phantom jet? a RAF pilot who disobeys at least 4 direct orders? all in the first few minutes? As for the plot,two sets of aliens? "special effects" that were anything but, and as for the performances..my god i am surprised all the actors ever worked again! I came here, via "Outcasts", another turgid BBC waste of time and money.Seems nothing was learned from Invasion in the last 20 years. glad to get that off my chest.don't bother with the DVD, this show was truly truly AWFUL!

The Dark (2005)

how on earth did they get funding??

[2/10 · 28 February 2006]

i just saw this film here in Brunei, and like myself, most of the audience were disappointed. How on earth did this get funded? I couldn't believe Sean Bean was persuaded to do it! In fact, i thought it was a few years old and logged onto InDb to check its age! I thought it was one of the most formulaic horror films i've seen for years! It had absolutely no original ideas whatsoever! I actually was born and raised in the location in which the film was supposedly set and frankly, what a wasted opportunity! The area is absolutely stunning yet the film showed virtually nothing of the beautiful place (The Gower Peninsular in South Wales)...it could have been set anywhere!!? And why did they have a Scotsman, Maurice Roeves, playing a Welshman? I am sure Sean Bean WONT be Adding this to his "best of.." list. What a waste of time. It even broke the cardinal rule of horror films...IT Wasn't SCARY!!

Under Milk Wood (1971)

big names in a little village.....

[8/10 · 6 April 2004]

a beautiful adaptation of Dylan Thomas' "Play for Voices". An amazing cast, beautifully shot by people passionate about the project. Do notice the "second voice", the wonderful late and much lamented Ryan Davies, an actor and comedian revered here in Wales, probably the biggest star who never became known outside his own country, he sadly died in 77 at a tragically young age, 42 i believe. An educated and cultured man, his loss was a dreadful blow to all of Wales. Also look out for a very young David Jason as "no-good Boy" and topless performances from a young Susan Penhaligan and Ruth Madoc!

So much to see in this film there just arent enough words! Peter O'Toole was brilliant as Captain Cat, and Elizabeth Taylor wonderful as raunchy Rosie....vulnerable, sexy, sad all in one delicious bundle! Do try to catch this film...you wont be disappointed.

Beasts (1976)

creepy, unnerving series!

[25 March 2004]

I saw this at the age of 12 when it was broadcast for the first (and only) time. Two stories stick in my mind, Buddyboy, about a haunted Pool/Ghost Dolphin (memorable to me for a very well-endowed young lady removing her Bra!! ) But the story i remember most, the title of which i cant remember but concerned a plague of Rats, stealthily attacking people trapped in a country cottage.In the entire episode you never actually See a Rat! But it was done superbly. Always looked forward to seeing this show repeated, but never has been. It was a gem from Nigel Kneale, an Ace writer.

Deacon Brodie (1997 TV Movie)

overlooked little gem of a film

[8/10 · 29 August 2003]

A little Masterpiece! Billy Connolly is superb as the dubious Deacon, and the supporting cast are terrific too. Filmed with the highest quality the BBC strives for, this little gem of a film has been somewhat overshadowed by Connolly's "Mrs Brown". Well worth catching, a rollicking bawdy tale of Ye Olde Scotland! Enjoy!

Trouble in the Sky (1960)

based on the story of the Comet, the worlds first Jet Airliner

[7/10 · 28 May 2003]

I haven't seen this film for years, which is a pity because all i remember are a few powerful scenes thanks to the very impressive cast. Based on true events, but subtly changed to avoid law-suits, its actually a compelling little drama, a shame it hasn't been shown more often. The story on which it is based, the KNOWN Design Flaws in the Comet which were Covered up by the De Havilland company, and the subsequent "sacrifice" of an entire airline and its passengers in Italy, is actually screaming out to be remade! In this case, the truth is far worse than fiction...in the film, decent noble people save the day, in the reality alas...less noble and darker motives won...and people died needlessly. The performances in this little melodrama were so good, i actually remembered this film for at least 25 years...thats when i last saw it i think..well worth catching.