dark_side_of_the_sun Reviews

An Idiot Abroad: Route 66 (2011) Season 2, Episode 6

Great adventure!

[10/10 · 22 July 2013]

This may be my favorite episode in the series so far. Well-crafted and interesting journey by a common English bloke across America. It illuminated different cultures of America brilliantly.

After all the previous adventures this seems rather tame at first, and jarringly familiar to me as an American. To previously have had so many other cultures and adventures portrayed through Karl, Ricky and Steve's perspectives, I was curious to see how my part of the world was experienced and portrayed.

This episode exceeded my expectations and offered me a new and particularly interesting perspective on a country I felt I knew so well. But then I'm an American who would drive the freeway instead of Route 66 and not arrange to meet such interesting people along the way. More's the pity.

Interesting portrait of America. A bit jarring after seeing places I'd never been to see my own country portrayed. Made me realize how good the whole series really is. That was already clear of course, but this one hit home.

You'll be in stitches by end of this one. Those boys know how to have a laugh.

Thank you to everyone working on this excellent episode and series. Hope to see more!

Trek Nation (2011)

Interesting film about Gene Roddenberry and his son's journey to understand his father and the Star Trek universe

[9/10 · 18 May 2013]

This film did a better-than expected job exploring the history of Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek from beginning through the reboot. What makes it fascinating is that it is done by his son who never really developed a deep relationship with him and distanced himself from the Trek universe until well after his father's death while he was still a teenager. We share his journey to discover his father and his father's creations. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be the rebellious non-Trekkie son of Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett, here's your answer. And it's fascinating.

Mr. Roddenberry Jr's multi-year journey to understand his father and the phenomenon that is Star Trek includes interesting interviews with series-related people (from DC Fontana to Ronald D. Moore and Scott Bakula) as well as others like George Lucas, Seth McFarlane and JJ Abrahams. Well-placed historic footage and vintage interviews give it a broad scope.

The film does well on several levels: as a Gene Roddenberry biography, as a son's exploration of a largely unknown father, as a film exploring why Star Trek resonates, and a history of how Star Trek came to be produced over the years.

Nicely done and well worth watching for anyone, especially for fans and anthropologists. This would fit well as a documentary on PBS's POV or Biography or similar show.

9/10 if you're a Trekkie, 7/10 if you're not.

Time Off (1990)

Well-made film explores the nature of living with forbidden desire

[9/10 · 13 February 2013]

This film was very nicely done. Interesting from beginning to end. Well written and acted. Universal themes and interesting characters beautifully presented.

A group of Israeli soldiers are about to be deployed to Lebanon. Before leaving they get a short leave in Jerusalem. We follow our protagonist as he engages with them and finds something in common with a fellow soldier.

If you like well-made short films exploring self-discovery, companionship, secrecy, desire, and love in a less-than-welcoming environment, you'll enjoy this film.