Hardware Wars - 1978 - USA

Hardware Wars - 1978 - 6/10

 
After enduring Boxey, his Daggit, pyramid, Pharaoh helmets, I needed to clear my brain.
Princess Anne-Droid, space jockey Ham Salad, the Tin Man, a Hoover, Wookie Monster, more!
El cheapo parody is stuffed with in-jokes, and actually reverent.
Also, for aspiring editors, producers did a great job distilling the original into a dozen minutes.
May the farce be with you.

Battlestar Galactica - 1978 - USA

Battlestar Galactica - 1978 - 5/10

 
Pilot for the juvenile series that followed, dubbed by Harlan Ellison, “Battlestar Ponderosa.”
Those crafty Cylons sue for peace, only it is a deception!
The colonies, all the battlestars destroyed, save for the Galactica.
Henceforth, ragtag survivors head toward the mythical planet called Earth.
SciFi adventure of the week followed, targeting teens, then grade schoolers, finally lobotomy patients.
After Star Wars, we were so ravenous for SciFi, even this rusted toaster had OK ratings.

Prelude - 1927 - UK

Prelude - 1927 - 6/10

 
“The boundaries which divide Life from Death are best shadowy and vague.”
Our gentleman, reading Poe, listening to Rachmaninoff, grows anxious.
Imagining his own, premature burial.
For those of hypersensitive bent, I’m afraid this still happens.
Surprisingly effect short.

Goodbye Again - 1933 - USA

Goodbye Again - 1933 - 6/10

 
Ken Bixby writes steamy bestsellers.
The sort women like: “The Boudoir Cloister” - “Ecstasy” - “The Woman Who Gave.”
So, when old flame Julie throws herself at him, what’s a man to do?
Sure, Ken says no, but then his trousers are so very thin, and Julie senses interest.
Lively Pre-Code with more hide-the-weasel than you can shake a stick at.
Warren William, normally a cad or villain, a ball of fun in this fast-paced comedy.

Midwinter Break - 2026 - Netherlands

Midwinter Break - 2026 - 7/10

 
Stella gives husband Gerry a late Christmas gift.  Two tickets to Amsterdam.
They depart Glasgow, where they have lived as ex-pat Irish since the Troubles.
Gerry is unaware that Stella is actually scouting for a major change.
Marriage stagnant, she has a mounting crisis of faith.  The old …
“Why are we here?  Does my life have any purpose?”
Elegiac tone throughout  The wonderment of living, the anguish of living.
Younger viewers will be bored.  Better for those facing twilight.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3369083

Disclaimer - 2024 - UK

Disclaimer - 2024 - 7/10

 
The cache of photos are lurid, tainted reminders.
Followed by the slim book, that, good Lord, stirs up the forgotten scandal.
Nothing like being celebrated and flourishing for others to knock you down.
So finds Catherine after the pictures and book are given to family and coworkers.
A vile event, exposed for leering friends.
Taut thriller shifts between Italy and London, present day to twenty years previous.
Emotionally charged story, although at the conclusion, I kept waiting … unsure why it failed.

Doctor X - 1932 - USA

Doctor X - 1932 - 6/10

 
A serial killer plagues lower Manhattan.
Police consult Dr. Xavier and his research clinic.
Since the murders occur nearby, authorities suspect someone working there.
Then, there is the pesky newshound, digging for a story.

 
The sets, lighting, makeup, everything about the clinic is first rate fantastic.
Any and every thing associated with the reporter (annoying Lee Tracy) is dismal.
If it wasn’t for the “comedy”, this two-strip color film would be a classic.