5 comments about Visions of Greece.

1. At the outset, I will admit that I am a philhelene. Nor do I make any apologies for this fact. I absolutely love the ancient Greeks and have always wanted to visit the country. I may or not ever get the chance to do that, but thanks to this video I have a good impression of the topography of Hellas as well as a nice visual of many of the main attractions.
   
   A female narrator guides us through the Greek isles as well as the Grecian mainland on a helicopter tour. All of the days they chose for filming were chamber-of-commerce like gorgeous & sunny days. The beauty of Greece is absolutely breath-taking. The soundtrack is very soothing.
   
   There is one small criticism I have, but it is minor. I would have liked to have seen a flyover of ancient Sparta. I realize there is precious little left of Sparta, but a brief flyover would have still been nice. Again, however, this omission is certainly no reason not to buy the DVD.
   
   Be sure to look at the special features as there is about 1/2 hour of additional footage w/out narration. If you're looking for a visual documentary of the country of Greece, you have found it here!



2. Scenic and educational, and a boon to students wrestling with mythology and ancient history. Extensive bonus footage makes this an exceptional bargain.



3. I have been to Hellas (Greece) several times visiting family. I first saw this on a public television HD channel and bought the DVD as well. It brought tears to my eyes the first couple viewings. The music, narrator, cities, villages and ancient sites are a perfect combination for those that want to see an authentic picture of Hellas. And the best part for me: the island my father is from is one of the featured places!
   
   Note: This DVD is best viewed on a 1080p television. You will be stunned by the experience.



4. The '04 aerial travelogue 'Visions of Greece' is the first of the 'Visions Series' available through Acorn Media Studio. This 2 program, 1 disc set is a wonderfully relaxing and mesmerizing journey over enchanting Greece and the Mediterranean. The vistas are breathtaking, the traditional and contemporary soundtrack inviting and the narration informative and non-intrusive. Just sit back and enjoy!



5. This is a beautiful and breathtaking video . Scenery was out of this world and I am extremely glad I bought it

No comments about Scenic National Parks: Grand Canyon [Blu-ray].

2 comments about Living Landscapes HD Hawaii [Blu-ray].

1. Wow! This is truly a great use of HD video. It feels like you're on the beach, under the giant waterfalls and in the floral jungles of Hawaii. The sound is great too. Sure beats the long and expensive flight for that great Aloha feeling. highly recommended.



2. The picture is amazing and truly brings you to Hawaii's beauty. The TV screen turns into an amazing moving picture frame.
   
   The only thing that bothered me was the advertising on the screen. Throughout the entire disc, a message reads the company's web site in the lower right hand corner in white text. It seems a little absurd that even after you have paid this money to the company; they still feel the need to advertise to you.
   
   Other than that, the disc was put together nicely. And after time, you may stop noticing the ad, I hope.

5 comments about Star Trek - Nemesis (Widescreen Edition).

1. The Good Things
   *Lots of cool action and special effects.
   *Very different filming style. Much more vivid and interesting use of colors and camera angles. Also a bit darker and more dramatic.
   *Storyline is interesting. It's cool to finally see the Romulans in a film.
   *Characters are smashing. There are lots of paralells involved; Picard vs his clone, Data vs B-4 (his clone), Troi vs that ugly alien, Riker vs the same ugly alien, and so on. Duality is the key point, and it makes for some very interesting interactions and dialogue.
   *Writing is good. Not so much comedy, but definately lots of drama.
   *As mentioned above, strong themes of duality.
   *Okay music.
   
   The Bad Things
   *The ending is a little dissapointing. Data is dead, the Enterprise is destroyed again, and everybody moves onto different paths. It almost warrents a whole new Star Trek TV series.
   
   The Questionable Things
   *It's almost too different. Definately a strange departure from previous films.
   
   I didn't really like this one at first, but I'll be darned if it didn't grow on me. The action and special effects are very slick and cool. Above all, there are a lot of interesting issues involving duality between the characters, with the Romulans, and overall light and dark. It's dark and deep, but also a little too dreary and different. Still, it's very interesting and entertaining.
   
   The one-disc version had good video and sound quality, and had some deleted scenes and featurettes. The two-disc version has good quality still, some of the same extras, plus additional featurettes.



2. My apologies up front, but my review of this film, and reaction to some of the other reviews present, is more personal and less detached than reviews of this type usually should be. But where Star Trek is concerned, my opinions are more emotional, and even deeply more personal than usual for TV and film subject matter. If this will derail you, read no further.
   After watching so many people regurgitate their semi-informed views on the state of Trek and recent projects, and this film in particular, I have abandoned my "to each their own" stance on the subject, and will have my say.
   Another reviewer writes: "I'm simply amazed at how many Star Trek fans abhor this movie! I guess I'm not enough of a Trekkie to understand the hatred, though I have been a fan since the 1970's."
   I was thinking the opposite. I myself have been a fan since the '70's. I believe that makes people like us "real" fans, and provides sufficient credentials to have an opinion. At first I also wondered why so many bad reviews. Then, I realized, in settings like this, you are not seeing the opinions of Star Trek fans. You are getting the opinions of "a majority of the people." Big difference. Star Trek never was truly appreciated by a majority of the people. A majority of the people apparently thought the original series should be cancelled....
   Asking people who probably did not truly "get" Trek, and what made it work to begin with, to rate which movie is the best, is like asking my mom and dad (children of the 50's) if Iron Maiden is a great band, and just taking their word for it. Not the proper audience.
   You have people that are too young to appreciate the original, and wish it were more like Babylon 5, or folks that think Sci-Fi should run like a reality show. But, I digress....
   Nemesis is, along with Star Trek II, probably one of the best of all Trek films. (As a true cinematic artwork, and excellent overall expression of the "Great Bird" 's original concept for ST without the limitations of weekly serial TV, Star Trek: The Motion Picture tops them all, and has not been surpassed. But, it lacked the sting of battle, heat of conflict, and the shrill squeal of phaser fire that fans craved.) Like Star Trek II, Nemesis has its share of flaws and inconsistencies, but like STII these are out shined by the action, drama, and spirit of adventure. These were seriously lacking in TNG episodes and films, and this final TNG piece seems to have been given a major transfusion of TOS blood. Ironic that yet again, when Paramount finally gets it right, they again nip it off at the bud because box office returns weren't exactly what they wanted, after trying this exact formula with newer TNG cast a total of ONE time. Those of us long suffering fans have come to expect nothing less from them. If it is time to let Star Trek be, it is not because its potential is gone, it is because those to whom the reigns have passed do not know how to utilize it creatively, and refuse to listen to the people who really watch it loyally: Longtime Fans. Not the "bloggers" online that tune in now and then when taking a break from World of War Craft, or there is nothing good on Sci-Fi Channel. I hate to say it, but: If you don't like this film, you probably just don't like Star Trek anyway, and should just go watch your old episodes of "Earth2", and leave this fine film, and its fans in peace.



3. What a sad, depressing way to pretty much end an amazing franchise, Star Trek Nemesis, the tenth film in the series, finally ended the Trekkie theory that every even numbered movie was colossal while the odds were medicore at best. The early 2000's weren't a good time for the franchise, with ST:Voyager ending it's run less than a year earlier and leaving ST:Enterprise alone and not doing a good job ratings or storywise. This was the third solo Next Generation film (not counting '94's Generations which was old with new casts), and the appeal was stating to really, really wear thin.
   
   Once again the Next Gen crew are sent on a typical mission (much like the previous film, the "hippie-like" Insurrection) to speak to a missionary representative of a subrace of the Romulans known as the Remans, who look nothing like them with their white disfigured bat-like faces. But when Captain Picard and crew get there, they find out their new leader is actually a twenty-something clone of the Captain known as Shinzon. He says all he wants is peace between the three parties, but of course in true Star Trek fashion his real mission is to destroy the Romulan Empire, the Federation, and his dopperganger Picard himself.
   
   Sure, the special effects are up to typical Star Trek fashion but that's all they reach, which is typical. Not much new is going on here except for an out-of-place, land based, dune-buggy race (in Star Trek?) and many endings/beginning of the ST:TNG storyline. After a twenty year courtship, Riker and Troi are getting married and leaving the Enterprise (with Riker getting his own command), and Data discovers another android like him, though not as intelligent, that he refers to as his brother known as B-4....get it, "before"....all while glossing over the fact that Data's had a brother before in the series known as Lore that this movie completely ignores.
   
   I think that cast and crew knew when making this film that the franchise truly had dried up at this point. There just wasn't much more to do with this crew and it shows all around. While die-hard Trekkies will find this entertaining, this was not the way they should have ended it. Tom Hardy as the younger Picard clone does look & sound alot like Patrick Stewart (minus a much larger upper-lip), but as a main villain he has no spark or appeal like ones in the past and Sci-Fi favorite Ron Perlman as his viceroy doesn't make things any better. And in true desperate writing fashion, one important main cast member dies, though like Spock earlier yet alot easier, could come back just like nothing ever happened.
   
   As for the Paramount 2 Disc Special Edition, like the others it's filled with amazing CGI menus, detailed behind-the-scenes footage, and tons of extras, but after seeing the film realizing that it didn't work as well as Picard and crew are now forever in drydock, you might not want to see them to know more of what went wrong. Though, even if you're a somewhat Star Trek or Sci-Fi fan, you'll should see this to know how it all ends, but don't expect a great warp into the sunset like Shatner's cast did in Part Six. Seeing Nemesis, it will probably explain to you why it's taking seven years to make another film, plus being a reboot going back to the Original Series storyline instead of continuing this one. But you never know in the world of Star Trek, maybe in the future we'll see Picard, Riker, and Data again....yes, even that third guy.
   (RedSabbath Rating:7.5/10)



4. First, let me state I dislike about two thirds of the classic, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise content out there. Still, I'll watch them, because scene to scene they have their moments and there are some very stellar (no pun intended) episodes scattered throughout.
   
   Next, I want to dis this film for some legitimate reasons. To have Wil Weaton in the reception scene sitting next to his mom and then not use him in any other part of the film was ridiculous.
   
   Also, considering Tasha Yar's daughter is Romulan, it seems rather idiotic not to have included her as one of the Romulan commanders we encounter later in the film. Since this is the final "future" Trek film, that would have been extremely fitting.
   
   The scene with Data and Picard in his Ready Room drinking wine and speaking of human ritual & bonds (I think that's what it was, it's been a while) should not have been cut. It's essential for both showing the audience more of the friendship between those two, the significant of the Chateau Picard wine toasted later in the film, and the poignancy of Data's sacrifice. That cut was not only unnecessary, but detrimental to the film's arc. Forget the "tempo", "momentum", or "rhythm" of the film. We're not talking action scenes, here.
   
   The bat imagery and inspiration was a bit, how do I put this mildly, overt. No, that's too kind. It was beating me over the head with a big, dead, stinky bat, like some junior high student short story's grand creative stroke. Less is more, folks.
   
   Finally, my biggest issue in the film, and one I probably let get in the way of my enjoyment of it, was the whole WMD, terrorism, and pro-Iraq invasion slant I perceived. Now, the virgin terrorist bent on world domination with an awful WMD is something clearly Spiner and friends intended in the script. The Iraq part was probably just my distaste with what was happening in the media at the time being unjustifiably channeled into the viewing. I can't be sure, but I suspect that was unintentional and was just some bad luck in the timing of the film's release. But, hey, maybe my first instincts were right.
   
   Nonetheless, like I said, I was too harsh on the film in the theater. I was fuming, pissed even. For the seeming Iraq slant, for Data's sudden death without the proper preparation and arc, for the soft, overly-groomed (common recent Trek problem), cheesy-looking Romulan Senate cgi scenes. However, in retrospect, and especially considering that one scene I mentioned previously that should not have been cut, I think the film is mostly in the right place. The ship to ship battle sequence at the end is masterful, combining all the techniques originated in the earliest TNG video games and novels, giving realistic division-of-tasks on the bridge, and presenting the events with a "truthiness" (finally, a use for that word!). They were 3D, dynamic, nuanced, and believable within the established rules and technologies of this franchise.
   
   The short-hand and camaraderie between this troop of actors is here in full force. I think they're right up there with the cast of MASH, quite frankly, and I'd put these actors in an echelon above that due to the serious and challenging subject matter they've dealt with over the years, not to mention the films. I really can't think of any other ensemble that's of this caliber, each and every one of them. I'm still not certain the best aura of the series was ever captured in any of the films, but in this one I almost felt they arrived at something more. Some of the kidding was put aside. Not all, but more than most of the episodes and films. There was a mature professionalism exuded by the characters. Individuals well into the prime of their professional and personal lives, dealing with the threats, changes, growth, and loses life entails.
   
   The film's look, I have to point out before wrapping this up, is gorgeous. The textures, lighting, pure white lights to subtle colors, those lens flares, the fascinating hue of Data's skin and eyes. This is without a doubt not only the finest-looking Star Trek outing, but a striking visual achievement, by any standard. It is not a five star film in my book, but in my opinion it was worth another look. I know I'll be returning to it some more. With reservations, but worthy nonetheless.



5. Some of these reviews are pitiful and mean spirited.
   I have been a Star Trek fan since the early 1970s as a child, but am not a trekkie.
   I enjoyed this movie and do not nit pick it apart !
   I pray for at least one more Next Generation movie !

5 comments about Timecop [HD DVD].

1. A time cop races through time to right the meddlings of a corrupt politician in the past. Van Damme is a cop whose wife has died and becomes a time cop. A corrupt politician is messing with the past to get enough money for his political campaign. The movie has pretty good fight scenes which are basically showing off Van Damme and his body. It has an interesting premise for the time it was done (1994) although the special effects were not that good, even for the time. The acting is better than other Van Damme movies though.



2. All in all, Timecop held up pretty good. There are a few FX shots that don't look as good as they should but for the most part the film looks real good on HD-DVD. The only real bad part is that, like the first dvd's that came out, there are no extras. Also, it was delivered to Canada in about 4 days(with 2 of those being the week-end) and I am not in a major city!!! Gotta love that.



3. If you were a Van Damme buff like me when you were younger, then you swear by and worship films such as Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Lionheart. Timeless late 80's early 90's films that were immensely popular at the time and quite enjoyable as action movies during that era. However, Van Damme's reputation quickly faded because he was type-cast as the brute karate guy who was hell-bent on just kicking you in the face at an 120 degree angle.
   
   Timecop is Van Damme's glory film in his acting career. A wonderful and entirely believable futuristic story of time travel that with a little better directing and production could have been a darn good action flick. Van Damme plays a futuristic cop who witnesses his wife's murder and is determined to do something about it. Coincidentally, he's the top time travel cop for the time travel program that the government currently has implemented for national security reasons. Of course he's going to use that to his advantage. What ensues is a mixture of other time travel movies all brought into one but with that Van Damme flair. While the overlying message is that the past is a terrible thing to alter, Van Damme's life has never been the same since the loss of his wife. The only way to survive his mundane existence and to save the country in the process is to go back in time, alter it, and kill a few bad guys in the process. Van Damme is not over the top here, however. He plays a darker character who displays believable emotion as a result of his surroundings. If you're a fan of time travel movies ala Back to the Future, The Butterfly Effect, The Time Machine, then Timecop should be right up your alley.
   
   Time travel will always be an interesting topic of conversation or subject of a major motion picture.



4. I'm not going to bore you with a plot synopsis you can get off the back of a box. If you like Van Damme you'll like this movie. It's not filled with mindless action, and the plot is strong enough to carry the the film. It comes off slightly goofy, but only because of the 1990's take on what the future would be like.
   
   If you are looking for some decent/classic Van Damme action check it out. For under $10 how disappointed could you really be?



5. In my opinion, this is Jean Claude Van Damme's best movie that he ever made. The plot is good and his acting is actually very good and somewhat believable. He also looks really great in this movie.

2 comments about Adirondacks.

1. On six million acres in upstate New York, the "Adirondack Park" is by far the largest park in the lower 48 states. Its land is divided almost evenly between protected wilderness and privately owned tracts creating a pattern of ownership that maintains a delicate relationship between progress and preservation. Through the perspectives of several characters, this program explores the history, seasonal landscape and current state of the Adirondacks.
   
   Released by PBS in the late spring of 2008, this controversial documentary showed what kind of a place a six-million acre State Park was and could me in modern times. With a nearly 50-50 split of private and public ownership (it was once considered to be a National Park), the Adirondacks are shown what they are - remote yet accessible; wild and public. The documentary traces a fine balance between the publics' right to own and use the land against private owners who choose to log, develop or possibly destroy the integrity of the park's landholdings. It takes a good crew like PBS and director Tom Simon to present a fair and balanced view of this rarest of parks. With amazingly beautiful shots of mountains, lakes, rivers and streams, the film traverses across the entire park showing the immense beauty and value of such a large piece of public land within such close proximity to major metropolitan areas (New York City, Montreal, Albany, Syracuse, etc.). The cinematography is the star here with helicopter gilding shots throughout. As if to emphasize the point of private vs. public, the film ends on an odd note. The development of the Big Tupper ski area and numerous condominiums and recreation facilities shows the Town of Tupper Lake in its impoverished condition against a community that gravely wants to leave the area wild forever. It has been an ongoing struggle since the park was established.
   
   "At the 1894 Constitutional Convention, a new covenant to achieve meaningful protection of the Forest Preserve was included in the new Constitution. Henceforth, the Adirondack Forest Preserve would be "forever wild."
   
   "For years the State had been acquiring and holding lands, often denuded, to be sure, which lumber interests did not pay the taxes on. It was this nucleus of property that gave the idea for the Park. Curiously enough, in this way, avarice was its own undoing ... In 1885 the Forest Preserve was created, and the popular vote in 1894 set it aside for the use of all the people forever."
   -- T. Morris Longstreth, The Adirondacks, 1917"



2. I watched this program on PBS and it was so good that I had to buy the DVD so I can watch it again and again. What a great program full of stunning visuals of a beautiful area of the United States.

2 comments about Rick Steves' Ireland and Scotland, 2000-2007.

1. I love seeing what to expect when I get there! For that this DVD is perfect.



2. Has there ever been another travel guide more amiable, more informative, more eclectic and just plain likeable than Rick Steves? This somewhat nerdish but pleasant looking fellow will immediately win the viewer over with his charm, humor and smoothing, layback manner. However what will keep you watching program after program is his consummate knowledge of the sites and people he visits.
   
   While each journey is only 30 minutes in length Rick has a unique talent of synthesizing the many facets that make up a people and place. He leaves no stone unturned in his analysis; historical background, spiritual heritage, cultural underpinnings and political legacy are all equally touched upon to give the audience a fuller understanding of the rural and urban landscape.
   
   However not not an individual to dwell too much on the past, he provides a delightful tour of the markets, music, restaurants and nightlife. The kind of information would really want to know if you're out for a good time.
   
   The production values are also wonderful offering fanstastic visuals that are worth watching even if there where no commentary. Traveling with Rick Steves' is the next best thing to being there.
   
   This particular DVD contains six episodes, thirty minutes in length. Imagine three hours in Ireland and Scotland await, better get started!

5 comments about The Philadelphia Experiment 2.

1. It is probably hard to place David Herdeg [Brad Johnson] in the previous movie -- but he is living now in 1993 with his son -
   But someone is conducting another experiment that is altering Herdeg's DNA makeup and zapps him into the future where he sees the way life is likely to end up.
   
   The Philadelphia Experiment is being implementing to transport a Stealth Fighter back to World War II to alter the outcome of the War.
   The son of the German Nazi experimentor has stolen some of Herdeg's blood so that he can be transported to 1943 with the plane and meet his father.
   How can a man meet his father before he was even born? Quite a mind boggler.
   
   I liked the way the events of time were knocked back into place [so to speak] -- I thoroughly enjoyed all of the Philadelphia Experiment movies and didn't find any of them hard to understand. Probably understanding that anything is possible, especially in the mind of men.
   
   Definitely Recommend this good clean? movie [future looked a bit dirty] especially if you like Brad Johnson. Great ending.



2. It was a nice attempt by the filmakers to perpetuate the original film which was very decent. I cant believe no one has commented on the fact that the film is not in its original aspect ratio, widescreen. Its ruined! Why would they do that? This is no less then cutting up a film and trying to replay it. This has been done to many films including "Eve of Destrucion". Hey, put the film out right or dont bother. Its hard to believe that in this day and age of widscreen tvs and awareness of films an attempt at bamboozling people is still going on. The film has gotten little noteriety and contains some nice scifi scenes for a B list sequel.



3. The Philadelphia Experiment 1 is good, but the second part is awfull. The first movie is coherent with the supposition of experiment really happened, but the second is only bad science fiction. Well, we don't know if the Philadelphia Experiment really happened, but the second movie makes clear movie is sci-fi.



4. I did not know there was a sequel to the Philadelphia Experiment. The theme is basically the same 'after effects of the experiment'. It continues with the same storyline about not using the procedure due to the dangers involved. It was well made, nice special effects, and held my interest. I would recommend it to any science-fiction action adventure fan.
   
   MEM



5. This movie is just alright. Not as good as the first one because the original guy wasn't in it, but again has to do with Time Travel, and if you like that stuff then pick this up.

5 comments about Visions of England.

1. Fabulous! I have been to England and enjoyed seeing many of the sights I remember. It's like being there.



2. I can only echo what the other reviewers have written about "Visions of
   England" the only complaints I have with it are the music is quite different from what I heard on PBS, There is no listing of the music pieces in the booklet, which would have been a nice addition to the booklet. As some of the reivewers wrote there is so much more scenery that could have been put on the disc. Though as it is a nice time can be spent watching this DVD which can be said about any of the "Visions" series.



3. Takes me back time and again. I love England and it helps with being 'homesick' for that beautiful country.



4. Much like most of you out there I first became acquainted with the `Vision Series' of aerial travelogue features on PBS television. Whenever I came upon one while channel surfing I'd immediately put the remote down and sit back and relax. It wasn't long before I decided these programs were something I'd never tire of watching and needed to be added to my private DVD collection.
   
   Released in '05, `Visions of England' is the third production in the series. As with the previous two (Greece and Italy) immediately the audience is whisked away high above the maddening crowd to view an England, both urban and rural, in breathtaking fashion. The music is beautifully in sync with the visuals as is the narration. A treat to be enjoyed by the traveler in all of us.



5. This is a beautiful and breathtaking video . Scenery was out of this world and I am extremely glad I bought it

5 comments about Rocketship X-M.

1. If you listen to the music for the movie it sounds like a grand adventure is taking place and then it all ends on a crash of sour notes. What do I mean? Well, they embark on the grand adventure of being the first ones to take ship for the moon--and wind up on mars. On their way back they crash...just like the music. I liked it. It shows just how serious people took the possibilitly of space flight back in the early fiftys.
   
   PROS:
   
   1. None of the attempted indept characterization you usually get in todays movies where you have fifty main characters and only two hours to tell each ones' story--they use that for filler today, somebody told those
   hacks in Hollywood it was good writing. No, 77 minutes of short, sweat, and to the point. They do use characterization but they don't use it as filler.
   
   2. An interesting idea and the actors are acting.
   
   3. The required meteor swarm--all science fiction movies seem to have them. I seem to remember they put them in because they really didn't know what else bad could happen to you up there. (Just remember, I didn't say Heinlein wrote this.)
   
   4. Through a twist or two of fate they wind up making a landing on Mars. By the way, its starts raining when they stop. I think someone should have muttered '...ionizing the atmosphere as we came down....' might have passed the pop science of the day.
   
   5. Another interesting thing was they discovered life on Mars and it had been destroyed by atomic wars. The question was if a big meteor had smashed them...no everything is being radiated so it was war destroyed them.
   
   six. They find the destroyed remains of a civilization. Interesting in that they pick up a few objects and look at them. What were they...who knows? You remember the time machine with Rod Taylor and how the spinning rings were a big interesting thing and help make the movie because they told of how it all happened. Well, the artifacts are that kind of 'interesting'. Too bad there were not more. I figured that first one they uncovered was a tomb stone.
   
   7. They find the remainder of the humanoid-like people of Mars. The one who threw the ax and killed the scientiest appeared to still have blisters on his back and the girls is blind. Obviously the dying remainder of the thousand year dead civilization still live close to their nuclear blasted cities. I've got to tell you all, this is actually original stuff for hollywood. Despite having rain, dry gulches that must sometimes have water, human like people, no space suits and a space ship capable of reaching Mars -- using chemical rockets-- but less than a hundred feet tall...it is still interesting. I guess it's that short, sweat, and to the point thing.
   
   I don't think I'll tell you any more and ruin it for you.
   
   CONS:
   
   1. Humm. I don't find movies that are dead serious cheezy or campy...this movie is 'dead serious'.
   
   Therefore, I give this movie five stars because they tried hard to make it a serious movie with limited facts about the surface of Mars. The actors did a fine job, the idea is fine and interesting and carried out seriously. No, I don't think more money would have helped. No, they need more information about space, acceleration, and the surface of Mars.
   All sins are forgiven, it is a fine movie and should be view as science fiction drama. No popcorn this time...I think I'll read the bible.
   
   I meant to give it five stars, not four--thanks Karen!
   
   BYE!



2. Ferde Grofe, certainly one of the best known American symphonic composers, was hired to write the music score for ROCKETSHIP X-M. He was paid $1500 to turn in what may be the best sci-fi score for the movies. When you watch the film, tune in to the heroic main title (which is repeated, in part, later), the "weightless" sound in certain scenes, the romantic theme for Floyd and Lisa, and the eerie sound as the crew discovers they are headed for Mars. After the landing, Grofe uses part of some music he wrote for his "Symphony in Steel," and combines it with the use of the Theremin to create an unworldly sound indeed. On the trip back, the solar opera aspect of this movie is emphasized with the music setting the exact mood it should do for the tragedies encountered. This is a great score, worthy of re-recording in today's sound.
   And, if you want to hear another score Grofe wrote for the same studio (Lippert) in 1950, get a copy of THE RETURN OF JESSE JAMES, another worthy listen.



3. What an absolutely great way to spend an evening. These older Sci-Fi movies are gems. Sure...they can't touch todays computer generated spectaculars...but they are great just the same. Those guys did a great job with what they had to work with. Spend an evening watching this movie and some of Ray Harryhausen's work...then you'll realize just where the "Force" came from!



4. Yes the science is not accurate and the female stereotypes are a bit hard to swallow for 21st Century viewers but this was one of the first films (Destination:Moon being the other) that made a serious stab at science fiction. Unfortunately Cat Women on the Moon and other Grade Z films hit after that, but I digress....
   
   Four men and a woman (who should settle down and have kids, what's wrong with that?) have a press conference a few minutes before take-off, explaining how they will go to the Moon. After blast-off, the engines aren't working for some reason having to do with fictional chemicals not mixing. They hit a meteor storm where the rocks are zooming by at high speeds. Amazing not one hit. They are knocked out by incredible velocities and arrive in about a day on Mars. And they're not all that excited about it, either ("Well, what do you know, Mars!") The sepia tone cuts in at this point and it is really well done! The red tint, the music score especially sets the tone. Mars was civilized once until nuclear destruction sent it to the Stone Age. That's when the blind cavemen crawl out with rocks and axes, surrounding the landing site!
   
   The film has a message about military might and where nuclear might may lead us. But also, it communicated to me about our own NASA program and the sacrifices made to make the space program work, rather than pull back after the Challenger disaster. Where's the never say die attitude?
   
   Historical film, should be shown at NASA's next board meeting!
   
   Lloyd Bridges went on to Sea Hunt and made an appearance on Battlestar Galactica. High O'Brian later made himself famous with westerns such as Wyatt Earp, as I recall.



5. This film beat the more highly publicized Destination Moon into the theatres in 1950 and thus kicked off the tidal wave of science-fiction movies that followed. It may not have been as realistic as the latter, but it was sure as heck a lot more fun. Despite some really hokey dialog and wildly improbable developments (aim for the moon, but hit Mars!), Rocketship does what every good movie should-- it holds interest throughout.
   
   The opening scene is especially impressive with its well-stocked news conference and especially the booming countdown to blast-off. Already there's an air of thrills to come. Sure, the characters are a collection of movie stereotypes-- the jet jockey (Bridges), the likable yokel (Beery Jr.), the sexy scientist (Massen), the stern chief (Emery), and the rather unsteady engineer (O' Brien). Nonetheless, each is played with conviction, and in a real casting coup, there's the lordly Morris Ankrum back at command central.
   
   Lippert Pictures was a budget-minded company to put it kindly. Thus it's to producer-writer-director Kurt Neumann's credit that he gets so much out of the material. Note the early scene where the crew climbs up to the control compartment. The opening shot of the rocketship interior could have simply placed the crew already in that central compartment and saved money. But it doesn't. Instead Neumann has the crew climb through the rather impressive guts of the ship, thereby creating a more believable and eye-catching transport. It's touches like this that help compensate for the occasional triteness.
   
   Speaking of touches, how well I remember audience reaction to the Martian girl when she opened her eyes to reveal two blanks. The audience let out a collective shriek. Of course, that was 1950, and still a long time before today's super-sophisticated special effects. But I doubt if any of today's effects produced a stronger reaction than those two all-white lenses. (Question-- is that lipstick I see on the girl in this 1976 enhanced version?)
   
   There's also a subtle subtext in the movie's latter half. 1949 was the year the Soviets first tested an atomic bomb, thus establishing the possibility of the Cold War going nuclear. Note the pointed comments crew members make about the destructive potential of radioactivity once they discover its effects on the Martian civilization. That would appear to be writer Neumann making some timely observations on a menace then beginning to emerge. On a similar note, Ankrum's closing insistence that space exploration must proceed despite an ill-fated first effort is years ahead of its time, and likely the first such declaration in the movies or any other popular medium. Then too, it was rather gutsy to crash the survivors on their way back to Earth. That unhappy ending warned audiences of the human cost that exploration would inevitably take.
   
   Setting aside the strictly commercial aspects (the hokey romance, for one), the movie does a lot better than would normally be expected of a Lippert production, becoming rather prophetic in its own modest way. I think that's one reason for both the movie's cult status and general durability long after most contemporaries have faded away. I can't say that whatever changes the 1976 enhancements made on the original print are that noticeable on my new copy. But, then again, maybe that's a good thing. Rocketship X-M remains a minor milestone to this day.