WebBeachBoy Reviews

Mediastan (2013)

Away from all the media hype for "The Fifth Estate" here is a 'true' jewel

[10/10 · 18 October 2013]

I take a substantial interest in film and visit this site, in particular, every day. So it was a little surprising to me that whilst I had been submerged in the media tsunami of publicity for "The Fifth Estate" I had never heard of this documentary film released on 13th October 2013 (and available free to view for individuals for the coming weekend). It seems that, even if you give away your film for free, then it will be "dissapeared" unless some paid publicity agency pours endless copy onto the media to promote it. Where is objectivity ? The film reports on a tour by WikiLeaks personnel through the "stans" of central Asia interviewing publishers and editors who may be interested in publishing WikiLeaks material pertaining to their own countries. This film is quite remarkable in it's simplicity, not labouring the point, and letting the viewer make their own conclusions about bias in publishing organisations in countries. It also has it's unexpectedly funny moments such as one radio station (Radio "Liberty") chief saying "we are absolutely free (to say anything)" then the following day saying that he cannot do anything because his boss in Washington reminded him that his Afghanistaan radio station was funded by the American Congress. No roads but - tentacles are everywhere :) You may want to see "The Fifth Estate" - a little bit of fluff - but if you are interested in Wikileaks then watch this unbiased documentary film. At then end of it I realised how much the media had obeyed their puppet-masters and witch hunted Julian Assange.

Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

Hasn't quite made up it's mind what it is supposed to be...

[16 August 2011]

I forced myself to watch all the episodes of Game of Thrones and just couldn't get into it. It doesn't seem to know exactly what it is or where it is going. I think it's trying to be another "Lost" or "24" - aiming to continue forever.

The storyline is strangely "untogether" and it is not sure if it is a mythical tale or monster movie. The producers have gone to great lengths to find bizarre characters to populate the screen and surprise us - but they don't "gell"" together.

I still cannot work out why they are all talking with northern English accents (I keep waiting for "ee by gum it's coud up 'ere innit" to be thrown into the conversation).

Obviously unsure of their own product, large dollops of sex have been thrown into the pot to make it sell. The final 'thing' is uneven and unsatisfying. Perhaps "Game of Thrones part 274" will be better.....

Dark Star (1974)

Dark Star - A movie still misunderstood

[9/10 · 14 August 2011]

I remember when I first saw this movie on TV shortly after it was made and was not commercially successful. I thought that it was the best sci-fi black comedy that I had seen - and it still is ! Too many science fiction movies take themselves far too seriously and pompously. This film made little ironies laugh out loud.

As Dan O'Bannon has said however people "didn't get it" - they didn't get the jokes or the ironies of the situation. The ships computer discussing Nietzschen existentialism with the crew about whether it should detonate the bombs or not - Haha amongst the best lines I have heard in any movie. Forget Becket this would make a good stage play :) "Alien" would later reveal the quality of Dan O'Bannons vision and writing.

YES it was low-budget and it was a pity that the "creature" could not be made to look a little less like the plastic ball that it was - BUT it doesn't matter because the whole thing is hilarious. I can watch it today and enjoy it just as much as the first time.