kidO-2

Just saw the first installment and it is awesome. Great fx, story-telling, production values and acting. This is so much better than the original TV series/movie of the late 70's and early 80's. I always considered BG in the same league as the Buck Rogers/25th Century TV series of the same era --- watchable entertainment but hokey. Now BG can be proudly compared to Star Trek and Star Wars. Finally the Sci-Fi Channel has produced a decent movie/mini-series after all of those boring, loser efforts ("Taken" was getting there but was WAY too long and convoluted). Thank you Sci-Fi Channel!

For its day, Earthquake's earthquake SFX were OK. The acting was cheesy but any studio bringing together actors like Lorn Green and Charlton Heston ... please ... they got what they deserved. I think those two greatly contributed to the William Shatner style of Method-overacting. I absolutely howl every time I hear Lorn Green scream to his devoted secretary, "Barbara, take off your pantyhose dammit!!" Oh my God! Of course. Pantyhose in an emergency. They should have become a staple in every company's emergency plan after this movie. Like those hose really would have held any of those people in the chair used to lower them in the devastated building.

** out **** (a * for a good belly laugh & another * for getting one through a rainy Sunday afternoon with nothing better to do.)

I think this film is another fine example of Kiwi talent! Some incredibly original literature, film, television, and acting talent originates from the island nation of New Zealand. "An Angel At My Table" is one of the great examples. The first time I saw this film (or tele-film) I was left emotionally affected by Janet Frame's life. I could not believe how easy it was for someone to be treated the way she was just because she was shy, socially awkward and had curly, red hair. How times have changed! Nowadays if you are not a freak ... you are a freak! It is scary to think how easy it was, apparently at that time, for a person to be thrown into a madhouse. Not to mention the deplorable conditions of those types of institutions.

Initially, I felt sorry for Ms. Frame but then I realized she probably has had a fuller life than I have had (or probably ever will). She has accomplished so much and given pleasure to the many who have read her stories and poetry. Watching this film has prompted me to begin looking for her writings since I have been so intrigued by her story. I was glad to see that by the end of the movie she had begun to become comfortable with herself and open her shell. Biographical information on Ms. Frame seems sketchy. I have not found much information about her life after the period where the film ended.

Thank you Jane Campion for another wonderful character driven film (albeit a real-life character this time)! The only real criticism I have of the film is the portrayal of Frame's time in the institution. While the film did not make it pretty nor gloss over the situation in general, sources I have read indicate Janet was dangerously close to receiving an operation that seems similar to a lobotomy. The operation, if performed, would have left Janet an emotionless, child-like creature and was not adequately depicted. But for the grace of her publication, she was saved.