twbass

As a Film Studies post-graduate student, I have just had to endure Kluge's The Patriot. Teachers of film will tell you that this is a good film. There may be others out there who perhaps hold this film in high regard.... but alas, I am not one of them. I would like to give a detailed account of what the film is actually about, explaining the highs and lows of this German spectacle, but I cannot. After its two hour running time I was at a loss...and still am. It is a jumbled mess of documentary and fiction which involves a confused and disillusioned German history teacher and a talking knee......I will repeat that, a talking knee. Anything profound and informative that the film attempts to convey is lost due to the simple reason that it is so mind numbingly boring that you will be thinking about your dinner before you start questioning the subject of German history. The boredom is then accompanied by confusion. If you are still with the film after a bizarre peeping-tom incident then well done. If you are actually on board when the film presents a still shot of a woman inside a cow, then I salute you....but most of us normal folk will be lost. You leave the film scratching your head, wondering where the last two hours of your life have gone.

The first thing that has to be said is that if you're not a fan of the Alien Nation TV series from the late 80's then this film will not only confuse you, but the chances are, you just won't like it. That however is not really a problem, as this film was never made with the intention of attracting a new global audience. Dark Horizon was made for the fans that were truly gutted and disappointed that the excellent Alien Nation TV series (like so many other American shows) was cancelled after the first series. The film is a continuation of the series and so sets out to resolve the cliffhanger ending, further character development and give insight into the 'Newcomers' background. It is also obvious from viewing the film that this was always intended on being the first of many TV films.

The film itself is quite good. It manages to capture the essence and feeling of the original show whilst effortlessly transferring itself onto the big screen. There is a common danger that when TV shows are introduced to the world of films, they end up feeling like an overly long episode that tries too much to impress its hardcore fans, and tries too many new explanatory things to engage others. However, Dark Horizon embraces it's new format and uses it as a platform to further explore the history behind the 'Newcomers' and to show off some of the potential that the series promised. All the original cast members are back, which brings a smile to any fan. Emily (Laura Woodland) and Buck Francisco (Sean Six) were only kids in the series and so are obviously older looking as it has been five years, yet these little discrepancies have to be ignored. Some fans will point out little things that don't add up to the series, or don't exactly follow on from the cliff-hanger ending, but beggars cannot be choosers and it is the reviewers opinion that we should all be grateful that these films were made, that the cast and crew came back and that they give it everything to continue the Alien Nation legacy.

The premise of the film evolves around a ruthless Overseer who is sent from one of their colony ships to Earth, to check for any surviving 'Newcomers'. This is inter-fused with Susan and Emily's attempted recovery from the newcomer killing disease. Like the series, Dark Horizon brilliantly blends the social dramas of family and relationships, with that of racism, police work and all-out action, which in this case involves killer diseases and samurai aliens. The highlight of the film is undoubtedly the relationship between Matthew Sikes (Gary Graham) and George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint). Their cop-buddy routine was the heart and soul of the series and this again shines through within the film. Alien Nation: Dark Horizon is a good film and more importantly an excellent follow up to the short-lived series. If you haven't seen the original Alien Nation TV series, go and buy it right now. Watch it, slag off the TV network for cancelling it, and then immerse yourself in the first of five follow up films: Dark Horizon.

Think Walking Tall (with The Rock and Johnny Knoxville) meets Hamish Macbeth. On the wild lands of Scotland a lonesome farmer fights tooth and nail to keep his farm from the clutches of a money grabbing English businessmen.

Shepherd on the Rock is a fairly decent film which apart from a wobbly ending will keep most people entertained. Bernard Hill is excellent in the lead and outshines the rest of the unknown cast....even his dog Jess in the film acts better than the films romantic interest. However, the support acting aside, this film is well worth watching. If its on TV I would recommend it, and its probably the only way you'll see it. The chances of this being released on a 20 quid DVD are unfortunately highly unlikely.