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gary_jabo
Reviews
Amazing Stories: Miscalculation (1986)
Great Story
Excellent story told on video. Presented in the true spirit of Amazing stories, that is, the story has many twists and presents true fiction just outside the bounds of reality. I enjoyed this episode a lot. The story starts out slow and believable but turns to fiction rapidly. The viewer is left thinking what will happen next. Directors did a wonderful job of staging this episode with live action characters even though the subject material is not completely believable. This episode is one of my favorites but not necessarily the best of the Amazing Stories series. I was a big fan of the series when it first came out. I was particularly attracted to the opening sequence filled with computer graphics. That graphics was groundbreaking animation for its day and holds my interest today. Spielberg and his staff are at their best in presenting this series.
E=mc² (2005)
A good mix of science and history
This film is a good mix of science documentary and historical content. The big-budget production quality with period correct scenes and costumes gives the viewer a feeling of being there. The film presents well many of the human aspects of scientific discovery. Since the show is not presented in chronological order the viewer may get a little confused. The film shows that even high ranking persons in academic circles have emotions and let their personality drive their behavior sometimes allowing their ego to do unkind actions. The science and math content may be a little too fundamental for the avid NOVA viewer, but it does cover the basics well. Interviews with contemporary researchers in the field provide more insight into the the events that lead up to Enistein's discovery. The film doesn't stop at E=mc2, but continues to show how it relates to future science and drives research today.
Ice Road Truckers (2000)
Pretty good
I first saw this movie on the History Channel in 2003. Pretty good detail. Gives good history of how Ice Road trucking started and why. It inspired me to buy the book "Denison's Ice Road" by Edith Iglauer. The book is much better than the film. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Top notch movie, excellent effects, thought provoking
I have seen this movie several times. Considering the year it was made (1968) the visual effects created without the aid of modern CGI computers are awesome. The first few times I watched it I was entertained but did not get the 'message'. There is some deep meaning to the plot that lends itself to broad interpretation and gets you thinking, about religion, yourself, life, and a supreme being. The plot is pretty good and character development is super. Even HAL gets a personality.
Truly a classic film, and ranks in my top 10. I recommend seeing it more than once to get the full effect.