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Reviews
Billion Dollar Brain (1967)
Not your typical spy film
Michael Caine has never made a bad film so this movie had that going for it from the beginning. Plus, any film shot on location is always a plus (in this case Cold War era Helsinki). This film is at times deadly serious and at other times rather comical. And it has the obligiatory spy film elements of intrigue, suspense, and double crosses. What I found most interesting was the geopolitical commentary within the movie. Which, let us be honest, hasn't really changed since the film was made (eg. The West fomenting uprisings and revolutions in the Soviet republics - now former Soviet republics bordering Russia - in an attempt to defeat Communism - now to carve up Russia into more managable pieces). I also liked the contrast of the cold, snowy, icy Finland with that of the heat, smoke, and fire of Texas. All in all a good movie.
Night of the Comet (1984)
Not Bad At All
As far as B-movies go, this is not bad at all. A wayward comet, post apocalyptic Los Angeles, zombies, a pre "Star Trek: Voyager" Robert Beltran, Catherine Mary Stewart, and a 1980's soundtrack. What's not to love?
The acting is good. The characters believable. Quite an accomplishment to empty the streets of L. A. to shoot this film.
The beginning reminded me of the film "Where Have All The People Gone?" only in that one it was a solar flare that turned people to dust instead of a comet.
This was certainly an enjoyable film that kept my interest throughout. Which isn't always the case for B-movies.
Everything Beautiful Is Far Away (2017)
A Unique Film
This quickly became one of my all-time favorite movies. I identified with the character of Lernert, the desert, the loneliness. But what really impressed me about the film was that in this day and age it contained not a single chase scene, no explosions, no fighting, no swearing, no yelling, no sex, no blood and guts. A movie with only two characters (four if you count the voice of Susan and a brief appearance from a fellow desert wanderer)? There is a minimum of dialogue and that's a good thing. This film is just so different from anything else out there. A minimalist film to be sure and yet it is a wonderful journey across the desert and into the hearts of Lernert and Rola.