A History of Violence (2005)

A History of Violence (2005)

Dir. David Cronenberg

An adaptation of John Wagner and Vince Locke's 1997 comic book of the same name, which I've not read, at time of writing.

It's a slow burning drama about what happens to an Indiana family unit when one member's violent past catches up with them, despite a sincere attempt to leave it behind.

Themes of identity and safety are also explored, as the family discover that once a door to such behaviour is unwillingly opened, there's no reliable way to control the route it takes or the people that it touches.

Viggo Mortensen is excellent in his role as a small town diner owner who must respond to something bigger. It marked a turning point in his career - or maybe just in how I saw him. Prior to working with Cronenberg, he had nothing special, to speak of. Thereafter, he delivered a string of strong performances.

The Mindscape of Alan Moore (2005)

The Mindscape of Alan Moore (2005)

Dirs. Dez Vylenz + Moritz Winkler

Alan Moore, author, magician and worthy apostle of gravy-sopping beards speaks directly to the viewer.

His words are accompanied by reflective imagery that helps illustrate the feelings and social consciousness of Britain of the era about which he speaks.

When juxtaposed with selective comic panels from his most famous collected works, such as Watchmen (1987) and V for Vendetta (1990), and some of his lesser-known ones (e.g., D.R. & Quinch), a deeper understanding of his methodology and strongly-felt philosophies and motivations is unearthed and is, to say the least, inspiring food for thought.

The cogs of Hollywood have tried but always failed to capture the essence of Moore onscreen; Mindscape will help you to understand why that is.

Stargate SG-1: Season 06 (2002-03)

SG-1: Season 06 (2002-03)

Dirs. Various | 22 episodes, approx 44 minutes each.

The redesigned opening credits sequence that kicks things off isn't the only change since Season 05; there's a personnel shake-up, too.

It'll be difficult to talk about what that means for the team without dropping spoilers. I'll keep them to a minimum, but be forewarned: there will be some for S5 + S6 below this paragraph.

With their Egyptologist gone, SG-1 are reduced to three members. I mentioned previously that the person in question often functioned as the conscience and moral compass, so without him they're diminished in more than just number.

And while the three remaining members have personalities strong enough to keep going as they are, there's something comfortable about having four primaries, least of all because it allows for a convenient equal split, such as when a military presence is needed in two places at once. Having a companion at those times gives each person someone to bounce ideas off; someone to rescue or be rescued by, etc.

The Beastmaster: Films (1982-96)

The Beastmaster (1982)

Dir. Don Coscarelli

Many of the elements that made a successful sword and sorcery movie in the 80s are in place, including a wicked high priest (Rip Torn) who uses magic and religion to keep a position of power, a banishment, a trio of scrying hags with a dangerous prophecy, a cool bladed weapon or two, a peaceful village burned to the ground, and a sympathetic hero on a quest for revenge / redemption, but The Beastmaster isn't the genre classic that as a youth I used to think it was.

It's still mostly entertaining, however, with a neat ingredient that separates it from the pack, namely the hero's ability to communicate with animals like some kind of barbarian Dolittle. Inevitably, he makes friends and allies as he journeys toward his ultimate goal, but the most memorable of them all are arguably the smallest ones.

Lucifer: Volume 05 (2004)

Inferno (2004)

Author: Mike Carey | Illustrators: Peter Gross / Ryan Kelly / Dean Ormston / Craig Hamilton | Page Count: 166

"It was an irony very much to his taste, that he could no longer live without her."

Volume 05 of 11 in the Lucifer series. The four-part storyline that opens proceedings closes a deal that was made in Volume 02: Children and Monsters (2001); Lucifer and Amanadiel meet at the arranged place and time in an attempt to resolve their differences.

Some secondary characters find the event fortuitous, believing it the perfect opportunity to gain favour with one side or the other. It gives writer Mike Carey a chance to further develop threads from previous books and once more stress that Lucifer can rely just as well on his wits as on his powers; for power is useless without the knowledge of when to best use it.

Dredd: Original Film Soundtrack (2012)

Dredd: OFS (2012)

by Paul Leonard-Morgan

Paul Leonard-Morgan's score to the film is evocative of the gritty, dirty underbelly of Dredd's violent world.

In that respect, it's a roaring success; but a repetitive, noisy and abrasive electronic punch in the face that flirts with dark ambient and industrial soundscapes is the kind of work that can alienate many casual listeners.

If your musical tastes include the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Front Line Assembly, and John Carpenter's film scores, there's a good chance you'll like Leonard-Morgan's work, too.

There's an occasional frail, textured wave of hope attempting to break through the overabundant distortion, but the thick bass keeps it cruelly subdued. Nevertheless, its presence is beneficial to the whole.

Stargate SG-1: Season 05 (2001–02)

SG-1: Season 05 (2001–02)

Dirs. Various | 22 episodes, approx 44 minutes each.

I was planning to write more about Teal'c of Chulak (Christopher Judge) than I have previously, but he doesn't get very much to do in Season 05, so it'll be more general praise.

It's fair to say that without the former First Prime of Goa'uld System Lord Apophis the SG-1 team simply wouldn't exist as they do – they'd have died on Abydos (in the Pilot episode).

The team owe Teal'c their lives, and he in turn owes them for giving him the means to follow his heart. In the eyes of most other Jaffa he's a traitor, but to all who oppose the Goa'uld he's a pillar of strength and proof that their enforced thrall can be broken. In short, he's an inspiration.

And like Colonel Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) he can be extremely funny, but in a very different way. It's a dry wit, enhanced by his being a man of few words who sometimes 'helpfully' states the obvious for his teammates.