arca20 Reviews

C.A.T.S. Eyes (1985–1987)

Generally good show

[25 July 2004]

A previous reviewer stated that CATS Eyes resurrected Maggie Forbes from The Gentle Touch. Hardly, CATS Eyes was a spin-off from The Gentle Touch, which had ended the year before. Initially intended as a new vehicle for Maggie Forbes (Jill Gascoigne), the first series worked fairly well. In the series, Maggie becomes part of a specialised detective agency, joining forces with Fred and Pru to investigate cases, offer protection and advice to various clients. Their cases were handed to them by a mysterious government official, Nigel Beaumont (Don Warrington trying to get away from his Rising Damp character).

One great episode in season 1 featured Fred in the CATS Eyes office all on her own. She had been given an hallucinogenic drug and someone was trying to break in.

Unfortunately, where the series really failed was the woeful Rosalyn Landor - a truly dreadful actress. Thankfully she was replaced for the second season. While Tracey Louise Ward was a better actress her character was not as good and the second series was much poorer.

Its an interesting curiosity, yes it is kind of a British Charlie's Angels but with better stories and certainly not a bimbo show. Most of the leads were good actresses and the 1st season stories were good. It would be nice to see it again. However, it was not a patch on the series that gave birth to it - The Gentle Touch.

The Dish (2000)

A Feelgood Film

[8/10 · 12 January 2004]

Much has been made of what it was like to watch the Apollo 11 moon landing - I was only a few months old at the time so I didn't have that experience. However, watching this film on the big screen gave me an idea what it must have been like.

Of course, there is more to the film than the famous lunar landing itself. Its a wonderful tale of the role played by the dish in Parkes, Australia. Images where being transmitted via two main dishes - the Parkes dish covered the times when the Moon was only in range of the southern hemisphere.

This is a wonderful character film which demonstrates the pride felt by the people of Parkes and the professionalism of those at the dish. Its not all plain sailing though - as the dish is affected by a power surge which causes them to lose the link with Apollo 11 for a time. Then at the crucial "one small step moment..." high winds threaten the dish.

One of the funniest scenes for me is the American national anthem scene which goes to show how TV can affect the understanding of another culture.

This is a wonderful little film which I bought the moment it was released on DVD. I cannot praise it highly enough. If you want a break from high octane action movies and a chance to rest your ears from shootouts and explosions then The Dish is definitely worth a look.

Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001)

Star Trek: Turkey

[29 December 2000]

I have given this series every chance but sadly it never realised its potential. Most of the characters are underutilised and it now relies too heavily on the thrill button to achieve popularity. How often do stories revolve around the Borg and/or Seven of Nine?

This is a poor series and an insult to Star Trek. It also features the worst character in the whole saga - Neelix, who has NEVER ceased to be irritating and unlikeable. I, for one, will be glad when this travesty finally ends and is hopefully buried. This is one Star Trek that I hope is quickly forgotten.

If you enjoyed the original with its good stories, witty dialogue then I'm afraid you will be disappointed in this pathetic continuation of Gene Roddenbery's "vision".

Overall, I would rate the series a 2 out of 10.

Ringu (1998)

Very Chilling

[8/10 · 20 December 2000]

The opening sequence features two high school girls talking about an urban myth, "watch this video and one week later you are dead". They laugh about it but when one of the girls dies minutes later her journalist aunt sets out to investigate when it transpires that three of her school friends died the same day. Their only common link is that they rented a cabin the week before and watched a supposedly cursed video.

Tracking down the cabin, the journalist finds the video, watches it, receives a call which tells her she will be dead in one week, and then she tries to work out where the video originated. With the help of her ex-husband she begins to piece together the story behind the video and the likelihood that there is truth to the curse. Every so often she experiences strange visions and a sense of dread begins to build up.

This is an excellent film and one scene, where one person suffers the consequences of the curse is extremely chilling. If you get the chance to see the film - DO! You might not look at your television the same way again.

The acting is excellent, the chills and suspense build up at a nice pace.