The main cities of Earth are surprisingly visited by 51 huge alien spacecraft, and their leader introduces themselves as friendly people looking to cooperate with Earthlings. They inform the people that their planet is dying and have come to request the use of Earth's natural resources to save it. They appear human, although their voices have a strange distortion to ours. Soon, they blame scientists for sabotage and uprising against the Visitors. Journalist Mike Donovan and medical student Julie Parrish disclose the real intentions of the aliens while groups of people organize resistance against the hostile invaders. V is a popular TV mini-series from the 1980s that I think is one of the most impressive-looking programs I've ever seen. There have been many spectacular mini-series over the years that have quite a big budget, which gives them that movie-like quality but with the advantage of a longer runtime. Being able to span out the story further and develop all of the elements is much better than a film. However, nowadays movies are reaching the 3-hour mark, which is getting a bit ridiculous and I prefer having it in two parts to break it up like this series does. Considering my huge love and appreciation of sci-fi, additionally the 80s, I was drawn to this series, which I watched with my Dad, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. The greatest aspect of this program was the exceptional visual effects. I was blown away by how grand they all look from the motherships in the sky to their interiors, the transport shuttles flying around in dogfights and the Visitor's weapon firing. Everything feels expensive and looked like the quality expected from a big-screen production such as Star Wars but with the appeal (during the time) of being on your TV at home. I like how they pay homage and nod to other sci-fi productions of the time with my favourite being Star Wars, where in one scene where a shuttle arrives to a musical band performing the iconic opening theme at a ceremony, which was phenomenal. The show consists of multiple points of view from varying characters who slowly begin to interlock in one overarching narrative as the Visitor's intentions are slowly made clear. We mainly follow Mike Donovan, who, through his Journalist duty, uncovers the unexpected truths of the Visitors and is left on the run. Alongside Julie, a doctor accused of being dangerous, who later becomes a leader of the resistance to battle back. One of my favourite characters we occasionally follow is Willie, a Visitor who has difficulty with English and is quite nervous and is very comedic with his constant mixing up of words. The Visitor's relief mission on Earth gradually becomes more like an occupation, bearing resemblance to the actions and tactics of the infamous Nazis. Eagle-eyed viewers will notice their emblem looks similar and their actions speak volumes to some of our main characters like Abraham Bernstein, a Jew who survived the horrors of WWII and quickly saw a resemblance. However, not everyone was able to realise since Abraham's grandson, Daniel, is brainwashed, joining the aliens in their atrocities. Also, the character Robin falls in love with one Visitor, unknowing, of course, the truth about them. Spoilers ahead, skip past the red if you haven't seen the show already. *Spoilers* The Visitors are aliens, but despite their strange voices and sensitivity to the sun, they appear like humans. Until Donovan boards a mothership, uncovering the startling truth. The Visitors are reptiles. The reveal is superbly done by witnessing Diana's iconic scene of devouring a whole live guinea pig and another alien taking his eyes off to show lizard ones instead. Their designs/models are incredible and spectacular looking. Luckily, not all the Visitors are bad, as a small group called the Fifth Column helps out when they can without getting discovered. Overall, V, the original mini-series, is a true spectacle in all categories. With so many interesting and captivating characters to follow, and plot points that connect into one cohesive story filled with outstanding effects and phenomenal directing, V is certainly, worth your time. Check out V: The Final Battle (TV Mini Series 1984) to see how the adventure continues.
Seasons & Episodes: 1 Season - 2 Episodes (3h 17m)
Finding himself in a new era, approaching retirement, Indy wrestles with fitting into a world that seems to have outgrown him. But as the tentacles of an all-too-familiar evil return in the form of an old rival, Dr. Jürgen Voller, Indy must don his hat and pick up his whip once more to make sure an ancient and powerful artefact, called the Antikythera, doesn't fall into the wrong hands. He is accompanied by his Goddaughter, Helena, who kickstarts this adventure after stealing the dial, drawing Indy back into the swashbuckling, globetrotting adventurer role one final time. This movie was the first ever Indy adventure I saw in a cinema (alongside my dad) and although not coming at all close to the original movies, I thought it wasn't all that bad. Following on from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), we pick up in the year 1969 on the historic event of the first man landing on the moon. Indy is even older now reaching his 70s and at the point of retirement, but dares one last mission. One of the main focuses in this story is about time since, after all, the MacGuffin controls time, but also because Indy has aged and is not the agile man he once was and they play around with that. Despite being much older, Harrison Ford is still just as likeable and entertaining as the famed archaeologist. He manages to get quite a few licks in there during the fight sequences and does some great stunts, like riding a horse in a pursuit during a parade to driving through the busy roads of Tangier chasing after the stolen dial whilst leaping between cars. Although Ford wouldn't be doing a lot of this with stunt doubles and CGI in place, they at least look very realistic. I further liked all the recognition of his previous antics when talking about what he has gone through. Like saying, "I've been tortured with voodoo", acknowledging the events of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). My favourite part of this whole feature was the opening. This can be said about practically all of the movies though this one did a great deal by de-ageing Ford into a young Indy in what felt like a return to the classics in a fantastic fast-paced chase and battle with the Nazis. Whilst the effects may have been a bit off in places, I was amazed by how good it looked and what surprised me the most was how exciting the entire scene was. Having young Indy clambering through a moving train full of Nazis was just full of that old familiar feel of the originals and I loved it. I was grinning throughout, so overcome with joy to see a new (yet old feeling) piece of Indy adventures. The only downside to this whole section was it was simply too dark at times, which was distracting and a real shame. Cutting away from that phenomenal intro, we are brought to 'modern day' Indy on his latest venture, joined by Helena. Personally, I thought she was okay, but some of her actions were questionable, and I didn't much like how she punched Indy at the end, even if it made sense to the plot, it was still one of his last scenes and felt like a disappointing final look at the iconic hero. I was also disheartened to find out Indy wasn't with Marion after the happy ending where they got married. She does appear at the end, but it felt too late and why wasn't she just included from the start? The same can be said about Mutt, his son, who is only named once to tell us he was killed, which was depressing. The villain, Dr. Voller, was quite your typical bad guy with a unique agenda with the time travelling dial that doesn't go the way you might think. Everything else from the action to the globetrotting was entertaining, even if it did go on for a while with the longest runtime in the series, but it was all very visually pleasing. This is the only Indy flick not to be directed by Spielberg, and whilst Mangold did a great job, I feel sad not to have another entry by the man who made the rest alongside Lucas. Overall, Dial of Destiny is a fine addition to the franchise with some fun moments scattered throughout. Whether this is a satisfactory ending to the series or not, there are plenty to choose from to pick how it ends with 5 movies now in the franchise to be enjoyed. I think this is an alright movie, but naturally, it was never going to come close to the classics.
During the Cold War, Soviet agents watch Indiana Jones closely when a young man brings him a coded message from an aged, demented colleague, Professor Harold Oxley. Led by the brilliant Irina Spalko, the Soviet's tail Jones and the young man, Mutt Williams, to Peru. With Oxley's code, they find a legendary skull made of a single piece of quartz. If, Jones can deliver the skull to its rightful place, all may be well. However, if Irina takes it to its origin, she'll gain powers that could endanger the West. Ageing professor and young buck must face the dangers of the jungle, Russia, and the supernatural. Set 19 years after the search for the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), we take a bit of a jump in time as we follow an older Indy in 1957. I think this is easily one of the weaker movies in the franchise, but I don't hate it as much as most people. I can admit its flaws and still have a good time with it. I do like some elements and ideas throughout still it has always been an oddball in the franchise for a few reasons. For one, it came out a lot later after the original trilogy released during the 1980s, which makes it feel somewhat out of place. Plus, there is a bit of reliance on CGI that (at times) felt like it hindered the product, even though it wasn't prevalent all the time. Some of it does look pretty good, contending with today's, but some of it looks very out of place or even unnecessary. On a positive note, the film doesn't feel completely disconnected. I can totally see Indy still going at it in his late 50s, mainly thanks to Ford's performance and how able he still looks during fight sequences. To think how this Indy was considered the old one now feels funny with another releasing later. I think another aspect of its dislike among fans is the focus on extraterrestrials. It is an unusual choice to have Indy dealing with aliens though I see where Lucas and Spielberg were coming from in terms of the concept. Having an alien storyline in the 1950s was fitting considering their popularity during that era. Personally, I don't dislike the idea, except it is the most peculiar of them all. The opening segment at Hanger 51 is a great deal of fun. From the set-up with uncovering the mysterious magnetic crate to the invigorating action, there's so much to be enthraled by. Seeing Indy leaping between beams, using his whip to swing to vehicles, crashing into crates and fighting mini-boss-style characters, culminating in many mechanics setting off incinerating other soldiers. You just can't help but grin throughout this explosive introduction that captures the original movie's aesthetic. My favourite moment from this piece was one of the crates they crashed into during the chase reveals the Ark of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), which was a neat callback. This scene leads to probably the most infamous part of the Nuclear explosion test in the fake village. Indy ends up escaping completely unscathed by hiding in a fridge. It is a strange moment indeed that is not completely silly for this series but is certainly the craziest. Despite this, the imagery of Indy's silhouette in front of the mushroom cloud was phenomenal. Another notable aspect of this adventure was Indy's relationship with Mutt, the young greaser, who is later revealed, as his son. Their conversations and the relationship they grow is very entertaining, seeing them both get to know each other better. His mother is revealed as Marion, from the first movie, who was an absolute delight to have back in the franchise, which led to a beautiful conclusion when Indy finally gets married, making for a satisfying bit of closure. I also enjoyed all the globetrotting that sees them enter a jungle chase sequence that has all that Indy action we know and love although, admittedly, some strange CGI additions. The villains are pretty standard and they do their job. I missed seeing Indy duke it out with the Nazis, yet it is understandable for their departure. Overall, whilst not the best this is hardly the worst movie ever made and is not a bad instalment to the series. It has its problems but if you tend to overlook them, you will be surprised how entertaining it can be. Check out the final entry in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023).
In 1938, famed archaeologist Indiana Jones is in for the adventure of his life. When he receives a mysterious journal in the mail, Indy realizes that his father, Henry Jones Sr., was the one who sent it to him. The journal holds clues and a map to the legendary Holy Grail, which Indy's father has been hunting for all his life. When he goes missing, Indy must pick up where his father left off and work to uncover the location of the Grail. Little does Indy know that his Nazi foes are on the hunt for the Grail, as well, for their nefarious intentions. Now with help from Marcus Brody and Sallah, Indy must rescue his father and race to the Grail before the Nazis can get their hands on it. I think this is my favourite movie in the entire Indiana Jones franchise, tied very closely to Raiders of the Last Ark (1981), which this movie is set 2 years after. This adventure feels like a return to some basics for the trilogy after the quite different Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) that saw a departure from tangling with Nazis, flying to multiple locations across the globe and a well-known religious relic for the MacGuffin. There are a few similarities between this one and the first, mainly due to Spielberg attempting to play it safe after the backlash for the extreme violence and graphic imagery of Temple by parents. Although it shares some themes, this movie is in no regard a carbon copy, it's different, yet still just as fun as its predecessor (if not more). I think the most important aspect of this film's success was the inclusion of, none other than James Bond himself, Sean Connery as Indy's father, Henry Jones Sr., who brings this adventure to life. Their on-screen chemistry is through the roof in every department, from their dialogue to their actions and reactions. I adore every second they are together, whether it be an attempt to escape being tied up in a Nazi-controlled castle that ends up going awry, an escape on a bike pursued by Nazis or dodging planes in a dogfight. There is never a dull moment when they are together. I have too many favourite scenes, but I think their biggest highlight is the sequence where they are strapped to the chair, which is so comical with them both shouting at one another and uncovering secret passages. It is so iconic. Furthermore, I love how whenever Indy does anything impressive, his father gives him the most unimpressed look, I can't stop laughing every time. That is something I noticed a lot whilst watching. I laughed an unbelievable amount of times. There are just so many brilliant moments full of comedic elements that perfectly balance the darker and emotionally driven parts. Another favourite segment of mine is the entire opening. Starting with a young Indy was a fascinating idea that perfectly displayed his character and traits that we all know and love. Seeing him steal an artefact and be chased to a moving train where he acquires his fear of snakes, use of a whip (which also results in his scar on his chin) and hearing him say his famous line, "It belongs in a museum". If you liked this segment too, then you can see some similar moments in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (TV Series 1992-1993). The action is so enthralling, with varying locations for duking out some evil Nazis, with the most awesome being the duel on top of the tank. There is so much going on in that fight alone to make it the most engaging piece, certain to keep you on the edge of your seat. Our MacGuffin for this escapade is Holy Grail, the cup of Christ, which makes for a seriously interesting prize that's protected by a great series of trials to overcome that show Indy's skills. The cup's reveal at the end was also really satisfactory and everything they did in regards to it, was beautifully done. Overall, Last Crusade will always hold the title of my favourite Indy movie. I cannot even begin to stress enough how much I adore this film with its overwhelming amount of heart, comedy, action and old-fashioned adventure. There isn't a single beat skipped in this masterpiece that makes it ideal for rewatching. A must-see in my opinion! Such a phenomenal end to the trilogy, but it doesn't end there with the addition of a fourth instalment, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).
It is the year 1935. Undaunted archaeology professor Dr. Indiana Jones escapes death by the skin of his teeth in Hong Kong and lands in far-off India. With the sacred Sankara Stone stolen from an impoverished community, Indiana embarks on a peril-laden quest to retrieve the precious artefact, accompanied by his trusty 12-year-old sidekick Short Round and Willie Scott, a statuesque nightclub singer. But as the evil Thuggee cult spreads through the region, Indy and his team must brave the odds to do the impossible. Will Indiana Jones get out of the cursed Temple of Doom in one piece and live to tell the tale? Temple of Doom is yet another fantastic entry into the Indiana franchise which is set a year before the explosive adventure of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), acting as a prequel to the iconic escapade. It does feel quite weird having this movie take place before the other, but I tend to watch it in order of release since, besides the year, there is no big indication towards it being set before the other. The reasoning behind this being a prequel was that they didn't want to feature the Nazis as the main villains again and I will admit, the bad guys of this movie are pretty terrifying. Just like in Raiders, this feature is jampacked full of gripping action in one of Indy's most trying adventures yet that pushes him to his limits. The opening alone is phenomenal with a deal going down in Hong Kong that, of course, goings awry with a double cross. It results in some absolutely delightful action that combines both serious and comedic elements perfectly. With Indy being poisoned, searching for the antidote, which is being kicked around the room alongside the diamond, he was offered for the job, being sought out by Willie as people run around frantically. Whilst this is going on, Indy is fighting off goons (and random people due to being drugged), the band is playing 'Anything Goes', dancers are attempting to perform among the scarpering crowd and balloons start falling from the ceiling. It's completely hectic, and I love it. Indy's escape is so memorable too, in his usual ingenious fashion by cutting down a giant gong and running behind it as a goon shoots at it with his tommy gun. On this grand adventure, he is joined by Willie as the love interest who, in my opinion, doesn't come close to what we see Indy have with Marion in the first film. Marion may have been a damsel in distress at times but she could hold her own and aid in the mission on many occasions, whereas Willie just screams a lot and is frequently afraid, which is a bit of a disappointment although, she is still funny at times. On the other hand, Short Round is fantastic. His relationship with Indy is full of chemistry and so hilarious constantly looking up to him, even copying him, like when he is thinking, etc. I further love how he constantly corrects people into calling him 'Dr. Jones' instead of Mr. He isn't just comic relief either he aids Indy tremendously from driving him out of Hong Kong to saving his life during battles, he is there for him. This film is incredibly darker than any of the others in the franchise featuring some graphic and sensitive topics from the memorable ripping out of the heart, the use of torture, voodoo and child slavery, Temple is easily the most disturbing of the lot but doesn't at all hinder the overall product, if anything, it makes it quite unique. The final third is easily the most thrilling with many noteworthy sequences such as the escape on the minecart, which is fast-paced and uses some superb effects from ILM with models and stop-motion figures. I adore the call back to the first film with the swordsman that Indy shot and was deprived of an epic fight and having no gun forces him to take them on in close combat. There is also the unforgettable conflict on the bridge where everyone is forced to battle it out whilst climbing up the dangling remnants. What an awesome collection of set pieces. Overall, Temple of Doom may be seen as the odd one out, but it is still a valid addition to the series. With plenty of exciting action that is amplified by Williams' score, it is difficult not to be left captivated and glued to the screen. Don't forget to look into the third instalment in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).
The year is 1936. An archaeology professor, Indiana Jones, is venturing into the jungles of South America, searching for a golden statue. Unfortunately, he sets off a deadly trap but miraculously escapes. Then, Jones hears from a museum curator named Marcus Brody about a biblical artefact called The Ark of the Covenant, which can hold the key to human existence. Jones has to venture to vast places such as Nepal and Egypt to find this artefact. However, he will have to fight his enemy Rene Belloq and a band of Nazis to reach it. Raiders of the Lost Ark is the first instalment in the phenomenal Indiana Jones franchise, which is one of the most impactful pieces of media in the vast collection of pop culture history. This film is a true masterpiece in every way possible. Everyone was at their best in each department from the directing of Spielberg, the magnificent score by legend John Williams, the special effects of ILM, the terrific costume designs and, of course, the stupendous acting of all the roles. We also can't forget George Lucas who created the idea for this, which he conceived whilst on a Hawaiian vacation with Spielberg to avoid the premiere of Star Wars (1977) in cinemas. Both of their love for action-adventure style movies of the 1930s/40s helped them to create a product based on their childhood shows that would go on to become timeless. I absolutely adore the Indy movies and this one imparticular. It is a perfect starting point that sees heaps of gritty action explode onto our screens, with some witty humour sprinkled throughout, which doesn't overshadow the overall story, especially the more serious moments. At its core, this film is good old-fashioned fun. This is the kind of entertainment that fills you with adrenaline during the high-stakes battles, grips you with its intricate and mysterious story and has you watching with bated breath as our heroes frequently must escape the many perils of the adventure. All these feelings are elevated by the magical score of John Williams, with his finest piece being the theme song that is instantly recognisable, even to those who haven't seen these films. His music also lends to some of the most iconic scenes that are widely known and regularly referenced in other media, even to this day. The most notable ones include Indy's escape from the Idol temple dodging booby traps, especially the giant boulder chase. His battle in the market square, which resulted in the most comedic moment during a 1v1 with a skilled swordsman. The retaking of the Ark from the Nazis whilst in moving cars and, last of all, the opening of the Ark, which has some of ILM's greatest effects on full display with some extremely disturbing imagery, and I loved it! Harrison Ford kills it as the artefacts hunter/school professor, Indiana Jones. His performance is outstanding being able to swap from playful and comedic to serious and determined. Indiana's look is equally iconic from the fedora hat to the leather jacket but most of all, his signature whip that gets him out of countless dire situations. Marion, played by Karen Allen, makes for an equally entertaining member of the cast, who aids in the mission and is very beautiful too. I love this style of adventure that sees the raiding of tombs and searching for a long-lost ancient MacGuffin, which is executed perfectly. The opening alone displays this type of aesthetic to a T with the surpassing of traps to get to the golden Idol and would only continue to be present with the search for the Ark of the Covenant with the many pieces to the puzzle to solve. The Ark itself makes for an interesting story with not only Indy looking for it, but the Nazis too who aim to use it as a weapon. Having the adventure set during WWII was a brilliant decision as I never get tired of Indy fighting Nazis in some brutal fashion. Overall, Raiders of the Lost Ark is the ipitome of a perfect movie. It's incredible to think just how exciting films used to be back in the day and how unfortunate today they are unable to match the pure delight of the magic of filmmaking. If there is anyone looking for a good old-fashioned adventure story, then look no further. Also, check out the next escapade in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984).
American scholarship student Nina Martin arrives at her new school: an English boarding school with a dormitory named after the Egyptian god of death, Anubis. Upon her arrival, fellow student Joy suddenly mysteriously vanishes from the school. When Joy's friends, Nina's new housemates, confront her about Joy's disappearance, suspicion quickly turns to the groundskeeper of Anubis House, Victor. Nina and the other students embark on a quest to unearth what happened to Joy while uncovering a world of mystery in the process. House of Anubis is a British tween series full of peculiar mysteries and strange goings on that the members of the house attempt to uncover whilst ancient supernatural forces are at work. Personally, I grew up watching this show and I loved it, always making sure to catch it after school for the entire course of its run. Admittedly, now looking back it has some truly cringy acting on display and some over-dramatics but I just kind of overlook it with being a part of my childhood and falling into that guilty pleasure category. The premise of the show is an extremely interesting one that sees a large focus delving into Egyptian history and mystical artefacts that seems to call upon some of the curious students. We follow each member of the house on their own interweaving stories that culminate in the season finale. The main focus resides around Nina, Fabian, Amber, Patricia and Alfie, who form the club Sibuna (Anubis backwards), and they work together to uncover these many enigmas. Other members of the house include Jerome, Mara, Mick, house mother Trudy, (with later additions) Eddie, Willow and KT. Each one has their own traits and characteristics from the comedian, the athlete to the studious one, everyone has unique attributes with individual plot lines to match. My favourite character from this series has to be Victor, the caretaker of the house who is easily the most interesting of them all and has the best acting. Victor is a kind of morally ambiguous character in a way going from being depicted as somewhat of a bad guy with his hunt for eternal life and his lengths to obtain it however, when it comes to the safety and care of the students, he protects them at all costs, which is very admirable. If anything he isn't a villain of sorts but just grumpy. He also has the most iconic line of the program that is frequently recited throughout the show, "It's 10 o'clock. You have 5 minutes precisely. And then, I want to hear a pin drop." That's not all as another highlight from Victor is his care for his stuffed raven, Corbierre, who he talks to in his office. Finally, there are the antagonists, who stop at nothing till they get what they want, which the students tend to discover before them. From the cunning Rufus Zeno, the evil spirit Senkhara to Ammut, many seek power that our protagonists must overcome. With each season, the stakes only grew, as well as the overall quality, which improved exponentially. The first season revolves around the disappearance of Joy and the unusual attitude of the teachers alongside the uncovering of secrets hidden within the very walls of the house thanks to a locket given to Nina by one of the old inhabitants of the house, Sarah. The Second takes a drastic improvement with some horror-like themed elements with the addition of the ghostly apparition of Senkhara who curses the Sibuna group into obtaining the Mask of Anubis, which requires a passing of many perilous tests. The Third and final season sees the return of a familiar face who has been mentioned countless times now turned agent of evil working to bring about the reign of Ammut by collecting sinners from both staff and students of Anubis. My personal favourite has to be the second season where it felt its strongest with the whole original cast returning and some extremely difficult tasks to surpass. The last episode of the show feels like a special, which wraps up the show in a neat bow to send off the many fantastic adventures. Overall, this is a blast from my past that I revisit and despite its flaws, I can still have an enjoyable time with it these many years later. A perfect program for any young teen audience looking for some thrills and heaps of mystery to keep you on your toes.
