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Journey to the Far Side of the Sun

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Don't get ripped off by these greedy "rare" DVD sellers.
Review: "Journey To the Far Side Of the Sun" is available from the Canadian Amazon site for $26 and they get it for you in about 5-6 weeks. That beats paying $112 - $375 for a freely available title!! These slimy DVD sellers should be banned from Amazon or a least have a cap put on their ludicrous prices.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: 3.5, really...
Review: A good, but slow-moving, fatalistic sci-fi thriller from 1969... sort of a pop culture Rosetta Stone between "Star Trek" and "The Six Million Dollar Man," wherein a hidden, doppelganger Earth threatens our own, and all the space-racing might of the our species can do nothing to prevent the inevitable. Slightly strained, but worth checking out.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Journey to the Far Side of the Sun
Review: Beware! A few of the reviews before me have told just a little too much about this movies plot. This movie deserves it's surprise factor to remain secret. A good Sci-Fi movie not supplemented with --too many-- special effects. This is more story line/plot rather than a great dependance upon visual effects to pull it through. Some of the rocket scenes are admiringly model-ish. You will grin when you see them. I viewed it last month and will probably view it again next month. A great twist included therein and a surprise & mournful ending. ---(will ANYONE believe his story?), JIM

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: In the future, everyone will drive Corvettes
Review: For obsessive SF collectors only. How anyone could compare the quality of the special effects to 2001 is beyond me. Ridiculous plot, wretched acting, and myopic vision of future technology makes for great "Mystery Science Theater 3000" material. This movie would have been more aptly titled "Journey to the Far Side of Uranus."

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Interesting And Unusual Sci-Fi Cult Film From 1969
Review: From the creators of "The Thunderbirds" and "Space 1999" came this 1969 science fiction melodrama of astronauts discovering a mirror image of Earth always hidden from view of the real Earth because it is always on the other side of the sun. Also known as DOPPELGANGER, this is an unusual entry into the sci-fi genre, a strange cross between "The Twilight Zone" and Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. Roy Thinnes and Ian Hendry are the two astronauts who discover the parallel world and soon become entangled in it. The visual effects work of Derek Meddings still holds up surprisingly well after more than three decades of cinematic advances; and while the uneven dialogue means that JOURNEY cannot really compare to "2001" or the more recent CONTACT, this is still well worth watching for its premise, as well as a fine score by Barry Gray.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Interesting And Unusual Sci-Fi Cult Film From 1969
Review: From the creators of "The Thunderbirds" and "Space 1999" came this 1969 science fiction melodrama of astronauts discovering a mirror image of Earth always hidden from view of the real Earth because it is always on the other side of the sun. Also known as DOPPELGANGER, this is an unusual entry into the sci-fi genre, a strange cross between "The Twilight Zone" and Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. Roy Thinnes and Ian Hendry are the two astronauts who discover the parallel world and soon become entangled in it. The visual effects work of Derek Meddings still holds up surprisingly well after more than three decades of cinematic advances; and while the uneven dialogue means that JOURNEY cannot really compare to "2001" or the more recent CONTACT, this is still well worth watching for its premise, as well as a fine score by Barry Gray.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A European Space Odyssey Ahead of its Time
Review: George Lucas owes not a small portion of his millions to Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, for they were the true pioneers of high quality production design in science fiction movies. It's fun to watch this 1969 vision of the future in retrospect; as in "2001," the producers couldn't predict advances in computer technology (reels of magnetic tape still in use) but envisioned a leap in aeronautical design by the 21st century that puts reality to shame. If only NASA's space designs were as as elegant as the ones imagined by the Andersons. For indeed, "Journey of the Far Side of the Sun" is a pleasure to watch for its gee-whiz gadgetry and highly detailed miniatures alone: a flashing cardiac watch worn by stressed-out 21st century power players, a mini camera built into an artificial eyeball, an aircraft whose fuselage separates from the wings and is rolled to an airport terminal by a ground tram, and of course, the 1969 concept cars which figured prominently in the TV series "UFO." The cliched plot of the discovery of an anti-matter duplicate earth on the far side of the sun is secondary to the details, such as the reversed lettering on cologne bottles and cleverly reversed sets.

As in "UFO" the Andersons are less successful in creating a soap opera cast of "human characters" amidst the splendor of futuristic technology. Stout Jason Webb is a hard-minded power broker whose driving ambition is the success of his secretive space program "Eurosec". American Astronaut Glen Adams is having sexual problems with his wife due to "radiation" in space and is therefore attracted to beautiful, understanding European babe Liza. Still, the actors deliver solid performances with what little they have to work with.

The highlight of this movie is the rocket launch and "shuttle" capsule separation sequences which are the direct ancestors of the corresponding sequences in "Apollo 13." Without the use of digital technology, the Andersons created a convincing space travel environment which holds up even today (if you can suspend your disbelief of how a small lifting body craft can attain escape velocity). Last, but certainly not least, the fabulously romantic score by Barry Gray, composer of "Space:1999" and "The Thunderbirds" adds a veneer of grandeur and European sophistication which exceeds the scale of the movie itself. Definitely a collector's item for all fans of science fiction.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: journey to the far side of the sun
Review: I dont see why some people butcher this film so much"I am not a rex reed ,but it was not that bad.I enjoyed the special effects .They were done by one of the best special effects men in the business at the time Derrick meddings.Fine model work on this one for those fans who realize the effort put in to making all the elaborate models.I bought it for the price"I didnt think 10.00 is to much to spend.Besides you just might like it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Movie Bad Prices
Review: I have this DVD I paid $30 for it. The reviews for it are good ant hey should be, its a great movie. However - I have seen prices between $65 and $375 for a "Like New" DVD. The sellers here are way out of wack for what the DVD is actually worth.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: NEAT LITTLE SCI-FI THRILLER
Review: I would rate this project higher if it starred bigger names and better talent. I've seen better Dinner Theatre actors - in fact, I'm one of them. This project involves the discovery of a new planet that resembles Earth. NASA dispatches a team to investigate. What they find is something more like anti-Earth. And, like in CONTACT, upon returning to Earth, nobody believes them. But something is wrong - Earth is a little different from when they left. The differences are small but odd: familiar trappings like furniture, hairstyles, light switches, ... are slightly different, or moved a little bit. Creepy at times. The ending would make Rod Serling smile, and make you happy you watched. NOTE: the NASA stuff looks more modern than todays NASA stuff. No small acheivement for a 30yo film. Perfect fare for snowy afternoons (like todays).


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