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DVD
and Video - Fiction,
Possible Futures
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The Andromeda Strain
(1971)
Starring: Arthur Hill, David Wayne, James Olson, Kate Reid, Paula Kelly
Director: Robert Wise
Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
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A U.S. Army satellite (Scoop VII) falls to earth near Piedmont, New Mexico. The recovery team experiences difficulties as it becomes clear that the satellite has performed its intended function all too well, and has brought back something from space. A team of scientists is assembled in a high-tech, underground facility to identify and defeat the "enemy" before it is too late.
A similar theme was also covered in the (circa 1960's) classic paperback story by Fred Hoyle titled "A for Andromeda". Hoyle's story certainly has the appearance of being the forerunner of the more recent movie Contact and the somewhat "sexier", yet surprisingly coherent, Species trilogy. |
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Blade
Runner (1982)
D i r e c t o r 's C u t
Starring: Harrison
Ford
Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Daryl Hannah
Director: Ridley Scott
Soundtrack: Vangelis
Running
Time: 112 mins
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A well developed bioengineering
technology has produced Replicants, the new
slave race. Purpose built disposable humans
with built-in redundancy (a 4 year lifespan).
The ultimate commercial application of genetic
technology?
The director's cut omits Deckard's voice-over
narration, develops the romance between Deckard
and Rachael in slightly greater detail and removes
the "uplifting" finale. |
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CrossWorlds (1997)
Starring: Rutger Hauer
Director: Krishna
Rao
Running
Time: 91 mins
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A young man inherits the task of protecting
a key that can open interdimensional gates.
A lesson about the nature of power follows
for the reluctant hero. A light-hearted story,
with added depths for those who can see past
the production budget. The effects are good
and the Digitally Mastered DVD offers both
Widescreen and Fullframe. |
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The Day After Tomorrow
(2004)
Anamorphic Widescreen
Starring: Dennis Quaid
Jake Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum, Dash Mihok, Jay O. Sanders
Director: Roland Emmerich
Running
Time: 123 mins
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Global warming suggests that the Earth will get hotter, weather more violent and deserts more prevalent. This movie presents the concept that instead, it could trigger the next ice age ... and sooner than we might think. |
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Gattaca (1997)
Starring: Ethan Hawke,
Uma Thurman
Director: Andrew Niccol
Running
Time: 106 mins
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A tale of genetic technology taken to a foreseeable
social conclusion, genetic discrimination and
the creation of the genetic social underclass.
A story of the determination of a genetically
disadvantaged man aspiring to beat "the
system" and realize his dream.
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Outbreak (1995)
Starring: Dustin Hoffman,
Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman,
Kevin Spacey, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Running
Time: 128 mins
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Synopsis (Excerpt from Amazon.com):The premise of Outbreak, which owes something to Elia Kazan's 1950 plague-scare movie, Panic in the Streets, is as terrifying as it is timely. As developers slash their way deeper into the previously unexplored tropical rainforests, they are exposed to radically new forms of life, including diseases, that in these days of commonplace international travel could turn into deadly epidemics almost before we know it. Of course, in this story, the military is also involved.
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Silent
Running (1971)
Starring: Bruce Dern
Director: Douglas Trumball
Running
Time: 90 mins
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The Earth is overcrowded
and polluted. The last fragments of Earth's
forests are contained in huge, mostly automated
terrariums, orbiting the outer planets. The
high cost of maintenance brings on the inevitable
decision.
The DVD's Dolby Digital Mono sound track does
not detract from the moving theme song by Joan
Baez. Excellent in Widescreen - Highly
Recommended. |
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Split
Second (1992)
Starring: Rutger Hauer
Director: Tony Maylam
Closed-captioned, Color,
Full Screen, NTSC
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London in the near future has flooded from global
warning. Boats become major method of transportation.
Tough cop Hauer is saddled with new partner
and goes after the (ALIEN-like monster) serial
killer who murdered his previous partner. Somewhat
of a watery b-grade cult classic. |
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