"Her name: X-20. Her type: an experimental interceptor. Recent history: A crash landing in the Mojave Desert after a thirty-one hour flight nine hundred miles into space. Incidental data: The ship, with the men who flew her, disappeared from the radar cloak for twenty-four hours. But the shrouds that screen mysteries are not always made out of tarpaulin, as this man will soon find out on the other side of a hospital door."
Once again, Rod Serling and Richard Matheson, master authors both, collaborate on a richly detailed, wonderfully-knit story...in this case, the former adapting the latter's short story. Legend, rumor and speculation indicate that "And When The Sky Was Opened," number 16 on this "best of" list, was one of Serling's approved "Twilight Zone" episodes.
"And When The Sky Was Opened" features several stirring performances. Rod Taylor, veteran actor still active today (he appears this year in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Basterds") has had many critically-acclaimed roles through the years, including the lead role in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds." Here, he plays Colonel Clegg Forbes, who returns with two other astronauts from a test flight...or does he? ...or do they? Also appearing is Timothy Hutton's father, Jim Hutton, as Major William Gart, and Charles Aidman as Colonel Ed Harrington.
The epic is another drawn out of the era's controlled apprehension about space flight and the unexpected results that might occur from wandering into the unknown. Yes, everyone was excited about the prospects of venturing beyond our world, but they also reserved a diminutive corner of their soul for the fear that comes with that territory. In "And When The Sky Was Opened," we are introduced to Colonel Forbes as he wrestles with an enigma. He visits Major Gart in the hospital room from which he was discharged the day before and he is clearly distraught. He insists he left with Colonel Harrington, a 15-year friend and associate who accompanied them on their aborted position flight. Gart insists he doesn't know any Colonel Harrington. In fact, there are only two beds in the room now, not three. The newspaper heralding their return, now speaks of two astronauts, not three. Forbes then relates in flashback the series of events that occurred since the previous day.
Did you ever get the sense you didn't belong? A detached feeling, as if you're invisible? The 1962 movie of that era, "Carnival of Souls," covers this issue beautifully, and terrifyingly, as the soul of a girl who dies tragically in an auto accident emerges from the river to hauntingly resume life until the souls of those passed come to retrieve her. Forbes and Harrington enter a tavern and it is here that the latter begins to feel the ultimate detachment, and calls his parents to get his bearings...only his parents have no idea who he is. George Bailey had a similar problem in "It's A Wonderful Life," but for a far different, less ominous reason. Forbes tries to calm his shaken friend, heads off to get him a stiff drink, and returns to an empty phone booth. Where is Harrington? He's evaporated. He considers the possibility of an justify joke until he references the newspaper he brought with him, at which time he first sees the two astronaut story.
Is he going insane? Every attempt to legitimize Harrington's existence results in failure... even a telegram he sent the day before to his girlfriend which Forbes insists read, "Ed and I will meet you at the bus station," now reads simply "I will meet you at the bus dwelling." He is adamant, "I wrote Ed and I! Ed and I!"
Abet in Gart's hospital room, he ends the story and begins to fade, just as Harrington had. He leaps to the mirror where he finds no reflection (other than the unintentional arm clearly visible...chalk this up to detestable late '50's effects). He leaves screaming, and Gart frantically summons a nurse to find Forbes and care for him. Unfortunately, she doesn't know a Forbes. The newspaper now chronicles only Gart's return from a single-astronaut mission. Clearly, he's next to be "yanked outta here," as Forbes had described it. And, indeed he is, as a hospital administrator's cursory review of available space in the next scene reveals an empty room where the three once had been convalescing.
Again, Rod Serling's teleplay provided ample room for improbable performances, compelling the viewer to slouch under Rod Taylor's skin and feel his growing angst as Colonel Forbes. One story flaw, exclusive to Twilight Zone episodes and clearly debatable even here, involves their disappearances. If they weren't meant to return from this test flight, as was advanced by both Harrington and Forbes, why is their very existence erased. Why don't Harrington's parents even know they have a son? Even in the cortex of the Twilight Zone, this seems to be an anomaly. But once again, this apparent irregularity does not influence the final result...awe-inspiring television.
As Rod Serling concludes: "Once upon a time, there was a man named Harrington, a man named Forbes, and a man named Gart. They archaic to exist, but don't any longer. Someone or something took them somewhere. At least they are no longer a part of the memory of man. And as to the X-20 supposed to be housed here in this hangar, this too does not exist. And if any of you have any questions concerning an aircraft and three men who flew her, remark softly of them, and only in the Twilight Zone."
To best chronicle and commemorate this television institution, an unscientific poll of 250 people in the New York metropolitan area gave rise to the best 25 Twilight Zone episodes of all time. In order of importance, criteria included writing, performance, and compelling subject matter.
Related Posts
Filed under Interceptor by on Jan 26th, 2012. 
"Her name: X-20. Her type: an experimental interceptor. Recent history: A crash landing in the Mojave Desert after a thirty-one hour flight nine hundred miles into space. Incidental data: The ship, with the men who flew her, disappeared from the radar mask for twenty-four hours. But the shrouds that camouflage mysteries are not always made out of tarpaulin, as this man will soon find out on the other side of a hospital door."
Once again, Rod Serling and Richard Matheson, master authors both, collaborate on a richly detailed, wonderfully-knit epic...in this case, the former adapting the latter's short story. Legend, rumor and speculation indicate that "And When The Sky Was Opened," number 16 on this "best of" list, was one of Serling's favorite "Twilight Zone" episodes.
"And When The Sky Was Opened" features several stirring performances. Rod Taylor, former actor still active today (he appears this year in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Basterds") has had many critically-acclaimed roles through the years, including the lead role in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds." Here, he plays Colonel Clegg Forbes, who returns with two other astronauts from a test flight...or does he? ...or do they? Also appearing is Timothy Hutton's father, Jim Hutton, as Major William Gart, and Charles Aidman as Colonel Ed Harrington.
The story is another drawn out of the era's controlled apprehension about space flight and the unexpected results that might occur from wandering into the unknown. Yes, everyone was excited about the prospects of venturing beyond our world, but they also reserved a small corner of their soul for the fright that comes with that territory. In "And When The Sky Was Opened," we are introduced to Colonel Forbes as he wrestles with an enigma. He visits Major Gart in the hospital room from which he was discharged the day before and he is clearly distraught. He insists he left with Colonel Harrington, a 15-year friend and associate who accompanied them on their aborted site flight. Gart insists he doesn't know any Colonel Harrington. In fact, there are only two beds in the room now, not three. The newspaper heralding their return, now speaks of two astronauts, not three. Forbes then relates in flashback the series of events that occurred since the previous day.
Did you ever get the sense you didn't belong? A collected feeling, as if you're invisible? The 1962 movie of that era, "Carnival of Souls," covers this issue beautifully, and terrifyingly, as the soul of a girl who dies tragically in an auto accident emerges from the river to hauntingly resume life until the souls of those passed near to retrieve her. Forbes and Harrington enter a tavern and it is here that the latter begins to feel the ultimate detachment, and calls his parents to get his bearings...only his parents have no idea who he is. George Bailey had a similar problem in "It's A Wonderful Life," but for a far different, less ominous reason. Forbes tries to aloof his shaken friend, heads off to get him a stiff drink, and returns to an empty phone booth. Where is Harrington? He's evaporated. He considers the possibility of an elaborate joke until he references the newspaper he brought with him, at which time he first sees the two astronaut story.
Is he going insane? Every attempt to legitimize Harrington's existence results in failure... even a telegram he sent the day before to his girlfriend which Forbes insists read, "Ed and I will meet you at the bus station," now reads simply "I will meet you at the bus station." He is adamant, "I wrote Ed and I! Ed and I!"
Back in Gart's hospital room, he ends the story and begins to fade, just as Harrington had. He leaps to the mirror where he finds no reflection (other than the unintentional arm clearly visible...chalk this up to faulty slow '50's effects). He leaves screaming, and Gart frantically summons a nurse to find Forbes and care for him. Unfortunately, she doesn't know a Forbes. The newspaper now chronicles only Gart's return from a single-astronaut mission. Clearly, he's next to be "yanked outta here," as Forbes had described it. And, indeed he is, as a hospital administrator's cursory review of available space in the next scene reveals an empty room where the three once had been convalescing.
Again, Rod Serling's teleplay provided ample room for amazing performances, compelling the viewer to amble under Rod Taylor's skin and feel his growing angst as Colonel Forbes. One story flaw, uncommon to Twilight Zone episodes and clearly debatable even here, involves their disappearances. If they weren't meant to return from this test flight, as was advanced by both Harrington and Forbes, why is their very existence erased. Why don't Harrington's parents even know they have a son? Even in the cortex of the Twilight Zone, this seems to be an anomaly. But once again, this apparent irregularity does not influence the final result...awe-inspiring television.
As Rod Serling concludes: "Once upon a time, there was a man named Harrington, a man named Forbes, and a man named Gart. They used to exist, but don't any longer. Someone or something took them somewhere. At least they are no longer a part of the memory of man. And as to the X-20 supposed to be housed here in this hangar, this too does not exist. And if any of you have any questions concerning an aircraft and three men who flew her, speak softly of them, and only in the Twilight Zone."
To best chronicle and commemorate this television institution, an unscientific poll of 250 people in the New York metropolitan area gave rise to the best 25 Twilight Zone episodes of all time. In order of importance, criteria included writing, performance, and compelling subject matter.
Related Posts
Filed under Heartworm Medicine Side Effects by on Aug 23rd, 2011.
"You afraid to get wet? "
Davy Jones asks the perfect question to fans of the Pirates trilogy. The movie is dripping with all of the fan-gripping elements the first two are famous for.
The movie continues the place of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swan. This time, Will and Elizabeth must join up with former enemy, Barbossa, to bring Jack back from the other side. Once that is accomplished, they must fight against the dangerous alliance of Cutler Beckett and Davy Jones. However, with an entire East India Company and the Master of the Seas at the hands of Beckett, the alliance proves hard to fracture. An important decesion must be made: call forth the Pirate Lords to resolve how they will deal with this new threat. When treachery befalls the squabbling alliance of makeshift pirates, Barbossa decides that they may need the help of the Goddess herself -- Calipso.
I found myself captivated while watching this movie. I couldn't wait to see how the unanswered questions and loose ends would be brought together for the conclusion. And to my delight, I wasn't disappointed. The action was there, the characters were awesome, Jack was back, and the usual jokes were brought back for one last laugh.
There was one thing that state this movie apart from the other two: the pirate-like dealings. Barbossa said during the course of the movie, "The only way for a pirate to make a living these days is by betraying other pirates." He couldn't have been more right. Pirates are known for their ability to double-cross people. When the characters begin to double-cross and triple-cross each other, it's any body's game. The double-crossing wasn't always confined to the pirates, the British had their fair share of turn-coats as well. It was interesting to try and guess who would betray who or who would come out on top.
The character relationship tensions reach their breaking point in the movie. Because of all the double-crossing, the watcher begins to wonder if the characters will ever be on the same side again. Not to mention, a few new relationships are formed. Even a few of the minor characters have their own big portion in the movie. And remember the two British guards Jack confused so he could sneak aboard the Interceptor in the first movie? Guess what, they're succor.
Not only are the characters back, but the humor is back as well. Jack is as crazy as ever -- even more so when he starts to see his "conscience." Jack the monkey is brought back with a vengance and seemed to be paying for all the mischief he caused in the other two movies. The part that had me laughing the most was when the monkey was fired out of a cannon. I know the two little kids sitting behind me thought it was hilarious. There were so many one-liners, it is impossible for me to capture out a favorite. The one-liners were even better when combined with physical actions. Such as after Jack performed a grand series of Tarzan-like swings from one ship to another. After he landed safely on the Pearl, he stands up to say, "And that was without a single drop of rum!"
The climax was spectacular. The Black Pearl versus the Flying Dutchman in a vortex of swirling water. The screen shots and special effects were eye-popping. The two ships were on opposite sides of the whirlpool firing cannons at one another, and as they get closer and closer, not only are the cannons used at point blank range, but the boarding parties as well. That is when the ultimate question will be answered. Who will stab the heart of Davy Jones?
I only have a few minor criticisms. The first I have for the movie is that because of all the switching sides, it gets a itsy-bitsy confusing. Secondly, I was just a little disappointed at how Davy Jones's predicament was glazed over. And third is the ending. It was a satisfying ending, but because of the way it turned out, there are more unanswered questions which takes away from the satisfaction.
At World's End was a blast to eye. This is a fun film for all ages to eye. Fans will find themselves lost at sea once again. Even Jack Sparrow recommends it: "I promise you won't be disappointed. Count on that!"
So the question is are you afraid to get wet?
Related Posts
Filed under Interceptor by on Jun 5th, 2011.
"Her name: X-20. Her type: an experimental interceptor. Recent history: A fracture landing in the Mojave Desert after a thirty-one hour flight nine hundred miles into space. Incidental data: The ship, with the men who flew her, disappeared from the radar screen for twenty-four hours. But the shrouds that cover mysteries are not always made out of tarpaulin, as this man will soon find out on the other side of a hospital door."
Once again, Rod Serling and Richard Matheson, master authors both, collaborate on a richly detailed, wonderfully-knit anecdote...in this case, the broken-down adapting the latter's short story. Yarn, rumor and speculation indicate that "And When The Sky Was Opened," number 16 on this "best of" list, was one of Serling's favorite "Twilight Zone" episodes.
"And When The Sky Was Opened" features several stirring performances. Rod Taylor, obsolete actor still active today (he appears this year in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Basterds") has had many critically-acclaimed roles through the years, including the lead role in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds." Here, he plays Colonel Clegg Forbes, who returns with two other astronauts from a test flight...or does he? ...or do they? Also appearing is Timothy Hutton's father, Jim Hutton, as Major William Gart, and Charles Aidman as Colonel Ed Harrington.
The anecdote is another drawn out of the era's controlled dismay about space flight and the unexpected results that might occur from wandering into the unknown. Yes, everyone was excited about the prospects of venturing beyond our world, but they also reserved a small corner of their soul for the anxiety that comes with that territory. In "And When The Sky Was Opened," we are introduced to Colonel Forbes as he wrestles with an enigma. He visits Major Gart in the hospital room from which he was discharged the day before and he is clearly distraught. He insists he left with Colonel Harrington, a 15-year friend and associate who accompanied them on their aborted space flight. Gart insists he doesn't know any Colonel Harrington. In fact, there are only two beds in the room now, not three. The newspaper heralding their return, now speaks of two astronauts, not three. Forbes then relates in flashback the series of events that occurred since the previous day.
Did you ever gather the sense you didn't belong? A detached feeling, as if you're invisible? The 1962 movie of that era, "Carnival of Souls," covers this issue beautifully, and terrifyingly, as the soul of a girl who dies tragically in an auto accident emerges from the river to hauntingly resume life until the souls of those passed advance to retrieve her. Forbes and Harrington enter a tavern and it is here that the latter begins to feel the ultimate detachment, and calls his parents to net his bearings...only his parents have no idea who he is. George Bailey had a similar problem in "It's A Wonderful Life," but for a far different, less ominous reason. Forbes tries to unexcited his shaken friend, heads off to get him a stiff drink, and returns to an empty phone booth. Where is Harrington? He's evaporated. He considers the possibility of an elaborate joke until he references the newspaper he brought with him, at which time he first sees the two astronaut account.
Is he going insane? Every attempt to legitimize Harrington's existence results in failure... even a telegram he sent the day before to his girlfriend which Forbes insists read, "Ed and I will meet you at the bus station," now reads simply "I will meet you at the bus station." He is adamant, "I wrote Ed and I! Ed and I!"
Back in Gart's hospital room, he ends the story and begins to proceed, just as Harrington had. He leaps to the mirror where he finds no reflection (other than the unintentional arm clearly visible...chalk this up to faulty late '50's effects). He leaves screaming, and Gart frantically summons a nurse to find Forbes and care for him. Unfortunately, she doesn't know a Forbes. The newspaper now chronicles only Gart's return from a single-astronaut mission. Clearly, he's next to be "yanked outta here," as Forbes had described it. And, indeed he is, as a hospital administrator's cursory review of available space in the next scene reveals an empty room where the three once had been convalescing.
Again, Rod Serling's teleplay provided ample room for extraordinary performances, compelling the viewer to scoot under Rod Taylor's skin and feel his growing angst as Colonel Forbes. One story flaw, uncommon to Twilight Zone episodes and clearly debatable even here, involves their disappearances. If they weren't meant to return from this test flight, as was advanced by both Harrington and Forbes, why is their very existence erased. Why don't Harrington's parents even know they have a son? Even in the cortex of the Twilight Zone, this seems to be an anomaly. But once again, this apparent irregularity does not influence the final result...awe-inspiring television.
As Rod Serling concludes: "Once upon a time, there was a man named Harrington, a man named Forbes, and a man named Gart. They used to exist, but don't any longer. Someone or something took them somewhere. At least they are no longer a section of the memory of man. And as to the X-20 supposed to be housed here in this hangar, this too does not exist. And if any of you have any questions concerning an aircraft and three men who flew her, speak softly of them, and only in the Twilight Zone."
To best chronicle and commemorate this television institution, an unscientific poll of 250 people in the New York metropolitan area gave rise to the best 25 Twilight Zone episodes of all time. In order of importance, criteria included writing, performance, and compelling subject matter.
Related Posts
Filed under Interceptor by on Mar 25th, 2011.
"You worried to get wet? "
Davy Jones asks the perfect question to fans of the Pirates trilogy. The movie is dripping with all of the fan-gripping elements the first two are famous for.
The movie continues the plot of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swan. This time, Will and Elizabeth must join up with former enemy, Barbossa, to bring Jack back from the other side. Once that is accomplished, they must fight against the uncertain alliance of Cutler Beckett and Davy Jones. However, with an entire East India Company and the Master of the Seas at the hands of Beckett, the alliance proves hard to fracture. An important decesion must be made: call forth the Pirate Lords to decide how they will deal with this new threat. When treachery befalls the squabbling alliance of makeshift pirates, Barbossa decides that they may need the help of the Goddess herself -- Calipso.
I found myself captivated while watching this movie. I couldn't wait to survey how the unanswered questions and loose ends would be brought together for the conclusion. And to my delight, I wasn't disappointed. The action was there, the characters were awesome, Jack was back, and the usual jokes were brought back for one last laugh.
There was one thing that set this movie apart from the other two: the pirate-like dealings. Barbossa said during the course of the movie, "The only way for a pirate to make a living these days is by betraying other pirates." He couldn't have been more right. Pirates are known for their ability to double-cross people. When the characters open to double-cross and triple-cross each other, it's any body's game. The double-crossing wasn't always confined to the pirates, the British had their fair share of turn-coats as well. It was interesting to try and guess who would betray who or who would come out on top.
The character relationship tensions reach their breaking point in the movie. Because of all the double-crossing, the watcher begins to wonder if the characters will ever be on the same side again. Not to mention, a few unusual relationships are formed. Even a few of the minor characters have their own great part in the movie. And remember the two British guards Jack confused so he could sneak aboard the Interceptor in the first movie? Guess what, they're back.
Not only are the characters back, but the humor is back as well. Jack is as crazy as ever -- even more so when he starts to see his "conscience." Jack the monkey is brought back with a vengance and seemed to be paying for all the mischief he caused in the other two movies. The part that had me laughing the most was when the monkey was fired out of a cannon. I know the two little kids sitting late me belief it was hilarious. There were so many one-liners, it is impossible for me to pick out a celebrated. The one-liners were even better when combined with physical actions. Such as after Jack performed a remarkable series of Tarzan-like swings from one ship to another. After he landed safely on the Pearl, he stands up to say, "And that was without a single drop of rum!"
The climax was spectacular. The Black Pearl versus the Flying Dutchman in a vortex of swirling water. The screen shots and special effects were eye-popping. The two ships were on opposite sides of the whirlpool firing cannons at one another, and as they fetch closer and closer, not only are the cannons used at point blank range, but the boarding parties as well. That is when the ultimate question will be answered. Who will stab the heart of Davy Jones?
I only have a few minor criticisms. The first I have for the movie is that because of all the switching sides, it gets a shrimp confusing. Secondly, I was just a little disappointed at how Davy Jones's quandary was glazed over. And third is the ending. It was a satisfying ending, but because of the scheme it turned out, there are more unanswered questions which takes away from the satisfaction.
At World's End was a blast to watch. This is a fun film for all ages to watch. Fans will regain themselves lost at sea once again. Even Jack Sparrow recommends it: "I promise you won't be disappointed. Count on that!"
So the interrogate is are you afraid to get wet?
Related Posts
Filed under Heartworm Medicine Side Effects by on Feb 28th, 2011.