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Griffin Dunne recommended Dr. Strangelove (1964) in Movies (curated)
Dean (6921 KP) rated Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) in Movies
Feb 6, 2018
A classy film with a wide array of fine English actors on show. A compelling story set during the days of the cold war. However the very slow pace will put a lot of people off and it's running time is a fair bit longer than needed. One you really need to pay close attention to, and work out the code words and what they refer to. It just didn't have any real action for me, which let it down. A fine performance from talented cast nevertheless.
David McK (3219 KP) rated Anna (2019) in Movies
Mar 15, 2020
I'm not sure why, but ever since 2010's 'Salt' I've been noticing more and more of this type of thriller film, with glamorous actresses (and models) becoming the star, and with them nearly all set during the Cold War: Atomic Blonde and Red Sparrow both spring to mind.
This is Luc Besson's entry into that oeuvre, with Russian model Sasha Luss taking on the title role, initially forced to work for KGB and now looking for an escape from her (new) life: Russian Dolls within Russian dolls are a perfect metaphor for this film!
This is Luc Besson's entry into that oeuvre, with Russian model Sasha Luss taking on the title role, initially forced to work for KGB and now looking for an escape from her (new) life: Russian Dolls within Russian dolls are a perfect metaphor for this film!
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Twilight Struggle in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
The Struggle Is Real
Generally when someone in the board game community talks about a “thematic” game, there is a particular archetype they’re referring to–the science fiction or fantasy themed game with minis, elaborate artwork, and the promise of action, narrative, and adventure. Twilight Struggle does not look this kind of game. It’s set in the Cold War, has a functional but not flashy art design, and provides cardboard chits instead of plastic miniatures. However, Twilight Struggle is perhaps the most thematic game ever made.
Critic: Marc Davis
Read the full review here: http://thethoughtfulgamer.com/2017/03/05/twilight-struggle-review/
Critic: Marc Davis
Read the full review here: http://thethoughtfulgamer.com/2017/03/05/twilight-struggle-review/
Versusyours (757 KP) rated Joe 90 in TV
Nov 4, 2019
This was reshown on BBC in the 90s and it caused a bit of stir off the back of Thunderbirds and all things marionettes. The story of a normal 9 year old to some but a super duper secret agent to others. His father was an inventor who created the technology to give Joe his super brain powers. Not sure why you would experiment on your kid but it was the 60s after all. There were James Bond elements and Cold War based plots. It would have been ground breaking at the time and hasn't aged too badly in the present day.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I took a chance on <b>The Revenge of Radioactive Lady</b>, it's not my usual read, but the cover and synopsis caught my eye and decided to give it a try. I was rewarded by a quirky story with neurotic, yet realistic, characters that was compulsively readable. Each chapter is told by a different person, Marylou/Nance and everyone in the Witherspoon family.
Though not as humorous as led to believe by the various quotes on the cover, the most amusing of it happened in the first chapter and nearer the end, the rest of the book is filled with many dramas that had unusual, and not quite so grim, outlooks to them. The book flows nicely and the descriptions were easy to visualize, so I could clearly picture the settings. The characters each have their individual voices that make it easy to separate each of them from the others; I found everyone to be interesting in how they acted, reacted and dealt with the situations that popped up in the story. I both sympathized and hoped they could better themselves by the end. The author tackles some tough subjects (pedophilia, murder, adultery, creating a model nuclear reactor) in a light, yet respectful manner, and who also incorporates some Cold War history into the story too. I had no idea that around 800 unsuspecting pregnant women were given radioactive 'cocktails' (iron) to see how it would effect their fetus. Further information can be found in [b:The Plutonium Files: America's Secret Medical Experiments in the Cold War|212087|The Plutonium Files America's Secret Medical Experiments in the Cold War|Eileen Welsome|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172741136s/212087.jpg|205297], which I am now interested in finding out more about this and other unethical testing, thanks to the author. Overall, the book is a quick and easy read, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
Though not as humorous as led to believe by the various quotes on the cover, the most amusing of it happened in the first chapter and nearer the end, the rest of the book is filled with many dramas that had unusual, and not quite so grim, outlooks to them. The book flows nicely and the descriptions were easy to visualize, so I could clearly picture the settings. The characters each have their individual voices that make it easy to separate each of them from the others; I found everyone to be interesting in how they acted, reacted and dealt with the situations that popped up in the story. I both sympathized and hoped they could better themselves by the end. The author tackles some tough subjects (pedophilia, murder, adultery, creating a model nuclear reactor) in a light, yet respectful manner, and who also incorporates some Cold War history into the story too. I had no idea that around 800 unsuspecting pregnant women were given radioactive 'cocktails' (iron) to see how it would effect their fetus. Further information can be found in [b:The Plutonium Files: America's Secret Medical Experiments in the Cold War|212087|The Plutonium Files America's Secret Medical Experiments in the Cold War|Eileen Welsome|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172741136s/212087.jpg|205297], which I am now interested in finding out more about this and other unethical testing, thanks to the author. Overall, the book is a quick and easy read, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) in Movies
Oct 3, 2019
Oringal Sci-Fi Classic
The Day the Earth Stood Still- is anethor classic sci-fi movie that came out in the early 1950's. With this film, the thing from anethor world and the war of the worlds. The early 50's was on fire with sci-fi movies.
The Plot: When a UFO lands in Washington, D.C., bearing a message for Earth's leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu (Michael Rennie) has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klaatu's soft-spoken robot Gort that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers. A single mother (Patricia Neal) and her son teach the world about peace and tolerance in this moral fable, ousting the tanks and soldiers that greet the alien's arrival.
This film and the other that i mention are must watch.
The Plot: When a UFO lands in Washington, D.C., bearing a message for Earth's leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu (Michael Rennie) has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klaatu's soft-spoken robot Gort that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers. A single mother (Patricia Neal) and her son teach the world about peace and tolerance in this moral fable, ousting the tanks and soldiers that greet the alien's arrival.
This film and the other that i mention are must watch.
John Taylor recommended The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965) in Movies (curated)
2 very good lead actors (1 more)
Great shots of Scotland and the Submarine
Great Drama
A very good enjoyable drama. Largely set on a nuclear submarine after a death is reported on board. Is the start of something much bigger and sinister?
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie really shine in this. As two detectives working a case that gets more alarming the deeper they delve. With Suranne's character on board the Submarine and Rose investigating on land. There are many twists, cold War tactics and government cover ups to be unravelled in the 6 episodes. It will have you on the edge of your seat!
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie really shine in this. As two detectives working a case that gets more alarming the deeper they delve. With Suranne's character on board the Submarine and Rose investigating on land. There are many twists, cold War tactics and government cover ups to be unravelled in the 6 episodes. It will have you on the edge of your seat!
David McK (3219 KP) rated From Russia With Love (1964) in Movies
May 8, 2023
Only the second (ever) Bond film, this is very much a product of its time (as are the books), complete with the Cold War setting.
Here, Bond is sent to Istanbul to obtain a decoding machine from a Russian defector in what is obviously a honey trap, but there are strings being pulled behind the scenes by SPECTRE - the organisation itself only name-dropped in the previous film - who are out for revenge for the defeat of Dr No in the previous film.
This is the film with the cringe worthy Gypsy encampment fight.
On the other hand, it's also the one with Roas Klebb and her shoes ...
Here, Bond is sent to Istanbul to obtain a decoding machine from a Russian defector in what is obviously a honey trap, but there are strings being pulled behind the scenes by SPECTRE - the organisation itself only name-dropped in the previous film - who are out for revenge for the defeat of Dr No in the previous film.
This is the film with the cringe worthy Gypsy encampment fight.
On the other hand, it's also the one with Roas Klebb and her shoes ...