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The Will

Jane Mann

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Book

Jane Mann's crime and mystery novel, The Will, follows the story of Hannah Delaney, aged 27, who...

Lily Poole

Jack O'Donnell

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Book

Everything about John is off-kilter. He's sixteen now, out of school and out of work. It's the early...

Eileen

Ottessa Moshfegh

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

This book was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2016. It was shortlisted for the Gordon Burn...

Donnie Darko (2001)

8.1 (64 Ratings) Rate It

Movie Watch

Donnie Darko is a psychological science fiction and drama written and directed by Richard Kelly. ...

Science Fiction Drama Horror Themes

Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Cops in TV

Jul 12, 2020 (Updated Jul 12, 2020)

Star Cops

1987 | Crime, Sci-Fi

6.0

(2 Ratings)

TV Show Rating

Underrated attempt at a proper science fiction series from the BBC. In the far-off year of 2027, British copper Nathan Spring takes command of the International Space Police Force, responsible for law and order on the Moon and aboard the various space stations. Psychological and political issues prove to be as tricky as the actual crimes, though...

Clearly made on a punishingly low budget, and the vision of the future is occasionally a bit wonky from a modern perspective, but the five episodes written by series creator Chris Boucher are some of the best, most intelligent, wittiest and most cynical SF ever broadcast by the BBC. The other episodes not so much: everything gets a bit campy and there are a lot of national stereotypes on display. (Plus, the theme tune has been called the worst in TV history, and most of the incidental music is rubbish too.) Even when it's not particularly good, it's always trying to do something a bit different, and David Calder is consistently excellent as Spring. Not the first nor the last SF or fantasy show to be cut loose by the BBC before it had a chance to realise its potential.