VERY seventies. Can the helicopters speak??
That pilot guy is hilarious.

VERY seventies. Can the helicopters speak??
That pilot guy is hilarious.

A very lofty idea for a movie put into the hands of people who say “well, this is above our pay grade,” and go for it anyway. By the time the pair of helicopters turn to each other to communicate as a gag while hunting down THE O.J. Simpson, you realize nothing all too profound or tragic will wash over you. But you will laugh!

A very lofty idea for a movie put into the hands of people who say “well, this is above our pay grade,” and go for it anyway. By the time the pair of helicopters turn to each other to communicate as a gag while hunting down THE O.J. Simpson, you realize nothing all too profound or tragic will wash over you. But you will laugh!

Idea for the film is fun and has the foundation of a really solid thriller. The execution is another thing though. 

It feels like it can’t decide if it wants to fully commit to the thriller aspect, it has Elliot Gould as a journalist à la Woodward and Bernstein (who the movie references by name) trying to get the “scoop of the century.” While at the same time it has astronauts stealing planes and being lost in the desert. It has this mix of classic 70s thriller stylings with action elements but it doesn’t do either especially well. Not to say it doesn’t have good bits, the final chase scene is a particular standout among chase sequences in general.

Overall the script needs to be tuned up and it could be in the hands of a better director. Hell, give this to Pakula!

Idea for the film is fun and has the foundation of a really solid thriller. The execution is another thing though. 

It feels like it can’t decide if it wants to fully commit to the thriller aspect, it has Elliot Gould as a journalist à la Woodward and Bernstein (who the movie references by name) trying to get the “scoop of the century.” While at the same time it has astronauts stealing planes and being lost in the desert. It has this mix of classic 70s thriller stylings with action elements but it doesn’t do either especially well. Not to say it doesn’t have good bits, the final chase scene is a particular standout among chase sequences in general.

Overall the script needs to be tuned up and it could be in the hands of a better director. Hell, give this to Pakula!

Great pairing with busting. I don’t know the last time I saw a VHS, but it felt so nostalgic seeing the quality of it on screen. The last time I saw a VHS was when I was a kid, before DVD, so it hit a a cool subconscious level. 

This was a great movie about government conspiracy, specifically revolving around the moon landing (this time Mars). We see bureaucratic cruelty and so much lying and deception, it isn’t too similar to politics and government now. It was a thrilling ride and a real fun watch. Can’t wait to see more in this theater!

Also fun side note, this movie is on my radar because I found all of the Directors notes of the production. I got it from the Long Beach Flea market and it is super insightful about movie making. It includes letters to the studio, call sheets, but mostly budget. How much each actor and crew department was paid, how much it went over. Everything.

Great pairing with busting. I don’t know the last time I saw a VHS, but it felt so nostalgic seeing the quality of it on screen. The last time I saw a VHS was when I was a kid, before DVD, so it hit a a cool subconscious level. 

This was a great movie about government conspiracy, specifically revolving around the moon landing (this time Mars). We see bureaucratic cruelty and so much lying and deception, it isn’t too similar to politics and government now. It was a thrilling ride and a real fun watch. Can’t wait to see more in this theater!

Also fun side note, this movie is on my radar because I found all of the Directors notes of the production. I got it from the Long Beach Flea market and it is super insightful about movie making. It includes letters to the studio, call sheets, but mostly budget. How much each actor and crew department was paid, how much it went over. Everything.