Tag: Cold War

Anna

Anna

dir. Luc Besson (2019)

Film poster: “Anna” dir. Luc Besson (2019)

One of Besson’s better films, albeit offering nothing new either to the genre or within his own oeuvre. Sasha Luss brings emotionally versatility to a role that shouldn’t require any, her performance elevating the nested-dolls Cold War plot-shuffling. Lera Abova also impresses.

Rocky & Bullwinkle: Jet Fuel Formula

Rocky & Bullwinkle: Jet Fuel Formula

serialised in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends, Season 1, Episodes 1-20 (ABC, 1959-1960)

Review of “Rocky & Bullwinkle: Jet Fuel Formula”, serialised in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends, Season 1, Episodes 1-20 (ABC, 1959-1960)

A fast, freewheeling, self-aware cliffhanger serial told across 40 three-minute segments. Bullwinkle the endearingly dim-witted moose and his guileless squirrel pal Rocky battle an equally hapless pair of Cold War spies. Clever allusions and mile-a-minute wordplay underpin the cheap but punchy animation.

With a Strange Device

With a Strange Device

by Eric Frank Russell (Dobson, 1964)

Russell_With a Strange Device

Where Russell was renowned for humorous SF, this novel seems more in keeping with Cold War espionage stories (or within Russell’s spectrum, his early Fortean noir outings Sinister Barrier and Dreadful Sanctuary), and maintains its intrigue even upon second or third reading.

 

 

The Game

The Game

created by Toby Whithouse (BBC, 2014)

Whithouse_The Game

A cleverly twisted, cagily acted, utterly engrossing but ultimately nonsensical Cold War spy drama in which a special team within MI5 work to unravel Russian misdirection and foil a game-changing espionage plot that they only become aware of due to said misdirection.

 

 

The Official C.I.A. Manual of Trickery and Deception

The Official C.I.A. Manual of Trickery and Deception

by John Mulholland (Unpublished, 1953)

ed. H. Keith Melton and Robert Wallace (Hardie Grant, 2010)

Mulholland_CIA Manual

Although the editors try to spruik the significance of two instructional manuals commissioned from magician John Mulholland by the CIA during the Cold War, closer inspection reveals the most interesting facet of these works to be that they were written at all.

 

Foyle’s War, Series 8

Foyle’s War, Series 8

by Anthony Horowitz (ITV, 2015)

Horowitz_Foyles War 8

A concluding trio of diligently researched, well-realised feature-length mysteries set within and inextricably bound to English society (originally during, now) post- World War II. Michael Kitchen remains facially expressive as Foyle, working for MI5 amidst the early machinations of the Cold War.

 

Despicable Me

Despicable Me

dir. Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud (2010)

Coffin_Renaud_Despicable Me

Amidst a glut of animated films, Despicable Me is one of the few that remain consistently funny and engaging. Gru, the ingeniously drawn and distinctively voiced (by Steve Carell) Cold War -styled supervillain, is one of the great characters of modern cinema.

 

Bobby Fischer Against the World

Bobby Fischer Against the World

dir. Liz Garbus (2011)

Garbus_Bobby Fischer Against the World

Replete with archival footage, this layman’s documentary cogently examines and contextualises both American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer’s 1972 (cold war) world championship match against Boris Spassky, and Fischer’s unstable genius, which drove him firstly to success, then to reclusiveness and abject derangement.

Derelict Space Sheep