Battlestar Galactica: The Plan releases this week, which should make fans going through withdrawal quite happy. The Plan, directed James Olmos, attempts to fill in fill in gaps as it relates to the Cylons, specifically the story of Kavil. Unfortunately, The Plan is not a strong movie, lacking a central narrative thread. It plays out like a retrospective of key Battlestar events, doesn’t really shed light on anything, is disjointed and without purpose. Not a great review, sorry to say. On the upside, the special-effects have never been better, easily the best technical work of the series.

Battlestar Galactica: The Plan is available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Buy Battlestar Galactica: The Plan on DVD

Buy Battlestar Galactica: The Plan on Blu-Ray

Monty Python: Almost The Truth is the best documentary ever created about the British comedy group Monty Python. Stretching six glorious hours, every member is interviewed, memories are recalled and tons of things you never new are revealed. This documentary, made by the son of Terry Jones, goes in-depth on how the group formed, what their lives were like prior to Monty Python, their inspirations, battles with the BBC, how George Harrison of the Beatles financed The Holy Grail because he wanted to see the movie, and on and on and on. No Monty Python fan should be without this great documentary in their library.

Buy Monty Python: Almost the Truth on DVD

Buy Monty Python: Almost the Truth on Blu-Ray

Terry Gilliam is one of the few genuine artists working in films, the last of a dying breed. His visual eye knows no equal, his passion for his work can’t be beat and his constant wars with studios executives is a constant source of inspiration and amusement. With his movie Brazil, he directed one of my favorite movies of all time. As an animator for Monty Python and co-director of The Holy Grail, he participated in one of my favorite comedies. So when Terry Gilliam has a new movie coming out, my eyes are wide and my attention rapt.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, like every Gilliam production before, had more than its fair share of production troubles, not the least of which was the untimely death of lead actor Heath Ledger. Yet, Gilliam overcame the dilemma and re-worked the movie to overcome his troubles. While I have yet to see the final result, those who have viewed Gilliam’s latest all agree: Terry is back and better than ever.

Here’s Trailer Proof:

The British comedy troupe Monty Python celebrates their 40th anniversary today. It was October 5, 1969 that a new show called Monty Python’s Flying Circus made it debut on the BBC, forever changing the course of comedy.  To say I am a Monty Python fan would be a terrible understatement. Yes, I can recite every line from The Holy Grail, though I’m one of the few who considers The Meaning of Life their best film.

What made Python work? A little of everything, not the least of which was their uncanny intelligence. Python was capable of high-brow humor and the lowest of lows. From “Can we have your liver?” to a hilarious examination of “What have the Romans ever done for us?”

Many comedy groups have emerged since Python, though none have managed to capture their spirit. True originals in every way. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, here are some of my favorite bits:

Bloody Catholics

The Galaxy Song

What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?

Killer Rabbit

Sex Education

As a huge admirer of Terry Gilliam, I find myself looking forward to his next film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Unfortunately, Terry hasn’t delivered a truly great film in many years, a fact one can easily blame on studio interference, something that has haunted Mr. Gilliam ever since Time Bandits and, more notably, Brazil.

With the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Mr. Gilliam seems to be unleashing his creative powers once again. Despite Heath Ledger’s untimely demise during the production of the movie, Terry was able to salvage the role and incorporate a solution within the film. Also starring in the film are Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Christopher Plummer.

Behold, the trailer: