THE HAUNTED AIRMAN starring Robert Pattinson

Adapted from Dennis Wheatley’s 1948 novel The Haunting of Toby Jugg, the drama was written, produced and directed by Chris Durlacher, whose previous credits include Kenneth Tynan: In Praise of Hardcore and George Orwell: A Life in Pictures.

The Haunted Airman is the story of a troubled young man who returns from World War II, only to face new terrors. Flight Lieutenant Toby Jugg, (Robert Pattinson) is confined to a wheelchair after being wounded in action. Paralyzed from the waist down, Toby arrives at his guardian’s country house – a remote mansion in Wales – to recuperate with other mentally-ill and wounded patients. Suffering terrible nightmares and visions, he suspects something is wrong with his creepy psychiatrist, the oleaginous Dr Hal Burns (Julian Sands.) His beautiful aunt, (by marriage), Julia, (Rachel Stirling) seems to be the only person he can trust. It is unclear in the movie if they were ever lovers, but it is clear that he fantasizes about her and tells her that soon they can live together and be together.  Meanwhile, he is supposed to mentally and physically recover at this rehabilitation center/mansion. He urges Julia to take him home with her where he can convalesce there, but she refuses, claiming he needs to be there. A chain of events unfold that make Toby feel betrayed by Julia.

Toby feels as if no one is listening to him and he becomes trapped with his thoughts. You feel a sense of desperation and urgency with every moment. Strange things happen to him during the night. Nightmares? His psychiatrist playing tricks on him? Eventually, he goes mad. Or, does he?

Throughout the first half of the movie, it seemed like a legitimate ghost story, but then, when Julia comes to visit Toby and the psychiatrist enters the picture, one begins to suspect something else is going on. Is Toby the victim of an eerie paranormal haunting, or a cruel conspiracy tied to his past? I’m not going to tell you what happens. I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you. However, the ending was abrupt and left many unanswered questions. (I’m sure the book is much better.)

The best thing about this movie is Robert Pattinson. His portrayal of a wounded Royal Air Force pilot is superb. The Haunted Airman was filmed five years ago in the U.K., and was one of Pattinson’s first paid acting jobs. The 68-minute film aired on BBC television in October 2006 – two years before Twilight was released in theaters.

In The Haunted Airman, you can tell that Rob is inexperienced and new to acting. His talent is rough and raw. But, it’s this very rawness that makes him such a great actor. Not confined to extensive classical training, Rob depicted sensitivity and depth in The Haunted Airman that doesn’t come easy to most actors. The emotion in those steely-grey eyes, his facial expressions with that chiseled jawline, his yearning…show a brilliance that actors spend years trying to learn. Oh, and yes, there’s one scene where his nurse gives him a bath in a big old fashioned tub. It’s sensual without trying to be.  Overall, Rob projects a perfect combination of youthful terror and world weary cynicism.

To recap: This is a haunting story which is excellent although it does leave you with questions at the end. It will stun you. Overall, you will enjoy Rob Pattinson’s acting as he displays a depth and strength that’s generally reserved for older, more seasoned actors.

The Haunted Airman premieres on DVD this Tuesday, October 13, 2009. You can order it at Amazon.com. (I got my DVD several months ago from Britain.)

ROAR

Long ago, in the year 400 AD, at the edge of the known world the last Celtic tribes were fighting for survival. Europe had fallen to the Romans and this remote and untamed island was the final stronghold of the Ancient ways. In a land of a hundred warring tribes, a young prince comes of age. Having lost his family and the woman he cherished, he has sworn to unite his people and defend his home. Bent on destroying him is a Roman Queen, Diana and her eternal love, Longinus, a 400 year old man who cannot die. Between history and myth a great battle will be waged, in the name of a timeless power called … The Roar!

If you missed this series that was on FOX TV in 1997, you missed one of the best sword and sorcery series ever.  I was dismayed, shocked and crushed when Fox canceled this show since it was brilliant and had the potential to be one of the best long-running series ever. I think that networks don’t give TV shows a chance sometimes. They get impatient for higher ratings and ax shows before they ever find their audience. When this show aired in 1997, it was during the summer when no one was in front of their TV sets. Such a shame. 

The 22 year old Prince Conor, is played beautifully by the late gorgeous, hunky Heath Ledger. This was before Heath became a worldwide sensation as a brilliant actor.

In 400 A.D., we are taken to the British Isles where the Roman Empire rules the Celtic landscape. A few pagan tribes still band together – some hidden where the Romans can’t find them. Prince Conor, who has lost his family, strives to unite the native Celts to battle the invading Roman forces. A spiritual guru/master guides Conor and explains that if he is to be successful, he must learn to harness the mystical power of his homeland called the “Roar.” He says this “Roar” is a sound – an energy – that permeates all of life. Only then can he truly lead his people and realize his vision of freedom. Conor’s allies include his trusted advisor, Galen (a wise man who possesses the secrets of magic and power), Tully (a cocky teenage troublemaker), Catlin (a beautiful former slave-girl but now a fearful fighter) and Fergus (Conor’s devoted protector). Their enemy is Longinus, appearing as a normal 30-year-old man but who is actually the 400-year-old Roman Centurion sorceror of the evil Queen Diana. In this fight for freedom, what’s most important for Conor and his people is the Roar - the roar of the land, the roar of the people – a voice that echoes through every living creature and is the power of life. There are many spiritual principles that weave throughout the themes.

Roar is beautifully produced and wonderfully scenic throughout. It combines Celtic mysticism and Druidism with some rather obscure and archaic elements of early Christian mythology. The inclusion of Longinus, the Roman Centurian who pierced the side of Christ with his spear in the role of Queen Dianna’s sorcerer is a fascinating addition to the storyline.

Also starring in Roar is John Saint Ryan (Fergus), Vera Farmiga (Catlin), Alonzo Greer (Tully), Liza Zane (Queen Dianna) and Sebastian Roche (Longinus).

Ron Koslow and Shaun Cassidy wrote this beautiful TV series. I wish they’d write and produce more TV shows with this kind of quality and depth. 13 episodes were produced and filmed, but only 8 were originally aired in the United States on Fox. The complete series was aired in other countries throughout the world until finally in April 2003, the Sci-Fi Channel picked up all 13 episodes. You can order this DVD on Amazon.com for $24.99 and watch all 13 episodes. It’s worth every penny. You will fall in love with it.

MOONLIGHT, DVD, TV Show

You like vampires, right? You like watching gorgeous men who are sensitive and loving as they try to rescue the woman they love and save her from danger, right? You like action, adventure, suspense and drama. Then, you’ll love “Moonlight.”

If you have never seen the now-canceled CBS drama, “Moonlight,” order the whole season on DVD right away! It only aired for one season, which was a stupid decision by CBS. Right after they canceled it, the vampire movie Twilight broke all box office records and then HBO’s vampire show, True Blood, became an overnight sensation. The reason? Vampires. And, beautiful men who star as vampires.

In “Moonlight,” Alex O’Loughlin, the gorgeous Australian actor, stars as Mick St. John, an immortal vampire and private investigator. He doesn’t like being a vampire and he struggles to find meaning and purpose in his life after being bitten 60 years ago by his vampire bride, Coraline, on their wedding night.(He didn’t know she was a vampire and she bit him without his consent.) It also follows his internal torment as he falls in love with one he should not, one who is mortal named Beth, played by Sophia Miles, who was born in England and grew up in Notting Hill, an area in West London.

In “Moonlight,” Beth is a news reporter and Mick helps her solve murder mysteries, which often entail vampires. Over the course of the season, the two fall in love. Mick’s vampire mentor is Josef, played wonderfully by Jason Dohring.   

The show was produced by Warner Brothers. Television and Silver Pictures. Joel Silver is executive producing with Trevor Munson and Ron Koslow both writing and executive producing. You can order the DVD on Amazon.com. Silly CBS for not sticking with a wonderful show.