Interesting for its footnotes
Rottenberg's rotten book review | nyc | 10/08/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Footnotes to a movie? I'll expain, but first the review.Stephen Collins plays an enigmatic research scientist on the verge of finding a way to tap into the energy of passing comets. (This flick came out in 1987, about the time of Halley's last flyby.) Unfortunately, and for reasons not very well spelled out, the research requires that he conduct his research out of the remote Choke Canyon in which he has set up what looks like a smaller version of the supercomputer built by Richard Pryor in the 3rd superman movie. Unfortunately, Choke Canyon isn't remote enough, and Collins must contend with an evil land developer (damn those evil land developers and their...developing...ways!) When the villain destroys Collins experiment, and time running out (the experiment must coincide with the comet's flyby) Collins must resort to a bit of rogue-heroics to force them to rebuild it. This is actually a decent flick. Stephen Collins is very ernest in a story that doesn't really connect (rather than land developers, couldn't they have put Collins in the middle of some war between technology firms or governments suddenly interested in his work? Isn't the prospect of the experiment bigger than strip-malls or condos?)Footnotes? Oh yeah. Footage for "Choke Canyon" was used in the cool video "Silent Running" ("Can you hear me? Can you hear me running?"). You may remember that as the video in which a young boy receives a package from his long-lost father, takes the package to a room in his house filled with light and, in front of his shocked mom, disappears. (The enigmatic imagery suggests that the father is involved in some otherworldly intrigue and has sent for his son to join him). Unfortunately, "Choke Canyon" has nothing to do with that video's proto-"X-Files" plot, but is nonetheless an interesting flick."
Fun Roller Coaster Ride With Spectacular Aerial Shots
Trevor William Douglas | Gorokan, NSW Australia | 12/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Released under the title On Dangerous Ground, the only time Choke Canyon is actually used is on the cover art. This film was released in Australia as On Dangerous Ground as well. Stephen Collins is great in the lead and Bo Svenson is entertaining throughout.
There is a great interview with Bo Svenson who tells it like it is and a few trailers for further Code Red releases. A film to be enjoyed and added to your collection."