tt0278857 Dans une galaxie près de chez vous (1999) The series chronicles the long, futuristic voyage of a team of Québécois space explorers looking for a planet capable of sustaining life, in the year 2034, after the destruction of the ozone layer through excessive human pollution, prompting the need for a new planet to welcome humankind. The seven crew members venture outside their own galaxy to explore other star system in search of a new planet large enough to sustain 6 billion people. The few habitable planets encountered are ultimately abandoned either because they are already occupied (emphasizing the wrongdoing of invading other civilizations and cultures), or because upon closer inspection they are found to have other problems (cow-sized mosquitoes, high radiation levels, dog overpopulation, unsuitable living environment, ...). Using the classic sitcom style, the characters' interactions drive the main plot in the same recurring spaceship sets (the bridge, dormitories, medical room, hallways). Occasionally, scenes are shot outside of the ship on alien planets being explored; these generic alien-world scenes tend to be shot in-studio. The satirical humor of the show is heightened by playing on the fact that the characters themselves recognize the farfetchedness of the universe in which they live and much of the series' comic-relief is derived from the look and feel of low-budget set (an alien is obviously a human only painted green, gadgets are recognizable objects, etc.). The script, written by Claude Legault who also plays Flavien, plays a lot on clichés of all types, word play (especially Quebec slang), parodies and sketch comedy. Many aspects of the show reflect Québécois culture; some scenes involve a complete picture of traditional Quebec. The starship, christened Romano Fafard, is led by Captain Charles Patenaude (played by Guy Jodoin), a presumptuous but endearing man prone to making pompous, solemn declarations (with a knack of screwing up when saying proverbs). Other member include: Flavien Bouchard (Claude Legault), the radar operator who possesses heightened senses and is in desperate search for his dad (it is learned in the last season that his dad is an alien), Bob Dieudonné Marcellin (Didier Lucien), a black chubby pilot who is best friends with Flavien and who obsesses over two things: food and Petrolia Staneslavsky (Mélanie Ménard). Petrolia is a half-Russian space orphan whose inventiveness seems to cause just as many problems as it solves. She is in a relationship with Flavien. Serge (Réal Bossé) is a humanoid robot Petrolia created, stricken with multiple personalities and abilities who is constantly falling in disrepair. Valence Leclerc (Isabelle Brossard first season and Sylvie Moreau subsequent seasons) is the ship's psychologist but assumes all medical functions as well. She and the captain are secretly in love. Brad Spitfire (Stéphane Crête), the resident scientist, is cause for most of the plot conflicts and complications. His main objective is to become captain. He is anti-social, power-hungry, egotistic, Machiavellian and incredibly weak and sensitive, though generally not of other's feelings. Despite these, actor Stéphane Crête makes Brad one of the series' most amusing and lovable characters. The show evolved greatly between the first and last season. In the last episode of the first season, two characters disappeared: Falbo Gotta (Paul Ahmarani), the ship's soldier, and Mirabella Romario (Pascale Montpetit), a criminal employed as the ship's doctor. After their departure, Petrolia and Serge filled in their spots. tt0120948 Czterej pancerni i pies (1966) Czterej Pancerni i Pies (Four Tank Men and a Dog) is a classic Polish TV series spanning three seasons, 21 episodes, and over 1100 minutes. It is a serial drama that has plenty of action set toward the end of World War II. It follows the adventures of four tank men and a dog in the Red Army as they repulse the Germans from Poland and follows them all the way to Berlin and the close of the war. They are in a Polish division that was formed of those who wanted to help expel the fascists. Made when the Soviet Union controlled Poland, it shows us solidarity and friendship between Poland and Russia. One of the tank men is Georgian, so all the more showing unity among the Soviet block countries against the Germans. Each episode has some type of action. There are tank battles and skirmishes of all types. My favorite episode was when they go into an underground German base. The action is balanced with drama and romance. Janek Kos (Janusz Gajos), one of the tank men, has all the luck with the ladies. A pretty Pole in uniform named Lidka (Malgorzata Niemirska) and a gorgeous Russian named Marusia (Pola Raksa), both fall for Janek. Between the action and the romance, there is something for everyone. Furthermore, Janek is also the owner of Szarik, the German Shepard that accompaies the tank men on their adventures. Franciszek Pieczka, one of my favorite Polish actors, plays Gustaw. Gustaw is one of the tank men and is known for his physical strength. All of the Polish and Russian charters are very likeable, while their enemy is quite the opposite. Most of the Germans are portrayed as an angry and evil enemy. Despite the pro-Russian side to Czterej Pancerni i Pies, it has always remained popular. Their tank, which has 102 painted on its side and nicknamed Rudy, is part of pop culture. Even the music that is played during the credits at the beginning of each episode is great and unforgettable. If one is into Polish cinema, it is vital to watch Czterej Pancerni i Pies as it is an icon of Polish television and great entertainment. tt0047724 Crossroads (1955) Crossroads is a religious-themed anthology series that dramatized actual events from the lives of clergy members. The program did not promote or focus on any specific religion; instead, it alternated stories among Jewish, Protestant and Catholic faiths. tt2256612 Crimi Clowns (2012) Wesley Tersago studies at the Amsterdam Film Academy, but after his fourth year, he's been kicked out. He ends up in the criminal gang of his father Ronny when they together rob an electrical shop. With one of the stolen cameras Wesley decides to put the practices of the society on tape. What follows are violent, but also humorous and even emotional scenes.
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