Rating: 
Summary: American grandeur tamed by small-town Aussie charm
Review: The title refers to a satellite dish located in the small rural Australian town of Parkes which suddenly finds itself thrust into a piece of monumental space history. NASA has tasked the small Aussie team responsible for the dish with transmitting some of the early signals from Apollo 11 as it places the first two men to set foot on the lunar surface. Despite near fatal glitches and other mishaps, the small Aussie team does not fail to deliver the hometown its moment of glory. Nor does the movie fail to charm despite its lack of either heavy drama or boisterous comedy. It is only a subtle movie of this kind that manages to bring to the fore the cultural differences between the Yankies and Aussies who otherwise seem to share so much in common. Strongly reminescent of The Coca Cola Kid.
Rating:
Summary: A simple little movie; an enjoyable pleasure
Review: 'The Dish' refers not to Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson, but rather to a satellite superdish remotely located in the Australian Outback. And while 'The Dish' doesn't deliver Oscar-level angst and pathos, it is a sweet little slice-of-life /back-to-simpler-times piece that is the perfect Saturday night rental. In terms of the movie itself, Sam Neill carries it on his quite capable back. It depicts the far-flung and often unexpected way in which the 1969 Moon landing brought the world together, united in fellowship and good spirit, for a brief moment in time. That might sound corny, but it's the type of feeling that the movie invokes. 'The Dish' is really worth checking out.
Rating:
Summary: Return to a simpler time
Review: The plot has been well-described by others, but what I found most charming was the simpleness of the time. We've lost that with our needs for high-security. The gentle wrap-up at the end says it all. Imagine _playing_ on a satellite dish of that magnitude (and not doing any damage I might add)! Those days are gone and it's nice to go back for a few hours and be nostalgic for the nicer things about that era. Coming from a "NASA family," it's great to be able to see the earlier (greater?) days of that organization too.
Rating: 
Summary: One Of My Favorite ......
Review: What a simply charming movie based on a TRUE story !! The acting was good and the subtitle dry English humor all the way through simply made this one of the more enjoyable movies I have seen from start to finish! Wish there were more out there like this.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie about a Piece of Oz's Role in US Space History
Review: This is a delightful film about the famous Parkes Satellite dish, located in a sheep meadow in Australia, and the role it's small, but intrepid crew played in Armstrong's walk on the moon. This site is still very much a part of the US space programme and something most Americans don't realize. It is a really delightful film. You'll laugh yourself silly, but learn alot too...
Rating:
Summary: The Dish, true story is wonderful Family entertainment
Review: The Dish is the sleeper of the last couple years. Based on a true story of Apollo 11, it has great music, funny situation jokes, big suspense, and all the elements of a regular family and dating, mixed up in this dish. Wonderful for all ages.
Rating:
Summary: An Australian Masterpiece
Review: I just read some of the reviews for this movie, and it is great to see people other than Australians enjoying it. I think it is a heart warming movie about the 'little people' involved in the biggest event of the modern era: man walking on the moon.
The soundtrack is true to the 1960's music, and the cast of Sam Neil, Tom Long, Patrick Warburton and Kevin Harrington (whom I was fortunate enough to meet recently and discuss the movie with) are perfect for their roles as casual Aussies and formal American.
There is a great number of Australian humour littered about the movie which anyone will enjoy. It isn't just the space program, but the town of Parkes (NSW)and the Dish - in a sheep paddock still to this day.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and fascinating
Review: This movie was great on a couple levels. First of all, it really conveyed the emotions and the world-wide importance of our first foray onto the Moon. By the end I was both smiling and a little teary with pride for everyone who participated in the lunar landing, and for humankind. Second, I loved the portrait of small town Australia. The characters were very realistic. I love the Aussie sense of humor and this film had me giggling quite often. I also loved the various quirky townspeople. Third, it resonated with me as a scientist. The rush to get something done properly and on time, the frantic scribbling on a blackboard...these are all parts of life for me, and it's comforting in a way to know that even the people in charge of the big stuff go through the same frustrations and triumphs. Obviously the end is predictable, but there's no way to avoid that. It's done very well in such a way that you can practically forget history and wonder if it's all going to work out.
Rating:
Summary: A great little movie
Review: If you are tired of hoopla and explosions and are looking for nice quite movie pick up The Dish. You will be glad you did. At the center of the film is the radio telescope in Banks Australia that recevied the TV signal when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. The story is that week in the lives of the citizens of Banks and the men who worked at the telescope. It's wonderful, tasty, slice of the times film. It's supposed to be a true story, and I hope it is, because it's a celebration of the little people with all their quirks and warts, who work behind the sceens of every big acheivment. If you are too young to remember the moon landing, you might miss some of the film's charm, but it's still worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: "Tranquility Base .... The Eagle Has Landed."
Review: A very good film. Sam Neill stars as the head man at an Australian tracking station responsible for transmitting the first live television images from the lunar surface in July 1969. In this writer's estimation, Mr. Neill gives a very solid, understated performance here. The perfect touch given Neill by the filmmakers was the addition of his ever-present pipe. He's rarely without his trusty companion. IMO, that pipe gives his character more "character", if you will. It seems the perfect prop for this characterization. An assortment of adept supporting players are on hand here as well, providing genuine moments of humor, and tenderness, throughout. The neighborhood "boy soldier" (who's dying to get into some sort of military duty) is a howling treat! This film offers a near-perfect blend of laughs and drama. Plus a very nice 60s musical score to boot! I thoroughly enjoyed this 101-minute ride to the moon on "The Dish"! Although offering little in the way of extra features (save the trailer and some cast notes), I would also give the DVD performance a thumbs-up as well. Nice full 5.1 surround sound, and an excellent anamorphic widescreen picture are on tap here. If you haven't yet, check out "The Dish"! It's an amazing little gem.
| 
