Rating: 
Summary: Delightful Drama About Little-Known History Behind Apollo11
Review: "Charming" is the word that describes best this little-seen film. "The Dish" is about a small town Parkes, of which greatest pride, a big parabola (= "The Dish"), actually biggest in the southern hemisphere, was selected in 1969 by NASA as the place to receive the signal from Apollo 11, the first spaceship that reaches the moon, and to transmit this epoch-making moment all over the world! "The Dish" follows the behaviors of the people of the town (population about 7,000) where this honourable (but very responsible) task is allotted, and the scientists who work at the anntena station that (still now) stands in the middle of a sheep paddock.What makes this film very heart-warming and pleasing is the characters it gives; Sam Neil plays the chief of the institute, Cliff, always with a pipe in hand, providing much better and amusing turn than in "Jurassic Park" and other Hollywood films, and beside him, Patrick Warburton, as an American scientist sent from NASA, plays Al (who looks like Dan Ackroyd with Buddy Holly glasses), whose presence at first is disliked by the original stuff, but gradually turns out a good guy. The town's major is busy; his wife (in lemon-colored dress) chatting; and his son always watching TV. An US Ambasssador comes (at the most awkward moment); and then Prime Minister is also coming! The film gives each of these colorful characters a good, funny line or two to speak, and even love interest. Besides this great merit, to me, the film are interesting in two respects; one is the slight cultural difference between Down Under and America, which is most vividly expressed in some foul words hurled at poor Al. And more interesting is perhaps the reference to culture of the late 1960s, which is twisted with Australian humor (so I thought). One certain guitarist is introduced as "James Hendrix," and one famous TV theme song is mistaken for natinal anthem. It is almost certain that many of the events in the script are made for the dramatic purpose by the creating team behind the film (though Rob Sitch takes the credit of director, it is rather those five members of popular "Working Dog" team which include Michael Hirsh, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner, Santo Cilauto, and Stich that really should be regarded as the real genius behind the film). Still, they manage the whole drama with a pace, not too fast, not too slow, always engaging. Probably, the reality of the event was not as dramatic as the way the film shows. But "The Dish" is so delightful that no one would complain of that. And really, it is hard not to love this film, and the charming town and its people in Parkes.
Rating:
Summary: A True Delight!
Review: It's a delightful film about teamwork and all the tensions and secrets not worth mentioning once you achieve success. It's not simply a comedy. You'll find yourself getting caught up in the enthusiasm of the characters as the time for the moonwalk approaches. The old footage and audio from the era and the 60's soundtrack add to the spirit of the movie. It's very touching to think that so many of us on the planet were united in common interest, hope and amazement in that historic event. The Dish made you realize (or remember) what a remarkable scientific achievement was unfolding right before your eyes. The quirky characters will make you laugh and the sense of comedic timing is masterful. The movie is very well put together. Not a scene is wasted. You'll enjoy yourself. Was I the only one who missed the "strong language"? I've heard far worse on the playground. Thank you Parkes, Australia!
Rating:
Summary: Feel good cinema at its finest
Review: As a history buff (specifically the history of the Apollo Age of NASA), I thought i knew all there was to know about the moon landing. This movie proved me wrong. It is not the life-and-death drama of Apollo 13, which was released just a few years before The Dish, but the filmmakers and the actors do a fine job in making the audience realize that the moonwalk was not just an American venture--it was a venture of all humankind. There is just enough humor in the movie to make it a pure pleasure to watch, and Sam Neill and Patrick Warburton are excellent, as are the rest of the actors. A definite must for anyone who wants to know more about Apollo 11 or just enjoys a good drama-comedy.
Rating:
Summary: The Dish: 'Charming Adventure'
Review: If you don't appreciate subtle humor and require that you must be 'hit over the head' to submit a laugh, you can stop reading now. If you're a fan of Australian cinema, a space movie buff, or a Sam Neill fan, you truly need this DVD in your collection. This movie, which won multiple awards in Australia, was just about overlooked in the US. This is quite unfortunate, because I feel that on so many levels, this flick is a true gem.
This movie, in short, tells the story of the Apollo 13 moon landing from the point of view of the men that ran a giant radio telescope, known as 'The Dish', in Australia. This massive dish exists in a small town, and is situated in the middle of a sheep paddock. As this group of ragtag scientists begins to deal with the faraway NASA and the newfound publicity, much hillarity insues.
Sam Neill plays the leader of this group of scientists. As always, he's brilliant, his quiet yet intense style of acting very enjoyable and dryly humorous at times. He's backed up by a fantastic cast: Hevin Harrington, Tom Long, and Patrick Warburton. There's not a weak one in the bunch, and the strength of this ensemble film is one of the movie's high points.
I suggest giving this movie a shot - you'll certainly be in for a charming surprise. It's a well-written, witty film that will certainly please space movie and Australian film fans alike.
Rating: 
Summary: charming Aussie comedy
Review: ***1/2 ... I finally broke down and rented "The Dish," a true story about the small group of men working at a satellite dish in a remote section of Australia who, in July 1969, played a major part in helping to transmit the first live images of a man walking on the moon. I'm happy to report that "The Dish" turns out to be a world-class charmer, a delightful film that captures the high-spirited innocence and optimism of the space race era and vividly recreates a time when people from all over the world could do little but stare in spellbound amazement at the achievements of which mankind proved itself capable - and feel the mutual pride and camaraderie that such events occasioned. The makers of "The Dish" dramatize this feeling of universal connectedness by showing how even the most remote, seemingly "insignificant" people could be made to feel a part of an event happening half a world away and commanding the attention of most of the planet's inhabitants. Here near the small town of Parkes, Australia, nestled in what is little more than a sheep pasture, looms the 1,000-ton satellite dish that will serve as the eye of the world for this event of monumental historic importance. The makers of the film have chosen to take a charming, low-key approach to the material, focusing on the likable, decidedly offbeat people who make up both the team at the dish as well as the citizenry of the nearby town. With the subtle quirkiness common to most Australian comedies, "The Dish" displays a real affection for its characters, showing them as flawed human beings who, nevertheless, learn to accept and cope with the differences that might otherwise separate them. Thus, even the simmering conflict between the American hotshot from NASA assigned to the dish and one of the more sensitive Aussie specialists plays itself out in a believable and touching way. Other characters defy the stereotypes that less gifted filmmakers might have enforced upon them. The mayor of the town, for instance, rather than being a self-congratulatory blowhard (as we fear he will become in the early parts of the film) turns out to be a sweet, gentle, family-loving man who is as overwhelmed by the world's spotlight being shone on his community as are the common folk who make up his constituents. Lending his star quality to the proceedings, Sam Neil gives a beautifully understated performance as Cliff Buxton, a recently widowed technician at the dish who manages to take all this hubbub in stride but who conveys, in gentle ways, the sheer awesomeness of the event in which he finds himself taking part. In fact, it is this sense of ordinary people suddenly finding themselves a part of history that makes "The Dish" more than simply a clever, likable comedy. We find ourselves genuinely touched and moved by much of what we see on screen. Perhaps, after the tragedy of the World Trade Center attacks - during which people all over the world sat riveted in morbid fascination to their television sets watching that horrifying event unfold - the film attains an added poignancy. It reminds us a bit of our lost innocence as we see the people in this film staring spellbound at their television sets 32 years earlier for a far different purpose - to witness, as a united, worldwide community, the GOOD things mankind can do when he puts his mind to it rather than the evil. By dealing so warmly and gently with the people who make up this little corner of the world, "The Dish" lifts the spirits and renews the faith. ...
Rating:
Summary: The Dish Delivers!
Review: With typical subtle Australian humor, The Dish is the true story of one of the elements of Apollo 11 moon landing. The year is 1969, and the music reflects this time period perfectly. The Dish refers to an enormous radio telescope in Australia, in the middle of a sheep paddock. This particular radio telescope was the only facility that was able to receive transmission from the Apollo mission on the moon. Through a series of mishaps, the crew of this particular instillation managed to overcome enormous odds to transmit live feed from the moon. This film never gained the popularity it enjoyed in it's native Australia, which is a real pity since it is just delightful. If you would like to experience a slice of history that changed the world in a positive direction, please get your hands on this film! I guarantee you will be pleased!
Rating:
Summary: A Surprising Delight
Review: When this movie came to Houston, I didn't even know it existed. Then, two Aussie friends convinced me to see it with them. I think I was the only American in an audience of perhaps twenty Aussies, in the only theater in Houston showing the movie. The movie begins with news footage from the 60s and the days of the Apollo moon missions, and as an Apollo buff, I was hooked immediately. The fundamental, factual story line concerns the use of the Parkes Radiotelescope in New South Wales, Australia, as the primary receiving station for Apollo 11's broadcast of Armstrong and Aldrin walking on the moon. There's much more to this movie than a sidebar on Apollo 11, however. The primary characters are the people who run the telescope, and they're a very human, if not subtly quirky lot. The movie has several story angles including Aussie pride, Aussie politics, Aussie humor, and a little bit of innocent romance. Throughout the movie, the team manning Parkes grapples with technical problems, both self-inflicted and from Mother Nature, leaving you wondering if they'll actually pull off their small but not insignificant contribution to history. More importantly, the movie brings back memories of the awe the world felt as we watched two brave men become the first to set foot on another world. Sam Neill is just right as Cliff, the fatherly radioastronomer who is the Parkes director. Since I saw the movie with Aussies, I learned that many of the bit parts are played by classic Aussie character actors. Everytime one of them appeared in a cameo role, the audience cooed with delight. The cinematography is great and shows the rural New South Wales countryside at its best. The soundtrack contains numerous hits from the 60s and fits into the story well. The movie is great for children, though I think it does contain a small amount of strong language (generally uttered in a classic, low-key, Aussie fashion). Recently, I watched the movie again in high definition on HBO and was just as enthralled the second time as I was the first. I strongly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Neither a beautiful girl nor a food plate
Review: In this case, THE DISH is neither (in passé slang) a gorgeous girl nor a plate for something edible. Rather, it's the radio astronomy dish in Parkes, New South Wales, Australia. It's also in a sheep pasture. (Watch where you step!) It's July 1969, and Apollo 11 is on its way to the moon. THE DISH has been selected by NASA to receive the live pictures beamed back from the Sea of Tranquility as the astronauts step onto the lunar surface. It's to be a big day for the proud residents of Parkes, 364 km west of Sydney - out in the sticks, so to speak. The whole world will be watching, and "their" dish will bring the pictures home. THE DISH is manned by Cliff, the facility's Director, and Glenn, Mitch and Rudi. Also present is Al, the NASA honcho sent as liaison to the locals. Blowing into town for the Big Event are the American Ambassador and the Australian Prime Minister. Mayor Bob and wife Maisie, hosts for the VIPs, are as proud as new parents - and not just a little nervous. I mean, your dish screws-up, and who on the globe isn't going to know? This gentle Australian comedy is a reminder that a film can be funny and entertaining without the gross-out bathroom humor that seems de rigueur in Hollywood productions nowadays. It resembles delightful gems from the UK, e.g. LOCAL HERO, WAKING NED DEVINE and SAVING GRACE, notable for the quirkiness of their characters, though THE DISH is a little more understated in that regard (probably because it's based on fact). Sam Neill is sweatered Mr. Laid Back as Director Cliff, and Roy Billing is especially good as the enthusiastic Mayor Bob. Amidst both man-made and nature-made problems that crop up for THE DISH as Apollo 11's touchdown approaches, Patrick Warburton, as NASA's Mr. Expert, must weather the resentment pouring off local talents Glenn and Mitch, who see him as a Know-It-All Stuffed Shirt. Can they function as a team and win the day for the home crowd? The film works because the storyline focuses more on THE DISH and the people of Parkes than on the moon landing itself. After all, we already know how the latter story came out. However, that said, the movie does effectively remind the viewer - especially if he/she is over 40 - of that singularly extraordinary day in July 1969 when, for the first time in history, the entire human species stopped, stood as a single entity, and held its collective breath to watch one of its own accomplish something quite wondrous. I know that I shall never see the likes of that again in my lifetime. And to the Parkes dish and its crew, even allowing for the inevitable cinematic license, honor is due.
Rating:
Summary: Great Feel Good Movie
Review: Apart from the fact that everyone working on "The Dish" should have be fired for their mistakes, they did at least get it right in the end. What am I talking about? Well if you have not seen The Dish then it is about time that you did. Basically the plot goes like this - A Dish in the outback of Oz is supposed to help NASA keep an eye on the Apollo mission when Apollo rounds their side of the Earth. Cue lots of little things like wrong equations because Oz is upside down, or is it Houston that is upside down?, and you got yourself a thriller. Its a simple story but a good story and a really feel good one when all is said and done. I loved this little film and so will you. Well worth renting and certainly DVD ownership is not a bad thing at all. Very nostalgic and certainly the sentimentality is well earned. Great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Science and Love Chose to Be Daring
Review: The Dish can hold its own as a nice film about AustraliaÕs role in making the world look more like a village by telling the story of its villageÕs decision to build a huge radio dish in its sheep paddock. The larger historical plot tries to be thrilling but is a little anticlimactic. The movie lives up to our attention with stories of the shy & kamikaze young lovers, sarcastic friends & loved ones, wide-eyed kids (of all ages) savoring history, a wife lost and even and officious security guard thinking he is talking to Neil Armstrong. One of my favorite lines in The Dish comes when the mayor comments admiringly and questioningly to and about the enthusiastic uniformed young man seeking his daughterÕs affection. The other line is the response the security guard gets when, during a pivotal blackout, he demands, ÒWho goes there?Ó Patrick Warburton and Sam Neill do a nice job and surprise us with their performances of gentle nerds compared to sexier characters they have played in the past. This is a popcorn movie. You could consider watching it with The Right Stuff (which features Australia in a beautiful, almost mythic scenario), Local Hero, or My Brilliant Career.
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