UK Print Blast from the Past

Does anyone really remember the 90s? To paraphrase Robert Plant's quip "Does anybody remember laughter?" from early 70s live versions of Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven". It’s funny how nostalgic one can already feel about the culture from over a decade ago, when paranoia and conspiracy was a form of entertainment, and you didn't have grounds to feel that such ideas could be legitimate. What a difference a decade has made. Lexicon Staff contributor Robin England came across some interesting material, and it has been decided to include it here on the Lexicon Blog, Robin posted the following comments, as well as forwarded scans of the magazine pages, which are included below.

So, I was just rummaging through some old editions of Empire magazine - a movie magazine we have over here in the UK - this one dated February 1996 when they reviewed "The Unopened File" - which was the first video release of TXF in the UK, a feature edit of Anasazi, The Blessing Way and Paper Clip. Made for quite a fun read. I was thinking of putting it on the blog but I don't know how! Anyway, here it is: - Robin

With runs on Sky and BBC2, the investigations of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully have become compulsory viewing for all those who like their thrillers tight, witty and with weirdness off the scale. So this, the first of four special video releases planned for '96, is an absolute must, as it begins with the cliffhanger ending of series two, and concludes the story with the start of series three - not yet broadcast in this country. As a package, it's near faultless: David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson have already achieved a compelling chemistry in the lead roles, and they're well served here by a sharply written script from series creator Chris Carter. All this in a tale that encompasses the X-Files staples: Indian mysticism, extra-terrestrials, human experimentation, and a global governmental conspiracy that makes JFK's assassination look like a picnic on a grassy knoll. For nail-biting suspense, pacey storytelling and top drawer sci-fi entertainment, it doesn't get any better than this. Trust no one, but enjoy. (5 stars)



In my humble opinion, anything that includes reviews of The Stone Roses, or the Human League can’t be all that bad in my book.