Network, the 1976 powerhouse of a motion picture, in which its statements on national and world politics, Hollywood, the television industry, and the human population in general resonate more relevant in today’s age than ever before, celebrates its 40th anniversary this week.

Directed by Sidney Lumet, with an Academy Award-winning screenplay written by the genius small and big screen writer Paddy Chayefsky, Network, originally released on November 27th, 1976, doesn’t pull any punches whatsoever, in terms of its script, narrative, themes and especially its performances. Faye Dunaway leads an ensemble group of Hollywood’s finest, including William Holden, Ned Beatty, and Robert Duvall, all of whom explode across the screen while naturally spouting dialogue of the highest intellectual and emotional order.

The Gene Generation
DVD
Directed by Pearry Reginald Teo
Starring Bai Ling, Faye Dunaway
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Release Date: January 27, 2009

Usually when I write a review, I try my best to highlight the good and bad of each film. But for a film like The Gene Generation, shit poo is still poo no matter how much you shine it. Now, I know this is a harsh statement to make but bear with me, dear reader. I will have all the answers for you in time but first a little background on the film.

Starring Bai Ling, The Gene Generation is set in cliché post-apocalyptic future where hackers are not just breaking into computers anymore: They are breaking into DNA. It seems that in this bleak future a few with a specific type of DNA get to live the high life and for the have-nots, hijacking strands of DNA seems to be the only way to a better life, but it comes with a price. DNA hacking basically kills the victim and those hacking also risk running into assassin for hire and DNA hacker killer Michelle (Bai Ling).