Jamie Lee Curtis guest stars alongside series star Gil Gerard in Unchained Woman, the next episode I delve into as I explore the 25th century. Written by Bill Taylor, this episode had an original broadcast date of 1 November, 1979. Buck (Gerard) is placed, undercover, inside a prison to break out Jen Burton (Curtis), and…
Month: March 2022
Mission: Impossible (1970/1971) – The Hostage, and Takeover
Sometimes, your cover is just too good. Paris (Leonard Nimoy) finds that out in the first few minutes of The Hostage. Written by Harold Livingston, this episode first debuted on 19 December, 1970. The IMF is working south of the border again, and Paris has been posing as a hotel magnate that has agreed to…
Memory’s Legion (2022) – James S.A. Corey
The complete Expanse short story collection is now together in one bound book, Memory’s Legion, which I’ve been waiting for, to add it to my collection of Expanse novels in their pride of place in my apartment. Eight tales take us through the timeline of the universe’s narrative, giving us a glimpse of side stories…
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) – The Plot to Kill a City: Part 2, and Return of the Fighting 69th
With his cover blown, Buck Rogers (Gil Gerard) has to find a way to escape and stop the Legion of Death before they can launch their planned attack on New Chicago. But he may have some unexpected allies in the form of Varek (Anthony James) and Joella (Markie Post). The Plot to Kill a City:…
Murder By Contract (1958) – Irving Lerner
I’ve been checking out some noir titles over the past few weeks, checking in with one of my favorite genres. This was perhaps my least favorite of the bunch. I think it could have been a little better constructed, and perhaps delved into the issues that plagued the film’s lead character, Claude (Vince Edwards). Claude…
House (1985) – Steven Miner
Directed by Steve Miner, who gave us Friday the 13th Parts 2 and 3, and Sean S. Cunningham who gave us the first film, and was the producer for its sequels, gives us a different kind of horror (tinged with comedy) starring William Katt and George Wendt, and while there’s an interesting concept here, a…
M*A*S*H (1980/1981) – Death Takes a Holiday, A War for All Seasons, and Your Retention Please
Mike Farrell directs this episode that he wrote alongside John Rappaport, and Dennis Koenig from a story by Thad Mumford, Dan Wilcox, and Burt Metcalfe. It aired on 15 December 1980 and was used as that year’s Christmas episode. Farrell knows how to pack his story with emotional impact without being super sappy about it….
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) – Jon Turteltaub
Benjamin Gates (Nicholas Cage), Abigail (Diane Kruger) and Riley (Justin Bartha) are back for a second go round, with National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Joining them this time around is a returning Jon Voight as Ben’s father, Harvey Keitel as Sadusky, and new additions the amazing Helen Mirren as Ben’s mother, Bruce Greenwood as the…
Ashgrove (2022) – Jeremy LaLonde
Haunting and elegant. There’s a heartrending beauty in the character of Jennifer who is brought to life by Amanda Brugel in Jeremy LaLonde’s latest film, Ashgrove. Set against a backdrop of a global pandemic that threatens extinction, an intimate character drama plays out that could change everything. There is a thread running through LaLonde’s films,…
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) – Vegas in Space, and The Plot to Kill a City: Part 1
Buck (Gil Gerard) gets pulled into another Earth Defense Directorate plan when they need his help gambling. Vegas in Space was penned by Anne Collins and was first broadcast on 4 October, 1979. Amos Armat (Cesar Romero!) comes to ask Huer (Tim O’Connor) for help. He’s a ‘legitimate’ business man, who is desperate to get…
The Mind Reels 