The Spirit World is the first part in the Winter Solstice tale. It was written by Aaron Ehasz and was first broadcast on 8 April, 2005. Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), Katara (Mae Whitman) and Sokka (Jack De Sena) arrive in a small village that is being attacked nightly by a Hei Bai, a forest spirit,…
Author: TD Rideout
Insidious: The Red Door (2023) – Patrick Wilson
Patrick Wilson makes his directorial debut with the fifth (and final?) Insidious film that takes us back to the Lambert family, checking in on them nine years after the events of Insidious 2, which was the last time the family was featured as the main characters in the series. There are some fun ideas here,…
Star Trek: Picard (2023) – Seventeen Seconds, and No Win Scenario
The stress of the situation doesn’t let up for a second in the third episode of Picard’s final season, Seventeen Seconds. Written by Jane Maggs and Cindy Appel, it was directed by Jonathan Frakes and was first broadcast on 2 March, 2023. As Vadic (Amanda Plummer) and the Shrike continue to stalk the Titan (injuring…
Family Ties (1986) – The Disciple, Where’s Poppa?, and Fool for Love
Poor Jennifer (Tina Yothers) gets more than she wanted or bargained for when she asks Alex (Michael J. Fox) to help her with her oral presentation in The Disciple. Written by Rich Reinhart, this episode was first broadcast on 9 January, 1986. Jennifer has to present a report on how a bill becomes a law,…
Star Trek: The Motion Picture – The Art and Visual Effects (2020) – Jeff Bond and Gene Kozicki
I have loved Star Trek: The Motion Picture since the first time I saw it in 1979. I remember the theatre I was in, I remember being swept up by the music and imagery, it blew my young little mind, and just made me love the characters, especially the Enterprise all the more. My fascination…
Star Trek: Picard (2023) – The Next Generation, and Disengage
Terry Matalas takes over as showrunner for season three of Picard and his season opener is a gorgeous blend of easter eggs, characters, stories, familiar music cues, and a bold new adventure. The first episode of the final season, The Next Generation, first aired on 16 February, 2023. Picard (Patrick Stewart) receives a coded message…
The Creator (2023) – Gareth Edwards
There’s a lot to like about The Creator, though it could be argued it’s a little too slow. There seems to be an intentional parallel between the battle between Artificial Intelligence and the Vietnam War, as the film sees America involved in a war with New Asia, not the people, but those they are harbouring,…
Talk to Me (2022) – Danny and Micheal Philippou
The Philippou brothers deliver a fantastic Australian horror film with Talk to Me, creepy, smart, layered, and relatable characters make this one to watch, and get freaked out over. Something is sweeping the social media of the kids in a town in Australia, parties built around a ritual involving an embalmed hand, candles, and ninety…
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (2005) – The Warriors of Kyoshi, The King of Omashu, and Imprisoned
As Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), Katara (Mae Whitman) and Sokka (Jack De Sena) continue their journey towards the North Pole, Aang schedules another stop, at Kyoshi, so he can ride some elephant koi, but lingering causes problems for everyone. Written by Nick Mallis, this episode was first broadcast on 4 March, 2005. It seems the…
Confess, Fletch (2022) – Greg Mottola
I loved the 1985 Fletch adaptation starring Chevy Chase, and I’ve read a few of Gregory McDonald’s novels, and have been eager to see the iconic and laconic investigative reporter return to the screen. That journey has been long and arduous and has seen many creative people involved in trying to resurrect the character. Greg…
The Mind Reels 