Michael Mann is a fantastic director. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve seen by him, but for some reason, I had never gotten around to checking out his 1981 film, Thief, starring James Caan. Featuring Mann’s iconic shooting style, gritty, neon-lit city life, the film follows Frank (Caan), a master thief who is intent on pulling one…
Author: TD Rideout
Hill Street Blues (1983) – Death by Kiki, and Doris in Wonderland
As usual, lots of things seem to be happening at the precinct this week. Death by Kiki was written by David Milch and Mark Frost and had an original airdate of 3 November, 1983. Davenport’s (Veronica Hamel) client, Kiki (Clinton Derricks-Carroll) is doing way too much to help prove his innocence, mishandling evidence, and bringing…
Patriot Games (1992) – Phillip Noyce
I remember when I was first introduced to the world of Tom Clancy. I was always the biggest reader in my class, I always had a book on the go. In Grade 9, my friend Michael Hay came into class (for some reason I believe it was our French class, and he had the book…
The Equalizer (1988) – Something Green, and The Mystery of Manon: Part 1
A very young Macaulay Culkin guest stars in Something Green. Written by Kevin Droney the episode debuted on 10 February, 1988. When Mrs. Gephart’s (Lisa Eichorn) son, Paul (Cuklin) is kidnapped from her house in broad daylight, she suspects her ex-husband, Raymond (Jon DeVries), a Swiss diplomat. She turns to Robert McCall (Edward Woodward) for…
The Expanse (2019) – Oppressor, and Displacement
I’m not sure I can take the tension of The Expanse continuing to ratchet itself higher and higher. Oppressor, written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (collectively known as James S.A. Corey, the author of The Expanse novel series), this episode like the rest of the season dropped on Amazon Prime on 13 December, 2019….
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – The High Country (2023) – John Jackson Miller
Simon & Schuster Canada launch their Star Trek: Strange New Worlds book series this week with The High Country by John Jackson Miller. I feel like Miller was inspired by the early-release poster which featured someone mounted on a horse, giving it a western feel, even set against a strange new two-mooned world with alien…
The Equalizer (1988) – The Child Broker, and Video Games
This week’s episode, The Child Broker, boasts a bevy of recognizable guest stars, Sam Rockwell, Jerry O’Connell, Frank Whaley, Max Casella, Lycia Naff and Anthony LaPaglia. Written by Mick Curran this episode debuted on 20 January, 1988. McCall (Edward Woodward) and Harley (Richard Jordan) are contacted by Irene Winters (Mary-Joan Negro) to help her son,…
Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) – Sam Liu
I remember, not that it was that long ago now when the DC animated movie adaption of the iconic graphic novel The Killing Joke was released. Fans were in an uproar about the addition of a plot frontloaded to the beginning of the film which reveals Batman (wonderfully voiced by Kevin Conroy) had sexual relations…
The Menu (2022) – Mark Mylod
The Menu is a remarkable thriller sauteed with a little comedy to deliver a confection that may not meet with delight with all moviegoers’ palettes, but if you’ve got a cynical streak, especially as it leans towards societal behaviours and elitism, this one will be met with a chef’s kiss. The story follows a group…
Hill Street Blues (1983) – Ba-Bing, Ba-Bing, and The Long Law of the Arm
Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti) has a plan backfire on him by episode’s end as he and the precinct attempt to stem the upswing in gang violence by warning all gang members that should violence erupt, the gang leaders will be held responsible arrested and tried with the promise that they’ll make it stick. But it…
The Mind Reels 