Hill Street Blues (1983) – Midway to What?, and Honk If You’re a Goose

There are some interesting things going on in Midway to What? written by Jeffrey Lewis, Michael Wagner, Karen Hall and Mark Frost, from a story by Lewis and David Milch. First airing on 1 December, 1983 the episode shows Belker (Bruce Weitz) interacting with a wheelchair-bound man, Gerry (Gary Frank) after Gerry spray paints Belker’s…

Memento (2000) – Christopher Nolan

I haven’t watched Memento since it first came out. I remember everyone talking about it, specifically my sister who told me she’d just seen this great movie. It ended up being the last time she knew about a Christopher Nolan film before I did because that film guaranteed a passionate fan. So it’s weird that…

The Equalizer (1988) – The Last Campaign, and Sea of Fire

Stanley Tucci guest stars in the season four opener of The Equalizer as the episode’s baddie, Phillip Wingate, an assemblyman who is intent on blackmailing a senator, Virgil Blake (E.G. Marshall), with something from his past. One of the assemblyman’s staff, Cindy Claussen (Laila Robins) stumbles across Wingate’s plan and reaches out to McCall (Edward…

The Expanse (2019) – Saeculum, and Cibola Burn

The penultimate episode of The Expanse’s fourth season just keeps the tension ratcheted and everybody holding for dear life. Saeculum was written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, known collectively as James S.A. Corey, the authors of The Expanse series. Like the rest of the season, this episode dropped on 13 December, 2019. Time is…

Joyland (2013) – Stephen King

I should just listen to my gut. Just because my brain isn’t initially sure I’ll enjoy a Stephen King book that doesn’t fall into what I think is my ‘usual fare’ doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy it. In fact, my gut constantly reminds me of titles that have surprised me, and we can add Joyland…

The Equalizer (1988) Target of Choice, and Always a Lady

McCall (Edward Woodward) and Mickey (Keith Szarabajka) have their work cut out for them in the penultimate episode of season three of The Equalizer. Target of Choice, written by Kevin Droney, first aired on 6 April, 1988. A killer, Hawkins (Kevin Geer), is out of prison, and he’s got his murderous eye on the man…

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013) – Jay Oliva

The second installment of The Dark Knight Returns continues the adaptation of the iconic 80s graphic novel. Redefining Batman for a whole new generation, and putting the dark in Dark Knight, the story continues its exploration of an older (now no longer retired) Batman/Bruce Wayne (Peter Weller – who still can’t separate his Batman and…

Freejack (1992) – Geoff Murphy

Is Freejack great? No one is under that impression. Is it fun? Definitely. Sure, it falls apart in the final act, and some of the special effects are questionable (though some are very well-used) but the rest of the ride is fairly enjoyable as Emilio Estevez chews scenery, Rene Russo looks stunning, and Anthony Hopkins…

Hill Street Blues (1983) – Praise Dilaudid, and Goodbye, Mr. Scripps

Michael Wagner wrote the teleplay for Praise Dilaudid from a story by Steven Bochco, Jeffrey Lewis and David Milch. It first debuted on 17 November, 1983. Chief Daniels’ (Jon Cypher) political aspirations seem on the edge of imploding this week after a number of debacles, including the events around Doris Robson (Alfre Woodard) and some…

The Sum of All Fears (2002) – Phil Alden Robinson

Ben Affleck steps into the role of CIA analyst Jack Ryan as Paramount Pictures relaunches the Tom Clancy hero, yet again, in The Sum of All Fears. They make him younger, near the beginning of his career, and his relationship with Cathy (Bridget Moynahan). Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with relaunching a…