I’m a little divided on the first episode of M*A*S*H up for review this week. Bananas, Crackers and Nuts was written by Burt Styler, and first debuted on 5 November, 1972 (it was a different time, I have to keep reminding myself) and while a lot of it is funny, and a solid commentary on…
Author: TD Rideout
Cloud Atlas (2012) – Lana & Lilly Wachowski and Tom Tykwer
I remember hearing about Cloud Atlas while it was in production and that Tom Hanks was being associated with it, as well as the directors of The Matrix. Consequently, I made sure to pick up a copy of the novel, by David Mitchell from the local library and worked my way through it, enjoying how…
The X-Files (1995) – 731, and Revelations
Apology is policy replaces The Truth Is Out There statement of the opening credits as we are thrown right into the conclusion of the two-parter started with Nisei. Written by Frank Spotnitz this one debuted on 1 December, 1995. Mulder (David Duchovny) has his hands full as he is thrown into confrontation with the Red-Haired…
Chuck (2011) – Versus the Wedding Planner, and Versus Agent X
Sarah’s (Yvonne Strahovski) con-man father, Jack Burton (Gary Cole) is back in this fun return of the character, Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner, written by Rafe Judkins and Lauren LeFranc. It first aired on 19 April, 2011. When Chuck (Zachary Levi) are taken in by a wedding planner con run by Daphne Peralta (Lisa LoCicero)….
Star Wars: Zorba the Hutt’s Revenge (1992) – Paul Davids and Hollace Davids
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… The young adult novels continue, delaying my return to the conclusion of the original Thrawn Trilogy written by Timothy Zahn. This short novella, the third in the series that follows the adventures of a young jedi prince, known as Ken (possibly after Kenobi) as he…
Nobody Lives For Ever (1986) – John Gardner
Ian Fleming’s 007 James Bond is back in action in this 1986 thriller penned by John Gardner who carried on the series for the Fleming estate and updated the secret agent by retconning his early adventures into the late 60s and 70s allowing his Bond, slightly older, to prowl and protect the world of the…
The X-Files (1995) – Oubliette, and Nisei
Mulder (David Duchovny) believes that a traumatised woman, Lucy Householder (Tracey Ellis) shares an empathetic connection with a young woman, Amy Jacobs (Jewel Staite) who has been kidnapped by the same man, Carl Wade (Micheal Chieffo) who abducted Lucy when she was a child. Written by Charles Grant Craig, Oubliette first aired on 17 November,…
Mother Riley Meets The Vampire (1952) – John Gilling
This comedic title which features the next machine menace in DK Books’ Monsters in the Movies is a film that could have been filed under vampires or robots (though the vampire is definitely in it a lot longer than the robot). Apparently Mother Riley films were a thing in the UK, the character is played…
The Twonky (1953) – Arch Oboler
I venture into a new section of DK Books’ Monsters in the Movies, one dealing with monstrous machines, and the first one I encounter is a sentient television set in The Twonky. This kind of sci-fi comedy is probably more relevant today, when seen through the lens of mobile phones and modern technology, instead of…
M*A*S*H (1972) – Chief Surgeon Who?, The Moose, and Yankee Doodle Doctor
Larry Gelbart who developed M*A*S*H for television pens Chief Surgeon, Who? which first aired on 8 October, 1972. The episode features the first appearance of Jamie Farr as Cpl. Klinger, a soldier intent on being sectioned out of Korea by dressing in women’s clothing. The character became so popular he shortly became a series regular….
