Space: 1999 (1975) – Collision Course, and War Games

Moonbase Alpha continues it’s journey across the stars in this week’s pair of episodes! Up first is Collision Course, written by Anthony Terpiloff, this episode first debuted on 18 September, 1975. Alan (Nick Tate) is leading a flight of Eagles in front of Alpha to blow up an asteroid that is on a collision course…

The Wild One (1953) – Laslo Benedek

It’s time to dig into the What Else to Watch list of DK Canada’s The Movie Book following its recommendation of A Streetcar Named Desire, and it’s time for another Marlon Brando film. Over a career that includes tons of iconic roles, this one must be near the top, and yet, it’s still not enough…

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1994) – Paradise, and Shadowplay

Station log: stardate 47573.1 Jeff King, Richard Manning and Hans Beimler penned this episode from a story by Jim Trombetta and James Crocker. It first aired on 13 February, 1994. Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) and Chief O’Brien (Colm Meaney) are on an exploratory mission on the farside of the wormhole on the runabout Rio Grande,…

Miami Vice (1984) – Heart of Darkness, and Cool Runnin’

Following the series premiere the first episode following the opener was as edgy and dark (while being as colourful, vibrant and music-filled as Brother’s Keeper). Heart of Darkness (not quite dissimilar to Joseph Conrad’s original story) was written by A.J. Edison, and first aired on 28 September, 1984. Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs…

Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018) – Peyton Reed

Opening this Friday is the next instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man and The Wasp. While lacking the originality of the first film (and its desire to repeat the beats and moments that made the first one such a unique success), this one still succeeds and does so best when it focuses on the…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1994) – Lower Decks, and Thine Own Self

Captain’s log: stardate 47566.7 Rene Echevarria pens the teleplay for this superior episode from a story by Ron Wilkerson and Jean Louis Matthias. It first debuted on 7 February, 1994. This episode is delightfully unique in that the major characters of the series play supporting roles only. The heart of the tale centres around a…

POPnology at the Ontario Science Centre

It’s summer vacation, time for camps, bike rides, beaches, family trips, seemingly endless days spread out before the young to enjoy, to forget the long reach of scholastic achievement, teachers, and books. So how can you make learning fun, and ensure that the entire family is entertained? Combine education with entertainment, with movies, and pop…

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) – Elia Kazan

Tennessee Williams’ classic tale comes to the big screen in this 1951 adaptation that is my next stop in DK Canada’s The Movie Book. Now, lets be clear, I’ve never been a fan of Marlon Brando, not ever, he just kind of annoys me, and has his career progressed his lack of professionalism just became…

Saving Private Ryan (1998) – Steven Spielberg

I was stunned when I first saw Saving Private Ryan on opening day, 24 July, 1998. I had never seen war depicted so realistically, so heart-breaking, graphic, and impactful. I held onto the names of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks like a mantra through the film, to guide me through it, to make everything be…

Space: 1999 (1975) – Breakaway, and Force of Life

After Star Trek, but before Star Wars, Gerry Anderson, who was responsible for such series as UFO, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Fireball XL5 took viewers around the world on an exploration of space, all on our planet’s own moon – which was jolted out of orbit by a nuclear explosion! Playing a little more cerebral…