The Godfather Trilogy – Francis Ford Coppola

Paramount Pictures is celebrating the 45th anniversary with a re-release of the 1972 classic The Godfather, and its two sequels. I have a bit of a sordid history with these films. I’ve never been a fan of crime family stories, I can’t relate to them, and have never understood the hypocrisy that seems inherent in…

Dr. No (1962) – Terence Young

It’s back to the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book to check in with the Action genre, and consequently, I get to spend some tine with secret agent 007. Bond, James Bond. Sean Connery brings Ian Flemings’s spy to the big screen in Dr. No, the first recommendation for the previously reviewed Goldfinger….

Hugo (2011) – Martin Scorsese

I know I raved about Martin Scorsese’s passion project Silence when I watched it a few weeks ago, but every time I watch this magnificent adaptation of Brian Selznick’s novel; a tale of youth, discovery and the love of cinema, I end up citing it as my favourite of his films. Set in Paris, this…

Doctor Who (David Tennant) – The Satan Pit and Love & Monsters 

The Doctor (Tennant) dives into The Satan pit to confront a timeless evil, while Rose (Billie Piper) and the crew of the Sanctuary Base attempt to elude the possessed Ood. Written by Matt Jones, and airing on 10 June, 2006, the conclusion to the story is surprisingly solid considering how close it dances to the…

First Men in the Moon (1964) – Nathan Juran

My time with DK Books’ The Movie Book pays off big time with the What Else to Watch list associated with Melies’ A Trip to the Moon – it brought me this 1964 oddity, which is based on H.G. Wells’ story. A multi-national crew is making the first manned landing on the moon. Imagine the…

Quantum Leap (1993) – Blood Moon and Return of the Evil Leaper

It’s 10 March, 1975 and Sam (Scott Bakula) finds himself under a Blood Moon. Written by Tommy Thompson the episode first screened on 9 February,1993. As Nigel Corrington, Sam finds himself in the form of an eccentric artist who takes on a number of vampiric affectations, and who Al (Dean Stockwell) believes is the living…

Star Trek: The Original Series (1968) – Spectre of the Gun and Day of the Dove

Captain’s log: stardate 4385.3 Spectre of the Gun is a bit of an interesting episode. Written by Gene Coon, under a pseudonym the episode premiered on 25 October, 1968.  When the Enterprise trespasses into Melkot space, the alien race punishes some of the crew including Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), McCoy (DeForest Kelley),…