I dive into the recommendations for the Romance and Melodrama genre following my screening of Casablanca for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book and first up is the David Lean film, based on the play by Noel Coward, Brief Encounter. Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard star as Laura Jesson and Dr….
Category: Did You See That?!? (Tv & Film)
The Mind Reels chats with Vikings’ Clive Standen
Sue and I were delighted to get a few minutes with one of the stars of History Channel’s fascinating, and compelling historical drama, Vikings, Clive Standen. This show seemed to come out of nowhere, one moment no one was talking about it, and the next, everyone is. As we mention in our interview, it is…
The Mind Reels chats with Brad Wright and Eric McCormack
This fall, specifically, October 17, sees the premiere of this highly anticipated science fiction drama from Brad Wright, the creator of the Stargate television franchise, and producer, star, Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Perception) – Travelers. The most basic of story explanations, which does not do the stunning opening episode justice, is this: a group…
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) – George Lucas
The Star Wars films continue as I delve further into George Lucas’ films thanks to the Sci-Fi Chronicles. This time it is the second instalment in the Prequel Trilogy. And while a considerable step-up from The Phantom Menace, this one is still too clunky and too digital. Jonathan Hale helps Lucas out on the…
Casablanca (1942) – Michael Curtiz
As we move back to the Romance and Melodrama genre in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book, we get to revisit one of my favourite films (many people share that opinion, and who can blame them?!) – Casablanca. It came along at just the right time, had just the right cast,…
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) – George Lucas
Remember, right back before the Phantom Menace came out, when anticipation was reaching a fever pitch? I miss that. Sure we had the wonderful build up to The Force Awakens, but the gap between films was no where near as long as it had been for those of us who had been invested in…
Dead Calm (1989) – Phillip Noyce
Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane take us on a high seas thrill ride filled with suspense in Phillip Noyce’s Dead Calm, the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. Clocking in at a tightly paced 93 minutes, this thriller captivates with a well-scripted story, and strong performances….
Howard the Duck (1986) – Willard Huyck
A long time before Marvel Entertainment got their act together to bring us one superhero extravaganza after another, George Lucas (the next stop on the journey through the Sci-Fi Chronicles book), served as executive producer on Willard Huyck’s terrible adaptation of Howard the Duck from the comic series. There are a couple of upsides…
Duel (1971) – Steven Spielberg
Before Richard Dreyfuss was Steven Spielberg’s every man, there was Dennis Weaver, and I hit the road with him, in the very thrilling Duel, which is the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my viewing (oh, so long ago) of Wages of Fear. Written by Richard Matheson,…
The Passage (2010) – Justin Cronin
Epic, majestic, terrifying and engrossing. And heartfelt thanks to Amanda for pushing it in my direction! These words perfectly define The Passage by Justin Cronin. A massive novel, coming in at 879 pages in paperback, the tale it unfolds is massive, engaging, and is almost mythic in nature. With a vast cast of characters,…
The Mind Reels 