del Toro has long been a favorite director, so I thought it was time to go back and visit Mimic. The film has a bit of a sordid past, not the least of which is Weinstein’s involvement, who clashed constantly with del Toro. The director swore off the film, but was finally able to give…
The Prisoner (1967) – Many Happy Returns, and Dance of the Dead
Number Six (Patrick McGoohan) gets quite the birthday present in this episode written by Anthony Skene and directed by McGoohan (who apparently also had his hand in the script for this episode). It first aired on 12 November, 1967. When Six wakes up, the Village is deserted, there’s no power, no water, and no people….
Mission: Impossible (1970) – Flight, and My Friend, My Enemy
Hey look! Sam Elliott is in the title credits, Willy (Peter Lupus) is nowhere to be seen, and John Colicos is back as a guest star in Flight. Written by Harold Livingston from a story by Leigh Vance, this episode first premiered on 17 October, 1970. A coup is going to be attempted on a…
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) – Raymond Benson
Raymond Benson’s second 007 novel was an adaptation of the second Pierce Brosnan film, Tomorrow Never Dies. And while he seems to have some trouble adapting some of the more over the top action beats of the film, his take on the story actually works really well, and is one of the strongest film adaptations…
Umboi Island: A Creature X Mystery (2022) – J.J. Dupuis
Three Creature X novels in, J.J. Dupuis comes across as a more relaxed and confident author this time round. And while the monster aspect of the story is mostly sidelined to cater to a jungle adventure, Dupuis does some worldbuilding as Laura Reagan continues her television series on cryptozoology, introduces a possible new ongoing villain,…
The Prisoner (1967) – The Schizoid Man, and The General
Number Six (Patrick McGoohan) suffers a bit of an identity crisis this week in The Schizoid Man. Written by Terence Feely, this episode had an original airdate of 27 October, 1967. There’s yet another new Number Two (Anton Rodgers), and he’s got quite the plan concocted to finally break Number Six… He changes his number,…
Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) – Ishiro Honda
Director Ishiro Honda returns for the last Godzilla film of the Showa era, and while it still features space aliens intent on taking over the planet, this one feels a little deeper than some of the previous entries, by introducing some interesting characters who seem to really struggle with their natures. I’m talking, specifically about…
The Vast of Night (2019) – Andrew Patterson
The Vast of Night is very much my kind of film, part Twilight Zone, part early Spielberg, there’s a vibe to this film that I just totally dig. A lot of the film feels like an homage to old dramas, encouraging the theatre of the mind, but there is a nice payoff at the end…
M*A*S*H (1980) – Old Soldiers, Morale Victory, and Lend a Hand
Dennis Koenig pens Old Soldiers which first aired on 21 January, 1980. Everyone at the 4077th is concerned when Potter (Harry Morgan) heads to Tokyo General, leaving Hawkeye (Alan Alda) in charge. While the camp deals with a bunch of youngsters who are having an allergic reaction, they fret and worry over their CO, and…
Miami Vice (2006) – Michael Mann
I love a good Michael Mann film, and man do I love my Miami Vice, so sure win right? Unfortunately no. While it’s not a horrible film, the early 21st century update on the classic 80s series just doesn’t work as well as it could. Yes, the camerawork and look is everything you would expect…
