This week I returned to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials Trilogy by diving into the sequel, The Subtle Knife. It picks up right after the first novel, The Golden Compass, as we follow young Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon on her adventures. She finds herself in a strange world, having passed into another realm, unlike…
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (1993) – The Phantom Train of Doom
Frank Darabont pens Indy’s (Sean Patrick Flanery) adventures this week when he encounters The Phantom Train of Doom. Originally broadcast as a television movie on 5 June 1993, this story sees Indy, with his friend Remy (Ronny Coutteure) returning to Africa, where they are promoted to lieutenant. The episode begins with the running gag that…
Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Blu-Ray Review
Hitting blu-ray and DVD today from Disney is the latest instalment in the Skywalker Saga, The Last Jedi, director/writer Rian Johnson’s follow-up to 2015’s The Force Awakens. Johnson delivers a strong film that has proven divisive with some fans, but for yours truly, it’s up there with The Empire Strikes Back, it sends characters in…
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993) – Tapestry and, Birthright Part I
Captain’s log: stardate unknown With an airdate of 15 February, 1993, Tapestry immediately became a fan favourite. Written by Ronald D. Moore, the episode is immersed in series continuity, especially that of Captain Picard (Patrikc Stewart). When the captain is injured in a fight, his artificial heart, which we know about from season two, is…
Amelie (2001) – Jean-Pierre Jeunet
The final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Pretty Woman is a film that is pure joy captured on film. Jeunet’s beautiful comedic romance brought Audrey Tautou to international attention, and did something that usually takes a lot of effort – got a North American audience…
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) – Sharon Maguire
Helen Fielding’s bestselling novel, Brdiget Jones’s Diary gets adapted to the big screen by Fielding, Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis. And while some may take exception with the casting of Rene Zellweger in the role, and not an actual Brit actor (I would say that allowed the film a more international opportunity) she handles it…
Doctor Who (Peter Capaldi) – Dark Water and, Death in Heaven
Series Eight of the Time Lord’s travels comes to a dramatic conclusion in this two part finale, in which we see the return of the Cybermen, and the reveal of who Missy (Michelle Gomez) is. Dark Water written by Steven Moffat, first aired on 1 November, 2014. Clara (Jenna Coleman) and Danny (Samuel Anderson) open…
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) – Mike Newell
Mike Newell ably directs from a sharp script by Richard Curtis, and what we are delivered is the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Pretty Woman. This one is sharp, and enjoyable, though if I am blatantly honest, I’ve never been a fan of the…
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) – Past Prologue, and A Man Alone
Station log: stardate unknown Airing on 10 January, 1993, this episode, the first one broadcast following the series premiere was written by Katharyn Powers. The episode continues with its world-building as we are introduced to the Cardasssian, Garak (Andrew Robinson) who begins a very enjoyable, and sometimes manipulative, friendship with Dr. Bashir (Alexander Siddig). The…
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (1992/1993) – Demons of Deception
The Great War still rages around young Indiana Jones (Sean Patrick Flanery) serving in the Belgian army as Henri Defense, and this film, cobbled together from two episodes first debuted on 31 October, 1999. Verdun, September 1916 Written by Jonathan Hensleigh, from a story by series creator George Lucas, this portion of the film originally…
The Mind Reels 