Apocalypse Now (1979) – Francis Ford Coppola

The brilliant, Vietnam epic, an update on the Joseph Conrad novel Heart of Darkness, is the next stop in the War genre as I continue my cinematic journey with the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. The story behind the film is almost as incredible as the film itself. Boasting a cast that…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990) – Final Mission, and The Loss

Captain’s log: stardate 44307.3 This episode was penned by Kasey Arnold-Ince and Jeri Taylor from a story by Arnold-Ince. Airing on 19 November, 1990 this Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Wesley (Wil Wheaton) story. Wesley is preparing to leave for Starfleet Academy, but before that happens, he ends up going on one last mission with his captain….

Star Wars: Leia, Princess of Alderaan (2017) – Claudia Gray

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Over the course of three novels, Claudia Gray has proven herself to be my favourite voice in the new Star Wars canon books. Her latest novel, Leia, Princess of Alderaan gives us a look at the teen years of the young princess. Living as the…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990) – Reunion, and Future Imperfect

Captain’s log: stardate 44246.3 K’Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson) returns in this episode written by Thomas Perry, Jo Perry, Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga from a story by both Perrys and Drew Deighan. This is also the second episode of eight that was directed by Jonathan Frakes , who plays Commander Riker. First airing on 5…

Twin Peaks: A Limited Event Series

Debuting on blu-ray from Paramount Pictures this week is the incredible follow-up to the cult television program, Twin Peaks: A Limited Event Series. When I first heard of the possibility of a new series, set twenty five years after the first, just like Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) said would happen I was ecstatic. When I…

South Park: The Complete First Season

It’s hard to believe that South Park is twenty years old! And what better way to celebrate than a re-release of the series previous seasons on blu-ray from Paramount Pictures? As I settled in to watch this show, for the first time in a very long time I was struck by a couple of things….

Gosford Park (2001) – Robert Altman

Nine years before Julian Fellowes created Downton Abbey, he wrote Gosford Park from an idea from filmmaker Robert Altman, and it is the next title on the What Else to Watch list in DK Canada’s The Movie Book, following their recommendation of The Rules of the Game. The film balances a mystery, drama, with hints…

Doctor Who (Matt Smith) – Night Terrors, and The Girl Who Waited

After all the heavy stuff of the past few episodes it’s time for the TARDIS to encounter something that is just plain spooky and doesn’t have the weight of the universe on it. Consequently Mark Gatiss penned this episode, based on his fear of  dolls. The episode first aired 3 September, 2011. The Doctor (Smith), Amy…