Star Wars. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to visit six year old me, who had just had his life changed after seeing that film in late summer of ’77 and tell him that Star Wars would be with him for his entire life, and that he would see a time when there would…
The Twilight Zone (1960) – Nick of Time, The Lateness of the Hour and The Trouble with Templeton
It’s good stuff in The Twilight Zone this week as my exploration of The Complete Series on blu-ray from Paramount Pictures continues. Nick of Time is up first, and stars William Shatner in a story by Richard Matheson. This episode originally aired on 18 November, 1960. Shatner is Don, one part of a newlywed couple,…
The Sand Pebbles (1966) – Robert Wise
Robert Wise directs Steve McQueen, Mako, Candice Bergen, Richard Attenborough, James Hong, and Richard Crenna in this adaptation of Richard McKenna’s novel, and my next port of call in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Lawrence of Arabia. McQueen is Jake Holman who has just been assigned to…
Watchmen (2009) – Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder who is always great with visual images, but not the strongest director when it comes to story, takes on Alan Moore’s epic iconic graphic novel, the next stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles. Visually, the film tends to be very faithful to the original panels, of the comic book, capturing an alternate 1980s filled…
Doctor Who (David Tennant) – New Earth and Tooth and Claw
The Doctor (Tennant) and Rose (Billie Piper) begin their adventures together, as they travel to New Earth. Written by Russell T. Davies, Rose started her travels with Ten on 15 April, 2006. Tennant owns the role right from the off. He’s fun, excitable, and clever. To show that the Doctor was still the same character,…
Lord Jim (1965) – Richard Brooks
Peter O’Toole finds himself in yet another epic film, as I continue my exploration of the recommendations from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Lawrence of Arabia. Based on the novel by Joseph Conrad the film doesn’t have the same sweep and expanse that Arabia does, but it…
The Devout (2015) – Connor Gaston
Opening at the Carlton Cinema here in Toronto is this lovingly crafted, intimate drama that is bound to move viewers even as it raises questions of belief, faith and hope. The debut effort of writer/director Connor Gaston was shot in Victoria, British Columbia. It is a beautiful film that features perfectly on point, and gently…
Quantum Leap (1992) – Deliver Us From Evil and Trilogy: Part 1
What starts out as a happy leap for Sam (Scott Bakula) turns into a fight against the forces of darkness when he discovers that he isn’t the only time traveller changing history. Deliver Us From Evil was penned by Robin Bernheim, Tommy Thompson and Deborah Pratt, with an airdate of 10 November, 1992. Sam leaps…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1968) – The Ultimate Computer and Breads and Circuses
Captain’s log: stardate 4729.4 The Ultimate Computer. D.C Fontana writes the script from a story by Laurence N. Wolfe, and this episode first aired on 8 March, 1968. The U.S.S. Enterprise is stripped down a skeleton crew to test the new M5 supercomputer. Captain Kirk (William Shatner) is a little anxious about the idea, because…
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (1987) – Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams is always bound to entertain, and as I dug into the story of Dirk Gently, I knew this one was going to be a ride. I read this one when it first came out, it ended up in my stocking or as a Christmas present. I never understood it, my mom would keep…
The Mind Reels 