The Lego Movie when it came out, took the world by surprise with just how fun it was, and it’s breakout character, which should not be a surprise, was Batman. It should come then as no surprise that Lego decided the Caped Crusader should have his own film, which opens next month. DK Canada gave…
The Twilight Zone (1959) – The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine, Walking Distance, and Escape Clause
My exploration of the dark corners of the universe captured in The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series, available from Paramount, continues this week with three spooky episodes. Up first is The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine which aired on 23 October, 1959, and was penned by Rod Serling. The tale follows Barbara Jean Trenton (Ida Lupino) an ageing…
Wings of Desire (1987) – Wim Wenders
Remade for those North American audiences who hate to to read as the less than stellar City of Angels, the beautiful Wings of Desire captured hearts and imaginations when it premiered at Cannes, winning Wenders a Best Director award. It is also the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book….
A Matter of Life and Death (1946) – Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
David Niven and Kim Hunter star in this wonderful piece of fantasy that is the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film. Also known as Stairway to Heaven, this is a film I had never heard of. Niven is Peter Carter, a RAF pilot. He and his crew are returning to…
Doctor Who (Sylvester McCoy) – The Greatest Show in the Galaxy
The final story of the 25th season is a four-part story that sees the Doctor and Ace (Sophie Aldred) confronting terrifying and evil clowns who want to be entertained. Written by Stephen Wyatt the story ran from 14 December, 1988 to 4 January, 1989. The TARDIS receives an invite to the Psychic Circus, and the…
Battlefield Earth (2000) – Roger Christian
Sometimes, bad is bad. And this stop with the Sci-Fi Chronicles Book demonstrates how bad. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this film, and it’s a wonder that any of those involved walked away with the semblance of a career. Based on L. Ron Hubbard’s titanic novel, the film stars John Travolta, Forest Whitaker, and…
Quantum Leap (1991) – Play Ball, and Hurricane
Batter up! Sam (Scott Bakula) finds himself in the body of minor league pitcher, Lester ‘Doc’ Fuller in Play Ball. This episode was penned by Tommy Thompson and had an airdate of 25 September, 1991. Sam is in 6 August, 1961, and he and Al (Dean Stockwell) are having problems figuring out his mission. There…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1967) – The Alternative Factor and The City on the Edge of Forever
Captain’s log: stardate 3087.6 Well, it had to happen. In a season with twenty-nine episodes, at least one of them had to be iffy, and The Alternative Factor is definitely that one. Written by Don Ingalls, this lacklustre episode had it’s premiere on 30 March, 1967. But it did introduce me to one thing, even…
A Monster Calls (2011) – Patrick Ness
It’s been a long time since a book has reduced me to tears, but Ness’ powerful, and beautiful young adult books, A Monster Calls has done just that. Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd who passed before she could tell it herself, the story is a singular experience that is heartbreaking in its truth…
The Twilight Zone (1959) – Where is Everybody?, One for the Angels, and Mr. Denton on Doomsday
This week, we dive into The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series, available now from Paramount! The Twilight Zone got underway on 2 October, 1959 with Rod Serling plunging Earl Holliman as Mike Ferris into madness with Where is Everybody? Mike Ferris doesn’t know who he is, and he doesn’t know where everyone else in the…
The Mind Reels 