Fantasy television series always have a hard time proving themselves on television. For every Game of Thrones or Xena: Warrior Princess, there’s a Wizards and Warriors or Covington Cross. While television viewers are happy to welcome superheroes and aliens into their living rooms on weekly basis, elves, dwarves and trolls have had a tougher time…
TIFF Bell Lightbox: Trek Talks with Dr. Mae Jemison
TIFF Bell Lightbox’s fantastic series of Trek Talks came to a close last night with a passionate and humorous talk by doctor, and former astronaut, Mae Jemison. Her talk drew a lot of attention, and her love of both the science and arts was on full display as she entertained and informed, igniting and rousing…
Superman: The Animated Series (1997) – World’s Finest Part III, Bizarro’s World and The Hand of Fate
Superman (Tim Daly) and Batman (Kevin Conroy) join forces in World’s Finest Part III. Originally airing on 4 October, 1997, the story comes to its conclusion as our two caped heroes take on Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown) and the Joker (Mark Hamill). And with this episode, we see the beginning of the formation of the…
Whistle Down the Wind (1961) – Bryan Forbes
As I return to the Family Genre in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book, I come across a number of recommendations from a screening for E.T. which I’ve previously covered Whistle Down the Wind is a British film that focuses on a group of young children, including Charles (Alan Barnes), Nan (Diane…
Alien Nation (1988) – Graham Baker
Before District 9, Earth took in the Newcomers, and as they attempted to fit into our society, despite racism, prejudice, and simple confusion in customs, a pair of cops, one human, one newcomer, try to work together. This one is the next stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles as I spend some more time with James…
Doctor Who (Sylvester McCoy) – Delta and the Bannermen
The third story of season 24 (!) sees a shift to a three episode format, written by Malcolm Krohll, Delta and the Bannermen ran from 2 to 16 November, 1987. The Doctor and Mel (Bonnie Langford) find themselves finally getting away for a bit of a holiday travelling on the Nostalgia Tours bus, but when…
Galaxy of Terror (1981) – Bruce D. Clark
The next stop for me in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book is the works of James Cameron, and this is where he got some of his start (and where a behind the scenes worker, Bill Paxton, also did some work) as the film’s production designer. Cameron did some special effects work for this Roger Corman produced B-movie (something…
Quantum Leap (1991) – Private Dancer and Piano Man
Sam (Scott Bakula) finds himself in the body of a male stripper, Rod ‘The Bod’ in Private Dancer. Written by Paul Brown this episode first aired on 20 March, 1991. As Rod, Al (Dean Stockwell) informs Sam that he is there to help a young, deaf, waitress, and hopeful dancer, Dianna (Rhondee Beriault) and stop…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1967) – The Squire of Gothos and Arena
Captain’s log: stardate 2124.5 The Squire of Gothos. Oh man, what a fun episode. Penned by Paul Schneider this episode had it’s first airing on 12 January, 1967. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Lt. Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) vanish from the bridge, and when Spock (Leonard Nimoy) sends a landing party, led by…
James Bond Encyclopedia: Updated Edition (2014) – John Cork and Collin Stutz
Bond, James Bond. One of the most iconic lines in film history, and this week’s Book Shelf visit with DK Canada lets me revisit it in the most indepth way I’ve ever done. I’ve shared some of my encounters with 007, my introduction to the classic films, my first attempt at getting a Bond book,…
The Mind Reels 