Michael Fassbender is the titular Frank in this amusing and entertaining dark comedy that is being released to DVD and Blu-Ray today from Magnolia Home Entertainment. The film follows a young, would-be musician, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), and how he becomes involved in a rather eccentric pop band that is fronted by Frank, who never…
The Rockford Files (1978) – Heartaches of a Fool and Rosendahl and Gilda Stern are Dead
Private investigator Jim Rockford (James Garner) is back as season five opens. The season premier was 22 September, 1978 and saw Jim’s dad, Rocky (Noah Beery jr.) in a bit of a trouble in this episode written by Cannell. And the first phone message of the year features a phone call from a person…
Marty (1955) -Delbert Mann
Ernest Borgnine stars as the titular Marty in this wonderful film recommended in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of On The Waterfront. This is a gem of a film, lovely in its simplicity and honesty, and I can hear the echoes of it in my own life….
The Lost Weekend (1945) – Billy Wilder
Ray Milland and Jane Wyman star in this first recommendation from Great Movies – 100 Years of Film following my viewing of On The Waterfront. And wow… $10 went a long way back in 1945! This one took Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Milland too Best Actor at the Oscars that year,…
Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The Invasion
This eight part series written by Derrick Sherwin, which aired from 2 November to 21 December 1968, is an epic story that sees the return of the Cybermen (who remain unseen in the story until episode 4), the appearance of UNIT, and it’s commander, now Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. The TARDIS arrives in London, after eluding…
Funny Girl (1968) – William Wyler
I was completely charmed by this one. That’s twice Streisand has wowed me when I thought she wouldn’t. Clocking in at two and a half hours, this is the final musical recommendation to go with my screening of The Jazz Singer for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. Babs is Fanny…
Magnum p.i. (1982) – Double Jeopardy and The Last Page
Thomas (Tom Selleck) meets one of his screen crushes when a film, Tahiti Kill, based on one of Robin Masters’ bestsellers is doing some shooting on the estate in the first episode this week, Double Jeopardy. It was written by Reuben Leder, Babs Greyhosky and Bill Taub, and aired 25 February, 1982. When Higgins…
Countdown City (2013) – Ben H. Winters
The sequel to The Last Policeman picks up with less than three months before the big asteroid is to make its devastating impact on Earth. Hank Palace is no longer a police officer, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to stop being a detective. With his dog, Houdini at his side, Palace finds himself…
The Rockford Files (1978) – The House on Willis Avenue
Season four of The Rockford Files comes to a close with this feature-length episode that aired 24 February, 1978, and was written by Cannell himself. The phone gag this time around features a call from the phone company, advising him that there is an end to his service coming… in two minutes. And I…
On The Waterfront (1954) – Elia Kazan
“You don’t understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it.” Brando turns in a bravura performance in this, the next drama entry from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. The film scored itself…
The Mind Reels 