With the advent of Star Wars in the late 70s, every studio, almost every writer, wanted to get in on the sci-fi band wagon, including Roger Corman. Known for his exploitation films with incredibly low budgets, Battle Beyond the Stars, was his biggest budgeted film, and was my introduction to the story of the…
Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The Tomb of the Cybermen
Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis write the first story of Season 5 that features the return of the Cybermen, the introduction of Cybermats and Cybercontrollers and a tense, fun story, in this four-parter which is the first Troughton Doctor Who story that is fully intact. The Tomb of the Cybermen originally aired from 2 September…
The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012) – Peter Lord
Great sight gags, brilliant animation, a fun story and a talented voice cast make this one a treasure trove. I love the work of Aardman Studios, and this one did not fail to entertain. Based on his book, Gideon Defoe wrote the screenplay that brings this fun-filled story to life. The film features a captain…
Magnum, P.I. (1981) – Billy Joe Bob & Dead Man’s Channel
Well, my computer was being a bit difficult, so I decided (oh the hardship) of continuing with Thomas (Tom Selleck) for another season! Season 2 got underway on 8 October, 1981 with Billy Joe Bob, an episode written by Jeff Wilhelm. Thomas is hired by a Texan, the titular Billy Joe Bob (James Whitmore…
Cibola Burn (2014) – James S.A. Corey
June 2015 is too far away, and with a working title of Nemesis Games you know something seriously cool is going to be happening in it. I read them all too fast. Book Four of the Expanse series, Cibola Burn, is done. And now, I’ll be climbing the walls, waiting impatiently for the fifth gargantuan…
Ghost in the Shell (25th Anniversary Edition) – Mamoru Oshi
Releasing from Anchor Bay today, is the 25th anniversary edition of this unprecedented anime film. The downside to it, is that despite that it’s the 25th Anniversary of the original manga, there are sadly no bonus features on the disc. On the plus side, the film looks very nice on Blu-Ray, and comes in…
Delivery: The Beast Within (2013) – Brian Netto
Releasing today on DVD from Anchor Bay is a nice take on the found footage film, combining reality television with a hint of Rosemary’s Baby, and a touch of Paranormal Activity. Rachel (Laurel Vail) and Kyle (Danny Barclay) after years of trying, are finally expecting. And they’re also the subject of a new reality show…
The Rockford Files (1977) – The Battle of Canoga Park & Second Chance
More trouble finds Jim (James Garner) this week as he gets caught up in a murder, and a domestic! The Battle of Canoga Park was written by Juanita Bartlett and aired 30 September, 1977. The phone gag features a call from a neighbor war letting them know they are looking for their missing pet……
Mirage Men (2013) – John Lundberg, Roland Denning & Kypros Kyprianou
This was an interesting documentary, based on the book by Mark Pilkington, no matter where you come down on the subject of UFOs. I like to stride the middle of the road, I really want to believe that they are out there, and they may very well have been here before. But there is…
All is Lost (2013) – J.C. Chandor
I’m a huge Robert Redford fan, and I love boats and ships so this one seemed like a sure match for me. Played with almost no dialogue (what there is, is few and far between, and scant at that), Redford is the lone soul aboard the Virginia Jean. A competent and resourceful sailor he…
