This is it, the last week of Space: 1999, and while some of it has been very good, and a number of stories showed some promise, the series, as a whole, has not weathered the decades as well as it could have. The penultimate episode is The Immunity Syndrome (not to be confused with the…
Tag: assault
Star Trek: Voyager (1996) – Prototype, and Alliances
Captain’s log: stardate unknown Jonathan Frakes directs this episode from a script by Nicholas Corea that sees the Voyager picking up an automated life form floating in the vastness of space. First airing on 15 January, 1996, the story let Torres (Roxann Dawson) step to the fore. Torres is sure that they can reactivate the…
This Sporting Life (1963) – Lindsay Anderson
Richard Harris headlines the next film in the What Else to Watch list featured in DK Canada’s The Movie Book, following the recommendation of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. Harris stars as Frank Machin, a miner who eventually finds success on the rugby field, something he’s wanted for a long time. He lodges in the…
The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah (2004) – Stephen King
The penultimate volume of Stephen King’s magnificent fantasy western opus is on the book shelf this week, and leads us along many roads, some hauntingly familiar, all troubling. With the abduction of the pregnant Susannah by Mia, the daughter of none, mother of one, at the climax of the previous book, everything is set up…
Space: 1999 (1975) – Guardian of Piri, and End of Eternity
Computer is causing problems, and Moonbase Alpha has drawn close to a strange planet which is having adverse effects on the Alphans. Guardian of Piri was written by Christopher Penfold, and first debuted on 13 November, 1975. As the moon draws closer to a odd world, computer’s data, and mechanical instruments become increasingly unreliable, Eagle…
The Daylight War (2013) – Peter V. Brett
Digging into the third book of The Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett has been long overdue, but it was very much worth the wait. After the climactic conclusion of the previous instalment, not to mention some of the revelations, the characters are left in some strange places. The novel picks up shortly after the…
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992) – Hero Worship, and Violations
Captain’s log: stardate 45397.3 Airing on 27 January, 1992, this Data (Brent Spiner) episode is a little dull. And once again, it feels like the series could have done something really good if they hadn’t played it safe. Written by Joe Menosky from a story by Hilary Bader, the episode sees the Enterprise responding to…
Unforgiven (1992) – Clint Eastwood
The next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Wild Bunch, is my all-time favourite western, Eastwood’s multi-Oscar winning film (Best Director, Best Picture, Best Editing, and Best Supporting Actor for Gene Hackman). An ageing gunfighter, William Munny (Eastwood) wants to tend to his tiny parcel…
Toronto After Dark 2017: Eat Local(s) – Jason Flemyng
At 7pm tonight at Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto After Dark is hosting the Toronto premiere of Eat Local(s). A fun vampire romp that is sure to please audiences, the cast is stacked with recognisable faces and names, Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Mackenzie Crook (The Office), Eve Myles (Torchwood), Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who), Dexter Fletcher (Band of Brothers)…
The Twilight Zone (1959) – Judgement Night, And When the Sky Was Opened and What You Need
Paramount Pictures continues my guided tour of the Twilight Zone this week as I explore The Complete Series on Blu-Ray. Rod Serling is back in fine form with the first episode up for review, Judgement Night. With an original airdate of 4 December, 1959, this episode is smart, well-penned, as revelations are made about Carl…
The A-Team (1983) – The Taxicab Wars and Labor Pains
The A-Team continues to be on the run from the devious Decker (Lance LeGault) in this pair of episodes. First up is The Taxicab Wars, which was written by Cannell with an airdate of 1 November, 1983. Once again we find Mr. T in another (D.C.) cab. This time our heroes are on their…
TIFF 2013: Proxy – Zack Parker
I chose Proxy to be the final film in my festival for a few reasons. One – it looked pretty dark. Two – Colin Geddes had programmed it for the Vanguard section of the fest. Three – I couldn’t really find out much detail about it, which meant that it was likely to surprise me….
