Jeff Bridges, Rachel Ward and James Woods star in this noir-esque film that fumbles visually, as far as I’m concerned. Everyone knows the hit song by Phil Collins that came out of this film, and honestly, when it’s used over the end credits that shows a crying and struggling to smile Ward, it’s got a…
Tag: blackmail
The Fate of the Furious (2017) – F. Gary Gray
The first Fast and the Furious film after the death of Paul Walker changes speed, and I’m not saying the series jumped the shark, but the speed has changed from fast to ludicrous. The cast is huge, with some big hitters in supporting roles, including a wonderful cameo appearance by Helen Mirren. We learn that…
Poirot Investigates (1924) – Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie’s first collection of short stories, first published in 1924, sets forth a number of mysteries before her Belgian creation, Hercule Poirot, his little grey cells and his good friend Captain Hastings. While still capturing some of the humour of her novels, the short form of the stories doesn’t allow for a lot of…
M*A*S*H (1973) – L.I.P. (Local Indigenous Personnel), The Trial of Henry Blake, and Dear Dad… Three
The first episode up this week, L.I.P. (Local Indigenous Personnel) gets it right. Written by Carl Kleinschmitt, series developer Larry Gelbart, and Laurence Marks, from a story by Kleinschmitt. It first aired on 27 October, 1973. While Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is trying to make some time with Lt. Regina Hopkins (Corinne Camacho), one of the…
The Secret of Chimneys (1925) – Agatha Christie
Christie’s fifth novel is a bit of a romp filled with double identities, a murder, political issues, an empty throne, a renowned criminal, a love story, a missing diamond, and a week away at a manor known as Chimneys. We are introduced to Anthony Cade when he is working as a travel guide in Africa,…
M*A*S*H (1972/1973) – Edwina, Love Story, and Tuttle
The first pair of episodes up this week have some similarities, especially when aired back to back, and I have to wonder if that was intentional, or just the way the series was made. Edwina was written by Hal Dresner and first debuted on 24 December, 1972. The story centres on a calamity-centric Edwina (Arlene…
The Murder on the Links (1923) – Agatha Christie
My third foray into Agatha Christie territory brings me another tale featuring Hercule Poirot, and this time as it unspooled, I found myself paying more attention to the things that were said, the clues that were laid out, and much like his friend, Captain Hastings, who tells the tale, I had a portion of it…
M*A*S*H (1972) – Bananas, Crackers and Nuts, Cowboy, and Henry, Please Come Home
I’m a little divided on the first episode of M*A*S*H up for review this week. Bananas, Crackers and Nuts was written by Burt Styler, and first debuted on 5 November, 1972 (it was a different time, I have to keep reminding myself) and while a lot of it is funny, and a solid commentary on…
Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu (1983) – L. Neil Smith
This week’s trip to a galaxy far, far away was the first Star Wars adventure released post-Return of the Jedi. The gambling scoundrel, Lando Calrissian is the hero of the tale, and it’s fun to dive into a story to see how his character has changed and developed over the years. Set a short time…
V – The Series (1985) – War of Illusions, The Secret Underground, and The Return
This week, we come to the conclusion of the ill-conceived weekly series of V. It could have been a lot better than it was, and even the reimagined series was stronger, but still not quite where it needed to be (though it is exponentially more enjoyable than this incarnation). First up is War of Illusions….
Werewolf in a Girl’s Dormitory (1961) – Paolo Heusch
It’s time for another hairy werewolf movie as I continue to delve into DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book. This time around, the entry, Werewolf in a Girl’s Dormitory, is a bit of a letdown, considering it’s rife with exploitation potential. An Italian film that was dubbed for its North American release the story…
The Goddess of Yantai (2018) – Ian Hamilton
Ava Lee returns in a book that allows for the forensic accountant’s take on the film world and the darkness it hides, as she and her girlfriend, Pang Fai, a Chinese film star are caught up in the corruption and actions of the Chinese Movie Syndicate. Hitting bookshelves in the next week, Anansi Press lets…
