Station log: stardate unknown Jim Trombetta and Michael Piller pen this Dax (Terry Farrell) episode that sees the Science Officer dealing with a Trill initiate named Arjin (Geoffrey Blake). It first aired on 27 February, 1994. Unfortunately for Arjon, Dax is nothing like the young man expects. He’s nervous, eager to please, and Dax is…
Tag: character beats
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993) – Timescape, and Descent
Captain’s log: stardate 46944.2 Directed by Leonard Nimoy’s son, Adam, this episode was penned by Brannon Braga and first aired on 14 June, 1993. I’m always a fan of episodes that play with time loops, time travel, paradoxes and such, and this one ends up being very enjoyable. Travelling back to the Enterprise, Picard (Patrick…
Rome, Open City (1945) – Roberto Rossellini
Rome, Open City, Roberto Rossellini’s first film is on the What Else to Watch list following my screening of Bicycle Thieves as I continue my exploration of DK Canada’s The Movie Book. Decidedly melodramatic the story is set in World War II Rome, and the story weaves a group of characters together, as they work…
The Sound of Music (1965) – Robert Wise
My return to the Musical chapter of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book sees me settling into Robert Wise’s multi-Oscar winning (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Editing and Best Music) adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music. Starring Julie Andrews (in an Oscar nominated performance) and…
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992) – I, Borg, and The Next Phase
Captain’s log: stardate 45854.2 Written by Rene Echevarria and airing on 11 May, 1992, I, Borg is a powerful Trek story. When the Enterprise comes across a lone Borg drone (Jonathan Del Arco) separated from the Collective they bring him on board. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) sees the opportunity to return the Borg to the…
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) – Gore Verbinski
Who would have thought that Disney could turn one of their oldest theme park attractions into a tentpole franchise back in 2003? Sure the series has floundered, and perhaps overstayed its welcome since, but that first film, directed ably by Verbinski, with a definitive score by Klaus Badelt, and featuring an A-list cast delighted audiences…
The Imam of Tawi-Tawi (2018) – Ian Hamilton
There’s nothing like starting a new year, with an old friend. And hitting book shelves this week, is my friend Ava Lee, returning in her latest adventure, her tenth novel, by Canadian author, Ian Hamilton. This tale picks up shortly after the last, The Courtier of Milan, with forensic accountant Lee’s love life coming to…
Wonder Woman (2017) – Patty Jenkins
Hitting blu-ray and video today from Warner Brothers is the box office sensation Wonder Woman, the long overdue arrival of Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) to the big screen. Wowing in the theatre, the Amazon comes home with a gorgeous blu-ray that looks and sounds fantastic and puts your home theatre through its paces. Loved by…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1968) – Return to Tomorrow and Patterns of Force
Captain’s log: stardate 4768.3 Return to Tomorrow is one of those episodes that never really seem to hold my attention. Written by John T. Dugan, this story first aired on 9 February, 1968. The one thing is does have is Kirk’s (William Shatner) awesome “Risk is our business” speech. It has become iconic and emblematic…
Life, the Universe and Everything (1982) – Douglas Adams
Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Marvin the robot, Zaphod and Trillian find themselves caught up in trouble again as the third Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy book finds its way to The Book Shelf this week. And, just like the preceding novels, this one is a life riot as well. Arthur and Ford are where we…
The Mind Reels 