Deborah Pratt writes her first episode of the series, What Price, Gloria? and becomes one of the strongest voices of the show, so much so that when the new introduction is put in place, it’s her voice selling the show. Airing on 25 October, 1989, the episode finds Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) leaping into…
Tag: commentary
Batman: The Animated Series (1994/1995) – Lock-Up, Deep Freeze and The Terrible Trio
There’s more trouble in Gotham this week, and Batman (Kevin Conroy) and Robin (Loren Lester) are ready to take it on. First up is Lock-Up which aired 19 November, 1994. Lyle Bolton (Bruce Weitz) is fanatical about his job as security chief in Arkham, keeping an eye on the likes of Harley Quinn (Arleen…
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) – Matt Reeves
It’s back to the Apes saga as I dive into the most recent sequel as I continue my way through the Sci-Fi Chronicles. Set a decade or two after the previous film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Caesar (mo-capped by Andy Serkis) is leading a growing nation of evolved apes. But…
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) – J. Lee Thompson
After the darkness of Conquest, the final film in the original Apes series is a little more family-friendly, and is my next stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. Caesar (Roddy McDowall) is trying to keep his people safe, as he rules the apes, after the consequences of the war that was hinted at during…
Black Christmas: Season’s Grievings Editon (1974) – Bob Clark
Some people love the happy joyous type of films at Christmas, and while there is something to be said for all that good-will, happy endings and schmaltz that seem to highlight most of them, that morbid, macabre underside of humor and the holidays seem to be more appealing… As much as I loved Scrooged,…
Fringe Toronto: XOXO – The Relationship Show
Meghan Chalmers and Franny McCabe-Bennett simply OWN the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace with their presentation of XOXO: The Relationship Show. Combining hilarious songs, wonderful commentary on dating and relationships, and looking like they are having a damned fine time doing it, Chalmers and McCabe-Bennett take us through their love lives as two Juliets. With sketches…
Hot Docs 2015: Live From New York – Bao Nguyen
2015 represents the 40th anniversary of the television landmark comedy sketch series, Saturday Night Live, and Hot Docs was fortunate enough to host the international premiere of Bao Nguyen’s film that takes a look at the culture that surrounded, followed and influenced the show. Nguyen openly admits that this is far from the definitive…
Corner Gas: The Movie (2014) – David Storey
One of Canada’s most beloved sitcom had a theatrical release this month, and now, it’s been released to DVD and Blu-Ray. Corner Gas: The Movie, takes us back to Dog River, and catches us up with all of our old friends, Brent (Brent Butt), Lacey (Gabrielle Miller), Hank (Fred Ewanuick), Oscar (Eric Peterson) &…
Frank (2014) – Lenny Abrahamson
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…
Willow Creek (2013) – Bobcat Goldthwait
Hitting DVD and Blu-Ray last week was this found footage film that I missed at Toronto After Dark last year. As a slow-burning, low-budget horror film, this one works, and is wonderfully creepy and troubling. Don’t go in expecting big budget thrills, think Blair Witch, but replaced, possibly, by Bigfoot. Jim (Bryce Johnson) is…
The Mind Reels 