Blue Thunder (1983) – John Badham

I remember seeing Blue Thunder when it was released on home video. Or perhaps it was on a free weekend of Super Channel or First Choice. I remember enjoying it as a kid, loved the helicopter, the nude girl doing yoga, Roy Scheider, and the helicopter. It’s been decades since I watched it, and I…

The X-Files (1994) – Duane Barry, and Ascension

In its second season, The X-Files really got to show us what it could do, and the first two episodes up this week form a pair of my favourites, in a season packed with standout episodes (and a couple of clunkers). Agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Krycek (Nicholas Lea) are called in on a hostage…

The X-Files (1994) – E.B.E., and Miracle Man

This week’s entry into exploration of The X-Files brings me one of my favourite episodes, E.B.E. written by Glen Morgan and James Wong. This episode truly lays the groundwork for the alien conspiracy arc that would play such a large part in the show’s mythology. Filled with lies, disinformation, shreds of truth, and the stark…

Saboteur (1942) – Alfred Hitchcock

Hitchcock delivers a fantastically paced thriller, that stirs in some patriotism and humour as every man Barry Kane (Robert Cummings) finds himself caught up in a conspiracy on the eve of war. Kane works in an airplane factory, and is doing his part for the blossoming war effort. But when he inadvertently helps a fellow…

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1992) – J.M. Dillard

This week’s Trek novel is the film adaptation of the last big screen voyage of the crew of The Original Series, J.M. Dillard adapts the screenplay and fills it out with some additional character building scenes which add some nice depth to the events that unfold. Captain James T. Kirk and the majority of his…

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2010) – The Academy, Assassin, and ARC Troopers

“Those who enforce the law must obey the law.” The Mandalore corruption storyline continues in this episode written by Katie Lucas and Steven Melching. First airing on 15 October, 2010, the episode sees Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) travelling to Mandalore to serve as a tutor at one of the leadership academies. While she’s there, she…

Origin (2017) – Dan Brown

It’s been a while since I dove into a Dan Brown book. I do enjoy his Robert Langdon adventures, and I love how he takes elements from the real world, be it organizations, technology, art, architecture, religion, science and marry them into engaging popcorn thrill ride narratives. Origin is no different, but also includes a…