This entry in The X-Files is a bit of a tough one because we have two less than stellar episodes, back to back. First up is Teso dos Bichos (which has a slang meaning that caught some interest), and is one of stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson’s least favourite episodes. Written by John Shiban,…
Tag: culture
Star Trek: Shadows on the Sun (1993) – Michael Jan Friedman
Set shortly after the events of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Shadows on the Sun explores some of the backstory of Dr. Leonard H. McCoy, a character that has become one of my favourites over the years. It’s interesting, as a child, and teen, Kirk was always the character for me. But as I…
DC Comics Cover Art (2020) – Nick Jones
Neal Adams. Jack Kirby. George Perez. Alex Ross. Dave Gibbons. Amanda Conner. Jim Lee. John Byrne. The tip of the iceberg on a long list of distinguished and exceptional artists who have created iconic images through the years for DC Comics, aiding in the transition of the medium from being seen as ‘just for kids’…
Star Wars: Rebels (2016) – Hera’s Heroes, The Last Battle, and Imperial Supercommandos
Hera (Vanessa Marshall) and Ezra (Taylor Gray) have their first face to face confrontation with Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) in Hera’s Heroes. With an original airdate of 15 October, 2016, this episode was written by Nicole Dubuc, and brings Timothy Zahn’s creation of the Admiral further into the developing story, and highlighting his interest…
Star Trek: Enterprise (2005) – Bound, and In a Mirror, Darkly Part I
Captain’s log: 27 December, 2154 Manny Coto pens Bound, which first aired on 15 April, 2005. Things go badly for the crew of the Enterprise, specifically the men, when Archer (Scott Bakula) receives three Orion slave girls, Navaar (Cyia Batten), D’Nesh (Crystal Allen) and Maras (Menina Fortunato) as a ‘gift’ from Harrad-Sar (William Lucking) for…
Whale Rider (2002) – Niki Caro
The beautifully crafted film, Whale Rider, adapted for the screen and directed by Niki Caro from the book by Witi Ihimaera is the next title up in Ten Bad Dates With De Niro, as I work through a list of titles that will make you cry. Set amongst the Maori people in Whangara, New Zealand,…
Star Trek: Enterprise (2003) – Dawn, and Stigma
Captain’s log: date unknown Roxann Dawson directs this Trip (Connor Trinneer) episode written by John Shiban. Originally airing on 8 January, 2003 this episode riffs on the science fiction classic, Enemy Mine. Of course, it’s also been done previously in Trek, most notably in The Next Generation episodes, Darmok and The Enemy. And they were…
Shogun (1980) – Disc 3
I dive into disc three of the DVD release of Shogun this week which marries the conclusion of the third episode, originally broadcast on 17 September, 1980, and the fourth episode, which aired on 18 September, 1980. James Clavell’s novel, adapted by Eric Bercovici continues to explore feudal Japan through the transplanted Blackthorne (Richard Chamberlain)…
Shogun (1980) – Disc 1
Ah the late 70s and early 80s, the age of the television mini-series, an almost forgotten television event, though slowly being rediscovered by the advent of the limited series. It’s slightly different of course, because back then, there were only a few channels available, making a mini-series an event over consecutive nights. Shogun was based…
Star Trek: Voyager (2001) – Friendship One, and Natural Law
Captain’s log: stardate 54775.4 Micheal Taylor and Bryan Fuller pen this episode that debuted on 25 April, 2001. An episode that is view of the series finish line, and sees the crew of the Voyager getting their first mission from Starfleet since their original orders at the beginning of the series. It seems an probe…
The Mind Reels 