The Menu is a remarkable thriller sauteed with a little comedy to deliver a confection that may not meet with delight with all moviegoers’ palettes, but if you’ve got a cynical streak, especially as it leans towards societal behaviours and elitism, this one will be met with a chef’s kiss. The story follows a group…
Tag: cynical
1408 (2007) – Mikael Hafstrom
John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson star in this big screen adaptation of the Stephen King short story. Cusack, who has always been a favourite of mine, is Mike Enslin, a writer who cranked out one good (and seemingly forgotten novel) and after a personal tragedy, which had him walking out on his grief-stricken wife…
Miami Vice (1987) – The Big Thaw, and Child’s Play
All series have their handful of weaker episodes, but most Miami Vice has been solid storytelling, but of course they are going to stumble on occasion. And this, The Big Thaw, is definitely one of those. Written by Joseph DiBlasi (Michael Duggan), it aired on 23 October, 1987. Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson), Ricardo Tubbs (Philip…
Miami Vice (1986) – Streetwise, and Forgive Us Our Debts
Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Micheal Thomas) deal with a strung-out undercover cop, Vic Romano (Bill Paxton!) and the hooker he is in love with, Carla (Deborah J, Adair). Written by Dennis Cooper this episode first debuted on 5 December, 1986. It also features Wesley Snipes as Silk, a pimp running his…
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) – Sam Peckinpah
The next big title covered in DK Canada’s highly enjoyable and informative The Movie Book is the exemplary The Wild Bunch. Having previously covered it I moved onto the What Else to Watch list, and discovered a film I had often heard of but until now, had never seen. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo…
Vampires (1998) – John Carpenter
The chapter on vampires in DK Canada’s highly enjoyable Monsters in the Movies continues to provide me with countless films to sink my fangs into, and this week I got to revisit a classic John Carpenter film, as he takes on the creatures of the night. Based loosely on the novel by John Steakley (which…
Miami Vice (1986) – Florence Italy, and French Twist
First airing on 14 February, 1986, the story finds Crockett (Don Johnson) and Tubbs (Philip Micheal Thomas) investigating the murder of a prostitute, Florence Italy aka Abigail Cook (Marilyn Romero). The suspect is one of the drivers in the Miami Grand Prix. Their investigation leads them to a father-son pair of racers, Frank (Stephen Joyce)…
Miami Vice (1985) – Back in the World, and Phil the Shill
Detective Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson who also serves as director of this episode) recalls his time in Vietnam, when an old friend, Stone (Bob Balaban) resurfaces with a story about some heroin that made it out of Saigon and is now resurfacing in Miami. Back in the World was written by Terry McDonnell and first…
Miami Vice (1984) – Give a Little, Take a Little, and Little Prince
Crockett (Don Johnson) spends time in a cell this week, when he is held in contempt for not identifying one of his informants in a case he’s working on with Tubbs (Philip Micheal Thomas). Give a Little, Take a Little was written by Chuck Adamson and first debuted on 7 December, 1984. The cops are…
Miami Vice (1984) – One Eyed Jack, and No Exit
Edward James Olmos joins the main cast this week as the division’s new lieutenant, Martin Castillo, and with his steely eyed glare on Crockett (Don Johnson) the story swings into high gear. One Eyed Jack was written by Alfonse Ruggerio Jr., and first aired on 2 November, 1984. An old flame of Crockett’s Barbara Carrow…
The Mind Reels 