A twenty-one year old Mel Gibson put the pedal to the metal and rocketed to first cult, and then international fame alongside George Miller with the thrilling, verge of the apocalypse (which was to come between films), action-packed Mad Max, which is my next stop with the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. Civilisation is crumbling in Australia,…
Tag: dark
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) -Mel Stuart
The late Gene Wilder stars in this iconic adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s tale, that is the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my return to the Family genre. The film stands out in minds around the globe for its musical numbers and the terrifying tunnel trip…
Doctor Who (Colin Baker) – Mindwarp
The Trial of a Time Lord continues with Mindwarp. This four-parter was penned by Philip Martin and ran from 4 to 25 October, 1986. As the Doctor’s (Baker) trial continues, as well as his clash with the prosecutor, the Valeyard (Michael Jayston) who presents his evidence. The story, and the case unfold, as the Doctor…
The Stepford Wives (1975) – Bryan Forbes
Katharine Ross headlines in William Goldman’s adaptation of Ira Levin’s novel, which is the next stop on the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. Ross is Joanna Eberhart, a smart, beautiful woman, who is much put-upon by her husband, Walter (Peter Masterson), who wants his wife to be more ‘ahem’ traditional. Packing up the family, they leave…
The Mind Reels chats with Brad Wright and Eric McCormack
This fall, specifically, October 17, sees the premiere of this highly anticipated science fiction drama from Brad Wright, the creator of the Stargate television franchise, and producer, star, Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Perception) – Travelers. The most basic of story explanations, which does not do the stunning opening episode justice, is this: a group…
Golden Son (2015) – Pierce Brown
The second novel in Pierce Brown’s science fiction trilogy that began with Red Rising is on the Book Shelf this week, and if I liked the first one (which I did), I loved this one! The story picks up a couple of years after the events of the first book, and sees Darrow on…
Hot Docs 2016: Fear Itself – Charlie Lyne
Screening this evening at 10pm at the Lightbox, and again on May 3rd at 3:45pm, before moving to the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema for a final screening om May 4 at 9:45pm. An experiential film, a solo voice, that of Amy E. Watson, guides the narrative as she recalls and experiences fear as brought…
Hot Docs 2016: Credit for Murder – Vladi Antonevicz
In a documentary that plays more like a thriller than a Hot Docs, Antonevicz’s dark entry into this year’s film festival is a stunning ride. Using pacing, framing and structure like a standard Hollywood thriller this one captivatesd as much as it generates hate for it’s ready made villains, Neo-Nazis. When a YouTube video…
Magnum, p.i. (1987) – Laura and Out of Sync
Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra finds himself in Hawaii this week, with the episode Laura. Written by Chris Abbott, this one aired 25 February, 1987. Sinatra is Michael Doheny, a New York cop, who in the midst of celebrating his retirement party, has his granddaughter kidnapped, and murdered by a pair of sexual predators….
Gun Crazy (1950) – Joseph H. Lewis
The first recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my viewing of The Night of the Hunter is this 1950 film that sees Barton Tare (John Dall), a good man, and a crackshot, being pressured by his wife and marksman, Annie (Peggy Cummins), to go on a robbery spree…
