Gene Hackman, Joanna Cassidy and Tommy Lee Jones headline another Andrew Davis chase movie that counts among its cast, Pam Grier, Kevin Heard, and Dennis Franz. It’s a fairly well-crafted military thriller that seems to have the recurring themes of chases, Chicago and conspiracies running through it. This time out, Gene Hackman plays Master Sergeant…
Tag: dennis franz
Blow Out (1981) – Brian De Palma
With a film like Blow Out it is very easy to see why comparisons to Hitchcock were made throughout De Palma’s career. A fantastic thriller that makes unique use of camera angles, framing, shots and the all important sound aspect of film. John Travolta headlines as Jack a soundman for low-budget horror movies who is…
Hill Street Blues (1987) – A Pound of Flesh, and It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over
The penultimate episode of Hill Street Blues aired on 5 May, 1987. It was written by Christian Williams and it begins tying things up for the end of the series. Hunter (James Sikking) has been found, he was trapped, buried alive for eleven days, and it comes out that to survive, he ate part of…
Hill Street Blues (1987) – Days of Swine and Roses, and The Runner Falls on His Kisser
A very young Don Cheadle makes an appearance in Days of Swine and Roses. Written by David Black from a story by Black and John Litvack, this episode was first broadcast on 31 March, 1987. While the city rallies around a contest that promotes outrageous incidents, the precinct prepares for a full day. Renko (Charles…
Hill Street Blues (1987) – The Cookie Crumbles, and Dogsbreath Afternoon
Lucy (Betty Thomas) discovers the affair going on between Russo (Megan Gallagher) and Flaherty (Robert Clohessy) and that’s just the beginning of the melodrama this time out in The Cookie Crumbles. Written by Robert Ward, this episode debuted on 10 March, 1987. While Renko (Charles Haid) worries over the fact that his wife may be…
Hill Street Blues (1987) – Norman Conquest, and Sorry Wrong Number
While Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti) and Goldblume (Joe Spano) review officers for promotion alongside Mike (Richard Herd) Lt. Norman Buntz (Dennis Franz) is left in charge of the precinct for the day. Norman Conquest was written by Steve Bello from a story by Bello, Neil Eglash, Jonathan Lemkin and Micheal I. Wagner and it was…
Hill Street Blues (1987) – City of Refuse, and Der Roachenkavalier
City of Refuse may be my favourite episode of the season so far. Written by Peter Silverman, it first debuted on 20 January, 1987. Hunter (James Sikking) gets to put on his tactical uniform for the first time since his demotion when he joins Goldblume (Joe Spano) in dealing with a hostage situation. Why was…
Hill Street Blues (1986) – Fathers and Guns, and More Skinned Against Than Skinning
There are lots of emotional troubles to be had in Fathers and Guns. Written by Jeffrey Lewis from a story by Lewis and Jerry Patrick Brown. It first aired on 9 December, 1986. Belker (Bruce Weitz) is still learning to be a new father, and the stress of the job, and the world have infiltrated…
Hill Street Blues (1986) – Amazing Grace, and Falling From Grace
The character of Grace (Barbara Babcock) returns this week, and she’d been gone so long that I didn’t even make the connection with the episode’s title! She returns with a bit of a shocking change of character, she’s become a nun! Amazing Grace was written by Robert Ward from a story by Ward and David…
Hill Street Blues (1986) – I Come on My Knees, and Say Uncle
I Come on My Knees first aired on 6 November, 1986 and was written by David Milch. There’s a lot going on in this episode, and once again the silly melodrama has been pushed aside. Sure there are fun character moments, but as a whole the series seems to be determined to finish incredibly strong….
The Mind Reels 