M*A*S*H (1972) – Chief Surgeon Who?, The Moose, and Yankee Doodle Doctor

Larry Gelbart who developed M*A*S*H for television pens Chief Surgeon, Who? which first aired on 8 October, 1972. The episode features the first appearance of Jamie Farr as Cpl. Klinger, a soldier intent on being sectioned out of Korea by dressing in women’s clothing. The character became so popular he shortly became a series regular….

Black Rain (1989) – Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott remains one of my favourite technical directors, and it’s been awhile since I settled in for this crime thriller, that stars Micheal Douglas, Andy Garcia, Kate Capshaw, and Ken Takakura. Douglas plays Nick Conklin a less than clean New York bigoted cop currently under investigation by Internal Affairs when he and his partner…

Star Trek: Voyager (1999) – Equinox: Part II, and Survival Instinct

Captain’s log: stardate unknown Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky pen the season opener from a story they created alongside Rick Berman, which concludes the Equinox story line. It opened the sixth season on 22 September, 1999. Intent on revenge, Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) pursues the Equinox, intent on putting a stop to Ransom (John Savage)….

Miami Vice (1985) – Bushido, and Bought and Paid For

Castillo (Edward James Olmos who also serves as the director of the episode) takes center stage in the first episode up this week. Bushido was written by John Leekley and first aired on 22 November, 1985. The Lieutenant is asked by an old friend from the CIA, Jack Gretsky (Dean Stockwell) to help get his…

Ashes and Diamonds (1958) – Andrzej Wajda

Post War Poland is the setting for the next big title in DK Canada’s The Movie Book, as I delve into Ashes and Diamonds from director Andrzej Wajda. Marrying a love story with a post-war thriller, and mixing in some drama, this film is a fantastically made film that delves into the horrors of war…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1994) – Lower Decks, and Thine Own Self

Captain’s log: stardate 47566.7 Rene Echevarria pens the teleplay for this superior episode from a story by Ron Wilkerson and Jean Louis Matthias. It first debuted on 7 February, 1994. This episode is delightfully unique in that the major characters of the series play supporting roles only. The heart of the tale centres around a…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993) – Descent Part II, and Liaisons

Captain’s log: stardate 47025.4 Rene Echevarria pens the final season’s opener that first aired on 20 September, 1993. Brent Spiner pulls double duty as both Data and Lore, as Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), Geordi (LeVar Burton) and Troi (Marina Sirtis) try to escape from the Brothers Soong who have assumed control of a cadre of…