Me (2019) – Elton John

Elton John’s music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, even growing up in a predominantly country music household a number of his songs somehow found their way into my subconscious, part of it thanks to Elton’s appearance in the late 70s on The Muppet Show, and my…

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Frank Darabont

If there is a near perfect drama film for me, it is the next recommendation in DK Canada’s The Movie Book, The Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont, who wrote the screenplay as well, basing it on the short story by Stephen King. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman headline at the iconic King-universe prison, Shawshank,…

A Star is Born (2018) – Blu-Ray Review

The Oscar nominated A Star is Born comes home today on blu-ray from Warner Brothers, and it makes a great addition to the collection, and a fantastic new iteration of the classic story. Starring Bradley Cooper (who also served as the film’s director) and a bravura performance by Lady Gaga (both of them were nominated…

20th Century Ghosts (2005) – Joe Hill

Joe Hill first came to my attention as the writer for the superior comic series Locke & Key, which is alternately fantastical, innocent, joyous and horrifying. As such I think I was properly ready for more of his work, and found a fascinating short story collection to use to expand on our relationship. 20th Century…

Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Complete Series

It’s here! Amassed in one small slip-case, the adventures of Aang (Zach Tyler), the Last Airbender – The Complete Series comes to blu-ray for the first time. Over the course of 9 discs and 66 episodes the brilliant, and beloved Nickelodeon series comes home in the perfect collection. Included in the set are a mass…

Ugetsu (1953) – Kenji Mizoguchi

The next title recommended by the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of Ran, is this brilliant film that follows the fortunes of two peasant families during a civil war. Operating a kiln, and making wares, Genjuro (Masayuki Mori) sees a chance to get rich with the selling of his…

Doctor Who (Peter Capaldi) – The Witch’s Familiar, and Under the Lake

The Doctor (Capaldi) finds himself confronting a terrible choice when the cliffhanger caused by last week’s episode comes to its resolution in The Witch’s Familiar. Written by Steven Moffat, this episode first premiered on 26 September, 2015. Davros (Julian Bleach) has apparently let the Daleks destroy Clara (Jenna Coleman), Missy (Michelle Gomez) and the TARDIS….

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Blu-Ray Review

Hitting blu-ray and DVD today from Disney is the latest instalment in the Skywalker Saga, The Last Jedi, director/writer Rian Johnson’s follow-up to 2015’s The Force Awakens. Johnson delivers a strong film that has proven divisive with some fans, but for yours truly, it’s up there with The Empire Strikes Back, it sends characters in…