The Goddess of Yantai (2018) – Ian Hamilton

Ava Lee returns in a book that allows for the forensic accountant’s take on the film world and the darkness it hides, as she and her girlfriend, Pang Fai, a Chinese film star are caught up in the corruption and actions of the Chinese Movie Syndicate. Hitting bookshelves in the next week, Anansi Press lets…

The Battle of Algiers (1966) – Gillo Pontecorvo

The next big title in DK Canada’s The Movie Book is a film that, perhaps, resonates with even more importance now than it did when it was first released. Pontecorvo’s The Battle of Algiers is a fascinating, brutal, and dark watch that shows us the true face of war and it’s effect on all sides…

Space: 1999 (1976) – The Mark of Archanon, and The Rules of Luton

A strange discovery beneath the surface of the moon gives Alpha a fun story to explore. Lew Schwartz penned this episode that first aired on 16 October, 1976. Carter (Nick Tate) discovers a pair of encased bodies with a strange mark on its casing. Here’s where I start to have a problem because Tony (Tony…

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) – Sharon Maguire

Helen Fielding’s bestselling novel, Brdiget Jones’s Diary gets adapted to the big screen by Fielding, Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis. And while some may take exception with the casting of Rene Zellweger in the role, and not an actual Brit actor (I would say that allowed the film a more international opportunity) she handles it…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1991) – Redemption Part II, and Darmok

Captain’s log: stardate 45020.4 Season five got under way on 23 September, 1991 in this episode written by Ronald D, Moore. Worf (Michael Dorn) has gone to fight alongside his brother Kurn (Tony Todd) in the Klingon Civil War. Meanwhile, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of the Enterprise are trying to stop the…

The Magnificent Seven (1960) – John Sturges

That music, that cast… It’s no wonder that Sturges’ Americanisation of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai is one of my all time favourite westerns, and the first recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Wild Bunch. Elmer Bernstein’s rousing and memorable score supports Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Eli…

The Warded Man (2008) – Peter V. Brett

My sweetie recommended this one for me. She was so adamant that I read it, and so convinced that I would enjoy it that she went out and bought me a copy, and I moved it to the top the pile. And, no surprise, she was right! A wonderful combination of fantasy and horror elements,…

Star Trek: The Original Series (1968) – Spectre of the Gun and Day of the Dove

Captain’s log: stardate 4385.3 Spectre of the Gun is a bit of an interesting episode. Written by Gene Coon, under a pseudonym the episode premiered on 25 October, 1968.  When the Enterprise trespasses into Melkot space, the alien race punishes some of the crew including Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), McCoy (DeForest Kelley),…