Doctor Who (Sylvester McCoy) – The Happiness Patrol

The second story of season 25, is a little odd, but a lot of fun. That is thanks to the continually layered performance of the Doctor (McCoy). The Happiness Patrol was penned by Graeme Curry and ran from 2 to 16 November, 1988. The TARDIS, carrying Ace (Sophie Aldred) and the Doctor arrive on Terra…

Gemina: The Illuminae Files 02 (2016) – Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

The second volume in the Illuminae Files, Gemina, is not only an excellent follow-up instalment in this vibrant and exciting Young Adult series, it is also highly entertaining science fiction and space opera. The first book, told through IM and audio transcripts, descriptions of video surveillance, was brilliant, fun, and probably a game-changer in the…

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) -George Miller & George Ogilvie

Five years after Mad Max first burst onto the scene, and almost four years after the release of its follow-up, the superior, and iconic, Road Warrior, Max (Mel Gibson) returned for the third film in the original trilogy of Mad Max films, and my most recent stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. With two wicked…

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…

Universal Soldier (1992) – Roland Emmerich

Sometimes you are just in the mood for something blatantly mindless, poorly written, and violent fun. Well, the next stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book should provide me with more than a healthy dose of that as I dive into the works of Roland Emmerich. How he keeps getting A-list stars to work with him…

633 Squadron (1964) -Walter Grauman

Cliff Robertson leads the lucky 633 Squadron in this World War II melodrama that is the next recommendation from my screening of The Dam Busters for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. The actual aerial photography of the film is stunning, above and around England, while the rotoscope work behind the cast…

Heavy Metal 2000 (2000) – Michael Coldewey & Michel Lemire

Almost 20 years after the first film, Heavy Metal 2000 returns with more animated science fiction, as I continue to work my way through the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. While the animation may be stronger this time around, everything else seems to suffer. Eschewing the anthology format that served the first film so well, not to…

Toronto After Dark 2016: As the Gods Will – Takashi Miike

Things got nigh on bizarre this evening at Toronto After Dark, as it continues to entertain at the Scotiabank Theatre here in Toronto. It was Japanese cinema night, and sadly, thanks to work constraints, I was only able to make one screening today, but what a screening! If you aren’t familiar with Miike’s work, it’s…

TIFF Bell Lightbox Trek, Trek, Trek!!

Last night was a simply amazing night at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The first of the Trek Talks happened with Lt. Col. Jeremy Hansen sharing his thoughts, experiences, and how Star Trek has shaped the work we do in outer space, on the ISS, and may influence our future explorations with An Astronaut’s Voyage to…