Orson Welles, to whom the first episode this week is dedicated, makes his final television appearance as he introduces this unique episode of Moonlighting. Written by Debra Frank and Carl Sautter, the episode debuted on 15 October, 1985, and about twelve minutes into it, transitions to black and white. David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill…
Tag: gangster
Zombies on Broadway (1945) – Gordon Douglas
DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book by director John Landis, moves on to the realm of the mad scientist, leaving werewolves behind. And the first one I dove into was this genuinely funny film from 1945. It’s marred by moments of racism, but the rest of it proves to be very enjoyable. It what…
White Heat (1949) – Raoul Walsh
The next film on the What Else to Watch list following the recommendation from DK Canada’s The Movie Book of The Godfather, is the gangster classic, White Heat, starring James Cagney, and features that iconic line, “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!” Cagney plays Cody Jarrett, a psychopathic criminal who has a bit of…
Goodfellas (1990) – Martin Scorsese
Goodfellas is the final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Godfather. Here’s the thing, the gangster genre has never been my favourite, or even high on my list of films I enjoy. But, I remember reading the original non-fiction book written by Nicholas Pileggi back…
Once Upon a Time in America (1983) – Sergio Leone
Clocking in at almost four hours long, Leone’s cinematic adaptation of Harry Grey’s original novel is the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Godfather. Robert De Niro stars as David ‘Noodles’ Aaronson, a gangster, who after fleeing New York returns over thirty years later…
Scarface (1983) – Brian De Palma
A story of greed wiping out any trace of humanity, and the dark side of the immigrant story, Brian De Palma’s update of the classic gangster 1932 film remains a staple of the genre as I return to the Thriller & Crime section of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film. Al Pacino plays…
The Twilight Zone (1962) – One More Pallbearer, Dead Man’s Shoes, and The Hunt
My journey through the depths of The Twilight Zone continue this week, as I continue my way through Paramount Pictures’ complete series collection on blu-ray. First up is One More Pallbearer. Written by series creator and showrunner Rod Serling, this story first aired on 12 January, 1962. Dr. No himself, Joseph Wiseman plays Paul Radin,…
The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) – Frank Tashlin
The first recommendation following my screening of Jailhouse Rock for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film is the very enjoyable The Girl Can’t Help It starring the stunning Jayne Mansfield. The film follows an alcoholic PR man, Tom Miller (Tom Ewell) who used to the top of his game, and could find the…
Banshee: Season 4
The white-knuckle, pulp thriller, rollercoaster ride that is Banshee has come to a close. While it’s bittersweet that the show has come to its conclusion, there’s nothing like going out on a high note. Brutal in its violence, dark and dry in its humour, and incredibly sexy in its liaisons, the series has captivated the…
Quantum Leap (1990) -Maybe Baby and Sea Bride
Sam (Soctt Bakula) is a kidnapper? This week out time traveller is on the run in Maybe Baby. Penned by Paul and Julie Brown, who also portrays Sam’s travelling companion, and stripper, Bunny, in this episode that aired 4 April 1990. It’s 11 March, 1963, and Sam as Buster, the bouncer from Bunny’s bar, and…
Batman: The Animated Series (1997/1998) – Double Talk, Joker’s Millions and Growing Pains
Turn on the Bat-Signal, there’s more trouble in Gotham this week! With Double Talk, which aired 22 November, 1997, Arnold Wesker aka The Ventriloquist (George Dzunda) is deemed fit and healthy, he is released from Arkham, but his inner demon, voiced through his dummy, Scarface, may be trying to return! Wayne Enterprises and a…
Batman: The Animated Series (1997) – Cold Comfort, Never Fear and You Scratch My Back
Freeze (Michael Ansara) is back in the first episode of the Batman: Animated Series this week. This one aired originally on 12 October 1997. When last we saw him, he was stuck in an iceberg with his still ill and frozen wife, but now he’s back, and Batman (Kevin Conroy) and Batgirl (Tara Strong)…
