The next title on the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film as I return to the historical section of the book is Spielberg’s heart-wrenching, anguish filled look at the Holocaust through an adaptation of a true story. Over the course of three hours, this black and white film, with only significant and poignant uses…
Tag: heartbreaking
The Amber Spyglass (2000) – Philip Pullman
The final novel in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is on the book shelf this week, and I was curious to know if it would have the same effect on me as it did when I first read it eighteen years ago. I remembered nothing of the final half of the book after a…
Doctor Who (David Tennant) – Journey’s End, and The Next Doctor
The fourth series of the reinvigorated Doctor Who comes to a close this week with Journey’s End. It also sees Donna Noble’s (Catherine Tate) departure from the TARDIS. The conclusion was penned by Russell T. Davies and aired on 5 July, 2008. The Doctor (Tennant), Donna, Rose (Billie Piper), and Captain Jack (John Barrowman) are…
Doctor Who (David Tennant) – Forest of the Dead, and Midnight
Picking up where last week’s episode left us, Forest of the Dead is a stunning conclusion to the story, especially if you’re revisiting the series and you know who River Song (Alex Kingston) really is. Written by Steven Moffat this episode debuted on 7 June, 2008. The Vashta Nerada, shadow beings, are still stalking the…
The Twilight Zone (1962) – Showdown with Rance McGrew, Kick the Can, and A Piano in the House
Paramount Pictures has handed me the map, and I continue to explore the depths of The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series on blu-ray this week with another trio of episodes. First up is Showdown with Rance McGrew. Written by series creator Rod Serling from an idea by Frederick Louis Fox, this episode aired on 2…
The Devout (2015) – Connor Gaston
Opening at the Carlton Cinema here in Toronto is this lovingly crafted, intimate drama that is bound to move viewers even as it raises questions of belief, faith and hope. The debut effort of writer/director Connor Gaston was shot in Victoria, British Columbia. It is a beautiful film that features perfectly on point, and gently…
The Accusation (2017) – Bandi
Due out this week from Anansi Press is this beautiful collection of stories, the first fiction to come out of North Korea. They say write what you know, and while I recognise that these stories are fiction, they have their roots in the real world, and as such, give the reader a fascinating glance inside…
A Monster Calls (2011) – Patrick Ness
It’s been a long time since a book has reduced me to tears, but Ness’ powerful, and beautiful young adult books, A Monster Calls has done just that. Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd who passed before she could tell it herself, the story is a singular experience that is heartbreaking in its truth…
Quantum Leap (1990) – The Great Spontini and Rebel Without a Clue
After the heavier subject matter last week, The Great Spontini is a bit lighter fare (partially, though it does deal with a heartbreaking reality for families, divorce and custody battles) for Sam (Scott Bakula). Written by Cristy Dawson and Beverly Bridges, this episode first aired on 16 November, 1990. Sam finds himself as a magician, Harry Spontini,…
Quantum Leap (1990)- The Leap Home: Part 2 – Vietnam and Leap of Faith
Sam (Scott Bakula) finds himself still in his brother, Tom’s (David Newsom) life in the Leap Home: Part 2 – Vietnam. This intense, and yet another important piece of the Quantum Leap universe first aired 5 October, 1990, and was once again written by Bellisario. Sam is Magic, one of the SEALs in Tom’s unit…
The Mind Reels 