The Challenge (1982) – John Frankenheimer

Scott Glenn sports a truly horrific bowl cut in his first leading role, starring alongside Toshiro Mifune in the Frankenheimer-helmed The Challenge. Featuring a score by Jerry Goldsmith and a supporting cast that includes Sab Shimono and Clyde Kusatsu, the film is a pretty solid action entry though it wasn’t the film Glenn and Mifune…

Magnum P.I. – The Complete Series

After five seasons, the reimagined Magnum P.I. series has come to an end. Like I said a number of times, it wasn’t the original, it was its own thing, but tried to include nods, and tried to honor the 1980s original, but it was fun. Jay Hernandez made a great Thomas Magnum, and while some…

In Which We Serve (1942) – Noel Coward and David Lean

As I continue to explore The Movie Book from DK Canada, I find myself diving into the What Else to Watch list after the book’s recommendation of Das Boot (and who doesn’t love that movie?). Noel Coward not only stars in this film, he wrote, produced and directed it (alongside David Lean) as we follow…

Smile of the Wolf (2018) -Tim Leach

Getting its Canadian release this month from Anansi Press, Smile of the Wolf by Tim Leach is a powerful Icelandic tale set against a backdrop of ice and revenge, where honor is the only law. Kjaran is a poet, and spends winters in the homes of those who would take him and hear his songs…

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1996) – Sons of Mogh, and Bar Association

Station log: stardate 49556.2 Ronald D. Moore pens this Klingon heavy episode that first aired on 12 February, 1996. While things seem to be developing between Worf (Micheal Dorn) and Dax (Terry Farrell), trouble arrives on the station in the form of his older brother, Kurn (Tony Todd). To a Klingon, honor is everything, and…

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),…

El Cid (1961) – Anthony Mann

  The recommendations for my viewing of Henry V for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book gets underway with this towering film from Anthony Mann. Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren headline in this three-hour epic that chronicles the life and times of El Cid, known in Spain as Rodrigo Diaz (Heston), a…

Magnum, p.i. (1984) – Tran Quoc Jones and Luther Gillis: File #001

  It’s back to Paradise for the Thursday visit with Thomas and company… Up first is Tran Quoc Jones. This episode was penned by Chris Abbott and had an airdate of 29 November, 1984. The titular character, Tran Quoc Jones (Roland Harrah III), is an illegal Amerasian boy, who sells knick knacks on the streets…

Paths of Glory (1957) – Stanley Kubrick

  Kirk Douglas stars as French army Colonel Dax in this next film recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of All Quiet on the Western Front. Kubrick brings his inimitable style to bear on the Great War in this film that tells the tale of a failed…