Outland (1981) – Peter Hyams

Peter Hyams writes and directs this galactic update of the classic western, High Noon, that sees Sean Connery stepping into the Gary Cooper role of a lone marshall awaiting the arrival of men who are coming to kill him. With a visual look that seems to marry it with the universe of Alien (aided by…

Explorers (1985) – Joe Dante

The next film in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies, as it guides me through the interstellar reaches of space exploration with its chapter on Alien Monsters, is Joe Dante’s Explorers. Starring River Phoenix, Ethan Hawke, Jason Presson with appearances by Amanda Peterson, and James Cromwell, and featuring Dante regulars Robert Picardo and Dick Miller,…

Leviathan (1989) – George Cosmatos

The first of the underwater movies to be released in 1989, Leviathan, a fun little creature feature with monster work Stan Winston, is the next film in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies for my viewing pleasure. Shooting dry for wet,as opposed to James Cameron’s exemplary The Abyss, the film follows a crew of deep-sea…

Legend (1985) – Ridley Scott

Monsters in the Movies, the fantastic book by director John Landis from DK Canada moves on to the next chapter. Leaving mummies behind, I know turn my attention to Myths, Legends, and Fairy Tales, a widely populated region and I couldn’t think of a better place to start with it than Ridley Scott’s dreamlike take…

Patton (1970) – Franklin J. Schaffner

George C. Scott’s Oscar winning turn as controversial military commander, General George S. Patton is my next stop as I explore the recommendations from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Movie book following my screening of Saving Private Ryan. Based on a history of Patton as well as Omar Bradley’s (portrayed by Karl Malden…

Mulan (1998) – Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft

The next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Lion King is this exceptional tale from Disney that brought a story little known to the North American world. This Disney version of an ancient Chinese folktale tells the story of a young woman, Mulan (Ming-Na Wen…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) – Encounter at Farpoint

Captain’s log: stardate 41153.7 Set decades (78 years altogether) after the events of Kirk and company, Star Trek: The Next Generation first aired on 28 September, 1987. Launching us into the 24th century, a script by series creator Gene Roddenberry and D.C. Fontana introduced us to an all new U.S.S. Enterprise, a Galaxy-class starship, and…

The Twilight Zone (1961) – Back There, The Whole Truth and The Invaders

Paramount Pictures makes sure that you know the signpost is up ahead as they continue shepherding me through The Complete Series on blu-ray. Up first this week is Back There. With an airdate of 13 January, 1961, this episode was penned by Rod Serling.  The story follows Russell Johnson’s (back for another tour) Pete Corrigan….

The Sand Pebbles (1966) – Robert Wise

Robert Wise directs Steve McQueen, Mako, Candice Bergen, Richard Attenborough, James Hong, and Richard Crenna in this adaptation of Richard McKenna’s novel, and my next port of call in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Lawrence of Arabia. McQueen is Jake Holman who has just been assigned to…