Friday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was laid out before the exploring geek as an adventure of discovery and treasure-hunting. And it also served as a bracer for what was to come on Saturday, large crowds weaving along the pathways between booths, and the walkways that connected the North and South Building. I work…
Tag: john rhys-davies
Shogun (1980) – Disc 2
The epic mini-series adaptation of James Clavell’s novel (he also served as one of the show’s producers), Shogun continues this week, as I dive into disc two, which includes episode two and parts of episode three which originally aired on the 16th and 17th September, 1980, following the airing of the three hour premiere on…
Star Trek: Voyager (1997) – Concerning Flight, and Mortal Coil
Captain’s log: stardate 51386.4 Joe Menosky pens this episode from a story by Jimmy Diggs and Menosky. It first aired on 26 November, 1997. Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) gets to take the stage, joined by the ship’s holographic version of da Vince (John Rhys-Davies) when a group of pirates steal the Voyager’s computer core, and…
Star Trek: Voyager (1997) – Worst Case Scenario, and Scorpion
Captain’s log: stardate 50953.4 Kenneth Biller pens this episode that first debuted on 14 May, 1997, and gives the Voyager crew and the audience a “what if” scenario. A holo-program depicting a Maquis mutiny aboard the Voyager is discovered, and it seems everyone is playing it. It also leads to a really nice teaser when…
Toronto Comic Con 2019
There’s always that moment when I find the soul of a specific convention, we look into one another’s eyes, recognize one another, and embrace. This year, it was slipping into the comfortable shoes of beloved fandoms, and seeing shared passions bringing people together. Set against the backdrop of the Metro Toronto Convention Center’s South Building,…
King Solomon’s Mines (1985) – J. Lee Thompson
Cheesy lines, poor pacing, editing and uninspired action sequences that are poorly shot, and some even lifted from Raiders and the serials of the 30s weigh this film down that not even a score by Jerry Goldsmith can save. Shot back to back with its sequel Allan Quartermain and the Lost City of Gold, the…
Trailer Tracks: King Solomon’s Mines (1985) – J. Lee Thompson
In the early 80s, thanks to Raiders of the Lost Ark, the high adventure movie was seeing a huge comeback, and everyone was trying to cash in on it. And they thought it would be a great idea to bring back H. Rider Haggard’s Alllan Quartermain to the screen again. Starring Richard Chamberlain, Sharon…
Trailer Tracks: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – Steven Spielberg
One of the biggest influences on my childhood, if not my entire life, alongside Star Wars, is this homage to the adventures of yesteryear, Raiders of the Lost Ark… that music (John Williams), that cast (Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies), those stunts (Vic Armstrong)!!! Often imitated, and sequel-ized, but never matched…
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) – Peter Jackson
The last installment of Peter Jackson’s gorgeous adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved novel, The Lord of the Rings, is very welcome indeed on the 101 Action Movies list. Lord of the Rings has always been my favorite book, since I first settled in at the age of 12 and read it. I still remember…
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – Steven Spielberg
I’ve made no secret of my love for this movie on my blog, and it was a joy to revisit it for the 101 Action Movies list. This and Jaws always tend to be in my Top 5 movies of all time, and there is, for me, no other film that captures that action and…
The Mind Reels 