Hitchcock takes on Leon Uris’ novel Topaz in this film adaptation of the same name. It’s not quite on the level of a Tom Clancy techno-thriller, but the subject material, centring around the Cuban Missile Crisis and a Russian spy ring within the French intelligence community is pretty engaging stuff. Unfortunately, for me, it ended…
Tag: john vernon
National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) – John Landis
Ten Bad Dates With De Niro brings me this John Landis comedy classic from the late 70s for my viewing enjoyment. It tops the list of Unlikeliest Films Ever Judged ‘The Best of All Time.’ And while the film is brilliantly funny, boasts an all-star cast and has made the song Louie, Louie iconic, there…
War of the Worlds (1988) – The Walls of Jericho, and Thy Kingdom Come
The war of the worlds truly gets underway this week as the aliens attempt to cement their position on the planet, and come up with a way to survive the radiation poisoning plaguing them (by constructing creepy looking suits). The Walls of Jericho was written by Forrest Van Buren (an alias, most likely for Greg…
Point Blank (1967) – John Boorman
Lee Marvin and Angie Dickinson headline the next stop in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book as we return to the Thriller & Crime genre. Marvin is Walker, a criminal left for dead when he is double-crossed by his partners, Reese (John Vernon) and his own wife, Lynne (Sharon Acker). He sets…
Heavy Metal (1981) – Gerald Potterton
I remember seeing issues of Heavy Metal on the magazine rack when I would buy my Starlog and movie magazines growing up on CFB Kingston. I was young, I was there when I was ten and eleven, but I remember being intrigued by the covers I saw. They were appealing, fantastic art, beautiful women, and…
Batman: The Animated Series (1994) – Harlequinade, Bane and Second Chance
Gotham is in trouble again as things get underway this week with the episode Harlequinade. With an original airdate of 23 May 1994, this episode closed out the second season and saw Batman (Kevin Conroy) enlisting the help of Harley Quinn (Arleen Sorkin). Arranging to have her released from Arkham Asylum, the Dark Knight…
Batman: The Animated Series (1993/1994) – The Worry Men, Paging the Crime Doctor and House and Garden
The Mad Hatter (Roddy McDowall) is up to his mind-control tricks again this week, as he menaces Gotham and Batman (Kevin Conroy) in The Worry Men. This one aired on 16 September, 1993, and sees the Mad Hatter stowing devices inside little dolls that he has delivered to Gotham’s socialites and elite via Veronica…
Batman: The Animated Series (1993) – Shadow of the Bat Part I & II and Mudslide
Season 2 of the amazing series gets underway with a two-parter, that aired on the 13th and 14th of September, 1993. Batman (Kevin Conroy) gets some caped help when Commissioner Gordon (Bob Hastings) is arrested for corruption. Coming to her father’s aid, Barbara Gordon (Melissa Gilbert) becomes Batgirl. Gil Mason (Tim Matheson) is helping…
Batman: The Animated Series (1993) – The Man Who Killed Batman, Zatanna, and Robin’s Reckoning: Part I
Is it possible the Batman (Kevin Conroy) is dead? That’s what someone is saying in The Man Who Killed Batman. The story aired on 1 February, 1993, and followed a panicked small time hood, Sidney (Matt Frewer) who believes he has killed the Dark Knight, admittedly by accident, in a fiery explosion. A number…
Batman: The Animated Series (1992) – Fear of Victory, I’ve Got Batman in My Basement & Vendetta
The next trio of episodes from this amazing animated series aired originally on 19th and 30th of September and the 5th of October respectively. First up is Fear of Victory, which sees the series introduction of Robin/Dick Grayson (Loren Lester) joining Batman/Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy). It also sees the return of Scarecrow (Henry Polic II)…
Batman: The Animated Series (1992) – Eternal Youth & Two-Face Parts I & II
The Dark Knight (Kevin Conroy) wings into more action this week in this trio of episodes that aired on 23, 25 and 28 of September, 1992. Eternal Youth, Batman investigates a health resort that promises its clients youth and vitality. But the price is too high! When Brice Wayne gets an invite to the…
Batman: The Animated Series (1992) – Feat of Clay Parts I & II and It’s Never Too Late
More adventures this week with The Dark Knight as I dive into the next trio of episodes of the incredible animated series. These three episodes aired on the 8th, 9th and 10th of September, 1992 respectively. First up is Feat of Clay, Parts I & II, which sees a renowned actor, Matt Hagen (Ron…
