There is an immediacy to Melanie Raabe’s debut novel, The Trap, which sees its English release this week, via House of Anansi Press here in Toronto. Translated from German the captivating tale draws the reader into the world that she has created, much as her character, author Linda Conrads, is drawn into the situations…
Tag: journalist
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – Zack Snyder
The Hero’s Code. It apparently means nothing to Batman (Ben Affleck). It apparently means nothing to Superman (Henry Cavill). And that’s troubling, because as a child, they were two of the characters I grew up with that taught me what it was. But even worse, the creative forces behind the scenes of the latest…
The Killing Circle (2008) – Andrew Pyper
I dove into another Andrew Pyper book, Lost Girls is still waiting for me, and I was a little unsure about this one to start. I mean, I like the idea, a widower, Patrick Rush, is raising his only son, Sam, his grief over his wife describing a personal pain, not unlike the protagonist in the…
The Mind Reels at TIFF 40
Sue and I were lucky enough to be invited to the TIFF press conference for this year’s look at the Canadian films being showcased in the festival’s 40th year! It looks to be an amazing season, and we got to meet and chat with some amazing people, as well as catch up with some friends,…
Niagara Integrated Film Festival 2015
Against the backdrop of wine country with the dull thrum of the falls imaginable at the farthest edge of earshot, members of the film and wine industry gather to make connections, share experiences and celebrate the finer things in life – film and a good vino. And I was fortunate enough to be invited…
My Paper Chase (2009) – Harold Evans
I was introduced, through film, to Harold Evans during this year’s Hot Doc film festival here in Toronto in the fantastic documentary Attacking The Devil: Harold Evans and the Last Nazi War Crime. I was stunned to learn about this journalist and editor, not to mention all the stories he’d been involved in over…
Magnum, p.i. (1982) – Almost Home and Heal Thyself
Almost Home, the first episode up this week for Magnum (Tom Selleck) is a great one. Written by Alan Cassidy and Rob Gilmer this one had an original airdate of 9 December, 1982. While Higgins (John Hillerman) and Agatha (Gillian Dobb) are hard at work on a float for a parade, Thomas is hired…
Doctor Who (Jon Pertwee) – Invasion of the Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs are invading London in this 6 part adventure for The Doctor (Pertwee) and Sarah-Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) that was written by Malcolm Hulke and ran from 12 January to 16 February, 1974. The TARDIS arrives back in town after their previous adventure to find the bustling city deserted, but for a few roving survivors….
Doctor Who (Jon Pertwee) – The Time Warrior
Jon Pertwee’s final season as The Doctor begins with this four-part story written by Robert Holmes which ran from 15 December 1973 to 5 January, 1974. There are a couple of noticeable changes right off the bat… there’s a new title sequence, there’s the introduction of perhaps The Doctor’s most famous companion, Sara-Jane Smith…
The Lost World (1960) – Irwin Allen
Yet another adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Challenger adventure comes under review thanks to the Sci-Fi Chronicles book, but despite having a pretty damned great cast, this one flounders, and you need look no father than the ‘ahem’ dinosaurs to know why. And while Irwin Allen made quite a name for himself in television…
Hot Docs 2015: Attacking the Devil – Harold Evans and the Last Nazi War Crime – Jacqui Morris & David Morris
Yesterday, I discovered a new hero. His name is Harold Evans. I love films about newspapers, and when they introduce me to people I should have heard of and haven’t and when they are wrapped up in amazing stories that deals with objective journalism , working to get the truth out, and working for justice…
Mirage Men (2013) – John Lundberg, Roland Denning & Kypros Kyprianou
This was an interesting documentary, based on the book by Mark Pilkington, no matter where you come down on the subject of UFOs. I like to stride the middle of the road, I really want to believe that they are out there, and they may very well have been here before. But there is…
