Gotcha! (1985) – Jeff Kanew

I remember greatly enjoying Gotcha! when I rented it on video back in the day. And though it’s always been floating round in the back of my mind, I haven’t watched it since… until now. And let me tell you, this one stands up. There’s a couple of things that don’t stand the test of…

Northern Exposure (1992) – Do the Right Thing, and Crime and Punishment

David Hemmings guest stars as Viktor Bobrov, a former Russian agent who arrives in Cicely, looking for a bargain on countless items, including the KGB file on Maurice Minnifield (Barry Corbin). Do the Right Thing was written by Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, this episode was first broadcast on 30 November, 1992. The file seems…

Gorky Park (1983) – Michael Apted

I remember seeing the book cover for Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith everywhere in the early 80s. I suppose had I wanted to I could have read it then. My parents were pretty liberal with letting me read whatever I wanted, and I had just started delving into mysteries, I read a couple of…

Atomic Blonde (2017) – David Leitch

Charlize Theron is here to kick ass in Atomic Blonde and she does, and does it well. Based on the graphic novel The Coldest City, Atomic Blonde is a spy-thriller that features some solid stunt and fight work, the majority of which Theron, much like Keanu Reeves for John Wick did as much of as…

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015) – Guy Ritchie

Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of the classic 60s series The Man From U.N.C.L.E., which serves as a bit of an origin story for the series characters is uneven at best. What could have launched a fun franchise, that wouldn’t equal Mission: Impossible, but could have been a delightful theatrical tentpole fumbles as it proves unable to…

The Equalizer (1987) – Mission: McCall: Part 2, and Shadow Play

Edward Woodward’s recovery from his heart attack between seasons necessitated the creation of a story that would cover his absence while he recovered. Mission: McCall: Part 2, is the second half of the storyline to explain his absence. Written by Ed Waters, Scott Shepherd and Robert Eisele from a story by Waters and Coleman Luck,…

The Equalizer (1987) – Beyond Control, and Carnal Persuasion

McCall (Edward Woodward) and Mickey (Keith Szarabajka) find themselves back in the spy game in Beyond Control. Written by Coleman Luck it first aired on 14 January, 1987. Control (Robert Lansing) comes to McCall when a KGB mole is killed. To protect names, sources, and plans within plans Control has to work outside the Company…

The Equalizer (1986) – Tip on a Sure Thing, and The Cup

McCall (Edward Woodward) with friend Sonny (Cleavant Derricks) at his side, discovers the seedy underbelly of bookies and off-track betting in Tip on a Sure Thing. Written by Scott Shepherd, it first aired on 3 December, 1986. A horse named Not a Quitter and his jockey, Luis Rivera (Daniel Faraldo) is the lock to win…