Star Wars: Dark Force Rising (1992) – Timothy Zahn

In 1992, Timothy Zahn took us back into the slowly expanding universe of Star Wars with the second book in his Thrawn cycle, following on the heels of the previous year’s Heir to the Empire. Continuing the story that is set five years after The Return of the Jedi, the heroes of the rebellion are…

Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon (1983) – L. Neil Smith

Lando Calrissian aboard the Millennium Falcon, with his pilot droid and friend Vuffi Raa at his side finds his way into more trouble this week in L. Neil Smith’s second book in his trio of Star Wars novels that follows the scoundrel and gambler. Lando just can’t seem to make a living as a freighter…

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) – Ron Howard

I’m very particular about my holiday specials when it comes to television and movies. My treasured titles are very select, and I get very put out when a new one is thrust upon me. I love A Charlie Brown Christmas, Emmett Otter, John Denver & The Muppets, The Muppet Family Christmas (I like my Muppets),…

Beowulf (2007) – Robert Zemeckis

I’m enjoying exploring DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book, and the current chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales is bringing me all manner of film to partake in. Today, it brings me Robert Zemeckis’ take on the epic poem Beowulf. Always a technically inovative director, Zemeckis decided to make the film with computer…

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) – Gore Verbinski

The third volume of Disney’s theme park attraction turned tentpole franchise is the next selection in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book as I explore the chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. I’ll admit this instalment in the series is a little top heavy with a convoluted plot, but as showcased in the…

The Minotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete (1960) – Silvio Amadio

DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies brings me one of the great Greek Myths, as I explore the chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. This time, it’s the story of the minotaur in this Italian film that has a number of titles associated with it, including Theseus and the Minotaur and The Minotaur. A…

Erik the Viking (1989) – Terry Jones

Monty Python alum Terry Jones writes and directs (as well as making an appearance) in the next film in DK Canada’s highly enjoyable Monsters in the Movies book as I continue to explore the chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. Tim Robbins is the titular Erik, a Viking who isn’t sure about the looting…

The Brothers Grimm (2005) – Terry Gilliam

Arguably Terry Gilliam’s most commercial film, The Brothers Grimm is the next stop as I explore Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales as portrayed in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies. The film features Heath Ledger and Matt Damon as the titular Grimm Brothers, and the always stunning (and underused) Monica Bellucci as the evil Mirror…