Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1996) – Hard Time, and Shattered Mirror

Station log: stardate unknown Robert Hewitt Wolfe writes the teleplay for this episode from a story by Daniel Keys Moran and Lynn Barker. It first aired on 15 April, 1996. This Miles O’Brien (Colm Meaney) story is exemplary, and stunning, The Chief tries to integrate back to station life, and deal with implanted memories of…

The Vampire Lovers (1970) -Roy Ward Baker

Hammer Films stepped up their game once they realized blood, fangs, boobs and sexuality can mix. The Vampire Lovers, which features Peter Cushing is the next stop in the vampire chapter of DK Canada’s immensely enjoyable Monsters in the Movies by legendary director John Landis. Referred to as the first film in the Karnstein trilogy,…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993) – Interface, and Gambit Part I

Captain’s log: stardate 47215.5 Airing on 4 October, 1993, Interface is a Geordi (LeVar Burton) story written by Joe Menosky. When the Enterprise’s Chief Engineer receives news of the disappearance of his mother’s, Captain Silva La Forge (Madge Sinclair), starship, it affects his current assignment of using a virtual reality probe to explore and rescue…

Doctor Who (Peter Capaldi) – Face the Raven, and Heaven Sent

Trouble comes to the TARDIS in this week’s episode, as well as heartbreak as the Time Lord (Capaldi) and his Companion, Clara (Jenna Coleman) face the raven. Written by Sarah Dollard this episode first aired on 21 November, 2015, and saw the return of Rigsy (Joivan Wade) and Ashildr (Maisie Williams). RIgsy gets in touch…

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) – Emissary

Station log: stardate 46388.2 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine debuted on 3 January, 1993, and the series creators Michael Piller and Rick Berman penned the pilot episode which was debuted as an feature length series opener. Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) is given command of Deep Space Nine (and an all new Starfleet uniform) in…

Seven Fallen Feathers (2017) – Tanya Talaga

Seven Fallen Feathers is a defining book. It is a haunting, distressing and angering discourse on racism and loss in Northern Ontario, and across Canada. Talaga, a dedicated and insightful journalist turns her investigative eye, shining it like a spotlight onto a piece of Canadian life that many of us are loathe to discuss, accept,…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992) – Hero Worship, and Violations

Captain’s log: stardate 45397.3 Airing on 27 January, 1992, this Data (Brent Spiner) episode is a little dull. And once again, it feels like the series could have done something really good if they hadn’t played it safe. Written by Joe Menosky from a story by Hilary Bader, the episode sees the Enterprise responding to…

Gods and Monsters (1998) – Bill Condon

The bio-pic, Gods and Monsters, is the next film on the What Else to Watch list, for Bride of Frankenstein, from DK Canada’s The Movie Book. The film chronicles the last days, as well as life and career of director James Whale, played brilliantly by Ian McKellen. The legendary film maker, perhaps best known for…

Billy Elliot (2000) – Stephen Daldry

The final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my viewing of West Side Story isn’t necessarily a musical, but it definitely shares the same love of dance. Billy Elliot, which has since inspired a stage musical perfectly captures joy in dance and simultaneously juxtaposes the ordinary events of day…