While I’m waiting to get my hands on the new West Wing book, this one popped up in my book recommendations, and I figured why not. A fun memoir written by Obama’s former Deputy Chief of Staff, Alyssa Mastromonaco, what’s not to like? I flew through this one, it was an absolutely engaging read that…
Tag: memoir
You Never Know (2024) – Tom Selleck with Ellis Henican
I’ve always enjoyed Tom Selleck as an actor, Magnum is one of my all-time favourite shows, and I’ve enjoyed his turns as Jesse Stone, loved him Three Men and a Baby, delighted in his appearance on Friends, and have a soft spot for High Road to China, and Runaway. I’ve yet to start Blue Bloods,…
Being Henry: The Fonz and Beyond (2023) – Henry Winkler
I was lucky enough to meet Henry Winkler once at one of Toronto’s Fan Expo, and he was as friendly and charming as I would have wanted him to be. And I didn’t get to tell him, but when I was a kid, living in CFB North Bay, I would ride my little yellow banana…
Making It So (2023) – Patrick Stewart
Whether Patrick Stewart knows it or not (I’m fairly sure he doesn’t) he’s been an essential part of my life since my formative teen years. He’s always been there in some form or another, and he’s helped me through a lot of tough times. A story he and his fellow castmates of that super popular…
Empire of the Sun (1987) – Steven Spielberg
Spielberg’s next project was an adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s memoir of his time as a boy growing up in Japanese occupied China during World War II. Christian Bale, in one of his earliest roles, plays young Jamie Graham, an arrogant young English boy who is fascinated by planes, and whose life is upended in the…
House (1985) – Steven Miner
Directed by Steve Miner, who gave us Friday the 13th Parts 2 and 3, and Sean S. Cunningham who gave us the first film, and was the producer for its sequels, gives us a different kind of horror (tinged with comedy) starring William Katt and George Wendt, and while there’s an interesting concept here, a…
The Secret of Chimneys (1925) – Agatha Christie
Christie’s fifth novel is a bit of a romp filled with double identities, a murder, political issues, an empty throne, a renowned criminal, a love story, a missing diamond, and a week away at a manor known as Chimneys. We are introduced to Anthony Cade when he is working as a travel guide in Africa,…
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…
Life Itself (2014) – Steve James
Releasing today from Magnolia Home Entertainment is this fantastic documentary about Roger Ebert, renowned film lover and critic. Put together by director Steve James, and using Ebert’s own memoirs and interviews, the film takes us into a life that will be tied with film and the love of cinema forever. I could sit…
An Evening with CSM
William B. Davis. Cigarette Smoking Man. Canadian Actor and Legend was in town last night to promote his memoir… Where There’s Smoke… Held in an intmiate setting at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom on Queen Street West and part of the “This Is Not Reading Series” the event was moderated by CTV film critic Richard Crouse….
The Mind Reels 