John Woo got the band back together for A Better Tomorrow II. Ho (Lung Ti) is offered an early parole if he helps investigate his former mentor, Lung Si (Dean Shek). He turns it down, until he learns his brother, Kit (Leslie Cheung), a police officer is involved in the investigation. Ho doesn’t believe Si…
Tag: mentor
TIFF 25: Kokuho dir. Lee-Sang Il
Kokuho is an epic tale, a decades-long story that takes us inside the world of kabuki, and features some outstanding performances. Kikuo (Ryo Yoshizawa) has always had a talent as an onnagata. These are the female characters in kanubi shows, all played by men. He’s taken in by Hanjiro Hanai (Ken Watanabe!!), who will serve…
TIFF 25: The Eyes of Ghana dir. Ben Proudfoot
Oscar winner filmmaker Ben Proudfoot turns the objective eye of the camera on the powerful story of Chris Hesse. A man of the cloth, Hesse was once a filmmaker and cinematographer in his home country of Ghana. He was with Ghana’s first president, Kwarme Nkrumah, from his inauguration to the coup that removed him from…
Northern Exposure (1994) – Zarya, and Full Upright Position
Through the magic of Ed’s (Darren E. Burrows) film making, and Marilyn’s (Elaine Miles) storytelling we get a look at a legend of Cicely. Set in the 1900s, the regular cast take on other but familiar roles as Marilyn relates a tale of how the Romanovs came to Alaska. Written by Diane Frolov and Andrew…
Stargate SG-1 (2002) – Allegiance, and Cure
At Stargate Command’s Alpha Site, problems are arising between the free Jaffa, Earth, and some newly arrived Tok’ra. Tensions that are raised when a naquadria bomb is discovered and suspects start dropping like flies. Written and directed by Peter DeLuise, no time for a cameo though, this episode was first broadcast on 9 August, 2002….
The First Omen (2024) – Arkasha Stevenson
As much as I love Sam Neill as the Antichrist in The Final Conflict, and my first introduction to the series with the novelization of Damien: The Omen II, The First Omen has taken its place as my second favorite in the franchise. Working to tie itself into the original film directed by Dick Donner…
Magnum P.I. (2019) – Black is the Widow, and A Kiss Before Dying
Magnum (Jay Hernandez) is on the hunt for a murderer who may be using a dating app to find targets. Black is the Widow was written by Neil Tolkin and first aired on 4 March, 2019. Karen McDowell (Gia Mantegna) hires Magnum to investigate the death of her father, who was killed during a carjacking….
Whiplash (2014) – Damien Chazelle
I am well aware that I’m playing catch-up on this title, but I knew this one would have to be one that I was ready and in the mood for, and wow, a fantastic film. The first half of the film is a huge stress-watch for me, but what an amazing ride and one that…
Road House (1989) – Rowdy Herrington
Patrick Swayze plays Dalton, a lethal but zen bouncer in the cult-favorite, Road House, which also features the famed blind Canadian guitarist Jeff Healey as the bar band of the Double Deuce. Dalton is hired by Tilghman (Kevin Tighe) to help change his bar, the Double Deuce, into something a little more profitable. It has…
Hill Street Blues (1983) – Moon Over Uranus: The Final Legacy, and The Belles of St. Mary’s
The precinct has a lot going on this week in Moon Over Uranus: The Final Legacy. Written by Anthony Yerkovich, Jeffrey Lewis, Michael Wagner, and David Milch from a story by Phil Combest, Steven Bochco, and Lewis, it first aired on 10 February, 1983. While Ray (Rene Enriquez) tries out a new toupee in an…
The Mind Reels 