Damian Lewis narrates text by George Orwell, as director Raoul Peck profoundly demonstrates that we as a society, and a planet, are living smack dab in the middle of Orwell’s 1984. Intercutting with the various adaptations of 1984 and Animal Farm, Peck includes documentary and news footage charting the new rise of fascism, authoritarianism, and…
Tag: narration
Guns Akimbo (2019) – Jason Howden
Frenetic. Kinetic. and often hilarious, Guns Akimbo is an ultra-violent, gory action comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe and Samara Weaving. Radcliffe, trotting out an American accent for the role, plays Miles. He professionally baits online trolls but when he finds an online fight club that has thousands of viewers across the web, he may have stumbled…
I Saw the TV Glow (2024) – Jane Schoebrun
I Saw the TV Glow is a a fantastic tale of how we relate to pop culture, as well as how we as individuals identify, and the restrictions put upon us by our environment who won’t let us become who we are. While not for everyone, I found this film thought-provoking, wonderfully crafted and an…
The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) – William A. Fraker
There are a few things to redeem the 1981 iteration of the Lone Ranger story, it has a score by John Barry, and features Christopher Lloyd as the film’s baddie. But beyond that, this one is pretty horrible. The story, while violent, isn’t layered, sophisticated or much stronger than a grade-school tale. And that’s to…
Ad Astra (2019) – James Gray
James Gray delivers one of the most authentic looks at space travel since Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, throw in a little of Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and you have the basic groundwork for this science fiction drama that sees astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) travelling to the outer reaches of our solar system, all…
Batman (1966) – The Clock King’s Crazy Crimes, and The Clock King Gets Crowned
We get a great window cameo (Hey! It’s Sammy Davis Jr.!) to an introduction to a new baddie, The Clock King (Walter Slezak), Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) have their hands full in this two-parter written by Bill Finger and Charles Sinclair. The first episode, The Clock King’s Crazy Crimes first aired on…
Batman (1966) – Zelda the Great, and A Death Worse Than Fate
Zelda the Great is the first episode of the Batman series to introduce a female villain, but Catwoman does get name-checked here. Written by Lorenzo Semple Jr, and featuring William Dozier’s fantastic narration, this episode first debuted on 9 February, 1966. While Bruce Wayne (Adam West) and his young ward, Dick Grayson (Burt Ward) are…
Batman (1966) – Instant Freeze, and Rats Like Cheese
Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) have their work cut out for them when Dr. Shivel (George Sanders) aka Mr. Freeze returns to Gotham in Instant Freeze. Written by Max Hodge, this episode first debuted on 2 February, 1966. Batman is a little bothered by Freeze’s return to Gotham, not only because of the…
Batman (1966) – The Joker is Wild, and Batman is Riled
Robert Dozier pens this week’s episode that introduced Joker (Cesar Romero) to viewers on 26 January, 1966. Joker literally springs himself from Gotham Prison and is intent on turning to his life of crime forthwith, unfortunately, he didn’t count (again) on the alter egos of Bruce Wayne (Adam West) and Dick Grayson (Burt Ward)… Batman…
TIFF ’22: Good Night Oppy
I love documentaries about space exploration, the sense of discovery, wonder and hope that permeates them, and humanity when we set our sights on a goal. Director Ryan White understands those feelings and shares them, and guides us on a fantastic journey to the planet Mars. In 2003, two rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, were launched…
The Mind Reels 