1929 Easter Island Rob MacGregor comes to the end of his run on the Indiana Jones novels this week, and I have to say I’m rather thankful for it, because if you thought Kingdom of the Crystal was bad you have not read this book. This one is terrible, and it doesn’t come near anything…
Tag: nazis
Saving Private Ryan (1998) – Steven Spielberg
I was stunned when I first saw Saving Private Ryan on opening day, 24 July, 1998. I had never seen war depicted so realistically, so heart-breaking, graphic, and impactful. I held onto the names of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks like a mantra through the film, to guide me through it, to make everything be…
The Pianist (2002) – Roman Polanski
The next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Schindler’s List is this film, based on the autobiography of Wladyslaw Spillman. The film sees Adrien Brody taking on the role, and going home with the Oscar for Best Actor because of it. Too right too, considering his…
Life is Beautiful (1997) – Roberto Benigni
Walking away with Oscars for Best Foreign Film, Best Original Score, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Benigni, Life is Beautiful is the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Schindler’s List. In this partly whimsical tale that touches on true humour while facing…
Rome, Open City (1945) – Roberto Rossellini
Rome, Open City, Roberto Rossellini’s first film is on the What Else to Watch list following my screening of Bicycle Thieves as I continue my exploration of DK Canada’s The Movie Book. Decidedly melodramatic the story is set in World War II Rome, and the story weaves a group of characters together, as they work…
The Sound of Music (1965) – Robert Wise
My return to the Musical chapter of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book sees me settling into Robert Wise’s multi-Oscar winning (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Editing and Best Music) adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music. Starring Julie Andrews (in an Oscar nominated performance) and…
To Have and Have Not (1944) – Howard Hawks
Bearing the loosest of resemblances to Ernest Hemingway’s novel, Howard Hawks directs Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall from a script penned by Jules Furthman and William Faulkner. DK Canada’s The Movie Book continues to bring me amazing films. This one is form the What Else to Watch list following the book’s recommendation of Casablanca. Bogart…
Cabaret (1972) – Bob Fosse
The next title on the What Else to Watch list in DK Canada’s The Movie Book, following their recommendation of Blue Angel (previously reviewed) is Bob Fosse’s 1972 Oscar winning classic. Starring Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles, the film is set in Berlin. Sally, an entertainer in a local club, is the film’s centre but…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1968) – Return to Tomorrow and Patterns of Force
Captain’s log: stardate 4768.3 Return to Tomorrow is one of those episodes that never really seem to hold my attention. Written by John T. Dugan, this story first aired on 9 February, 1968. The one thing is does have is Kirk’s (William Shatner) awesome “Risk is our business” speech. It has become iconic and emblematic…
Where Eagles Dare (1968) – Brian G. Hutton
The next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Dam Busters features a story and script by Alistair MacLean and stars Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton. Burton is Major Smith, Eastwood is Schaffer an American Ranger working with a British squad that is coming up with…
633 Squadron (1964) -Walter Grauman
Cliff Robertson leads the lucky 633 Squadron in this World War II melodrama that is the next recommendation from my screening of The Dam Busters for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. The actual aerial photography of the film is stunning, above and around England, while the rotoscope work behind the cast…
The Guns of Navarone (1961) – J. Lee Thompson
Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn bring World War II excitement to the big screen in The Guns of Navarone, a recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of The Dam Busters. Based on the novel by Alistair MacLean, and adapted by Carl Foreman, the story follows…
