Ben Affleck steps into the role of CIA analyst Jack Ryan as Paramount Pictures relaunches the Tom Clancy hero, yet again, in The Sum of All Fears. They make him younger, near the beginning of his career, and his relationship with Cathy (Bridget Moynahan). Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with relaunching a…
Tag: nuclear weapon
Never Say Never Again (1983) – Irvin Kershner
Sean Connery returns to his iconic role of James Bond, in this non-canon film that is basically a beat for beat remake of the classic 007 film, Thunderball. And there’s a reason for that. Going head to head with Roger Moore’s Bond outing of Octopussy, Warner Brothers had the rights to make a 007 film…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1968) – Assignment: Earth and Spock’s Brain
Captain’s log: stardate unknown. Originally written as its own pilot, Assignment: Earth was later rewritten to work it into a Star Trek story. The script was by Art Wallace, and came from a story developed by him and Gene Roddenberry. The episode first aired on 29 March, 1968. 1968. The very year the Enterprise travels…
Batman: The Animated Series (1994) – Harlequinade, Bane and Second Chance
Gotham is in trouble again as things get underway this week with the episode Harlequinade. With an original airdate of 23 May 1994, this episode closed out the second season and saw Batman (Kevin Conroy) enlisting the help of Harley Quinn (Arleen Sorkin). Arranging to have her released from Arkham Asylum, the Dark Knight…
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) – J. Lee Thompson
After the darkness of Conquest, the final film in the original Apes series is a little more family-friendly, and is my next stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. Caesar (Roddy McDowall) is trying to keep his people safe, as he rules the apes, after the consequences of the war that was hinted at during…
Armageddon (1998) – Michael Bay
The 101 Action Movies brings us another Michael Bay cotton candy confection of entertainment featuring an extinction level event, too-rapid cutting, cardboard characters, a power ballad, an all-star cast, and a number of well-placed American flags to show how noble and amazing they are. Bruce Willis leads the cast, playing Harry Stamper an oil…
The Mind Reels 