Steve Railsback, Peter O’Toole and Barbara Hershey headline the genre-defying film, The Stuntman, that sees a fugitive finding a place to hide… on a film set. Railsback is Cameron who is on the run from the police, seen in a wonderfully extended opening sequence that lays out a whole bunch of narrative threads before tying…
Tag: opening sequence
Ghost Ship (2002) – Steve Beck
Beyond bad doesn’t even begin to describe this one. A Dark Castle original film, the plan for the company was to remake the iconic gimmick-driven films of William Castle, Ghost Ship still didn’t fare very well despite, much like its production predecessors, having a solid cast. And some of that cast, like Julianna Margulies have…
Alien: Romulus (2024) – Fede Alvarez
The Alien franchise has had its ups and downs, but the original two films, 1979’s Alien, and 1986’s Aliens, are undeniable classics that have held up and continue to entertain. The universe the films have been set in is seemingly ruled over by the tyrannical Weyland-Yutani corporation that seems to own everything or is in…
Cliffhanger (1993) – Renny Harlin
Somehow I feel this actioner from the early 90s doesn’t get enough love. In fact I think it can honestly be looked at and said it has improved with age, while some 90s action flicks should be better left forgotten. Directed by Renny Harlin, who had two big successes already at the time, Nightmare on…
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…
Saboteur (1942) – Alfred Hitchcock
Hitchcock delivers a fantastically paced thriller, that stirs in some patriotism and humour as every man Barry Kane (Robert Cummings) finds himself caught up in a conspiracy on the eve of war. Kane works in an airplane factory, and is doing his part for the blossoming war effort. But when he inadvertently helps a fellow…
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) – Blu-Ray Review
From the opening moments of Dark Fate, this does feel like the Terminator film we’ve been waiting for, because as much as the film series has been about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800, it’s also, when it’s at its best, about Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton, who returns to the series in style). Or rather, the balance of…
The Conversation (1974) – Francis Ford Coppola
Gene Hackman stars in one of the What Else to Watch list following my screening of The Lives of Others as I work my way through DK Canada’s exceptional The Movie Book. Written and directed by Coppola, the film features some very recognizable names including Harrison Ford (playing the closest he’s ever been to a…
House On Haunted Hill (1959) – William Castle
William Castle’s horror classic, House on Haunted Hill is the next film in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book as I delve deeper into the chapter on ghosts. A group of strangers are summoned by Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) to have a party for his wife, Annabelle (Carol Ohmart). The location is a house…
Avengers: Endgame (2019) – Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
***SPOILER FREE ZONE*** The super-sized issue twenty-two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe hits theaters Thursday, and superhero fans around the planet have no idea what to expect. So take a breath and enjoy that moment. No doubt by the end of opening weekend, tons of people will be spoiling the film for others (intentionally or…
The Mind Reels 