The Equalizer (1985) – The Children’s Song, and The Distant Fire

William Zabka is back as Robert McCall’s (Edward Woodward) son, Scott, and there’s a television debut for Bradley Whitford, Ed O’Neill shows up as a local doctor, and Dana Barron from National Lampoon’s Vacation is this week’s person in need of help from McCall’s Equalizer. The Children’s Song was written by Howard Chesley, Joel Surnow…

Shogun (1980) – Disc 4

We come to the conclusion of James Clavell’s epic Japanese tale this week (it was definitely quicker to get through the miniseries than the novel – course I was fourteen at the time) as I delve into the fourth disc of the DVD set which has the fifth and final episode. Adapted by Eric Bercovici,…

Shogun (1980) – Disc 1

Ah the late 70s and early 80s, the age of the television mini-series, an almost forgotten television event, though slowly being rediscovered by the advent of the limited series. It’s slightly different of course, because back then, there were only a few channels available, making a mini-series an event over consecutive nights. Shogun was based…

Bicycle Thieves (1948) – Vittorio De Sica

It had to happen sooner or later. Working my way through two film books at the same time, one of the titles would have to synch up… And as I continue exploring the fantastic The Movie Book from DK Canada, and delve into the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book, this is the…

The Shannara Chronicles: Season 1

Fantasy television series always have a hard time proving themselves on television. For every Game of Thrones or Xena: Warrior Princess, there’s a Wizards and Warriors or Covington Cross. While television viewers are happy to welcome superheroes and aliens into their living rooms on weekly basis, elves, dwarves and trolls have had a tougher time…

Magnum, p.i. (1981) – The Sixth Position and Ghost Writer

  Oh Hawaii… This week Thomas (Tom Selleck) deals with ballerinas, and writers… First up is The Sixth Position which originally aired 17 December, 1981, and was written by Babs Greyhosky. Thomas is hired to serve as the bodyguard for a ballerina, Kendall Chase (Andrea Marcovicci), someone T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) is a huge fan…