The X-Files (2002) – Providence, and Audrey Pauley

Series creator Chris Carter directs this episode, Providence, that he co-wrote with Frank Spotnitz, that concludes the story begun next week, while pushing the mythology arc forward with the super-soldiers, baby William and the UFO cult that wants him. First airing on 10 March, 2002, the cult, who believes that the ship they have uncovered,…

Mission: Impossible (1968) – Recovery, and The Heir Apparent

It’s time for another Mission: Impossible, as I come to the end of season two in my exploration of The Complete Series on blu-ray, now available from Paramount Pictures. The final episode of season two, Recovery, was written by William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter, and it first aired on 17 March, 1968. Phelps (Peter…

Confess, Fletch (1976)- Gregory McDonald

The second Fletch book (written, not chonronlogically within its universe) sees the former investigative reporter flying into Boston from Italy. He’s there to track fown some stolen paintings for the De Grassi family, whose daughter he claims to be engaged to. He’s also planning on working on a book about a famed American artist. On…

Pickup on South Street (1953) – Samuel Fuller

Jean Peters sizzles in this spy/crime film noir that is another film mentioned in Philip Kemp’s Movies book. It also falls into the category of how had I never heard of this film before? As it ticks a lot of my boxes, spies, film noir… it’s a corker! Candy (Peters) is on the subway, and…

Scent of a Woman (1992) – Martin Brest

Ten Bad Dates With De Niro lets me dive into some Al Pacino films, movies where he gets shouty, and the first one I get to rewatch that I haven’t previously covered for the blog is this film from 1992, and just seeing the poster art sends me back. I was just getting into the…

Star Trek: Voyager (2000) – Critical Care, and Inside Man

Captain’s log: stardate unknown James Khan pens this Doctor (Robert Picardo) episode from a story by Kenneth Biller and Robert Doherty. It debuted on 1 November, 2000, and has a story with a very familiar theme to it. The concept of privatisation of health care and better service for those who can afford it (or…

Goliath and the Dragon (1960) – Vitorrio Cottafavi

I move to Italy for the next film in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book as I explore the chapter on Dragons & Dinosaurs. Dubbed in English to reach the North American audience, this Italian sword and sandal (and sorcery) ‘epic’ follows Goliath (Mark Forest) who has his hands full as we join him…

War of the Worlds (1988) – To Heal the Leper, and The Good Samaritan

The battle continues, and one has to wonder how badly Earth is losing to the Morthren… To Heal the Leper is the first episode this week. It was written by David Tynan, and first broadcast on 21 November, 1988 (by which time, I had already recorded Harrison Blackwood’s (Jared Martin) intro and the opening theme…

Black House (2001) – Stephen King & Peter Straub

Back in 1984, Stephen King and Peter Straub paired up to craft a titanic fantasy novel known as The Talisman. Seventeen years later they paired up again to create a sequel to the tale that brought (Travelin’) Jack Sawyer back into the lives of readers. It’s some twenty odd years later, Jack Sawyer is 31,…