The next section of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book is Historical, with the first one being this epic-sized film, running three hours, that interweaves four stories through the ages. This is a lavishly produced, but lumbering film that was one of the first films that seemed like a real trial…
Tag: prison
Men In Black 3 (2012) – Barry Sonnenfeld
For a film based on a rather dark comic property, these films tend to be light and fun and mindless popcorn entertainment, when they work. The third outing, feels way overdue, but I settled in, finally to take a look at the third installment of the franchise. K (Tommy Lee Jones) is in trouble (and…
Hot Docs 2014: The Condemned (Nick Read)
Screening one final time today, is this harrowing look inside a Russian maximum security prison, housing 260 murderers. Set in a forest the size of Germany (!), that takes seven hours to reach from the nearest city, this prison, Penal Colony No. 56, is the modern gulag, and for the first time, a documentary crew…
Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982) – Legends Are Forever & Escape From Death Island
Jake Cutter (Stephen Collins) flies into danger in this week’s installment of the Bellisario gem, Tales of the Gold Monkey. The first episode, Legends Are Forever, aired 20 October, 1982 and saw the introduction of an old flying buddy of Jake’s, the legend seeking Gandy Dancer (William Lucking). It was penned by Bellisario, Reuben Leder…
Muppets: Most Wanted (2014) – James Bobin
Every now and then, when I find things aren’t going as well as they could, a dose of nostalgia tends to help me get back on track. One of the things I most love from my childhood, is The Muppets. It doesn’t seem to matter how old I get, those bunch of lovable pieces of…
Doctor Who (William Hartnell) – The Reign of Terror
“Have you met the French?” The final story of the first season of Doctor Who was written by Dennis Spooner and aired its six parts from 8 August to 12 September, 1964. The TARDIS arrives back on Earth, and The Doctor (Hartnell) seems eager to finally be rid of Ian Chesterton (William Russell) and Barbara…
The Rockford Files (1974) – Caledonia – It’s Worth a Fortune!
This week, Jim Rockford (James Garner) becomes a bit of a treasure hunter in this episode written by Juanita Bartlett from a story by Roy Huggins. The phone gag is a doctor who leaves a message for Jim about the fact that he’s got broken bones in his hand, and is wondering if he…
Battlestar Galactica (1978) – The Lost Warrior & The Long Patrol
This week’s Battlestar Galactica sees two stand alone episodes before we plunge into another two parter. The art used to illustrate this installment of the Bellasrio & Cannell comes from Ralph McQuarrie’s preproduction art and book cover art from the episode’s novel adaption by David Shleinkofer. First up is The Lost Warrior, which aired October 8,…
Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes) (1997) – Alejandro Amenabar
Reimagined as Vanilla Sky in North America, the original film is a wonderfully crafted imagining and a welcome addition to the 101 Sci-Fi Movies list. Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) is rich, handsome, and a bit of a womanizer. When he has problems ditching his latest fling Nuria (Najwa Nimri), he chats up Sofia (Penelope Cruz) the potential…
Con Air (1997) – Simon West
The third of Nic Cage’s action trio from the late 90s makes its appearance on the 101 Action Movies list in this film directed by Simon West. Cage plays retired Ranger Cameron Po, who after his service is eager to rejoin his newly pregnant wife (Monica Potter) to raise their child together. On their…
The Mind Reels 