My time with the films of James Cameron for the Sci-Fi Chronicles book comes to an end with this film that he penned the script for, and gave to the incredibly talented Kathryn Bigelow to direct. Ralph Fiennes stars as Lenny Nero, a former cop turned street hustler, with a charming side that can sell…
Tag: racism
Alien Nation (1988) – Graham Baker
Before District 9, Earth took in the Newcomers, and as they attempted to fit into our society, despite racism, prejudice, and simple confusion in customs, a pair of cops, one human, one newcomer, try to work together. This one is the next stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles as I spend some more time with James…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966) -The Conscience of the King and Balance of Terror
Captain’s Log: Stardate 2817.6 The Conscience of the King, taken from a line in Hamlet (the series has a wonderful relationship with the Bard), was a bit of a murder mystery that didn’t quite engage with me when I was younger, but has grown on me since. Written by Barry Trivers, this had an original…
Quantum Leap (1990) – Pool Hall Blues and Leaping in Without a Net
Sam (Scott Bakula) ends up shooting some stick in this week’s episode to save a young woman’s bar. Pool Hall Blues was penned by Randy Holland and originally aired on 14 March 1990. It’s 4 September, 1954 and Sam has leaped into Charlie “Black Magic” Walters, who, we learn, taught Al (Dean Stockwell) in…
Do the Right Thing (1989) – Spike Lee
Writer/director Spike Lee’s powerful drama is the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of American Beauty. A powerhouse cast brings a multi-cultural street in Brooklyn to life on the hottest day of the year, as the heat builds so does the tension as hate, racism…
District 9 (2009) – Neill Blomkamp
So the Neill Blomkamp is next up in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book (I am loving this thing) with his first feature film, District 9, that was produced by Peter Jackson. As a commentary on race, apartheid, and just how badly we as a species can exploit and hurt others, District 9 may be more…
My Paper Chase (2009) – Harold Evans
I was introduced, through film, to Harold Evans during this year’s Hot Doc film festival here in Toronto in the fantastic documentary Attacking The Devil: Harold Evans and the Last Nazi War Crime. I was stunned to learn about this journalist and editor, not to mention all the stories he’d been involved in over…
X-Men (2000) – Bryan Singer
The 101 Action Movies returns to the comic book genre with this great flick by Bryan Singer. Featuring an all-star cast the legendary and iconic X-Men characters made an incredibly successful jump to the big screen. I remember when I first saw this one, my friend Dennis was very eager to see it, he’d…
Race – David Mamet – A Canadian Stage Production
When I first found out that Jason Priestley was going to be returning to the stage in a David Mamet play, I was intrigued. When I found out that Canadian Stage was bringing it to Toronto, I was excited. But after I saw the NOW Talks presentation with Priestley wherein the play was discussed…
