Bruce Dern, Karen Black, William Devane, Ed Lauter and Barbara Harris star in Alfred Hitchcock’s Family Plot. And while not one of the director’s best, there are some fun moments and ideas in the film. The story follows two separate couples, both who work in shades of grey. Bruce Dern is George a taxi driver…
Tag: ransom
Thunderball (1961) – Ian Fleming
The ninth book, and eighth full novel,in Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 series is up this week. And this one is a bit of a special case. It was originally concocted as a screenplay, and early editions gave sole credit to Fleming, whereas future editions, much like the film(s) that would later be developed from…
Q (1982) – Larry Cohen
The next title from the Dragons & Dinosaurs chapter in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book is one I remember from my youth, not because I saw, but because I didn’t but the poster fascinated me. Of course, if the special effects were on par with the artwork of the poster this would have…
Star Trek: Voyager (1999) – Equinox: Part II, and Survival Instinct
Captain’s log: stardate unknown Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky pen the season opener from a story they created alongside Rick Berman, which concludes the Equinox story line. It opened the sixth season on 22 September, 1999. Intent on revenge, Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) pursues the Equinox, intent on putting a stop to Ransom (John Savage)….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2009) – Dooku Captured, The Gungan General, and Jedi Crash
“The winding path to peace is always a worthy one, regardless of how many turns it takes.” Julie Siege, Scott Murphy and Henry Gilroy pen this episode, Dooku Captured, that first aired on 2 January, 2009. Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor) go after Count Dooku (Corey Burton), with an elaborate…
Moonlighting (1985) – The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice, and My Fair David
Orson Welles, to whom the first episode this week is dedicated, makes his final television appearance as he introduces this unique episode of Moonlighting. Written by Debra Frank and Carl Sautter, the episode debuted on 15 October, 1985, and about twelve minutes into it, transitions to black and white. David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill…
Fargo (1996) – Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
The next big title in DK Canada’s very enjoyable The Movie Book is the Coen Brothers’ classic, Fargo. Supposedly based on a true story, it’s not, the film follows the inept kidnapping and subsequent murder all organized by a car salesman, Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy). It seems Lundegaard is in a bit of financial…
Batman: The Animated Series (1994) – Harley’s Holiday, Make ‘Em Laugh and Batgirl Returns
It’s Tuesday, must be time to check in with the Dark Knight (Kevin Conroy) in Gotham with the next trio of episodes! First up is Harley’s Holiday, which aired 15 October, 1994. Harley Quinn (Arleen Sorkin) is released from Arkham Asylum, and seems to get into a huge load of trouble in record time….
Magnum, p.i. (1986) – Kapu and Missing Melody
Thomas (Tom Selleck) finds himself on the forbidden island of Kapu in the first episode ip this week. It was written by Deborah Dean Davis, and had an original airdate of 26 November, 1986. While attempting to serve some papers, Thomas comes to the aid of a young Hawaiian woman, Alealea (Deborah Calbero), saving…
Magnum, p.i. (1985) – Old Acquaintance and The Kona Winds
There’s a bit of noir, and a bit of a fun ride, in this week’s installment of Magnum… First up is Old Acquaintance, written by Jill Donner, this episode had an airdate of 3 October, 1985, and may have heavily influenced the writers of Ace Ventura… Thomas (Tom Selleck) is delighted to hear from…
The A-Team (1983) – The Beast From the Belly of a Boeing and A Nice Place to Visit
And just like that, we reach the end of season 1 with these two episodes. First up is The Beast From the Belly of a Boeing. This one was written by Patrick Hasburgh, and aired 3 May, 1983. A group of terrorists, led by Jackson (Andrew Robinson) and whose men include Xander Berkeley and…
The Big Lebowski (1998) – The Coen Brothers
The next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of Raging Bull (as a sports movie) is one of my all time favorite comedies, and one I quote almost as often as Ghostbusters and Back to the Future. Sports, in the form of bowling, is involved peripherally…