Broadcast News (1987) – James L. Brooks

Holly Hunter is a treasure and she sparked in Broadcast News. She shines so wholly that she almost eclipses her co-stars Albert Brooks and William Hurt. James L. Brooks wrote and directed this Oscar-nominated film (seven of them, including best picture, actress, actor, supporting actor and didn’t take home one) that lets a love triangle…

Hill Street Blues (1984) – Fuched Again, and Low Blow

There’s trouble at the precinct and in Vegas with Fuched Again. Written by Jeffrey Lewis, David Milch, Mark Frost and Jacob Epstein from a story by Milch, Lewis and Steven Bochco this episode first aired on 22 November, 1984. While Belker (Brice Weitz) and a number of the guys are in Vegas, Furillo (Danel J….

Hill Street Blues (1984) – Fowl Play, and Bangladesh Slowly

Fowl Play opens with the reveal that Swan (Tim Robbins) took his own life after what happened at the rookie party in the previous episode, and all eyes are on Buttman (Micheal Biehn). Lucy (Betty Thomas) is determined to bust him, and Washington (Taurean Blacque) and Coffey (Ed Marinaro) are right there with him. The…

Hill Street Blues (1984) – Watt a Way to Go, and Rookie Nookie

Joyce’s (Veronica Hamel) client is about to face the electric chair unless she can find another witness to come forward and Goldblume (Joe Spano) gets violent when his ex-wife is assaulted and raped in her own apartment. Watt a Way to Go was written by David Milch and Robert Director from a story by Steven…

Hill Street Blues (1984) Eva’s Brawn, and Mayo, Hold the Pickle

Renko’s (Charles Haid) is coming up, or is it? He seems to be having second thoughts as we dive into the final episode of Hill Street Blue’s fourth season. Written by Jeffrey Lewis, David Milch, Mark Frost, and Roger Director. It came from a story by Steven Bochco, Lewis and Milch and closed out the…

Thief (1981) – Michael Mann

Michael Mann is a fantastic director. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve seen by him, but for some reason, I had never gotten around to checking out his 1981 film, Thief, starring James Caan. Featuring Mann’s iconic shooting style, gritty, neon-lit city life, the film follows Frank (Caan), a master thief who is intent on pulling one…

The Natural (1984) – Barry Levinson

Barry Levinson and Robert Redford deliver one of the all time great baseball fairytales with their adaptation of Bernard Malamud’s stirring novel of the same name. Set in a gloriously rendered version of yesteryear, the film follows Roy Hobbs (Redford) the best ball player that ever was. The film gives us this hazy beautiful look…