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…
Tag: shot
Hill Street Blues (1981) – Hill Street Station, and Presidential Fever
When I was a teen every time I came across Hill Street Blues I would find myself stopping to watch it, and would even set the VCR to record it (when I remembered to). I always found it interesting in the way that it worked to show the police officers of the Hill Street precinct…
The Last of the Mohicans (1992) – Michael Mann
People will rave about Heat, or Collateral Damage, cult fans will cite The Keep, but Mann’s adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic novel, The Last of the Mohicans, is my favorite of his films. Taking home the Oscar for Best Sound, Mann’s film is lush, detailed, and an epic retelling of a beloved novel. Daniel…
M*A*S*H (1975/1976) – The Price of Tomato Juice, Dear Ma, and Der Tag
Gene Reynolds and series developer Larry Gelbart penned The Price of Tomato Juice that first aired on 16 Decemember, 1975. When Radar (Gary Burghoff) shares his tomato juice with Colonel Potter (Harry Morgan), the colonel recalls how much he enjoys it, but its actually a rarity at the front, so Radar decides they should get…
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Frank Darabont
If there is a near perfect drama film for me, it is the next recommendation in DK Canada’s The Movie Book, The Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont, who wrote the screenplay as well, basing it on the short story by Stephen King. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman headline at the iconic King-universe prison, Shawshank,…
Miami Vice (1984) – Calderone’s Return Part I & II
This two parter sees the threat of the pilot episode come back to wreak revenge on Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Micheal Thomas). The first episode, originally aired as The Hit List was written by Joel Surnow, and first broadcast on 19 October, 1984. Sonny is due in court for a divorce…
Taxi Driver (1976) – Martin Scorsese
Out of all of Scorsese’s work, I think Taxi Driver, the next stop on the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book as I return to the Thriller genre, is my favourite. It also features one of my top performances by Robert De Niro. Much has been said and written about Taxi Driver since…
Quantum Leap (1993) – Liberation and Dr. Ruth
Sam (Scott Bakula) finds himsef in the form of a women’s lib protester, Margaret Sanders on 16 October, 1968. Liberation was written by Deborah Pratt and Chris Abbott, and aired on 12 January, 1993. According to Al (Dean Stockwell), Sam has a lot on his plate this leap, as he has to save the leader…
Quantum Leap (1991) – Heart of a Champion, and Nuclear Family
Sam is one part of a wrestling team, when he leaps into Terry Sammis in Heart of a Champion. With an airdate of 8 May, 1991, Sam finds himself in all manner of trouble in this script by Tommy Thompson. It’s 23 July, 1955 and Terry and his brother Ronny (Jerry Bossard) are professional wrestlers,…
Magnum, p.i. (1987) – Limbo and Infinity and Jelly Doughnuts
Originally meant to be the final episode of the series, before they were picked up for a shortened 8th season, this week’s trip to Hawaii has a sense of finality to it. Limbo was written by Jay Huguely, Bruce Cervi and Chris Abbott from a story by Chas. Floyd Johnson and Tom Selleck. It…
The Mind Reels 