Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Brendan Gleeson and Bill Paxton star in this fun sci-fi action film that plays like an alien war version of Groundhog Day. Cruise stars as Cage, a major in the American army, working as a media adviser, following the beginnings of an alien attack that has taken over most of Europe….
Tag: soldier
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2011) – Carnage of Krell, Kidnapped, and Slaves of the Republic
“Our actions define our legacy.” The story arc of Jedi Master Krell (Dave Dennoy) comes to a conclusion this week with this episode penned by Matt Michnovetz. It originally aired on 18 November, 2011. Captain Rex (Dee Bradley Baker) and the rest of the 501st are shocked at Krell’s orders to execute Fives (Baker) and…
War of the Worlds (1989) – The Second Wave, and No Direction Home
The second season premiere of War of the Worlds happened on 2 October, 1989 and was written by Micheal Michaelian and Jonathan Glasser from a story by Michaelian. The differences are noticeable right from the off, a new theme and opening credits sequence sets up the seemingly post-apocalyptic nature of the ‘almost tomorrow’ timeline. To…
Ashes and Diamonds (1958) – Andrzej Wajda
Post War Poland is the setting for the next big title in DK Canada’s The Movie Book, as I delve into Ashes and Diamonds from director Andrzej Wajda. Marrying a love story with a post-war thriller, and mixing in some drama, this film is a fantastically made film that delves into the horrors of war…
Dead Man’s Shoes (2004) – Shane Meadows
Director Shane Meadows and star Paddy Considine wrote this script together that is the last recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Point Blank. Considine is Richard, a soldier returning to his home town. But this homecoming isn’t one of joy, it is with a singular purpose….
Quantum Leap (1993) – The Beast Within and The Leap Between the States
Sam (Scott Bakula) finds himself in rural Washington state on 6 November, 1972. Despite the fact that he is mistaken for bigfoot in the episode’s opener, we soon learn he’s a Vietnam vet, named Henry, who has been living in the woods. The Beast Within was written by John D’Aquino, who previously played Frank in…
The Red Badge of Courage (1951) – John Huston
We delve back into the war section of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book, and the next big title there, is John Huston’s adaptation of Stephen Crane’s novel, that follows a young, Union soldier, Henry Fleming (Audie Murphy) also known as The Youth, as he struggles with his fear, and the…
Radio On (1979) – Chris Petit
The recommendations from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book continue with the road movies following my screening of Easy Rider. This time out, we take on the British road movie with this black and white drama from 1979. Robert (David Beames) is a radio announcer, who gets new tapes of cool…
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972) – Luis Bunuel
The next recommendation from Great Movies – 100 Years of Film for my screening of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, is this increasingly surreal French film. Three couples seem to have insurmountable problems in getting together for a dinner party. Amorous couple, the Senechals, Alice (Stephane Audran) and Henri (Jean-Pierre Cassel),…
2014 Toronto Screenwriting Conference
Wow. Sue and I were fortunate enough to be able to cover the Toronto Screenwriting Conference last year (and learned tons to apply to our own creative writing) and were delighted to be invited back again this year to sit in on it again. With the amazing guest line-up and the fact that everything we…
Sherlock S03E02 – The Sign of Three
Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Watson (Martin Freeman) returned Sunday eve for the 2nd episode in the always too short 3 episode seasons of BBC’s fantastic series Sherlock. Steve Thompson, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat penned this week’s episode, which sees John Watson marrying Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington), and puts Sherlock in the uncomfortable position…
An Italian Straw Hat (1928) – Rene Clair
The Great Movies – 100 Years of Film brings me the next recommendation from The General. This time, it’s a light-hearted affair with running gags, a gentle sense of humor, and a happy ending for almost all involved. Fadinard (Albert Prejean) is on his way to meet his bride, Helene (Marise Maia), when, while recovering his dropped…
