Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) – Charles Reisner & Buster Keaton

DK Books’ The Movie Book continues with the amazing films, and it was a joy to turn the page and find that the next few films would see me enjoying some of Buster Keaton’s fantastic comedic work. I’d previously only seen The General, which was a great film, and consequently, was very eager to dive…

Lord Jim (1965) – Richard Brooks

Peter O’Toole finds himself in yet another epic film, as I continue my exploration of the recommendations from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Lawrence of Arabia. Based on the novel by Joseph Conrad the film doesn’t have the same sweep and expanse that Arabia does, but it…

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) – Brett Ratner

  The Sci-Fi Chronicles book continues its travels with the X-men, but this time around the mutants aren’t guided by the sure directorial hand of Bryan Singer. Taking the helm this time around is Brett Ratner, and you can tell from the off that it doesn’t have the same emotional depth, or action beats that…

The Martian (2015) – Ridley Scott

  A fantastic book, a top-notch actor, and one of the best technical directors working, what wasn’t to like about The Martian? Clocking in at 141 minutes, my only real issue with the film was that despite the fact that it gave you the number of sols Mark Watney (Matt Damon) spent alone on Mars…

The Martian (2011) – Andy Weir

  I’ve been wanting to read this book since I heard Ridley Scott had been tapped to direct the film, and having finished it, I think he’s the perfect choice. I can’t wait to see what he does with it, and if his film will wrap me up as completely as Weir’s novel did. Despite…

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) – Ken Annakin

  The final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for a viewing of Robin Hood, is this Disney take on the book of the same name, that set the tone and style for family adventure for some time. I had never seen this film, and was quite delighted to settle…

Mysterious Island (1961) – Cy Endfield

  The Sci-Fi Chronicles book continues its exploration of the cinematic Jules Verne. I’ve previously covered the highly enjoyable Walt Disney version of 20,000 Leagues, so up next is Mysterious Island, which serves as a bit of a sequel to Leagues as it sees the appearance of Captain Nemo; this time played by Herbert Lom…

Trailer Tracks: X-Men (2000) – Bryan Singer

I’m off to see the new X-Men this evening, and thought today would be an ideal day to look back at the original trailer… Seeing it now, it feels overly long, and shows way too much…