I’ve always enjoyed Tony Scott films. I like his editing, camera and visual style. Constant movement, saturated colors, and tight pacing. Even his weaker films have that great look that tells you you’re watching a Scott film. Based loosely on a true story, the film follows a runaway train, and the two men who are…
Tag: tension
Run (2020) – Aneesh Chaganty
Run is a crisp and engaging thriller that rushes its twists and turns at a breakneck speed, driven by the performances of its two leads, Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen. Chloe (Allen) is confined to a wheelchair, and battling a number of illnesses. But she has her mother (Paulson) by her side, tending to her…
Misery (1990) – Rob Reiner
I remember reading Stephen King’s novel for Misery, and getting caught up in the tension. The same happened the first time I watched Rob Reiner’s film version featuring an adapted script by William Goldman and featured James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Lauren Bacall, and Frances Sternhagen. I hadn’t watched it since it first came…
Land of Bad (2024) – William Eubank
Land of Bad is a crisp military actioner. With a solid cast that includes two Hemsworth brothers, Liam and Luke, Russell Crowe and Milo Ventimiglia, the film takes us on a high-tension, tightly-crafted mission that sees a Delta Force team, and it’s accompanying drone (and operator) on the run after things go pear-shaped. The Delta…
Stargate SG-1 (2000) – The Curse, and The Serpent’s Venom
When Daniel (Michael Shanks) learns of the death of his archaeology professor, he goes to pay his respects. Soon he begins to suspect that his research and his death may have something to do with the Goa’uld. Written by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, this episode was first broadcast on 22 September, 2000. Daniel clashes…
The First Omen (2024) – Arkasha Stevenson
As much as I love Sam Neill as the Antichrist in The Final Conflict, and my first introduction to the series with the novelization of Damien: The Omen II, The First Omen has taken its place as my second favorite in the franchise. Working to tie itself into the original film directed by Dick Donner…
Northern Exposure (1992) – The Three Amigos, and Lost and Found
As Chris (John Corbett) reads Call of the Wild by Jack London to Cicely over the air, Holling (John Cullum) and Maurice (Barry Corbin) head deep into the woods to lay a dead friend to rest. They have a coffin ready to go, they saddle up the horses and head out into the snow, bonding…
TIFF24: Heretic dir. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods deliver a masterclass in anxiety-inducing tension with Heretic. Shot brilliantly with tight close-ups, Beck and Woods continually ratchet things up even as they present a theology lesson that is as conversation-starting as the film is unnerving. Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) are young Mormons canvassing for…
TIFF24: The Seed of the Sacred Fig dir. Mohammad Rasoulof
Rasoulof examines the patriarchy and religious law in the microcosm of the family in The Seed of the Sacred Fig. For some it can be a tough watch, as it incorporates actual footage from the 2022 protests in Iran following the death Masha Amini who died while in police custody, charged with improperly wearing her…
Family Ties (1989) – Wrap Around the Clock (Parts 1 and 2), Mr. Keaton Takes a Vacation, and Alex Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (Parts 1 and 2)
The series is coming to an end, and Katie Ford delivered a two-part episode that aired as one special broadcast on 23 April, 1989. And it wouldn’t be the end of the series if it didn’t give us yet another clip show, and the fact that they had to make it an hour-long… ugh. Andy…
The Mind Reels 