The Trees (2021) – Percival Everett

With two books, Percival Everett has become one of my favorite authors. I loved his take on Jim from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in James. And when I read the blurb on The Trees I knew I had to take a look. I didn’t know that I would be blown away by it. Everett…

A Bridge Too Far (1977) – Richard Attenborough

A Bridge Too Far is a solid and amazing film. It also suffers from the time it was made, and the films that followed it. It’s packed with big names. It is literally an all-star cast in a way that doesn’t happen anymore. All of them working to bring the story of Operation Market Garden…

Timeline (2003) – Richard Donner

I love Richard Donner films, I love Michael Crichton books, seems like a solid match, but the big-screen adaptation of Crichton’s Timeline feels a little lackluster. It boasts a solid cast, Paul Walker, Gerard Butler, Frances O’Connor, Billy Connolly, Anna Friel, Neal McDonough, and Michael Sheen. There’s an archaeology study and dig going on at…

The Magnificent Seven (2016) – Antoine Fuqua

I’ve enjoyed most interpretations of The Seven Samurai I’ve come across, but there’s a special place in my heart for the 1960 film with it’s iconic score by Elmer Bernstein. So, when I heard back in 2016 that there was yet another iteration coming I wasn’t quite ready to jump in and see how this…

Stargate SG-1 (1997) – The Torment of Tantalus, and Bloodlines

How do we know we’re in the SGC in the 40s with the opening of this episode? The bluesy version of the Stargate theme, honestly it’s a solid episode that helps the series continue to build its backstory, and its worldbuilding. Jackson (Michael Shanks) is watching old footage of the Stargate project and both her…

The Saint (1997) – Phillip Noyce

Val Kilmer absolutely owns the role of Simon Templar in this big-screen adaptation of the classic novels and 60s television show. And while the film isn’t as strong as it could have been, Kilmer is nicely on point, and shares some wonderful chemistry with his co-star, Elizabeth Shue. Simon is a high-profile thief that can…

The Movie Man (2024) – Matt Finlin

Cottage Country. That phrase conjures a specific image for residents of Ontario, Canada. The calls of loons, sitting on boat docks and enjoying the peace of the lakes, an escape from the hubbub of city life; cottage country is a Canadian summer tradition. You wouldn’t expect to find a multiplex amongst the forests, the bears,…

The Equalizer 2 (2018) – Antoine Fuqua

Sure the first installment of the Antoine Fuqua/Denzel Washington actioner came out in 2014, and I watched it for the first time nine years ago, and hadn’t watched any of the films since. And yes, I’m a fan of the original series with Edward Woodward. but I rather enjoy Washington’s interpretation of the character. The…

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan – The Complete Series Blu-Ray Collection

John Krasinski returns for one final season as Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and despite being introduced to the character decades ago, and then having a number of actors bring the character to life, Krasinski has become one of my favourite iterations. In fact, I love how Krasinski has settled into the role, something so different…

The Long Goodbye (1973) – Robert Altman

I’m probably stepping into a minefield here, but I’m not the biggest Robert Altman fan. Who doesn’t love The Player? And as great as M*A*S*H is, I came to it by way of the television series, so it never resonated with me as much as I would have liked. That being said, I really liked…