The next big title in DK Canada’s The Movie Book is a film that, perhaps, resonates with even more importance now than it did when it was first released. Pontecorvo’s The Battle of Algiers is a fascinating, brutal, and dark watch that shows us the true face of war and it’s effect on all sides…
Tag: torture
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1995) – The Die is Cast, and Explorers
Station log: stardate unknown Ronald D. Moore pens the conclusion to last week’s cliffhanger in this episode that first aired on 1 May, 1995. Tain (Paul Dolley) with Garak (Andrew Robinson) at his side, along with an uneasy alliance with the Romulans prepares to enter the Gamma Quadrant through the wormhole in their search for…
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992/1993) – Chain of Command Part II and, Ship in a Bottle
Captain’s log: stardate 46360.8 Frank Abatemarco pens the conclusion (though Jeri Taylor did a full re-write, and Ronald D, Moore did a final pass on it) to this brilliant two-parter that first debuted on 19 December, 1992. Picard (Patrick Stewart) has been captured by the Cardassians and Gul Madred (David Warner – in a fantastic…
Toronto After Dark 2017: Poor Agnes – Navin Ramaswaran
The second feature screening tonight at Scotiabank Theatre as part of the Toronto After Dark film festival is another new favourite. Poor Agnes, having its Toronto premiere this eve, is a disturbing drama that haunts and troubles even as its story captivates. Agnes (Lora Burke) is a serial killer, and she is a master at…
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) – Carl Theodor Dreyer
No makeup, close-ups and harsh lighting put Maria Falconetti on the screen as Joan of Arc in a way that hasn’t been seen since. Carl Dreyer’s retelling of the story of the French heroine is the next big title in DK Book’s The Movie Book. We are invited to take a front row seat for…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1969) – Whom Gods Destroy and Let That Be Your Last Battlefield
Captain’s log: stardate 5718.3 Whom Gods Destroy was penned by Lee Erwin and Jerry Sohl and had it’s first broadcast on 3 January, 1969. The Enterprise arrives in orbit around Elba II, which serves as an asylum for the criminally insane. They have arrived on a mission of mercy, they are carrying a serum that…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1968) – The Empath and Elaan of Troyius
Captain’s log: stardate 5121.5 The Empath is an interesting episode, written by Joyce Muskat and with an original airdate of 6 December, 1968, this one uses a bit of minimalist set design to give it an almost surreal feel. Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) find themselves trapped in…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1968) – Plato’s Stepchildren and Wink of an Eye
Captain’s log: stardate 5784.2 Plato’s Stepchildren first screened on 22 November, 1968 and was written by Meyer Dolinsky. The episode is of historical note because of the first American broadcast interracial kiss when Captain Kirk (William Shatner) kisses Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols). Beyond that, the story is rather basic. The Enterprise is summoned to a…
Silence (2016) – Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese’s beautifully shot passion project, Silence, is unveiled on blu-ray from Paramount Pictures today. Based on the novel by Shusako Endo the film is vibrant and gorgeous, while it plays with some tough questions about religion, faith, cultures and beliefs. Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson share top billing in this film, but…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1967) – The Return of the Archons and Space Seed
Captain’s log: stardate 3156.2 The Return of the Archons was penned by Boris Sobelman from a story by Gene Roddenberry and had an original airdate of 9 February, 1967. The Enterprise is investigating the fate of the U.S.S. Archon that went missing a century ago. There is a being, known as Landru (Charles Macauley) that…
The Mind Reels 