Stripes (1981) – Ivan Reitman

Bill Murray is charming and goofy in Stripes, but as has been pointed out the film is just a little too long, or, the last half hour could have been something different. The first two thirds of the film are fun and solid, though some of it is a little dated, and some of it…

Stargate SG-1 (2004) – Icon, and Avatar

Daniel (Michael Shanks) is in the middle of a global conflict in Icon. Written by Damian Kindler, it first aired on 6 August, 2004. Told through flashbacks while Daniel recovers, the story sprawls three months, from SG-1’s first contact with the planet of Tegalus. Daniel briefs O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), Carter (Amanda Tapping) and Teal’c…

Stargate SG-1 (2001) – Enemies, and Threshold

The fifth season of Stargate SG-1 got underway on 29 June, 2001 with Enemies. Written by Robert C. Cooper from a story by Cooper, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie and one of the series creators, Brad Wright, this episode picks up where the season four cliffhanger left us… … in a galaxy far, far away. SG-1…

Stargate SG-1 (1999) – Rules of Engagement, and Forever in a Day

Terry Curtis Fox pens Rules of Engagement which first debuted on 19 August, 1999. When SG-1 arrives on a distant world they find another SG team under assault by jaffa. But it’s not a real SG team, and they turn their weapons on O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), Teal’c (Christopher Judge), Daniel (Micheal Shanks), and Carter…

Phantom of the Opera (1943) – Arthur Lubin

It’s the first color Universal Monster movie! Phantom of the Opera is presented in gorgeous technicolor, this is the only one of the original Universal Monster movies that won the Oscars it was nominated for, Best Cinematography (Color) and Best Art Direction (Color). While one could argue that the Universal Monster series started with the…

The Octagon (1980) – Eric Karson

Welcome to the 80s, the age of the ninja as Chuck Norris guides us through a haphazard adventure that sees him entering The Octagon! Scott James (Norris) is a world-class martial artist who is accompanied by an echoey voiceover almost everywhere he goes. He and his frenemy, A.J. (Art Hindle!) live a high roller life…

Rocky IV (1985) – Sylvester Stallone

There are some flaws in the fourth entry in the Rocky series (I’m looking at that ridiculous robot) and I’m not sure the themes of East vs. West, hubris, and capitalism carry through all the way, because, despite all of the things Rocky (Sylvester Stallone who also wrote and directed) gives up during the course…