A Monster Calls (2011) – Patrick Ness

It’s been a long time since a book has reduced me to tears, but Ness’ powerful, and beautiful young adult books, A Monster Calls has done just that. Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd who passed before she could tell it herself, the story is a singular experience that is heartbreaking in its truth…

Strange Days (1995) – Kathryn Bigelow

My time with the films of James Cameron for the Sci-Fi Chronicles book comes to an end with this film that he penned the script for, and gave to the incredibly talented Kathryn Bigelow to direct. Ralph Fiennes stars as Lenny Nero, a former cop turned street hustler, with a charming side that can sell…

Doctor Who (Colin Baker) – Terror of the Vervoids

The Trial of a Time Lord continues for the Doctor (Baker) this week with Terror of the Vervoids, a four part story penned by Pip and Jane Baker that ran from the 1 to 22 November, 1986. As the Valeyard (Michael Jayston) continues his case against the Doctor, but he s finally able to offer…

Quantum Leap (1990) -Maybe Baby and Sea Bride

Sam (Soctt Bakula) is a kidnapper? This week out time traveller is on the run in Maybe Baby. Penned by Paul and Julie Brown, who also portrays Sam’s travelling companion, and stripper, Bunny, in this episode that aired 4 April 1990. It’s 11 March, 1963, and Sam as Buster, the bouncer from Bunny’s bar, and…

Quantum Leap (1990) – Freedom and Good Night, Dear Heart

  Sam (Scott Bakula) engages in more time travelling adventure this week as he leaps into a young Native American, George Washaki in Freedom. This episode was penned by Chris Ruppenthal and aired 14 February, 1990. It’s 22 November, 1970, and Sam finds himself on the run with George’s grandfather, Joseph (Frank Salsedo), with an…

The X-Files: Fight the Future (1998) – Rob Bowman

  The X-Files owned the late 90s, early 00s and as the fifth season came to a close, the show was at the height of its popularity. This led to the idea of an event, a thank you for the fans, and the FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) made…

The Trap (2015) – Melanie Raabe

  There is an immediacy to Melanie Raabe’s debut novel, The Trap, which sees its English release this week, via House of Anansi Press here in Toronto. Translated from German the captivating tale draws the reader into the world that she has created, much as her character, author Linda Conrads, is drawn into the situations…

Hot Docs 2016: Credit for Murder – Vladi Antonevicz

  In a documentary that plays more like a thriller than a Hot Docs, Antonevicz’s dark entry into this year’s film festival is a stunning ride. Using pacing, framing and structure like a standard Hollywood thriller this one captivatesd as much as it generates hate for it’s ready made villains, Neo-Nazis. When a YouTube video…

Legend (2011) – Marie Lu

  Thanks to my Sweetie, Amanda, this book found it’s way into my hands, and I was more than happy to dig into it, I do love a good book, and as always there seems to be lots of fun storytelling going on in the ‘young adult’ genre. Legend takes us to the future, a…

Fringe Toronto: OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Darryl

  Much to my shame, I’ve never attended a show at Toronto’s Fringe Festival – until now! Tim applied and acquired media passes for us, so even though I am working full time this week, I’m still trying to get to a show every night I still have available, and have already made a mental…