The Great Movies – The 100 Years of Film book returns me to the western genre with this Sergio Leone epic that stars Jason Robards, Chalres Bronson, Henry Fonda and Claudia Cardinale. Playing against type, Fonda is the villain, Frank, who is working for the railroad, and trying to drive a woman, Jill McBain (Cardinale),…
Tag: vengeance
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) – Chad Stahelski
When Keanu Reeves stepped onto the screen in the 2014 film, John Wick, cinema lovers and critics met the film with joy and accolades, as it boldly, bloodily and brilliantly updated the revenge films of the 1970s for the 21st century The screen was filled with top drawer stars, and the simplest of revenge stories…
The Searchers (1956) – John Ford
John Ford and John Wayne. When it comes to westerns there are few names better, and they are my next stop in the Action section of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. Confederate soldier, Ethan (Wayne) returns to his family’s homestead in Texas after the end of the Civil War, where he…
Inglorious Basterds (2009) – Quentin Tarantino
Tarantino’s revisionist WWII film, Inglorious Basterds is the final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film following my screening of The Dam Busters. As always, his scripts and films attract some great talent, and this time around we have Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Til Schweiger , Diane Kruger, Eli Roth…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966) -The Conscience of the King and Balance of Terror
Captain’s Log: Stardate 2817.6 The Conscience of the King, taken from a line in Hamlet (the series has a wonderful relationship with the Bard), was a bit of a murder mystery that didn’t quite engage with me when I was younger, but has grown on me since. Written by Barry Trivers, this had an original…
Star Trek: First Contact (1996) – Jonathan Frakes
The strongest of the Next Generation films is the next stop for the Sci-Fi Chronicles book as I continue the exploration of the Star Trek cinematic universe. This one combines the best elements of the Next Generation universe, with drama, action and comedy as it combines a time travel tale with a war story and…
Magnum, p.i. (1988) – Unfinished Business and The Great Hawaiian Adventure Company
Unfinished Business, which aired 20 January, 1988, and was penned by Chris Abbott and Jeri Taylor is just that, it ties up some of the unfinished things from last season. Specifically, relating to the season finale. Quang Ki (Richard Narita) who shot Thomas (Tom Selleck) at the end of last season, and left him…
Hevn [Revenge] (2015) – Kjersti Steinsbo
Beginning its Canadian theatrical run at the Lightbox, the Norway-Canadian co-production of Steinsbo’s directorial debut makes an impression. Featuring multi-layered characters set against the gorgeous backdrop of western Norway, Hevn is a revenge thriller that is tautly paced, strongly directed, and features some very nice performances from all the players. The film follows Andrea…
Batman: The Animated Series (1993) – Birds of a Feather, Robin’s Reckoning: Part II and Blind as a Bat
The Penguin (Paul Williams) is about to get his heart broken in Birds of a Feather. The story aired 8 February, 1983, and sees a young socialite, Veronica Vreeland (Marilu Henner) making eyes at the villain, not because she loves him, but because she’s using him to climb the social ladder. Oswald alias The…
The Proposition (2005) -John Hillcoat
The next recommendation following my screening of Night of the Hunter for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book is this Australian western that sees a lawman, Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone) apprehend notorious outlaw Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) and offers him a deal, he has nine days to track down and kill…
The Mind Reels 