The next genre being tackled by the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book is War, with the first title and its recommendations dealing with tales from the First World War. Based on the book by Erich Maria Remarque, the resulting film was banned for its pacifistic views and disgust with war, it wasn’t about flag-waving…
Tag: violence
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) – Fred Niblo
The next film up on the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film list of recommendations following my screening of Intolerance is this tale of Ben Hur (Ramon Navarro), a young Jewish prince intent on vengeance for the ruin of his family at the hands of the Romans, interwoven around the tale of Christ…
Black Sails: Season 1
The Rockford Files get a brief respite this week, as I take a look at three different television series being released to DVD and Blu-Ray today. The first is the pirate series, Black Sails, available now from Anchor Bay. This lushly produced, and cinematically shot eight episode first season is simply stunning in high-definition,…
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – Danny Boyle
The final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of On The Waterfront is this immensely enjoyable tale. Boyle’s kinetic, energetic film style is well-served in this film, that is a dramatic, heart-on-its-sleeve film that one 8 academy awards and that year’s ceremonies, including Best Picture, Best…
The Rockford Files (1978) – The Jersey Bounce and White On White And Nearly Perfect
Jim’s (James Garner) fifth season finds him in more and more trouble. First up is The Jersey Bounce, which aired 6 October, 1978 which was put together by Cannell, Juanita Bartlett and David Chase. The phone gag features a fun call from Angel (Stuart Margolin). It seems Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.) is having trouble…
Wizards (1977) – Ralph Bakshi
Sometimes you just want to watch something different… and Ralph Bakshi’s films have always been that, and this one is no exception. Set in a far distant future when humanity has blown itself from the face of the Earth, and any survivors have become radiated mutants, constantly devolving into new nightmares, the fairies and…
The Rockford Files (1975/1976) – The Girl in the Bay City Boys Club & The Hammer of C Block
In this week’s installment of the Rockford Files, private investigator, Jim Rockford (James Garner) has his hands full with the mob and a fellow con on the look out for the murderer in a crime that he didn’t commit. The first episode, The Girl in the Bay City Boys Club, aired 19 December 1975, and…
Greed (1924) – Erich von Stroheim
The Great Movies – 100 Year of Film book brings me the first drama title to take a look at. Directed by Erich von Stroheim and based on the novel, McTeague by Frank Norris, Greed is a massive story, that when originally put together by Stroheim for a screening, ran for nine and a half hours!!…
The White Queen (2013)
Today, Anchor Bay Canada releases Philippa Gregory’s lavish and sumptuous interpretation of the War of the Roses comes to life in this Starz/BBC co-production that is a gorgeous rendering of visuals, story and actors. Based on a trio of novels, The White Queen, The Red Queen and The Kingmaker’s Daughter, the ten episode miniseries,…
Toronto After Dark: Evil Feed (2013) – Kimani Ray Smith
Gory Night continued last night with the second extreme feature, following the coming-of-age, serial-killer is my brother film, Found, with Evil Feed. The film centers on a Chinese restaurant that kidnaps martial artists, forces them to fight in a cage match, and the loser, properly tenderized by the beating, is served up as dinner to…
The Mind Reels 