Next Monday, the adventures of Ava Lee continue in Ian Hamilton’s latest instalment in the addictive, page-turning series that began with The Water Rat of Wanchai and continues now with book nine(!) and one novella – The Couturier of Milan. Over the course of these books, I have grown to consider Ava Lee a friend,…
Tag: war
Star Trek: The Original Series (1967) – The Devil in the Dark, and Errand of Mercy
Captain’s log: stardate 3196.1 The Devil in the Dark. THIS is a classic episode. Written by Gene L. Coon with an airdate of 9 March, 1967, this one takes what starts out as a bit of a scary story, definitely one vested in mystery, and turns it into a compassionate tale of understanding. The Enterprise…
Star Wars: Ahsoka (2016) – E.K. Johnston
Back when I first started the blog, I wrote a post about the fate of Ahsoka Tano. Of course, at that time, Ahsoka was only a Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan, there was lots for her to encounter and deal with before Clone Wars came to a close, and now, she’s a regular on Rebels – I…
Quantum Leap (1991) – 8 1/2 Months and Future Boy
Sam (Scott Bakula) leaps into a very pregnant teenager this week in the episode 8 1/2 Months. It was penned by Deborah Pratt and had an original airdate of 6 March, 1991. It’s 15 November, 1955 and Sam is Billie Jean Crockett, 16 years old. And he’s there to not only make sure the baby…
The Dam Busters (1955) – Michael Anderson
As I return to the war genre I plunge into the events of World War II and the creation of a ‘bouncing bomb’ that would help the Allies against the Nazis. The film is based on two books, one by Paul Brickhill about the creation of the weapon, and the other by Guy Gibson about…
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) – Anthony Mann
An incredible cast fills out this recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of Spartacus. Alec Guinness is Marcus Aurelius, whose death begins the downfall of the great empire, as his son, Commodus (Christopher Plummer) assumes leadership, and is unwilling to let anything stand in his way. They…
Doctor Who (Colin Baker) – Timelash
Two planets become involved in the plans of the villainous Borad (Robert Ashby) in the Doctor’s (Baker) latest adventure. Penned by Glen McCoy this two parter aired from 9 to 16 March, 1985, and saw the Doctor and Peri (Nicola Bryant) working with a famous author, a fun little reveal that doesn’t happen until the…
Doctor Who (Colin Baker) – The Two Doctors
Robert Holmes pens this epic three parter that ran from 16 February to 2 March, 1985, that sees the return of a previous regeneration of the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his Companion, Jamie (Frazier Hines). The Doctor (Baker) and Peri (Nicola Bryant) are on a fishing trip, when the Time Lord starts to feel…
Casablanca (1942) – Michael Curtiz
As we move back to the Romance and Melodrama genre in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book, we get to revisit one of my favourite films (many people share that opinion, and who can blame them?!) – Casablanca. It came along at just the right time, had just the right cast,…
Doctor Who (Peter Davison) – The Caves of Androzani
Peter Davison’s Doctor leaves the TARDIS this week, as he makes his last regular appearance and we get a regeneration in The Caves of Androzani, one of the most popular Doctor Who stories ever. Written by Robert Holmes and airing from 8 to 16 March, 1984, the Doctor and Peri (Nicola Bryant) arrive on…
The Mind Reels 