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…

Morning Star (2016) – Pierce Brown

  Pierce Brown’s epic science fiction trilogy comes to an explosive, and emotionally satisfying conclusion with Morning Star, this week’s title on The Book Shelf. After the stunning cliffhanger of Golden Son, I was left to wonder what Brown would do to finish off the story, and what would the cost be to characters I’ve…

Cold Mountain (2003) – Anthony Minghella

  This beautiful, cinematic adaptation of Charles Frazier’s novel is masterfully brought to life by Minghella, who also wrote the screenplay. My last Civil War stop for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film following my screening of The Red Badge of Courage is by turns brutal, moving, and gorgeously photographed. Nicole Kidman is…

Star Trek: Mutiny on the Enterprise (1983) – Robert E. Vardeman

  Boldly going forward with the Star Trek books, it should come as no surprise that not all of the are going to be good, especially in the early years. It is a bit disappointing, however, after the bestselling Yesterday’s Son, that this one was next in the series. Despite some cool ideas, a planet…

Ride with the Devil (1999) – Ang Lee

  We get a look at the other side of the Civil War, as we join a Confederate guerrilla campaign in Ang Lee’s Ride with the Devil, the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Red Badge of Courage. With a top tier cast including…

Star Trek: Web of the Romulans (1983) – M.S. Murdock

  It’s back to boldly going with this week’s book shelf, as I venture into the Web of the Romulans, a 1983 novel, which is surprisingly solid, but for one little annoying sub-plot. Set during the original series, and taking place between the episodes, Tomorrow is Yesterday, and Space Seed, Murdock creates a bit of…

The Beguiled (1971) – Don Siegel

  Clint Eastwood stars in the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of The Red Badge of Courage. He plays John McBurney, a Yankee soldier who is injured during the course of the war, and is discovered by a student at a Southern All Girls School….