Rian Johnson is a fantastic writer/director (no matter what some Star Wars fans may think), and with his science fiction thriller, Looper, he plays with a number of familiar tropes, especially those of the western genre as he explores, and plays with, causality, in this brilliant actioner that stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily…
Tag: writer
The X-Files (2016) – My Struggle, and Founder’s Mutation
Eight years after the second feature film, I Want to Believe, and almost fourteen years after the season nine episode, The Truth, The X-Files returned to screens with a six episode limited series, now christened Season Ten. And while I Want To Believe may not have been the film fans wanted (hoping for more on…
The X-Files (2002) – Sunshine Days, and The Truth
The penultimate episode of the ninth season is all about family, in a roundabout way. Written by Vince Gilligan, who also directed it, it first aired on 12 May, 2002. When a body is recovered from a location that sometimes appears to be the Brady house from The Brady Bunch television show, Doggett (Robert Patrick),…
The X-Files (2002) – William, and Release
David Duchovny returns this week, behind the camera to direct an episode that he thought up alongside Frank Spotnitz and series creator Chris Carter, who also penned the teleplay. It first aired on 28 April, 2002, and puts Scully’s (Gillian Anderson) baby, William front and center, and gives us the heartbreaking ending first… she gives…
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) – Shane Black
Excluding The Predator (what the hell was that?) Shane Black has been one of my favorite Hollywood writers, and I was super-excited when it was announced he was getting into the director’s chair for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Set, like most of Black’s tales, at Christmas, this one is a slice of modern noir. Robert…
That Thing You Do! (1996) – Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks wrote and directed this joyful, song-filled film that took us inside the lives of the band members of a one hit wonder. It’s 1964, and popular music is the thing, and for a young band calling themselves the Oneders (the Wonders – like 1 ders) they are about to find that fame isn’t…
M*A*S*H (1979) – Inga, The Price, and The Young and the Restless
Alan Alda writes and directs this episode, Inga, which first aired on 8 January, 1979, and definitely sees a bit of a course adjustment for Hawkeye’s (also Alda) sexist attitudes towards women. When Hawkeye hears about a Swedish female doctor coming to camp for a brief tour, he gets ready to turn on the charm,…
M*A*S*H (1978/1979) – An Eye for a Tooth, Dear Sis, and B.J. Papa San
Ronny Graham pens the first episode up this week, An Eye for a Tooth, which first aired on 11 December, 1978. While Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) ruminates on why he’s been passed over for promotion, again, Charles (David Ogden Stiers) pushes the prank war between Houlihan (Loretta Swit) and Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and B.J. (Mike…
9th Annual Old School Kung Fu Film Fest: Joseph Kuo Edition – The 36 Deadly Styles (1979)
There’s always something happening in New York, and this weekend, if you’re in Queens, swing by the Museum of the Moving Image who, in conjunction with Subway Cinema, are delivering their ninth annual Old School Kung Fu Film Fest! The focus of this year’s festival is writer/producer/director Joseph Kuo, who has sixty-one directing credits to…
The X-Files (2001) – Alone, and Essence
Mulder (David Duchovny) is no longer an agent on the X-files, or even working for the FBI anymore, Scully (Gillian Anderson) is taking her maternity leave, and Doggett (Robert Patrick) is left to run the X-files, alone…. Written and directed by Frank Spotnitz, this episode first aired on 6 May, 2001, and despite the title,…
The Mind Reels 