This film series is based on the 1966 tv series. In it Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, is part of an elite force that is tasked with highly sensitive & dangerous operations. I saw Ghost Protocol in the Theater and it indeed was exciting. The score is taken from the themes Lalo Schifrin. Overall I very much enjoyed this film. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This series of documentaries debuted in 1960 featuring the famed scientist David Suzuki. Delving into pertinent environmental, social-scientific and sometimes human biological topics, he has a well-rounded approach that combines hard science rigor with a naturalist appreciation & Eastern mystical approach. It aired with him as anchor until 2022 until his daughter took over with help. His aim was to make science reach more of the wider public audience. Overall, I very much appreciated the episodes I watched. I give it a 5 out of 5.
The Nature of Things with David Suzuki
ON CBC
This 1985 adventure comedy was directed by Richard Donner, and is taken from a story by Steven Spielberg. In it a group of kids discover a treasure map & go on a quest to find the riches to save their homes from being foreclosed. This is classic 80s cinema at it's best. Chunk, plays a pivotal role in the gang saving the day. Overall, I very much enjoyed this film. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This media franchise began in 1983 and features a lovable but daft inspector that has a host of clever inventions & his trusty niece, Penny, that uses a cyber-book to help solve crimes. The villain is Dr. Claw, who tries to thwart Gadget's attempts at restoring order. I watched many episodes of this growing up, and it was rebooted many times into newer versions. Overall, I very much enjoyed this series. I give it a 5 out of 5.
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This 1994 comedy features Jim Carrey & Jeff Daniels. It tells the story of two chums that go on a trip to return a suitcase, that is unbeknownst to them filled with cash. They embark on an adventure in Aspen, Colorado and the comic interludes are filled with many laugh inducing moments. Jeff's naivity & Jim's cartoon-like expressionism are a hallmark combo in this classic mashup of American & Canadian cinematic talent. By the way, they ride a scooter to Aspen, which I find is quite economical. It grossed $247 million on a $17 million budget. Overall, I give this film a 5 out of 5.
This 1939 cartoon features two good friends the Super Thoughtful Wilbur the Grasshopper & Goofy the Big Lovable Dog that loves to go fishing in the Wild. I have only seen snippets of this cartoon episode, but I very much like the style. Disney made many admired shows that became cannon for Western culture. There's a hint of an overlapping larger Truth here going on which I very much encourage you to consider fully. I give this duo a 5 out of 5.
This classic British sitcom series has been on the air since 1960. It features a host of middle class characters in the ficticious town of Weatherfield. People agonize over drama, revel in comradery at the pub, deal with daily routines at work, it really is whole extravaganza of social interactions. One thing I like about this it is both somewhat formal, while being none-too-pretentious. It is aired on CBC on Sunday mornings is when I have watched it. Overall, I very much enjoyed this series. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This 1992 comedy fantasy film was Les Mayfield's directorial debut. It delves into the topic of evolution with a keen sense of humour. It stars Sean Astin, Brandon Fraser, & Pauly Shore among others. It can be a dicey, delicate topic especially when gigantic egos are involved. What I think this type of movie achieves is to smile & sigh at the great spiral, & ponder the mystery of the whirlpool. Overall, I very much enjoyed this movie. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This 2001 musical drama stars Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman. In true Bohemian fashion these characters exude the ideals of Truth, Goodness & Beauty so often admired in the French culture. As a poet the main character writes and tries to capture the heart of the chronically ill Mistress of the Baron. The quote I like most of this movie is "The greatest thing you will ever learn, is to love & be loved in return." Overall, I give this movie a 5 out of 5.
This television franchise is owned by Warner Brothers Entertainment. It features a host of characters including but not limited to Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Bugs Bunny, Sylvester & Tweety, and Pepe le Peu. This set of characters became much loved amongst a generation for Saturday mornings and a bowl of cereal for breakfast. There is a subtle ploy of mental health with the title "Looney Tunes" which doesn't go unappreciated for the adult audience. Overall, I very much enjoyed watching this tv series growing up and can add it to my influences as an artist. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This 1987 action sci-fi film was written by Jim & John Thomas. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a paramilitary soldier operating deep in the jungle of Central America. As far as the visual effects and costumes are concerned, this movie was very convincing. It kept me on the edge of my seat, with the grisly details of the aggressive alien. Overall, I very much enjoyed this movie. Again, Arnold is at a top tier performance level. And there is much lore to this film as well. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This 1984 sci-fi action film was directed & co-written by James Cameron. It stars Arnold Schwarzeneggar as a cybernetic robot sent back in time as an assassin. The visual effects were well done, and Arnold gives a top tier performance. The idea that Skynet is an artificial intelligence being a threat to mankind is curious to consider, especially since we are living near the date of the film's "future". This film helped launch James Cameron's career, and the Terminator franchise went on to be developed into a sequel of equal interest. Stop-motion animation was used to create a lot of the effects in this movie. Overall, I very much enjoyed this film, and give it a 5 out of 5.
This superhero action franchise spans across multiple media formats. It tells the story of Alex Murphy, a cop killed in the line of duty that is experimented on and brought back to life. He fights crime in the dilapidated metropolis. There is much lore to this character, and I have to admit I thought the movie was pretty cool. Overall I give it a 5 out 5.
This 1993 drama features an Orca as the main character. It was directed by Simon Wincer. And produced by Lauren Dinner & Jennie Tugen. It tells the story of a captive whale with a bent dorsal fin that is eventually released in to the wild. I like the sentiment of this film in appreciating wildlife, especially highly intelligent and fierce aquatic life. Overall I very much enjoyed this film. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This series first aired in 1985. It stars Richard Dean Anderson as Angus "Mac" MacGyver. The concept of this series was the ingenuity and craftiness of the main protagonist. The series was rebooted in 2016. I watched several of the episodes of the original series and marveled at the screenplay. Overall I very much enjoyed this series and give it a 5 out of 5.
This 2009 film is part of a trilogy of movies created by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. It was directed by Todd Phillips. It tells the story of a group of men (called the Wolfpack) who go on a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate one of their member's stag party. During their time there, they lose track of the soon-to-be groom. ANd much hilarity ensues. It stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, and Jeffrey Tambor. Mike Tyson even makes a cameo. Overall, I very much enjoyed this movie. I seldom understand the draw of Las Vegas, for exactly the reason this movie makes apparent. However, I give this film a 5 out of 5 for comic excellence.
This adapted tv miniseries first aired on CBS in 1989. It is based on the novel by Larry McMurtry. It is set in the American West, where Texas rangers drive cattle North to Montana, and along the way face hardships, endure weather, face drama and the elements. A tale of cowboys longing for a home, navigating the wild landscape. Of the episodes I did see I very much enjoyed. Stephen King has said this is his favorite book of all time. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This 1982 sci-fi film is the second in a series and based on the tv series starring William Shatner as Captain Kirk. It follows the the story of a superhuman Khan that has gone rogue. The Star Trek franchise was created by Gene Roddenberry. It is a classic vision of humans exploring deep space with USS Enterprise. The cast and crew vary over the years but the general plot remains the same "to boldly go where no man has gone before." Overall I very much enjoyed this film. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This 1998 drama is a montage of time periods and places that follows a mysteriously made red violin. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Carlo Cecchi, and Sylvia Chang. It was an international coproduction between Canada, the UK and Italy. It was directed by François Girard. Jackson's character secures the violin at the end at an auction for his daughter. A suitable fit for such an enigmatic instrument. Overall I very much enjoyed this film. I give it a 5 out of 5.
This 1975 film is based on the Arthurian legend, and is produced by the Monty Python group, which consists of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. It makes for a light-hearted portrayal of the legend of Camelot. Cleese is brilliant, and is a shining example of how humor can alleviate the cumbersome nuisance of stuffiness in otherwise pretentious situations. This is classic cinema at its best. I very much enjoyed this film and give it a 5 out of 5.
This 1981 adventure film was created by George Lucas. It is part of a franchise with 5 films, a tv series, comics and novels. It features the story of Indy, an anthropologist interested in archaelogy. Harrison Ford is epic in this movie, that features a fictional narrative about the lost Ark of the Covenant, a supposed ancient technological wonder. I appreciated studying anthropology in University. This film captures the intrigue one has for the subject, and the dangers of delving into such controversial content. Overall, I very much enjoyed this film, and give it a 5 out of 5.
