"FLASHMAN AND THE TIGER" (1999) Book Review

Out of all the books featured in George MacDonald Fraser's The Flashman Papers, only one featured more than one tale. This turned out to be "FLASHMAN AND THE TIGER", first published in 1999. Instead of one novel, the book contained three novellas featuring an aging Harry Flashman between the ages of 56 and 72. ( Read more... )

"GOSFORD PARK" (2001) Review

In 1999, actor Bob Balaban had approached director Robert Altman with the idea of developing a film together. Altman suggested a whodunit set at an English country estate. The two approached actor/writer Julian Fellowes if he could take their concept and write a screenplay. Their collective efforts resulted in the 2001 comedy-drama, "GOSFORD PARK". ( Read more... )

Below are images from "THE LADY VANISHES", Alfred Hitchcock's 1938 classic thriller. The movie starred Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas and Dame May Whitty: ( Read more... )

A few years ago, I had posted a list of my favorite movies featuring train journeys. Below is a new list. To be honest, the revisions are few, but . . . hey, I felt bored. So I made another list. Without further ado, here it is: ( Read more... )

"CROSSROADS OF THE FORCE"

CHAPTER TEN

WORLPORT, ORD MANTELL

Thanks to Anakin's intervention, the early morning quarrel between Han and Chewbacca quickly came to an end. Once the dust settled, the three comrades ate breakfast at the Blue Jewel Café. They eventually risked the rain to make their way to the Javian Hawk's hangar to check upon the ship's systems. It did not take long for Anakin and Han to discover that the starship's monitor needed new power cells. ( Read more... )

"NORTHANGER ABBEY" (2007) Review

As far as I know, there have only been two screen adaptations of Jane Austen's 1817 novel, "Northanger Abbey". The first adaptation aired back in 1986. And the most recent aired on Britain's ITV network back in 2007, as part of a series of dramas called Jane Austen Season. ( Read more... )

Below are images from "DARK SHADOWS", Tim Burton's new adaptation of the 1966-71 television series. The movie stars Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfieffer and Eva Green: ( Read more... )

"CENTENNIAL" (1978-79) - Episode Eleven "The Winds of Death" Commentary

A recent critic of "CENTENNIAL" once complained that the miniseries had failed to breach the topic of land environmental issues in an effective manner. Author James Michener allowed this subject to dominate his 1973 novel. But this critic seemed to hint that producer John Wilder had more or less dropped the ball on this topic in the television adaptation. ( Read more... )

"CROSSROADS OF THE FORCE"

CHAPTER NINE

WORLPORT, ORD MANTELL

Anakin glanced out of the window of his hotel room and watched the rain beat upon the windowpane. Apparently the rain had failed to cease, despite a new day. He wondered if it would ever stop before his departure from Ord Mantell. Twenty-five years ago, he would have rejoiced at such weather after dealing with Tatooine's hot and dry climate. But he had not set foot upon Tatooine in eleven years. And advancing age and experience has taught him to appreciate . . . variety. ( Read more... )

"HUGO" (2011) Review

To the surprise of many, the top two contenders for Best Picture of 2011 featured on the history of film in the early 20th century. One of them was the Oscar winning "silent" film, "THE ARTIST". The other turned out to be Martin Scorsese's latest endeavor called "HUGO". ( Read more... )