Author: John Spry
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“The Night the World Exploded” (1957) Science Fiction Running Time: 64 minutes Written by: Jack Natteford and Luci Ward Directed by: Fred F. Sears Starring: Kathryn Grant and William Leslie Dr. David Conway: “We better do more than hope, gentlemen. We better pray!” In the annals of 1950s B-movie sci-fi, The Night the World Exploded often finds itself overshadowed by…
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“The 27th Day” (1957) Science Fiction Running Time: 75 minutes Written by: Robert M. Fresco Directed by: William Asher Starring: Gene Barry, Valerie French, George Voskovec and Arnold Moss Jonathan Clark: “People hate because they fear, and they fear anything they don’t understand, which is almost everything.” “The 27th Day” (1957), directed by William Asher and based on John Mantley’s novel, is a…
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“UFO – The Complete S.H.A.D.O. Files” (1970 – 1971) Television Series / Science-Fiction Twenty-six Episodes Created by: Gerry & Sylvia Anderson and Reg Hill Featuring: Ed Bishop, Michael Billington, Gabrielle Drake, George Sewell, Vladek Sheybal, Wanda Ventham, Ayshea Brough, Antonia Ellis, Keith Alexander, Harry Baird, Peter Gordeno, Dolores Mantez, Gary Myers, Norma Ronald and Grant Taylor Ed…
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“Flow” (2024) Animated Drama Running Time: 114 minutes Written by: Gints Zilbalodis and Matīss Kaža Directed by: Gints Zilbalodis Music by: Gints Zilbalodis and Rihards Zaļupe Gints Zilbalodis’ 2024 animated feature, Flow, is a truly unique and mesmerising cinematic experience that stands apart in the contemporary animation landscape. Eschewing dialogue entirely, the film tells a profoundly affecting…
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“The Ren & Stimpy Show” (1991 – 1995) Television Series / Comedy Fifty Two Episodes Created by: John Kricfalusi Featuring: John Kricfalusi, Billy West, Gary Owens, Harris Peet, Cheryl Chase, Alan Young, Jack Carter, Bob Camp and Michael Pataki Stimpy: “Happy-happy, joy-joy.” It’s a testament to its unique brand of grotesque humor and shocking originality that, even decades after its debut, The Ren & Stimpy…
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“The Good Life” (1975 – 1978) Television Series / Comedy Thirty Episodes Created by: John Esmonde and Bob Larbey Featuring: Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington Tom: “Hello, girls. Had a good gossip?” Barbara: “No, we’ve been playing strip poker with the postman.” “The Good Life,” known in the United States as “Good Neighbors,” is a quintessential British sitcom that first…
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“The Weight of Water” (2000) Drama Running Time: 114 minutes Written by: Alice Arlen and Christopher Kyle based on the novel by by Anita Shreve Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow Featuring: Elizabeth Hurley, Catherine McCormack, Sean Penn and Sarah Polley Jean Janes: “When a women kills, it’s usually her spouse.” Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Weight of Water” is a film that demands a certain patience and willingness…
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“In the Bedroom” (2002) Drama Running Time: 131 minutes Written by: Todd Field and Robert Festinger based on the novel “Killings” by Andre Dubus Directed by: Todd Field Featuring: Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, Nick Stahl, William Mapother, William Wise, Celia Weston and Marisa Tomei Willis Grinnel: “Ever notice that even the worst bastards have friends?” “In the Bedroom,” directed by Todd Field and released in 2001,…
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“Blackadder” (1983 – 1989) Television Series / Comedy Twenty eight Episodes Created by: Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson Featuring: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny and Miranda Richardson Opening tune singer: “The sound of hoof beats ‘cross the glade / Good folk, lock up your son and daughter / Beware the deadly flashing blade / Unless you want to end up shorter…
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“It Came from Outer Space” (1953) Science Fiction Running Time: 80 minutes Written by: Harry Essex Directed by: Jack Arnold Featuring: Richard Carlson and Barbara Rush Sheriff Matt Warren: “Did you know, Putnam, more murders are committed at ninety-two degrees Fahrenheit than any other temperature? I read an article once – lower temperatures, people are easy-going. Over ninety two, it’s too…
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“Anora” (2024) Drama Running Time: 139 minutes Written and directed by: Sean Baker Featuring: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan and Aleksei Serebryakov Ani: “When you give me health insurance, workers’ comp and a 401K, then you can tell me when I work.” “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, is a 2024 American comedy-drama that delves into the whirlwind life…
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“Detroit 9000” (1973) Action Running Time: 106 minutes Written by: Orville H. Hampton Directed by: Arthur Marks Featuring: Alex Rocco, Hari Rhodes, Vonetta McGee, Herbert Jefferson Jr. and Ella Edwards TAGLINE: “Only cops with fast fists and fiery 45’s answer “POLICE-CALL 9000!”” “Detroit 9000” (1973), directed by Arthur Marks, is a fascinating and often gritty entry into the blaxploitation canon that transcends some…
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“Super Fly T.N.T.” (1973) Action Running Time: 86 minutes Written by: Alex Haley Directed by: Ron O’Neal Featuring: Ron O’Neal, Roscoe Lee Browne, Sheila Frazier, Robert Guillaume, Jacques Sernas and William Berger Tagline: “That Superfly Dude is Back!” “Super Fly T.N.T.” (1973) is a curious and often-maligned sequel to the groundbreaking blaxploitation hit “Super Fly” (1972). While the original is celebrated for its gritty…
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“Spy × Family: Season Two” (2019 – present) Anime Twelve Episodes Written by: Ichirō Ōkouchi Featuring: Atsumi Tanezaki, Saori Hayami and Takuya Eguchi Manga: “As soon as you understand, go home.” Spy x Family: Season Two dives deeper into the endearing, chaotic, and surprisingly heartfelt lives of the Forger family, solidifying its place as a standout in the anime landscape. While the…
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“The First Slam Dunk” (2022) Anime Running Time: 124 minutes Written and directed by: Takehiko Inoue Featuring: Shugo Nakamura, Jun Kasama, Shinichiro Kamio, Subaru Kimura and Kenta Miyake Sakuragi Hanamichi: “Once you give up, the game is truly over.” “The First Slam Dunk” arrived with a weight of expectation that few anime films could hope to bear. For decades, Takehiko Inoue’s Slam…
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“A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special: Season One” (2023-present) Television Series / Anime Twelve Episodes Created by: Takamitsu Kōno A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special arrived on the anime scene with a hefty reputation, adapting a popular webtoon beloved for its intricate magic system, time-travel premise, and compelling character development. Season One, produced by Arvo Animation, takes…
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“Darby and Joan: Series Two” (2022-present) Television Series Seven Episodes Created by: Phillip Gwynne and Glenys Rowe Featuring: Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi Detective Inspector Liz Darby: “You also have Joan, and that makes you vulnerable.” Jack Darby: “No. That makes me tougher.” “Darby and Joan” returned for its second series, bringing back the unlikely duo of retired detective Jack Darby (Bryan…
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“The Substance” (2024) Horror Running Time: 141 minutes Written and directed by: Coralie Fargeat Featuring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid The Substance: “Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? Younger, more beautiful, more perfect. One single injection unlocks your DNA, starting a new cellular division, that will release another version of yourself. This is the…
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“Seven Samurai” (1954) Drama / Action Running Time: 207 minutes Written by: Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni Directed by: Akira Kurosawa Featuring: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima, Isao Kimura, Daisuke Katō, Seiji Miyaguchi, Yoshio Inaba, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara, Kokuten Kōdō, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Eijiro Tono, Jun Tatara, Atsushi Watanabe, Yoshio Kosugi, Bokuzen Hidari and Yukiko Shimazaki Kambei Shimada: “This is the nature of war: By protecting others, you save yourselves. If you only think…
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“The Young Ones” (1982-1984) Television Series Twelve Episodes Created by: Ben Elton, Rik Mayall and Lise Mayer Featuring: Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan and Alexei Sayle Rick: “I suppose you think it’s pretty weird, don’t you Mike? Well, you’d be right. ‘Cause THAT’S the kind of guy I am, right? WEIRD. Which is why I go over people’s heads. A bit like an…
