Dune (2021)

After a difficult year for many, it was a pleasure to begin seeing movies in theatre, once again.  "Dune" had originally been slated for release in November, 2020 but was pushed back to October, 2021.  For me, it was the beginning of the end of the pandemic.

Movie poster for "Dune" (2021)

I remember learning as a kid that Frank Herbert's novel had been rejected multiple times before finally being published, which was amazing, since my friends and I considered "Dune" to be the science fiction analogue to Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings".

The 1984 movie adaption featuring "The Police" frontman, Sting was a mixed success.  Critics largely panned it, although Herbert was apparently happy with it.  I rented the film on VHS, and appreciated many of the visuals, but hadn't read the novel.

My cousin Louie is a big fan of the series, and kept after me to read it.  I finally did so, one hot summer, back in the late 1990s, when I was living in Montreal (the fact that I didn't have air conditioning really helped set the mood).

I never got around to reading any of the sequels, but imagery from the book stays with you.  I was therefore excited to learn that a new movie was being planned, and looked forward to its release.  I saw it at Ancaster Cinemas with my son.

The movie won his approval.  My cousin Louie, a "Dune" purist, also loved it, as did mainstream audiences.  I'm happy for director Denis Villeneuve that "Dune" was well-received, and that a sequel is in the works.

Dolittle (2020)

My "rule" for deciding my favorite movie experience of the year is to have seen that movie in theatre, the year of its release.  Only thing is, I never imagined there would be a year in which movie theatres would remain closed for months.

Movie poster for "Dolittle" (2020)

"Dolittle" wasn't my favorite movie of 2020.  As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was the only movie released in 2020 that I saw in theatre.  (I also saw "1917" with my son in January, which was technically released in December, 2019).

I read several of the Doctor Dolittle books as a pre-teen, and enjoyed them.  Dolittle is a physician and naturalist who can speak with animals.  (Hugh Lofting first conceived of the character in letters to his children while stationed in the trenches during WWI.)

My daughter, Sophia, wanted to see a movie one evening, and since I had seen the trailer a couple of times and had fond memories of the books, we just went and saw it.  Unfortunately, "Dolittle" is possibly one of the worst movies I have ever seen.

How can you go wrong with Robert Downey Jr.?  He was a great choice to play Doctor Dolittle, (I also enjoyed Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes).  I blame the horrible script (the film apparently underwent re-shoots after poor test screenings).

I tried to catch "The Invisible Man" before the shut-down, but just missed it.  I wouldn't see another movie in theatre until the summer of 2021.  Fortunately, there were some pretty great films, released that year (to be continued...)

Tolkien (2019)

I hadn't been aware that a J.R.R. Tolkien biopic was in the works, and so it came as a pleasant surprise when my wife and I learned about it.  We saw "Tolkien" in theatre, and both of us really enjoyed watching it.

Movie poster for "Tolkien" (2019)

Nicholas Hoult was a fitting choice to portray Tolkien as a young man.  There were also great performances by Lily Collins as Edith Bratt, and the actors who portrayed Tolkien's friends, the other members of the T.C.B.S. club.

I had read both Daniel Grotta-Kurska's "unauthorized" and Humphrey Carpenter's "authorized" biographies of Tolkien, published around the time of Ralph Bakshi's "The Lord of the Rings" movie, and so was already somewhat familiar with Tolkien's life.

I didn't realize the film had received such mixed reviews, or that the Tolkien Estate didn't endorse it.  (Certainly, there were liberties taken with historical facts.  Tolkien and Bratt were married by the time he went to fight in WWI, for instance).

Nevertheless, I'm a big fan of the Inklings, particularly J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams, and so am also looking forward to seeing "The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis".

As for "Tolkien", I think it needs to be understood that a biopic is a form of storytelling, just as historical films should not be equated with documentaries, and so my wife and I are looking forward to watching it again, this time with our kids.

Black Panther (2018)

As a collector of comic books growing up, I was familiar with the character of T'Challa, Prince of Wakanda, aka Black Panther, mostly in his role as a member of the Avengers.  (I also picked up the 1st issue of "Black Panther" in Greece).

Movie poster for "Black Panther" (2018)

By 2018, Marvel Cinematic Universe fatigue was beginning to set in.  Nevertheless, I really enjoyed "Dr. Strange" (2016) and "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), and so went into "Black Panther" with high expectations.

I was quickly impressed with the complexity of themes the film was willing to address.  Although primarily a superhero movie, "Black Panther" is nuanced and leaves the viewer with much to think over.

The score by Ludwig Goransson is fantastic.  (Goransson researched traditional African music, and even went on tour with Senegalese musician Baaba Maal, who contributed an original song for the film.)

"Black Panther" was the first superhero movie to be nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning three (for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score).

Chadwick Boseman's unexpected passing a couple of years later due to colon cancer was truly saddening.  He was a gifted actor, and made such a tremendous impact during the time he had with us.

Wonder Woman (2017)

Ever since they were little, I would remind my kids that Wonder Woman was Greek (every chance I got).  In fact, she was the only member of the "Superfriends" who wasn't American (counting Superman as a naturalized citizen, of course).

Movie poster for "Wonder Woman" (2017)

My cousin Dina was a huge fan of the TV series starring Lynda Carter in the 1970s.  (I remember watching the pilot with my father in our living room at home.)  See also "13 Great Reasons to Watch the 1970s Wonder Woman Show - Ranked".

Finally, I was an avid collector of the 1980s run of DC's "Wonder Woman" by George Perez, which emphasized the Greek roots of the Amazon princess.  That's why I was so excited to see a big-budget Wonder Woman film.

Gal Gadot was a good choice to play Wonder Woman on the big screen (her pronunciation in the one Greek line was spot-on, by the way), and setting the action during WWII, as in the original season of the Wonder Woman TV series, was perfect.

However, the scene which really caused me to jump out of my seat?  When Steve Trevor says "British tea for the Germans, German beer for the British, and Edgar Rice Burroughs' novels for both" of course!  (You can check it out, here.)

Wonder Woman was originally created by psychologist William Moulton Marston.  I found the documentary "Professor Marston and the Wonder Women" (which I caught on a flight, pre-Covid) to be interesting, although somewhat disturbing.

The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

As a lifelong fan of the character, I was excited to learn that a new Tarzan movie was in the works.  It had been over three decades since I'd seen "Greystoke" in theatre, and none of the Tarzan movies since then had been particularly good.

Movie poster for "The Legend of Tarzan" (2016)

I got back into the Tarzan novels in 2012, on the centenary of the publication of the first Tarzan story in the pulps.  I even attended the Centennial Conference at Bridgewater College in Virginia, that November.

When I learned that the Edgar Rice Burroughs Chain of Friendship would be holding their annual gathering in Los Angeles that year, with a special advance screening of "The Legend of Tarzan", I knew that I had to attend.

My wife and I took separate planes to LA, and I was ready and waiting in a rented jeep when she stepped out of the terminal.  We saw the movie on the Paramount lot with fellow Burroughs enthusiasts and members of the Burroughs family.

I think director David Yates did an admirable job of portraying a classic hero through a twenty-first century lens.  The music and cinematography were brilliant.  It's a shame the movie didn't do well enough to justify a sequel.

We saw "The Legend of Tarzan" three more times in theatre, including once with my friend Joe and his wife, Kim.  We've seen the film again on DVD and itunes, since then.  It never fails to bring back memories of a really special trip.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

"Avengers: Age of Ultron" was the 11th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, by which time the franchise was picking up pop cultural steam.  While not the best movie, it was the best movie I saw in theatre in 2015.

Movie poster for "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015)

My wife and I saw "The Avengers" in 2012 with friends from work (we went to Quatrefoil for dinner, beforehand).  It was a wonderful evening, and if not for "John Carter" would have been my pick for favourite film experience of 2012.

"Avengers: Age of Ultron" had more of an international feel, with locales including north-western Italy (standing in for the fictional Eastern European country of Sokovia), Johannesburg in South Africa, and Seoul in South Korea.

Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch first appeared in early issues of "The Uncanny X-Men".  Back in the 1980s, it was revealed that Magneto was their father, although their true parentage has been revised a couple of times, since then.

I was impressed with the diorama featured during the end credits of the film (the story of its creation is an interesting one).  It evoked for me the realization that the Marvel Universe has become the mythology of our times.

Of course, I saw "Avengers: Infinity War" in 2018, (its conclusion felt reminiscent of the United States presidential election in 2016).  "Avengers: Endgame" in 2019 would turn out to be the last big movie event for some time.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

My wife and I got into the Marvel Cinematic Universe a bit after "Iron Man" was released (we saw it on DVD).  She was instantly hooked.  It's incredible how far the films have come in terms of their popularity, since then.

Movie poster for "Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014)

"Guardians of the Galaxy" turned out to be the first MCU film that I saw in theatre with my son.  It was a rare, carefree summer afternoon, and it had just rained.  The pavement in the parking lot of the theatre was still wet, but the sun had come out.

While most of the early MCU installments featured popular Marvel characters, "Guardians of the Galaxy" was a bit of a gamble, and an unexpected surprise.  The characters are original and compelling, and there's an undeniable chemistry between the group.

Seeing the film was like finding a new title in the spinner rack, when collecting comics in the 1980s.  Marvel's cosmic characters have a particular look and style.  Kudos to Kevin Feige for having the intuition to see this movie through.

Like most people my age who have seen the film, Peter Quill's "mix tape" of popular songs from the 1970s was pure nostalgia (there were always plenty of cultural references in Marvel comics).  It almost felt like being transported back in time.

I'm really glad that the success of the earlier MCU films means that we got "Guardians of the Galaxy".  It's a film that holds to repeat viewings (although I didn't like the sequel as much).  Will be interested to see "Volume 3" when it comes out.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

I was excited to see "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" with my son, back in 2012.  I had read him "The Hobbit" as a bedtime story, and each Christmas, we looked forward to seeing the next instalment.

Movie poster for "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" (2013)

While I had some issues with the first film, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" was better (the wild barrel ride of the dwarves, escaping the wood-elves while simultaneously being attacked by orcs, was on its own worth the price of admission).

The Lake-town sequences were atmospheric and memorable.  (I love the Lake-town theme, and can listen to it for hours).  Steven Colbert's cameo was also fun, (although I didn't know who he was at the time).

In fact, I enjoyed the movie so much, I saw it a second time with my wife.  There was a widespread power outage that year, so we stopped at the theatre on our way home from dropping the kids off at my parents' house, who still had power.

Ed Sheeran's "I See Fire", which plays during the film's end credits (immediately following a smash to black), is a moving and evocative song.  (I like to listen to it, late at night, when I'm in a particular mood.)

Even though "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" failed to capture the spirit of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" we've watched the films a couple more times.  There's apparently a fan version, which condenses the trilogy, which I've yet to see.

John Carter (2012)

As a fan of all things Edgar Rice Burroughs, I looked forward to the release of "John Carter of Mars" with great anticipation (becoming worried and confused when Disney dropped the "of Mars").  While not perfect, it was a much better film than most realize.

Movie poster for "John Carter" (2012)

I saw a midnight showing on the Thursday before opening night (I called a few friends, but only my cousin Jim was game).  We saw it at Cineplex Cinemas on the Queensway, having dinner at Montana's beforehand (quite appropriately).

While a really enjoyable film, Taylor Kitsch was miscast as John Carter (which needed somebody like Henry Cavill to carry the role).  On the other hand, Lynn Collins was excellent as Dejah Thoris (they should have renamed it "A Princess of Mars").

Disney's abysmal marketing campaign makes more sense, when one realizes that the studio acquired the Star Wars franchise while "John Carter" was in production, thereby losing all interest in the century-old tale that inspired Star Wars in the first place.

The details are captured in Michael Sellers' excellent book "John Carter and the Gods of Hollywood".  Sellers also created some awe-inspiring fan trailers for the movie, (very much worth watching, in case you haven't seen them).

For my kids, who were underwhelmed with the original Star Wars trilogy, "John Carter" is their Star Wars.  They've seen the movie several times, and my son still has a "John Carter" poster in his room.  Hopefully, one day we'll be able to go back to Barsoom.

X-Men: First Class (2011)

I was intrigued to learn of the reboot of the X-Men franchise in 2011.  I'd always had a fondness for the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby run of the original X-Men, published in the 1960s, (although wasn't familiar with the more recent "X-Men: First Class" comics).

Movie poster for "X-Men: First Class" (2011)

After the disappointment of "X-Men: The Last Stand", my wife and I skipped "The Wolverine" in theatre.  When we finally saw it, I was pleased for the most part, although felt that its conclusion missed the mark entirely.

So it was with no small degree of apprehension that we went to see "X-Men: First Class".  Happily, we were not disappointed.  In fact, it rekindled all of the excitement of the original film.  We were totally engrossed.

The picture really did a good job of capturing the look and feel of the 1960s.  The costumes and soundtrack were spot on, and I really enjoyed witnessing how the writers leveraged the Cuban missile crisis to thematic advantage.

We recently rewatched the film, together with our twin daughters (after the first two X-Men films, skipping the third).  They both really enjoyed it, and continued with the rest of the more recent instalments (except for "Logan").

Some people complain about the chronology of the X-Men franchise, but that's one of the things I love about it.  It's fairly representative (and not as convoluted ) as the actual X-Men comics, so quite appropriate, in fact.

Robin Hood (2010)

I wasn't sure what to expect from Ridley Scott's treatment of the Robin Hood legend.  "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" was a favourite movie of the year, almost two decades earlier, and so I was curious to see how the two would compare.

Movie poster for "Robin Hood" (2010)

Set in 1199, "Robin Hood" could almost serve as a sequel to Ridley Scott's "Kingdom of Heaven".  King Richard the Lionheart appears in the final scene of that movie, preparing to leave on the Third Crusade, and again at the beginning of this one.

I'd read about the death of King Richard at the siege of Chalus Castle, and so was in disbelief and awe when I realized that the opening sequence would involve that historical episode.  To me, the movie was worth watching, for that alone.

Russell Crowe did fairly well in the title role, although the long shadow of "Gladiator" was hard to avoid.  (He even rode the same horse in both movies).  Still, I appreciated the grittier take on the character of Robin Hood, and so wasn't displeased.

The movie also stars Cate Blanchett as Marion, William Hurt as William Marshal, and Max von Sydow as the elder Loxley.  (In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a sucker for historical epics with strong supporting casts.)

While there's been talk of a sequel, I would rather see a trilogy of sorts, with Scott directing a film about the Fourth Crusade.  (If anybody knows how to get word to the man, please let him know that I have a screenplay in the works.)

District 9 (2009)

Every now and then, a film comes along that wasn't on my radar, but nevertheless turns out to be an instant classic.  "District 9", produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Neill Blomkamp, was just such a film.

Movie poster for "District 9" (2009)

It had been a challenging time, and so I welcomed the opportunity to go out and see a movie with a friend, who isn't into science fiction or fantasy, but appreciates a good film, regardless of the genre.

Like most good science fiction, "District 9" deals with matters of the human condition.  In this case, it's themes of racism and xenophobia, filmed against the backdrop of apartheid in South Africa.

An alien spacecraft suddenly appears in the skies over Johannesburg, back in 1982.  The plot then fast forwards twenty years into the future, which is when most of the action takes place.

I thought there were similarities to the 1980s TV miniseries "V", which was a bit of a pop culture phenomenon when it came out.  Perhaps that's one of the reasons the film resonated with me.

There has been occasional word that a sequel (or even a prequel) is being planned, but I don't know of anything definite in the works.  That's too bad, because "District 9" is a story worth returning to.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

"The Chronicles of Narnia" by C. S. Lewis are among my favourite stories.  I've read every book in the series countless times, most recently to my children, as bedtime stories.  Like most Narnia fans, I have strong opinions about the cinematic adaptions.

Movie poster for "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (2008)

I remember when the animated version of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" aired on CBS in 1979.  I also watched the BBC versions, when they were released in the late 1980s.  So, I was excited to learn of the big budget adaptions planned by Disney.

My wife and I saw "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" when it came out just before Christmas in 2005.  Parts of it were extremely well done, but it suffered a bit from the influence of Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings".

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" opened exactly as I would have suggested, with the flight of Prince Caspian.  I also loved the children's return to Narnia, and many other scenes.  (I didn't care for the Spanish accents of the Telmarines, however).

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" was a disaster as an adaption in 2010.  The next movie was apparently going to be "The Magician's Nephew" (a good decision, in my view) but was canceled with the death of one of the producers.

Netflix acquired the rights to the Chronicles of Narnia a few years ago, but has been fairly quiet about what's being planned.  There's some apprehension in Narnia fan circles, since Netflix is known for it's darker take on material, but let's see what happens.

300 (2007)

Both of my parents are from villages near the ruins of ancient Sparta, where there's an imposting statue of Leonidas, so I've always known who he was.  (We've even passed by the Leonidas monument in Thermopylae, on previous trips to Greece.)

Movie poster for "300" (2007)

I saw the 1962 film "The 300 Spartans" on TV as a kid, but it wasn't until I stumbled across the first issue of Frank Miller's "300" while browsing in a comic book store in Montreal, that I took a deeper interest in the story.

I re-read those "300" comic books with my wife, prior to our first trip to Greece (we had only been dating for a couple of months).  We later included color-photocopied panels from the series in a scrapbook that we made.

Zack Snyder's film adaptation in 2007 came as a pleasant surprise.  Our twin daughters had just been born, and my wife's friend Sue kindly watched the kids while we stole a quick date night to see the film.

I was blown away by Snyder's visuals.  He really captured the look and feel of Miller's art.  I haven't yet seen the sequel "300: Rise of an Empire" from 2014, but heard it wasn't as good (I plan to see it, anyway).

Most recently, Miller published the follow-up graphic novel "Xerxes: The Fall of the House of Darius and the Rise of Alexander" in 2018, (upon which "Rise of Empire" was partly based) which I also intend to check out.

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

I started collecting X-Men comics after the Byrne/Claremont "Dark Phoenix" story arc, (my first issue was #148 (August, 1981) "Cry, Mutant").  I followed the series for years, up until issue #230 (June, 1988) at the beginning of the team's Australian phase.

Movie poster for "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006)

I saw the first X-Men movie in 2000 in Montreal with good friends Don and Suzanne (I forgot my wallet, so Don paid for me.  I promised to pay the next time we went to the movies, although we've never seen another movie together).

A couple of years later, I rented the VHS from the Blockbuster at Westdale Mall.  My wife was initially reluctant to do so, but ended up loving it.  (I think it was the first superhero movie she ever saw, predating even "Spider-Man").

I had a trade paperback of the Dark Phoenix saga, which my wife read and enjoyed.  We saw X2 in 2003 in the VIP cinemas at the Varsity theater, and were tantalized by a glimpse of a phoenix-like shape in the closing shot of Alkali Lake.

As a result, we were pretty excited to see "The Last Stand".  It was a really busy time in our lives, and I'm pretty sure that it was the only movie we saw in theatre, that year.  Unfortunately, it wasn't that great.

Thirteen years later, I saw "Dark Phoenix" with my son, which was a much better treatment of the Dark Phoenix saga, although still flawed.  If you've never read the comic books, do yourself a favour and check them out.

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

By 2005, I was heavily into researching the Crusades for a project I'm still working on.  Although my interests focused mainly on the Fourth Crusade, I eagerly consumed any material leading up to it, and so was very excited to learn about "Kingdom of Heaven".

Movie poster for "Kingdom of Heaven" (2005)

I saw the movie with my cousin, Jim, at the Cineplex Cinemas on the Queensway, (which had replaced our old standby, Sherway Cinemas, back in 2001).  While newer, there was a certain charm to the older cinemas, which remains lacking, today.

The film is set in the mid-1180s, and follows a fictionalized account of the career of Balian of Ibelin.  The cinematography was gorgeous, augmented by an evocative score by Harry Gregson-Williams.

Unfortunately, Orlando Bloom was badly miscast as Balian.  This was compensated for by great performances by Edward Norton as King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, Ghassan Massoud as Saladin, and Eva Green as Sibylla.

The film drew criticism for its depiction of the relationship between Christians and Muslims during the period involved, having been more influenced in reaction to contemporary events, rather than by actual historical accounts.

As with "Troy", a Director's Cut of "Kingdom of Heaven" was later released, which I thought was a much better film, and even included a mini-doc on the historical aspects "Creative Accuracy: The Scholars Speak".

Troy (2004)

I brought a copy of Homer's "Iliad" with me on a trip to Turkey back in 1996, reading along as I traveled from Istanbul to the ruins of ancient Troy, near the port city of Çanakkale, before making my way down to Bodrum (where I caught a ferry to Greece).

Movie poster for "Troy" (2004)

For years, I would return to the Iliad every June, whether through historical fiction ("The Firebrand" by Marion Zimmer Bradley"), graphic novels ("Age of Bronze" by Eric Shanower), or literary non-fiction ("The War that Killed Achilles" by Caroline Alexander).

My wife and I took my mother to see "Troy" at the Cineplex Cinemas on the Queensway in Etobicoke, shortly after it was released.  (My wife was pregnant with our son, so it was kind of like his first movie, also).

I really enjoyed the film, and was annoyed by those who complained that it wasn't the Iliad.  After all, the name of the movie is "Troy" not "The Iliad".  The idea was to depict an imagined history that might have served as the basis for the epic poem.

Brad Pitt was perfect as Achilles (he attended the screening at Cannes with Jennifer Aniston), and there were so many memorable scenes (most notably the pivotal exchange between King Priam and Achilles, in which Priam begs for the body of his son).

Years later, I ordered the Director's Cut from Amazon.  I liked both versions of the film, but then, I love anything dealing with Greek mythology.  The Homeric epics in particular are timeless, and will resonate through the ages.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

It's difficult to explain to younger people just what a big deal Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" movies were.  What a relief that after two years of waiting, "The Return of the King" was the grand finale it was promised to be.

Movie poster for "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003)

I enjoyed "The Two Towers" in 2002, although the extended edition on DVD was far better than the cinematic version (we also went to see the Two Towers exhibit at the old McLaughlin Planetarium in Toronto before the show.)

Jackson's conclusion to the film trilogy far exceeded most people's expectations, sweeping the Academy Awards with 11 Oscars, including Best Picture (which remains the most awards ever won by a single film, to date).

I can still remember how spellbound I was, watching Annie Lennox perform "Into the West" at the 2004 Oscars.  When I was in high school, I never would have imagined a pop icon such as Lennox singing a song inspired by Tolkien.

A year later, I cradled my newborn son upon my chest as I read "The Silmarillion".  When he was old enough, I read him a little part of "The Lord of the Rings" each night before going to bed, for the better part of a year.

Tolkien's masterpiece remains a touchstone of my existence, although I'm not certain when I'll get a chance to read it again.  More probably, I will listen to the story as an audiobook, some day.  Few tales withstand the test of time, like that.

Spider-Man (2002)

One of my earliest memories is of watching the Spider-Man animated TV series on Saturday mornings in the small, furnished basement of our old house.  (I was later surprised to learn that Ralph Bakshi was involved in the production of the show).

Movie poster for "Spider-Man" (2002)

 

Spider-Man was a ubiquitous character, even then.  His enigmatic appearances on "The Electric Company" were intriguing, and there was no shortage of merchandising (I had a Spider-Man action figure, Spider-Man coloring books, and even a Spider-Man cereal bowl).

As a Marvel fan, I collected several of the Spider-Man titles growing up, although soon gravitated towards the Uncanny X-Men, Conan, and later Thor, prior to broadening my range to include DC and many of the independent publishers.

Back in those days, comic fans had very little television or cinematic options to choose from.  Of course, there was "The Incredible Hulk" TV show, and I distinctly remember when "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends" hit the Saturday morning lineup.

I saw "Spider-Man" with my wife, on a summer's night in Toronto, not long after we got married.  She absolutely loved it, and even purchased the movie on DVD, so that we could watch it, again and again.

While the first X-Men movie provided a glimpse of things to come, it was actually "Spider-Man" that broke new ground, establishing a mainstream appreciation for big budget movies based on comic book characters.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Growing up, I was a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" (my first copy was a one-volume paperback tie-in edition released in conjunction with Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated film, although I also owned the film storybook).

Movie poster for "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001)

I remember when the BBC Radio dramatization first aired in 1981 (we listened to it on CBC Radio), and purchased it on cassette in the late 1990s (and again on CD in the early 2000s), for listening to in the car on long road trips.

Once I learned that the trilogy was being filmed in New Zealand, I checked theonering.net regularly for updates, and collected newspaper clippings with any shred of news.  Anticipation among fantasy fans was running high.

I saw the movie over the holidays with childhood friends.  We were blown away, mostly at how seriously the material had been handled.  I saw it again at least once, and couldn't fathom how long I'd have to wait until the next installment.

Casting was perfect, as were the costumes.  The cinematography was magical, with strategic use of color and special effects.  The score by Howard Shore was also finely done, and I loved the songs "Aníron" and "May It Be" by Enya.

"The Fellowship of the Ring" was a game changer.  Prior to its release, fantasy films weren't taken seriously by the industry, but its success had an immeasurable impact on both moviemaking and pop culture.

Gladiator (2000)

I remember seeing the teaser trailer for "Gladiator" in theatre, prior to hearing anything about the movie.  The music used was by Basil Poledouris from the "Conan the Barbarian" soundtrack, which boded well.

Movie poster for "Gladiator" (2000)

I had just finished reading "When Death Birds Fly" by Andrew Offutt and Keith Taylor, which deals in part with the Battle of Soissons in 486 and the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, and so was primed.

My wife and I saw "Gladiator" in Montreal with our good friends, Don and Suzanne, (although I was half-expecting the film to culminate in the sack of Rome, and so the ending wasn't quite as epic as I'd anticipated).

I'd visited the Colosseum on my first trip to Italy, a few years earlier, and again on a vacation to Europe with my family in 2011.  It's an impressive structure, and easy to imagine oneself as a spectator in the crowds.

The score by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard (of "Dead Can Dance" fame) is memorable.  (A few years later, Luciano Pavarotti released a song called "Il Gladiatore", originally intended for the movie).

"Gladiator" went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture, paving the way for a wave of historical epics.  I'm grateful for the types of films made possible by its success.  (A sequel has apparently been in the works).

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Ever since childhood, I've held an appreciation for horror as a genre.  I was therefore keen to see "The Blair Witch Project" when it came out.  While not the first faux doc horror film, it was ground-breaking for its time.

Movie poster for "The Blair Witch Project" (1999)

Back in grade school, I read and re-read my copies of Alfred Hitchcock's "Haunted Houseful" and "Ghostly Gallery" anthologies as well as The Tomb of Dracula magazines.  I vividly remember seeing "The Omen" when it aired on TV.

In university, I came across the writings of HP Lovecraft (having first glimpsed the Cthulhu mythos in the D&D hardcover "Deities and Demigods" cyclopedia) and participated in a "Call of Cthulhu" RPG campaign (a memorable experience).

A few years later, my friend Vince and I systematically watched all of the most notable horror films of the 1960s and 70s, like "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist" (including its sequels).  The latter was particularly disturbing.

I saw "The Blair Witch Project" with my future wife, while we were living in Montreal.  I remember that we felt so dazed afterwards, we went for dinner at "Blue Nile" an Ethiopian restaurant, in an effort to shake the mood.

We watched the movie again with our two teenaged daughters, this past summer (one of whom loves to watch "scary" movies).  It really didn't have the same impact, watching it at home in our living room, but was still creepy.

The Mask of Zorro (1998)

I was never a big fan of Zorro (unlike my cousin, Louie, who coincidentally grew up in the same small town as Zorro's creator, Johnston McCulley) but have always been enamoured of Spanish California, with its Mediterranean climate.

Movie poster for "The Mask of Zorro" (1998)

Like so many other memorable characters, Zorro first appeared in the pulps, debuting in the story "The Curse of Capistrano", serialized in All-Story Weekly in five instalments from August 9 to September 6, 1919.

I remember picking up "Dracula vs. Zorro" back in 1993, as my comic collecting days were winding down.  The title was published by the short-lived Topps Comics, and illustrated by Thomas Yeates (one of my all-time favourite artists).

That's why I was excited to see "The Mask of Zorro" during a trip to San Francisco to visit friends from high school (although Zorro's stomping grounds were historically further south, in the Pueblo of Los Angeles).

One thing I really liked about the movie was that it was framed as a homage to the character, telling the tale of an aged Zorro and his new protege.  This was also the film that introduced many of us to Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Years later, I picked up Isabelle Allende's "Zorro" in advance of another trip to California.  It's a great novel, and serves as a sort of prequel to "The Curse of Capistrano" while drawing upon elements from "The Mask of Zorro".

Titanic (1997)

I was living in Montreal when James Cameron's "Titanic" came out, although saw the movie with my family when I came home for Christmas.  (The "draw me like one of your French girls" scene was a little awkward).

Movie poster for "Titanic" (1997)

I first learned of the sinking of the Titanic in a book that my mother got for us when we were young, "Strange Stories, Amazing Facts" (1975), which included "The Fiction That Came True: Strange case of the two Titanics".

The next time was in the pages of the first "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, "The Cave of Time" (1979), in which it's possible to be transported on board, just before the iceberg is struck (you choose whether to stay or leave).

I remember when the wreckage of the Titanic was discovered, in 1985.  We saw the IMAX documentary film "Titanica" several years later, at Ontario Place (which was re-released the same year that "Titanic" came out).

Something people nowadays probably don't recall is that most critics absolutely panned "Titanic" after its opening weekend (check the newspapers), which only reinforced to me how wrong film critics can be.

This was my fourth "favorite movie of the year" (the third in a row) that went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture (it's only happened a couple more times).  Were my tastes becoming more mainstream, or was the industry targeting my demographic?

The English Patient (1996)

I read "The English Patient" by Michael Ondaatje on the recommendation of a friend, a year or two before the movie was released.  It's a remarkable novel, set during a period of history that I find myself drawn to.

Movie poster for "The English Patient" (1996)

From the haunting vocals of the Hungarian folk song "Szerelem, Szerelem", to the gorgeous cinematography in Italy and Tunisia, to the plot with multiple flashbacks, the film is a rare example of a book adaptation done right.

I was a little disappointed that Hana's hometown was changed from Toronto to Montreal (the Danforth is even mentioned in Ondaatje's book), although suspect it was due to the casting of actress Juliette Binoche.

The movie was produced by Saul Zaentz, whom I'd previously associated mainly with Ralph Bakshi's "The Lord of the Rings" (1978), and was his third film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

I remember how disappointed Ralph Fiennes looked when he didn't win the Academy Award for Best Actor, although really he was my least favorite part of the film (even if it's rumored that he once visited my mother's village in Greece).

"The English Patient" is another movie that I haven't seen again, since seeing it in theatre, although I would like to.  However, I think it deserves to be seen on the big screen, and so will keep a lookout for the opportunity.

Braveheart (1995)

The mid-1990s witnessed a flourish of interest in Scottish history.  The film "Rob Roy" starring Liam Neeson was released in April, 1995, followed by "Braveheart" starring Mel Gibson, in May.  I saw both films in theatre.

Movie poster for "Braveheart" (1995)

I loved the battles, drama, and romance in "Braveheart".  It won the Oscar for Best Picture, although criticism has mounted over the years, with respect to its historical inaccuracies.  Still, it encouraged me to learn the actual history, by making me care.

I'd already made plans to spend the summer in Paisley (near Glasgow) that summer, and was interested to learn that most Scots enjoyed the film, although snickered at it (mostly the accents, and the casting of Gibson as William Wallace).

My time in Scotland kicked off an abiding interest in everything Scottish.  I got the chance to see a fair bit of the country, and met lots of interesting people.  (I even learned to appreciate Irn-Bru, but wouldn't touch black pudding or haggis).

The following year saw the release of "Trainspotting", starring Ewan McGregor, set in Edinburgh.  By that time, I was living in Montreal, and saw the film at Cinema du Parc, a wonderful repertory cinema (still in operation).

Netflix's "Outlaw King", released in 2018, tells the story of Robert the Bruce, and a similar film (intended as a sequel to "Braveheart") premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2019, but a wider release, planned for 2020, was canceled.

The Crow (1994)

The accidental death of Brandon Lee while filming "The Crow" generated a degree of advance publicity, although forever tinged the film with sadness.  I agree with those who feel this would have been Lee's breakout role.

Movie poster for "The Crow" (1994)

I saw the movie with my friends, Vince and Joe, and remember discussing it (over dinner, at "The Keg" in Square One).  Back in those days, the post-film analysis was an essential part of the moviegoing experience.

The screenplay for "The Crow" was based on the comic book written and illustrated by James O'Barr, originally published in 1989 by Caliber Comics (shortly after I stopped regularly collecting comics).

O'Barr grew up in Detroit, the setting for the story in both the comic and the film, and coincidentally where I spent six weeks of my summer in 1994 (well, more like Grosse Pointe, actually, but close enough).

The "alternative" soundtrack heavily influenced my taste in music, shifting my preferences from Q107 in Toronto to 102.1 "The Edge", and likewise determining which clubs I would frequent in my late 20s.

I haven't seen "The Crow" since I watched it in theatre, although I'd like to see it again, perhaps with my son (who I think would enjoy it).  It's a true classic, with a wide-ranging impact on film and popular culture.

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)

When I was a kid, my older cousin had a small poster of Bruce Lee pinned up in his basement (above and to the left of their television).  Whenever I asked about it, he would make enigmatic statements about Lee's death.

Movie poster for "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" (1993)

"Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" is based on the book "Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew" written by Linda Lee Cadwell, his wife at the time of his death (although the movie has been criticized for taking liberties with actual events).

Nevertheless, the decision to include supernatural elements and over-the-top martial art sequences results in a look and feel very similar to the films that Lee was known for.  (In other words, I think he would have approved.)

I credit this movie for contributing to my fascination with California.  On a trip to stay with friends in San Francisco, back in 1998, I picked up a copy of the San Francisco Bay Guardian featuring Bruce Lee on the cover (which I brought back for my cousin).

I rented "Dragon" to watch with my wife, before we got married.  We were living in Montreal at the time, and made it a "theme" date, also getting dinner in Montreal's Chinatown, beforehand.

Sadly, the film is dedicated to the memory of Lee's son, Brandon, who died several weeks before its release.  Like his father, he was doing what he loved, making movies, and also like his father, he died too young.

The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

I knew that I would enjoy "The Last of the Mohicans" before I even saw it.  Based on the classic novel, written by James Fenimore Cooper, the story takes place in 1757, during the French and Indian War (about a hundred years before "Dances with Wolves").

Movie poster for "The Last of the Mohicans" (1992)

I went to see the film with my girlfriend at the time.  It was (and kind of wasn't) a date movie.  There's romance, but also a fair amount of blood and gore (somebody literally gets their heart cut out).  We broke up, shortly afterwards.

The soundtrack was amazing (the main theme is based on "The Gael" by Dougie MacLean).  During a trip to California the following summer, my friend and I played it repeatedly as we drove up the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible, with the top down.

I saw the movie again with several friends at Ontario Place's Cinesphere.  It was an incredible experience on the 60 foot high screen.  (We were particularly impressed with Chingachgook's war club, and couldn't stop talking about it.)

Much of the action in the story takes place at Fort William Henry, on the south shore of Lake George in upstate New York.  I first realized this on a visit to Lake George with friends, while living in Montreal, but have never yet stopped there.

When my kids were young, I purchased the movie on DVD to watch with them, once they were old enough.  I still haven't gotten around to it (that one really gruesome scene keeps putting me off) but they're teenagers now, and have probably seen much worse.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

I remember hearing that there were two "Robin Hood" films in production, about a year before the one with Kevin Costner was released.  To this day, I don't think I've ever seen the other one (a British production, which ended up going straight to TV).

Movie poster for "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (1991)

"Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" was another movie that I saw with friends at Sussex Centre.  The opening credits, with close-ups of the Bayeux Tapestry and that awesome score by Michael Kamen, really set the mood.

"800 years ago, Richard 'The Lionheart' King of England, led the third Great Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land" and just like that, one is transported back in time, the muezzin's call to prayer echoing over Jerusalem at sunset, 1194 AD.

My interest in the Crusades, sparked by Indiana Jones and his quest for the Holy Grail, was enhanced by this movie.  (Years later, I would retrace the path of the Fourth Crusade across Europe with my family, but that's another story).

I wasn't yet aware of the BBC TV series "Robin of Sherwood", but the soundtrack by Clannad introduced me to it.  When I watched the series on DVD, I realized just how much the character of Azeem, played by Morgan Freeman, was inspired by Nasir.

Seeing a particular movie more than once in theatre automatically qualifies it for my list of favorite movies of the year.  I saw this one again with my sister, later that summer, (I remember that we got yogurt at TCBY, afterwards.)

Dances with Wolves (1990)

The first three cultures I became interested in and wanted to learn more about (apart from my own) were the Japanese, the Russian, and the "Native American" (as we used to refer to the indigenous peoples of North America, back then).

Movie poster for "Dances with Wolves" (1990)

I've always held a reverence for what we now call the First Nations.  As a kid, one of my favorite books was "Eagle Feather" by Clyde Robert Bulla (illustrated by Tom Two Arrows).  Later, in Grade 7, we read "Agouhanna" by Claude Aubry.

I went to see "Dances with Wolves" with a large group.  The theatre was packed, so my friend Vince and I had to sit all the way at the front and to the left (probably the worse seat I've ever had in a theatre), but we soon got swept up in the film, anyway.

The movie has an interesting pedigree, in that it started out as a screenplay, which was turned into a novel (published in 1988), that was then adapted into the film, winning the Oscar for Best Picture.  A sequel to the novel was written, published in 2001.

In recent years, "Dances with Wolves" has been criticized for being a "white savior" movie.  While an important perspective, there are narrative benefits to the approach, in that Dunbar serves as the viewpoint character for a predominantly white audience.

This is one of those movies that I really enjoyed and that left a lasting impact, although haven't seen since.  My kids are getting old enough to perhaps be interested, particularly my daughters.  Perhaps I'll try watching it again, someday soon.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

We didn't see "Raiders of the Lost Ark" until March Break of 1982, and didn't see "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in theatre, at all (although rented both movies, on VHS, several times, before seeing "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"). 

Movie poster for "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989)

We saw the movie at Sussex Centre Cinemas in Mississauga, in operation from May 1987 until 2001, and a popular choice to see the latest film, at the time (although it was easy to get lost in their underground parking garage).

As unbelievable as it sounds, I had only just learned about the Crusades, a couple of years previously.  I'm not sure that I even knew very much about the legend of the Holy Grail, back then (although both would eventually become major interests of mine).

The movie pushed all the right buttons.  It was set during the first half of the twentieth century, involved travel to Europe and the Middle East, dealt with Judeo-Christian tradition, and was filled with spectacular action scenes.

I've seen "Last Crusade" again, many times.  I once watched it with my grandmother, who could only speak Greek, and so needed a steady stream of translation.  I remember that she really enjoyed it, particularly the ending.

I didn't see "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" when it came out, but rented it, a few years later.  I thought it was fairly well done, but didn't warrant repeat viewings.  I'm curious to see whether the rumored fifth film gets made.

Above The Law (1988)

I remember seeing a movie poster for "Above The Law" late one night, at a TTC subway station.  The movie hadn't generated any pre-release buzz that I was aware of, but something about the ad piqued my interest.

Movie poster for "Above The Law" (1988)

Perhaps precisely because I had so few expectations, I was totally blown away.  The black and white photographs accompanying the semi-autobiographical intro, followed by the Aikido demonstration with slo-mo sequences, were magical.

Having seen "Platoon" a year or so previously, the scenes in Vietnam possessed a visceral quality.  I could feel the heat and humidity of the jungle, and smell the fear.  I had learned that anything could and did happen during that conflict.

The bulk of the movie takes place in Chicago, a city I knew well (we have lots of family in the area, and I'd been there as recently as the year before).  The plot elements dealing with crime and corruption were eye-opening to my naive, young mind.

Steven Seagal was cool back then (I could never stand Jean-Claude Van Damme).  Casting blaxploitation star Pam Grier as Nico Toscani's partner was genius.  The movie also featured Sharon Stone in an early, minor role.

I ended up seeing "Above The Law" three or four times, followed by each of Seagal's next four movies when they came out.  I lost interest after "On Deadly Ground", although by then, it had become clear that Seagal was kind of a jerk.

Predator (1987)

We were big fans of Arnie by the time "Predator" was made, although given our ages, we'd viewed most of his prior films on VHS.  Naturally, I loved "The Terminator" (1984) although never saw "Commando" (1985) or "Raw Deal" (1986).

Movie poster for "Predator" (1987)

By the summer of 1987, my brother, my cousin, and I were hanging out with a bunch of Greek friends with whom we regularly saw movies.  Most of us would grab seats while a few others would line up at the concession stand for everybody else.

I can still hear my cousin's exclamation of frustration when he entered the darkened theatre with bags of popcorn and drinks, only to realize that the movie had already begun!  (He didn't miss very much, only Jesse Ventura spitting onto Carl Weathers' shoe.)

Back in those days, suspension of disbelief was easier for me.  I quickly lost the impression that I was watching a movie, and got totally swept into the action.  The cinematography and musical score were immersive.  (The lack of CGI probably helped.)

It's interesting to realize that two of the movie's stars were later elected to political office.  Jesse Ventura as governor of Minnesota in 1999, serving one term, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of California in 2003, serving two consecutive terms.

I don't think I saw any of the subsequent Predator movies, although Dark Horse Comics released a four-issue limited series in 1996 called "Tarzan vs. Predator: At the Earth's Core".  If there's ever another Tarzan movie, that should be it.

Aliens (1986)

I can't recall if I saw the original "Alien" (1979) before I saw the sequel.  I know that we rented it on VHS, several times afterwards.  It was one of those movie-going experiences where I'm not sure I knew what to expect.

Movie poster for "Aliens" (1986)

I remember that my cousin Eva had just come up for a visit from the United States, and that we headed out to see the movie at Square One Cinemas shortly after she and her mother pulled up into our driveway.

This might have been the first "restricted" movie that I saw in theatre (although my 18th birthday was still a few months away).  The action was pulse-pounding and intense.  The emotions were so raw.  I loved it.

Bill Paxton's portrayal of Private First Class Hudson is the perfect breaker of dramatic tension for the audience, giving us such iconic lines as "Game over, man! Game over!" and "Why don't you put her in charge?"

Both this film and the later "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" (1991) impressed me for their use of strong, female protagonists, which was ground-breaking for the time, and led the way for later films.

I haven't followed the franchise closely, but did see "Prometheus" (2012) when it came out.  (I didn't realize until afterwards, however, that it was in any way connected to the "Aliens" cinematic universe.)

Red Sonja (1985)

We were too young to see "Conan the Barbarian" in theatres when it was released in 1982, but rented it when it came out on VHS, and saw "Conan the Destroyer" in theatres, so naturally we were pretty excited to hear about "Red Sonja".

Movie poster for "Red Sonja" (1985)

My first exposure to the Hyborian Age of Robert E. Howard was through the Bantam paperbacks, starting with "Conan the Swordsman" (1981).  My brother and I soon began collecting the Marvel comic adaptions, as well.

Red Sonja herself is actually based on a different (and more compelling) heroine created by Robert E. Howard, but was adapted by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith into the version notorious for her chain-mail bikini.

I remember that my brother and I accompanied our father to the family restaurant one Saturday afternoon, before walking over to the Westwood Theatre to see the film.  We had such high hopes, which were very quickly dashed.

For starters, Brigitte Nielson was terrible (the actress who played Red Sonja's sister would have made a better Red Sonja).  Secondly, Arnie wasn't Conan, and finally, the beautiful Sandahl Bergman was cast as the evil queen!

Years later, I was surprised to learn that the fabulous and talented Wendy Pini, co-creator of Elfquest, got her very first opportunity to script a comic book after portraying Red Sonja at comic conventions.

Greystoke (1984)

I discovered the Tarzan novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs when I was in Grade 7.  By the time "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" was released, I had read the first 10 of them (there were 24 novels published).

Movie poster for "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" (1984)

I also read Philip Jose Farmer's fictional biography of the ape man "Tarzan Alive!" (which I discovered in the actual biography section of our public library, not the fiction section, leading to confusion on my part...)

I remember how excited I was to see this movie on opening night, taping the full-page newspaper advertisement to the back of my bedroom door.  My father was supposed to take me, but something came up, and we couldn't go.

Since my father had to work the next day, "Greystoke" became the first movie that I saw on my own.  I purchased a popcorn and a large Sprite (almost choking on it during the scene in which one of the African explorers gets shot in the chest with an arrow).

Even though the second half of the movie wasn't faithful to Burroughs' original story, it was still the best Tarzan movie I had ever seen.  The versions starring Johnny Weissmuller depict a totally different character from the one in the novels.

Years later, I learned that Andie McDowell's voice was dubbed by Glen Close, and screenwriter Robert Towne, dissatisfied with the movie, insisted that his dog "P.H. Vazak" be credited with the screenplay (which earned an Oscar nomination).

Return of the Jedi (1983)

As the target demographic for Star Wars, it was a foregone conclusion that we would see the final installment of the original trilogy (especially after such an unexpected ending to "The Empire Strikes Back").

Movie poster for "Return of the Jedi" (1983)

 

I think we saw "Return" at the original Square One Cinemas, in Mississauga.  My younger sister spent the summer in Ottawa, Illinois, and ended up seeing the movie 3 or 4 times (there wasn't much else to do in Ottawa, Illinois).

Carrie Fisher looked uncomfortable in that metal bikini - a deliberate homage to Dejah Thoris in "A Princess of Mars" and the influence of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars Series on the Star Wars universe.

While the special effects were cutting edge, I appreciate the playfulness in using a tennis shoe in the climactic battle scene in the skies above the moon of Endor, as told in "The Making of Return of the Jedi".

I thought ewoks were dumb, but understood the rationale behind them.  (We purchased the soundtrack to "Return of the Jedi" which concludes with a song in which the ewoks sound "like drunken halflings" according to a friend of mine).

With the conclusion of the original trilogy, I didn't think much about Star Wars until the prequels came out.  There's certainly a lot to like, but I was more into reading, listening to Rush, and playing Dungeons & Dragons.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

I was in Grade 8 when "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" came out.  My friend Joe saw it first, and it was all he could talk about during recess, one day.  (In fact, Joe pretty much covered the entire plot, by the time recess was over.)

Movie poster for "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982)

Unfortunately, certain elements were lost in translation, and I somehow got the idea that Elliott actually becomes an extra-terrestrial.  When I saw the film, I kept waiting for Elliott to transform, and was really confused when he didn't.

As had become our habit, my mother brought us to see the movie with my aunt and cousins.  It was standing room only - literally (we couldn't find enough seats, and so took turns standing at the back of the theatre).

One of the cooler things was the scene showing the kids playing a role-playing game.  This was supposed to be D&D in the script, but Gary Gygax refused to allow the game to be mentioned, out of concern that it might be confused with gambling.

Another neat bit of trivia is that Harrison Ford was originally featured in a cameo as the school principal, although much of that scene was eventually cut, so that only the back of Ford's head is seen.

E.T. is one of those movies that I haven't viewed again since I saw it in theater as a kid.  It's strange that I didn't even rent it for my own kids, when they were little.  Perhaps I should go back and watch it again, some day.

Clash of the Titans (1981)

I was weaned on tales of Greek mythology from a very early age.  I repeatedly borrowed D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths from the school library.  It was part of my Greek heritage, after all, and they were wonderful stories, besides.

Movie poster for "Clash of the Titans" (1981)

My mother took my siblings and me to see "Clash of the Titans" the summer it came out.  We were enchanted.  Although not as slick as "Star Wars", Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion special effects were charming.

I remember the Post Cereal promotion, with stickers featuring characters from the film.  You could even order a poster to stick them on.  I think we got the stickers for Ammon and Bubo, but never ordered the poster.

A few years ago, I rented "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" (1972), a film about the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and was pleasantly surprised to see Judi Bowker in it, the actress who played Andromeda in "Clash of the Titans".

Of course, I caught the 2010 remake, although only on itunes.  It was ok, but the original retains more appeal.  I liked the fact that we got a sequel, "Wrath of the Titans", but the planned third film was canned.

When Laurence Olivier uttered his famous line to "Release the Kraken!", I never thought I'd see the day the phrase would gain notoriety as a mantra for unhinged conspiracy theorists.  Life can be strange.