In 1989, Kenneth Branagh was on the cusp of greatness. An acclaimed stage actor, he had just released his filmed version of Shakespeare’s Henry V onto a public that adored it, hailing him as the greatest Shakespearean actor since Olivier (which may have been premature since Olivier was still alive at this point. How did … Continue reading An Autobiography Ian Likes: Beginning by Kenneth Branagh
Category: Film
A Doctor Who Story That Only Ian Likes: Underworld
The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) and his two companions, Leela (Louise Jameson) and K9 (voiced by John Leeson), have arrived at the edge of the known universe. Escaping from the gravitational pull of a spiral nebula they seek solace aboard a nearby spacecraft. This craft, a remnant of the destroyed planet of Minyos, is searching … Continue reading A Doctor Who Story That Only Ian Likes: Underworld
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 28: The Amazing Maurice And His Educated Rodents
Way back in Reaper Man, mention was made of a fraudulent ridder of pests by the name of “The Amazing Maurice And His Educated Rodents.” At the time, it was regarded as a humourous aside that riffed on the cynical nature of humanity via the legends of the Pied Piper, but it was a germ … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 28: The Amazing Maurice And His Educated Rodents
A Franchise Ian Likes One Entry Of: Highlander
Russel Nash appears to be a successful antiques dealer in New York in 1985. But when Brenda Wyatt, a forensics expert with the police, begins to investigate his possible role in a series of beheadings across the city, she uncovers the unbelievable possibility that Nash is in fact Connor MacLeod, a Scottish man nearly 470 … Continue reading A Franchise Ian Likes One Entry Of: Highlander
An Episode Of Star Trek That Ian Likes: The Doomsday Machine
Captain James Kirk is in trouble: he’s answered a distress call from the U.S.S. Constellation only to find it a wrecked hull, floating in space. The only survivor, Commodore Matt Decker, is wracked with guilt after sending his crew to what he thought was safety, only to watch them killed as the planet he thought … Continue reading An Episode Of Star Trek That Ian Likes: The Doomsday Machine
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 10: Moving Pictures
We haven’t visited the wizards of Unseen University properly since the events of Sourcery, so Moving Pictures was a very welcome entry in the series for me, especially after the return of Rincwind in Eric, the previous book. Imagine my surprise then, when after a really big build-up at the beginning of the novel, the … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 10: Moving Pictures
A Cultural Juggernaut Ian Likes: The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
It’s one of the most famous stories in all of twentieth century literature: Frodo Baggins, a hobbit, is given a ring by his uncle Bilbo, who came by it during his adventuring days when he was younger. However, Frodo is informed by the wizard Gandalf that is in fact the Ring of Power, forged by … Continue reading A Cultural Juggernaut Ian Likes: The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
A Short Story And Novel That Ian Likes: Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Charlie Gordon is the janitor at a local bakery. He also attends evening classes to improve his reading and writing skills. His motivation to better himself inspires his teacher, Alice Kinnian, to submit his name for an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence. Initial results on a lab mouse, named Algernon, have been promising and … Continue reading A Short Story And Novel That Ian Likes: Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes
A Film Ian Likes: The Tall Guy
We all think we know Richard Curtis, right? Huge British writer/ director who helped make modern British cinema what it is today? Reinventor of the romantic comedy before sinking it under the weight of his own clichés? Co-creator and co-author of Blackadder? Figure most responsible for the rise of Hugh Grant as an actor? Right. Well, this movie is where you … Continue reading A Film Ian Likes: The Tall Guy
Stuff Ian Likes 