rpowell

Below is a small article about a dish that was created in the early 1950s called Coronation Chicken. I first learned about the recipe while watching a "SUPERSIZERS" episode about the 1950s: ( Read more... )

"OUR MUTUAL FRIEND" (1998) Review

As a rule, I have never been an ardent fan of Charles Dickens' novels. I suppose my aversion to his writing stemmed from being forced to read his 1838 tale, "Oliver Twist", while in my early teens. That was the last time I had read a Dickens novel, but several film and television adaptations of his work awaited me for many years down the road. And I did not warm up to them. ( Read more... )

"FLASHMAN" (1969) Book Review

Forty-one years ago, an old literary character was re-introduced to many readers, thanks to a former Scottish journalist named George MacDonald Fraser. The author took a character from a famous Victorian novel and created a series of novels that placed said character in a series of historical events throughout the middle and second half of the 19th century. ( Read more... )

I wrote this commentary on the fourth episode of "THE PACIFIC": ( Read more... )

I wrote this brief commentary on the second episode of "THE PACIFIC": ( Read more... )

"THUNDERBALL" (1965) Review

I had just viewed the 1965 Bond movie, “THUNDERBALL” for the first time in several years. And I can see why this movie is considered to be one of my all time favorite Bond flicks. But I do not think I can state why in one or two sentences. ( Read more... )

Below are images from "THUNDERBALL", the 1965 adaptation of Ian Fleming's 1961 novel and Jack Whittingham's 1959 screenplay, "Longitude 78 West". Directed by Terence Young, the movie starred Sean Connery as James Bond: ( Read more... )

Below are images from "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST", the 2006 entry in the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN movie franchise. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the movie starred Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow: ( Read more... )

"THE KING’S SPEECH" (2010) Review

Inspirational movies have been the hallmark of Hollywood films over the decades. They especially became popular between the mid-1970s and the early 1990s. After the mid-90s, I never thought they would become popular again. But the recent release of the historical drama, ”THE KING’S SPEECH” proved me wrong. ( Read more... )

"MANGAL PANDEY: THE RISING" (2005) Review

I have read several novels about the historic event known as the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857-1858 (aka The Indian Mutiny, or aka the First War of Indian Independence). And the main characters in each novel have been British. I have not seen one movie about the event. And after seeing 2005’s ”MANGAL PANDEY: THE RISING”, I still have not seen one movie about the Sepoy Rebellion. But this is the first movie I have seen that touches upon the subject. ( Read more... )