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Reviews
The X Files: The Field Where I Died (1996)
Powerful episode beautifully presented
This seems to be a polarizing ep based on the reviews here. I am among those who find it beautiful and moving, on par with "The Empath," a likewise underrated episode of Star Trek.
"The Field Where I Died" is far more plausible than the average monster of the week episode; reincarnation is a widely accepted mainstream belief for perhaps of a third of the world population and a cornerstone of two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. The idea of Muider and Scully reincarnating and finding each other, lifetime after lifetime, is irresistible, and I love it when Mulder calls her Dana, although I would liked to have seen a little more jealousy from Scully of Mulder and the guest star's multi-lifetime relationship.
A well-thought-out script from Morgan and Wong with strong performances from Duchovny as well as the guest actress and the actor who played the cult leader. I am not usually a fan of the MOTW eps but this is now one of my favorites. Bravo.
The X Files: Tooms (1994)
Too much to swallow
Want to acknowledge that everyone else gave this a strong review, so I'm an outlier here.
Main problem is that the monster is a hodgepodge of random weird things--he eats human livers, he has to kill five victims in a row, he goes into hibernation for thirty years. Also he can stretch himself like Plastic Man. It's just too much and detracts from the believability of the episode.
Ep is notable for the appearance of Skinner, but the scene where he's grilling Scully is unsatisfactory. He demands "conventional" investigative methods and Scully responds that unconventional cases require unconventional techniques. But it seems like M & S track down leads, talk to witnesses, collect physical evidence, etc like any other detectives--why is this "unconventional"?
Best scene is the M&S in the car, when he says "if you've got an iced tea in there, it could be love." On the whole, though, this ep is too much to swallow.
The X Files: Fire (1993)
Subpar episode just never catches fire
Monster of the week episode that is only worth watching for the scenes where Scully's jealousy is evident. Opinions vary about the Phoebe Green character but as far as I'm concerned there is zero chemistry between her and Mulder. Mulder's fear of fire just seems contrived for this episode as other reviewers have commented, and in general Duchovny seems lost in a number of scenes which I blame on bad writing rather than the actor. Scully has the idea of running background checks on employees of the arson victims, as Scotland Yard apparently did not think of doing. The monster of the week, who appears to start fires with mental power, just is not very interesting which again I blame on the writing, not the actor. The whole thing just doesn't hang together. Not worth seeing twice.
The X Files: Beyond the Sea (1994)
Masterpiece from season 1
Having suffered through the mediocre and worse episodes of the reboot seasons, I was reminded why I became a hardcore fan in the first place when I revisited this episode. A simply terrific, taut drama with multiple layers that work on every level. This is the first episode where the character of Scully is given some depth and Gillian Anderson is more than up to the task, from the scenes where she regresses to her little girl voice, to the scene where she is screaming in rage at Boggs. Brad Dourif as Boggs is brilliant. The ending where Mulder puts his hand on Scully's arm strikes exactly the right note. All told one of the best of any season and my only complaint is that we do not get to know Captain Scully better; in his first and only episode (excepting flashbacks) he is killed off before he even reaches the first commercial break.
Man in the Wilderness (1971)
You won't forget it
First saw this on TV probably when I was a teen in the 70s. I heartily agree with the accolades by other reviewers and won't echo them all here. I'd just like to note how perfect the craggy faced John Huston is as the eccentric captain of a land ship being hauled across the snowy waste. There is something archetypal about the image of Huston in his long black coat, wearing a battered top hat, perched atop his creaking ship as the snow swirls down, and men and animals strain at the tethers. Far above the standard western fare and the perfect picture to spend a cold winter afternoon with, in the warm comfort of your living room.
Captain Blood (1935)
Hoist the Jolly Roger!
Put two young, beautiful and charismatic stars together with stirring music, an intelligent screenplay, great supporting characters, and sensitive direction, and you have a classic, the ideal movie for a rainy Saturday afternoon. Other men want to follow Errol Flynn and be his friend. Olivia De Haviland is a warm and spirited beauty. Together they are irresistible. Lionel Atwill and Basil Rathbone are perfect villains. Through all the swashbuckling action, director Curtiz knew how to keep the focus on the characters' emotions. Sure, the model shots are dated, but "Captain Blood" has what today's computer-generated spectacles don't have: heart.