Random Musings
@randommusings09.bsky.social
A personally run review blog, regularly updated with text reviews of movies, television series, and video games. Posts will be added as new reviews go up.
Index Page: https://random-musings-index.blogspot.com/2021/10/film-television-reviews.html
Index Page: https://random-musings-index.blogspot.com/2021/10/film-television-reviews.html
New Review: Doctor Who - The Lost Stories: The Ark. The Doctor, Sarah Jane, and Harry arrive on a space station that houses humanity's last survivors. It has fallen under the control of an alien who plans to take over the world! Based on the scripts that became The Ark in Space. bit.ly/4oXFPB7
7-1. The Ark.
4 episodes: Buttercups, Puffball, Camellias, Golfball. Running Time: Approx. 135 minutes. Written by: John Lucarotti. Adapted by: Jonatha...
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December 14, 2025 at 9:49 PM
New Review: Doctor Who - The Lost Stories: The Ark. The Doctor, Sarah Jane, and Harry arrive on a space station that houses humanity's last survivors. It has fallen under the control of an alien who plans to take over the world! Based on the scripts that became The Ark in Space. bit.ly/4oXFPB7
New Review: Best Picture 1975 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) tries to get out of a prison work detail by feigning insanity, only to end up in a battle of wills against the domineering Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). As great as its reputation. bit.ly/44WVJVd
1975: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) feigns insanity to avoid prison. Release Date: Nov. 19, 1975. Running Time: 135 minutes. Screenplay by: ...
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December 11, 2025 at 2:25 AM
New Review: Best Picture 1975 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) tries to get out of a prison work detail by feigning insanity, only to end up in a battle of wills against the domineering Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). As great as its reputation. bit.ly/44WVJVd
New Review: Doctor Who - The Early Adventures: The Sontarans. The Doctor is roped into a mission to blow up a Sontaran cannon before it destroys a fleet of refugees. The narrated format allows for an action-heavy story, and for once the Sontarans actually come across as formidable. bit.ly/48GtxHy
3.4: The Sontarans.
4 episodes: The Sontarans, The Descent, The Blind City, The Rule of War. Running Time: Approx. 68 minutes. Written by: Simon Guerrier. Di...
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December 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
New Review: Doctor Who - The Early Adventures: The Sontarans. The Doctor is roped into a mission to blow up a Sontaran cannon before it destroys a fleet of refugees. The narrated format allows for an action-heavy story, and for once the Sontarans actually come across as formidable. bit.ly/48GtxHy
New Review: Doctor Who - The Early Adventures: An Ordinary Life. A disoriented Doctor abandons Steven and Sara in 1950s London, leaving them to live out their lives in a time and place where they don't belong - even as their neighbors are gradually replaced by an alien intelligence. rb.gy/34it0g
1.4: An Ordinary Life.
4 episodes: An Ordinary Life, The Unalike, The Sleeping Army, The Enemy Without. Running Time: Approx. 123 minutes. Written by: Matt Fitt...
rb.gy
November 30, 2025 at 7:11 PM
New Review: Doctor Who - The Early Adventures: An Ordinary Life. A disoriented Doctor abandons Steven and Sara in 1950s London, leaving them to live out their lives in a time and place where they don't belong - even as their neighbors are gradually replaced by an alien intelligence. rb.gy/34it0g
New Review: Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: The Anachronauts. After colliding with another ship inside the Vortex, the Doctor, Steven, and Sara Kingdom wake up on a beach, alongside the other crew. The TARDIS is nowhere to be found - and these time castaways are not alone... bit.ly/3KbEokq
6-7. The Anachronauts.
4 episodes: The Island, The Door, The Wall, The Betrayer. Running Time: Approx. 131 minutes. Written by: Simon Guerrier. Directed by: Ken...
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November 23, 2025 at 9:34 PM
New Review: Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: The Anachronauts. After colliding with another ship inside the Vortex, the Doctor, Steven, and Sara Kingdom wake up on a beach, alongside the other crew. The TARDIS is nowhere to be found - and these time castaways are not alone... bit.ly/3KbEokq
New Review: Callan novel - Bonfire Night. An aging, wealthy Callan falls in love, even as he's targeted by an old enemy. Final novel for both author James Mitchell and his spy character Callan. Sadly not very good, though there are excellent individual moments scattered throughout. bit.ly/3LSbhmK
Bonfire Night.
Publication Date: 2002. Written by: James Mitchell. Published by: Severn House. 192 pages. THE PLOT: Callan has basically won at Li...
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November 22, 2025 at 4:03 AM
New Review: Callan novel - Bonfire Night. An aging, wealthy Callan falls in love, even as he's targeted by an old enemy. Final novel for both author James Mitchell and his spy character Callan. Sadly not very good, though there are excellent individual moments scattered throughout. bit.ly/3LSbhmK
New Review: Worst Picture 2004 - Catwoman: Meek Patience Phillips (Halle Berry) is murdered after discovering that her employer is about to distribute Evil Face Cream. She is reincarnated as Catwoman to take revenge... eventually. Truly awful, but I actually had some fun with it. bit.ly/4r7FwWI
2004: Catwoman.
Catwoman (Halle Berry) prepares to take revenge on the villains who murdered her. Release Date: July 19, 2004. Running Time: 104 minutes....
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November 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
New Review: Worst Picture 2004 - Catwoman: Meek Patience Phillips (Halle Berry) is murdered after discovering that her employer is about to distribute Evil Face Cream. She is reincarnated as Catwoman to take revenge... eventually. Truly awful, but I actually had some fun with it. bit.ly/4r7FwWI
New Review - Doctor Who audio: The Five Companions. During the events of "The Five Doctors," the 5th Doctor finds himself trapped in a pocket dimension with five of his past traveling companions - and also with dinosaurs, Sontarans, and Daleks. Pure fanservice, but fun. bit.ly/4oxo6kX
X. The Five Companions.
1 episode. Running Time: Approx. 57 minutes. Written by: Eddie Robson. Directed by: Ken Bentley. Produced by: David Richardson. THE PL...
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November 9, 2025 at 7:37 PM
New Review - Doctor Who audio: The Five Companions. During the events of "The Five Doctors," the 5th Doctor finds himself trapped in a pocket dimension with five of his past traveling companions - and also with dinosaurs, Sontarans, and Daleks. Pure fanservice, but fun. bit.ly/4oxo6kX
New Review: Robotech - The Movie. Mechanic Mark Landry is drawn into a conspiracy that pits him against an evil clone sending data to the Robotech Masters. A re-edit of "Megazone 23" with a bunch of "Southern Cross" footage added. What can you say, other than, "That's a Cannon movie!" bit.ly/3JKXcqs
Robotech: The Movie.
Mechanic Mark Landry acquires the top-secret MODAT-5. Also Released as: Robotech - The Untold Story. Original Release Date: July 25, 198...
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November 5, 2025 at 9:28 PM
New Review: Robotech - The Movie. Mechanic Mark Landry is drawn into a conspiracy that pits him against an evil clone sending data to the Robotech Masters. A re-edit of "Megazone 23" with a bunch of "Southern Cross" footage added. What can you say, other than, "That's a Cannon movie!" bit.ly/3JKXcqs
New Review: Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: The Guardian of the Solar System. The TARDIS brings Sara Kingdom back to her own time, before Mavic Chen made his deal with the Daleks, making her hope she can put right what once went wrong. Sorry, Sara - Wrong time travel show... bit.ly/4nyTnCE
5-1. The Guardian of the Solar System.
2 episodes: The Old Men in the Clock, The Guardian of the Solar System. Running Time: Approx. 70 minutes. Written by: Simon Guerrier. Dir...
companionchroniclesreviews.blogspot.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:33 PM
New Review: Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: The Guardian of the Solar System. The TARDIS brings Sara Kingdom back to her own time, before Mavic Chen made his deal with the Daleks, making her hope she can put right what once went wrong. Sorry, Sara - Wrong time travel show... bit.ly/4nyTnCE
New Review: Megazone 23. Directionless young Shogo falls for aspiring actress Yui - just in time for a buddy to draw him into a deadly conspiracy by showing him a top-secret government motorcycle. The basis for Robotech: The Movie, but that's the least interesting thing about it. bit.ly/4nqaOVP
Megazone 23.
Shogo and his friend Tomomi discover a shocking secret. Also Released As: Megazone 23, Part 1 . Basis for: Robotech: The Movie . Origina...
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October 30, 2025 at 2:51 AM
New Review: Megazone 23. Directionless young Shogo falls for aspiring actress Yui - just in time for a buddy to draw him into a deadly conspiracy by showing him a top-secret government motorcycle. The basis for Robotech: The Movie, but that's the least interesting thing about it. bit.ly/4nqaOVP
New Review: Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: The Drowned World. Sequel to "Home Truths," with Sara narrating another adventure, this one involving the rescue of some miners on a world of sentient water. It's not as good as its predecessor, but it's still worth a listen. bit.ly/47mtvUj
4-1. The Drowned World.
2 episodes: The Rising Tide, The Drowned World. Running Time: Approx. 68 minutes. Written by: Simon Guerrier. Directed by: Lisa Bowerman....
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October 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
New Review: Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: The Drowned World. Sequel to "Home Truths," with Sara narrating another adventure, this one involving the rescue of some miners on a world of sentient water. It's not as good as its predecessor, but it's still worth a listen. bit.ly/47mtvUj
New Review: Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: Home Truths. The Doctor, Steven, and Sara Kingdom find themselves in a mysterious, sealed house, alone save for the bodies of a married couple, with no apparent cause of death... One of the better releases of a very good range. bit.ly/3WMgq1K
3-5. Home Truths.
2 episodes: Dream Home, Home Truths. Running Time: Approx. 68 minutes. Written by: Simon Guerrier. Directed by: Lisa Bowerman. Produced b...
companionchroniclesreviews.blogspot.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:28 PM
New Review: Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: Home Truths. The Doctor, Steven, and Sara Kingdom find themselves in a mysterious, sealed house, alone save for the bodies of a married couple, with no apparent cause of death... One of the better releases of a very good range. bit.ly/3WMgq1K
Movie Review - The Godfather, Part III (1990). Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) makes a last effort to wash clean the sins of his family by purchasing a Vatican-linked business - only to find himself at the center of a conspiracy. A good film that just can't live up to its predecessors. bit.ly/479ea9x
Supplemental Review: The Godfather, Part III (1990).
An aging Michael Corleone makes an ambitious final effort to redeem his family name. Release Date: Dec. 20, 1990. Running Time: 162 minut...
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October 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Movie Review - The Godfather, Part III (1990). Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) makes a last effort to wash clean the sins of his family by purchasing a Vatican-linked business - only to find himself at the center of a conspiracy. A good film that just can't live up to its predecessors. bit.ly/479ea9x
New Review: Doctor Who 2.8 - The Reality War. The Doctor has a single day to stop the Rani from using the power of The Wish to summon Omega, the first Time Lord, to recreate the despotic Time Lords of old! Disappears so far up itself that it just about creates its own singularity. bit.ly/4gWLkh3
#18 (2.8): The Reality War.
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October 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
New Review: Doctor Who 2.8 - The Reality War. The Doctor has a single day to stop the Rani from using the power of The Wish to summon Omega, the first Time Lord, to recreate the despotic Time Lords of old! Disappears so far up itself that it just about creates its own singularity. bit.ly/4gWLkh3
New Review: Doctor Who 2.7 - Wish World. Insurance agent John Smith (Ncuti Gatwa) and his perfectly domesticated wife Belinda (Varada Sethu) slowly begin to doubt the perfectly domesticated world in which they live - a world engineered by renegade Time Lady the Rani (Archie Panjabi). bit.ly/3Wa2Jtc
#17 (2.7): Wish World.
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September 29, 2025 at 2:20 AM
New Review: Doctor Who 2.7 - Wish World. Insurance agent John Smith (Ncuti Gatwa) and his perfectly domesticated wife Belinda (Varada Sethu) slowly begin to doubt the perfectly domesticated world in which they live - a world engineered by renegade Time Lady the Rani (Archie Panjabi). bit.ly/3Wa2Jtc
New Review: Star Trek Voyager 6.11 - Fair Haven. Tom Paris creates a holodeck version of a 19th century Irish village, and Janeway falls for the rugged local bartender. Meanwhile, the ship endures a Technobabble storm. There's the germ of a good idea, but it ends up shallow and dull. bit.ly/3IDHvAH
6-11. Fair Haven.
Capt. Janeway falls in love with a holodeck character. Original Air Date: Jan. 12, 2000. Written by: Robin Burger. Directed by: Allan Kro...
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September 26, 2025 at 5:47 AM
New Review: Star Trek Voyager 6.11 - Fair Haven. Tom Paris creates a holodeck version of a 19th century Irish village, and Janeway falls for the rugged local bartender. Meanwhile, the ship endures a Technobabble storm. There's the germ of a good idea, but it ends up shallow and dull. bit.ly/3IDHvAH
New Review: Doctor Who 2.6 - The Interstellar Song Contest. The final Vindicator reading takes the Doctor and Belinda to the space station hosting the Interstellar Song Contest. Belinda is actually excited for a change - until terrorists take over the control room. bit.ly/46wArh8
#16 (2.6): The Interstellar Song Contest.
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September 21, 2025 at 10:15 PM
New Review: Doctor Who 2.6 - The Interstellar Song Contest. The final Vindicator reading takes the Doctor and Belinda to the space station hosting the Interstellar Song Contest. Belinda is actually excited for a change - until terrorists take over the control room. bit.ly/46wArh8
New Review: Doctor Who 2.5 - The Story and the Engine. The Doctor's visit to his favorite barber shop results in him being captured by an entity who needs him to power his interdimensional engine, which is fueled entirely by stories. My favorite episode of Ncuti Gatwa's tenure. bit.ly/46fBja0
#15 (2.5): The Story and the Engine.
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September 14, 2025 at 10:58 PM
New Review: Doctor Who 2.5 - The Story and the Engine. The Doctor's visit to his favorite barber shop results in him being captured by an entity who needs him to power his interdimensional engine, which is fueled entirely by stories. My favorite episode of Ncuti Gatwa's tenure. bit.ly/46fBja0
New Review: Robotech movie - Codename: Robotech. 10 years after an alien battle fortress crashes on Earth, the ship has been refitted for human use - just in time, as the warlike Zentraedi come in search of it. Edited from the series' first 13 episodes. bit.ly/489Oeg6
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September 11, 2025 at 4:53 AM
New Review: Robotech movie - Codename: Robotech. 10 years after an alien battle fortress crashes on Earth, the ship has been refitted for human use - just in time, as the warlike Zentraedi come in search of it. Edited from the series' first 13 episodes. bit.ly/489Oeg6
New Review: Doctor Who 2.4 - Lucky Day. Ruby Sunday, struggling to adjust to normal life on Earth, meets an appealingly awkward podcaster who met the Doctor when he was a child. Their fledgling relationship seems to be exactly what she needs - but monsters may just get in the way... bit.ly/4m0G3Gt
#14 (2.4): Lucky Day.
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September 7, 2025 at 7:49 PM
New Review: Doctor Who 2.4 - Lucky Day. Ruby Sunday, struggling to adjust to normal life on Earth, meets an appealingly awkward podcaster who met the Doctor when he was a child. Their fledgling relationship seems to be exactly what she needs - but monsters may just get in the way... bit.ly/4m0G3Gt
Video Game Review: Persona 5 - The Phantom X. Tokyo high school student becomes a "Phantom Thief," changing villains' hearts with the help of his friends. Free-to-play gacha title nicely translates Persona 5's core gameplay to a mobile format - but the writing is pretty weak so far. bit.ly/46fzvho
Persona 5: The Phantom X.
Original Release: Android, iOS, Windows, 2025. Platform Used: Steam Deck. Note: This review is based on 60 hours of playtime, including...
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September 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Video Game Review: Persona 5 - The Phantom X. Tokyo high school student becomes a "Phantom Thief," changing villains' hearts with the help of his friends. Free-to-play gacha title nicely translates Persona 5's core gameplay to a mobile format - but the writing is pretty weak so far. bit.ly/46fzvho
New Review: Best Picture 1974 - The Godfather, Part II. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is betrayed and fights to maintain power. This is contrasted with flashbacks showing his father, Vito (Robert DeNiro)'s rise to power. Messier than the first film, but also more complex. bit.ly/3HQjGFF
1974: The Godfather, Part II.
Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) finds it hard to live in the shadow of his late father, Vito (Robert DeNiro). Release Date: Dec. 12, 1974. R...
bit.ly
September 3, 2025 at 5:53 AM
New Review: Best Picture 1974 - The Godfather, Part II. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is betrayed and fights to maintain power. This is contrasted with flashbacks showing his father, Vito (Robert DeNiro)'s rise to power. Messier than the first film, but also more complex. bit.ly/3HQjGFF
New Review: Doctor Who 2.3 - The Well. The Doctor and Belinda find themselves in the company of a squad of soldiers investigating a disaster that wiped out the workers at a mining colony - all except for a single survivor. The best script so far this season. bit.ly/460xNjN
#13 (2.3): The Well.
bit.ly
August 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM
New Review: Doctor Who 2.3 - The Well. The Doctor and Belinda find themselves in the company of a squad of soldiers investigating a disaster that wiped out the workers at a mining colony - all except for a single survivor. The best script so far this season. bit.ly/460xNjN
New Review: Doctor Who 2.2 - Lux. The Doctor and Belinda investigate a movie theater in which an entire film audience vanished, only to discover a living cartoon who has been possessed by a Chaos God. A good script that benefits from seamless blending of live action and animation. bit.ly/4mqiJTm
#12 (2.2): Lux.
bit.ly
August 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
New Review: Doctor Who 2.2 - Lux. The Doctor and Belinda investigate a movie theater in which an entire film audience vanished, only to discover a living cartoon who has been possessed by a Chaos God. A good script that benefits from seamless blending of live action and animation. bit.ly/4mqiJTm