This film could easily have been called Steven. It is an homage to Director Steven Spielberg and his presence, both in reference and during an on-screen phone call, is always on screen. It is an earthy remake of ET (1982) with Paul being the ET cute alien with a longshoreman‘s attitude. He performs all the … Read more
In Battle: Los Angeles aliens arrive and land in the oceans just off the shores of major cities all over the Earth. No “Take me too your leader.” No, “We come in peace.” Instead they act like a bunch of Wisconsin teacher’s union members and start to get mean and nasty. They march ashore and … Read more
Every year the Motion Picture Academy of etc, etc. gets together for a big night of self-congratulation and partying. In order to win and make a speech, the “A” List is forced to buy or rent expensive clothes and jewelry and sit through the show. One of the most fun things to watch is the … Read more
I have been looking forward to the sequel to The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001) for a long time. It came out in 2009 and I just found out about it. Tells you how far out of the loop I am. Film maker Larry Blamire again makes a film with very little money and hilarious … Read more
The World’s youngest ever billionaire’s story has been told. Looks easy. Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook on the Harvard Campus in 2003 after being rejected by a girl he had been dating. It took a billion bucks to make him feel better and get over the heartache. The Social Network is the Oscar nominated film that … Read more
Sanctum is being advertised as “James Cameron’s Sanctum.” The film was not directed or written by JC (Executive Producer) but his real money was used to finance it. With 30 million bucks in jeopardy if nobody shows up, JC is very actively promoting and attaching his name to the project. Sanctum is based on a … Read more
I love films about ballet and classical music. Always have, always will. My all-time favorite is A Night at the Opera (1935). If you have the same love of the classics and ballet check out this masterpiece. Black Swan is about ballet. Specifically Swan Lake, which is a well-known ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Those of … Read more
When I was in the 9th grade, Mrs. Friddle, my speech and drama teacher, gave me a small role in the play “Our Town”. It was a frightening experience. Then she asked me to memorize and perform a comedy routine for a speech contest. The Stockton Junior High School stage was a daunting place. You … Read more
True Grit and Lonesome Dove. Charles Portis and Larry McMurty. John Wayne and Jeff Bridges. John Books and John Wayne. Left eye or right eye? The parallels with other books and Western stories in this 2010 version of True Grit are staggering. John Wayne starred in the original version in 1969. He won his only … Read more