This weekend the new movie, “Badland,” hits theaters and streaming platforms. Written and directed by Justin Lee, the film stars Kevin Makely. It’s a western, and it ticks all the boxes you would imagine a western would hit. But, is… Read More ›
Lass is More
Worthwhile Spins (like “Galaxy Quest”) vs. “The Lion King” (2019)
There is nothing wrong with Disney going out and deciding that they’re going to remake every single movie they’ve ever made before. What is wrong is doing that without a specific, new, take on whatever movie it is they’re making…. Read More ›
The Pull of the B Movie
Neither “Crawl” nor “Night Hunter” are likely to win any awards, but the two thrillers grab you by the collar and don’t let go for the length of their run, and there’s something incredible to be said about that. Well,… Read More ›
“1917” Cast and Crew Talk One-Take Film
I have gone to some good New York Comic-Con panels in the past, but hands-down, the one for “1917” is my all-time favorite. It was therefore extra rewarding that following the panel I got to chat one-on-one with two of… Read More ›
Will Smith is one All-Powerful Genie
Some may have balked at the notion of taking on the role of the Genie in Disney’s live-action “Aladdin.” Robin Williams voiced the role to perfection in the animated movie and that could easily cause folks to stay away. Happily,… Read More ›
Michael Waltrip on Surviving Change in the “Blink of an Eye”
Michael Waltrip, famed NASCAR driver, is the focus of a new documentary called “Blink of an Eye.” Based on his own book, this is the story of Waltrip’s NASCAR career and the great and terrible day on which he broke… Read More ›
The Beauty (and Horror) of “Apocalypse Now Final Cut”
Some filmmakers like to tweak their work, even years after the film’s original release. At the end of this summer, Francis Ford Coppola gave us a new version of “Apocalypse Now,” this one called “Apocalypse Now Final Cut.” The film… Read More ›
“Rocketman” and “The Banana Splits Movie” Offer a Look at History
What does our past tell us about ourselves? What does someone else’s past tell us about them? Is the past a springboard for who we are now or something to avoid? Is there a direct connection, a linear sort of… Read More ›
On the Audacity of “Avengers: Endgame”
There is just something about “Avengers: Endgame,” this movie which closes a saga that has played out across nearly two dozen films. It is an astounding film for its audacity, for the way it tells its story as well as… Read More ›
On Binge-Watching (“Saw”) Movies
Last week, the podcast featured a discussion in which I mentioned having seen one “Saw” film and the inevitability that I would see the rest (or would keep watching until they got bad). Well, here we are a week later… Read More ›
The Process Podcast
This week’s podcast is slightly different than what we usually do. This week, we’re talking about process, about how things happen. Or, at the very least, we’re talking about things like Josh’s process for coming up with a podcast or… Read More ›
“Dumbo,” “Pet Sematary,” and Emotional Responses
The year 2019 has brought us so many things, including new versions of “Dumbo” and “Pet Sematary.” While at first glance these two films may not have much in common, that’s actually not the case. Both of these films hurt… Read More ›
“Sides of a Horn” and a Nuanced Look at Rhino Poaching
What if some people–needy people–benefited from rhino poaching? Is the issue of rhino poaching more than just black and white? Writer-director Toby Wosskow has made a short film, “Sides of a Horn,” looking at just those questions. As for us… Read More ›
Call her Captain Marvel-ous
On this week’s podcast we’re taking a look at “Captain Marvel.” Now available on Blu-ray, the film gives us the character who just might become the new face of the MCU. What does it say about her? What baddies could… Read More ›
Documentary “For the Birds” is Anything but
What must it be like to keep over 200 types of fowl at your house? What sorts f havoc must that wreak? Wonder no more, because director Richard Miron has documented Kathy Murphy’s trials and tribulations in “For the Birds,”… Read More ›
Is John Krasinski’s Jack Ryan the real Jack Ryan?
Several years ago, Amazon announced that they would be airing a new series based on Tom Clancy’s super spy. Last summer, the series premiered and now the first season is out on Blu-ray. Seasons two and three have already been… Read More ›
Does John Wick Blast his way Into Your Heart?
On today’s podcast, with the third “John Wick” film sitting atop the box office, we take look at the first two films and just what makes them so successful. There’s a little bit of Bond there. There’s some great world… Read More ›
Hot Water is Good
Rather than following our usual format for a podcast–one which has me obsess about some aspect of a film–this week we’re going off the beaten track. Yes, this week we’re going to talk about hot water, tankless hot waters, and… Read More ›
Do You Want “What Men Want”
Taraji P. Henson is a force to be reckoned with in the relatively funny “What Men Want,” which is now out on Blu-ray. Aldis Hodge is a great co-star for her and Tracy Morgan is… Tracy Morgan, which is probably… Read More ›
The Years Making “Scheme Birds” were well Spent
On this week’s podcast we have directors Ellen Fiske and Ellinor Hallin. The two women spent years filming Gemma, an inhabitant of a housing project, or “scheme,” in Scotland. Although they may not have known where the voyage would take… Read More ›