In high school we read Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.” The book has stayed with me from that time to this. Now, the author is at the center of a new documentary, “The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien.”… Read More ›
Josh Lasser
Will Addison of “Easy Does It” on the American Dream
On today’s podcast we have director Will Addison. He’s got a new film on demand called “Easy Does It,” which looks at a couple of (bad) robbers as they pursue their version of the American Dream. Over the course of… Read More ›
How can we see the Breath of “The Invisible Man?”
I don’t necessarily like being the person who looks at something fun and has all the enjoyment sucked out of it for a potentially silly reason, and yet, here we are. You can’t fight genetics. Or, you can fight genetics… Read More ›
“Badland” and Ticking the Trope Boxes
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 ›
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 ›
“Mean Girls” Makes Fetch Happen
There are some movies which stand the test of time. I’m not quite suggesting that 15 years is that test, but it’s probably a pretty good approximation of the test for a high school movie. If such a film remains… 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 ›
“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 ›
“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 ›
“Overlord,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and the Truth
I was not the most revered graduate in my class. Sure, I ran the student group my second year in school and I proved myself well enough all around, but there was something in my approach, I fear, which wasn’t… Read More ›
“Nobody’s Fool” – Do People Make Relationship Lists?
In the film “Nobody’s Fool,” the Tyler Perry one, not the Paul Newman one, a character played by Tika Sumpter has a list for what she wants in a man. It’s a physical thing, and I find that perplexing. Do… Read More ›
“Mrs. Maisel” Finishes Our Podcast Year
Currently available on Amazon Prime are the first two seasons of their original series, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” On this, what we presume to be our final episode of the year, we suggest that it makes for wonderful holiday viewing…. Read More ›
“Overboard” (2018) and the Nothingburger
There are words/phrases which we all dislike. Personally, I don’t enjoy “nothingburger” (or “nothing burger” or “nothing-burger” depending on what way you want to write it). And yet, just because I don’t like it, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t perfectly… Read More ›
“A Quiet Place” Makes a Big Noise
Film is a visual medium, we’ve all been told this, but the way sound is employed is still crucial. There are so many examples of brilliant use of sound, and one of them is out on Blu-ray as of today… Read More ›
Our Mission? Five Films in one Week
My daughter and I recently set ourselves a task — to watch all five “Mission: Impossible” movies in a single week. Not only did we succeed, but we got to see the evolution of this incredible film franchise. Tom Cruise’s… Read More ›
Getting Peevish Towards “Acrimony”
Tyler Perry’s “Acrimony” has now hit Blu-ray shelves nationwide, and the big question may not be whether you should buy it (you shouldn’t), but whether you should remake the movie once you decide you don’t (again, you shouldn’t). In this… Read More ›
“The Death of Stalin” and the 21st Century
Armano Iannucci’s “The Death of Stalin” is now out on home video, and it’s a film well worth one’s time. Not only is it an exceptionally dark, terribly funny, film about the events surrounding Stalin’s death in 1950s’ Russia, it… Read More ›
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