Why Juneteenth Is Important (Even If You Don’t Think It is)

If I remember correctly, two or three weeks passed after Sept. 11, 2001 when I was working as a reporter for the Americus Times-Recorder in Americus, Ga., when I was assigned to go to some Civil War event at nearby Andersonville, Ga. Apparently every year, all these re-enactors would fire off their rifles in memoryContinue reading “Why Juneteenth Is Important (Even If You Don’t Think It is)”

Bad Fathers And Their Effects Blossoms At Center Of ‘Magnolia’

Being that it’s Father’s Day, dads are often portrayed poorly in the movies. I don’t know why, but I think it comes from the fact that mothers were often considered the homemakers while fathers were the breadwinners. As long as they provided a house and money for food and resources, their job was done. PaulContinue reading “Bad Fathers And Their Effects Blossoms At Center Of ‘Magnolia’”

‘World’s Greatest Dad’ Isn’t What You’d Think For A Robin Williams Movie

Going into World’s Greatest Dad, you’d think it would be some zany movie in which Robin Williams plays a single father who must deal with his wayward son. This isn’t an update of the silly comedy Superdad staring Bob Crane. It’s a comedy. It’s just not the type of comedy you’d think. Lance Clayton (Williams)Continue reading “‘World’s Greatest Dad’ Isn’t What You’d Think For A Robin Williams Movie”

‘Creepshow’ Makes Us Remember How Important Father’s Day Is

Father’s Day is this weekend and it’s hard, if you’re a horror fan, not to think of Creepshow. The holiday plays a special role in the 1982 horror anthology movie which marries the mind of Stephen King with the mind of George A. Romero. The movie is an ode to the old Tales from theContinue reading “‘Creepshow’ Makes Us Remember How Important Father’s Day Is”

‘Hard Eight’ Is A Jackpot Win For Philip Baker Hall’s Legacy

Earlier this week, Philip Baker Hall passed away at the age of 90. For the most part, he remained a character actor only appearing in a few scenes or supporting roles in bigger movies such as The Rock, Ghostbusters II and the Kiss of Death remake in 1995. He hardly ever appeared in a leadingContinue reading “‘Hard Eight’ Is A Jackpot Win For Philip Baker Hall’s Legacy”

‘Hustle’ Flows With Great Story, Performances

As a movie lover, there’s a few things I thought I’d never see. One was when David Lynch made a G-rated movie that was distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. Another is to see a Happy Madison Production that actually might be a very good Oscar contender with a great performance by Adam Sandler. I sayContinue reading “‘Hustle’ Flows With Great Story, Performances”

‘The Valet’ Goes Down Similar Winding RomCom Path

I liked The Valet. I just wish it took a better shortcut to get to its conclusion. At two hours, this is a good 15-20 minutes too long. It’s also takes a little road less traveled for a romcom like this. The plot seems similar to Notting Hill or the recently released Marry Me inContinue reading “‘The Valet’ Goes Down Similar Winding RomCom Path”

Not Gonna Pull The Wool Over Your Eyes, ‘Lamb’ Is Mutton Special

Warning: This contains spoilers. A movie like Lamb seems more like a parody of movies distributed by A24 rather than being a serious movie. Maria (Noomi Rapace) and Ingvar (Hilmir Snaer Gudnason) are a married couple living on a very isolated ranch/farmland in Iceland. They raise sheep but are hardly speaking to each other asContinue reading “Not Gonna Pull The Wool Over Your Eyes, ‘Lamb’ Is Mutton Special”

Some Damned Fool Accused ‘Predator’ Of Being One Of The Best, You Son Of A Bitch!

In the novelization for the movie Last Action Hero, a parody of action movies, there is a scene in which Jack Slater hears about the movie Predator. Danny Madigan, a big fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger says it’s about an alien hunting the military in the jungle. Slater doesn’t seem impressed and asked if they madeContinue reading “Some Damned Fool Accused ‘Predator’ Of Being One Of The Best, You Son Of A Bitch!”

‘Million Dollar Mystery’ Is How It Got Made In The First Place

Million Dollar Mystery is one of those movies that you would come by in the aisles Blockbuster or Hollywood Video 20-25 years ago and think, “Oh, yeah, I remember that movie. Wasn’t there a gimmick to win money.” Producer Dino De Laurentiis said he got the idea when he observed a long line of peopleContinue reading “‘Million Dollar Mystery’ Is How It Got Made In The First Place”