Tag Archives: movies

Fade Out For Gene Shalit

There’s an old saying of “There’s a face for radio.” And Gene Shalit may not have had the preppy looks of Tom Brokaw or Peter Jennings, but he made film criticism worth watching with his witty puns and on-camers enthusiasm.His distinct look which consisted of a brushy moustache, frizzy Afro-styled hair, horn-rimmed glasses and bowContinue reading “Fade Out For Gene Shalit”

Before ‘Scary Movie’ There Was The Horror Parody ‘Student Bodies’

Horror comedies have been around for decades all the way back when ‘Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ had the two sharing the silver screen with Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi. And then Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder gave us ‘Young Frankenstein.’ In 2000, the Wayans brought us ‘Scary Movie,’ a crude but hilarious parodyContinue reading “Before ‘Scary Movie’ There Was The Horror Parody ‘Student Bodies’”

The Point Of No Return For The Decline Of ‘The Simpsons’

Whenever a TV show starts to go downhill, you can see the cracks begin to form very early on. But they’re often so small, no one really seems to know.  The Simpsons started off wirh a rocky beginning with less than stellar animation and a feel that it seemed more like a parody of Married…withContinue reading “The Point Of No Return For The Decline Of ‘The Simpsons’”

RIP Donald Gibb, aka Ogre

Donald Gibb may have never won an Oscar or Emmy but his 6-foot-4 hulking feature made him a memorable actor. Originally playing for the San Diego Chargers, his sports career was sidelined early following an injury from an automobile accident.  But who better to play a football player than a football player?  In 1984, heContinue reading “RIP Donald Gibb, aka Ogre”

‘Dead Alive’ Isn’t Your Typical ‘Braindead’ Zombie Flick

Sometimes fame and fortune doesn’t have the end results we expect. While some filmmakers might think a lot of awards and recognition might bring them more freedom, I think it has the opposite effect sometimes.  Now, Peter Jackson is an Oscar-winning filmmaker and respected documentary producer. But about 40 years ago, he was a youngContinue reading “‘Dead Alive’ Isn’t Your Typical ‘Braindead’ Zombie Flick”

Oh, My! ‘Anaconda’ Don’t!

A movie like the recent “Anaconda” is a trend of movies that is still unfortunately on life support following its surprised box office return of $135 million worldwide making three times of what it cost to produce it. Call it what you want. It’s a nostalgia reboot/remake or meta-reboot, but this trend of movies isContinue reading “Oh, My! ‘Anaconda’ Don’t!”

Swipe Left On ‘DTF St. Louis’

We’ve kinda reached the point where movie studios are only throwing money at big budget movies that stories like “DTF St. Louis” are being released as limited series.  But what should’ve been a two-hour family drama movie in the vein of “Rashomon” is a shaggy dog story that is stretched over seven episodes that areContinue reading “Swipe Left On ‘DTF St. Louis’”

It’s Time To Give ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ The Hook

Back in 1997, a friend and I went to go to the movies. “Jungle 2 Jungle,” Tim Allen’s followup to “The Santa Clause” was about to be released. The movie was a remake of the French movie “Little Indian Big City” which had been heavily panned by critics when it opened in America a yearContinue reading “It’s Time To Give ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ The Hook”

‘Pizza Movie’ Turns Stale And Cold Losing Its Buzz Too Quickly

Gatan Matazarro became famous for his role as Dustin Henderson on “Stranger Things.” The character was a loveable geek who was very book smart but not always with when it came to common sense and he wasn’t too popular. Even school outcast Eddie Munson was cautious of him before the two learned more about eachContinue reading “‘Pizza Movie’ Turns Stale And Cold Losing Its Buzz Too Quickly”