There are a lot of Christmas movies out there. You have your classics like White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street. You have modern favorites like Christmas Vacation and Home Alone. And thanks to the Hallmark Channel, you have a plethora of Christmas movies starring Gretchen Weiners.But what about the Christmas movies that aren't traditionally … Continue reading Top 5 Non-Traditional Christmas Movies
Movies I’ve Seen
AFI #96 – Do the Right Thing
Do the Right Thing 1989 Directed by Spike Lee Netflix says: What begins as an uproarious comedy evolves into a provocative, disquieting drama as director Spike Lee chronicles trivial events that bring festering racial tensions to the surface on a sweltering day in a largely black Brooklyn neighborhood. After a number of minor misunderstandings--and an … Continue reading AFI #96 – Do the Right Thing
AFI #97 – Blade Runner
Blade Runner 1982 Directed by Ridley Scott Netflix says: In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is called out of retirement to snuff a quartet of "replicants" -- androids consigned to slave labor on remote planets. They've escaped to Earth seeking their creator and a way to extend … Continue reading AFI #97 – Blade Runner
AFI #98 – Yankee Doodle Dandy
Yankee Doodle Dandee 1942 Directed by Michael Curtiz Netflix says: James Cagney won the Best Actor Oscar for his lively portrayal of "Mr. Broadway," George M. Cohan, in this lavish screen biography that highlights Cagney in some of his finest song-and-dance routines. Cohan, a playwright, entertainer, composer and patriot, made his mark on the vaudeville … Continue reading AFI #98 – Yankee Doodle Dandy
AFI #99 – Toy Story
Toy Story 1995 Directed by John Lasseter Netflix says: Cowboy-toy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) feels threatened when overblown space ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) arrives with a suitcase full of bells and whistles. But both dolls are lost when the family moves--and finding their way home is only half the adventure. Director John Lasseter … Continue reading AFI #99 – Toy Story
The Peanuts Movie
It's hard to say what demographic these filmmakers were shooting for with The Peanuts Movie. Were they aiming at small children, as most animated features do? Or were they aiming for the two or three generations worth of Peanuts fans that grew up reading the daily comic strips and watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special … Continue reading The Peanuts Movie
AFI #100 – Ben-Hur
Ben-Hur 1959 Directed by William Wyler Netflix says: Charlton Heston plays Judah Ben-Hur, a proud Jew who runs afoul of ambitious boyhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) in this 1959 epic that boasts an unforgettable chariot race and earned 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Heston) and Best Director (William Wyler). Condemned to life as … Continue reading AFI #100 – Ben-Hur
Annabelle
I just needed to share a quick thought about this movie I just saw. I had a free Redbox rental and I thought I'd check out Annabelle. I like a good scary movie every now and again and I hadn't seen this one yet. I thought The Conjuring was pretty good, so why not give … Continue reading Annabelle
AFI Top 100 Films
In 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest movies of the previous 100 years. Their list began with 400 movies which were nominated. From there, 1,500 leaders in the film industry were polled, whittling the list down to the 100 that were presented on a television special. In 2007, the … Continue reading AFI Top 100 Films
That Time I Went Back to the Future
I really don't understand why mainstream cinemas don't show classic movies more often. Obviously, these theaters would need to choose wisely when finding old films to show to a modern audience. One can't expect a sell out crowd for a clunker like Batman & Robin. Bu when it's something like Back to the Future, which … Continue reading That Time I Went Back to the Future
The Confusing Middle 