I found out, to my amazement, that two of my favorite movies were released on the same date, one year apart (in 1974 and 1975). That date is today, June 20th. Chinatown was, and is, a seminal work rich with…
Category: Movies
Geek, Movies
Happy 30th anniversary Ghostbusters!
Hard to believe, but 30 years ago this weekend Ghostbusters was released, a movie that many expected to bomb. Well, it didn’t, and the monster hit became a permanent part of our pop culture (and one of my favorite films). To celebrate, here’s Ray Parker Jr. ripping off Huey Lewis…
Geek, Movies, Neglected Cinema
The documentary Who is Harry Nilsson pulls on all my heartstrings
I love Harry Nilsson. If you are thinking, “Who?” then I feel sorry for you. Harry Nilsson was a singer songwriter in the 1960s and 70s who wrote and/or sang a lot of great songs: “Without You”, “Coconut”, “One”, “Everybody’s…
Movies, Neglected Cinema
The documentary Milius showcases the underrated writer/director
John Milius is a force of nature. He wrote Apocalypse Now, Quint’s Indianapolis speech in Jaws, and Conan the Barbarian – and that’s just SOME of what he’s done in Hollywood. He directed and wrote Red Dawn, “punched up” dozens…
Geek, Movies
On Godzilla, and keeping surprises…
Had the pleasure of seeing the new Godzilla film yesterday… and I am very happy I can use the word “pleasure” in that statement. After so many thinly plotted and disappointing big-budget movies, it was a real delight to see…
Geek, Movies, Trek
#StopOrci2014 hashtag lets Star Trek fans vent about the writer of Into Darkness
This is a pretty big weekend for fanboys (and girls): Free Comic Book day is tomorrow, and Star Wars Day is Sunday. Well, Star Trek fans decided to participate in Geek Weekend early, by using and promoting the hashtag #StopOrci2014…
Geek, Movies
The 007 recipe: How to make a great Bond film
What makes a good James Bond film? Well, a James Bond movie is like a recipe… you have the same ingredients, with some variation, in every film. But with every recipe, you have variables beyond just the ingredients – if…
Geek, Movies, Photos
Photos of A Christmas Story House: The nicest fictional place I’ve every been
Geek, Movies
Drew: The Man Behind the Poster is a fascinating portrait of a very talented man
Finally got around to watching the documentary about the legendary movie poster artist Drew Struzan, Drew: The Man Behind the Poster, and was quite impressed with the film. The documentary interviews some of Hollywood’s biggest names – Steven Spielberg, Harrison…
Movies
My 2014 Oscar Predictions
All the cool kids are doing it, so here’s my 2014 Oscar predictions: Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón for Gravity Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio for The Wolf of Wall Street Best Actress: Cate Blanchett for…
Movies, My Quora answers
Is a disruption of the movie theatre experience imminent?
No, but there needs to be. The movie going experience is (mostly) terrible, for several reasons: Inconsiderate moviegoers (who text and talk during the film) More (and longer) trailers More (and longer) commercials Longer movies, with no intermissions (which is…
Movies, Neglected Cinema
Human Highway is a bizarre cult film from Neil Young and DEVO
When I heard about Bob Casale’s death this week, I started researching the history of the band DEVO. I’ve always been a fan – even met them once – but I was never a SUPER fan, so some of the…
Geek, Movies
RIP DEVO guitarist and founder Bob Casale
Yesterday brought the news that Bob Casale, guitarist and founding member of DEVO, had passed away from a heart attack. Casale, who I had the pleasures to meet at #SXSW some years ago, was a great guy and a fine artist. He will be missed.
Here’s Casale and the rest of his band performing with (of all people) Neal Young in Young’s cult film Human Highway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BJKXd7E-38&feature=youtu.be
Movies, Neglected Cinema
Salinger paints an interesting portrait of an enigmatic man
“Writing Holden was a mistake.” J.D. Salinger Recently watched the documentary Salinger, about the famed reclusive writer of Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger. while it has received mixed reviews with critics, I found it to be an interesting work……
Movies, My Quora answers
What is your favorite line in the James bond movies?
“My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done, such as drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs!” – Goldfinger My second favorite:…
Movies, My Quora answers
“My kids have never watched a James Bond movie. What one should we start with?”
Great question. I’d start with the movie that (I think) is the most accessible movie to kids: The Spy Who Loved Me. It has a very simple plot, has some great BIG “Bond moments”, it doesn’t have many really “scary”…