Anna and the Apocalypse: A Zombie Musical

With some catchy tunes, Anna and the Apocalypse is able to offer up a fun and refreshing change for the zombie movie genre. As the film starts out, a news report reveals that an illness thought to be a flu strain is really a lethal pathogen.  Most of the people in the Scottish town of Little Haven don’t even bother paying attention to the news.  In fact, Anna (Ella Hunt) would rather put music back…

"Anna and the Apocalypse: A Zombie Musical"

Sundance 2019: Feature Lineup Announced

The Sundance Film Festival has announced the lineup of feature films for the 2019 installment to take place January 24 – February 3, 2019 in Park City. There were 112 feature films announced today to screen during the festival.  Of these 102 of them (91%) will be world premieres.  There were 24 films supported by the Sundance Institute by way of granting or a lab.  According to the festival, these films represent 33 countries and 45…

"Sundance 2019: Feature Lineup Announced"

The Mercy aided by Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz

If not for captivating performances from Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz, The Mercy would be a largely forgettable biopic. Donald Crowhurst (Colin Firth) had a lofty goal.  In a perfect world, the amateur sailor would have completed the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.  The goal of the race is to sail around the world without stopping.  There’s a danger that comes with these sort of competitions that need to be stressed.  They almost always result…

"The Mercy aided by Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz"

Network: Satire Celebrates 42 Years

With a powerful performance from Peter Finch, the satirical Network is relevant more so today than upon the theatrical release back in 1976. When Union Broadcasting System news president Max Schumacher (William Holden) informs Howard Beale (Peter Finch) that ratings will force Howard off the air, they talk about how things have changed within the industry.  UBS Evening News‘ ratings are on the decline and just like today, if you can’t get the ratings, you’re outta…

"Network: Satire Celebrates 42 Years"

Elf: 15th Anniversary Sing & Cheer Along Edition

Will Ferrell’s over-the-top performance in Elf is one of the reasons why the comedy has managed to stand the test of time. After Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) lets us in on the backstory, the Jon Favreau-directed film gets the ball rolling.  We learn that Buddy (Will Ferrell) is the first human being to set foot in the North Pole.  Unfortunately for Buddy, he doesn’t quite have the same speed as his fellow Elves.  Demoted to…

"Elf: 15th Anniversary Sing & Cheer Along Edition"

Slamdance 2019: Feature Lineup Announced

The Slamdance Film Festival announced the lineup of feature films to screen over the course of the film festival in Park City, Utah.  The Slamdance Film Festival will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2019. There will be 20 feature films screening in competition, including 11 narratives and 9 documentaries. In all, the festival will play host to 10 World, 4 North American, and 4 U.S. premieres. “When it comes to discovering talent, Slamdance has…

"Slamdance 2019: Feature Lineup Announced"

Murphy Brown Comes Swinging on Thanksgivng

Murphy Brown‘s Thanksgiving episode came swinging with one of the most political episodes by far since returning to air in September. Thursday night’s episode saw two undocumented immigrants being arrested by ICE.  I was in tears as a family got broken up.  The Gonzales family of three arrived in the USA when their son was only two years old.  You might be asking why–gang violence.  All season long has hinted to Miguel Gonzales (Adan Rocha)…

"Murphy Brown Comes Swinging on Thanksgivng"

That Thing You Do! Offers A Rocking Soundtrack

Ripping on musical one-hit wonders, Tom Hanks’ That Thing You Do! is one of the best feature directorial debuts of all time. When jazz drummer Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) is asked by some friends to fill in for Chad (Giovanni Ribisi), he’s about to go on the ride of his life.  It’s a simple plan, really.  All Guy has to do is play drums for the night along side Jimmy Mattingly (Johnathon Schaech), Lenny Haise…

"That Thing You Do! Offers A Rocking Soundtrack"

Gift Idea: Hooked on Hollywood by Leonard Maltin

In Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom, film critic/historian Leonard Maltin takes us on a time machine back to Hollywood’s Golden Era. Maltin has been writing about film for many years–dating back to when he contributed to Film Fan Monthly.  In fact, some of the pieces in the book originally appeared there or his newsletter.  Divided into four sections, it wouldn’t be unfair to call this book a time machine of…

"Gift Idea: Hooked on Hollywood by Leonard Maltin"

Enchanted: A Disney Classic

Mixing animation and live-action storytelling, Disney’s Enchanted is a fun homage to all the Walt Disney Animation Studios classics. We start out in the magical land of Andalasia.  This land could be a stand-in for every land ever introduced in a Disney film.  This goes without saying.  It’s here where the evil Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) will do whatever it takes to keep her throne with the aid of loyal henchman Nathaniel (Timothy Spall).  In true Disney…

"Enchanted: A Disney Classic"