The Big Picture by Ben Fritz: A Must-Read Book

The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies by Ben Fritz likens the current era of Hollywood to the end of silent film and the studio system. The minute that Netflix decided to pursue original content is the moment that changed things.  For better or worse, Netflix is a player and they’re far from the only content provider from the streaming world.  They’re joined by both Amazon and Hulu as well.  When we…

"The Big Picture by Ben Fritz: A Must-Read Book"

Louis CK resorts to Transphobic Humor in Bootlegged Upload

In a bootleg recording of a recent Louis CK stand-up performance, it was revealed that the stand-up comedian has resorted to telling transphobic jokes. It’s been just over a year since the comedian fell out of good grace with the public following a NY Times report.  He started making his comeback earlier this year at the Comedy Cellar with surprise performances.  With venues such as the Cellar booking the comedian, they’re sending the message that…

"Louis CK resorts to Transphobic Humor in Bootlegged Upload"

The Orville: Season 2 Premiere

Seth MacFarlane’s ensemble sci-fi comedy, The Orville, came back on Sunday night for the premiere of its second season on FOX. Billed as a comedy, the MacFarlane-created comedy-drama series is arguably in the same vein as Star Trek.  By airing on FOX, the series is certainly more accessible to fans wishing to watch the series.  It’s no U.S.S. Enterprise as this crew travels by way a mid-levell exploratory spaceship, The U.S.S. Orville, across the galaxy. …

"The Orville: Season 2 Premiere"

Angie Tribeca Brings All The Fun in Season 4

As Angie Tribeca returns for Season 4 with a two-day marathon, the cop satire jumps into the future while offer no shortage of laughs. It’s been well over a year since we last saw Angie Tribeca (Rashida Jones). This fourth season takes place some 20 years following the events of season 3.  Angie’s son, Angie Jr. (Bobby Cannavale), grew up without having any kind of relationship with his mother.  In any event, Angie finds herself…

"Angie Tribeca Brings All The Fun in Season 4"

Schindler’s List: Steven Spielberg’s Epic Masterpiece

Schindler’s List isn’t only Steven Spielberg’s epic masterpiece but the film is what cemented his legacy as both a filmmaker and human. Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) rescued the lives of approximately 1,200 Jews despite being a member of the Nazi party. He took over an enamelware plant and this plant is soon populated by the Jews living in the Kraków Ghetto.  Under accountant Itzhak Stern’s (Ben Kingsley) management, a countless number of Jews would find…

"Schindler’s List: Steven Spielberg’s Epic Masterpiece"

History of the World: Part I isn’t Mel Brooks’ Best

History of the World, Part I–which has no sequel–spoofs multiple genres in this anthology showing that there are no limits to the mind of writer-director Mel Brooks. In depicting a few periods of time in world history, Brooks also spoofs other films or stories in doing so.  Aspects of “The Stone Age” parody that of 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Brooks isn’t shy of placing many gags in this era.  Whether its the invention of music…

"History of the World: Part I isn’t Mel Brooks’ Best"

The Land Before Time Marks 30 Years

It was a low-key occasion but the prehistoric hand-drawn animated adventure, The Land Before Time, marked its 30th anniversary in November. Within the first half hour, we meet the core characters of this animated adventure: Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike. Littlefoot meets Cera while his Longneck family of three are on a journey to the Great Valley. Initially told that Longnecks don’t play with Three-Horns, neither Littlefoot nor Cera have a choice if they…

"The Land Before Time Marks 30 Years"

Holmes and Watson: A Cinematic Disgrace

Holmes and Watson is a brutal cinematic disgrace and a stain to the legacy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary detective, Sherlock Holmes. The film starts in 1867 when young Sherlock Holmes (Will Ferrell) first attends boarding school. Major teasing results in the young boy becoming a detective and getting all but the future Dr. John Watson (John C. Reilly) expelled from the school.  The opening credits flash forward by way of newspaper articles to…

"Holmes and Watson: A Cinematic Disgrace"

Fiddler on the Roof: A Tradition Unlike Any Other

Fiddler on the Roof remains a cinematic masterpiece nearly 50 years following the theatrical release of the musical adaptation. It’s been some time since I last watched the film but there’s something about watching this movie late in December.  Tonally speaking, the first and second acts of the film could not be more strikingly different in how they feel.  No, the production design remains the same but the humor of the first half is gone. …

"Fiddler on the Roof: A Tradition Unlike Any Other"

On the Basis of Sex: A Conventional Biopic At Best

The spotlight is on Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in On the Basis of Sex as the future justice begins her fight against gender discrimination. A lot of what gets covered in this film was also covered in the Solzy Award-winning documentary, RBG.  This makes so much of the film feel rather redundant to say the least.  I won’t lie in that I questioned why would someone want to watch a biopic when one…

"On the Basis of Sex: A Conventional Biopic At Best"