Hollywood Hates Hitler! by Chris Yogerst

Chris Yogerst’s book, Hollywood Hates Hitler!, is a must-read book about the 1941 Senate Investigation into Motion Picture War Propaganda. The full name is as follows: Hollywood Hates Hitler! Jew-Baiting, Anti-Nazism, and the Senate Investigation into Warmongering in Motion Pictures. It’s a long title but there’s no better way to describe this book. If you haven’t studied up on film history, chances are likely that you never heard of the investigation. If you have, you’re…

"Hollywood Hates Hitler! by Chris Yogerst"

The Time of Their Lives: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello

The Time of Their Lives starts out during the American Revolution with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello playing romantic rivals. While the film may start out during the Revolutionary War, it soon jumps 166 years years ahead in time. This makes way for some pleasant laughs with being scared by electricity. Six years into the war, master tinker Horatio Prim (Lou Costello) seeks to free Nora O’Leary (Ann Gillis) out of indentured servitude to Tom…

"The Time of Their Lives: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello"

John Paul Jones: Naval Hero Deserves Better Biopic

John Paul Jones, the biopic starring Robert Stack, may mean well but this film falls just a bit short in terms of mere entertainment value. John Paul Jones (Robert Stack) was the first major commander in the Continental Navy. He’s considered the Father of the American Navy along with both John Barry and John Adams. Unfortunately, his life came to a premature end at the age of 45 in 1792. There isn’t an argument that…

"John Paul Jones: Naval Hero Deserves Better Biopic"

The Tomorrow War Would Make Will Smith Proud

The Tomorrow War might not star Will Smith but this sci-fi action film is in the same vein as previous Independence Day releases. As oddly as it sounds, The Tomorrow War is just the type of escapist entertainment we need coming out on the other side of the pandemic. Time travelers travel back in time from 2051 to disrupt a World Cup soccer game and give Earth an urgent message: a deadly alien species is…

"The Tomorrow War Would Make Will Smith Proud"

CJ Hunt talks The Neutral Ground

CJ Hunt, a field producer for The Daily Show, spoke with Solzy at the Movies about the new documentary, The Neutral Ground. The Neutral Ground will open exclusively at the Laemmle Glendale Theatres on July 2, 2021. Following the Independence Day weekend, the film will hold its broadcast premiere Monday July 5, 2021 on PBS at 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) and at pov.org. The Neutral Ground will also be available to stream for…

"CJ Hunt talks The Neutral Ground"

First Date: Sundance Interview With Cast, Crew

The cast and crew of First Date spoke with Solzy at the Movies before the film premiered during the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Co-director Manuel Crosby, producer/actor Brandon Kraus and stars Tyson Brown and Shelby Duclos joined over Zoom to discuss the film. First Date premiered during Sundance in the Next section and since went on to be acquired by Magnet Releasing. The film opens in theaters and VOD this weekend. Crosby co-directs and co-wrote…

"First Date: Sundance Interview With Cast, Crew"

The Neutral Ground Adds To the Statue Conversation

The Neutral Ground uses New Orleans as a backdrop by exploring the Civil War and the debate to remove Confederate monuments. One could make the argument that New Orleans was a trendsetter in debating to remove statues. Or at least that’s how it might feel if you haven’t been actively paying attention to the discussion. For some, it only becomes of interest when it’s on the front page daily. Other cities would do so quietly…

"The Neutral Ground Adds To the Statue Conversation"

The Solzy Awards for 2021…So Far

Things are slowly coming back to normal for movies but once again, Solzy at the Movies presents the Solzy Awards for 2021…so far. It feels like it’s been forever since Sundance kicked off the traditional start of the new movie year. The festival went with a hybrid version this year with a mix of both online and in-person. In terms of film festivals over all, I’m going to be full honest that this isn’t my…

"The Solzy Awards for 2021…So Far"

No Sudden Move: Lens Choices Don’t Work Well

Steven Soderbergh is back with the Ed Solomon-scripted No Sudden Move but the lens choices are distracting to watch on a flat screen. On paper, this sounds like a fine film. In terms of execution, there are some rather distracting decisions being made. The lens choices just didn’t work with regards to home viewing. When they moved the dolly in order to follow the movement, it made for some distractions when the picture moved. It…

"No Sudden Move: Lens Choices Don’t Work Well"