Kings of Capitol Hill is an eye-opening look at the history of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its role in American politics. AIPAC was founded in order to support a strategic alliance between the US and Israel. The large majority of the founders were Jewish Democrats. Eighty percent of Jews had been Democrats for decades and many had been politically involved. Some came into leadership positions because of American involvement in the Vietnam…
"DOC NYC 2020: Kings of Capitol Hill"Category: Movie Reviews
Gary Cooper delivers a marvelous performance as the acclaimed World War 1 hero in Sergeant York but the film is propaganda of the era. Alvin C. York’s (Gary Cooper) story was a dream for any studio executive in the 1930s. Here’s a guy who was not only a religious man but a grew up poor in Tennessee. York may have been a pacifist but conscientious objectors were required to serve. His service record includes killing…
"Sergeant York: A Heroic Tale…But Propaganda"
Dodsworth, under the direction of William Wyler, is one of the best pieces of cinema to come out of the 1930s and is available on Blu-ray. Like so many films of its era, Dodsworth originated as a novel before taking to the stage. In this instance, playwright/screenwriter Sidney Howard adapted his play for the screen. None of this would ever happen without Sinclair Lewis’s novel, of course. Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston) founded Dodsworth Motors some…
"Dodsworth Beautifully Remastered on Blu-ray"
One woman learns a lot about herself when she joins an all-female fight club in Chick Fight as a way of putting her life back in order. Move over, David Fincher–there’s a new fight club in town. Wait! Are we even allowed to talk about Fight Club or any fight club?!? In all honesty, I couldn’t resist the joke about fight club. That is assuming we can talk about a fight club. I don’t make…
"Chick Fight: Can We Talk About Fight Club?"
Mank, directed by David Fincher, takes a look back at 1930s Hollywood through the eyes of Oscar-winning screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. If there is one thing that Mank gets right, it’s Herman J. Mankiewicz being an alcoholic. Well, that and writing Citizen Kane. Oh, and the drama with Orson Welles (Tom Burke) over credit for writing the screenplay. This is where I must recommend Sydney Ladensohn Stern’s biography, The Brothers Mankiewicz. We know that Mank…
"Mank: A Look Back At Classic Hollywood"
Cup of Cheer is the long overdue Xmas film that you’ve been waiting for a lifetime to see and the jokes never stop coming. She’s just a small town girl working in the big city. He’s just a small town guy about to go out of work. Okay, it worked better in my head trying to pen them to a Tom Petty song but I digress. This is the film that wonderfully satires every Xmas…
"Cup of Cheer: The Xmas Film You’re Waiting For!"
Kick-Ass gets the exclusive Best Buy 4K Ultra HD SteelBook treatment in honor of the comic book film’s tenth anniversary. The film was initially released on 4K UHD back in October 2017. For this particular Best Buy exclusive, a new cover is provided with Tracie Ching’s illustration on the SteelBook cover. Only one bonus feature is limited to the Blu-ray and there will be more on that later. Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is just your average…
"Kick-Ass Gets 4K SteelBook For 10th Anniversary"
Goldfinger was the third film in the James Bond franchise but the film, starring Sean Connery, is the gold standard for all Bond films. Ask anybody who their favorite Bond is and the answers will vary. The same will probably go for the films, too. I would wager to say that the large majority of people will tell you Goldfinger. Producers had a budget twice the size of Dr. No and From Russia With Love. …
"Goldfinger: One Of The Best James Bond Films"
Citizen Kane was a cinematic achievement for its time and the film has only grown in stature to become an all-time classic over the years. Initially, Citizen Kane was a forgotten film. One thing that would help bring it back to the forefront was the praise of critics in France. It also helped that the film was given another release in 1956 and also benefited from RKO selling its theatrical library to television. Combined with…
"Citizen Kane: An All-Time Classic"
Holidate, starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey, is a new Netflix romantic comedy that comes with a side of holiday offerings. This is an R-rated film. Please consider this before adding it to your rotation of holiday films to watch over the next two months. Holidate might not be on the same level of Home Alone, Elf, or National Lampoon’s Xmas Vacation but there’s enough here worthy of repeat viewings. And with the way it’s…
"Holidate: A Rom-Com With A Side Of Holidays"