Starstruck, the long-awaited memoir from film critic/historian Leonard Maltin, is going to be the must-read book of the year for film buffs. If you’re like me, you could listen to Leonard Maltin talk all day. I certainly know that I can. He’s the type of person who not only knows what he’s doing but he puts in the research as well. It’s one of the reasons why I admire Leonard Maltin. Getting the opportunity to…
"Starstruck by Leonard Maltin: A Must-Read Memoir"
The French Connection, which won five Oscars including Best Picture, marks its 50th anniversary since its 1971 theatrical release. In addition to Best Picture, the film won for Director, Actor (Gene Hackman), Film Editing and Adapted Screenplay. What set this film apart from others is that Friedkin shot it in a style known more because of documentaries at the time. The film’s grittiness wasn’t something typically scene in narrative features heading into 1971. You can…
"The French Connection Marks 50th Anniversary"
Netflix keeps supporting not-funny transphobic comedy by way of releasing a new Dave Chappelle special every so often and it’s exhausting. Enough is enough. I’m so tired of having the same conversation every fricking time that a new special gets released. Netflix can say they are an LGBTQ ally–it’s great that they acquired Disclosure–the allyship feels performative when they keep releasing Chappelle specials KNOWING he’s a transphobic bigot. In the newest special, which I did…
"Dave Chappelle And His Transphobic And Antisemitic Comedy"
The Ides of March, the political thriller starring Ryan Gosling and George Clooney, marks its tenth anniversary since its 2011 release. This film, based on Farrugut North by Beau Willimon, takes a behind-the-scenes look at political campaign drama. However, in as much as it is inside baseball, the film also focuses on Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris’s sexual affair and how it nearly ends his presidential campaign. Politics can be an ugly event and this film…
"The Ides of March: Political Thriller Marks 10 Years"
Real Steel, the Shawn Levy robot boxing film starring Hugh Jackman, holds up beautifully as the film celebrates ten years since its release. Real Steel is a very different film than Warrior, which came out in August 2011. And yet, both films deal with families and fighting. In this instance, this film is about an estranged father and son coming together over robot boxing. They don’t always see eye to eye but boxing has a…
"Real Steel Holds Up On Tenth Anniversary"
Jason Biggs spoke with Solzy at the Movies about his role in a new film, The Subject, and where things stand on the future of American Pie. The Subject is a very unsettling film but it offers one of the best performances in Jason Biggs’s acting career. Seven different film festivals honored Biggs with awards for his performance. Screenwriter Chisa Hutchinson penned the screenplay in 2010 and over ten years later, Lanie Zipoy directs a…
"Jason Biggs talks The Subject, American Pie"
In her recent podcast, Sarah Silverman commented about the recent casting of Kathryn Hahn as the late Jewish comedian Joan Rivers. Speaking on her podcast, the comedian remarked: “There’s this long tradition of non-Jews playing Jews, and not just playing people who happen to be Jewish, but people whose Jewishness is their whole being. One could argue, for instance, that a gentile playing Joan Rivers correctly would be doing what is actually called ‘Jewface.’” Silverman…
"Sarah Silverman Talks Casting Non-Jews As Jews"
NBC drama series La Brea delivers a thrilling epic adventure that will have audiences asking questions and wanting answers sooner than later. When a sinkhole forms underneath the La Brea Tar Pits, it pulls hundreds of people into its never-ending deaths. The Harris family is at the center of this series, both in present day and in the dangerous land. When an adventure series such as this one has you asking questions, you know it’s…
"La Brea Is A Lost-Esque Thrilling Epic Adventure"
Cary Grant and Myrna Loy team up together for their third and final time in comedy classic Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. The film got a new Blu-ray thanks to the Warner Archive Collection in May after a 4K scan from the original negative. The picture is certainly better than ever. You should check out the film if you haven’t done so already. There’s a few bonus features including a pair of radio productions…
"Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House"
Cleanin’ Up The Town: Remembering Ghostbusters is the definitive documentary about the making of the classic 1984 horror comedy. Where Ghostheads is a documentary about Ghostbusters fans, Cleanin’ Up The Town is about the film itself. This is an extended cut so that speaks to how many people were interviewed and the type of never-before-seen footage available. You could make this film three hours long and people would still watch it. Produced on a $25-30…
"Cleanin’ Up The Town: Remembering Ghostbusters"