A Day at the Races is the second Marx Brothers vehicle after signing with MGM and the film is one of their five best films. “If I hold you any closer, I’ll be in back of you.” – Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush (Groucho Marx) Groucho Marx is on record as saying that the Marx Brothers made their best films under Irving Thalberg. Thalberg’s 1936 death came while this film was under production. For better or…
"A Day at the Races: A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
A Night at the Opera isn’t just the first Marx Brothers movie without Zeppo but it is their first film to be produced at MGM. “It’s all right, that’s in every contract. That’s, that’s what they call a sanity clause.” – Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx) “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You can’t fool me. There ain’t no Sanity Clause!”- Fiorello (Chico Marx) The Warner Archive Collection released the film on Blu-ray in September 2021. I’m a bit late in doing…
"A Night at the Opera: A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
The strikes are over and awards season is getting under way so it is time to present the Solzy Awards for Short Films in 2023. I decided to go ahead and announce the awards today rather than wait closer to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Unfortunately, I did not watch as many short films as I would have liked to watch this past year. I try and cover short films playing film festivals. Because of timing…
"The Solzy Awards for Short Films in 2023"
Hulu announced the movies, series, and specials that are coming and leaving the streaming platform’s library in December 2023. Titles Coming to Hulu December 1, 2023 The Eric Andrew Show: Complete Season 6 CoComelon – JJ’s Animal Time: Complete Season 2 One Piece: Complete Season 11 (SUBBED) Airheads | 1994 The Bourne Identity | 2002 The Bourne Supremacy | 2004 The Bourne Legacy | 2012 The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The…
"Hulu: Coming and Leaving in December 2023"
Disney Legend Jodi Benson, who starred as Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid, was on hand for Disney100: The Exhibition‘s Chicago launch. Benson was among a number of dignitaries–including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse–on hand to celebrate the launch of Disney100: The Exhibition in Chicago. The exhibition includes some 250+ artifacts from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars throughout 14 interactive exhibits. There is something for everyone! Don’t plan on visiting on Tuesday because that’s…
"Jodi Benson talks Disney100: The Exhibition, The Little Mermaid"
Peacock TV has announced the Originals, iconic series, beloved movies, must-watch sports, and more that are coming in December 2023. End the year right with Peacock! Keep your Halloween décor up a bit longer because THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER is streaming December 1. Your favorite detective is back as Adrian Monk returns to solve one last, very personal, case involving his beloved stepdaughter Molly, a journalist preparing for her wedding. Stream MR. MONK’S LAST CASE: A MONK MOVIE on December…
"Peacock TV: Coming in December 2023"
Despite the film being a box office disappointment, Duck Soup is the pinnacle achievement for the Four Marx Brothers on the screen. Duck Soup is 90 years old today. Paramount viewed the film as a disappointment because it didn’t bring in the money they hoped. The Great Depression was certainly a contributing factor. That the film is a political satire is probably less of a factor in why it did not perform better. There is…
"Duck Soup at 90 Years: A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
Horse Feathers improves on previous films by delivering one of the funniest Marx Brothers movies in their cinematic canon. This film only runs 68 minutes and yet it’s a genius comedy movie. Although to be fair, some scenes and sequences are missing from the film because of either censorship or other damage to the negative. In any event, what we still have today makes for a funny film. Horse Feathers is not based on one…
"Horse Feathers: A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
Jonah Feingold spoke with Solzy at the Movies about the new Amazon Freevee film, EXmas, and teased the upcoming 31 Candles. The romantic comedy–directed by Feingold from a script written by Dan Steele–stars Leighton Meester, Robbie Amell, Michael Hitchcock, Kathryn Greenwood, Veronika Slowikowska, and Steven Huy. When Graham (Robbie Amell) decides to surprise his family at home, he is surprised to find them playing host to his ex-fiancée, Ali (Leighton Meester). Graham’s arrival soon sparks…
"Jonah Feingold talks EXmas, Teases 31 Candles"
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the newest addition to The Hunger Games franchise and the film is dreadfully long. The film runs just over two and a half hours, which means sitting nearly three hours in a theater when one factors in trailers. Does such a film need to be this long? Hardly. By the time the film went beyond the 2 hour mark, I was beginning to feel my…
"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes"