The Four Marx Brothers star in their first original film, Monkey Business, as they relocate to sunny LA for filming on the Paramount lot. “Oh, I know it’s a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.” – Groucho Norman Z. McLeod knows a thing or two about comedy. Interestingly enough, the film served as his solo directorial debut. He would…
"Monkey Business – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
The Four Marx Brothers followed up The Cocoanuts by bringing another stage production, Animal Crackers, to the screen. “One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know.” – Captain Jeffrey Spaulding (Groucho Marx) Victor Heerman takes over directing duties while Morrie Ryskind adapts the stage musical for the screen. There are so many funny quips that I don’t even know where to begin. We get one…
"Animal Crackers – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
The Cocoanuts was the first sound feature to star the Marx Brothers as they began to make their transition from the stage to screen. “Three years ago I came to Florida without a nickel in my pocket. Now I’ve got a nickel in my pocket.” – Mr. Hammer (Groucho Marx) My long-awaited Marx Brothers retrospective comes as Duck Soup turns 90 years old later this week. The journey starts with The Cocoanuts, a musical comedy…
"The Cocoanuts – A Marx Brothers Retrospective"
An eight-year old girl starts becoming obsessed about the Holocaust and dresses up as her estranged grandmother in Heritage Day. The film brings up something that is true for many in the 1980s. Heritage Day, which has been playing the film festival circuit, could not be more timely as current levels are antisemitism makes 2023 look like 1939. I’ve read enough books to know the discomfort that many had about discussing their Holocaust experiences. Steven…
"Heritage Day Explores the Holocaust Through Dark Comedy"
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie was the big winner–winning five awards–at the Eighth Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards. The Critics Choice Association (CCA) unveiled the winners of the Eighth Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards at a gala event in New York City. Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie took home five trophies in all including the top award of the evening for Best Documentary Feature. The film’s other victories were Best Director for Davis Guggenheim, Best Editing for Michael…
"Critics Choice Documentary Awards: Eighth Annual Winners"
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life is the newest documentary from Rob Reiner and it is the Jewish content we so badly need right now. There is a universe where this documentary is called Albert Einstein: Defending My Life. Albert’s family used his birth to name him Albert. He might not be a great scientist like Einstein but he’s certainly a brilliant comedian. I mean, if you can make Carl Reiner laugh, you’ve got to be…
"Albert Brooks: Defending My Life Is The Jewish Content We Need"
A professor is in for a shock when he learns that people are seeing him in their dreams and then it becomes a nightmare in Dream Scenario. That’s the gist of the new horror-comedy from writer-director Kristoffer Borgli. The filmmaker also finds a way to use the film as commentary on cancel culture. It’s got a solid mix of comedy and horror as we watch the incredible rise and tragic fall of Osler professor Paul…
"Dream Scenario: Nicolas Cage Gets Cancelled"
While appearing on a panel, Jeffrey Katzenberg discussed animation and how AI will lead to numerous animators and artists losing their jobs. Katzenberg’s comments were made during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore. AI was a key topic during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA contract negotiations. Whether people working in the entertainment industry like it or not, AI is here to stay. Executives will look for any way to save a buck during production. Not…
"Jeffrey Katzenberg Says AI Will Reduce Animation Workforce"
A new Netflix film, Rustin, introduces the mostly forgotten Civil Rights leader/organizer Bayard Rustin to a new generation. When they were choosing the dates for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Rustin (Colman Domingo) played a key role in the choosing the dates. The initial planning was for a two-day event but it later turned into a single day event. However, Rustin advocated against holding it on Friday so that Jews could attend.…
"Rustin Introduces Bayard Rustin to a New Generation"
It took well over 100 days but SAG-AFTRA has finally reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP in order to end the strike. The agreement comes just over a month after the WGA strike came to an end. While the 2023-2024 season is unlikely to be salvaged, many in the industry will be happy to have work again. The strike didn’t just impact actors and crew. Strike rules meant that actors could not do any…
"SAG-AFTRA Ends Strike With AMPTP, Agreement Reached"