The Naked Spur is an Oscar-nominated Western and the third of five Westerns and eight films directed by Mann and starring James Stewart. Screenplay nominations for Westerns were quite rare when the film was released. But sure enough, Sam Rolfe and Harold Jack Bloom’s script earned a nomination. They could have had their military history better researched but it is what it is. In any event, their work would play a tremendous role in redefining…
"The Naked Spur Redefines the Western"
How the West Was Won is an epic Western that follows the Prescott family bloodline during a 50-year period stretching 1839-1889. Spencer Tracy narrates the Oscar-winning film through its five main segments and an impressive epilogue showing the transformation of the West into the early 1960s. In particular, we see the Hoover Dam, the Four Level Interchange in Downtown Los Angeles, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It’s kind of like the ending…
"How the West Was Won: An Epic Western at 60 Years"
It Happened One Night is one of three films to win the Big Five at the Academy Awards and put Columbia Pictures on the map. Originally titled Night Bus, the film is based on the short story, “Night Bus,” by Samuel Hopkins Adams in Hearst’s International-Cosmopolitan (August 1933). Until the film swept every nominated category at the Oscars, Columbia Pictures had been a Poverty Row studio. Everything would change in light of the Oscar wins. The…
"It Happened One Night Put Columbia on the Map"
The recent Oscars Red Carpet interview with Hugh Grant makes the most compelling case to return journalists to the red carpet. Watching the red carpet interview with Grant was like watching a comedian die rather quickly on stage. On one hand, Brits have a different sense and style of humor than Americans. Two, Grant clearly wasn’t up for any nonsense. I mean, you have model Ashley Graham asking him about his cameo in Glass Onion.…
"Hugh Grant and the Oscars Red Carpet Interview"
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced the winners of the 3rd Annual Critics Choice Super Awards for the most popular genres. The awards honor the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across both movies and television, including Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, and Action. Everything Everywhere All at Once led the film winners this year, garnering three awards overall. The film was awarded Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie, while Ke Huy Quan took home Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy…
"The 3rd Annual Critics Choice Super Awards Winners"
Shazam! Fury of the Gods isn’t quite as fun as its predecessor but the sequel is just entertaining enough to offer audiences a good time. If you don’t read any further in this review, please make sure to stay for the credits. There is a mid-credit scene and a post-credit scene. My main question is what do these scenes mean given the new leadership at DC Films and the future of the DC Universe (DCU).…
"Shazam! Fury of the Gods Is Entertaining Enough"
Netflix has made the decision to shelve a $130 million romantic comedy that was going to be written and directed by Nancy Meyers. Unless they are making this film in outer space or it is heavy on visual effects or lavish sets and costume design, there is not a single reason on this planet for a romantic comedy to have a $130 million budget. I’ve seen people complain that they’re shelving this while giving $200…
"Nancy Meyers Has $130 Million Rom-Com Shelved By Netflix"
Inside is about an art heist gone wrong but audiences are better off just saying outside rather than watch very horrifying images on screen. Things you should know about Inside before reading any further: A pigeon is left for dead just outside an unbreakable window. After depleting the food in the kitchen, Nemo (Willem Dafoe) has no choice but to eat dog food, which is cringe-worthy enough as it is. He takes a fish out…
"Inside: You’re Better Off Staying Outside"
Tetris might be a popular computer and video game but the game’s origin is a non-stop thrill ride that nobody could have guessed. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) first discovered Tetris back in 1988 during the Consumer Electronics Show. He was hooked immediately and knew it would but popular but there was a question of who held the rights. His journey took him to find the game’s rightsholders in Moscow. This was towards the end of…
"Tetris: The Social Network of Video Game Movies – SXSW 2023"
Chapter 19 of The Mandalorian takes audiences to Coruscant as forced workers of the Empire transition into the New Republic. Spoilers follow below. Outside of the bookends featuring both Din Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze, the episode mostly takes place on Coruscant. Outside of glimpses here and there during celebrations, we’ve yet to return to the Galactic capital post-ROTJ. Until now. But almost as soon as we’re there, Revenge of the Sith fans are in for…
"The Mandalorian: Chapter 19 – The Convert"