Canadian Bacon may have been the only narrative feature directed by Michael Moore but it was the final film to star John Candy. No Canadians were harmed in the making of the film. I decided to watch the film to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Candy’s passing. Honestly, it was either this or Wagon’s East, which also starred the late Richard Lewis. In any event, Canadian Bacon was available to stream through Hoopla without commercial…
"Canadian Bacon: Remembering John Candy 30 Years Later"Tag: Alan Alda
Remembering Gene Wilder is a moving and well made documentary about a comedian that provided us with many laughs in his career. It’s hard to believe that this summer will mark eight years since Wilder’s passing. I still remember learning the news and wanting to watch a film in tribute. This was before we had a surplus of screeners, not to mention my physical collection on hand. Luckily enough, The Crowd Theater announced a screening…
"Remembering Gene Wilder Offers Laughs And Tears"
M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television is an all-new special that celebrates the historic Emmy-winning comedy series. Interestingly, the special is airing on FOX rather than CBS, which M*A*S*H called home for 11 seasons. This reminds me of the earlier birthday special for Carol Burnett, which aired on NBC. It makes one wonder just what CBS was thinking. Or is it because of 20th Television producing the series? Oh, well. The series finale, “Goodbye, Farewell…
"M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television Celebrates Hit Series"
Mad City is an unlikely candidate to get a Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray given that it was a box office disaster but here we are. The film, which just marked its 26th anniversary, was released on Blu-ray in late October. Unfortunately, there’s not much here to offer as far as bonus content is concerned. The only extra on the disc is the original theatrical trailer. It’s a missed opportunity to feature audio commentary from either…
"Mad City Gets Warner Archive Blu-ray"
Martin Scorsese successfully gives the biopic treatment to Howard Hughes with a superb performance from Leonardo DiCaprio in The Aviator. This is the second annual year in which I watch a film that Thelma Schoonmaker worked on for her January 3rd birthday. Last year, I decided on Gangs of New York, a film which is celebrating the 20th anniversary this year. Schoonmaker’s work in this film is what earns her a second Oscar. The other…
"The Aviator: Another Martin Scorsese Epic"
Bridge of Spies reteams director Steven Spielberg with two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks to bring us a thriller set during the height of the Cold War. A Cold War setting usually screams thriller. However, this film is a mix of thrills and drama in one epic. And this is in spite of the CIA’s involvement in rescuing pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell). Everything leads up to the exchange on Berlin’s historic Glienicke Bridge. This…
"Bridge of Spies: The Height of the Cold War"
Marriage Story presents an authentic look into one family’s life as they breakup and raise their child together while living on opposite coasts. Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) are married. However, the two of them are going through a divorce. While they originally had no intention of bringing on lawyers, they eventually turn to legal cancel. Nobody said that divorce would be easy, right? What makes it so important for the two of…
"Toronto 2019: Marriage Story"
Addressing the gender disparity that troubles Hollywood, This Changes Everything is one of the most important documentaries of the year. I can’t exactly point to when all the focus started turning to women directors not getting the same opportunities as men. That being said, This Changes Everything is equally important to the Amy Adrion-directed Half the Picture. This two films go hand in hand with a similar focus on women directors. “The door has to…
"Chicago Film Fest 2018: This Changes Everything"