The Sundance Film Festival kicks off its 40th edition when crowds gather at Park City and Salt Lake City theaters on Thursday. I started going to Sundance back in 2018. I’ve since attended in person again in 2019, 2020, and 2023. Because of Covid, I attended virtually in both 2021 and 2022. This year will be different with once again attending virtually from the Windy City. The thing about going in person is not only…
"Sundance Film Festival Kicks Off 40th Edition This Week"Tag: Leonard Maltin
Max Steiner: Maestro of Movie Music tells the story of one of the pioneering composers in developing the Hollywood sound. “Steiner is the individual who seemed to convince all of Hollywood that films needed scoring.” – Leonard Maltin Steiner was both a master of the leitmotif, melodic themes, and an ability to musically catch the action as it happens on screen. This is what people refer in the industry as Mickey Mousing. He is credited…
"Max Steiner: Maestro of Movie Music"
Only in Theaters, a love letter to cinema that tells the story of the Laemmle family and the American Dream, is now available on DVD. When I first spoke to Raphael Sbarge last fall, there were some technical issues that prevented the interview from being recorded. He was gracious enough to redo the interview earlier this year, which you can read right here. When we first spoke, he mentioned Kino Lorber being interested in releasing…
"Only In Theaters Arrives on DVD" Only In Theaters isn’t just a love letter to cinema but a story about the Laemmle family and living the American Dream. Over the course of two and a half years, filmmaker Raphael Sbarge traces the family’s history all the way back to the 1930s. He was given complete access and full creative control in telling their story. While the final run time is about an hour and a half, the initial cut ran around…
"Only In Theaters: The Laemmle Family and the American Dream"
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"
Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace is a stark reminder of what we lose in the ever-changing cinema landscape. There are a number of historic movie palace theaters featured in the documentary. Sadly, there are movie palaces no longer with us. In some instances, they’ve been demolished to rubble. In other instances, only the facade survived after preservationists spoke out. Make no mistake that the business of going to the movies have…
"Going Attractions: An Important Film Documentary"
In Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom, film critic/historian Leonard Maltin takes us on a time machine back to Hollywood’s Golden Era. Maltin has been writing about film for many years–dating back to when he contributed to Film Fan Monthly. In fact, some of the pieces in the book originally appeared there or his newsletter. Divided into four sections, it wouldn’t be unfair to call this book a time machine of…
"Gift Idea: Hooked on Hollywood by Leonard Maltin"
The Great Buster: A Celebration is a well-deserved cinematic tribute to Buster Keaton–one of the greatest silent comedy stars to have ever lived. Discussing the great silent comedy stars must include Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd. Interestingly, Keaton starred in College as a response to Lloyd’s The Freshman. Where Lloyd starred as a freshman who played football, Keaton would play every other sport. As for Chaplin, he directed Keaton in 1952’s Limelight. This…
"The Great Buster celebrates Buster Keaton" The Great Buster: A Celebration is a well-deserved cinematic tribute to Buster Keaton–one of the greatest silent comedy stars to have ever lived. Discussing the great silent comedy stars must include Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd. Interestingly, Keaton starred in College as a response to Lloyd’s The Freshman. Where Lloyd starred as a freshman who played football, Keaton would play every other sport. As for Chaplin, he directed Keaton in 1952’s Limelight. This…
"Chicago Film Festival 2018: The Great Buster"