Siege of Masada: Smithsonian Doc Is More of a Tie-In

Siege of Masada is a Smithsonian Channel documentary that plays into the corporate umbrella by tying in a CBS miniseries, The Dovekeepers. There is a universe where I am ascending Masada today for the first time since going on Birthright Israel with Mayanot in June 2007. Alas, it was just not meant to be during this week’s trip to Israel. Next to viewing panoramic views of the Old City in Jerusalem, there’s nothing more breathtaking…

"Siege of Masada: Smithsonian Doc Is More of a Tie-In"

James Hawes talks One Life

James Hawes spoke with Solzy at the Movies about One Life, the new film telling the story of Nicky Winton and the Kindertransport. The film is opening this weekend in theaters. It’s so nice to meet you today. How are you doing? James Hawes: I’m very well. Nice to meet you too. I was familiar with the general idea of the kindertransport before watching the film but not with Nicky Winton’s story. How familiar were…

"James Hawes talks One Life"

One Life: Saving Jews During the Holocaust

One Life tells the story of how Sir Nicholas “Nicky” Winton played a role in saving many Jewish children during the Holocaust. Bleecker Street is handling the American release. Unlike Warner Bros.’ handling of the UK release (more in my interview with James Hawes), the press and marketing materials do not hide the fact that the refugees are predominantly Jewish. I’ve known about the Kindertransport for years. In fact, the Kindertransport would inspire Michael Bond…

"One Life: Saving Jews During the Holocaust"

Jerusalem: Center of the World

Jerusalem: Center of the World takes viewers back to the beginning of Jerusalem’s history, starting with Abraham and Isaac. By the time you read this, I’ll have made my long awaited return to the Western Wall aka the Kotel, the holiest site in all of Judaism. Jews have gathered at the Western Wall since the fall of the Second Temple on Mount Moriah, at least during the times that we were allowed to. For instance,…

"Jerusalem: Center of the World"

Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Volume 3 Arrives on Blu-ray

Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Volume 3 contains 25 animated Looney Tunes shorts that have never been released on Blu-ray. This Looney Tunes collection of shorts spans a thirty year period: 1934-1964 and runs 177 minutes in length. It features fan favorite characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Foghorn Leghorn, Tweety & Sylvester, and Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote. Regarding Bugs, it features some of the first and last original shorts to star the rabbit. We…

"Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Volume 3 Arrives on Blu-ray"

Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Volume 2 on Blu-ray

Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Volume 2 contains 25 animated Looney Tunes shorts that have never been released on Blu-ray. This Looney Tunes collection spans shorts from 1937 all the way through 1963. Chuck Jones directs two of my personal favorites in this collection: The Eager Beaver and Hare-Breadth Hurry. The former deals with beavers who are constructing a dam while the latter sees Bugs Bunny filling in for Road Runner. You can never go wrong…

"Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Volume 2 on Blu-ray"

96th Oscars: The Academy Awards Winners – Live Updates

Solzy at the Movies will be providing live updates as the 96h Oscars are broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre on ABC. Jimmy Kimmel returns as the Oscars host for his fourth hosting stint. He previously hosted in 2017, 2018, and in 2023. Legendary composer John Williams has his 54th nomination tonight, winning five Oscars to date. He is the composer for 25 of Steven Spielberg’s 27 films. At 92 years old, he is the…

"96th Oscars: The Academy Awards Winners – Live Updates"

96th Academy Awards Predictions – Oscars Watch

Solzy at the Movies presents predictions for the 96th Oscars as the Academy Awards will be airing an hour earlier tonight on ABC. My art of predicting who will leave the 96th Academy Awards with an Oscar is not by picking favorites. It is by studying the guilds and seeing how films performed during awards season. Oppenheimer is a clear choice to win several awards this evening just from seeing how well it has performed…

"96th Academy Awards Predictions – Oscars Watch"

#NOVA: A Traumatizing But Essential Documentary

#NOVA is an hourlong documentary following the events of the Supernova Psy-Trance Festival during the Hamas attack on October 7. If you’re unfamiliar with what happened on October 7, it was the worst attack on Jews in a single day since the Holocaust. Filmmaker Dan Pe’er was aiding survivors when he first begin receiving the initial footage that led to the film. #NOVA is a documentary that uses smartphone, bodycam, phone audio, and GoPro footage…

"#NOVA: A Traumatizing But Essential Documentary"

Damsel: Millie Bobby Brown Faces a Dragon in Netflix Film

Millie Bobby Brown goes face to face with a dragon in Damsel, the newest original Netflix film to star the Stranger Things actress. I’m going to get to the idea behind the film in a moment. But before I do, I’ve been enjoying the Netflix original films starring Millie Bobby Brown. There’s something about them that allow the actress to show off her wit or action skills. This film is no different except for the…

"Damsel: Millie Bobby Brown Faces a Dragon in Netflix Film"