Billy Crystal marked his feature directorial debut in 1992 with Mr. Saturday Night, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Buddy Young Jr. (Billy Crystal) dates back to a HBO comedy special in 1984. Crystal knew there was something special there and brought the character to Saturday Night Live after joining the cast. Even dating back to his earlier years, the character was something of an insult comic. You can place Buddy Young Jr. into…
"Mr. Saturday Night: 30 Years Later"Tag: David Paymer
Based on the true events about Spanish slave ship La Amistad, Amistad marks the 25th anniversary of its theatrical release in 1997. For the second time in a few years, Steven Spielberg followed a summer blockbuster with a serious period picture. Funny enough, both action films were installments of the Jurassic Park franchise. Two stars from The Lost World: Jurassic Park would make their way into this film: Pete Postlethwaite and Arliss Howard as William…
"Amistad Marks 25th Anniversary"
The Long Way Home follows the years in the aftermath of the Holocaust in which Jews are displaced and have nowhere else to go. The film starts with a quote from Exodus 13: “When Pharaoh let the people go, G-d did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near…But G-d led the people round by way of the wilderness…” Per the film’s on-screen text, the voices are taken…
"The Long Way Home: From WWII to Israel"
The Sunlit Night frustratingly blends together two very different stories that don’t quite work together for taking place in a single feature film. Frances (Jenny Slate) could have had an excellent painter’s residency. Unfortunately for her, she passes up the opportunity in order to travel with her boyfriend, Robert, to Japan. Her plans soon become moot when Robert breaks up with her on vacation. Forced back home without a choice, it becomes a comedy of…
"Sundance 2019: The Sunlit Night"