Category: Film & TV

Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Hitch’: Romantic Comedy With Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul

In the 17 years since (and the 10 or so before) the release of “Hitch,” websites and apps, which were geared to those looking for love or something like it, make what takes place throughout this film appear quaint, arcane, and more than a bit dated. What used to be done by professional matchmakers and…


Rewind, Review, and Re-rate: ‘Chinatown’: A Perfect Storm of Writing, Direction, and Performance

Arriving at the peak of the “American New Wave” period, “Chinatown” marked the creative zenith for many of those involved in the production, and in particular Robert Towne, who went on to win multiple awards for his screenplay, still considered by most to be the finest of its kind ever written. Towne’s was the sole…


Symphony of the Wild

This dazzling wildlife spectacle propels us into the very private world of some of our most endearing critters. Set across a global stage, a parade of four legged talent struts its stuff against the backdrop of some great classical works. A live action ‘Fantasia’ features mighty whales breaching, charging elephants, the big cats, and dozens…


Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Dave’: A Seriously Funny Political Comedy Without the Partisanship

Directed by the recently departed Ivan Reitman (“Stripes,” “Meatballs,” “Twins,” “Kindergarten Cop”), “Dave” pulls off the rare feat of being rooted in politics without displaying any whiff of partisanship. Sophisticated but relatable and smart while coming off as erudite, it is a comedy with endless charm and an ability to impart a common sense message…


Divine Messengers | Bach’s Inspiration (Episode 1)

Besides being the baroque era’s greatest organist and composer, and one of the most productive geniuses in the history of Western music, Bach was also a theologian whose expression of inspiration was music. Nearly three- fourths of his 1,000 compositions were written for use in worship, and Bach’s deep religious faith could be found even…


Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘The 7th Voyage of Sinbad’: A Rip-Roaring Adventure That’s Just Plain Fun

G | 1h 28min | Action, Adventure, Family | 1958 “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” (1958) is a great addition to the ’50s adventure films—films often rife with creativity and fun (and often goofiness)—that I’ve been reviewing lately. The film is actually part of a trilogy that also includes “The Golden Voyage of Sinbad” (1973)…


Vivaldi Day

Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for strings in G minor Johann Sebastian Bach: Sicilian from Concerto in D minor Baldassare Galuppi: Adriano in Siria. Ouverture Antonio Vivaldi: Stabat Mater Antonio Vivaldi: Symphony in G major “Il coro delle muse” Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonata in D minor Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in D major “Per la Signora Chiara”…


Film Review: ‘The Weekend Away’: Leighton Meester Plays Against Type in This Cookie-Cutter Thriller

For a six-year stretch (2007―2012), Leighton Meester played a principal character on “Gossip Girl,” a purposefully camp teen drama which was both revered and reviled by critics and became one of the most influential shows of its era. Fizzling out in it’s final season, the show nonetheless provided ideal springboards to bigger and better things…


Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Super 8’: Spielberg and Abrams Teamed up for Old School Blockbuster

“Super 8”—it’s pretty darn blockbuster-y! It’s got Steven Spielberg producing and J.J. Abrams directing, so how could it not be?


Film Review: ‘Be With You’

TV-PG | 2hr 12min | | Drama, Fantasy, Romance | 2018 There have been quite a few Japanese films that have inspired the more recently emerging South Korean film industry. Indeed, it’s interesting to see one country’s interpretation of another’s cinematic creations, just as North American filmmakers have been recreating a number of British and…