THE INVITATION is a film which will certainly get you talking. About what, exactly, may not be what the filmmakers intended. It is a film most definitely about Los Angeles and what most of us, especially those who do not live … Continue reading
Amy Menell
“Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war.” War movies are their own genre and have devoted fans in every generation. Perhaps combat films help us empathize and support our soldiers, make the war more … Continue reading
Between film, television, and web series, there have been nine iterations of Jane Austen’s most famous work; Pride and Prejudice. Upon seeing PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES amid a lecture hall filled with college students, who are the perfect target … Continue reading
I figure that, given the majority of the voting Academy is mature white men, that I should get to pick my own nominations. Sure, I could trust the Academy to do the ‘right’ thing, and maybe they will, but I … Continue reading
Greetings Dear Readers! As another year comes to a close, and a whole new year bursts forth with film promise, I am called to compose my essential film list. Sure, I could call it a “best of” list but really … Continue reading
“If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one.” The issue of child sexual abuse is horrifically difficult to broach in any medium. The worldwide sexual abuse of children by priests in the … Continue reading
At the end of every calendar year come a slate of ‘Top 10,’ ‘Best Of’, ‘Star Picks’ in film, art, theater, literature…you know the drill. Last year I took note because the ‘best’ book of the year according to several … Continue reading
Before cooking on TV became big business and garnered huge viewership, before Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsey and Rachel Ray there were famous chefs. Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, and for those really into food, Frédy Girardet. Before them Georges Auguste Escoffier French … Continue reading
“The very nature of being human is something to overcome.” – Steve Jobs That sentiment perfectly sums up the Steve Jobs in the new film of the same title. I want to tread carefully here as I did not personally … Continue reading
THE MARTIAN is magnificent. There’s my big, bold statement breaking the page, line one. It is in the class of rare films where everything works perfectly, and works perfectly together. It’s the ‘together’ part that often inexplicably fails, leaving us … Continue reading