Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake of “Cape Fear” is an underappreciated four-star gem. The film was adapted by Wesley Strick from the original screenplay by James R. Webb, which was an ... Read More »
Category Archives: Popular Culture
The Politics of Apocalyptic Cinema: Embracing Hope in Hopeless Scenarios
February 15, 2014
Apocalypse is derived from the Greek, meaning “revelation.” Indeed, it is within the Apocalyptic narrative that audiences are provided with a revelation as to the nature ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: ‘CASINO ROYALE’
February 4, 2014
Like most origin stories, “Casino Royale” makes for great storytelling. Unlike most origin stories, however, it is executed with near perfection. Bond. Daniel Craig. Talk about an ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: BEST OF THE 007 FRANCHISE
February 2, 2014
So here we are at last, three years after I began reviewing the James Bond series, and it’s time to announce my choices for the ... Read More »
LIBERAL CRITICS MISS POINT OF DAVID MAMET’S ‘PHIL SPECTOR’ ALLEGORY
April 7, 2013
It is nearly impossible to read a review of David Mamet’s work now without the critic noting the playwright’s conservative politics. There’s nothing inherently wrong ... Read More »
BIG MOVIE FLASHBACK: ‘LAKE OF FIRE’ OFFERS MUST-SEE ABORTION CHRONICLE
February 3, 2013
Tony Kaye’s 2006 documentary Lake of Fire could have been an American masterpiece, and the definitive film about abortion. Nevertheless, the director of the outstanding American History X has made ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: BEST OF THE DALTON-BROSNAN-CRAIG ERA
November 22, 2012
Having now finished with the second Bond era (Roger Moore + Sean Connery’s return), it’s time to for the “best of” list. As with my first ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: ‘THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH’ AND ‘DIE ANOTHER DAY’
October 28, 2012
“The World Is Not Enough” and “Die Another Day” begin with a lot of promise, both have solid elements, and there’s plenty of spectacle, but ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: ‘TOMORROW NEVER DIES’
October 21, 2012
Not as strong as “GoldenEye,” and with a villain that is too arch, “Tomorrow Never Dies” nonetheless boasts outstanding action scenes and a good script. ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: ‘GOLDENEYE’
October 7, 2012
Before “reboot” entered the pop culture lexicon, there was “GoldenEye.” The movie is one of the absolute best of the entire James Bond series, due ... Read More »
ABC’S MORAL IMPERATIVE TO RELEASE ‘PATH TO 9/11’ ON DVD
September 11, 2012
Last year, I wrote an essay asking whether anyone could ever truly make a film about 9/11. As with the Holocaust, some occurrences are so overwhelming that ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: DALTON, DAVI WASTED IN ‘LICENCE TO KILL’
September 8, 2012
Somewhere, somehow, something went very wrong with the second and final James Bond entry for Timothy Dalton. It certainly isn’t his fault, as he did ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: ‘LIVING DAYLIGHTS’ USHERS IN DAWN OF DALTON ERA
July 28, 2012
The exit of Roger Moore from the James Bond franchise opens the door to better films, a return to espionage plots and an outstanding new ... Read More »
JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: BEST OF THE MOORE ERA
June 23, 2012
Having now finished with the second Bond era (Roger Moore + Sean Connery’s return), it’s time to for the “best of” list. As with my ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: THREE 007 FILMS HARDLY WORTH A LICENSE TO KILL
May 19, 2012
I know, I know. I haven’t kept up with the James Bond series I started last year for Big Hollywood. I had to take a ... Read More »
SXSW MOVIE ROUNDUP: DOCUMENTARIES OVERPOWER QUIRKY FILM FESTIVAL’S SLATE
March 21, 2012
“Brooklyn Castle”: An engrossing and engaging film similar to“Spellbound.” It concerns a number of minority middle school students who excel at chess. Driven by the devotion ... Read More »
‘WE ARE LEGION’ SXSW REVIEW: A PEEK BEHIND THE ANARCHISTS’ CURTAIN
March 20, 2012
“We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists” screened at the SXSW Film Festival last week. The film traces both the history and philosophy (or lack ... Read More »
LIBERALS PROTECT THEIR (MISOGYNIST) OWN
March 5, 2012
I have no idea the context in which Rush Limbaugh made the statements he did about Ms. Sandra Fluke. For the purposes of this discussion, ... Read More »
‘BROADCAST NEWS’ PREDICTED JOURNALISM’S COLLAPSE
February 26, 2012
I stumbled across James L. Brooks’ “Broadcast News” on TV the other night. I have always regarded it as his best movie, in which writing ... Read More »
NATIVE AMERICANS GET THE LAST LAUGH ON GOVERNMENT REGULATION
February 18, 2012
In a ruling that I’ve followed closely because of my interest in the short-term cash advance industry, a Colorado court has sided with Native American tribes allowing ... Read More »
THE JAMES BOND CHRONICLES: ‘SKYFALL’
February 18, 2012
Despite a strong first half and some great character material, “Skyfall” craters thanks to a boring second half, lackluster villain, and plot holes galore. This ... Read More »
OBAMA’S #OCCUPY MOVEMENT WILL WIN THE ELECTION…FOR THE GOP
February 10, 2012
For everyone out there supporting the #Occupy Movement, who calls themselves part of “the 99%”, identifies with their alleged struggle, and supports their strategies and ... Read More »
‘A SERIOUS MAN’: THE MUST-SEE FAITH-BASED FILM YOU DIDN’T SEE
December 22, 2011
I imagine that many Americans skipped right over the Coen Brothers’ 2009 film “A Serious Man” for many reasons — not the least of which ... Read More »
THE BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT HOAX, EPILOGUE: WHAT IT MEANS TO ALL OF US
November 25, 2011
Please read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 [Editor: Please link to each] Contrary to recent media reports, the Brazilian Blowout hair treatment is ... Read More »
THE BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT HOAX, PART 4: A TALE OF TWO STUDIES…AND HOW THE MEDIA REPORTED ON EACH
November 24, 2011
Contrary to recent media reports, the Brazilian Blowout hair treatment is safe for use. Today I’ll present contrasting studies on the product, to show the difference between ... Read More »
THE BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT HOAX PART 3: POLITICIANS AND THE FDA ATTACK A SAFE PRODUCT
November 23, 2011
Please read Part 1 and Part 2. Contrary to recent media reports, the Brazilian Blowout hair treatment is safe for use. Oregon OSHA and Federal OSHA had already attacked Brazilian ... Read More »
THE BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT HOAX, PART 2: FED OSHA BOTCHES STUDY, MEDIA BLAMES COMPANY
November 22, 2011
Contrary to recent media reports, the Brazilian Blowout hair treatment is safe for use. You’d never know it, though, because the mainstream media has been perpetuating one ... Read More »
THE BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT HOAX, PART 1: RIGGED OSHA STUDY CREATES MSM HYSTERIA
November 21, 2011
Contrary to ongoing media reports, the Brazilian Blowout hair treatment is safe for use. The company is caught in a perfect storm of faulty private and government ... Read More »
THE VETERAN AND TEACHER THAT DEMANDED INDIVIDUAL EXCEPTIONALISM
November 16, 2011
Edwin David Barlow is dead. This is a fact. There are other facts, too. One fact is that he died on December 17, 1990. Another ... Read More »
HOW THE #OCCUPY MOVEMENT WILL END
November 10, 2011
The #OccupyWhatever protest has an eerie feeling of déjà vu surrounding it. Back in 1985, when I was attending Cornell University, the movement du jour was encouraging ... Read More »