Posts in 2023
MOVIE REVIEW: The Marvels

For better or worse, “higher, further, faster” is exactly what you get with The Marvels. The sequel triples the space-faring swashbuckling beyond Earth, the weird and wacky possibilities of its galactic conundrum, and the character development pace of having three headlining leads. In an attempt to steer all the “higher, further, faster” going on, The Marvels adds “together” to the mantra (and soundtrack) and branches to a new one with “stand tall without standing alone.” The outcome is an electric blast of welcome, pure, and multiplied girl power.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Nyad

NYAD is the film adaptation of that incredible feat recounted in Diane’s autobiography Find a Way. Four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening is playing the title subject alongside two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster as her friend and coach Bonnie Stoll. This true chronicle lends itself to a sports movie’s narrative flow and swell of dramatic license, yet NYAD was made by a pair of Oscar-winning documentarians– the Free Solo husband-and-wife directorial team of Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin– giving it a purposeful backbone of authenticity to push some of those tropes to the side. 

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PODCAST: Episode 133 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 133rd episode, two mobile infantry film critics, two bug-killing dads, and two citizenship teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, have mobilized their podcast to celebrate the fight for Earth's revenge from 26 years ago. Storming into last century of science fiction classics, the podcast is here to dissect the many subversive delights and burns of Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers. Come for the shared challenge and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun movies encapsulate. Do you want to live forever?! Enjoy our podcast!

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Where to Find Content for My Blog

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page," said a philosopher once. Curiosity-driven brains have access to an endless supply of ideas and stories hidden away in the vastness of the content production universe. This trip winds through so many different venues, encounters, and exchanges—all of which are full with stories that may be posted on your blog. Fasten your seatbelts as we set off on this mysterious journey to find the content pearls in the huge ocean that is the internet and beyond.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Priscilla

Matching the legend status branding and first-name-only titling of Baz Luhrmann, Coppola’s aim was to present the little-known side of the Presley story that happened under domestic lamplights instead of the flashbulbs of the public eye. The writer-director had to do so with a certain degree of difficulty similar to Ava DuVernay’s challenge on Selma nine years ago where the estate of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had granted licenses for King’s speeches to another studio and film project. Thanks to approval given to Luhrmann already, no Elvis Presley music is used in Priscilla.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Included in Hollywood Creative Alliance Gradebook for "Killers of the Flower Moon"

The newly rebranded Hollywood Creative Alliance continues to assemble a series of “Gradebooks” collecting early reviews and grades from their critics on popular releases. When I can get more work completed and a review submitted early enough, my take and connected quotes have the chance to make these shout-out posts. My newest was being included for Killers of the Flower Moon. Check out your boy!

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Lessons from "The Pursuit of Happyness": A Tale of Perseverance and Hope

Like how players persist through different levels at Hellspin Casino to reach their goals, movies often depict stories of perseverance that inspire and motivate us daily. The movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" is a powerful story of perseverance and optimism. Gabriele Muccino directed it. The movie is about Chris Gardner, a salesman who overcomes obstacles to improve his life and his son's.

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