In his second screen appearance as the famed private investigator Hercule Poirot, both the camera and our eyes are magnetized to Kenneth Branagh. There are drop dead gorgeous and expressive characters gallivanting all around, and we can’t pull away from the diminutive observer with that prominent mustache and those impeccable suits. Watch him in character.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
The Sandlot is a 1993 film that follows the misadventures of a group of young baseball players. David Mickey Evans co-wrote and directed the film. The central character is a shy fifth-grader named Scott Smalls.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
In 2005, Julie Powell was a young New Yorker in a dead-end job who set out to prepare all the recipes in Child's book. She chronicled the life-changing experience in her own book "Julie and Julia," published in 2005. In 2009, "Julie and Julia" was adapted into a movie starring the venerable Meryl Streep as Child and then-rising star Amy Adams, almost unrecognizable in a pixie hairdo, as Powell. The following are enduring life lessons from this affirmational film.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
John Green's novel "The Fault in Our Stars" took the YA literary world by storm when it was released. The movie based on the novel was almost as popular. Interestingly though, many who loved the book didn't love the movie, while many who loved the movie didn't love the book. It's a good movie. It's a really good book. But maybe for very different reasons.
Read MoreIt's no secret that quarantine has dealt a crushing blow to the movie industry. Due to the pandemic outbreak, the largest movie distribution networks all over the world ceased operations and cinemas closed down. Businesses begin to play by new rules and use a profitable alternative to the traditional promotional methods, digital marketing. That is direction, where the money, power, and attention of the viewers are concentrated, and where the potential growth of the industry is going.
Read MoreFor their 48th episode, 25YL film critics, non-musical dads, and pencil-pushing school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan invited Chicago-based freelance writer and film critic Annie Banks of Chuck Load of Comics and MovieWeb for the first of a pair of recordings. Staying on the glitzy course towards the Academy Awards, Annie came to sing the praises of Andrew Garfield's hit Netflix vehicle tick, tick... BOOM! The three go back and forth to hit the high notes and the low notes of this musical from from director Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Read MoreFor their 47th episode, 25YL film critics, appreciative dads, and eager school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan welcomed a very special guest to the podcast. Actress, filmmaker, and comedienne Lilan Bowden, known by many for Andi Mack, joined the gentlemen to promote her upcoming work in the improvised Netflix whodunnit show Murderville which debuts February 3rd. Lilan also brought the movie comfort food selection of Disney's animated Robin Hood to the microphones for a three-way debate. Who knew animated foxes were so hot?
Read MoreIf cannot tell already after nearly 50 episodes of the Cinephile Hissy Fit podcast that I co-host, Will Johnson is the big personality and the star of the show. Sure, I may cuss more and have a few more credentials and feathers in my film critic hat, but Will is the beating heart of our show. He was highlighted to show that very power this week with an interview in the Phoenix New Times written by Ashley Naftule.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
The 2014 film "The Imitation Game," which takes its name from Turing's most influential paper, stars the chameleonic Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of the brilliant but beleaguered mathematician. Though tragic in some respects because of the injustice done to him, Turing's life and the film based on it also offer some valuable life lessons.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
Cheaper by the Dozen is an entertaining and funny movie the whole family will enjoy. Parents can be sure to expect some adult humor weaved in throughout the show. Kids will enjoy the silly and sometimes outrageous actions and stunts pulled by the children in the movie. All in all, pop a bag of popcorn, grab some drinks and settle in for a family movie night because you have just found the next great movie everyone will love.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
The Judge is a 2014 legal drama starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall. It was directed by David Dobkin. It follows the story of Hank Palmer, played by Downey Jr., and his troubled relationship with his father, played by Duvall.
Read Moreby Kevin Gardner
Almost everyone uses computers on a regular basis, or if not computers per se then Internet-compatible smart devices. Because such electronics are an inescapable part of daily life, it makes sense that they would inspire movies. Some movies about computers and digital life take place in the future, while others are contemporaneous with the moment in history that they were created. Some are documentaries and others are made-up tales of science fiction or horror. Here are several worth checking out for various reasons.
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