Now Playing: The Big Sick
When I write out Judd Apatow’s name in this space, it’s usually in conjunction with some grousing about his creative shortcomings, which have spread across the field of cinematic comedy like spilled Fresca. Apatow is a rambunctiously creative filmmaker, but … Continue reading Now Playing: The Big Sick
The Art of the Sell: The Big Sick
These posts celebrate the movie trailers, movie posters, commercials, print ads, and other promotional material that stand as their own works of art. I’m planning to get to my review of The Big Sick tomorrow. As a precursor, I want … Continue reading The Art of the Sell: The Big Sick
Now Playing: War for the Planet of the Apes
As with its immediate predecessors, I admire the franchise film War for the Planet of the Apes for attempting to instill weightier themes into its high-concept hook. Also in accordance with the other offerings since the reboot was rebooted — … Continue reading Now Playing: War for the Planet of the Apes
Martin Landau: 1928 – 2017
In describing his approach to acting, Martin Landau once employed a story about a drunk and a sculptor. In Landau’s recounting, the sculptor is putting the finishing touches on a statue of elephant. In order to get the drunk to … Continue reading Martin Landau: 1928 – 2017
College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 19 – 17
19. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” One of the biggest hits of 1982 had a long, arduous journey to the top of the charts and could have easily disappeared into near-complete obscurity. “I Love Rock … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 19 – 17
From the Archive — The Man with Two Brains
Continuing with mini-series launched last week that excavates the reviews from the bygone “Movies That Shoulda Been Summer Blockbusters” special episode of 90FM’s The Reel Thing, this is what I wrote about the comedy The Man with Two Brains, directed … Continue reading From the Archive — The Man with Two Brains
One for Friday: Mental As Anything, “Thinking Out Loud”
Crossing over from my relatively sheltered experience with music into the vast open tundra of college radio was joyful and astonishing. It was freeing, intimidating, exhausting, and enlivening all at the same time. When I complain about the difficulty I … Continue reading One for Friday: Mental As Anything, “Thinking Out Loud”
Playing Catch-Up: Cops and Robbers; Murder, He Says; Tower
Cops and Robbers (Aram Avakian, 1973). This jagged comedy of resignation hails from the era of U.S. cinema when depictions of New York City were so gritty that it seemed as if wringing the celluloid like a towel would cause … Continue reading Playing Catch-Up: Cops and Robbers; Murder, He Says; Tower
Top Ten Television, 2016-2017 season
The Emmy nominations will be offered up tomorrow morning. As per tradition, I carve out some room at my little corner of the digital world to weigh on those series that I consider to be the best of episodic storytelling … Continue reading Top Ten Television, 2016-2017 season
Now Playing — Spider-Man: Homecoming
We are now in the tenth year of the Marvel Age of Movies, and who can argue against the astonishing influence of the comic book publisher turned crafter of cinematic crescendos? All through that resounding success, it had to rankle … Continue reading Now Playing — Spider-Man: Homecoming
