Midway through the summer of 1982, there was no one absorbing more power in Hollywood than Steven Spielberg. With his sci-fi masterpiece, “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” Spielberg not only had a smash hit flexing unreal box office muscle, but a motion picture that won over every audience it played for, burrowing straight into total cultural consciousness. The success of the picture guaranteed many changes for Spielberg that summer, but two matters were most certain: he would attain world cinematic supremacy and the studio would demand a sequel.
Continue reading "Always Late to the Party - E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears (Story Treatment)" »
When The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was officially announced in 2007, it sent shockwaves of giddiness through theme park enthusiast circles, J.K. Rowling admirers, and fantasy movie fans. Here was a remarkable opportunity to live the Harry Potter life, not just sit passively while pages turned or images swung across the big screen. The barriers were finally being kicked down, as Universal Orlando proclaimed to the world they were going to build their very own Hogwarts right in the middle of Central Florida.
Continue reading "A Visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Part One)" »
There are two types of people in this world: fans of “Wyatt Earp” and fans of “Tombstone.” I consider myself a great admirer of Lawrence Kasdan’s ambitious 1994 stab at dissecting the enduring mustachioed legend known as Wyatt Earp; however, I understand, after all these years, that my appreciation for the picture places me firmly in the minority. Most side with 1993’s “Tombstone,” and, heavens, they are a vocal majority. Not since the great Pepsi/Coke, York/Sargent, and Sega/Nintendo preference battles of yesteryear has there been such a combustible divide of entertainment opinion.
Continue reading "Once is Always Enough - Returning to Tombstone" »
By this point, I’m sure most people who desire to know such things are well aware that a new “Shrek” film is due in theaters later this month.
Continue reading "Adventures in Hilarious Marketing - The Shrek Identity" »
Moviegoing in the sweltering summer of 1999 wasn’t just dominated by the likes of senior beard George Lucas and the introduction of his divisive, screen-hogging “Star Wars” prequels. There was another box office force less dependent on Jedis and action figures. Riding a staggering word-of-mouth wave that involved an exhaustive screening campaign on college campuses, “American Pie” rose to power mid-season, swelling into the year’s definitive sleeper smash. The picture launched a multitude of careers, grossed out sold-out showings, and singlehandedly resuscitated the teen hornball genre. “American Pie” was also a motion picture that I couldn’t stand after my initial viewing.
Continue reading "Once is Always Enough - Returning to American Pie" »
I’m not one to romanticize the life and times of actor Corey Haim, but I’d be lying if I wrote that his screen work didn’t have an effect on me. His not-entirely-unexpected death today, at the young age of 38, certainly summons feelings of sadness, as we lost someone who was obviously troubled and torn for most of his life. We also lost a once engaging young actor who showed more pep and snappy comedic timing than most of his peers during his reign as a superbly coifed, smirking teen heartthrob.
Continue reading "One Last Slow Clap - Remembering Corey Haim (1971-2010)" »
See, this type of careless horseplay would never be permitted inside a water park.
Continue reading "Adventures in Hilarious Marketing - Grown Ups" »
Just a handful of movies to fear, cheer, and remain exhaustively befuddled by for the upcoming year. In 3-D!!!*
* Does not contain 3-D
Continue reading "20 for 10: The Movies of 2010 (Part 1)" »
The Playboy Mansion, a house on the left, death to Wyoming, elderly teenagers, warm beer, parody blues, Columbus discovers awful, Heigl feminism, Christian horror, and Theta Pi must die. These are the worst films of 2009.
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With the first unwieldy chunk of the 2000s drawing to a close, it seems fitting (and trendy) to whip up a tight “Best of the Decade” list, to somehow fit a cap on a very eclectic 10 years of unrelenting filmgoing. It would be simple, perhaps expected, to carelessly mash together sections of various best-of lists from throughout the years, forming a lifeless pile of titles once and forever loved to define a decade now known more for its losses than its gains. However, I wanted to offer something that represents the exceptional features that have retained incredible lasting power -- films that still manage to course through my system through both fond memories and repeated viewings. The normal critical urges are relaxed here, with an eye toward titles that still rock the casbah while everything else has faded ever so quietly into the wall of white noise.
Continue reading "The 25 Best Films of 2000-2009 (Part 1)" »
