Melissa McCarthy has accomplished more than offering up a light comedy this summer, much more than a silly spy spoof. She’s headlining a continuation of a recent trend of feminism and female empowerment in film via her latest comedy vehicle, in Paul Freig’s SPY (2015). After screening SPY, I wasn’t surprised at all to hear that the same writer/director who brought us BRIDESMAIDS (2011) and … Continue reading SPY (2015) is the Gal Pal, Snort Fest
In the steamy summers as a kid, I would often pass the time in the muggy Kansas heat at my grandparents’ houses. When I needed a break from the lake or the community pool or my uncle’s baseball games and yet that sweet bombpop barely satiated with a few sticky bites- it was the perfect time to come inside to the cool A/C and enjoy … Continue reading Beach Party Films: the Fashion, Music and Pop Culture, Daddy-O!
Boy howdy, is there a fun summer in store for you, film fans! In case you haven’t heard, Turner Classic Movies network has packed your summer with everything you need to keep those hot, sizzling days nice and cool. Whether you’re up for family fun flicks or dark noir, TCM has the ultimate silver screen soiree scheduled for everyone… all summer long. Starting June 5th, … Continue reading KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND! Summer Sizzles in Cool Noir on TCM- plus more!
I’m a sucker for an over-the-top, blockbuster disaster movie. The mega budget versions of this film genre seemed to initiate in popularity in the 70’s with films like AIRPORT (1970), THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972), THE TOWERING INFERNO (1974), and EARTHQUAKE (1974). Then they kicked off again in the 90s and transitioned into the 21st century with films like TWISTER (1996), INDEPENDENCE DAY (1996), THE DAY … Continue reading Finding No Faults in SAN ANDREAS (2015)
I reached out to my Cubish cinema sister Aurora of ONCE UPON A SCREEN aka @CitizenScreen to see if she wanted to reprise our BILLY WILDER birthday blogathon again this year. As we contemplated our insanely busy schedules, we agreed we are of course out of our minds to add anything else to our plates- but of course we’ll happily celebrate Billy’s birthday in style. … Continue reading ANNOUNCEMENT! 2nd Annual BILLY WILDER Blogathon
I was all set to take a couple of my kiddos to the summer disaster flick SAN ANDREAS because it seemed to be a movie of commercial and mass appeal across multiple ages. But we soon realized my true mistake was in accidentally picking the 3D version (which simply won’t do for my vertigo affected eighteen year-old) so with time constraints, we opted for Cameron … Continue reading ALOHA (2015) means hello and goodbye
Imagine this. This bubbly optimist who enjoys all sorts of cinema- from the silents right up to the latest blockbuster- goes to see the latest entry of Mad Max. I’ll fully admit that a bleak dystopian view of the future is generally not my cup of tea. But I kept my mind open this Memorial Day weekend upon screening George Miller’s MAD MAX FURY ROAD … Continue reading MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015)
Social media and water coolers alike have been a buzz since the series final episode of “MAD MEN” aired. Some have wondered just why the series became such an intensely popular phenomenon. Was it the nostalgia and quirky fun of Janie Bryant’s wardrobes spanning mainly across the 60s, right up to 1970? Was it the character development of these Madison Avenue ad men and women? … Continue reading Goodbye Mad Men
How can a film from 1937 seem relevant and impressive today? It can when it’s Gregory La Cava’s STAGE DOOR. Based on the popular stage play written by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman, the film version takes a detour with a large ensemble cast of characters. It’s essentially based on the struggles and pursuits of the all-female tenants at the Footlights Club, a residence … Continue reading The Great Katharine Hepburn Blogathon: STAGE DOOR (1937)
As we close on another Mother’s Day weekend, it’s not hard-pressed to think of Mom. My mother died of breast cancer thirty four years ago. Interestingly, it will be thirty four years ago exactly today- and she was thirty-four years old. But when it comes to how we ‘honor’ our moms, it’s frequent to hear how many ponder wisdoms our mothers taught us. Whether our … Continue reading Classic and Colorful ‘Momisms’
Outspoken & Freckled 