On December 3rd, 2022, I had the pleasure of sitting in on a panel at Los Angeles Comic Con. The panel, hosted by the podcast Geekscape, was a Q&A with Gremlins director Joe Dante and one of the Executive Producers of the upcoming Gremlins project at HBO: Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, Brendan Hay. The nerd in me was super excited about this. Gremlins played a crucial part … Continue reading A Brief Discussion with Joe Dante
This article contains spoilers for Jordan Peele’s Nope. Nope, written, directed, and produced by Jordan Peele, sees Daniel Kaluuya team up with the filmmaker once again, this time, playing Otis “OJ” Haywood Jr., the son of a ranch owner and Hollywood horse trainer, played by Keith David. KeKe Palmer plays OJ’s sister Emerald Haywood, Steven Yeun plays former child star/current amusement park owner Ricky “Jupe” … Continue reading Nope (2022)
In German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis. Schindler’s List is, arguably, the defining Holocaust film. I remember having to get a waiver signed when I was in the eighth grade, so we could watch the film once we finished our Holocaust unit. (Yes. We had a Holocaust unit.) … Continue reading 8. Schindler’s List (1993)
A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home world. The first note that I wrote down while watching this film was “why this Spielberg movie? What sets this one apart?” I was truly troubled by this. Don’t get me wrong; this film holds a special place in my heart. I saw it when I was … Continue reading 24. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
I recently realized that I needed something to balance out the negativity of my “Films That Have Not Aged Well”. As much as I love writing those posts, they can bum me out, especially when there’s a realization that a film I enjoy is definitely problematic. So, to counteract that feeling, I’ve decided to also look at films that have endured the test of time. … Continue reading Timeless Films: Jurassic Park (1993)
I was recently rewatching Raiders of the Lost Ark for fun. I have loved the film since I was a child. It’s one that was shown to me on one of the movie nights my family and I would have when I was growing up. It wasn’t until I was older, however, that I realized two things about this so-called hero: 1. He is, or … Continue reading Indiana Jones and the Problematic “Hero”
When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach resort, it’s up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down. In one fell swoop, Steven Spielberg created the summer blockbuster. He just had to go through hell to do it. The issues that Spielberg had during the filming of Jaws have all been well-documented, though. So, I’m … Continue reading 56. Jaws (1975)
Archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis. Let me start by saying that I love this film. So the criticisms that are about to follow are out of love, I promise. All in all, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a fun film. It’s got action, adventure, romance, mystery, and WWII … Continue reading 66. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
I’ve discovered in recent years that Hook is one of those films that, if you grew up with it, then you love it. However, if you did not, you may not be as fond of it. Personally, I have the word “Bangarang” tattooed on my arm, so that gives you an idea of where I stand. John Williams’ score is the first thing I want … Continue reading Hook (1991)
Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action. I cry no less than six times while watching this film. I counted this time. From the first battle scene as the men land on Omaha Beach on, what came to be known as, D-Day to the final battle scene at … Continue reading 71. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
