TBT: The B.F.G. (Big Friendly Giant) (1989)

January 30, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 17 Comments

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and now here we are, at the end of Roald Dahl month on TBT. I hope you all have enjoyed going through these posts as much as I have in creating them. I have to confess, when we entered the new year I had absolutely no … Continue reading TBT: The B.F.G. (Big Friendly Giant) (1989)

The Act of Killing

January 27, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 37 Comments

Release: Friday, July 19, 2013 (limited) [Netflix] Abundant are the films that, post-viewing, make you grateful for the experience, even though they took you far outside your comfort zone. There are even those that you really wish you could un-see; those that haunt your mind like a recurring nightmare. And then there's Joshua Oppenheimer's The Act … Continue reading The Act of Killing

Lone Survivor

January 25, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 23 Comments

Release: Christmas Day 2013 (limited) [Theater] Before we dive into an analysis of this film, let's first get one thing straight: this is no Saving Private Ryan. The critic who made that comparison probably made it in the (understandably) dizzying buzz after experiencing an early screening of Peter Berg's war film and felt compelled to give … Continue reading Lone Survivor

TBT: Matilda (1996)

January 23, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 35 Comments

Throwback Thursday is here once again, offering up only the most nostalgic trips back in time as possible. This week is certainly no different. We go back to a time and place where children were best seen and not heard from; where it was alright for their parents to be downright nasty to them (even … Continue reading TBT: Matilda (1996)

Saving Mr. Banks

January 22, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 25 Comments

Release: Friday, December 20, 2013 [Theater] What's that old adage -- the Poppins you do know is better than the Poppins you don't? Director John Lee Hancock (The Rookie) takes on the challenge of recreating the experiences shared by Walt Disney, his band of dedicated, enthusiastic studio hands and P.L. Travers, the author who dreamt up … Continue reading Saving Mr. Banks

Ride Along

January 18, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 12 Comments

Release: Friday, January 17, 2014 [Theater] It's official. Kevin Hart is the black Chris Farley. Er, well. . .he's certainly trying. His new comedy vehicle sees him performing at a spasmodic level not seen since cocaine was readily available in the 80s. I mean, damn dude, someone give this guy a beta blocker before he strokes … Continue reading Ride Along

30-for-30: The Price of Gold

January 17, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 18 Comments

Release: Thursday, January 16, 2014 [ESPN] Why? Why? Why. . . .wasn't there more security in the building at the time of the incident? In this relatively high-profile documentary, we are entreated to an inside look into the lives of two gifted female figure skaters -- Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan -- and how their worlds … Continue reading 30-for-30: The Price of Gold

TBT: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

January 16, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 32 Comments

As we continue to make our way through Roald Dahl January, I can't help but think this has been one of my favorite months for this thread. Of course, this particular January is stuffed with five Thursdays, so I am going to have to dig deep to find five film adaptations of this man's brilliant … Continue reading TBT: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Inside Llewyn Davis

January 15, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 37 Comments

Release: Friday, December 6, 2013 [Theater] "A folk singer with a cat. Is that part of your act? Every time you hit a C-major, does he puke a hairball?" For whatever it's worth, this line delivered by John Goodman's character was intended to hurt Llewyn Davis' feelings, not the cat's. I suppose if the poor feline … Continue reading Inside Llewyn Davis

Crystal Fairy and the Magical Cactus (and 2012)

January 13, 2014February 1, 2017 / Tom / 15 Comments

Release: Friday, July 12, 2013 (limited) [Netflix] Despite the poster, Michael Cera doesn't spend the entire film running around, looking like he's about to elope with part of a cactus. He does come close to doing just that, though, at one point or another, but come on. If you are sitting there thinking this is going … Continue reading Crystal Fairy and the Magical Cactus (and 2012)

Thomas J

My Journey Through Film

Month: January 2014