TBT: The Descent (2006)

October 30, 2014February 14, 2017 / Tom / 30 Comments

There is no shortage of horrors I could have/might have gone with here. But I decided to ultimately pick something a bit more. . .random out of the hat, as I think more obvious choices like Halloween, or Psycho, or even Friday the 13th would be a little more difficult to say something original about. … Continue reading TBT: The Descent (2006)

John Wick

October 25, 2014February 14, 2017 / Tom / 28 Comments

Release: Friday, October 24, 2014 [Theater] Written by: Derek Kolstad Directed by: Chad Stehelski; David Leitch John Wick is yet another Keanu Reeves vehicle that operates much like an actual one would sans the steering wheel: basic things like moving straight ahead are possible but trying something fancy like taking a left-hand turn renders the driving clumsy and crashing into your mailbox … Continue reading John Wick

TBT: The Exorcist (1973)

October 23, 2014February 14, 2017 / Tom / 33 Comments

I have had this blog for three years now and still haven't reviewed this?! This surprises me not just because of the infamy attached to this staple of 1970s American horror, but because it is one of my personal favorite horrors ever. Why haven't I been yammering on about this already?! I blame blogger's block. But here we are, … Continue reading TBT: The Exorcist (1973)

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

October 22, 2014March 27, 2018 / Tom / 25 Comments

Release: Friday, October 10, 2014 [Theater] Written by: Rob Lieber Directed by: Miguel Arteta As the ruthless Carmine Falcone once told Cillian Murphy's Dr. Crane in a particularly insightful moment during Batman Begins, "some days, some days just go bad." Indeed it does for one Alexander Cooper and his extraordinarily ordinary family. The day before his twelfth birthday, he experiences a … Continue reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Fury

October 20, 2014February 13, 2017 / Tom / 18 Comments

Release: Friday, October 17, 2014 [Theater] Written by: David Ayer Directed by: David Ayer There's no such thing as a politically-neutral war film. That's why David Ayer (End of Watch; Sabotage) should be praised for focusing not on the ideals and goals of war but rather its consequences. In his film there is a whole lot of loss and not a … Continue reading Fury

30-for-30: The Legend of Jimmy the Greek

October 17, 2014February 13, 2017 / Tom / 4 Comments

Release: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 [Netflix] Directed by: Fritz Mitchell I'm wondering who in this room would recognize the name Dimetrios Georgios Synodinos. I'd be willing to bet many more might if I then revealed this was merely the less-glamorous birth name given to the one and only Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder. And if you're still finding yourself asking, "Who?" -- … Continue reading 30-for-30: The Legend of Jimmy the Greek

TBT: The Shining (1980)

October 16, 2014February 13, 2017 / Tom / 24 Comments

The first time I had heard this film title, I thought it was referring to something else entirely. And when I finally sat down to watch (whenever that first time was, I wish I could remember. . .) I came into the understanding rather quickly that yes indeed, this would be no comedy. No one would … Continue reading TBT: The Shining (1980)

The Judge

October 12, 2014February 13, 2017 / Tom / 17 Comments

Release: Friday, October 10, 2014 [Theater] Written by: Nick Schenk; Bill Dubuque Directed by: David Dobkin The honorable David Dobkin, who's responsible for giving the world Wedding Crashers, presides over his very first drama and makes a relatively strong case for his continued exploration outside his comfort zone. Despite narrative clutter and a doggedly long runtime (almost two and a half hours), … Continue reading The Judge

The Franco Files #9

October 10, 2014February 13, 2017 / Tom / 15 Comments

Welcome to October, and the ninth edition of The Franco Files! I suppose now would be a good time to make the announcement. I have decided that I will officially end this thread in December, effectively concluding this feature as we currently know it with 11 entries on December 10. I would continue into next … Continue reading The Franco Files #9

TBT: Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

October 9, 2014February 13, 2017 / Tom / 29 Comments

Feeling in a bit of a paranoid mood? Then you'll love what's on offer for today's Throwback Thursday segment! And you know what they say about paranoia, right? Well . . . actually, what . . . what do they say? I'm not sure if they say anything about it. Is there an expression that "they" … Continue reading TBT: Rosemary’s Baby (1968)