Free Solo

December 12, 2018December 13, 2018 / Tom / 14 Comments

Release: Friday, September 28, 2018 →Theater Directed by: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi; Jimmy Chin Alex Honnold is a professional rock climber who occupies a very obscure niche within the rock climbing community. As a free soloist responsible for some of the world's most death-defying ascents sans a rope and any protective gear, he is most alive when climbing … Continue reading Free Solo

30-for-30: Fantastic Lies

November 30, 2016May 29, 2017 / Tom / 3 Comments

Release: Sunday, March 13, 2016 [Netflix] Directed by: Marina Zenovich Marina Zenovich's Fantastic Lies establishes one simple truth that cannot be disputed no matter what your feelings are towards Duke University and the air of superiority it cultivates. The scandal that rocked the Durham-based university in March of 2006 and the manner in which it was handled … Continue reading 30-for-30: Fantastic Lies

Bleed for This

November 18, 2016May 29, 2017 / Tom / 21 Comments

Release: Friday, November 18, 2016 [Theater] Written by: Ben Younger; Angelo Pizzo; Pippa Bianco Directed by: Ben Younger Bleed for This is an intense title for an underwhelming boxing movie. Its hyperbolic nature suggests a scream-o/punk-rock band's new single when really it's meant to describe the mentality of one Vinny Pazienza, a boxer from Providence, Rhode Island who returned to the ring after … Continue reading Bleed for This

Before the Flood

November 7, 2016May 28, 2017 / Tom / 8 Comments

Release: Friday, October 21, 2016 (limited) [YouTube] Written by: Mark Monroe Directed by: Fisher Stevens Oscar-winning documentarian Fisher Stevens won't change the world with his ambitious but overly familiar and ultimately underwhelming examination of man's impact on the global environment, but his efforts aren't completely in vain. Before the Flood uses the immense popularity of bonafide Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio … Continue reading Before the Flood

30-for-30: Four Days in October

October 31, 2016May 28, 2017 / Tom / 8 Comments

Release: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 [Netflix] Directed by: Gary Waksman In October of 2004 the Boston Red Sox became the first team in major league baseball to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series at the championship level. In that famous set they sent their BFF's the New York Yankees packing, eking out two desperate wins at … Continue reading 30-for-30: Four Days in October

Dream Theater’s The Astonishing — Live

October 23, 2016May 28, 2017 / Tom / 8 Comments

On Wednesday, October 19, 2016 the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark hosted Dream Theater for 'An Evening With' as the progressive-metal giants played in its entirety their brand new album, the sprawling odyssey that is The Astonishing -- an epic tale of betrayal, loss, hope and redemption set in a dystopian future circa 2285 in an … Continue reading Dream Theater’s The Astonishing — Live

Hands of Stone

September 7, 2016May 22, 2017 / Tom / 17 Comments

Release: Friday, August 26, 2016 [Theater] Written by: Jonathan Jakubowicz Directed by: Jonathan Jakubowicz Confession time: coming into this I had no idea who Roberto Durán was -- ya know, other than the fact he would be the center of attention in Jonathan Jakubowicz's boxing drama. Do I feel silly now. Long story short, the Panamanian has been … Continue reading Hands of Stone

30-for-30: Four Falls of Buffalo

August 31, 2016May 18, 2017 / Tom / 4 Comments

Release: Saturday, December 12, 2015 [Netflix] Directed by: Ken Rodgers It's easy to see why Ken Rodgers' retrospective has been described as a love letter, not just to sports fanatics but to the city of Buffalo itself. Pro football has a certain stigma attached to it in this part of the country. The Bills are more freely … Continue reading 30-for-30: Four Falls of Buffalo

Deathgasm

July 19, 2016May 16, 2017 / Tom / 14 Comments

Release: Friday, October 2, 2015 (limited) [Netflix] Written by: Jason Lei Howden Directed by: Jason Lei Howden Visual effects artist Jason Lei Howden's blood-splattered horror-comedy debut may operate within some fairly limited confines but budgetary constraints seemingly have no effect on the creativity of his project and its metal-as-f**k attitude. So you come to expect a few things with a title like … Continue reading Deathgasm

30-for-30: Believeland

June 30, 2016May 14, 2017 / Tom / 11 Comments

Release: Saturday, May 14, 2016 [Netflix] Directed by: Andy Billman Imagine growing up in a city where you're taught, almost assuredly from at least the eighth grade onward, that losing is a reality you must accept, simply based on some silly geographic lottery that you were thrust into at birth. Surprise! You're from Cleveland, and your acclimatization to watching … Continue reading 30-for-30: Believeland

Thomas J

My Journey Through Film

#specialinterest