For their 108th episode, two graybeard film critics, two upright dads, and two non-Magnum packing teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, present the second of two "Deep Cut" episodes focused on the career of Clint Eastwood. Previously, the hosts examined Clint's career as a director behind the camera. This time around, they look at his contributions as an actor on the silver screen, Will and Don present their Top 5 performances from the ancient movie star.
Read MoreFor their 107th episode, two unathletic film critics, two mama-loving dads, and two air-cushioned teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, come together to talk about the new Amazon Studios release Air. Directed by Oscar winner Ben Affleck and featuring a stellar cast of actors, including Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, and Affleck himself, the legendary courtship of the then-NBA rookie Michael Jordan is the stuff of sports lore. Does the film celebrating that billion-dollar triumph measure up with our hosts?
Read MoreFor their 106th episode, two 40-something film critics, two spruced-up dads, and two teachers who don't wear cowboy hats, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, present the first of two "Deep Cut" episodes focused on the career of Clint Eastwood. The bells and timers are off as the hosts explore the lesser-known and underappreciated entries in Eastwood's career. The Oscar winners are obvious, so Will and Don share their Top 5 deep cuts for Clint Eastwood as a film director.
Read MoreThat crucial third act would make a heck of a short film on its own. If we could fast-forward to there, we would be in business. Instead, we get the Eastwood hero worship vanity project parade. Invisible yet incredibly overt, The 15:17 to Paris freely flies its flags of god-fearing conservative morals, manly superiority, unwavering courage, dreams of glory, and military brotherhood. The content isn't lowered for Eastwood’s credibility, but the execution is, even if there is an audience for this sort of thing.
Read MoreThe transitive verb “beguile,” as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means “to engage the interest of” or “lead by deception.” Hoodwink and divert are synonyms. Director Sofia Coppola’s remake of The Beguiled means to charm our corsets and britches off right in line with its title’s root definition. Methodically and dastardly, the film wishes to seduce us with a heightened intrigue of challenged sexual repression.
Read MoreThree top-notch film critics of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle survived the miracle flight recreations and Clint Eastwood's soft touch of "Sully," starring Tom Hanks. Hear the mixed reactions after an advance screening from Jon Espino, Emmanuel Noisette, and myself!
Read MoreCelebrated director Clint Eastwood is no stranger to biopics based on historical figures, making him an ardent practitioner of hero worship. Because the 86-year-old, four-time Oscar winner classically directs with a soft hand and a comely tone, his brand of adoration consistently lands on the veneration half of the definition. Combining forces for the first time with another hero worship professional in All-American leading man Tom Hanks on “Sully,” you have double the cinematic potential of cherished devotion.
Read MoreThe Oscar nominations for the 87th Academy Awards were announced this morning. Directors J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuaron mapped out the little categories and then actor Chris Pine and Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs drops some bombs this morning. As always, there are plenty of surprises and plenty of snubs. Through it all, the frontrunners have already emerged and this race is taking shape, so much so that I could probably name the eventual winners already today.
Read MoreI hope this big post and 200-song playlist finds you and serves you well. It's been quite the passion project for me to build, on and off, over the last year and a half. Thanks for letting me merge sounding like a parenting blogger and a movie in one post. Please share this column with your friends with kids. It's all not just for babies either. If you like this kind of music, it works great in the car or at the office as well. As a school teacher, I used to play this in my elementary school classes all the time. It's excellent music for creativity and focus for all ages. Enjoy!
Read MoreOnce one awards season ends, another one begins! The winners from last night's 86th Academy Awards can bask in the glow of immortality for a while. Meanwhile, business in Hollywood will quickly shift and move on to the 87th Academy Awards that will happen in February or March of 2015. Here are 15 films to watch for the 2015 Oscars.
Read More
