MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Feelin' Film" podcast for "If Beale Street Could Talk"

As a special for Black History Month, I was honored to join Aaron White and Patrick Hicks of the Feelin' Film Podcast for an opportunity to love all over my #1 film of 2018, If Beale Street Could Talk from Moonlight Oscar winner Barry Jenkins. Joining me as another guest and bringing the dais to four was Kolby Mac, the new host of FF’s “Black Label” podcast. This was such a wonderful episode! Listeners are in for a treat! Take a listen to the episode here or below:

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Night Clerk

Like it or not, there’s something carnal and entirely compelling about voyeurism. From trainwrecks to Peeping Toms, gazes can be easily fixated by the energy of those moments. There is an addictive draw that can be interest, mystery, surprise, titillation, or all of the above. The invasive level of wrongness in watching something you are likely not meant to see is measured by what one is doing or getting out of these observations. That’s a bit of the hook of The Night Clerk which allows a little gray hue on that potential wrongness.

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SHORT FILM REVIEW: A Missed Connection

For a moment, think on the last bad day you experienced when the things you juggle in your life continued to collapse. What sort of “wit’s end” did you find yourself arriving at? Jog the memory of how you reacted to that ugly day. Did you lash out harmfully or did a figurative life preserver pull you out of the doldrums or stresses? Chicago filmmaker Matthew Weinstein’s newest short film A Missed Connection thrusts a character to such a breaking point and exquisitely presents a chance scenario likely dreamt of by many, yet afforded by few. This film plays on February 21st and 22nd as a selection of the Beloit International Film Festival.

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Call of the Wild

Those who have read Jack London’s 117-year-old short novel The Call of the Wild know the truth of its content. Continuously mushing through a gauntlet of abuse and arduous conditions, the story of Buck is not a cuddly one fit for a bedtime story or fireside chat. Any uplifting spirit present does not swell like your typical dog story. The spectre of a truly violent world is inescapable. Each film adaptation over the many decades, from Clark Gable and Charlton Heston to Snoopy and anime, has made their attempt to soften what cannot entirely be softened. This year’s Disney-acquired 20th Century Studios take from animation veteran Chris Sanders, producer James Mangold, and star Harrison Ford adds to that repetitive history of unremarkable failures.

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EDITORIAL: We Should Be Careful with What We Put in Movies

Well, it's pretty much evident by now what this place is all about. But one thing that we rarely talk about is how lessons in movies work. You think that every one of them is excellent and intentional. Well, it sort of isn't. Sometimes, movie makers will put a point unintentionally, or they'll teach you about something terrible as well. So, we should talk about being careful when it comes to movies. If you're interested in that, then stick around and read this full article. Maybe you'll even learn something, or you just might gain some insight into movie making. Either way, let's begin!

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "The Cinescope Podcast" reflecting on "John Carter"

This past week, I was invited and welcomed back to The Cinescope Podcast, hosted by Chad Hopkins. With appreciation for its zest and its history, Chad and I shared our love for Andrew Stanton’s 2012 Disney adventure John Carter. It was an excellent chat. This was my third time on Cinescope after previous episodes on E.T the Extra Terrestrial and The Karate Kid. I look forward to the next chance to join Chad. Enjoy the podcast! Listen or download below!

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" podcast and YouTube talking "Birds of Prey"

One thing that doesn’t need a title change is Ian Simmons’ Kicking the Seat podcast. The same cannot be said of Birds of Prey (and the Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. That movie was the discussion subject of the recent 499th episode of Ian’s program. He, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews, and I passed around the hair tie to talk about the colorful and not-to-soft Suicide Squid sequel and spin off. Enjoy us comic fans putting forth some insight and regret!

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Photograph

This is going to sound like a spoiler, but no pining suitor or their smitten match says “I love you” in The Photograph. Canadian filmmaker Stella Meghie weaves two passionate romances connected yet separated across a generation within her film and those magic words don’t come out. Know immediately and imploringly how this is far from a dealbreaker. If anything, the restraint away from such a plain statement becomes more stimulating and resounding than ever thought possible.

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GUEST COLUMN: Lessons Found in "The Fast and Furious" Movies

by Kevin Gardner

Movies are a great way to escape the real world and place yourself in the middle of a new life. Films that extend from one to a series are some of the most exciting to watch because the storyline continues. “The Fast and Furious” set is no exception. Many watch it for its thrills and action scenes, but if you pay close attention, you can find some important life lessons. Here are nine messages these movies teach.

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GUEST EDITORIAL: Why Old Movies are More Useful than Modern Ones?

by Susan Saurel

When it comes to movie reviews, everyone has his or her opinion. Some people struggle to watch modern movies while others can’t finish watching an old movie without dozing off. Some people consider old movies to be outdated due to the mannerisms of the actors or the graphics. And this is quite true. However, old movies have valuable lessons that you can’t easily find in modern ones. And these lessons can be used in our modern world. Let’s discuss why old movies are better than modern ones.

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CHECKLIST: 21 films to watch for the 2021 Oscars

In what has become an annual Monday morning Oscar hangover, this website looks down the calendar and into the crystal ball to prognosticate which 2020 films could be contenders for the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021. Who could possible top the history that was Parasite? Many will try and they may very well come from this scouting report. No sooner than the sun rises and coffee pots turn on, the next Oscar season starts now!  Here’s your eighth year of advance scouting courtesy of Every Movie Has a Lesson.

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