Garrett's film reviews.
May 31, 2021 / Garrett Ashworth
Tenet is the newest movie directed by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception, The Prestige). I viewed this movie when it came out in theaters with excitement. Since it just came out on streaming services, I thought it would be the perfect time to review the film. If you are a casual moviegoer who prefers a simple plot, I would recommend skipping this film. However, if you prefer mind-boggling action sequences, Tenet could keep you hooked throughout, if you don’t mind bland characters and an overcomplicated plot.
In Tenet, a nameless protagonist embarks upon a time-warping espionage mission to thwart a Russian Oligarch from bringing about the end of the world. Tenet is Nolan’s most ambitious and complicated movie to date, but unfortunately it suffers from weak writing and a needlessly confusing plot.
First, I will list some things that the movie did well. The action sequences are jaw-dropping and genius. The choreography and set pieces are all on point, and it really showcases a top-notch attention to detail. Secondly, the soundtrack of the movie is heart-pounding and intense, fitting the movie’s tone perfectly. However, there are some scenes where the music is so loud that it drowns out the dialogue, a mistake I am surprised made it past the editing room.
The core problem with Tenet is it’s failure in delivering an effective story. The characters are bland, used by Nolan and his team as forgettable vessels to travel from one action sequence to another. Their motives are unclear and never fully fleshed out; they are in no way as compelling or unique as Nolan’s previous characters. I feel as though Nolan fully intended for me to care about these characters, and there are scenes where there is supposed to be some sort of emotional punch, but I ended up feeling nothing because there was never enough time to be invested in them. Also, the attempts at trying to explain the extremely complex time travel sequences are so lazily done. Characters spout seemingly endless lines of exposition, and there is never any attempt of making it easy for the audience to understand. Although Tenet and Nolan’s 2010 movie, Inception, both boast complex plots, in Inception, the audience was given adequate time to understand how the world worked, allowing for meaningful viewer payoff once these foreshadowed details of world building came to fruition later on in the movie. In Tenet, the characters will talk about a certain integral plot point for five minutes, and not only will it be explained in a confusing manner, but sometimes the characters are even rendered inaudible due to the booming soundtrack. If you miss a concept in this movie, good luck because it will never be explained again. The action sequences were extremely cool and easily the best part of the film, but there was a certain payoff lacking, because I found myself confused as to why or how things were happening on the screen in front of me. It would probably take a few rewatches to fully comprehend the plot.
All in all, Tenet is indeed a spectacle to watch, but its weak writing ends up making it feel hollow and emotionless. Tenet is a film that will only be
properly understood and appreciated with multiple viewings, but that does not excuse it from being mediocre on a first watch. The movie is not a failure, but it does not succeed in upholding the quality of Nolan’s previous works.
Tenet gets a 2.5 out of 5 star rating.
Justice league: "the Snydercut".
On March 18, Zack Synder’s full vision for the “Justice League'' movie was released after a massive movement by fans to release it. 2017’s “Justice League'', directed by Joss Whedon-director of the first Avengers movie- was viewed as a massive failure. The fans wanted something better, and, luckily, they finally got what they asked for after many years of waiting. Zack Snyder’s “Justice League'' is a major improvement over the original, essentially an entirely new film. Since this superhero movie is Snyder’s full and unfiltered vision, it has a runtime of four hours. If you are a fan of the Snyderverse or DC superhero movies, you will probably enjoy this movie. However, if you are not that invested in the comics or movies, I would strongly recommend skipping this behemoth of a movie.
The Snyder Cut is a completely new movie compared to the original,
and every change makes the movie so much better. Because the long run time allows Snyder to realize his full vision, the plot and character motivations make much more sense. Every character is improved upon, especially Cyborg, who has a more detailed backstory. The Flash is also improved upon, even though I still found his personality annoying. As a result of better dialogue and character development, the movie not only makes more sense, but it also makes it more enjoyable to watch. The cinematography is a major improvement as well, with many stunning, jaw-dropping frames littered throughout the movie. The color palette is also significantly darker, better fitting the overall tone of the movie.
The Synder cut of “Justice League” is obviously a major step up from the original version, but is it still impressive when not compared to its predecessor? I believe it is . Although much of the praise for the movie comes from how it is an improvement from the original (a compliment which shouldn't be that notable, because the original was so terrible), the film also holds up on its own as an entertaining superhero movie. In fact, it is probably Snyder’s best DC movie.
However, the movie still has some problems. Most of the exposition in the movie consists of the heroes standing around in a circle,explaining things to each other, and, although the exposition is helpful for the viewer to understand why certain things are happening, it can get very boring very fast. Additionally, some of the characters are still not very strong, especially Superman. In the movie, there are a few supposedly “emotional” scenes involving Superman, but he barely conveys any believable emotion. He almost feels like a super powered brute that beats up the bad guys. Batman was also poorly written, but I have many problems with Snyder’s version of Batman, so this is nothing new. There are also some unnecessarily cliché and awkward moments throughout the movie, but they do not majorly interrupt the viewing experience.
Overall, the Syndercut is an impressive improvement over its predecessor and manages to be entertaining and engaging throughout the four hour runtime, which is a commendable feat. If you are a fan of DC comics or the Snyderverse, I believe you will enjoy this movie, although I recommend not watching it all at once.
Zack Snyder’s Justice league gets 4 out of 5 Star rating.
No man's sky.
Life Lessons from an Unusually Resilient Game.
February 12, 2021 / Hayden Ashworth
No Man's Sky.
This game is the reason my neighbor bought a PS4. Unfortunately, I think the hype got to them a little bit, because this game wasn't very good at the time. In their defense, it boasted being able to explore 18 quintillion planets, which means, theoretically, you'd get over 7 billion lifetimes of content in one game.
Wow! Name another game that can offer that scale of gameplay. Revolutionary stuff, right? Wrong.
Unfortunately, when the game first came out, there was nothing to do. The planets (all 18 quintillion) were boring and empty, the objective of the game was vague, and there were various problems with the game's code. It ended up being really, really bad. It sort of left with the tide, and everyone forgot about it. And that was the end of No Man's Sky, the game that could never live up to the hype.
However, while the rest of the world moved on, the creators of the No Man's Sky (Hello Games) continued to strive for excellence. In the four years following its catastrophic release, No Man's Sky has received 15 different updates, each one making the game more and more promising, entertaining, and farther from the "disappointment" it was branded as at first. These updates have rescued No Man's Sky from certain demise at the hands of unforgiving critics and the general public, salvaging the creator’s original vision.
In the end, the story of No Man's Sky has a happy ending. Now the world has another great, original game to add to their collection. But why does any of this matter? Why does telling you about this game's underdog story hold any relevance? Well, the reason why is this: Despite the original iteration of the game letting down millions of excited would-be fans, the people behind the game refused to give up. What No Man's Sky showed was that if you have a dream that's important to you and you want to show it to the world, it’s important to be open to receiving valuable feedback, instead of denying it out of stubborness. Even if your original vision crashes and burns, you shouldn't give up on it if it's important to you. No matter what ends up happening, have faith in your dreams while also allowing yourself the flexibility of letting your dreams grow and change alongside you. With this mindset, you might be able to accomplish the impossible.
Dear evan hansen.
March 25th, 2018 / Courtlyn Dranoff
When you think about Broadway, what do you think of? Is it the bright lights? Is it the ballads?
When I think of Broadway, I think of the incredible stories being told right in front of me. Recently, I went to New York and saw the phenomenal musical, Dear Evan Hansen. Dear Evan Hansen is about a boy, Evan, who becomes a social media sensation overnight. It has everything you would ever want to see in a play! One day, Evan is printing out one of the daily pep-talk letters to himself that his therapist wanted him to write in the computer lab. As he is printing the paper, a boy named Connor Murphy snatches the paper from the printer and puts it into his pocket. That scene starts the action and plot build up during the musical!
Dear Evan Hansen not only has a perfect soundtrack, but also has a perfect story. The musical has hard hitting subjects and inspirational moments. Dear Evan Hansen has inspired so many people. The fans of this musical feel so emotional and positive while watching, especially after hearing one of the most inspirational songs, You Will Be Found. Dear Evan Hansen is being adapted into a book called Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel. The book will be written by Val Emmich with Steven Leveson, Benj Pasek, & Justin Paul.
If my review doesn’t show you how incredible the musical is, then let me tell you that this musical won six Tony Awards last year. I personally can say there were very few dry eyes in the Music Box Theatre the night I saw it, and probably every other night!
the 2018 academy awards.
March 2nd, 2018 / Thomas Halsey
The Academy Awards is perhaps one of the most luxurious and prestigious not only award shows, but events of the year. From when the award show first aired on May 16, 1929 to present day, anyone who has won the coveted golden statue has gone on to do great things in movies, television, and entertainment in general. This year, the nominations are filled with jaw-dropping and talented performances that’s going to make it extremely difficult for one winner to come out on top. Here are the nominations!
Best Picture Nominees:
The Shape of Water
Dunkirk (one of my personal favorites)
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Call Me by Your Name
Lady Bird (one of my personal favorites)
With a total of nine nominations in the Best Picture category, people have been quick to judge the academy for not filling up the category with the maximum amount of spots, which is ten. Some people have voted for Wonder Woman, Logan, and The Last Jedi to fill in the last spot. However, the academy has a long history of not nominating major blockbusters in the category except with the nomination of The Dark Knight in 2009. The expected winner of Best Picture is Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which won The Golden Globe for Best Picture along with The SAG Award. A potential snub however, could be The Shape of Water.
Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Saoirse Ronan for “Lady Bird”
Margot Robbie for “I, Tonya”
Sally Hawkins for “The Shape of Water”
Meryl Streep for “The Post”
Frances McDormand for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
This category is pretty much the only category in which there is a clear winner. The expected winner is Frances McDormand who won the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and SAG award for this category. She has already won an Academy Award for Best Actress for the film “Fargo” in 1997, so this would be her second victory is she were to win. If there were to be a snub, it would most likely be Saoirse Ronan who portrayed a teenage American girl from Sacramento, California while Ronan herself is an Irish 23-year-old. Ronan has already been nominated twice before for “Brooklyn” and “Atonement”, so it would be her first win with three nominations under her belt.
Best Actor in a Leading Role:
Daniel Day-Lewis for “Phantom Thread”
Timothée Chalamet for “Call Me by Your Name”
Daniel Kaluuya for “Get Out”
Gary Oldman for “Darkest Hour”
Denzel Washington for “Roman J. Israel, Esq”
This category has two major competitors competing for the win. One of the competitors is Gary Oldman, who has only been nominated once for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for the film “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy." Oldman has won the Golden Globe and BAFTA for his role in “Darkest Hour," and many regard to him as one of the most talented actors in his generation, so this would be a great moment for the actor if he were to win. The other competitor is Timothée Chalomet. Chalomet is an a young upcoming actor whose first major film roles were both this year, with the films “Lady Bird” and then later “Call Me by Your Name." Movie journalists have stated that the young actor is bound to win an Academy Award at some point in his career. It just might not be this year though. Oldman has the edge over Chalomet with his two wins already.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
Mary J. Blige for “Mudbound”
Allison Janney for “I, Tonya”
Octavia Spencer for “The Shape of Water”
Lesley Manville for “Phantom Thread”
Laurie Metcalf for “Lady Bird”
Just like Best Actress, this category is also pretty much decided. The expected winner is Allison Janney, for “I, Tonya." Janney portrays Tonya Harding's abusive and ill-spirited mother who will go through anything to make sure her daughter gets to the top of the figure skating rankings, even if it means verbal and physical abuse on the young skater. Janney has won every single award for this category including The Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG, and The Critics Choice Award. There is no upset expected in this category. This would be Janney’s first win and first nomination.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role:
Sam Rockwell for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Woody Harrelson for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Christopher Plummer for “All the Money in the World”
Willem Dafoe for “The Florida Project”
Richard Jenkins for “The Shape of Water”
This category is a little dicey. The two actors who are up for the statue are Sam Rockwell and Christopher Plummer. However, many believe that Plummer may bring an upsetting win over Rockwell due to being asked to step into a role a month before the shooting of “All the Money in the World”. That is extremely difficult because its hard to get into character, remember lines, and create chemistry with the director a month before shooting. This category is still up to grabs but Rockwell has the edge over Plummer.
Guillermo del Toro for “The Shape of Water”
Christopher Nolan for “Dunkirk”
Greta Gerwig for “Lady Bird”
Jordan Peele for “Get Out”
Paul Thomas Anderson for “Phantom Thread”
The expected winner is Guillermo del Toro. He was won The BAFTA, SAG, and Golden Globe for his directing. There is no expected winner other than him. However, I would like to see Greta Gerwig take home the statue. Her film was one of my favorites of the year.
Those are the six major categories that people are worried about and are arguing over. Now, here are some expected winners of other categories.
Best Original Screenplay: “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Best Adapted Screenplay: “Call Me by Your Name”
Best Animated Film: “Coco”
Best Visual Effects: “War for the Planet of the Apes”
Best Custom: “Phantom Thread”
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: “Darkest Hour”
Best Original Song: “This is Me”
Best Sound Editing: “The Shape of Water”
Best Sound Mixing: “Dunkirk”
Best Cinematography: “Dunkirk”
Best Production Design: “The Shape of Water”
The Academy Awards will be aired on TV on March 4, 8:00pm EST. The show will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, who will surely bring entertainment amongst his wide audience. Make sure to tune in to see who wins and what shocking upsets might take place.
American crime story.
February 9th, 2018 / Thomas Halsey
Looking for a new television show to watch with friends, family, or by yourself? Well you’re in luck! A new show recently premiered on FX on January 17 about the assassination of Gianni Versace. The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story Season 2 follows the first season of American Crime Story which was “Simpson: American Crime Story”. The first season followed the tragic murder of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson, and the court battle of suspected murderer OJ Simpson. “It was a smash hit just like the second season is suspected to be,” wrote Spencer Kornhaber, writer for The Atlantic.
The first portion of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story starts with Versace’s life prior to his killing, depicting all its glitz and glamour, then gradually dives into the heavy hitting and dark portion of the murder investigation. It has plenty of drama, romance, and true events that are sure to captivate audiences of all ages. Gianni Versace is portrayed by Emmy nominee Edgar Ramirez, Versace’s wife, Donatella, is portrayed by Academy Award winning actress, Penelope Cruz, Antonio D’Amico, fashion designer and extremely close friend to Versace, is played by Latin singer Ricky Martin, and the killer, Andrew Cunanan, is portrayed by Glee star, Darren Criss. Rotten Tomatoes gave this show a fresh score of 83%, while the audience score had an even higher satisfaction rate with an 88% on rotten tomatoes. With a captivating plot, great reviews, and an all-star cast, there is no reason you shouldn’t watch this show. The show premiers every Wednesday night at 10:00 pm eastern time on the FX Channel. Be sure to tune in and experience the madness of the assassination of Gianni Versace.


The Duck of Minerva is one of the better international relations theory (IR) blog out there. You should read it if you don’t already. Its name is a riff on Hegel’s famous comment that the “owl of Minerva” only flies at night; i.e., wisdom only comes in hindsight, or more specifically that philosophy can only understand an age or civilization as it passes away. I don’t quite get the joke behind the title ‘duck of minerva,’ but whatever – it’s quality IR blogging.
Rodger Payne had a post two days ago on the continuing IR back-and-forth over The Hurt Locker (HL). Payne links to the relevant other IR posts on the film, including my own. Payne notes that I and others have found many problems with the film’s much-celebrated ‘realism.’ My own sense is that the lead character, Staff Sergeant William James, probably would have gotten himself or his associates killed a lot earlier through his overt recklesness. That, and the bizarrely out-of-place and unbelievable desert-sniper sequence, do a lot to reduce the film’s credibility as a portrait of the Iraq War. Michael Kamber summarizes.
Payne counters that, while Kamber and I are correct, that’s beside the point. HL’s strength as an IR film is as a metaphor for US foreign policy more generally since the end of the Cold War, and especially in the Middle East. Money quotes:
The U.S. too has a long and mostly successful military record — and it too has been incredibly lucky. Like James, the U.S. returned to Iraq after a successful first effort in 1990-91… To its critics, the U.S. too is a reckless showboat, willing to take incredible risks with other peoples’ lives, even as it claims to be “saving” them.
In political debates, Americans focus on U.S. forces, casualties, and experiences. Few consider the implications for Iraqis and the wider Middle East… The FUBAR narrative works pretty well to explain the actual U.S. experience in Iraq. The lead character’s addiction to war, recklessness, luck, inexplicable behavior, and need to “save the day” reflect an unsavory, but nonetheless viable, portrayal of American identity.
1. Ok. I don’t really disagree with any of that, but I think it is a reach, a generous overreading that sorta lets the film off the hook. Is Bigelow really giving us the arc of the erratic, poorly-planned Operation Iraqi Freedom in the story of one soldier? Do we really think Bigelow had something this profound in mind? Francis Ford Coppola did when he made Apocalypse Now. He went to Cannes and famously said “We had access to too much money, too much equipment, and little by little we went insane.” That’s going for the big view. But Bigelow’s schtick has been that this is the first realistic film portrait of the Iraq, and that is how it has been received. The problem, as I argue, and Payne admits, is that it’s not that. I certainly agree that the US use of force has drifted toward recklessness since the end of the Cold War, and Payne is dead-on that US audiences love cowboy-style swaggering heroes, but the film is so pointedly apolitical, that it is hard to see James’ swagger as America’s. Maybe, but I just don’t see that in the film itself…
2. Given the film’s ‘reality problem,’ in round 1 I suggested that one alternative is to read the film as a memoir of battlefield stress for the US warfighter in the GWoT. The film goes out of its way to suggest that James is motivated by the narcotic effect of combat, so I think this better fits the small-scale of the film than Payne’s ‘big think’ approach. The problem with my interpretation is that Bigelow unfortunately does not develop this much beyond the initial thought. So we see James at home, bored with his alienated ex-wife. This is supposed to suggest that James misses the thrill-ride (!) of Iraq. But lots of us have had relationships and family lives that go bad, so this was rather weak. Much more convincing would have been imagery of James as an addictive personality. Scenes showing him struggling with drugs or alcohol would have really shoved the ‘psychology’ interpretation of HL forward, because you could see James substituting one thrill (Iraq) for another (booze, perhaps). Instead, Bigelow lets herself wander into a series of unconnected vignettes, like the sniper story, while the audience waits and waits for a theme to hold it all together.
3. HL’s rise is function of ‘intelligence guilt’ over the success of Avatar, plus the American desire to finally have a good GWoT film, not its inherent quality. It is fascinating how this film has grown from an indie joint into a Best Pic taker, and now faces a growing pushback from foreign policy types.
Initially almost nobody saw HL. It grossed a measly $12.7M. Avatar made more than that just here in Korea; its global total is now a staggering $2.2+B. HL was neither in theaters nor DVD here; I had to import it. So if it can’t make it to the world’s 13th biggest economy, did anyone see it beyond the US, Canada and Western Europe? Do we have any idea what Arabs/Iraqis particularly thought of it? Audience attendance is no great mark of quality, but still, without the critical buzz of the last two months generating an anti-Avatar Best Pic vibe, we wouldn’t even be talking about this film. Remember that it was originally released in Italy in October 2008, and for the next 14 months, almost no one saw it. Christopher Orr summarizes.
We all knew that Avatar was shallow, but we swooned for its astonishing GCI, arguably the biggest visual leap since Star Wars. But when the hangover hit in the month before the Oscars, the Academy needed something to suggest we weren’t so fluffy. Nobody wanted Cameron to take two Best Pics for childish stories wrapped in pretty colors. So, given 2009’s poor Best Picture choices, HL became the default anti-Avatar. Call it penance for giving the 1997 Best Pic to Cameron’s Titanic instead of the far more deserving LA Confidential; snubbing the King of the World this time buffs the Academy’s credibility. So HL rolled through the awards season, culminating in the Oscar that will insure it shows up on lots of IR syllabi in the future.
But now that the film is on our radar, the serious critical work is coming in, and the verdict, as this thread, indicates, is a lot more mixed. The irony is that a good Iraq pic does already exist – Generation Kill. Where is that much better, more accurate portrait in this whole debate?


Drama therapy is the planned use of drama and/or theatre methods to support people to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing and achieve therapeutic goals.
At Creative Therapy Adelaide we offer 1:1 Drama Therapy in clinic, home/school visits and telehealth, as well as group sessions. Our most popular program is our Thumbs Up! social skills drama group for primary school-aged children.
Drama Therapy It is an embodied practice that is active and experiential. This therapy uses the methods of play, embodiment, projection, role, story, metaphor, empathy, distancing, witnessing, performance and improvisation to help people make changes and achieve their goals.
Drama Therapy is for everyone – any age, ability or background. You do not have to be “good” at acting to benefit from Drama Therapy.
Children are natural storytellers and love to take on the roles of their favourite characters. This type of play is the foundation of Drama Therapy. Drama Therapy builds on a child’s natural capacity for imaginative play to help children achieve goals.
Drama Therapy can support the task of social-emotional learning by participating in creative and/or embodied exploration of skills such as increasing self-regulation and building social awareness. Through role play, people can learn to understand the feelings of others and practice behaviors.
Skills addressed through drama include:
- Eye contact
- Awareness of body in space
- Physical coordination
- Physical expressiveness
- Facial expressiveness
- Verbal expressiveness identification and naming of emotions
- Focus and concentration
- Memory enhancement
- Stress release
- Self-control and patience
- Problem solving and risk taking
- Social interaction, self-esteem and self-confidence
- Optimism and positive outlook on life
What can drama therapy do?
Drama Therapy can be helpful for people working towards goals such as:


On Jan. 5, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Lashana Lynch is in final negotiations with Netflix to join the streamer’s feature adaptation of the musical Matilda. The musical — and 1996 cult-classic film — is based on Roald Dahl’s story following the titular 5-year-old who uses her powers of telekinesis to overcome bullies that include her parents and her school’s principal. The film will be helmed by Matthew Warchus, who also directed the stage musical. Original playwright Dennis Kelly will adapt the screenplay with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. The film will get an exclusive theatrical release in the UK through Sony’s TriStar Pictures, with Netflix distributing it worldwide online.
Lynch, who is set to take screens by storm as Nomi the new 007 when No Time Left to Die premieres on April 2, has been tapped to play Ms. Honey. The beloved teacher is one of the few to encourage Matilda and her powerful gifts and was famously played by Embeth Davidtz in the feature film adaptation.
Lynch was the first cast member revealed for the film, followed by the confirmation on Jan. 15 that Emma Thompson will play formidable headteacher Miss Trunchbull. Originally, Academy Award winner Ralph Fiennes was in talks for the part, as the character of Trunchbull is actually played by a man in the production of “Matilda The Musical”. However, Netflix’s movie musical landed on Thompson for the role. “We haven’t had to build the appearance of Trunchbull as a woman before!,” director Matthew Warchus told The Daily Mail when speaking about casting.
We can’t wait to see who’ll be joining Lynch and Thompson in the Matilda cast and here’s hoping the final project will be as fabulously colorful as HBO Max’s rendition of Dahl’s The Witches!
Image Sources: Getty / Gareth Cattermole and Everett Collection


Notice how life passes. And see how we get absorbed by life’s drama. The drama that for some represents everything. And for others, nothing. As if, it’s unreal.
Drama is an experience. It is cultural by nature. It is what we live by. Drama can also, simultaneously, be beautiful as well as ugly. It is about the one who perceives. What is ugly for one, can be beautiful for the other. Drama is universal, but not how we see the drama itself.
And because of being absorbed by the drama, we often don’t notice the evolving patterns that cause or in fact may not be causing the same drama. Sometimes the drama is even about something else, without us knowing it. Sometimes the drama is the pattern that we think is causing the drama. It’s not even the drama itself, that is the real drama.
It raises the question: would you even want to live without drama? It would be very unfortunate. I guess we need drama. But what type of drama do you want? Maybe the drama that you don’t want, is the drama you do need. So that you realize that, after all, the drama is just drama. And that this is the beautiful part, as well as the ugly part, of drama.
It’s just what we call the drama of life. And I am happy to be part of that. Even when the drama goes unnoticed or remains untold.


I was pleasantly surprised on Tuesday of last week when I discovered that the new Romero Dead film was being released this week.
I was, however, less than pleasantly surprised when I actually went to the cinema to see it on Friday. I’m not sure I like the emerging ‘found film’ genre that we’ve been seeing recently. I absolutely despised ‘The Zombie Diaries’ – a low budget British attempt at the zombie genre that was presented in the form of ‘found footage’. Cloverfield is probably the best recent attempt although it still suffered from annoying characters and awful acting…
I think that is the real trouble with these films. When watching a regular film, we expect the acting to be just that – acting. The action is stylized and we accept this because it is a film… it’s not real. This does not work when a film is masquerading as a documentary or a home video (with the obvious exception of Rob Reiner’s Spinal Tap, Best in Show… etc). The audience has to be completely convinced that the actors are real people dealing with real (although completely impossible) events.
Anywho… Diary of The Dead has all of these faults and more and this is coming from someone who loves all four of the other movies… hell, I even love the Tom Savini remake of Night of The Living Dead. The acting is atrocious, the characters are arseholes and the story is almost non existent.
I think the real problem is the lack of claustrophobia. The thing that made the original trilogy, and to a lesser extent Land of the Dead, great was the interaction between the characters while they were holed up either in a house, a shopping mall, an underground bunker or a fortified city. Zombies are just a sideline in these films – a threat that brings a group of mismatched people together and forces them to cooperate (or not) to survive.
I did, however, enjoy the ‘zombies don’t run’ jokes. You’re right George, they really don’t.


Us countryside folks rarely get much of a look-in when it comes to representation in the movies.
Similar to the much maligned Southern States of America, the UK’s countryside and those residing there are often given short shrift when it comes to how they’re portrayed on the big screen.
Not many movies get made by people from the countryside, as a result cinema-goers are often given a very skewed, biased depiction of what living in the countryside is like.
Cultural cliches are often used as shorthand by lazy movie makers who find it easier to lean heavily on worn stereotypes than attempt to present a three-dimensional portrayal of characters from the Westcountry. The tweed-wearing farmer, half cut on cider and with an incomprehensible accent is one of the most commonly used archetypes in movies and television – it’s surprising that film-makers are allowed to get away with this still, considering the focus the media has on politically correct representations of certain groups.
Take the popular, long-running murder mystery series, Midsomer Murders. Whilst the show is technically is set in the fictional county of Midsomer, the writers draw heavily from tired countryside cliches to depict a version of the English countryside that is both misleading and offensive. Local characters are repeatedly portrayed as being slow or dimwitted, especially when being interviewed by the well-spoken hero, Inspector Barnaby.
Midsomer Murders’ unique draw as a mystery show is the juxtaposition of the idyllic countryside with gruesome murders, an idea that is used once more for comic effect in Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz. Although arguably deeper than Murders ever was, the director still gets a lot of comic mileage out of exaggerating rural accents and depicting country folk as unintelligent. This time, however, a rather darker, cynical edge is given to the locals who are revealed to be a part of a sinister cult. Though comic and (arguably) well-meaning, Wright’s picture did not do the image of rural England any favours.
Similarly, Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs is notorious for having depicted Cornish people as violent, xenophobic psychopaths. Dustin Hoffman’s turn as an American mathematician who is forced to embrace his violent side was well-received at the time, however it remains today as a film that depicts rural folk as uneducated, backwards people. I’d like to say that this kind of profiling and negative stereotyping is a thing of the past, however even films released this year, such as The Bad Education Movie, have used rural characters for cheap, low-brow laughs.
Thankfully, it’s not all bad news.
Despite rural locations and people being misrepresented for decades, there have been two films released this year that have made the most of beautiful locations and realistic characterisation.
Hope Dickson Leach’s debut feature, The Levelling, tells the story of a daughter returning home to her Somerset farm in the wake of the 2014 floods that severely affected the agricultural community. This dark film uses the ruined Somerset levels as a moody backdrop for a powerful family-driven story. Similarly, God’s Own Country also makes use of rural England’s stunning scenery whilst telling a story of gay lovers who meet through their agricultural work, which already has critics drawing comparisons to Brokeback Mountain.
The Levelling is available on-demand and to buy now. God’s Own Country will get it’s home release on 29th January 2018.


Since 2010, I have given lectures at Long Island's Cinema Arts Centre
on various aspects of film history, with subjects such Hitchcock,
Pre-Code Cinema, Re-discovered movie comics, crime in film and more.
I encourage audience participation, and I always bring along film clips,
some of which are very rare, but all very captivating.
I have spent a lifetime collecting rare films, researching film history,
and interviewing people who have been a part of cinema history.
Very often, audience members contact me after a lecture, telling me
they just purchased a rare film they didn't previously know about
that I discussed.
Some of my previous classes were on the following subjects.
Click these thumbnail images for full page size.
Newsday piece on my My Summer 2013 My January 2014
rare movie comics class class on maverick class on vintage
directors Hollywood scandals
My classes run about 90 minutes each. I bring my own DVD of film clips.
For more information, e-mail me at Gandreiev@aol.com or call me


The film and accompanying soundtrack ‘Breaking Glass’ launched the career of Hazel O’Connor in 1980, and one of the songs featured in the film, ‘Will You’ remains her best known song. O’Connor has continued to make music ever since, with more recent output veering into jazz and soul territory. It’s the 35th anniversary of Breaking Glass however, that brings Hazel back to the region in December 2015 and so the film, the music and the upcoming Sage Gateshead gig were the topics for discussion when I caught up with Hazel in earlier this year.
I began by asking Hazel about the upcoming gig. “The film’s been remastered so we’re going to work the evening around that. The film will be shown then there’ll be a 15 minute break followed by a 50 minute performance and then a Q&A. The format has been used once before at the Shaftesbury Avenue Theatre/Cinema in London a few years ago so that helped us to gauge the timings. I can talk quite a lot so there might be a single question and my very long answer before we announce ‘the Q&A’s now over!’ ” she jokes.
I’ve never liked the bollocks and the bullshit that goes along with pop stardom
The Q&A is likely to centre on the film but no topic is off limits. Following the release of her autobiography in 2012 Hazel did some shows with a Q&A element and recalls them fondly, “people ask some really great questions. I think it’s a lovely format to use. There’s an intimacy to it. People can reach me through it and I like that. I’ve never liked the bollocks and the bullshit that goes along with pop stardom; I’m glad that pop stardom is finished for me and I’m back to doing music.”
Anyone who knows the film would not have forgiven me had I failed to follow that comment up by asking Hazel about the parallels between her early career and that of the fictional Kate she played in Breaking Glass. “There are loads of parallels because the script was developed from my own real life story and what was happening to me at the time in the music industry. We cobbled together a lot of my anecdotes which then went into the film, which was brilliant. There was a script but it was not ‘about us’, it had been written by Howard Schuman who wrote ‘Rock Follies’ and at the audition I let it be known that the wordings weren’t to my taste. Before the audition I had a mental wish list – taking the lead role, writing the songs – and all of those things came to pass!”
I wrote this as a totally different song to how it was used in the film
Hazel won the role despite some stiff competition. I was aware that Toyah Wilcox had been a ‘rival’ but Hazel had a surprise for me when she informed me that the role had originally been envisaged for a male. “They weren’t looking for me at all (laughs). They wanted a male lead originally but the Director, Brian Gibson thought it’d be a bigger picture with a heterosexual relationship; the original relationship was about two guys.” Hazel continued “So I was at United Artists for audition and that’s where I saw Toyah coming in and a few other well known people, so I thought ‘I might as well go home’ but anyway I did the acting audition then they asked if I’d written many songs and I lied; I’d only ever written four songs up until then in my life but I said I had loads more songs.” Intriguingly Hazel tells me that originally in the frame for the lead role was none other than Elvis Costello; that would have been a very different film!
New songs were written as the revised script came to Hazel. Her disliking of 80’s Thatcherism provided inspiration for much of her songwriting. Looking back, Hazel recognises that the film gave her a platform to air her views. “It was a great thing to rail against of course. I didn’t like how England was becoming and so this was a wonderful opportunity. I wrote ‘Monsters In Disguise’ as a reaction to Thatcher threatening to bring back capital punishment. I thought ‘no you won’t’ and thankfully, right prevailed. Then I phoned Brian saying ‘I have this great song’ and he’d say ‘right, we’ll put a scene in about that.’
The two best known songs from the film are arguably ‘Will You’ and ‘Eighth Day’ with both having very different origins.
“Eighth Day was the very very very last one I wrote for the soundtrack. I wrote the words to it on the day before I was recording it (laughs). I had no idea what it was going to be about. I knew Brian Gibson had this big vision of a futuristic / metropolis / robot scene and then I thought ‘you know we have become like we think we’re Gods’ and I picked up a Bible and read the beginning of Genesis and thought ‘Jesus we’re acting like we’re bloody living Gods all of us!’ and that’s how the lyric was born.”
‘Will You’ was the only one of Hazel’s existing four songs that ended up on the film soundtrack and it remains Hazel’s favourite. “I wrote this as a totally different song to how it was used in the film. There was a bomb that had gone of in Barclay Square and some poor guy having his lunch there was killed. I thought about how terrible it was that at that minute one guy had chosen to go out and have his sandwiches and ended up dead, but at the same time somebody else somewhere else would be making love, and that the world just keeps turning. Then of course when I gave that song to the film I rewrote it and it became a straight love song.”
Those two songs will be aired at Sage Gateshead in December. Performing with Hazel will be Sarah Fisher (piano) and Claire Hirst (Sax), long time collaborators and ladies with fine musical pedigrees, Sarah having been a touring Eurythmic and Claire having played in The Belle Stars and with The Communards, Bronski Beat and David Bowie.
I started NE:MM as a magazine back in August 2013 and took it online in March 2014. I have always had a passion for music, and a desire to help popularise music of the type I loved. That led me to promote as 'The Outsider' and 'Common People' until recently and who knows, the promoter bug may bite again soon. As I age I find my own tastes developing and so my enthusiasm now extends to classical, jazz/funk and metal, whereas it used to sit squarely in the pop/indie/folk box. I hope it's infectious and through the efforts of the many volunteer contributors to NE:MM I hope it helps you find new music that you can feel passionate about too.


Hamlet Characteristics| Character Analysis
Perhaps the greatest literal work in the English language, Shakespeare’s Hamlet is an exciting read that, unfortunately, ends in tragedy.
Written in the 17th century, Hamlet is the longest play (More than 30,000 words) in the list of Shakespeare’s plays and is considered as the world’s most popular play after Cinderella. Hamlet is even more popular than Shakespeare’s other famous masterpiece, Othello No fear.
A summary of Hamlet (Shakespeare)
The play tells the story of Prince Hamlet who is out to avenge his father’s death – the issue is that Hamlet’s father was murdered by his uncle Claudius, who has now seized the throne and married Hamlet’s mother.
The new king senses that the deceased son might try to kill him so he devises a plan to kill Hamlet first.
The rivalry between Hamlet and his uncle culminates in a deadly duel during which the queen, the new king, and Hamlet all die.
Hamlet has inspired other great writers including the likes of Iris Murdoch, Charles Dickens, James Joyce, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Also, Hamlet is a popular theatre play in many parts of the world- in fact, famous 21st-century actors such as Michael Sheen, Ben Whishaw, Oscar Isaac, and Rory Kinnear have all played the lead role.
In 2015, British actress Zainab Jah made history as the first black woman to play the role of Hamlet.
Some of Jah’s other appearances include A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Law & Order.
Prince Hamlet Characteristics
Hamlet is a well-studied young man who is mostly thoughtful and reflective. This allows him to easily manipulate situations and twist words to his advantage as is the case when he leads them on a futile chase for Polonius’ body. Another instance where Hamlet is openly manipulative is when he mocks Polonius with twisted words that are beyond the old man’s comprehension.
Cynical, bitter, and with disgust are also some of Hamlet’s characteristics that are evident right from the Act1. Specifically, Hamlet is filled with disgust hatred for his uncle for killing his mother and marrying the queen.
Other characteristics of Hamlet include: Hamlet can be impulsive and rash, often he is hesitant and indecisive.
A good example of Hamlet’s rashness is when he instinctively stabs Polonius through a curtain. In a sense, Hamlet is easily seduced into the role of an erratic man, often upsetting his fellow men with pointed innuendos and wild speeches.
Hamlet can also be a sensitive man as evidenced by his emotional breakdown when his father is killed.
He becomes emotionally unstable and is fixated on avenging his father’s death. To add salt into injury, Hamlet’s mother is caught up in a sexual relationship with h his father’s killer.
Although Hamlet was ruthless – he mercilessly killed Guildenstern, Rosencrantz, and Polonius – he was also sensitive and emotionally attached to people close to him.


I don't know about you, but I'd much rather spend the afternoon with a bocadillo Cubano than a cigarro Cubano. I adopted one from La Unica on Devon yesterday (look this place up...truly a hidden treasure) and we exchanged anecdotes and philosophical quips and then I ate it.
I'm not a man given to acts of spontaneous allegorical metaphor*, but I'm pretty sure that my Cuban sandwich comprised, in the very essence of its porky pickley being, well...the universe.
Here is a thing which is all around me, but which I rarely consider except in fleeting flights of whimsy. Vast temporal expanses grind by inexorably without so much as a cursory acknowledgment from me that it even exists. When it truly catches my attention, though, I yearn for it. I pursue it voraciously, unrelentingly. I achieve it. I consume it. I savor it briefly and then I no longer possess it. I am stricken with melancholy and longing until I am distracted and forget. Here is the universe: a Cuban sandwich.
See what I'm getting at?
Yesterday, my sandwich and I looked at the horizon.
The spring and summer in front of me are shaping up to be my best ever. I've got two very exciting theatre projects cooking, my day job makes me happy, and my scratch-built computer has just enough chops to play Fallout 3.
I'm sure you care deeply about the latter two and that's sweet of you, but how about the projects?!
Fucking Parasites: I'm directing this play for the Alcyone Festival. That's the name of the play, by the way, I'm not just addressing you as if I were R. Lee Ermy. Fucking Parasites is the first English-language offering by Ninna Tersman, a Swedish playwright living in New Zealand. It won the 2008 Playmarket Award for best new play in New Zealand, but as far as I know, it hasn't gotten a fully realized production anywhere in the world. It involves the relationship between two teenage asylum-seekers in a New Zealand Refugee Status Branch Detention Center. The acerbic title belies a play that I find to be quite tender and warm. I had worried a little bit about finding two actors who could portray the characters' ages and ethnicities convincingly and, at the same time, who were capable and intuitive enough that I in all my limitations would be good enough to direct them. As it turns out, I should have given the casting pool more credit. I had to choose two out of a stupendous group of unbelievable actors. In the end, I managed to whittle my callback list down to fifteen and I was heartbroken that I didn't have roles for all of them. I've got my cast, though, finally, and I feel great about that.
In other news, I just got an email from none other than Ninna Tersman assenting that, yes, she'd very much like to open a dialogue with me about the play. This has me walking about a foot off the ground. If I can talk her into letting me post some of our conversations up here, I will.
Devils Don't Forget: Bob Fisher at the Mammals invited me to work on this amazing original play a week ago. The whole thing happened for me sort of by serendipity: at the Halcyon generals, I was feeling envious of all the actors who got to get and do their monologues while I had to sit behind the table and be under so much pressure (yes, actors, Shurtleff isn't screwing with you, it's really much more stressful on the directing side). So I asked if, in the empty space between real actors, I could get up and kick around some things I'd never get a chance to do when I was actually up for a part. I did a Zelda Fitzgerald monologue from Clothes for a Summer Hotel (I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm not likely to get cast as Zelda anytime soon) and a poem that I'd written years ago that Chuy seems to like. Much to my surprise, Bob (who'd been at the Halcyon audition to cast his own Alcyone project, Blessed Child) emailed me days later and said he needed someone to fill a part and asked if I was interested.
I read the script and I was just floored. I don't want to give too much away, but the character I was offered was one of the most imaginative and bizarre roles I've ever gotten a shot at, and the play is such an unlikely twist on a familiar trope that I couldn't say no. I've been to a grand total of one rehearsal so far, and I'm loving the process and the people and I can't wait till everybody gets to see this.
My horizon is bright. I am chasing it like a kitten chases a laser pointer and I'm so a-fluster that I'm crossing similes and mixing imageries and the whole thing totally loses cohesion (but in a good way). My Cuban sandwich shared my schoolboy optimism right until I ate it, and even in my tummy it seemed to say "Go, Adam. You just go, man." Thanks, Amigo Bocadillo.
I have so much more to chatter on about, but I'll wrap up here, for now. Someone keeps telling me that I'm not at all terse, despite my lengthy and elaborate arguments to that end. Well, sir, I won't give her the satisfaction of having a protracted and meandering monograph for her to call "exhibit A". Brief and to the point is the way to go. Until next time.
*In truth, I might be a man given to acts of spontaneous allegorical metaphor.


An Excerpt from The Captain & the Queen
Our last night of rehearsals flew by. Before starting, Aaron gave us all a speech. He called everyone together—the stagehands, Corrine, Kevin in the booth—to take a seat.
“Okay, guys, this is it. Our last rehearsal. So, if you’re going to mess up, fall, or break something, do it tonight.”
Everyone laughed, grateful for the lightening of the mood.
“I want to thank all of you for your hard work. Listen, Shakespeare isn’t easy. And I know this is going to be the first time for some of you on stage. I want to assure all of you . . . you’re ready for this. You put in the work. Tomorrow evening, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday night will be a stroll in Central Park.”
A stroll in Central Park, huh? I just hope I don’t get mugged.
“For our three performances, I want you to leave it all on the stage. Do you know what I mean by that?” he asked. “I see by the look on your faces, that some of you have no idea what I’m talking about. Puck, you play football. Can you please explain it to everyone?”
Nothing like putting me on the spot, Aaron.
“Well, if you’re talking about leaving it all on the field, then you want us to ‘bring it.’ Take everything we’ve learned in practice and deliver it during our performance.”
“Exactly. I want you to bring it! I want everyone involved in this production to bring it, so that when we finish our final performance, we have nothing left to give. Because we’d left it all on stage.”
Nods all around.
“Okay, now, let’s get to work. I want to run through this twice tonight. No stopping. Even if you’re bleeding or dying on stage, we’re not going to stop. Understood?”
So much for lightening the mood.


"Django Unchained" Review (NOT A SPOILER)
Just last night, I saw the movie "Django Unchained." I wanted to let you guys know what I thought about the movie and how well I liked it. Before I start my review though, I just wanted everybody to know that before my friends and I decided to see this movie, I really did not want to go. I fought with them to see a different movie and I just didn't want to see it. Eventually, I decided to see it with them and we went to the movie. The reason I didn't want to see it at first was because I dislike western/action movies. I've seen so many of them that I got sick of them. Now, let me tell you about the movie.
"Django Unchained" is a movie that starts 2 years before the Civil War happened. Jaime Foxx plays one of the main characters, Django. Christoph Waltz plays Dr. King Schultz, a bounty hunter who is seeking Django's help and gives him freedom. The two men pair up in the movie and earn money by killing people who are wanted by the government. While they are teamed up, they earn quite a bit of money by killing these wanted people. Throughout the movie, Django is trying to find his wife, Broomhilda, who was sold as a slave to another plantation called "Candyland." This is where Leonardo DiCaprio comes in, he plays Calvin Candie, the owner of Candyland. I won't tell you the rest of the movie because I don't want to spoil it for anyone!
Now, for my opinion on the movie. Like I said before, I really didn't want to see this movie. It was a 3 hour long movie and I just wasn't in the mood for a western movie. Let me tell you though, I am SO glad that I changed my mind. "Django" was probably the best movie I have seen in almost a year, maybe even longer. There were some parts that got a little bit boring, but all the other parts made up for those parts. The acting was awesome and so was everything else. The director, Quentin Tarantino, even made an appearance in the movie at one point. Seriously, go see this movie. You will not be disappointed, I promise.
Have you seen the movie yet? What did you think about it? Don't forget to check out my Twitter and YouTube Channel!


When Christopher McCandless walked into the Wild more than 20 years ago, nobody could have predicted the reach of his story. It’s an incredible story (whether one agrees with his actions or not) and I recently went back to watch “Into the Wild” after idolising this movie during my mid twenties.
But what’s it about?
The movie begins with a college graduates disillusion for life and a series of adventures such as hitchhiking across America. Later, McCandless travels into the Alaskan wild on foot where he intends to “live off the land” and get rid of the “false being within”. He ends up living inside an abandoned bus and journaling about his experiences.
It’s quite obvious that Chris was saying no to materialism, while searching for the meaning of life. And it’s a fascinating movie to watch but while some find his story inspiring, I should say that just as many people are quick to criticise his “naive” actions for tramping into the wild without enough planning, equipment or experience. What’s more, wasn’t this selfish to risk his life and the prospect of causing so much heartache to his family? One can debate his actions and decisions all day – I’ve done exactly that in the past.
I really love this movie for the beautiful scenery and sense of adventure. I can also appreciate some of Chris’s thoughts or ideas. However, I can’t say that I feel the same way about his story or movie as I did in the past. For instance, I used to really admire his famous quote “happiness is only real once shared” – but now it seems less of a sage piece of advice and more like a desperate revelation/epiphany in the face of death. It’s still a beautiful story and movie with plenty of inspiration – and I’d still watch it again !
PS. The book is ten times better!


Guardians of Galaxy, Weird Science, Freaks and Geeks, Rob Schneider, Ron Perlman among many more to headline panels at Motor City Comic Con 2017
More media and comic guests added to lineup; and for the first time ever
Comic Con will present the Michigan premiere of a full-length feature film
Novi, MI (May 10, 2017) – Comic fans and pop culture enthusiasts from all over are gearing up for what is set to be one of the best Motor City Comic Con events yet with exciting panels and several recently added guests unveiled to the public today (follow this link to see the panel schedule). Stars from Weird Science, Guardians of the Galaxy, Arrow, Freaks and Geeks, American Pie, among others will be featured in panel discussions. Several media guests have also been added to this year’s lineup including Rob Schneider, Ron Perlman, Barbara Eden, Sean Astin, Herbert Jefferson Jr., Robin Lord Taylor, Ross Marquand, Kristy Swanson, James Remar, Marky Ramone, Ani-Mia and many more. For the first time at Motor City Comic Con, the Michigan premiere of a full-length feature film, The Space Between, by Amy Jo Johnson, who played the pink Power Ranger in the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, will be featured. This year’s Motor City Comic Con will take place Friday, May 19 (12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.), Saturday, May 20 (10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday, May 21 (10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Suburban Collection Showplace, located at 46100 Grand River Avenue in Novi. Complete information about the event, tickets, panels and VIP passes is available at http://www.motorcitycomiccon.com/
The weekend event features more than 300 creators, writers, illustrators and actors who will greet the fans, sign autographs, take pictures, and provide panels and Q & A discussions, while many super fans are dressed in their pop culture best. A popular event is Saturday’s cosplay contest where a mix of celebrity judges determine the best costume winners, presenting prizes and gift packages. Motor City Comic Con’s annual Saturday night bash celebrates comic con weekend with entertainment, refreshments, and light hors d’oeuvres for the public. Sunday is Kid’s Day featuring kid-friendly activities.
In addition to the previously announced guests, newly added Motor City Comic Con guests feature
Aly Michalka: Actor and musician known for her film appearances in Easy A, Bandslam, Sequoia, and Weepah Way for Now. Television appearances include: iZombie, Hellcats and Two and a Half Men
Ani-Mia: An International Cosplayer who writes for Otaku USA Magazine – the premier anime and manga magazine in the U.S., makes appearances at conventions and judges costume contests.
Amy Dumas: An American professional wrestler and singer, better known as Lita, is currently a WWE analyst. She performed as a WWE wrestler from 2000 to 2006 and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.
Austin Amelio: An actor and writer best known as Dwight on The Walking Dead, Nesbit in Everybody Wants Some!!, Thomas in Putting the Dog to Sleep, and David in Over Again.
Billie Piper: The UK singer, dancer and television star is best known for her role as Rose Tyler in Doctor Who. Piper can also be seen on Penny Dreadful. Other television film roles include: The Ruby in the Smoke, The Shadow in the North and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.
Dennis Rodman: A retired NBA basketball star who played for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Nicknamed “The Worm”, Rodman is recognized as a Detroit Pistons’ Bad Boy and as one of the best rebounding forwards in NBA history. Rodman was a New World Order wrestler in the 1990s and appeared in the television show The Rodman World Tour, and in the action films Double Team and Simon Sez.
Frank Cho: An American comic strip creator, writer and illustrator best known for his work on the professionally syndicated strip Liberty Meadows. Cho was also the writer and illustrator of the first story in the Marvel NOW! Savage Wolverine series.
Hannah Kasulak: Known as Casey Rance in FOX Network’s The Exorcist, Kasulak has appeared in Filthy Preppy Teens, The Fosters, How to Get Away with Murder, True Blood and Nashville.
James Remar: Known for his various film and television roles from over the last four decades, Remar has appeared in The Warriors, 48 Hours, The Cotton Club, Django Unchained, Dexter, Mortal Kombat Annihilation, Tales from the Darkside, Sex And the City, 2 Fast 2 Furious, among many others. He can also be seen in the upcoming second season of Hulu’s The Path.
Jason Douglas: Known for his role as Tobin in seasons five and six of The Walking Dead and for his recurring appearances on Breaking Bad, Nashville, and Revolution, among others. Douglas has voice lead nearly 200 characters like, Beerus in the Dragon Ball Z films as well as Krieg the Psycho in Borderlands 2.
John E.L. Tenney: A Michigan native, Tenney is an author and one of the most recognized investigators of UFO, paranormal and occult phenomena in the U.S. Tenney is co-host on the paranormal reality show Ghost Stalkers and has appeared in Unsolved Mysteries, Paranormal State: The New Class, Ghost Adventures and Paranormal Lockdown.
John Francis Daley: An actor, screenwriter, film director and musician best known for his role as Sam Weir on Freaks and Geeks and as Dr. Lance Sweets on Bones. Daley plays keyboards and sings for the band Dayplayer, and he co-wrote Horrible Bosses and will be a co-writer for the upcoming Spider Man: Homecoming film.
Jordan Trovillion: An actor, singer and Michigan native known as the host of the comic book and nerd culture TV show Comics Continuum. She has also appeared in Comedy Central’s Detroiters, Lifetime’s Secrets in the Walls, among others. Upcoming projects include The Life and Death of John Gotti and Mercy.
Joseph Gatt: A U.K. native known for his roles in Pulse, Chuck, Eagleheart, Game of Thrones, From Dusk Till Dawn, The 100, Banshee, Second Chance, Teen Wolf, True Detective, Star Trek Into Darkness and Thor. Gatt can currently be seen as The Man in Z Nation.
LaVar Burton: Best known as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Nemesis; host for PBS’s Reading Rainbow, and as Kunta Kinte in Roots. Burton is also an accomplished director and has directed episodes for Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Enterprise.
Martin Starr: Known for his role as Bill Haverchuck on Freaks and Geeks, Starr has appeared in Knocked Up, This is The End, King of The Hill, among others. He is currently reprising his roles as Gilfoyle on the third season of Silicon Valley.
Nicola Scott: An Australian comic book artist who has worked exclusively for DC Comics. Her work has appeared in titles such as Wonder Woman, Batman, Teen Titans, Superman, Birds of Prey and Secret Six, among others.
Ross Marquand: Known for his breakout roles as Aaron on The Walking Dead and as Paul Newman on Mad Men. He is also an accomplished voice over actor and has worked on productions such as Phineas & Ferb, Conan, among others.
Scott Wilson: An American actor known for his appearances in nearly 50 films such as Harvey Oberst in the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night, and Dick Hickok in the 1967 adaptation of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, among many others. Wilson is also known for his role as Dr. Hershel Greene on The Walking Dead.
Tim Bradstreet: Known as Marvel’s go-to cover artist, Bradstreet is an Inkpot Award-Winning artist and is known for his work in Vampire: The Masquerade, The Punisher, The Punisher MAX, John Constantine: Hellblazer, among many others.
Tom Payne: A U.K. native known for his roles as Paul “Jesus” Rovia on The Walking Dead, Leon Micheaux in Luck, and Rob Cole in The Physician. Payne has also appeared in several U.K. television series such as Skins, Casualty and Waterloo Road.
Tony Todd: A horror and sci-fi film icon best known for his roles in The Candyman, Sleepwalk and Platoon as well as roles in the Hatchet and Final Destination franchises. Todd can also be seen in Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen, The Rock, The Crow, Lean on Me, Bird, Night of The Living Dead, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, among many others.
Vic Mignogna: Best known for his prolific voice over work in the anime industry involving Japanese anime characters and video games. Mignogna’s most notable character is Edward Elric from the Fullmetal Alchemist series, and he was the voice role of Broly in the Dragon Ball Z films.
Wil Wheaton: An actor, writer and voice actor known for his roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Flubber, The Guild, Eureka, and The Big Bang Theory. He also appeared in Stand by Me, Toy Soldiers and Criminal Minds, among others.
For more information regarding Motor City Comic Con guests and events, visted their web site http://motorcitycomiccon.com/
About Motor City Comic Con
Michigan’s largest pop-culture event since 1989, Motor City Comic Con gathers comic book and multimedia dealers from across the country, offering a vast variety of pop-culture merchandise, including comics, art, t-shirts, movie memorabilia, posters and much more. Over 300 comic book creators, writers and artists are on site at Motor City Comic Con each year, as well as more than 50 actors from the television and movie industry. Motor City Comic Con offers big fun for kids young and old. For more information, visit http://www.motorcitycomiccon.com/.


Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey into the world of filmmaking? Choosing the right film program is a pivotal step towards shaping your creative vision and honing your cinematic skills. In this comprehensive guide, we bring together insights from two authoritative sources to provide you with an unparalleled overview of the best film programs across the United States.
Exploring the Top Film Programs by Region
East Coast: New York University (NYU) - Tisch School of the Arts
NYU's Tisch School of the Arts emerges as a powerhouse of creative education on the East Coast. Its comprehensive curriculum covers all facets of filmmaking, from screenwriting to production, giving students a well-rounded foundation. The school's prime location in Manhattan provides students with access to industry professionals and the vibrant world of cinema.
West Coast: University of Southern California (USC) - School of Cinematic Arts
The USC School of Cinematic Arts reigns supreme on the West Coast, renowned for producing visionary filmmakers year after year. With a network that spans the entertainment industry, USC provides students with unparalleled opportunities to learn and connect. Its innovative programs and state-of-the-art facilities make it a prime destination for aspiring creatives.
South: University of Texas at Austin - Moody College of Communication
Nestled in the heart of the South, the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin boasts a dynamic film program. With a focus on hands-on experience, students gain practical skills that prepare them for the industry. The program's emphasis on storytelling and technical proficiency equips graduates for success.
Midwest: DePaul University - School of Cinematic Arts
DePaul University's School of Cinematic Arts stands as a beacon of creativity in the Midwest. The program's industry-connected faculty and emphasis on collaboration provide students with a rich learning experience. From narrative filmmaking to documentary production, DePaul equips students with the skills needed to excel.
The Pinnacle of Film Education: Hollywood Reporter's Rankings for 2023
Source: Hollywood Reporter
1. New York University (NYU) - Tisch School of the Arts
NYU's Tisch School secures its position as a leader in film education, recognized for its outstanding faculty and comprehensive programs. The school's proximity to industry professionals and iconic locations provides students with unparalleled exposure to the world of cinema.
2. University of Southern California (USC) - School of Cinematic Arts
USC's School of Cinematic Arts maintains its reputation as a powerhouse of creativity, boasting a network of influential alumni. The program's emphasis on practical experience and innovation continues to shape the future of filmmaking.
3. American Film Institute (AFI) - Conservatory
The AFI Conservatory's intimate environment fosters artistic growth and collaboration among aspiring filmmakers. With a focus on mentorship and hands-on learning, AFI continues to nurture the next generation of cinematic visionaries.
4. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Theater, Film, and Television
UCLA's School of Theater, Film, and Television stands as a hub of academic excellence and artistic exploration. The program's research-driven approach and emphasis on pushing creative boundaries make it a top choice for aspiring filmmakers.
Making an Informed Decision
Choosing a film program is a significant step towards realizing your cinematic dreams. Whether you're drawn to the vibrant energy of the East Coast, the innovative spirit of the West Coast, the storytelling traditions of the South, or the creative nurturing of the Midwest, these institutions offer a diverse range of opportunities. With insights from both FilmSchool.org and Hollywood Reporter, you're equipped to make an informed decision that aligns with your creative aspirations.
Remember, the journey into filmmaking is as diverse as the stories you'll tell on screen. Whichever program you choose, embrace the learning experience, build connections, and let your passion for storytelling guide you towards a fulfilling career in the world of cinema.
Disclaimer: The rankings and information provided are based on the sources available at the time of writing.


Angel fans differ about which episodes are their favorite. Some believe prefer "I Will Remember You." Others prefer "You're Welcome." There are even fans who love "She."
Like its sister sites, The Phi-Phenomenon and The Buffy Phenomenon, the Angel Phenomenon studies lists that people make. Instead of studying lists of the greatest films of all time to create the definitive best film list, the Buffy Phenomenon studies lists of the greatest episodes to create the definitive best (and worst) episode list. The episodes are listed by rank, alphabetically, by writer, by director, and by season. This site also lists the episodes that polarize fans and episodes that fans have largely forgotten as well as streaks of great and weak episodes.
This site also tries to figure out what makes an episode great or weak. It looks at the extent to which the quality of an episode may be affected by the when the episode aired, the episode's writer and director, and the relative prominance or absence of major characters in that episode.
WARNING!!--This site contains spoilers. Most pages give episode titles for all 110 episodes, indicate how good each of these episodes are, and indicate who wrote and directed each episode. The Characters Ranked page also mentions characters who do not appear until season 5 and discusses the presence or absence of major characters in fifth season episodes, and the Seasons Ranked page describes all five seasons.
Angel and all characters are the property of 20th Century Fox, Mutant Enemy, Joss Whedon, WB, and a whole bunch of other entities that are not affiliated with this site. All opinions on this site are a compilation of the opinions of various people, most of whom are not affiliated with the aforementioned entities.
All contents on this site that are not owned by the above entities © 2004-2011 Angel Phenomenon.
This page was last modified on August 8, 2011
Since January 2005,


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20 Best Free Movie Streaming Sites to Watch Movies Online. Watching movies and TV shows is one of the most important sources of entertainment in our daily lives. However, many movie broadcast platforms on the market require payment and registration, which is inconvenient for most people.
35 Best Free Online Movie Streaming Sites in September 2021. Streaming Apps. The list below will provide you with the Best Free Movie Streaming Sites for all your viewing needs. The best free movie websites are Tubi, YouTube, AZMovies, Crackle, Peacock TV, PopcornFlix, SolarMovie, and many others found on this list.
Undoubtedly it is worth a visit to watch movie free online. 13. StreamOnHD. Website: https://streamonhd.me/ Note: If one video source doesn’t work well with adblocker, Don’t worry, it also offer alternative option as well. Another well-organized site to watch movies and TV shows online free in good quality. No registration is needed.
Afdah is a free online movie streaming service where you can watch movies in HD quality. They have a number of servers available to choose from and also offer an in-detail description of the movie you are surfing. 9. AZMovies. Another top choice among movie lovers, AZMovies has the best collection of award-winning movies from around the world.
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This movie site also has a section of upcoming movies, wherein you can visit and get a list of movies that are about to release. Here, you can watch movie trailers, watch free movies online without downloading or even download them to watch it later. 28. Cool Movie Zone. Website: https://coolmoviezone.co/.


75255 Yoda1771 pieces | Age 10+ | US$99.99/CA$139.99
Build and display a true LEGO Star Wars legend – Yoda!
Play out exciting Star Wars battles with buildable Jedi Master Yoda! He might be made of LEGO bricks, but with his powerful Lightsaber this large LEGO Yoda figure is a force to be reckoned with. Move his head, eyebrows, fingers and toes to strike the perfect Jedi Master pose! This set also comes with a display stand and a small Yoda minifigure and Lightsaber.
- Features intricate detailing, posable head and eyebrows, movable fingers and toes, Yoda’s green lightsaber, as well as a fact plaque with details about the Jedi master and a stand for the included Yoda minifigure and Lightsaber.
- Collect two Yoda LEGO Star Wars characters in one set!
- LEGO Star Wars Yoda figure with Lightsaber stands over 16” (41cm) tall.
According to the definition established by LEGO and quoted by Senior Designer Henrik Andersen, this set – which is a display model on a stand with a data label – should be classified as an Ultimate Collector Series set. What do you think?
75246 Death Star Cannon159 pieces | Age 7+ | US$19.99/CA$29.99
Create a thrilling LEGO Star Wars scene aboard the Death Star!
Join Obi-Wan Kenobi on a perilous mission aboard the mighty Death Star. Sneak him past the Death Star Gunner and help him disable the tractor beam before he’s spotted. Then help the Jedi hero defeat the gunner before he can fire the powerful laser cannon. The fate of the LEGO Star Wars galaxy is in your hands with this cool Star Wars: A New Hope scene!
- Includes Obi-Wan Kenobi and Death Star Gunner LEGO Star Wars minifigures.
- A LEGO Death Star Cannon model based on a pivotal scene from the original Star Wars: A New Hope movie, featuring a tractor beam control tower and a rotating/elevating laser cannon with spring-loaded shooter and storage clips for the missiles.
- Weapons include Obi-Wan’s blue Lightsaber and the Death Star Gunner’s blaster pistol.
- Hot construction toy based on the original Star Wars movie measures over 3” (9cm) high, 6” (16cm) wide and 4” (11cm) deep.
With ten depictions of both Death Star already in Star Wars fans’ collections LEGO has found another reason for us to keep adding to our shelves with a newturbolaster emplacement. Can you name them all?
Fervent documentarian, effusive AFOL and founding partner, Jeremy manages the daily news content and set reviews.
Having enjoyed playing with LEGO from his earliest years, Jeremy started collecting LEGO Star Wars in 1999 when the theme was first released. He has shared his thoughts and opinions on LEGO via a number of websites – including starwars.com, rebelscum.com and brickset.com – contributed to the LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary series and served the LEGO Ambassador Network as a Recognised LEGO Fan Media representative.


Director Steven Spielberg once said that “Every time I go to a movie, it’s magic, no matter what the movie’s about”.
This quote epitomizes why I love movies. Films have the power to take you to new worlds, explore new ideas, and learn about the world around you. The director is the one that has the power to put all elements together to turn a film into an experience and to change a person’s outlook on life.
I worry that as our generation takes in media, they are losing what film can truly accomplish as people want entertainment that is easy to digest, as well as having a color character in it that they already love. They have lost sight of the power that a director could bring, and the weight that a _________ picture comes with.
That is I chose to rank my favorite visionary directors to help our generation escape from the escapist entertainment of today, and find directors that through unique styles, ideas, and visions can teach about the world around us.
The qualifications for this list are simple. They must have made more than 3 films (so no Jordan Peele or Greta Gerwig and they cannot primarily work in the field of animation (so no Pete Docter). With that said, on to this list!
Honorable Mentions: Sam Mendes, Milos Forman, Barry Levinson, Billy Wilder, Mike Nichols, Noah Baumbach, Alexander Payne, Robert Zemeckis, Adam McKay, and Stanley Kubrick
10. The Coen Brothers
Favorite Film by The Coen Brothers: Fargo (1996)
While The Coen Brothers may be the most inconsistent directors on this list, when the Coen Brothers hit a home run, it is out of the park. This comes down to a really strong style that overcomes any genre convention whether it is a western like True Grit (2010) or even a folk tale like O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) or a stoner comedy like The Big Lebowski (1998).
That is because these brothers have a darkly comedic style that can be molded into any film. Even when they go against type in films such as No Country for Old Men (2007) and Inside Llewyn Davis (2013), they are able to infuse the film with such unique pacing and strong characters that no one could make a film the same way The Coens make a film.
9. Christopher Nolan
Favorite Film by Christopher Nolan: The Dark Knight (2008)
This is one director, regardless of how into film you are, that everyone knows and loves. Nolan has been hailed for reinventing the blockbuster genre with high concept, visual experiences that have not yet been matched, tho many have attempted. From Interstellar (2014) to Inception (2010) these films push boundaries in what film could accomplish. Even when on a smaller scale, such as in Insomnia (2002) and The Prestige (2006), Christopher Nolan is able to get the most out of his concepts and his casts.
8. Sidney Lumet
Favorite Film by Sidney Lumet: 12 Angry Men (1957)
While probably the least well known director on this list, at least for mainstream audiences, no one is able to craft a dialogue driven film like Sidney Lumet. He has a talent to keep his audience on the edge of his seats by pulling powerful performances from his actors while somehow making films set in primarily one or two locations feel immense. Look no further to Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and 12 Angry Men (1957), two films mainly taking place in a few locations that are even more gripping than most of the action blockbusters on the big screen today.
7. Steven Spielberg
Favorite Film by Steven Spielberg: Schindler’s List (1993)
Steven Spielberg revolutionized cinema and turned it into what we know today. From creating the first modern-day blockbuster in Jaws (1975) to utilizing computer generated effects in ways that still hold up decades later in Jurassic Park (1993) to creating one of the best family films ever made in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Spielberg always knew how to push the boundaries of filmmaking.
However, Spielberg is at his best when putting his own sentimental spin on true stories with the heart-wrenching Schindler’s List (1993) and the gripping Saving Private Ryan (1998) being the most prominent examples. While he may get too sappy at times with films such as The Terminal (2004) and The BFG (2016) he makes up for it with other Oscar caliber films like Lincoln (2012) and Bridge of Spies (2015). Lastly, who can forget that he is the visionary who brought Indiana Jones alive.
6. Alfred Hitchcock
Favorite Film by Alfred Hitchcock: Rear Window (1954)
This is a man that almost everyone knows as “the master of suspense”, regardless of if they have seen his films or not. Every single Hitchcock film is crafted with so much passion that every scene and frame feels meticulously crafted to the point where the placement of a pen on a desk impacts the meaning of his films. Even when jumping tones and moods from Psycho (1960) to Vertigo (1958) to Rope (1948), he keeps his Hitchcockian sense of tension. Even if you check out his films, and are somehow bored, you can still appreciate the groundwork that this man laid for the future of cinema.
Read Part 2, where I reveal My Top 5 Favorite Directors of All Time!


“Deep in the heart of a technologically advanced bunker, Pete has been living out his days over the last ten years alone without any contact with the outside.
Pete’s peace is shattered by the sudden arrival of Sophie, another survivor who has been searching for the bunker for some time. As they cautiously get to know each other, Pete and Sophie discover that they are not the only ones inside and the bunker itself appears to turn against them.”
Dweller is a labour of love that has been developing over the last 4/5 years. It has gone through a few different iterations and had a couple of false starts but we are now due to start rolling on it on the 18th November.
Jason Harvey – Pete Megan Birley – Sophie
We’re very honoured to be filming in Scotland’s Secret Bunker near St Andrews in Fife. The Secret Bunker is an amazing location and totally perfect as a setting for Dweller, the location is so perfect that many people have asked if the film was written for the location. It wasn’t, but we couldn’t have asked for something so perfect and suited the film so well.
Directed by: Fraser Denholm
Produced by: Fraser Denholm and Kieran McCruden
Cinematographer: Jonathan Brown
Production Designer: Kieran McCruden


I just finished watching this drama so called King Baker: Kim Tak Gu 3 days ago (5th of December). I really love the drama. The drama is full wiith emotions and anticipation. You may find the happiness, the sadness, eagerness, nervousness, or angriness together with the actors and the actresses in this drama. Besides that, all the actors and actresses are so dedicated with theiracting which makes this drama a big success. No wonder it became the best drama in 2010 with 50.8% viewership rating in Korea. =D
I would like to tell a bit about what is this drama about and why half of Koreans watch this drama... hehe... Gu Il Jong, the president of Geo Seong, a company which manufactures breads and buns get married with Seo In Sook as he respected his mother choice for his wife. However, their marriage never been blessed with a son. Seo In Sook gave birth to two daughters which made Gu Il Jong's mother to be disappointed. Gu Il Jong was also very disappointed as he really wants a son. The night when Seo In Sook is still at hospital, he slept with Jung Mi Sun, a servant in the household of Geo Seong. As for Seo In Sook, she seek a fortune teller and he told her that she will never have a son with her husband but she will have a son if it is from another man. As she getting worried with the current situation she did not think much and seduces Manager Han Seung Jae, Gu Il Jong's friend since childhood in order to be pregnant with a son. A few months later, Seo In Sook found out that Mi Sun is pregnant with her husband's child. She started to plan evil plots with Manager Han to get rid of Mi Sun's baby. However, luck is with Mi Sun. The baby is safe and is given the name of Tak Gu, according to Gu Il Jong's wish. Seo In Sook gave birth to a son too, given a name as Gu Ma Jun.
Here, the conflicts started. After 12 years, Kim Tak Gu was sent to Geo Seong household as Mi Sun hopes that by having him together with his father, he will be safe from any danger especially from the bad deeds of Manager Han and Seo In Sook. Here, I almost cry seeing how Tak Gu cried for his mother as he was separated from his own mother and left at unfamiliar place to live. However, he never lose hope. Although the people in Geo Seong household never acknowledge him as the member of the family, he tried his best to be strong. But he went out from the house when Manager Han made a deal with him saying that he will be able to reunite with his mother if he go out from the household. So, Tak Gu made his decision and went out from the house without telling anybody, searching for his mother. However, it is too late. Someone kidnapped his mother and she fell from a cliff. Nobody knows wheteher she is dead or still alive. Tak Gu, a faithful son never tired of searching and keep searching evrywhere for his mother.
Then after 14 years, Kim Tak Gu came to Pal Bong bakery and he learns how to make breads. Unexpectedly, there is also Gu Ma Jun who unrevealed his true identity saying he is Seo Tae Jo. As Ma Jun, knows it is Tak Gu, he hates Tak Gu and always pick fights with him. He always think that because of Tak Gu, he never get any attention or recognition from his own father. There are so many things happen between them etc. Later, Tak Gu reunite with his father. This part is also touching. ='). Gu Il Jong cried as he eat the bread made by Kim Tak Gu. I can imagine how happy he was for being able to fing his own son after such a long time. After knowing that Tak Gu is back, Seo In Sook and Manager Han tried their best to get Ma Jun to take a hold of company's administration. However, they failed as Mi Sun returned and make their plans in chaos. At the end, of course Tak Gu reunite with his mother. After so many hardships, they are able to be together once again.
At last, Manager Han was captured by police when he tried to kill Tak Gu by throwing him from the uppest ground of Geo Seong company. Surprisingly, neither Ma Jun or Tak Gu take place as the president of Geo Seong but their eldest sister did. Ma Jun started to open his heart towards Tak Gu and live happily with Shin Yoo Kyung, his wife which is originally Tak Gu's girlfriend. Lol... Why not Yoo Kyung with Tak Gu? It's all due to revenge, Yoo Kyung gave up Tak Gu and jeopardize her life to be in Geo Seong household and take revenge towards Seo In Sook. For Tak Gu, he is getting together with the daughter of the owner of Pal Bong bakery.
It's a happy ending. I cried, laughed and feel the anger together with the actors for these few days. I really enjoyed this drama... ^^


If you feel like watching a fresh, interesting sitcom, go with Girlfriends. The series follows a group of friends and their complicated lives as they try to understand everything around them. It was praised for realistically depicting friendships while also commenting on social and political issues from the perspective of four African American women. It's a classic sitcom that has found a home on Netflix for its twentieth anniversary and continues to delight audiences with its evergreen themes and narratives. If you want to know where the show was filmed, here's the answer.
Filming locations for girlfriends
"Girlfriends" tells the story of four women who stick together through thick and thin and at the same time find out what they want in their lives. The city emerges as the fifth character on the show and becomes a crucial factor in giving direction to the girls' story. Similar to "Sex and the City", where New York is the home of the protagonists, Los Angeles was the place where we went on their journey through the ups and downs in the production of "Girlfriends". The entire series was shot in Los Angeles, with most of it taking place in the studios and some scenes filmed on location.
Los Angeles, California,
Much of the filming of the show took place on the set. "Girlfriends" was shot mainly at Paramount Studios on 5555 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. The location was also used for the filming of the spin-off series "The Game", which was later moved to another location. A number of sets were created in the studio to film the interiors of several locations around the city. The houses of the four protagonists and their workplaces were also recreated here to enable them to make the necessary revisions in the further course of their stories.
While the cast spent a lot of time at Paramount Studios, they also had to shoot some outdoor scenes in town. The crew found a few locations that appear frequently on the show. The exterior of Joan's house was filmed at 679 Abor Street in Pasadena. The crew found a great house for Toni's house at 5449 Rosewood Avenue in Los Angeles. The scenes with Maya and Lynn's apartments were filmed in 3836 Mont Clair St. LA. The exterior of William's house was filmed at 12716 Darla Avenue in LA. As the story progresses, Joan and William find their legal careers. The scenes in their law offices were filmed at 645 5th Street in LA.
GIRL "He had a dream" (L-R) Tracee Ellis Ross as Joan, Golden Brooks as Maya, Big Boi from Outkast and Persia …
Posted by Girlfriends Tv Show on Thursday Jan 30th, 2014
# Throwback Picture of the Day, Behind the Scenes of Toni Child & # 39; s Wedding (Season 3) #Girlfriends #MayaWilkes # JoanClayton…
Posted by Girlfriends Tv Show on Thursday February 18th, 2016
Read more: Is Girlfriends a True Story?


‘Where should one use perfume?’ a young woman asked.’Wherever one wants to be kissed,’ I said.” – Coco Chanel
Ahh…romance, passion, Paris, perfume. This past week I went to see a great film, Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky. I know this seems “unworthy” of being on my “52” list but let me elaborate before you inevitably think, “Big deal, going to a movie. Why would that be on her list?”
This year alone I have seen Toy Story, Despicable Me, Disney’s UP, the Alvin movies, Seventeen Again (with Zac Efron no less) and countless other 3D movies for the under- 12 set – all choices driven by my nine year-old and her friends. Now I will admit seeing Zac transform into a middle-aged Matthew Perry (Friends fame) held my interest for a bit longer; it was simultaneously intriguing and unappealing watching an old “Friend” literally look old. I have been craving a good movie – or more accurately a film – produced specifically for adults and preferably foreign, including some steamy love scenes and a mentally engrossing and challenging script. I wanted to see a film that children would not even be allowed to see. I wanted to be swept away to another time and place and I wanted subtitles. I wanted a romantic movie, kisses, champagne. This one had that and more with a little Chanel No. 5 thrown in. It also had the added personal appeal of being set in France and the romance of Stravinsky’s music – symbolic of two other things on my 52 week list. Oh, and the intrigue of Chanel, the woman herself. Her sense of fashion, her mystery, a look at her early career in post-war Paris in the 1920’s, her classic fashions. She was strong, independent and always so chic. What more can an exhausted, romantic need on a hot summer afternoon?
My blogging partner Pam was going to an entirely different movie this week (see her post) and I loved the fact that the heroine in her movie was also super strong and did incredible things.
I couldn’t wait to sneak into the theater alone, drink my Diet Coke and eat popcorn in peace. For the record, I was a film minor in college. By the time I was a sophomore I had studied Truffaut, Godard, the Film Noir period and learned about the origin of film. I didn’t pursue it intentionally. I was just always drawn to the classes and before I knew it had enough credits to add it as a minor. My roommates couldn’t believe I would go to these classes (often at night) and possibly miss Knots Landing (remember that show?). I was simply hooked at an early age and loved good films. But somewhere along the way I found myself predominantly at movies that are promoted at McDonalds.
Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky wasn’t, by far, the best foreign film I have seen but it met all of my criteria for recapturing this passion from my college years: sultry love scenes usually associated with a forbidden love, a plot set in a foreign country, beautiful period-appropriate scenery and a good story. To top it off I saw it at the Paris Theater – one of the classic, wonderful theaters in New York City.
In Manhattan many of the theaters are crowded and noisy, playing 6 movies or more at a time. The seats are squeezed together and it’s not always the most pleasant experience. Not at the Paris Theater. It’s a true cinemaphile paradise. It was a French film. It was the perfect theater. It’s funny (and annoying?) how I keep finding myself seeking France in some way yet never actually getting there. But this excursion wasn’t really about trying to capture Paris stateside (I already wrote about that experience in Disney). It truly was about going back to my love for good cinema.
Even the crowd was different. I felt like I was surrounded by serious film-goers all looking for the same thing. The pretension was a bit too much though when, before the movie even started, I momentarily looked at my silenced Blackberry (habit) and was told by the woman behind me to please put it down. I wasn’t on the phone or even sending a message or reading it. I think I was just compulsively looking at for no reason. The light had simply bothered her. I of course put it down but laughed for a moment thinking that this would certainly not have happened at Toy Story while also thinking she should take a chill pill. It was after all, just a movie wasn’t it?
Not to forget Stravinsky (and I did love the music) the movie showcases the infamous debut of his classic Le Sacred du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) among other pieces as background music throughout the film. I just discovered that The Rite of Spring was further popularized through Walt Disney’s Fantasia. A little ironic that I can’t seem to escape some association to Disney?
After the film, I found myself thinking about the bottle of Chanel No. 5 I had sitting on my dresser at home and that I hadn’t touched in years. It was coincidentally week 5 of my 52Weeks. A little dab here, a little dab there – “anywhere I may want to be kissed” isn’t that what Coco said? Hey, ya never know. Chanel always knew what she was talking about.
Posted: 07/29/10 3:45 AM


Tommy’s Honour Movie Trailer
TOMMY’S HONOUR is based on the powerfully moving true story of the challenging relationship between “Old” Tom and “Young” Tommy Morris, the dynamic father-son team who ushered in the modern game of golf. As their fame grew, Tom and Tommy, Scotland’s Golf Royalty, were touched by drama and personal tragedy. At first matching his father’s success, Tommy’s talent and fame grew to outshine his father’s accomplishments and respect as founder of the Open Championship in 1860 with a series of his own triumphs. But in contrast to Tommy’s public persona, his personal turmoil ultimately led him to rebel against both the aristocracy who gave him opportunity and the parents who shunned his passionate relationship with his wife.
April 14, 2017
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It has been quite a while since the first live action movie based around the cult roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons first hit cinemas, in fact it has been nineteen years since Courtney Solomons movie was released!
The movie only grossed around $33 million on a budget of $35 million and despite having a great cast, the movie starring Thora Birch, Justin Whalin, Marlon Waynes, and Jeromey Irons tanked and all the subsequent sequels were direct to DVD releases or made for cable.
Now with the success of Stranger Things and the rise of fantasy in shows like Game of Thrones and the upcoming Witcher gaining lots of interest, the owners of Dungeons and Dragons, toy giant Hasbro are wishing to bring the game back once more the the big screen, with the hopes of setting up a franchise that will rival Marvels mighty cinematic universe.
Goldstein and Daley are the men behind the hit comedy movie Game Night, and co-wrote Spider-Man Homecoming for Marvel, as well as working on the hit comedy Horrible Bosses and its sequel.
The goal from Hasbro is to turn its newly created AllSpark Pictures into a powerhouse studio and seeing as the toy company owns dozens of hot properties such as GI Joe, Transformers, Monopoly, My Little Pony, and Power Rangers, it makes sense that they want to tie them altogether and try to emulate what Disney did with the current wave of Marvel movies!
As of yet no word of casting has been announced, though there is no shortage of famous actors who are roleplayers such as Vin Diesel who would most likely kill to get a part in a huge budge D&D movie.


Richard Linklater’s latest film, Everybody Wants Some, will open the 23rd South by Southwest® (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival on March 11, 2016. The coming-of-age comedy, directed and written by Richard Linklater, is framed by college life in the 80s. The film focuses on a group of college baseball players working their way through the new-found liberties and responsibilities of unsupervised adulthood. In an interview, Mr. Linklater said this film picks up where his award-winning film Boyhood ended.
In a recent press release, SXSW organizers explained Mr. Linklater, who also founded the Austin Film Society in 1985, is a world-class filmmaker who put Austin on the map.
His credits include Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Waking Life, Scanner Darkly, School of Rock, Bernie, Fast Food Nation, the Midnight trilogy and last year’s Academy Award®-nominated Boyhood. Boyhood, released in 2014, received six Oscar nominations, and Patricia Arquette won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. “We are so thrilled to … Read More