For many decades, one simple truth has reigned over the global film industry: for a film to truly be a success, it must be a success in America. America: the home of Hollywood! It's where the biggest celebrities on the planet make their names! Even if they don't actually live there, it's where they go... Continue Reading →
Unlike many, I have no strong feelings towards Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. I liked the first three (I actually preferred the second one, Dead Man's Chest, above the others as it was the best mix of character, story, and spectacle) and didn't much care for On Stranger Tides, but I was never... Continue Reading →
I never watched "Baywatch". Not one episode. But, being a kid and teenager in the nineties, it was definitely on my radar. I reached my twenties in the nineties, so it's not as though I didn't know who Pamela Anderson was. But, even then, my standards were high enough that I didn't watch original syndicated... Continue Reading →
Original US release date: December 22, 2004 Production budget: $70,000,000 Worldwide gross: $154,648,887 I've been a fan of Charles Hart and Andrew Lloyd Webber's music from The Phantom of the Opera since middle school chorus, when one of the selections for our spring concert was a medley of songs from the play. I never forgot... Continue Reading →
I became a fan of the Alien franchise later in life (relatively speaking). Despite the fact that not all of the films have been of the highest standard, I remain a fan. I love the character/creature design, probably as much as any other property out there. I love the versatility of the franchise and how... Continue Reading →
Original US release date: September 15, 1999 Production budget: $15,000,000 Worldwide gross: $356,296,601 American Beauty is the 2000 Academy Award winner for Best Picture from director Sam Mendes, in what was his first directorial outing. I saw the film shortly after its release and I recall thinking it was fine, but I didn't have the... Continue Reading →
"A must-see for any self-professed film-lover."
Original US release date: December 18, 2002 Production budget: $94,000,000 Worldwide gross: $926,047,111 My #ThrowbackThursday journey to Mount Doom continues with The Two Towers. I did a #ThrowbackThursday column on The Fellowship of the Ring, a while back (right here, if you missed it) and now it's time to take a look at the next chapter. ... Continue Reading →
In my opinion, the original Guardians of the Galaxy is the best comic book film ever made. It's not quite my favorite (that honor goes to The Avengers), but it is the best. Director James Gunn, along with his co-writer Nicole Perlman and the rest of the Marvel Studios brass struck the perfect balance between... Continue Reading →
Original US release date: May 8, 2002 Production budget: $50,000,000 Worldwide gross: $119,137,784 Adrian Lyne's Unfaithful was an erotic thriller back in 2002 - before another franchise came along with its own version that glorified physical and emotional abuse. There's none of that, here, as this film highlights and calls out the characters on their bad... Continue Reading →
The Movie March! 