Year: 2025

‘A Christmas Carol’ (1984) starring George C. Scott is in my opinion the seminal adaptation of Charles Dickens’ well-known classic. Directed by British filmmaker Clive Donner, who held the position of editor on a previous version (‘Scrooge’ released 1951), this 1984 iteration encompasses the traditional narrative: a miser who learns the true meaning of the holidays after a visitation by…

Rotten Tomatoes describes ‘The Double’ as follows: “An awkward office drone (Jesse Eisenberg) becomes increasingly unhinged after a charismatic and confident look-alike takes a job at his workplace and seduces the woman (Mia Wasikowska) he desires.” [1] Now that the film is contextualized, here's a list of my observations after viewing it a few times. The Double (2013) Stylization &…

Bob Odenkirk stole the limelight as the eponymous Saul from 'Better Call Saul' but Rhea Seehorn as "Kim Wexler" no doubt held the show up in an Atlantean fashion – in addition to Chuck, Jimmy McGill's sibling, her character (as an on-again-off-again romantic interest) provided emotional foundation in amongst turbulent plot twists and shared universe callbacks.  The character of Kim…

Four witches, one city, endless possibilities. ‘The Craft’ (1996) a coming of age tale revolving around four young women dabbling in the black arts of witchcraft. A contemporary take on witchcraft and Wicca that deftly  examines the subject – in a relatable way – while dispensing with the more ludicrous or intangible parts of on-screen magic. ‘The Craft’ never truly…

In the Mouth of Madness An often overlooked (1994) paranormal horror film – one that managed to deliver an admirable blend of kitsch, cosmic chills. With Carpenter’s trademark and sometimes garish practical FX touch but this time in an entirely Lovecraftian manner. ‘In the Mouth of Madness’ is John Carpenter at his most twisted. While ‘Halloween’ offered a grounded-thriller anchored…

In 1963 one of the finest comedies to ever grace the silver screen was released: a little comedy called ‘The Pink Panther’. Starring Peter Sellers as the infamous Inspector Clouseau; a man known for his daring and highly refined skills of deduction, as well as an everpresent Mr. Magoo-like knack for turning mishaps into successes, and every blunder into an…

‘Thank You For Smoking’ a winning satire that examines the ludicrosity of a lobbyist’s agenda as he facilitates the promotion of cigarette use and the tobacco industry as a whole. Released in 2007, ‘Thank You For Smoking’ stars Aaron Eckhart, Katie Holmes, Rob Lowe, Maria Bello, Adam Brody, and JK Simmons among others – helmed by Jason Reitman – this…

‘The Sopranos’, an unflinching look at the sordid underbelly of crime; unapologetic, unrepentant, and one of the finest primetime series to debut on television sets worldwide. That's damn near indisputable – audiences and critics alike have lauded the show for propagating our current era of high-production value TV showcasing parfaite writing and cultivated acting. Put more simply: ‘The Sopranos’ started…

“Only the Shadow knows.” Originally a radio program, then turned into a pulp fiction era detective comic, and finally a film iteration with the 1994 blockbuster ‘The Shadow', starring Alec Baldwin as the titular character. ‘The Shadow' is an exercise in offbeat & campy overtones allowing for an especial, engagingly stylized product . A long trench coat, complete with cloak…

Apocalypse Now (1979) A man in a fugue of drugs, alcohol, and violent imagery self destructs in the humid hotbox that is his smoke-filled hotel room in Saigon, Vietnam.  He is Captain Benjamin Willard, soon to be tasked with killing a rogue Colonel by the name of Kurtz – an enigmatic figure who’s installed himself as a quasireligious leader in…