The Craft (1994) Witches, Jealousy, and Boys, Oh My!

The Craft (1994) Witches, Jealousy, and Boys, Oh My!

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…
Unpacking the Connections Between H.P. Lovecraft & John Carpenter’s ‘In the Mouth of Madness’

Unpacking the Connections Between H.P. Lovecraft & John Carpenter’s ‘In the Mouth of Madness’

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…
The Elegance of ‘The Pink Panther’, and Why It Deserves All the Praise in the World

The Elegance of ‘The Pink Panther’, and Why It Deserves All the Praise in the World

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 Satirical Lambasting of the Tobacco Industry

‘Thank You For Smoking’ a Satirical Lambasting of the Tobacco Industry

‘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…
From ‘The Godfather’ to ‘The Sopranos’: a Brief Overview of Thematic Symmetry

From ‘The Godfather’ to ‘The Sopranos’: a Brief Overview of Thematic Symmetry

‘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…
The Shadow (1994) Hyper Realized, Loaded with Crime Caper Panache, and Lots o’ off-the-wall Fun

The Shadow (1994) Hyper Realized, Loaded with Crime Caper Panache, and Lots o’ off-the-wall Fun

“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…
A Three Part Series Examining the Masterpiece that is Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Apocalypse Now’

A Three Part Series Examining the Masterpiece that is Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Apocalypse Now’

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…
The Long-awaited Happy Gilmore Sequel (almost more Gilmore than the first one!)

The Long-awaited Happy Gilmore Sequel (almost more Gilmore than the first one!)

Happy Gilmore 2, a more than competent sequel that manages to recapture the zany-magic of the original. Complete with absurd, crude humour that tickles the funny bone persistently while cashing in on shock value again and again - and to immense benefit! 'Happy Gilmore’ has long been considered a trademark Sandler film often mentioned in the same breath as the…
An Ordinary Man: Visually Stunning, Atmospheric, and Deeply Thought-provoking

An Ordinary Man: Visually Stunning, Atmospheric, and Deeply Thought-provoking

 Directed by Brad Silberling and starring Sir Ben Kingsley alongside newcomer Hera Hilmar; ‘An Ordinary Man’ manages to successfully balance two leads, one a seasoned veteran, and the other a burgeoning neophyte. Hera Hilmar: a relative unknown when compared to the bigger names in Hollywood is the central focus of the story; her character providing a mirror into Kingsley’s enigmatic…