Category Archives: movies

Formative 10: The Thing (1982)

Back to the lost formative ten. John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982) has consistently been in my top three movies of all time since I first saw it. A masterpiece on many levels, and in fact there are two Carpenter films … Continue reading

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NYCeventies Double Feature

New York City during the 1970s as captured on film is possibly by favorite aesthetic of all time, outside of the black and white ads in Filmfax. There’s just something so beautiful about the filth, the clothing, the hairstyles, the … Continue reading

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Pink Elephants on Parade

I sat down yesterday evening with my son to watch Dumbo (1941) for the first time in almost thirty years. Everything seemed pretty much like I remembered until we hit the Pink Elephants on Parade scene (included below). Wow, now … Continue reading

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“You’re so cool, Brewster!”

That was then…. ….and this is now (actually last week at the NuArt theater in LA–my favorite!): Stephen Geoffreys delivering his classic line from Fright Night (1985).

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First Blood “Nothing is over!”

Just watched First Blood (1982) for the first time in many years in preparation for an upcoming conference presentation. I have to admit I’m not sure if Stallone’s final speech is the greatest acting I’ve ever seen, or the worst. … Continue reading

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A Four-Pack of Carpenter

Update:  There’s a great article on this very retrospective by Benjamin Strong on the Moving Image Source titled “Morning in America.” He positions this retrospective as genre readings of the Reagan 80s, yes, that’s it! As if you need any … Continue reading

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Mildred Pierce Double Feature

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Bad Boys (1983)

I liked Sean Penn in Fast Times a Ridgemont High, Jeff Spicoli was possibly one of the single most beloved and influential film characters of the 80s. But it wasn’t until seeing him in Bad Boys that I became a … Continue reading

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The New Bava Beverly

Image courtesy of Robjtak Los Angeles is a fine town. I lived in its tepid embrace for over seven years, and I have to say it was probably seven of the best film years of my life. I think I … Continue reading

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I ain’t no preacher no more

I watched John Ford’s Grapes of Wrath (1940) last night and I have to say it is a masterpiece of the highest order. The film both blew my mind and deeply touched me on so many levels I just can’t … Continue reading

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