Tag Archives: classic films

Ben-Hur (1959) and the Emptiness of Seeking Revenge

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

My wife and I recently rewatched Ben-Hur (1959), that classic film that won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and I discovered something amazing about it. This may not come across as groundbreaking, but I realized that the film paints … Continue reading →

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Each Story Beat in Fiddler on the Roof Has a Perfect Match

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

Jo’s matchmaking skills are even better than those of Yente the matchmaker! She already helped me discover the chiasmus in How to Train Your Dragon 2, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, The Lion King, The Hunt for … Continue reading →

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This Simple Scene in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Is Stunning

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

Can we all just take a moment to marvel at the complexity of this little dance number in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? The song is called “Lonesome Polecat.”

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Untangling the Beautiful Complexity of An American in Paris

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

Some people like to examine the endings of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Inception, and The Usual Suspects as masterclasses in complexity. Those film endings are endlessly minable for depth, and they’re quite challenging to decipher. There’s one film I’ve never … Continue reading →

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The Natural and the Epidemic of Sports Betting

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

The Natural is a special kind of movie that gets better every time I watch it. I was recently pondering on the dangers of sports betting, and this movie came to mind.

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60 Examples of Cinematic Chiasmus

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

Since 2014, I have written a lot of Cinematic Chiasmus articles. These explore the symmetry of individual films, trilogies, and even TV miniseries. I would like to present about 60 films (give or take) that mirror themselves in remarkable ways. … Continue reading →

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God Help the Outcasts

Posted on August 24, 2025 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

I hadn’t seen Disney’s 1996 adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in many years, but I’m glad I revisited it recently. It has a song that really spoke to me on this viewing. It’s called “God Help the Outcasts.”

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Third Man on the Mountain Explains What It Means to Be a Man

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

What does it mean to be a man? There’s probably no end to the number of definitions we could come up with. Rather than give you my answer, I’d like to look to the past for time-tested wisdom. A forgotten … Continue reading →

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Movie Matchups: Pollyanna vs. It’s a Wonderful Life

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

It’s a Wonderful Life is one of those classic movies that other films love to emulate. I’ve heard Back to the Future compared to it by Siskel and Ebert, and I likened Click to it. There’s one film that I’ve … Continue reading →

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Magic Mirror on the Wall, What Disney Film Is the Most Symmetrical of All? Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

Posted on July 8, 2025 by Robert Lockard, the Deja Reviewer

Walt Disney’s first foray into full-length animated filmmaking in 1937 is an example of symmetrical storytelling. I’m excited to reveal the chiasmus found in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. First, I should acknowledge the elephant in the room. Three … Continue reading →

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