Tag Archives: drama

Pleasant Surprises: Swiss Family Robinson

Posted on April 11, 2017 by

As a kid, I wasn’t a huge fan of Disney’s old live-action movies. They were so boring and quaint, like The Parent Trap (1960) and Freaky Friday (1976). I probably would have had a whole different perspective on the matter … Continue reading →

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I Love Problem-Solving Movies

Posted on March 14, 2017 by

What do Apollo 13, Ghost, and Rudy have in common? Sure, they all came out in the 1990s, but I posit that they share something more substantial than that. They’re all problem-solving movies. What is a problem-solving movie and how … Continue reading →

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Movies That Improve on Multiple Viewings: The Deer Hunter

Posted on January 3, 2017 by

Many years ago I read a review of The Deer Hunter in which the author said that the film is great up until the point where the three main characters get separated on the river in Vietnam. From then on, … Continue reading →

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Why This Is My Favorite Scene in Any Superman Film

Posted on November 15, 2016 by

I love the first two Superman films starring Christopher Reeve. I think they are nearly perfect in just about every way. They’re exciting, funny, dramatic, and emotional. And, best of all, they earn all of their big Superman moments by … Continue reading →

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Lethal Weapon and the Fearless Action Hero

Posted on October 4, 2016 by

We like fearless action heroes. Arnold Schwarzenegger epitomizes the image of the action hero who rarely shows a hint of weakness and kills without remorse. In 1987’s Predator, he does have a few moments where he looks like he could … Continue reading →

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Pleasant Surprises: Law Abiding Citizen

Posted on March 16, 2016 by

I don’t usually describe films as “stunning,” but that’s the best word I can find for 2009’s Law Abiding Citizen. I am stunned by this film, from its opening scene to its finale it’s constantly surprising me and leaving me … Continue reading →

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Forgotten Film Gems: Only the Lonely

Posted on February 16, 2016 by

In between his two Home Alone films, Chris Columbus wrote and directed a little romantic comedy starring John Candy called Only the Lonely. It wasn’t exactly a huge hit like many of Columbus’s other films, but it has a lot … Continue reading →

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