Families in Film Retrospective: The Corleone Family of The Godfather

By Joan Amenn Tolstoy wrote that “happy families are all alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” The Corleone family in “The Godfather” (1972) is not a happy family, despite throwing a lavish wedding party that presents a unified front of prestige and wealth. The children all carry destructive motives of jealousy, insecurity and an inbred thirst for power so how can … Continue reading Families in Film Retrospective: The Corleone Family of The Godfather

jmamennNovember 30, 2022November 29, 2022Leave a comment

Christmas, Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Indie Film, Reviews, Short Film, Women in Film, World Cinema

Mini Review: Like the Ones I Used to Know

Year: 2022 Runtime: 18 minutes Director/Writer: Annie St-Pierre Actors: Lilou Roy-Lanouette, Steve Laplante By Caelyn O’Reilly “Like the Ones I Used to Know” (or “Les Grandes Claques”) is the latest short film from Quebecois director Annie St-Pierre. An emotionally hard-hitting tale of a distant father and daughter at Christmas. First off, I love the way the two titles each use their different connotations to hit … Continue reading Mini Review: Like the Ones I Used to Know

Caelyn O'ReillySeptember 29, 2022September 25, 2022Leave a comment

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In Their Own League Advent Calendar: 21. “A Very GLOW Christmas”

By Morgan Roberts Wrestling and “A Christmas Carol.” Is there a more perfect combination? That is what “GLOW” chose to do for what ended up being their series finale. In “A Very GLOW Christmas” directed by the wonderful Lynn Shelton, we saw some of our beloved characters tackling (and sleeper holding and turnbuckle face smashing) Dickens’ classic tale. Over three seasons, the cast of characters … Continue reading In Their Own League Advent Calendar: 21. “A Very GLOW Christmas”

msmlrobertsDecember 21, 2021December 21, 2021Leave a comment

Christmas, Holiday Countdown, Spotlight

In Their Own League Advent Countdown: 1. The Thin Man (1934)

By Joan Amenn Mr. and Mrs. Charles (William Powell, Myrna Loy) have just arrived in New York City for the holiday season and they are ready to party! However, there seems to have been a murder committed and Nick Charles is called out of retirement to solve it, mostly to amuse his wife. Noir, comedy and season’s greetings all mix uniquely in “The Thin Man” … Continue reading In Their Own League Advent Countdown: 1. The Thin Man (1934)

jmamennDecember 1, 2021December 1, 2021Leave a comment

Film Reviews, Retrospect Reviews, Reviews

Retrospective Review: Gremlins

We all know the rules, and instructions can be important: No water, no bright lights, and no eating after midnight (though, when does that one- end?). If you break these very important details, you’ll take an adorable fuzzy creature and trade it with a hellion set to ensue chaos and eat everything in sight.

Of course, I’m talking about “Gremlins.” (1984) Continue reading Retrospective Review: Gremlins