In 1935, Bruno Hauptmann was convicted of kidnapping Charles Lindbergh Jr.; Parker Brothers began selling Monopoly; Porky Pig debuted; Persia was renamed Iran; The Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds played the first nighttime baseball game; Alcoholics Anonymous was founded; President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act; Babe Ruth played in his last Major… Continue reading Eleven years before the first NBA game: A look back at 1935
The Week That Was, Issue 3
November 9, 2015 – November 15, 2015 Monday, November 9, 2015 1) The Little Deputy (2015) Why I watched: MUBI’s film of the day Impression: This short is an effective look at regret and missed opportunities. It’s a clarion call for saying the things you need to say to those you love before it’s too… Continue reading The Week That Was, Issue 3
The Week That Was, Issue 2
November 2, 2015 – November 8, 2015 Monday, November 2, 2015 1) Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) Why I watched: It is on a list of the 1000 best reviewed films of the 21st century. Impression: A very good movie about the horrendous treatment of Aborigines in 20th century Australia. 3 ½ stars. 2) Mabel’s New Hero (1913)… Continue reading The Week That Was, Issue 2
Welcome to the Atomic Age: A look back at 1945
In 1945: Harry Truman became the 33rd US President; Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima was published; The Arab League was formed; Sylvester the Cat debuted; The United Nations Charter was signed; The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Ebony debuted; The world’s first general purpose electronic computer, ENIAC went online, Pippi Longstocking was… Continue reading Welcome to the Atomic Age: A look back at 1945
The Week That Was, Issue 1
Trying something new. I still intend to write more lengthy reviews and post my best of lists, but those take a lot of time. In order to stay current, I’m posting a weekly update on what I’ve seen, why I watched each film, and my short initial impression. October 26, 2015 – November 1, 2015… Continue reading The Week That Was, Issue 1
Before Elvis and his gyrating hips ruined everything: A look back at 1955
In 1955: Jim Henson built the first version of Kermit the Frog; The first US advisors arrived in South Vietnam; Winston Churchill resigned as Prime Minister of the UK; The Salk polio vaccine received FDA approval; Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald’s in Illinois; Disneyland opened to the public; Gunsmoke, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The… Continue reading Before Elvis and his gyrating hips ruined everything: A look back at 1955
The thirteenth year of the reign of the second Queen Elizabeth: A look back at 1965
In 1965: Lyndon Johnson unveiled the Great Society; The United States passed the Voting Rights Act; Russian cosmonaut Alexey Leonov became the first person to walk in space; The Astrodome opened; Bob Dylan went electric; The Watts riots take place in Los Angeles; The Beatles performed at Shea Stadium; After fifty five years, Casey Stengel retired as… Continue reading The thirteenth year of the reign of the second Queen Elizabeth: A look back at 1965
Back when Ronald Reagan Was most known for being the 33rd Governor of California: A look back at 1975
In 1975: Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac; Wheel of Fortune and Saturday Night Live debuted; Space Mountain opened at the Magic Kingdom; Margaret Thatcher became the leader of the Conservative Party; Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft; The Vietnam War ended with the Fall of Saigon; Cape Verde, Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, and East… Continue reading Back when Ronald Reagan Was most known for being the 33rd Governor of California: A look back at 1975
A visit with the master
Bergman’s Island (2004) Few directors consistently speak to me as deeply as Ingmar Bergman. In this fascinating documentary, Marie Nyeröd visits the famed director at his home on the small Swedish island of Fårö to discuss his process, his most famous films, and his notorious relationships with women. This is the equivalent of an interview… Continue reading A visit with the master
The year after Big Brother started watching us all: A look back at 1985
In 1985: Ronald Reagan began his second term as US President; Mikhail Gorbachev assumed power in the Soviet Union; Hulk Hogan and Mr. T defeated Rowdy Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in the inaugural Wrestlemania; Elmo first appeared on Sesame Street; New Coke debuted and, after a disastrous couple of months, was removed from US stores; David… Continue reading The year after Big Brother started watching us all: A look back at 1985