In 2009: Chesley Sullenberger landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River; Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America; MLB Network launched; ER aired its final episode; John Madden retired from sportscasting; The Yankees won their 27th World Series; Conan O’Brien debuted as host of The… Continue reading Reflections on 3175, Year of Our Lady of Discord: A Look back at 2009
Tag: Woody Harrelson
The check for all three is in the blackmail
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) After seven months with no arrests for the violent rape and murder of her daughter, Angela, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) rents three billboards chastising the police for their lack of progress. This sets off a firestorm of controversy in her small town where people revere the local sheriff… Continue reading The check for all three is in the blackmail
Men are pigs: A look back at 2017
In 2017, Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States; The Nintendo Switch was released; Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria struck the US; Stephen Paddock killed 58 people at a Las Vegas music festival; The Walt Disney Company announced plans to purchase 21st Century Fox; The exposure of Harvey Weinstein as… Continue reading Men are pigs: A look back at 2017
Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
Out of the Furnace (2013) Russell Blaze (Christian Bale) goes to prison after he kills a little boy in a drunken accident. When he’s released, his dad has died, and his girlfriend, Lena Taylor (Zoe Saldana) is now in a relationship with the city police chief Wesley Barnes (Forest Whittaker). Russell’s brother, Rodney Blaze (Casey… Continue reading Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
She wore Prada to meet Cinderella in the north country
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), a graduate of Northwestern’s journalism school, takes a job as a personal assistant for Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the notoriously difficult chief editor of a famed fashion magazine. The demanding job challenges her professionally and personally. Hathaway is at her best as the plucky underdog; Stanley… Continue reading She wore Prada to meet Cinderella in the north country
An old man goes to a hell house and a flood breaks out
Venus (2006) Elderly actor Maurice (Peter O’Toole) begins a relationship with Jessie, the much younger niece of his friend Ian. Jessie tolerates his amorous advances because she’s struggling financially and Maurice provides her with a steady income, while the pursuit of Jessie provides Maurice with a purpose and renewed vitality. Richard Griffiths, Leslie Phillips, and… Continue reading An old man goes to a hell house and a flood breaks out