Category Archives: Thinking About Movies

A 2012 Prescription For What Ails Hollywood.

Posted on January 3, 2012 by jlmicek

Whenever I think about the box office problems that faced Hollywood in 2011, I’m always reminded of the author P.J. O’Rourke. In his 1987 book “Holidays in Hell,” a collection of O’Rourke’s foreign reporting for Rolling Stone and other outlets, … Continue reading →

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“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Reconsidered.

Posted on January 2, 2012 by jlmicek

Is there any female character in modern film as immediately identifiable as Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in 1961’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s?” A half-century on from its original release, director Blake Edwards’ adaptation of the Truman Capote novella continues to … Continue reading →

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Could The Oscars Leave The Kodak Theater?

Posted on January 2, 2012 by jlmicek

The Wrap reports this morning that officials at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences might consider leaving the Oscars’ longtime at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. Citing a story in The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap says Oscars … Continue reading →

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“Star Wars” Swordmaster Bob Anderson Dies, Aged 89.

Posted on January 2, 2012 by jlmicek

So someone had to teach Mark Hamill, David Prowse and Sir Alec Guinness how to convincingly wield those light sabers. His name was Bob Anderson. And he’s died at age 89. Digital Spy UK has the story: “The fighting trainer … Continue reading →

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Review: The Five Best Movies I Saw This Year.

Posted on December 30, 2011 by jlmicek

Well, it’s almost time to close the book on 2011. Now seems as good a time as any to look back on some of the best movies I saw this year. Ironically enough, not all of them were actually released … Continue reading →

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Cheeta The Chimp, RIP.

Posted on December 28, 2011 by jlmicek

Addenda: There’s now some debate over whether the chimp who expired over the Christmas holiday was the real Cheeta or even ever got near a Hollywood soundstage. The Miami New Times reports: <​To hear the story repeated from fine bastions … Continue reading →

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To Be A Dad: What Hollywood Gets Wrong (And Occasionally Right) About Fatherhood.

Posted on December 23, 2011 by jlmicek

Where Have All The Good Dads Gone? This question occurred to me as my wife and I sat down the other night to watch the Farrelly Brothers’ 2011 comedy “Hall Pass.” If you haven’t seen it, the movie covers the … Continue reading →

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Bill Hicks’ Missing “Letterman” Appearance.

Posted on December 21, 2011 by jlmicek

Not strictly movie-related, I know. But this comes as a belated Happy Birthday to the late comedian, who would have turned 50 years old this year. Over on Slate, David Hoaglund makes a persuasive argument for why Hicks still matters. … Continue reading →

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Holy Rosebuds! Welles’ “Citizen Kane” Oscar Sells For Nearly $1M.

Posted on December 21, 2011 by jlmicek

Yep. You read that right. The Academy Award that director Orson Welles won for his 1941 classic “Citizen Kane“ went for $861,542 at auction yesterday, The Wrap reports. The name of the winning bidder was not disclosed. But among the … Continue reading →

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What “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Can Teach Hollywood About Remakes.

Posted on December 20, 2011 by jlmicek

Writing in The Guardian this morning, film critic Phil Hoad says Hollywood should take note of the new David Fincher-directed remake of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” With the film industry set to finish the year about $1 billion … Continue reading →

Posted in Film News, Noir, Reboot-Itis, Spoiler-itis, Thinking About Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment