abortion · Hollywood · Judi Dench · Mike Leigh · movies

Is there ‘Life’ in the Movies?

Abortion is not the topic of many movies, and good films that handle the issue well are few and far between. For this month’s theme, I decided to rewind and take a look at a few features that tell a compelling story about women faced with unexpected pregnancies, and how it affects their lives and… Continue reading Is there ‘Life’ in the Movies?

Christopher Lee · Dennis Wheatley · Ian Fleming · James Bond · movies · novels

Monsieur le Duc, Meet Mr. Bond…

I should not have been surprised to learn that Ian Fleming’s Bond series of novels was inspired by Dennis Wheatley’s earlier success with the Duke de Richlieu and his intrepid team of adventurers. The Forbidden Territory came out in 1933, featuring the Duke and Simon Aaron on a perilous journey into Soviet Russia to rescue… Continue reading Monsieur le Duc, Meet Mr. Bond…

movies · Peter Jackson · the Hobbit · The Lord of the Rings · Tolkien

Review: Why The Hobbit And Peter Jackson Are Going Underhill and Overhill

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is easily the worst of Peter Jackson’s Tolkien films yet. English: The location of Hobbiton, as used in the Lord of the Rings films. Near Matamata in New Zealand. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) I’m mystified by critics who say the film is lousy–but better than the first. Ty Burr of the Boston Globe typifies this.… Continue reading Review: Why The Hobbit And Peter Jackson Are Going Underhill and Overhill