'Downton Abbey' Recap, Season 4, Episode 1: Life After Matthew
Spoiler alert: Do not read on if you have not yet seen Season 4, Episode 1 of PBS' "Downton Abbey." Sadness looms over Downton Abbey, the titular estate of the maddeningly addictive British period soap...
View ArticleSomebody Left Downton Abbey's Cake Out in the Rain
Whatever happened to the witty, sparkling show that surprised and charmed so many of us when it first debuted? The champagne has gone completely flat. Yesterday's two-hour snooze fest lacked drama and...
View Article'The Bachelor' Season 18: Juan Pablo Welcomes Us To 'Juanuary'
Welcome back to the wonderful world of white wine tears, roses, grammatical incorrectness and two-month journeys toward engagement. That's right, "The Bachelor," has returned -- this time with the...
View ArticleJustin Timberlake Was the Most Inspirational Man of 2013, And Here's Why
I don't have too many inspirations in the world, but there's been one person who's been my biggest inspiration for as long as I could remember: Justin Timberlake. I don't know what it is, but I've...
View Article10 Music Artists To Watch in 2014
It is a new year, and with that comes new music. Here is a list of 10 artists to keep an eye out for in the months to come. Some already made a few ripples in the music world last year, but I am...
View ArticleDuck Dynasty vs. Francis
No, I am not a follower of Duck Dynasty and no, I am not Catholic. I will neither change my viewing habits nor convert. Rather I am a non-believing, once-upon-a-time Minnesota Lutheran. So, how, you...
View ArticlePopcorn Preview: Free Ride
Free Ride (2013) Cast includes: Anna Paquin (The Piano), Cam Gigandet (Easy A), Drea de Matteo (The Sopranos), Liana Liberato (Trust), Lloyd Owen (Monarch of the Glen), Ava Acres (Despicable Me 2)...
View ArticlePopcorn Preview: August: Osage County
August: Osage County (2013) Cast includes: Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada), Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman), Chris Cooper (American Beauty), Ewan McGregor (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen), Margo...
View ArticlePopcorn Preview: The Best Offer
The Best Offer (2013) "La migliore offerta" Cast includes: Goeffrey Rush (The King's Speech), Jim Sturgess (Cloud Atlas), Sylvia Hoeks (The Storm), Donald Sutherland (Pride & Prejudice), Philip...
View ArticleCinefantastique Spotlight Podcast: Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
Thyurl Varpenshield shouldered the mighty broadsword, NapeSplitter, and double-checked his provisions bag. "Old man!" he cried good-naturedly into the depths of the household. From out of the kitchen,...
View ArticleThe Wolf of Wall Street -- Saint or Sinner?
Leonardo DiCaprio plays a magnificent Jordan Belfort What is the measure of success in America? Is there any answer beyond the cheap and easy one of money? I guess that depends on who you ask....
View Article'Enlisted' Review: Give This Military Show A Chance
It's not easy to predict what shows will do well and what will get cancelled, particularly comedies. A few months back when "The Millers" debuted, I raved about it. After a couple more viewings,...
View ArticleA-Sides with Jon Chattman: Semi Precious Weapons' "Alive, Alive" in Los Angeles
In many ways, I'm the ODB to Semi Precious Weapons' Mariah Carey. I say this, because me and the band go "back like babies and pacifiers." This is a stretch. I know it. You know it. It's just a reason...
View ArticleWhat Really Bothered Me About 'Wolf Of Wall Street'
It's commonplace for teenagers to ponder what their romantic future may hold. Ideally, I'll fall in love, marry, and have two beautiful babies with a guy with Chris Pine's eyes, Josh Hutcherson's jaw,...
View ArticleProgress and the Withering Way of Life: Thoughts on Downton Abbey's Season 4...
Spoiler alert! Violins set a somber tone, and sunlight streaming in doesn't brighten the dark library as Thomas spreads the news of O'Brien's nighttime departure. Downton Abbey's Season 4 starts with...
View Article'The Bachelor' Season 18, Episode 1: Juan Pablo Starts His 'Aventura'
Welcome back to the wonderful world of white wine tears, roses, grammatical incorrectness and two-month journeys toward engagement. That's right, "The Bachelor," has returned -- this time with the...
View ArticleHarry Belafonte Makes History at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards
In 1935, at age 5, Harry Belafonte saw his first movie, Tarzan, and knew he never wanted to be one of those people from Africa. This bit of personal history was the entry point for the 87-year old...
View ArticleA Phil Life: A Remembrance of Phil Everly and Uncle Phil by the Co-Executive...
Once in lifetime, and almost never, along comes a pitch perfect kind of music that simply moves -- no -- burrows its way into the house of your heart, and lives happily after after, forever...
View ArticleJuan Pablo Bachelor Recap: Episode 1
Monday night kicked off another season of The Bachelor and it featured all of the elements that Bachelor Nation has come to know and love: awkward limo entrances, freak outs about "one-on-one time,"...
View ArticleThe Burgundy Tide
The controversy surrounding Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street seems to have already run its course. Following some very negative press, highlighted by Christina McDowell's letter to Misters...
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