Today, our most celebrated actress, Meryl Streep, turns 63. Can it be possible? I recall vividly the first moment I saw her on-screen in The Deer Hunter (1978). Her part was relatively small — basically she played the stateside love interest — but I was immediately struck by her presence. She was not the typical Hollywood female star in the … More Details

When I heard the news of Ray Bradbury’s death, I went online to revisit his life and work, and was struck once again by the enduring imprint he left on popular culture. Reading up on him, I was surprised to learn that he disliked being labeled a science fiction writer. He made an important distinction in explaining why, stating that … More Details

One of the more fascinating aspects of cinema history lies in identifying those films (and filmmakers) whose true quality and contribution only get recognized well after the fact. This is a somewhat rarer phenomenon than releases which are wildly popular in their time, but like a product cheaply made, corrode quickly as the years pass. Falling decidedly into the former … More Details

We never got to see her in old age: she’s been gone nearly twenty years now, struck down prematurely by cancer. For me and millions of other fans, she will remain eternally young and fresh. At a time when I despair of younger viewers watching classic films, I hear more and more of them reference Audrey Hepburn. A full sixty … More Details

Jack Nicholson’s own story rivals any of his films. Born in New York City, he grew up in New Jersey. He grew up thinking his grandparents were his parents, and his mother, his older sister. When years later, he learned the truth, he realized he had no clue who his real father was, and he decided he was not all … More Details

This weekend marks the centennial of the Titanic disaster, an event that’s been recreated in countless films, including the 1997 James Cameron epic that’s back in theaters. (Personally I never much cared for the film in two dimensions; I doubt I’ll like it more in three. And yes, I know I’m in the minority on this.) Regardless, when you consider … More Details

Calling all Anglophiles: the Criterion Collection has a treat in store. Their essential new DVD set, “David Lean Directs Noel Coward”, brings together pristine transfers of four legendary film collaborations between famous English playwright/personality Noel Coward and a young film editor named David Lean. Talk about a heaven-sent collaboration. At this critical juncture in British history (1942-1945), with the Second … More Details

First, let’s acknowledge that I laughed as hard at Bridesmaids as most anyone else. It was a consistently diverting, often very clever romp, and I thought Kristen Wiig and the rest of the cast were, on the whole, first-rate. That said, even with the extra smarts and wit that distinguished this movie from so many imbecilic contemporary comedies, Bridesmaids still … More Details

For social gatherings at home built around screening movies (and yes, folks — movies can still be a communal experience), outstanding rock documentaries and concert films are virtually guaranteed crowd pleasers, particularly if your home theater set-up includes a quality sound system. And no surprise, there are a host of fabulous rock titles on DVD and (now) Blu-ray that only … More Details

Though my own hit rate on Oscar predictions was just a bit over fifty percent, I was still smiling at the end credits. Coming off last year’s debacle hosted by zombie-like James Franco and the impossibly chirpy Anne Hathaway, it was gratifying to see the Academy finally pull off a halfway decent telecast. Beyond the return of recurring host Billy … More Details