Tag Archives: John Travolta

“I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” — Lily Tomlin

Posted on September 1, 2023 by sheila

It’s her birthday today. I wrote about Lily Tomlin (and other talented actresses who come from comedy/improv) in my “Present Tense” Film Comment column. She is on another level. I mean … A couple years back, as part of an … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day, Television | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

October 2022 Viewing Diary

Posted on November 1, 2022 by sheila

Truman & Tennessee: An Intimate Conversation (2020; d. Lisa Immordino Vreeland) Fascinating dual portraits. No “talking heads”. The entire thing is made up of their own voices, told in talk shows, or interviews. Amazing footage I’ve never seen before. Christine … Continue reading →

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Performances I Loved This Year

Posted on December 15, 2016 by sheila

I still haven’t seen a couple of big ones. Hence … it’s a work in progress, and I’m sure I’m forgetting people. But these stand out. Royalty Hightower, “The Fits” [My review] Matthias Schoenaerts, “A Bigger Splash” Cliff Curtis, “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Review: In a Valley of Violence (2016)

Posted on October 21, 2016 by sheila

A Western starring Ethan Hawke and John Travolta. It’s not perfect, but God, when it works, it works. Here’s my review at Ebert.

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Sick-Bed iPod Shuffle

Posted on August 18, 2015 by sheila

I had surgery on Saturday. My mother’s been here helping me. Hopefully my health problem is now solved. Fingers crossed, y’all, I’ve been living with this horrible situation since 2013. And I already had surgery for it in 2010. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

“Royale With Cheese!”

Posted on March 20, 2014 by sheila

Next up in the series I’ve been doing for Epicurious on food in film, is a piece on Pulp Fiction. There’s barely a scene without food in it. The monologue about blueberry pancakes always makes me hungry. Food in Pulp … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

6-State Shuffle

Posted on July 15, 2012 by sheila

5-plus hour drive yesterday as I drove through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. It was a New England kind of day, where you can pass through multiple states in one day. I am freckled and … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Beach Drive iPod Shuffle

Posted on August 3, 2011 by sheila

I’ve been back and forth to the beach 5 times in the last 5 days. It’s been hot, humid, and I yearn for the ocean. Because of my writing gig, I can’t hit the road until around 2, which often … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Experiencing Anti-Matter With Some Friends

Posted on February 7, 2011 by sheila

Yesterday afternoon, I trekked out to Brooklyn again to Keith and Dan’s. Their friend Michael was also joining. Keith was making dinner, and we were all going to watch Certified Copy, which I have been absolutely chomping at the bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Personal | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

The Saturday Night Fever opening sequence

Posted on March 12, 2010 by sheila

Awesome: some screengrabs from Saturday Night Fever‘s iconic opening sequence. Funny, looking through that, I realize that I know almost every shot by heart, without even trying. That unforgettable strut! The music! The gritty streets. Classic.

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 3 Comments