Tag Archives: Stanley Kramer

For Sidney Lumet’s Birthday: A Personal Memory: or: What Dog Day Afternoon Means to Me

When I was 12 or 13, I saw Dog Day Afternoon one night while I was babysitting, and it changed the course of my life. This is not hyperbole. It is partially responsible for me being who I am today, … Continue reading

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“If you have to be in a soap opera try not to get the worst role.” — Judy Garland

It’s the great, the irreplaceable, Judy Garland’s birthday. The screengrab above is from John Cassavetes’ 1963 film A Child is Waiting. This film is not really well-known, except among Cassavetes/Garland completists – but some serious Cassavetes fans don’t know about … Continue reading

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June 2023 Viewing Diary

Succession (2018-2023) I finally watched, having somehow resisted the DEAFENING buzz over the last couple of years. I like Jeremy Strong, liked his small moment in Zero Dark Thirty, he totally stood out in The Big Short (directed by one … Continue reading

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February 2018 Viewing Diary

Supernatural, Season 13, episode 12 “Various & Sundry Villains” (2018; d. Amanda Tapping) I was happy to see that the series showed at least passing interest in the inner life of one of its lead characters. Six Feet Under, season … Continue reading

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R.I.P. Sidney Lumet. No Hyperbole Here.

In my years of writing publicly, I have learned to not fear hyperbole. “Hyperbole” is often used as a criticism by those who are embarrassed by deep feeling, or those who think “obsessions” are somewhat childish. I know when I’m … Continue reading

Posted in Directors, Movies, RIP | Tagged , | 5 Comments