Tag Archives: Star Wars

“If my life wasn’t funny it would just be true, and that is unacceptable.” — Carrie Fisher

Posted on October 21, 2025 by sheila

It’s her birthday today. I miss her. Here is the tribute I wrote to Fisher when she died, focusing primarily on her writing. I also reviewed the documentary, Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.     Thank you … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Books, Movies, On This Day, writers | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Music Monday: Hollywood Bowl, Pt. 3: Indiana Star Jones Close Encounter Wars!, by Brendan O’Malley

Posted on March 16, 2020 by sheila

My talented brother Brendan O’Malley is an amazing writer and actor. He’s wonderful in the recent You & Me, directed by Alexander Baack. (I interviewed Baack about the film here.) His most recent gig was story editor/writer on the hit … Continue reading →

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December 2017 Viewing Diary

Posted on January 1, 2018 by sheila

Supernatural, Season 11 (2015-16) What an incredible season, right up until the moment …. it was not an incredible season. I hadn’t re-watched in its entirety since it aired, although I cherry-picked favorite episodes to re-watch (of which there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Films I Loved in 2017

Posted on December 31, 2017 by sheila

… and if I’ve written about them, I’ll include links. My “Top 10′ is included over at Ebert but I’m honestly not into rankings. Silly to do with art. Here are some of the films I’ve loved. And I missed … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Celebrating the Disreputable: An interview with Charles Taylor about his new book Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-in Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American ’70s

Posted on June 21, 2017 by sheila

Charles Taylor’s new book Opening Wednesday at a Theater Or Drive-In Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American ’70s was an intense pleasure to read. He discusses 15 films from the 1970s, films that were not made as prestige … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

December 2015 Viewing Diary

Posted on January 2, 2016 by sheila

Christmas, Again (2015; d. Charles Poekel) So good. I reviewed for Rogerebert.com. Back Street (1932; John M. Stahl) Back Street is the story of a woman who allows herself to be a “back street” woman: a long-time mistress to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

William Friedkin on Star Wars: “I dunno, little sweet robots and stuff, maybe we’re on the wrong horse.”

Posted on May 4, 2014 by sheila

For May 4, Star Wars Day. William Friedkin’s movie Sorcerer was opening at the same time as that little movie about robots called Star Wars, the movie that would end up being the industry game-changer. (Speaking of Sorcerer, it just … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Sorcerer (1977); Dir. William Friedkin

Posted on February 26, 2008 by sheila

The film was pretty much dead on arrival when it opened in 1977. Friedkin had been riding a high wave with The French Connection and The Exorcist – the American auteur thing was spiralling out of control (but damn, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Directors | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

“The shiny guy always worries.”

Posted on February 26, 2008 by sheila

Star Wars re-capped by a 3-year-old.

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The Wookie Holiday: “Life Day”

Posted on May 25, 2007 by sheila

I am so happy – an analytical essay on The Star Wars Holiday Special. Quote from the essay: “If ever a television program defined “so bad, it’s good,” this is it, as if the initial pain of having one’s brain … Continue reading →

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