June 19, 1905: The first “nickelodeon” opens its doors, on Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh, charging a five-cent fee. First attraction: The Great Train Robbery. June 24, 1916: Mary Pickford signs Hollywood’s first “million-dollar contract,” guaranteeing her at least $10,000 a…
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What’s Black and White and in Movies All Over?
Whichever side of the evolution-versus-intelligent design debate you come down on, one thing proponents from both camps can agree on is that there are just certain animals whose look, demeanor and way of life prove that either the random forces of the universe sometimes…
Read more →First Time Watch: The Fugitive Kind
OK, so this could be considered part two of my tribute to director Sidney Lumet. After skimming the late, great auteur’s filmography for my last piece, I realized that 1960’s The Fugitive Kind was one of his early films that…
Read more →It (1927) Starring Clara Bow Movie Review
It (1927) Movie Review It is a true silent film classic, and in this article guest blogger Venus presents an overview of some of the reviews that the picture received during its original theatrical exhibition : As everyone who reads my blog…
Read more →Beginners (2010) Romantic Comedy Starring Ewan McGregor Movie Review
They all have big big-screen credits. But how will Ewan McGregor (he of the Star Wars prequels), Melanie Laurent (she of Inglourious Basterds), and Christopher Plummer (he of…well, just look at his filmography, for cryin’ out loud, it’s astounding) fare…
Read more →Richard Ayoade Surfaces with Submarine
When you hear about a film called Submarine, you expect a war movie, perhaps set during World War II. Action! Suspense! Water! Dive! Dive! Dive! But Submarine, directed by Richard Ayoade and adapted by the filmmaker from the first novel…
Read more →Movie Poll: Who’s Your Pick for Worst Movie Father?
Classic Movie Scene: Goodfellas’ Opening Sequence
Guest blogger Sophie Stephenson writes: Released in 1990, Goodfellas stars Ray Liotta as Henry, a half-Irish, half-Italian American, who as a boy became involved with a group of mobsters, and as he got older began more and more to embrace the life…
Read more →This Week In Film History 06.12.11
June 16, 1916: The merger of Famous Players and Jesse Lasky Feature Play Co. brings together Lasky, Adolph Zukor and Samuel Goldfish (Goldwyn). June 13, 1935: RKO’s Becky Sharp is released, becoming the first feature film to be shot entirely…
Read more →The Tree of Life (2011) Starring Sean Penn and Brad Pitt Movie Review
There are few things that get me (as Irv’s video producer) jazzed up to see a movie more than a hotly split critical reaction. And, much like the works of Lars von Trier (Oh, I guess it won’t be as fashionable…
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