Flashback
Flashback: on 1992’s Bob Roberts
Recently, I revisited “Bob Roberts”. More folks need to see “Bob Roberts”. I have no idea why Tim Robbins stopped directing features after three exceptional films in the 1990s (Oscar-winning “Dead Man Walking” in 1995, and the marvelous “Cradle Will Rock” in 1999, were the other two), but it was a loss for us all. […]
Flashback: on 1989’s Batman
Wow. Talked about planned/not planned. For five years now, without fail, I’ve been posting a film tribute to Jack Nicholson, on the occasion of his birthday. Today, April 22nd, is his 79th. A couple weeks ago, I began pondering what to focus on this year. I’d done “Goin’ South” and “Ride in the Whirlwind” in […]
Flashback: on 1980’s “Mad Max”
Alright, 1979. But since it didn’t open officially until early 1980 in North America–that’s the year I’m going with. Yes, “Mad Max” has been with us for 35 years, but there was a 30-year gap between 2015’s phenomenal “Mad Max; Fury Road”. and 1985’s “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”. Those are the only two I experienced […]
Flashback: on 1966’s Ride in the Whirlwind
It’s that time of year again…Happy 78th Birthday to the great Jack Nicholson! It’s beginning to look as if he’ll never work in motion pictures again…five years dormant since 2010’s “How Do You Know”. But most of us can still find something from his 60+ resume that we haven’t yet seen. And for me, this birthday […]
Flashback: on 1946’s The Stranger
Orson Welles was probably still reeling in 1945, from the stress of the back-to-back tumult of directing both 1941’s “Citizen Kane” and 1942’s “The Magnificent Ambersons”. The first was ceaselessly hounded, and nearly suppressed, by one of the most powerful men in America at the time. The latter was drastically recut by the studio and […]
Flashback: on 1931’s Frankenstein & 1935’s The Bride of Frankenstein
C’mon, be honest…when was the last time you watched them? College film class? Late night television as a kid? Never?! Everyone recognizes the iconic images, but I often wonder how many have exposure that’s limited to the 1974 Mel Brooks parody movie “Young Frankenstein”. But these are the ones that you have to experience, so may […]
Flashback: on 2002’s Carrie
Carrie, the first published novel of Stephen King, turned 40 this year. I’ve only recently actually read it, so, like most my age, the iconic version of “Carrie” will always be the 1976 Brian De Palma film starring Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie(both were nominated for Oscars for their performances). And, outside of being a bestselling novel […]
Flashback: on 1979’s Manhattan
Now, that I’ve officially nixed going to see Woody Allen’s latest film, “Magic in the Moonlight”(based on its tepid reviews), I decided to revisit perhaps his best feature, on the occasion of its 35th anniversary. And I really am still so fond of “Manhattan”—even if I’m not particularly so fond of Mr. Allen any longer. […]
Flashback: on 1984’s Purple Rain
It’s been thirty years as of today, and I still remember that rush of excitement I felt when I first experienced it. Did I catch it on that first weekend? I can’t recall, but I do remember my first attempt to see it failed. It was sold out! Whether that meant I went the next night […]
Reviewed by Mark Leonard 