Kenneth BranaghGiorgia Meschini, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Film Review of Belfast By Geoff Carter As a medium, narrative film is a palimpsest that draws the best from other art forms; like literature, it can convey the impression of a time and place through dialogue, characterization, and setting. Like two-dimensional art, it can frame an …
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Category:Michael DiMilo
Peace Corps 2.0
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter As the world watched horrified—once again—one sovereign nation invaded another without provocation, slaughtering thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands of innocent civilians, as we stood by helplessly, unable to stop the bloodshed without getting enmeshed in the carnage ourselves. No one—except maybe Russia—wants World War III. Civilized nations …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to Hollywood: The Legacy of Matt Damon
nicolas genin from Paris, France, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter He is a brilliant actor, writer, and producer whose charming manner and boyish good looks have cemented him as one of the most likable actors working in the cinema today, but that engaging smile and affable manner are often the tools this …
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My Fellow Travelers
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter As I was driving to work the other day, I stopped for a red light at a fairly busy intersection. As I waited for it to change, a blue Mustang pulled up next to me in the right turn lane. The driver paused, looked both ways, and then …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to Old Hollywood: The Legacy of Burt Lancaster
Hal Wallis Productions, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter Burt Lancaster started his show business career as a young circus performer in the acrobatic duo of Lang and Cravat, but soon graduated to theater and, finally, the movies. His dominating screen presence landed him in tough-guy roles in films like The Killers and Brute Force where his …
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Penny Dumb, Dollar Stupid
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter In 1975, Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin presented his first Golden Fleece Award, a trophy recognizing individuals and government agencies for outstanding achievements in squandering taxpayer money. The award was, of course, tongue-in-cheek, but if the senator were around today (and not spinning in his grave) he would …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to Old Hollywood: The Legacy of Robert Redford
NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter During his storied career, Robert Redford was not only known as one of the great leading men of his generation, but also as a gifted director, producer, and outspoken advocate of independent film. Founder of the now internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival, Redford has been …
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This Aggression Will Not Stand, Man
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter In the cult film classic, The Big Lebowski, the Dude, its laconic anti-hero, complains to the other Lebowski—the Big Lebowski, the rich one—that he, the Dude, has been robbed and beaten up by thugs who had mistook him for the other Lebowski. The Dude is neither rich nor powerful, …
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One Summer: Two Worlds
Film Review of Summer of Soul Gind2005, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons August 15, 1969, marked a number of turning points in American culture. It was a watershed moment for the youth counterculture. The Woodstock Music and Arts Festival began near the tiny town of Bethel, New York. Over the next four days, more than …
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Get Boosted!!
Animation by Michael DiMilo
Burning Down the House
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter Teachers are losing control of their classrooms, and it’s not because students have gone wild. No, the kids are not taking over the schools. They’re just fine. In fact, a student revolution wouldn’t be nearly as disturbing as what’s really going on. It’s the Republicans that are attacking …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to New Hollywood: The Legacy of Al Pacino
Al Pacino in Serpico Paramount Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter He’s been a major icon of American cinematic landscape for decades, known mainly for his seminal portrayal of crime boss Michael Corleone in The Godfather, a performance some have called the best in movie history, but Al Pacino has demonstrated a range in …
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