Illustration by Michael DiMilo Beauty of the Beast: Review of The Legend of Ochi ★★★★☆ By Geoff Carter As a child in the sixties, I cut my teeth on family films like Old Yeller, Babes in Toyland, 101 Dalmatians, and The Parent Trap, a cinematic universe dominated by Walt Disney, whose influence spread from the big screen into …
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Category:Michael DiMilo
Cornered
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter We’re in deep trouble and there doesn’t seem to be anything anybody can do about it. Our rights, our way of life, and our democracy are under attack from within. Armed soldiers are patrolling the streets of our greatest cities, U.S. citizens are being arrested, detained, and deported …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Review of “Parthenope”
Illustration by Michael DiMilo Skin Deep: Review of Parthenope ★★★☆☆ By Geoff Carter The beginning sequences of Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope are nothing short of breathtaking. Set in the beautiful coastline of Posillipo in Naples, Sorrentino’s loving and perfectly framed shots of the Mediterranean coast, the sea, and the quaint streets are suitable for framing. But like framed …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Lost in the Library
Photo by Geoff Carter By Geoff Carter In the present-day wonderland of streaming movies and videos available on dozens of cable channels like HBO or Apple TV, old television programs on retro TV stations like MeTV or Cozi, and platforms with huge libraries like Amazon Prime or the Criterion Channel, it seems as if every …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Film Review of “Death of a Unicorn”
A Rare Breed: Review of Death of a Unicorn Illustration by Michael DiMIlo ★★★★☆ By Geoff Carter Every now and then a movie comes along that not only stretches the envelope but tears it wide open, combining usually disparate elements or sensibilities into a new and unique vision. Everything Everywhere All at Once is a good example …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Review of “Opus”
Illustration by Michael DiMilo ★★★☆☆ Starstruck: Review of Opus By Geoff Carter A24 has become synonymous with originality, daring, and independence in the film industry. It is also typically synonymous with quality. With quirky and beautiful productions like Queer, Ghost Story, The Witch, Midsommar, and Oscar winners like Ladybird, Moonlight, and Everything Everywhere All at Once—and dozens more great …
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Dialogues on Big Bilious Billionaire Boys’ Bill: Profiles in Avarice
Illustration by Michael DiMilo Featuring the Fabulous Dadbots: Dave S., Mark M., Mark O., Dennis C., John K., and Geoff Carter Hey bots, Well, it’s about to become the law of the land. Somehow, Trump and the spineless Republican invertebrates (redundant, I know, but their lack of courage bears repeating) have passed the bilious Billionaire …
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Depraved Indifference
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter According to The New York Unified Court System, “DEPRAVED INDIFFERENCE TO HUMAN LIFE refers to a person’s state of mind in recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a grave risk of death. A person has a depraved indifference to human life when that person has an utter disregard for …
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Wake-up Call
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter The second Trump presidency has been an unnatural disaster—as damaging as a Category 5 hurricane. And like a hurricane, this administration has wrought extensive and irreparable damage, damage to our government, our people, and our country—and to the people of the world who have depended on American aid. …
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Little Tin God
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter When I was growing up, back in the sixties, we used to play war all the time. We’d grab our plastic carbines, helmets, fatigues, and run around the backyard pretending to shoot each other. Amidst cries of “Got you” and “Did not” and “Only grazed me”, we became—in …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Review of “The Alto Knights”
Illustration by Michael DiMilo ★★★☆☆ Comfort Food: Review of The Alto Knights By Geoff Carter The Mafia is an American institution. So is the gangster film. From Little Caesar, White Heat, and The Public Enemy to The Godfather—the definitive mother of all modern gangster movies, Goodfellas, The Irishman, A Bronx Tale, The Sopranos, and Casino, the culture of organized crime, including sit-downs, …
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Dead to Me
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter Republicans have not had very good luck talking to their constituents lately. Senators and House Representatives have been shouted down or booed at town hall meetings, mostly because of their refusal to challenge President Trump’s attack on everything from the Veterans Administration to the Department of Education to …
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