Category: Film & TV

Film Review: ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’: In a Word, Adorable

PG-13 | 1h 45m | Coming-of-age, Dramedy | April 28, 2023 Tween-girl bible, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.,” written by Judy Blume, is about an 11-year-old girl praying to God to speed up the maturation process. Could she please-please-please have something (other than socks) to fill out the training bra? And also a reason to actually…


Film Review: ‘To Catch a Killer’: Not ‘Silence of the Lambs,’ but Not Bad at All

R | 1h 59m | Police procedural, Thriller | April 21, 2023 After running up 17 flights of stairs in a burning building with no gas-mask, young Baltimore cop Eleanor Falco (Shailene Woodley) passes out cold when she reaches the incinerated apartment of her destination. But her gung-ho first-responder zeal is duly noted by FBI lead investigator Geoffrey…


Documentary Reviews: ‘Inside the Red Brick Wall’ and ‘Taking Back the Legislature’

Were it not for Kate Adie and her colleague at the BBC, we would have far less footage of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. They made five copies of their eye-witness recordings, four of which were intercepted by customs. Had the fifth copy also been confiscated, it would have been much easier for the Chinese Communist…


Epoch Watchlist: What to Watch for April 28–May 4

This week, we feature a classic ’50s musical that features wonderful dancing and a dramedy about an American family’s hardships and triumphs. New Release ‘Somewhere in Queens’ In his directorial debut, Ray Romano plays the role of Leo Russo, a loving husband to his wife, Angela (Laurie Metcalf), and father to his athletically gifted son,…


Major Media Shakeup: Tucker Carlson Leaves Fox News While CNN Dumps Don Lemon

In a major media shakeup, Fox News has parted ways with No. 1 host Tucker Carlson, and CNN parted ways with scandal-prone Don Lemon. What will this do to the media landscape? Talent-wise, anyone can replace Don Lemon. But Fox News will be the one counting their losses when it comes to Tucker Carlson. Carlson…


Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘American Graffiti’: A Golden Anniversary Celebration

PG | 1h 50m | Comedy, Teenage Coming of Age | August 11, 1973 “American Graffiti,” the 1973 landmark teen drama that was a game-changer in the history of American cinema, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Opening credit roll in the high school film that begat all classic American high school films, “American Graffiti.” (Lucasfilm Ltd./The Coppola…


Controversial Talk Show Host Jerry Springer Dies at 79

Jerry Springer, the longtime daytime television host and former mayor, died Thursday at age 79, it was confirmed. “Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,”…


Talk Show Host Jerry Springer Dies at 79

Jerry Springer, the longtime daytime television host and former mayor, died on April 27 at age 79. “Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried, whether that was politics, broadcasting, or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” Jene…


Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘Seven Sweethearts’ from 1942 Tulip Time in Michigan

NR | 1 h 38 min | Drama, Musical | 1942 What represents spring to you? Flowers, bunnies, birds? In Holland, Michigan, an area populated by Dutch immigrants centuries ago, the season of rebirth is heralded by a celebration of tulips. Since 1929, the city of Holland has hosted its annual Tulip Time Festival, welcoming…


‘Bloodhounds of Broadway’ from 1952: An Early Mitzi Gaynor Musical

Commentary Author and newspaper columnist Damon Runyon wrote several stories about the rougher citizens of New York. Gangsters, gamblers, chorus girls, and apple sellers were the characters who came to life in his tales. Some of these short stories attracted Hollywood’s attention, although the movie adaptations sometimes bore little resemblance to the original works and…