When we think about late ’90s action thrillers, a few titles instantly emerge—The Matrix, Fight Club, and The Sixth Sense often dominate the conversation. However, one film from that era usually goes unnoticed despite its bold choices and captivating premise: Snake Eyes (1998), directed by Brian De Palma and starring …
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Unsung Cinema: No Man’s Land (1987)
No Man’s Land (1987) is a film I hadn’t even heard of until yesterday when I found it on my jailbroken firestick. It presents a narrative that delves into the dangerous world of high-end car theft, setting the stage for exploring identity, ethics, and the seductive allure of life on …
Read More »Another Look: David Cronenberg’s Mainstream but Subversive A History of Violence and Eastern Promises
For me the first fact of human existence is the human body. I’m not an atheist, but for me to turn away from any aspect of the human body to me is a philosophical betrayal. And there’s a lot of art and religion whose whole purpose is to turn away …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: The Arrival (1996)
The Arrival, released in 1996, is a science fiction thriller that navigates the intricacies of alien invasion and environmental calamity with a nuanced perspective. Directed by David Twohy, the film stars Charlie Sheen, Ron Silver, and Lindsay Crouse, among others. Despite its intriguing premise and solid execution, other sci-fi blockbusters …
Read More »Another Look: Point Break (1991)
Point Break is one of those rare sublime films that are enjoyable and transcendent. Far from the mindless action cinema that preceded it a decade earlier in the 80s, Kathryn Bigelow’s film has themes and depth and is trying to pose interesting questions. Indeed, Point Break incorporates elements that challenge …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: The Grey Zone (2001)
Holocaust films can be tough viewing, and rightly so, but it also serves as a brutal and stark reminder of the Nazi regime. The Holocaust was a genocide during World War II, primarily targeting the Jewish population by the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler’s leadership in Germany. It is estimated …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: The People Under the Stairs (1991)
Wes Craven’s The People Under the Stairs is a masterclass in horror filmmaking that expertly blends chilling terror, social commentary, and riveting storytelling. Released in 1991, the film showcases Craven’s ability to create an atmosphere of dread while delving into thought-provoking themes. It does qualify for Unsung Cinema despite the …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: Man on Fire (2004)
“Revenge is a meal best served cold.” Denzel Washington’s Creasy states at one point during Man on Fire. This is a common saying repeated in many revenge thriller films. What Man on Fire has to add to the genre isn’t particularly new; the narrative beats we’ve all seen before; it’s …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: In The Electric Mist (2009)
Bertrand Tavernier’s In The Electric Mist takes a well-worn formula (small-town Southern cop story) and adds some added weight and levity. Think of it as a John Grisham movie without lawyers and with a pulse. The film is based on the novel In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead by …
Read More »Johnstown man looking to open sober living home despite pushback from neighbors
Scores of people ended up homeless, still struggling with untreated addiction, officials say. A Level II recovery residence assigns a house manager or senior resident to oversee http://www.ocean-elzy.net/greats-efgh/175/ the workings of the house and has at least one paid staff member. Level II includes the services of a Level I …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: Equilibrium (2002)
Kurt Wimmer’s Equilibrium is a curious case. It explores themes of individuality, free will, and the power of human emotion. It’s a bit of a jumbled mess and sloppy at times, but some good action scenes and a few thought-provoking ideas are also interspersed. Roger Ebert wrote, “Equilibrium would be …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: Buffalo Soldiers (2001)
Some movies, as they say, are right up your alley, and Gregor Jordan’s Buffalo Soldiers is an example of a film that exudes a mood that I identify with. Notably, in this case, a somewhat cynical outlook on life in general. Buffalo Soldiers is different from many Army movies because …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: Little Big League (1994)
“Baseball is made for kids. Grownups only screw it up.” – Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon This quote is the thesis of Andrew Scheinman’s Little Big League, a fantastic and intelligent baseball movie buried beneath the surge of kids sports movies in the 1990s. In particular, baseball movies were …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: Frailty (2001)
“I was worried that a wild-eyed director would get a hold of this material and sensationalize it just to shock people. And that, to me, wouldn’t do the script justice. My vision of this story has always been the idea that it is a very edgy script that pushes a …
Read More »Unsung Cinema: Quick Change (1990)
“Everyone will enjoy this movie. But New Yorkers will enjoy it especially because they know how bad their city really is.” – Bill Murray Some movies fall through the cracks without any explanation. When Quick Change came out in 1990, Bill Murray was at the height of his stardom, Geena …
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