Elvis has been getting a lot of well-deserved buzz lately, what with the Baz Luhrmann film being poised to win armloads of awards (see a complete list of nominations and wins here), not to mention the sad, untimely death of Lisa Marie Presley, so it's no shock that a lot of streaming services are running … Continue reading Supercilious Aliens From Alpha Centauri
All the Old Knives (And A Few Spoilers)
I always hesitate the slightest bit when reviewing original content from Amazon, because on one hand it makes me feel like a shill. On the other, original content is big business right now and for the foreseeable future, and anyway, being an Affiliate doesn't preclude me giving an honest review. *rubs hands impishly* All the … Continue reading All the Old Knives (And A Few Spoilers)
Calling All Hyperions
Surprise review today, all. I know I said there would be a new Shamedown, but then I found out the Daily Wire would be doing a one-off premiere of their new film, The Hyperions on YouTube, and in spite of getting major Asylum vibes from the various clips and trailers floating around, I was curious. Who wouldn't … Continue reading Calling All Hyperions
Shut In (My Thoughts)
It's no secret that with a few exceptions, Hollywood isn't doing so well right now. It's kind of a mess, really. Sure, they're still making movies and things are slowly returning to normal, but it's not exactly rosy. The pandemic, of course, didn't help; Bloomberg reported in March of 2021 that when adjusted for inflation, box … Continue reading Shut In (My Thoughts)
The Fallout (Yep, There Are A Few Spoilers)
Who else has seen the trailers for The Fallout on YouTube? Well, some of them are more like clips, really, and they're kind of mystifying sans context. The first one I saw has a teenaged girl visiting another teenaged girl. It looks completely casual, except that one girl offers the other a hefty glass of red wine. … Continue reading The Fallout (Yep, There Are A Few Spoilers)
The Matrix: Resurrections (Mostly Spoiler-Free)
How long have we heard rumblings about The Matrix: Resurrections? I kinda quit keeping track, because like everything in the past almost-two years, it's gotten pushed back and rescheduled and pushed back and rescheduled. And now look. The moment has finally arrived. What can I say about this movie that won't completely ruin it for … Continue reading The Matrix: Resurrections (Mostly Spoiler-Free)
Being the Ricardos (Frank Analysis With A Few Spoilers)
OK, when I first heard about Aaron Sorkin's new film, Being the Ricardos, I hesitated, particularly when I found out Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem were playing Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz--they're not the first people who come to mind when I picture a Lucy-Desi biopic. I don't picture anyone in a Lucy-Desi biopic because I don't … Continue reading Being the Ricardos (Frank Analysis With A Few Spoilers)
King Richard (Not Too Many Spoilers)
The thing with biopics is that a lot of them tend to pack in too much of the subject's life and not go all that deeply. In the case of King Richard, the focus is mostly on Richard Williams, father and coach of Venus and Serena Williams. The movie's span is short, starting around the early … Continue reading King Richard (Not Too Many Spoilers)
Dune (With A Few Spoilers)
Dune is finally out. Only took it, what, a year? Yay. Frank Herbert fans everywhere are rejoicing. So will everyone else once they see this movie because...wow. It's uh-mazing. I don't want to spoil anything, so here's the barest synopsis. Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is preparing to become duke. His planet, Caledan is in control of the … Continue reading Dune (With A Few Spoilers)
So Many Books
"Books are much more than an escape. They are a way of being fully human." So opens the 2020 documentary, The Booksellers, a Parker Posey-produced ode to the Holy Grails of the printed word, Rare Books, and the people who sell and collect them. Who else is a book person? You longtime "Room" readers know … Continue reading So Many Books
The Imperfect Nature of Existence
My hometown of Auburn, California is not unfamiliar with Hollywood or celebrity culture. Neither is Placer County. Among other distinctions, Mary Pickford bought the bar in one of our Old Town saloons (today Carpe Vino) and installed it at Pickfair. A train carrying some crystal candlesticks she ordered derailed in Auburn. A young John Steinbeck … Continue reading The Imperfect Nature of Existence
Everyone’s Just Stuck
We're back on Amazon Prime, guys. I hate to look like a shill, my Affiliate stuff notwithstanding, but The Map of Tiny Perfect Things has been intriguing me for a while, and now the time has come to answer that call. Based on a 2016 short story by Lev Grossman, who also wrote the screenplay, it's … Continue reading Everyone’s Just Stuck
We’re Being Invaded…Again
OK, so it took me a little longer than I thought to get a new review up, but I've been a wee bit tired, although it's a good kind of tired. If you've been following my Instagram, you probably know I just went on a wonderful trip to Rapid City, South Dakota with my son … Continue reading We’re Being Invaded…Again
Those Who Wish Me Dead (A Mostly Spoiler-Free Review)
Wow. Those Who Wish Me Dead is a ride. Once it gets going, anyway. The main character is smoke-jumper Hannah (Jolie), the baddest of the bad. She parachutes off the backs of pickup trucks even though she's knows she isn't supposed to. She's too cool to join the guys in a game of cornhole, but then she … Continue reading Those Who Wish Me Dead (A Mostly Spoiler-Free Review)
Origins: Wonder Woman 1984
I don't know about anyone else, but Wonder Woman 1984 is another movie I'm anticipating. I was also interested in delving into her history, which I've never really done before. Thing is, though, I hesitated to even post this because of studios constantly pushing back release dates during the pandemic. Or just throwing theaters under … Continue reading Origins: Wonder Woman 1984
The Not-So-Simple Life
Some say that before there were influencers, there was Paris Hilton. I don't know if I agree with that, because influencer culture has always existed in some form, but it can't be denied that Hilton possesses a unique kind of celebrity. Actually, that's an understatement. Those of us who were around in the nineties and … Continue reading The Not-So-Simple Life
Bill and Ted, Tenet and Nolan (No spoilers, though)
It's not often that I get to see two movies I've done Origins posts on within a couple of days of each other, but this is 2020 and nothing is typical ever. We saw Bill and Ted over the weekend via Amazon Prime while noshing on Amy's margherita pizza and Dove chocolate. Then yesterday my husband had … Continue reading Bill and Ted, Tenet and Nolan (No spoilers, though)
Taking Up Room 