Two of the first out of the gate, “Husk” and “Prowl,” show real promise for this endeavor. First, “Husk,” which you may have seen already on Syfy: It proves my long-held belief that finding references to Scripture in a cornfield is never a good thing. The movie has the first two of the four things […]
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The King’s Speech
Real-life story of an embattled hero overcoming a handicap? Check. About the British monarchy? Check. Customarily great British actors being customarily great and, um, British? Check. Still, “Speech” also has another trick up its sleeve: It is excellent — a rare work of Oscar-bait as satisfying as it purports to be. And it is anchored […]
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Black Heaven / Heartless
Just because the concept is as old as cinema itself doesn’t mean it’s no longer worth exploring, so long as the perspective shifts in new and interesting ways. Think Christopher Nolan’s “Inception.” Then think about checking out two current imports from IFC Films — one French, one British. I’m not suggesting they’re even in the […]
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Action-Packed Collection
Befitting of the word “triple,” three movies are included: “Georgia Peaches,” “The Great Texas Dynamite Chase” and “Smokey Bites the Dust.” But before you call shotgun, note that only one them qualifies as good; we’ll start with that one. Give producer Corman his due: He gave audiences what they wanted. In 1976’s “The Great Texas […]
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Cello, goodbye
“Every piece has a story,” said Magrill, professor of music at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. “It’s a sonic snapshot of a particular time.” After 23 years at UCO, Magrill has an abundance of pieces and stories to go with them. His latest collection of them is the album “Cello Music of Samuel […]
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From Red to Randy
But his $25,000 vintage metal hollow-body instrument pales in comparison to a former guitar of the National brand that he once owned: Tampa Red’s. In the early 1900s, Tampa Red was a famous and prolific bluesman, making 300 recordings of his own tunes and 400 accompanying other people. In addition, he pretty much invented the […]
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Woody would pick ’er
BEST IN ROCK The Non The Non describes itself as “experimental,” and obviously, its four members’ willingness to stretch boundaries has paid off. That the band does it without words — being instrumental — makes it all the more amazing, crafting melodic soundscapes that move listeners’ minds as they quicken the pulse — from 2007’s […]
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Invitation to the Dance
Warner Archive’s burn-on-demand “Invitation to the Dance” makes for a great intro. The 1956 picture is among the most rare of cinematic sub-genres: the dance anthology. Completely silent, the film is divided into three segments, each showcasing a different style, all starring Kelly, who directed and choreographed this pet project. It’s like the Whitman’s Sampler […]
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Yogi Bear
This live-action/CGI hybrid adaptation of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon classic — which, ironically, is too old a property for most kids to have knowledge of — is as bad you may have heard (or, God forbid, spent valuable time during your holiday season seeing). Poor Tom Cavanagh, so good on TV’s “Ed” and miscast ever since, […]