Classics Review: Sands of Iwo Jima

“Sands of Iwo Jima” was officially released in 1949 (same year Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner were introduced) four years after World War II ended. It received positive reviews and made money at the box office. John Wayne was nominated for an Oscar for “Best Actor.” He eventually earned it for “True Grit.” Although […]

Classics Reviews: Rio Bravo

Alright folks, it’s time for a Classics themed review. After complaining about Gary Cooper’s “High Noon” (I haven’t seen it) as “un-American,” John Wayne & Howard Hawks team up to make a western about sheriff teaming up with a drunk, an old deputy and a youngster to defend a small town from bad guys the […]

Moonraker

After “The Spy Who Loved Me” came out in 1977, Eon Productions were developing another James Bond film titled, “For Your Eyes Only.” Plans were scrapped in favor of capitialzing the commercial success of “Star Wars” that changed cinema forever for its groundbreaking effects. So, they decided to go in the Sci-Fi route with 007 […]

Napoleon

After “The Last Duel” flopped at the box office, Ridley Scott announced he’s working on a historical epic based on Napoleon Bonaparte’s life and military career collaborating with Joaquin Phoenix for the first time since “Gladiator.” Ridley and his crew filmed additional footage but was left in the cutting room floor due to time constraints […]

Frozen

In 1937 after completing the groundbreaking animated movie, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Walt Disney wanted to adapt Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen.” Due to a lack of resources at the time, Walt scrapped plans in favor of producing “Pinocchio.” Personally, I hated it. Despite cancelling a potential adaptation, Walt produced a live-action […]

Nyad

In 2011, the year I graduated high school, long-distance swimmer, Diane Nyad make a risky attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida. Injuries caused her to put a halt. After a few failed attempts since 1979, Nyad finally achieved her goal in 2013. Her life story caught the public’s attention. Oscar winning documentary husband and […]