The One Where I First Realized That There Might Be More To Matthew McConaughey Than I'd Thought

The One Where I First Realized That There Might Be More To Matthew McConaughey Than I'd Thought

It's pretty much made for me, because I love WWII movies and I love submarine movies and this one's both. (There's something about the claustrophobia that fascinates me in a film, because it's both a huge challenge to the filmmakers and the very essence of what they're capturing. So the various ways they decide to tackle it are always interesting to me.)

This Short's Not For Kids. And That's Just Fine.

This Short's Not For Kids. And That's Just Fine.

A year ago, I stumbled across a fantastic teaser for a short film named "Borrowed Time." It didn't say when the final product would appear, but it certainly did its job perfectly; I was hooked. The visuals were wonderful (unsurprising, given its creators' Pixar roots), but there was something lurking in the background that really felt ...different to me. Not quite sure what it was, but it was there.

Today's "True Life" Recommendation Was Directed by Robert Redford, Stars Ralph Fiennes, And Is Mostly Stolen By Paul Scofield And John Turturro

Today's "True Life" Recommendation Was Directed by Robert Redford, Stars Ralph Fiennes, And Is Mostly Stolen By Paul Scofield And John Turturro

It remains one of the more fascinating "Based on a True Story" films, in my book. Why? Partially because it's about a smaller, more personal story than many of its "True Life" conterparts, and partially because it's really solidly (yet unflashily) made, and that's always a plus, in my book. Mostly, though, I enjoy it because it's about the small-yet-erosive concessions so many of us are willing to make for the sake of a little fame and fortune.

Today's Suggestion Is Robert Duvall's Film Debut, In Which He Speaks Not A Single Word. (He's Also The Sole Surviving Member Of Its Adult Cast.)

Today's Suggestion Is Robert Duvall's Film Debut, In Which He Speaks Not A Single Word. (He's Also The Sole Surviving Member Of Its Adult Cast.)

There's not much to be said about Mockingbird, really. Or at least I don't have much to add to the conversation. Most remember it for Peck and for Scout and for what it said (and did not say) about the simultaneously complicated and simplistic times in which it was made; I remember it for launching one of my all-time favorite cinematic careers. Either will do.

Editing To The Sounds Of The Smithy

Editing To The Sounds Of The Smithy


Given that I have written at length of my appreciate for the performances of Sir Trevor Pinnock and of my love for François Couperin's "Les Barricades Mistérieuses" and for Georg Friedrich Händel's "The Harmonious Blacksmith," it's probably not a huge surprise that my "go-to" recording this time around was Pinnock's "The Harmonious Blacksmith" CD (which features both of those works).

When Fixing Your Screen Door Is Practically A Work Of Art

When Fixing Your Screen Door Is Practically A Work Of Art

It's not the most riveting thing I've ever seen, at least when judged in terms of the visual style and overall dynamics of its content. But there are some surprisingly fun little grace-notes that pop up unexpectedly -- the stop-motion staples crawling away made me laugh, for example -- and Howarth's woodworking skills are flat-out amazing for a non-handyman like me to watch (whether presented in a cutting-edge way or no).

Today's Short Is "Glorious, Unapologetic Eye-Candy!"

Today's Short Is "Glorious, Unapologetic Eye-Candy!"

It's true, as Short Of The Week points out, that this short's story is not what one would call "ruthlessly" original -- in fact, it's pretty much a "one-trick pony." And the look and sound of the robots feel like little more than WALL·E Lite. But it's great fun to watch, all the same. And the Anthropomorphism Level of its (single) creator is Definitely Expert.