Movie of the Week for April 5-11, 2021

As mentioned in my March 15, 2021 podcast, I’ve started a new “Movie of the Week” feature. I’ll be recommending a favorite movie with the hopes that it will be a film that you’ll enjoy, too. I’d love to chat online about each week’s film on my Instagram and Twitter feeds if you’re so inclined.

This week’s movie is a classic crowd-pleaser from the 1970s, the original Rocky (MGM/UA, 1976). I love this film for a lot of reasons–the great underdog story, the exciting action, the relationships, the terrific soundtrack by Bill Conti, and just the relatability of it all. It’s was a childhood favorite, but I think I love it even more as adult.

Here’s my Instagram post on the film.

I was happy to come across this publicity shot of Sylverster Stallone and Talia Shire as well on the Rocky Facebook page.

©️MGM/UA

Movie of the Week for March 29-April 4, 2021

As mentioned in my March 15, 2021 podcast, I’ve started a new “Movie of the Week” feature. I’ll be recommending a favorite movie with the hopes that it will be a film that you’ll enjoy, too. I’d love to chat online about each week’s film on my Instagram and Twitter feeds if you’re so inclined.

This week’s movie is Passover and Easter themed. It’s Cecil B. DeMille’s Biblical epic The Ten Commandments (Paramount, 1956). Watching this film during Easter weekend on the ABC television network was a staple in my home growing up. It’s been years since I’ve seen the film, so I’m excited to watch it again during Holy Week this week.

My Instagram post gives the scoop:

Here’s a pic of the cover art for the new Blu-ray that I’ll be watching this week.

©️Paramount Pictures

TCM “Must-See Musicals” Update for March 2021

This year, I am watching all 50 movies listed in the great book from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Must-See Musicals: 50 Show-Stopping Movies We Can’t Forget by Richard Barrios (Running Press, 2017; available on Amazon.com, on the Shop TCM website, and, hopefully, from your favorite bookseller). More information about the book and my viewing project this year is here.

Here’s the rundown of the movies I watched in March (courtesy of the Movies Past and Present Instagram feed).

Swing Time (1936)

Rose Marie (1936)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

March 29, 2021 Podcast

Welcome to the 67th episode of the Movies Past and Present podcast!

New in Theaters

Three By…

This month’s “Three by…” director is Chloé Zhao. More about her filmography is on IMDb.com.

Movie of the Week

This week’s pick is The Ten Commandments (1956). The film will be screened as it is every year on the ABC Television Network this Saturday, April 3 (check your local listings). It will also be playing on the big screen as part of the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Big Screen Classics series this Wednesday, March 31 and Easter Sunday, April 4; more info at fathomevents.com/tcm. I’ll be watching it on a Blu-ray Disc that I just ordered from Amazon.com.

Thanks for Tuning In!

Subscribe to the Movies Past and Present podcast on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts, and Stitcher. I hope that watching some great movies will bring you peace and comfort this week. Thanks for listening, be safe out there, and dedicate yourself to the truth.

Movie of the Week for March 22-28, 2021

As mentioned in my March 15, 2021 podcast, I’ve started a new “Movie of the Week” feature. I’ll be recommending a favorite movie with the hopes that it will be a film that you’ll enjoy, too. I’d love to chat online about each week’s film on my Instagram and Twitter feeds if you’re so inclined.

In honor of the new CGI-slugfest Godzilla vs. Kong (Warner Bros., 2021) opening in theaters on HBO Max on March 30, 2021, I picked another double-feature this week with the original King Kong (RKO, 1933) and the original Godzilla (Toho Co., Ltd., 1954). I watched both of these films on HBO Max.

While the Godzilla vs. Kong film appears to have nothing to do with the storylines from the original films, I still marvel at the artistry and filmmaking techniques used in both of these classic monster movies, particularly with the amazing visual effects in King Kong done by special effects wizard Willis O’Brien. (And it’s a total guilty pleasure watching these original Godzilla films knowing that it’s a dude in a rubber suit destroying miniature sets.)

Here’s some cool artwork for both of these classic monster movies.

©️RKO
©️Toho Co., Ltd.

Movie of the Week for March 15-21, 2021

As mentioned in my March 15, 2021 podcast, I’ve started a new “Movie of the Week” feature. I’ll be recommending a favorite movie with the hopes that it will be a film that you’ll enjoy, too. I’d love to chat online about each week’s film on my Instagram and Twitter feeds if you’re so inclined.

First up are actually two films, both from my all-time favorite movie studio, Walt Disney Animation Studios. I selected both the first feature length film from Disney Animation, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), as well as their 59th animated feature length and most recent film, Raya and the Last Dragon (2021).

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs also happens to be an entry in the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Must-See Musicals viewing guide which I am following this year, so it’s a double bonus.

Snow White is available on the Disney+ streaming service. Raya is currently playing in theaters and is available on Disney+ Premier Access (additional fee required).

Here are posters for the two films.

©️ Disney
©️Disney

March 15, 2021 Podcast

Welcome to the 66th episode of the Movies Past and Present podcast!

Oscar Nominations Announced

Here are the nominees for Best Picture for this year’s Academy Awards®️:

A full list of all nominations is available at the official Oscars website.

Upcoming TCM Events

Save the date(s)! Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has some cool events coming soon.

This month’s TCM Big Screen Classics film is a 65th anniversary screening of The Ten Commandments (Paramount, 1956). Screenings will be on Sunday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 31. Check fathomevents.com/tcm for details.

This year’s TCM Classic Film Festival will be another virtual event like last year’s festival. New this year is the addition of HBO Max as another virtual venue for classic films and interviews. The event will take place May 6-9, 2021. More info is at filmfestival.tcm.com.

Here’s a video introduction from TCM host Ben Mankiewicz:

Miss Marple

Actress Margaret Rutherford as Agatha Cristie’s super sleuth Miss Marple is pure delight. She appeared as the character in five films:

  • Murder, She Said (1961)
  • Murder at the Gallop (1963)
  • Murder Most Foul (1964)
  • Murder Ahoy! (1964)
  • The Alphabet Murders (1965); cameo only

These films are available for rent or purchase on Amazon.com (I spoke incorrectly in the podcast…my bad).

Movie(s) of the Week

New feature! My inaugural “Movie of the Week” films are the first and most recent animated features from Walt Disney Animation Studios: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Raya and the Last Dragon (2021).

Thanks for Tuning In!

Subscribe to the Movies Past and Present podcast on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts, and Stitcher. I hope that watching some great movies will bring you peace and comfort this week. Thanks for listening, be safe out there, and dedicate yourself to the truth.

TCM “Must-See Musicals” Update for February 2021

This year, I am watching all 50 movies listed in the great book from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Must-See Musicals: 50 Show-Stopping Movies We Can’t Forget by Richard Barrios (Running Press, 2017; available on Amazon.com, on the Shop TCM website, and, hopefully, from your favorite bookseller). More information about the book and my viewing project this year is here.

Here’s the rundown of the movies I watched in February (courtesy of the Movies Past and Present Instagram feed).

Love Me Tonight (1932)

42nd Street (1933)

Top Hat (1935)

Show Boat (1936)

March 8, 2021 Podcast

Welcome to episode 65 of the podcast!

New in Theaters/Reviews

Classic Cinema Corner

Reframed: Classic Films in the Rearview Mirror” film series now playing on Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Old vs. New

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca (1940; I have this on DVD from The Criterion Collection) vs. Netflix’s Rebecca (2020)

Thanks for Tuning In!

Subscribe to the Movies Past and Present podcast on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts, and Stitcher. I hope that watching some great movies will bring you peace and comfort this week. Thanks for listening, be safe out there, and dedicate yourself to the truth.

February 28, 2021 Podcast

Welcome to episode 64 of the podcast!

New in Theaters

Three By…Michael Mann

This month’s “Three by…” director is Michael Mann. More about his filmography is on IMDb.com.

Also, check out this interview done last year with Michael Mann talking about the making of Heat.

Thanks for Tuning In!

Subscribe to the Movies Past and Present podcast on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts, and Stitcher. I hope that watching some great movies will bring you peace and comfort this week. Thanks for listening, be safe out there, and dedicate yourself to the truth.