4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Francis Ford Coppola Edition


4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Today is Francis Ford Coppola’s birthday! Coppola is a bit of a controversial figure among some film scholars. While everyone agrees that, with the first two Godfathers, he directed two of the greatest films of all time (and some people would include Apocalypse Now on that list as well) and that he was one of the most important directors of the 70s, his post-Apocalypse Now career is often held up as a cautionary tale. Some say that Coppola’s career suffered because of his own excessive behavior and spending. Others argue that he was treated unfairly by a film industry that resented his refusal to compromise his vision and ambitions. Personally, my natural instinct is to always side with the artist over the executives and that’s certainly the case with Coppola. Coppola has only completed five films since the start of this current century and three of them were not widely released. Say what you will about the films themselves, that still doesn’t seem right. For the record, I like Megalopolis.

Regardless of how one views his latter career, Coppola is responsible for some of the best and most important films ever made. And today, on his birthday, it’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Francis Ford Coppola Films

The Godfather (1972, dir by Francis Ford Coppola, DP: Gordon Willis)
The Conversation (1974, dir by Francis Ford Coppola, DP: Bill Butler)
The Godfather Part II (dir by Francis Ford Coppola, DP: Gordon Willis)
Apocalypse Now (1979, dir by Francis Ford Coppola, DP: Vittorio Storaro)

Song of the Day: Money (That’s What I Want) by The Flying Lizards


I did check my stock portfolio this morning.  Jeff warned me not to.  Erin told me not to.  If I had asked my other sisters, I’m sure they would have said, “Don’t do it, just let our broker deal with it….”

But I checked.  Agck!

It’s funny.  I didn’t really care about money until I had it.

Anyway, today’s song of the day should make sense now.

The best things in life are free
But you can give them to the birds and bees

I need money (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)

Your love give me such a thrill
But your love don’t pay my bills

I need money (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)

Money don’t get everything, it’s true
But what it don’t get, I can’t use

I need money (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)

Money (that’s what I want)
Lots of money (that’s what I want)
Whole lot of money (that’s what I want)
Uh-huh (that’s what I want)
All I want (that’s what I want)
Whoa, yeah (that’s what I want)

Give me money (that’s what I want)
Oh, lots of money (that’s what I want)
All those lean greens, yeah (that’s what I want)
I got that, uh, that’s what I mean (that’s what I want)
All that I want (that’s what I want)
Whoa, yeah (that’s what I want)
Give me money, yeah

Songwriters: Berry Gordy Jr / Janie Bradford

Late Night Retro Television Review: Degrassi High 1.15 “Stressed Out”


Welcome to Late Night Retro Television Reviews, a feature where we review some of our favorite and least favorite shows of the past!  On Sunday, I will be reviewing the Canadian series, Degrassi High, which aired on CBC and PBS from 1989 to 1991!  The series can be streamed on YouTube and Tubi

This week, the first season of Degrassi High comes to a close!

Episode 1.15 “Stressed Out”

(Dir by John Bertram, originally aired on February 13th, 1990)

The first season of Degrassi High comes to an end with an episode that once again establishes Caitlin as being the worst.

The school year is coming to a close and everyone is stressed about final exams.  Michelle is taking speed to stay up and study.  Normally, this would be a big deal but this episode only devotes a few scenes to it and we don’t even get a big dramatic meltdown on Michelle’s part.  I mean, I guess it’s good that Michelle finally got a plotline that doesn’t revolve everyone being shocked about her dating BLT but why would you do a drug storyline without a meltdown?

The majority of this episode is taken up with Caitlin getting upset because Ms. Avery will not be working at Degrassi anymore.  Under the impression that Ms. Avery has been fired, Caitlin passes around a petition.  When Ms. Avery says she appreciates the support but that she’s actually the one who decided to quit, Caitlin freaks out (in much the same way that Michelle should have freaked out) and gets all upset and says that she’s not even going to go to the end-of-the-year school party.

Hey, Caitlin — IT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

Seriously, Caitlin — Ms. Avery is an adult.  She has every right to quit her job.  Now, it does turn out that Avery quit because the school board wanted her to become a substitute teacher.  Avery wants her own classroom.  Caitlin is still upset.  How can Ms. Avery be so selfish to abandon the one student who actually cares about whether or not she has a job or not?  Avery really should have just told Caitlin to get a life but finally, Ms. Avery takes a job teaching at another school.  So, Ms. Avery will get her own classroom and, even more importantly, she won’t have to deal with Caitlin anymore.

Whatever happened to Caitlin’s court case?  Shouldn’t she be doing community service or something?

This finale was a bit of a letdown but it happens.  Not every school year ends with something exciting happening.  Next week, we start the second and final season of Degrassi High!

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 3/31/25 — 4/6/25


Just a quick summary this week.

Films I Watched:

  1. The Andersonville Trial (1970)
  2. At First Sight (1999)
  3. Bed & Breakfast (2010)
  4. Beyond The Trophy (2012)
  5. Candy (1968)
  6. Choke Canyon (1986)
  7. Death Drug (1978)
  8. Devil’s Knight (2024)
  9. Dragnet (1954)
  10. A Dry White Season (1989)
  11. Edmond (2005)
  12. Family Rescue (1997)
  13. Flight Risk (2025)
  14. A Force In Readiness (1961)
  15. The Front Runner (2018)
  16. Gamera vs Barugon (1966)
  17. Heartbeat (1987)
  18. Kate’s Secret (1986)
  19. Our Guys (1999)
  20. Phantom Ship (1935)
  21. The Reliant (2019)
  22. Shortcut to Happiness (2003)
  23. Silicon Towers (1999)
  24. The Stepfather (1987)
  25. Stormy Monday (1988)
  26. A Talking Cat!?! (2013)
  27. Top Gun (1986)
  28. The Wild Angels (1966)

Links:

  1. Erin took a look at the covers of Breezy!
  2. Jeff paid tribute to Barry Levinson!
  3. Arleigh shared the trailer for M3GAN 2.0!
  4. Brad said goodybe to Val Kilmer!
  5. “The Naked Gun” Is Loaded Again! Liam Neeson Goes For Raucous Laughs In The New Trailer – See It Here!
  6. Giving thanks on this, my Name Day

Want to check out last week?  Click here!

Billy Dee Williams in NIGHTHAWKS (1982)!


I love Billy Dee Williams. When I was a kid, I remember Florence from THE JEFFERSONS loving him. I also loved him as Lando Calrissian in the STAR WARS movies. I’m sure I had his action figure. As I got a little bit older, I started to appreciate his larger body of work in movies like NIGHTHAWKS with Sylvester Stallone and Rutger Hauer, and NUMBER ONE WITH A BULLET with Robert Carradine. On his 88th birthday, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate Billy Dee Williams, and one of my favorite action movie scenes. This scene from NIGHTHAWKS features three unbelievably cool actors in their prime!

Enjoy, my friends, and Happy Birthday Billy Dee!!

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Barry Levinson Edition


4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Happy birthday to Baltimore’s own Barry Levinson!

4 Shots From 4 Barry Levison Films

Diner (1982, directed by Barry Levison, DP: Peter Sova)

The Natural (1984, directed by Barry Levinson, DP: Caleb Deschanel)

 

 

 

 

Tin Men (1987, directed by Barry Levinson, DP: Peter Sova)

Avalon (1990, directed by Barry Levinson, DP: Allen Daviau)

 

Arizona (1931, directed by George B. Seitz)


In one of his earliest starring roles, John Wayne plays Lt. Bob Denton, a West Point football star who gets assigned to a post in Arizona where he’ll be under the command of his mentor, Colonel Frank Bonham (Forrest Stanley).  Bonham is married to Evelyn (Laura La Plante), who is Bob’s former girlfriend and who only married Bonham after Denton told her that he didn’t even intend to marry anyone.  In Arizona, Denton meets Bonnie (June Clyde), who is the younger sister of Evelyn.  Bonnie and Denton fall for each other so the jealous Evelyn rips her dress and accuses Denton of trying to force himself on her.  Bonham is ready to drum Denton out of the service but then Evelyn learns that Denton and Bonnie are secretly married and destroying Denton’s life will also mean destroying Bonnie’s happiness.

Arizona is a simplistic melodrama and probably one that wouldn’t be made today.  Denton is undeniably a cad, telling Evelyn that he didn’t want to make a commitment to her after dating her for two years and then turning right around and deciding to pursue Evelyn’s sister.  But Evelyn’s reaction goes overboard.  She marries an older man just to get back at Denton (even though Denton didn’t want to marry her so why would he care?) and then she accuses Denton of trying to force himself on her.  Evelyn needs to move on and Bonham needs to get a divorce.  Instead, Evelyn tries to destroy one man’s life and Col. Bonham is very understanding.  What’s a false accusation of rape between friends?

This was one of John Wayne’s first starring roles in a major studio production.  The film was produced by Columbia, where Harry Cohn did seven films with Wayne before exiling him back to Poverty Row, where Wayne did B-pictures before John Ford finally cast him in Stagecoach.  Wayne seems awkward and uncomfortable in much of Arizona.  Top-billed Laura La Plante does a better job as Evelyn but the way the film ultimately shrugs off her false accusations just doesn’t feel right.

Arizona is a misfire in the Duke’s early filmography.

The Eric Roberts Collection: Bed & Breakfast (dir by Marcio Garcia)


 

2010’s Bed & Breakfast is one of those Hallmark-y films that takes place at a B&B in a quaint little town.

Having recently been left by his actress wife, Jake (Dean Cain) is trying to open up a bed and breakfast, using a house that was left to him by a former employer.  Helping Jake out is his brother, Peter (Jake Engvall), a member of law enforcement who not only enjoys drinking beer but also enjoys talking about beer as well.  Juliana Paes plays Ana, the niece of the original owner of the house.  Ana is from Brazil and she wants to sell the house because her brother is in debt to some local mobsters.  But then Ana meets the handsome and single Jake and …. well, you already know what’s going to happen.  This is one of those films where the familiarity is the point.  You watch it because you know that Jake and Ana are going to fall in love and you know exactly how long it’s going to take for that to happen.  Dean Cain is rugged.  Juliana Paes is pretty.  The town is lovely.  It’s a sweet little film that you’ll forget about a few minutes after it ends.

Of course, these films always require a cameo or two.  John Savage and Julia Duffy show up as a couple who stay at the B&B and who share a dance at the end of the film.  Ted Lange is the judge who settles the issue of who actually owns the house.  Eric Roberts shows up as a reviewer who stays at the B&B and decides that it’s a wonderful place that more than deserves a good review.  Yay!  I will say that it’s always interesting to see Roberts playing someone who is just a nice, polite guy.  He doesn’t get to do it all that often.  Eric Roberts doesn’t have much screentime in this film but he gets to be pleasant the entire time.  It’s a nice change of pace.

Previous Eric Roberts Films That We Have Reviewed:

  1. Star 80 (1983)
  2. Runaway Train (1985)
  3. Blood Red (1989)
  4. The Ambulance (1990)
  5. The Lost Capone (1990)
  6. Love, Cheat, & Steal (1993)
  7. Voyage (1993)
  8. Love Is A Gun (1994)
  9. Sensation (1994)
  10. Dark Angel (1996)
  11. Doctor Who (1996)
  12. Most Wanted (1997)
  13. Mercy Streets (2000)
  14. Wolves of Wall Street (2002)
  15. Mr. Brightside (2004)
  16. Six: The Mark Unleased (2004)
  17. Hey You (2006)
  18. Amazing Racer (2009)
  19. In The Blink of an Eye (2009)
  20. Enemies Among Us (2010)
  21. The Expendables (2010) 
  22. Sharktopus (2010)
  23. Beyond The Trophy (2012)
  24. The Dead Want Women (2012)
  25. Deadline (2012)
  26. The Mark (2012)
  27. Miss Atomic Bomb (2012)
  28. Bonnie And Clyde: Justified (2013)
  29. Lovelace (2013)
  30. The Mark: Redemption (2013)
  31. Self-Storage (2013)
  32. A Talking Cat!?! (2013)
  33. This Is Our Time (2013)
  34. Inherent Vice (2014)
  35. Road to the Open (2014)
  36. Rumors of War (2014)
  37. Amityville Death House (2015)
  38. A Fatal Obsession (2015)
  39. Stalked By My Doctor (2015)
  40. Enemy Within (2016)
  41. Joker’s Poltergeist (2016)
  42. Prayer Never Fails (2016)
  43. Stalked By My Doctor: The Return (2016)
  44. The Wrong Roommate (2016)
  45. Dark Image (2017)
  46. Black Wake (2018)
  47. Frank and Ava (2018)
  48. Stalked By My Doctor: Patient’s Revenge (2018)
  49. Clinton Island (2019)
  50. Monster Island (2019)
  51. The Reliant (2019)
  52. The Savant (2019)
  53. Seven Deadly Sins (2019)
  54. Stalked By My Doctor: A Sleepwalker’s Nightmare (2019)
  55. The Wrong Mommy (2019)
  56. Exodus of a Prodigal Son (2020)
  57. Free Lunch Express (2020)
  58. Her Deadly Groom (2020)
  59. Top Gunner (2020)
  60. Deadly Nightshade (2021)
  61. The Elevator (2021)
  62. Just What The Doctor Ordered (2021)
  63. Killer Advice (2021)
  64. The Poltergeist Diaries (2021)
  65. The Rebels of PT-218 (2021)
  66. A Town Called Parable (2021)
  67. Bleach (2022)
  68. My Dinner With Eric (2022)
  69. Aftermath (2024)
  70. Devil’s Knight (2024)
  71. The Wrong Life Coach (2024)
  72. When It Rains In L.A. (2025)