Author Archives: Lisa Marie Bowman

A Blast From The Past: Rock: It’s Your Decision (dir by John Taylor)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Pacific Blue will not be reviewed this week so that we might bring you this special broadcast of 1982’s Rock It’s Your Decision!

Jeff (Ty Taylor) has been challenged to think about the music he listens to and to only listen to Christian music for a few weeks.  Jeff takes the challenge and, in the film’s climatic speech, he reveals that even Barry Manilow is a servant of the Devil.  This film is dated, incredibly silly, and oddly watchable.  It might have had more impact if the lead character wasn’t so dorky.  “I love a get down beat!”  I love the way his voice cracks when he shouts, “Do you think I’m sexy?”

Pacific Blue will return next week.  For now, check out Rock It’s Your Decision!

A Blast From The Past: The Mama Cass Television Program (dir by Sid Smith)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Normally, this is where and when I would post my weekly review of Fantasy Island but, due to this being a busy week, my Retro Television Reviews are on break until Sunday.  Fear not, though, we have alternative programming!

From 1969, it’s The Mama Cass Television Program!  This was actually meant to be a pilot for a variety show that would have been hosted by Mama Cass Elliott, formerly of the Mamas and the Papas.  For that reason, there’s some comedy bits along with Cass singing.  Keep an eye out for Martin Landau!  The comedy, to be honest, is a bit cringey but it really doesn’t matter when you’ve got Cass Elliott and her amazing voice.

Fantasy Island will return next week but for now….

 

Song of the Day: Overture (Lawrence of Arabia) by Maurice Jarre

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Lawrence of Arabia (dir. by David Lean)

Since today is David Lean’s birthday, it only seems appropriate that today’s song of the day should come from the film that is regularly acknowledged as being Lean’s masterpiece, 1962’s Lawrence of Arabia.  Composed by Maurice Jarre, here is one of the greatest film scores of all times.

Scenes That I Love: David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

The great British director David Lean was born 117 years ago today.

In honor of his films and his legacy, here is a scene that I love from Lawrence of Arabia.  In this scene, Peter O’Toole blowing out a flame transports us straight to a sunrise in the desert.  Though Lean started out his career directing small-scale but emotionally rich films like Brief Encounter and Great Expectations, he ultimately became best-known for directing historical epics and cinematic spectacles.  This scene shows us why.  Even to this day, it seems as if any epic film is destined to be compared to the work of David Lean.

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special John Stockwell Edition

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

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

Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to actor/director John Stockwell!  Though the critics might not always realize it, Galveston-born John Stockwell is responsible for some of the best beach movies of the 21st Century.  No one can make the beach and the ocean look as inviting (or as dangerous) as John Stockwell.

It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 John Stockwell Films

Blue Crush (2002, dir by John Stockwell, DP: David Hennings)

Into the Blue (2005, dir by John Stockwell, DP: Shane Hurlbut and Pete Zuccarini)

Turistas (2006, dir by John Stockwell, DP: Enrique Chediak and Peter Zuccarini)

In the Blood (2014, dir by John Stockwell, DP: P.J. Lopez)

Song of the Day: Main Title Theme From Bullitt by Lalo Schifrin

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

In honor of the birthday of Steve McQueen, today’s song of the day comes from his 1968 film, Bullitt.  Composed Lala Schifrin later went on to do the score for another film about a California detective with his own way of doing things, Dirty Harry.

Scenes That I Love: Steve McQueen in Bullitt

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

In honor of the birthday of actor Steve McQueen, the true epitome of all things cool, here is the famous and trend-setting chase scene from 168’s Bullitt, featuring McQueen behind the wheel and doing his own stunts on the streets of San Francisco.

 

Monday Live Tweet Alert: Join Us for Evasive Action!

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

As some of our regular readers undoubtedly know, I am involved in hosting a few weekly live tweets on twitter and occasion ally Mastodon.  I host #FridayNightFlix every Friday, I co-host #ScarySocial on Saturday, and I am one of the five hosts of Mastodon’s #MondayActionMovie!  Every week, we get together.  We watch a movie.  We snark our way through it.

Tonight, for #MondayActionMovie, the film will be 1998’s Evasive Action!

It should make for a night of fun viewing and I invite all of you to join in.  If you want to join the live tweets, just hop onto Mastodon, pull up Evasive Action on YouTube, start the movie at 8 pm et, and use the #MondayActionMovie hashtag!

Enjoy!