Scenes That I Love: Prohibition’s Funeral From Once Upon A Time In America


Once Upon A Time In America (1984, dir by Sergio Leone, DP: Tonino Delli Colli)

Change comes with a new year.  That’s just an inevitable fact of life.  Sometimes, it’s good chance and sometimes, it’s bad change and sometimes, it’s change that is both good and bad.  That’s certainly the case with today’s scene that I love.

In Serigo Leone’s 1984 masterpiece, Once Upon A Time In America, 1933 brings with it the end of prohibition.  While the nation celebrates the right to once again legally drink, gangsters like the ones played by James Woods and Robert De Niro mourn the loss of their business and try to figure out a new way to pay their bills.

In this scene, Prohibition — that law that was hated by so many — is given a send-off by the people that it made very rich.

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 12/25/23 — 12/31/23


Happy New Year!

I spent the week at my sister Megan’s, which was fun despite the fact that I was under the weather for quite a bit of it.  Tonight, I am celebrating New Year’s and I’m looking forward to spending the first month of 2024 getting caught up on all the stuff I still need to watch from 2023!

Anyway, the year is over!  We survived!  Now, onward to 2024!

But first, here’s what I watched, read, and listened to this week!

Films I Watched:

  1. After Everything (2023)
  2. Bones and All (2022)
  3. The Bride and the Beast (1958)
  4. A Christmas Story (1983)
  5. Death Warrant (1990)
  6. Golda (2023)
  7. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
  8. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)
  9. Top Gunner: America vs Russia (2023)

Television Shows I Watched:

  1. All You Need Is Love
  2. The Bold and the Beautiful
  3. California Dreams
  4. CHiPs
  5. Days of our Lives
  6. Dr. Death
  7. Dr. Phil
  8. General Hospital
  9. The Garden: Cult or Commune?
  10. Jennifer Slept Here
  11. The Love Boat
  12. Monsters
  13. Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, Reckoning
  14. Night Flight
  15. Saved By The Bell
  16. The Simpsons
  17. T and T
  18. Twilight Zone
  19. The Young and the Restless

Books I Read:

  1. Killers of the Flower Moon (2017) by David Grann

Music To Which I Listened:

  1. Adi Ulmansky
  2. Amy Winehouse
  3. Arctic Monkeys
  4. Aretha Franklin
  5. Armin van Buuren
  6. Ashlee Simpson
  7. Boomerang
  8. Britney Spears
  9. The Chemical Brothers
  10. Club N0uveau
  11. Cyndi Lauper
  12. David Hasselhoff
  13. Doctor and the Medics
  14. Fine Young Cannibals
  15. Frank Sinatra
  16. Hazel English
  17. Jennifer Lopez
  18. Jessica Simpson
  19. Jessie Ware
  20. Nancy Sinatra
  21. Nine Inch Nails
  22. The Pretenders
  23. The Prodigy
  24. Saint Motel
  25. Sinead O’Connor
  26. Taylor Swift
  27. Tony Bennett

Live Tweets:

  1. Death Warrant
  2. Bones and All

Awards Season:

  1. Nevada Film Critics Society Winners
  2. DiscussingFilm Critics Awards Nominations
  3. Georgia Film Critics Association Nominations
  4. Lisa Marie’s Oscar Predictions for December

News From Last Week:

  1. Beloved actor Tom Wilkinson dies at 75
  2. Dancer Maurice Hines dies at 80
  3. Director David Leland dies at 82
  4. Comedian Shecky Greene dies at 97
  5. Documentarian John Pilger dies at 87
  6. Comedian Tom Smothers dies at 86
  7. British actor Richard Franklin dies at 87, on Christmas Day

Links From Last Week:

  1. Welcome To The 2023 White House Holiday Party! A Philadelphia Eagles Serenade To The First Lady!
  2. Ringing in 2024 – Rock-Vixen/Witch style

Links From The Site:

  1. Erin shared Love Story, Film Fun, New York Madness, Ecstasy Girl, Real Screen Fun, Detective Story Magazine, and Progressive Grocer!
  2. Erin shared her favorite moment of 2023 and wished everyone a Merry Christmas!
  3. I shared my week in television!
  4. I reviewed Degrassi Junior High, Miami Vice, ChiPs, Fantasy Island, Baywatch Nights, Love Boat, Monsters, Jennifer Slept Here, and Highway to HeavenThen I took a break for New Year’s!
  5. I paid tribute to Carol Reed, F.W. Murnau, and Yvonne Elliman!
  6. I shared music videos from Jessie Ware, Arctic Monkeys, Britney Spears, David Hasselhoff, Hazel English, Jennifer Lopez, and Sinead O’Connor!
  7. I shared Treevenge!

More From Us:

  1. At my music site, I shared songs from Armin Van Buuren, Jessica Simpson, The Chemical Brothers, Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse, The Prodigy, Ashlee Simpson, and Taylor Swift!
  2. At her photography site, Erin shared Merry Christmas, Branches, Dish, Limbs, Birds, Squirrel, and America!

Want to check out last week?  Click here!

Lisa Marie’s Oscar Predictions For December


Here they are!  These are my final Oscar predictions for 2023.  The critics groups have certainly helped to show us which films are major contenders.  That said, the Guilds are even more important so I can’t wait to see who they nominate and honor in January.

Below are my predictions for December.  Be sure to also check out my predictions for March and April and May and June and July and August and September and October and November!

Best Picture 

American Fiction

Barbie

Godzilla Minus One

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Past Lives

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

(Before anyone gives me a hard time about Godzilla Minus One, I always toss in one critically acclaimed long shot so that I can brag — or perhaps even gloat — if it actually happens.  Plus, everyone knows that having Godzilla at the Oscars would be entertainment gold.)

Best Director

Greta Gerwig for Barbie

Yorgos Lanthimos for Poor Things

Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer

Alexander Payne for The Holdovers

Martin Scorsese for Killers of the Flower Moon

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper in Maestro

Colman Domingo in Rustin

Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer

Jeffrey Wright in American Fiction

Best Actress

Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Huller in Anatomy of a Fall

Greta Lee in Past Lives

Carey Mulligan in Maestro

Emma Stone in Poor Things

Best Supporting Actor

Robert De Niro in Killers of the Flower Moon

Robert Downey, Jr. in Oppenheimer

Ryan Gosling in Barbie

Charles Melton in May/December

Mark Ruffalo in Poor Things

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt in Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks in The Color Purple

Jodie Foster in Nyad

Rachel McAdams in Are You There God?  It’s Me, Margaret.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph in The Holdovers

Lisa Marie’s Week In Television: 12/24/23 — 12/30/23


Happy holidays!  I’ve been visiting my sister Megan this week.  Unfortunately, I’ve also been dealing with a cold this week.  As a result, I’ve spent a lot of time in my sister’s guest room, getting caught up on all the daytime dramas!

Here’s some thoughts on what I watched:

All You Need Is Love (Night Flight Plus)

On Friday night, I watched an episode of this documentary series about the history of American music.  The episode dealt with the birth and popularity of jazz.  It featured a lot of very good music.  It also featured an interview with Hoagy Carmichael, who Ian Fleming often claimed James Bond was meant to physically resemble.

The Bold and the Beautiful (Weekday afternoons, NBC)

This week, I got caught up with this wonderfully over-the-top daytime drama.  I think it had been over a year since I last watched an episode of The Bold and the Beautiful so it was nice to see that everyone was still bold and still beautiful.

California Dreams (DVD)

Megan and I watched a few episodes of California Dreams throughout the week.  Megan agreed that I basically am like the red-headed version of Lorena Costa.

Days of Our Lives (Weekdays, Peacock)

Days of our Lives is on Peacock now.  Just as with The Bold and the Beautiful, it had been a while since I watched this show.  I watched several episodes this week but I’d be lying if I said I paid too much attention.  That said, the show was a nice distraction for when I was feeling ill.

Dr. Death (Peacock)

My sister Megan and I binged the second season of this show on Monday and Tuesday.  It was an interesting story, even if it wasn’t quite as strong as the first season.  I love Mandy Moore but she was a bit miscast as a tough New York journalist.

Dr. Phil (YouTube)

I watched a few episodes of Dr. Phil this week but I mostly just used them for background noise. I did make sure to pay attention to the episodes about the girl who was convinced that she was pregnant with Jesus.

The Garden: Commune or Cult?  (Max)

Megan and I binged this show on Wednesday night.  Personally, I think The Garden is more of a commune than a cult but mostly it’s just a place full of really annoying people.  Living off the grid has some appeal when it comes to not paying taxes but I’m just not a fan of living off the land.  I guess my ideal living situation would be to live in the city but not have to pay for anything.

 General Hospital (Weekday Afternoons, ABC)

It kind of bothers me that this show has scenes that take place outside of the hospital.

Jennifer Slept Here (YouTube)

I wrote about the final episode of Jennifer Slept Here …. here!

The Love Boat (Paramount Plus)

I wrote about The Love Boat here!

Monsters (Tubi)

I wrote about Monsters here!

Murder In Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning (Max)

Megan and I watched this last night.  This three-part docudrama dealt with a murder that occurred in Boston in the 80s.  The same story served as the basis for a movie that I reviewed back in October.  It’s an interesting story, though the docuseries was more interested in the cultural context of the crime than the crime itself.

Night Flight (Night Flight Plus)

I watched an episode on Friday about 80s cover tunes.

The Office (Sunday Morning, Comedy Central)

I watched two Christmas episodes on Sunday.  One was the Benihana Christmas episode from the Steve Carell years.  The other episode was from the post-Carell era.  The differences in quality were dramatic.  That show really went downhill after Steve Carell left.

Saved By The Bell (DVD)

Megan and I watched a few episodes of Saved By The Bell over the week.  We hit all the classics, No Hope With Dope, the episodes where Kelly dumped Zach for Jeff, the episode where Jessie got hooked on caffeine pills, and the rockumentary.

The Simpsons (Monday Morning, TBS)

I watched two Christmas episodes on Monday.  Fortunately, they both featured Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob because both of them would have been pretty dire without his ability to turn even the lamest of lines into comedic gold.  One episode featured Bart getting lost in an underground missile silo.  The other featured Bob taking a job as a Santa’s Village Santa and helping to expose Mr. Burns as the person who stealing the town’s Christmas presents.  Both episodes were oddly mean-spirited at times, as if the show’s writers were trying to impress the Family Guy crowd.

T and T (Tubi)

Next week, I’ll be reviewing the episode that I watched this week.

Twilight Zone (SyFy)

Today, I’ve enjoyed several episodes of SyFy’s annual New Year’s Twilight Zone marathon.  This is one of those traditions that I hope never goes away.

The Young and the Restless (Weekday afternoons, NBC)

I’m happy to say that everyone is still restless, even if they’re not quite young.

Live Tweet Alert: Join #ScarySocial for Bones and All!


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

Tonight, at 9 pm et, Tim Buntley will be hosting #ScarySocial!  The movie?  2022’s Bones and All!

If you want to join us this Friday, just hop onto twitter, start the movie at 9 pm et, and use the #ScarySocial hashtag!  I’ll be there tweeting and I imagine some other members of the TSL Crew will be there as well.  It’s a friendly group and welcoming of newcomers so don’t be shy.

Bones and All is available on Prime!

See you there!

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Carol Reed Edition


4 Shots From 4 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, we celebrate the birth of the great British director, Carol Reed!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Carol Reed Films

Odd Man Out (1947, dir by Carol Reed, DP: Robert Krasker)

The Fallen Idol (1948, dir by Carol Reed, DP: Georges Perinal)

The Third Man (1949, dir by Carol Reed, DP: Robert Krasker)

Flap (1970, dir by Carol Reed, DP: Fred J. Koenekamp)

Music Video of the Day: When The Sun Goes Down by Arctic Monkeys (2005, dir by Paul Fraser)


I once had a friend who owned a guitar and this was the only song that he ever sang.  That got old pretty quickly but this is still a very effective, well-directed, and well-acted video.

Enjoy!

Retro Television Reviews Will Return On January 1st!


Hi, everyone!

Typically, this is when I would post my weekly review of the old TV show, T and T.  However, our Retro Television Reviews feature is taking a break for the holiday weekend but it will return on January 1st!

Starting January 1st, our review schedule will be:

Monday — Miami Vice/CHiPs

Tuesday — Fantasy Island/Baywatch Nights

Wednesday — The Love Boat/Monsters

Thursday — ????/Highway to Heaven

Friday — T and T/Friday the 13th: The Series

Saturday — Welcome Back Kotter/Check It Out

Sunday — Weekly Made-For-TV Movie/Degrassi Junior High

Do you have a suggestion for what show should take over our open Thursday slot?  Let me know in the comments!

Have a great New Year!

The Georgia Film Critics Association Nominates Godzilla!


The Georgia Film Critics Association announced their nominees for the best of 2023 and look who snagged a spot in the Best Picture lineup!  Way to go, Godzilla!

The winners will be announced on January 5th, 2024.

Best Picture
“American Fiction”
“Barbie”
“Godzilla Minus One”
“The Holdovers”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“May December”
“Oppenheimer”
“Past Lives”
“Poor Things”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

Best Director
“American Fiction” – Cord Jefferson
“Barbie” – Greta Gerwig
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Martin Scorsese
“Oppenheimer” – Christopher Nolan
“Past Lives” – Celine Song

Best Actor
Bradley Cooper (“Maestro”)
Colman Domingo (“Rustin”)
Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers”)
Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”)
Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction”)

Best Actress
Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”)
Sandra Hüller (“Anatomy of a Fall”)
Greta Lee (“Past Lives”)
Carey Mulligan (“Maestro”)
Emma Stone (“Poor Things”)

Best Supporting Actor
Sterling K. Brown (“American Fiction”)
Robert Downey, Jr. (“Oppenheimer”)
Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”)
Glenn Howerton (“BlackBerry”)
Charles Melton (“May December”)

Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”)
Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”)
Penélope Cruz (“Ferrari”)
Rachel McAdams (“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”)

Best Original Screenplay
“Barbie” – Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
“Dream Scenario” – Kristoffer Borgli
“The Holdovers” – David Hemingson
“May December” – Samy Burch
“Past Lives” – Celine Song

Best Adapted Screenplay
“American Fiction” – Cord Jefferson
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” – Kelly Fremon Craig
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese
“Oppenheimer” – Christopher Nolan
“Poor Things” – Tony McNamara

Best Cinematography
“All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” – Jomo Fray
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Rodrigo Prieto
“Maestro” – Matthew Libatique
“Oppenheimer” – Hoyte Van Hoytema
“Poor Things” – Robbie Ryan

Best Production Design
“Asteroid City” – Adam Stockhausen, Kris Moran
“Barbie” – Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
“The Creator” – James Clyne, Chris DiPaola, Matt Sims, Lek Chaiyan Chunsuttiwat
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Jack Fisk, Adam Willis
“Oppenheimer” – Ruth De Jong, Claire Kaufman
“Poor Things” – James Price, Shona Heath, Szusza Mihalek

Best Original Score
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Robbie Robertson
“Oppenheimer” – Ludwig Göransson
“Poor Things” – Jerskin Fendrix
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” – Daniel Pemberton
“The Zone of Interest” – Mica Levi

Best Original Song
“Am I Dreaming” – Mike Dean, Peter Lee Johnson, Rakim Mayers, Roisee, Landon Wayne, Leland Wayne (“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”)
“I’m Just Ken” – Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt (“Barbie”)
“Peaches” – Jack Black, John Spiker, Eric Osmond, Michael Jelenic, Aaron Horvath (“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”)
“Quiet Eyes” – Sharon Van Etten, Zach Dawes (“Past Lives”)
“What Was I Made For?” – Billie Eillish, Finneas O’Connell (“Barbie”)

Best Ensemble
“American Fiction”
“Asteroid City”
“Barbie”
“The Color Purple”
“The Holdovers”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Oppenheimer”

Best International Film
“Anatomy of a Fall”
“The Boy and the Heron”
“Godzilla Minus One”
“Perfect Days”
“The Taste of Things”
“The Zone of Interest”

Best Animated Film
“The Boy and the Heron”
“Elemental”
“Robot Dreams”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”

Best Documentary Film
“Beyond Utopia”
“Four Daughters”
“The Mission”
“The Pigeon Tunnel”
“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”

Breakthrough Award
Ayo Edebiri
Abby Ryder Fortson
Charlles Melton
Dominic Sessa
Celine Song

Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema
“Blue Beetle” (Angel Manuel Soto, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer)
“Chipper” (short; Shaun MacLean, Lane Skye, Ruckus Skye)
“The Color Purple” (Blitz Bazawule, Marcus Gardley)
“Creed III” (Michael B. Jordan, Keenan Coogler, Zach Baylin)
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (James Gunn)
“May December” (Todd Haynes, Samy Burch)
“Origin” (Ava DuVernay)
“She Watches Blindly” (Bryan Tan)
“They Cloned Tyrone” (Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier)
“This World is Not My Own” (Petter Ringbom, Marquise Stillwell, Ruchi Mital)