Category Archives: Editorial

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 1/20/25 — 1/26/25

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I’ve got a cold, which is why I didn’t post my usual film reviews today.  It says something about how much I love doing all of this that I actually feel guilty about not doing so.  But I promised a lot of people that I would do a better job of taking care of myself in 2025 than I have in previous years.  So …. bleh, being sick sucks!

Been a busy week.  I’ll just say that I’ve enjoyed everything other than being sick.  The week started with a presidential inauguration and then, a few days later, the Oscar nominations were announced and now, tonight, my fever is breaking.

Here’s what I watched, read, and listened to this week.

Films I Watched:

  1. Betty: They Say I’m Different (2017)
  2. Burglar (1987)
  3. The Calendar Killer (2025)
  4. Chaka Khan: Live at the Blue Note New York (1993)
  5. Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story (2024)
  6. Hot Shots (1993)
  7. Hot Shots Part Deux (1993)
  8. Diary of the Dead (2007)
  9. First Spaceship on Venus (1960)
  10. Last Night At The Alamo (1983)
  11. Shattered Glass (2003)
  12. Signal 30 (1959)
  13. Super Fuzz (1980)

Television Shows I Watcched:

  1. Abbott Elementary
  2. Check It Out
  3. CHiPs
  4. Dark
  5. Degrassi High
  6. Fantasy Island
  7. Football: Chiefs vs. Bills
  8. Friday the 13th: The Series
  9. Hell’s Kitchen
  10. Highway to Heaven
  11. Homicide: Life On The Street
  12. Kitchen Nightmares
  13. The Love Boat
  14. Malibu CA
  15. Miami Vice
  16. Monsters
  17. Pacific Blue
  18. The Oscar Nominations
  19. The Presidential Inauguration
  20. St. Elsewhere
  21. Welcome Back Kotter

Books I Read:

  1. We Used To Live Here (2024) by Marcus Kliewer

Music To Which I Listened:

  1. Adi Ulmansky
  2. The Associates
  3. Britney Spears
  4. Carrie Underwood
  5. The Chemical Brothers
  6. Cher Lloyd
  7. Chrystabell
  8. Elle King
  9. Geri Halliwell
  10. Kid Rock
  11. Lindsay Lohan
  12. Liz Phair
  13. Lynard Skynard
  14. Moby
  15. The Osmonds
  16. Public Service Broadcasting
  17. Saint Motel
  18. Tina Arena

Live Tweets:

  1. Super Fuzz
  2. Burglar
  3. Shattered Glass
  4. Diary of the Dead

News From Last Week:

  1. Actress Gloria Romero Died At 91

Links From Last Week:

  1. The Greater Good
  2. The Academy Award Nominations Are Here! Surprises And Snubs For 2024!
  3. Tater’s Week in Review 1/24/25

Links From The Site:

  1. Arleigh shared Ramblin’ Man and a scene from The Raid 2!
  2. Arleigh shared an AMV of the Day!
  3. Arleigh reviewed The Night Comes For Us!
  4. Erin shared Adventure, True Confessions, The Hellcat, Saucy Movie Tales, The Country Club Set, Tomorrow’s Another Day, and Martin Luther King, Jr!
  5. Jeff reviewed The Art of War, The Challenge, Hot Shots, Hot Shots Part Deux, Stripes, Down Periscope, and Wrongfully Accused!
  6. I shared my final 2024 Oscar predictions!
  7. I reviewed In The Company of Men, Longtime Companion, Last Night At The Alamo, Reds, Goodfellas, The Straight Story, Platoon, Hit Man, The Woman of the Hour, The Thin Red Line, The Calendar Killer, The Insider, Reagan, La Dolce Vita, The Right Stuff, The Elevator, and Inchon!
  8. I shared songs of the day from Van Halen, One O’Clock Lab Band, Stephen Bishop, California Dreams, The Oceans, and Tina Arena!
  9. I shared scenes from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Animal House, The Oscar, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and Twin Peaks: The Return!
  10. I paid tribute to Roger Vadim, Tobe Hooper, Henry King, the Best Picture Also-Rans, Jim Jarmusch, Radley Metzger, and David Lynch!
  11. Brad reviewed Wedlock, Cold Sweat, and Shane!
  12. Brad shared a scene from Telefon and a scene from Sling Blade and paid tribute to Telly Savalas, Randolph Scott and Rutger Hauer!

Want to check out last week?  Click here!

 

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 1/13/25 — 1/19/25

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Rest in Peace, David Lynch.

Twin Peaks The Return Part Three (2017, dir by David Lynch)

Movies I Watched:

  1. Alone in Venice (2025)
  2. Amazing Racer (2009)
  3. The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
  4. Call To Danger (1973)
  5. Class of 1984 (1982)
  6. Dark Star (1974)
  7. Dead Before They Wake (2025)
  8. Excalibur (1981)
  9. Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)
  10. Inchon (1981)
  11. Laws of Man (2025)
  12. Mortuary (1983)
  13. The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1986)
  14. Nemesis (1992)
  15. Priceless (2016)
  16. Reagan (2024)
  17. Starman (1984)
  18. Straight To Hell (1947)
  19. Trading Places (1983)
  20. Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987)
  21. What Did Jack Do? (2017)

Television Shows I Watched:

  1. Abbott Elementary
  2. Check It Out
  3. CHiPs
  4. Dark
  5. Degrassi High
  6. Fantasy Island
  7. Friday the 13th: The Series
  8. Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story
  9. Hell’s Kitchen
  10. Highway to Heaven
  11. Homicide: Life on the Street
  12. Kitchen Nightmares
  13. The Love Boat
  14. Malibu CA
  15. Miami Vice
  16. Monsters
  17. Pacific Blue
  18. Special Force: World’s Toughest Test
  19. St. Elsewhere
  20. The Starlet
  21. Welcome Back, Kotter
  22. Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Millionaire

Music To Which I Listened:

  1. Adi Ulmansky
  2. Angelo Badalamenti
  3. Ashlee Simpson
  4. The Chemical Brothers
  5. Chromatics
  6. Chrysta Bell
  7. David Lynch
  8. Goblin
  9. The Hospital
  10. Jessica Simpson
  11. John Carpenter
  12. Julee Cruise
  13. Lindsey Stirling
  14. Primitive Radio Gods
  15. Rialto
  16. Saint Motel
  17. Skrillex
  18. Tiesto
  19. The Ting Tings
  20. TTSSFU
  21. X

Live Tweets:

  1. Nemesis
  2. Wanted: Dead or Alive
  3. Class of 1984
  4. Mortuary

News From Last Week:

  1. Visionary Director David Lynch Has Passed Away
  2. Actress Joan Plowright Dies
  3. Actor Bob Uecker Dies
  4. Director Jeannot Szwarc Dies
  5. Comedian Tony Slattery Dies After A Heart Attack
  6. The TikTok Ban Is Off Again

Links From Last Week:

  1. Tater’s Week in Review 1/17/25
  2. The Serenity Of Malibu Waves…A Peaceful Oasis Destroyed…How You Can Help…
  3. “Live Wire”

Links From The Site:

  1. Arleigh reviewed Monster and Van Helsing!  He shared an AMV of the Day and two songs of the day, from Joe Satriani and The HU.  He shared a scene from Mr. Inbetween and paid tribute to Assassin films!  He shared the trailer for Daredevil: Born Again!
  2. Brad reviewed Voyage, The Untouchables, Vampires, Sling Blade, Shane, Conviction, and Enough!  He shared a scene from Ace Ventura and paid tribute to David Lynch.  He wrote about Charles Bronson: The Musical.
  3. Erin reviewed Hitting For The Cycle and paid tribute to Bob Uecker!  She shared the covers of Real Men and Mural of Martin Luther King, Jr., Master Detective, Gang Mistress, Amazing Detective Tales, Women Without Men, Gretta, and Ginger!
  4. Jeff reviewed 48 Hours, Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, Memoirs of an Invisible Man, Cops and Robbersons, Excalibur, and Phantom Punch!  He reviewed a game and shared great moments in television and comic book history!
  5. I shared music videos from TTSSFU, Rialto, Skrillex, The Hospital, Tiesto, X, and Chrystabell!
  6. I shared songs of the day from The Chemical Brothers, The Supremes, Angelo Badalamenti, Jessica Simpson, and Janis Joplin!
  7. I shared my week in television!  I also reviewed Degrassi High!
  8. I paid tribute to John McNaughton, 1963, John Carpenter, bootleggers, John Boorman, and Edgar Allan Poe!
  9. I shared scenes from Airplane!, Earthquake, They Live, Deliverance, and Tales and Tellers!
  10. I reviewed When it Rains In LA, Gravity, Alone in Venice, Alice Adams, Laws of Man, Mississippi Burning, Dead Before They Wake, The Elephant Man, Dark Star, Starman, The Man, Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Notorious, The Bishop’s Wife, Eraserhead, and Nomadland!

Click here for last week!

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 1/6/25 — 1/12/25

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Needless to say, my heart goes out to everyone who is dealing with wildfires in Los Angeles.  My heart also goes out to all the people in North Carolina and Hawaii who are still struggling to rebuild their lives.  I’ve heard some infuriating stories about the failure of local and national government to help those effected but I’ve also heard some inspiring stories about ordinary people looking out for their neighbors and bravely helping out in whatever way they can.  That’s one reason why I love this country.

Here’s what I watched and listened to this week.

Films I Watched:

  1. Abigail (2024)
  2. Arrowsmith (1931)
  3. Arson, Inc. (1949)
  4. The Bear Lake Murders (2025)
  5. The Bitch (1979)
  6. The Cardinal (1963)
  7. Casablanca Express (1989)
  8. Cindy Goes To A Party (1955)
  9. The Country Girl (1954)
  10. The Elevator (2021)
  11. Exodus (1960)
  12. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
  13. The Great Smokey Roadblock (1977)
  14. It Came From Aquarius Records (2022)
  15. The Jazz Singer (1980)
  16. Juror #2 (2024)
  17. The Lost Wife of Robert Durst (2017)
  18. Mercy Streets (2000)
  19. Moonstruck (1987)
  20. Mysteries From Beyond Earth (1975)
  21. Mysteries of the Gods (1976)
  22. Night of the Running Man (1975)
  23. Quasi at the Quackadero (1976)
  24. Quick Change (1990)
  25. Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
  26. The Stud (1978)
  27. Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story (2025)
  28. When It Rains In L.A. (2025)
  29. Why? (1973)
  30. The Wraith (1986)

Television Shows I Watched:

  1. Abbott Elementary
  2. Check It Out!
  3. Degrassi High
  4. Dark
  5. Doc
  6. Dr. Phil
  7. Fantasy Island
  8. Friday the 13th: The Series
  9. Going Dutch
  10. Hell’s Kitchen
  11. Highway to Heaven
  12. Homicide: Life On The Street
  13. Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action
  14. Kitchen Nightmares
  15. The Love Boat
  16. Monsters
  17. Pacific Blue
  18. Shifting Gears
  19. Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test
  20. St. Elsewhere
  21. Welcome Back, Kotter

Music To Which I Listened:

  1. Adi Ulmansky
  2. Bob Dylan
  3. Britney Spears
  4. The Chemical Brothers
  5. Clint Mansell
  6. Commodores
  7. Crud
  8. David Bowie
  9. Frank Stallone
  10. Genesis
  11. The Heavy
  12. Huey Lewis and the News
  13. Kenny Loggins
  14. The KLF
  15. Led Zeppelin
  16. Lindsey Stirling
  17. New Radicals
  18. Pretty Sick
  19. Ringo Starr
  20. Saint Motel
  21. The Wallflowers
  22. X
  23. Yvonne Elliman

Live Tweets:

  1. The Wraith
  2. Night of the Running Man
  3. Quick Change
  4. Abigail

Awards Season:

  1. DGA Nominations
  2. SAG Nominations

News From Last Week:

  1. Los Angeles wildfires death toll rises to 16 as Gavin Newsom faces new firefighting funding scrutiny
  2. 2025 Critics Choice Awards Postponed Due to L.A. Fires, New Date Revealed
  3. Oscar nominations delayed, voting extended due to L.A. fires
  4. The Producers Guild Delays Nomination Announcement

Links From Last Week:

  1. 2025 Oscars: How to Fix The Film Industry and Save the Oscars – Part One
  2. Tater’s Week in Review 1/10/25
  3. Happy Birthday Nicolas Cage! I Watched SEVEN “Cage-tacular” Films To Celebrate!
  4. “Toby”: Cephalotus follicularis update

Links From The Site:

  1. Case reviewed Raising Arizona!
  2. Leonard reviewed The Sorcerer’s Apprentice!
  3. Erin shared No Escape, House Call, Hellcat, Ben Wilson, Lust Jungle, One Hot Night, and Fleshpot!
  4. Erin reviewed Bull Durham!
  5. Erin shared The Manliest Covers of True Man!  And she paid tribute to a brave little spider!
  6. Jeff reviewed Dead For A Dollar, Silverado, No Holds Barred, Counterpunch, Glass Jaw, The Challenger, and The Great White Hope!
  7. Jeff wished Elvis a happy birthday!  He posted a game review and he shared great moments in both comic book and television history!
  8. Brad reviewed Wanted Dead Or Alive, Stakeout, Hard Times, Borderline, Death Hunt, A Family Thing, Kid Galahad, It Could Happen To You, 
  9. Brad reviewed the second episode of Shane!
  10. Brad shared song from Flight of the Conchords!
  11. Brad paid tribute to Jimmy Page and Jan Gan Boyd!
  12. I reviewed The Country Girl, Red Alert, The Hole In The Wall, Mercy Streets, Cindy Goes To A Party, King Richard, Casablanca Express, Che!, Quick Change, A Streetcar Named Desire, Saturday Night, Fargo, Jazz Singer, Arrowsmith, Wild 90, Mysteries of the Gods, Why?, Moonstruck, Bonnie & Clyde: Justified, The Great Smokey Roadblock, From Here To Eternity, and After Hours!
  13. I reviewed Homicide, Check It Out, Welcome Back Kotter, Friday the 13th, St. Elsewhere, Highway to Heaven, Malibu CA, Monsters, The Love Boat, Pacific Blue, Fantasy Island, CHiPs, Miami Vice, and Degrassi High!
  14. I shared songs of the day from Shirley Bassey, The Chemical Brothers, Flight of the Conchords, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Clint Mansell, and Huey Lewis and the News!
  15. I shared scenes from Money Plane, Psycho, The Warriors, A Few Dollars More, Predator, Zandalee, and Back to the Future!
  16. I paid tribute to Rob Zombie, Alfonso Arau, Walter Hill, Ulu Grosbard, John McTiernan, Roger Pratt, and John Singleton!
  17. I shared music videos from Ringo Starr, Pretty Sick, The Wallflowers, Lindsey Stirling, David Bowie, Kenny Loggins, and Ludacris!
  18. I shared my week in television!

Click here to check out last week!

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 12/30/24 — 1/5/25

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Welcome to 2025!

Well, it’s a new year and we are off to a really strong start here at the Shattered Lens!  Thank you to everyone who has contributed this week and thank you to all of our readers!

As I sit here typing this, the wind is howling outside and the temperature is plunging.  We’ve been getting ready for the first big snow storm of 2025, which is supposed to hit us on Thursday.  So, as I shiver and turn a weary eye towards the Golden Globes, here’s what I watched, read, and listened to last week!

Films I Watched:

  1. The Ambulance (1990)
  2. Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme (2024)
  3. The Bat Woman (1968)
  4. The Big Chase (1954)
  5. Bonnie and Clyde Justified (2013)
  6. A Chef’s Deadly Revenge (2024)
  7. Dressed to Kill (2025)
  8. 48 Hours (1982)
  9. From Here To Eternity (1953)
  10. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
  11. Hellzapoppin’ (1941)
  12. The Hole In The Wall (1929)
  13. In A Volent Nature (2024)
  14. The Last Innocent Man (1987)
  15. Noriega: God’s Favorite (2000)
  16. The Twilight Zone Movie (1983)
  17. Money Plane (2020)
  18. Shoot To Kill (1988)
  19. Turbulence 3: Heavy Metal (2001)
  20. Vanished in Death Valley (2025)
  21. Vanished Out Of Sight (2025)
  22. Wild 90 (1968)
  23. The Wrong Life Coach (2024)

Television Shows I Watched:

  1. CHiPs
  2. Cobra Kai
  3. Dark
  4. Days of our Lives
  5. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest
  6. Going Dutch
  7. Hell’s Kitchen
  8. King of the Hill
  9. Miami Vice
  10. Saved By The Bell
  11. The Twilight Zone

Books I Read:

  1. Mazes and Monsters (1981) by Rona Jaffe
  2. Not Even Nominated (2024) by John DiLeo

Music To Which I Listened:

  1. Adi Ulmansky
  2. Blanck Mass
  3. Britney Spears
  4. Carly Simon
  5. The Chemical Brothers
  6. Coldplay
  7. Dooms UK
  8. Enya
  9. Folk Implosion
  10. The Hospital
  11. Jakalope
  12. Labi Siffre
  13. Lady Gaga
  14. Madness
  15. Ramones
  16. Rita Coolidge
  17. Riz Ortolani
  18. Saint Motel
  19. Sick Visor
  20. Shirley Bassey
  21. Skrillex
  22. Steve Wilson
  23. Tears For Fears
  24. X

Live Tweets:

  1. Turbulence 3: Heavy Metal
  2. 48 Hours
  3. Money Plane
  4. The Twilight Zone Movie

Awards Season:

  1. Lisa Marie’s Oscar Predictions For December
  2. Golden Globes
  3. North Carolina Film Critics Association
  4. Set Decorators Society of America
  5. Oklahoma Film Critics Circle
  6. Kansas City Film Critics Circle
  7. Greater Western New York Film Critics Association
  8. National Society of Film Critics
  9. Minnesota Film Critics Association
  10. Music City Film Critics Association
  11. Columbus Film Critics Association
  12. Critics Association of Central Florida
  13. Georgia Film Critics Association
  14. Kansas City Film Critics Circle
  15. North Texas Film Critics Association
  16. Columbus Film Critics Association 

Trailers:

  1. 6 Trailers For Pop Music Day

News From Last Week:

  1. Director Jeff Baena Passes Away At 47
  2. Author David Lodge Passes Away At 89
  3. Actor Niels Arestrup Passed Away At 75
  4. Actor John Capodice Dies At 83

Links From Last Week:

  1. 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2025
  2. What do The Doors & Mötley Crüe have in common?
  3. My 2024 In Books
  4. Goodbye 2024! Welcome 2025 With Grilled Onion Smash Burgers And Good Luck Food!

Links From the Site:

  1. Case shared a story about fighting!
  2. Leonard reviewed Anora and The Substance!  He shared his thoughts on the Golden Globes!
  3. Jeff reviewed Airplane!, Airplane 2, Night Shift, Scalplock, Chip of the Flying U, and Re-Election Campaign!
  4. Jeff shared a great moment in TV history and a great moment in comic book history!
  5. Erin reviewed Stealing Home and shared The Shocking Covers of Crime Detective!  She shared a visual journey through the fog and wished all of you a happy new year!
  6. Erin shared Sin Time/Office Pet, Reckless Virgin, One Hot Winter, Passion Holiday, Hope, Movie Humor, and Zippy!
  7. Brad revealed what Sergio Leone thought of Charles Bronson and wished happy birthdays to Robert Duvall and John Sturges.
  8. Brad reviewed The Children of Huang Shi, Why Not Me?, The Shawshank Redemption, From Noon Till Three, Episode One of Shane, The Mechanic, and The Tall T!
  9. I listed what I’m looking forward to in 2025!
  10. I reviewed The Love Boat, Monsters, Malibu CA, Highway to Heaven, St. Elsewhere, Friday the 13th, Welcome Back Kotter, Check It Out, and Homicide: Life on the Street!
  11. I shared music videos from Lady Gaga, Steven Wilson, Enya, Tears For Fears, Saint Motel, Sick Visor, and Ramones!
  12. I shared songs of the day from Nino Rota, Skrillex, Ennio Morricone, Shirley Bassey, and Carly Simon!
  13. I reviewed Solomon King, The Power of the Dog, Skokie, And The Band Played On, Shoot To Kill, The Last Innocent Man, Noriega: God’s Favorite, The Shoes of the Fisherman, The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, Escape,  The Life of Emile Zola, Voyage of the Damned, Dressed to Kill, Tucker, The Valiant, Unforgiven, The Wrong Life Coach, Heaven’s Gate, Rockshow, Megalopolis, In Old Chicago, Furiosa,  Save The Tiger, The Don Is Dead, Ghosts Can’t Do It, Chariots of the Gods, Shoot First, Mean Streets, The Deer Hunter, Caligula, The Assassination of Trotsky, Days of Thunder, Enemy Within, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, Woyzeck, Starcrash, and Beyond The Poseidon Adventure!
  14. I read Not Even Nominated and Mazes and Monsters!
  15. I shared 4 Shots From 4 New Year’s Films and 4 Shots From 4 Science Fiction Films!
  16. I shared scenes from Tomorrow Never Die, Cobra, Once Upon A Time In America, Metropolis, and Strange Days!
  17. I paid tribute to Roger Spottiswoode, George Pan Cosmatos, and Sergio Leone!
  18. I shared an AMV, a blast from the past, and my week in television!

More From Us:

  1. For Horror Critic, I reviewed In A Violent Nature
  2. At my music site, I shared songs from Britney Spears, Dooms UK, The Hospital, Madness and Labi Siffre!
  3. At SyFyDesigns, I said “Happy New Year!’
  4. At my online dream journal, I shared First Dream of 2025, Disco Dream, and a Fragment!
  5. At her photography site, Erin shared A Spider Hard At Work, A Spider Hanging In The Air, The Spider’s Work Is Never Done, The Spider Builds A Trap, and A Spider Does What It Can!

Want to check out last week?  Click here!

Scenes That I Love: The Final Moments of Sergio Leone’s Once Upon A Time In America

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

(SPOILERS BELOW)

The final moments of Sergio Leone’s epic 1984 gangster film, Once Upon A Time in America, are filed with questions and mysteries.

Who did Noodles (played by Robert De Niro) see standing outside of Max’s mansion?  When the garbage truck pulled up, did the mysterious man get in the truck or was he thrown in by some unseen force?

Why, in 1968, did Noodles see a car from the 1920s, one that was full of people who appeared to be celebrating the end of prohibition?  Was the car really there or was it an element of Noodles’s past as a gangster suddenly popping into his mind?

Once Upon A Time In America was Sergio Leone’s final film.  It’s one that he spent decades trying to get made and, once it was finally produced, it was butchered and re-edited by a studio hacks who demanded that the film tell its story in a linear style.  Leone was reportedly heart-broken by how his film was treated.  Some have speculated that his disappointment may have even contributed to the heart attack that eventually killed him.  It was only after Leone passed that his version of Once Upon A Time In America became widely available in the U.S.  This enigmatic epic continues to spark debate.  One thing that can’t be denied is that it’s a brilliant film.

As today is Leone’s birthday, it only seems appropriate to share a scene that I love, the final moments of Once Upon A Time In America.

6 Things That I’m Looking Forward To In January

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

It’s January!

Traditionally, as far as pop culture goes, January doesn’t get much respect.  If a studio has a film that they knew isn’t going to be a hit with critics or audiences, January is where they usually dump it with the full knowledge that, as bad as it is, everyone will have forgotten about it by the time summer rolls around.  The same can often be said of publishers.  With everyone busy getting caught up on what they missed during the last few months of the previous year, chances are that they won’t notice a few bombs dropped on the cultural landscape.  That’s the theory anyways.

But, you know me!  I’m an optimist.  And I remain convinced that, even in January, there are things to which we can look forward,  And here’s six of those things!

(Why six?  Because Lisa Marie doesn’t do odd numbers!)

  1. The Oscars

Yes, it’s that time of year!  The Oscar nominations are going to be announced on January 17th!  That’s two and a half weeks from now!  Obviously, I’ve got quite a bit that I still need to watch.  Wish me luck!

2. Sundance Film Festival

The first big film festival of the year opens on January 23rd.  Which films will emerge as Oscar contenders from this year’s festival?  It’s also possible that this year’s Sundance could be the last to be held in the snowy mountains of Utah.  If Sundance does move to either Boulder or Cincinnati, this year’s festival will indeed be the end of an era.  (Quite frankly, it’s hard for me to imagine a Sundance Film Festival without snow.)

3. Wolf Man

Directed by Leigh Whannell, the latest version of the Wolf Man will be released on January 17th.  Will this Wolf Man be as full of self-pity as Lon Chaney Jr’s version was?  We’ll find out!

4, Presence

As a filmmaker, Steven Soderbergh can be hit-or-miss.  He’s directed some truly brilliant films.  He’s also directed some rather pretentious dreck.  His latest film, Presence, appears to be a horror film but, knowing Soderbergh, there will probably be some twist that will annoy me to no end.  That said, the film stars Lucy Liu and she’s someone who definitely deserves to make a comeback.  The film is due to be released on the 24th and I’m hoping for the best!

5. Screamboat

This is apparently a horror version of Steamboat Willie.  This movie is probably going to suck but I’m just curious to see whether it’s going to be merely forgettable or a full-on disaster.  Screamboat is destined to ruin some childhood memories on January 24th.  Normally, I’d assign Case to check this out for us but I don’t think he’s forgiven me for making him watch Escape From Tomorrow.

6. Back In Action

Cameron Diaz came out of retirement to star in this action comedy.  The script must have been really amazing, right?  Uhmm….right?  We’ll find out when the film is released on January 17th.

What are you looking forward to in January?  Let us know in the comments!

Happy New Year From The Shattered Lens

Posted on by Dazzling Erin

by Erin Nicole

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2024 is over and 2025 has begun.  The slate is clean, the page is blank, and it’s all up to us to decide what type of year this is going to be.

I’ve included two signs in this post.  At the top is what I hope to do whenever I am tempted to give into anger, despair, or bitterness.  At the bottom is what I sincerely hope for all of us in 2025.

By Erin Nicole

Happy New Year!  My resolution is to make 2025 count!

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 12/23/24 — 12/29/24

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

2024 is nearly over and I have a cold so here’s one final abbreviated week in review for 2024!  This time next week, it will be 2025 and hopefully, I’ll be feeling a lot better.  I’ve already got a lot of reviews written and scheduled to drop, starting with January 1st.  2024 was a rough year for me so I’m looking forward to making 2025 count!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season!  Stay safe out there1

Films I Watched:

  1. A Christmas Story (1983)
  2. Cyberjack (1995)
  3. Die Hard (1988)
  4. The Don Is Dead (1973)
  5. Escape (2012)
  6. Galaxy of Terror (1981)
  7. Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)
  8. The Life of Emile Zola (1936)
  9. In Old Chicago (1936)
  10. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
  11. Major League (1989)
  12. Megalopolis (2024)
  13. The Preview Murder Mystery (1936)
  14. The Valiant (1929)

Television Shows I Watched:

  1. Check It Out!
  2. Degrassi High
  3. Degrassi: The Next Generation
  4. Dragnet
  5. Friday the 13th: The Series
  6. Happy New Year, Charlie Brown
  7. Highway to Heaven
  8. Homicide: Life On The Street
  9. King of the Hill
  10. The Love Boat
  11. Monsters
  12. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
  13. Saved By The Bell
  14. Seinfeld
  15. St. Elsewhere
  16. TV 2000
  17. Welcome Back, Kotter

Links From Last Week:

  1. Actress Olivia Hussey Dies At 73
  2. Actress Dayle Haddon Dies At 76
  3. Movies With A “Q!” Yes, There Are Ten! Bill Murray’s “Quick Change!” Helen Mirren Is “The Queen” And More!
  4. Obsession and its “Undoing”
  5. My December 2024 in Books So Far

Click here for last week!

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946, dir by Frank Capra, DP: Joseph Walker and Joseph Biroc)

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 12/16/24 — 12/22/24

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Happy holidays everyone!  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Films I Watched:

  1. Beyond The Poseidon Adventures (1979)
  2. Black Christmas (1974)
  3. Caddyshack (1980)
  4. Chariots of the Gods (1970)
  5. A Christmas Carol (1951)
  6. Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)
  7. Double Nickels (1977)
  8. Elf (2003)
  9. Godzilla against Mechagodzilla (2002)
  10. Miracle Mile (1988)
  11. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
  12. Rockshow (1980)
  13. Scrooge (1970)
  14. Shoot First: A Cop’s Vengeance (1991)
  15. Starcrash (1978)

Television Shows I Watched:

  1. Abbott Elementary
  2. Accused
  3. Amerika
  4. Dragnet
  5. Malibu CA
  6. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
  7. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
  8. That Girl

Music To Which I Listened:

  1. Ballet Zoom
  2. Bing Crosby
  3. Blondie
  4. Bob Dylan
  5. Britney Spears
  6. The Chemical Brothers
  7. Chiara Savasta
  8. Clint Mansell
  9. Coldplay
  10. Commodores
  11. Dasha
  12. David Bowie
  13. Donna Summer
  14. Hues Corporation
  15. Lydia
  16. Madness
  17. Paul McCartney and Wings
  18. Paul Simon
  19. Postmodern Jukebox
  20. The Rabbits
  21. Ramones
  22. Reyin
  23. Richard Hell and the Voidoids 
  24. Saint Motel
  25. Simple Minds
  26. Siouxsie and the Banshees
  27. Taylor Swift
  28. Thelma Houston
  29. The Trammps
  30. Van McCoy
  31. The Wallflowers
  32. Walter Murphy
  33. X
  34. Yvonne Elliman

Live Tweets:

  1. Double Nickels
  2. Dirty Mary Crazy Larry
  3. Miracle Mile
  4. Black Christmas

Awards Season:

  1. Iowa Film Critics Association
  2. Southern Eastern Film Critics Association 
  3. Seattle Film Critics Society
  4. New York Film Critics Online
  5. Indiana Film Journalists Association 
  6. Phoenix Film Critics Society
  7. Satellite Nominations
  8. San Francisco Bay Area Critics Circle
  9. St. Louis Film Critics Association 

News From Last Week:

  1. Lords of Acid’s Ruth McArdle dies
  2. Where is James Bond?  Trapped in an ugly stalemate with Amazon
  3. Actor Art Evans dies at 82

Links From Last Week:

  1. Do You Know The Secrets Of “Die Hard?” Here’s Proof It’s A Christmas Film!
  2. Tater’s Week in Review 12/20/24
  3. Yule Tidings: 2024

Links From The Site:

  1. Necromoonyeti shared his top 35 albums of 2024!
  2. Leonard shared the trailer for Superman!
  3. Brad reviewed Ladyhawke, Christmas List, The Family Man, Ruthless People, Frequency, Showdown at Boot Hill, and My Cousin Vinny!
  4. Erin shared Dime Detective Magazine, Seven Steps East, Speed Detective, The Servant, Popular Detective, The Wide World, and Film Fun!

Click here for last week!

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 12/9/24 — 12/15/24

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Well, this is embarrassing.

Last night, after a long day of shopping, movie watching, and walking in the rain, I fell asleep before I got a chance to do my week in review!  So, here is a quick, late, mini-version of my week in review.

Movies I Watched:

  1. Average Joe (2024)
  2. Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (2024)
  3. The Deer Hunter (1978)
  4. Enemy Within (2016)
  5. Heaven’s Gate (1980)
  6. Jack Frost (1997)
  7. Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964)
  8. Saturday Night (2024)
  9. The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968)
  10. Silent Night Deadly Night Part 2 (1987)
  11. Strange Brew (1983)
  12. Woyzeck (1979)

Links From Last Week:

  1. Tater’s Week in Review 12/13/24
  2. Light hearts and warm smiles
  3. Do You Know The Secrets Of “Love Actually?” All My Favorite Holiday Films Are Here!
  4. 200 Balloons (By Prince)

Click here for last week!