Tag Archives: Lisa Marie Bowman

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!

Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 3/17/25 — 3/23/25

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Hey, everyone!  Yes, my week in review is late.  I was tired and drained over the weekend so it’s time for another mini week in review!  (Remember when I used to do big, detailed weeks in review?  Hopefully, I’ll be able to get back to doing that soon!)

Films I Watched:

  1. American Traitor: The Trials of Axis Sally (2021)
  2. The Black-Eyed Children (2025)
  3. Executive Action (1973)
  4. Heist (2015)
  5. The Hunt For The Unicorn Killer (1999)
  6. Irish Eyes (2004)
  7. Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna (2025)
  8. Lay The Favorite (2012)
  9. The Mean Season (1985)
  10. No Safe Haven (1987)
  11. Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy (2025)
  12. Mind, Body & Soul (1992)
  13. Operation Lipstick (1967)
  14. Original Gangstas (1996)
  15. Precious Cargo (2016)
  16. Road House (1989)
  17. The Thirteenth Hour (1947)
  18. Tough Guys Don’t Dance (1987)
  19. Zombie 3 (1988)

Links From The Site:

  1. Arleigh shared songs of the day from Thin Lizzy and Rage Against The Macine!
  2. Erin reviewed The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Now You See Him Now You Don’t, and The Strongest Man In The World!
  3. Jeff reviewed The Deadly Tower, Elvis, The Best Of Times, Big Trouble In Little China, Maker of Men, The Sea Spoilers, His Private Secretary, The Trail Beyond, No Safe Haven, and Three Faces West!  He also paid tribute to George Foreman!
  4. Brad reviewed Guns Of Diablo and Shane and paid tribute to Wings Hauser, Akira Kurosawa, and M. Emmet Walsh.  He shared a scene from Death Proof and a song of the day!

Links From Last Week:

  1. New York’s Colorful Subway Seats Are Going Away! Here’s How You Can Own One!
  2. Rebellious spontaneity

Want to check out last week?  Click here.