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.
Mel Brooks is 100! It’s time for….
4 Shots From 4 Mel Brooks Films
Blazing Saddles (1974, dir by Mel Brooks, DP: Joseph Biroc)
Young Frankenstein (1974, dir by Mel Brooks, DP: Gerald Hirschfeld)
High Anxiety (1977, dir by Mel Books. DP: Paul Lohmann)
Spaceballs (1987, dir by Mel Brooks, DP: Nick McLean)
THUNDERHEART came out back in 1992, when I was a mere 18-year-old and trying to go to the movies any time I possibly could. I already liked Val Kilmer based on his performances in such diverse films as TOP SECRET (1984), REAL GENIUS (1985), TOP GUN (1986), and WILLOW (1988). I also liked the director Michael Apted, who had directed the underrated Gene Hackman courtroom drama CLASS ACTION the year before. I figured THUNDERHEART would have to at least be pretty good…
Val Kilmer stars as the young FBI agent Ray Levoi, who’s sent to a Sioux reservation in South Dakota to assist veteran agent Frank “Cooch” Coutelle (Sam Shepard) in a murder investigation. You see, Levoi is “part” Indian, so the thought is that his family heritage will at least give him some credibility when dealing with the Indians on the res. At first overly confident and cocky, he begins to change as the investigation uncovers a history of corruption, violence and broken political promises that have had a tragic impact on the people of the reservation. By the film’s thrilling conclusion, Levoi has been forced to question his own identity and decide who his loyalties truly belong to!
I’m a big fan of THUNDERHEART. I really enjoy the arc that Kilmer’s character undergoes in the film. At first, he’s extremely cynical and doesn’t want to have anything to do with being the special “Washington redskin” in the FBI’s murder investigation. When he gets stuck with the job, though, he just wants to get it over with as soon as possible. But as the story moves along and he meets various characters like Walter Crow Horse (Graham Greene), Maggie Eagle Bear (Sheila Tousey) and Grandpa (Ted Think Elk), he begins to see the truth behind their situation. By the end, he’s willing to give up everything to solve the crime and bring those responsible to justice. Kilmer allows this 180-degree turnaround to happen naturally, and I personally believe that this is one of the more underrated performances of his career.
The primary supporting cast deserves a lot of credit as well. Graham Greene brings wisdom and an engaging sense of humor to his character of Walter Crow Horse, the tribal police officer who starts out as a pain in the butt to Levoi prior to becoming a trusted ally. And I’ve always loved Sam Shepard, who plays the grizzled veteran agent Frank Coutelle. He’s completely believable as a man who’s seen it all, maybe a little too much, over the course of his career. The dusty South Dakota landscapes become a character all its own and provide the perfect backdrop to the story. This is a movie that feels authentic instead of like some staged Hollywood production.
I also like that this movie isn’t afraid to take its time with the story, a story that’s based on real events and that feels very relevant to this day. Stop me if you’ve heard any of these themes lately: governmental distrust, cultural identity, justice… THUNDERHEART’s entire storyline is wrapped up in these ideas. If anything, the film seems even more meaningful today than it did in 1992. There are times that Apted may operate with a bit of a heavy hand, but this movie isn’t interested in serving up cardboard villains or easy answers. Rather, we’re treated to an engaging mystery-thriller that never overshadows its characters and eventually rewards us for our patience.
At the end of the day, THUNDERHEART is a film that I highly recommend. It’s not going to blow you away with its action, although there are several exciting sequences. But I do encourage you to give this film your attention and settle in with the plot and the characters. Inside this crime thriller, there’s a strong human story about a man who comes to terms with his identity while gathering the courage to fight for the truth, no matter where that may lead. Although there were a lot of good options, when I read that Val Kilmer had passed away, THUNDERHEART is the film I watched to come to terms with the moment.
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, we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of director Sidney Lumet, born 102 years ago on this date. It’s time for….
4 Shots From 4 Sidney Lumet Films
Long Day’s Journey Into Night (1962, dir by Sidney Lumet, DP: Boris Kaufman)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975, dir by Sidney Lumet, DP: Victor J. Kemper)
Network (1976, dir. Sidney Lumet, DP: Owen Roizman)
The Verdict (1981, dir by Sidney Lumet, DP: Andrzej Bartkowiak)
It’s been a while since I’ve written about any of my favorite romantic films. Today, I thought I would discuss the film that just might be my favorite love story of them all, and that’s the 1995 version of PERSUASION. Based on Jane Austen’s final completed novel, PERSUASION tells the story of Anne Elliot (Amanda Root) who was persuaded eight years earlier, at the age of 19, to reject the hand of the man she loved, Captain Frederick Wentworth (Ciarán Hinds). At the time, Wentworth had no fortune or social standing, but the ensuing years seemed to bring both to the seafaring captain. When fate unexpectedly brings them back together, Anne’s past feelings of love re-emerge, and so does her regret for her earlier decision. After all these years, does the still-single Captain Wentworth love her, or is he ready to move on?
PERSUASION features incredible turns from Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds as Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth. Their performances aren’t built around grand gestures or sweeping declarations of love. They’re built on quick glances, emotional restraint, and an ability to convey lingering pain, regret, and feelings of love that began many years earlier but have never gone away. Their chemistry isn’t flashy, but it is authentic, built over many years rather than some instant attraction. These character traits may seem old-fashioned and unnecessary in this day and time, but the action in the film takes place in early 1800’s where this behavior would have been perfectly natural.
Speaking of “perfectly natural,” director Roger Michell’s realistic presentation of the material is one of the film’s key strengths as far as I’m concerned. Avoiding the polish of most period dramas, PERSUASION embraces the weathered houses, imperfect landscapes, simple costumes, and yes, even the less than glamourous looks of the cast. It seems like we’re watching real people living in the real world instead of impossibly attractive men and women playing dress up. As the lead characters seem to be falling deeper into love over the course of the film, their blossoming happiness makes them more attractive.
If I haven’t made it clear enough, if you’re looking for a movie that throws a lot of overly dramatic plot twists and simple solutions your way, PERSUASION is probably not the movie for you. But if you enjoy a deliberately paced, mature story that deals with messy themes of missed opportunities, personal growth, and forgiveness, then you just may love it. There are moments when Anne simply watches Wentworth across a room, or clutches a chair as he enters a room, where I felt such a strong connection to the characters. Sometimes the most powerful emotions truly are those that are left unspoken. This film will reward your patience if you stick with it, and its final scenes are very satisfying to me because of what the characters have gone through to reach that point.
PERSUASION is a film that I return to again and again when I’m stressed or need a pick-me-up. It just makes me feel good. In my opinion, it isn’t just one of the best Jane Austen movies, it’s one of the best romantic dramas out there, and I highly recommend it!
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.
June 22nd would have been the the 120th birthday of Billy Wilder.
Billy Wilder was born in what was-then Austria-Hungary and what is today Poland. Having started his film career as a screenwriter in Germany, Wilder fled to the United States after the rise of Hitler. (Many members of Wilder’s family would subsequently die in the Holocaust.) He went on to establish himself as one of the great studio directors, a filmmaker who could seemingly master any genre and whose films were often distinguished by an irreverent wit and a welcome skepticism when it came to accepting any sort of conventional wisdom. He made the type of films that could only be made by someone who had seen humanity at its worst but who also understood what people were capable of at their best. Wilder made dramas that could make you laugh and comedies that could make you cry. He was a master filmmaker, one whose work continues to influence directors to this day.
Belatedly, in honor of Billy Wilder’s legacy, the Shattered Lens presents….
4 Shots From 4 Billy Wilder Films
Double Indemnity (1944, dir by Billy Wilder, DP: John Seitz)
Sunset Boulevard (1950, dir by Billy Wilder, DP; John F. Seitz)
Sabrina (1954, dir by Billy Wilder, DP: Charles Lang)
The Apartment (1960, dir by Billy Wilder, DP: Ernest Laszlo)
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, we celebrate the birth and legacy of Bob Fosse. It’s time for….
4 Shots From 4 Bob Fosse Films
Cabaret (1972, dir by Bob Fosse, DP: Geoffrey Unsworth)
Lenny (1974, dir by Bob Fosse, DP: Bruce Surtees)
All That Jazz (1979, dir by Bob Fosse, DP: Giuseppe Rotunno)
Star 80 (1983, dir by Bob Fosse, DP: Sven Nyvkist)
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, we celebrate Bruce Campbell’s birthday! It’s time for….
4 Shots From 4 Bruce Campbell Films
Evil Dead II (1987, dir by Sam Raimi, DP: Peter Deming)
Army of Darkness (1992, dir by Sam Raimi, DP: Bill Pope)
Escape From L.A. (1996, dir by John Carpenter, DP: Gary B. Kibbe)
Bubba Ho-Tep (2002, dir by Don Coscarelli, DP: Adam Janiero)
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 is all about letting the visuals do the talking.
For most of my life, I’ve wanted to visit the state of Vermont. It started because I loved the 80’s sitcom NEWHART when I was a kid. In the show, Bob Newhart and his wife were innkeepers in rural Vermont so I just knew it had to be beautiful. And then, as Charles Bronson’s biggest fan, I learned that his favorite place on earth was his horse farm in Vermont, which was named Zuleika Farm after his daughter with Jill Ireland. This became the place that he would escape to as his filming schedule allowed. He is even buried there at the Brownsville Cemetery at the foot of Mount Ascutney. Visiting that area of Vermont that sits close to the New Hampshire border became the ultimate Charles Bronson “bucket list” item for me. In 2026, at the ripe old age of 52, I was able to mark this off my list, as my wife and I spent a few days in West Windsor, VT.
But first, if we were going to drive all the way to Vermont, I decided we should stop off in Philadelphia and see Eric Todd, the host of the THIS WEEK IN CHARLES BRONSON podcast. Eric’s vision to create a podcast dedicated to keeping Bronson’s memory alive has been so special to me. Thanks to Eric, who has allowed me to be his co-host on multiple occasions, I have met several actors who worked with Charles Bronson, and even some of his own family. Although we talk and text almost every day, this was our first time to meet in person. We had the best time over dinner, and we enjoyed meeting Eric’s wife Tina and his son Noah as well. Eric has truly become one of my very best friends!
Brad and Eric in our Bronson shirts, and a sweet puppy who just wants to be loved!
Once we arrived in Vermont the next day, our first stop was at “Bronson Road” in West Windsor, VT. This road went right through Bronson’s farm property. It’s a private road now so we couldn’t drive down it, but we did get a couple of pictures from the corner of Morrison and Bronson!
Zuleika Farm is no longer there, but it’s memory lives on!My beautiful travel companion took a pose at the entrance of the property Charles Bronson once loved!
After that, we made our way to the Brownsville Cemetery and paid our respects to the film icon and legendary action star. It’s hard to put into words exactly how I felt that day. I wasn’t there as just a fan. I was there as a person who has spent the majority of his life with a healthy obsession for the man and his work. I’ll just say it was a beautiful experience. On an interesting note, a man from Alabama stopped by to pay his respects while we were there as well. It makes me happy that Charles Bronson is still beloved over 20 years after his death.
Charles Bronson’s gravesite in the Brownsville Cemetery. The view from Bronson’s gravesite is beautiful Mount Ascutney!
One of the perks of being a co-host of the THIS WEEK IN CHARLES BRONSON podcast, is the fact that I’ve been able to meet Charles Bronson’s niece, Lindsay Ireland. She used to spend summers in Vermont with the Bronson’s when she was a teenager. She told me about some of Bronson’s favorite places to eat. We were able to eat at The Woodstock Inn, which was kind of fancy for Bronson’s personal tastes, but the food was great.
The beautiful entrance to The Woodstock Inn. The restaurant there is called “The Red Rooster.”
The place he really loved to eat was the Skunk Hollow Tavern, which is about 5 miles from the farm. I made us a reservation for “open mic” night at the Skunk Hollow Tavern on Wednesday, June 17th. Little did I know that Bronson’s stepson, Val McCallum, would be sitting in with the band that night. An incredible professional guitar player on his own, Val has been Jackson Browne’s lead guitarist going back to the early 2000’s. He also helped compose the film scores for the Bronson films MURPHY’S LAW, DEATH WISH 4, and ASSASSINATION back in the late 80’s. We got to meet him, and he even played a couple of songs for us, including “Charlie’s Coal,” an amazing song of love and respect for his “daddy.” It was a lucky and unexpected meeting I’ll never forget!
Val McCallum sitting in with the band on Open Mic night at the Skunk Hollow Tavern!Val McCallum, son of David McCallum and stepson of Charles Bronson, graciously taking a picture with yours truly!
Our trip to Vermont was truly incredible, exceeding every expectation I had. I can’t wait to see where my next “movie trip” takes us. I just know it will be hard to top this one!
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.
99 years ago today, Lucio Fulci — the maestro of Italian genre filmmaking — was born in Rome. Fulci would go on to direct some of the most visually stunning (and, occasionally, most narratively incoherent) films ever made. Fulci worked in all genres but he’ll probably always be best remembered for launching the Italian zombie boom with Zombi2. His subsequent Beyond trilogy continues to fascinate and delight lovers of both horror and grindhouse filmmaking.
Lucio Fulci, needless to say, is a pretty popular figure here at the TSL. In honor of the date of his birth, it’s time for….
6 Shots From 6 Lucio Fulci Films
Lizard in a Woman’s Skin (1971, dir by Lucio Fulci, DP: Luigi Kuveiller )
Four of the Apocalypse (1975, dir by Lucio Fulci, DP: Sergio Salvati)
Zombi 2 (1979, dir by Lucio Fulci, DP: Sergio Salvati)
City of the Living Dead (1980, dir by Lucio Fulci, DP: Sergio Salvati)
The Beyond (1981, dir by Lucio Fulci, DP: Sergio Salvati)
The House By The Cemetery (1981, dir by Lucio Fulci, DP: Sergio Salvati)
Through the Shattered Lens 