Skip to Content

The 50 Best Movie Screenplays of All Time

What makes a brilliant script? Is it quotable lines? Is it nuanced dialogue? Or is it just the ability to move the story along and not get in the way? When looking back through the history of screenwriting, there are plenty of iconic films based on previous work; the Writer’s Guild of America voted Casablanca …

Read More about The 50 Best Movie Screenplays of All Time

The Ad-Lib – 10 Great Moments of Improvisation in Film

“The thing about improvisation is that it’s not about what you say. It’s listening to what other people say. It’s about what you hear” Paul Merton It’s something of an unwritten rule for any stage performer that you must, at the drop of a hat, be able to think on your feet and react off …

Read More about The Ad-Lib – 10 Great Moments of Improvisation in Film

‘Taxi Driver’s 40th Anniversary: No Escape for God’s Lonely Man

America has always possessed a winning mentality, and proudly boasts about it at any passing opportunity. Between politicians who claim the United States is the greatest country in the world – with no statistical data on hand to back such claims, no less – and college frat boys wearing tees or tank tops that read …

Read More about ‘Taxi Driver’s 40th Anniversary: No Escape for God’s Lonely Man

New on Video: ‘Five Easy Pieces’ is a fine entry to the Criterion collection

One of the defining features of these character-driven studies is that character development isn’t always a given. These are vibrant and multifaceted characters, but they aren’t necessary going to grow or evolve as human beings.

Read More about New on Video: ‘Five Easy Pieces’ is a fine entry to the Criterion collection

Follow My Lead: Top Ten Mentors in the Movies

We all would like to believe that we have that someone special to look up to for guidance and direction. From time to time we practice the art of worship for the mentor that appears larger than life to us. Whether our designated mentors that we choose to follow are inspirational or insidious it does …

Read More about Follow My Lead: Top Ten Mentors in the Movies

The Definitive Best Picture Losers

#20. The Exorcist (1973) Lost to: The Sting Crammed in between two Best Picture wins for Francis Ford Coppola’s “Godfather” films was an interesting little year that rewarded another pairing of Robert Redford and Paul Newman (trivia: “The Sting’s” Julia Phillips is the first time female producer to ever win Best Picture). The other big landmark …

Read More about The Definitive Best Picture Losers

Previously unseen photographs from ‘Taxi Driver’ by Steve Schapiro

Steve Schapiro, a distinguished journalistic photographer, whose pictures have graced the covers of Vanity Fair, Time, Sports Illustrated and Life,  was on the set of Taxi Driver, to captured these striking images. His collection of photos are now featured in a new book by TASCHEN, only the edition is limited to 1,000 copies, numbered and …

Read More about Previously unseen photographs from ‘Taxi Driver’ by Steve Schapiro

Several Iconic Movie Characters Now Have Their Own Action Figures

Anyone who collects toy memorabilia for many film classics of the ’70s and ’80s will love this article. eBay seller ‘Popsfartberger’ has been creating custom action figures for movie characters that the toy companies have neglected to release. Among the many creations are characters from cult hits such as Taxi Driver, Cobra, Lethal Weapon, Jaws, …

Read More about Several Iconic Movie Characters Now Have Their Own Action Figures

‘Crave’ Movie Review – an engaging debut that’s more evocative than innovative

Crave Directed by Charles de Lauzirika Written by Charles de Lauzirika and Robert Lawton USA, 2012 Although this review is going to be about Charles de Lauzirika’s Crave, it seems appropriate to talk about it in relation to Taxi Driver, because despite its best efforts to differentiate itself, Crave just can’t seem to emerge from …

Read More about ‘Crave’ Movie Review – an engaging debut that’s more evocative than innovative

No Statute of Limitations For Spoilers

*Exclaimer: Please don’t read this if you haven’t seen Inception, The Empire Strikes Back, Planet of the Apes, The Wizard of Oz, Saw, Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, The Usual Suspects or The Sixth Sense – As a probable testament to my poor academic acumen, I cannot, in good memory, recall the particulars of the situation …

Read More about No Statute of Limitations For Spoilers

Seven great rebel portraits of the ’60s and ’70s

The French gave us the word “demimonde” – literally, half the world. But what it has come to mean in English, or so says Webster, is “a distinct circle or world that is often an isolated part of a larger world.” Storytellers have always held a fascination with the dark side of human nature; that …

Read More about Seven great rebel portraits of the ’60s and ’70s

Inside Out 2012: ‘Bullhead’ is a raging bull of a picture

Bullhead Written and Directed by Michael R. Roskam Belgium, 2011 In French, it translates to, “me parlez-vous?” In Dutch, it’s “spreekt u aan me?” Set in Belgium, with dialogue in Dutch and French, Michael R. Roskam’s Bullhead is a taut, uncompromising character study and organized crime thriller that masterfully translates Scorsese’s magnum opus quote, ‘are …

Read More about Inside Out 2012: ‘Bullhead’ is a raging bull of a picture