Pop Culture

1853 posts

Flashback Friday: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion

Romy_and_michele_s_high_school_reunionAlternative Views presents one of my favorite films ever – still.  At the time of its release, I’d never seen a film like it. There’s something magical about the first time you see people like you being featured front-and-center in well-marketed product from an industry that normally treats your kind like props. The film was not only groundbreaking (in my personal movie going experience), but it’s fun as hell.  Even the goofy, dated dance routine at the end is fun. It’s supposed to be goofy.

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997), Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo Continue reading →

Breaking Down The Marvel Studios/Sony Entertainment “Spider-Man” Deal

In a late night announcement that sent the hearts of comic book nerds everywhere into arrhythmia, Marvel Studios and Sony Entertainment announced late last night that Spider-Man will be joining Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the details of the deal aren’t public, through various leaks and rumors it’s possible to put together an idea of what the deal looks like. Continue reading →

Alternative Views: The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete (2013)

MV5BMTUwMjgyNTE2OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNzU1MzgwMDE@__V1_SY317_CR0,0,214,317_AL_Today’s Alternative Views recommendation comes way of Sundance and a few other festivals. Apparently, it failed to get wide distribution. The reasons for that oversight will remain mysteries to me. This film is hella powerful.

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete (2013), Skylan Brooks, Ethan Dizon, Jennifer Hudson

Director: George Tillman

Writer: Michael Starrbury

One review of this film opined that it bordered on “poverty porn”. I can’t agree. Director George Tillman pointed his camera matter-of-factly at life in a Brooklyn housing project. It’s not prurient. It’s not judgmental. It just is the life lived by 13-year-old Mister (Skylan Brooks), his addicted mother, Gloria (Jennifer Hudson) and their semi-permanent house guest, 9-year-old Pete (Ethan Dizon), himself the child of an addict even worse off than Gloria. Continue reading →

Dear Hollywood, It’s Not Me. It’s You

Let’s face it, it’s been bad between us for a long time. I’m a bit long in the tooth now, and I know how you feel about that. I’m no longer snowed by your tales of MPDGs; with you smitten and me wondering how I could eliminate my need for gainful employment just so I could be worthy of your adoration. I cringed through your seemingly endless stream of Blow-‘Em-Up violent fantasies; fantasies that you’re still cranking out despite the fact that these same action stars are in their mid-60s. I was always amused by the suspension of disbelief required to watch downtown Los Angeles transformed into a war zone by a single rogue cop, while you were still opining that a female buddy comedy “wouldn’t be realistic”.

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What to Do When Your Congressman’s Downton Abbey Inspired Office Gets National Attention

Reveal that it’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever witnessed.

When you think about how your Congressperson’s office is decorated, if you think about it at all, don’t you kind of think there would be a lot of brass and flag centering, perhaps a few busts of the American Eagle or Ronald Reagan? Perhaps a candy dish with the Constitution emblazoned on it, or a letter opener made of steel and fired from George Washington’s very own musket metal? How about Downton Abbey? Do you think there should be inspiration from Downton Abbey? And by inspiration we mean down to the color of the walls and a chandelier? Well, Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock has done exactly that, but he doesn’t want you to know about it. Continue reading →

Alternative Views: If I Were You (2012)

Welcome to Alternative Views. In keeping with my semi-resolution to watch scripted content only if the story was about women, LBGT persons and/or persons of color, I began with this little critically-savaged gem.

If I were you

How savaged was it? Rex Reed called this “a hapless load of bunk” whose creators could “only be described as delusional.”  Since “they think they have made an actual movie, when nothing in it qualifies.” Reed sounds bitchier than usual, but that tone was actually matched by several other critics.

Don’t believe them. This film is FUN as hell. Continue reading →