BEYOND THE MARQUEE

“FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” (Film Review & Trailer)

February 13th, 2015

John Delia

This review may be a little nontraditional for my readers, but I thought why not give a real interesting observation of Fifty Shades of Grey based on what the mood was at the screening I attended. The auditorium was packed with women 21 to 40 and the very few men, mostly critics and others speckled throughout the audience were accompanying females. While the strength of the film does target females who either have read the book or just curious, I’m convinced that we men were fly on the wall observers of not only what’s on the screen, but the women watching.

“MOMMY” (Foreign Film Review & Trailer)

February 13th, 2015

John Delia

Brought to the screen in a very compelling and aggressive way, the film Mommy shows the graphic nature of one mother’s dealing with ADHD and now faces a choice no parent should have to make. The film may be on the long side, but could not have been as heartfelt and explicit had it been chopped up in editing. Mommy is a power film that deals with this tough subject matter under excellent direction and acting. As a note, with the USA going through the trials and tribulations of the Affordable Care Act, this timely film shows one of the negative aspects of Canada’s Health System.

Bob Gales Back to the Future Memorabilia Collection – Beyond the Marquee: The Web Series (Ep.75)

February 12th, 2015

Beyond the Marquee

Co-Creator/Producer/Writer of the ‘Back to the Future’ film trilogy, Bob Gale, opens up his personal vault and shares some of his favorite items of memorabilia from the film franchise with Beyond the Marquee.

Host, Jon Donahue, continues our exclusive interview with filmmaker Bob Gale in his Los Angeles home in the 75th episode of the Beyond the Marquee Web-Series.

MARQUEE MAMA Reviews ‘McFARLAND, USA’

February 12th, 2015

Beyond the Marquee

Marquee Mama Reviews McFarland, USA

This may seem counterintuitive, but as a reviewer, I try to know as little as possible about a new movie going into a screening so that I can be as objective as humanly possible in order to deliver a completely honest review, free from studio spin. This usually works well. But in McFarland, USA, I was distracted more than once wondering whether this was a true story. It is.

No spoiler alert necessary, to the contrary, I think knowing this movie is based on a true story will instill in viewers more appreciation.

Click ahead for my family-friendly review of Disney’s “McFarland, USA“

101 Dalmatians (Blu-ray Combo Review)

February 10th, 2015

John Delia

Entering the Blu-ray home video market after appearing on the screen in 1961, the animated feature 101 Dalmatians has been released from the Disney vault as a Diamond Edition. This is the original film by Walt Disney that entertained kids for years. Nicely remastered with 7.1 DTS-HDMA sound the film has a good look with freshened up colors. If you can remember the original, than this is perfect for your library. Not to be confused with the 1991 remake of the film starring the voice of Glenn Close, this one features the remarkable cast lead by Betty Lou Gerson as Cruella de Vil.

MARVEL’S AGENT CARTER: Time and Tide (television mini-series critique)

February 9th, 2015

Steven D'Arcangelo

My previous reviews of Agent Carter have praised Hayley Atwell’s performance as Carter and she deserves it, but so too do her fellow thespians. I’ll get to Dominic Cooper and James D’Arcy in future critiques. Up first though is Peggy’s quartet of male co-workers at the Strategic Scientific Reserve. (S.S.R.)

“TIMBUKTU” (Foreign Film Review & Trailer)

February 7th, 2015

John Delia

The movie opens with a young gazelle running in the sand dunes of Timbuktu. Chasing the beautiful docile animal in a pickup truck are members of the Jihadists shooting their rifles in its direction. “Do not shoot the animal, we just want to tire it out” says their leader. It’s an act of domination repeated throughout the film, but instead of animals with humans living in fear. The film Timbuktu has been selected as one of the five foreign films in line for an Oscar.