Confessions of a Not-So-Dangerous Mind*

The newest entry in our ongoing series is Sam Raimi's terrific 1995 Western The Quick and the Dead, featuring an insanely-stacked cast led by Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russell Crowe, who steals the movie right out from under his co-stars.

New Jack City opened on March 8, 1991. Wesley Snipes' electric turn as Harlem drug lord Nino Brown stands as the best performance of his career and director/costar Mario Van Peebles, Judd Nelson, Chris Rock, Ice-T, and others are strong in support.

Sir Alan Parker's controversial neo-noir/horror Angel Heart opened March 6, 1987. Despite strong advance buzz, the movie failed to ignite with critics and audiences. The intervening years have seen significant reappraisal; it's now regarded as one of the most distinctive movies of its decade.

The Big Lebowski opened March 6, 1998 to decent reviews but disappointing boxoffice. Over time, the Coen Bros. quirky crime/comedy gained an enormous following on cable and home video, becoming a cult classic which defines its decade.

The newest entry in our continuing series is Jason Reitman's fantastic comedy/drama Up in the Air. An enormous boxoffice hit (later nominated for 6 Oscars), the film boasts one of George Clooney's finest performances.

Jon Avnet's romantic drama Up Close and Personal opened March 1, 1996 to poor critical reviews but big boxoffce, grossing over $100 million... thanks entirely to its glittering stars, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Redford.

Joel Schumacher's Falling Down opened February 26, 1993 to mixed reviews and so-so boxoffice. History has been kind to this difficult, challenging film.

Regina King's terrific 2020 film takes a piece of real history -- Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali were together the night of February 25, 1964 -- and speculates about who might have said what, to whom.

Now nearly 31 years old, Outbreak hits differently in a post-Covid world.

Of Hollywood legends born in 1930 or 1931, Michael Caine and Clint Eastwood are still with us. Steve McQueen was only 50 when Mesothelioma took him. James Dean died at 24. Some things defy explanation, but we can still try to make sense of it all.

The last conventional leading man role Sir Sean Connery would play, 1995's mystery/thriller Just Cause turned a profit, despite getting mostly trashed by critics. This movie 100% deserves a reappraisal for its unusual, twisting plot, colorful performances, and the sheer force of Connery's legendary starpower.

The Monte Carlo, Las Vegas. February 19, 2012. A long-retired blackjack card counter (aka your favorite/least favorite podcaster 😆) successfully navigates a treacherous marathon session at the tables... then promptly re-retires. 14 years later, he shows no signs of ever playing this idiotic game again.

A legend's legend 😢 

A "pet project" for Dan Aykroyd, Nothing But Trouble opened February 15, 1991 to a critical throttling and weak boxoffice. What went wrong?

The passing of James Van Der Beek at just 48 hits hard. Has it really been 28 years since Dawson's Creek premiered? More than 23 years since The Rules of Attraction? A sad day all around.

As the Seahawks and Patriots square off in Super Bowl 60, join me for a look back through time and memory as I discuss classic Super Bowl memories in general, and the fabled Giants-Bills Super Bowl in particular.

On February 6, 1967, fellow Heavyweight Champions Muhammad Ali and Ernie Terrell fought a unification bout. Nearly six decades later, Ali's one-sided victory is almost an afterthought, as Ernie's stubborn insistence on calling his opponent "Clay" sent the normally affable Ali down a dark path.

The newest entry in our continuing series is the fascinating 2003 true-life account of New Republic reporter Stephen Glass, starring Anakin Skywalker himself, Hayden Christiansen.

Catherine O'Hara's sudden passing on January 30th at age 71 took almost everyone by surprise. Join me for a look back at her formidable career and other legendary comic actors from Canada whom she knew and loved.

One of the unquestioned acting GOAT's, 2x Oscar-winner Gene Hackman would've turned 96 today. Join me for a look back at his life and career.

30 winters ago, my 53 y.o. dad suffered a full groin tear while sledding after a snowstorm. Although he made a full recovery, that fluky injury opened the door to other issues.

The second in our new series "Three Essentials" tries to summarize the extraordinary life and career of Steven Spielberg... using only three movies.

Fellow CF legends Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones were just elected to the MLB Hall of Fame. Jones' inclusion makes sense and is (IMHO) well-deserved. And just on career stats/WAR, Beltran is a worthy pick. Unfortunately, Beltran's case is a lot more complicated.

Seeing a performer transform him or herself for a role is often shocking... and often motivating. For me, Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 and Robert DeNiro in Cape Fear served as inspiration for me at the start of my own fitness journey, while still in high school.

A surefire 2026 Oscars contender, Ryan Coogler's Sinners has many obvious parallels with From Dusk Till Dawn, which turns 30 on January 18th. Join me for a deep dive.