Confessions of a Not-So-Dangerous Mind*

2016 was something of a "best of times/worst of times" type of year. What did I learn from it as it was ongoing, and what do I take from it in 2026?

The first in our new series titled "Three Essentials" centers on Clint Eastwood, and why I think The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Dirty Harry, and In the Line of Fire are the three movies to watch/rewatch to understand how and why Clint Eastwood became "Clint Eastwood."

OTD, 1998: The Wedding Singer premieres in NYC. Adam Sandler is solid, but the immensely likable Drew Barrymore makes the movie. Also, I literally can't believe that this movie is 28 years old.

Happy 35th to Lionheart, released 1/11/91! Jean-Claude Van Damme is a laugh riot as a lethal kickboxer who shows up in NYC and beats the crap out of everyone.

A 1991 Miramax production starring the late Robbie Coltrane opened in the U.S. as The Pope Must Diet. Alas, that was NOT its original title...

It's true that the first days and weeks of January see an influx of new gym members. IMHO "New Year's Resolutions" should be retitled "Resolutions." Change doesn't happen overnight. Stay the course long enough for a mindset shift to occur, to where fitness becomes a part of your life, not something you're trying out in January.

Pier Paulo Pasolini's final film stands as possibly the most controversial major release in the history of cinema. Join me as I attempt to dissect this wholly unclassifiable work

Welcome to 2026 🥳🍾 We've had 3 series so far on the channel - Most Underrated Performances, The Great Movies, and The Best Movie You've Never Seen. We're adding a 4th, tentatively titled "Legends Primer." The idea? Use 3 movies from the careers of legendary figures to illuminate how and why they became legends.

The newest entry in our continuing series is Rob Reiner's fantastic 1989 romantic comedy, generally regarded to be one of the best romcoms ever made.

Join me for a look back at 2025! A year of achievement, despite the gas service being temporarily halted in January... with the house maintaining a brisk 42° for a full week 🥶😭🤣

Released December 26, 1940, George Cukor's marvelous screwball comedy features Katharine Hepburn as society gal Tracy Lord and James Stewart's Oscar-winning turn as reporter Macauley Connor, but Cary Grant steals the film as society gent C.K. Dexter Haven.

Al Pacino won his only Best Actor Oscar for his turn in Martin Brest's terrific buddy film/road movie Scent of a Woman, released December 23, 1992.

Happy 59th birthday, Kiefer Sutherland! The son of a legend (Donald) carved his own distinctive path, giving life to 24's Jack Bauer, The Lost Boys' David, Dark City's Dr. Schreber -- one of his own favorites from his career -- and later touring Europe with an indie band in the fascinating documentary I Trust You to Kill Me.

"Joshua by 6th round KO" is the official result from the 12/19/25 bout between Jake Paul and former 2x World Heavyweight Champ Anthony Joshua. Join me for a deep dive into the event and related boxing lore, including the crazy true story of a proposed 1968 boxing match between Muhammad Ali... and Wilt Chamberlain!

On Bill Pullman's 72nd birthday, a look back at Harold Becker's vastly underrated 1993 suspense thriller Malice.

Michael Mann's sensational "Los Angeles Crime Saga" opened December 15, 1995 to widespread critical acclaim and enormous boxoffice. As we speak Mann is preparing a sequel, set to star Leonardo DiCaprio,  Christian Bale, Austin Butler, Bradley Cooper, Ana De Armas, possibly Al Pacino, and others.

Still in a state of shock. Rob Reiner was a fantastic film producer and filmmaker, AFTER having been a brilliant sitcom star as actor. These are my (hopefully coherent) thoughts on his career and he and wife Michele's tragic deaths.

As a kid, Snow Days were almost always fun. As an adult, not so much 😆

Rob Reiner's strong adaptation of Aaron Sorkin's smash-hit Broadway play opened in the U.S. on December 11, 1992. Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, J.T. Walsh, and Kevin Bacon are solid; Jack Nicholson puts the movie on his back and runs away with it. 

Released on December 7, 1990, Clint Eastwood's The Rookie disappointed critics and audiences alike. While many in Hollywood believed that Clint's time as a major player was over, The Man from Malpaso's best days were still ahead.

Netflix has purchased Warner Bros/Discovery for $82.7 billion. Join me as I discuss why this is way more important than you think and may signal the end of cinema as we've known it.

Watched the Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd "buddy comedy/horror" film Friendship. Have a lot of thoughts, not all of which are printable.

November 29, 1990: Misery opens. Rob Reiner's strong adaptation of Stephen's King's bruising novel goes through numerous incarnations -- first Robert Redford, then Warren Beatty -- before Kathy Bates and James Caan make movie magic. Ms. Bates stunning turn as Annie wins her the Academy Award for Best Actress.

The fan-favorite 3rd sequel rolled up an astonishing $300 million at the boxoffice, 60% of which came from the overseas market! And why? Because "In Europe, they line up around the block for Stah-Low-Nay."

38 years on, Steve Martin remains hilariously relatable as family man Neal Page, but our biggest takeaway is funny, friendly, deeply wounded Del Griffith, and the genius who breathed life into him, John Candy. 😢