Movie 101 Review

Saul Bienenfeld Knowledge + Experience = Success Saul Bienenfeld is a seasoned New York criminal defense attorney with over three decades of experience defending clients against the kinds of charges that can ruin lives overnight—from high-stakes felonies to sensitive sex crime allegations. Known for his zero-BS approach and relentless courtroom presence, Saul has seen the justice system from all a...

Movie 101 Review, now in its fourth season, dives into  Fright Night , a cult-classic horror film that masterfully blends chilling suspense with dark humor. Directed by Tom Holland, this 1985 gem tells the story of Charley Brewster, a teenager who discovers that his charismatic next-door neighbor is actually a vampire. With its mix of sharp dialogue, practical effects, and a nostalgic 80s atm...

Movie 101 Review, in its fourth season, features Play Dirty , directed by Shane Black. Starring Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, and Keegan-Michael Key, the film follows a ruthless thief and his expert crew as they stumble into a high-stakes game of deception and danger. The episode dives into the film’s gritty tone, character dynamics, and the unique style Shane Black brings to cri...

The Art of Lies: Dilemma, Betrayal, and Vietnamese Art Forgeries. What if the Biggest Fraud was Your Family Legacy? What happens when an ambitious museum employee from Vietnam discovers art crime that affects her family and country? Thuy, a proud 39-year-old aspiring museum curator in Hanoi, Vietnam, loses a long-sought-after job but then gets the chance to mount a major visiting exhibit at her mu...

Jackie Pelegrin Instructional designer, author, college professor, and podcast host creating engaging, impactful learning. Greetings! I’m Jackie Pelegrin, the voice behind Designing with Love, a podcast that helps instructional designers and educators turn complex learning challenges into creative, actionable solutions. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, corporate, and adul...

Mike Swenson This Is Not a Drill - Are You Ready When a Crisis Hits? Mike retired in 2021 after a career as a broadcast journalist, press secretary to a Governor and founder and leader of a successful public relations firm. Mike founded Barkley Public Relations in 1987. What began as a regional public relations firm is today a national leader in crisis management, influencer relations, purpose bra...

Movie 101 Review, now in its fourth season, welcomes Jackie Pelegrin as a special guest to explore the powerful and inspiring series The Chosen . In this episode, we dive into the show’s unique storytelling, its cultural impact, and the way it brings biblical narratives to life for modern audiences. Jackie shares her thoughts on why The Chosen resonates so deeply with viewers and how its themes of...

Karen Ann Bulluck Writing Fiction That Explores Women's Leadership and Corporate Life After years as a successful executive, Karen left the corporate world to pursue her dream of becoming an author. She was inspired to write her first novel by the vision of a female leader struggling to maintain her integrity in the boardroom.  Since embarking on her career shift, Karen has written two novels expl...

Released in 2025 and ushering in the new DC Universe under James Gunn, Superman offers a bold reimagining of the iconic hero. Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, the film blends classic elements of hope, heroism, and moral complexity with a lighter, more colorful tone.  With Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the narrative explores Superman’s struggle to...

The superhero genre has deep roots in comic books of the 1930s and 40s. Heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman became symbols of hope during times of war and uncertainty. Hollywood quickly adapted these icons into serials and animated shorts. But it wasn’t until decades later that superheroes became true cinematic heavyweights. Their rise is a story of resilience, reinvention, and spectacl...

Movie 101 Review, in its fourth season, features The Evolution of Action Films , a thrilling journey through the history and transformation of one of cinema’s most dynamic genres. As your host, I explore how action films have grown from the classic stunts and practical effects of Hollywood’s golden age to the CGI-driven blockbusters of today, while also reflecting on the cultural impact these movi...

Movie 101 Review, now in its exciting fourth season, spotlights Ballerina , the 2025 American action thriller directed by Len Wiseman. Known for its high-octane sequences and gripping storyline, the film takes audiences deep into a world of vengeance, resilience, and unrelenting intensity. As Daniel Lucas leads the conversation, listeners can expect sharp insights, behind-the-scenes highlights, an...

The Godfather . Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and released in 1972, this masterpiece reshaped American cinema. Adapted from Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel, it is both a family saga and a crime epic. For over fifty years, it has stood as a cultural touchstone around the globe.  At its heart, The Godfather is not simply a gangster film—it is a meditation on power, loyalty, and family. The Corleon...

Movie 101 Review proudly enters its fourth season with an unforgettable feature: The Shawshank Redemption . In this special episode, I, Daniel Lucas, am joined by insightful guests Colleen and Dana, who bring their fresh perspectives to one of the most powerful films ever made. Together, we dive deep into the themes of hope, resilience, and redemption that define this cinematic masterpiece, explor...

Set during World War II, Casablanca isn’t just a love story—it’s a portrait of a world caught in chaos, where romance collides with duty, and personal choices carry global consequences.  That’s part of what makes this movie timeless: it reflects universal struggles. Directed by Michael Curtiz, the film stars Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund, and Paul Henreid as Victor La...

As we raise the curtain on the highly anticipated fourth season of Movie 101 Review , I am absolutely thrilled to be sharing the critic's chair with the one and only Mr. Bob LeMent. This season promises to be our most dynamic yet, as we pivot our focus to the grand spectacle of the annual Movie Conclave . Together, Bob and I will dissect the festival's most talked-about premieres, uncover the hidd...

Thunderbolts  is one of Marvel’s most anticipated ensemble films, bringing together a ragtag group of antiheroes, outcasts, and reformed villains who are forced to work under government command. Instead of polished superheroes with spotless reputations, this team is made up of morally gray characters—individuals with dark pasts, questionable motives, and fractured loyalties. The film promises a da...

The movie Heads of State (2025), now streaming on Amazon Prime Video , is an action-comedy blockbuster starring John Cena and Idris Elba . Directed by Ilya Naishuller , the film delivers a high-energy mix of political satire, wild stunts, and fast-paced humor. The story follows U.S. President Will Derringer (John Cena) and U.K. Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba), two leaders who must set aside...

The Accountant 2 continues the gripping story of Christian Wolff, a brilliant forensic accountant with high-functioning autism who leads a double life as a freelance operative dealing with dangerous criminal organizations. In this highly anticipated sequel, Ben Affleck reprises his role, diving deeper into Christian’s complex psyche and his struggle to reconcile a life of calculated violence with...

The film, which has now earned an astonishing 103 film festival awards, was originally slated for release in January but was respectfully postponed due to the devastating Los Angeles fires earlier this year. Roswell Delirium is now officially streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV. Lauded for its emotionally grounded storytelling, Roswell Delirium Is set in an alternate version of the 1980s in the...

Black Bag is a gripping espionage thriller that delves into the shadowy world of covert operations and government secrets. Centered around a highly skilled operative forced out of retirement, the film follows a suspense-filled mission to recover a mysterious black bag that holds sensitive information capable of destabilizing global powers. As alliances shift and betrayals unfold, the protagonist m...

If you’re a fan of intense, thought-provoking cinema, I highly recommend watching The Gorge alongside the masterful works of Bong Joon-ho, such as the Oscar-winning Parasite. The Gorge delivers a gripping blend of romance, suspense, and psychological tension, offering a fresh narrative experience that keeps viewers on edge. Pairing it with Bong Joon-ho’s films—known for their sharp social commenta...

The Oscars, officially known as the Academy Awards, are the most prestigious honors in the film industry, presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Established in 1929, the awards recognize excellence in cinematic achievements across various categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress. The ceremony has evolved over the decade...

Heretic is a psychological horror film directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for their work on A Quiet Place . The film follows two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), who visit the home of a seemingly harmless man, Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). However, their routine evangelism takes a dark turn as Mr. Reed’s sinister intentions become appar...

Released in November 2024, “Gladiator II” is the much-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic. Set 16 years after the original, the film follows Lucius Verus Aurelius, portrayed by Paul Mescal, as he navigates the treacherous political landscape of Ancient Rome. The narrative delves into themes of power, revenge, and redemption, with standout performances by Denzel Washington as Macrinus an...