The Inconsistent Writer

“Lady, you take my picture with that thing and I'm gonna rip your brassiere off... and strangle you with it! You got that?” Witness is a captivating film that gives us an open window into a world that most are completely unfamiliar – the Amish community. Displaying the kind of narrative that didn't fall in line with a majority of films released in the 1980s, the film revolves around the story of Samuel (Lucas Hass), a young Amish boy who witnesses the murder of an undercover police officer while in Philadelphia. When Samuel identifies the killer as a police officer, hardened detective John Book (Harrison Ford) flees with Samuel and his windowed mother (Kelly McGillis) back to their Amish community after discovering corruption within his department. What I find so enjoyable about Witness is the beauty in the honesty it conveys. It doesn't try to place the Amish community on a moral pedestal. Instead, it truthfully portrays them as human beings; ones that can make mista

"I'd like to report a truck driver who's been endangering my life." Imagine for a moment you’re driving down the road in your car; it’s not the greatest car – in fact it’s downright pitiful. You are on a two-lane highway in a desolate part of the state, and you’re all alone. Now, imagine an enormous tanker truck stalking you, harassing you, and attempting to end your life. You've just firmly landed in the passenger’s seat alongside David Mann (Dennis Weaver) as he battles for his life in Duel , the feature-length directorial debut of Steven Spielberg. When I first saw this masterpiece of suspense, I was literally on the edge of my seat. Yes, I know it’s just a movie, but if they didn't affect the viewer’s emotions in some form or fashion, they wouldn't serve a purpose, now would they? The premise is so basic – yet so primal – that it’s hard not to identify with David. He’s the little guy that gets thrown into one Goliath of a situation (bad pun, I kn

"It's not the size of the nose that matters; it's what's inside that counts!” CD Bales (Steve Martin) is just your average small town fire chief. That is, if your average small town fire chief is clever, charismatic, verbose, witty, extremely well-read, incredibly acrobatic, and has an absurdly long nose—not your typical leading man. His days are filled babysitting his bumbling volunteer firefighters, that is until Roxanne (Daryl Hanna) comes knocking on his door literally naked. After rescuing Roxanne, the two spark up a kinship. When the new probationary fireman, the strikingly handsome but dim Chris (Rick Rossovich) arrives in town, the final piece of our love triangle falls into place. Steve Martin’s script, a modern retelling of Edmond Rostand’s play Cyrano de Bergerac, is expertly crafted by the comedic genius and writer of over a dozen films. His re-envisioning captures the heart of the story: the charming and smart protagonist whose physical oddity keep

“Men should be explorers, no matter how old they are. I don't know about anybody else, but I'm going.” Most everyone cherishes the boundless treasures that come from a good relationship with a grandparent. Those that have experienced this wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I was blessed enough to have a great one with my grandparents. I spent weekends, holidays, and summer breaks with them - building Hot Wheels racetracks, tagging along with them to swap meets and yard sales, and the occasional yard work (it was not perfect by any means, but it was perfect for me). The bond that I shared with my Grandpa was particularly special since I was his only grandson. And this is exactly why I love watching Cocoon – it reminds me of that unique connection I had with my grandparents and it makes my heart smile. Ben (Wilford Brimley), Joe (Hume Cronyn), and Art (Don Ameche) are just a couple of retired guys who like live it up by trespassing in the pool of a vacant luxur

"It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a 'salad dressing dude.'" For those who are interested in visiting or re-visiting a bit of nostalgia from the late 1980s, I highly recommend Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.  If you want your kids to understand why now and again a “gnarly” or “dude” escapes your lips, show them this. The movie is pure escapism that combines quirky situational humor by combining historical figures with the science fiction of time travel. You’ll find yourself laughing quite a bit during the entire movie, whether in response to the off played, yet sometimes brilliant dialogue, or at the fashion and fads of a movie that’s now twenty-odd years old. (In all seriousness, when was the last time you saw a telephone booth, let alone a functioning one?) I remembered seeing this movie for the first time at the drive-in in 1989.  Were they awesome or what?  Food could be snuck in, you didn't have to worry about