Pillar of Fire
An exit on the nearby interstate announces Zarephath as its main attraction, but that is a tease. The community, unincorporated and insular, is astonishingly easy to miss. The bulk sits off a main road on a strip of land tucked between the Millstone River and the D&R Canal. According to the 2010 census it is home to (more…)
Frenchtown hugs the Delaware River about 23 miles north of where George Washington crossed on that bitter Christmas night, 12 miles west of the courthouse where the Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial was held, and a million miles away from the American pastime of tearing down a fascinating past to replace it with a graceless present. A faint musty bouquet kicks up every now and then, no doubt thanks to (more…)
These brief, one sentence movie reviews return after an extended winter hibernation. The complete list can be found here.
Grand Budapest Hotel, The (2014) – As “Wes Andersony” as anything he has directed this affectionate nod to Old World Europe is both exquisite and plodding. (3) – 4/10/14
Big Heat, The (1953) – Atmospheric delight with revenge-fueled detective and spurned (more…)
A National Historic District, in case you were wondering
Walking around Cranbury you are struck by the disproportionate number of white buildings, many sporting black trim. It is easy to conceive how someone coming down Main Street for the first time might think the white homes and businesses were required by the village charter. Or maybe it was part of the agreement which landed Cranbury’s small downtown area on the National (more…)
Typical single family home
Rocky Hill is a small borough in central New Jersey, part of the larger Montgomery Township. It is primarily residential. A few scattered businesses, a couple of eateries, a church, post office and fire house also call it home. There is really not much cause to make Rocky Hill your destination, save the restaurants. This is a small shame since the town, though modest, is quite (more…)
One sentence movie reviews returns for a tenth spin. All the reels can be found here!
Stories We Tell (2012) – Engrossing multi-layered documentary illustrates there is often more than people realize in any family story. (4) – 8/2/13
Auntie Mame (1958) – Larger-than-life socialite is suddenly saddled with (more…)
I re-watched Mr. Deeds Goes to Town a few days ago, Frank Capra’s 1936 fanciful tale of Longfellow Deeds, an everyman from rural Vermont who inherits a vast fortune. It contains many hallmark Capra elements: a good person forced to confront a whirlwind of greed and/or corruption, a sentimental and idealized view of small town life, a smart, savvy female lead, and snappy, intelligent dialogue. It is by all accounts very Capraesque.
The first time viewer may think the movie horribly dated, one that shows every wrinkle and crease of its 77 years. We no longer tolerate plot advancement through (more…)
My current attention span leads to this latest installment of Shorts.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) – Graphic novel sensation translates to quirky, extremely likeable film with Cera battling Winstead’s seven evil exes. (3½) – 7/8/12
Thrill of It All, The (1963) – Harmless sudsy comedy follows Day’s journey from (more…)
It’s been a while since we dipped into the film archive, so the time has come to rectify that. For the complete list of reviews pop over to the Shorts page. Places everyone! And…Action!
One for the Money (2012) – After years of anticipation Janet Evanovich’s bounty hunter comes to the big screen and is not a plum worth picking. (2) – 5/23/12
Happy Feet (2006) – Box office animated smash left me (more…)
The Conduct of the Game – John Hough Jr.
If baseball movies had a batting average it would be about .250. Not enough juice to be an all-star, but good enough to stay in the game. To help baseball filmdom I scout around for stories which could hit a Hollywood home run. This is because I am the studio puppet master, the guy who green lights films the way NFL players herd baby mamas. One phone call, one meeting, one lunch with me and your movie is golden. (And once that first phone call/meeting/lunch happens I’ll prove it.) This novel would be a fine start. It does not possess the nail-biting tension of more conventional sports films. No last minute drama, no death or glory moments. Instead, we visit a more subdued world – minor league umpiring in the 1950’s where the people are the stars. The characters are so well drawn you know them once you meet them resulting in a story brimming with quiet dignity. (more…)
Trask Avenue 