That The Critics Have All WrongA Charlie Brown Christmas (1964) – The iconic characters from Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts” comic strip come together for a Christmas Pageant. Charlie Brown struggles with his feelings about the holiday, and his role as director of the holiday play.Directed by Bill MelendezStarring Charlie Brown, Linus Van Pelt, Lucy Van Pelt,... Continue Reading →
3D Creativity Part Two
Stretching My Experience Earlier this year, I shared a creativity project that included digital design and 3-D printing. I created a pair of hall passes for one class at my school. They were pretty straightforward from a design point of view. I had a little fun with the painting for them. This completes that experiment... Continue Reading →
The Bikini That Almost Saved Christmas
Except Nothing Can Save ThisChristmas With the Kranks (2004) – When Luther (Allen) and Norah (Curtis) Krank discover they will be empty nesters at Christmas for the first time, Luther suggests just skipping the entire Christmas season. This results in a major conflict with his neighbors.Directed by Joe RothStarring Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan... Continue Reading →
An OK Christmas Classic
The One Where I Ruin Some People's Christmas Home Alone (1990) – In the chaos of trying to get two families ready for a Christmas trip to Paris, Kevin gets lost in the shuffle. While his family struggles to get back home, Kevin lives like a king, including the need to defend his home against... Continue Reading →
Ah, Magoo, You've Done It Again
Rediscovering A Childhood FavoriteMr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962) – The near-sighted cartoon character is on Broadway playing Ebenezer Scrooge in this musical version of the Christmas classic. Directed by Abe Levitow Starring – Jim Backus, Morey Amsterdam, Jack Cassidy, Royal Dano, Paul Frees, Joan Gardner Why I Liked It – A childhood favorite! Season favorites... Continue Reading →
Adding To My Christmas List
So Much Christmas To Enjoy! I’ve decided to do some exploring in the Christmas media world this year. Over the last couple of decades, I’ve talked about my favorite, gotta-see Christmas stories. In reality, I almost never watch anything else. And there is a lot to watch! So, besides the usual suspects, I’m looking at... Continue Reading →
False Hopes and Broken Dreams
Played For The Dream or By The Dream? Hoop Dreams (1994)- Two young men from inner city Chicago chase a dream of professional basketball as they play for two different high schools. The different expectations from coaches, family and the players themselves show all the hurdles they face.Directed by Steve JamesStarring Arthur Agee, William Gates.Why... Continue Reading →
Storytelling Pared To The Essentials
The Short Stories by Ernest Hemingway (1938) is a collection of 49 short stories by the American master. They cover Hemingway’s career from his early days as a war correspondent to the full bloom of his distinctive and influential style. The original publication, “The Fifth Column and The First Forty-Nine stories, Hemingway’s only play, “The... Continue Reading →
The Glow Of Discovery
It's Why You Bring Your Tools You take your camera with you “Just in case”. It may never come out of the bag, or get lifted to your eye, but you never know when you might see something good. There’s a really cool event this time of year at one of the biggest parks in... Continue Reading →
The Mystery of How To Screw A Good Story Up
I Always Want To Like Movies in Pittsburgh, But...Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008) – During the last summer before he graduates, Art Bechstein takes the easiest job he can find. While he’s there, things get complicated. A group of new friends takes his life into a new direction. A direction for which no one is prepared.Directed... Continue Reading →
Stories Are My Life 