Director Rob Reiner during the filming of 1995's The American President. "It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black." -Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), This is Spinal Tap (1984)  It is only fitting that an off-hand remark on a totally unrelated topic from his first directorial effort be used to describe Rob Reiner's (and wife Michele's) untimely death this past week. News of the couple's murder allegedly at the hand of thei

Bruce Springsteen Photos from the Born to Run Album Shoot. It's the gift that keeps on giving: presenting a research paper at last September's " Born to Run 50th Anniversary Symposium and Academic Conference," held at Monmouth University in New Jersey. Not only was the conference experience beyond awesome (see additional link at the end of this post), I continue to feel a part of this newly discovered musical and academic community. After giving my paper at the conference, I

George Clooney as the title character in Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly. "All my memories are movies." - Jay Kelly (George Clooney) George Clooney and Jay Kelly are very similar. In fact, at times, the two seem interchangeable: both are famous, handsome, charismatic Hollywood leading men. Both live whirlwind lives filled with soundstages, industry tributes, and entourages. Both are in their sixties, facing the inevitable fading of good looks, virility and popularity. I'd say the s

Jessie Buckley (L) and Paul Mescal (R) in Chloé Zhao's Hamnet. To grieve or not to grieve. That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in cinema to milk The tears and sobs of the audience's heart Or show restraint against box office competition. Or, perhaps, take on a slew of other Oscar contenders By drowning them in a sea of a thousand wet fantasies. Alas, the conundrum Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao (for 2022's Nomadland ) accepted when she signed on to make Hamnet, a