Author: John Welsh
-
The Fighting 69th (1940)
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: The Fighting 69th (1940)( “Faugh a Ballagh” ) A battle cry of Irish origin meaning ‘clear the way’ was first used as a regimental motto of the Royal Irish Fusiliers back in and now the motto of the Royal Irish Regiment. It was adopted by the the Fusiliers back in 1798 after the exploits of Sgt Patrick Masterson…
-
John Welsh’s Look At Turner Classic Movies
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: John Welsh’s Look At Turner Classic MoviesFor a movie lover, life can change for the good even in these troubled times when Turner Classic Movies re-enters. Yes, I went without TCM for years, when last week a miracle occurred. Yes, a miracle. Great films are on my television screen. What need have I of HBO or Showtime? Ha! I say Ha!…
-
Miller’s Crossing
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: Miller’s CrossingI had trouble finding a hook for a critique of the excellent Coen Brother’s film, Miller’s Crossing. I read several reviews, even going so far as to read Roger Ebert’s pedestrian analysis. As to be expected, Ebert, who seemingly offers reviews from beyond the grave like a Dracula with press credentials, the piece was about…
-
A Monster’s Ode to John Welsh
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: A Monster’s Ode to John WelshIn the 1970s and 1980s I worked on several movies by the Arkansas based filmmaker, Charles B. Pierce. He achieved minor fame and a cult following for his films, The Legend of Boggy Creek and The Town that Dreaded Sundown. [EDITOR’S NOTE: Both included with Amazon Prime] The Legend of Boggy Creek was a pseudo…
-
The 1939 movie year: First in a series.
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: The 1939 movie year: First in a series.A recent question on Jeopardy reminded me 1939 was a banner year for the release of the greatest number of quality films ever in a single year. Most were the product of the studio system. I will briefly discuss some of my favorites, starting with my favorite film genre, the Western. Jesse James ( “He…
-
Dark Waters
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: Dark WatersThe French born Chemist E. I. du Pont arrived in the United States on January 1st 1800, a symbolic date for several reasons. (Aaron Burr came within a hair’s breadth of becoming president in the election of that year). In 1802 he established a factory in Wilmington Delaware to manufacture gun powder, using the improved formula of…
-
Ford v. Ferrari: A Final Look
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: Ford v. Ferrari: A Final LookThe first thing you notice about Ford v Ferrari is the sound, even before the first frame of picture. The telltale sound of motor racing. Cars speeding by. The Doppler effect, changes of perspective, gears changing, the sound of breaks, wheels on the track. The crowds. Sounds there throughout the racing scenes. Sound that puts…
-
Another Look At Some Of The Significant Films Of The Past Decade
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: Another Look At Some Of The Significant Films Of The Past DecadeThe last decade has given the film viewer a tidal wave of sewage in the form of endless remakes, sequels, and a combination of the two with comic book superhero movies. It is just the way the film industry’s way of saying, we’re bereft of imagination and are willing to pander to vulgar tastes of…
-
The Evil That Men Can Do: 3 Movies
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: The Evil That Men Can Do: 3 MoviesMen have reasons for the evil acts they commit. Some men. The new film streaming on Amazon Prime, The (Torture) Report, makes this clear. The men of The Irishman practice evil as a matter of course, without a thought. As mob accountant Otto Biederman, famously said, “Nothing personal, it’s just business.” The effect, however, is…
-
1917
Tag(s):
Author:
Read more: 19171917 is a horror story. It is a journey to hell and back. It ends at the place where it began, in a field of flowers under a tree. It is a story of duty, comradeship and loss. It is a technical marvel. It takes place on April 6, 1917, the day the United States…