Written by Eric Hodgins, Norman Panama, and Melvin FrankDirected by H.C. Potter At the suggestion of a fellow writer, I rented this movie to see how it compared to what I was going through with selling this house on Long Island and moving to rural New Hampshire. What I got was a very funny movieContinue reading “Movie Review: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House – I Really Don’t Want to Relate to This!”
Author Archives: Patti Aliventi
Star Trek: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield – All Lives Do Matter
Written by Oliver Crawford, Lee Cronin, Arthur H. Singer, and Gene RoddenberryDirected by Jud Taylor Star Trek got away with many cultural commentaries over its short run, due to the fact that couched in the science-fiction setting, many of the commentaries went right over the head of the censors. That’s not the case with LetContinue reading “Star Trek: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield – All Lives Do Matter”
Book Review: Crimes Against Nature by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Can Our Planet Still Be Saved?
In the flurry of books released before the 2004 Presidential election, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Crimes Against Nature got lost in the shuffle. And that’s a shame. Instead of the usual unsubstantiated rants pro or con for what had been going on in the country over the previous four years, Kennedy has produced a railingContinue reading “Book Review: Crimes Against Nature by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Can Our Planet Still Be Saved?”
Agent Carter: Now Is Not the End – Life Goes On
Written by Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Stan Lee, and Jack KirbyDirected by Louis D’Esposito My adventures in watching the Marvel Universe in chronological order now lead me to the series Agent Carter. I’ve watched this before and enjoyed it quite a bit, so watching it again is something I’d enjoy. New York City 1946. PeggyContinue reading “Agent Carter: Now Is Not the End – Life Goes On”
Movie Review: Anywhere But Here – Another in the Long Line of Films About Mothers and Daughters
Written by Mona Simpson and Alvin SargentDirected by Wayne Wang Being the mother of a teenager is never easy. As is often the case, mothers and teenage girls tend to clash often and sometimes quite brutally. Anywhere But Here is one of those movies that gives me some comfort. I can point to the motherContinue reading “Movie Review: Anywhere But Here – Another in the Long Line of Films About Mothers and Daughters”
Star Trek: Whom Gods Destroy – Mental Illness in the 23rd Century
Written by Lee Erwin, Jerry Sohl, Arthur H. Singer, and Gene RoddenberryDirected by Herb Wallerstein The problem with writing for the future is that the writers craft stories from the time they are in. Since the 1960’s, we’ve made great strides in understanding mental health and realizing that there are many aspects to it. OfContinue reading “Star Trek: Whom Gods Destroy – Mental Illness in the 23rd Century”
Book Review: Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder – DeSmet is a Colorful Town!
When I was about nine, a friend of the family gave me my first Little House book. I was immediately captivated by the stories within and read them over and over through the years. The copy I had contained wonderful illustrations to accompany the story by Garth Williams. Eventually I was given all of theContinue reading “Book Review: Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder – DeSmet is a Colorful Town!”
Movie Review: Red Heat – A Cop-Buddy Film With a Commie Twist
Written by Walter Hill, Harry Kleiner, and Troy Kennedy-MartinDirected by Walter Hill I don’t know whether or no it worked against the film Red Heat was released in 1988. Communism was crumbling at the time, almost a year after Ronald Reagan’s famous tear down this wall… speech. The wall itself would come down just aContinue reading “Movie Review: Red Heat – A Cop-Buddy Film With a Commie Twist”
Star Trek: Elaan of Troyius – My Fair Elasian
Written by John Meredyth Lucas, Arthur H. Singer, and Gene RoddenberryDirected by John Meredyth Lucas Running out of plot ideas in this third season, the writers here turn to Shakespeare and craft their own version of The Taming of the Shrew, involving a reluctant bride, a stuffy ambassador, and the Captain of the Enterprise. TheContinue reading “Star Trek: Elaan of Troyius – My Fair Elasian”
Book Review: The Devil Wears Pinstripes by Jim Caple – Yankee Haters Unite!
As autumn rolls around, there seem to be a few things that are certain. One of them happens to be that the New York Yankees will be playing in the post-season. The arrogance of the team – and it’s owner – has spawned an entire generation of baseball fans who might root for various teamsContinue reading “Book Review: The Devil Wears Pinstripes by Jim Caple – Yankee Haters Unite!”
