Author: Simon Hardy Butler
Off the Halloween Path: 13 Non-Traditional Movies to Watch on All Hallows’ Eve
Come October 31, I’ll be watching a film that’s not in the horror genre. That’s right—despite the long-standing tradition of viewing scary movies on Halloween, I’ll be devoting myself to another pastime: seeing a flick that incites emotions other than fear. Granted, it’ll be hard to find one of those on the telly come month’s…
Bad Movie Magic: Why the Junk of Yesteryear Tops the Junk of Today
Would you rather watch a bad movie made incompetently or a bad movie done well? Let me be more specific: Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966) or 300: Rise of an Empire (2014)? I know which one I’d prefer. And it’s the sad state of crummy filmmaking that validates my decision. Once upon a time,…
Opera Onscreen: How to Resurrect a Dying Genre
Given the fact that Placido Domingo instinctively ruffled his fingers through my hair 30 years ago as I—then a member of the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus—marched by him on stage during a production of Carmen, I can’t help but admit a personal bias toward the legendary singer … which includes admiration for his efforts in…
The Best and Worst of Steven Spielberg: Assessing the Oeuvre of a Great Filmmaker
I still can’t get over the fact that Steven Spielberg directed Hook (1991). It’s one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. A lousy, mirthless script that muddles its classic source material: J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Miscast stars who ham it up with forced panache. And a lethargic pace inspired, I assume, by the speed of a stuffed crocodile. This pile of putrid…
A Dissenting Opinion on ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
Pacing is one of the movies’ great mysteries. It’s impossible to prescribe a guaranteed-gold formula. Films that are, on the surface, devoid of traditional action can fly by like X-wing fighters screeching around the Death Star. And flicks that jump from cut to cut while featuring sped-up cinematography and other tricks may feel as slothful…