Friday Night Popcorn

Random musings about the movies.

Summer Vacation

Monsieur Hulot's Holiday

Summer Vacation

Joel|June 05, 2026

Never Too Much of a Good Idea

Hollywood and the multiple versions

Never Too Much of a Good Idea

Joel|May 30, 2026

Revisiting the Coen Bothers

Film Influences

Revisiting the Coen Bothers

Joel|May 29, 2026

The Purple Plain

Sometimes a movie just sticks with you. This was my Memorial Day watch... can't stop thinking about it.

Joel|May 28, 2026

A Theater Experience

sometimes a good crowd makes the movie

Joel|April 15, 2026

What's Your Favorite Movie?

Discovering Black Orpheus - 1959

Joel|February 13, 2026

Too Many Shortcuts

Thinking about the evolution of the filmmaking process

Joel|January 16, 2026

Movie Resolutions

Roger Ebert's Great Movies

Joel|January 04, 2026

New Year's Eve

two films for New Year's Eve

Joel|December 28, 2025

The Lost Genre

Holiday made-for-tv movies

Joel|December 15, 2025

Is This A Christmas Movie?

thinking about the holiday genre

Joel|December 11, 2025

Movies & Sports

One of my favorites - This Sporting Life

Joel|November 28, 2025

Autumn Tale

an appreciation for simple films

Joel|November 26, 2025

Why do a Remake?

Some of the best movies... are remakes

Joel|November 21, 2025

The Criterion Collection

I'm generally horrible with "favorite movie" lists. As soon as I'm done, I realize I've left five titles off the list that "have" to be included... Then I can't decide what should be removed... I ultimately just abandon the idea - too frustrated that I can't make a decision. That said, I realize the value of a list as they have helped introduce me to many films I may have never seen otherwise. I'm sure Eddie Muller could include hundreds of his favorite film noirs - but his list of ten favorites opened a door for me, that I've never closed.

Joel|November 12, 2025

The Movie Star

Robert Redford

Joel|November 04, 2025

The Influence of Frankenstein

a film within a film

Joel|October 18, 2025

Haunted House with a Twist

Haunted House movie recommendations - of all types

Joel|October 17, 2025

A Great Recommendation

A note on the joy of giving and receiving a good movie recommendation

Joel|October 15, 2025

Curious Influences

When a filmed opera becomes a classic horror film

Joel|October 14, 2025

A Little Fantasy with the Romance

Blending genres films successfully

Joel|October 13, 2025

A Zombie Double Feature

Zombie b-movies done right

Joel|October 11, 2025

Adult Conversations

the importance of good dialogue in movies

Joel|October 10, 2025

Val Lewton

A look at one of the best film producers

Joel|October 03, 2025

A Halloween Treat

A look back at a TV Movie for Halloween

Joel|September 29, 2025

For the Love of Movies

Romantic movie recommendations

Joel|September 24, 2025

The Language of Films

Understanding the point of the film

Joel|September 19, 2025

The Forgotten Genius

An appreciation for Jacques Tati

Joel|September 19, 2025

Vindicated By Time

when it's not an instant classic

Joel|September 19, 2025