One of my favorite film subjects, Tom Hanks is a fascinating actor/filmmaker. Search my site, you will find several entries, including more detailed reviews of the films below. These three films are from Hank’s most recent work. This is the mature Hanks, who slips into character roles, like the finest actors of the past. Bridge … More Tom Hanks: Some Recent Roles
Lady Bird Johnson has a unique place in American history. We mostly know her as a First Lady, but also successful in business and she carved out her own legacy, apart from her husband, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Her given name was Claudia, but most everyone knew her as Lady Bird, the wife of LBJ. “I … More Lady Bird Johnson
Often derided, even today, the hippies of our youth were mostly right. Hippies were a wake up call to America. Before you eye-roll, give it a little thought. The Archie Bunker view of a hippie was dirty, sex-crazed, drug user, draft-dodging, bomb-throwing, lazy, degenerates. In reality, some were, but most were not; that is an … More Peace, Love & Humankind
One has to go back a few years to find a time America was not in a war, conflict or policing action. The U.S. military is used around the world like a Swiss Army knife (pardon the pun), for protecting American interests and citizens to to cyber security to peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. The use … More Living With War
Gordon Liddy has left the building. He died this week at age 90. Liddy was one of the central figures of the Watergate break-in. A former FBI agent and lawyer, sworn to uphold the law, he helped plan and execute the break-in at the Democratic headquarters in addition to other dirty tricks. Liddy would be … More G. Gordon Liddy and Watergate
Abortion is a term that immediately stirs a reaction. Whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, I do not believe anyone is truly in favor of abortion. The argument is about legal availability, and is a very complicated, supercharged and divisive issue. Since we want fewer abortions, how do we do it? What is the most … More Reducing Abortions
I wrote a blog back in 2019 hoping for justice for journalist Jamal Khashoggi. It did not happen. The Trump Administration put his relationship, and arms business, with the Saudi Royal family, ahead of truth and justice. Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered and only the fall guys have been punished. The rich and powerful literary … More Justice for Jamal Khashoggi
He died last week after a battle with cancer. Limbaugh was a polarizing individual. That’s an understatement. You either loved him or hated him, no middle ground. In addition, he was rich and famous. Let me be upfront, I did not care for the man, definitely not a fan. This is not a blog to … More Rush Limbaugh: Why Was He Famous?
Too bad Mel Gibson did not make more of these films. He is quite good, and political intrigue done well stays in our film lexicon. What is hotter, the politics of Jakarta or the relationship between Gibson’s Hamilton and Sigourney Weaver’s Jill, an aid at the British Embassy. Gibson is reporter Guy Hamilton, new to … More The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)
Neil Young is in the twilight of life, but you wouldn’t know it by the incredible number of projects he has in development. He may be the youngest 75 year old. During the pandemic, there was no touring, yet that didn’t slow Young, who worked on his archives, readying several albums for release, concerts, shelved … More Neil Young: COVID Music
