Gladiator II: Ridley Scott’s Vigorously Violent but Emotionally Hollow Spectacle (Sequel to his 2001 Oscar Winner)

In the end, Gladiator II reaffirms Scott’s natural tendency toward grandiosity, but seldom justifies its very existence.

Sin Takes a Holiday (1930): Paul Stein’s Pre-Code Romance, Starring Constance Bennett

Cast against type, Constancce Bennett plays Sylvia Brenner, a “plain” secretary

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978): Memorable Scenes–Food Fight-

Animal House is known for its gross humor, classic soundtrack, teacher-bashing, and chasing girls. But it was one scene that typified its anti-authoritarian playfulness and sparked imitators: the great food fight. The Dean has tasked the Omega fraternity to find ways to remove the Deltas from campus, but that doesn’t stop the crude Bluto (John […]

Iron Man: Secret Identity

Tony defies all codes of superhero behavior by blithely admitting, “I am Iron Man.”

Indie Companies: Menemsha Films, 1998-Present (Neil Friedman)

Menemsha, founded by Neil Friedman in 1998, set a record by representing five Oscar nominees, five years in a row: