Theatrical/Independent Reviews
This vampire flick should have stayed buried. 2May 12, 2012

Dear Dark Shadows,

This vampire flick should have stayed buried.

Did The Avengers manage to assemble a decent popcorn flick?3May 2, 2012

Dear The Avengers,

Did The Avengers manage to assemble a decent popcorn flick?

Unlike the stories by the author who inspires this tale, this will not stand the test of time.3April 28, 2012

Dear The Raven,

Unlike the stories by the author who inspires this tale, this will not stand the test of time.

A love letter to the master craftsman at the heart of this film.2April 27, 2012

Dear Jiro Dreams of Sushi,

A love letter to the master craftsman at the heart of this film.

Brian takes aim at this counter-culture revenge fantasy. 1April 26, 2012

Dear God Bless America,

Brian takes aim at this counter-culture revenge fantasy.

Brian tries to explain the visceral appeal of this action flick. 0April 24, 2012

Dear The Raid: Redemption,

Brian tries to explain the visceral appeal of this action flick.

News/Op-Ed/Features
2

Introducing: The Film Grind Podcast

By
Brian J. Roan
– April 24, 2012
Brian introduces you to his and Dan Gvozden's new show, The Film Grind.

I never really considered myself a talker. In my head I was alway the silent, pensive guy in the corner who knew a lot but always kept it in.

Now, though, I’m proving myself wrong. You may be familiar with my work on Radio DearFilm’s audio content, but even that is stately and reserved compared to my latest forray into the world of podcasting:

The Film Grind. 

Alongside my friend Dan Gvozden, editor of Grind My Reels, we delve into the world of film with zeal, zest, and zaniness. High energy, no-holds-barred film conversation: that’s what we offer.  First we say what we’ve been watching, then we review a single film in detail, then we give complementary film suggestions – not just similar films in terms of plot, but in feeling and narrative, film-form kinship.

So stop reading my words, and start listening to them. The Film Grind is live now, and in addition to being informative, it’s also just plain fun.

You can find The Film Grind HERE or you can subscribe via iTunes. Also, it’s embedded below!

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Dear Old Man Rambo,

By
Rick Sandlas
– March 18, 2012
As we share one last tale together I pause to think about the entirety of your life and story, and I find I must go back the beginning and re-watch...

As we share one last tale together I pause to think about the entirety of your life and story, and I find I must go back the beginning and re-watch everything closely; from First Blood until now.

First Blood is the watershed that began the franchise, and tried to hint at the journey of these soldiers that were the first to come home and NOT be heroes. Not only was the end of this film one of the most iconic attempts to give filmgoers a glimpse into the unique hell of one of these military men, it also served as one of the greatest films about human intent ever created. To this day it serves to remind me to never take any man for granted, and to never push unless I am committed completely and willing accept the consequences of that action.

Ultimately, Rambo paid the price for his rampage. We open the second film to see him breaking rock in the iconic hard labor scene. But when you look closely at him, as the movie tracks his conversation with Troutman, he doesn’t look completely miserable. There is something almost Zen in him. It’s at this point the physicality of his indomitable will is driven home even more viscerally than the demonstration of his skills in the first film. His will is an immovable force fueled by unshakable intent. It is a subtle cue that he really is a one man force of nature. In hindsight, this is a subtlety I didn’t catch the first time. Sly Stallone was not known for thematic nuance early in his career, but nonetheless, it is there. Read the rest of this entry »

0

A Letter to Anoint the King of the Ballroom Movies,

By
Rick Sandlas
– March 1, 2012
Rick takes three films for a spin to decide who is the king of the dance floor.

When crowning the King of ballroom movies, in the modern era, there are three films that make the grade for me, and they are all different types of stories falling into categories both accidentally, premeditatedly, and with extreme prejudice.

It’s funny when you think about what draws one into a dance film to begin with. It kind of transcends the other types of dance films such as Flashdance, Black Swan, or something like Breaking, Footloose or even Showgirls, sitting out there on the periphery. Ballroom dancing is different in that it is completely accessible … to anybody! As long as you have two working legs and the ability to learn patterns, you can Ballroom dance. Hell, I once had a colleague and good friend that was an older man and cancer survivor when he came to ballroom. Even left with three vertebrae in his neck fused so he had no head movement, he took it up and became one of the finest ballroom dancers I have ever known personally, and was a marvel to see! Such is the accessibility I mentioned. Did I mention there is some magic to ballroom? Well, consider yourself warned! Read the rest of this entry »

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