Robot & Frank: Insightful look at aging

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 06 September 2012 10:44

Each week, the Reel Dad checks the nutritional value of a movie — new or classic — to help parents choose what to watch. This week’s pick is a new film about aging and technology, Robot and Frank.

2 Days in New York: Delightful look at families

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 30 August 2012 13:14

Each week, the Reel Dad checks the nutritional value of a movie - new or classic - to help parents choose what to watch. This week’s pick is a new independent film, 2 Days in New York.

The old saying “you can choose your friends but not your family” comes to life in the engaging comedy 2 Days in New York. Under the guidance of writer/director/star Julie Delpy, what could be a tiresome and talky look at the lives of self-consumed New Yorkers emerges as a delightful exploration of complicated family relationships.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green: meaningful lessons

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 23 August 2012 11:10

Each week, the Reel Dad checks the nutritional value of a movie — new or classic — to help parents choose what to watch. This week’s pick is a new film from the Disney studios, The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

The Bourne Legacy: Disappointing continuation of series

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 16 August 2012 10:26

Each week, the Reel Dad checks the nutritional value of a movie — new or classic — to help parents choose what to watch. This week’s pick is the new film in the Bourne movie franchise, The Bourne Legacy.

The image of Matt Damon overshadows every frame of The Bourne Legacy, a continuation of the film franchise based on the books by Robert Ludlum. While his character, Jason Bourne, is not a part of the new film — even in flashback — each time we see Damon’s still photograph on screen reminds us what doesn’t work about this fourth installment. With too many characters, an over-complicated plot and less-than-exciting action sequences, The Bourne Legacy is an August letdown at the movies.

The Dark Knight Rises: Best of the series

Written by Garrett Schumann
Thursday, 09 August 2012 14:56

Some movies become symbols for their times. This week, Garrett Schumann, who wrote for this column for many years as The Reel Son, takes a look at the new Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises.

Frank Pierson: It always started with the words

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 02 August 2012 12:42

For all of us who love movies, the film work of screenwriter Frank Pierson is essential to the screen. This week, the Reel Dad remembers what will make his words so special.

Of the many talents it takes to make a movie, the screenwriter can be the easiest to overlook. While the director is lauded for the visual excitement, and the performers applauded for dramatic intensity, the screenwriter often only gets mentioned when the work is less than expected. But a movie cannot be great without great words. And the person who creates the words is the foundation.

Frank Pierson loved to write words for the screen, from his early work in television (starting with Route 66) in the 1950s to, most recently, co-writing an episode of Mad Men. He knew instinctively that, without words, no magic could happen and that authentic words only emerge from well developed characters. He perfected a special skill of telling challenging stories that many others might eagerly avoid. When he died last week, at age 87, this former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences left behind a gallery of fine works. Let’s take a look.

Peter O’Toole: Ending a legendary career

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 26 July 2012 11:18

For all of us who love movies, the film work of the great Peter O’Toole is something to savor. When he recently announced his retirement from the screen, O’Toole reminded us how many movie memories he has created. This week, the Reel Dad remembers what will always make the work of this actor so special on screen.

He burst onto the screen, some 50 years ago, with a daring sense of bravery to leap to the core of any character he played. As he matured on screen, he hit a rough spot now and then, as do people in real life; as he aged before us he would surprise, now and then, by delivering one more bravura “comeback” performance to remind us why he created such a fuss in the first place. 

With eight Academy Award nominations, he holds the record for the most acting nods without a win. And if that ever bothered him, he never let us know. For Peter O’Toole, the work is the reward. Here are a few of his most memorable films.

Beasts of the Southern Wild: Lovely new film

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 19 July 2012 12:48

Beasts of the Southern Wild: Lovely new film

As we enjoy the summer movie season — and the big action films that fill theaters — the Reel Dad looks for other nutritional movie choices. This week’s pick is a new drama, Beasts of the Southern Wild.

To Rome With Love: Vintage Woody Allen

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 12 July 2012 15:20

As we enjoy the summer movie season — with big action films and comedies filling theaters — the Reel Dad looks for nutritional movie choices. This week’s pick is a new comedy from Woody Allen, To Rome With Love.

Nora Ephron: The magic of her words

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 05 July 2012 10:49

For all of us who love movies, the films of Nora Ephron are forever delightful. This week, the Reel Dad remembers what will always make the work of the late writer and director so special on screen.

She wrote, from her heart, with a passion for relationships. No matter the settings or plots in her films, Nora Ephron turned every conversation into a meaningful look at how people relate to each other. With her death last week, Ephron leaves a legacy of marvelous writing in every medium, including some of our favorite films. Here are a few to watch again and cherish.