Comedian Nick Swardson has a terrific routine in which he makes fun of “jaded movie friends” who don’t appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making impossible things happen on screen. “If you showed [Transformers] to people fifty years ago,” he jokes, “their brains would explode. Everybody would lose their minds.” When you hear stories about […]
Continue readingMonthly Archives: April 2014
Love DC theaters? Support the Avalon’s annual fundraiser this Sunday!
With the sad news that Filmfest DC may be entering its last year, we’ve reached a critical moment for DC film culture. Many of us probably take for granted that we live in a city that our city is home to independent theaters, several film festivals, and the AFI Silver. Once in a while, it’s […]
Continue readingDirector Michael Glawogger dies unexpectedly, leaves behind great works on globalization
In a bizarre turn of events, renowned Austrian documentarian Michael Glawogger suddenly died today of malaria while filming on location in Liberia. He died far too young and early into his career, but he leaves us with a number of quality films exploring hazardous products of globalization, from slum living to prostitution. It’s difficult to […]
Continue readingFilm festival season begins! Union Market kicks off annual drive-thru this Friday
DC outdoor film festivals spring up almost immediately once the weather gets nice out. Usually we have to wait until May or June for the first movie screenings, but this year, at least one is starting early. This is great news if you won’t be in DC over summer break! Starting tomorrow, for the next […]
Continue readingCelebrate Emancipation Day with a look at DC history
If you’ve tried to go to the library or a government office today, you might have noticed that many places are closed for Emancipation Day. And you’d be forgiven if you didn’t know what that was; it’s a very DC-specific holiday. Slavery in the United States officially and formally ended with the Emancipation Proclamation in […]
Continue readingSee Let’s Be Cops TONIGHT!
We’re a little last minute on this one, but if you’re looking for something to do this evening, consider seeing a new movie! We have advance passes to see Let’s Be Cops, an upcoming action-comedy starring some very funny people. The ensemble includes Jake Johnson from New Girl, Damon Wayans Jr. from Happy Endings, Rob […]
Continue readingHow much food do The Goonies eat? Analysis says: a lot
One of the most fun things about movies, television, and really any entertainment medium is the way in way people break them down and uncover all sorts of weird trivia. Just like when someone recently figured out when Ice Cube had a “Good Day,” people across the Internet are always figuring out unusual facts about […]
Continue readingWelcome to Television Bubble Month!
As we enter the middle of April, we enter the month of the television bubble, that dreaded period when television shows teeter on the edge of renewal or cancellation. Many unsuccessfully shows are canceled after a few weeks or even one really bad episode, but others manage to get through a whole season without knowing […]
Continue readingThe tool for the job
You probably know that Lynda.com has tutorials on all the latest software and cutting edge technology. But sometimes the simple tool is the best one for the job. Learn how to get the most out of Microsoft Excel with Excel 2013: Managing and Analyzing Data. Two hours of tips so you can hit that nail […]
Continue readingLooking back on ten decades of Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney’s death this week passed by surprisingly unheralded. For a man once considered one of the biggest movie stars in the world, this is not a judgment on the quality of his work. Instead, it reflects how shockingly long ago Mickey Rooney was in his heyday and for how long after he continued his […]
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