Reel Reflection: Looking Back on Some Forgotten 2017 Movie Anniversaries

By Michael LyonsAh, the end of the year, a time to reflect.  For many, this means looking back over life’s accomplishments, challenges, joys and tears.For film buffs, reflection may not delve this deep, but instead is focused on: “What were my favorite films of the year? My top 10!”  Additionally, Film Buffs...

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Happy Cruise Year: “The Poseidon Adventure.”

By Michael LyonsDuring the era of ‘70’s-all-star-disaster-movies, there were few movies more ‘70’s, more all-star and more disaster-y than 1972’s “The Poseidon Adventure.”Considered by many to be the movie that ushered in films like “Earthquake” and “The Towering Inferno” (both 1974), “The Poseidon Adventure” centered...

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Touched by An Angel: Celebrating the Christmas Classic “The Bishop’s Wife.”

By Michael LyonsWhen the term “classic Christmas movies” is used, titles ranging from 1946’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” to 1996’s “Jingle all the Way’ (yikes!) are often mentioned.  Seldom does the title “The Bishop’s Wife” ever make it into that conversation, which is a shame.Starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David...

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A “Special” Place in TV History: “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol”

By Michael LyonsBefore Rudolph took flight, Before Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang put on a Christmas pageant; even before the Grinch stole Christmas, there was...Mr. Magoo...?Not a typo.   The seldom seen Christmas Special, “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” debuted on December 18, 1962 on NBC, making it the very...

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“There Goes Mr. Humbug!”: The 25th Anniversary of “The Muppet Christmas Carol”

By Michael LyonsWho would have thought that the most faithful version of Charles Dickens immortal, holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” would star a cast who were made mostly of felt and fur?“The Muppet Christmas Carol,” celebrating its 25th anniversary this month is not only faithful to Jim Henson’s Muppet Universe, but...

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“It’s Sheer AniMagic!:” The Rankin-Bass Christmas Specials

By Michael LyonsThere’s a word...actually two words...that are as Synonymous with the Christmas season as Gifts, Fruitcake, Carols and Credit Card Debt:Rankin/Bass.  The humble animation studio started by two gentlemen by the names of Arthur Rankin, Jr and Jules Bass, with its unique style of animation, has become...

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“Maine” Event: The 40th Anniversary of Disney’s Original “Pete’s Dragon”

By Michael LyonsFor the generation who only knows “Pete”s Dragon” as the somber, ET-esque 2016 film...boy are you missing out.There are multiple generations who have a much different perspective of Elliot the Dragon- one that includes songs, big dance numbers, traditional, 2D animation combined with live-action and for...

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Squirreled Away: “The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’t”

By Michael LyonsIf the vast realm of Holiday TV specials was a house, down the stairs, in the corner of the basement, in a dusty box in the back corner, hidden under boxes that hadn’t been open in years, one would find “The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’t.”Never heard of it?  You’re not alone.  Even among the...

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It’s Neat!: Happy “Felix Unger Day!”

“On November 13th, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence...that request came from his wife.  Deep down, he knew she was right, but he also knew that someday he would return to her.  With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend, Oscar Madison.  Sometime...

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Holiday Road: The 30th Anniversary of “Planes, Trains & Automobiles”

by Michael LyonsIn 2000, the late, great film critic Roger Ebert revisited the film Planes, Trains and Automobiles and wrote:“Some movies are obviously great.  Others thrust their greatness upon us.  When Planes, Trains and Automobiles was released in 1987, I enjoyed it immensely, gave it a favorable review and...

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Welcome!

Like many, as a child, my parents told me too much TV and Movies would rot my brain.  Well, as they always are, they’re right!  Before the last of my rotting brain leaks out through my ears, I thought I’d share what dusty thoughts were left with everyone.  SO...Welcome!  As a student/scholar/geek/obsessive...

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