Carnival of Souls, (1962) is one of those B movies everyone makes fun of, but can’t help watching. If you decide to watch this film, just imagine you are seeing an extended episode of the “The Twilight Zone.” I remember when I was a little girl seeing this movie, it haunted me for days. Although the movie was done on a shoestring, it is scary, and director,  Herk Harvey does a fine job with it. The movie opens up with a group...

I had the pleasure of talking to co-producer Michael Knowlan about the ambitious web series, “The Projectionist”.    The official website says it best: ” A spiritual successor to the great anthology series of the 1960′s, The Projectionist speaks to a whole new generation with a fresh take on the anthology structure.”  Knowlan shares thoughts on the development process, pitching the series, and how the...

By Jon Ortiz Lets just get this out of the way, 1973′s “Serpico” is the greatest cop drama ever made.  There, I said it.  It has nothing to do that with the fact that it is based on a true story, but more to do with its cohesion of all aspects of perfect film making.  A tight script wrought with tension, intrigue, betrayal, and redemption.  Grade A characters played by Grade A talent.  Last but not least, Sidney...

328 Chauncey Street, in Brooklyn NY is what I remember most about Jackie Gleason’s character, Ralph Kramden in “The Honeymooners.” You see, that building and street does exist in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, NY, where Jackie grew up and where I was born. I didn’t live in the same building, but born and lived for a few years in the Bushwick area. So I’ve always felt an affinity with Ralph because of this. I...

By Jon Ortiz Forgive me.  There will be no steamy Penthouse letter experience here, despite the horribly misleading title, this will bore you.  Remember the 1981 cult classic Clash of Titans ? The fantasy flick based on the myth of Perseus?  I mean, why wouldn’t you? You have a veritable who’s who of the greats of yesteryear, such magnificent thespians as Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Ursala Andress, and uh Harry...

Lately I’ve been thinking of stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood who are still with us. Believe it or not, there are quite a few. I don’t like thinking of them leaving us one day soon. To think of them still around, makes me feel grounded and rooted in the old values and principles of their generation. It gives me a sense of order. So as they pass, in my mind, so do the values, principles, and order. I want to devote a few...