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...

Have you ever come across someone in your life who is just so full of bitterness that all they say or touch is miserable? And you wonder, what made someone like this? The Pawnbroker, (1964) tells a story of just such a person. Sol Nazerman played by a much talented, but most underrated, Rod Steiger, used to be a successful professor in Europe during WW II. Nazerman is a Jew in a world that didn’t want them. He has a beautiful wife,...

One Potato, Two Potato, (1964) a rarely seen, or talked about movie, but an absolute gem! I bet if I asked any classic movie fan to tell me what classic movie dealt with interracial marriages, they’d answer, Guess who is coming to Dinner. Although Dinner… is a great movie and quite memorable, it doesn’t top One Potato, Two Potato. Unfortunately this movie is not as popular and many have never even seen it.I had the...