Reel Corner - December 2018

Donne Paine

The Grinch

Reel Corner - December 2018

The GRINCH

Set in Whoville, The Grinch is based on a 32-line poem by Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, which appeared in Redbook Magazine in 1955 entitled “The Hoobub and the Grinch.”

In 1957, Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The rhymed verse story gained instant critical praise, and 60 years later it has become a staple for children and adults alike at Christmastime, earning three film adaptations: The 1966 animated Christmas special, 2000’s live action film, starring Jim Carrey as the notorious Grinch, and this year’s new animated version, which featurs Pharrell Williams as the story’s narrator and Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of the Grinch.

Reel Corner - November 2018

Donne Paine

Fall Preview

Reel Corner - November 2018

I can’t stop talking about the latest
film version of A Star Is Born.


Here are some facts you should know about the movie:
1) Bradley Cooper directed this movie and is also one of the producers. This is actually his directorial debut.

Reel Corner - October 2018

Donne Paine

Fall Preview

Reel Corner - October 2018

Fall Preview
This season is full of cinematic delights for every kind of film fan; stunning biopics, superhero showdowns, gritty westerns, and cities under siege.Here’s a highlight:

A STAR IS BORN
Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Dave Chappelle, Sam Elliott;
Director: Bradley Cooper

• Cooper’s bold remake of A Star is Born pays homage to and reinvents this classic tale, as it hits the big screen for the fourth time.

• 1937 Janet Gaynor and Fredrick March laid the blueprint for this ageless story of a fading star and the young talent he discovers.

Reel Corner - September 2018

Donne Paine

Tom Cruise: Actor of the Month

Reel Corner - September 2018

Tom Cruise: Actor of the Month
How well have you followed Tom Cruise and his career?
Take the Cruise Quiz

1. Cruise has been married three times. Can you name the three lucky ladies?
a) Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Katie Holmes
b) Rebecca De Mornay, Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes
c) Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes

2. Cruise’s real last name is:
a) Mapother        b) Maypuss        c) Martines

Reel Corner - August 2018

Donne Paine

Won't You Be My Neighbor

Reel Corner - August 2018

With the new school year approaching, I started to think about children and their influences. The violent video games, children glued to their iPads and smartphones, playing fast-paced games of competition, most of which involve killing or capturing others. Oh, how I wish Mr. Rogers was alive to create an app for our children that would have a core aspect of kindness and tolerance.

The recent film I saw at Coligny Theater (Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head) about the children’s TV icon Fred Rogers is a thorough documentary/biography, which I highly recommend no matter your age. Since I am originally from the Pittsburgh area, I was aware of Mr. Rogers early on. Both my children watched him intently. His kind and quiet manner seemed to draw children close to him, to listen to him. Won’t You Be My Neighbor highlights how Rogers realized early in his career that the movement in children’s entertainment—with pies being thrown in faces and slipping on banana peels—was far from a message of kindness and tolerance toward one another. Rogers went in a totally different direction, using kindness and patience as his guide, and it worked.

Reel Corner - July 2018

Donne Paine

Hispanic Influence in Films

Reel Corner - July 2018

Ever since my return from Cuba in January, I have been curious about the Hispanic culture and films. My brother-in-law supported this curiosity by sharing a recent NPR piece he’d heard about the increasing influence of Hispanic culture on the United States film industry.

Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States, and their passion for movies is unsurpassed. The group bought 25 percent of the tickets sold in 2015, though they comprise just 18 percent of the population. Hispanics, defined by the US Census Bureau as people of “Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central America or other Spanish Culture or origin regardless of race” are making their presence felt at the box office.

Reel Corner - June 2018

Donne Paine

Summer Blockbusters 2018

Reel Corner - June 2018

There’s something for everyone this summer, or at least it seems that way.

The Marvel franchise continues to crank out super heroes intertwined with other super heroes beginning with Avengers: Infinity War.  For Star Wars fans Solo: A Star Wars Story goes back in time to capture the Harrison Ford character early on. Those who are drawn to animated films, Hotel Transylvania 3 and Alita: Battle Angel  look interesting. Least not forget Barbie.

Looking for a belly laugh, try Life of the Party with Melissa McCarthy or The Spy who Dumped Me with Kate McKinna.

Reel Corner - May 2018

Donne Paine

Grandma Takes You to the Movies

Reel Corner - May 2018

If you are looking for films for young adults ages 10 to 15, here my top three picks. My Atlanta grandchildren, Apolonia, age 12, and Konstantin, age 10, gave two thumbs up for all three.

Reel Corner - April 2018

Donne Paine

Behind the Scenes at Cinecittà: Italian Hollywood

Reel Corner - April 2018

Five miles southwest of Rome, hidden among the quiet suburbs, and just a stone’s throw from the famous Appian Way, lies Cinecittà Studios: Europe’s dream factory. It is the largest film and movie studio in continental Europe, covering 99 acres. With a production community of more than 5,000 multilingual specialists, Cinecittà, which literally translates to “cinema city,” certainly lives up to its name.

Cinecittà was founded 1937 by Benito Mussolini to be used for propaganda films in the promotion of fascism. During the bombing of Rome in World War II, the studios were seized by Western Allies. Following the war, between 1945 and 1947, Cinecittà was used as a displaced persons’ camp for an estimated 3,000 refugees.

Reel Corner - March 2018

Donne Paine

12 Oscar Facts, Figures and Milestones

Reel Corner - March 2018

Lucky 13? The Shape of Water is the tenth film in Oscar history to earn 13 nominations. The current record, which is 14 nominations, is held by three films: All about Eve (1951), Titanic (1998) and La La Land (2017).

Best Actor Mainstay: With his sixth Best Actor Oscar nomination, Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread) is now tied with Richard Burton for recognition in the category. Should he return from his retirement, he will need four more nominations to break Sir Laurence Olivier‘s record of nine.
Nearly Making Best Actor History: At age 22, Timothée Chalamet marks the third-youngest Best Actor nominee in Oscar history, trailing only the nine-year-old Jackie Cooper (Skippy) and 19-year-old Mickey Rooney (Babes in Arms).

Reel Corner - February 2018

Donne Paine

February is the Month of the Heart, Love and Romance

Reel Corner - February 2018

February is the Month of the Heart, Love and Romance
“Unable to perceive the shape of you, I find you all around me. Your presence fills my eyes with your love. It humbles my heart for you are everywhere.” —The Shape of Water

THE SHAPE OF WATER
Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins, Michael Shannon
Director Guillermo del Toro
Rated R

This film falls into the category of magical realism, which is a literature and film genre where the story is grounded in reality, but combined with elements of magic and fantasy.

Reel Corner - January 2018

Donne Paine

Gifts of Time, Laughter and Love for the Holiday Season

Reel Corner - January 2018

The Director’s Couch

Over the years, it has been widely known and accepted that part of many Hollywood auditions included the “director’s couch.” The rich and powerful wield their positions over men and women who are striving for movie roles, advancement, or executive positions.

As a woman now in the “senior” category who has worked in corporations, I often thought this behavior was part of playing the game to get ahead, as long as no one complained or got hurt. Because who would listen when we felt the uncomfortable squeezes at Christmas parties, the occasional hand brushed across the chest, the off-color sexual jokes and suggestive comments. You learned to hold folders across your chest and stick your hand straight in front when the office predator came to visit.

Reel Corner - December 2017

Donne Paine

Gifts of Time, Laughter and Love for the Holiday Season

Reel Corner - December 2017

The holiday season tends to bring emotion and sentiment to the surface. Stress escalates as we rush to decorate, entertain, shop, bake cookies (do people still bake?) and have enough wine in the house for drop-in guests in addition to the usual stash. In the midst of the ruckus, a good comedy may provide welcome relief and joyous laughter. We are in luck this holiday season, which brings with it a great cinematic lineup sure to serve up a few belly laughs even to the most cynical!

Reel Corner - November 2017

Donne Paine

Lest We Forget our Veterans on Veterans' Day: Hollywood and WWII films

Reel Corner - November 2017

“From this day to the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remembered; we few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he today that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother.” —Shakespeare: Henry V

Films focusing on WWII continue to fascinate Hollywood and audience attendance wills it so. Was that period of time the greatest generation? Is it because the WWII era represents a time when we clearly understood the heroic sacrifice of the everyday American? Is it because the threat of losing the country and freedoms so dear to us was in imminent danger? Some war movies—Vietnam, the cold war, Iraq—come and go, but 1939-1945 just won’t fade away.

Reel Corner - October 2017

Donne Paine

Movie Classics

Reel Corner - October 2017

The underlying concept of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—the interconnected film series kicked off by 2008’s Iron Man, and now comprising ten feature films, several shorts, and one TV show, with more on the way—isn’t unprecedented in film history. The idea of characters in one film might share a universe with characters of another film has been done before, but it’s never been attempted on such a scale on which Marvel is operating.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is different; it’s a planned project assembled one brick at a time. Iron Man and its incredible popularity led to The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers, which brought all the characters together on one big team.
It’s been, in almost every respect, successful. The films have been generally well-received by critics, and almost universally well-received by audiences. What’s more, having built a recognizable brand, Marvel can now take some chances. The gamble, and it seems like a safe one, is that viewers will show up to see these projects just because they are Marvel movies.

Reel Corner - September 2017

Donne Paine

Movie Classics

Reel Corner - September 2017

What makes a film a classic? A movie is a classic if it impacts our culture or community. If it’s memorable, it’s a classic. If it’s nostalgic, it’s a classic. If we watch it numerous times, it’s a classic. If it makes us laugh, cry, cheer, or quote it, it’s a classic. Films have an impact on us much in the way life does—in some ways rather subtly, and in others, quite significantly.

Reel Corner - July 2017

Donne Paine

Pirates of Hollywood

Reel Corner - July 2017

What woman wouldn’t want a Lasso of Truth?
Wonder Woman is one of those characters which are so iconic that the idea of her often outweighs the real thing. She’s got the crown, the Lasso of Truth, the bracelets, which ward off most dangers, the bustier and she is so damn strong. What woman wouldn’t want to be her? But there’s a lot more to her. With Wonder Woman showing in theaters, now is the perfect time to dive into her backstory.

Reel Corner - June 2017

Donne Paine

Pirates of Hollywood

Reel Corner - June 2017

In celebration of the new release of the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film, enjoy a tre/faslse pirate quize,  a few facts to challenge the myths around Hollywood’s fascination with the pirate film genre and more.

Reel Corner - May 2017

Donne Paine

Reel Corner - May 2017

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) is one of The Reel Corner’s favorite comedies. The original was Bed Time Story with David Niven and Marlon Brando. The remake titled Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Michael Caine and Steve Martin kept the same story line. Two con artists who plot to swindle heiresses. I was delighted to hear there would be an updated version coming out this year about two con artists who plot to swindle a tech prodigy out of his fortune. To my surprise, the director will take the same plot line but gender swap the leads with two women, Ann Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. Titling the film Nasty Women.

Reel Corner - April 2017

Donne Paine

Reel Corner - April 2017

Whether you feel Moonlight deserved it or not, it now holds its place as an Academy Award Best Picture award winner. Was it due to the political climate of the day? Was it due to newer younger Academy voting members that may identify with current issues? Could their votes have toppled the establishment voters who may have voted La La Land as a reminiscent piece? Or Is its recognition part of a cultural movement? We will never know how it won but many reviews say it deserved it.

Reel Corner - March 2017

Donna Paine

Reel Corner - March 2017

The US film industry has always welcomed foreign films, many of which we have copied with a more American version, but often over looked by its neighbors in Ireland, which has a rich and great film history besides the stereotypical ideas of leprechauns and Riverdance. In the last few years Ireland has not only produced some fine films (Once, Brooklyn) but we also see a rise in excellence in Irish performers like Cillian Murphy, Saoirse Ronan, Michael Fassbender , Brendan Gleeson and Lenny Abrahamson. 

Reel Corner - August 2016

Donne Paine

Reel Corner - August 2016

For years Walt Disney Animation Studios has captured the hearts of children everywhere. Now grown children are making up a high percentage of animated movie goers. It’s clear from the numbers that animated family films are not just for families anymore. More and more millennials are going to the cinema to see films traditionally marketed to a much younger demographic, and that’s not even taking into consideration viewing habits on outlets like Netflix. Film companies have caught on, too. It is an opinion that the lure of animated and young adult features to millennials is much more complex than pure nostalgia.

Reel Corner - July 2016

Donne Paine

Declare Your Independence!

Reel Corner - July 2016

Whether it is Tom Hanks playing a WWII hero, Will Smith protecting the White House, or Matt Damon as Jason Bourne keeping our CIA honest, Hollywood has supplied us with incredible Patriotic Films. The Reel Corner challenges you to a Patriotic Films “Find the Film Words Challenge”

Reel Corner - June 2016

Donne Paine

Can you name the Movie by its definition of LOVE?

Reel Corner - June 2016

How much influence has Hollywood had on how we define Love? Whether it be a historical romantic film, drama, thriller, comedy, or fantasy, when love is portrayed on the screen, it sends a message. Love has been portrayed in a variety of ways over the years in film and has evolved over time. Thus, it is often debated whether films influence society or society influences film. While you contemplate this thought try to match a well-known love quote to its movie.

Reel Corner - May 2016

Donne Paine

Sally Field—Star of the Month and “Hello, My Name is Doris”

Born to a US Army Captain and a contract player for Paramount Pictures, Field got her start on television as the boy-crazy surfer girl in the sitcom Gidget (1965–66). Her big break was playing Sister Bratille in The Flying Nun. She went on to more formidable roles, which won her two Academy Award Best Actress awards and several Golden Globes.

Her role as “Doris” in Hello, My Name is Doris shows that her talent has endured the test of time.

Women In Business - April 2016

Donne Paine

The Invisible Wall: Unconcious Biass

Women In Business - April 2016

A few years ago, researchers at Yale University sent out a fictional application to science professors at top U.S. research universities asking them to evaluate an applicant. There was one variation in what the professors received—the name of the applicant for some was Jennifer and, for others, it was John. Both male and female professors showed a significant bias toward John in their evaluations of competency, hireability and salary to offer. This study came ten years after a study at Harvard University that asked students to share impressions of an entrepreneur—named either Heidi or Howard—with similar results. These studies disclosed unconscious bias—a bias that you are unaware of and, therefore, unable to control. This is not just a gender bias issue. Studies have confirmed that unconscious bias applies to numerous other factors including race, nationality, height, weight, accents and beliefs to name a few.

Reel Corner - April 2016

Donne Paine

A Tribute to Pat Conroy

Reel Corner - April 2016

“To describe our growing up in the low country of South Carolina,” his alter-ego narrator wrote in “The Prince of Tides,” “I would have to take you to the marsh on a spring day, flush the great blue heron from its silent occupation. Scatter marsh hens as we sink to our knees in mud, open you an oyster with a pocketknife and feed it to you from the shell and say, ‘There. That taste. That’s the taste of my childhood.’ I would say, ‘Breathe deeply,’ and you would breathe and remember that smell for the rest of your life, the bold, fecund aroma of the tidal marsh, exquisite and sensual, the smell of the South in heat, a smell like new milk, semen and spilled wine, all perfumed with seawater.”

Reel Corner - March 2016

Donne Paine

Welcome Spring!

Reel Corner - March 2016

Even though the cool weather is behind us and more outside activities are drawing us to cleaning out our garages or planting new shrubs, don’t forget to allow time to catch a good film or two this month.

Reel Corner - January 2016

Donne Paine

Theaters—Film Festivals—Film Clubs and Hilton Head

Reel Corner - January 2016

Films about families can be powerful in many ways: Reminding us not to take our relatives for granted; showing us the love of a parent is never ending; missing those who are departed; or that it’s okay to make a statement that’s not always popular in order to move on.

Whether a drama, comedy or offbeat romance, films about families are often cathartic and offer the viewer a double dose of escapism and self-reflection.