Ridley Scott's masterful Crusades epic Kingdom of Heaven from 2005 is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I don't mean it's a comedic film where people are cracking jokes or dropping their pants—although its star, Orlando Bloom, would do exactly the latter in some iconic paddleboard paparazzi photos 11 years later. No,…Read more Kingdom of Heaven is a Beautiful Fantasy About Escaping History
“Take a Chance on Me”: How Mamma Mia’s Non-Singing Actors Elevated the Movie
Almost 20 years ago, the adaptation of the Broadway musical Mamma Mia was released into movie theaters. Outside of my family of two, few would probably describe the film as a great musical. On some level, I would tend to agree with them. Like many jukebox musicals, Mamma Mia has structural problems. Yet I'd argue…Read more “Take a Chance on Me”: How Mamma Mia’s Non-Singing Actors Elevated the Movie
Adam and Adrienne Abroad – Days 7-9: In Dreams
And we're back. When we left off, I had just told you about the Auckland Maritime Museum. The following day, I had very little gas in the old tank, but I was thankfully able to motivate for one more museum: the Auckland Museum. The Auckland Museum is located in what's known as the Auckland Domain,…Read more Adam and Adrienne Abroad – Days 7-9: In Dreams
Adam and Adrienne Abroad: Days 4-6 – Flying, Flowers and the Circle of Life
Hello my friends. I'm back with another report on my progress across the globe with my sweet and wonderful Adrienne. You may remember how last time I told you were embarking on a voyage by land, sea and air across nearly 15 countries and three different continents. Well, we've now made it to the first…Read more Adam and Adrienne Abroad: Days 4-6 – Flying, Flowers and the Circle of Life
After ICE’s Rampage Across Minnesota, We Must Say No to Centrist Democrats
Even after 20 years in power, Minnesota's Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar has not had enough. This winter, she announced she is leaving her Senate digs. But rather than start wrapping up her professional life like non-criminally insane people do at her age, she's decided instead to make a run for the Governor's mansion on Summit…Read more After ICE’s Rampage Across Minnesota, We Must Say No to Centrist Democrats
Adam and Adrienne Abroad – Days 1-3: Beginning at the Beginning
This spring, my partner Adrienne and I made the somewhat difficult decision to quit our jobs and go traveling. Over the next five months, we intend to traverse the entire globe, hitting the following countries as we go: New Zealand Australia Thailand Cambodia Laos Vietnam Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Georgia Turkey Romania Germany France England The impetus…Read more Adam and Adrienne Abroad – Days 1-3: Beginning at the Beginning
Film Review: The Testament of Ann Lee (2025)
Although the biographical-musical film The Testament of Ann Lee is set in a radically different time, the story it’s telling is inherently timeless. Profiling the life of Ann Lee (Amanda Seyfried), one of the founders of the “Shaking Quakers" movement of the 1700s, the film is a searing if uneven look at the how faith…Read more Film Review: The Testament of Ann Lee (2025)
Film Review: The Life of Chuck (2024)
Hopefully many years from now, when someone is trying to sum up Mike Flanagan's career, they could likely crib the mantra from his sweet, introspective and entirely odd 2024 effort The Life of Chuck. Based on the Stephen King novella, the film heavily utilizes Walt Whitman's famous line from his poem Song of Myself: "I…Read more Film Review: The Life of Chuck (2024)
Film Review: Song Sung Blue (2025)
Early in Craig Brewer’s entertaining, big hearted musical biopic Song Sung Blue, married couple Mike and Claire Sardina are arguing about the song “Sweet Caroline.” Having just formed a Neil Diamond cover band, the couple is debating how prominently the iconic song should be featured in their set list. Mike, played by a rock-solid Hugh…Read more Film Review: Song Sung Blue (2025)
“Only the Best”: On Edward Norton’s Good/Bad Performance in The Italian Job
When is a performance good and bad? Obviously, there are many performances out there that are so bad they are good. Edward Norton in 2003's The Italian Job is not one of those. His supporting performance as the villainous Steve is a perfectly acceptable and, at times, even frightening baddie performance. It is bad strictly…Read more “Only the Best”: On Edward Norton’s Good/Bad Performance in The Italian Job
Adam Mohrbacher 