A Reel Birthday

This month marks Reel Speak’s 16^th anniversary. 

 

The number 16 has a presence in our culture, and in the movies. A Sweet Sixteen is celebrated as a coming-of-age birthday, and the term is also applied to sports tournaments; most especially in March Madness. In the movies, the number appears in SIXTEEN CANDLES (1984), 16 BLOCKS (2006), and (a stretch here), MURDER AT 1600 (1997). And the 16^th film in the James Bond series, LICENSE TO KILL (1989), is one of this Blogger’s favorite 007 films. 

 

And it is this Blogger’s favorite films that have inspired this annual blog of direct, and indirect movie references that have made Reel Speak tick. This blog was founded way back in 2010 as a way of sharing that love of the big screen, and every year it’s a fun exercise to revisit. As Reel Speak enters its own Sweet Sixteen, this is why I love the movies: 

 

20. Because the trick is not minding that it hurts. 

19. Because if they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you! 

18. Because a Jaguar Shark ate my best friend. 

17. Because all you have to do is think of a wonderful thought. 

16. Because of John Williams. 

15. Because I have been, and always shall be your friend. 

14. Because what we do in life echoes in eternity. 

13. Because Red October was hunted.

12. Because the only virtue is vengeance. A vendetta. 

11. Because Crom laughs at your four winds! 

10. Because it’s a wonderful night for Oscar.

9.  Because they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. 

8.  Because “I love you”, and “I know”. 

7.  Because if someone asks me if I’m a god, I say yes. 

6.  Because I will drink your milkshake. 

5.  Because every man dies. Not every man really lives. 

4.   Because they needed a bigger boat. 

3.  Because there had to be snakes. 

2.  Because the Fellowship will not fail. 

1.  Because the Force will be with you, always. 

 

 

Robert Duvall: 1931 - 2026

Actor Robert Duvall has passed away at 95. 

 

Born Robert Seldon Duvall in San Diego, Duvall got his start in acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. During his two years there, his classmates included Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, and James Caan. After time in theatre, he moved to television with roles on ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, and THE MOD SQUAD. 

 

His film debut came in 1962 in the classic, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. He then appeared in a brief part in BULLITT with Steve McQueen in 1968, Francis Ford Coppola’s THE RAIN PEOPLE in 1969, and engaged in the iconic shootout against John Wayne in TRUE GRIT in 1969. He was a major part of the cinematic renaissance of the 1970’s, appearing in Robert Altman’s MASH (1970), and in George Lucas’ feature debut, THX-1138 (1971). 

 

His first major critical success came in 1972 when he re-teamed with Coppola in THE GODFATHER and would be nominated for an Oscar. He then reprised the role in the 1974 sequel. Also in 1974, he played an un-credited part in Coppola’s THE CONVERSATION. In 1979 he would join Coppola again in APOCALYPSE NOW as Col. Kilgore…delivering one of the most towering performances in film and earning him another nomination. The very next year he would be nominated again for his performance in THE GREAT SANTINI. 

 

In 1983 he would finally land an Oscar win, taking home the Academy Award for Best Actor in TENDER MERCIES. Other notable films included NETWORK (1976), TRUE CONFESSIONS (1981), THE NATURAL (1984), DAYS OF THUNDER (1990), RAMBLING ROSE (1991), FALLING DOWN (1993), THE PAPER (1994), SLING BLADE (1996), GONE IN 60 SECONDS (2000), OPEN RANGE (2003), GODS AND GENERALS (2003), CRAZY HEART (2009), GET LOW (2010), and WIDOWS (2018). He would earn more Oscar nominations for his roles in THE APOSTLE (1997), A CIVIL ACTION (1998), and THE JUDGE (2014). 

 

*

 

There are not many actors who can say they starred in one of the greatest films of all time, and there are even less who can say they were in three. Duvall was a member of that elite group; THE GODFATHER, THE GODFATHER PART II, and APOCALYPSE NOW. He was one of the reasons the 1970’s remains the greatest decade in the history of film. 

 

His greatness came from his quiet authenticity. He favored restraint over show, letting small gestures convey depth. From intense authority figures to vulnerable souls, he performances always felt lived-in and real. For over 60 years he earned a lasting respect from audiences and his peers. From a consigliere to a race-car builder to a napalm-loving soldier, he was truly one of the greats. 

A Reel Review: The Super Bowl Movie Trailers - The Good, The Bad, & The Glorious

The Super Bowl movie trailers have been a reflection of the times in recent years. The aftermath of a mishandled pandemic had studios dialing things way back, sending minimal-effort trailers to the biggest game of the year. In recent years studios slapped out short teasers which directed everyone away from the game and over to socials to watch a longer trailer. This year, things seemed to drift away from that and back to high-effort trailers, where the game-plan is to surprise us and give us material we never saw coming. Here are the players and how they did last night in The Good, The Bad, and The Glorious: 

 

 

THE GOOD

 

SCREAM 7 – This slasher franchise may have overstayed its welcome by about 20 years, but the new film has been rolled out well, with new footage, foreboding atmosphere, and a hero’s entrance for franchise star Neve Campbell. 

 

HOPPERS – Disney and Pixar have their work cut out for them in selling this high-concept film where human minds “hop” into lifelike robot animals, and this trailer went a long way to do so. It made sense and was fun to watch. 

 

PROJECT HAIL MARY – The Ryan Gosling-led adaptation of the popular novel summed up the plot nicely and didn’t reveal too much about the one character everyone is waiting for…

 

DISCLOSURE DAY – Steven Spielberg’s new UFO movie is wrapped up in mystery, and this trailer gave away just enough to intrigue. 

 

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE – Not much to say other than cute and fun. They seem to be making the Toad characters like a new Minion. 

 

 

THE BAD

 

MINIONS & MONSTERS – Speaking of Minions, this low-effort, blink-and-you-miss-it thing served only as a teaser to the longer trailer. Why make us turn away from the game? 

 

You get negative points for not showing up. There were notable absences from AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY, and TOY STORY 5. There was also a missed opportunity for the Michael Jackson biopic MICHAEL to capitalize on Jackson’s iconic Super Bowl performance in 1993. 

 

 

 

THE GLORIOUS 

 

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU – STAR WARS is back home on the big screen this year, and they are off to a fantastic start with this trailer that pulled a brilliant bait-and-switch. It was set up like a standard beer commercial and then shifted. It was in the spirit of what we’re used to in Super Bowl commercials, and offered a nice surprise. 

 

 

THE ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH – And there was no bigger surprise in this year’s Super Bowl movie trailers than this spot which continues the story of Brad Pitt’s character from Quentin Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, Cliff Booth. QT wrote the script and David Fincher (SE7EN), is directing…and so far, things look spectacular. The time-period of the 1970’s is gloriously re-captured, and man does it look fun. The one trailer that no one saw coming. 

 

*

 

Super Bowl LXI will be February 14, 2027.  

 

 

 

A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2026 - Episode II

The final month of Movie Siberia is upon us, where low-expectation films are traditionally sent to die. This February brings a few remakes of classics and an overabundance of horror. And THE REVENANT will get an IMAX re-release for its 10^th anniversary. Here’s what’s coming to the big screen for this month: 

 

 

 

DRACULA – Acclaimed director Luc Besson (THE FIFTH ELEMENT), helms this new version of the Bram Stoker novel. Caleb Landry Jones (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS), plays the fanged fiend, and he is joined by Christoph Waltz and Zoe Bleu. 

 

 

SOLO MILO – In this rom-com, Kevin James starts as a groom stranded at the alter at his destination wedding in Italy. Alyson Hannigan co-stars. 

 

 

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 – The fifth installment in the STRANGERS horror series, and the final film in the new trilogy following CHAPTER 1 in 2024 and CHAPTER 2 in 2025. Renny Harlin returns to direct. 

 

 

WHISTLE – In this horror film, a group of high school students discover an ancient Aztec whistle which summons their future deaths. Dafne Keen (LOGAN), stars. 

 

 

COLD STORAGE – Liam Neeson stars in this comedy horror where a parasitic fungus escapes from a former government stronghold. 

 

 

CRIME 101 – A jewel thief sets his sights on the ultimate score in this thriller. The ensemble cast includes AVENGERS alum Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, along with Barry Keoghan, Halle Berry, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and Tate Donovan. 

 

 

GOAT – In this animated film, a goat living in an all-animal world chases his dream of playing in professional “roar-ball”.

 

 

GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE – Gore Verbinski, director of the first three PIRATES films, returns with this sci-fi thriller where a man from the future appears at a diner and recruits fighters to battle a rogue A.I. Sam Rockwell stars. 

 

 

WUTHERING HEIGHTS – Margot Robbie (BARBIE), and Jacob Elordi (last year’s FRANKENSTEIN), star in this new version of the classic novel. It is directed by acclaimed director Emerald Fennell (PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, SALTBURN). 

 

 

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING – Glen Powell (TWISTERS), stars as a blue-collar worker disowned by his wealthy family, looking to reclaim his inheritance. The cast includes Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, and Ed Harris. 

 

 

SCREAM 7 – The seventh film in the slasher series. This time Ghostface hunts down Sidney’s daughter. Neve Campbell returns to the franchise. 

 

*

 

Next month, Reel Speak previews the month of March.