The Video Guy
Elliott Smith is a former Olympian reporter who lives in Seattle.
He can be reached at: ejsteeler@hotmail.com.
Sometimes, over the top goes too far
I think we all expect and appreciate a little excess when it comes to action films. After all, if movies are a heightened state of reality, then a little panache fits the territory.
All in the family at the cinema
They say you should never mix business with pleasure, but maybe it should be you should never mix business with family. But that mix of blood and business leads to some inherent drama, which is why filmmakers have mined this fertile territory for years, including these recent releases.
Grown-ups deserve better movies
It seems funny when you think about it, but there’s been much hand-wringing in Hollywood about the death of the adult-oriented movie. Sure, there are films that earn Oscar nominations and critical accolades, but many of those fail to connect with the general public.
Films take swing at fights, fighters
The impulse to fight is such a basic human element, it’s no surprise that the concept of ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) people fighting for their lives has been portrayed on the silver screen since the beginning of the medium.
Ah, to be young (and rich and famous)
It’s hard to imagine a job in Hollywood with more pressure than teen star. One day, they are teen titans, starring in TV shows or movies or nabbing coveted record deals. Hordes of their peers follow them around and scream at their every move.
Some movies should stay on a shelf
Few people understand the ways in which the mysterious movie machine works, including The Video Guy. For every movie that gets wide release, there are 15 that go straight to video, for myriad reasons.
Action movies not created equal
As action movies have evolved, they’ve gotten bigger and they’ve gotten louder, but have they gotten dumber? That’s the $100 million question these days.
This is just creepy (and I like that)
Do you believe in super-natural shenanigans? Hollywood sure does. There might not be a more consistent genre over the years than the unexplained – be it ghosts, goblins or other things that go bump in the night.
Just a few laughs among this crop
It takes a special kind of character to pull off a broad comedy – one who you can believe would be daffy/crazy/silly enough to get involved in the kind of off-the-wall situations in which they often find themselves.
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