Confessions of a Not-So-Dangerous Mind*

Remembering my grandfather Nathan Cohen, born 112 years ago today. ✈️  parts builder, mechanic, husband, bowling alley and nightclub owner, probable genius, and for at least the last 50 years of his life, always the sharpest tool in the shed.

The true story of chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin takes the least cinematic activity you can think of and turns it into something extraordinary.

"August 9, 1991. Moviegoers far and wide feel the Van Dammage, as Double Impact opens. While not technically a comedy, Jean-Claude is a scream in the dual role.

It was two years ago that the dominoes fell in my favor, and disaster was averted. When all seemed lost, I heard the voices of my dad and his dad, telling me to plant my feet and find another way forward. 

Sir Alfred Hitchcock's classic romantic thriller To Catch A Thief opened August 5, 1955. While it's not among his best, it remains a superlative entertainment, featuring two of cinema's greatest stars.

Oscar winning writer/actor/director Billy Bob Thornton turns 70 today. Join me for a quick look at his career, followed by a focus on his gutting, Oscar-nominated performance in Sam Raimi's fantastic 1998 thriller A Simple Plan.

"Having to achieve certain things by a certain time is a social construct. Don't get so caught up in what others seem to be doing that you fail to take advantage of the opportunities in front of you. Risk failure, break free from your comfort zone, live out loud."

OTD, 1989: Ron Howard's terrific 🎥 Parenthood opens in theaters. Backed by a powerhouse cast, the film scores with critics and audiences, racking up $126 mil in the U.S. alone.

Watched Death of a Unicorn on Max/HBO Max. Join me as I try to unpack mixed feelings about the film, which attempts to maintain a delicate balance between comedy and horror.

John Huston's terrific homage to The Great Escape, Victory stands as one of Sylvester Stallone's best movies without the word "Rocky" in the title.