Judy Blume was banned from the beginning, but says ‘It never stopped me from writing’

by | May 4, 2023 | Home-Page, Tench's Topics

…When Blume began writing for pre-teens and teens in the ’70s and ’80s, young readers devoured her novels, which spoke to their hopes and anxieties. Her 1970 book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., told the story of an 11-year-old girl who worried that all the other girls were getting their periods, developing breasts and starting to wear bras — but she wasn’t. (That book, too, has been banned in various outlets, including, in the 1970s, at the primary school that Blume’s own children attended.)…

Everything Everywhere All at Once – Genre Mix Extraordinaire

Everything Everywhere All at Once – Genre Mix Extraordinaire

by | Apr 7, 2022 | Home-Page, Journal, Movie Maker Notes, Tench's Topics

There are some interesting back stories behind the surprise smash Everything Everywhere All at Once. It seems that iconic martial arts start Jackie Chan was going to be in the lead role, but the feeling of the directors to pay homage to the strong women in their lives won out, and Michelle Yeoh was casted as the everywoman thrust into a dazzling multiverse of parallel lives.

An Homage to 70s Era B-Movie Making

An Homage to 70s Era B-Movie Making

by | Mar 24, 2022 | Home-Page, Movie Maker Notes, Tench's Topics

The following is an open  letter to movie-goers from filmmaker Ti West, the writer, director, editor and producer of X, currently playing at The Naro. In it he discusses his inspiration for and general thoughts about this unusual film. It is reprinted in its entirety from distributor A24’s website. For more about Ti West’s background, see his Wikipedia entry here.

Best-Ever Review of The Godfather?

Best-Ever Review of The Godfather?

by | Mar 15, 2022 | Home-Page, Journal, Movie Maker Notes, Tench's Topics

The 50th anniversary of The Godfather recalls to us that the double-feature of Godfathers I and II were the very first films presented by the new Naro Expanded Cinema in 1977. (45 years ago.) Arguably one of cinema’s most iconic works, we’re pleased to participate in its re-release for a new generation to enjoy on the big screen with the latest in digital projection and sound. (We naturally expect many fellow old-timers to come out too!)

The late great film critic for The New Yorker Pauline Kael reviewed the film back in 1972 and her piece retains its brilliance for its superlative writing and in-depth analysis of various aspects of the film – music, cinematography, themes, and even some of the underlying sociological messages it contains – now more relevant than ever: