They first meet in an out-of-the-way pub, late at night, during a rain shower. The perfect setting for a little intrigue. They’re nameless at first, but hey, isn’t that Robert De Niro? Yeah, and the woman behind the bar, wasn’t she Truman’s fantasy in “The Truman Show?” That guy sitting at the bar? Didn’t he double-cross Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible?” And speaking of double-crossing, isn’t that guy in the booth the same person who tripped up Harrison Ford in “Patriot Games?” Read the rest of this entry »

I wasn’t thrilled the first time I saw “Rocky.” It wasn’t one of my favorite films at the time. Now “Rocky” is 25 years old, and it’s amazing how time can change your outlook. “Rocky” is the sort of film that has to work its magic on you. I wasn’t interested in a magic show 25 years ago. Now I embrace the film’s charm and ability to take common themes and make them special. Read the rest of this entry »