John P. Hanlon currently serves as the Operations Manager for Townhall.com. He has written several columns and blogs for Townhall.com and he regularly contributes to the American Issues Project Blog.
John P. Hanlon
Review: Off ‘The Deep End’
by John P. HanlonYou may not know who Matt Long is but you might have seen the young actor in recent advertisements for his new ABC television show “The Deep End.” Long has appeared in a couple of major motion pictures including “Ghost Rider” and “Sydney White” but he will likely gain more notice for his new role on a disappointing television show that Variety.com noted is little more than a sibling show to “Grey’s Anatomy,” about lawyers instead of doctors. It is disappointing to see the engaging Matt Long is on a show like this, especially considering that he did far superior work on television several years ago on the WB program “Jack and Bobby.”
On his new show, Long plays Dylan Hewitt, a new idealistic associate at a law firm. The show revolves around a group of young lawyers finding themselves in “the deep end” of their profession as they start working full time in “the real world.” The first episode of the series showed the young characters dealing with work dilemmas that law school did not prepare them for. For instance, Hewitt had to fight for a mother to gain custody of her child against the wishes of his tough boss, played by Billy Zane. Hewitt is tempted to do the wrong thing in the case but inevitably he decides to do what is right for the child, a cliched plotline that falls flat. (more…)
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Reinvented Characters Give ‘24′ New Life
by John P. HanlonOne would think that after seven years on the air, audiences would know who Jack Bauer is. Yet, as the new season of “24” began last week, we saw Bauer in a different light. He was not fighting terrorism; he was spending time with his granddaughter at the zoo. And Bauer was not the only character who has changed since last season. It turns out that one of the best things about the new season of “24” is how many of the characters on the show have been reinvented.
As with many seasons before, Bauer’s day began with him trying to stay as far away from anti-terrorism work as possible. This season, he started his television day (each season captures a different day in the life of Bauer) as a family man before inevitably being called back by an informer with inside information about a terrorist plot. It took a lot of convincing for Bauer to leave his family life. Both his daughter Kim and his former coworker Chloe had to convince him to return to the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) to assist in taking on a terrorist plot. (more…)
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Box Office 2009: The Year Stories Didn’t Matter
by John P. HanlonThe two highest-grossing movies in the United States from 2009 were “Avatar” and “Transformers 2.” The special effects and the anticipation before both films helped propel these films to earn hundreds of millions of dollars. Much of the media coverage about both films (especially “Avatar”) focused on their special effects rather than their stories. With that in mind, one of the unfortunate legacies of 2009 at the movies may be that strong stories and great characters are seen as no match for visual excitement at the box office.
At the end of December 2009, Yahoo compiled a list of the top grossing movies of the year domestically. (Because the list came out in December, “Transformers 2” is featured as the highest grossing movie of the year, rather than “Avatar.”) The Yahoo list featured four sequels, one franchise revival (”Star Trek”), and one James Cameron movie about a planet with blue aliens on it. That latter film, along with “Transformers 2,” will not likely be remembered for its story or its characters, a disappointing realization for moviegoers who want great stories to go along with grand special effects. (more…)
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The Good and Bad of Last Night’s Golden Globe Awards
by John P. HanlonLast night, the 67th Golden Globes Awards were given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). According to the HFPA mission statement, one of the goals of the organization is to “recognize outstanding achievements by conferring annual Awards of Merit, serving as a constant incentive within the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in motion pictures and television…”
At the beginning of the show, the Globes did just that but there were other times (including the conclusion of the program) when undeserving victors beat out more worthy competition.
The awards show cast a new light on two deserving performers who were not well-known for their strong acting abilities. First, in what I thought was the highlight of the night, Mo’Nique won the award for “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” for ”Precious.” She was given the first award of the night and gave a wonderful speech. In her brilliant performance, the comedienne portrayed a selfish and cold woman who abuses and enables the abuse of her own daughter. At the Globes, Mo’Nique started her speech by thanking God for “the amazing ride.” Later she spoke of all the “Preciouses” and about speaking up about abuse. It was a classy moment. (more…)
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Sandra Bullock: The Best of Both Award Worlds
by John P. HanlonOn Sunday, March 7th, 2010, the best picture winner at the Academy Awards will be announced. Although there are ten nominees in that category this year (up from the usual five), they will likely not include the following: “Twilight,” “The Hangover,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” “The Proposal,” or “Star Trek.” Undoubtedly, none of the “Twilight” pictures will ever be recognized by the Academy, though one of them was named best movie of the year at the People’s Choice Awards (PCA) last week. Looking at the list of acting nominees and winners from that award show, it seems unlikely that many of those nominees will receive Oscar nods, but one person who might be able to get nominated for both is Sandra Bullock.
This year, Bullock won “Best Movie Actress” at the PCA. On the PCA website it does not clarify if she won for a specific movie or for her total work last year as a whole (where she appeared in movies like “The Proposal” and “The Blind Side”), but her performance in the latter has garnered her both commercial and critical success. In fact, “The Blind Side” may actually help to win Bullock an Oscar nomination. (more…)
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REVIEW: ‘Youth in Revolt’ Disappoints With Uneven Story and More Hollywood Christian Bashing
by John P. Hanlon“Youth in Revolt” is a movie with a good premise but a lackluster plot that revolves around a witty, intellectual teenager experiencing the isolation of adolescence while living with his mother (played by Jean Smart) and her boyfriend. Played by the likable Michael Cera, the lead character, Nick Twisp, spends a lot of the movie trying to attract the attention of a girl he desires. Unfortunately, the movie frequently becomes unnecessarily crass and stereotypical, detracting from an intriguing premise.
At the beginning, in order to protect his mother’s boyfriend from a fight with some sailors he sold a malfunctioning car to, the mother takes her son and boyfriend for a brief vacation. On that vacation, Nick meets a girl he’s immediately attracted to but she’s dating someone else. However, Nick still thinks he has a chance. In order to make himself more attractive to her he develops an alternate and “dangerous” personality named Francois, who has a mustache and enjoys causing trouble and destruction. (more…)
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Golden Globe Noms Shine Light On Worthy Programs
by John P. HanlonThe Golden Globe nominations were released last week. As usual, many of the television categories were dominated with long-running programs. However, a few new shows received welcome nominations, a boost that could lend more credibility to these freshmen programs.
“Glee” was one of the new major nominees for the Globes, earning a nomination in the “Best Television Series: Musical or Comedy” category. As I noted in a review of the program, “Glee” revolves around a high school glee club. Even though the show has stumbled a bit throughout this season, it has still emerged as as a entertaining and worthy hit. I was glad it got some attention from the Globes. The most obvious nomination for the program went to Jane Lynch, whose role as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester is one of the highlights of the program. Other nominations for the show went to Matthew Morrison, who plays the glee coach, Will Schuester, and Lea Michele, who plays the overzealous singer Rachel. (more…)
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Memo to Bravo: Don’t Let Crashers Invade Our Living Rooms
by John P. HanlonIn a year when a “balloon boy” became a media sensation, it is bizarre that some networks are thinking about giving more credibility to reality show contestant wannabes. The Salahis, the other high-profile ”celebrity” couple that seemed more interested in gaining publicity and fame than following the law, are getting even more attention because of the party they crashed several weeks ago at the White House. The network Bravo has seemingly furthered their careers by polling people about giving the party crashers their own show. These are the uninvited guests who, after invading the White House party, want to invade your living room.
The Washington Post recently reported on the Bravo poll that gave the Salahis the spotlight once again. The article noted that Bravo ”decided to poll viewers for their thoughts on Michaele and Tareq Salahi. This included asking whether you’d think less of Bravo if it gave the Salahis their own reality series.” The Post article noted that “the poll, which was being conducted by Research Results — a company that says it’s affiliated with NBC Universal” asked repondents if “it would be in poor taste to give them [the Salahis] their own reality show. ” The answer to that question seems obvious. The Salahis got publicity for breaking into a White House party. If that activity helps to earn them a reality show, that will only lead to future White House incursions by publicity-hungry celebrity wannabes. (more…)
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Review: ‘Men of a Certain Age’ An Exploration of the Normal
by John P. Hanlon“Men of a Certain Age,” unlike many contemporary adult dramas, does not revolve around doctors or lawyers or police officers dealing with the tough realities that their occupations entail. The show is about three good friends in the middle of their lives as they deal with ordinary everday situations. That plot of the show may prove to be its greatest strength and its greatest weakness but for the time being, the show has proven to be a solid addition to the TNT lineup.
“Men” revolves around the three main male characters who often hike, dine and hang out together. The three characters all have interesting lives. Owen (Andre Braugher), who has a wife and kids at home, works at a car dealership and is often frustrated by his tough boss at work, who happens to be his father. Terry (Scott Bakula), is a carefree free-spirit struggling to be an actor while taking on regular office jobs. Joe (Ray Romano), who is separated from his wife but sees his children regularly, runs his own party store business and has a gambling problem. (more…)
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‘Blind Side’ Wins the Weekends: Christians vs. Vampires
by John P. HanlonMuch of the buzz about “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” has revolved around a debate between Team Jacob and Team Edward. Numerous articles have been written explaining the merits of these two characters who many girls have swooned over in theaters. As a Chicago Tribune article about stars responding to the question of which team they align themselves with asked, “Are stars loyal to brooding vampire Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson) or hulking werewolf Jacob Black ( Taylor Lautner) as the two duel over heroine Bella ( Kristen Stewart) in the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s popular books?” Over the past few weekends, moviegoers have faced their own choice, not between Jacob and Edward, but between “New Moon” and another recently-released motion picture, “The Blind Side.”
On the one hand, “New Moon” is the highly-anticipated sequel to the blockbuster hit “Twilight.” As many sequels are, it has been heavily publicized and much has been made about the aforementioned two competing male characters in the film. From major interviews that the cast has done to magazine covers to speculation about the future movies in the series, “New Moon” has attracted a lot of attention as a popular book has been turned into a popular movie. Because of the fans of the book and movie, “New Moon” has unsurprisingly become a blockbuster hit and has made over $250 million dollars in only a matter of weeks. (more…)
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REVIEW: Tired ‘Old Dogs’ Lacks Bite
by John P. HanlonDisney’s new film “Old Dogs” features two great friends and business partners as the lead characters. They manage clients together, laugh together and when one of them needs consolation, the other one is willing to help provide a carefree and wild night to help his friend forget about his troubles. After such a wild night unfolds in a flashback, the consequences come back to one character nearly a decade later as he finds out that he has two children that he did not even know existed. The plot of the movie revolves around the two friends trying to trying to take care of these children with their very little experience in the parenting department. However, although “Old Dogs” has some funny moments, the movie ultimately has more bark than bite.
In the film, Robin Williams plays Dan, a divorced man who is great friends with his business partner Charlie, played by John Travolta. After Charlie takes Dan out for the aforementioned wild evening, that night becomes fodder for business clients during sales meetings. However, several years after the event takes place, Dan is told suddenly that he has two children that he has to take care of as their mother serves a couple of weeks of prison time for a minor offense. The premise of a father bonding after time apart is nothing new and unfortunately, the movie does not provide a lot of laughs from the idea. (more…)
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NBC’s ObamaVision: Viewers Are the ‘The Biggest Loser’
by John P. HanlonThe NBC reality program “The Biggest Loser” has the potential to create a lot of winners. Aside from the obvious winners of the weight-loss competition, there are other opportunities for people to “win.” For instance, all of the contestants have a chance to leave the show as victors if they use the opportunity provided to lose weight and become healthier. Viewers have the same opportunity to win if they decide to change their lives because of the show. Without being overt, the show has a strong underlying message about weight loss and self-worth, but in a recent episode the underlying message about weight loss was overshadowed by a preachy and overbearing “green” campaign by NBC.
“The Biggest Loser” has a typical reality show premise. A large group of contestants starts out at the beginning and as the weeks go by contestants are eliminated until the end of the season. Unlike other reality shows, though, this show has an important message to send out to viewers about living healthy, taking care of your body and maintaining your self-esteem.
On last week’s episode though, the show’s message was overwhelmed by a push from the NBC network about staying green. During the ninety-minute episode that aired last Tuesday, there were numerous public service announcements about taking care of the environment. Those announcements tackled such issues as fixing leaky faucets, using less plastic and buying local produce. (more…)
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Fools Wanted: A Lesson from ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’
by John P. HanlonIn the 1939 classic film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” the newly-appointed Senator Jefferson Smith is told by his secretary how important “fools” can be in Washington D.C. Her support and admiration for fools is not an endorsement of sending uneducated persons to our nation’s capital. Fools, she believes, include honorable people who have faith in their convictions against political opposition and harsh criticism. The movie “Mr. Smith” and its message about “fools” serve as a reminder about what public service is really about and what integrity really means.
Even though I have lived in the D.C. area for a little less than three years, I recently watched “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” for the first time. The movie revolves around an appointed Senator who brings his hopefulness and his integrity to Washington D.C. James Stewart plays Mr. Smith, the head of a boy’s organization, who is surprisingly given a chance to serve his country in the United States Senate. He is a Governor’s political appointee who some believe will cave to political pressure and make his voting decisions on the advice of a corrupt but highly-respected Senate colleague. Mr. Smith refuses to accommodate that fellow Senator and the demands of the political machine in his state that fights against him and he eventually loses confidence in the entire political system. (more…)
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Review: Leave ‘The Box’ On the Doorstep
by John P. HanlonThe new film “The Box” starts off with a simple premise. A stranger leaves a box at a young couple’s door early one morning in Richmond, Virginia. Later on, that stranger comes to visit the couple and he tells the young wife that if she pushes the red button in the box, she’ll receive a million dollars but someone that she does not know will die. The stranger does not explain how or who or even why this will occur. He just gives her the instructions and a time-frame. The premise is an interesting one to develop but unfortunately, this movie fails to develop it and the film is quickly overwhelmed by a bizarre series of events that follows the choice over whether or not to push the button.
The film is set in the mid-1970s and the lead couple, Arthur and Norma Lewis, are played by James Marsden and Cameron Diaz. He works for NASA and she’s an elementary school teacher. They’re a relatively boring couple with one son The movie begins with the doorbell ringing very early in the morning and the couple finding the box on the doorstep. Mrs. Lewis learns more about the box from Arlington Steward, played by Frank Langella, the mystery man who dropped it off. The young couple has recently faced some disappointing news about their jobs and the financial benefits of pushing the button are obvious to both of them, even though their financial situation has not been detailed enough to show a compelling desire for them to lean towards pushing the button at the expense of another person’s life. (more…)
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Prime-time Threesome: ‘Gossip Girl’ Hits New Low?
by John P. HanlonThe CW program “Gossip Girl” has often found itself in the glare of the political spotlight. It has often relished that position and used it to garner more attention from conservative critics and groups that are opposed to the salacious content of the program. With that in mind, the show, now in its third season, has once again grabbed the spotlight with a recent sexual threesome featuring three young adults on the program.
If you are not familiar with the show that was famously once called “every parent’s nightmare,” it revolves around a group of elitist and predominantly rich young people in New York City who often spend their time manipulating and betraying each other while being observed by an anonymous online author named “gossip girl.” The show is escapist fare for young people and adults who may envy the lives of the rich and outrageous. I have seen a couple of episodes of the program since its premiere several years ago. Although its ratings are not great, the program has shown a keen ability to grab a lot of attention and make headlines with some of its racier storylines. For instance, the media attention for the threesome episode came only a few short weeks after the show received a lot of attention for a kiss between two guys, one of whom is the show’s resident bad boy, Chuck Bass. (more…)
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Review: ‘V’ in the World of ‘O’
by John P. Hanlon
Much has been written about the premiere of the new ABC drama “V” and its relationship to the election last year of President Barack Obama. As an article from the Chicago Tribune noted:
Nominally a rousing sci-fi space opera about alien invaders bent on the conquest (and digestion) of all humanity, it’s also a barbed commentary on Obamamania that will infuriate the president’s supporters and delight his detractors.
While it’s true there are reasons why comparisons between the candidate of hope and the aliens who want change are plentiful, the show “V” is about much more than a critique of the Obama administration.
“V” begins as a show about aliens who suddenly appear in spaceships around the world and the reaction they receive. At first, as can be expected, there is a lot of fear and anguish about the visitors (which is what “V” stands for) as the ships show up hovering above different cities. However, when the alien leader appears on a ship’s video screen and talks about the benefits they will bring to the people of this world, audiences applaud (an unrealistic action, but an important one nonetheless in the development of the program). As the show goes on, though, some people learn that the aliens have more in mind than providing “heal centers” and universal health care for people around the world (which they are in favor of). (more…)
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Review: No Need to Visit ‘Cougar Town’
by John P. HanlonOn ABC’s “About the Show” web page for the new show “Cougar Town”, the executive producer of the program notes that “you only get one chance to experience your 20s. Even if it’s when you’re 40 something.” That, in short, is a brief synopsis of the new Courteney Cox comedy that follows a divorced mother who starts to date younger men. I recently watched the last few episodes of the program and although I found some potential in the minor characters on the show, the program is crippled by a weak main story line and its overall coarseness.
In the program, Cox’s character Jules Cobb is a real estate agent who has recently started dating men in their twenties who are only a few years older than her son. Her dalliances with these men and her coming to grips with her age compose the overall plot of the program. In her daily life, Cobb is surrounded by an offbeat set of characters including her neighbor across the street, her young assistant at work and her ex-husband. (more…)
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Review: ‘The Good Wife’ Off to Great Start
by John P. HanlonThe new CBS program “The Good Wife” received a lot of press attention when it premiered several weeks ago, partly because of its novel subject matter. The show explores the life of a wronged political spouse who returns to the workforce after her cheating husband is sent to prison. The show’s plot invited inevitable comparisons to many contemporary political spouses who have felt the glare of standing by their cheating partners in the media spotlight. Since its premiere, the show has quickly established itself as a smart and entertaining program that is not afraid to explore politics within the legal system and outside of it.
Although many politicians from both political parties can be compared to the husband, played by Chris Noth, an obvious comparison springs up in the premiere episode as the lead character, Alicia Florrick who is played by Julianna Marguiles, returns to work as a lawyer. One of her supervisors, played by Christine Baranski, bluntly says to her, “Not only are you coming back to the workplace fairly late but you have some very prominent baggage.” She then adds, pointing to a picture of current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, “But hey, if she can do it, so can you.” Furthering the perception that the lead couple can be compared to President Bill Clinton and his wife, a recent article about the program from The Hill quoted one of the creators of the show offering a “suggestion” to a director about the character of the cheating husband. That suggestion was “Imagine Bill Clinton in prison.” (more…)
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Dancing with the Hammer: Tom Delay’s ‘Dancing’ Journey
by John P. Hanlon“I stand resolute in my values not because I am an inherently stubborn, combative man. I stand firm because I believe conservative values are the key to American greatness…I am a Christian, a conservative and a man deeply in love with his country. This is who I am, Here is where I stand. No retreat. No surrender.”
Former Republican House Majority Leader Tom Delay wrote the text above at the conclusion of his book, “No Retreat, No Surrender: One American’s Fight,” a book that detailed how Delay stood firm for his conservative beliefs during his long political career. However, in addition to his political career, the title of Delay’s book could also easily describe his recent quest for victory on the hit ABC show “Dancing with the Stars.” During his tenure on that program, while facing an uphill battle, Delay stood firm and fought intensely to win the difficult dance competition, a fight that ended when Delay left the program last week. (more…)
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‘Don’t Stop Believing’ in ‘Glee’
by John P. HanlonWhen the new Fox show “Glee” (Fox Wednesdays at 9/8 c) had a special sneak preview premiere in the spring, many television critics loved it. It had a unique and exciting premise, quirky characters and a spirit of fun and outlandishness that is often missing in contemporary comedy shows. With its musical interludes, it also seemed like a great addition to the Fox schedule that will soon, once again, include the hit reality show “American Idol.” Unfortunately, the first three new episodes of “Glee” that have aired this fall have not lived up to the high expectations that the outstanding sneak preview premiere created for the show, causing some disappointment. However, “Glee,” even with its faults, is still a fun and unique comedy with a great cast and an engaging premise.
As can be expected from the title, the show is about a high school glee club. The show began with a high school teacher Will Schuester (the immensely likable Matthew Morrison) realizing how much he loved performing in his own glee club and wanting to inspire a new glee club of students. The show revolves around that ragtag group of singers as they work together under the leadership of Schuester.
The show itself is bursting with quirky and fun characters including the deliciously conniving cheer-leading coach Sue Sylvester (played by Jane Lynch) who plots to destroy the glee club and Schuester’s well-meaning but manipulative wife Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig) . In addition to Sylvester and Terri Schuester, the supporting cast is full of such unique secondary characters that it rivals shows like “The Office” for its strong ensemble cast. (more…)
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Defending ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’
by John P. HanlonTwenty-two years is a tremendously long run for any television show. This is especially true for a thirty-minute drama that airs five days a week throughout the entire year save for a few holidays and special occasions. This past Sunday for the first time that drama, “The Bold and the Beautiful,” was named “Best Drama Series” at the low-rated Daytime Emmy Awards. Unfortunately, the people who received that hard-earned award were not allowed the chance to bask in their long-awaited victory.
As the Associated Press reported, “The live telecast on the CW went off the air just as the cast and crew was assembling on the stage to accept its trophy.” In addition to the longevity of the show, the article noted the familial nature of the show’s production. The article noted, “It was a poignant victory for executive producer Bradley Bell, whose late father William J. Bell co-created ‘The Young and the Restless,” a show that was honored seven times in the same category.” (more…)
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Remembering John Hughes, 1950-2009
by John P. HanlonIn the well-known 1980’s film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Mr. Bueller famously says, “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” That line could refer to the death of John Hughes who wrote and directed that film and who died last week at the young age of 59. However, that line could also refer to some of the themes from some of Hughes’ most well-known and iconic films that are still loved by many today.
Admittedly, I have not seen every John Hughes movie. Before his passing, though, I had seen only a few of his most well-known pictures like “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Home Alone.” Last weekend, after the death of Hughes, I watched two of his other well-known movies, “Pretty in Pink” and “Sixteen Candles,” for the first time in commemoration of his death and to see why these films had such an effect on the young people of the 1980’s.
Because I was not a teenager during the 80’s, I did not have the opportunity to watch Hughes’ movies during the decade that Hughes helped define for so many young moviegoers. I was a child of the “Home Alone” era, not a teenager of the “Breakfast Club.” (more…)
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Interview: ‘Soraya M.’ Star Shohreh Aghdashloo
by John P. Hanlon“Accompanied by thousands of women” is what Shohreh Aghdashloo told her friends about how she felt attending the Academy Awards in 2004 as the first Iranian nominated for an acting award for her performance in “House of Sand and Fog”. Since that nomination, Aghdashloo has appeared in numerous television shows and in many movies, including her newest film, “The Stoning of Soraya M.”
Several weeks ago, I wrote an article for “Big Hollywood” about the importance of that new film and Aghdashloo’s work as an actress who speaks up for voiceless women. As a follow-up to that article, I had the opportunity to conduct a phone interview with the Oscar nominee who, one day before I spoke to her, was nominated for an Emmy award for her role in the miniseries “House of Saddam.” During the interview, Ms. Aghdashloo spoke about the current situation in Iran, her work in the film “The Stoning of Soraya M.”, and what attracts her to certain projects. (more…)
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Shohreh Aghdashloo: A Voice for the Voiceless
by John P. HanlonA Boston.com article from early 2004 profiled the Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo. In that article she was quoted as saying the following: “It really disturbs me,” she [Aghdashloo] says, “when I see a voiceless woman, a voiceless human being who’s been abused or molested, and can do nothing about it. It kills me.” That article was about Aghdashloo’s career and her performance in the film, “House of Sand and Fog” and the article noted that her character from that fictional film was “a voiceless woman” who had Aghdashloo to speak for her in the movie. Another voiceless woman whose story Aghdashloo is trying to tell us is that of Soraya M., the lead character in the new film “The Stoning of Soraya M.”
“The Stoning of Soraya M,” which I had the opportunity to view several weeks ago, is a great film about a difficult subject. The movie tells the story of Soraya M., an Iranian woman accused of betraying her husband and the brutal consequences of that invalid accusation. In the film, Aghdashloo plays an Iranian talking to a reporter about what happened to her niece Soraya only a few hours before the journalist arrived in town. According to the film’s website, the movie is “inspired by Paris-based journalist Freidoune Sahebjam’s acclaimed international best-seller of the same name which, rife with intrigue and moral outrage, first brought global attention to the real Soraya, who in 1986 was buried to her waist in her hometown square and stoned by her fellow villagers.” (more…)
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The Captivating Glare of ‘Friday Night Lights’
by John P. HanlonIn the pilot episode of NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,” after a star football player suffers an injury on the field, the new coach in town, Coach Taylor, narrates the end of the episode while members of the football community visit the hospital where that player has been moved. In a voiceover, he states, “Life is so very fragile…We must carry this in our hearts: that what we have is special–that it can be taken from us. And that when it is taken from us, we will be tested. We will be tested to our very souls.” Several weeks ago, the third season of “FNL” was released on DVD and if you have not seen this program, this summer is a great time to catch up on this phenomenal show which showcases the daily tests that the characters in the community of Dillon, Texas face on and off the football field.
I only started watching the critically acclaimed program last year and since then I have purchased all three seasons on DVD. Readers and viewers might be familiar with the overall idea of the show because before there was a television show, there was a popular book and a feature film (with Billy Bob Thornton as the coach) with the same name. Even if you have not read the book or watched the film (and even if you do not like football), the show is well worth seeing. (more…)
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