Interestingly “Focus” intrigued me on a surprising level; not as a “con”, “sting” film, nor as a placid love story, but as a devilish, “slight-of-hand”  scenario;  anyone who has been a victim  (or a potential victim) of invasive thievery will be stunned at the skill and finesse practiced by these artists of trickery, surgeons of stylish, cunning undetected removal of …

Brian D. answered all the questions, including the bonus “2”, correctly; garnishing $150.00; Danny G. missed “1” bonus, winning $125.00. Congratulations boys! My life is informed by movies and those stars who infuse legitimacy into perfect strangers; they come alive and breathe   comfortably forever, in my memory bank. Here are a few “characters” and those who ignited inspiration and dignity …

Hundreds entered, two emerged victorious: one garnished the two extra credit questions. Their names will be posted if permission is granted. I felt the wrong “B” movie took the top Oscars (4 in total; tying with Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel”); “Whiplash” receiving 3; J.K. Simmons, deservedly earning the “Best Supporting Actor”. With the exception of Patricia Arquette (Best …

Years ago, a friend was astounded when I admitted to not having read nor having a smidgen of interest in  E.L. James’s  literary phenomena; a trilogy that knocked the world on its posterior. So, over a week’s time, I gorged on all three volumes, concluding that James had a staggering imagination and had done her research in the tricks of …

To enter: 1)   You must be a subscriber to Peneflix. By entering the contest, you agree to share your information with Peneflix.com and will be subscribed to the Peneflix email newsletter. 2)   You may only enter once. 3)   You have to beat me; which is the easiest challenge of all. 4)   $100.00 gift card will be mailed to you to enjoy movies. …

To enter: 1)   You must be a subscriber to Peneflix. By entering the contest, you agree to share your information with Peneflix.com and will be subscribed to the Peneflix email newsletter. 2)   You may only enter once. 3)   You have to beat me; which is the easiest challenge of all. 4)   $100.00 gift card will be mailed to you to enjoy movies. …

To enter: 1)   You must be a subscriber to Peneflix. By entering the contest, you agree to share your information with Peneflix.com and will be subscribed to the Peneflix email newsletter. 2)   You may only enter once. 3)   You have to beat me; which is the easiest challenge of all. 4)   $100.00 gift card will be mailed to you to enjoy movies. …

To enter: 1)   You must be a subscriber to Peneflix. By entering the contest, you agree to share your information with Peneflix.com and will be subscribed to the Peneflix email newsletter. 2)   You may only enter once. 3)   You have to beat me; which is the easiest challenge of all. 4)   $100.00 gift card will be mailed to you to enjoy movies. …

Andy and Lana Wachowski are a dynamic, daunting duo; brother/sister filmmakers whose imaginative “Matrix” series and the 2012 “Cloud Atlas” stunned audiences with unexpected wizardry, galvanizing visual effects, magical emotional jaunts through untrammeled worlds. Alas, “Jupiter Ascending” is a mélange of mediocrity; cinematography is glorious but mixed with a ludicrous, ponderous scenario, dimensionless characterization, resulting in a pretty, but financially …

Twenty-five year old writer/director Xavier Doland blesses the screen with a mesmerizing, complex, powerfully provocative depiction of a destructive mother/son relationship; brilliantly filmed, Doland’s screen is a triptych, one character at a time,  squashed in the center, framed by blackness on either side; the viewer is imprisoned,  breathless; claustrophobia threatens while the characters take turns ambushing one’s focus. Initially, we …