Fiddler on the Roof (1971) unfolds with deceptive simplicity. Set in the rural village of Anatevka in early 20th-century Russia, it follows Tevye, a poor milkman, his wife Golde (Norma Crane), and their daughters as they live by long-held customs shaped by faith, family, and community. What begins as an affectionate portrait of tradition gradually reveals itself as a story about how vulnerable that structure becomes when personal choice and historical pressure collide.
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Opera gives us kings, gods, and seducers. Rigoletto gives us a man who knows the world is cruel—and believes he can protect what he loves from it. He can’t.
Giuseppe Verdi’s 1851 masterpiece centers on Rigoletto, a court jester deformed in body and scorned in society. He survives by mocking the powerful, using cruelty as armor. Every insult reminds him he doesn’t belong—but at home, he is fiercely devoted to his daughter, Gilda. He hides her, shelters her, and convinces himself that ignorance equals safety. The love is real. The fear is genuine. The harm is inevitable.
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Few westerns mix myth, memory, and morality like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Directed by John Ford in 1962, the film is shot in stark black and white, giving it the look of an old photograph that refuses to fade away. The story begins with U.S. Senator Ransom “Ranse” Stoddard returning to the frontier town of Shinbone for a funeral. What seems like a simple trip down memory lane quickly turns into a confession of how legends are born—and what truths get buried along the way.
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by Steve Adelman
When Steve Martin struts onto the screen in a white double-breasted suit, gold chains swinging, hair shellacked into a pompadour that defies physics, you know My Blue Heaven isn’t going to be a subtle film. What it is, however, is a surprisingly sharp and offbeat character study masquerading as a slapstick comedy—one that shares unlikely DNA with Goodfellas, thanks to a curious twist behind the scenes.
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The W&H Don Zoila Pedro Ximénez is a luxurious dessert sherry that exemplifies the rich heritage and craftsmanship of Spain’s Jerez region. Produced by Williams & Humbert, a family-owned winery established in 1877, this sherry is crafted from estate-grown Pedro Ximénez grapes cultivated in the esteemed Pago de Balbaína and Pago de Carrascal vineyards.
These vineyards are part of the Jerez Superior zone, known for its unique terroir that imparts distinctive characteristics to the grapes. The winemaking process involves sun-drying the grapes for 15 days, pressing them to extract concentrated juice, fortifying to 18% alcohol, and aging the wine for 15 years using the traditional solera system. This method blends younger wines with older ones, creating a harmonious and complex profile.
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Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest is a cornerstone of mid-20th-century cinema, blending suspense, adventure, and psychological intrigue into a perfectly executed narrative. Released in 1959, the film captures Hitchcock at the height of his directorial prowess, featuring a star-studded performance by Cary Grant, a memorable score by Bernard Herrmann, and a plot that has left an indelible mark on the thriller genre.
In this article, we will examine the character study of the film’s protagonist, Roger O. Thornhill, break down the plot, explore its significance during its release, and discuss why North by Northwest remains relevant today.
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We look back at old films and take a closer look at what it would be like to read a film review as if it were to premiere today. Why review old films you say? First, we dispense with all the noisy chatter of the time and second, it is easier to review after having watched the film 90 times. Plus, we just enjoy old films, particularly Hitchcock films.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (1951) is a masterclass in suspense, showcasing the director’s genius for blending psychological complexity with visual storytelling. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel, the film explores the terrifying consequences of a chance encounter between two strangers who propose to “swap murders” in a diabolical plot. This movie is a quintessential Hitchcock thriller, packed with tension, dark humor, and unforgettable set pieces that continue to influence the genre today.
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by Jon Daniel
Location
The Southside Music Hall is part of the Gilly’s entertainment complex on Lamar Street just southeast of downtown Dallas. It’s a 15 minute walk (about a ½ mile) from the Omni Hotel, and 23 miles from DFW Airport. Despite what the Gilley’s website says, it is not “three blocks” from the Omni. The venue also includes The Loft which is a smaller venue. I’ll review The Loft at a later date. Continue reading
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