by Bob Mondello.

It’s time again for our movie critic Bob Mondello’s latest home-viewing recommendation. This week, Bob takes a look at a 70th anniversary Blu-Ray release of what many call the greatest film of all time: Citizen Kane.

Tragic, demanding, controversial, larger-than-life, and a mystery even to those who knew him. That’s newspaperman Charles Foster Kane, and those terms could also be applied to theater genius Orson Welles, who produced, directed, co-wrote, and starred in Citizen Kane when he was all of 25.

The extras in this boxed set (many of which were also in the standard DVD set released a decade ago) make it easy to watch and re-watch his performance, and the intricate jigsaw puzzle of a film it’s in, first to revel in its storytelling, then to learn why cineastes love it so much. The geek-squad explanations are handled in two full-length commentaries — one by director Peter Bogdanovich, the other by critic Roger Ebert (both recorded for the 60th anniversary release).

Read the rest of this article from NPR.

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This article was written for ComicBookMovie.com.

So the other day I was in this most esteemed website’s chat room when I offhandedly commented that the 80’s was not a good decade for movies, especially outside of comedies. I did not realize what I was starting.

Furor erupted! “Heresy!” they screamed! I had no idea people felt so strongly about it! They listed some good movies. Could I be so wrong? WAS the 80’s a good decade for film? And that leads to a bigger question, what is the GREATEST decade for film? I had to find out!

Read the rest of this article from ComicBookMovie.com.

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This article was written by Nathan Chase.

“Since our public launch in September, we’ve grown to well over 40,000 users, and garnered a total of more than 60 million rankings. As we approach the close of the year, and the start of a new decade, we thought we might take a moment to showcase the Top 20 films that our users have deemed to be considered the best-of-the-best from 2000-2009. So without further adieu, here are the best ranked films on Flickchart of the decade…”

Read this article from Flickchart.

The Ten Commandments of Filmmaking
How to Work (and Survive) in the
Film and Television Industry
by Peter D. Marshall

“From Slumdog Millionaire shantytown tours to ‘slumdog’ pitching and grittier approaches to telling traditional stories, Paul MacInnes finds out how Danny Boyle’s film is transforming art and business in Bollywood.”

Read this article from The Guardian.

This article is from In From the Cold.

“As Leo Grin of National Review reminds us, today marks an important anniversary in the history of the American cinema. Seventy years ago, on March 1, 1939, director John Ford released Stagecoach, arguably the greatest western ever made, and one of the most celebrated films of Hollywood’s Golden Era.

Stagecoach represented a number of milestones, both for the director and the film industry. It was Ford’s first western “talkie;” it was the first movie the director filmed amid the stunning vistas of Monument Valley, a location that John Ford would use again (and again) during his long career. And perhaps most importantly, Stagecoach marked the feature debut of John Wayne, after nearly a decade as a B movie performer and singing cowboy.” Read rest of article.

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This series of videos is from the website, Smashing Magazine

“We all know that first impressions are important, right? Well, the same goes for film. The opening title sequence of a film is that film’s opportunity to make a good first impression on you, the viewer. A well-crafted title sequence introduces the audience to the tone and theme of the film as well as the cast and crew.

In tribute to all of the wonderful title sequences in film, Smashing Magazine has collected 30 Unforgettable Title Sequences for your enjoyment and inspiration. We have chosen some of our favorite selections from all eras and genres. Of course, there are too many brilliant examples to list them all here. Read rest of article here.

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“In the Heat of the Night”

This film still holds it own after 40 years.

I saw this film when I was a teenager and I still remember feeling the heat of the night oozing from the big screen. The acting is so perfect – a Rod Steiger tour-de-force! (A must for all directors and actors to watch.)

Watch Trailer

What do you think of this film? Leave your comments below.