Zooming and Broadcasting About POTUS Fest: Cinema in Chief

Along with fellow members of the Houston Film Critics Society, I am spreading the good word about our latest project: POTUS Fest: Cinema in Chief, an overview of movies about real or fictional Commanders in Chief. And as part of that project, I’ll be taking part in a Zoom discussion about depictions of American Presidents in motion pictures at 3 pm CT Sunday, Oct. 25, with my HFCS co-conspirators Joshua Starnes (Coming Soon) and Donna Copeland (Texas Art & Film). The discussion will be accessible at no charge to those who reserve a ticket — while supplies last — here. 

But wait, there’s more: At 9 am CT Tuesday, Oct. 20, I’ll be on the wireless with host Craig Cohen of Houston Matters on KUHF to talk even more about POTUS Fest: Cinema in Chief. You will be able to live stream the show here.

POTUS Fest: Cinema in Chief gives movie buffs and political junkies the opportunity to view comments and reviews by HFCS members on the organization’s website about movies dealing with U.S. Presidents (like Thirteen Days, with Bruce Greenwood as JFK, pictured above). Participating members are choosing these films — ranging from docudramas to fictional narratives — based on ways they illuminate the demands, disappointments and determination that define our Chief Executives.

“Movies take us places we may never visit in person,” says HFCS president Doug Harris, “and that includes the Oval Office… [W]e are in the middle of an extraordinary period in American politics.  And by extraordinary, I mean bizarre, unpredictable, and off the rails crazy. Another look at these exceptional films might help reset the public’s expectations of what could be.  Or should be. Maybe.” 

Radio alert: Talking Monty Python on Houston Matters

The good folks at the Alamo Drafthouse locations here in H-Town will be hosting special "Quote-Along" screenings of Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Wednesday (7:30 pm, Vintage Park) and Aug. 18 (7:30 pm, Mason Park). So, of course, I have decided to shamelessly gravy-train on the festivities the best way I know how -- by appearing on KUHF's Houston Matters program to talk about the greatness that is Monty Python with witty and erudite host Craig Cohen. The radio show airs at 12 noon, and repeats at 7 pm, on Wednesday. You can downstream here.

And in the unlikely event you've never actually seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail, here's an appreciation I wrote way back in 2001 to bring you up to speed. (Warning: If you don't read this, I may turn you into a newt. Or, worse, unleash the Killer Rabbit.)   

Radio Active: Talking Princess Bride Wednesday on KUHF

I'll be talking about the enduring enchantment of The Princess Bride Wednesday on KUHF-FM's Houston Matters show. The program airs at 12 noon and 7 pm CT -- you can listen to it here -- and will be available as downstreaming audio here from Wednesday evening onward. Hope you enjoy it. And remember: People in masks cannot be trusted.

Tribute to Maurice Jarre

The lovely and talented Regina F. Scruggs will be offering a tribute to composer Maurice Jarre with a special edition of her Music from the Movies program at 7-8 p.m. CDT Saturday, April 4, on Houston's KUHF, 88.7 FM. Scruggs will be playing selections from Jarre's scores for Doctor Zhivago, Ryan's Daughter, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, Witness, Dead Poets Society, Ghost -- and, of course, Lawrence of Arabia. If you're not in or near Houston, don't fret -- you can listen to the show in real time through Internet streaming here. Click on “listen online” (left-hand side of the page), then access the 24/7 “News” stream.