Author Archives: Sax von Stroheim

Fear of Movies

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: Two new movies, both good, by any reasonable objective standard, in that they seem to successfully achieve what they set out to achieve. But one betrays a fear of commitment, a fear of failure, while the … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Lesser Dante is still Dante

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: The Hole (Joe Dante, 2009) I watched this in 2D off of Netflix streaming, but it seems like it would have been a fun thing to see in 3D at the movies. Flattened out, it’s enjoyable enough, … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

End of the Road (Aram Avakian, 1970)

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: My list of “Films that Belong to an American New Wave that Didn’t Really Exist” includes De Palma’s Greetings and Hi, Mom!; Norman Mailer’s Maidstone; Robert Downey, Sr.’s oeuvre; Shadows, Faces, and Opening Night; Robert Kramer’s Milestones; Mickey One, The Connection, Dusty and Sweets McGee, The Swimmer, and David Holzman’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Two Sports Movies From The 1970’s

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: One’s a masterpiece, one’s an interesting-if-not-exactly-good little movie. First the masterpiece:  Slap Shot (George Roy Hill, 1977) A vulgar, American comedy from one of the 70’s most underrated filmmakers. (Considering the “classic” status of Butch Cassidy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Sports | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Joss Whedon’s Disney’s “Marvel’s The Avengers”

Posted on December 1, 2012 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: I finally caught up with the year’s biggest hit. I’m a longtime reader of super-hero comics, and while the Avengers comics by Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, et al. aren’t my favorites from Marvel’s Silver Age, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

The Art of Pinball: Roy Parker

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: Over the last year or so Mrs. von Stroheim and I have been dipping our toes into the world of vintage pinball, and we finally took the plunge and bought the first (and perhaps only) machine … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Commercial art, Humor | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Joe Dante

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: I enjoyed reading this recent interview with Joe Dante (the auteur of Piranha, Gremlins, and the great, under-appreciated William Castle tribute Matinee, among other worthy movies) in the Chicago Reader (part 1, part 2). Dante is … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 9 Comments

“Lifeforce” and Dan O’Bannon

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: Considering the kinds of movies I like (lots of horror, sc-fi, action/adventure), I’m surprised that it took me so long to finally watch “Lifeforce”, a 1985 horror movie directed by Tobe Hooper. I know that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 5 Comments