Joe Valdez

March is a total fantasy at Video Days with retrospectives of five sword and sorcery films from the days of rewinding. Next up, KRULL (1983). I kind of like this movie, which doesn't let its scale crush its high spirits. shorturl.at/tQytD

Cinema Sliding Doors: What if Winona Ryder had played Mary Corleone in THE GODFATHER PART III (1990)? Her tics suggested a close study of Al Pacino in DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975) and Diane Keaton in ANNIE HALL (1977) to style herself as their kid. shorturl.at/KLNA7

March is a total fantasy at Video Days with retrospectives of five sword and sorcery films from the days of rewinding. Next up, WILLOW (1988). I have questions about the version that was George Lucas approved and a few suggestions. shorturl.at/xvl4I

Cinema Sliding Doors: What if Lisa Bonet's pregnancy had been worked into her sitcom A DIFFERENT WORLD? TV would've looked very different in 1988-89, and five years later, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock and Marisa Tomei might've lost some jobs. shorturl.at/0MLU2

@SophiaLiam25212 Since "great writing" is the one I can do something about, I'll say "great writing."

Authors, be honest: What sells more books today? Great writing or Great marketing? No wrong answers, I’m curious what your experience says.

March is a total fantasy at Video Days with retrospectives of five sword and sorcery films from the days of rewinding. Next up, LEGEND (1985), which mimicked STAR WARS without asking whether that was necessary. Part 2 of my look back coming on Friday. shorturl.at/ZpiPg

Cinematic Sliding Doors: What if Viggo Mortensen had become a star in the '80s instead of the '00s? I think a lot of actors in the late '80s/early '90s would've been looking over their shoulders. shorturl.at/h5OEY

March is a total fantasy at Video Days with my retrospectives of five sword and sorcery films from the days of rewinding. First up, HIGHLANDER (1986), a candidate for worst movie to somehow launch a major franchise. Part 2 of my look back coming on Friday. shorturl.at/TqaYD

Continuing my look at films dumped in February-one of the worst times of year to open a movie-- it's BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT (1989), not only dumped by its financier, but sold. It would've been the highest grossing film in that company's history. Crazy. shorturl.at/Hp8L3

Continuing my look at films dumped in Jan, Feb, Aug or Sept--historically the worst time of year to open a movie--comes NINE 1/2 WEEKS (1986). Part 2 of 2 examines its post-production woes and impact. shorturl.at/mSOA6

Continuing my look at movies dumped in Jan, Feb, Aug or Sept--historically the worst time of year to release a movie--comes NINE 1/2 WEEKS (1986). Some movies provoke so many disparate reactions they inspire 20 minute reads. Part 2 will be up Friday, 2/13. shorturl.at/wMr6m

Continuing my look at movies dumped in Jan, Feb, Aug or Sept--historically the worst time of year to release a movie--comes THE KING OF COMEDY (1983), my favorite Robert DeNiro performance in a black comedy that is no less relevant now as it was then. shorturl.at/5ZNGP

Continuing my look at movies dumped in Jan, Feb, Aug or Sept--historically the worst time of year to release a movie--comes FANDANGO (1985), a sleeper which Steven Spielberg had buyer's remorse producing. It's one of the best movies (mostly) shot in Texas. shorturl.at/oe6UK

Video Days separates treasure from trash with movies dumped by their distributors in Jan, Feb, Aug or Sept after significant delays. Next up, Daryl Hannah in the maligned adaptation of Jean Auel's 1980 bestseller THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR (1986). shorturl.at/oZkAv

@klhicks912 Am I concerned about this character? Billionaires, geniuses or Navy SEALS, probably not. Does the title grab me? Is it a door stopper, or closer to 60-80K words? Most of all is page 1. Does the author hook me? Big action unnecessary but is there a question here?

I’m always curious—what makes you take a chance on a new author?

THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI: ACROSS THE 8TH DIMENSION (1984) is what a science fiction movie would at least feel like if the Coen brothers ever made one. It makes the "Staff Picks" section at Video Days. shorturl.at/2efQd

Which '80s movies available on an airline library play best at 35,000 feet? I've got one from a genre made for soothing the stress of air travel--romantic comedy-- plus four others, now on Video Days. open.substack.com/pub/joevaldezb…

"Shut up and deal." Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine in THE APARTMENT (1960)

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY ... (1989) went through several working titles, director-producer Rob Reiner offering a case of champagne for a winning alternative, but the only champagne on set was the movie kind for two NYE scenes. Read all about it on Video Days. shorturl.at/enZpM

MISERY (1990) feels like a flawless movie. Annie Wilkes appears to have no vulnerabilities either, until Paul Sheldon finds one to delight book lovers. Directed and produced by Rob Reiner, who also worked on the adaptation of Stephen King's 1987 novel. shorturl.at/GsWqv