David Ferguson

Greetings again from the darkness. We are probably fortunate that there are people who research, investigate, and write about the reprehensible world of white supremacists. While most of us would prefer to imagine that such folks don’t exist, or at least have little impact, the 1989 book “The Silent Brotherhood” by Gary Gerhardt and Kevin Flynn detail why ignoring is not a feasible option. Zach Baylin (KING RICHARD, 2021) has now adapted the book into a screenplay directed by Aussie Justin Kurzel (THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG, 2019, and the excellent NITRAM, 2021). The book and the film are based on the facts of the case that is now 40 years old, yet still relevant today.

Greetings again from the darkness. The 1972 are remembered for a few highlights. Swimmer Mark Spitz set seven world records on his way to seven gold medals. Belarusian gymnast Olga Korbut won three gold medals (although not in the all-around). The United States and Russia played one of the strangest and most controversial games in Olympics history. And most importantly, the 1972 Munich Olympics are remembered for the tragedy surrounding 10 members of Israel’s team being taken hostage by a masked Palestinian militant group.

Greetings again from the darkness. Ever since Bruce Willis’ John McClane ‘Yippee-Ki-Yayed’ his way into saving Christmas in 1988, many filmmakers have tried to latch onto the action-filled Christmas crime drama sub-genre. Of course, none have reached the level of that Nakatomi Plaza classic, and often the biggest miss is in the form of the villain. Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber is often cited among the all-time best movie villains, and deservedly so. This latest film we welcome to the party comes from director Jaume Collet-Sera (JUNGLE CRUISE, 2021, ORPHAN, 2009) and co-writers TJ Fixman (Ratchet & Crank video game creator) and Michael Green (LOGAN, 2018).

To end 2024, David Ferguson traces back through the queer graphic novels he read during the last 12 months.

The Templehall Hotel in Morebattle in the Borders has been around for more than 250 years.

Greetings again from the darkness. I’ve said it many times, and it still holds true, Oscar winner Pedro Almodovar is the most accomplished male filmmaker when it comes to creating interesting female characters and spinning female-centric stories. Almodovar’s first English-language feature-length film is one he’s adapted from the 2020 novel, “What Are You Going Through”, by Sigrid Nunez. It features two Oscar winners, Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, both extraordinarily talented.

From Tracy Chapman to Orville Peck and Kylie Minogue, add some queer Christmas songs to your holiday playlist!

Greetings again from the darkness. As a nineteen-year-old college dropout, Robert Zimmerman traveled from his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota to New York City so that he could play music and visit his folk hero, Woody Guthrie, who was hospitalized with Huntington’s Disease. Of course, Zimmerman became known as Bob Dylan, and his musical genius continues to this day – more than 60 years and counting. Those early formative years are recounted here by writer-director James Mangold (WALK THE LINE, 2005; 3:10 TO YUMA, 2007; FORD V FERRARI, 2019) and co-writer Jay Cocks (GANGS OF NEW YORK, 2002), who used Elijah Wald’s 2015 book, “Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan and the Night that Split the Sixties” as inspiration.

Greetings again from the darkness. Claressa Shields’ story is inspirational, and yet it’s so much more than that. She’s an extraordinary person with a remarkable story. She doesn’t just inspire young girls to pursue sports, she motivates us all to pursue our dreams with passion and tenacity. It’s only fitting that the first feature film directed by renowned cinematographer Rachel Morrison centers on a barrier-breaking woman. Ms. Morrison was the first woman to receive a Best Cinematography Oscar nomination for her work on MUDBOUND (2017). The screenplay was written by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins (MOONLIGHT, 2016), and he’s also a producer on the film.

Greetings again from the darkness. Oscar winner Nicole Kidman long ago entrenched herself as one of the best and most daring actors working today. Not one to shy away from risky material, she’s appeared in such films as EYES WIDE SHUT (1999), DOGVILLE (2003), BIRTH (2004), and THE NORTHMAN (2022) to name just a few. It’s her talent and willingness to put herself out there that has earned such respect among peers and fans. However, despite that admiration, this latest is one of my least favorite films of the year, and one that I found almost no positives to discuss. I will readily admit this opinion puts me in the extreme minority.