Rich Monetti
Bio
I am, I write.
Stories (1006)
Filter by community
Ato Essandoh of BBC America’s Copper Takes Pride in Role of Real Life African American Civil War Doctor
Ato Essandoh is (or was?) one of these character actors who’s face you definitely know but come without name recognition. Movie roles in blockbuster films like Blood Diamond and Hitch have been frequently woven around appearances in TV dramas such as Damages, The Good Wife and Law and Order. Most recently, the Schenectady born actor has emerged into a reoccurring role on Elementary with Lucy Lui. But now also playing Dr. Matthew Freeman on Copper has finally given him a permanent place to hang his shingle every week. Set in Civil War New York City, he couldn’t help but continue in that vein in accepting a small part in Django Unchained – even if it meant playing “the method” to a bloody conclusion. Actually mauled to death by a vicious dog as an oft escaped slave, Essandoh gladly met his untimely end in exchange for the chance to work with Quentin Tarantino. At least that’s what the internet reported.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Predestination will Throw and Twist you Through Time and Space
The mother of all paradox examples is the universe. How did it begin, what happened before it began and before that. Throw in God and you understand that the humans understood the concept of a cyclical paradox (A kingdom with no beginning and no end). But that’s just for beginners in comparison to Predestination. As it unfolds, your head will be left spun dry - the throw in thoroughly completing the cycle.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
'Pandorum' Will Leave You Guessing Until the End in 2009 Science Fiction Thriller
So Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead is not indestructible in the face of zombies or the zombie-like. This Daryl lasts fewer than two minutes in this 2009 science fiction movie and lunch meat for even less than that. But the small screen mystique quickly falling prey, Pandorum dishes an intergalactic mystery inside a species ending cataclysm. Once onboard, that will keep you guessing and drop your jaw as the story finally unfolds.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Post Apartheid in South Africa Film Received Much Accolade but Critics Probably Read the Book
Roger Ebert deemed Disgrace a rare movie whose characters are uncompromisingly themselves, flawed, stubborn, vulnerable, and after reading a number of reviews that provide corroborating insight on post Apartheid South Africa, I may agree with all the accolades from numerous critics. But in a real time viewing without reading the book by the same name, the 2008 adaptation proceeds as another day in the life conglomeration of dramatic scenes that goes in search of an ending thread to tie everything together. Looking for something to pull as the credits rolled, my aspiration ended in exasperation.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
The Real Gladiator of the Roman Empire
I got a look recently at Gangster Squad with Josh Brolin and Sean Penn. Inspired by the true events of Los Angeles gangster Mickey Cohen and the police force that took him down, the Hollywood version gives a sanctioned group of officers free reign to eradicate his syndicate by any means necessary. In fact, Brolin instructs his underlings to leave their badges at home as they stalk, maim and murder the enterprise out of existence. The truth is a bit less dramatic, according to the real life crime fighter at the helm. “I fired my gun once,” said John O’Mara in a recent interview in regards to the film events depicted. So with that in mind, I decided that one of my favorite’s – Gladiator – needed a little historical separation from a formula that usually elevates the facts and typically draws a distinct line between good and evil to deliver a story.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Starship Troopers Requires More than One Viewing to Get a True Understanding
My first viewing of Starship Troopers definitely had me confused and led me in search of this deceptively dystopian movie. Throwing a bunch of stuff in your face like Denise Richards at her hottest and giant bugs ripping humans to pieces almost entirely overshadow the subversive subtext filmmaker Paul Verhoeven was dropping. It was almost like he was seeking an initial misunderstanding before reveling his true intentions. Maybe not so spectacular for the studio’s bottom line but just the recipe for great science fiction movies.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is Hollywood Noir and Irreverence At Its Best
I’ve now seen Kiss Kiss Bang Bang three times. A lightly noir dark comedy, I still cannot trace all the threads back and forth to tie the plot together without help from Wikipedia. So even if this Shane Black multiple murder mystery fails to unravel on your watch, the ambiguity doesn’t stop it from being one of the most creatively funny gems out there.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
The Lathe of Heaven Proves Idealists Can Be the Most Dangerous Among Us
I read Poland by James Michener a number of years ago and came to a startling conclusion after reading the chapters on the Nazi Occupation during World War II. I certainly know of the Holocaust and that Hitler wasn’t particularly fond of Poles in general. But I was not aware that his long term goal was to not only eradicate every single Polish person from that country but from the face of the earth. Wow. The question that then arose is how do you get an entire occupying force – especially professional soldiers and officers - to carry out such a definitive and horrific action? Well, if they think they are making the world a better place, it’s easy, and that’s what Nazi indoctrination made them think. In this, I determined that idealists can be the most dangerous among us, and that was what came to me as I watched the 1980 PBS adaptation of Ursula Le Guin’s, The Lathe of Heaven.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Free Will Gets A Chance In The Adjustment Bureau With Matt Damon
There is no power of prayer. Given the Holocaust, the Belgium Congo and Walmart, God obviously stands by to see whether you pass the entry test. On the other hand, I believe if the world reaches an unmanageable sea change, he reluctantly sends in an Einstein or an Oppenheimer. But according to The Adjustment Bureau, a 2011 adaptation of another Philip K. Dick novel, the course of world events is closely monitored and manipulated – leaving nothing to chance in the face of free will.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Mad Max Racks Up the Mileage but Isn’t Much of a Journey to the End of the World
Mad Max returned in 2015 and got itself an Oscars 2015 Nomination for Best Picture. The film’s sheer presentation for Hollywood’s latest dystopian future definitely deserves its due. But once past the innovative visuals and high octane action, the lack of a story relegates Fury Road to nothing more than a high speed tractor pull to the end of the world
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
In The Big Short, 2008 Economic Crisis Had Winners Who Didn’t Break the Law
The 2008 economic crisis is long behind us. So why not go back and take a look at a number of people who saw it coming and made loads of money as a result? How about we stick them in the cell with Bernie Madoff instead and have them rig the market to reimburse the losses for the rest of us. Nah, that’s not the spirit of The Big Short, and you’ll have no problem juxtaposing what could be considered a bunch of misery merchants for farsighted heroes in this revealing Adam McKay film.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Star Wars Rogue One Delivers Original Story But Disconnected Characters Keeps You From Caring
For the first time in the five Star Wars prequels and sequels that followed the original Trilogy, the franchise has not completely embarrassed itself. Unfortunately, Star Wars Rogue One still falls a little short, and the twelve dollars I shoveled over feels like yet another drop in a money pit that has no foreseeable bottom.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
