Rich Monetti
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I am, I write.
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Filmmaker Finds New York Vacation Getaway of a Bygone Era
Every summer, as the sizzle perspires from the cement, urban thoughts of running streams, flowing grass and cool mountain breezes inherently materialize around every New Yorker and only subside with the arrival of fall. But few would consider the very nearby setting today that many Italian families once made an affordable respite and desired vacation getaway. A sentiment reflecting the desolation this upstate destination of a bygone era now suffers. Nonetheless, a holdout remains and is the subject of The Last Resort.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Audrey Hepburn Succumbs to Charade as the Age of Cary Grants' Movies Come to an End
In 2017, as Netflix or your DVD aligns its digits to the opening of "Charade," the 1963 film gives off a sense that the world is in the midst of an identity crisis that ties to the end of an era for Cary Grant Movies. Stuck between the social restrictions of the past and the tsunami of changes that are coming, Hollywood seems unsure of how to define "cool" in its presentation of this romantic comedy thriller. Lucky for them, Cary Grant transcends such considerations, and while he didn’t necessarily provide a bridge to the future, the past had to fade away because he was the only one left to – well – carry it.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Woody Allen Finds Himself and the Roaring 20s in Zelig
Who else but Woody Allen himself could insert himself into Nazi archival footage, cause a ruckus to get the attention of a girl he loves and then get a laugh while Adolf Hitler rants on world domination and Aryan purity. The film is Zeliq – a 1983 roaring 20s mockumentary, starring the eclectic filmmaker and his then girlfriend, Mia Farrow.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
'Matthews' Sheds Light on English Football Star's Coaching during Apartheid in South Africa
Babe Ruth swung for the fences in the 1920s, and America crowned him the Sultan of Swat. In England, Stanley Matthews compares at the same cultural magnitude, and one upped the Bambino’s royalty by becoming the only active footballer to receive a Knighthood. Their off-the-field activity also made them both larger than life. But just because Sir Stanley was slight and his exploits far harder to spot amongst Ruth’s girth and gregariousness, doesn’t mean the English legend got his proper due in the history books. Finally, he is the subject of an upcoming sports documentary called, Matthews.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
“Tapestry” Provides a 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' Lesson on Misperceived Failures
I have a friend who is well placed in the corporate world and pulls down more money than any of my classmates from Plattsburgh. But as he runs in his circles among the well born and highly situated, he dreads revealing the base origins of his higher education. Given the chance, I think he’d rectify this untidy part of his life and pull this loose thread on an otherwise successful portfolio. But he might just undo the tapestry of his life as Jean-Luc Picard learned in one of my favorite episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Abondanza Is a Bronx Tale of a Disappearing Neighborhood
If you really want to add authenticity to your Sunday serving of macaroni, meatballs and gravy, a trip to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx will yield as many homemade Italian shopping opportunities as it always has. On the other hand, finding the old Italian-American community among those businesses is more difficult, so Katonah filmmaker Dante Liberatore decided to document it in Abondanza before it disappears and the Bronx Tale is no more.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Dave’s Place Elevates All with Down to Earth NYC Townies
I went to college in Plattsburgh, New York – the North Country. Every weekend the downtown bars were mobbed with college students drinking one dollar beers and doing what they do. Scattered along side, "townies" tried to pass themselves off as us. It was always an uneasy piece, as it probably is in many places across the country. But if you really wanted to get a taste and put aside this youthful air of undeserved superiority that we haughtily wore among our community hosts – "The Royal" was the place to go. That said, we from our pretentious suburban, urban and middle class perches have all given these places a go. And while we hope our arrogance is forgiven, we are all the better for rising to the level of the down to earth people that are always encountered. I recently found a bar such as this in the unlikeliest place – West 42nd and 9th avenue in Manhattan.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Wander
80s Music Tells Us that Girls Just Want to Have Fun, but So Should We
That’s right, I’m going to defend Cyndi Lauper’s 80s music anthem Girls Just want to Have Fun. I like it now, but I was right there in 1984, hating the lyrics just like every other guy who felt put out by it.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Beat
'The World’s End' is Not the End of the World for Simon Pegg
The first years after college, getting the boys back together for homecoming was almost as seamless as lining up the next keg. But as the years progressed, bringing the past full circle fell victim to constraints such as family, work and sheer geography. That is until Steve started making threats as our 30 year anniversary loomed and permanent expulsions would be levied no matter the lame excuse. Simon Pegg knows the feeling and does his bit to recapture glory with atrophied friends in The World’s End. So let’s compare and contrast with this comedic sci-fi movie.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
12 Angry Men Take a Turn at Law and Order
Lawyers, judges, precedent, legal statutes, expert witnesses, forensic evidence and the power of subpoena all play their litigious parts in the Criminal Justice System and American Law and Order. They also make for much ado when it comes to dispensing drama for the American moviegoer. But little screen time has really been given to the body that must discern all the technicalities to make the outcome compatible with simple human nature and fairly preserve the fine line between life and death. As such, 1957’s 12 Angry Men does not fail in its deliberation.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Author Believes Marijuana Legalization Should Proceed Carefully
Marijuana legalization can engender an image of the drug’s laid back disciples who will tend their little plots around daily smokes circles, while lamenting the loss of the counterculture. Then waiting to exhale just after 4:20 p.m. every day, plenty of time shall be left to bag their haul to a local retailer who’s eager to dispense peace and contentment, as both remember to stick it to the man for old time’s sake. That is just one of the marijuana myths author Kevin Sabet was trying to dispel for students, staff and law enforcement this Thursday at Fox Lane High School as the nation seems poised to enact a retail sale legalization of marijuana.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Potent
