Hey bud, wanna buy a 'Pirate' DVD?

Back in mid-November, fresh off a screening of the nostalgic British rock 'n' roll comedy "Pirate Radio," I got a little nostalgic myself. 

"Pirate Radio," blasting away at your neighborhood DVD store beginning April 13, rekindled my love for personality rock radio, which has now faded into oblivion, I'm afraid.

"I was a closet teen rocker back then.  Theater of the mind, that exciting collision of ballsy rock music, a talented DJ's audience manipulation and anticipation of a wild, free unknown, blew my mind night after night.  I didn't just want to listen to the audacious magic, either.  I wanted to be a part of it.  And I was, sort of," I wrote in my review.

"Pirate Radio," an audacious R-rated comedy of '60s music and sexcapades, is directed by able filmmaker Richard Curtis ("Love Actually"). 

If you love classic rock 'n' roll and, especially if you appreciate the exceptional acting talents of Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Capote"), Rhys Ifans ("Greenberg") and the great Bill Nighy (Viktor in the "Underworld" franchise), pick up a copy of "Pirate Radio."

And when you get it home, CRANK IT UP!

Click here for my full review. 

(Photo courtesy:  Focus Features)

A new 'Senior Voice' for movie news & views

I have some very good news to report this month.  Beginning with the May-June issue of The Senior Voice, which hits news racks May 1, look for my movie column titled Getting Reel. 

Since The Senior Voice is primarily aimed at those 50 and older, as is Movie Memories, the column's initial installment takes a look at May and June summer movies that might appeal to that age group.

Summer movies aren't all about 3-D glasses, special effects and boisterous teen-age movie-goers, as those who read my new column will discover.  So thanks to publisher Carol Butler and all the folks at The Senior Voice for adding Getting Reel.

"You must remember this." -- Movie trivia

Got a minute for a little movie trivia to sharpen the brain?  Answer all five of this month's trivia questions correctly and you'll earn the highly coveted Movie Memories 4-jalapeño salute.  (See answers below.) 

1.  When it comes to Hollywood blockbuster movie debuts, summer begins:

a.  May 30

b.  May 7

c.  Aug. 1

2.  Finish this movie title phrase:  "Summer of ...

a.  Miley Cyrus"

b.  the City"

c.  '42"

3.  Paul Newman played a barn burning con man in ...

a.  "Pee-wee's Big Adventure"

b.  "Cool Hand Luke"

c.  "The Long Hot Summer"

4.  Donna Summer appeared in the film ... 

a.  "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

b.  "Thank God It's Friday"

c.  "God's Little Acre"  

5.  Philip Seymour Hoffman won his Academy Award for:

a.  "Charlie Wilson's War"

b.  "Doubt"

c.  "Capote" 

(Trivia Answers:  1-b, May 7/2-c, '42/3-c, "The Long Hot Summer"/4-b "Thank God It's Friday"/5-c, "Capote")

Upcoming presentations

June 16:  "'Casablanca' -- My Favorite Movie of All Time" presentation at The Forum at Park Lane, Dallas.  6:45 p.m.

July 21:  An Enrichment Presentation at Richland College, Dallas. "'Casablanca' -- My Favorite Movie of All Time." 1:45 p.m.

Aug. 2:  Richland College Emeritus Program class No. 1. "If You Can't Say Something Nice -- My Career as a Film Critic" presentation.  10 a.m.

Aug. 9:  Richland College Emeritus Program class No. 2.  "Deadline Pressure ... What Deadline Pressure" presentation. 10 a.m. 

Sept. 13:  "'Casablanca' -- My Favorite Movie of All Time" presentation at Presbyterian Village North, Dallas.  6:30 p.m.

Nov. 16:  "'Casablanca' -- My Favorite Movie of All Time" presentation at Chambrel at Club Hill, Garland.  6:30 p.m.