In 1997, Starbucks introduced a special new cup to hold its beverages during the holiday season. “The theme for holiday was “Give in to the Rhythm,” and the red festive cups punctuated the jewel-toned palate of deep reds, greens, blues and yellows and a jazzy Santa with a profile that evoked the Starbucks siren,” accordingContinue reading “I Really Don’t Care How You Feel About Red Cups”
Author Archives: Duane S. Montague
ABC’s “The Muppets” is More Like the Original than You May Remember
Last week, ABC premiered a new show which was the highest-rated new comedy of the year. Called The Muppets, it was a brand-new take on the classic characters created in the 1970’s by Jim Henson, who got his start in creating puppet-based sketches for adult television, broke into children’s entertainment with Sesame Street and went on to createContinue reading “ABC’s “The Muppets” is More Like the Original than You May Remember”
Independence Day: Still Worth Celebrating
Today is “Independence Day,” and we celebrate all that it means. Thanks to the brave men and women of 1776, we enjoy a nation of unprecedented #freedom, abundance, and prosperity unlike anything in the history of the world. But, as Benjamin Franklin would famously say later, it’s our republic, “If we can keep it.” WeContinue reading “Independence Day: Still Worth Celebrating”
Standing Up for Your Convictions Without Changing Your Profile Pic
There’s a word that’s been used a lot in the last couple days over social media in regards to the decision by the Supreme Court to legalize gay marriage. Don’t worry, it’s not a word that is offensive. At least it shouldn’t be. There’s been a lot of yelling, back and forth, about convictions. OneContinue reading “Standing Up for Your Convictions Without Changing Your Profile Pic”
“Inside Out” May Very Well Be Pixar’s Greatest Film
While I love Woody and Buzz and McQueen and Mater and Sulley and Mike, they all take a back seat to the two standout heroines of Inside Out. A film set in the mind of an eleven year old girl, Pixar’s latest is easily its most difficult, its most cerebral (literally), and its most deeply felt.Continue reading ““Inside Out” May Very Well Be Pixar’s Greatest Film”
“Birdman” Beating “Sniper” Wasn’t Surprising, And Not for the Reasons You May Think
As much as I wanted American Sniper to win Best Picture last night, I knew it wouldn’t. And this has nothing to do with “liberal Hollywood.” If you know the Oscar game and have studied its history for 87 years, this is just another example of Hollywood getting it wrong because it’s swept up inContinue reading ““Birdman” Beating “Sniper” Wasn’t Surprising, And Not for the Reasons You May Think”
My Best Films of 2014
The Oscar nominations will be announced in a few short hours, and once again, I believe the Academy will get it wrong. Critics get it wrong, the Guilds get it wrong. Prestige, “important” films, movies that have a bandwagon of other awards–these are what will get nominated. And they will most likely be wrong. BecauseContinue reading “My Best Films of 2014”
You Should Go “Into the Woods”
When you think of Disney fairytales, you probably think of happily ever afters, catchy musical numbers, charming princes and beautiful princesses. Into the Woods, the new film from Walt Disney Pictures, has all of that, and more. It’s beautifully filmed, wonderfully acted, and nearly perfect adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Into the Woods isContinue reading “You Should Go “Into the Woods””
Disney’s “Very Bad Day” is So Very Good
Everyone has had one of those days where nothing seems to go right, where everything seems to be just terrible, horrible, no good, and just plain very bad. It’s one reason why Judith Viorst’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day has been popular since it was first published in 1972. The bookContinue reading “Disney’s “Very Bad Day” is So Very Good”
10 Things Parents Can Do for Their Kids to Help Them Succeed
I have four children, so I get it. Parenting is hard. As James Dobson once wrote, it’s not for cowards. That beautiful little sleeping newborn is actually the beginning of a full grown human being, with wants, desires, attitudes, feelings, and emotions. And as that baby grows up, it will ask more and more ofContinue reading “10 Things Parents Can Do for Their Kids to Help Them Succeed”
Duane S. Montague 