Robert Bellissimo At The Movies is a Video Podcast where I will be exploring the many different ways that stories are told on film. If you’re looking to learn about the art of cinema this is the video podcast for you.
In this episode, which is part of my series, Film Noir Movie Reviews, I review The Asphalt Jungle (1950), which was directed by John Huston. The screenplay was written by John Huston & Ben Maddow. It was based on the novel by W.R. Burnett. The movie starred Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Marilyn Monroe, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe, John McIntire, Marc Lawrence & Anthony Caruso.
In this episode, which is a part of our series, Alfred Hitchcock Movies You Need To Know, we review "Vertigo", which was Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starred Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. Martin Scorsese has said, if you've seen "Vertigo" once, you haven't seen it. It requires repeat viewings to dive into the psychological complexities of the main characters. The film asks a lot of questions about love, obsession, mental health and the male gaze.
In this episode, which is part of my series, Film Noir Movie Reviews, I review Sorry Wrong Number (1948), which was directed by Anatole Litvak, written by Lucille Fletcher and starred Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster.
Classic TV History Review: East Side/West Side
August 6, 2022
80Mins
In this episode, which is a part of my series, Classic TV History, we discuss the 1963 TV Show, "East Side/West Side", which was brilliant but ultimately canceled by CBS. This TV show starred George C. Scott, Elizabeth Wilson, Cicely Tyson and Linden Chiles. This show followed New York City social workers and explored real-life social and political issues, such as homelessness, drug addiction, racism, and mental health, among other difficult and controversial subject matter. Many Actors who would go on to have big film careers appear in this show, such as Martin Sheen, Gene Hackman, James Earl Jones and Alan Arkin. My guest is Stephen Bowie who is a film and television historian. He wrote an in-depth article on the making of this show and why it was canceled.
Italian Classic Movies That You Need To Know: Nights Of Cabiria
August 2, 2022
48Mins
In this episode, which is a part of my series, Italian Classic Movies That You Need To Know, we review Nights Of Cabiria (1957), which was directed by Federico Fellini and starred Giulietta Masina. My guest was James, host of "20th And 21st Movies"
Italian Classic Movies That You Need To Know: The Canterbury Tales
July 30, 2022
38Mins
In this episode, which is a part of my series, Italian Classic Movies That You Need To Know, we review The Canterbury Tales (1972), which was directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. He also wrote the screenplay, which was adapted from THE CANTERBURY TALES book of short stories by Geoffrey Chaucer.
In this episode, which is a part of my series, Movie Reviews, we review A New Leaf, which was directed by Elaine May. May also wrote the screenplay based on the short story, "The Green Heart" by Jack Ritchie! My guest is Adam Schartoff who has a fantastic podcast called Filmwax Radio.
Italian Classic Movies That You Need To Know: Red Desert (Il Deserto Rosso)
July 23, 2022
50Mins
In this episode, which is a part of my series, Italian Classic Movies That You Need To Know, we review Red Desert (Il Deserto Rosso), which was released in 1964. It was directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and starred Monica Vitti and Richard Harris. This film is often described as the emotional breakdown of a woman because of the environment she lives in. However, we see it more as an exploration of mental health struggles, based on Monica Vitti's character's car accident and other factors. My guest is Actress/Writer Kathy Rupcic.
Born To Win
83Mins
In this episode, we review Born To Win (1971), which was directed by Ivan Passer and starred George Segal, Karen Black, Robert De Niro, Hector Elizondo, Jay Fletcher & Paula Prentiss. This film was part of the public domain for years and the only way you could see it was on TV or on bad prints of it on DVD and VHS. Recently a new restored Blu-Ray was released of the film by Fun City Editions, which are a boutique label that restores and releases Blu-Rays and vinyl records. My guest for this episode was Jonathan Hertzberg who created Fun City Editions. We discuss his background working in theatrical distribution at Kino Lorber, why people become physical media collectors, film restorations, why he wanted to start his own label and of course Born To Win.
In this episode, which is a part of our series, Criterion Channel Recommendations, we discuss "Sisters", which was Directed and Co-Written by Brian De Palma and "The Lady Vanishes", which was Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. These two movies work as a great double feature since they are both Mystery/Thrillers, share similar themes and Brian De Palma began his homage films to Alfred Hitchcock with "Sisters", where he started to continue the film language of Hitchcock within the suspense, mystery, thriller and horror genres.
Classic Hollywood Movie Reviews – On The Waterfront
March 10, 2021
In this episode, which is a part of our series, Classic Hollywood Movie Reviews, we review "On The Waterfront", which was Directed by Elia Kazan and starred Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb and Rod Steiner. This is a "Film" pick by Robert (The Film Guy), how will it hold up on Steve's "Movie" Scorecard?
In this episode, which is a part of our series, LA Movies That You Need To Know, we review “American Gigolo”, which was Written and Directed by Paul Schrader and starred Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton. This is Steve’s “Movie” choice today. Does it also hold up as a “Film” on Robert’s scorecard? Click on the video to see if “American Gigolo” gets at least 8 out of 10 scores to qualify as both a “Movie” and a “Film”. We not only review the movie, but we also dissect its structure, writing and performances.
In this episode, which is a part of our series, Female Directed Movie Reviews, we review Private Life, which was Written and Directed by Tamara Jenkins and starred by Kathryn Hayn and Paul Giamatti. We not only review the movie, but we also dissect its structure, emotional power, and acting, among other things, by using a "Movie" and "Film" scorecard created by us! This is Robert's (The FILM Guy) FILM pick today. How does it hold up as a "MOVIE" on Steve's (The Movie Guy) scorecard?
In this episode, which is a part of my series, Film Noir Movie Reviews, I review The Night Of The Hunter, which was Directed by Charles Laughton and starred Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish and Billy Chapin. My guest is Film Critic Eric Marchen, who is the host of Cinema Seen on Rogers TV in Durham and of the 'Untitled Movie Podcast'.
In this video, which is a part of my series, A German Movie That You Need To Know, myself and my guest film critic Paolo Kagaoan review Rainer Werner Fassbinder's "Despair", which starred Dirk Bogarde.
Alfred Hitchcock Movies That You Need To Know – North By Northwest
March 20, 2021
In this episode, which is a part of our series, Alfred Hitchcock Movies That You Need To Know, we review North By Northwest, which starred Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, Martin Landau and James Mason. We not only review the movie, but we also dissect its structure, emotional power, and acting, among other things, by using a "Movie" and "Film" scorecard created by us! This is Steve's (The Movie Guy) movie pick today. How does it hold up as a "Film" on Robert's (The Film Guy) scorecard?
The Wolf Of Wall Street & The Irishman Cast Member Stephanie Kurtzuba
June 7, 2021
In this episode my guest is The Wolf Of Wall Street & The Irishman Cast Member Stephanie Kurtzuba, who has appeared on Broadway in The Boy From Oz, Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot: The Musical. She had major roles in two Martin Scorsese movies, The Wolf Of Wall Street and The Irishman and has appeared on television on Law & Order, The Good Wife, and Blue Bloods, among other Film and Television shows.
Seymour Cassel – His Life And Career
May 13, 2021
In this episode, we will be talking about Seymour Cassel. The Actor has appeared in numerous films, which include many directed and written by his long-time friend, John Cassavetes, such as Shadows, Too Late Blues, Faces, Minnie And Moskowitz, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie and Love Streams. Other notable credits are in Wes Anderson's Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. Further credits include, In The Soup, The Last Tycoon, Tress Lounge, among many more. We will be joined by Dilyn Cassel Murphy who is Seymour Cassel's daughter.
Why The Al Pacino And Justice For All “You’re Out Of Order” Monologue Is Unforgettable
June 5, 2021
In this video, I explain why Al Pacino And Justice For All "You’re Out Of Order!" The monologue is unforgettable and relevant. And Justice For All was released in 1979. It was Directed by Norman Jewison and starred Al Pacino. The final monologue is a tour-de-force performance and some of the best actings I've ever seen from Pacino. The film and this Monologue in particular really show the corruption within the Justice system and how powerful men get off on rape, among other crimes, which is still relevant today.
Talk Radio Movie Review, I will be joined by one of the film's stars Leslie Hope to review the film and to also discuss her experience making it. The film was Directed by Oliver Stone. It was based on a play written by Eric Bogosian, who also plays the main character, Barry. The supporting cast includes Alec Baldwin, Ellen Greene and John Pankow.
Another Years & Secrets And Lies
June 1, 2021
In this episode, which is part of my series, Mike Leigh Movie Reviews, I will be reviewing Another Year, which starred Leslie Manville, Ruth Sheen and Jim Broadbent. Plus, Secrets And Lies, which starred Brenda Blethyn and Marianne Jean-Batiste. Both films were written and directed by Mike Leigh. My guest for this live video review is Film Critic Thom Ernst, who was also the former host of TVO's Saturday Night At The Movies. He currently has a Film podcast called Rewind Fast Forward.
Midnight Cowboy – Movie & Making Of Book Review With Author Glenn Frankel
June 3, 2021
In this episode, I'll be not only doing a Midnight Cowboy Movie Review, but will also be joined by the Author of Shooting Midnight Cowboy Art, Sex, Loneliness, Liberation, And The Making Of A Dark Classic, Glenn Frankel. We will be discussing both the movie and his book in length. Glenn's book is one of the best Film books I have ever read. He goes into detail about what led each person to create this film, including the Midnight Cowboy novel by Jim Herlihy. The book else explores the politics of late 60s America, which has a lot to do with the themes of Midnight Cowboy. Midnight Cowboy was Directed by John Schlesinger. The screenplay was by Waldo Salt and it starred Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight.
In this episode, I explain why Marlon Brando Was Perfect For Shakespeare! Marlon Brando played Marc Antony in the 1953 Film adaptation of Julius Caesar. He played Marc Antony. His use of the text and emotional life is the type of Actor the great Shakespeare plays need to come alive.
In this episode, which is part of my series, Movie Reviews. I will be reviewing Do The Right Thing, which starred Spike Lee, Danny Aiello and John Turturro. Plus, Summer Of Sam, which starred John Leguizamo, Mira Sorvino and Adrien Brody. Both of these movies are Spike Lee joints. My guest for this live video review is Dave Voigt who is a writer and film critic.
In this episode, which is a part of our series, Italian Movie Reviews, we review LA Strada, which was directed by Federico Fellini and starred Anthony Quinn and Giulietta Mesina. Is it a Movie? Or is it a Film? Or both?