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Those January movie doldrums - The Voice of San Francisco

January 24, 2026 at 7:37 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

"Sunrise at Campobello," the film biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt, was so successful that I've decided to write a script about the current president: "Sundown at Mar-a-Lago." It's a sordid gangster story that descends into pathological drama and apocalyptic tragedy by the third act.

January 21, 2026 at 8:43 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

It's the January movie dead zone when studios & distributors dump lesser releases into theaters - with a few exceptions. I review two examples of the detritus (#Greenland2 and #Primate) & an outlier (#28YearsLater: #TheBoneTemple) in @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social: #SFBAFCC thevoicesf.org/those-januar...

As tradition dictates, a gaggle of prestige movies made it into theaters for official awards consideration by critics’ groups and industry guild members before the end of the calendar year. Some of th...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies, TV & More with Mark Thompson 1-16-26

January 20, 2026 at 8:59 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

A "Happy Martin Luther King Day" greeting is particularly inappropriate when freedom, equality & democracy are flagrantly undermined by the vile administration abusing power in our country. MLK Day has never been more solemn than today as Trump & his goons trash everything that Dr. King fought for.

January 19, 2026 at 8:52 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

Even in the chill of winter, I hustle up new movie reviews for @TheMTS.bsky.social on YouTube, covering #28YearsLater: #TheBoneTemple #TheRip #NightPatrol #SoundOfFalling #Resurrection & more, plus TV's #Hijack & #StarTrek: #StarfleetAcademy: #SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social
youtu.be/tLJ4nPNqN04?...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies, TV & More on The Mark Thompson Show 1-9-26

January 17, 2026 at 8:57 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

A Blast arises on @TheMTS.bsky.social & I join @KimMcCallister.bsky.social to review #Greenland2 #Primate #FatherMotherSisterBrother #WeBuryTheDead #ThePlague #TheVoiceOfHindRajab #Magellan etc. & TV's #TheNightManager & #SuchBraveGirls: #SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social youtu.be/uYCu244xwZ8?...

Invasion of the brainy sci-fi - The Voice of San Francisco

January 10, 2026 at 8:32 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

One of the ongoing flurry of smart, rousing science-fiction TV shows, #Pluribus has enflamed online fan groups and water-cooler debate with its spin on a classic motif -- and I'm there for it, as imparted in my coverage for @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social: #SFBAFCC thevoicesf.org/invasion-of-...

Even if they turn out to be short-lived in their popularity, certain television shows debut and instantly generate fervent online fan groups or, to put it in more old-school terms, inspire water-coole...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies, TV & More with Mark Thompson 12 31 25

January 7, 2026 at 8:21 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

I've decided to do Dry January, so I'll be sleeping in the sauna every night.

January 4, 2026 at 10:51 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

For #NewYearsEve's #CultureBlast on @TheMTS.bsky.social via YouTube, I discuss my #Top10Movies of 2025 & the sitcom #AManOnTheInside, eulogize lost friends, wonder about rainbows & reveal my plans to enjoy the #ConstellationClub NYE bash: #SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social
youtu.be/aQWmQdIL_iI?...

Wrapping up the best movies of 2025 - The Voice of San Francisco

January 1, 2026 at 9:40 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

As a professional film reviewer, I'm traditionally required to compile a list of my favorite movies of the year every December. My Top 10 for 2025 (plus 15 more titles worth watching) are revealed via my current column in @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social: #bestmoviesof2025
thevoicesf.org/wrapping-up-...

As tradition requires in late December, it’s time for critics and pundits to compile and reveal their annual best-of-the-year lists. For this movie reviewer, the standard Top 10 never seems to be enou...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies & More on The Mark Thompson Show 12-19-25

December 23, 2025 at 8:33 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

A pre-#Christmas #Blast engulfs @TheMTS.bsky.social on YouTube with my reviews of #Avatar: #FireAndAsh #TheHousemaid #IsThisThingOn #TheSpongeBobMovie #Scarlet & #AMagnificentLife, talk of extending #Hanukkah & a plug for #GuidedMistletoe: #SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social youtu.be/S_krH_aw6BQ?...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies, TV & More on The Mark Thompson Show 12-12-25

December 20, 2025 at 8:52 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

Diversity rules the Blast on @TheMTS.bsky.social via YouTube as I jaw with @MrMoKelly.bsky.social on a broad range of movies - #EllaMcKay #DustBunny #Rosemead #SilentNightDeadlyNight #DeadMansWire & #OneMoreShot - & #HBO's #It: #WelcomeToDerry: @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social youtu.be/XR3ZXTgDqCc?...

Mapping a contrast in TV comedy from S.F. and L.A. - The Voice of San Francisco

December 12, 2025 at 11:57 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

Civic rivalry aside, I prize the tonal contrast between the TV comedies #AManOnTheInside, set in San Francisco, & #ILoveLA, set in Los Angeles, reflective of their respective locales - favorably reviewing the two shows in my column for @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social: thevoicesf.org/mapping-a-co...

Aside from the traditional notion of a civic rivalry between San Francisco and Los Angeles, it would be hard to miss the distinct tonal differences between two current TV comedies set in those respect...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies & More with Mark Thompson 12-5-25

December 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

In hope of a December to remember, I start the ball rolling on @TheMTS.bsky.social via YouTube with reviews of #FiveNightsAtFreddys2 #MerrilyWeRollAlong #FackhamHall," #JayKelly #APrivateLife #100NightsOfHero #LaGrazia & #TheSecretAgent & more: @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social
youtu.be/MAMgEEo-ODE?...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies, TV & More with Mark Thompson 11-26-25

December 6, 2025 at 12:18 AM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

For a #Thanksgiving Blast, I stroll into @TheMTS.bsky.social on YouTube with reviews of #WakeUpDeadMan: A #KnivesOut Mystery #Eternity #Hamnet #TheThingWithFeathers & #Zootopia2 & notes about #HBO's #ILoveLA & #AppleTV's #DownCemeteryRoad: SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social youtu.be/zpco54kMOWE?...

Antidotes to big-screen bombast - The Voice of San Francisco

November 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

#RentalFamily #TrainDreams & #Rebuilding are small-scale movies telling intimate, emotional stories that linger long after viewing. Writing for @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social, I rave about these three antidotes to blockbuster overload:
@TheMTS.bsky.social #moviereviews thevoicesf.org/antidotes-to...

Conveniently released on the cusp of awards season in Hollywood, three current movies are not only artistic successes; they’re intimate, humane, emotionally satisfying antidotes to mega-studio blockbu...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies, TV & More with Mark Thompson 11 21 25

November 26, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

#CultureBlast glows up @TheMTS.bsky.social on YouTube as I weigh in with reviews of #WickedForGood #RentalFamily #SisuRoadToRevenge #TrainDreams #Rebuilding, commend the re-release of #TheBeatlesAnthology series & skewer a certain big piggy. #SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social youtu.be/2mFBn9hUCVU?...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies, TV & More on The Mark Thompson Show 11-14-25

November 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

I groove with guest host @MrMoKelly.bsky.social on @TheMTS.bsky.social via YouTube when I review the movies #TheRunningMan #NowYouSeeMe    #TheCarpentersSon #TrapHouse #Sirāt & #Arco & Apple TV's #Pluribus, eulogize #JimAvila & hype #MutMuz: #SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social youtu.be/IQvtWZCikjk?...

True stories reclaim past glories - The Voice of San Francisco

November 14, 2025 at 11:48 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

Among the recent spate of movies inspired by true stories, #NouvelleVague & #PeterHujarsDay stand out as unique glimpses of significant times, places & people. I elaborate in my latest film column for @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social: #SFBAFCC thevoicesf.org/true-stories...

If a movie released in recent times isn’t a mega-budget thrill ride derived from an action, science fiction, or fantasy franchise, it might be an adaptation of a best-selling young-adult romance novel...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies & More on The Mark Thompson Show 11-7-25

November 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

The Blast is afire with laudable movies to review on @TheMTS.bsky.social via YouTube with guest host #MoKelly! I cover #Predator: #Badlands #DieMyLove #Christy #Nuremberg #SentimentalValue #PeterHujarsDay & #LittleAmelie & more: #SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social youtu.be/5UTydMt_q5c?...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies, TV & More with Mark Thompson 10 31 25

November 7, 2025 at 11:56 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

#Halloween brings a spooky #CultureBlast to @TheMTS.bsky.social on YouTube with my #MovieReviews of #NouvelleVague #Anniversary #HallowRoad & #BalladOfASmallPlayer, kudos for TV's #TheLowdown & #Task, shade thrown at the autocrats & more: #SFBAFCC @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social
youtu.be/U0bZI2NR_JM?...

Getting lowdown and dirty to solve crime - The Voice of San Francisco

October 31, 2025 at 11:09 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

With two new movies now in theaters, #EthanHawke takes a break from the big screen to star as a scruffy investigative journalist in #TheLowdown, a TV series rife with intrigue, secrets & murder. I give the lowdown on the show in my column for @TheVoiceSF.bsky.social:
thevoicesf.org/getting-lowd...

In the age of prestige television, several high-profile movie actors are signing up to star in shows that depict a flawed representative of the law or a freelance do-gooder trying to solve a case whil...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies & More with Mark Thompson 10 24 25

October 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

I can't restrain myself from bringing new #MovieReviews to @TheMTS.bsky.social via YouTube. I evaluate #Bugonia #Springsteen: #DeliverMeFromNowhere #AHouseOfDynamite #Hedda & #RegrettingYou & talk #Warriors, #ConstellationClub & more: #SFBAFCC @TheVOSF.bsky.social
youtu.be/Wc_VllNmQQM?...

Michael Snyder Talks New Movies & More on The Mark Thompson Show 10-17-25

October 25, 2025 at 7:32 PM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

I link into @TheMTS.bsky.social on YouTube with Kim McCallister, review the movies #Frankenstein #BlackPhone2 #BlueMoon #TheMastermind #Grow #ItWasJustAnAccident & #JohnCandy: #ILikeMe & talk #NoKings @MusicCitySF.bsky.social & #NewWaveCity: #SFBAFCC
@TheVoiceSF.bsky.social youtu.be/uH0gHEsqwgE?...

Finding an ephemeral home in Fairyland - The Voice of San Francisco

October 18, 2025 at 12:25 AM

Michael Snyder

@cultureblaster.bsky.social

Based on Alysia Abbott's memoir of growing up as the daughter of a gay single dad in San Francisco during the ’70s & ’80s, #Fairyland comes to the screen with an unerring sense of time & place. I commend the movie as astute & heartbreaking in @TheVoiceSF.bsky.org: thevoicesf.org/finding-an-e...

In 1967, the Summer of Love heralded some particularly progressive and turbulent years for San Francisco as thousands of young people converged on the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in search of a counte...