Author: Steve A Furman
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My Oscar Picks – 2026
Every year I publish my Oscar picks. I’m not always right. Neither is the Academy. This year I had company. I invited Claude—Anthropic’s AI—to make its own predictions alongside mine. Claude processes more information in a second than I’ll encounter in a lifetime. It reads the critics, tracks the precursors,…
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Farewell to the Tesla Model S
I took delivery of my Tesla Model S on June 14, 2013, from their Grand Avenue service center in Chicago. The VIN ends in P12807, which means it was one of the first Production cars (not Alpha/Beta) to come off the California assembly line—most likely the 12,807th Model S ever produced. I…
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Listening in the Dark
Cinema’s greatest magic trick is making us believe we’re primarily watching, when much of our emotional and perceptual experience is actually being shaped by what we hear. Recent research confirms this. Studies show that sound dominates our perception of timing and rhythm in films, that it can actually alter what…
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My Oscar Picks – 2025
The above AI generated image was created by WordPress tools using the following description. “Create a meticulously detailed and high-resolution featured image for my blog post. The image should prominently showcase a glamorous Oscar statuette elegantly positioned on a luxurious red carpet. Surround the statuette with elements that symbolize the…
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My Oscar Picks – 2024
Predicting (hate that word) what the Academy will choose is risky business. But those of us who follow cinema closely can’t help ourselves. The Academy is all about proclamation. Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Sound, etc. But can there really be a Best of anything in art? The full Academy…
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Killers of the Flower Moon – Film Review
It’s hard to imagine a story more “American” than Killers of the Flower Moon. A true story about an Indian tribe being forced to give up their land along with their customs and freedom. Adapted from David Grann’s gripping non-fiction book, Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and…
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Gateway Loop Trail – Scottsdale, AZ
A very different trail. Rocky all the way around the loop. Lots of interesting mineral rocks and mountain outcrops. Wildflowers still showing off their colors and ability to grow anywhere.
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Pinnacle Peak Hike – Scottsdale AZ
Stunning day for a hike. Clear skies, mid 70’s and low humidity. At the entrance to the trails a volunteer had a solar telescope set-up trained on, you guessed it, the sun. They use special filters to ensure safe viewing. When you look at the sun through these filters you…
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Tom’s Thumb Hike – Scottsdale AZ
A relatively short hike but affords great views. The trail is narrow. Trail head facility is well kept and staffed with very helpful folks. Click any image to enlarge.
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My 2023 Oscar Picks
It is tempting vote for everything Everything Everywhere All at Once was nominated for, but I don’t believe it is that kind of film. I recognize why it is so popular and perhaps even influential on future films, but there are other great efforts to recognize. But, who knows what will happen…
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My Oscar Picks for 2022
The 94th Academy Awards of Motion Pictures is Sunday, March 27, 2022. The ceremony has changed formats many times over recent years in response to cultural, social and ratings issues. Cries are always many, “It’s too damn long; lose the hosts; bring back the hosts; show more clips; stop reminding…
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Oscar Predictions 2021
A tougher than usual year to choose in the wake of a pandemic, intense political events, our continued struggle with race relations, and plethora of acting performances. This year we have a seriously diverse set story lines and filmmakers. Makes things more interesting, but so much harder to cast votes.…
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Sixty-Five
Today is a milestone. It seemed so far away, so long ago. In one’s youth, which you are sure will never end, there are no thoughts of aging. There are times when you wished you were older, for lots of reasons. Can’t wait to get out of the house. Stop…
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The Twilight Zone Through the Eyes of Jordan Peele
The idea of being able to watch The Twilight Zone as if one were seeing it for the first time is very compelling. Hearing only two or three bars of Marius Constant’s chilling theme (actually two different compositions he wrote mixed together) triggers a Pavlovian response that floods my mind…
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Apollo 11 – Film Notes
50 Years Ago, Man Walked on Moon Two Americans walked on the moon July 20, 1969. It was not the product of an internet start-up. No one Instagrammed the launch, and hashtags were not used to power the Saturn V rocket. Silicon Valley was just getting off the ground and…
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Artivism as Activism in Laguna Canyon
It was only recently that I learned of the term “artivism.” It came to me through a friend by way of an amazing project and a book. The project emerged from the mind of Mark Chamberlain a California artist who used his formidable photography talents to mobilize a community. With the…
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My 2018 Oscar Picks
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hold it’s 90th awards ceremony this Sunday. Controversy within the industry continues. Most organizations are slow to change and this one is no different. Changes were made to the voting members to include more minorities and women. I’m hopeful that as…
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“Phantom Thread” Fashion, Power and Poison – Film Review
I always feel the need to prepare myself, at the very least, for an unfamiliar world before I see a Paul Thomas Anderson movie. That’s a given. As part of that preparation I did some serious research ahead of my recent viewing of Mr. Anderson’s latest film, Phantom Thread. Everyone knows by…
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“Lady Bird” Cinematic Album of Greatness – Film Review
One of my favorite films of 2016 was 20th Century Women. I’m a sucker for these social/cultural concept pictures that have a big cast, all with issues. They transport me back to my youth. Lady Bird is cut from the same celluloid and although it doesn’t take me all the…
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“The Big Sick” Romantic Comedy Remade – Film Review
I really enjoyed The Big Sick. l think in large part for its ability to make me laugh even through a life or death circumstance. Michael Showalter directs this surprising gem written by married couple Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani (HBO’s Silicon Valley). Its based, I’m assuming, on their real life…