Film and TV

In Appreciation of… Video Store Era Mid-Budget Comedies

October 1, 2026 No Comments

Remember when Hollywood made comedies that were basically: Take a couple of movie stars, give them a ridiculous premise, and let hijinks ensue. *Men at Work*. *The Air Up There*. *Nothing to Lose*. Movies that weren’t trying to win Oscars or launch franchises. They just wanted to entertain you for two hours. They also served an important purpose: They helped make going to the movies—or wandering around a video store looking for something to rent—a habit instead of an event. Here’s why I miss the Video Store Era comedy.

In Appreciation Of… Oners

September 1, 2026 No Comments

You may not know what a “oner” is. But you’ve almost certainly felt one. It’s a long, uninterrupted camera shot—and filmmakers use them to pull you into a world, build tension, or simply make it impossible to look away. From *Goodfellas* and *Children of Men* to *The West Wing* and *True Detective*, some of the greatest scenes in film and television have used them. You might not consciously notice the technique. But that’s the point. Let’s look at some great oners—and why they work.

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In Appreciation of… Video Store Era Mid-Budget Comedies

In Appreciation Of… Oners

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