The Front Row Network

We at the Front Row Network love how movies still have such an impact on our culture at large. Front Row Classics host Brandon Davis welcomes professional wrestler, Benjamin Trust to the network this week. Ben is from the St Louis area and is making a name for himself in both Illinois and Missouri. We're taking a look at how Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick inspired Ben's wrestling persona and look. Brandon and Ben also discuss how both films are perfect examples of how effective practical effect still are.

It's the best time of year for all of us cinephiles: Movie Award Season is BACK!

The Guilds have begun logging their results and it's time to discuss the official nominations for the film industry's top prizes! The Academy Awards nominations are here and there is PLENTY to discuss.

Ryan, Jeremy & Brandon break down the big 8 categories (actors, director, screenplays, picture) and give their thoughts on the biggest surprises, the biggest snubs and who has the early inside track to take home the little gold men!

Was Barbie director Greta Gerwig and actress Margot Robbie robbed of noms? Should Dafoe have been in over Ruffallo? Should The Color Purple have gotten more love? Is Oppenheimer the shoo-in dominant winner many are predicting? And why is Jeremy FURIOUS with the Best Original Song category YET AGAIN?! Find out by listening NOW! THE 96th ACADEMY AWARDS will air LIVE on Sunday, March 10th on ABC.

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Front Row Classics has "got a lot of livin' to do" this week. Brandon is joined by Larry Aubrey to pay tribute to 1963's Bye Bye Birdie. Brandon and Larry discuss this fun and vibrant adaptation of the classis Broadway musical. The two talk the differences between the film and stage versions. Much of the conversation is spent lauding the star-making performance of Ann-Margret. We'll also pay tribute to the talents of Dick Van Dyke. Janet Leigh, Paul Lynde and director George Sidney.

Brandon welcome filmmaker/producer Doug Pray to Front Row Classics. Doug, along with Laura Gabbert, has helmed the six-episode docuseries "The Power of Film". The series stars UCLA Film Professor, Howard Suber, and shines a spotlight on film's impact on the human experience. Suber tells us why certain films remain forever ingrained in our memories and psyches. Brandon and Doug discuss the origins of the series and why it will appeal to both verteran and novice film fans alike.

"The Power of Film" airs each Thursday night on Turner Classics Movies at 7pm est/6pm cst through Feb 8th. The series will eventually find a home on streaming as well.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most poignant melodramas of the 1950s. Brandon is joined by Jackson Cooper to discuss 1955's All That Heaven Allows. The two pay tribute to the work of director, Douglas Sirk, and his immaculate visual storytelling. We're also celebrating the performances of Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson as two people who buck the trends of the social mores and class system in the fifties.

It's the best time of year for all of us cinephiles: Movie Award Season is BACK!

The Golden Globes have come and gone and the Critics Choices are logged. But now it's time for the biggest voting block to make their winners known! That's rigth the SAG Awards are back for the 30th time and this year promises to be a truly competitive affair. Many races remain WIDE open with the critic guild wins coming in and this will, as always, serve as a great litmus test for the true contenders for the Oscars. Ryan is back and is joined by Beyond The Mouse's Brett to break down the nominations and their predictions for who will take the Actor home. THE 30th SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS will air LIVE on Friday, February 23rd on Netflix.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW/REACH US AT: Website: www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network X (Twitter): @frontrowreviewz Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrontrown... Instagram: frontrownetwork YouTube: https://bit.ly/2NyawO0

Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome back authors/journalists, David Fantle and Tom Johnson. David & Tom regale Brandon with incredible stories from their forty plus years of interviewing Hollywood legends. These stories can be found in their 2018 book, "Hollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends". We discuss their initial encounters with Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly. These interviews lead to encounters with other legends such as Lucille Ball, Rod Steiger, Bob Hope, Esther Williams and Frank Capra. These fascinating anecdotes are sure to delight any admirer of 20th Century show business.

"Hollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends" is available from McFarland wherever books are sold.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most popular comedies of the 1950s. How to Marry a Millionaire brought together three of Hollywood's most charismatic leading ladies: Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable. Brandon is happy to welcome Marina Tucker to discuss the movie. Marina (also known as Penelope Pink) is a professional wrestler who also happens to be a Marilyn Monroe fan. Brandon and Marina discuss the witty dialogue, the glamorous costumes and hilarious performances that keep the movie fresh 70 years later.

It's the best time of year for all of us cinephiles: Movie Award Season is BACK! The annual kick-off of the battle for the statues begins again in 2024 with the 81st Golden Globe Awards. As usual, the Globes serve their unique place in not only honoring both film and television, but also as being the most free-for-all, anything goes, don't ask us our choosing methods, let's just party event of the season.

There are many WIDE-OPEN races this year and Ryan & Jeremy are BACK to lead you through all the nominations and give their predictions for who goes home with the awards! THE 81st GOLDEN GLOBES will air LIVE on Sunday, January 7th on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW/REACH US AT: Website: www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network X (Twitter): @frontrowreviewz Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrontrown... Instagram: frontrownetwork YouTube: https://bit.ly/2NyawO0

Happy New Year from Front Row Classics! We're kicking off the new year in style with something fun and frothy. Our friend Emmett Stanton joins us to celebrate the work of choreographer/director, Busby Berkeley. Brandon and Emmett are taking a look at three films with the Berkeley touch. All three films were, miraculously, released in 1933. 42nd Street, Golddiggers of 1933 and Footlight Parade remain as fresh and fun as they did 90 years ago.