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johnbeifuss.bsky.social

@johnbeifuss.bsky.social
143 followers 102 following 954 posts

Longtime (but now occasional) film critic, fulltime reporter for the Memphis daily newspaper, The Commercial Appeal. Earned first writing paycheck from Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine.

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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Some news: After 45 years (including a 20-year run as movie critic/film reporter), I have ended my career at the Memphis daily newspaper, The Commercial Appeal. I was hired Oct. 19, 1981; my last day was Oct. 1, 2026. I accepted a company buy-out.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This year's Indie Memphis Film Festival will present 50 feature films in four days - a very impressive lineup: www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...
commercialappeal.com
Indie Memphis Film Festival returns with 50 feature films over 4 days
Indie Memphis Film Festival's 50-film lineup "speaks urgently to our fractured present," according to the event's artistic director.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
some of my Harlan Ellison paperbacks (varied publishers, varied designs)
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
New movies in Memphis, 10/2: the very acclaimed THE HISTORY OF CONCRETE, from John 'How To with John Wilson' Wilson, but it's only playing at the Forest Hill; Tom Cruise in DIGGER; BEWARE BOIUNA (it's a big snake); ROLLING LOUD (Owen Wilson loses son at hip-hop festival) 1/3
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Surprised to find that today's New York Times contains a large insert, on newsprint, of a photograph by Memphis' own, William Eggleston. Seems mysterious; but the minimal text on the back reveals it to be a chi-chi advertisement for The Row, a boutique founded by the Olsen twins.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Nick Frost in the recent WHISTLE. Simple, seemingly foolproof horror premise; should’ve been better; but - not bad.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New to me: Some 20 years before THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Irvin Kershner directed an impressive Steven Marlo as a motormouth maniac who threatens to pierce former Disney child star Luana Patten with “four inches of steel, right in the brisket,” in THE YOUNG CAPTIVES (1959). A taut, lively 62 minutes.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Colin Kaepernick coming to Memphis, to speak at the National Civil Rights Museum: www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/l...
commercialappeal.com
Colin Kaepernick to speak at National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
Colin Kaepernick's talk at the National Civil Rights Museum is presented in conjunction with the publication of his memoir, "The Perilous Fight."
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In 1974 you could catch this double feature on world-famous Beale Street in Memphis, Tennesse.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Ridgeway only.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
New movies in Memphis, 9/25: PRIMETIME ('To Catch a Predator'-inspired drama with Robert Pattinson, looks like it might be great); FORGOTTEN ISLAND (DreamWorks animation); HEART OF THE BEAST (vet Brad Pitt and his combat German Shepherd) 1/4
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
RIP Gerrit Graham, 77. Legend. Here he is in 2015, at the Indie Memphis Film Festival, at a midnight screening of PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, probably his greatest movie. (Will also accept arguments for USED CARS.)
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
RIP Gerrit Graham, 77. Legend. Here he is in 2015, at the Indie Memphis Film Festival, at a midnight screening of PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, probably his greatest movie. (Will also accept arguments for USED CARS.)
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, RHINOCEROS (1973).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
somewhat misleading YouTube graphic for the fifth ‘Mr. Wong’ film
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
New movies in Memphis, 9/18: Zach Cregger's RESIDENT EVIL; THE WEIGHT (Ethan Hawke and 1930s gold smugglers struggling in the wilderness); SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM (pretty sure the only 2015 movie I've watched more than 'Shaun the Sheep' is 'Fury Road'...) 1/2
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Remarkable that BIGGER THAN LIFE, WRITTEN ON THE WIND and THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN were released within a seven-month period. A definitive American triptych!
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The pernicious influence of 'prestige' television mars HOPE, which begins as a fun and distinctive monster thriller but extends the narrative with complications and tired 'revelations' until it finally functions more like the first 3 episodes of a streaming series than a movie.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The great Alvin Youngblood Hart opening his show tonight at Hernando’s Hideaway (just off Elvis Presley Boulevard) with Bo Diddley’s “Pretty Thing.”
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Almost 70 years after William Castle wired theater seats for "The Tingler," Malco theaters in Memphis has added body-rattling "D-BOX" seats, which add "a physical dimension to the action onscreen": www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...
commercialappeal.com
Malco adds new D-BOX seats. Why they're 'like a theme park ride'
Malco recently transformed 63 seats in three auditoriums at the Paradiso in Memphis into D-BOX seats that literally shake, rattle and roll.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Dorothy Mackaill sings “I’m Crazy for Cannibal Love” in Michael Curtiz’s BRIGHT LIGHTS (1930).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Showcasing short and feature films from around the world, fit for all ages (from toddler to adults), the Like You Children's Film Festival returns this weekend to the Pink Palace: www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...
commercialappeal.com
Like You Children’s Film Festival back with more big-screen magic
The Like You Children's Film Festival, which runs Sept. 11-13 at the Pink Palace in Memphis, will screen nearly 160 short and feature films.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Mike Mazurki, DR. RENAULT’S SECRET (1942).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Great find - this is news to me!
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Great stuff! (As always, at No Fences)
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Dolly Parton and '9 to 5' will screen for free (yes, FREE) four times (yes, FOUR) on Sept. 25 at the Halloran Centre: www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...
commercialappeal.com
See Dolly Parton's '9 to 5' for free at Memphis' Halloran Centre
The free "9 to 5" movie screenings at the Halloran Centre will be on "Dolly Day" and were organized to honor "a Tennessee icon."
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Watched THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER once again last night and once again I was emotionally overwhelmed to the point where I almost could not breathe.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Here's the first mandrill to be born at the Memphis Zoo. I like mandrills, so this is good news. (Even if I didn't like mandrills, this would be good news.) www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/l...
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The National Civil Rights Museum has announced its 2026 Freedom Award winners (a gap of 60 years separates the youngest and oldest honorees): www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/l...
commercialappeal.com
National Civil Rights Museum announces 2026 Freedom Award honorees
Shavon Arline-Bradley, Fred D. Gray, Nneka Ogwumike and Bakari Sellers are the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award honorees for 2026.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The Metal Museum opens this week in Overton Park: www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...
commercialappeal.com
Metal Museum opens new Overton Park home. Take a first look inside
The Metal Museum's new location in Overton Park will elevate the profile of a Memphis museum that had been something of a hidden gem.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Abel Ferrara’s BODY SNATCHERS (1993).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Two Dolly Parton movies are returning to Memphis theaters - including for a week's run at the Ridgeway: www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...
commercialappeal.com
Dolly Parton movies will be back on Memphis movie screens
"Steel Magnolias" and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" will screen at three Malco theaters in the Memphis area.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
George Macready, DUFFY OF SAN QUENTIN (1954).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I have no memory that this existed - and it ran for *five* seasons (3 on ABC, 2 in first-run syndication), 1982-1987.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Humphrey Bogart, YOU CAN’T GET AWAY WITH MURDER (1939).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Kind of distressing to learn that angel-on-Earth Dolly gives her heart in her last starring movie role -- the romantic comedy STRAIGHT TALK -- to James Woods.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton - Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, Sept. 30, 1978.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
THE LORRAINE - a documentary about the famed Memphis motel that was a haven for Black artists and travelers for decades until the assassination there of Dr. King - will be the opening night film at the 2026 @indiememphis Film Festival: www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...
commercialappeal.com
'The Lorraine' documentary to open Indie Memphis Film Festival
Indie Memphis Film Festival returns with 'The Lorraine' documentary.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The fate of ‘Pop’ (Oscar O’Shea) in RACKET BUSTERS (1938).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
New movies in Memphis, 8/28: The much-delayed, much-anticipated (by me, at least) COYOTE VS. ACME: Ridley Scott's THE DOG STARS; IDIOTS, a comedy from Macon Blair ('Green Room'); BUDDY, another kids'-entertainment-gone-bad horror movie; FINDING EMILY, a Brit romcom... 1/2
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Dang, someone is selling my book for $331. I Think that’s more than I made on it. (Kidding. [Kind of.])
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Queen Samara (Jany Clair), HERCULES AGAINST THE MOON MEN (1964).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Memphis theater bookers apparently have no faith in TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA: Yes, it opens here Friday, but only at the Cordova Cinema.
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
a Merrie Melodies short about mosquitoes
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Sylvia Lopez and Steve Reeves (or at least a section of his leg), HERCULES UNCHAINED (1959).
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
proud to say my phone’s autocorrect changed Arlo to Arkoff
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
There's currently a TIE for first place. (I won't say for which movies.) So if you want to move the needle, get in there and vote...
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johnbeifuss.bsky.social @johnbeifuss.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
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