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John T

@tmroj.bsky.social

155 followers 65 following 517 posts

Creator of The Many Rantings of John, a blog about classic film, Oscar races, & elections analysis. Frequently distracted by cute boys. He/Him Letterboxd: tmroj

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 13h

Saint's death means that we (I believe) only have thirteen living actors in primary roles in Alfred Hitchcock films.

A collage of the last 13 living actors in major roles in Alfred Hitchcock films. From Top left, going to clockwise:

Bruce Dern (Family Plot)
Tippi Hedren & Diane Baker (Marnie)
Christopher Olsen (The Man Who Knew Too Much)
Veronica Cartwright (The Birds)
Jerry Mathers (The Trouble with Harry)
Mariette Hartley (Marnie)
Julie Andrews (Torn Curtain)
Shirley MacLaine (The Trouble with Harry)
William Devane (Family Plot)
Brigitte Auber (To Catch a Thief)
Vera Miles (Psycho)
Kim Novak (Vertigo)

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

While talk about the Senate majority continues to dominate midterms conversations (not often a majority is genuinely a tossup), it's become clear to me that there are four states that are deciding who wins the majority or not. I talk about this math: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/10/figh...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Fight for the Senate: The Majority Makers

Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) Yesterday, the Senate Leadership Fund pulled funding for the North Carolina Senate race. This was not en...

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

We are starting off Tom Cruise month with a film that bombed (also the way Tom Cruise is starting the actual month), though in this case it was the precursor of things to come, an atypical picture in his filmography, Ridley Scott's Legend: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/10/lege...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Film: Legend (1986) Stars: Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry Director: Ridley Scott Oscar History: 1 nomination (Best Makeup) Snap Judgment Ra...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

With a new month (and a new movie of his in theaters) it feels the perfect time to take a peak at the (frequently action-packed) career of Tom Cruise, the "Last Movie Star" to some and a polarizing one to others: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/10/satu...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Saturdays with the Stars: Tom Cruise

Each month of 2026 we are looking at an actor or actress who found their fame in action films, fighting bad guys & saving the day. Last mon...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I'd also love a NYT poll of the Nevada Governor's Race.

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Democrats, always leery to accept good news, seem to be reluctant to believe a huge wave of positive polling. I take a look at past races where polling was wrong, and why Dems should be having a sunnier outlook 5 weeks from the election about the Senate: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/how-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

How Wrong Will the Polls Be?

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) Political watchers, if they watch long enough, are constantly haunted by losing certain races. In the same way th...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I recently went on a 16-day vacation through England, Scotland, & Ireland. I talk about what I learned & saw on the trip, and the lessons I took away for future adventures: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/thin...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The Kennedy Center's closure (and potential demise) has led to a host of conversations about the importance (and prioritization) of protests, and Trump's continued battering of American institutions, both literal & metaphorical: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

And we're finishing our month with Sly with one of his best films, a departure from the Rambo/Rocky era with Cop Land, a movie that would both be critically-celebrated and also somehow mark the end of his time as a bankable leading man: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/cop-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Cop Land (1997)

Film: Cop Land (1997) Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Robert de Niro, Michael Rappaport Director: James Mangold Oscar ...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I missed last week, so first up we have Cliffhanger, a film that was the rare bright point during a decline in Stallone's career, particularly as Arnold Schwarzenegger took his place as the definitive action star: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/ovp-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

OVP: Cliffhanger (1993)

Film: Cliffhanger (1993) Stars: Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Michael Rooker, Janine Turner, Rex Linn, Paul Winfield Director: Renny Har...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I take a look at an under-discussed race this November, the Senate race in Florida, and what the unique aspects of it (and its connection to the Far Left & DSA) say about the state of the Democratic Party even in a blue wave: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/what...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

What Angie Nixon Says About the DSA in Democratic Politics

State Rep. Angie Nixon (D-FL) I am getting back from a long vacation (my hope is to have an article about it in the next week), but in the m...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

This week, we're going to talk about Stallone's other iconic screen character, John Rambo, and how it turned him from a one-trick pony into a fully-fledged movie star of the 1980's: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/firs...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

First Blood (1982)

Film: First Blood (1982) Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy Director: Ted Kotcheff Oscar History: No nominations Snap ...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Oscar had his chance-now it's MY turn with 1990. Here are my choices for the winners & nominees in all categories for Oscar, including the many films that Oscar forgot: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/my-1...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Our first outing with Stallone is, of course, one of the Rocky pictures (in this case, Rocky II), but we talk about his early start, and how the story of an underdog boxer would become one of the great "star is born" moments in Hollywood history: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/rock...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Rocky II (1979)

Film: Rocky II (1979) Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith Director: Sylvester Stallone Oscar...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

With a new month, we have a new star! Throughout the month of September we'll be focusing on Arnold's longtime rival Sylvester Stallone, the OTHER major action star of the 1980's: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/09/satu...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Saturdays with the Stars: Sylvester Stallone

Each month of 2026 we are looking at an actor or actress who found their fame in action films, fighting bad guys & saving the day. Last mon...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

We also guess "most surprising first-timer" for Summer Under the Stars each year, which just finished so I'll add that too. The five new ones were: -George Hamilton -Marie Windsor -Diane Keaton -Bonita Granville -Brock Peters

George Hamilton

Marie Windsor

Bonita Granville

Diane Keaton & Brock Peters

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

For Sept, here are the Top 4 options: The Yellow Canary (1963)-Thriller w/Pat Boone & Babara Eden More American Graffiti (1979)-Sequel to Oscar-nominated classic The Saracen Bride (1954)-Adventure film w/Richardo Montalban Cobra Woman (1944)-Adventure w/Maria Montez & Lon Chaney

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Each month, my brother & I do a TCM game, and I thought it'd be fun to try here. We pick the movie premiering that month that's most surprising it's premiering that month. The rules are it has to be pre-1980 & is judged based not on quality, but just shock it's never been on TCM.

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

This week we talk about True Lies, but more so we talk about the back-half of Arnold's career, where he took waning box office and turned it into a fantastic second act as California's 38th governor: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/ovp-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

OVP: True Lies (1994)

Film: True Lies (1994) Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Art Malik, Tia Carrere, Eliza Dushku, Charlt...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Make sure to check this out, as we discuss two of the all-timer movie stars & the brilliant, complicated work they bring to The Children's Hour! I had a great time-you will too! 😊

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

My thoughts on the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/doll...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Dolly Parton (1946-2026)

I never know whether to call myself a "crier" or not when someone asks. I think I cry relatively regularly, but not excessively. What I am...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Arnold moves from movie star to global superstar this week with Total Recall, the Oscar-winning hit that would precede his artistic peak, Terminator 2: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/ovp-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

OVP: Total Recall (1990)

Film: Total Recall (1990) Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Michale Ironside, Ronny Cox Director: Paul Verhoeven O...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Arnold hits a new height (and gets married at the same time) as he moves into a different echelon of action stars based on the success of 1987's Predator: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/pred...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Predator (1987)

Film: Predator (1987) Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elpidia Carrilo, Carl Weathers, Richard Chaves, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura Director: John ...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Shirley MacLaine is maybe the best case of an actor considered an Academy favorite but who you could double her Oscar nominations and it'd still be reasonable...this would be Exhibit A.

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

My streak of voting for the loser in statewide DFL primaries continues. My streak of voting for the Democratic nominee regardless will continue in November.

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I'd go: 1) Monsters Inc 2) Shrek 3) Jimmy Neutron But I'd toss out Jimmy Neutron for Atlantis: The Lost Empire if I was making the lineup.

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Hank Green's recent episode regarding using AI, and putting in question aspects of his professional reputation, has been bizarre to watch since all audiences seem to be approaching it from so many angles. I try to make sense of it on the blog: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/rant...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Ranting On...Hank Green and the Complicated World of AI

I have made a concerted effort in the past year to genuinely reduce the amount of time I spend on my phone. This has been a mixed bag. Par...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Arnold starts to act (kind of) this week as we move back to narrative features with Conan the Barbarian, a silly action film that would make him a movie star, though through a much more modern market than he could've achieved in the 70's: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/cona...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Film: Conan the Barbarian (1982) Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Sandahl Bergman, Ben Davidson, Mako, Max von Sydow Director...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

The clock to get Max Miller out of the Ohio House race keeps ticking down, and this is opening up one of the most inevitable (and fascinating) aspects of any true wave-the phenomenon of the one-term wonder: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/max-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Max Miller and the House One-Term Wonder Phenomenon

Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) This past week, two House Republicans involved in massive political scandals have (thus far) seen very different outc...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

We're starting Arnold Month off with a first for Saturdays with the Stars-a documentary! We take a look at the landmark bodybuilding doc Pumping Iron, which led Schwarzenegger down the path to leading man status: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/pump...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I find the Overton Window shifts in the Democratic Party, which will come to a head in the next few weeks in MI, WI, & MN to be fascinating, and it begs a question I would normally never ask my (very liberal) self: am I now a moderate?: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/am-i...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

With a new month comes a new star, and when it comes to our theme of action stars...there's hardly a bigger one. This month we're going to encounter the gigantic shadow that Arnold Schwarzenegger brought to the movies: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/08/satu...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Saturdays with the Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Each month of 2026 we are looking at an actor or actress who found their fame in action films, fighting bad guys & saving the day. Last mon...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

We are completing my 34th Oscar Viewing Project today on the blog, with Dances with Wolves, Ghost, Godfather III, Awakenings, & GoodFellas leading the pack as I select the winners in all of the narrative, feature-length Oscar categories: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/1990...

The Best Picture Nominees (top to bottom):

GoodFellas
The Godfather, Part III
Ghost
Dances with Wolves
Awakenings

From Top left, going clockwise, the nominees for Best Actor:

Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves)
Richard Harris (The Field)
Jeremy Irons (Reversal of Fortune)
Gerard Depardieu (Cyrano de Bergerac)
Robert de Niro (Awakenings)

From top Left, going Clockwise, the nominees for Best Actress:

Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman)
Joanne Woodward (Mr. and Mrs. Bridge)
Meryl Streep (Postcards from the Edge)
Anjelica Huston (The Grifters)
Kathy Bates (Misery)

From Top Left, Going Clockwise, the nominees for Best Foreign Langauge Film:

Ju Dou (China)
The Nasty Girl (Germany)
Cyrano de Bergerac (France)
Journey of Hope (Switzerland)
Open Doors (Italy)

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

2) Klobuchar isn't appointing either of these two-one will be the nominee (and likely a senator), but they both have made the water toxic, and whomever loses is done with politics. Klobuchar will pick a new name like Simon, Stephenson, Morrison, or Frey to replace her.

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

2 points: 1) Craig's texts only provide directional evidence she didn't contact Hoffman. But until the "dear friend" is outed, it's all she can do; Flanagan needs to say who it was to prove who's telling the truth (and if she doesn't, she risks angry Craig voters in the general).

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

The Minnesota Senate primary took a truly ugly turn this weekend, one that will make it more challenging for either side to get the full support of the Democratic base behind them after August. My thoughts on this turn of events: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/minn...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

I decided to do a spin on not just my Top 25 favorite TV series (making a new list of them), but also to rank my ten favorite episodes of each series, a fun task particularly for shows you don't always think of as having "great episodes). Take a look!: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/my-t...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

My Top 25 Favorite Shows

Every few years, I make a point of updating my favorite Film, TV, and Song lists as a time capsule of how I felt at the time. What stayed, ...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

We finish our look at Harrison Ford this month with The Devil's Own, where he moves into the mentor role that so many 90's action movies did, alongside the younger Brad Pitt: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

The Devil's Own (1997)

Film: The Devil's Own (1997) Stars: Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, Margaret Colin, Ruben Blades, Treat Williams, George Hearn Director: Alan J. P...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Rob Sand coming for the best-looking Governor title. 💪👀💪👀

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Officially went to the polls. Don't forget to early vote Minnesota!

Me with an "I Voted" sticker on with my house in the background. I am attempting to look cute.

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Troy Jackson appears to have secured the Dem nod in Maine, a victory for the Sanders' wing of the party as they make a big bet in a must-win seat for November. I take a look at 3 upcoming primaries that are also mods vs. the left (the headline of 2026): theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

The Left Takes a Turn

Senate President Troy Jackson (D-ME) This past weekend, in Maine, it appears that the race to replace Graham Platner as the Democratic nomin...

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Lindsey Graham's unexpected death has opened up a host of questions about his legacy, and the living legacy of his now-Senator sister, who may soon be running for a full term. My thoughts here: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/lind...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Lindsey Graham's Complicated Legacy (and the Future of His Senate Seat)

Senators Darline and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) I've been so out-of-practice in writing political articles in recent memory that I have largely b...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

We now get into Ford's bread-and-butter with Patriot Games: the 1990's action flicks that would become his calling card for box office domination (and comparative creative boredom with our previous two pictures): theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/patr...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

Patriot Games (1992)

Film: Patriot Games (1992) Stars: Harrison Ford, Anne Archer, Patrick Bergin, SEan Bean, Thora Birch, Samuel L. Jackson, James Fox, Richard...

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

What do we feel like is an impressive "I've seen X of that star's movies?" metric. I hit my 30th Harrison Ford movie this month with this series, and it definitely feels like I've seen a lot of his movies (I know you might have seen more), but what is that number...15, 20, 25...when do you hit it?

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Amidst a series of Han Solo & Indiana Jones hits, Harrison Ford took a brief sojourn into a more dramatic, unique-to-his-career drama with The Mosquito Coast, and won a Golden Globe nomination: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

The Mosquito Coast (1986)

Film: The Mosquito Coast (1986) Stars: Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Andre Gregory, River Phoenix, Martha Plimpton Director: Peter Weir Oscar...

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Platner is the worst person I've seen the Democrats nominate for major office this century. That people found him inspiring will forever baffle me.

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Anyone who wants to run has about 36 hours to go or they can sit this out. Jackson is going to quickly pile up support from the Bernie wing of the party, and will be hard to beat if you need time to think about running. If there's a lesson from Platner, it's run early.

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John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I don't know that I'd trust these numbers at this point (too many moving pieces, plus there's a narrative to be built). Jackson feels like he has the momentum, and if I had to bet I'd bet on him, though I'll own I'm hoping for Bellows of the likely candidates.

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

My thoughts on the Platner news, his likely stepping aside in the Senate race, and what comes next in Maine: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/5-th...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

5 Thoughts on the Graham Platner's Allegations

Well, I did not expect to get two political articles out in two days after a relatively long drought for them, but that's the way the politi...

John T @tmroj.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Mallory McMorrow's exit from the Michigan Senate race opens up a host of questions, not just about that race's primary, but also about the proxy battle it's serving for leading contenders in 2028: theworldofjot29.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-...

theworldofjot29.blogspot.com

The Fallout of Mallory McMorrow's Exit

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-MI) Yesterday, State Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign in the US Senate primary in Michigan. This...

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