Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Frozen 2

It's an inevitable step back from the original, but the sequel to the Disney megahit is still impressive.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY In the early winter of 2013, “Frozen” arrived to little fanfare. (Picture that, parents — a time when Elsa and Anna were not yet ubiquitous in your households.) The Disney movie lacked much pre-release anticipation; in the first half of the decade, cartoon hype was mostly reserved for Pixar, Disney Animation’s more aspirational sibling. “Frozen” changed that….
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Marielle Heller's film about a jaded journalist is a wonderful trip to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY LACEY TERRELL / SONY PICTURES The film is about Lloyd Vogel. But it takes place in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Vogel (Matthew Rhys), a fictionalized version of the journalist Tom Junod, is assigned to write a profile of Rogers (Tom Hanks) for Esquire. The film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is about the journalist’s life and transformation as…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: The Irishman

Martin Scorsese's engaging mafia epic may well close the book on the cinema's obsession with mob movies.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO COURTESY NETFLIX For almost half a century, mafia stories have been a — if not the — central mythos of American cinema. In the early days of the form, monster movies occupied this space at the bullseye of the cinematic universe; for a few decades that followed, westerns picked up the mantle. Since the auteur movement of the 1970s,…
The 412, Things To Do

A Grand New Addition to Pittsburgh Miniature Railroad Display

An iconic Downtown department store is now part of the train display at the Carnegie Science Center.
Lauren Davidson,

PHOTOS COURTESY CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER Each year, the Carnegie Science Center adds a structure to its intricate Miniature Railroad & Village exhibit depicting scenes from the history of western Pennsylvania. For the railroad’s 100th anniversary, it needed to be something grand. “Grand Depot,” the original Kaufmann’s Department Store Downtown, complete with the iconic clock, now sits between the Second Indiana…
The 412

PM on KD: Hal B. Klein’s Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Pittsburgh Magazine Dining Critic Hal B. Klein appeared on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live to share his recipe for a different type of green bean casserole.
PM Staff,

A recent poll revealed that green bean casserole is the least-liked Thanksgiving dish for many Americans. So of course, PM Dining Critic Hal B. Klein set out to change minds with his recipe. Hal B. Klein’s Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole Preheat oven to 375F. Better yet, do this after you’ve pulled the turkey from the oven and it is resting…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Charlie’s Angels

The series revives with a refreshing focus on light, fun action.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY CHIABELLA JAMES / SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT Throughout the ’10s, the better attempts at popcorn action cinema — a category headlined by those films that were Fast and/or Furious — are those that remembered this stuff is supposed to be fun. In the prior decade, dudes like Bourne and Reacher convinced audiences that action was supposed to be bleak…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Ford v Ferrari

This ambitious and technically impressive drama is badly tainted by a bloated runtime.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY MERRICK MORTON / 20TH CENTURY FOX “Ford v Ferrari” is a terrifically performed and often effective drama. The auto races at the core of the story are thrilling spectacles. It’s a handsome film, beautifully shot and scored. I would never watch it again. That’s not always a flaw; some movies only work once. In this case, however, I’d…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Doctor Sleep

The latest Stephen King adaptation serves as a belated sequel to "The Shining."
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY JESSICA MIGLIO / WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT It takes gumption. You have to give them that. Sure, Stephen King adaptations are arriving on a monthly basis and “Doctor Sleep,” King’s 2013 novel, was waiting for its big-screen treatment. But the adaptation — directed, written and edited by Mike Flanagan — posits itself as a direct sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Playing With Fire

This family comedy will probably only keep your family's youngest members amused.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY DOANE GREGORY / PARAMOUNT PICTURES It is a particularly bad time for a family comedy about wildfires. One can’t help but consider that when evaluating “Playing With Fire,” a light romp starring John Cena as a no-nonsense smokejumper. The film is harmless enough that the real-life impact of wildfires (in this and every recent year) will probably be…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Last Christmas

A merry sleigh ride careens off a cliff in the last moments of this holiday romance.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY JONATHAN PRIME / UNIVERSAL PICTURES Wow. It’s not a spoiler to reveal that “Last Christmas” contains a late, major twist; Twitter has already developed several theories, most reviews contain the word “twist” in the headline and the entire movie telegraphs the fact that something unexpected is coming. But when it hits … let’s just say I cannot repeat…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Jojo Rabbit

The premise couldn't be much more unusual. However you read the film's politics, that's a good thing.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY LARRY HORRICKS / FOX SEARCHLIGHT Depending on your perspective, it is either the worst possible moment or the absolute ideal moment for an irreverent, outlandish Nazi satire. Both arguments are valid. That’s why it’s useful to at least momentarily shelve them when evaluating “Jojo Rabbit,” a black comedy from idiosyncratic director Taika Waititi; take whatever political stance strikes…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Harriet

The straightforward biopic is a fitting and overdue tribute to Harriet Tubman.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY GLEN WILSON / FOCUS FEATURES At some point in the next 10 years — pending the continued health and well-being of the Union — Harriet Tubman’s image will replace that of Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. It will be an insufficient honor for a woman who may well be America’s greatest hero, bar none; a sufficient tribute…

Holiday Gift Ideas from Wendell August Forge

New this year: the Pittsburgh Steelers collection.
Content Provided by Wendell August Forge,

Crafted just outside of Pittsburgh for nearly a century, Wendell August gifts are unique symbols of the stories, traditions and milestones that bind us together. Using hand and hammer, our master craftsmen work tirelessly to ensure every piece we forge is special. From our new Pittsburgh Penguins Players Edition Coaster Set, to our stunning new Pittsburgh Steelers Collection featuring a…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner

The 400-Word Review: Dolemite Is My Name

As Eddie Murphy's comeback vehicle, the Netflix movie works well enough.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO BY FRANCOIS DUHAMEL / COURTESY NETFLIX Eddie Murphy has returned. Don’t take that as a prognostication; I’m not sure if the comedy “Dolemite Is My Name” will herald a cultural moment for Murphy. Though a long-awaited return to “Saturday Night Live” and the rumblings of his first stand-up in decades are good signs. No, I mean that this film…
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: The Lighthouse

Don't mistake it for a fun Halloween fright, but "The Lighthouse" is a strong, troubling work of horror.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO COURTESY A24 I’m pretty sure “The Lighthouse” doesn’t like you. Depending on how you feel about defiant, difficult cinema, the feeling may be mutual. The sophomore feature from writer/director Robert Eggers is an angry, unflinching tale of what could be madness but might simply be unfettered human ugliness. It is scary, sure, but not in any of the ways…

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The 412

PM on KD: Spooky Things to Do for Halloween

PM Associate Editor and self-proclaimed Halloween fanatic Sean Collier appeared on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live to share his top picks for frightening films and activities to do before the holiday season takes hold.
PM Staff,

Read up on Sean’s Complete Guide to Halloween Movie Screenings, a rundown of the High Speed Halloween to expect from Kennywood and his Five Essential October Events. There’s also Pittsburgh Magazine intern Ollie Gratzinger’s preview of Phantom Fright Nights. Sean also stuck around to play PTL’s signature game “Chime In.” This episode’s theme was “Know Your Fears.” Categories: The 412…
40 Under 40, Community Feature, From the Magazine, Hot Reads

Meet Pittsburgh’s New Class of 40 Under 40 Honorees

For more than two decades, Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP have presented the annual 40 Under 40 list. Every year, 40 people who have been alive for less than four decades are chosen because of their career accomplishments, dogged volunteer work and commitment to the Pittsburgh region. Read on to learn more about some of our very best neighbors.
April Johnston, Photos by Becky Thurner Braddock,

Click on the individual’s name or scroll down to view the entire list. Curt Conrad  Latrice “Phoenix” Rose  Rebecca Himberger  Joshua Friedman Jordan Ball Jenna Baron Girish Chavan Rossilynne Skena Culgan Bridget J. Daley Merecedes J. Williams Stephanie Scoletti Jamilka Borges Claudy Pierre Emily Krull Patricia Culley Kerry Weber Jake Seltman Victoria Snyder Barry Rabkin Kristy Joy Weidner  Nisha Blackwell …
Sean Collier's Popcorn for Dinner, Things To Do

The 400-Word Review: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

An unnecessary sequel squanders the already limited charm of the original film.
Sean Collier,

PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY Well this isn’t any good. “Maleficent,” the 2014 fantasy film starring Angelina Jolie as the recognizable Disney villain, pulled in nearly a quarter-billion dollars at the domestic box office in spite of middling reviews. In the five intervening years, I have never heard anyone profess a more-than-passing fondness for the film; for my part, while I’m certain…
Beyond the Cookie Table

Watch: Newlyweds Delight Guests with “Dirty Dancing”

Newlyweds Madison and Chris surprised their reception guests with their performance of the iconic dance routine from the hit 1987 film.
Lauren Rude,

PHOTOS BY RYAN ZARICHNAK PHOTOGRAPHY Outside of the typical planning for the post vows reception — seating chart, reception meal, first dance song, and the list goes on — couples sometimes find themselves with a few extra surprises to make it the “time of their lives.”  Madison Andreini and Chris Bell, hoping to have a reception that would leave guests…
The 412

PM on KD: Ranking Suburbia 2019

Pittsburgh Magazine editor Brian Hyslop appeared on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today live to share our second year of ranking 130 suburbs in the Pittsburgh region across five categories.
Cristina Holtzer,

For the second year, Pittsburgh Magazine presents its objective-as-possible report card grading 130 suburban municipalities outside the city limits, including all of the municipalities within the borders of Allegheny County and three major bedroom communities beyond them — Cranberry Township and Peter Township and Murrysville. Read the full story from our October issue here.   Categories: The 412 Tags: ptl