Ricky Miller, Entertainment Editor
| April 13, 2024
“Roots” (1977) Louis Gossett Jr. won an Emmy for his performance as Fiddler in this groundbreaking ABC miniseries about the struggles of African Americans during slavery, the Civil War and other time periods. It was based on Alex Haley’s book of the same title. A “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982) Gossett became the first Black Academy Award-winning Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance as Gunny Sgt. Emil Foley in this modern-day drama directed by Taylor Hackford and...
Ricky Miller, Entertainment Editor
| February 24, 2024
"Rocky" (1976) - A Best Picture Academy Award winner and boxing gem, “Rocky” gave Weathers notoriety for playing world champion Apollo Creed, Rocky’s nemesis in the ring, opposite Sylvester Stallone’s title character. Grade: A “The Mandalorian” (2019) -
Part of the “Star Wars” universe, Weathers portrayed Greef Karga, one of the allies, in this action-fantasy TV streamer now available on Disney+. Weathers made his key character in the story fun and very engaging. Grade: A-
The Richland family mourns the loss of Phil Key, an esteemed figure in Thunderduck Athletics for over five decades. Key, a former student-athlete and standout basketball player, left an enduring legacy that transcended the court.
His infectious smile and unwavering positivity brightened the campus, touching the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. Key’s passion extended to officiating games...
Former U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson died on Dec. 31, leaving many mourning her loss as both a prominent Texas political figure and a woman of many achievements.
Eddie Bernice Johnson at a local campaign event in 2019. (Photo/Associated Press)
Johnson passed away at 89 after a back wound from surgery in September became infected. According to published reports, the family...
Ricky Miller, Entertainment Editor
| December 2, 2023
“Friends” (1994-2004) – Matthew Perry’s Chandler Bing was essential as comic relief of the ensemble. His character admitted his faults and talked about being a buffoon.
I liked his character, but an out-of-work actor and friends could never live like that in New York City. A- “Almost Heroes” (1998) – This is a satire on explorers of the day in the early 1800s. Explorers portrayed by Perry and the late Chris...
When most people hear the word hero, they think of superpowers and colorful costumes, but when it comes to real life, heroes take on a wholly different form. Bill Neal was a hero in every sense of the word, going above and beyond his job as Dallas College Richland Campus coach and professor, becoming a mentor, a safe place and even family for some.
Ricky Miller, Entertainment Editor
| August 4, 2023
The death of Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman, shocked many in the entertainment world when it was announced July 31. According to various published reports, Reubens waged a private battle with cancer for years.
Pee-wee Herman made me laugh. Everything about Reuben’s iconic child-like character made me smile. Tim Burton’s celebrated movie, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” made me chuckle and laugh like a little kid. Pee-wee embarked on a wild U.S. adventure to recover his beloved stolen bicycle in that one, even stopping in San Antonio to check out a clue that it was hidden in the Alamo.
Ricky Miller, Entertainment Editor
| July 11, 2023
Veteran actor, director and producer Alan Arkin died June 29 at 89 after a long, varied career. He is probably best known for his Oscar-winning role in the comic-drama “Little Miss Sunshine” in 2006. Arkin portrayed Edwin Hoover, the title character’s profanity-prone grandfather.
Ricky Miller, Entertainment Editor
| March 21, 2023
“Saving Private Ryan” (1998) -- Sizemore por- trayed Sgt. Horvath, part of Capt. Miller’s (Tom Hanks) platoon in Steven Spielberg’s World War II classic. Spiel- berg took home the Best Di- rector Academy Award for this war drama masterpiece.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) -- This Milos Forman-directed mental institution drama swept the Oscars. Jack Nicholson won a Best Actor golden statuette and the late Louise Fletcher took Best Actress honors as the diabolical Nurse Ratched. Grade: A+
"The Boy Who Could Fly" (1986) -- Fletcher was way down the cast list in this Nick Castle- directed fantasy drama. Fletcher portrayed the nice grandma.. With Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood. Grade: A
“Walking and Talking” (1996) -- This comic-drama looks at a group of friends with Heche, Catherine Keener and Liev Schreiber enjoying their lives as twentysomethings. So you know, they each had a membership at a video store. That was relevant in people’s lives at the time.
B-
“Donnie Brasco” (1997) -- In this Mike Newell-directed gem, Heche portrayed the spouse of Johnny Depp’s title character, based on Joseph Pistone’s book, going undercover for the FBI. The duo share some great scenes together. Co-star Al Pacino is very subtle as gangster Lefty Ruggiero .
