Volume 1, Issue 3 April 2026 Filmphernalia Your New Entertainment Bud From the Editor’s Desk Lines Immortal “You brought two too many.” Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) It’s spring and a landmark for Filmospheric which saw the posting of its 100th review in February. Also, March was busy so no issue last month but if you are wondering why the St. Patrick’s Day greeting is still posted on the left, it’s simply because it’s not too late to beer up! And now let me share the big news: my book of movies is out! Yes, ScreeenScope with Ernie (Vol.1) was published just days ago. See the last page of this issue for book details. Inside this issue: Screenopticals: Directorial Ethics and Children of Men FilmBuzz — Usual, Unusual, and Unheard Scripter’s Haven — Reno Tahoe Screenplay Contest Cutting It Short — Yanking Aliens Out of the Series 2 2 2 The Fabulous 3 Retro Fandom — Sapphire & Steel 3 Film Quiz 3 Been There, Seen It! 4 Over the past month, I didn’t get to see many movies but the ones I did see turned out to be gems in their respective genres. So here are the top picks from that list. Note: The full title of the true crime TV movie is Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story. 1. High Anxiety (1977) 2. Breakdown (1997) 3. The Robe (1953) 4.The White Tower (1950) 5. Cries Unheard (1994) Comedy Thriller Faith/Spiritual Adventure True Crime There is no Q&A in this issue— for lack of time again. I hope you’ll enjoy the substitute entry on page 3. In support of indie filmmaking, I’m also going to stretch my schedule to make time for a few indie film reviews for the site Indie Clips: https://indieclips.com/. It’ll be easier to do reviews of indie shorts but won’t mind seeing a few indie features a month to review. For film writers out there, check out the interesting contest on page 2 for likely participation. I’m really tempted to write and submit one for participation. The news section I feel is pretty sad in that each month we lose some senior stars (sometimes young ones too). In February, it was Robert Duvall. Last month, it was Chuck Norris, the action cinema legend. I honestly don’t even want to think of losing any this month. Let’s hope we get a break, at least for 30 days, from losing our childhood heroes to the world of spirits. Thank you for your time and feel free to reach out via the Contact Form on https:// www.filmospheric.com. Ernest Dempsey April 11, 2026

Page 2 Filmphernalia Screenopticals: Directorial Ethics and Children of Men Since the last issue, I posted two more screenopticals on Filmospheric though without any connection between them – but for one little thing, namely my questioning mode. The first screenoptical critically looks at the issue of directorial ethics in filmmaking. The idea for writing it came from seeing a story about legendary film director Ingmar Bergman, of Sweden, while he worked on the production of Winter Light (1963) – a great movie in my opinion. I compare and contrast it against another filmmaking legend – Alfred Hitchcock, who was accused of misbehavior on the sets of his films. The second one questions the placement of Alfonso Cuarón's Children of Men (2006) in the sci-fi genre by movie database sites. In fact, a listicle in Collider even included it in the 10 most grounded sci-fi movies. And my response: say what? Why it’s not really a sci-fi but a dystopian political thriller is the focus of my article. And the question goes straight to the fundamental criteria for a movie to be called a sci-fi film. Read these screenopticals on Filmospheric site (carousel). FilmBuzz — Usual, Unusual, and Unheard Fictional Selves will be released Oct. 6 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.  Legendary actor Robert Duvall dies at 95. (National Today, February 18)  Kyle MacLachlan’s memoir Fictional Selves will be published later this year. (Crown Publishing)  Netflix abandons Warner Bros. bid; Paramount set to take over. (The Epoch Times, February 26)  Evil Dead actor Bruce Campbell reveals he has cancer. (X, March 3)  Chuck Norris, action legend, dead at 86. (USA Today, March 20)  Mel Gibson set to return to Scotland for Braveheart 30th anniversary tour. (Smooth Radio, April 9) Scripter’s Haven — Reno Tahoe Screenplay Contest The story begins here and now... It’s fun and it’s free to enter! This spring screenwriters get a chance to write a 10-page script that could be the beginning or ending of a feature film they are required to watch online. The movie called Target List is free to watch on YouTube, Tubi, and Fawsome. Deadline: May 31, 2026 The winner will be hired on an assignment to write their next feature film! To learn more and enter the contest, visit the link https://filmfreeway.com/ RenoTahoeScreenplayContest. Page 3 Cutting It Short — Yanking Aliens Out of the Series Writing the article about Alien 3 for my book ScreenScope with Ernie (see page 4), an interesting connection within the series of the first four movies revealed itself. Given the ending of the original Alien (1979) and the beginning of Alien 3, we can remove Aliens (1986) – i.e., the second movie in the series – entirely by making just a couple changes without messing up the storyline. Can you guess what changes? It’s simple – let Ash’s character live in Alien and remove Newt’s character from Alien 3. In other words, Bishop is not needed in Alien 3 (since Ash serves as the android carrying the secret) and Aliens can be yanked out of the series without necessitating any other major adjustments. Now Ripley’s fleeing EEV at the end of Alien crashes on Fury 161 in Alien 3 with the story still intact. This observation fits neatly in my assessment of Aliens that the sequel contributes very little to further the plot of the original movie and mainly relies on guns and guts (combat action) for entertaining the audience. Only the first and third movies in the series actually contribute to the plot’s progress. So what are your thoughts on it? And can you think of any other series in which one or more movies can be subtracted without an overhaul of the script? Retro Fandom — Sapphire & Steel Sapphire and Steel of the late ‘70s to early ‘80s remains a classic sci-fi mystery series with a cult following. With a haunting atmosphere and incorporation of paranormal elements, the series remains a unique work of its time. Thanks to Archive.org, now the series is available in its entirety in the public domain for free viewing. The series was created by Peter Hammond and the title roles of Steel and Sapphire were played by David McCallum and Joanna Lumley. Ghosts, time travel, and many mind-boggling phenomena were investigated by the protagonists – who are not really human. Check it out at: https://archive.org/details/ sapphire-and-steel-1979-1982. Retro — aka traveling back in time, and there are several ways. Film Quiz — The Declined Oscar-Winning Role In the Quiz Corner today, you get the answer for the previous quiz: the beautiful actress from the ‘80s and ‘90s TV and film is British actress Amanda Pays. The image of Pays posted in the previous quiz is a screenshot from an episode of the British show Dempsey and Makepeace (“The Hit,” Season 2, episode 8). For this quiz, it’s a behind-thescenes/movie trivia question. What was the famous lead role in a thriller that Michelle Pfeiffer declined and the actress who did it won an Oscar for it? Send your answers to: editor@ernestdempsey.com.

The book is here! Order at LuLu.com Movie reviewer and critic Ernest Dempsey takes fans of sci-fi, horror, mystery, and thriller movies on a reading tour through his critique of 50 movies from Hollywood and international cinema. These essays offer analysis and/or assessment of movies in these genres in relation to essential elements of filmmaking and their literary, cultural, moral, and philosophical implications. ISBN: 9798896561040 Pages: 216 Paperback Perfect Bound/Black & White/US Trade (6 x 9 in) https://www.filmospheric.com Been There, Seen It! — The Villisca Axe Murder House Summer 2023 was an adventure for me as I visited my friend Josh in Iowa while he was housesitting for a colleague of his who was traveling abroad. While his colleague’s house didn’t have any horror story attached to it, the Ax Murder House in the nearby town of Villisca surely had – so how could I keep myself from seeing it? The murders in question were committed in 1912 and the victims included six children and two adults. The house has since been turned into a tourist attraction as it is said to be haunted with the spirits of some of the victims. I personally visited very briefly and didn’t see any ghosts myself. The property manager showed me a pic on his phone that clearly showed the ghostly image of a child. But the house has a haunted feel to it – maybe because in the visitor’s mind the story of the murders creates all kinds of thoughts. Or maybe it’s really haunted! In any case, a great place for horror fans to visit. I learnt that in 2016 a movie The Axe Murders of Villisca was made based on the case. I haven’t yet seen it but it’s on my list. The place has a website: https://murderhouse.com/. Write to Us Send us your two cents on cinema/movies/TV and Filmphernalia will publish along with your name and location (city/state/country). Write to: edtor@ernestdempsey.com

Volume 1, Issue 2 February 2026 Filmphernalia Your New Entertainment Bud From the Editor’s Desk Lines Immortal “I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.” Blade Runner (1982) Welcome to the second issue of Filmphernaila. Hope you are all alive and kicking. I was hoping to get this issue out before Valentine’s Day, so I’m thrilled to have it out a tad early. Or maybe I could simply move the goalposts. :) Inside this issue: Screenopticals: Laura and the Return of Twin Peaks FilmBuzz — Usual, Unusual, and Unheard Scripter’s Haven — Kinolime Feature Script Competition Q&A: Mark L. Christensen — Indies in Brief 2 2 2 The Fabulous 3 Retro Fandom — The Retro Network 3 Film Quiz 3 Been There, Seen It! 4 Over the past two months, I’ve seen some really great movies from the yesteryears, making it a challenge to pick and choose for creating a short list of the best ones. It depends on one’s taste, mood, and other things. So here are my five picks for this month. 1. Born to Kill (1947) 2. When Willie Comes Marching Home (1950) 3. A Fistful of Dollars (1964) 4. Fearless Faith (2020) 5. Confessions: Two Faces of Evil (1994) Film Noir Comedy Western Faith/Spiritual True Crime January was busy and it was funny, but no fun, to see yet another guy posing as a filmmaker contacting me on Stage32 and ask for any ideas/ scripts I would like to share for possible production. I knew better since I had reported a few such “producers” to the site admin for trying to steal my work. They prey on starving screenwriters to steal their intellectual property so they pose as some filmmaker, using the filmmaker’s picture off some online site and list their IMDb page on the profile. But they would never list their own website and always use a suspicious Gmail address. Word of caution: on Stage32 or anywhere else, say Craigslist, don’t share your stuff with any random person pretending to be a filmmaker in need of scripts. For Filmospheric, the movie review count is almost there at the 100 posts mark. Expect me to brag about it next month. While I was able to review just 10 movies over the past month, some of them were really good. Find those in the Fabulous 5 list below. Enjoy the two new screenopticals and a short Q&A Ernest Dempsey February 11, 2026 with actual filmmaker Mark L. Christensen. Thank you for your time and feel free to reach out via the Contact Form on https:// www.filmospheric.com.

Page 2 Filmphernalia Screenopticals: Laura and the Return ofTwin Peaks Two news screenopticals have been posted to Filmospheric since the inaugural issue of Filmphernalia came out last month. Both have one name in common: Laura. The first article analyzes Otto Preminger’s Laura (1944) that has been widely rated as a great noir film. As a noir and mystery fan, I offer my two cents on the movie as a murder mystery with noir elements. My verdict sits on the mystery side of the movie, and I offer my reasons in the article. The second piece is about Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) by David Lynch and Mark Frost. It was evoked by the recent social media hype about the supposed third season of Lynch and Frost’s classic 1990 show Twin Peaks (my teenage crush). I contend that The Return is Twin Peaks in name only. It should have been called something else as it is really not the return to the original show. It was the return of the now late and ever great David Lynch, but not close to the original Twin Peaks. Read these screenopticals on Filmospheric site (carousel). FilmBuzz — Usual, Unusual, and Unheard Catherine O’Hara was battling cancer. She was being treated since March of last year.  Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban finalize their divorce. (KYMA, January 7)  Timothy Busfield Charged with Child Sex Abuse. (Consequence, January 9)  Kiefer Sutherland arrested over alleged altercation with rideshare driver. (USA Today, January 13)  Larrain brothers launch transactional platform pijama for independent, undistributed films. (Screen Daily, January 15)  Award-Winning Actress and Comedian Catherine O'Hara Passes Away at 71. (Broadway World, January 30)  'Faces of Death' remake film sets April release date. (Nerdist, February 5) Scripter’s Haven — Kinolime Feature Script Competition Kinolime has opened for its feature screenplay competition. Here’s how they describe it. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to put your script in front of a team that actually wants to make the movie, this is it. The story begins here and now... Submissions open January 23rd and remain open until March 15th. That window will close fast, and when it does, so does your shot this cycle. This isn’t just about winning. It’s about finding a script that we believe in and turning it into a real, produced feature. To enter, visit the link https://www.kinolime.com/. Page 3 Q&A: Mark L. Christensen — Indies in Brief Architect, screenwriter, and director Mark L. Christensen – the talent behind the indie films Box Head Revolution (BHR), American Flyer, and North by El Norte – shares his directorial playbook. Do you hold acting auditions? Yes I do hold auditions. When directing, what makes you more self-conscious? Hmm. It’s how actors treat my process. The fleeting atmosphere in BHR owes to filming or editing? The visual atmosphere is due to Home Telicini giving that planet a unique visual experience. How valuable is using original music in your movies? Original music, has kept the film in a Holey original universe. What directors, current or past, fascinate you most? Above all, David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick. What’s the biggest challenge for an indie filmmaker in today’s movie market? Finding a starting budget . *** Mark Christensen’s filmmaking work is showcased at his site https://findartfoundation.org. Mark L. Christensen Retro Fandom — The Retro Network There’s nothing better than retro entertainment, except one thing – stumbling upon a cool retro resource. The one for this issue is The Retro Network. They describe themselves as: the home of Wax Pack Flashback, Thrift Store Horde, Jay Plays, VHS archive, cartoons, and more retro content! On their website, you find articles, podcasts/videos, images, and more about retro movies, TV, sports, and even food. And they are open to possible collaboration with fans of retro paraphernalia on submitting articles or starting a podcast idea etc. I’m thinking of reaching out to them already. So check them out at https:// theretronetwork.com. Retro is simply inseparable from Fandom. Film Quiz — Can You Name the Beauty? Okie, so back here at the Quiz corner let’s see what the previous quiz was about – a collage of three images that would create the movie’s name when put together in words. It was: 1. An eye 2. A dent (tooth), and 3. Spielberg’s celebrated E.T. Put together, it’s eye-dent-E.T. And spoken in one breath, Identity. I meant the 2003 psychological thriller/slasher directed by James Mangold. For this quiz, I simply ask that you recognize (and name) this actress from the ‘80s. Tough one I know. But the real TV and movie buffs will tell. Send your answers to: editor@ernestdempsey.com.

https://www.twinpawsproductions.com Twin Paws Productions made some short films and plans to resume production on small indie projects. Filmospheric is a manifestation of the same passion for movies and filmmaking that led to the creation of Twin Paws Productions. If you are an indie filmmaker open to collaborating on projects where we won’t need any real funding, because we can do all the needed work ourselves, feel free to connect with me on Stage32. My profile URL on the site is: https://www.stage32.com/profile/178458/about. Down the road, this section may be open for any special messages or advertisements. So keep your scanners peeled for it! Visit and bookmark https://www.filmospheric.com. Been There, Seen It! — The John Wayne Museum I didn’t know where the Duke was born or that his birthplace had a museum in his honor – that is until I visited Iowa in September 2021. My buddy Josh was showing me around and asked if I wanted to see the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset, the town where he was born. I was game! The small museum matches the small town look of Winterset. It is Wayne-themed A to Z and makes you feel like stepping inside Duke’s westerns. Posters, wearables, books, accessories - all the items sold at the museum reflect John Wayne’s unmatched legacy as the ultimate star in the world of western movies. Also included in the ticket to the museum is a tour inside the house where the Duke was born with newspaper clippings of the time announcing his birth and pictures of his younger days adorning the walls. It’s a lifetime of experience sitting in the gazebo in the backyard. A must see for all Duke fans and lovers of classic Hollywood! So what’s your favorite location in connection with movies? How many times have you visited it? Want to share your pics and/or travel tale? Write to Us Send us your two cents on cinema/movies/TV and Filmphernalia will publish along with your name and location (city/state/country). Write to: edtor@ernestdempsey.com

Volume 1, Issue 1 January 2026 Filmphernalia Your New Entertainment Bud From the Editor’s Desk Lines Immortal “After all, tomorrow is another day.” Gone with the Wind (1939) How many times have you thought of abstaining from putting one more on your plate only to do it eventually as you realize the plate can fit some more? Filmospheric is that item and since it had enough room of its own for a newsletter, Filmphernalia was born. Now Filmospheric, my site with movie reviews and articles from topics in the Entertainment world, is about the same age as Filmphernalia since it’s still not a year that the site was born. It’s kind of having twins, getting more love while soothing your anxieties about raising them with the thought that love conquers all. Inside this issue: Screenopticals: Tom Cruise in Action, The Matrix, and Die Hard FilmBuzz — Usual, Unusual, and Unheard Scripter’s Haven — Sharks Shorts Contest Q&A: Guillaume Campanacci — Styling the Shot Retro Fandom — Airwolf Flies Again! Film Quiz Been There, Seen It! 2 2 2 The Fabulous 3 3 3 4 Over the past two months, I’ve seen some really great movies from the yesteryears, making it a challenge to pick and choose for creating a short list of the best ones. It depends on one’s taste, mood, and other things. So here are my five picks for this month. 1. Babette’s Feast (1987) 2. Life with Father (1947) 3. Out of the Past (1947) 4. Decision at Sundown (1957) 5. Century (1993) Danish Faith-based Drama Classic Hollywood Comedy Film Noir Western Period Drama For the inaugural issue of Filmphernalia, I’m including entries rather randomly and trying to get as much of glimpses of the site as possible. For now, it’s not a huge site—just a hundred reviews, a few articles – or Screenopticals (my coinage) – and this infant newsletter. External content like a short chat with someone from the filmmaking world, news preferably from indie filmmaking circles, maybe a movie quiz, and some other tidbits will be included. I’ll be open to letters from readers as well as contributions, and suggestions of course for making this newborn worth your time. Filmphernalia is planned to be published 6 issues a year, or one issue every other month. This may change with time, Ernest Dempsey December 31, 2025 depending on time and content manageability. Let’s get on this ride together! Thank you for your time and feel free to reach out via the Contact Form on https:// www.filmospheric.com.

Page 2 Filmphernalia Screenopticals: Tom Cruise in Action, The Matrix, and Die Hard Back when I watched action movies, Tom Cruise was not even remotely on the map of action movie stars. But seeing someone ask on X (Twitter) recently whether Cruise is one of the greatest action heroes of all times, I had to look up Tom’s filmography on IMDb to see what action roles he has taken over the last two plus decades. Comparing it roughly to the credits of action actors I knew (I’m watching action movies again), the Screenopticals section was added to the site address this question. Writing about The Matrix was on my mind since media created a little buzz about the movie as an allegory for transgenderism a few years ago. The topic made some headlines as the creators of The Matrix – the Wachowski siblings – claimed so during an interview and then went back and forth on it, according to various sources. How valid is this interpretation? And who decides? These questions are addressed in the screenoptical. Then there is the unsettled debate of whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie. I say no and give my reasons. Read these screenopticals on Filmospheric site (carousel). FilmBuzz — Usual, Unusual, and Unheard Epoch Times, December 5) At his 100th birthday, Dick Van Dyke is seen dancing.  Kevin Spacey Accused of Sexual Assault by Three Men; Headed to Civil Court. (Reality Tea, November 28)  The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) earns $494 million globally. (Box Office Mojo, December 5)  Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Entertainment Assets in $72 Billion Deal. (The ist  Dick Van Dyke turns 100 — and he’s still dancing. (Deseret News, December 12)  Rob Reiner and Wife Found Dead in Their L.A. Home. (Parade, December 14)  Brigitte Bardot, 1960s sultry sex symbol turned militant animal rights activdies at 91. (The Associated Press, December 28) Scripter’s Haven — Sharks Shorts Contest The story begins here and now... This year’s Sharks Short Film Scriptwriting Competition is now open to submissions. This is a free-to-enter international screenwriting contest, based in the United Kingdom (UK). The fun part of this contest is that they give you a brief (prompt) and you create a script of up to 5 pages (or less) around it. Deadline: January 31, 2026 I have participated twice (2022 and 2024). The first time my script The One Egg Challenge was one of the top 10 finalists. The second time, my script A Touch of Purple didn’t make it to the finals. Now I am participating again (and loving it). Let’s do it! To enter the contest, visit https://filmfreeway.com/ KinsaleSharksShorts. Page 3 Q&A: Guillaume Campanacci — Styling the Shot Actor, director, cinematographer, and editor Guillaume Campanacci tells about styling his shots. Where do you prefer B&W against color? Color dominates modern life; B&W lets characters exist in a more intimate, timeless space. But the story always dictates it, not myself. When do you choose moving camera shots? I move the camera when a character’s inner world is shifting, when energy needs to flow, tension needs to grow, or the audience should feel physically pulled into the moment rather than simply observing it. Do your actors do their own makeup? On Devils in Disguise, yes. On my other films, it depended on budget. I have zero interest in make-up, except if it's a part of the character's look. How do you enjoy your work on the shot as a cinematographer as against editor of the footage? Cinematography is instinct, capturing emotion in the moment. Editing is architecture, discovering rhythm and the film’s true heartbeat. I love shifting between them: one is impulse, the other revelation, and both complete the story Campanacci’s Whenever I’m Alone With You and Devils in Disguise are now available on Prime Video and Tubi. Guillaume Campanacci Retro Fandom — Airwolf Flies Again! For those of who grew up with the ‘80s TV sensation Airwolf, buckle up for another flight! The YouTube channel Airwolf Fan Movies has created a short Airwolf fan film called “Valley of Fire” as an episode related to the original show. Here’s the plot in brief (from the video’s description): Two stolen WWII aircraft (aided by a mysterious, high-level F.I.R.M. operative) and some skillful Russian pilots leads to an aerial confrontation on Hawke's briar patch, the Valley of the Gods. But those aren't the only old ghosts to return from Airwolf's past. Fun fact about the film: it’s not AI (as I mistakenly thought at first), but good old-school frame -by-frame editing out of passion for the memories of Airwolf. Check out the short film and other Airwolf fan videos by this group on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ @AIRWOLFMovie. Fandom never dies; it flies! Film Quiz — Can You Guess the Movie? mood goes. :) Instead of posting a still from a movie and asking about the movie’s name or a certain actor in a particular role, as I have done for years on my personal website, I switched gears and tried a new kind of quiz. It’s borrowed straight from my other website. For future quizzes, maybe a mix of older and new formats can be tried—as the For this quiz, see the group of images below and see what movie name you come up with. Send your answers to: editor@ernestdempsey.com.

https://www.twinpawsproductions.com Twin Paws Productions made some short films and plans to resume production on small indie projects. Filmospheric is a manifestation of the same passion for movies and filmmaking that led to the creation of Twin Paws Productions. If you are an indie filmmaker open to collaborating on projects where we won’t need any real funding, because we can do all the needed work ourselves, feel free to connect with me on Stage32. My profile URL on the site is: https://www.stage32.com/profile/178458/about. Down the road, this section may be open for any special messages or advertisements. So keep your scanners peeled for it! Visit and bookmark https://www.filmospheric.com. Been There, Seen It! Location, location, location – the prime directive in the real estate is every bit true when it comes to movies. Where and from what angle a scene is shot can determine the screen value of the production. This section brings the location in a parttravel and part-trivia combo. For this issue, I acknowledge my dream filming location – which is from the TV show Twin Peaks by David Lynch (RIP). After dreaming about seeing it in person for years, I finally got to visit the Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State in November 2022. The show’s iconic intro features the Snoqualmie Falls with the opening credits. The Salish Lodge & Spa overlooking the falls was made The Great Northern Hotel in the show where FBI Agent Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) stayed while he was investigating the murder of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). With the woods on one side and the green hilly surroundings on the other, the falls create a music that lets you go back and forth in time. It’s such a unique experience. My friend Annie who took the trip with me can verify. So what’s your favorite filming location and how many times have you visited it? Want to share your pics and/or travel tale? Write to Us Send us your two cents on cinema/movies/TV and Filmphernalia will publish along with your name and location (city/state/country). Write to: edtor@ernestdempsey.com

Volume 1, Issue 1 January 2026 Filmphernalia Your New Entertainment Bud From the Editor’s Desk Lines Immortal “After all, tomorrow is another day.” Gone with the Wind (1939) How many times have you thought of abstaining from putting one more on your plate only to do it eventually as you realize the plate can fit some more? Filmospheric is that item and since it had enough room of its own for a newsletter, Filmphernalia was born. Now Filmospheric, my site with movie reviews and articles from topics in the Entertainment world, is about the same age as Filmphernalia since it’s still not a year that the site was born. It’s kind of having twins, getting more love while soothing your anxieties about raising them with the thought that love conquers all. Inside this issue: Screenopticals: Tom Cruise in Action, The Matrix, and Die Hard FilmBuzz — Usual, Unusual, and Unheard Scripter’s Haven — Sharks Shorts Contest Q&A: Guillaume Campanacci — Styling the Shot Retro Fandom — Airwolf Flies Again! Film Quiz Been There, Seen It! 2 2 2 The Fabulous 3 3 3 4 Over the past two months, I’ve seen some really great movies from the yesteryears, making it a challenge to pick and choose for creating a short list of the best ones. It depends on one’s taste, mood, and other things. So here are my five picks for this month. 1. Babette’s Feast (1987) 2. Life with Father (1947) 3. Out of the Past (1947) 4. Decision at Sundown (1957) 5. Century (1993) Danish Faith-based Drama Classic Hollywood Comedy Film Noir Western Period Drama For the inaugural issue of Filmphernalia, I’m including entries rather randomly and trying to get as much of glimpses of the site as possible. For now, it’s not a huge site—just a hundred reviews, a few articles – or Screenopticals (my coinage) – and this infant newsletter. External content like a short chat with someone from the filmmaking world, news preferably from indie filmmaking circles, maybe a movie quiz, and some other tidbits will be included. I’ll be open to letters from readers as well as contributions, and suggestions of course for making this newborn worth your time. Filmphernalia is planned to be published 6 issues a year, or one issue every other month. This may change with time, Ernest Dempsey December 31, 2025 depending on time and content manageability. Let’s get on this ride together! Thank you for your time and feel free to reach out via the Contact Form on https:// www.filmospheric.com.

Page 2 Filmphernalia Screenopticals: Tom Cruise in Action, The Matrix, and Die Hard Back when I used to watch action movies, Tom Cruise was not even remotely on the map of action movie stars. But seeing someone ask on X (Twitter) recently whether Cruise is one of the greatest action heroes of all times, I had to look up Tom’s filmography on IMDb to see what action roles he has taken over the last two plus decades. Comparing it roughly to the credits of action actors I knew (and I’m watching action movies again), I started the Screenoptical section on Filmospheric to address this question. Writing about The Matrix was on my mind since media created a little buzz about the movie being an allegory for transgenderism a few years ago. The topic made some headlines after the creators of The Matrix – the Wachowski siblings – claimed it in one interview and then went back and forth on it according to various sources. How valid is this interpretation? Who decides? These questions are addressed in the screenoptical. Then there is the unsettled debate of whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie. I say no and give my reasons. Read these screenopticals on Filmospheric site (carousel). FilmBuzz — Usual, Unusual, and Unheard Epoch Times, December 5) At his 100th birthday, Dick Van Dyke is seen dancing.  Kevin Spacey Accused of Sexual Assault by Three Men; Headed to Civil Court. (Reality Tea, November 28)  The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) earns $494 million globally. (Box Office Mojo, December 5)  Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Entertainment Assets in $72 Billion Deal. (The ist  Dick Van Dyke turns 100 — and he’s still dancing. (Deseret News, December 12)  Rob Reiner and Wife Found Dead in Their L.A. Home. (Parade, December 14)  Brigitte Bardot, 1960s sultry sex symbol turned militant animal rights activdies at 91. (The Associated Press, December 28) Scripter’s Haven — Sharks Shorts Contest The story begins here and now... This year’s Sharks Short Film Scriptwriting Competition is now open to submissions. This is a free-to-enter international screenwriting contest, based in the United Kingdom (UK). The fun part of this contest is that they give you a brief (prompt) and you create a script of up to 5 pages (or less) around it. Deadline: January 31, 2026 I have participated twice (2022 and 2024). The first time my script The One Egg Challenge was one of the top 10 finalists. The second time, my script A Touch of Purple didn’t make it to the finals. Now I am participating again (and loving it). Let’s do it! To enter the contest, visit https://filmfreeway.com/ KinsaleSharksShorts. Page 3 Q&A: Guillaume Campanacci — Styling the Shot Actor, director, cinematographer, and editor Guillaume Campanacci tells about styling his shots. Where do you prefer B&W against color? Color dominates modern life; B&W lets characters exist in a more intimate, timeless space. But the story always dictates it, not myself. When do you choose moving camera shots? I move the camera when a character’s inner world is shifting, when energy needs to flow, tension needs to grow, or the audience should feel physically pulled into the moment rather than simply observing it. Do your actors do their own makeup? On Devils in Disguise, yes. On my other films, it depended on budget. I have zero interest in make-up, except if it's a part of the character's look. How do you enjoy your work on the shot as a cinematographer as against editor of the footage? Cinematography is instinct, capturing emotion in the moment. Editing is architecture, discovering rhythm and the film’s true heartbeat. I love shifting between them: one is impulse, the other revelation, and both complete the story Campanacci’s Whenever I’m Alone With You and Devils in Disguise are now available on Prime Video and Tubi. Guillaume Campanacci Retro Fandom — Airwolf Flies Again! For those of who grew up with the ‘80s TV sensation Airwolf, buckle up for another flight! The YouTube channel Airwolf Fan Movies has created a short Airwolf fan film called “Valley of Fire” as an episode related to the original show. Here’s the plot in brief (from the video’s description): Two stolen WWII aircraft (aided by a mysterious, high-level F.I.R.M. operative) and some skillful Russian pilots leads to an aerial confrontation on Hawke's briar patch, the Valley of the Gods. But those aren't the only old ghosts to return from Airwolf's past. Fun fact about the film: it’s not AI (as I mistakenly thought at first), but good old-school frame -by-frame editing out of passion for the memories of Airwolf. Check out the short film and other Airwolf fan videos by this group on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ @AIRWOLFMovie. Fandom never dies; it flies! Film Quiz — Can You Guess the Movie? mood goes. :) Instead of posting a still from a movie and asking about the movie’s name or a certain actor in a particular role, as I have done for years on my personal website, I switched gears and tried a new kind of quiz. t’s borrowed straight from my personal website. For future quizzes, maybe a mix of older and new formats can be tried—as the For this quiz, see the group of images below and see what movie name you come up with. Send your answers to: editor@ernestdempsey.com.

https://www.twinpawsproductions.com Twin Paws Productions made some short films and plans to resume production on small indie projects. Filmospheric is a manifestation of the same passion for movies and filmmaking that led to the creation of Twin Paws Productions. If you are an indie filmmaker open to collaborate on projects where we won’t need any real funding, because we can do all the needed work ourselves, feel free to connect with me on Stage32: https://www.stage32.com/profile/178458/ about. Down the road, this section may be open for any special messages or advertisements. So keep your scanners peeled for it! Visit and bookmark https://www.filmospheric.com. Been There, Seen It! Location, location, location – the prime directive of real estate is every bit true when it comes to movies. Where a scene is shot and from what angle can determine the screen value of the production. So this section brings the location in a part -travel and part-trivia combo. For this issue, I acknowledge my dream filming location – which is for the TV show Twin Peaks by David Lynch. After dreaming about seeing it in person for years, I finally got a chance to visit the Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State in November 2022. The show’s iconic intro features the Snoqualmie Falls with the opening credits. The Salish Lodge & Spa that overlooks the falls was the The Great Northern Hotel in the show where FBI Agent Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) stayed while investigating the murder of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). With the woods on one side and the green hilly surroundings on the other, the falls create a music that lets your go back and forth in time. It’s a unique experience. My friend Annie who took the trip with me can verify. So what’s your favorite filming location and how many times have you visited it? Want to share your pics and/or travel tale? Write to Us Send us your two cents on cinema/movies/TV and Filmphernalia will publish along with your name and location (city/state/or country). Write to: edtor@ernestdempsey.com