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.
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