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Articles by Michael Wahle
Sauna Time on Apple Podcasts
It's the dog days of mid season Bachelor as the show goes to Tallinn, Estonia and the boys are here to cover the insanely steal heavy week that not only saw possible rise of Charity and Ariel who are nipping at the heels of front runners Kaity and Gabi, but also the dramatic self implosion of of Jess over not getting a one on one date, and the convenient covid induced bye week enjoyed by possible dark-horse-wild-card player: Greer. Support the show
Pip, Pip Cheerio-vid on Apple Podcasts
London bridge is seemingly doing fine, but with positive Covid tests, and negative vibes surrounding the remaining who are not named Gabi we got a lot to cover. The Bachelor Zone 3 triumphantly reunite to break down all the action from Week 5 of Zach Shallcross's season of The Bachelor. Support the show
"I Gave Up Everything to Be Here!" w/Aunt Mary on Apple Podcasts
It's Valentine's Day and what better way to celebrate than to recap a tear filled episode of this season of The Bachelor with our very own Aunt Mary! Who returns to the pod to give her blazing hot takes on Zach's season and to show us just how to carpe diem the hell out of a Bahamian vacation. Support the show Top Podcasts In Comedy
Men's Tell All on Apple Podcasts
This week's Bachelor Zone coverage of the Men's Tell All is brought to you by OUAI, and the concept of gratuitous product placement on network television! We get into how last night felt weird in more ways than one, and what the guy's time on the couch told who could be a contender (or contenders) for the role of the next Bachelor. And of course give kudos and fully dissect Meatball's savage body tackle of Billy Eichner. Support the show
Netflix's 'Cecil Hotel' shows we have a silo problem
The latest Netflix documentary garnering lots of attention is a macabre story of a young woman’s tragic death in a seedy hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Like the hotel in Stephen King’s “The Shining,” the Cecil Hotel in the documentary “Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel,” feels like another character in the story that unfolds, and it’s a character with dark and schizophrenic overtones.
The Redemption of Christopher Columbus
I have hardly seen many family members due to COVID-19, so I was pleased when my sister and her family recently came to join me for dinner at my parish. I asked my niece Maeve how school was going, and she offered a review of her classes. Maeve is not someone you have to draw out for conversation, but she made my jaw drop while talking about her history class. She was learning a lot, she told me with the insouciance of a teacher’s pet.
Bachelor in Paradise week 2 on Apple Podcasts
1 hr 10 min Week 2 of Bachelor in Paradise is here, and we're getting poetic when it comes to our hard hitting analysis. We're joined Heidi Lux (Reductress) to help us make sense of the new arrivals, open violence, and a healthy dose of "sad boys" that have shaken up paradise and we try to make sense of who is still in position to make it all the way to the alter. Then, "Mr. Rose'"Max Singer also calls in with his Loves and Hates for your fantasy squad this week's Fantasy Minute. 1 hr 10 min
Bachelorette Season 15 Finale on Apple Podcasts
1 hr 4 min Hannah B. has finally made her decision, and the instantly regrets it. We discuss whether or not a ring on a table can count as a true championship ring, and whether or not this is the last we'll see of "Winner" Jed Wyatt and runner up Tyler C. And how the league can adapt to all of these internet influenced off-field scandals in future seasons. 1 hr 4 min
Graduating for a greater purpose
Soccer and robotics may not have much in common, but if you competed against St. Bernard High School in either field this past year, you probably learned the hard way that recent St. Bernard’s graduate Odinakachukwu Amobi is a natural born leader. According to Amobi, known affectionately by his family and friends as “Aka,” the key to leadership is finding a balance between confidence and humility.
Parish Job Fairs are a 'hand up ministry'
Dozens of people entered the Parish Job Fair at the Knights of Columbus banquet hall in Canoga Park last week with the goal of finding a new job, and all of these job seekers most likely exited the building with an additional goal: to love their new job as much as event leader Gerhard Kramer loves his.
Sin and transgression in “Hotel Artemis”
With his directorial debut “Hotel Artemis,” screenwriter Drew Pearce (“Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” and “Iron Man 3”) claims “I didn’t want to make a movie that was OK for everyone; I wanted to make a film that was one person’s favorite movie.” Pearce made that one person out of me — during the film’s first half.
And the winner is…
Most years leading up to the Academy Awards, one or perhaps two films will leap ahead of the pack as the far and away favorite to win Best Picture and establish a stranglehold on most of the other categories. This Oscar season, however, feels quite a bit different. Yes, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “The Shape of Water” have emerged as the two favorites, but their edge is slight.
‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ has strong moments, lacks focus
Portraying everything from childlike wonder to wartime drama to social commentary on parenting — and even “careful what you wish for” warnings about the price of fame — “Goodbye Christopher Robin,” the new biopic detailing the life of British author A.A. Milne and his classic “Winnie the Pooh” children’s stories, truly has it all. And that’s precisely the problem.
Quinceañeras: Keeping God at the center of centuries-old tradition
The morning of Sept. 30 brought the arrival of a very special birthday celebration that Dayanara Martinez Lozano had been anxiously anticipating not just all year long, but as far back as she can remember. Lozano turned 15 years old, and she, like an estimated 400,000 other 15 year-old girls in the United States this year alone, would be celebrating her “quinceañera,” a time-honored Latin American tradition celebrating a young girl’s transition into womanhood.
Despite missed opportunities, ‘Rebel in the Rye’ is occasionally captivating
The box office recently played witness to an ultimate irony, as revered American author J.D. Salinger — who famously refused to allow any of his works, including his seminal masterpiece “The Catcher in the Rye,” to be adapted into feature films — served as the focal point for “Rebel in the Rye,” the directorial feature film debut of talented screenwriter Danny Strong.
‘I Do ... Until I Don’t’ gets by on the strength of its cast …until it doesn’t
With movies, just like with any form of storytelling, if you don’t have conflict, well, you don’t really have anything. Regrettably, “I Do ... Until I Don’t,” the latest effort from the undeniably talented writer/director Lake Bell, serves as yet another casualty in the long list of films that tried, and ultimately failed, to seduce us with a charming “who’s who” list of cast members to hide the fact that there’s not really anything at stake.
‘Terminator 2’ gets brilliant 3-D touch-up in theatrical rerelease
Any time a classic film from days of yore is rereleased in theaters after being infused with contemporary visual effects, especially when that film hails from a franchise with as fanatical a fan base as “The Terminator,” moviegoers typically share the same sentiment: “They’d better not mess this up!” Thankfully, the 3-D makeover for the recent rerelease of the 1991 megahit sci-fi action sequel “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” was supervised by acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron, who approached the...
Yazmin Montoya: From soccer star to campus missionary
She’d been an All-CIF soccer player at Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, leading her team to two CIF championships. She’d then broken scoring records in her freshman year at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, made first team all-conference and was on her way to the successful soccer career she’d envisioned.
Aubrey Plaza dazzles in darkly funny ‘Ingrid Goes West’
Throughout her film and television career, comic actress Aubrey Plaza has proven her distinct knack for portraying nerdy introverts. But as the titular character in “Ingrid Goes West,” a favorite at the Sundance Film Festival last January that earned writer/director Matt Spicer and co-writer David Branson Smith the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, Plaza has taken her comedic prowess to another level by proving she can do just about anything.
'Annabelle: Creation' director and cast discuss latest 'Conjuring' film
The most terrifying doll in cinema since Chucky is back, as “Annabelle: Creation” — the fourth installment in “The Conjuring” film franchise and follow-up to 2014’s “Annabelle” — comes to theaters Aug. 11 to provide the origin story for how the infamous Annabelle doll came to be possessed by a demon.
Latest ‘Conjuring’ prequel ‘Annabelle: Creation’ thrills and terrifies in equal measure
If you’re a fan of “The Conjuring” movie franchise, you may have seen the billboards and posters around town for “Annabelle: Creation,” the series’ fourth and latest installment, and thought to yourself, “Wait ... wasn’t the previous ‘Annabelle’ movie (2014) a prequel about the Annabelle doll?
Intensity of ‘Dunkirk’ not enough to combat its empty emotional core
When a Christopher Nolan movie comes out in theaters, it’s a big deal. And with good reason: the British writer/director has consistently wowed critics and audiences alike through the years with finely tuned blockbuster successes like “The Prestige,” the Batman trilogy and “Inception,” all visual treats featuring unique stories.
‘Battle of the Sexes’ delivers as biopic and as mirror to society
Perhaps the most telling sign of a great sports movie based on historical events is when you enter the theater knowing the outcome, and yet, as you watch it unfold, you sit on proverbial pins and needles, anxiously wondering, “Wait … it did all work out in the end, right?” Following its recent nationwide release, I can comfortably place the film “Battle of the Sexes” — which depicts the monumental match between female tennis star Billie Jean King and former Wimbledon champion Bobby Riggs —...
‘Baby Driver’ delivers a decent film that’s occasionally great
Over the last decade, British director Edgar Wright has earned a reputation for infusing his films with two distinct attributes: inventive camera work propelled by razor-sharp editing, and delightfully quirky characters who never drown out (or drown in) the seriousness of the circumstances. “Baby Driver,” Wright’s latest effort about a young getaway driver savant, sees Wright go 1 for 2.
Sofia Coppola’s ‘The Beguiled’ crafts a taut, tense tale of gender relations
At the Cannes Film Festival this past May, acclaimed director Sofia Coppola (“Lost in Translation,” “Marie Antoinette”) generated a lot of buzz as she became just the second female director — and first American-born female director — to win in the Best Director category for her latest effort “The Beguiled.” And after viewing the film, which was released nationwide June 23, it’s not hard to understand what all the buzz was about.
Harry Dean Stanton saves his best for last as ‘Lucky’
The new film “Lucky,” featuring late veteran actor Harry Dean Stanton in a rare starring role as an old man searching desperately for meaning in his senior years, is being heralded as a brilliant character study marked by beautiful simplicity. Given Stanton’s recent passing (he died on Sept. 15), “Lucky” has been further elevated by many to the status of a bittersweet eulogy to an old friend.
‘Beatriz at Dinner’ serves up subtle yet cutting social commentary on today’s divided America
On the heels of the mega-hit “Wonder Woman,” moviegoers were treated to yet another admirable heroine with an unwavering moral compass, this time in the form of a working-class Mexican immigrant in the delightfully demure industry darling “Beatriz at Dinner.” Unlike Wonder Woman, the frumpy, middle-aged protagonist Beatriz (the beautiful Salma Hayek, deglamorized as much as possible) is an ordinary woman who doesn’t possess superpowers, nor does she take on an entire army.
‘The Good Catholic’ tackles challenging premise with honesty
“This isn’t magic, nor do we have some privileged access to God,” explains wise, seasoned priest Father Victor of the calling to priesthood to fresh-out-of-the-seminary priest Father Daniel in the new film “The Good Catholic,” which was released nationwide earlier this month.
Gadot shines as ‘Wonder Woman’: Latest effort ends DC Comics’ losing streak
One of the great joys of moviegoing is witnessing a performer take on a role so effortlessly, it’s as if he/she was born to play it. As millions of audience members will now likely attest after viewing “Wonder Woman,” the latest entry into the DC Comics’ movie universe shattered box office records in its opening weekend, and Gal Gadot’s ultra-charismatic performance in the titular role has earned her a place on the list of perfect marriages between actress and role.
‘Alien: Covenant’: Interesting elements suffocated by lack of charisma
It’s a very bad omen for a sci-fi blockbuster when the first time you become aware of the majority of the characters’ names occurs during the closing credits.
Eleven seminarians take next step in journey towards priesthood
A packed congregation at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Downtown L.A. welcomed the newest group of transitional deacons at the annual Ordination of the Diaconate Mass Aug. 12. This year’s seminarians include Egren Gomez, Danilo Guinto, Gilbert Arthur Guzman, William Ian-Vincent Hagan, Paul Keeya, Spencer Mayer Lawrenz, John Terrence O’Brien, Tommy Roide, Pedro Saucedo Jr., Joachim Ssebwana and William Matthew Wheeler.
Annual Religious Brothers Mass honors Brother John Montgomery
One of the unfortunate yet inherent realities of religious brotherhood is that most of the tremendous good works brothers perform on a daily basis remain unseen by the community at large, and fail to garner the recognition they truly deserve. Thankfully, however, there are special occasions like the Annual Religious Brothers Mass and Dinner on March 19.
‘All Eyez on Me’ gives Tupac a one-dimensional treatment
The end credits of “All Eyez on Me,” the new biopic recounting the life and tragic murder of `90’s hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, features a captivating clip from a 1994 interview with Shakur that, despite being just 20 seconds long, reveals so much about the rap legend: his uncompromising honesty and candor, his unique outlook on life and his rare, refreshing self-awareness.
‘The Florida Project’ director, stars discuss new film with Angelus
“It’s very nice to meet you; can I get you something to drink?” asks Brooklynn Prince, one of the stars of the new film “The Florida Project,” as I sit down with her at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel for the film’s recent press junket. This may seem like an ordinary interaction, except for the fact that Prince is only seven years old.
Holy-wood: How one priest supports films that ‘promote truth, beauty and goodness’
The path to priesthood doesn’t often include stops on the sets of soap operas. But for Father Don Woznicki, a stint as a production assistant for the NBC soap “Sunset Beach” in 1998 (the same year he entered the Mundelein Seminary to begin his formation as a priest) was a pivotal part of his exploration of his “calling within a calling” — his deep-seated desire to evangelize through the entertainment industry.
‘The Florida Project’ is remarkable, best film so far this year
On the heels of the surprise Oscar-winning film “Moonlight,” burgeoning production company A24 Films has once again uncovered an extraordinary tale focused on a young child growing up in a destitute region of a Florida city in “The Florida Project.” And, once again, this film may be the next “little engine that could” that surprises everyone come next February.
‘Only the Brave’ pays tribute to real Granite Mountain hotshots
Arriving in theaters mere weeks after devastating forest fires that ravaged 6,000 acres of land in Anaheim and just as wind fires shut down Highway 33, “Only the Brave,” which is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain hotshots — who tragically lost their lives in the wake of the infamous 2013 Yarnell Hill fire in Arizona — feels like it’s precisely the movie we need right now. And boy, does it deliver — from just about every standpoint.
Religious brothers from across nation gather in L.A. for 46th conference
Last month, the religious brothers who do so much to support their communities all over the country had the opportunity to congregate in support of one another at the 46th annual Religious Brothers Conference. The brothers of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles didn’t have to travel far this year, as they played host to their fellow brethren at the Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre.
‘Pirates of the Caribbean 5’ isn’t so much bad as it is tired
“This is the famous Captain Jack Sparrow I’ve been searching for?” a stunned character from “Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales” chastises Sparrow upon first encountering the drunken, beleaguered pirate. I can’t think of a better way to summarize my sentiments regarding the Pirates franchise.
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