Ben Lauter
@thetenbenny.bsky.social
Just an imperfect human trying to be true to myself.
The tragic deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner are simply horrific. The task now is not only to remember the goodness of the lives they conducted and to propel their benevolence forward, but also to continue to revisit the artistry with the same wonder and beauty that it has always held for us.
December 16, 2025 at 4:35 AM
The tragic deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner are simply horrific. The task now is not only to remember the goodness of the lives they conducted and to propel their benevolence forward, but also to continue to revisit the artistry with the same wonder and beauty that it has always held for us.
I think “Hamnet” might just be a masterpiece. I’m usually reticent to give movies five stars but sometimes I look back and really can’t find any faults to articulate and then I almost have no choice (it’s always kind of a soft five stars though).
December 11, 2025 at 1:24 AM
I think “Hamnet” might just be a masterpiece. I’m usually reticent to give movies five stars but sometimes I look back and really can’t find any faults to articulate and then I almost have no choice (it’s always kind of a soft five stars though).
When you look at sale announcements and realize the words “up to” are doing a lot of heavy lifting.
December 4, 2025 at 2:02 AM
When you look at sale announcements and realize the words “up to” are doing a lot of heavy lifting.
Black Friday deal, paid over four installments. That’s the American way. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 27, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Black Friday deal, paid over four installments. That’s the American way. Happy Thanksgiving!
A fine day to assemble. No Kings 2: Electric Boogaloo! #TuckFrump #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM
A fine day to assemble. No Kings 2: Electric Boogaloo! #TuckFrump #NoKings
Diane Keaton. A shocking loss of one of the screen GOATs. A template and trailblazer for individualism for so many. May she rest easy or roam, whichever her spirit desires.
October 11, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Diane Keaton. A shocking loss of one of the screen GOATs. A template and trailblazer for individualism for so many. May she rest easy or roam, whichever her spirit desires.
Robert Redford. One of the best to ever play the game. Thank you, Mr. Redford. May you rest easy or roam, whichever your spirit desires.
September 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Robert Redford. One of the best to ever play the game. Thank you, Mr. Redford. May you rest easy or roam, whichever your spirit desires.
“Fantastic Four: The First Steps” totally delivers. It works on all levels. It’s got thrills *and* heart. I felt as elated after this one as I was after the original “Iron Man” which kickstarted the MCU.
July 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“Fantastic Four: The First Steps” totally delivers. It works on all levels. It’s got thrills *and* heart. I felt as elated after this one as I was after the original “Iron Man” which kickstarted the MCU.
With Dave Navarro suing Perry Farrell and Farrell countersuing the other bandmates, there is now sadly only a 75% chance at another reunion.
July 17, 2025 at 12:26 AM
With Dave Navarro suing Perry Farrell and Farrell countersuing the other bandmates, there is now sadly only a 75% chance at another reunion.
"Superman" was awesome. It's the movie we needed at this time, as the world sits at the crossroads of darkness. Corenswet is, for my money, the second best Superman after Reeve, giving an excellent, very layered performance alongside a team of actors that all delivered. Gunn cracked it.
July 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
"Superman" was awesome. It's the movie we needed at this time, as the world sits at the crossroads of darkness. Corenswet is, for my money, the second best Superman after Reeve, giving an excellent, very layered performance alongside a team of actors that all delivered. Gunn cracked it.
The new Bridget Jones movie currently has an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The trailer looks really good. It’s ridiculous that this has been shunted over to Peacock.
February 13, 2025 at 3:02 AM
The new Bridget Jones movie currently has an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The trailer looks really good. It’s ridiculous that this has been shunted over to Peacock.
“Presence” is a great film. Very tense but also tenderly somber. Soderbergh as director gets most of the PR focus but I think people tend to underestimate what a skilled screenwriter David Koepp is because of his populist film work. Their emerging creative relationship has been a fine one.
January 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
“Presence” is a great film. Very tense but also tenderly somber. Soderbergh as director gets most of the PR focus but I think people tend to underestimate what a skilled screenwriter David Koepp is because of his populist film work. Their emerging creative relationship has been a fine one.
Why am I not playing guitar everyday? They look at me longingly from the side of the room, aching to be touched. Perhaps this inspired habit is the key to getting unstuck from what I can only describe as general malaise at best. #2025goals
January 24, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Why am I not playing guitar everyday? They look at me longingly from the side of the room, aching to be touched. Perhaps this inspired habit is the key to getting unstuck from what I can only describe as general malaise at best. #2025goals
LA people! How you doing today? It’s devastating to see all the latest footage and the photos. A county in tatters, whole communities destroyed. Hard to make sense of it.
Continue to stay safe wherever you are. As hard as it is to imagine now, we *will* somehow rebound from this. #LAstrong
Continue to stay safe wherever you are. As hard as it is to imagine now, we *will* somehow rebound from this. #LAstrong
January 9, 2025 at 8:19 PM
LA people! How you doing today? It’s devastating to see all the latest footage and the photos. A county in tatters, whole communities destroyed. Hard to make sense of it.
Continue to stay safe wherever you are. As hard as it is to imagine now, we *will* somehow rebound from this. #LAstrong
Continue to stay safe wherever you are. As hard as it is to imagine now, we *will* somehow rebound from this. #LAstrong
Checking map/news updates and waiting to see if the edge of the Palisades fire evacuation zone in the adjacent area (mine) expands further. Getting a little too close for comfort now. The wind is intense but I’m thinking I’m gonna load my car up just in case. Stay safe, everybody!
January 8, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Checking map/news updates and waiting to see if the edge of the Palisades fire evacuation zone in the adjacent area (mine) expands further. Getting a little too close for comfort now. The wind is intense but I’m thinking I’m gonna load my car up just in case. Stay safe, everybody!
He made it to 100 and a vote for democracy. Thank you, Mr. Carter, for your unwavering belief in decency and commitment to humanity. A truly laudable life. May you rest easy or roam, whichever your spirit desires.
December 29, 2024 at 9:44 PM
He made it to 100 and a vote for democracy. Thank you, Mr. Carter, for your unwavering belief in decency and commitment to humanity. A truly laudable life. May you rest easy or roam, whichever your spirit desires.
I love that filmmakers like Luca Guadagnino and Yorgos Lanthimos are developing, shooting or releasing at least a movie a year now of consistently high quality. It’s exhilarating. “This was my life's dream and I love movies and I can’t believe I get to make them and I’m gonna make as many as I can.”
December 11, 2024 at 11:58 PM
I love that filmmakers like Luca Guadagnino and Yorgos Lanthimos are developing, shooting or releasing at least a movie a year now of consistently high quality. It’s exhilarating. “This was my life's dream and I love movies and I can’t believe I get to make them and I’m gonna make as many as I can.”
Aided by a voice cast and Disney legend Alan Menken’s musical magic, Netflix’s “Spellbound” has an intimate family story feel, but the whimsy of its opening premise and slow burn charm builds to a big close that swirls with emotion and is thematically atypical for the genre.
November 27, 2024 at 4:10 AM
Aided by a voice cast and Disney legend Alan Menken’s musical magic, Netflix’s “Spellbound” has an intimate family story feel, but the whimsy of its opening premise and slow burn charm builds to a big close that swirls with emotion and is thematically atypical for the genre.
I’ve decided I need to recommit to my guitar playing going forward. Hand and finger pain, wonky gear, lack of funds be damned. The heart wasn’t in it for a while but I had put in 30 years. Why let that go? I must find my way back.
November 26, 2024 at 9:59 PM
I’ve decided I need to recommit to my guitar playing going forward. Hand and finger pain, wonky gear, lack of funds be damned. The heart wasn’t in it for a while but I had put in 30 years. Why let that go? I must find my way back.
"Gladiator II" is bonkers, but in a good way. Doesn't match the greatness of the original but ups the ante in the colosseum. Yes, I was entertained. Denzel steals the show as only he can, but Mescal makes his role his own thing and separate from what Russell Crowe brought.
November 25, 2024 at 10:18 PM
"Gladiator II" is bonkers, but in a good way. Doesn't match the greatness of the original but ups the ante in the colosseum. Yes, I was entertained. Denzel steals the show as only he can, but Mescal makes his role his own thing and separate from what Russell Crowe brought.
Wicked: Part One is just a beautiful experience. An awe inspiring spectacle of design and musicality. Jon M. Chu's movie will stand as one of the best movie musical adaptations to exist. Erivo and Grande are simply amazing in performances layered in heartbreak and humor.
November 25, 2024 at 4:04 AM
Wicked: Part One is just a beautiful experience. An awe inspiring spectacle of design and musicality. Jon M. Chu's movie will stand as one of the best movie musical adaptations to exist. Erivo and Grande are simply amazing in performances layered in heartbreak and humor.
Having mistaken my noon hour screening of "Gladiator II" for a nighttime screening, I will now stupidly see if I can get through the two-plus hour runtime at a make-up 10 PM screening. And then be fresh enough to see "Wicked" ten hours later. 😀
November 23, 2024 at 10:36 PM
Having mistaken my noon hour screening of "Gladiator II" for a nighttime screening, I will now stupidly see if I can get through the two-plus hour runtime at a make-up 10 PM screening. And then be fresh enough to see "Wicked" ten hours later. 😀
On the one hand, I want to engage politics at least slightly on here going forward because it's a critical concern, but on the other, the vibe is very relaxed and non-toxic to where I almost don't want to, figuratively, toss a pebble that disrupts the serenity of this water's pristine surface.
November 21, 2024 at 10:31 PM
On the one hand, I want to engage politics at least slightly on here going forward because it's a critical concern, but on the other, the vibe is very relaxed and non-toxic to where I almost don't want to, figuratively, toss a pebble that disrupts the serenity of this water's pristine surface.
“A Complete Unknown” is also *my* life story. 😛
November 20, 2024 at 8:37 PM
“A Complete Unknown” is also *my* life story. 😛
Very important poll.
The Police:
“Synchronicity” or “Synchronicity II”?
The Police:
“Synchronicity” or “Synchronicity II”?
November 20, 2024 at 3:22 AM
Very important poll.
The Police:
“Synchronicity” or “Synchronicity II”?
The Police:
“Synchronicity” or “Synchronicity II”?