Category: Celebs

“The Bad Shepherd” (2024) directed by Geo Santini; starring Christos Kalabogias, Scotty Tovar, Justin Taite, Brett Zimmerman and Geo Santini / Z-View

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The Bad Shepherd (2024)

Director:  Geo Santini

Screenplay: Ryan David Jahn

Stars: Christos Kalabogias, Scotty Tovar, Justin Taite, Brett Zimmerman, Annie Gonzalez and Geo Santini.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Paul, John, Leonard and Travis — four friends loaded into one truck driving on a remote dirt road for a weekend hunting.  The truck accidentally strikes and kills a woman walking alone. When the friends get out to check on the woman’s condition, they find she’s dead.

Not far from the dead woman is a bag full of cash.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Bad Shepherd is a low-budget crime/horror/thriller.  I love the twist.  The acting was fine — especially Scotty Tovar and Geo Santini.  Kudos also to Santini for his direction.  After viewing the movie, the title makes me smile.

The Bad Shepherd (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Zero Day” starring Robert DeNiro, Jesse Plemons with Matthew Modine and Angela Bassett – The Second Trailer is Here!

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The second trailer for the limited series, Zero Day starring Robert DeNiro, Jesse Plemons with Matthew Modine and Angela Bassett is here!

Deal me in.

How can you seek the truth when you can’t even trust your own mind? In the wake of a devastating cyber attack, a former President (Robert DeNiro) is tasked with finding the perpetrators and seeking truth amid the chaos.

Premieres February 20th.

“What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962) directed by Robert Aldrich; starring Bette Davis & Joan Crawford / Z-View

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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Director:  Robert Aldrich

Screenplay: Lukas Heller; based on WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE by Henry Farrell

Stars: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Wesley Addy, Anne Barton, Marjorie Bennett, Bert Freed, Anna Lee, Maidie Norman, Dave Willock, Russ Conway, Maxine Cooper, Robert Cornthwaite, Michael Fox and Barbara Merrill.

Tagline: Things you should know about this motion picture before buying a ticket: 1) If you’re long-standing fans of Miss Davis and Miss Crawford, we warn you this is quite unlike anything they’ve ever done. 2) You are urged to see it from the beginning. 3) Be prepared for the macabre and the terrifying. 4) We ask your pledge to keep the shocking climax a secret. 5) When the tension begins to build, try to remember it’s just a movie.

The Plot…

1917.  Baby Jane Hudson is a national treasure.  The child actress/singer is in such demand that vaudeville stages across the nation are sold out for every performance when she’s in town.  Baby Jane dolls are all the rage.  Unfortunately success has spoiled the little girl.  Little Jane realizes that she’s the family money-maker. She has the power to call the shots.  That means bossing her father/manager around, ignoring her mother and mistreating her slightly older sister Blanche.

When movies become all the rage, Baby Jane learns that the magic is gone.  She’s aged out of being the cute little girl performing on stage. The Jane Hudson that shows up on screen isn’t a very good actress.

But Blanche Hudson is.  Audiences love her and studios want her in their pictures.  If her parents were still alive Blanche would be the breadwinner.  Thankfully Blanche treats Jane better than she was treated when their roles were reversed.

That was decades ago.  A terrible accident crippled Blanche and cut short her movie career.  Now it’s just Blanche and Jane living in the big old mansion bought with Baby Jane‘s money.  Thankfully Blanche’s movie career provided the funds for Blanche and Jane to survive.  But those funds are dwindling.  Jane’s drinking and mistreatment of Blanche is getting worse.

Wheelchair bound and confined to the upstairs floor, Blanche is getting worried.  Baby Jane is planning a comeback… but has a few things she plans to do first.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? was nominated for five Academy Awards winning one…

  • 1963 Nominee Best Sound – Joseph D. Kelly (Seven Arts-Warner Bros. Glen Glenn Sound Department)
  • 1963 Nominee Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Ernest Haller
  • 1963 Nominee Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Victor Buono
  • 1963 Nominee Best Actress in a Leading Role – Bette Davis
  • 1963 Winner Best Costume Design, Black-and-White – Norma Koch

Betty Davis created her own make-up look for the film.  She say her character as never washing her face and each day adding another layer of make-up.  At first, the director and producers felt it was too over-the-top.  When the author visited the set, he said Davis looked just as he imagined Baby Jane.  The studio and director made the right decision to keep Davis’ look.

This features Victor Buono’s feature film debut.  It was also the only time he was nominated for an Oscar.

If the beach house seen at the end of the movie looks familiar, you may be remembering it from director Robert Aldrich’s 1955 film, Kiss Me Deadly where it was also seen at the end of the movie.

Kudos to Robert Aldrich for another excellent film.  More people should be aware of him.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Becoming Hitchcock: The Legacy of Blackmail” (2024) written & directed by Laurent Bouzereau / Z-View

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Becoming Hitchcock: The Legacy of Blackmail (2024)

Director:  Laurent Bouzereau

Screenplay: Laurent Bouzereau

Stars: Elvis Mitchell (narrator), Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Balsam, Raymond Burr, Anthony Dawson, John Gavin, Cary Grant, Tippi Hedren, Grace Kelly, Martin Landau, Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, Curtiss Cook, Eva Marie Saint and James Stewart.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Laurent Bouzereau explores how Alfred Hitchcock’s 1929 film Blackmail foreshadows many of the themes and techniques that would make Hitchcock one of the world’s most famous directors.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Blackmail was made right as silent films were transitioning to “talkies”.  Hitchcock made Blackmail to be shown in either format.  To accomplish this some scenes were shot differently.  This documentary showcases the scenes side by side.

If you’re a die hard Hitchcock fan, this is for you.  If not, your mileage may vary.

Becoming Hitchcock: The Legacy of Blackmail (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Back in Action” (2025) starring Jamie Foxx & Cameron Diaz / Z-View

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Back in Action (2025)

Director:  Seth Gordon

Screenplay: Seth Gordon, Brendan O’Brien

Stars: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, McKenna Roberts, Rylan Jackson, Kyle Chandler, Jamie Demetriou, Andrew Scott, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Ben VanderMey, Tobi Bamtefa and Glenn Close.

Tagline: They’re living their best lies..

The Plot…

Fifteen years ago Matt and Emily were CIA operatives… and lovers.  That all changed when they discovered Emily was  pregnant. The left the organization without any goodbyes and changed their identities.  Since then Matt, Emily and their two teenage kids have been living a normal life.

That all changes when foreign factions and the CIA come after Matt and Emily.  On their last mission they kept a device that could change the world.

Now on the run with their children, they have to figure a way out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I tapped out after 57 minutes.  Your mileage may vary.

Back in Action (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.

Jack Carter and John Wick by Roy Chang!

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Every year the Cartoon Art Museum does a fundraiser.  Artists take on commissions with the funds raised going to support the Museum.  It’s a great cause by awesome artists who share their talents in an effort to support the Museum.

This year one of the two artists I commissioned was Roy Chang.  As you can see, I asked for Stallone from Get Carter and Keanu Reeves as John Wick.  Mr. Chang came through like a champ!

“Jade” starring Mickey Rourke, Mark Dacascos, Katherine McNamara and introducing Shaina West – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Today we have a poster and trailer for Jade.  This is one I’ll check out on streaming since we have drive-ins around here.

Deal me in.

JADE – Official Trailer | On Digital February 18

Official film page: https://www.wellgousa.com/films/jade

After her brother’s untimely and accidental death at her own hands, Jade swore she’d never pick up another gun. But when she unknowingly comes between powerful businessman “Tork” and her former gang leader in their urgent search for a valuable hard drive that could single-handedly take down Interpol, she may not have a choice. With the guidance of Reese, an old friend at Interpol, Jade must come to terms with all she’s faced in the past and present to safeguard her growing family’s future.

Directed by: James Bamford
Cast: Mickey Rourke, Katherine McNamara, Mark Dacascos, and Shaina West

“Shutter Island” (2010) directed by Martin Scorsese; starring Leonard DiCaprio / Z-View

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Shutter Island (2010)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Laeta Kalogridis; based on SHUTTER ISLAND by Dennis Lehane

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Ted Levine, John Carroll Lynch, Elias Koteas, Robin Bartlett, Nellie Sciutto, Joseph Sikora, Curtiss Cook, Joseph McKenna and Jackie Earle Haley.

Tagline: Someone is missing.

The Plot…

1954.

US Marshall Edward “Teddy” Daniels (DiCaprio) is sent to the Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane.  Only the most violent and mentally ill patients are housed there.  The Ashecliffe Hospital sits on Shutter Island, located just outside of Boston Harbor.  The island rests high above sea level, with sheer cliffs on all sides. The only way in or out is through a number of secured gates attached to the only pier.

Just before departing for Shutter Island Marshall Daniels meets his new partner Officer Chuck Aule (Ruffalo).  Daniels and Aule arrive on Shutter Island just ahead of a hurricane that is rapidly approaching.  Daniels brings Aule up to speed.  They are there to find a missing patient named Rachel Solando.  Solando was there because she drowned her three children.  How she could have gotten off the island is a mystery.  The fact that she cannot be found on the small island seems impossible.  Daniels and Aule are there to resolve the case.

Daniels tells Aule that he asked for the case.  Daniels goes on to say that another of the insane criminals housed on Shutter Island is arsonist Andrew Laeddis.  One of Laeddis’ victims was Daniels wife who died in one of Laeddis’ fires.

As Daniels and Aule speak with the doctors and police officers on staff, Daniels begins to feel that things are not as they seem.  The patient interviews add to Daniels’ concerns.  When Daniels speaks to patient George Noyce privately, Noce informs him that the doctors are lying to him.  Noyce goes on to say that patients are subjected to horrible experiments.  Some are even lobotomized before they can speak out.

With this new knowledge, Daniels plans to leave the island and come back with support.  The only problem is the hurricane keeping all boats away.  Daniels and Officer Aule had been separated.  When Daniels asks about Aule, he is told that he had no partner.

Daniels realizes he’s trapped on the island and nothing is as it seemed. Daniels is outnumbered and outgunned. He’s got to find a way to survive and escape… from a place where escape is impossible.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Shutter Island is based on Dennis Lehane’s book of the same name.  Both the novel and the movie get my highest recommendation.

Shutter Island is an anagram for Truths and Lies.  As Daniels gets deeper and deeper into the mystery, the weather gets worse and the skies darker.  The storm passes and the skies clear, once the mystery is solved.  Unfortunately sunny skies may not mean a happy ending.

There are subtle clues throughout the movie as to what is actually going on.  I won’t give them away, because discovering them as you watch the film is part of the fun.  There’s even more enjoyment watching the film again and seeing how everything is right before our eyes.

Shutter Island (2010) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“American Primeval” (2025) written by Mark L. Smith; directed by Peter Berg; starring Taylor Kitsch & Betty Gilpin / Z-View

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American Primeval (2025)

Created by: Mark L. Smith

Director: Peter Berg

Teleplay: Mark L. Smith

Stars: Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Derek Hinkey, Joe Tippett, Jai Courtney, Preston Mota, Shawnee Pourier, Kyle Davis, Tokala Black Elk, Mustafa Speaks, Nick Hargrove, Alex Fine, Andrew P. Loga, Irene Bedard, Kim Coates and Shea Whigham.

Tagline:  No one survives alone.

The Plot…

1857.

A wagon train heading into the west is attacked. Isaac Reed, a frontiersman who had been trailing the group manages to get Sara Rowell and her son Devin away to safety.  Abish, a newlywed Morman bride shows courage as the surviving women are killed.  Abish’s life is spared, but she taken captive by one of the Paiutes.  Everyone else is left for dead.

Although badly wounded and partially scalped, Jacob Pratt survives.  Jacob is determined to find his bride Abish.

The attack on the wagon train appeared to be by Native Americans.  Although there were some Paiutes that participated, the massacre was led by a Morman militia.  The Mormans, led by Brigham Young, are determined to make this area of the west, their stronghold.  When it is learned that Abish survived and could identify that Mormans were involved in the raid, a squad is sent to find and kill her.

Bounty hunters are on the trail of Sara Rowell and her son.  Sara is wanted for the murder of a man back east.

As the US calvary prepares for revenge against the Shoshone (thought to have massacred the wagon train), bounty hunters are closing in on Isaac Reed, Sara, Devin, and Two Moon, a young Native American girl who joined their group.  At the same time the Morman soldiers are hunting Abish.

Each group will face more battles with the other groups, wolves, and the elements.  Most will not survive living in American Primeval.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

American Primeval writer Mark L. Smith also wrote The Revenant (2015).

Shea Whigham always raises the bar when he appears in a scene.

Arrows have never appeared so fast and dangerous as they do in this one.

American Primeval (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

RIP: David Lynch

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It was announced that David Lynch died today, at the age of 78.  Mr. Lynch had announced last year that he had been diagnosed with emphysema.

After graduating high school, David Lynch decided to study painting.  He studied at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington, D.C., the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.  It was at the Pennsylvania Academy where Mr. Lynch made his first short film.  The film was well received and led Mr. Lynch to create other shorts.

A grant from the American Film Institute financed Mr. Lynch’s short, The Grandmother.  David Lynch then moved to LA to begin studying filmmaking at the AFI Conservatory.  While there Mr. Lynch received a $10,000 grant from the AFI to create Eraserhead.  David Lynch raised the additional money required to complete filming through a loan from his father and money he saved by delivering The Wall Street Journal.  After the success of Eraserhead, Mr. Lynch went on to direct Elephant Man.  At that point, Mr. Lynch was well on his way to a long career as a director, writer and producer.  In addition to his television and feature film directing, Mr. Lynch as continued to create shorts, music videos, write and occasionally act.

David Lynch was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Director, once for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium and won an Honorary Academy Award

  • 1981 Nominee – Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for The Elephant Man, Shared with: Christopher De Vore · Eric Bergren
  • 1981 Nominee – Best Director for The Elephant Man
  • 1987 Nominee – Best Director for Blue Velvet
  • 2002 Nominee – Best Director for Mulholland Drive

Television projects that feature David Lynch include: Twin Peaks (6 episodes); On the Air; Hotel Room (2 episodes) and Muholland Drive (2001).

Feature films that David Lynch directed in include: Eraserhead; The Elephant Man; Dune; Blue Velvet; Twin Peaks; Wild at Heart; Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me; Lost Highway; The Straight Story; Mulholland Drive (1999) and Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces.

I first heard of David Lynch with his movie Eraserhead.  My favorite David Lynch film is The Elephant Man.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to David Lynch’s family, friends and fans.

“Paradise” starring Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson & James Marsden – The Second Trailer is Here!

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We have a new trailer for Paradise starring Sterling K. Brown,  Julianne Nicholson and James Marsden.  This looks great.

Deal me in.

Starring Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, and Julianne Nicholson.

Paradise is set in a serene, wealthy community inhabited by some of the world’s most prominent individuals. But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs and a high stakes investigation unfolds. Stream #ParadiseHulu on January 28.

“Tarzan Triumphs” (1943) starring Johnny Weissmuller / Z-View

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Tarzan Triumphs (1943)

Director:  Wilhelm Thiele

Screenplay: Carroll Young, Roy Chanslor ; story by Carroll Young; based on characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Stars: Johnny Weissmuller, Frances Gifford, Johnny Sheffield, Stanley Ridges, Sig Ruman, Philip Van Zandt,
Pedro de Cordoba, George Lynn and Cheetah.

Tagline: A new exciting beauty arouses Tarzan’s fighting heart…as ruthless killers from the sky invade his jungle kingdom on a rampage of murder and worse! You’ll see…NEW TARZAN THRILLS by the thousand!

The Plot…

World War II rages, but until now has not reached the jungles of Tarzan.

Until now.

A squad of Nazi paratroopers has taken over the the lost city of Palandrya.  The Nazis are using the citizens as slave labor to mine rare minerals.  When the Nazis kidnap Tarzan’s adopted son, Boy, Tarzan is drawn into the war.

“Ungawa!”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tarzan Triumphs was Johnny Weissmuller’s seventh outing as Tarzan.  Those films were made at MGM.  This movie came from RKO.  Along with Weissmuller, the studio got Johnny Sheffield (as Boy) and Cheetah.  Maureen O’Sullivan (who played Jane in the previous films) was under contract with MGM.  That’s why Jane is in England during this film.

World War II was still being fought when Tarzan Triumphs was made.  Sol Lesser, the executive producer of Tarzan Triumphs said it was suggested by the US State Department that having Tarzan fight Nazis would be a great morale builder.

If the fort where Tarzan and Boy are held captive looks familiar, it could be because it was the same set used in Gunga Din.

When it comes to killing Nazis even Boy, Cheeta and Boy’s pet elephant take part.

The final scene with Cheetah “talking” on the radio and Nazis in Germany thinking it is Hitler speaking is classic.

If you like Tarzan films of this era, Tarzan Triumphs is one of the better ones.

Tarzan Triumphs (1943) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Landman”: Season 1 (2023) written by Taylor Sheridan; starring Billy Bob Thorton, Demi Moore & John Hamm / Z-View

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Landman: Season 1 (2023)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan, Christian Wallace

Director: Taylor Sheridan (Eps. 1-2); Stephen Kay (Eps. 3-5; 8-10); Michael Friedman  (Eps. 6-7)

Teleplay: Taylor Sheridan (Eps. 1-10)

Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chavez, Kayla Wallace, Mark Collie, James Jordan, Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, Colm Feore, Mustafa Speaks, Mitchell Slaggert, Alex Meraz, Octavio Rodriguez, Ben Browder, Robyn Lively, Emilio Rivera, Andy García and Michael Peña.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Tommy Norris (Thorton) oversees operations for the M-Tex oil company.  It’s Tommy’s job to make sure everything runs smoothly and the company makes money.  That means Tommy is in charge of it all – from land purchases, hiring and firing of staff, oil well production, dealing with lawsuits, local law, gangs and whatever else might impede M-Tex’s profit margin.

Monty Miller (Hamm) owns M-Tex.  Although he’s a billionaire (on paper), if the oil market crashes, he could lose everything.  If the price of oil stays at the “sweet spot” where oil production can expand and profits are made, Miller will become even richer.  As many people go broke as get rich in the oil business.  And if the rich stay in the business, they risk losing it all.  No wonder Monty Miller has had several heart attacks.

This season Tommy will deal with…

  • … his son Cooper (Lofland) wanting to learn the oil business from the bottom up.  A tragic accident will change everything.
  • … his teenage daughter, Ainsley (Randolph) coming to live with him.  Ainsley is beautiful and loves attention.  Her mother has let her run wild and now it’s too late to tame Ainsley.
  • … his ex-wife, Angela (Larter) wanting to get back together. Angela has always used her good looks to get what she wants. Everyone (including Tommy) knows letting Angela move back in is a bad idea.  Tommy’s just too in love with her not to try.
  • … accidents on the job.  Men get injured and some killed.  Tommy has to navigate making sure the men are taken care of and the company maximizes profits.  These two things don’t always align.
  • … cartels using the oil fields for drug deals.  When a drug shipment is destroyed, the cartel boss tells Tommy the oil company must pay.   This puts a target on Tommy’s back.
  • … a hotshot young attorney, brought in by Monty.  She immediately takes a dislike to Tommy.  He feels the same towards her.
  • … escalating troubles with the cartel.  Jimenez, the midlevel Mexican crime boss, sees Tommy as the problem.  Jimenez is used to eliminating problems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

We all know Taylor Sheridan can write and direct.  He also attracts others at the top of their fields to assist with those chores when he doesn’t himself.  For Landman Season 1, Sheridan writes every episode and directs the first two.

Stephen Kay helms six of the ten episodes.  Kay is known for directing episodes of The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, The Punisher, Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, Lioness, 1883, 1923 and one of my favorite films, Get Carter (2000).  Michael Friedman directs two episodes of Landman.  He’s known for direction on Lioness and Yellowstone.

The casting from the biggest to the smallest roles is on point.  Standouts include:

  • Billy Bob Thorton was born to play Tommy Norris.  Thorton is an excellent actor, and I’ve loved him in several roles.  This may be my favorite.
  • Ali Larter is excellent in a role that I love to dislike.
  • Michelle Randolph plays Elizabeth Strafford in 1923.  What a different character than the one she plays in Landman.  She’s excellent in both.  I guess that’s why they call it acting.
  • Jacob Lofland is more than holding his own.  I’ve seen Lofland before in Mud and Justified, but in Landman he shines.
  • Paulina Chavez has to walk a fine line in her role.  It would be easy to not like her character, but Chavez is doing a great job to get across the inner struggles of her choices.  The scene with her character telling Tommy she won’t be disrespected is a winner.
  • Kayla Wallace owns her role as the lawyer who goes for the throat in every interaction.  I’d never seen Wallace before in anything, but she’s one to watch.  Check out the scene when she tells the room full of attorneys, “This isn’t a negotiation…”
  • James Jordan is fun to watch.  He has a supporting role in this and Lioness.  He helps make both shows so good.
  • Jon Hamm – who doesn’t enjoy Jon Hamm’s acting.  He brings it every time out.  Hamm is very believable as the billionaire in danger of losing it all, but not afraid to take a risk.  It’d be easy to play this guy either “too cool for school” or “unsure of what to do next” — Hamm has the right mix.
  • Colm Feore – I’ve loved him in every scene he’s in.  Great addition to the show.
  • Michael Peña, Emilio Rivera and Andy García – had small but impactful roles.  It’s always nice when the right people are placed in every role.
  • Demi Moore – I think her role is going to become even more important in Season 2.

Taylor Sheridan has another winner.

Special Ops: Lioness aka Lioness: Season 1 rates 5 of 5 stars.