Category: Celebs

“Normal” starring Bob Odenkirk, Lena Heady and Henry Winkler – The Teaser Trailer is Here!

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Normal starring Bob Odenkirk, Lena Heady and Henry Winkler – The Teaser Trailer is Here!

In theaters April 17.

The latest collaboration between Bob Odenkirk, JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad and NOBODY producer Marc Provissiero, director Ben Wheatley’s (FREE FIRE, HIGH RISE) kinetic neo-Western stars Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a small, sleepy town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.

For Sheriff Ulysses (Odenkirk), his provisional posting to the quaint Midwestern American town of Normal was meant to be a welcome respite from both his marital woes and recent moral injuries in the line of duty. But when a botched bank robbery interrupts the municipality’s tranquil pace, a dark secret is inadvertently exposed, and Ulysses soon discovers that the town is anything but its namesake.

Starring Bob Odenkirk, Lena Heady and Henry Winkler

Directed by Ben Wheatley

RIP: Rob Reiner

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Yesterday Rob Reiner and his wife were found murdered in their Los Angeles home.  They had been killed by an assailant using a knife.  Their son, Nick has been charged for both murders.

Rob Reiner was the child of Estelle and Carl Reiner.  Carl Reiner was an award-winning actor, comedian, author, director and screenwriter.  Over his career Mr. Reiner won numerous awards including 11 Prime Time Emmys, a Grammy, the Mark Twain Prize for Amerian Humor and an induction into the Television Hall of Fame.

Rob Reiner decided to follow in his father’s footsteps.  He began getting acting roles while still in high school.  Juggling his new found acting career with school, Rob Reiner enrolled at the UCLA Film School.  Rob Reiner made several television guest appearances on popular shows of the day including Batman, The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle.  Rob Reiner also started to appear in feature films.  In 1968, Rob Reiner became one of the writers and actors on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

Rob Reiner’s breakout role came when he played Mike Stivik on All in the Family.  Over the course of the series Mr. Reiner was nominated for five Emmys (winning two) as well as five Golden Globe nominations.  In 1974, Rob Reiner directed the television movie Sonny Boy while still co-starring in All in the Family.  After All in the Family ended, Rob Reiner was co-creator of the television comedy The Super.  It ran for one season.  Mr. Reiner continued to act in guest roles throughout the 1970s.

In 1981, Rob Reiner returned to directing with the segment Tommy Rispoli: A Man and his Music as part of the television movie Likely Stories: Volume 1.  Mr. Reiner followed that up by directing This is Spinal Tap.  This is Spinal Tap became a huge hit.  Rob Reiner then went on a streak.  The next six films Rob Reiner directed were The Sure Thing, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and A Few Good Men.  What a run!

Over the course of his career Rob Reiner continued to act, direct, write and produce.  Some of the Awards he was nominated for and/or received include:

  • 1972 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
  • 1972 Primetime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy –  All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
  • 1973 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
  • 1973 Primetime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy –  All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
  • 1974 Primetime Emmy Winner for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy –  All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
  • 1974 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
  • 1975 Primetime Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy –  All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
  • 1976 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
  • 1977 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Television – All in the Family
  • 1978 Primetime Emmy Winner for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy –  All in the Family – For playing: “Michael Stivic”.
  • 1987 DGA Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures – Stand by Me
  • 1987 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director – Motion Picture – Stand by Me
  • 1990 DGA Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures – When Harry Met Sally…
  • 1990 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director – Motion Picture – When Harry Met Sally…
  • 1993 Academy Award Nominee for Best Picture – A Few Good Men
  • 1993 DGA Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures – A Few Good Men
  • 1993 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director – Motion Picture – A Few Good Men
  • 1993 PGA Nominee for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures – A Few Good Men
  • 1996 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director – Motion Picture – The American President
  • 1996 PGA Nominee for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures – The American President
  • 1999 Star Awarded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • 2024 PGA Nominee for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television – Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
  • 2024 Primetime Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special – Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
  • 2024 Primetime Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program – Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

Some of the television projects that feature Rob Reiner acting include: Manhunt; Batman; Hey, Landlord (3 episodes); The Andy Griffith Show; That Girl (3 episodes); The Mothers-In-Law; Gomer Pyle (3 episodes); The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (5 episodes); The Beverly Hillbillies (2 episodes); Room 222; The Partridge Family; Getting Together; The Odd Couple; The Rockford Files; Free Country (5 episodes); More Than Friends; All in the Family (184 episodes); Archie Bunker’s Place (2 episodes); Tall Tales & Legends; It’s Gary Shandling’s Show (4 episodes); Morton & Hayes (6 episodes); A Spinal Tap Reunion; The Larry Sanders Show; Frasier; Curb Your Enthusiasm; The Simpsons; Wizards of Waverly Place; 30 Rock; About a Boy; Happyish (2 episodes); The Comedians; When We Rise; New Girl (11 episodes); Hollywood (3 episodes); The Good Fight (2 episodes); Home Movie: The Princess Bride (3 episodes); The Bear (4 episodes) and Conan o’Brien Needs a Friend.

Some feature films that Rob Reiner acted in include: Enter Laughing; The Jerk; This is Spinal Tap; Throw Mama From the Train; Postcards from the Edge; Misery; Sleepless in Seattle; Bullets Over Broadway; The First Wives Club; Primary Colors; The Story of Us; The Wolf of Wall Street and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

Some of the television projects that feature Rob Reiner directing include: Sonny Boy; I am Your Child and 8.

Some of the feature films that Rob Reiner directed include: This is Spinal Tap; The Sure Thing; Stand by Me; The Princess Bride; When Harry Met Sally; Misery; A Few Good Men; The American President; Ghosts of Mississippi; The Story of Us; The Bucket List; Flipped; The Magic of Belle Island; LBJ; Albert Brooks: Defending My Life; and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

I probably first saw Rob Reiner acting in Batman.  I never missed that show when I was a kid.  Of course, I’m sure I saw Mr. Reiner’s guest appearances on The Andy Griffith Show; That Girl; Gomer Pyle; The Beverly Hillbillies; The Partridge Family and The Rockford Files before I ever saw Rob Reiner in his breakout role on All in the Family.  He was so good as Archie Bunker’s foil.  If the character of Mike Stivik was the only acting role Rob Reiner was known for, it would still make for a great career.

Who could have guessed what a talented director Rob Reiner would become.  I would match his first first seven films (This is Spinal Tap; The Sure Thing; Stand by Me; The Princess Bride; When Harry Met Sally; Misery and A Few Good Men) against any other director’s first seven.

By all accounts Rob Reiner was a gentle, kind, humble man loved by anyone who knew him.  We need more folks with those qualities.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Rob Reiner’s family, friends and fans.

“The Unholy Trinity” (2024) starring Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson / Z-View

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The Unholy Trinity (2024)

Director: Richard Gray

Screenplay: Lee Zachariah

Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Samuel L. Jackson, Q’orianka Kilcher, Ethan Peck, Katrina Bowden,
Tim Daly, Beau Knapp, Cyrus Leisy, Anthony J. Sharpe and David Arquette.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

1870.  Isaac Broadway’s last words before being hanged were that he was innocent and framed by Saul Butler.  Only Isaac’s son, Henry believed him.

But it was enough.

Henry heads for the frontier town of Trinity to kill Saul Butler.

Henry and a mysterious man who calls himself Saint Christopher arrive in Trinity.  Henry is there to kill Saul Butler.  St. Christopher is after a treasure chest of gold that was stolen from him.  Their paths will cross with Sheriff Gabriel Dove who just wants to keep the peace.

“Giddy up!”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson elevate this film.

The Unholy Trinity (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Peter Greene

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It was announced that Peter Greene died yesterday. Mr. Greene was 60.  No cause of death was given.

Peter Greene ran away from home when he was 15.  Mr. Greene didn’t decide on an acting career until he was in his mid-20s.  Peter Greene worked in both television and feature films throughout his career.  His first television appearance was on the series Hardball.  Mr. Greene made his feature film debute in Laws of Gravity.  Peter Greene became best known as a character actor, often playing villains.

Some of the television projects that feature Peter Greene include: Hardball; As the World Turns (2 episodes); Black Cat Run; Law & Order; Dead & Deader; The Black Donnelly’s (13 episodes); Life on Mars (2 episodes); Justified; Hawaii 5-0; Chicago P.D. (2 episodes); Still the King (2 episodes); For Life (9 episodes); The Jersey Connection; The Continental and Dope Thief.

Some of Peter Greene’s feature film appearances include: Laws of Gravity; Clean Shaven; Judgment Night; Pulp Fiction; The Mask; The Usual Suspects; Bang; Under Siege 2: Dark Territory; The Rich Man’s Wife; Blue Streak; Training Day; Scenes of the Crime; Dead Dogs Lie; Under the Influence; The Grasslands; Shanghai Hotel;  Turnabout; City of Lies; Body Brokers and Beggarman.

I first became aware of Peter Greene in Pulp Fiction.  Mr. Greene was such a great villain.  Even in a role with small screen-time, Peter Greene made an impact.  My favorite Peter Greene appearance might be in Justified.  He appeared with Timothy Olyphant in the very first scene which set the tone of the series.  Of course any time Peter Greene appeared on-screen, it brought a smile to my face.  I just knew that his character was up to something.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Peter Greene’s family, friends and fans.

“Tulsa King”: Season 3 (2025) starring Sylvester Stallone / Z-View

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Tulsa King: Season 3 (2025)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan

Directors:

  • Jim McKay (Eps. 1-2; 9-10)
  • Kevin Dowling (Eps. 3-4)
  • Joe Chappelle  (Eps. 5-6)
  • Guy Ferland (Eps. 7-8)

Teleplay:

  • (Ep. 1) Dave Erickson and Sylvester Stallone
  • (Ep. 2) Sheri Elwood
  • (Ep. 3) Jameel Saleem
  • (Ep. 4) Taylor Streitz
  • (Ep. 5) Ildy Modrovich and Sylvester Stallone
  • (Ep. 6) Joseph Riccobene
  • (Ep. 7) Daniel C. Connolly
  • (Ep. 8) Nick Jones Jr. & Sylvester Stallone
  • (Ep. 9) Daniel C. Connolly & Ildy Modrovich; story by Dave Erickson & Daniel C. Connolly & Ildy Modrovich 
  • (Ep. 10) Dave Erickson & Sylvester Stallone

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Garrett Hedlund, Dana Delany, Chris Caldovino, McKenna Quigley Harrington, Vincent Piazza, Annabella Sciorra, Dashiell Connery, Justin Garcia-Pruneda, Mike “Cash Flo” Walden, Tatiana Zappardino,  Neal McDonough, Robert Patrick, Beau Knapp,  Bella Heathcote, Frank Grillo, Kevin Pollak,  James Russo, Michael Beach, Juliette Jeffers, Barry Corbin, Samuel L. Jackson  and Scarlet Rose Stallone.

Tagline: More Power. More Problems.

The Plot…

In season three…

  • Agent Musso of the FBI has a personal vendetta and plans to use Dwight Manfredi to resolve it.  If Dwight doesn’t play along, his entire crew will be arrested for the crimes they’ve committed.

 

  • Quiet Ray Renzetti, a senior New York crime boss is pressuring Dwight for a piece of everything that Dwight has going.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tulsa King was nominated for one 2025 PrimeTime Emmy Award – Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program: Freddie Poole

Robert Patrick is great as Dunmire, a villain you love to hate.  Patrick co-starred with Sly Stallone in Cop Land.

As you might have guessed, Tulsa King continues to be one of my current favorite television shows.  Bring on season four!

Tulsa King: Season 2 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“His & Hers” starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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His & Hers starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

I’m a fan of both so deal me in.

Two sides. One truth. HIS & HERS premieres January 8th, only on Netflix!

Two estranged spouses — one a cop, the other a news reporter — compete to solve a murder case in which each believes the other is a prime suspect.

“Sudden Fear” (1952) starring Joan Crawford, Jack Palance & Gloria Grahame / Z-View

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Sudden Fear (1952)

Director: David Miller

Screenplay: Lenore J. Coffee, Robert Smith; based on SUDDEN FEAR by Edna Sherry

Stars: Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, Gloria Grahame, Bruce Bennett, Virginia Huston,  Taylor Holmes, Selmer Jackson, Lewis Martin and Mike Connors.

Tagline:  A Thrilling New High In Suspense Melodrama!

The Plot…

Myra Hudson is a successful Broadway playwright and producer.  Her every production is a success.  She’s powerful, rich and single.  On a train ride across country Myra has a chance meeting with Lester Baine.  He’s an actor that Myra fired from one of her productions not too long ago.

Myra is apologetic, yet Lester says, “No apology needed.”  They talk a bit and really hit it off.  Lester is witty and charming.  Before the train ride is over, Myra is falling in love.  A whirlwind courtship and marriage follow.

What Myra doesn’t know is that Lester doesn’t love her.  It’s an act to gain access to Myra’s money and prestige.  In fact, Lester is having an affair with his old flame (and fellow grifter) Irene.

Myra is so in love with Lester, she decides to secretly revise her will.  She will leave him everything should she die.  Lester learns that Myra is planning to change her will.  He doesn’t know that the change would benefit him.  Lester decides to kill Myra before the change is made.  He recruits Irene and they plan the murder.

Myra accidentally learns that Lester is cheating on her and he very soon he will kill her.  Myra’s shock turns to disbelief, then fear and then a plan for revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Sudden Fear was nominated for four 1953 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White – Sheila O’Brien
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Charles Lang
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Jack Palance
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Joan Crawford

Sudden Fear marked Jack Palance’s first Best Supporting Actor Academy Award Nomination.  He would earn his second Best Supporting Actor Oscar Nomination the following year for his performance in Shane.

Joan Crawford not only starred in Sudden Fear, she also served as the film’s Executive Producer.  She was hands-on. Crawford personally selected the film’s screenwriter (Lenore J. Coffee), the director (David Miller), the cinematographer (Charles Lang) and her co-stars (Jack Palance and Gloria Grahame).

Because Joan Crawford optioned the rights to Edna Sherry’s novel, Crawford had more control over the production.  Crawford gambled and took 40% of the film’s profits rather than her normal $200,000.00 salary.  The gamble paid off when the film was a huge success.

Sudden Fear features Mike Connor’s first feature film role.  He is billed as Touch Connor.

Based on the film’s Oscar nominations and reviews, most folks liked Sudden Fear A LOT more than me.  I found Sudden Fear to be overly melodramtic.  I did enjoy the surprise at the end, but felt that much of the danger and suspense could have been easily avoided with better choices from the Joan Crawford character.  As always, your mileage may vary.

Sudden Fear (1952) rates 2 of 5 stars.

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert – The Poster and Trailer are Here! (Featuring Long-Lost & Rediscovered Footage)

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EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

EPiC features long-lost footage from Presley’s legendary Vegas residency in the 1970s, woven together with rare 16mm footage from Elvis on Tour and treasured 8mm film from the Graceland archive, along with rediscovered recordings of Elvis telling ‘his side of the story,.’

One week IMAX exclusive starting 2.20.
In Theaters Worldwide 2.27.

“The Silent Hour” (2024) starring Joel Kinnaman, Sandra Mae Frank, Mekhi Phifer and Mark Strong / Z-View

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The Silent Hour (2024)

Director: Brad Anderson

Screenplay: Dan Hall

Stars: Joel Kinnaman, Sandra Mae Frank, Mark Strong, Jonathan Koensgen and Mekhi Phifer.

Tagline:  Without a sound.

The Plot…

Sixteen months ago Boston Police Detective Frank Shaw lost his hearing.  Now, back on the job, Frank is still adjusting.  Frank and his partner, Detective Doug Slater, are sent to a building undergoing renovations to interview Ava Freemont.  Ava witnessed a murder.

Frank meets his partner at the building.  It turns out Ava is deaf.  Frank gets some first hand practice at sign language.  After the interview Frank and Detective Slater go their separate ways.  As Frank is about to drive off, he realizes he left something in Ava’s apartment.  He returns to get it.

That’s when the murderer and several of his buddies show up.  They plan to silence Ava… forever.

What chance do two deal people have against several armed murderers?  Trapped in a building… with no way to communicate to the outside world Frank and Ava are outmanned and outgunned.

Worse still, they can’t hear what’s coming.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Sandra Mae Frank, who plays Ava, has been deaf since the age of three.

In 2023, Joel Kinnaman starred in Silent Night, where he also played a hearing-impaired protagonist.

The Silent Hour (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“One Ranger” (2023) written & directed by Jesse V. Johnson, starring Thomas Jane / Z-View

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One Ranger (2023)

Director: Jesse V. Johnson

Screenplay: Jesse V. Johnson

Stars: Thomas Jane, Dean Jagger, Dominique Tipper, Nick Moran, Patrick Bergin, David Sakurai and John Malkovich.

Tagline:  London is About to Get a Taste of Texas

The Plot…

Texas Ranger Alex Tyree is a throwback.  Tyree is a tough, no-nonsense Texas Ranger with no quit in him.  When Tyree and his partner track a bank robber named Declan McBride into the desert, Tyree’s partner is killed and Tyree is badly wounded.

It turns out that McBride is a terrorist with plans to detonate a bomb in London.  British Intelligence wants Tyree on the case.  Tyree wants McBride caught.  Sounds like a match made in heaven.  Far from it.

Tyree has a way of doing things that doesn’t align with Agent Smith, his British liaison.  The two are going to have to find a way to work together before McBride detonates his bombs.

Mount up.  We’re burning daylight.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

One Ranger echoes Clint Eastwood in Coogan’s Bluff and Dennis Weaver in McCloud.  In both a cowboy lawman is sent to New York City on a case.  Substitute a Texas Ranger and London and you have the outline for One Ranger.

Although Thomas Jane’s character comes off as a caricature, Jane plays it straight which makes for the best part of the movie.  Still, I was expecting more.

One Ranger (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“House of the Rising Sun” directed by Brian A. Miller, starring Dave Bautista, Amy Smart, Danny Trejo, Dominic Purcell and Craig Fairbass / Z-View

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House of the Rising Sun (2011)

Director: Brian A. Miller

Screenplay: Chuck Hustmyre and Brian A. Miller; based on HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN by Chuck Hustmyre

Stars: Dave Bautista, Amy Smart, Dominic Purcell, Craig Fairbrass, Tim Fields, Jesse Pruett, Joe Ochman and Danny Trejo.

Tagline:  They took his badge. He kept the gun.

The Plot…

Ray Shane is an ex-cop and ex-con.  Shane did a five year stretch for corruption.  Now he’s head of security for the strip club called “The House of the Rising Sun”.  The strip club is actually a front for an illegal gambling club.  That’s where the real money is made.

One night on Shane’s watch, the club is robbed.  Things go from bad to worse when Shane discovers the safe was holding $300,000.  That much cash should never have been on hand.  Worse still, the club owner’s son is killed during a shootout with the masked thieves.

Both the cops and Ray’s underworld boss consider Ray the prime suspect.  The cops are looking for just enough to arrest Ray.  His boss needs just a bit more info to place a hit on Ray.

If Ray doesn’t find the real killers soon, it will be too late.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

House of the Rising Sun features Dave Bautista’s first starring role in a feature film.  Bautista is backed up by a decent supporting cast for a low-budget crime film: Amy Smart, Dominic Purcell, Craig Fairbrass and Danny Trejo.

The movie had potential but falls short of expectations.

The movie is based on HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN by Chuck Hustmyre.  Here’s what Hustmyre said in the paperback release of his novel:

If you’ve seen the low-budget Lionsgate action movie, “House of the Rising Sun”, first let me apologize.  I wish I could give you back those wasted ninety minutes of your life.  The movie is a TERRIBLE adaptation of my novel.  And yes, I wrote the screenplay, but director Brian A. Miller hijacked my original script and turned what could have been a decent neo-noir crime thriller into a godawful mess…

Hustmyre wrote more, but I think you get the gist.

House of the Rising Sun (2011) rates 2 of 5 stars.