Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Rock Hudson was one of the biggest stars of his time. Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed looks well done. Since it’s on MAX, it’s a no-brainer to give it a shot.
A Hollywood icon. A legendary impact.
A new @HBO original documentary from Stephen Kijak examines the life and legacy of one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars. #RockHudson: All That Heaven Allowed premieres June 28 on @streamonmax.
Special Ops: Lioness looks great. Deal me in!
SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS, inspired by an actual US Military program, follows the life of Joe (Zoe Saldaña) while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Donald Westfield (Michael Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of State terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.
The series stars Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Michael Kelly with Morgan Freeman, and Nicole Kidman.
Stream the two-episode premiere of Special Ops: Lioness on Sunday, July 23, exclusively on Paramount+. Then stream all-new episodes on Sundays.
Special Ops: Lioness will also release globally on Paramount+ on July 23.
Pat Cooper, the stand-up comedian and actor, died on June 6, 2023. He was 93.
Pat Cooper, born Pasquale Caputo, began his career as stand-up comedian in the 1950s. His big break came after an appearance on The Jackie Gleason Show in 1963. Pat Cooper would go on to create comedy albums, provide the opening act for top stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr. and many others. Pat Cooper would also headline shows in Vegas, Atlantic City and other entertainment locales.
Pat Cooper also appeared on television and in movies.
Some of Pat Cooper’s television appearances include: Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine (3 episodes); Vega$; Charlie’s Angles; LA Law and Seinfeld.
Some of Pat Cooper’s feature film appearances include: Silent Predator; Analyze This and Analyze That.
In 1981, Pat Cooper went on Tom Snyder’s Tomorrow where Mr. Cooper insulted many top celebrities while at the same time telling how great he was. This would become his trademark act in later years when he would go on The Howard Stern Show (and other programs) and his short temper would ignite and he’d insult others while explaining that he was “A-List!” Some times his grown children would phone in and he’d get into arguments with them.
I was driving on the highway to a friend’s house one day while listening to Howard Stern. Pat Cooper wanted to come in, unannounced and have a segment on the show. Howard eventually let Mr. Cooper in and Pat Cooper went ballistic. He was ranting that he was a big star, that Howard said he could come any time he wanted, that he was A-List, etc. I was laughing so hard, I truly had to pull off to the side of the road. Pat Cooper was one of a kind.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Pat Cooper’s family, friends and fans.
I don’t care much for the poster, but am diggin’ the trailer for Poor Things. Deal me in.
In Theaters September 8th
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Cast: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, better known as The Iron Sheik, died today at the age of 81.
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri was born in Damghan, Iran. He was a talented amateur wrestler and represented Iran on the Greco-Roman wrestling team in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Following the Olympics, Mr. Vaziri moved to the United States. In 1971, he was the gold medalist in the Amateur Athletic Union Greco-Roman wrestling championships. He then served as an assistant wrestling coach for the 1972 US Olympic team.
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri began his wrestling career in 1972. Capitalizing on his heritage, Mr. Vaziri shaved his head, grew a thick mustache and wore wrestling boots with toes that curved up. He wrestled under the names The Great Hossein Arab and “Hussein Arab” before taking on the moniker of The Iron Sheik. His character, ability in the ring and to work an audience made him a headliner. Over the course of his career The Iron Sheik wrestled for all of the major wrestling organizations winning multiple championships in each. The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.
Here’s the trailer for Confidential Informant starring Dominic Purcell, Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl and Kate Bosworth. I’d give it a shot.
This gritty crime thriller starring Mel Gibson tells the tale of two narcotics agents hunting for a cop killer during a crack epidemic. Hoping for leads, Moran (Dominic Purcell, “Prison Break”) and Thorton (Nick Stahl, Sin City) pay off a junkie informant. To provide for his wife (Kate Bosworth, Superman Returns) and son, Moran involves the stool pigeon in a deadly scheme. This causes the partners to come under the scrutiny of a suspicious internal affairs agent, leading to an explosive finale…
RELEASE DATE: June 27th, 2023
CAST: Dominic Purcell, Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl
Sympathy for the Devil looks pretty good. Deal me in.
In Theaters and On Demand July 28
Starring Nicolas Cage, Joel Kinnaman
Directed by Yuval Adler
Written by Luke ParadiseAfter being forced to drive a mysterious passenger (Nicolas Cage) at gunpoint, a man (Joel Kinnaman) finds himself in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse where it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems.
It was announced that Barry Newman died on May 11, 2023. He was 93.
Barry Newman didn’t discover his love of acting until after he had served in the Army and earned a degree in anthropology from Brandeis University. Mr. Newman was working on a Masters Degree when he sat in on an acting class with a friend. He soon left college to pursue a career as an actor. After getting parts in off-Broadway and Broadway productions, Mr. Newman decided to try for roles in television and movies. Barry Newman is probably best known for his starring roles in the feature film Vanishing Point and the television series Petrocelli.
Some of Barry Newman’s television appearances include: The Defenders; Naked City; The Edge of Night (3 episodes); Get Smart; The Lawyer; Night Games; Petrocelli (44 episodes); Quincy; The Fall Guy; Fatal Vision (2 episodes); Nightingales (13 episodes); LA Law (3 episodes); Murder She Wrote (3 episodes); JAG, NYPD Blue (2 episodes) and The OC (3 episodes)
Some of Barry Newman’s feature films include: Pretty Boy Floyd; Vanishing Point; City on Fire; Daylight; The Limey; Bowfinger and 40 Days and 40 Nights.
My favorite Barry Newman role was as the defense lawyer Anthony Petrocelli in the television series Petrocelli. I also enjoyed seeing him in Daylight with Sly Stallone.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Barry Newman’s family, friends and fans.
It has been announced that Joe Gayton, the writer, director and producer, died on May 14, 2023, from prostrate cancer. Mr. Gayton was 66.
Joe Gayton’s first screenwriting credit was on Uncommon Valor starring Gene Hackman and Patrick Swayze. Mr. Gayton co-wrote the feature with Wings Hauser. Joe Gayton is probably best known for Hell on Wheels the AMC series he created with his brother, Tony Gayton.
I am a huge fan of the under-rated film, Faster, written by Joe and Tony Gayton. Faster starred Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thorton, Maggie Grace, Tom Berenger and Michael Epps. Hell on Wheels is a series that is on my to-be-watched list.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Gayton’s family, friends and fans.
Perry Mason: Season 1 (2020)
Written by: Rolin Jones & Ron Fitzgerald (ep. 1-3, 8); Steven Hanna & Sarah Kelly Kaplan (ep. 4); Eleanor Burgess (ep. 5); Kevin J. Hynes (ep. 6); Howard Korder (ep. 7)
Directed by: Tim Van Patten (ep. 1 – 4; 7-8); Deniz Gamze Ergüven (ep. 4 – 6)
Stars: Matthew Rhys, Juliet Rylance, Chris Chalk, Shea Whigham, Tatiana Maslany, John Lithgow, Justin Kirk, Diarra Kilpatrick, Eric Lange, Verónica Falcón, Gretchen Mol, Gayle Rankin, Stephen Root, Robert Patrick, Lili Taylor and Matt Frewer.
Tagline: Everyone is guilty of something.
The Plot…
The year is 1932. Perry Mason (Rhys) is a low-rent private eye. He’s a divorced parent, and a WWI vet who struggles with PTSD. Mason’s main employer is a struggling attorney named “E.B.” Jonathan (Lithgow). When EB takes on a sensationalized, highly publicized case involving a baby kidnapping/murder, he assigns Mason to investigate. Mason follows leads that point to corruption at the highest levels and the fact that an innocent person is taking the fall. As Mason gets closer to the truth, he and those around him become targets.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
This is not your grandparents’ Perry Mason. Instead we are treated to the evolution of the great attorney from before he was even a lawyer. The series captures the feel of the era. It is well written, well directed, well acted and well, just an all-around superior viewing experience.
Perry Mason: Season 1 is one of the few shows were the supporting characters could actually be leads had the show been written differently.
The first season starts out very dark and Mason isn’t all that likeable. Stick with the series and you’ll be rewarded.
Perry Mason: Season 1 (2020)) earns 5 of 5 stars.
I cannot wait. Deal me in!
Timothy Olyphant is back as Raylan Givens. OFFICIAL TRAILER for FX’s Justified: City Primeval premieres 7.18 on FX. Stream on Hulu.
Starring Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis and Boyd Holbrook. Raylan Givens left the hollers of Kentucky and is balancing life as a U.S. Marshal with being a part-time father. A chance encounter sends him to Detroit and on a collision course with a violent sociopath and a formidable defense attorney.
George Maharis, the actor, singer and artist, died on May 24, 2023 from natural causes. Mr. Maharis was 94.
George Maharis studied at the Actors Studio after a stint in the US Marines. He began to get roles in off-Broadway productions and television appearances. His big break came in 1960 when he was cast as Buz Murdock in Route 66. The show catapulted him to stardom. Due to his popularity and singing ability, Mr. Maharis even began a recording career!
During the third season of Route 66, George Maharis left the series for health reasons. The show’s producers felt that Mr. Maharis wanted to break his contract to pursue roles in feature films. Reports later surfaced that tensions rose when the producers learned that George Maharis was gay. Once Mr. Maharis was off the show, Route 66 declined in popularity and was cancelled the following year.
George Maharis went on to star in television roles and feature films. Later in his career, he sang in nightclubs and became an impressionist painter.
Some of George Maharis’ television appearances include: Mister Peepers; The Investigator (2 episodes); The Phil Silvers Show; Naked City (4 episodes); Search for Tomorrow (5 episodes); Route 66 (82 episodes); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (2 episodes); The Danny Thomas Hour; Journey to the Unknown; The Most Deadly Game (13 episodes); Night Gallery; Cade’s County; Medical Center; Canon; Mission: Impossible; Barnaby Jones; Marcus Welby; McMillan & Wife; Rich Man, Poor Man; The Bionic Woman (2 episodes); Kojak; Police Story (3 episodes); Switch (2 episodes); Fantasy Island (6 episodes); Matt Houston and Murder She Wrote (2 episodes).
Some of George Maharis’ feature films include: Quick Before It Melts; The Satan Bug; The Happening and The Sword and the Sorcerer;
I can remember watching Route 66 because it was what the adults watched in the house. I also remember my mom and her friend talking about the rumors that Mr. Maharis left the show because the producers found out he was gay. They had a hard time believing it, and thought George Maharis was so handsome. I liked him in Route 66 and always enjoyed seeing George Maharis appear in shows that I watched.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to George Maharis’ family, friends and fans.
Ed Ames who was born Edmund Dantes Urick died May 21, 2023, at the age of 95 from natural causes.
While still in high school Ed and his brothers formed a singing group which won many competitions in the Boston area. They changed their group’s name to the Ames Brothers and landed their first record contract in 1947. The group continued recording and scored several hits throughout the 1950s and early 1960s.
When the group broke up, Ed Ames decided to pursue a full-time acting career. Mr. Ames landed roles in off-Broadway and Broadway plays. While playing Chief Bromden in the Broadway play One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest opposite Kirk Douglas, Mr. Ames was offered the role of Mingo on the television series Daniel Boone. This role made him a star. For the rest of his career Ed Ames would alternate between acting on television and stage as well as singing as a solo performer.
Some of Ed Ames television appearances include: The Rifleman; The Travels of Jamie McPheeters; The Danny Thomas Hour; Daniel Boone (72 episodes); The Ed Sullivan Show (4 episodes); The Tonight Show; McCloud; Murder She Wrote; In the Heat of the Night and Jake and the Fatman.
I was a huge fan of Ed Ames as Mingo. It was the first time that I can remember liking a supporting character more than the star. There’s a classic clip of Ed Ames promoting Daniel Boone on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Mr. Ames was demonstrating his prowess at tomahawk throwing. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth looking up.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ed Ames’ family, friends and fans.
Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock died yesterday at the age of 83. The cause of death was natural causes.
Tina Turner rose to fame singing with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm. Later Tina and Ike married and formed a popular singing/recording duo that released hits such as River Deep, Mountain High, Proud Marry and Nutbush City Limits. They broke up in 1976 and they divorced in 1978.
In 1984, Tina Turner released Private Dancer which went on to become a platinum seller. The single, What’s Love Got to Do With It won Record of the Year and went to #1 on the charts. This made Ms. Turner, at age 44, the oldest female singer to hit the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. Tina Turner would continued to pile up hit after hit, and award after award. By the end of her career she had won 12 Grammy Awards (including 3 Hall of Fame Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award). 2021: Turner became a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
Tina Turner appeared in several feature films including: Tommy; Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and The Last Action Hero. Angela Bassett played Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It?
I am a Tina Turner fan. I loved her in Thunderdome and thought we’d see more of her in movies. I think she probably loved singing, making music videos and touring too much to pursue a movie career. She had so many hits that it’s hard to pick just one favorite. It was even better seeing her perform songs in guest spots on tv and in her videos. There will never be another Tina Turner.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tina Turner’s family, friends and fans.
Hijack starring Idris Elba looks like an interesting riff on an airplane takeover. Deal me in.
Let them think they’re in control. Hijack premieres June 28 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_Hijack
Told in real time, Hijack is a tense thriller that follows the journey of a hijacked plane as it makes its way to London over a seven-hour flight, and as authorities on the ground scramble for answers.
Starring and executive produced by SAG Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Idris Elba, Hijack was created by George Kay (“Lupin,” “Criminal”) and Jim Field Smith (“Criminal,” “Truth Seekers”), who also wrote and lead directed the series respectively. The series also stars Emmy Award and NAACP Image Award winner Archie Panjabi (“The Good Wife,” “Snowpiercer,” “Blindspot”).
