Category: Celebs

“Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Carol Carpenter was a talented musician and first class singer.  She died way too young.

She was the first in a long line of celebrities to suffer from an eating disorder during an era when the vastly misunderstood phenomenon brought shame and public humiliation.

For the first time, we hear Karen Carpenter’s personal struggle in her own voice through never-before-released recordings—and through the legendary voices of those who knew her and were inspired by her music.

As the #1 American musical act of the 1970s, the Carpenters were on “Top of the World,” producing a string of pop masterpieces, including “Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.” But behind closed doors, Karen’s quest for perfection resulted in low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a public battle with anorexia nervosa, which resulted in her untimely death at the age of only 32.

Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection is a captivating, revealing, and unvarnished documentary providing astounding new insight into the singer’s tragically short life and enduring musical legacy.

Starring
CAROL BURNETT
BELINDA CARLISLE
KRISTIN CHENOWETH
CYNTHIA GIBB
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
CUBBY O’BRIEN
SUZANNE SOMERS
CARNIE WILSON

“The Invisible Man” (1933) starring Claude Rains / Z-View

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The Invisible Man (1933)

Director:  James Whale

Screenplay:  R. C. Sherriff based on The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells

Stars:  Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, Henry Travers, Una O’Connor, Forrester Harvey, Holmes Herbert, E.E. Clive, Dudley Digges, Harry Stubbs, Edgar Barrier and Walter Brennan

Tagline:   You’ll hardly believe what your eyes won’t see

The Plot…

Dr. Jack Griffin (Rains) perfects a formula that renders him invisible.  The serum also effects his mind making him power hungry as it slowly drives him insane.  Unable to find a cure, Griffin goes on a killing spree.  How can you find a killer that you can’t see?  Many more will die, if the police don’t figure out a solution.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was a kid, The Invisible Man wasn’t one of my favorites of the classic Universal Monsters.  Years later, watching as an adult, I loved it.  The Invisible Man was directed by James Whale, who also helmed Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein.  These three films assured his place in movie history.

The cast consists of players who would have long and notable careers.  Claude Rains plays The Invisible Man in a role where the star is seldom seen on screen!  Gloria Stewart plays Rains’ love interest.  She would have a career that spans 80 years with perhaps her most famous role (in The Titanic) coming when she was 87!  Other familiar faces include Henry Travers, Una O’Connor, Forrester Harvey, Holmes Herbert, E.E. Clive, Dudley Digges, Harry Stubbs, Edgar Barrier and Walter Brennan!

The Invisible Man was based on a novel written over 120 years ago, the film is 90 years old, yet it still resonates.  That’s because the movie is played straight. It doesn’t have a monster with fangs, or a creature that rises from the dead.  What it does have is a brilliant scientist who goes power crazy.  And that is something we can relate to. It has special effects that were ahead of its time. The Invisible Man is one of the classic Universal Monster movies.  If you didn’t like it as a kid, give the film another shot.

The Invisible Man earns 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: Burt Bacharach

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Burt Bacharach died yesterday from natural causes.  Mr. Bacharach was 94.

Burt Bacharach earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Montreal’s McGill University.  He also studied music at the Mannes School of Music, and at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito, California.  Mr. Bacharach was drafted and served two years in the US Army.  This is where he met singer Vic Damone, who was also a soldier.  After they were discharged, Mr. Bacharach worked as a pianist and conductor for Mr. Damone and later other singers such as Steve Lawrence, The Ames Brothers, Joel Gray and Marlene Dietrich.

In 1957, Burt Bacharach met Hal David.  Mr. David was a lyricist and they began writing songs together.  The had back to back hits with The Story of My Life (performed by Marty Robbins) and Magic Moments (performed by Perry Como).  Although Burt Bacharach wrote hits with other lyricists, he is best known for his collaborations with Hal David.

In 1961, Burt Bacharach was impressed with the talents of a session singer.  Her name was Dionne Warwick.  They teamed and over the next twenty years produced 22 Top 40 hits including  “Walk On By”, “Alfie”, “I Say a Little Prayer”, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”, and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”. 

Burt Bacharach would go on to work with or have his songs performed by  Stan Getz, Dusty Springfield,  Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, B.J. Thomas, The Carpenters, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, Stephanie Mills, Carole Bayer Sager (his third wife), Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, Ronnie Milsap, Elvis Costello, Ronald Isley, Adel to name just a few.

Mr. Bacharach’s music would regularly be featured in films.  He was nominated for 5 Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Song (winning two Oscars – for “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” with Hal David; and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” with Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross, Peter Allen).  He also won an Oscar for Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture (not a Musical) for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Other films that featured Burt Bacharach compositions include: The Blob (1958); What’s New Pussycat; Casino Royale (1967); Night Shift; Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice; Arthur 2: On the Rocks; Goodfellas; Madonna: Truth or Dare; Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story; Forrest Gump; Bad Boys; Dead Presidents; Fargo;  Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery; My Best Friend’s Wedding; I Know What You Did Last Summer; Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me; Shaft (2000); Meet the Parents; Austin Powers in Goldmember; Dawn of the Dead (2004) and so many more.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Burt Bacharch’s family, friends and fans.

“Luther: The Fallen Sun” starring Idris Elba – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Deal me in!

In Luther: The Fallen Sun — an epic continuation of the award-winning television saga reimagined for film — a gruesome serial killer is terrorizing London while brilliant but disgraced detective John Luther (Idris Elba) sits behind bars. Haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who now taunts him, Luther decides to break out of prison to finish the job by any means necessary. The film also stars Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis and Dermot Crowley, who returns as Martin Schenk.

“The Chinese Ring” (1947) starring Roland Winters & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Chinese Ring (1947)

Director:  William Beaudine

Writer:  Scott Darling based on the character by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars:  Roland Winters, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung  and Paul Bryar

Tagline:  None

The Plot…

When a Chinese Princess is murdered while visiting Charlie Chan, she leaves behind a note which reads “Captain K”.  As the police work to find the killer, Chan follows the clues as well.  With multiple suspects, and the clock ticking more people will die if the murderer isn’t found.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Chinese Ring was Roland Winters first outing as Charlie Chan.  He would play the character 5 more times.

Mantan Moreland provides comedy relief as usual.  I wish he was given more screen time.

The Chinese Ring earns 3 of 5 stars.

“The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker” (2023) / Z-View

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The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker (2023)

Director:  Colette Camden

Writer:  Colette Camden

Stars:  Kai Lawrence, Jessob Reisbeck  

Tagline:  None

The Plot…

In 2013, an interview with Caleb Lawrence McGillvary. who called himself Kai, went viral. A reporter had interviewed Kai after he stopped a man from attacking a woman.

Kai had been hitchhiking.  When Jett McBride suddenly drove into a pedestrian pinning him to another vehicle, a passing woman came to the man’s aide. McBride attacked her.  Kai, sensing the woman would be killed, grabbed a hatchet from his backpack.  Kai repeatedly struck the man in the back of the head, incapacitating him.  The police arrived and took McBride into custody.  They questioned and released Kai.

A reporter interviewed Kai at the scene.  When the interview aired Kai came off as a free-spirited hero. The interview was placed on Youtube.  It received millions of views. Suddenly everyone wanted a piece of Kai.  He was on Inside Edition and Jimmy Kimmel Live.  On the surface, Kai appeared to be a fun-loving nonconformist. He didn’t have a job, a driver’s license or a social security number.  Kai didn’t consider himself homeless, he referred to his situation as homefree.  Kai’s appearances were off-the-wall and funny.  But beneath the surface of Kai’s easy-going exterior lurked a killer…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At first glance Kai seemed to be harmless.  A modern day hippie just getting by and having fun.  Yet anyone who spent a little time with Kai would realize his mental issues.  But who would think that Kai would be a cold-blooded murderer?

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Liaison” starring Vincent Cassel & Eva Green – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like the looks of Liaison starring Vincent Cassel and Eva Green,

Stop at nothing to save everything. Liaison premieres February 24 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_Liaison

Vincent Cassel and Eva Green star as agents—and former lovers—who must work together to combat international cyberattacks threatening the UK while also confronting the buried secrets of their destructive relationship.

“Solace” (2015) starring Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish & Colin Farrell / Z-View

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Solace (2015)

Director:  Afonso Poyart

Screenplay:  Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin

Stars:  Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish, Colin Farrell, Matt Gerald, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Marley Shelton, Xander Berkeley, Kenny Johnson, Joshua Close, Janine Turner  and Jordan Woods-Robinson 

Tagline:  How do you stop a killer who can read your mind?

The Plot…

FBI agents Merriwether (Morgan) and Cowles (Cornish) are coming up empty while working a serial killer case.  Out of desperation, Merriweather reaches out to his friend, Dr. John Clancy (Hopkins).  Clancy reluctantly agrees to assist with the case.  Agent Cowles is skeptical even after Clancy begins to display abilities that assist with the case.

Soon enough Clancy’s paranormal skills alert him to two things: 1) the serial killer is a more powerful psychic; 2) both Agent Merriweather and Agent Morgan have tragic futures.  People will continue to be murdered unless Merriwether, Cowles and Clancy unless they figure how to catch the psychic killer… but there is no changing the future.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Solace has a cool concept – a psychic serial killer who is able to stay a step ahead of the FBI, despite them also having a clairvoyant of their own.  There are a couple of unexpected twists and a killer with a rationale that will keep you thinking.

Solace earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Agent Elvis” is Coming!!

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Agent Elvis looks to be a blast, baby.  Matthew McConaughey is voicing The King with original character designs by Robert Valley!  Priscilla Presley was one of the show’s creators.  Check out the cool trailer below and then…  Deal me in… and… Thank you, thank you very much.

Academy Award-winner Matthew McConaughey is Agent Elvis. Only on Netflix, March 2023.

Elvis Presley trades in his jumpsuit for a jetpack to battle the dark forces that threaten the country – all while holding down his day job as the King of Rock and Roll.

MORE INFO ON AGENT ELVIS
This ten episode, Netflix adult animation series from Sony Pictures Animation is an irreverent action comedy starring Matthew McConaughey as Elvis Presley and follows Elvis as he lives a double-life as a secret agent. The show was created by Priscilla Presley and John Eddie, and was developed by Co-Showrunners Mike Arnold and John Eddie, who also serve as Executive Producers along with Executive Producers Kevin Noel, Matthew McConaughey, Priscilla Presley, with Fletcher Moules serving as Co-Executive Producer and Seranie Manoogian as Producer. Jamie Salter, Corey Salter, and Marc Rosen with Authentic Brands Group also served as Executive Producers. Vancouver-based Titmouse served as the animation studio with Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, and Ben Kalina serving as Executive Producers and Gary Ye as Supervising Director, Chris Thompson as Art Director, and Josue Sanchez as Editor. Robert Valley created original character designs, and Agent Elvis’ wardrobe was designed by John Varvatos. Music and original score was composed by Tyler Bates and Timothy Williams.

“The Lion in the Winter” (1968) starring Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins & Timothy Dalton / Z-View

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The Lion in the Winter (1968)

Director:  Anthony Harvey

Screenplay:  James Goldman

Stars: Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle, Nigel Terry, Timothy Dalton, Nigel Stock and O.Z. Whitehead 

Tagline: “The Lion in Winter” is about love and hate between a man and a woman and their sons. It’s also about politics, vengeance, greed and ambition. It other words it’s about life.

The Plot…

The year is 1183.  King Henry II (O’Toole) has brought his family together as he prepares to name his successor.  Henry has three sons.  He is leaning towards his youngest son, John (Terry), getting the throne.  King Henry’s estranged wife,  Eleanor of Aquitaine (Hepburn) wants their son, Richard (Hopkins) to be the next king.  Of course all three sons want to be King.  To complicate matters, King Philip II of France (Dalton) arrives with demands of his own.

As King Henry contemplates who will be the next king, family members are plotting against him and each other. A confrontation exposes the alliances, schemes and long held secrets.  Who will be the next king takes a backseat to who will survive the face-off when King Henry confronts all three sons about their conspiracies against him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Lion in the Winter is an amazing film.  It was nominated for 7 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor <O’Toole>; Best Actress <Hepburn – won>; Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium; Best Costume Design; Best Original Score for a Motion Picture (Not a Musical) <John Barry – won>.  It was also nominated for 8 British Academy Awards (winning two – Best Actress <Hepburn> and Best Film Music <John Barry>); 7 Golden Globe Awards (winning two – Best Drama Motion Picture and Best Actor <O’Toole>.

The Lion in the Winter is outstanding in all areas – from story to direction, acting, music, and editing.  It’s deserving of all the awards and accolades it received.  As it came time for my rating, I settled on 4 stars.  I really liked the film, but didn’t love it.  So keep in mind, your mileage may vary.  And if someone said the movie deserves five of five stars, I wouldn’t argue.  My mileage may vary as well.

The Lion in the Winter earns 4 of 5 stars.

“The Trap (1946) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Trap (1946)

Director:  Howard Bretherton

Screenplay:  Marl Derr Biggers based on the character created by Miriam Kissinger

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung, Larry J. Blake, Kirk Alyn and Howard Negley 

Tagline: GORGEOUS SHOWGIRLS DOOMED TO DEATH!

The Plot…

Cole King (Negley) is vacationing with his troupe of showgirls at a beach house.  When one of the girls is found strangled, it isn’t long before Charlie Chan (aided by his son, Jimmy (Yung) and valet, Birmingham (Moreland) are called in to determine the murderer or murderess!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This was Sidney Toler’s last outing as Charlie Chan.  Toler had been suffering from cancer and passed away within 3 months of the film’s release.

The Trap follows the same format as all Charlie Chan films. There is a murder with multiple suspects and Chan is brought in to investigate.  He’s assisted by his son and valet (for comedy effect).  Chan determines who the killer is (and it’s usually not one suspected by the audience).  Everything wraps up in about an hour or a little more.  Charlie Chan films are a great way to end an evening.

My main reason for checking out the Charlie Chan films is Mantan Moreland.  He’s one of the most underrated comedians of his era.  The more screen time Moreland gets, the better the film.

The Trap earns 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Melinda Dillon

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Melinda Dillon’s family has announced that Ms. Dillon died on January 9, 2023 at the age of 83.  No cause of death was given.  Melinda Dillion was a two-time Academy Award Best Supporting Actress Award nominee (for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Absence of Malice).

It’s hard to determine what role Melinda Dillon was best known for because she played in many fan favorite films.  Prior to acting on television and in movies, Melinda Dillon was a stage actress.  She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her first major role on Broadway.  The play was Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe.  Ms. Dillon’s television career began in 1963, in an episode of The Defenders.  She went on to act on both television and in feature films for the rest of her career.

Some of Melinda Dillon’s television appearances include: The Defenders; Bonanza; The Jeffersons; The Twilight Zone; The Shadow Box; Fallen Angel; Right of Way and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Some of Melinda Dillon’s feature film appearances include: Bound for Glory; Slap Shot; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; F.I.S.T.; The Muppet Movie; Absence of Malice; A Christmas Story; Harry and the Hendersons and The Prince of Tides.

It’s hard to pick a favorite Melinda Dillon role.  If push came to shove my favorites include her work in F.I.S.T. and A Christmas Story.  I was excited when I learned Ms. Dillon would play Sly Stallone’s love interest in F.I.S.T.. (she was coming off a Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nomination).  Her role in A Christmas Story provides a great counterpoint to Ralphie’s dad (and in doing so make him more loveable). She was excellent in both.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Melinda Dillon’s family, friends and fans.

“The Raven” (1963) starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson / Z-View

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The Raven (1963)

Director:  Roger Corman

Screenplay:  Richard Matheson based on “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

Stars: Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Hazel Court, Jack Nicholson and Leo Gordon (voice uncredited)

Tagline: Wits and wizardry run a-fowl!

The Plot…

A talking raven shows up at the castle of Dr. Erasmus Craven (Price).  It turns out the raven is actually Dr. Adolphus Bedlo (Lorre)!  Bedlo was transformed into a raven by Dr. Scarabus (Karloff) when the two had a duel of magic.  Craven is able to restore Bedlo to human form.  They decide to go to Scarabus’ castle for a confrontation.  Bedlo wants revenge for being turned into a bird.  Craven is on a mission to find his missing wife Lenore.

Before it is over Bedlo, Craven and Scarabus will be in a battle of magic with the losers facing certain death!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Raven is very loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe’s poem.  Director, Roger Corman, and writer, Richard Matheson wanted more humor and less terror for this film.  It was shot in just 15 days and Corman allowed the actors to play loose with their dialogue.  This suited Peter Lorre, who improvised many of his lines.  Boris Karloff didn’t enjoy this method, while Vincent Price caught on quickly.  It’s interesting to note that Peter Lore and Jack Nicholson reportedly didn’t get along when the cameras weren’t rolling.

The highlight is the duel between Price and Karloff.  It’s an extended sequence that kids of all ages will enjoy.

The Raven earns 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Lanny Poffo

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Lanny Poffo died today at the age of 68.  No cause of death was given.

Lanny Poffo was the son of Angelo and Judy Poffo,  Angelo was a professional wrestler and promoter.  It was only natural that Lanny follow his father and older brother, Randy aka Randy “The Macho Man” Savage into the sport.

Mr. Poffo began his career in 1974.  He would go on to wrestle professionally for the All-South Wrestling Alliance, National Wrestling Alliance, Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, International Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling, Continental Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation.  It would have been easy to capitalize on his brother’s fame, but Lanny wanted to make it on his own.  In the WWE he was known as Leaping Lanny and then later, The Genius.  It was as The Genius that Lanny Poffo generated the most heat.

I met Lanny Poffo at a small convention in 2009.  Mr. Poffo was very approachable.  I spoke to him about how when my sons were younger we loved to watch he and his brother wrestle.  I went on to say that when I was a kid I saw Lanny’s dad wrestle many times.  Lanny loved that I remembered his dad.  As we talked about wrestling and his career, Lanny would always steer it back to his brother and father.  What a humble man he was.  Lanny also wanted folks to know that his brother, Randy, was an amazing baseball player and all-around athlete.

Lanny Poffo had written a poetry book about the dangers of smoking.  He autographed a copy and gifted it to me.   Most people, when they think of Lanny Poffo, think of The Genius.  Lanny Poffo made a great heel which attests to his acting ability since he was such a generous kindhearted man outside the ring.  That’s who I think of first.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lanny Poffo’s family, friends and fans.

Sly Stallone’s Reality Series & More Commercial is Here!

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A Mountain of Entertainment | “Stallone Face” Big Game Commercial | Paramount+

For Paramount+’s Big Game commercial, Sylvester Stallone and his daughters Sophia, Scarlet and Sistine set up camp on Paramount Mountain, along with some other familiar faces (Dora The Explorer, Captain Pike, Ensign Mariner, Lieutenant Dangle, and Beavis and Butt-Head). Can Sly make it to the top of Sylvester Stallone Face? There’s only one way to find out… Stream Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Beavis and Butt-Head, RENO 911! and Dora the Explorer on Paramount+.