Category: Celebs

Craig’s 2021 Best Movies, Books, and Posts Lists!

Posted on by

End of the Year lists are fun and so I decided to compile a few of my own. I hope you enjoy them. Below is my Best Of list for 2021…

Movies and Limited Series

In 2021, I watched 372 movies. Most were streamed. The only film I saw in a theater was Rocky vs Drago, Sly Stallone’s Director’s Cut of Rocky IV. Although the total movies watched was less than last year, it was still nearly double of what I saw prior to retiring.  My favorite films and limited series released in 2021 included:

  • Army of the Dead
  • Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali
  • No Sudden Move
  • Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago Director’s Cut
  • Midnight Mass
  • Who Killed Malcolm X?

Books

In 2021, I read 39 books (5 more than last year). Prior to retiring I usually read about 20 – 24 per year so the increase is a good sign that I’ll some day make it through my book cases of “to be read” books.  My favorites from this year included:

  • The Revelators by Ace Atkins
  • Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
  • Two in the Head by Eric Beetner
  • She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper
  • Paradise Sky by Joe Lansdale
  • Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
  • Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
  • The Heathens by Ace Atkins
  • The Driver by Hart Hanson
  • My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby

My Most Popular Posts of the Year

I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2021 and some thoughts for each…

10. Michael Biehn Talks “Tombstone” – broke into the top ten. I’m not surprised due to the continuing popularity of Tombstone.

09. Jack Benny in “Casablanca” – dropped from the 7th spot to the 9th. I love that Jack Benny is still popular enough to make the top ten for the year since I consider him very under-rated.

08. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – Two of the most popular movie stars in the world together? Yep and that’s why they came in at #8.

07. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – dropped from #5 to #7 for the year. Horror movie posts remain popular but maybe a bit less this year than last year.

06. The Girl Who Didn’t “Flinch” Trailer is Here! – This one surprised me more than any other post. A crime film from a director and cast I didn’t know and it not only made the top ten most popular posts of the year but also nearly made the top 5.

05. Rare “Batman” Screen Tests: Lyle Waggoner & Peter Deyell and Adam West & Burt Ward – I love that this one got a lot of love this year.

04. Dracula Through the Ages – was our 4th most popular post last year. Horror movies always get love and Dracula counts (see what I did there) as horror.

03. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer – came in the #2 spot last year. Real life horror trumps fictional this time.

02. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was our most popular post last year and clocks in at #2 this year.

01. The TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Coming and the Full Schedule is Out! – was the most popular post of the year and surprised me almost as much as The Girl Who Didn’t “Flinch” Trailer is Here!

My All-Time Most Popular Posts

There weren’t many changes on the All-Time Most Popular Posts list. One post managed to break through while the others mostly stayed in their same spots. Let’s see how things shook out…

10. Dracula Through the Ages – made it into the top ten!

09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – was in the 9th spot last year and remained there this year.

08. Real Clown or Horror Movie Clown? – was in the 7th spot last year and dropped to 8.

07. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – dropped one spot from 6th to 7th.

06. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – moved up 2 spots from 8 to 6 this year.

05. Steve Reeves as Superman – was the #5 all-time most popular post last year and continues to be this year.

04. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – was the #4 all-time most popular post last year and continues to be this year.

03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – was the #3 all-time most popular post last year and continues to be this year.

02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – was the #2 all-time most popular post last year and continues to be this year.

01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 last year and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.

It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.

RIP: Betty White

Posted on by

Betty White, the beloved comedian, actress and author died today from natural causes at the age of 99.  Betty White’s career began in radio in the 1940s.  She transitioned to television working on local stations in 1949.  From 1952 to 1955, Betty White starred in (and also co-created and co-produced) Life with Elizabeth which was syndicated nationally.  Following Life with Elizabeth, Ms. White would go on to appear in television series, game and talk shows and the occasional feature film.

Betty White’s breakout role came in 1973 when she joined The Mary Tyler Moore Show playing Sue Ann Nivens, a woman in her 50s who was always on the prowl for a man.  She was a hit with critics and fans. Betty White won two (of her 5) Emmys for her efforts as Sue Ann Nivens.  When The Mary Tyler Moore Show ended Ms. White continued to stay busy with her own show (The Betty White Show, 1977-78) as well as guest appearances on television programs and tv movies.  She was so popular she ended up with recurring roles on The Love Boat, Mama’s Family and Empty Nest.

At the age of 63 (when many folks are considering retirement), Betty White landed the role of Rose Nyland on The Golden Girls.  The series ran for seven seasons and Ms. White returned as Rose for the sequel series The Golden Palace (which ran for one season).  Betty White’s portrayal of Rose Nyland won her another Emmy and she was nominated every year of The Golden Girls run!  

Betty White continued to make guest appearances (often in recurring roles) for the remainder of her career.  Her popularity continued to grow with each passing year.  Betty White’s 100 birthday was less than three weeks from today.  A big celebration that was to be filmed to mark the occasion will go on as planned and is tentatively titled “Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration.“

Although she was 99 years old, Betty White’s passing came as a surprise. I loved how her popularity grew as she got older.  It was always a pleasure to see her guest appearances and who didn’t love her as Sue Ann Nivens or Rose Nyland?  From all accounts Betty White was as wonderful a human being as she appeared to be. The world is a little less fun now that she is gone.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Betty White’s family, friends and fans.

 

“Don’t Look Up” / Z-View

Posted on by

Don’t Look Up (2021) Director: Adam McKay Screenplay: Adam McKay

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchette, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Tyler Perry,  Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Michael Chiklis  and Paul Guilfoyle.

Tagline: Based on truly possible events. The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

When a grad student (Lawrence) and her professor (DiCaprio) discover a huge comet on a collision course with Earth they bring the information up the chain of command to the President (Streep).  Unfortunately the information about the possible end of the world comes at a bad time — the mid-term elections are just around the corner.  Although sworn to secrecy, Lawrence and DiCaprio take the information to the media.  Now that the world knows action will be taken… or not.

A satire about an apocalyptic disaster with this all-star cast had so much potential.  Sadly, Don’t Look Up is a bit heavy-handed and long.  Lawrence and DiCaprio come off as neurotic worriers needing medication to get through the day (even before the discovery of a planet-killer comet on collision course with us).  Streep and her followers are in denial (Hence, the Don’t Look Up title) and more interested in ratings, money and being re-elected.  This set-up could have worked if we had some likeable characters and tighter editing.

There are funny scenes and set-ups.  Lawrence and DiCaprio are forced to wait for hours and hours to see the President with perhaps the most important information ever. Then when they finally do get in, the President and her staff downplay the danger because of ratings.  There’s potential laughs in how both conservatives and liberals react to the knowledge that the comet is coming.  It’s interesting that both groups find ways to make money off the comet – a concert for the libs and a rally for the President’s followers.  The way the media delivers the message to the masses and makes stars of some and ignoring others is ripe for laughs.  And we do get a few, but not enough to get better than a 2 star rating.

Concept Art for “Rebel Moon” from Zack Snyder!

Posted on by

Zack Snyder posted this concept art for Rebel Moon, the next feature that is on the fast-track for Snyder to direct.  Sofia (Hotel Artemis, Atomic Blonde) Boutella is set to star in the feature co-written by Snyder, Shay (Army of the Dead) Hatten and Kurt (300) Johnstad.  In Rebel Moon, which some have dubbed “Seven Samurai in Outer Space” Boutella plays a woman…

…who seeks out warriors from nearby planets to protect her peaceful home colony from an army of vicious invaders…

Deal me in.

For more information check out Rebel Moon Concept Art Revealed By Director Zack Snyder by Sandy Schaefer at /Film.

RIP: John Madden

Posted on by

John Madden, the Super Bowl winning NFL coach (who never had a losing season), the 12-time Emmy Award winner for sports broadcasting, and the namesake for one of the all-time best-selling video games died unexpectedly yesterday at the age of 85.  No cause of death was given.

John Madden was an all-conference college football (offensive tackle) and baseball (catcher) player.  Although he suffered a knee injury during his senior year, John Madden was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958.  A second knee injury during training camp ended his pro career before he ever played a game.  From 1960 – 1966, Madden excelled as a college football coach which brought him to the attention of Al Davis, the owner of the Oakland Raiders.  Davis hired Madden as a Linebacker Coach in 1967.  In 1969, John Madden was named the Head Coach of the Raiders (making him the youngest Head Coach in the NFL).  Mr. Madden served as the Raiders Head Coach for ten years, winning one Super Bowl, never finishing below 2nd place in their division and never having a losing season.

After retiring as Head Coach of the Raiders, John Madden turned to television where he quickly became one of the most popular and respected sports broadcasters of all time.  John Madden’s popularity was so great he was sought after for commercials as well as television & movie appearances and the ever-popular Madden video game from EA Sports.

Watching John Madden’s Raiders was always fun, but watching a John Madden sports broadcast was even better.  John Madden knew the game and made his analysis fun.  Mr. Madden came off like the guy you’d like to hang out with at the family bar-b-que.  You knew he’d have great stories to share, and would enjoy the food, talk and fellowship. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to John Madden’s family, friends and fans. 

RIP: Andrew Vachss

Posted on by

Andrew Vachss died yesterday at the age of 79.  No cause of death was given.

Andrew Vachss led an interesting life.  He was at different times a social-services case worker, an attorney who only represented children and adolescents, and an author.  Mr. Vachss wrote 33 novels, 3 short story collections, many graphic novels/comic books, as well as essays on child protection (which was an underlying theme in much of his work).   Andrew Vachss loved dogs and under-dogs.  His passion was to bring abusers to justice and this theme ran throughout his work without ever coming off as preachy.

Andrew Vachss jumped to my favorite authors list with his 1988 novel Blue Belle, his third Burke novel.  Vachss had a unique voice and Burke (and his crew) were unlike any other crime fiction characters I’d read.  I quickly sought out the first two Burke books and anxiously awaited the publication of each new tale.  Along the way I followed Andrew Vachss to comics/graphic novels and other tales which always entertained.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Vachss.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Andrew Vachss’ family, friends and fans.

“Uncharted” – Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by

I may be a little late to the party, but Uncharted starring Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas looks like a fun ride.  Deal me in.

Street-smart thief Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune lost by Ferdinand Magellan 500 years ago. What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs. If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate’s long-lost brother…but only if they can learn to work together.

Directed by:  Ruben Fleischer

Screenplay by:  Rafe Judkins and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway

Screen Story by:  Rafe Judkins

Night of the Cooters – Directed & Starring Vincent D’onofrio – The Teaser is Here!

Posted on by

I’ve never read the short story but this teaser for Vincent D’onofrio’s adaptation makes me want to see Night of the Cooters.

George RR Martin Presents – Howard Waldrop’s Night of the Cooters.  Lumenscapes and Trioscope Studios have teamed up to present Vincent D’onofrio’s film adaptation of the classic short story in glorious “Trioscope”.

NIGHT OF THE COOTERS tells the tale of townsfolk in Pachuco Texas in the 1800’s rallying around one cause, survival against the unwelcome visitors from “up there”.

Join the townsfolk on their journey to figure out what the hell is going on in the big hole at the edge of town.

With a screenplay by the one and only Joe Lansdale, and music by the prolific Ramin Djwadi get ready for a ride like no other through the mind of the great Howard Waldrop.

Starring – Vincent D’Onofrio,
Supporting cast – Hopper Penn, Harrison Page, Martin Sensmeier, Luce Rains, Cristin McCleary, Elias Gallegos, Jazzy Kim O’Brien, and Darius Eteeyan.

“Confession” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by

I like the poster and trailer to Confession.  Deal me in.

David Beton’s action-thriller, CONFESSION… starring Stephen Moyer (“True Blood”, “Fortunate Son”) and Colm Meany (Seberg, “Star Trek : Deep Space Nine”)… in theaters January 21, 2022 followed by a VOD release Jan 25.

An intense-thriller played in real time during one fateful night, CONFESSION fixes on a wounded man (Moyer) who takes a priest (Meany) hostage, determined to confess to a past misdemeanor before it’s too late. Written and directed by David Beton (One Last Heist), CONFESSION also stars Clare-Hope Ashitey (Children of Men).

“Borrego” Staring Lucy Hale – The Trailer is Here!

Posted on by

I like the looks of Borrego staring Lucy Hale and will keep an eye out for it.

Lucy Hale stars as Elly, a young botanist on a research mission gone awry. After witnessing a drug mule’s plane crash in the Borrego desert, she is kidnapped and forced on a dangerous journey to a remote drop off point. With limited essentials and alone in the desert with her captor, desperation for survival takes hold as Elly risks her life to escape from his clutches before the trip turns deadly.

Featuring: Lucy Hale, Leynar Gómez, Olivia Trujillo, Jorge A. Jimenez, Nicholas Gonzalez

“Clean” Starring Adrien Brody – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by

While I’m not a fan of the Clean poster, I do like Adrien Brody, crime movies and the trailer.  Deal me in.

US Release Date: January 28, 2022
Starring: Adrien Brody, Glenn Fleshler, Richie Merritt
Directed By: Paul Solet
Synopsis: Tormented by his past, a garbage man named Clean attempts a quiet life of redemption. But, soon finds himself forced to reconcile with the violence of his past.

Marlon Brando’s Greatest Roles!

Posted on by

Molly Turner at /Film came up with her list of The 15 Best Marlon Brando Movies Ranked.  Considering that Brando has nearly 50 performances on his resume, ranking them is a tough job.  Turner’s list is a good one and I am in total agreement with her top two choices.  We differ on the third spot and my fourth and fifth Brando performances didn’t even make her list!  So before you click over, here are my top five and thoughts on each…

1.  The Godfather: is not only Brando’s greatest performance of all-time, but is also the role that put him back on top.

2.  On the Waterfront: isn’t Brando’s flashiest role, but is undeniably one of his best. 

3.  Guys and Dolls:  I’m usually not a big fan of musicals, but I do like Guys and Dolls and much of the credit is due to Brando as Sky Masterson.

4.  One-Eyed Jacks:  is the only film Marlon Brando directed, he also stars in it and it’s a western!

5.  Mutiny on the Bounty:  I prefer Brando over Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian!