Category: Celebs

“Vertigo” (1958) directed by Alfred Hitchcock; starring James Stewart and Kim Novak / Z-View

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Vertigo (1958)

Director:  Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Alec Coppel, Samuel Taylor; based on D’entre les morts by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac

Stars: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, Henry Jones, Ellen Corby, Konstantin Shayne, Lee Patrick, John Benson, Paul Bryar and Raymond Bailey.

Tagline: Somewhere…Somehow – He’d Loved and Killed That Self-Same Girl Before!

The Plot…

San Francisco Detective John “Scottie” Ferguson and a patrol cop are in a rooftop chase of a wanted man.  The chase, high above the city, goes from building to building.  When Scottie falls short on a jump, he barely grabs hold of a gutter.  As Scottie begins to slip to a sure death, the cop eases down to assist.  The cop makes a misstep and plummets to his death.

Scottie survives but is traumatized from his near fall.  Scottie’s vertigo and fear of heights is so bad he retires from the force.

Gavin Elster, a college buddy that Scottie hasn’t seen in years, reaches out.  Elster is worried about his wife Madeline’s recent strange behavior.  He wants Scottie to follow her to see what’s up.

Scottie trails Madeline for days. He discovers she’s obsessed with a woman named Carlotta Valdes who committed suicide in 1857.  Elster becomes worried that Madeline may believe she is possessed by Carlotta’s spirit.  Worse still, Madeline may commit suicide herself.

The next day Scottie follows Madeline all over town.  She ends up at the San Francisco Bay where she jumps in.  She is drowning when Scottie pulls her out.  Madeline has no memory of the places she’s been or her attempt to kill herself.  Scottie has become infatuated with Madeline.  They begin spending time together… and she falls in love with him.

One day Madeline tells Scottie about a nightmare she had.  The setting was at the Mission San Juan Bautista.  It was Carlotta’s childhood home.  They decide to drive there.  Once there Madeline breaks away from Scottie.  She runs to the church’s bell tower and heads up.  Scottie attempts to follow, but his vertigo and fear of heights slows him down.  He isn’t to the top when he sees and hears Madeline fall to her death.

Scottie is devestated.  He was unable to save the woman that he loved.

Time passes.  One day Scottie is in the city.  Across the way he spots a woman who looks like Madeline.  It’s not the first time it has happened.  But this time is different.  Although there are subtle differences the woman could pass as Madeline.  Scottie makes a point to meet her.  He’s obsessed with winning her over.

Scottie has no idea what he is in for.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Vertigo was nominated for two 1959 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Sound – George Dutton
  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White or Color – Hal Pereira, Henry Bumstead, Sam Comer, Frank R. McKelvy

San Juan Bautista, the Spanish mission doesn’t have a bell tower; it was added with trick photography.

Alfred Hitchcock is one of my all-time favorite directors and many consider Vertigo to be his masterpiece.  While I am a huge fan of the movie, their are other Hitchcock films I prefer.  Your mileage may vary.

Vertigo (1958) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Twilight Zone” Alt Print by Al Abbazia!

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The Twilight Zone is one of my all-time favorite shows.  It raised the bar for what good television could be.

Al Abbazia is a fan as well.  Abbazia created the poster above.  I’m sure it would make Rod Serling proud.  It’s cool that my two favorite TZ episodes got the top two spots on Abbazia’s print.    You can see more of Al Abbazia’s art here.

“Task” Season One (2025) starring Mark Ruffalo / Z-View

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“Task: Season 1” (2017)

Created by: Brad Ingelsby

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1-3; 7) Brad Ingelsby
  • (ep. 4-6) Brad Ingelsby; story by  Brad Ingelsby & Dave Obzud

Directed by:

  • Jeremiah Zagar (eps. 1-2; 5; 7)
  • Salli Richardson Whitfield (eps. 3-4; 6)

Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, Thuso Mbedu, Silvia Dionicio, Ben Lewis Doherty, Tom Pelphrey, Alison Oliver, Sam Keeley, Martha Plimpton, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Raúl Castillo and Jamie McShane.

Tagline: Every force has its equal.

The Plot…

Tom Brandis hasn’t fully recovered from his wife’s murder at the hands of their adopted son. When a series of violent drug house robberies continue, Tom is called back to duty. Tom will lead a cross-agency task force made up of county Detective Anthony Grasso, State Trooper Lizzie Stover and city detective Aleah Clinton.  What Brandis doesn’t know is there is a traitor among them.

The drug houses taken down are run by the Dark Hearts biker gang.  The Dark Hearts are notorious for their brutality. Perry Dorazo, the Dark Hearts Chapter President is getting heat because of the robberies.  Dorazo wants the thieves caught so he can make an example of them.

Unknown to either Brandis’ task force or the Dark Hearts, the robberies are the work of Robbie Prendergrast and his friend Cliff Broward. Robbie’s wife left him a year ago. Before he started the robberies.  Robbie needs the cash to support his two young children as well as his dead brother’s daughter. Robbie and Cliff aren’t criminal masterminds.  They’ve been lucky with inside information.

Then their luck runs out.

During a drug house robbery, an unexpected biker shows up.  A gunfight ensues.  Robbie and Cliff survive.  A friend they brought along to assist is killed.  So are three Dark Hearts.  Robbie and Cliff are about to leave with the cash when the young son of one of the murdered bikers walks in.  Refusing to kill a child, they take the kid, the drugs and the cash.

The murders and kidnapping are all over the news.  The heat is on Brandis’ task force to resolve the case.  The Dark Hearts have made finding Robbie and Cliff top priority.  Robbie and Cliff know their time is running out.  They need to fence the drugs.  They’ll then use the cash to get far away with the kids.

It’s now a race.  Will Robbie and Cliff escape?  If they Dark Hearts get to them first, they will suffer a slow tortuous death.  If the task force captures them, it’ll be prison and the Dark Hearts will still get to them.

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Task is well done.  It’s got interesting subplots and twists that will keep the viewer on edge.

Mark Ruffalo has never been better.  Jamie McShane is always excellent.

I look forward to season 2.

“Task: Season 1” (2025) earns 4 of 5 stars.

Sly Stallone as Freddy Hefflin from “Cop Land” by Rich Hennemann!

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Rich Hennemann is an amazing freelance artist. A few years ago I picked up his sketchbook and a sketch and I was hooked. Since then I’ve gotten several sketches from Rich.

Heading in to October each year, Rich takes sketch suggestions.  He then picks one a day to draw.  The person who suggested the piece has first dibs. I sugested Sly Stallone from Cop Land and it was picked for the 20th.  Of course I purchased the piece. I couldn’t be more pleased.  There will be more art from Rich in my future.  If you’re a sketch collector, you owe it to yourself to get a piece as well.

“The Killing” Alt Poster by Rich Davies!

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When folks talk about the great films of Stanley Kubrick, one that doesn’t get mentioned enough is The Killing.  It’s not only one of my favorite Kubrick movies, it’s one of my all-time favorites.

The Killing is also a favorite of Rich Davies.   Davies created the very cool alt poster above.  It also comes in a color variant, but I prefer the mono one myself.  You can check out more of Davies’ art here.

“Loudermilk: Season 1” (2017) directed by Peter Farrelly; starring Ron Livingston / Z-View

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“Loudermilk: Season 1” (2017)

Created by: Peter Farrelly & Bobby Mort

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1-2; 7; 10) Bobby Mort & Peter Farrelly
  • (ep. 3) Danny Smith
  • (ep. 4) Dave Connaughton & John Trozak
  • (eps. 5-6) Dave Connaughton, John Trozak & Peter Farrelly
  • (ep. 8) Shira Hoffman & Peter Farrelly
  • (ep. 9) Ricky Blitt

Directed by:

  • Peter Farrelly (eps. 1-10)

Stars: Ron Livingston, Will Sasso, Anja Savcic, Brian Regan, Jackie Flynn, Timothy Webber,
Ricky Blitt, Tyler Layton-Olson, Viv Leacock, Sam Bob, Laura Mennell, Eric Keenleyside and Danny Wattley.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Sam Loudermilk was once a popular music critic.  Now Sam is a recovering alcoholic and substance-abuse group leader.  Sam has a good heart, but an acid tongue.  He doesn’t hesitate to give his opinions on the absurd things/people he comes in contact with.  Sam’s best friends are his roomate, Ben (also a recovering alcoholic) and the regulars that attend his group sessions.

In season one Sam deals with…

  • the possibility that he’ll lose his group meeting space
  • dealing with a young substance abuser with a rich mother
  • an unexpected roommate
  • a hot neighbor
  • a group member’s attempts to connect with his kids
  • a group member’s chance to cash in on his band’s past popularity, but it means “selling out”
  • a new group member there under false pretenses
  • the return of Loudermilk’s own father who loves the ladies (and even more the women who aren’t)
  • the discovery of his roomate’s two darkest secret
  • his ex-wife getting married to someone else despite Sam’s feelings for her

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I just discovered Loudermilk this year.  I don’t know how it flew under the radar.  The series is funny and has heart.  The supporting cast is a hoot.  If you enjoy a fun 30 minute sitcom, give Loudermilk a shot.

“Loudermilk: Season 1” (2017) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Despair” by Yvan Quinet!

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In First Blood, Sylvester Stallone did something you seldom see action stars do.  He showed that John Rambo wasn’t just a strong, fearless fighting machine.  Sly gave Rambo heart.  Feelings.  And provided audiences with an emotional scene many stars wouldn’t want to do.  It was a showcase for Stallone’s bravery and acting range.

Yvan Quinet has beautifully captured the moment in a piece he calls “Despair”.  It is available as a limited edition fine art Giclee print in two sizes.

You can see more of Yvan Quinet’s art at his website and/or his Instagram page.

“Play Dirty” written/directed by Shane Black; starring Mark Wahlberg and Lakeith Standfield / Z-View

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Play Dirty (2025)

Director:  Shane Black

Screenplay: Shane Black, Charles Mondry, Anthony Bagarozzi; based on the PARKER novels by Richard Stark

Stars: Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key, Chukwudi Iwuji, Gretchen Mol, Tony Shalhoub, Hemky Madera, Alejandro Edda, Claire Lovering and Thomas Jane.

Tagline: Even robbers get robbed.

The Plot…

Parker is a professional thief.  He was part of a crew that robbed a horse track count room.  The heist went sideways, but they got away with the cash.  At the hideout as Parker and the team are getting ready to divide the loot, Zen, the getaway driver betrays them.  She shoots them all and makes off with the dough.

Parker, left for dead, survives.  Once he recovers he makes it his mission in life to track down Zen, get the money back and take her life.  It won’t be easy.  Especially when Parker decides to also rob a crime syndicate known as the Outfit.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film was originally supposed to reteam Robert Downey, Jr. and writer/director Shane Black.  They had worked together before on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.  When Downey dropped out, Mark Wahlberg was chosen to replace him.

Play Dirty is the fifth movie adaptation of Richard Stark’s Parker character.  The other films are: Point Blank (1967) starring Lee Marvin; The Outfit (1973) starring Robert Duvall; Payback (1999) starring Mel Gibson; Parker (2013) starring Jason Statham and now Play Dirty starring Mark Wahlberg.

Play Dirty is okay, but your time would be better served watching one of the other Parker adaptations.

Play Dirty (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Angel Heart” (1987) written & directed by Alan Parker; starring Mickey Rourke, Robert DeNiro & Lisa Bonet / Z-View

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Angel Heart (1987)

Director:  Alan Parker

Screenplay: Alan Parker; based on FALLING ANGEL by William Hjortsberg

Stars: Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet, Charlotte Rampling, Dann Florek, Kathleen Wilhoite and Pruitt Taylor Vince.

Tagline: Harry Angel has been hired to search for the truth… Pray he doesn’t find it.

The Plot…

1955.  Louis Cypher wants money owed to him.  Before the War, Cypher entered into a contract with a singer who went by the stage name Johnny Favorite.  Favorite became a very popular crooner… then World War II hit and Favorite’s star waned.  But for a time, Johnny Favorite was the flavor of the day.  Favorite never paid Cypher his due.  And you don’t run out on Louis Cypher.

So Cypher hires New York Private Eye Harry Angel.  He’s to track down Johnny Favorite and report back to Cypher.  What sounds like an easy assignment becomes anything but.  Angel will find the trail leads to New Orleans and black magic, voodoo and more than one murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Unless you were around at the time of the film’s release it’s hard to imagine the controversy the casting of Lisa Bonet caused.  At that time she was one of the stars of The Cosby Show.  The show was a network juggernaut.  Bill Cosby (despite what came out about him later) always promoted comedy for the entire family. Bonet’s role in Angel Heart, was very sexual with a prolonged nude sex scene. Plus it was her first feature film role.  She more than held her own.

Angel Heart is an under-rated horror film.

Angel Heart (1987) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Untamed” (2025) starring Eric Bana / Z-View

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“Untamed” (2025)

Created by: Mark L. Smith & Elle Smith

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1-6) Mark L. Smith & Elle Smith

Directed by:

  • Thomas Bezucha (eps. 1-2)
  • Nick Murphy  (eps. 3-4)
  • Neasa Hardiman (eps. 5-6)

Stars: Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lily Santiago, Wilson Bethel, Josh Randall, Joe Holt, Iris Quinn, Jonathan Whitesell, J.D. Pardo and Raoul Max Trujillo.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Kyle Turner, a Special Agent for the National Parks Investigative Services Branch is called to look into the death of a woman who fell or was thrown off El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.  Turner’s head is in a bad space.  He’s still dealing with his divorce caused by a tragedy involving his young son.  Although good at his job, Turner’s social skills have suffered since the incident.  So his pairing with a rookie on the murder investigation is the last thing he wanted.

Or so he thought.

The clues in the murder lead to the possibility of a serial killer working in Yosemite and an unsolved case that has tormented Turner for years.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lily Santiago is excellent in her role as the rookie investigator.  J.D. Pardo shows up in a small but impactful part.

Kudos to Eric Bana for playing a character who is often a jerk because of how he’s dealing with a personal tragedy.  Most stars would want their character to be more likeable.

I enjoyed Untamed and look forward to season 2.

“Untamed” (2025) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“A Single Shot” (2013) starring Sam Rockwell, Jeffrey Wright, Kelly Reilly, Jason Isaacs & Willam H. Macy / Z-View

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A Single Shot (2013)

Director:  David M. Rosenthal

Screenplay: Matthew F. Jones; based on A SINGLE SHOT by Matthew F. Jones

Stars: Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy, Kelly Reilly, Jason Isaacs, Joe Anderson, Jeffrey Wright, Ophelia Lovibond, Amy Sloan, W. Earl Brown, David Flannery, A.C. Peterson and Ted Levine.

Tagline: One mistake.  One secret.  One chance.

The Plot…

John Moon has lost a lot.  First it was the family farm.  Then his wife and child.  His work at the factory doesn’t pay enough.  Times are tough.

It’s not hunting season, but John decides to risk it. He needs the meat.  John hikes deep into the woods.  He spots a big stag and takes a shot.  The wounded beast runs off.  John doesn’t want the buck to suffer and tracks it.  Deeper in the woods, John bends down to check the trail.  He hears movement and looks up to see a flash of brown and white.  John fires and hears the animal fall.

John pushes through the brush to where he heard the animal fall.  It’s a young woman.  She’s dead.  Killed by John. John considers his options.  Turning himself in won’t change anything for the girl.  It’ll destroy his family.  And put him in prison.  Why was she out here anyway?

John decides to bury her.  He looks around for a spot and John discovers a box full of money.

John makes another decision.  It’s an easier one.  He takes the money. Then does his best to remove any evidence he was there.  Finished, John hikes out.

John is paranoid as the days pass.  Bad men have a way of finding what’s theirs.  And soon they will.

Then they will come for it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Both the novel and movie are worth a look.

William H. Macy and Jeffrey Wright are always good.

A Single Shot (2013) rates 3 of 5 stars.