Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
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Stand Your Ground is what I affectionately call a “drive-in” movie. Check out the poster and trailer. Directed by Fansu Njie, Stand Your Ground stars Daniel Stisen, Peter Stormare and Eric Roberts.
Deal me in.
Former Special Forces operative, Jack Johnson, seeks vengeance after his wife’s murder, igniting a brutal war against a local crime lord’s family.
Tim Shinn draws First Blood.
The Narrow Margin (1952)
Director: Richard Fleischer
Screenplay: Earl Felton, story by Martin Goldsmith, Jack Leonard
Stars: Charles McGraw, Marie Windsor, Jacqueline White, Queenie Leonard, David Clarke, Don Beddoe, Paul Maxey, Peter Brocco, George Chandler and Harry Harvey.
Tagline: ‘THAT BULLET’S MEANT FOR ME!” – Suspense every speeding second aboard a stream-lined limited…as syndicate killers seek to find and silence mystery woman headed for the Grand Jury!
The Plot…
Detective Sergeant Walter Brown (McGraw) and his partner, Sergeant Gus Forbes (Beddoe) are tasked to safely bring Mrs. Frankie Neall (Windsor) from Chicago to LA. Mrs. Neall is a big time mobster’s wife. She’s turning state’s evidence that will bring down the mob. So she’s been marked for death.
The plan is to get Mrs. Neall on a train that is going straight from Chicago to LA. Problem is, more than one mob hitman will be on the train as well.
All aboard!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Narrow Margin was nominated for one Academy Award for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story – Martin Goldsmith, Jack Leonard
Much of The Narrow Margin was made using a handheld camera. It was one of the first movies to be filmed this way.
Howard Hughes, who owned RKO (the studio that made the movie), liked The Narrow Margin so much, he wanted to not release it and immediately remake it with Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell. Hughes thought with the new cast and a few script changes the remake could be a major hit. The Narrow Margin‘s release was held up for two years until Howard Hughes decided to get out of the movie business and sold his interest in RKO.
The Narrow Margin has a great plot twist that most folks probably won’t see coming.
The Narrow Margin (1952) rates 4 of 5 stars
Merton of the Movies (1947)
Director: Robert Alton
Screenplay: George Wells, Lou Breslow based on MERTON OF THE MOVIES by Harry Leon Wilson and Merton of the Movies by George S. Kaufman, Marc Connelly
Stars: Red Skelton, Virginia O’Brien, Gloria Grahame, Leon Ames, Alan Mowbray, Douglas Fowley and Morris Ankrum.
Tagline: Red Skelton’s Howling Hit About Hollywood!
The Plot…
Merton Gill is a theater usher who loves movies. Not only does Merton love them, but he dreams of being a movie star. Only thing is, Kansas is a long way from Hollywood. When Merton accidentally stops a robbery, he gets his fifteen minutes of fame. The story even reaches Hollywood.
A movie star and his manager decide to cash in on Merton’s fame. They make a big production about bringing Merton to Hollywood to be the star’s protégé. When Merton arrives in Hollywood, there are press conferences, and Merton is treated like a king. After a few days, the publicity dies down and the star gives Merton a ticket home. Merton is crushed.
Despite having no experience, Merton decides to stay. He’s more determined than ever to become a star.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Merton of the Movies featured Virginia O’Brien in her last starring role.
Buster Keaton was announced to star at one point.
Merton of the Movies (1947) rates 3 of 5 stars
It was announced today that Will Hutchins died yesterday, April 21, 2025. Respiratory failure was listed as the cause of death. Mr. Hutchins was 94.
Will Hutchins was born Marshall Lowell Hutchason. As a child Will Hutchins appeared as an extra in W.C. Fields’ Never Give A Sucker An Even Break. Mr. Hutchins majored in Greek drama at Pomona College in Claremont, California. Will Hutchins served two years in the Army Signal Corps. After his enlistment Mr. Hutchins, using the GI Bill, enrolled at UCLA and began to pursue an acting career.
A Warner Bros. talent scout discovered Mr. Hutchins. It was at this point that Marshall Lowell Hutchason became Will Hutchins. He began getting roles on both television and in films. Will Hutchins is best known for his starring role on the television Sugarfoot. When the series ended Mr. Hutchins continued acting until 2010.
Some of the television projects that feature Will Hutchins include: Warner Bros. Presents; Conflict (3 episodes); Matinee Theater (4 episodes); 77 Sunset Strip; Maverick (2 episodes); Cheyenne; The Roaring 20s; Bronc; Surfside 6; Sugarfoot (69 episodes); Howie; Gunsmoke; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; Take Me To Your Leader; Perry Mason; Hey Landlord (31 episodes); Blondie (16 episodes); Love American Style; The Horror At 37,000 Feet; The New Perry Mason; Emergency!; Chase; Movin’ On (2 episodes); The Streets of San Francisco and The Quest.
Some of Will Hutchins’ feature film appearances include: Bombers B-52; Lafayette Escadrille; No Time for Sergeants; Merrill’s Marauders; The Shooting; Spinout; Clambake; Shangani Patrol; Magnum Force; The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington; Roar; Maverick and The Romantics.
My favorite Will Hutchins role was Tom “Sugarfoot” Brewster. It ran in the afternoons when I was a kid. Mr. Hutchins played Tom Brewster a correspondence school lawyer who headed west to seek his fortune. Brewster was far from your typical stoic, tough cowboy. And I loved it.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Will Hutchins’ family, friends and fans.
Sly Lives (2025)
Director: Questlove
Stars: Sly Stone, Greg Errico, Larry Graham, Jerry Martini, Vernon Reid, D’Angelo, Cynthia Robinson, Clive Davis, Jimmy Jam, Nile Rodgers, Terry Lewis, André 3000, George Clinton and Chaka Khan.
Tagline: Baited…by a million dollars – and all they had to do was REACH!
The Plot…
Follows the rise and fall of Sly Stone.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
At the age of 19, Sly Stone (whose real name was Sylvester Stewart) was a popular LA disc jokey and record producer. He started the group Sly and the Family Stone. At the time they were unique because of the group’s make-up (men and women, multiple races). Sly wrote and produced many of their songs.
Some of Sly and the Family Stone hits include: Dance to the Music, Everyday People, Stand!, I Want to Take You Higher, Hot Fun in the Summertime, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and Everybody Is a Star.
The band’s popularity was on the rise, they were selling out concerts with multiple hit records and then Sly became addicted to drugs. This led to him being late or even missing show dates. His output dwindled along with the band’s popularity. Multiple drug arrests, the breakup of the band and continued drug dependency…
Yet, Sly Stone’s music stood the test of time. Sly and the Family Stone influenced many other bands of the era. A younger generation of song writers discovered and sampled his music. It took years but Sly Stone finally got his life together.
Sly Lives! is an excellent documentary that presents the life and career of Sly Stone… warts and all.
Sly Lives (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars
Matlock: Season 1 (2025)
Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, based on Matlock by Dean Hargrove
Directors: Kat Coiro (Eps.1-2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18-19); Brad Silberling (Ep. 3); Marie Jamora (Ep. 5); Tessa Blake (Ep.7); Yangzom Brauen (Ep. 8); Daniel Willis (Ep. 9); Jennifer Lynch (Ep. 10); Hannah Michielsen (Ep. 11); Jude Weng (Ep. 13); Gina Lamar (Ep. 15); Hanelle Culpepper (Ep. 17)
Teleplay: Jennie Snyder Urman (Eps. 1-2); Nicki Renna (Ep. 3, 19); Jeffrey Lieber (Ep. 4, 14); Michelle Leibel (Ep. 5); Sara Rose Feinberg (Ep. 6, 11); Hennah Sekander (Ep. 7); Sheridan Watson (Ep. 8); John Lowe (Ep. 9); Lizzie Perrin & Nicki Renna (Ep. 10); David Aguilar & Hennah Sekander (Ep. 12); Michelle Leibel & Sheridan Watson (Ep. 13); Nicki Renna & Michelle Leibel (Ep. 15, 18); Jeffrey Lieber & Tommy Cook from a story by Tommy Cook (Ep. 16); Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Ep. 17)
Starring: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Eme Ikwuakor, Aaron Harris, Sam Anderson, Beau Bridges, Patricia Belcher, Yael Grobglas, Piper Curda and Andrea Londo.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Retired lawyer, Madeline Kingston learns that someone in the prestigious law firm of Jacobson Moore hid evidence that would have saved her daughter’s life (as well as many thousands of others). Since the anonymous whistleblower didn’t name names, Madeline decides to take on a new identity as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.
Using her wiles, Matty gets a job at Jacobson Moore. They believe she is a retired attorney forced to go back to work to raise her grandson. Truth is, Matty is wealthy, and married. She and her husband are raising her grandson. Matty is an excellent lawyer and quickly proves valuable to the firm. Each case provides opportunities to learn the identity of the person who hid the valuable evidence. As she makes friendships, she sometimes struggles with the lies and deception required to keep her identity secret. As she gets closer to the truth, her boss begins to suspect something isn’t right with Matty.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I never watched a single episode of the original Matlock, but decided to give this version a try. I’m glad I did.
I was concerned how they would have Matty’s lies and deceptions play out. Kudos to the writers for the way it was handled.
Kathy Bates is such a talented actress. Skye P. Marshall more than holds her own.
Matlock: Season 1 (2025) earns 4 stars. Bring on Season 2.
Tim Shinn is a freelance artist known for his storyboarding, advertising and comic work. Tim’s done art for Hasbro, Disney, Dark Horse and Fun Publications. Tim takes commissions and regularly posts art for sale.
Earlier this week when I saw this sketch of Sly Stallone as Rocky, I didn’t hesitate. It’s my second piece by Tim. You can see more of Tim Shinn’s art on his Instagram page and his Twitter feed.
Sinners (2025)
Director: Ryan Coogler
Screenplay: Ryan Coogler
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Buddy Guy, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li , Lola Kirke, Tenaj L. Jackson, David Maldonado, Yao, Sam Malone and Delroy Lindo.
Tagline: Dance with the devil.
The Plot…
The notorious SmokeStack twins have returned home after seven years. In between they served in World War I and worked for Al Capone. Now flush with cash (that they stole from mobsters), Smoke and Stack plan to open a juke for colored folks. It will serve food, Irish beer, good whiskey and moonshine. Their cousin Preacher Boy is gonna be a big time Blues Man. He’s gonna play. And they’ve got Delta Slim for opening night. Music, dancing and food. Word is out. They’ve thought of everything to make it a night to remember.
Yeah, they’ve accounted for everything… except one.
Vampires.
Let the good times roll.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Michael B. Jordan plays identical twins Smoke and Stack.
Director Ryan Coogler said that Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn and The Faculty were two major influences in making Sinners. Other influences according to Coogler were ‘Salem’s Lot and The Twilight Zone episode The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank.
Miles Caton makes his film debut.
Writer/Director Ryan Coogler has another winner. Excellent film all around from start to finish and top to bottom. Great casting, wonderful special effects and a story that entertains, provides scares, thrills and has a heart.
Sinners (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars
Maisie Gets Her Man (1942)
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Screenplay: Mary C. McCall Jr., Elizabeth Reinhardt, story by Elizabeth Reinhardt, Ethel Hill, based characters created by Wilson Collison.
Stars: Ann Sothern, Red Skelton, Leo Gorcey, Allen Jenkins, Donald Meek, Lloyd Corrigan, Walter Catlett, Fritz Feld, Willie Best, Esther Dale and Rags Ragland.
Tagline: Roar with Red Skelton in the Funniest Maisie Hit of All!
The Plot…
Maisie Ravier is an out of work vaudeville performer. Her former partner, Dr. Orco went crazy when his girl left him. While looking for work, Maisie meets Hap Hixby. Hap dreams of being a big time comedian. Everyone in his small town thought he was the funniest. So when Hap offers Maisie the opportunity to be his partner she accepts.
Only thing is, it turns out Hap has stage fright. Good thing Hap has a back-up plan. He sunk all his saved money in a business guaranteed to succeed. Bet you can guess the odds it’s a scam.
Maisie is falling for Hap, who has already fallen for Maisie. About that time, Hap’s former flame shows up.
Poor Maisie… what’s a girl to do?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Maisie Gets Her Man is the sixth in the ten film series. Ann Sothern played Maisie in all of them.
Rags Ragland and Leo Gorcey show up in small parts!
Maisie Gets Her Man (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars
Alex Gallego recently shared his take on Sly Stallone as Dwight Manfredi from Tulsa King. Hope you dig it as much as I do.
Panama Hattie (1942)
Director: Norman Z. McLeod, Roy Del Ruth, Vincente Minnelli
Screenplay: Jack McGowan, Wilkie C. Mahoney (as Wilkie Mahoney), Herbert Fields, Mary C. McCall Jr. (uncredited), Lillie Messginer (uncredited), Vincent Minelli (uncredited), Joseph Schrank (uncredited), based on the 1940 American musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva.
Stars: Red Skelton, Ann Sothern, Rags Ragland, Ben Blue, Marsha Hunt, Virginia O’Brien, Alan Mowbray, Dan Dailey, The Berry Brothers and Lena Horne.
Tagline: Swing as Ann Sings – Laugh as Red Clowns – Thrill to the Navy Stirring Battle-cry
The Plot…
Panama Hattie is Hattie Maloney, a nightclub owner/singer in the Panama Canal Zone. Hattie has three Navy buddies, Red, Rags and Rowdy. They want Hattie to perform at big party they are organizing. Hattie is also getting ready to meet her fiancé’s young daughter for the first time. Kitty-Belle, an Admiral’s daughter also wants to marry Hattie’s fiancé. Oh, and Red, Rags and Rowdy think that they’ve discovered some Nazi spies.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Panama Hattie is all over the place. But considering the movie was based on a play, brought to the screen with eight writers and three directors, it isn’t surprising. There’s a little something for everyone if you’re looking for music, comedy and dancing.
I like Red Skelton and the under-rated Rags Ragland. My favorite parts of the movie involve them. As to the musical aspects, Virginia O’Brien has the best songs (especially about her getting drunk at the Savoy!), and The Berry Brothers the best dance. Oh, and Lena Horne made her MGM film debut in this film. Ms. Horne sings in a nightclub. Her scene was easily cut (without effecting the plot) when the film was shown in the South.
This film was made during World War II and the entire cast joins to sing the final song about the US joining the fight. The movie ends and immediately a card for War Bonds appears.
Panama Hattie (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)
Director: Carl Reiner
Screenplay: Carl Reiner, George Gipe, Steve Martin
Stars: Steve Martin, Rachel Ward, Reni Santoni and Carl Reiner; archival footage: Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Ray Milland, Ava Gardner, Burt Lancaster, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Veronica Lake, Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, Kirk Douglas, Fred MacMurray, James Cagney, Joan Crawford, Charles Laughton, Vincent Price, William Conrad, Charles McGraw, Jeff Corey, Brian Donlevy, Norma Varden, Edmond O’Brien.
Tagline: Laugh… or I’ll blow your lips off!
The Plot…
When Juliet Forrest’s (Ward) scientist father is killed in an auto accident, she hires Private Eye Rigby Reardon (Martin) to investigate. Searching her father’s lab, Reardon finds two lists of names. A mystery man wings Reardon and steals the lists.
More determined than ever to solve the case, Reardon will follow clues that lead him down mean streets, into dark alleys, searching for hidden truths, dealing with hard cases, low-lifes, doublecrossers and beautiful dames. What Reardon discovers is a conspiracy that could be the end of the good-old-USA.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is a film noir parody that seamlessly integrates characters/scenes from classic noir films into the new story.
Director Carl Reiner says that Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is the favorite film that he’s directed.
The film is Costume Designer Edith Head’s last feature film and is dedicated to her. It was also the final film of film composer Miklós Rózsa who re-scored music from films he had worked on in the 1940s.
The one city that the Nazi plot destroys is Terre Haute, Indiana. That is where I was born and lived through eighth grade.
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars
My Gun is Quick (1957)
Director: George White, Victor Saville (as Phil Victor)
Screenplay: Richard Collins, Richard Powell, screen story by Richard Powell, based on My GUN IS QUICK by Mickey Spillane
Stars: Robert Bray, Whitney Blake, Donald Randolph, Richard Garland, Fred Essler, Booth Colman, Pamela Duncan, Patricia Donahue, Peter Mamakos, Claire Carleton, Phil Arnold, George Cisar and Jan Chaney.
Tagline: The High Society Dame Who Played It Lowdown And Dirty! – The Secretary Who “Worked” After Hours! – The Stripper Who Knew How To Tease! – The Blonde Who Left Her Bedroom Door Open!
The Plot…
Late one evening in a diner, Mike Hammer (Bray) strikes up a conversation with a young prostitute called Red. When Red’s pimp comes in and begins to berate her, Hammer roughs the punk up and sends him on his way. Feeling sorry for Red, Hammer gives her money for a bus ticket home.
The next day Hammer learns Red was killed in a hit and run. A ring she was wearing was stolen. Hammer begins to dig into the case and learns the ring was part of a cache of Nazi jewels stolen after the war. Hammer makes it his business to discover Red’s killer and finds himself up against an American Colonel and other thugs looking for the jewels.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
My Gun is Quick is a low budget adaptation of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer. Several actors have played Hammer in films/television including Mickey Spillane himself. My favorite is Armand Assante in I, the Jury.
My Gun is Quick (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars
It was announced today that Nicky Katt died on April 8, 2025. No cause of death was given. Mr. Katt was 54.
Nicky Katt began his career as a child actor. As an adult Mr. Katt worked in both television and feature films. It’s interesting that Nicky Katt’s best known television role was as a teacher on Boston Public, but in films he often played a heavy. Mr. Katt was equally adept as a leading man or character actor.
Some of the television projects that feature Nicky Katt include: CHiPs; Fantasy Island; Father Murphy (2 episodes); Code Red; Herbie the Love Bug (5 episodes); Voyagers; Trapper John, M.D.; Quincy, M.E.; V (2 episodes); The Get Along Gang (7 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; The Facts of Life; Lifestories; Dear John (2 episodes); Uncle Buck; Love & War; Knight Ride 2010; Double Rush; Friends; Kindred: The Embraced; Astoria; Boston Public (49 episodes); The Guardian (2 episodes); King of the Hill (3 episodes); Monk; Love Monkey; law & Order and Casual.
Some of Nicky Katt’s feature film appearances include: Underground Aces; Gremlins; The ‘Burbs; Sister Act; Dazed and Confused; The Cure; Strange Days; A Time to Kill; SubUrbia; Batman & Robin; One True Thing; The Limey; Boiler Room; Rules of Engagement; Way of the Gun; Waking Life; Insomnia; Secondhand Lions; School of Rock; Sin City; World Trade Center; Snow Angels; Planet Terror; Death Proof; The Brave One; The Dark Knight and Behind the Candelabra.
My favorite Nicky Katt role is in Way of the Gun. I enjoyed him in Boston Public and in so many films. Some favorites include Boiler Room, Sin City and the Grindhouse double feature Planet Terror and Death Proof.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Nicky Katt’s family, friends and fans.
