Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv and Nancy by their creator, the legendary Frank Miller.
Click on the photo to see a Sin City-sized version.
Maxxxine (2024)
Director: Ti West
Screenplay: Ti West
Stars: Mia Goth, Charley Rowan McCain, Simon Prast, Deborah Geffner, Elizabeth Debicki, Uli Latukefu, Moses Sumney, Ned Vaughn, Kevin Bacon, Marcus LaVoi, Sophie Thatcher and Giancarlo Esposito.
Tagline: Hollywood is a killer.
The Plot…
1985. Video is all the rage. Now it is easy to rent a movie and watch it in the privacy of your home. Maxine Minx is an adult film star. She dreams of making it in mainstream films. Despite all odds, Maxine auditions and gets a starring role in Puritan 2.
It is also a dangerous time to be in the adult entertainment. A serial killer who tortures and mutilates his victims is stalking women in the industry. Shortly after two of Maxine’s friends are found dead, branded with satanic symbols, a sketchy private eye shows up. He tells Maxine that unless she meets with his employer, the mystery man will ruin her. Maxine sees that he knows something about her that could end her dreams.
As Maxine decides what to do, the serial killer now has her in his sights.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Maxxxine is the third in a trilogy. The first two films are X (2022) and Pearl (2022).
Kevin Bacon owns every scene he’s in.
Maxxxine (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Here we have a vintage Punisher rough by Frank Miller.
Scrooge aka A Christmas Carol (1951)
Director: Brian Desmond Hurst
Screenplay: Noel Langley based on A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens
Stars: Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Michael Hordern, Francis De Wolff, Miles Malleson and Ernest Thesiger.
Tagline: One of the world’s most loved character actors, Alastair Sim, in a masterful portrayal of one of the world’s best loved characters, Scrooge!
The Plot…
Ebenezer Scrooge is an old, cheap businessman whose only joy in life is making money. He doesn’t pay his workers much and never donates to charity. Scrooge alienates family members and see holidays as a way for business to make more money. But they won’t get his!
On Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by a ghost who tells him that he will later be visited by three ghosts: the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Scrooge will be shown his life and learn that unless he changes, the afterlife won’t be paradise.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The films original title was Scrooge. When it came to the US, it was retitled as A Christmas Carol.
Scrooge aka A Christmas Carol (1951) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (2024)
Director: Hamish Hamilton
Screenplay: Jamie Foxx
Stars: Jamie Foxx.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
About a year ago Jamie Foxx was hospitalized. His family clamped down on news about the cause of Foxx’s illness. No photos. No interviews. So… of course speculation and rumors ran rampant. Jamie Foxx had died. Jamie Foxx was replaced by a clone. Jamie Foxx had been poisoned. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Thankfully Jamie Foxx fully recovered. It took a lot of time and intensive rehab, but he did it. And now Jamie Foxx wants to set the record straight.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Jamie Foxx: What Happened Was is billed as a comedy special. Which is unfortunate. If you tune in to see Foxx’s comedy, you’ll get glimpses. The laughs are mixed with a lot of Foxx talking about getting sick and his recovery. Much of that is NOT funny. And that’s fine… if you’re not expecting an all-out comedy special.
Jamie Foxx is talented. He’s a comedian. An actor. A singer. His impressions rock. This special gives us glimpses of those talents and reminders of Foxx’s past success. They’re found as Foxx talks about his stroke and recovery. If you tune in thinking you’ll get a brief summary of what happened to Jamie followed by a comedy special, you’ll be disappointed. I blame that on how the special was advertised.
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
American Primeval – The second teaser is here. I was sold with the first.
Deal me in.
This is America, 1857.
Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin star in American Primeval, a gripping new limited series from director Peter Berg.
Coming Jan. 9, only on Netflix.
The trailer for the limited series, Zero Day starring Robert DeNiro, Jesse Plemons with Matthew Modine and Angela Bassett is here!
Deal me in.
In the wake of a devastating cyber attack, a former President (Robert De Niro) is tasked with finding the perpetrators and seeking truth when another attack is imminent — but is the greatest threat a foreign power, or from within? The new limited series ZERO DAY is the first series for #RobertDeNiro and premieres February 20.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Screenplay: John Hughes based on characters created by John Hughes
Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Randy Quaid, Miriam Flynn, Cody Burger, Ellen Latzen, William Hickey, Mae Questel, Nicholas Guest, Nicolette Scorsese, Brian Doyle-Murray and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Tagline: There’s No Place Like Home For A Holiday!
The Plot…
Clark (Chase) and Ellen (D’Angelo) Griswald have invited their parents to spend Christmas (and the 10 days leading up to it) and their house. Preparing for the holidays (when you’re hosting) can be stressful. Having both sets of in-laws at the same time even more so. Add to that Clark has over-extended to surprise his family with a new swimming pool. The check will bounce if his Christmas bonus doesn’t arrive soon.
Plus his yuppie neighbors are always creating issues. The Christmas lights aren’t working, the tree is too big… Oh, and don’t forget that Uncle Lewis (Hickey) and his senile wife Aunt Bethany (Questel) are coming Christmas Day. With his kids complaining, the in-laws making comments, finishing up at work for the Christmas (still no bonus check?)… how could things get any worse.
That’s when Ellen’s cousin’s family – Catherine (Flynn), her dumb as bricks husband (Quaid), their two kids Rocky (Burger) and Ruby Sue (Latzen), and their aptly named Rottweiler, Snots, show up unannounced.
Let the good times roll!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Mae Questel was the voice of Betty Boop in the 1930s. Christmas Vacation was her last film appearance.
Brian Doyle-Murray, who plays Clark’s boss in this film, appeared in National Lampoon’s Vacation as another character (the clerk at Kamp Komfort).
Snots was Beverly D’Angelo’s real life dog. Aunt Bethany’s cat was Beverly D’Angelo’s real life cat.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a stone cold classic. Every scene is a winner. It’s well written, well cast and well directed. This film is required viewing each year at Christmas time.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Art Evans died on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The cause of death was complications from diabetes. Mr. Evans was 82.
Art Evans began his career as a stage actor. His first screen appearance was in 1972. Mr. Evans had an uncredited role in the early Brian DePalma film, Sisters. In 1975, Art Evans received his first credited role in the television movie The Orphan and the Dude. For the next forty plus years Mr. Evans appeared in movie and television roles.
Television projects that feature Art Evans include: The Orphan and the Dude; Chico and the Man; Police Woman; Minstrel Man; Roosevelt and Truman; King (3 episodes); Some Kind of Miracle; The Cracker Factory; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings; MASH; Skag; The Boy Who Drank Too Much; World War III; The Fall Guy; The Seduction of Gena; Hill Street Blues (3 episodes); American Playhouse; Long Time Gone; Nine to Five (12 episodes); 227; In the Heat of the Night; Doogie Houser MD; Midnight Caller; A Different World (2 episodes); Mad About You (2 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; Roc; Family Matters; Dream On; Walker, Texas Ranger; LA Heat; Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction; After All; City of Angels; The X-Files; Monk; Everybody Hates Chris; Lincoln Heights (2 episodes); The Sarah Silverman Program; Pretend Time (2 episodes); Last Man Standing; Beauty and the Baller (3 episodes); A House Divided (3 episodes); Real Husbands of Hollywood and The Proud Family Louder and Louder (2 episodes).
Feature films that Art Evans appeared in include: Sisters; Claudine; Death Wish; Amazing Grace; Leadbelly; Fun with Dick and Jane; The In-Laws; The Main Event; The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again; Christine; A Soldier’s Story; Tough Turf; Into the Night; Fright Night; Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling; Ruthless People; Native Son; White of the Eye; The Mighty Quinn; Adventures in Babysitting; Die Hard II; Revenge of the Nerds; Trespass; CB4; Tales from the Hood; The Story of Us; Interstate 60; Young Cesar; Shades of Ray and Church.
I probably first saw Art Evans in Death Wish. I know by the time he appeared in Die Hard 2, I recognized him from his many guest appearances on television and movies. My favorite Art Evans roles are the parts he played in Die Hard 2 and A Soldier’s Story. Of course I always liked his performances in everything I ever saw him in.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Art Evans’ family, friends and fans.
The Sons of Katie Elder (1966)
Director: Henry Hathaway
Screenplay: William H. Wright, Allan Weiss, Harry Essex; based on story by Talbot Jennings
Stars: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Martha Hyer, Michael Anderson Jr., Earl Holliman, Jeremy Slate, James Gregory, Paul Fix, George Kennedy, Dennis Hopper, John Doucette, James Westerfield, Rhys Williams, John Qualen, Rodolfo Acosta and Strother Martin.
Tagline: From the four winds they came, the four brothers, their eyes smoking and their fingers itching…
The Plot…
The year is 1888. Katie Elder’s four grown sons have come home for her funeral. Home is the small frontier town of Clearwater. John (Wayne), the oldest, is an infamous gunfighter. Tom (Martin) is a professional gambler who drifts from town to town. Matt (Hollimann) is a store owner. Bud (Anderson) just graduated high school.
The three oldest brothers had left years ago. They had been sending their mom money since dad died six months ago. They were unaware that their father had been murdered. Or that their mom had the family ranch stolen from her.
But they know now. And they’re going to right those wrongs.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
It has always bugged me that Katie Elder had four sons that ranged in age from about 60 to 17. How young was she when she had her first child? Because her eldest son was about 40 years older than the youngest!?! (The film’s conceit was that her eldest son was in his late 30’s. John Wayne was in his late 50s when he played the part.)
The Sons of Katie Elder was John Wayne’s first film after surgery for lung cancer. He had the cancer and two ribs removed just four months earlier. The production was initially set to film in October of 1964, but was postponed until January 1965!
The hearse used to transport Katie Elder now resides in front of the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World.
Tommy (Old Yeller) Kirk was originally cast as the youngest brother. After Kirk was arrested for possession of marijuana the role was recast.
Three actors played two roles in The Sons of Katie Elder. Karl Swenson played both Doctor Isdell and the bartender. Jerry Gatlin is uncredited but played one of the Hasting’s gunmen and the railroad worker. Boyd ‘Red’ Morgan, also uncredited played a member of the posse and the blacksmith.
Doc Holliday’s woman known as Big Nose Kate sometimes went under the alias Kate Elder. Her real name was Mary Katherine Horony Cummings.
The Sons of Katie Elder (1966) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Any art by Arthur Adams is a treat, but when he draws The Creature from the Black Lagoon, <chef’s kiss>. If this layout looks familiar it’s because a fan requested the drawing based on a Frazetta painting.
Director: Eric Friedler, Michael Lurie
Screenplay: Eric Friedler, Michael Lurie
Stars: Jerry Lewis, Mel Brooks, Martin Scorsese, Harry Shearer and Sarah Silverman.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
In 1971, producer Nat Wachsberger, approached Jerry Lewis about directing and starring in an adaption of THE DAY THE CLOWN DIED by Joan O’Brien. Lewis knew the story of Helmut, a once famous clown now a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. Nazis see Helmut entertaining the children. The Nazis then use Helmut to lead the kids to the gas chamber. Lewis was intrigued. It would be a fine line to walk — finding humor in a dark story and at the same time present a film that said something about the human condition. Lewis was told he could tweak the script and would have full control of the film.
Lewis agreed. He lost 35 pounds preparing for the role. Lewis cleared his schedule and threw himself fully into the project. With just a couple of weeks of filming left, Lewis learned the producer’s rights to the film ran out. The producer couldn’t (or wouldn’t) come up with money to re-secure the movie rights. Further money to complete the film wouldn’t be coming. Lewis reportedly paid $2 million of his own money to cover costs.
The Day the Clown Cried became a thing of legend. Never completed. Never released. A rough cut was seen by just a very few people. In fact, most folks didn’t know the story behind the story… until now.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I always wondered if The Day the Clown Cried would be released. Now I know why it wasn’t. Lewis was questioned about the movie from 1972 to his death. He refused to show footage and would only say he wasn’t happy with the job that he did.
In August 2015, it was reported that Jerry Lewis donated a copy of The Day the Clown Cried to the Library of Congress. Lewis stipulated that the unfinished film not be screened until 2024. In August 2024, a limited screening was held.
From Darkness to Light is a wonderful documentary. With vintage interviews, footage and stills from the film, viewers are treated to answers to the many mysteries of The Day the Clown Cried.
From Darkness to Light (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.
The Carry-On (2024)
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Screenplay: T.J. Fixman
Stars: Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler, Logan Marshall-Green, Dean Norris, Sinqua Walls, Curtiss Cook, Joe Williamson, Gil Perez-Abraham, Benito Martinez, Adam Stephenson and Theo Rossi.
Tagline: Every holiday season, millions travel safely by air. This Christmas will be different.
The Plot…
Christmas Eve. Ethan Kopek (Egerton) and his girlfriend Nora (Carson) just found out they’re going to have a baby. They plan to marry. Nora is in management for an airline. Ethan is a TSA agent at the same airport. Life is good.
Ethan and Nora arrive at the airport full of travelers. They kiss and head to their jobs. Ethan talks to his supervisor about a promotion. Ethan’s boss is open to the suggestion. He moves Ethan to a new position — running a baggage-scanning lane. Things are hectic but going well… until Ethan is given an earbud that he’s told to wear.
Ethan hears a voice telling him that him being moved to the new position is unfortunate. Ethan has a choice, let a specific carry-on case pass through or Nora will be killed. Ethan is shocked. How can they know about Nora so quickly? The voice says that Ethan and Nora are being watched. Any attempt to contact the authorities or anyone and Nora dies. The voice tells Ethan, “all you have to do is nothing.”
Ethan quickly learns that they are watching his every move. When Ethan gets a message to one of his co-workers, the man is killed before he can read it. Ethan realizes he is in way over his head.
If he doesn’t do as told, Nora dies. If he allows the carry-on through, an airplane full of Christmas travelers will die.
The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Carry-On is an intelligent thriller that is well directed and well cast.
Kudos to writer T.J. Fixman for creating an action picture that doesn’t depend on anyone (hero or villain) doing something stupid for the film to work. This is T.J. Fixman’s first live action script. I look forward to his next.
Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman make great adversaries. Kudos also to Danielle Deadwyler and Theo Rossi – they elevate every scene they’re in. It was nice seeing Dean (Breaking Bad) Norris and Benito (The Shield) Martinez is supporting roles.
The Carry-On is surprisingly good.
The Carry-On (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.
The Den of Thieves 2 final trailer is here.
Deal me in.
Gerard Butler (Plane, Has Fallen series) and O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton, Godzilla: King of the Monsters) return in the sequel to 2018’s action-heist hit Den of Thieves.
In DEN OF THIEVES: PANTERA, Big Nick (Butler) is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie (Jackson), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s largest diamond exchange.
The Woman in the Window (1944)
Director: Fritz Lang
Screenplay: Nunnally Johnson based on ONCE OFF GUARD by J. H. Wallis
Stars: Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, Raymond Massey, Dan Duryea, Edmund Breon, Thomas E. Jackson, Dorothy Peterson, Arthur Loft, Iris Adrian, George “Spanky” McFarland and Robert Blake.
Tagline: It was the look in her eyes that made him think of murder.
The Plot…
Richard Wanley is a mild-mannered, middle-aged college professor. While his wife and kids are away, Wanley decides to meet some friends at a club. In the store window next to the club is a large painting of a beautiful woman. Wanley stops to admire it before heading into the club.
During a conversation with his friends, the painting is brought up. All of the men agree that the woman is beautiful. At the end of the evening as Wanley leaves the club, he decides to look at the painting one more time. The woman IS beautiful. Wanley is surprised to see a woman watching him stare at the portrait. He is even more surprised to see it is the woman from the painting. Her name is Alice Reed (Bennett).
Wanley and Alice engage in small talk. She invites Wanley to her place for a nightcap. Wanley agrees. As they are talking, a man bursts into the room. The intruder is Alice’s lover who believes Alice is cheating. The man attacks Wanley. In the struggle Wanley kills the man in self-defense.
Wanley and Alice decide the best thing is to dispose of the body and act like nothing ever happened. Of course neither Wanley nor Alice are professional criminals. They make mistakes and leave behind clues. As the police begin to close in, a crooked ex-cop sees an opportunity for blackmail.
Wanley has no idea how to escape this nightmare.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Woman in the Window was nominated for one Academy Award: Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture – Hugo Friedhofer, Arthur Lange
Director Fritz Lang and three of his stars (Edward G. Robinson, Dan Duryea, and Joan Bennett) from The Woman in the Window reteamed in Lang’s next film: Scarlet Street.
George Spanky McFarland and Robert Blake (both former child stars of the Our Gang series) have uncredited cameos. McFarland would not appear in another film until 1986’s The Aurora Encounter (which was his last film appearance).
The original film ending was very bleak. Director Fritz Lang came up with the new ending and the inventive way it was shot.
The Woman in the Window (1944) rates 5 of 5 stars.
