Category: Celebs

“Three the Hard Way” (1974) starring Jim Brown, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly / Z-View

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Three the Hard Way (1974)

Director:  Gordon Parks Jr.

Screenplay: Eric Bercovici, Jerrold L. Ludwig

Stars: Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly, Sheila Frazier, Jay Robinson, Richard Angarola, Marian Collier,
Alex Rocco, Corbin Bernsen and Howard Platt.

Tagline: Action explodes all over the place when the big three join forces to save their race!

The Plot…

When Jimmy Lait’s (Brown) friend unexpectedly shows up with a gunshot wound, Lait gets him to a hospital.  Almost delirious and dying, Lait’s friend says “they’re going to kill us all… just us”.  Later that night, Lait’s friend is executed.

Lait does some digging and learns that a white supremist group plans to poison the water supply of Detroit, Washington, D.C. and LA.  The poison is fatal only to African Americans.  Lait recruits two of his friends, Jagger Daniels (Williamson) and Mister Keyes (Kelly) to help him take down the Neo-Nazis before they can wipe out thousands.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was in ninth grade my girlfriend and I went to see Three the Hard Way.  It was playing as part of a double feature with Return of the Dragon.  When my girlfriend (now my wife) realized the plot of Three the Hard Way, she whispered, “We’re the only white people in here.”  I said, “We’ll be alright.”  And of course we were.  I liked Three the Hard Way a lot better seeing it in a theater in the ninth grade.

Three the Hard Way features Corbin Bernsen’s first credited feature film role.  Corbin’s father was co-producer of the film.

If you’re a fan of kung fu and blaxploitation movies, you should enjoy Three the Hard Way.

Three the Hard Way (1974) rates 2 of 5 stars

“1923”: Season 2 (2025) written by Taylor Sheridan, directed by Ben Richardson, starring Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Jerome Flynn and Timothy Dalton / Z-View

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1923: Season 2 (2025)

Written by: Taylor Sheridan (Eps. 1-7)

Directed by: Ben Richardson (Eps. 1-7)

Stars: Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann, Isabel May, Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Michelle Randolph, Timothy Dalton, Caleb Martin, Robert Patrick, Sebastian Roché, Michael Spears, Jamie McShane, Madison Elise Rogers, Brian Konowal, Jeremy Gauna, Jennifer Carpenter, James Healy Jr. and C. Thomas Howell.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Season 2 picks up where season 1 left off.

1923 follows three main storylines:

  • John Dutton is trying to hold the ranch together.  One of the most brutal winters in memory has set in.  Cattle prices are down. The bank won’t loan enough money to buy hay to feed the heard.  The sadistic and super rich landowner Donald Whitfield (Dalton) has moved forward with plans to steal the Dutton spread.  Since he couldn’t buy the land, Whitfield has recruited a motley group of gun thugs to kill everyone on Dutton land.  Whitfield will then get the land for the cost of back taxes.
  • Spencer Dutton (Sklenar), a decorated War hero and big game hunter meets multiple challenges (that’s an understatement) as he travels home.  Spencer became separated from his new bride Alexandra.  She’s also on a journey to meet Spencer at the Dutton ranch in Montana.  For all the setbacks hindering Spencer, Alexandra is running into even more.  If Spencer doesn’t make it home in time, all will be lost.
  • Teonna Rainwater (Nieves) is still on the run.  She killed in self-defense, but the Marshall and Priest chasing her just want her dead.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kudos to series creator (and writer of each episode) Taylor Sheridan.  There is no sophomore slump with 1923.  Each storyline remains compelling with characters that you love or hate.  It’s so well written, acted and directed that when the storyline shifts from one to the next, you don’t mind.  In addition to the three main intertwined stories, there are additional characters with side stories.

1923 continues to be perfectly cast from the starring roles to the smallest guest appearances.  The direction, editing and music jell to create one of the best shows on television.  Although I’m sad to see it end, the story has been told and it’s epic.

1923: Season 2 (2025) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Black Belt Jones” (1974) starring Jim Kelly / Z-View

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Black Belt Jones (1974)

Director:  Robert Clouse

Screenplay: Oscar Williams, story by Fred Weintraub, Alexandra Rose

Stars: Jim Kelly, Gloria Hendry, Scatman Crothers, Alan Weeks, Andre Philippe, Eddie Smith, Alex Brown, Earl Jolly Brown, Marla Gibbs, Ted Lange, Robert Wall  and Eric Laneuville.

Tagline: Enter Jim ”Dragon” Kelly. He clobbers the mob as BLACK BELT JONES.

The Plot…

When the mafia learns of a new civic center set to be constructed, they buy up all of the land except for one building.  It is owned by “Pop” Byrd and houses his karate dojo.  When “Pop” refuses to sell out, they send in a local drug dealer and his crew.  They figure after a beating or two, “Pop’ will happily sell out.

They didn’t know “Pop” was friends with Black Belt Jones.  Their mistake.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

 Warner Bros. made Black Belt Jones after the success of Enter the Dragon (and death of Bruce Lee).  Black Belt Jones reteams Enter the Dragon‘s director, Robert Claus and co-star Jim Kelly.  The film was marketed to make sure fans wouldn’t miss the connection.

If you’re a fan of kung fu and blaxploitation movies, you should enjoy Black Belt Jones.

Black Belt Jones (1974) rates 3 of 5 stars

“A Southern Yankee” (1948) starring Red Skelton / Z-View

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A Southern Yankee (1948)

Director:  Edward Sedgwick

Screenplay: Harry Tugend, written by Melvin Frank, Norman Panama; based on  Buster Keaton‘s The General.

Stars: Red Skelton, Brian Donlevy, Arlene Dahl, George Coulouris, Lloyd Gough and  John Ireland.

Tagline: HE’S A SPY FOR BOTH SIDES!

The Plot…

The year is 1865.  The Civil War is winding down, but spies are still a danger. Especially in a Union Army town. Aubrey Filmore (Skelton) is a hotel bellman who dreams of catching a rebel spy.  Problem is, Aubrey struggles to be an effective bellman.  He just isn’t soldier material.

When word arrives that the rebel spy known as The Grey Spider is coming to town, Aubrey goes on full alert.  Totally by accident, Aubrey discovers The Grey Spider’s identity and plans.  When The Grey Spider discovers Aubrey, Aubrey accidentally knocks him out.  Aubrey then turns The Grey Spider over to Colonel Baker.  Because nobody knows what The Grey Spider looks like, it is decided that Aubrey should impersonate him and go behind enemy lines.

It’s a suicide mission, but as Colonel Baker, “What do we have to lose.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

 A Southern Yankee is loosely based on Buster Keaton’s The General.  Buster Keaton was on set some during filming of A Southern Yankee and helped come up with the gags.

A Southern Yankee (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Raging Bull” (1980) directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert DeNiro, Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci / Z-View

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Raging Bull (1980)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin; based on RAGING BULL: MY STORY by Jake LaMotta, Joseph Carter, Peter Savage

Stars: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana, Mario Gallo, Frank Adonis, Bernie Allen  and Charles Scorsese.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The rise and fall of former middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta.  LaMotta was known as the Raging Bull because of his quick temper and violence in the ring.  Sadly out of the ring, he was just as fast to fly into a rage and get physical with his family and friends. Life is hard on everyone when you’re your own worst enemy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Raging Bull was nominated for eight 1981 Academy Awards and won two…

  • Nominee for Best Picture – Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Joe Pesci
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Cathy Moriarty
  • Nominee for Best Director – Martin Scorsese
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography – Michael Chapman
  • Nominee for Best Sound – Donald O. Mitchell, Bill Nicholson, David J. Kimball, Les Lazarowitz
  • Winner for Best Film Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Robert De Niro

Robert DeNiro worked for over four years to convince Martin Scorsese to make Raging Bull.  Scorsese was coming off New York, New York, which had failed to live up to expectations, and a cocaine overdose.  Although he didn’t like sports movies, Scorsese gave in.  The movie revitalized Scorsese’s career and shot DeNiro to superstardom.

DeNiro gained sixty pounds to play LaMotta in later life.  They shot the early scenes and then shut down production for a four months to give DeNiro time to add the weight.

Jake LaMotta gave his autobiography to Robert DeNiro with an inscription saying DeNiro was the only actor to play him.  When the film was made LaMotta was often on the set.

Raging Bull features Cathy Moriarty’s film debut.

John Turturro makes his film debut as the man at table at Webster Hall.

When Jake LaMotta saw the finished film, he asked his former wife, Vickie LaMotta, if he was really that bad.  ‘Worse” she replied.  And he really was.  The movie just touches on some of the worst aspects of his life.

Raging Bull (1980) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Havok” (2025) written & directed by Gareth Evans, starring Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant and Forrest Whitaker / Z-View

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Havok (2025)

Director:  Gareth Evans

Screenplay: Gareth Evans

Stars: Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Justin Cornwell, Quelin Sepulveda, Serhat Metin, Gordon Alexander, Forest Whitaker, Michelle Waterson, Jill Winternitz and Timothy Olyphant.

Tagline: No law. Only disorder.

The Plot…

Lawrence Beaumont is a politician with clout.  Beaumont also has info that he uses to blackmail Detective Walker into doing his bidding.  Beaumont’s only son, Charlie, gets caught up in a drug deal where a cartel leader’s son is killed.  Charlie is blamed and marked for death.  Beaumont tells Walker he’ll never bother him again if he brings Charlie safely home.

Now Walker is looking for Charlie.  So are members of the triad as well as every honest and crooked cop in town.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

 I absolutely loved everything about Havok.  It has a great story and direction.  Kudos to writer/director Gareth Evans.  It is extremely well cast.  Standouts include: Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant, Forest Whittaker, Yann Yann Yeo and Michelle Waterson.  The violence and action are over-the-top without being excessively gory.

I know I will revisit Havok in the future since I’ve already watched it twice!

Havok (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday by Steve Bryant!

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My favorite Val Kilmer role is Doc Holiday in Tombstone.  It’s a shame that Kilmer didn’t win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for that performance.  In fact he wasn’t even nominated.  Kilmer’s performance may not have won the Academy Award, but movie fans have not forgotten how amazing he was.

Steve Bryant created the awesome piece above.  You can see more of Bryant’s art here.

“Stand Your Ground” starring Daniel Stisen, Peter Stormare and Eric Roberts – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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https://craigzablo.com/?p=38805

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.

“The Narrow Margin” (1952) starring Charles McGraw and Marie Windsor / Z-View

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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) starring Red Skelton / Z-View

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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

RIP: Will Hutchins

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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) / Z-View

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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