Category: Celebs

RIP: Quincy Jones

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Quincy Jones died yesterday at the age of 91.  No cause of death was given.

Quincy Jones loved music from an early age.  In high school Mr. Jones played trumpet and arranged music.  After high school Quincy Jones received a scholarship to Seattle University.  He left after one semester with a scholarship to attend Boston’s Berklee’s College of Music.  Mr. Jones left college to tour with Lionel Hampton’s band as a pianist and trumpeter.  It was on this tour that Quincy Jones began to get a reputation for his musical arrangements.

After the tour, Mr. Jones worked creating musical arrangements for stars such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Gene Kupra and Sarah Vaughn.  Quincy Jones continued to take freelance arrangement jobs and he toured with several bands.  He then took a job as musical director of Mercury Records New York division.  

In 1961, two things happened:  He became the Vice President of Mercury Records and was hired to compose the music for The Pawnbroker.  Quincy Jones became so in demand to produce music for movies that he left Mercury Records.  For the remainder of his career Quincy Jones wrote, performed, arranged and produced music for films, television, records and live performances. 

Some of Quincy Jones composer credits include: The Pawnbroker; Mirage; The Slender Thread; Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre; Walk Don’t Run; The Deadly Affair; Enter Laughing; Ironside (movie); Hey Landlord (7 episodes); In the Heat of the Night; In Cold Blood;  Ironside (12 episodes); The Split; McKenna’s Gold; The Italian Job; Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice; John and Mary; Catus Flower; The Out of Towners; They Call Me Mister Tibbs!; The Bill Cosby Show (52 episodes); The Anderson Tapes; The Hot Rock; The New Centurians; The Getaway; Roots (2 episodes) and The Color Purple.

Quincy Jones was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and won 2:

  • 1968 Nominee: Best Music, Original Song – “The Eyes of Love” from Banning shared with Bob Russell
  • 1968 Nominee: Best Music, Original Music Score – In Cold Blood
  • 1969 Nominee: Best Music, Original Song – “For Love of Ivy” from For Love of Ivy shared with Bob Russell
  • 1979 Nominee: Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score for The Wiz
  • 1986 Nominee: Best Music, Original Score for The Color Purple shared with: Jeremy Lubbock · Rod Temperton · Caiphus Semenya · Andraé Crouch · Chris Boardman · Jorge Calandrelli · Joel Rosenbaum · Fred Steiner · Jack Hayes · Jerry Hey · Randy Kerber
  • 1986 Nominee: Best Music, Original Song from The Color Purple for “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)” shared with: Rod Temperton · Lionel Richie
  • 1986 Nominee: Best Picture for The Color Purple shared with: Steven Spielberg · Kathleen Kennedy · Frank Marshall
  • 1995 Winner for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
  • 2025 Winner Honorary Award

Quincy Jones was nominated for 4 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 1:

  • 1970 Nominee: Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition – For a Series or a Single Program of a Series (In Its First Year Only) – The Bill Cosby Show
  • 1977 Winner: Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore) for Roots Part I shared with Gerald Fried
  • 1995 Nominee: Outstanding Informational Series for Punk shared with: Jeffrey Peisch · Andrew Solt · Robert B. Meyrowitz · David Salzman · Ted Haimes · Greg Vines · Marc Sachnoff · David Axlerod
  • 1996 Nominee: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for The 68th Annual Academy Awards shared with: David Salzman

Quincy Jones was nominated for 80 Grammys and won 28.  

  • 1961 Nominee: Best Arrangement for “Let The Good Times Roll”
  • 1961 Nominee: Best Jazz Performance Large Group for “The Great Wide World Of Quincy Jones”
  • 1962 Nominee: Best Performance by an Orchestra – For Dancing for “I Dig Dancers”
  • 1963 Nominee: Best Original Jazz Composition for “Quintessence”
  • 1963 Nominee: Best Performance by an Orchestra – For Dancing for “Big Band Bossa Nova” shared with Stan Getz · Gary McFarland
  • 1963 Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Quintessence”
  • 1964 Nominee:  Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Large Group for “Quincy Jones Plays The Hip Hits”
  • 1964 Nominee: Best Performance by an Orchestra- For Dancing for “Quincy Jones Plays The Hip Hits”
  • 1965 Nominee: Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Large Group or Soloist with Large Group for “Quincy Jones Explores The Music Of Henry Mancini”
  • 1965 Nominee: Best Original Jazz Composition for “The Witching Hour”
  • 1965 Nominee: Best Instrumental Performance – Non-Jazz for “Golden Boy (String Version)”
  • 1965 Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Golden Boy (String Version) (Single)”
  • 1968 Nominee: Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show for In the Heat of the Night
  • 1970 Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Walking In Space”
  • 1970 Nominee: Best Instrumental Theme for “Mackenna’s Gold (Main Title) (Album)”
  • 1970 Nominee: Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for Mackenna’s Gold
  • 1970 Nominee: Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for The Lost Man
  • 1971 Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Gula Matari (Single)”
  • 1971 Nominee: Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance for “Soul Flower”
  • 1971 Nominee: Best Instrumental Composition for “Gula Matari”
  • 1971 Nominee: Best Jazz Performance, Large Group or Soloist with Large Group for “Gula Matari”
  • 1973 Nominee: Best Pop Instrumental Performance by an Arranger, Composer, Orchestra and/or Choral Leader for “Money Runner”
  • 1973 Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Money Runner”
  • 1973 Nominee: Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for $
  • 1974 Nominee: Best Pop Instrumental Performance for “You’ve Got It Bad Girl (Instrumental Portions) (Album)”
  • 1975 Nominee: Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for “Body Heat (Album)”
  • 1975 Nominee: Best Pop Instrumental Performance for “Along Came Betty (Track)”
  • 1977 Nominee: Best Instrumental Composition for “Midnight Soul Patrol” shared with: Johnny Mandel · Louis Johnson
  • 1978 Nominee: Best Arrangement for Voices for “Oh Lord, Come By Here” shared with: James Cleveland
  • 1978 Nominee: Best Inspirational Performance for “Oh Lord, Come By Here” shared with: James Cleveland
  • 1978 Nominee: Best Instrumental Composition for “Roots Medley (Motherland, Roots Mural Theme)”
  • 1979 Nominee: Best Instrumental Composition for “End Of The Yellow Brick Road”
  • 1979 Nominee: Best Arrangement for Voices for “Stuff Like That”
  • 1979 Nominee: Producer of the Year
  • 1980 Nominee: Best Disco Recording for “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (Single)”
  • 1980 Nominee: Producer of the Year
  • 1982 Nominee: Album of the Year for “The Dude (Album)”
  • 1982 Nominee: Best Pop Instrumental Performance for “Velas (Track)”
  • 1983 Nominee: Producer of the Year
  • 1984 Nominee: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
  • 1984 Nominee: Best R&B Instrumental Performance for “Billie Jean (Instrumental Version)” shared with: Jerry Hey
  • 1984 Nominee: Best Rhythm & Blues Song for “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (Single)” shared with James Ingram
  • 1985 Nominee: Best Rhythm & Blues Song for “Yah Mo B There” shared with James Ingram · Michael McDonald · Rod Temperton
  • 1986 Nominee: Best Recording for Children for “We Are the World” shared with: George Duke
  • 1988 Nominee: Album of the Year for “Bad” shared with: Michael Jackson
  • 1988 Nominee: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
  • 1989 Nominee: Record of the Year for “Man In The Mirror” shared with: Michael Jackson
  • 1990 Nominee: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
  • 1990 Nominee: Producer of the Year
  • 1991 Nominee: Best Pop Instrumental Performance for “Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song)”
  • 1994 Nominee: Best Music Video, Long Form for “Miles And Quincy Live At Montreux” shared with Rudi Dolezal · Hannes Rossacher · Miles Davis Quintet · Jim Beach · Gavin Taylor
  • 1997 Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement with Accompanying Vocal(s) for “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me (Track)”
  • 2002 Nominee: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Soul Bossa Nova”
  • 2002 Winner: Best Spoken Word Album for “Q – The Autobiography Of Quincy Jones” shared with: Elisa Shokoff · Steve Strassman
  • 1964 Winner: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “I Can’t Stop Loving You” artist: Count Basie
  • 1970 Winner: Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Large Group or Soloist with Large Group for “Walking In Space”
  • 1972 Winner: Best Pop Instrumental Performance for “Smackwater Jack”
  • 1974 Winner: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Summer In The City”
  • 1979 Winner: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “The Wiz Main Title – Overture Part One” shared with: Robert Freedman
  • 1981 Winner: Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Dinorah, Dinorah” artist: George Benson shared with: Jerry Hey
  • 1982 Winner: Producer of the Year
  • 1982 Winner: Best Cast Show Album for “Lena Horne – The Lady And Her Music, Live On Broadway” artist: Lena Horne
  • 1982 Winner: Best Arrangement on an Instrumental Recording for “Velas” artist: Quincy Jones shared with Johnny Mandel
  • 1982 Winner: Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) for “Ai No Corrida” artist: Quincy Jones shared with: Jerry Hey
  • 1982 Winner: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “The Dude”
  • 1984 Winner: Album of the Year for “Thriller” shared with Michael Jackson
  • 1984 Winner: Record of the Year for “Beat It” shared with Michael Jackson
  • 1984 Winner: Best Recording for Children – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for the “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial album” shared with Michael Jackson
  • 1985 Winner: Best Arrangement on an Instrumental for “Grace (Gymnastics Theme)” artist: Quincy Jones shared with: Jeremy Lubbock
  • 1986 Winner: Record of the Year for “We Are the World” (various artists)
  • 1986 Winner: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for the album “We Are the World” (The artist USA for Africa did not receive a Grammy Award for this win)
  • 1986 Winner: Best Music Video, Short Form – We Are the World for the music video “We Are The World – The Video Event.” (The artist USA for Africa did not receive a Grammy Award for this win.) shared with: Tom Trbovich
  • 1989 Winner: Trustees Award
  • 1991 Winner: Best Arrangement on an Instrumental for “Birdland” artist Quincy Jones shared with: Rod Temperton · Ian Prince · Jerry Hey
  • 1991 Winner: Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) for “The Places You Find Love” artists: Siedah Garrett and Chaka Khan shared with: Clif Magness · Jerry Hey · Glen Ballard
  • 1991 Winner: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
  • 1991 Winner: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Back On The Block” shared with Ice-T · Kool Moe Dee · Big Daddy Kane · Melle Mel · Quincy Jones III
  • 1991 Winner: Best Jazz Fusion Performance for “Birdland”
  • 1991 Winner: Album of the Year for “Back On The Block”
  • 1992 Winner: Legend Award
  • 1994 Winner: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance for “Miles And Quincy Live At Montreux” shared with Miles Davis · Miles Davis Quintet
  • 2019 Winner: Best Music Film – for Quincy shared with: Alan Hicks · Rashida Jones · Paula DuPré Pesmen

Quincy Jones’ music has been a part of my life for almost as long as I’ve been alive. The music he created improved each television or movie project he was part of.  His collaborations with Michael Jackson are classic.  His leadership in getting We Are the World made for charity has yet to be matched.  Quincy Jones was a musical genius and his efforts made life a bit better.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Quincy Jones’ family friends and fans.

“I Walk Alone” (1947) starring Burt Lancaster, Lizabeth Scott & Kirk Douglas / Z-View

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I Walk Alone (1947)

Director: Byron Haskin

Screenplay: Charles Schnee, Robert Smith (adaptation), John Bright (adaptation) based on Beggars Are Coming to Town by Theodore Reeves

Stars: Burt Lancaster, Lizabeth Scott, Kirk Douglas, Wendell Corey, Kristine Miller, Marc Lawrence, Mickey Knox, Bobby Barber and Mike Mazurki.

Tagline:  He Fell for the Oldest Trick in the World. If You Want to Pump a Guy… Send a Dame.

The Plot…

Frankie Madison (Lancaster) and Noll Turner (Douglas) were best friends and bootlegging partners.  It was 50-50 right down the line.  On their last run, they got into a gunfight with thieves who attempted to hijack their load.  The noise brought the police.  Deciding it was best to split up, Frankie stayed with the truck of bootleg hooch, and Noll split.

Frankie was caught, convicted and sent to prison.  That was 14 years ago.

While Frankie was in prison, Noll took the money he and Frankie had, and invested it in a bar.  He then sold the bar to buy a better nightclub.  It took work, but Noll built it into an exclusive hotspot.  Noll became very rich.

Now that Frankie’s out, he’s ready to join Noll.  They’d  always agreed that everything would be 50-50.  Frankie never ratted out Noll.  Frankie did the time.  He and Noll were best friends and business partners.  Noll would never double cross Frankie.

Would he?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster made seven movies together.  This is the first.

Eddie Muller called I Walk Alone a landmark crime film because it marked the first time movie outlaws moved from working outside the system to becoming legitimate operators working within the system.

I Walk Alone (1947) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Long Kiss Goodnight” (1996) written by Shane Black, directed by Renny Harlin, starring Gena Davis & Samuel L. Jackson / Z-View

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The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

Director: Renny Harlin

Screenplay: Shane Black

Stars: Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Yvonne Zima, Craig Bierko, Brian Cox, Patrick Malahide, David Morse, Joseph McKenna, Melina Kanakaredes, Alan North, Edwin Hodge, G.D. Spradlin and Rex Linn.

Tagline:  Eight years ago she lost her memory. Now, a detective must help her remember the past before it buries them both. What’s forgotten is not always gone.

The Plot…

Samantha Caine (Davis) is a small town schoolteacher.  Life is quiet.  Life is good.  Samantha is happy.  She lives with her daughter and boyfriend.  Samantha has come a long way in eight years.  That was when she was found on a Jersey beach, pregnant and with no memory of her past.

At first Samantha hired the best detectives to try to discover her past. They all struck out. Mitch Henessey (Jackson) is a shady PI.  Mitch lucked onto a suitcase with info that may help Samantha.

Samantha is shocked when a crazed convict breaks into her house to kill her.  Samantha is even more dumbfounded by the fighting skills she didn’t know she had. The killer calls Samantha by a different name.  He obviously knew her.  In a fight to the death Samantha wins.

Mitch shows up.  Samantha and Mitch decide to follow the clues the suitcase provides.  Samantha will discover the truth to her past.  The people that thought Samantha was dead will realize the job needs to be finished.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Long Kiss Goodnight came at the right time.  Writer Shane Black was at the top of his game.  His screenplay provides the right mix of over-the-top action and humor.  Director Renny Harlin was also killing it.  He’s supported by a great cast.  Gena Davis is perfect as the school teacher/assassin.  Samuel L. Jackson wasn’t yet THE Samuel L. Jackson and is perfect as the guy who just wants to do one thing right.  Kudos to Craig Bierko for owning all of his scenes.  Brian Cox and David Morse are also perfectly cast.

Samuel L. Jackson has said that this was his favorite role.

Gena Davis and Renny Harlin were married when this film was made.

The Long Kiss Goodnight was ahead of it’s time.  Now female action heroes are fairly common, but this was a groundbreaking role by Gena Davis.

The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“TMZ Presents: OJ How He Did It” (2024) / Z-View

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TMZ Presents: OJ How He Did It (2024)

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Harvey Levin was a young reporter who covered the OJ Simpson murder trial.  Levin was there from the start and has insights never before shared.  Levin shares how he believes OJ Simpson’s murder of Nicole Kidman and Mark Goldman went down.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Levin’s theory is plausible.  He does a good job of presenting the background of the trial with news footage and new interviews with some of those involved.

Levin’s theory is new, but not groundbreaking.  Now if he had gotten an interview and Al Cowlings opened up, THAT would be the story!

TMZ Presents: OJ How He Did It (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Teri Garr

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Teri Garr died today due to complications from multiple sclerosis.  Ms. Garr was 79.

Teri Garr’s parents were both in showbusiness.  Her father was an actor/comedian.  Ms. Garr’s mother was a model, dancer and costumer.  As a young girl Teri Garr studied dance with a focus on ballet.

Ms. Garr graduated from North Hollywood High School.  She then attended San Fernando Valley State College, but dropped out after two years.  Teri Garr moved to New York City.  She studied at the Actors Studio and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute while pursuing an acting career.

Teri Garr’s first roles were often uncredited roles in films and television as a background or go-go dancer. 1968 was a big year for Teri Garr.  She received a feature role on Star Trek in the episode Assignment Earth.  Ms. Garr earned her first feature film speaking role in The Monkees movie Head.  Jack Nicholson wrote the film and knew Teri Garr since they were in the same acting class.

Teri Garr is probably best known for her roles in Young Frankenstein; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; Tootsie and Mr. Mom.  Ms. Garr was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for her work in Tootsie.  Throughout her career Teri Garr worked on television, in feature films as well as theater throughout her career.

In 2002, Teri Garr announced that she had multiple sclerosis. In 2006, she wrote her autobiography SPEEDBUMPS: FLOORING IT THROUGH HOLLYWOOD.  Ms. Garr retired from acting in 2011.

Television projects that feature Teri Garr include: Mr. Novak; What a Way To Go; Dr. Kildare; Batman; The Andy Griffith Show; Star Trek; That Girl; Mayberry RFD; Room 222; It Takes a Thief (2 episodes); This is the Life; The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (12 episodes); The Ken Berry ‘Wow’ Show; Banyon; The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour; MASH; The New Dick Van Dyke Show; The Odd Couple; The Bob Newhart Show (2 episodes); The Girl with Something Extra (4 episodes); Barnaby Jones; McCloud (6 episodes); Cher; Maude; Law and Order; Hunter; Saturday Night Live; Fresno (6 episodes); Sesame Street; Tales from the Crypt; Good & Evil (11 episodes); Dream On (2 episodes); Murphy Brown; The Legend of Prince Valiant (2 episodes); The Larry Sanders Show; Adventures in Wonderland (6 episodes); Good Advice (13 episodes); Women of the House (12 episodes); Frasier; Sabrina the Teenage Witch; Friends (3 episodes); ER; Dr. Katz; King of the Hill; Batman Beyond (10 episodes); Felicity; The Downer Channel (2 episodes); What’s New Scooby-Doo? and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Feature films that Teri Garr appeared in include: A Swingin’ Affair; Fun in Acapulco; Viva Las Vegas; Roustabout; Red Line 7000; Head; The Conversation; Young Frankenstein; Oh, God!; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; The Black Stallion; One from the Heart; Tootsie; The Sting II; The Black Stallion II; Mr. Mom; After Hours; The Player; Dumb and Dumber and Ghost World.

I probably first saw Teri Garr in one of her many guest television appearances.  My favorite Teri Garr role was in Young Frankenstein.  She made quite an impact on this young boy.  It was always nice to see Ms. Garr’s name in the credits of television shows or movies.  She was also a fun guest on talk shows.  Ms. Garr always came off as a nice person, the kind you’d like to know as a friend.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Teri Garr’s family, friends and fans.

“Lake George” starring Shea Whigham & Carrie Coon – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like the poster and trailer for Lake George.  Shea Whigham always picks interesting roles and always delivers.

Deal me in.

When ex-con Don (Shea Whigham), fresh out of prison, visits mobster Armen (Glenn Fleshler) to collect some money he’s owed, he’s instead assigned a final task: to take care of Phyllis (Carrie Coon). Don tries to carry out the job, but he finds he can’t pull the trigger.

Instead, the pair of misfit oddballs set off on a road trip together, as their lives and standing with Armen become entangled. Phyllis soon reveals that she has designs of her own and proposes a little tag team action to Don: combine forces with the aim to steal money – a lot of money – from the people who want her dead. Don must decide whether his allegiance lies with Armen, or with the wily, charismatic woman he was supposed to kill.

Starring Shea Whigham, Carrie Coon, Glenn Fleshler and Max Casella

Directed by Jeffrey Reiner

In theaters and on digital December 6

“The Corpse Vanishes” (1942) starring Bela Lugosi / Z-View

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The Corpse Vanishes (1942)

Director: Wallace Fox

Screenplay: Harvey Gates; story by Sam Robins, Gerald Schnitzer

Stars: Bela Lugosi, Luana Walters, Tristram Coffin, Vince Barnett and Angelo Rossitto.

Tagline:  KIDNAPPED BRIDES Are The Victims Of His Terror! Prepare to shudder when you see the strange practices of this doctor who sacrificed beautiful women for the sake of a mad love!

The Plot…

Someone is killing young brides on their wedding day.  No one can figure out why they are dying. Or who is stealing their corpses.  Then Patricia Hunter (Walters), a young reporter, notices the brides are all wearing orchid corsages. She decides to investigate.

The clues lead Patricia to Dr. Lorenz (Lugosi).  Lorenz lives in a remote mansion with his younger wife.  Dr. Lorenz seems nice enough, but the wife is a bit cold.  When a terrible storm hits and washes out the bridge to town, Patricia is forced to spend the night.

What Patricia doesn’t know is…

  • …Dr. Lorenz has been behind the murders of the brides.  Lorenz takes their glandular fluids for injection into his wife.  These fluids make his elderly wife appear young for a brief time.
  •  …in the Doctor’s cellar laboratory a crazy old hag and her two sons live.  One of the sons is a cruel dwarf.  The other is a feebleminded hulk.  The three assist Dr. Lorenz with the murders.
  • …also in the cellar is a room with the bodies of the dead brides.

Patricia doesn’t know these things… but she is about to find out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Beware of poor copies.  The movie is in the public domain.

Angelo Rossitto plays the dwarf son.  Mr. Rossitto is best known for his roles in Tod Browning’s Freaks and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.  His career spanned 60 years and over 100 resume credits.

The Corpse Vanishes is a low-budget, quickly shot B picture and it plays like one.

The Corpse Vanishes (1942) rates 2 of 5 stars.

ROCKYfest 2024

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Last year the city of Philadelphia held the first Rocky Day.  Rocky Day was a city holiday to celebrate the release of Rocky in 1976.  Rocky Day was such a hit that this year it has expanded into Rockyfest!  Rockyfest will feature city-wide events that run from November 29th – December 8th.

The schedule of events include:

Attend for the day or the entire week plus!  A great time is guaranteed for Rocky/Stallone fans.

“The American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story” (2006) / Z-View

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The American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story (2006)

Stars: Dusty Rhodes, Dick “the Bruiser” Afflis, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, Eric Bischoff, Tully Blanchard, Gerald Brisco, John Cena, Ted DiBiase, Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Superstar Billy Graham, Mike Graham, Jimmy Hart, Bobby Heenan, Jerry Lawler, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Vince McMahon, Dick Murdock, Gene Okerland, Pat Patterson, Roddy Piper, Bruce Prichard, Harley Race, Dustin Rhodes, Ron Simmons and Hulk Hogan.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The life story of Dusty Rhodes.  Born the son of a plumber in Austin, Texas, he became one of the most beloved professional wrestlers in the world.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dusty Rhodes, at one time, was one of the highest paid and most successful wrestlers in the world.  Everywhere he went Rhodes rose to the top.  Even when Dusty Rhodes was older, he was wanted as a writer and booker for promotions.

What I admire about Dusty is that he was able to figure out how to make each situation he was in work.  Even when Vince McMahon gave Rhodes a silly persona and a polka-dot outfit, Rhodes was able to make the character a fan favorite.

Rhodes was king on a microphone.  His “hard times” speech is considered a classic by wrestling fans.  One of my favorite Rhodes’ quotes is: “I have wined and dined with kings and queens and I’ve slept in alleys and dined on pork and beans”.

The American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story (2006) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“White Zombie” (1932) starring Bela Lugosi / Z-View

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White Zombie (1932)

Director:  Victor Halperin

Screenplay: Garnett Weston based on THE MAGIC ISLAND by William Seabrook

Stars: Bela Lugosi, Madge Bellamy, Robert Frazer, John Harron, Brandon Hurst, Clarence Muse and Frederick Peters.

Tagline:  With These Zombie Eyes he rendered her powerless – With This Zombie Grip he made her perform his every desire!

The Plot…

Madeleine Short (Bellamy) and her fiancé Neil Parker (Harron) arrive in Haiti. They are guests of Charles Beaumont (Frazer) and staying on his huge plantation.  Charles secretly loves Madeleine and wishes she would marry him.  Desperate to have Madeline, Charles visits ‘Murder’ Legendre (Lugosi).

Murder is the owner of a huge plantation.  Everyone knows that Murder’s plantation is worked  by Haitian zombie slaves. Murder has the ability to turn people into mindless beings that follow his every command.  Charles wants Madeleine to love him.  He believes Murder can make this happen.

Murder agrees to help.  But the truth is he has other plans for Madeleine.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

White Zombie was filmed in less than two weeks on a budget of $50,000.00.  Reportedly up to 10% of the budget was Lugosi’s salary.

White Zombie was one of Bela Lugosi’s favorites of the films he made.

Beware of poor copies since the film went into public domain in 1960.

White Zombie (1932) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Tarzan and the She-Devil” (1953) starring Lex Barker, Joyce MacKenzie & Raymond Burr / Z-View

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Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953)

Director: Kurt Neumann

Screenplay: Karl Kamb, Carroll Young; based on characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Stars: Lex Barker, Joyce Mackenzie, Raymond Burr, Monique van Vooren, Tom Conway, Michael Granger, Fred Aldrich, Ben Astar, Ben Astar, George Barrows, Robert Bice, Mara Corday and Henry Brandon.

Tagline: TARZAN FACES HIS GREATEST PERIL!… when he clashes with the ruthless, alluring Queen of the Ivory Thieves… in the BEST of all the Tarzans!

The Plot…

Vargo (Burr) convinces Lyra, the She-Devil (van Vooren) to take her “soldiers” and join him on an expedition to kill a large herd of elephants for their tusks.  Vargo isn’t worried about Tarzan.

But he should be.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The fifth and final Tarzan film starring Lex Barker.

I wish the movie was a nice as the poster.

Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars.

RIP: Ron Ely

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Yesterday it was announced that Ron Ely died of natural causes on on September 29, 2024, at the age of 86.

Mr. Ely was best known for his role as Tarzan on the NBC series of the same name.  The series ran for 57 episodes over the course of two seasons.  Mr. Ely performed most of his stunts throughout the series and suffered multiple injuries.

Prior to Tarzan, Ron Ely appeared in supporting feature film roles and guest spots on television series.  After the series ended Mr. Ely continued acting on television and feature films for the rest of his career. Although Ron Ely retired from acting in 2001, he came back to appear in the television movie Expecting Amish in 2014.

Ron Ely also authored two excellent detective novels, NIGHT SHADOWS and EAST BEACH.

Television projects that feature Ron Ely include: Father Knows Best; Steve Canyon; Playhouse 90; How to Marry a Millionaire; The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis; The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; The Aquanauts (18 episodes); Thriller; Tarzan (57 episodes); The Courtship of Eddie’s Father; Ironside; Marcus Welby, MD; Wonder Woman; Face the Music; The Love Boat (3 episodes); Matt Houston; Hotel; Fantasy Island (5 episodes); Blacke’s Magic; Sea Hunt (22 episodes); Superboy; The Hat Squad; LA Law; Hawkeye; Renegade (2 episodes); Sheena and Expecting Amish.

Feature films that Ron Ely appeared in include: South Pacific; The Fiend Who Walked the West; Night of the Grizzly and Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze.

I probably first saw Ron Ely in Tarzan.  I loved that Mr. Ely’s Tarzan was not only physical but also intelligent.  I have great memories of watching the series with my grandfather.  Then going out to play Tarzan with my other friends.  After the series ended I enjoyed seeing Mr. Ely in television roles and movies.

Mr. Ely was also an excellent writer.  I own his two detective novels and always hoped there would be more.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Rob Ely’s family, friends and fans.

“Man on Fire” (2004) written by Brian Helgeland, directed by Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning & Christopher Walken / Z-View

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Man on Fire (2004)

Director: Tony Scott

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland based on MAN ON FIRE by A. J. Quinnell

Stars: Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning, Radha Mitchell, Marc Anthony, Giancarlo Giannini, Rachel Ticotin, Jesús Ochoa and Mickey Rourke.

Tagline:  You don’t need a saint… You need a savior.

The Plot…

Ex-CIA operative John Creasey (Washington) is in a bad way.  He’s burnt out, out of shape and drinks too much.  Creasey’s guilt over past missions makes him question living.  Then an old CIA buddy, Paul Rayburn (Walken) throws Creasey a lifeline.

Samuel Ramos (Anthony), a wealthy Mexican, needs protection for his young daughter Pita (Fanning). Kidnappings in Mexico are on the rise.  Ramos’ insurance policy requires a full time bodyguard.  Creasey is reluctant to take the job, but needs the work.  Initially cold and professional to Pita, she slowly wins him over.  Creasey stops drinking as much.  His attitude towards life improves.

Then the unthinkable happens.

As two crooked Mexican Federales block the street kidnappers come for Pita.  Creasey kills four but is shot repeatedly as Pita is kidnapped.  Negotiations for Pita’s return go on as Creasey recovers.  Ten million dollars is the demand for Pita’s return.  When the ransom drop goes sideways, the money is taken, but Pita isn’t returned.

The family gets a call from the kidnappers.  Because of the ambush, Pita will be lost forever.

Still not fully recovered, Creasey promises to kill everyone involved in Pita’s kidnapping.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Screenwriter Brian “LA Confidential” Helgeland was in a video store.  He asked the clerk to recommend a good movie. “Man on Fire” (1987) was suggested.  The clerk who suggested the film was Quentin Tarantino.

For filming in Mexico, bodyguards were provided for the stars.  Tony Scott had been warned his production had been targeted.  Several crew members ended up being robbed at gunpoint.  Mexico City’s Chief of Police served as a consultant.  It was his hope the movie would raise awareness about the rash of kidnappings.

The novel takes place in Italy, but when this version was being made, Mexico had become infamous for kidnappings.  So the location was changed.

If you enjoy noir, then Man on Fire is for you.

Dakota Fanning is amazing in this role.  Watching her and Denzel Washington in their scenes is like viewing a masterclass of acting.

Christopher Walken has a great line when he says about Denzel’s character: “A man can be an artist… in anything, food, whatever. It depends on how good he is at it. Creasy’s art is death. He’s about to paint his masterpiece.”

Man on Fire (2004) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Love Lies Bleeding” (2024) directed by Rose Glass, starring Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian & Ed Harris / Z-View

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Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

Director: Rose Glass

Screenplay: Rose Glass, Weronika Tofilska

Stars: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Ed Harris, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Matthew Blood-Smyth, Tait Fletcher and Keith Jardine.

Tagline: Revenge gets ripped.

The Plot…

Lou’s (Stewart) life sucks.

Lou and her dad, Lou Sr. (Harris) don’t talk. He’s a major drug dealer and a killer.  Lou Sr. appears to be a business man that owns a gun range and a warehouse gym.  They’re just fronts.  Lou manages the gym.  FBI agents have tried to get Lou to turn against her dad.  As much as she hates him, Lou refuses to cooperate. The only reason Lou sticks around is her sister Beth.  Beth’s in a terrible marriage.  Her husband is physically and mentally abusive.

So yeah, Lou’s life sucks.

Then one night Jackie (O’Brient) comes into the gym.  Jackie is a bodybuilder on her way to Vegas for a competition.  Lou and Jackie hit it off.  One thing leads to another and Lou invites Jackie to stay at her place.  In no time, Lou and Jackie fall in love… or at least a volatile relationship.

Who would guess it would lead to murder and reveal her father’s buried secrets?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Katy O’Brien used to be a competitive body builder and is a former three time champion.  She exudes charisma.

There are a couple of times where what we see on screen isn’t actually happening but is instead a metaphor for changes the character is feeling.  It’s a bold move.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.