Category: Celebs

“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” (2024) / Z-View

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Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told (2024)

Director: P. Frank Williams

Stars: André 3000, The Notorious B.I.G., Big Boi, CeeLo Green.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

How a small black college picnic grew and grew to become an annual event known as Freaknik.  The event started out as a get-together for college students who didn’t have the resources to return home for Spring Break.

Each year the event grew bigger.  It began to attract out-of-towners from all over the country.  Many were not college students.  The event became so large it shut down the city.  Drugs, sex and sexual assaults turned the powers that be against the event.

This is the story of the rise and fall of Freaknik.

Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Shadows Over Chinatown” (1946) starring Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland & Jimmy Yung / Z-View

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Shadows Over Chinatown (1946)

Director: Terry O. Morse

Screenplay: Raymond L. Schrock; based characters created by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung, John Gallaudet, Paul Bryar, Mary Gordon, Mira McKinney and Franke Fontaine.

Tagline: Chan follows the trail of a blood-chilling wave of torso slayings!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler) has been called to San Francisco to investigate a series of murders.  On the way, someone takes a shot a him. Chan is not deterred, but even agrees to help a couple looking for a missing woman.  They’re worried that she has become a victim of the serial killings.

Now that Chan, his number two son, Jimmy (Yung) and faithful assistant Birmingham Brown (Moreland) are on the case, things are about to heat up.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Because Sidney Toler had terminal cancer, but wanted to continue the series, his character is often seated.  Also Mantan Moreland and  Victor Sen Yung were given more to do.

Frankie Fontaine has an uncredited cameo doing his bit as a drunk.  I recognized him from his appearances as Crazy Guggenheim on The Jackie Gleason Show.

Shadows Over Chinatown (1946) rates 3 of 5 stars.

MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKESTEIN STARRING BORIS KARLOFF adapted by Kerry Gammill and El Garing is Coming!

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MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKESTEIN STARRING BORIS KARLOFF adapted by Kerry Gammill and El Garing is coming on October 22, 2024.

Horror fans will want to check this out…

Mary Shelley’s iconic masterpiece is brought to life with the definitive on-screen Frankenstein, Boris Karloff, in this stunning new graphic novel!

Decades before the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells, 18-year-old Mary Shelley wrote what many regard as the first work of science fiction when she penned FRANKENSTEIN: or, the MODERN PROMETHEUS, which was published in 1818.

Over one hundred years later, in 1931, a hard-working but relatively unknown actor named Boris Karloff was cast to play Frankenstein’s monster in James Whale’s now classic movie adaptation. The film made Karloff a star and solidified Frankenstein’s monster as an icon of the silver screen.

In 2024, Legendary Comics is proud to bring Shelley and Karloff together for the first time in a faithful adaptation of the novel starring the iconic actor in the lead role of the fully reimagined monster. In partnership with Sara Karloff of Karloff Enterprises, and featuring the artistic talents of Kerry Gammill and El Garing, the team behind the award-winning BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA STARRING BELA LUGOSI, this new graphic novel is certain to delight and terrify old and new fans alike.

“Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos – The poster and trailer are here.

Deal me in.  Badda-bing!

The man behind the cultural phenomenon.

In Wise Guy David Chase and The Sopranos, a new 2-part HBO Original Documentary, #TheSopranos creator offers a unique look into his work on the iconic series. #WiseGuyHBO premieres September 7 at 8 pm ET on ‪@StreamOnMax‬.

“Long Gone Heroes” starring Frank Grillo & Andy Garcia – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Long Gone Heroes starring Frank Grillo with Andy Garcia is here.

Gunner, a special forces soldier who has witnessed the darkest side of country and combat, is forced back into the field of battle to save his niece, who is being held in South America. As the fight intensifies, Gunner and his team discover that her disappearance is part of a corrupt private operation that hits way too close to home. Acclaimed actors Andy Garcia, Melissa Leo, Josh Hutcherson and Frank Grillo star in a non-stop action thriller that will leave you breathless.

Long Gone Heroes – Watch the trailer now! In Select Theaters, on Digital, and On Demand September 20. Starring Frank Grillo, Josh Hutcherson, Eden Brolin, Mekhi Phifer, Melissa Leo, and Andy García.

“Open Range” (2003) directed by Kevin Costner, starring Robert Duvall & Kevin Costner / Z-View

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Open Range (2003)

Director: Kevin Costner

Screenplay: Craig Storper; based on THE OPEN RANGE MEN by Lauran Paine

Stars: Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Diego Luna, Abraham Benrubi, Annette Bening, Michael Gambon, Michael Jeter, James Russo, Peter MacNeill, Cliff Saunders, Julian Richings, Ian Tracey, Diego Diablo Del Mar and Kim Coates.

Tagline: No place to run. No reason to hide.

The Plot…

“Boss” Spearman (Duvall) and Charley Waite (Costner) are cattlemen driving their herd across country.  Along with them are Mose and Button, two young hired hands.  They decide to bed down for a few nights.  Mose is sent into a nearby town for supplies.

When Mose doesn’t return, Boss and Charley ride into town.  They find Mose in jail and badly beaten.  It turns out that rancher Denton Baxter (Gambon) doesn’t tolerate cattlemen crossing his land.  Baxter has the Sheriff on his payroll and the town afraid to do anything.  Baxter and the Sheriff release Mose with the warning to Boss and Charlie to be gone by nightfall.

That ain’t going to happen.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kevin Costner got the project going, starred in and directed it.  Touchstone gave him top billing until he requested that Robert Duvall be credited first.

Open Range is just about perfect.  Great story, cast, acting, and direction.  Robert Duvall is a national treasure.  I rank Open Range higher than Dances with Wolves.  It’s that good.

Open Range (2003) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Twisters” (2024) directed by Lee Isaac Chung, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell & Anthony Ramos / Z-View

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Twisters (2024)

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Screenplay: Mark L. Smith; story by Joseph Kosinski; based on characters created by Michael Crichton, Anne-Marie Martin

Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Kiernan Shipka, David Corenswet, Katy O’Brian, David Born and James Paxton.

Tagline: Chase. Ride. Survive.

The Plot…

Kate Carter (Edgar-Jones) was a young scientist/storm-chaser on the verge of a way to quickly reduce the intensity of a tornado.  But that was five years ago.  Kate quit her research when a tornado chase went sideways.  Three of her friends were killed.  Only Kate and Javi (Ramos) survived.

Now Kate works at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in New York City.  She monitors conditions from the safety of a control center.  Kate is surprised one day when Javi shows up unannounced.  He is part owner of a new company, Storm Par, that uses cutting edge technology to predict the paths/strengths of tornadoes.  Although hesitant at first, Kate agrees to work with Javi for one week since the new technology could save lives.

Back in Oklahoma, in tornado alley, Kate experiences a panic attack.  She’s worried how she’ll respond when the team closes in on a tornado.  Another problem is a competing group of tornado chasers.  Tyler Owens (Powell) aka The Tornado Wrangler along with his team are an internet sensation.  They’re all about the “views” and their hotdogging is liable to get people killed.

This is a bad mixture as the worst tornado weather in years is predicted.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Twisters isn’t a direct sequel to Twister, but Bill Paxton’s son, James Paxton has a cameo as the upset hotel guest.

Twisters works because of the direction of Lee Isaac Chung, the charm of Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos, the chemistry between Edgar-Jones and Powell and the special effects.

Twisters (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Docks of New Orleans” (1948) starring Roland Winters, Virginia Dale & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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Docks of New Orleans (1948)

Director: Derwin Abrahams

Screenplay: William Scott Darling based on Charlie Chan by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Roland Winters, Virginia Dale, Mantan Moreland, John Gallaudet, Victor Sen Yung, Douglas Fowley, Stanley Andrews, Emmett Vogan and Rory Mallinson.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The owners of the LaFontaine Chemical Company are shipping out a boatload of a secret cargo.  This is going to make them a, pardon the expression, a “boatload” of money.  They decide to sign an agreement that if one (or more) of them were to die, the money would be spent by the survivors.

No sooner done, then one of them is murdered.  How this was done is a mystery.  No signs of death and the victim was alone in a room that no one entered.

Thankfully Charlie Chan has been called in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mantan Mooreland gets more to do in this one.  This includes Mooreland’s famous “Indefinite Talk” routine.

Docks of New Orleans (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Hitchcock” (2012) starring Anthony Hopkins & Helen Mirren / Z-View

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Hitchcock (2012)

Director: Sacha Gervasi

Screenplay: John J. McLaughlin; based on ALFRED HITCHCOCK AND THE MAKING OF PSYCHO by Stephen Rebello

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Danny Huston, Toni Collette, Michael Stuhlbarg, Michael Wincott, Jessica Biel, James D’Arcy, Richard Portnow, Kurtwood Smith, Kai Lennox, Tara Summers, Wallace Langham, Paul Schackman, Currie Graham, Spencer Garrett  and Ralph Macchio.

Tagline: Behind every Psycho is a great woman.

The Plot…

Alfred Hitchcock coming off the success of North by Northwest is looking for a new project.  The studios have offered high profile projects, but Hitch has his sights on adapting Robert Bloch’s novel PSYCHO.  The studio is against the idea.  Hitch is determined to make the film even if he has to finance it himself.

He does. The studio is offering little support. So Hitchcock risks everything to see the project through.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hitchcock was nominated for one Academy Award…

  • Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling – Howard Berger, Peter Montagna, Martin Samuel

The scenes of Hitchcock’s office on the Paramount lot were shot in Alfred Hitchcock’s actual office!

Michael Wincott is excellent in the role of Ed Gein, the real life murderer that inspired Robert Bloch to write PSYCHO.

Hitchcock (2012) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Grotesquerie” starring Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance, Lesley Manville, and Travis Kelce – The Teaser is Here!

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Here’s the teaser for Grotesquerie starring Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance, Lesley Manville, and Travis Kelce.  I plan to check it out.

In FX’s Grotesquerie, a series of heinous crimes have unsettled a small community. Detective Lois Tryon feels these crimes are eerily personal, as if someone—or something—is taunting her. With no leads and unsure of where to turn, she accepts the help of Sister Megan. However, they find themselves ensnared in a sinister web that only seems to raise more questions than answers.

Fear the worst. FX’s GROTESQUERIE. OFFICIAL TEASER. 9.25 on FX. Stream on Hulu. Starring Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance, Lesley Manville, and Travis Kelce.

“Mayor of Kingstown”: Season 3 (2024) starring Jeremy Renner / Z-View

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Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (2024)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon

Director: Christoph Schrewe (Eps. 1-2, 9-10); Nina Lopez-Corrado (Eps. 3-4); Paul Cameron  (Ep. 5-6); Guy Ferland (7-8)

Teleplay: Dave Erickson (Ep. 1-10); Regina Corrado (Ep. 2); Wendy Riss (Ep. 3); Aalia Brown (Ep. 4); Christian Donovan (Ep. 5); James Arcega Tinsley (Ep. 6); Wendy Riss & Molly Forman (Ep. 7); ; Regina Corrado & Dave Erickson (Ep. 10)

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Hugh Dillon, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley, Michael Beach, Yorick van Wageningen, Nichole Galicia, Necar Zadegan, Lane Garrison, Mark Ivanir, Denny Love, Derek Basco, Gratiela Brancusi, Richard Brake, Paula Malcomson, Nona Parker Johnson, Dylan Kenin, Rob Kirkland, Matthew Del Negro and Kenny Johnson.

Tagline: You can’t bury the past.

The Plot…

The prison riot left gangs without leadership.  As they battle to determine their status, a Russian mob moves into town.  Each gang jockeys to get Mike to assist their rise to the top.  Mike and Bunny’s relationship is pushed to the breaking point.  As the body count rises, Mike comes up with a plan…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mayor of Kingstown continues to be well written, well directed, well acted with production values that rival those of feature films.

Jeremy Renner is perfect as the no-nonsense Mike McClusky.  Other standouts in the acting department include Hugh Dillon, Emma Laird, Nichole Galicia, Tobi Bamtefa and Hamish Allan-Headley.  Actually, I should probably list every supporting actor/actress because they are all perfectly cast.

The surprises, twists and ever building tension make each episode must-see tv.  I hope we get a season four.

Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Red Light” (1949) starring George Raft & Virginia Mayo / Z-View

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Red Light (1949)

Director: Roy Del Ruth

Screenplay: George Callahan, Charles Grayson (additional dialogue); based on the story “This Guy Gideon” by Don “Red” Barry

Stars: George Raft, Virginia Mayo, Gene Lockhart, Raymond Burr, Harry Morgan, Barton MacLane, Arthur Franz, Ken Murray, Stanley Clements, Arthur Shields, Frank Orth, Phillip Pine, Leonard Bremen and William Frawley.

Tagline: The raw, ruthless story of a strong-arm guy…and the blonde he used to bait his deadly trap!

The Plot…

John Torno (Raft) is a successful business man.  John’s younger brother, Jess (Franz) is a Catholic Chaplin just brought home from a World War II prisoner of war camp.  John idolizes Jess who he raised.  He’s a war hero who has dedicated his life to helping others.

So when Jess is murdered, John makes it his life’s mission to find the killer.  And get revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Raymond Burr made an excellent heavy in this and other films early in his career.

Red Light (1949) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Old Man: Season 2” starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I enjoyed the first season of The Old Man and am looking forward to the second.  Check out the teaser and trailer below.  Oh, and how about the cool season two poster?

The stakes couldn’t get any higher. Don’t miss the two-episode premiere of FX’s The Old Man, 9.12 on FX. Stream on Hulu.

In FX’s The Old Man Season 2, former CIA agent “Dan Chase” (Jeff Bridges) and former FBI Assistant Director “Harold Harper” (John Lithgow) set off to recover “Emily Chase” (Alia Shawkat) after she is kidnapped. As the stakes rise and secrets are uncovered, Emily finds herself in an identity crisis with dire implications, and “Zoe McDonald” (Amy Brenneman) makes surprising moves into Chase’s world.

Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow are back. FX’s The Old Man OFFICIAL TRAILER. 9.12 on FX. Stream on Hulu.

“Trigger Point” (2021) starring Barry Pepper & Colm Feore / Z-View

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Trigger Point (2021)

Director: Brad Turner

Screenplay: Michael Vickerman

Stars: Barry Pepper, Colm Feore, Eve Harlow, Carlo Rota, Jayne Eastwood, Nazneen Contractor, Laura Vandervoort, Karen Robinson, Greg Bryk and Rainbow Sun Francks.

Tagline: Everyone breaks.

The Plot…

Nicolas Shaw (Pepper) used to be a US special agent.  He was part of a special team that targeted the worst and took them out by any means.  Then Shaw was captured and tortured.  During his abuse, Shaw finally gave up the names of others on his squad.  He was then framed for their murders.

So Shaw went into hiding.  He lived a quiet in a remote location.  Shaw thought he was safe until, Elias Kane (Feore), his former boss, showed up.  Kane’s daughter was kidnapped and Kane needs Shaw’s help.

Shaw has no choice…but can Kane be trusted?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

After seeing (and loving) Barry Pepper in Bring Him to Me, I had high hopes for Trigger Point.  What a letdown.  To make things even worse, it ends setting up a sequel.  Bah!

Trigger Point (2021) rates 2 of 5 stars.