THE CHOSEN – NEW ART RELEASE From Official MGM ROCKY Artist John Rivoli www.iconsinart.com
The moment Rocky is CHOSEN to make that enlightening journey.
Category: Celebs
“Asteroid City” (2023) written and directed by Wes Anderson / Z-View
Asteroid City (2023)
Director: Wes Anderson
Screenplay: Wes Anderson; story by Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola
Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Hope Davis, Steve Park, Liev Schreiber, Steve Carell, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, Adrien Brody, Rita Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie and Matt Dillon.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Set up as a television documentary of a play written by a famous playwright, Asteroid City follows the story of the play as well as the making of it. The play is in color and widescreen. Set in an imagined 1950s where futuristic and retro designs are merged. The behind the scenes “making of” is in black and white, television ratio.
The play concerns the happenings at a Science convention for children being held in Asteroid City. When a UFO appears, the military gets involved.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I was attracted to Asteroid City because of it’s amazing cast and the look of the trailer. It is interesting at the start, but when the movie was over I felt like I’d seen an experimental play that fell short. It’s not terrible and it held my attention, but left me feeling flat. Your mileage may vary.
Asteroid City (2023) earns 2 of 5 stars.
“The Gentlemen” – A New Series from Guy Ritchie. The Official Teaser is Here!
The Gentlemen. A new series from Guy Ritchie. The Official Teaser is Here!
Crime meets caviar!
Meet our new class of criminals in The Gentlemen. A new drama series from Guy Ritchie, inspired by the original film.
The Gentlemen arrives this March only on Netflix
RIP: Joyce Randolph
Joyce Randolph died yesterday in her sleep. Ms. Randolph was 99.
After high school in Detroit, Joyce Randolph auditioned for a part in a touring company of Stage Door. She earned the role and finished the tour. She then moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. Joyce Randolph began getting roles on Broadway and television. When Jackie Gleason offered her the role of Trixie on The Honeymooners, she became a household name.
Some of Joyce Randolph’s television appearances include: Gander Sauce; Rocky King, Detective; Buck Rogers; The Ed Sullivan Show; The Plainclothesman (5 episodes); The Jack Benny Program; The Honeymooners (39 episodes); The Jackie Gleason Show (79 episodes); Hi Honey, I’m Home and Everything’s Jake.
Because Joyce Randolph became so typecast from her role on The Honeymooners, it became hard for her to get roles. She turned to acting in summer stock, commercials and the occasional television guest spot. Joyce Randolph was the last surviving cast member of what many consider the best television comedy ever made.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joyce Randolph’s family, friends and fans.
“Lights Out” starring Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer, Jaime King, Dermot Mulroney and Scott Adkins – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The poster and trailer for Lights Out starring Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer, Jaime King, Dermot Mulroney and Scott Adkins is here.
Deal me in.
A drifting ex-soldier turns underground fighter with the help of a just released ex-con, pitting them both against corrupt cops and hired killers gunning for them and all those they care about.
CAST: Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer, Jaime King, Dermot Mulroney and Scott Adkins
“Parish” starring Giancarlo Esposito – The Teaser is Here!
The first teaser for AMC’s Parish, a six episode limited series starring Giancarlo Esposito is here!
Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil.
#Parish , starring Giancarlo Esposito, premieres this Spring on AMC and AMC+.
“Badland Hunters” starring Don Lee – The Trailer is Here!
The full trailer for Badland Hunters starring Don Lee is here.
Hunt or die.
Welcome to the badlands.Don Lee from《Train to Busan》《The Roundup》 and《Eternals》 is now a tough hunter in the dystopian world, who fights for survival and salvation.
Will hunters save us all?
or will villains take us all?2024 Netflix action blockbuster film
Badland Hunters | January 26, only on Netflix
“The Creator” (2023) / Z-View
The Creator (2023)
Director: Gareth Edwards
Screenplay: Gareth Edwards, Chris Weitz; story by Gareth Edwards
Stars: John David Washington, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, Ralph Ineson and Ken Watanabe.
Tagline: Humanity evolves.
The Plot…
When a nuclear warhead is exploded over Los Angeles, Artificial Intelligence is blamed. In turn, most Western nations declare war and move to exterminate all A.I. “beings”. One of the end goals is to exterminate Nirmata, the genius behind recent A.I. advancements.
Former U.S. Army sergeant Joshua Taylor (Washington) is called back to duty. Taylor had worked undercover and was married to Nirmata’s daughter. She was thought to have been killed in a US military strike. Recent video has surfaced and she may be alive. Taylor is led to believe that if he participates in the mission, he may find his wife is still alive. The mission is to destroy the next generation of A.I. before it reaches full power.
Taylor agrees. The team is dispatched. Taylor discovers that there has been an advancement in AI. It is in the form of a young girl. Taylor also learns that he and the world have been lied to. Now, Taylor and the “girl” are on the run. The fate of the world could hang in the balance.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
For a film dealing with artificial intelligence, it has a lot of heart.
Allison Janney may surprise a lot of folks in her role as a hardened military commander. She’s excellent.
The Creator (2023) earns 4 of 5 stars.
Rocky, Pauly and Thunderlips by Patrick Ganino!
Patrick Ganino created the huge Rocky mural on the back of the Sly Stallone Shop located at the Rocky Steps in Philly. But before that, he painted the art above and then got it autographed by Sly Stallone, Burt Young and Hulk Hogan. Click here to see it signed by all three!
“Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1953) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello & Boris Karloff / Z-View
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)
Director: Charles Lamont
Screenplay: Lee Loeb, John Grant; story by Sid Fields, Grant Garett;inspired by The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Boris Karloff, Helen Westcott, Reginald Denny, John Dierkes, Harry Cording and Craig Stevens.
Tagline: The Laughs Are Twice as MONSTER-OUS as Ever Before!
The Plot…
A maniacal serial killer stalks the streets of London. Slim (Abbott) and Tubby (Costello), American cops sent over to study England’s police methods, are pulled into the case.
Let the good times roll!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
In this version, Dr. Jekyll isn’t such a nice guy. In most outings, it isn’t until he becomes Mr. Hyde that he becomes evil.
Boris Karloff appeared with Abbott and Costello four years earlier in Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer.
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) earns 5 of 5 stars.
“The Greatest Night in Pop: The Untold Story Behind ‘We Are the World'” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
This looks like a winner.
Deal me in.
Premiering January 29th, the untold story of how the global hit “We are the World” almost didn’t happen! 46 of the biggest pop music stars had only one night to turn chaos into magic. As told by stars who were there, this film reveals the rollercoaster ride to write and record the groundbreaking song that would go on to raise millions for famine relief in Africa, win 2 Grammys and become a global sensation.
“Son of Frankenstein” (1939) starring Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone & Bela Lugosi / Z-View
Son of Frankenstein (1939)
Director: Rowland V. Lee
Screenplay: Wyllis Cooper based on characters created by Mary Shelley
Stars: Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill and Josephine Hutchinson.
Tagline: AFTER 20 YEARS Driven by the same crazy ambition that made his father create the terrifying monster that stalks in the night! See his juggernaut of destruction loosed upon the world!
The Plot…
Baron Wolf von Frankenstein (Rathbone), son of Henry Frankenstein, has brought his wife and young son back to live in Castle Frankenstein. Baron hopes to rebuild the family reputation, but is surprised to find that the villagers still harbor deep resentment. The haven’t forgotten the murders and destruction brought about by his father’s creation.
Wolf meets Ygor (Lugosi), a strange, deformed man who survived being hung for robbing graves. When Ygor shows Wolf that his father’s creation lies in a coma below the castle, Wolf decides to revive the creature. The operation is a success. Sadly the creature will on follow the commands of Ygor. Unknown to Wolf, Ygor has scores that he plans to settle using the monster.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Director Rowland V. Lee felt that producers had low-balled Bela Lugosi’s salary. Since the script wasn’t complete as filming started, Lee continued to pad Lugosi’s part. This increased Lugosi’s pay and created one of his best non-Dracula roles.
Surprisingly, this is the first Frankenstein film that shows the electrodes in the monster’s neck being hit with electricity to bring him to life.
Son of Frankenstein (1939) earns 5 of 5 stars.
RIP: Cindy Morgan
It has been reported that Cindy Morgan, born born Cynthia Ann Cichorski, was found dead of natural causes at her home in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on December 30, 2023. Ms. Morgan was 69.
While in college Cindy Cichorski was invited by a local station to report news for them. At that point she took adopted the professional name Cindy Morgan. After graduation she worked as a weather reporter before deciding to move to LA. She became the Irish Spring girl in advertisements and soon landed her first feature film role as Lacey Underall in Caddyshack. Ms. Morgan would continue to work in feature films and television roles for the remainder of her career. When she retired from acting, Ms. Morgan could be found making personal appearances at conventions across the country.
Some of Cindy Morgan’s television appearances include: The Love Boat; Vega$; CHiPs (3 episodes); Bring ‘Em Back Alive (13 episodes); The Fall Guy; Amazing Stories; The Magical World of Disney; Falcon Crest (16 episodes); Matlock (3 episodes); Hunter (2 episodes); Harry and the Hendersons and The Larry Sanders Show.
Some of Cindy Morgan’s feature film appearances include: Caddyshack and Tron.
My favorite Cindy Morgan role was as Lacey Underall in Caddyshack. I met Cindy Morgan at a Tampa Comic Convention back in 2005. As I said then, Ms. Morgan was humble and polite. Fans loved her.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cindy Morgan’s family, friends and fans.
“Lawman: Bass Reeves” – Season 1 (2023) starring David Oyelowo / Z-View
Lawman: Bass Reeves – Season 1 (2023)
Created by: Chad Feehan
Director: Christina Alexandra Voros (eps. 1-3, 7 & 8); Damian Marcano (eps. 4-6)
Screenplay: Chad Feehan (ep.1 & 8); Jewel Coronel (ep.2); Jacob Forman & Ning Zhou (ep. 3); J. Todd Scott (ep.4); Terence Anthony (ep.5); Jacob Forman (ep.6); Chad Feehan & K.C. Scott (ep.7)
Stars: David Oyelowo, Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Barry Pepper, Dennis Quaid, Grantham Coleman, Shea Whigham and Donald Sutherland.
.
Tagline: Some legends are true.
The Plot…
Dramatization of the life of Bass Reeves.
Bass Reeves was born a slave, escaped to freedom and became one of the first black Deputy US Marshalls. Over his 30 plus years as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Reeves arrested approximately 3,000 felons. He killed 14 men without ever being shot himself. He was smart, fearless and relentless.
It’s time his story was told.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Way back in 2013, I did a post called The Life and Times of Deputy U.S. Marshall Bass Reeves. At that time I called for a movie or tv series about Bass Reeves. I’m happy to report that Lawman: Bass Reeves was worth the wait. Everything about the series is first rate.
The writing and direction are top notch. All of the characters are well cast. David Oyelowo who plays Bass Reeves was nominated for a Critics Choice and Golden Globe Award. He deserves every honor available – he’s amazing in this role. Dennis Quaid and Barry Pepper have never been better. Let’s not forget to mention the talents of Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton and Shea Whigham.
Bring on season 2.
Lawman: Bass Reeves – Season 1 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.
RIP: David Soul
David Soul died yesterday. Mr. Soul was 80.]
David Soul began performing as a founding member of the Firehouse Theater in Minneapolis. In 1967, Mr, Soul had guest appearances on Flipper, I Dream of Jeannie and Star Trek. In 1968, he landed a co-starring role on the series Here Come the Brides. When the series ended, David Soul continued to act in movies and television roles. In 1975, David Soul became a household name with his co-starring role in the hit series Starsky and Hutch. His popularity allowed him to return to his love of singing (in addition to acting). David Soul’s release of “Don’t Give Up on Us” hit number 1 in the US. He also had 5 singles in the top twenty in the UK. During his hiatus from filming Starsky and Hutch and after the series ended, David Soul would perform concerts in the US and around the world.
For the rest of his career, David Soul would perform as a singer, actor and director.
Some of David Soul’s television appearances include: Flipper; I Dream of Jeannie; Star Trek; Here Come the Brides (52 episodes); The Young Rebels; Dan August; Ironside; All in the Family; The FBI; The Streets of San Francisco; Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (7 episodes); Cannon (2 episodes); The Rookies; McMillan & Wife; Medical Center; Gunsmoke; Starsky and Hutch (92 episodes); Salem’s Lot; The Manions of America (3 episodes); World War III (2 episodes); Casablanca (5 episodes); The Yellow Rose (22 episodes); The Key to Rebecca; Crime Story; Secret of Sahara (4 episodes); Unsub (8 episodes); The Young Riders (2 episodes); Jake and the Fatman (2 episodes); Murder She Wrote (2 episodes) and Sandra the Rebel Princess (7 episodes);
Some of David Soul’s feature film appearances include: Johnny Got His Gun; Magnum Force and Appointment with Death.
I first remember seeing David Soul in Here Come the Brides. However, I may have seen him first in Flipper, I Dream of Jeannie or Star Trek since I regularly watched these shows as a kid. When I was in high school Starsky & Hutch premiered and it was must-see tv. I’m also a fan of David Soul in Salem’s Lot.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to David Soul’s family, friends and fans.
