Category: Celebs

“Sanford and Son”: Season 1 (1972) starring Redd Foxx & Demond Wilson / Z-View

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Sanford and Son: Season 1 (1972)

Based on: Steptoe and Son by Ray Galton, Alan Simpson
Developed by: Bud Yorkin, Norman Lear (uncredited)

Director: Bud Yorkin (Eps. 1-4); George Tyne (Ep. 5); Coby Ruskin (Ep. 6); Bob LaHendro (Ep. 7); Peter Baldwin (Ep. 8, 11 – 13); Charles S. Dubin (Eps. 9 – 10); Bruce Bilson (Ep. 14)

Teleplay: Aaron Rubin, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson (Eps. 1 – 11, 13 – 14); Everett Greenbaum, James Fritzell, Ray Galton (Ep. 12)

Stars: Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, Hal Williams, Noam Pitlik, Lynn Hamilton, White, William Lanteau, Paulene Myers, Lillian Randolph, Stanley Bennett Clay, Leonard Stone, Judyann Elder, Dick Van Patten, James Wheaton, Peter Bonerz, Gabriel Dell, Florida Friebus and Rick Hurst.

Tagline: Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson play two guys who know the score – and how to beat the game. America, you’re in for a yock…Archie, you’re in for a shock

The Plot…

Fred Sanford (Foxx) and his son, Lamont (Wilson) are junk dealers.  Fred’s wife died years ago and Lamont stays on to assist his dad with the business.  Together they get into various misadventures as they attempt to get ahead.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In its first season Sanford and Son became the 6th highest rated show on television.  Also in its first season, Sanford and Son earned three Primetime Emmy nominations:

  • Outstanding Comedy Series
  • Outstanding New Series
  • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series – Redd Foxx

One of the running gags of the series is that in each episode Fred Sanford would find a reason to clutch his chest as if having a heart attack and proclaim, “Hear that, Elizabeth? I’m coming to join you!”  Sadly, Redd Foxx died of a heart attack in 1991.

Fred Sanford was supposed to be 65 years old.  Redd Foxx was just 49 during filming of the first season.

Sanford and Son‘s theme music is by Quincy Jones and it is titled The Streetbeater.

Sandford and Son: Season 1 (1972) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver” (2024) directed by Zack Snyder, starring Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou & Ed Skrein / Z-View

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Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)

Director:  Zack Snyder

Screenplay:  Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad, Shay Hatten

Stars: Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Bae Doona, Ray Fisher, Anthony Hopkins, Staz Nair, Stuart Martin, Alfonso Herrera, Cary Elwes and Rhian Rees.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Kora (Boutella) and the surviving warriors of her team return home.  There they learn that Admiral Noble (Skrein) who they thought had been killed, is alive. The Admiral is returning with a warship and enough soldiers to wipe them out.

As Kora, her warriors and the villagers prepare for a battle to the death, secrets are revealed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I enjoyed Rebel Moon: Part One – Child of Fire.  I liked Part 2 less.  It may have been a mistake to bring back Admiral Noble.  While he’s a good nemesis, any time you bring a character back from the dead, you diminish the impact of dying.  With Part 2 I often felt like, we’ve been there and done that already.

Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (2024) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Southern Comfort” directed by Walter Hill, starring Keith Carradine and Powers Boothe / Z-View

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Southern Comfort (1981)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Michael Kane, Walter Hill, David Giler

Stars: Keith Carradine, Powers Boothe, Fred Ward, Franklyn Seales, T.K. Carter, Lewis Smith, Les Lannom, Peter Coyote, Alan Autry, Brion James, Allan Graf, Ned Dowd and Sonny Landham.

Tagline: In the Louisiana backwaters, it’s easy to make enemies…and VERY difficult to escape from them.

The Plot…

One weekend when the Louisiana Army National Guard is running maneuvers in a bayou, nine soldiers become lost.  As frustrations with their squad leader grow, the men come upon a campsite.  Although no one is there, the site contains three canoes.  Rather than wait for the owners to return, the soldiers decide to leave a note explaining that they “borrowed” the canoes and will leave them once they find their way to civilization.

As they are paddling across the swamp, they hear yelling.  The Cajun hunters have returned and believe the soldiers are stealing their boats.  One of the National guardsmen, stupidly fires his machine gun filled with blanks towards the Cajuns.  The hunters dive for cover and return fire.  The Guardsmen’s leader is killed.  The guardsmen paddle deeper into the swamp.

Lost, with only a few rounds of live ammunition, the soldiers will have to battle each other, the elements and angry Cajun hunters if they are to survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ned Dowd, who played one of the Cajun hunters, transitioned from acting to producing.  Some of these films include The Last of the Mohicans (supervising producer); The 13th Warrior (producer); Reign of Fire (line producer) and Apocalypto (executive producer).

Many believe that Southern Comfort is an allegory for America’s involvement in Viet Nam.  Walter Hill denies this.

Alan Autry, made his feature film debut playing Corporal ‘Coach’ Bowden.  He was listed in the credits as Carlos Brown.

Walter Hill had one of the best starts as any director.  His first seven films were Hard Times; The Driver; The Warriors; The Long Riders; Southern Comfort; 48 Hrs. and Streets of Fire.

Southern Comfort (1981) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Man Who Knew Too Much”(1934) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Peter Lorre / Z-View

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The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Charles Bennett, D. B. Wyndham-Lewis, Edwin Greenwood (scenario), A. R. Rawlinson (scenario)

Stars: Leslie Banks, Edna Best, Peter Lorre and Nova Pilbeam.

Tagline: Public Enemy No. 1 of all the world…

The Plot…

Bob (Banks), Jill (Best) and their daughter, Betty (Pilbeam) are on vacation in Switzerland.  One evening, a man that they recently met is shot.  As the man is dying he tells Jill where he’s hidden information about a terrorist group.  She is to get the note to the British consulate.

The criminals kidnap Betty when they learn that Bob and Jill have information about their planned political assassination.  It will be up to Bob and Jill to get Betty back and foil the assassination.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Peter Lorre was still learning English when Hitchcock cast him.  Lorre had to learn his part phonetically.

The film is in public domain so beware of bad copies.

Alfred Hitchcock has a cameo crossing the street from right to left in a black trenchcoat before Bob and Clive enter the chapel.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“L.A. Confidential” (1997) directed by Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger & Danny DeVito / Z-View

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L.A. Confidential (1997)

Director: Curtis Hanson

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson based on L.A. CONFIDENTIAL by James Ellroy

Stars: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, David Strathairn, Ron Rifkin, Matt McCoy, Paul Guilfoyle, Paolo Seganti, Elisabeth Granli, Sandra Taylor, Steve Rankin, Graham Beckel, Allan Graf, Symba Smith, Brenda Bakke and Simon Baker.

Tagline: Everything is suspect…everyone is for sale…and nothing is what it seems.

The Plot…

The year is 1953.  Three L.A. detectives find themselves at odds when investigating a series of murders.

  • Straight laced, by-the-book, Ed Exley (Pearce) is the son of a police legend.  Exley’s father was killed in the line of duty.  The murderer never caught.
  • Jack Vincennes (Spacey) is most concerned with his role as technical advisor on a popular cop tv show. Vincennes makes additional cash by providing inside info on celebrity busts to the publisher of a sleazy gossip rag.
  • Bud White (Crowe) isn’t above throwing a beat-down on criminals and is willing to cross certain lines to get justice.

When a police scandal known as Bloody Christmas, puts the reputation of the L.A. police force in jeopardy, Exley devises a solution.  This gets Exley a promotion, but puts him at odds with most of the force.  Then a multiple killing at a coffee house that includes one of the disgraced police officers is assigned to Exley.  Evidence leads to three African-American ex-cons. A shootout ensues and Exley kills them in self-defense.  Exley is cited for bravery and the case closed…

However inconsistences compel Exley to take a closer look.  Were he, as well as the suspects, set up? The evidence points to police and political corruption.  Still an outcast, despite his medal of valor, if Detective Exley refuses to back down, he will be the next targeted for murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

L.A. Confidential is based on the novel by James Ellroy.

L.A. Confidential was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and won two:

  • Best Picture (nominee) – Arnon Milchan, Curtis Hanson, Michael G. Nathanson
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role (winner) – Kim Basinger
  • Best Director – Curtis Hanson (nominee)
  • Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published (winner) – Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson
  • Best Cinematography (nominee) – Dante Spinotti 
  • Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (nominee) – Jeannine Oppewall (art director), Jay Hart (set decorator)
  • Best Sound (nominee) – Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer, Kirk Francis
  • Best Film Editing (nominee) – Peter Honess
  • Best Music, Original Dramatic Score (nominee) – Jerry Goldsmith

Kevin Spacey asked director Curtis Hanson who he would dream cast in the role of Jack Vincennes if the film had been shot in the 1950s.  Hanson surprised him.  Dean Martin, because of his slick, loose style and questionable character was his choice. (Although that choice surprised me as well, I like it! – Craig)

Simon Baker, perhaps best known for his television series The Mentalist, made his feature film debut in L.A. Confidential.

Kevin Spacey got top billing but had less screen time than the other two leads.

L.A. Confidential (1997) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Doomed to Die” (1940) starring Boris Karloff / Z-View

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Doomed to Die (1940)

Director: William Nigh

Screenplay: Hugh Wiley, Ralph Gilbert Bettison, Michael Jacoby

Stars: Boris Karloff, Marjorie Reynolds, Grant Withers, Henry Brandon, Richard Loo, Melvin Lang and Dick Fleming.

Tagline: The master of crime cleans up the dirty game of murder!

The Plot…

Cyrus Wentworth (Lang) was dealing with the aftermath from the fire and sinking of one of his ships.  Four hundred lives were lost.  It’s not a good day.  When William Stelling (Fleming) shows up, they can be heard arguing in Wentworth’s office.  Stelling is the son of one of Wentworth’s competitors and his daughter’s fiancé.

Suddenly a gunshot rings out.  Stelling is seen standing over Wentworth’s dead body. A gun lies near the body.  Police arrive and arrest Stelling.  It appears to be an open-and-shut case.

Then, the famous James Lee Wong (Karloff) is hired to determine the real killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The scenes of the burning ship were taken from newsreel footage of a real ocean liner that burned and sunk with tremendous loss of life.

This is Boris Karloff’s fifth (and last) outing as detective James Lee Wong.

Doomed to Die (1940) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Assault on Precinct 13” (1976) written & directed by John Carpenter, starring Austin Stoker & Darwin Joston / Z-View

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Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

Director: John Carpenter

Screenplay: John Carpenter

Stars: Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, Martin West, Tony Burton, Charles Cyphers, Nancy Kyes, Henry Brandon, Frank Doubleday, John Carpenter and Kim Richards.

Tagline: A cop with a war on his hands. His enemy… an army of street killers. His only ally… a convicted murderer.

The Plot…

After members of Street Thunder, a gang who had stolen assault rifles, is ambushed by LA police officers, the gang is out for retribution.

Lieutenant Ethan Bishop’s (Stoker) first assignment is to take command of a Precinct house that is being closed down.  There are only a couple of police officers and secretaries there.  Then a prison transport bus pulls in.  One of the prisoners is sick.  They want to hold a few of the prisoners, one guilty of killing several men, in the jail cells.  What should be a quiet night is turned upside down when a man comes running in.  He witnessed gang members murder his little daughter and an ice cream salesman.

Now the Precinct house is under attack by the street gang.  They’ve killed the two cops on duty.  The phone lines have been cut and no one will be coming to the rescue.  What chance do Lieutenant Bishop, two secretaries and two convicts have for survival?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

John Carpenter originally titled the screenplay The Anderson Alamo.  He later changed it to The Siege.  No studio was interested in distributing the film until Turtle Releasing Organization.  They changed the title to Assault on Precinct 13.  The is a mistake since the police station attacked is Precinct 9, Division 13.

Assault on Precinct 13 was made on an ultra low budget.  Carpenter wrote and directed from a script that he wrote in eight days.  Carpenter also wrote the film’s score (in just three days).  Using the pseudonym, John T. Chance (John Wayne’s character’s name in Rio Bravo), John Carpenter also served as the movie’s editor.  The film was shot in less than a month.  (Oh, and by the way, John Carpenter also plays one of the gang members killed trying to climb through a police station window.)

Darwin Joston, who is excellent as the killer Napoleon Wilson, was John Carpenter’s next door neighbor.

Charles Cyphers and Nancy Loomis would work with John Carpenter on his next film, Halloween.

Frank Doubleday, the actor who kills the ice cream man and little Kim Richards, would go on to appear as Romero in John Carpenter’s Escape from New York.

Assault on Precinct 13 hit me at a perfect time.  It was one of the first films I discovered after getting a VCR back in 1980.  I loved the movie then and still do.  Your mileage may vary.

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Apollo Creed is Coming from McFarlane Toys!

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Apollo Creed is coming from McFarlane Toys!  Here’s the lowdown…

  • Incredibly detailed, highly decorated 6” scale figure based on the movie ROCKY (1976)
    Accessories include an extra head, printed backdrop, environmental base, collectible art card and a secret bonus item
    Also includes “VS” display piece to re-create your favorite ROCKY boxing contest or create your own ultimate dream match! It also can be used as an art card holder
    APOLLO CREED as featured in the theatrical film ROCKY (1976)
  • Release date: May 8, 2024

Click here for more details or to pre-order!

Apollo Creed is also available the same day as Rocky!

Rocky Balboa is Coming from McFarlane Toys! 

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Rocky Balboa is coming from McFarlane Toys!  Here’s the lowdown…

  • Incredibly detailed, highly decorated 6” scale figure based on the movie ROCKY (1976)
  • Accessories include an extra head, printed backdrop, environmental base, collectible art card and a secret bonus item
  • Also includes “VS” display piece to re-create your favorite ROCKY boxing contest or create your own ultimate dream match! It also can be used as an art card holder
  • ROCKY BALBOA as featured in the theatrical film ROCKY (1976)
  • Release date: May 8, 2024

Click here for more details or to pre-order!

Apollo Creed is also available the same day as Rocky!

“30 Days of Night” (2007) starring Josh Harnett, Melissa George & Danny Huston / Z-View

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30 Days of Night (2007)

Director: David Slade

Screenplay: Steve Niles, Stuart Beattie, Brian Nelson based on 30 Days of Night by Steve Niles & Ben Templesmith

Stars: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Mark Boone Junior, Elizabeth Hawthorne and Nathaniel Lees.

Tagline: They’re Coming!

The Plot…

The remote city of Barrow, Alaska, because of it’s location has a month of darkness once a year.  Most of the city’s inhabitants leave.  Those that stay have to live with “30 days of night”.  This year they will also have to deal with a coven of vampires who have come to Barrow to feast!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Steve Niles conceived 30 Days of Night as a graphic novel.  Although he pitched the idea, there was no interest.  Niles then reworked the idea and pitched 30 Days of Night as a movie.  Again there was no interest.  Niles put the idea on the back-burner until a discussion at IDW Publishing brought 30 Days of Night back from the, uh, dead.  Niles and artist Ben Templesmith’s 30 Days of Night comic was a hit.  This led to several movie studios showing interest in adapting 30 Days of Night.

A picture of Steve Niles can be seen in the attic hideout.

30 Days of Night does a great job of building suspense and ratcheting the tension as the vampires destroy Barlow’s ability to communicate with the outside world.  Then we see vampire attacks to those on the outskirts of the city.  The full-on attack of the city with the overhead shots of the mayhem is still a favorite scene.

Danny Huston is amazing as Marlow the leader of the vampire coven.  Kudos also to Ben Foster.

30 Days of Night (2007) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Mars Attacks” (1996) directed by Tim Burton / Z-View

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Mars Attacks (1996)

Director: Tim Burton

Screenplay: Jonathan Gems, Tim Burton (uncredited) based on Topps Mars Attacks! trading cards

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Annette Bening, Glenn Close, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Lisa Marie, Sylvia Sidney, Paul Winfield, Pam Grier, Jack Black, Joe Don Baker, Christina Applegate  and Tom Jones.

Tagline: Nice planet. We’ll take it!

The Plot…

An armada of Martian ships have come to Earth.  At the first meeting between the Martian and US Ambassador and accident makes the Martians think that they are under attack.  The aliens then decide to take over the Earth.

Let the fun begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tim Burton directs an all-star cast.

Tim Burton pitched the idea by showing Warner Bros. the Mars Attacks! trading cards released in 1962.  The cards featured art by Wally Wood and Norman Saunders.  The card set told of a Martian invasion of Earth.  Because the cards were aimed at the kiddie market, many parents felt that the violence was too graphic.  This led to a limited distribution.  The Mars Attacks! cards have become collector’s items.  In the 1980s, Topps revisited the Mars Attacks! by re-releasing the card set, new Mars Attacks! cards and comic books.

Mars Attacks! marks Sylvia Sidney’s final film appearance.

Although Tim Burton co-wrote the film with Jonathan Gems, but gave Gems full credit.  Jonathan Gems wrote the Mars Attacks! novelization and dedicated the book to Tim Burton.

Mars Attacks (1996) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Tango & Cash” (1989) starring Sylvester Stallone & Kurt Russell / Z-View

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Tango & Cash (1989)

Director: Andrei Konchalovsky, Albert Magnoli (uncredited)

Screenplay: Randy Feldman

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Teri Hatcher, Jack Palance, Brion James, James Hong, Marc Alaimo, Philip Tan, Michael J. Pollard, Robert Z’Dar, Lewis Arquette, Edward Bunker, Roy Brocksmith, Susan Krebs, David Byrd, Richard Fancy, Michael Jeter,  Patti Davis, Billy Blanks, Geoffrey Lewis, Benny Urquidez and Clint Howard.

Tagline: Two of L.A.’s top rival cops are going to have to work together… Even if it kills them.

The Plot…

Detectives Ray Tango (Stallone) and Gabriel Cash (Russell) are two of LA’s top narcotic cops. They have a friendly rivalry and different styles.  They don’t work together but their busts have put a dent in drug kingpin, Yves Perret’s (Palance) operation.

Perret has Tango and Cash framed, convicted and sent to prison.  Now he plans to have them murdered.

If they are to survive Tango and Cash will have to work together, escape prison and find evidence to clear their names.  Let the fun begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tango & Cash had two directors.  Andrei (Runaway Train) Konchalovsky helmed most of the film. Producers wanted a lighter, funnier film.  Konchalovsky and Stallone felt a serious film with some humor would work better.  Disagreements were constant, but Konchalovsky refused to give in.  This and the movie going over-budget led to him being fired.  Albert (Purple Rain) Magnoli was brought in to finish the film.

Jeffrey (Lethal Weapon 2 & 3) did uncredited re-writes on the film.

Patrick Swayze was originally cast as Cash.  He dropped out to do Road House.

Sly’s character is asked if he stopped for “coffee and a Danish”.  He replies, “I hate Danish.” This is an in-joke as Sly had recently divorced Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen.

Both Brion James and Robert Z’Dar originally had smaller parts, but they impressed enough folks that their roles were expanded.

Geoffrey Lewis has an uncredited cameo.

Tango & Cash (1989) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Your Lucky Day” (2023) written & directed by Daniel Brown / Z-View

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Your Lucky Day (2023)

Director: Daniel Brown

Screenplay: Daniel Brown

Stars: Angus Cloud, Elliot Knight, Jessica Garza, Sterling Beaumon, Mousa Hussein Kraish, Spencer Garrett, Jason O’Mara and Jason Wiles .

Tagline: Cashing in will cost you.

The Plot…

Late night at a small convenience store a customer discovers that he has a winning lottery ticket for $156 million.  He makes a big deal about it and everyone in the store hears he has the big winner.  A drug dealer (Cloud) pulls a gun and demands the ticket.  The two argue. A security guard pulls his gun and tells crook to drop his.

The two exchange shots.  The security guard’s shot kills the ticket holder.  The crook’s shot takes out the security guard.  The thug then gathers everyone in the store.  They include a pregnant woman, her lover, and the store owner.  Fearing that they will all be killed, the store owner tells the thug he will never get to cash the ticket.  He reasons that if thug kills them all, there will be no explaining how he got the winning ticket.  If he doesn’t kill them, they could talk.  BUT if he splits the winnings with him, they can help him get rid of the two bodies and come up with a plausible story about the winning ticket.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Angus Cloud was excellent as the drug dealer/robber.  Sadly, he died before the film’s release.

Your Lucky Day (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“TMZ PRESENTS: ARNOLD & SLY: RIVALS, FRIENDS, ICONS” – The Trailer is Here!

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Get those DVRs ready!

TMZ exclusively sits down with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone as they discuss for the first time how their once-fierce rivalry led to two Hollywood icons forever being friends and brothers in arms.

ALL-NEW SPECIAL “TMZ PRESENTS: ARNOLD & SLY: RIVALS, FRIENDS, ICONS” PREMIERES TUESDAY, APRIL 23 @ 8/7c ON FOX AND THE NEXT DAY ON HULU