Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I like the looks of Mayhem! I just hope the violence doesn’t get too graphic.
Opening in theatres January 5.
Starring: Nassim Lyes, Loryn Nounay, Olivier Gourmet
Director: Xavier GensA martial artist and ex-con Sam (Nassim Lyes) starts a new life in Thailand to escape a local gang lord, but a kidnapped family member sucks him back into the underworld he’d left behind in this propulsive action spectacle.
Rumpus in the Harem (1956)
Director: Jules White
Screenplay: Felix Adler, Jack White
Stars: Shemp Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Vernon Dent and Everett Brown
Tagline: Ha-Ha-Harem Hi-Hi-Hijinks!
The Plot…
The boys are diner owners whose customers end up wearing more food than they eat. After the boys learn that their girls need money to pay off debts, the overhear two crooks discussing the whereabouts of a stolen diamond. Shemp, Larry and Moe decide to recover and return the gem for a reward. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Rumpus in the Harem is a reboot of Malice in the Palace. Rumpus in the Harem was the first to make use of a “fake Shemp” for new scenes.
Rumpus in the Harem earns 3 of 5 stars.
Deal me in!
“Horrific things are happening inside Ongseong Hospital right now”
Spring of 1945
There were humans and creatures
in a hospital of GyeongseongBehold, the powers of destiny.
Beware, the powers of karma.Gyeongseong Creature Part 1 | December 22, only on Netflix
I like the looks of The Brothers Sun. Since it is on Netflix, it’s a no-brainer to check it out.
Blood runs in the family.
When the head of a powerful Taiwanese triad is shot by a mysterious assassin, his eldest son, Charles (Justin Chien) heads to Los Angeles to protect his mother, Eileen (Michelle Yeoh), and his naive younger brother, Bruce (Sam Song Li) — who’s been completely sheltered from the truth of his family until now.
But as Taipei’s deadliest societies and a new rising faction go head-to-head for dominance — Charles and Bruce must figure out what brotherhood and family truly means before someone takes them out.
Streaming only on Netflix January 4th, 2024.
This cool alt Die Hard poster was created by Nuno Sarnadas. Sardanas went with the “less is more” design and felt like it worked best in black and white. From his results, I couldn’t agree more.
Nuno Sarnadas has more art on display at his webpage.
Rambo by Mike Giblin. Mike said he would normally ink his morning sketch, but he didn’t because he liked the looseness of the piece. I agree.
For Crimin’ Out Loud (1956)
Director: Jules White, Edward Bernds (stock footage)
Writer: Felix Adler, story by Edward Bernds
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Christine McIntyre and Emil Sitka
Tagline: None
The Plot…
When Councilman John Goodrich (Sitka) receives a note from a serial killer saying Goodrich will be his next victim, he hires our boys to guard him. When our guys arrive they are greeted by Goodrich’s niece who says her uncle is missing. Little do Larry, Moe and Shemp know, but the niece and her two accomplices are behind this!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
For Crimin’ Out Loud is a reboot of the Stooges’ 1949 short, Who Done It?. They shot a new opening scene and the rest uses scenes from Who Done It?.
Who Done It? is one of my favorite Shemp shorts. It contains the mansion with hidden panels, a scary looking monster/creep and the hijinks that come when our boys are running for their lives from room to room.
Moe sprained his ankle crashing through a door and so in scenes where he’s limping, the limp is real!
For Crimin’ Out Loud (1956) rates 5 of 5 stars.
One of the most popular scenes in Rambo III is Rambo’s Thai Stickfight with Harold Diamond. There aren’t many photos of the scene, so when a rare one surfaces we like to share it.
Source: Brian Stooss.
Norman Lear died on December 5, 2023. Mr. Lear was 101.
Norman Lear dropped out of college to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, Norman Lear worked in public relations, door to door sales, as he worked to sell comedy sketches for celebrities such as Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis and Rowan & Martin. This led to offers to write and direct. Mr. Lear would go on to write, direct and produce both for television and feature films for the rest of his career.
Norman Lear’s Awards include:
Some of Norman Lear’s television projects include: The Martha Raye Show (18 episodes); Bobby Darin and Friends; The Danny Kaye Special; Henry Fonda and the Family; The Andy Williams Special; The Andy Williams Show (3 episodes); Steptoe and Son; Robert Young and the Family; Hot L Baltimore (13 episodes); Grady (10 episodes); Sanford & Son (135 episodes); Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (325 episodes); The Nancy Walker Show (11 episodes); Maude (141 episodes); All in the Family (207 episodes); Good Times (133 episodes); Palmerstown, USA (17 episodes); Square Pegs (20 episodes); Archie Bunker’s Place (97 episodes); Gloria (22 episodes); aka Pablo (2 episodes); One Day at a Time (209 episodes); Mama Malone (13 episodes); Heartsounds; The Jeffersons (253 episodes); Silver Spoons (116 episodes); The Facts of Life (201 episodes); 227 (116 episodes); All in the Family: 20th Anniversary Special; Sunday Dinner (6 episodes); The Powers that Be (21 episodes); 704 Hauser (2 episodes); America Divided (4 episodes); Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’ and One Day at a Time (2017 – 46 episodes).
Some of Norman Lear’s feature film projects include: Come Blow Your Horn; Divorce American Style; The Night They Raided Minsky’s; Start the Revolution Without Me; Cold Turkey; The Princess Bride and Fried Green Tomatoes.
Norman Lear was the creator/producer of some of the most popular and influential television programs of my lifetime. I was a fan and regularly watched All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Good Times and The Jeffersons. These programs were not only very funny, but often left viewers with something to think about.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Norman Lear’s family, friends and fans.
BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME by Burt Reynolds and Jon Winokur
First sentence…
Growing up in Palm Beach, County, Florida, I went by the name Buddy.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Burt Reynolds always seemed like a star you could sit and talk with. Perhaps that’s why he was always such a great guest on talk shows. His sense of humor always came through, often at his own expense. I’m pleased to report that BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME has the same feel.
Burt Reynolds’ goal with the book was to pay homage to the people who shaped him for better or worse. And he does just that. Burt isn’t ashamed to get sentimental or afraid to name names. We learn who he considers the good folks, as well a few who wouldn’t make his Christmas card list. He talks about success as well as mistakes he made both professionally and personally. Burt Reynolds had a career few could dream of and he’s written a memoir worthy of it.
Rating:
I.S.S. looks like a suspenseful ride. Deal me in.
Watch the official trailer for I.S.S.
Only In Theaters January 19
—
Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a worldwide conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling from this, the astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, working with Nick Shafir’s Blacklist script, brings together a stellar cast that includes Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Pilou Asbaek, John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin, and Masha Mashkova, in a high-stakes thriller set entirely in the confines of the I.S.S. as astronauts are called to duty in fateful and terrifying ways.
Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection (2022)
Director: Kelvin Mao
Stars: Dave Stevens, Thomas Jane, Billy Campbell, Joe Johnston, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Timm, David Mandel, Danny Bilson, William Stout, James R. Silke, Bill Wray, Scott Shaw and Mark Evanier.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Dave Stevens was a professional artist best known for creating The Rocketeer. The Rocketeer quickly became a fan favorite comic book series. It was later adapted as a feature film. The Rocketeer is what most people think of when Dave Stevens’ name comes up.
What many don’t know is that Dave Stevens worked inking comic strips before creating The Rocketeer. He also drew storyboards for Hanna-Barbera’s animated shows. Later Dave Stevens provided storyboards for Raiders of the Lost Ark and Michael Jackson’s Thriller! He was married to actress Brink Stevens. He helped popularize Bettie Paige with a new generation. When he discovered that Ms. Paige was still alive, he befriended her. Dave Stevens made sure that Bettie Paige received money from people profiting off the use of her likeness.
Dave Stevens was an artist obsessed with perfection. He wanted every drawing, every page, every panel, every line to be as he pictured it in his mind. Despite being an award-winning artist, and considered the reigning king of pinup artists, Dave Stevens was hampered by his quest for perfection. It caused his output to be slow. Mr. Stevens had high standards for his art, himself and those few he considered friends.
Drawn to Perfection explores all aspects of Dave Stevens life and career. We hear from his family, friends and even Dave himself through vintage interviews. If you’re at all interested in learning more about Dave Stevens, then Drawn to Perfection is the place to start.
Storm Fear (1955)
Director: Cornel Wilde
Writer: Horton Foote based on STORM FEAR by Clinton Seeley
Stars: Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Dan Duryea, Lee Grant, David Stollery, Dennis Weaver, Steven Hill and Chet Huntley.
Tagline: IT HITS LIKE A THUNDERBOLT!
The Plot…
A bad winter storm is coming. Fred Blake (Duryea), his wife Elizabeth (Wallace) and their son, David (Stollery) live in a remote mountainside farm house. Fred is a sickly and unhappy man. Just before the storm hits, Fred’s estranged brother, Charlie (Wilde) and two others show up. Charlie has been shot in the leg. The bullet is still lodged there. His companions are Benji (Hill), a nervous, bully and Edna (Grant). Obviously the three are on the run from the law.
As the storm hits, Fred learns that the three robbed a bank. A police officer was killed in the process. Charlie promises they will take off when the weather clears. But as the night progresses, we learn secrets that had been long buried. Worried that the family will become witnesses against them, Benji plans to kill them all, including Charlie.
It won’t be long until sunup…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Storm Fear marked Cornell Wilde’s feature film directorial debut.
Lee Grant had been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 1951’s The Detective. It was her first feature film. Because of Joseph McCarthy’s red scare, Grant was blacklisted and didn’t get another feature film role until Cornell Wilde cast her in Storm Fear. Grant would then go on to a long career as an actress, director and producer. She was nominated three more times for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award, winning in 1976 for her role in Shampoo.
I was surprised to learn that Eddie Muller is not a fan of Storm Fear. I’m not one to argue with the Czar of Noir, but Storm Fear resonated with me.
Flagpole Jitters (1956)
Director: Jules White
Writer: Felix Adler, Jack White
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, David Bond, Vernon Dent, Richard Alexander, Ned Glass and Frank Sully.
Tagline: The Three Stooges hit a new high in low-down laughs
The Plot…
The boys are working as janitors to raise money for their invalid neighbor, Mary. Their goal is to get enough dough that Mary can have an operation to allow her to walk again. A criminal known as The Great Svengarlic hypnotizes Larry, Shemp and Moe to dance on a flagpole high above the street. While the crowd watches Svengarlic’s act, his accomplices rob a jewelry store.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Flagpole Jitters (1956) is a reworking of the Stooges’ 1949 short Hokus Pokus. It makes use of quite a bit of footage from the original. In the original Mary was faking her disability, in this one she’s not. Changing this aspect of the short weakens the ending.
Flagpole Jitters is the last Stooges’ short that features new footage of Shemp. He died less than five months after the filming of this one.
The funniest scene is when Shemp gets physical with the insurance adjuster! (And that came from the original short.)
Hot Stuff (1956) rates 2 of 5 stars.
