Category: Movies

RIP: Tawny Kitaen

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Tawny Kitaen, the model and actress, died yesterday at the age of 59.  No cause of death has been released.

Born Julie Kitaen, she began using the nickname Tawny while still in junior high.  Kitaen, who was dating Ratt band member Robbin Crosby while she was still in high school, appeared on Ratt’s first two album covers.  In 1984, she earned a part in the Tom Hanks’ comedy, Bachelor Party.  In 1987, Kitaen rocketed to fame after appearing in three Whitesnake music videos.

Tawny Kitaen’s career spanned 36 years with 45 acting credits.  She was a regular on The New WKRP in Cincinnati which ran for 2 seasons.  Other notable roles included characters on Seinfeld, Married with Children, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.  

Tawny Kitaen’s private life got as much press as her professional career.  In 1989, she married Whitesnake lead singer,  David Coverdale.  They divorced in 1991.  She had an affair with O.J. Simpson while he was married to Nicole Brown Simpson.  In 1997, she married professional baseball player, Chuck Finley.  They had two daughters during their five year marriage which ended in 2002.

I’ll always remember Tawny Kitaen from her appearances in the Whitesnake videos.  I was teaching junior high at the time and 9 out of 10 boys had pictures of her on their notebooks and in their lockers.  According to Marty Callner, who directed the famous Whitesnake videos:  “She (Tawny Kitaen) had so much magic, so much charisma, so sexy, so sweet, I loved her immediately, and I knew, and was right that she would be not only the first, but the ultimate video vixen.”  Who can argue with that?

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tawny Kitaen’s family, friends and fans.

“The Penny Black” – Poster and Trailer for the Documentary Noir!

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I like both the poster and trailer for The Penny Black.  At first I didn’t realize that this a documentary.  Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.  I look forward to seeing The Penny Black.

The Penny Black is a non-fiction investigative thriller that begins with Will, the estranged son of a conman, his mysterious neighbor, and a million-dollar stamp collection. A provocative exploration of Will’s fear and integrity, the documentary follows a hunt to find the owner of the collection. When a significant piece of the stamp collection goes missing, the filmmakers are forced to reexamine Will’s capacity for honesty.

RIP: Frank McRae

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It is just being reported today that Frank McRae died on April 29th, from a heart attack.  Mr. McRae was 77.  

Frank McRae was a gifted athlete who played college football at the University of Tennessee and upon graduation went into the NFL where he was a Defensive Tackle for the Chicago Bears.  When his playing days were over, McRae’s focus turned to acting.

Frank McRae’s career spanned 34 years with over 60 acting credits on his resume.  Mr. McRae held his on own screen with many of the greats: Charles Bronson, James Garner, Sally Field, Kurt Russell, Nick Nolte, Peter Falk and Arnold Schwarzenegger to name just a few.  Stanley Kramer, Steven Spielberg, John Milius, Robert Zemeckis and John McTiernan were some of the directors who wanted Frank McRae in their films.  Frank McRae appeared in four films starring Sylvester Stallone: FIST, Paradise Alley, Lock Up and Rocky II.  Mr. McRae’s best known role may be Sharkey, James Bond’s friend, in Licence to Kill. 

I was (and remain) a huge fan of Frank McRae.  He made every film he was in at least a little bit better.  My favorite Frank McRae role was when he played Big Glory in Paradise Alley.  Big Glory was a professional wrestler whose better days were long past.  It’s a funny, yet sad supporting role that Frank McRae completely owned.  Another memorable role was his brief but impactful part in Red Dawn… and Lock Up… and well, you get the idea.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Frank McRae’s family, friends and fans. 

“Feral State” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like both the poster and trailer for Feral State and it is on my watch list now.

Tucked far away from the white sandy beaches and amusement parks is a Florida that few outsiders ever see. Nestled alongside the gator infested swamps and rundown trailer parks lives a charismatic grifter and self-proclaimed ‘father of the forgotten’ named Mack Monroe (Ronnie Gene Blevins.) He takes in orphans and runaways as his own, giving them the only semblance of a home they’ve ever known… but at what cost? Mack trains his ragtag gang in the art of thievery and crime, filling their vulnerable minds with vigilante gospels and together they knock off drug dealers and meth labs. Hot on their tail is Detective Ellis (AnnaLynne McCord), a tough-as-nails cop with demons of her own. Mack and the gang’s world is flipped upside down with the arrival of a mysterious young girl, who at first seems like the perfect new recruit but turns out being something far more dangerous than anyone could have imagined.

Starring: AnnaLynne McCord, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Octavio Pisano
Directed by: Jon Carlo

“A Quiet Place Part 2” – Poster and the Final Trailer is Here!

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It seems like we’ve been waiting for A Quiet Place Part II forever.  Weill, the wait is almost over.  Today we have a poster and the final trailer.  Make sure you save me a seat!

Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

Things We Learned About “Speed” from Director Jan De Bont!

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Art by Edgar Ascensão

Rob Hunter at Film School Rejects turned his sights to the Speed, then posted 24 Things We Learned from the ‘Speed‘ Commentary by director Jan de Bont.  Before you click over, here are three of my favorites…

Keanu Reeves wasn’t all that interested in starring in an action movie, so De Bont had to convince him that it would be fun. How? By telling Reeves he’d be allowed to do as many of his own stunts as possible on Speed.  (Being able to do stunts safely is probably a big lure to many actors.  Some that are known to do most of their own stunts include Robert Conrad, James Caan, and Sly Stallone. – Craig)

It was Dennis Hopper’s idea to stick his fingers in Jeff Daniels’ nose to lift him up, and while De Bont worried it would look silly he agreed after trying it and discovering it’s actually pretty painful.  (Can you imagine Hopper saying to Daniels and De Bont, “I’ve got an idea, why don’t I stick my fingers up his nose and lift him up?” – Craig)

He says sharp-eyed viewers will spot “hidden” cameras during some of the bus action as they often only had single takes and had cameras in cars, trucks, and elsewhere. (I love it when director’s stick in “Easter Eggs”! – Craig)

“Rogue Hostage” Starring Tyrese Gibson & John Malkovich. The Trailer is Here!

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The Rogue Hostage trailer is here.  Tyrese Gibson and John Malkovich star in Die Hard in a hardware store.  I’ll check it out when it comes to a streaming service I get.

PLOT: Rogue Hostage follows single father and former Marine Kyle Snowden (Tyrese Gibson), who is struggling to adjust to life with PTSD. On a routine stop for his job in Child Protective Services, Kyle finds himself and a group of innocent customers trapped inside his stepfather’s store during a hostile take-over by militant maniac Eagan Raize. Disturbing details emerge about Eagan’s violent vendetta against Kyle’s stepfather, Congressman Sam Nelson (John Malkovich), threatening the lives of everyone inside, including the Congressman and Kyle’s young daughter. In a race against time, Kyle must battle against the terrorists as well as his personal demons to secure the store and save everyone. #RogerHostage​

CAST: Tyrese Gibson, John Malkovich, Holly Taylor

Release Date: 6/11/21

Recasting “Escape from New York”

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Art by Paul Shippper


A little over eight years ago there was talk that Joel Silver was working with StudioCanal to remake John Carpenter’s Escape from New York along with two other films featuring Snake Plissken.  I was excited for the news and began to think about who would play each part.  Below are my original cast suggestions as well as who I would cast now. 

So… let’s take a look at who should fill the roles in Escape from New York Remake:

  • Snake Plissken was originally played by Kurt Russell.  Then I suggested Guy Pearce.  Now I would cast Wyatt Russell.  I know Wyatt has said he wouldn’t play Snake, but man, that would be perfect casting.

  • Hauk was originally played by Lee Van Cleef.  Then I suggested Stephen Lang.  Now I would still go with Lang.

  • Cabbie was originally played by Ernest Borgnine.  Then I suggested Brian Cox.  Now I would cast Ma Dong-seok (Train to Busan).

  • The President was originally played by Donald Pleasence.  Then I suggested James Gandolfini.  Now I would cast James Spader.

  • The Duke was originally played by Isaac Hayes.  Then I suggested Terry Crews.  Now I would still go with Terry Crews.

  • Brain was originally played by Harry Dean Stanton.  Then I suggested Michael Emerson.  Now I would still go with Michael Emerson.

  • Maggie was originally played by Adrienne Barbeau.  Then I suggested Rosario Dawson.  Now I would still go with Rosario Dawson.

  • Romero was originally played by Frank Doubleday.  Then I suggested Walton Goggins.  Now I would still go with Walton Goggins.

  • Slag was originally played by Ox Baker.  Then I suggested Ryan Hurst.  Now I would still go with Ryan Hurst.

So, what do you think?  Inspired casting or did I miss the mark?

 

 

RIP: Billie Hayes

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Billie Hayes who performed on Broadway, in movies and on television died on April 29th at the age of 96.  Her death from natural causes was announced today by her family.

Mrs. Hayes first Broadway appearance was in Leonard Sillman’s New Faces in 1956. She was then cast as Mammy Yokum in the Broadway version of Li’l Abner.  When Li’l Abner was turned into a feature film, Hayes reprised her role as Mammy Yokum.

Billy Hayes first television role was on The Monkees.  Her next television role was the one she became best known for, as Witchiepoo on HR Pufnstuff (tv series) and in the Pufnstuff movie.  After that series ended Hayes appeared once again as Mammy Yokum in the Li’l Abner tv movie.  Hayes went on to make guest appearances on Bewitched, Lidsville (as a series co-star), Donny and Marie, Murder She Wrote, General Hospital and many other shows.  In 1981, Hayes also began doing voice work (on shows such as The Flintstone Comedy Show, The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries, Darkwing Duck, Talespin to name just a few).  She continued doing voice work until she retired in 2016.

Not many performers have a career as long as Billie Hayes.  She was able to successfully transition between stage, feature films and television.  I, like many of her fans, knew her best from her role as Witchiepoo.  I was ten when the series premiered.  My brother and I got into trouble for calling my youngest sister, Witchiepoo.  It’s funny the things you remember.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Billie Hayes’ family, friends and fans.

“Occupation Rainfall” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Occupation Rainfall is what I call a drive-in movie.  Since we don’t have drive-ins (at least near where I live), Occupation Rainfall will be watched on a night of streaming when there’s nothing more pressing to watch.

US Release Date: June 11, 2021
Starring: Dan Ewing, Jason Isaacs, Temuera Morrison
Directed By: Luke Sparke
Synopsis: Two years after aliens land on Earth, survivors from Sydney, Australia, fight in a desperate war as the number of casualties continue to grow.

Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? by Eric Powell and Harold Schechter is Coming!

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It seems that everyone has heard of Charles Manson, The Boston Strangler, Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy, The BTK Killer, and other infamous psychos.  Not as many folks have heard of Ed Gein.  Gein is a true life wacko who inspired Psycho (the book and film), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and even The Silence of the Lambs (book and film).  Eric Powell is teaming with Harold Schechter to tell Ed Gein’s story.  Here’s the synopsis from Amazon:

One of the greats in the field of true crime literature, Harold Schechter (Deviant, The Serial Killer Files, Hell’s Princess), teams with five-time Eisner Award-winning graphic novelist Eric Powell (The Goon, Big Man Plans, Hillbilly) to bring you the tale of one of the most notoriously deranged serial killers in American history, Ed Gein.

Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? is an in-depth exploration of the Gein family and what led to the creation of the necrophile who haunted the dreams of 1950s America and inspired such films as Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs.

Painstakingly researched and illustrated, Schechter and Powell’s true crime graphic novel takes the Gein story out of the realms of exploitation and gives the reader a fact-based dramatization of these tragic, psychotic and heartbreaking events. Because, in this case, the truth needs no embellishment to be horrifying.

If this sounds like something you’d like, you can use this link to pre-order Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?

Here’s an interview with Eric Powell on the killer behind the monster in DID YOU HEAR WHAT EDDIE GEIN DONE?