Category: Movies

RIP: Charles Grodin

Posted on by

Charles Grodin, the multitalented actor and author, died today at the age of 86 from bone cancer.  Mr. Grodin, whose acting career spanned over 60 years worked in feature films, television and on Broadway. 

His first role was an uncredited part in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  He then transitioned to television making guest appearances until his role in the feature film Rosemary’s Baby.  For the rest of his career Charles Grodin alternated between feature films, television movies and tv series.  Along the way, Mr. Grodin wrote plays, books, hosted his own talk show and was a political commentator for 60 Minutes.

Before researching Charles Grodin’s acting resume, I would have said that the first time I saw him was in Rosemary’s Baby.  I would have been wrong.  Prior to that film, Mr. Grodin had made appearances on television programs for well over a decade.  I must have seen him in The F.B.I., Captain Nice, or The Guns of Will Sonnet first. 

My favorite Charles Grodin movie role was in Midnight Run with Robert DeNiro.  I’m surprised there never was a sequel since Midnight Run was so well received by critics and fans.  Other memorable Charles Grodin movie appearances included roles in King Kong, Heaven Can Wait, Seems Like Old Times, and Beethoven. 

Charles Grodin was able to stay active over the length of his acting career (on stage and screen), had the talent to write plays, memoirs, screenplays, an award-winning television special as well as host his own show — all of this is evidence of his many talents. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Charles Grodin’s family, friends and fans.     

“The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2” – the Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by

The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 – the Poster and Trailer are Here!  I applaud the poster.  Finally, real artwork and not just photoshopped heads of the movie’s stars.  The trailer has a good mix of humor with a horror theme plus a little blaxploitation thrown in.  Call me crazy, but call me when this movie premieres.  I want to see it.

 

“Nighthawks” Overseas Poster

Posted on by

Here’s a cool International poster for Nighthawks starring Sylvester Stallone, Rutger Hauer. and Billy Dee Williams.  Lindsay Wagner, Persis Khambatta and Joe Spinell also are featured.  Nighthawks was Rutger Hauer’s first US film.

If you haven’t seen Nighthawks you should consider giving it a view, it is more than worth your time.  You’ll find Nighthawks was ahead of the curve in regard to terrorism on US soil (I remember some folks saying it would never happen here) and buddy cop movies.  Click on the photo to see a bigger version of the poster.

Poster Source: Brian Stooss.

“The Big Heat” – Dave Bannion by Patrick Zircher!!

Posted on by


One of my favorite movies (it gets my highest recommendation) is The Big Heat.  Released the year I was born  (1958), The Big Heat was directed by Fritz Lang and starred Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Jocelyn Brando, Alexander Scourby and Lee Marvin. 

I probably watch The Big Heat at least once a year.  TCM was showing it the other night.  I was checking out Twitter when the drawing above came into view.  Yes!  Patrick Zircher aka Patch must have been watching!  How cool is Patch’s take on Glenn Ford as  Dave Bannion?  Too cool not to share! 

Patch is pretty active on Twitter.  His posts are thoughtful and his art is wonderful.  Often we get both in a single helping.   

Boris Karloff – Trivia That You Might Enjoy!

Posted on by


Mark Mancini at Mental Floss came up with 13 Facts About Boris Karloff and they’re worth a look.  Before you click over, here are my three favorite…

BORIS KARLOFF WAS IN THE ORIGINAL SCARFACE.  (When we think of Karloff, we think of horror movies, but he played in all types of movies.  It is strange seeing him show up in Scarface though. – Craig)

VAL LEWTON’S HORROR MOVIES WERE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR BORIS KARLOFF.  (Karloff loved acting and felt that the roles that Lewton provided allowed his to showcase his talents.  I like that Karloff gave credit to Lewton for the opportunities. – Craig)

BORIS KARLOFF POKED FUN AT HIS OWN CAREER IN THE HIT PLAY ARSENIC & OLD LACE. (I love this bit of trivia. Karloff played the role on Broadway, but due to his lack of experience had to be convinced. I’ll let Mark Mancini take it from there —

“You have just murdered a man,” (Producer) Crouse said (to Karloff), setting the scene. “[And] when questioned about it, you say ‘I killed him because he said I looked like Boris Karloff.’” Karloff loved the idea of ribbing himself on stage and took the part.

I love that Boris Karloff had a sense of humor. Can you imagine the audience’s reaction when he said that line? It’s too bad that Boris Karloff was unable to play the role when Arsenic and Old Lace was turned into a feature film (no discredit to Raymond Massey intended).

“Digging to Death” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by


I’m not sure what to make of this one.  Is the poster a nod to Breaking Bad?  At first glance Digging to Death appears to be a comedy.  Watching the trailer I still wonder… is it a comedy?  a psychological thriller?  Even with all that said, I’m interested in checking out Digging to Death.

David Van Owen moves into a mysterious house and discovers a box buried in his backyard, filled with 3 million dollars and a fresh corpse. David hides the money in the house, only to be stalked by the buried body. 
Directed By: Michael P. Blevins
Cast: Richard Riehle, Ken Hudson Campbell, Rachel Alig, Ford Austin, Clint Jung, Tom Fitzpatrick, Michael P. Blevins, Debbie DeLisi, Bryan Dodds, Sumeet Dang

 

 

“Equal Standard” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by


When I was a kid, Equal Standard would have been advertised as “Ripped from the Headlines”.  I like the poster and trailer for Equal Standard, but wish that they hadn’t shown us one of scenes in the trailer because it looks to be a big spoiler.  Oh, and the tagline, It’s never as simple as black and white, is a good one.

New York City police officers lives collide in interweaving stories of race, rank, loss, and betrayal.

Director: Brendan Kyle Cochrane
Writer: Taheim Bryan
Stars: Ice-T, Jules Willcox, Robert Clohessy

“Death in Texas” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by


Death in Texas hits my sweet spot.  The poster ain’t bad, but that trailer pulled me in.  Ronnie Gene Blevins, Lara Flynn Boyle, Bruce Dern and Stephen Lang and  look to deliver the goods.  Deal me in for this crime flick.

Billy Walker is finally let out of prison after serving a seven-year sentence for manslaughter, only to find out that the only person who stuck by him during the entire ordeal, his mother, is now dying of liver failure. After visiting her doctor, Billy learns that he must break a few more laws in order to get his mother to the top of the transplant list in order to save her life.

Starring: Ronnie Gene Blevins, Lara Flynn Boyle, Bruce Dern, Stephen Lang
Director: Scott Windhauser

“The Protege” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by


Wow!  The Protege has a lot going for it.  The poster works (I didn’t see the Maggie Q image the first couple of looks at it), and the trailer makes me want to see more., Martin Campbell knows how to direct action and the three leads, Michael Keaton, Maggie Q. and Samuel L. Jackson put butts in seats.  I think The Protege is going to be a winner.

On a side note, I like Michael Keaton better as a bad guy and why don’t we see Maggie Q. in more stuff?

Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business, Anna (Maggie Q) is the world’s most skilled contract killer. But when Moody – the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival – is brutally killed, Anna vows revenge. As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer (Michael Keaton) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse, their confrontation turns deadly and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves even tighter.

Directed by Martin Campbell and written by Richard Wenk, the film is produced by Arthur Sarkissian, Moshe Diamant, Rob Van Norden, Yariv Lerner, and Chris Milburn.

Lionsgate and Millennium Media present, a Millennium Media / Fourteen Films / I Road production, in association with Campbell Grobman Films / Ingenious Media.

RIP: Norman Lloyd

Posted on by


Norman Lloyd, actor, director and producer with a career that spanned over 70 years, died yesterday in his sleep at the age of 106.  

Mr, Lloyd began his career as a spy in Alfred Hitchcock’s Saboteur.  He acted in Charlie Chaplin’s classic Limelight.  Throughout his career Norman Lloyd alternated between acting in feature films and television, directing and producing.

In addition to Saboteur and Limelight, some of my other favorite Norman Lloyd roles could be found on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, St. Elsewhere, and Wiseguy.  In addition Mr. Lloyd could be found acting in Night Gallery, Audrey Rose, Kojak, Dead Poets Society, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Modern Family just to give you an idea of the range he played.  What a career.  What a life!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Norman Lloyd’s family, friends and fans.