Category: Movies

“Hand of Death” (1962) starring John Agar, Paula Raymond and Steve Dunne / Z-View

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Hand of Death (1962)

Director: Gene Nelson

Screenplay: Eugene Ling

Stars: John Agar, Paula Raymond, Stephen Dunne, Roy Gordon, John A. Alonzo, Butch Patrick, Norman Burton, Fred Krone, Jack Donner and Joe Besser.

Tagline: No one dared come too close!

The Plot…

Alex Marsh (Agar) thinks he’s on the verge of a breakthrough.  Marsh has been working on the creation of a nerve gas for the military.  After long hours in the lab, Marsh spills some and infects himself.  Marsh slowly turns into a monster whose very touch kills!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Joe Besser, best known as one of the Three Stooges, has a small role.  Butch Patrick, best known for his role on The Munsters, appears in a small role as well.

Comic Book fans may note the resemblance between the movie’s monster and The Thing’s early appearances in Fantastic Four comics.  Although the movie monster was colored black, on the posters and lobby cards he was orange (same as the Thing).  The monster also disguised itself using a hat and trenchcoat (as did the Thing in comics).  Coincidence?

Hand of Death (1962) rates 2 of 5 stars

“John Wick: Chapter 4” (2023) starring Keanu Reeves / Z-View

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John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Director: Chad Stahelski

Screenplay: Shay Hatten, Michael Finch; based on characters created by Derek Kolstad

Stars: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, George Georgiou, Lance Reddick, Clancy Brown, Ian McShane, Marko Zaror, Bill Skarsgård, Donnie Yen, Aimée Kwan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama and Scott Adkins.

Tagline: No Way Back. One Way Out.

The Plot…

Recovered from wounds that should have left him dead, John Wick (Reeves) is ready to take his vengeance on the High Table.  He plans to “kill them all.”  Very quickly Wick learns that his actions have consequences.  If not on him, then on those few that he cares for.

Wick then decides to use a High Table tradition against them.  Wick will challenge the Marquis (Skarsgård) to a duel.  But to do this, John Wick must be a part of one of the crime families.  Reinstatement will come at a bloody cost.  But once in and if he wins the duel, John knows he will be free of all obligations to the High Table.

The Marquis learns of Wick’s plan and sets in motion all of the worldly resources he controls.  Wick must be killed at all costs.

Let the fun begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lance Reddick died a week before John Wick 4 was released.  Although he filmed some scenes for Ballerina, John Wick 4 contains Lance Riddick’s final completed film role.  The movie is dedicated to his memory.

As in previous chapters, Keanu Reeves did most of his own stunts.

Each new John Wick chapter expands his world.  Chapter 4 is no exception.  The new characters keep the movie fun.  Favorites this time out include Tracker (Shamier Anderson) and Killa (Scott Adkins).  It was nice to see roles for Donnie Yen, Clancy Brown and Bill Skarsgård.  It was also cool to see Laurence Fishburne, Lance Reddick and of course, Ian McShane back.  Sven Marquardt is memorable in his role as Klaus.

If you’re a fan of John Wick’s previous outings, you should greatly enjoy Chapter 4.  I wouldn’t mind a Chapter 5, if they can come up with a new twist.  I also wouldn’t mind seeing Tracker get a film of his own.  More tales from the World of John Wick would also be welcomed.  Then again, if this is the last Keanu Reeves outing as John Wick, I’m okay with that too.  It’s been a truly fun ride.

John Wick: Chapter 4 rates 4 of 5 stars.

“War of the Worlds” (1953) starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson / Z-View

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War of the Worlds (1953)

Director: Byron Haskin

Screenplay: Barré Lyndon; based on THE WAR OF THE WORLDS by H.G. Wells

Stars: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne, Robert Cornthwaite, Sandro Giglio, Lewis Martin, Vernon Rich, Henry Brandon, Jack Kruschen, Cedric Hardwicke, Edgar Barrier, Carolyn Jones and Paul Frees.

Tagline: Amazing! terrifying! The most savage spectacle of all time!

The Plot…

When a meteor impacts near a small California town it generates a lot of attention.  The attention turns to fear when the meteor turns out to contain an alien ship. The ship goes airborne and begins destroying everything in it’s path.  Things go from terrible to devastating when it is learned that hundreds of these “meteors” have landed around the world.

Armies across the globe attempt to take down the alien invaders with no success. Cities are being wiped out.  Dr. Clayton Forrester (Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Robinson) find themselves on the run searching for safe haven.  As the aliens close in, reports from around the world show that no weapon works against the alien’s technology.

Humankind will be wiped out in weeks…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

War of the Worlds was nominated for three 1954 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Sound, Recording – Loren L. Ryder (Paramount Sound Department)
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Everett Douglas
  • Winner for Best Effects, Special Effects

The alien craft in H.G. Wells novel walk on tripod legs.  Unsure of how to make this work on screen, George Pal opted to give the craft the ability to fly.

H.G. Wells’ estate was so pleased with The War of the Worlds, that George Pal was offered any other H.G. Wells story to adapt.  Pal chose and made The Time Machine.

Paul Frees plays a radio reporter and uses his voice impersonation of Orson Welles as a homage to Welles’ War of the Worlds radio broadcast.

Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, the stars of this version appear as grandparents of Tom Cruise’s character’s children in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 War of the Worlds.

War of the Worlds is a classic.

War of the Worlds (1953) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Hog Wild” (1930) starring Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy / Z-View

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Hog Wild (1930)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay: H. M. Walker, Stan Laurel

Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.

Tagline: Amnesia! Mr. Hardy was beginning to forget things but Mr. Laurel had no fear of losing his memory – As a matter of fact, Mr. Laurel never had a memory to lose.

The Plot…

Stan and Ollie plan to spend the afternoon together having fun.  But first, Ollie’s wife insists that Ollie install the radio antenna on their roof.

Oliver and Hardy on a rooftop installing an antenna!  What could go wrong?

But is using the car as the base of a ladder that Ollie has climbed to the top of the best idea?  Let the go times roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hog Wild (1930) clocks in at just 19 laugh filled minutes.

Stan and Ollie on a rooftop — deal me in.

Hog Wild (1930) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Loose in London” (1953) starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall & The Bowery Boys / Z-View

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Loose in London (1953)

Director: Edward Bernds

Screenplay: Elwood Ullman, Edward Bernds

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bernard Gorcey, Walter Kingsford, Norma Varden, David Gorcey, Benny Bartlett and Rex Evans.

Tagline: It’s a RIPPING RIOT of Noble Knuckleheads and Nutty Knights!

The Plot…

Sach gets word that his long-lost great-great-grand-uncle (a British Earl no less!), is near death.  Even more surprising, Sach is named in the will!  His great-great-grand-uncle has sent Sach a first class ticket to London so they can meet.

Sach trades in his first class ticket for four economy class vouchers so Slip, and a couple of the boys can come along.  When they arrive in London, they are waaaay out of their element.  Rich proper gentlemen they are not.

Complicating matters, great-great-grand-uncle’s other relatives are ready for him to die so they can collect their share of the inheritance.  In fact the other relatives have been slowly poisoning him.  And now they plan to get rid of Sach and the boys.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There were 48 Bowery Boys movies made between 1946 and 1958.  Loose in London is the 30th.

Out of Time (2003) rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Wings Hauser

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Wings Hauser born General Dwight Hauser died on March 15, 2025of natural causes.  Mr. Hauser was 77.

Wings was born in Hollywood, California.  His father, Dwight Hauser was a director and producer.  His brother, Eric Hauser, is also an actor.  Wings got the nickname Wings while playing high school football and it stuck.  Although Wings Hauser made his film debut with a small role in First to Fight in 1967, instead of acting he pursued a singing career.

In 1975, RCA released the album Your Love Keeps Me Off the Streets with Wings Hauser using the stage name Wings Livinryte.  The album wasn’t a success, but the same year Wings scored a role on Cannon.  He was credited as Wings Livinryte.  It soon became clear that Wings would have more success acting.  Mr. Hauser would branch out into screenwriting and directing as well.

Some of the television projects that feature Wings Hauser include: Cannon; The Young and the Restless (15 episodes); Movin’ On; Baretta; Emergency; Aspen; Magnum PI; The Fall Guy; Ghost Dancing; Jessie; Hunter; Hardcastle and McCormick; MacGruder and Loud; Airwolf; The Long Hot Summer (2 episodes); The A-Team (2 episodes); Dark Horse; The Last Precinct (8 episodes); The Highway Man; Perry Mason: The  Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel; Freddy’s Nightmares; Hardball; China Beach (4 episodes); Lightning Force (13 episodes); The Young Riders; Space Rangers; Roseanne (5 episodes); Route 66; Walker Texas Ranger; Marker; High Tide; Kung Fu: The Legend Continues; JAG; Murder, She Wrote (4 episodes); Beverly Hills 90210 (6 episodes); Arli$$ (2 episodes); Kingpin (4 episodes); CSI: Miami; Third Watch; Eyes; House; Monk; Mystery Woman: Wild West Mystery; Cold Case; Bones; Saving Grace; The Mentalist; Criminal Minds; The Defenders; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Hawaii Five-0; Rizzoli & Isles and Castle.

Some of the feature films that Wings Hauser appeared in include: First to Fight; Who’ll Stop the Rain; Vice Squad; Hear No Evil; Mutant; A Soldier’s Story; Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling; Tough Guys Don’t Dance; Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time; Tales from the Hood; Original Gangstas; Life Among the Cannibals; The Insider; The Blue Lizard; The Stone Angel and Eve N’ God: This Female is Not Yet Rated (TM).

I probably first saw Wings Hauser in Baretta.  Whatever the role was, it wasn’t long before I began to recognize Wings Hauser because he appeared in so many programs and movies that I watched.  A profile of Wings Hauser in Entertainment Weekly once called him “the biggest star you’ve never heard of”.  Thing of it was, movie and television fans not only knew of him, they appreciated seeing him listed in the credits.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Wing Hauser’s family, friends and fans.

“Out of Time” (2003) directed by Carl Franklin, starring Denzel Washington, Sanaa Lathan & Eva Mendes / Z-View

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Out of Time (2003)

Director: Carl Franklin

Screenplay: David Collard

Stars: Denzel Washington, Sanaa Lathan, Eva Mendes, Dean Cain, John Billingsley, Robert Baker, Alex Carter,
Antoni Corone, Terry Loughlin, Nora Dunn, Tom Hillmann, Arian Ash and James Murtaugh.

Tagline: How do you solve a murder when all the evidence points to you.

The Plot…

Matt Whitlock (Washington) and his wife, Alex (Mendes) are separated.  He loves her, but realizes she’s moving on.  Their jobs were a big part of the problem.  Matt is Chief of Police in the small town of Banyan Key, Florida.  Alex just was promoted to detective in Miami.

Since the separation Matt has been secretly seeing Ann Merai-Harrison (Lathan).  They were a thing years ago.  Ann’s married to an ex-NFL quarterback named Chris (Cain).  It’s a bad marriage.  Chris has hit Ann more than once.

Things get worse when Matt takes Ann to a doctor’s appointment.  They learn Ann has an aggressive incurable cancer.  Ann’s only hope is an expensive new treatment.  She plans to take a cash payment on her life insurance policy to cover the cost.  Her hopes are dashed when she learns that it will take time to get the money.  Time she doesn’t have.

After some consideration, Matt decides to take the money from the evidence locker. He gives the cash to Ann. Matt made a major bust and had nearly $500,000 in the evidence vault.  The money has to stay put until after the trail and that’s months away.  Ann’s insurance will pay off by then and he’ll replace the cash.  No one will ever know it was missing.

At least that was the plan.

Matt gets a call of a major fire with two fatalities.  The blaze is at Ann’s house.  It appears Ann and Chris were killed before the fire was set.  Matt remembers that Ann had made him the beneficiary of her substantial life insurance.  The money Matt gave Ann is missing.

As the evidence unfolds, Matt realizes that he will be the main suspect.  He was secretly sleeping with the victim and is the beneficiary of her life insurance.  A neighbor saw him sneaking out of her house on at least one occasion.

Matt can’t imagine that this can get any worse.  Then he gets a call that the Feds have another case involving the cash in the vault — the cash Matt gave to Ann that’s now missing — and the Feds are on their way to get it.

Matt needs to find the killer(s), the cash and the clock is ticking.  Soon he will be… Out of Time.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Denzel Washington attended Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Fl.  It’s the same high school that Vince Carter (and I) attended.  Denzel was there before me and Vince after.

I love the ever increasing tension in this film.

Carl Franklin and Denzel Washington worked together before on Devil in a Blue Dress.  I wish they had done more films together.

The balcony fight scene is a standout.

Denzel Washington and (just the right amount of comedic relief from) John Billingsley made for a great team.

Out of Time (2003) rates 4 of 5 stars.

From the World of John Wick — “Ballerina” —  The second trailer is here!

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From the World of John Wick — Ballerina.  The second trailer is here!

Deal me in.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina – in theaters June 6! Starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves.

Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.

“Pay Day” (1922) written, directed and staring Charlie Chaplin / Z-View

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Pay Day (1922)

Director: Charlie Chaplin

Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin

Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain, Edna Purviance, Syd Chaplin, Albert Austin, John Rand, Loyal Underwood, Henry Bergman  and Al Ernest Garcia.

Tagline: See Charlie juggle bricks and dodge the foreman—and hide his pay check from his wife.

The Plot…

Charlie Chaplin is a construction worker.  On pay day Charlie’s wife takes his cash (even the money he’s hidden).  Charlie sneaks enough of it back for a night out drinking and having fun. Too much fun (and drinking) and Charlie discovers getting home won’t be easy.

And Charlie knows his wife will be waiting.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Pay Day was Charlie Chaplin’s last short and reportedly one of his favorites.

Pay Day (1922) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Hellboy: The Crooked Man” (2024) starring Jack Kesy, Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph and Martin Bassindale / Z-View

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Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024)

Director: Brian Taylor

Screenplay: Christopher Golden, Mike Mignola, Brian Taylor

Stars: Jack Kesy, Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph, Leah McNamara, Joseph Marcell, Anton Trendafilov and Martin Bassindale.

Tagline: From original story by Mike Mignola.

The Plot…

1959.  Hellboy (Kesy) and rookie BRPD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) agent, Bobbie Jo Song, (Rudolph) find themselves stranded deep in the woods of the Appalachian Mountains following a train derailment.  There the meet Tom Ferrell (White).  Ferrell has returned hoping to make things right.  Years ago Ferrell made a deal with The Crooked Man.

The deal will cost Ferrell his soul.  Hellboy has other plans.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although there have been four Hellboy movies this is the first where Mike Mignola, Hellboy creator, received a co-screenwriter credit.

This is the first Hellboy movie that feels like a horror film.  The music is especially creepy.

The biggest shock for me was the look of Hellboy this time out.  I am so used to Ron Perlman as the big lug.  Hellboy: The Crooked Man is set in 1959. Since Hellboy first appeared on earth in 1944 and the Perlman version appears around 1999, I put it in my mind we were seeing a much younger Hellboy and one day he would grow to look like Perlman’s Hellboy.  That fixed that.

I really liked Hellboy: The Crooked Man.  I’m surprised that it doesn’t have better ratings.  It could be most of these folks only know Hellboy from Guillermo Del Toro and Ron Perlman.  If so, they should give the Mike Mignola stories a look.  Perhaps then they’d appreciate Hellboy: The Crooked Man more.

Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Sin City” (2005) directed by Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller; starring Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba & Benico Del Toro / Z-View

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Sin City (2005)

Director: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller based on Sin City created by Frank Miller

Screenplay: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez

Stars: Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Devon Aoki, Alexis Bledel, Powers Boothe, Jude Ciccolella, Jeff Dashnaw, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Elijah Wood, Carla Gugino, Josh Hartnett, Rutger Hauer, Greg Ingram, Nicky Katt, Jaime King, Michael Madsen, Frank Miller, Brittany Murphy, Nick Stahl, Nick Offerman, Jason Douglas, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rick Gomez and Tommy Flanagan.

Tagline: Walk down the right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything.

The Plot…

Four interconnected tales from Sin City…

The Customer is Always Right… A hitman that marks don’t see coming until it is too late. (Bookends the movie.)

That Yellow Bastard… For Detective John Hartigan (Willis) it’s his last day on the job.  He’s thinking about the thick steak his wife has waiting for him at the end of his shift.  But first, Hartigan is going to have a run-in with a serial killer who preys on children. Hartigan learns that the sick bastard is the son of a Senator, and is now prepping his next victim.  Hartigan knows this can only end one way.  He’ll save the child or die trying.

The Hard Goodbye… Marv (Rourke) is a ex-con hardcase.  Last night he had a one night stand with a goddess named Goldie.  She was beautiful beyond belief.  Marv wonders why she picked a big scary mug like him when she could have any man she wanted.  He’ll have to work it out later.  He just woke up.  Goldie is in bed beside him.  Dead.  Someone snuck in and murdered her while they were sleeping.  And now Marv hears cops coming up the stairs.  Someone set him up.  Someone killed Goldie.  Marv knows once he finds the killer the hell he sends the murderer to will seem like heaven after what Marv does to him.  But first the cops outside his door…

The Big Fat Kill… When Shellie’s ex-boyfriend, Jackie Boy (Del Toro) shows up unexpectedly with his crew, he’s surprised to find Shellie’s new boyfriend, Dwight (Owen) there.  The events that follow will lead to a potential turf war… unless Dwight and some of his friends from Old Town can set things right.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sin City, the movie, is what Robert Rodriguez called a “translation” of three of Frank Miller’s Sin City graphic novels – The Hard Goodbye; The Big Fat Kill, That Yellow Bastard and Miller’s Sin City short, The Customer is Always Right.  They are some of my all time favorite comics and the movie is a beautiful “translation”.

Quentin Tarantino is listed as a guest director.  Tarantino directed the scene between Dwight and Jackie Boy before the cop pulls the car over.

Rodriguez filmed the opening “intro” before Miller agreed to the Sin City “translation”.  Rodriguez wanted to prove that Miller’s Sin City tales could work as a movie that complemented the comics.  The comic panels from each tale were used as storyboards.

Robert Rodriguez working with Frank Miller to bring Sin City to the big screen was a dream project for me.  Magnificent casting was the icing on the cake.  If you like the comics, you should enjoy the movie.

Sin City (2005) rates 5 of 5 stars.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE FILM by Simon Braund is Coming (to get you, Barbara)!

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Has any film influenced a genre and had an impact on movies, television, books, comics, graphic novels, video games and pop culture like George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead?  I don’t think so.

Fans of the movie are in for a treat on September 30th when NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE FILM by Simon Braund is released.  Here’s the info…

The official retrospective of one of cinema’s most important films – Night of the Living Dead.

The full story of the first “zombie” movie, the 1968 George A. Romero cult film that denoted the birth of modern horror genre.

Released in 1968, George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead revolutionized horror, redefining the zombie subgenre and influencing filmmakers for generations.

This official retrospective tells the full story of how the film was made by a small group of people at the outset of their film-making careers. Interviews with cast and production company members explore the genesis of the movie, from persuading friends and family to become investors, finding the perfect run-down farmhouse in rural western Pennsylvania for the central location, assembling a cast of extras to portray “flesh-eating ghouls”, and the ground-breaking casting of a black actor in a leading role — Duane Jones as Ben — to therough-and-tumble guerilla-style shoot.

The book explores how Night of the Living Dead went from controversial to iconic over the years, gaining critical acclaim and a hardcore cult following. And how zombies — as envisioned by Romero and his co-creators—now permeate everything from video games to literature, all tracing back to the unparalleled original.

Illustrated with movie stills, memorabilia, and unpublished on-set photos never previously seen, and including analysis of the original shooting script annotated by George A. Romero, this book is a must-have for horror fans.