Category: Movies

“Clipped Wings” (1953) starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and the Bowery Boys / Z-View

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Clipped Wings (1953)

Director: Edward Bernds

Screenplay: Elwood Ullman, Charles R. Marion

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Renie Riano, Todd Karns, June Vincent, Fay Roope, Mary Treen, David Gorcey,
Benny Bartlett, Philip Van Zandt, Lyle Talbot, Ray Walker, Conrad Brooks and Bernard Gorcey.

Tagline: Fasten Your LAFF-Belts! They’re JET JOCKEYS NOW!

The Plot…

Slip (L. Gorcey) and Sach (Hall) learn that their buddy, Dave Moreno (Karns) has been charged with treason by the US Air Force.  So the boys decide to go to the base to find out what is going on.  Leave it to Slip and Satch to think that they are signing in to the air force base when they are actually enlisting!

To further screw things up, Sach is mistakenly assigned to the WAF (Women’s Air Force) barracks!

Even if the boys are able to prove Dave’s innocent, they are in the Air Force now!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Clipped Wings is the 31st of 48 Bowery Boys movies.

Clipped Wings (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Chaos: The Manson Murders” (2025) / Z-View

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Chaos: The Manson Murders (2025)

Director: Errol Morris

Based on: CHAOS: CHARLES MANSON, THE C.I.A., AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE SIXTIES  by Tom O’Neill with Dan Piepenbring

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Chaos: The Manson Murders details the events leading up to the murders of Sharon Tate (who was 8 1/2 months pregnant), Jay Sebring, Voytek Frykowski, Abigail Folger, Steven Parent, Leno LaBianca, and Rosemary LaBianca.  It also explores other lesser-known murders and crimes committed by Manson and his followers.

It then investigates possible connections between Charles Manson and the C.I.A.  How could it be possible that Manson was able to break parole, create a cult of followers who did his bidding and fly under the radar of the police?  Could there have been more at play than we know?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Chaos: The Manson Murders does an excellent job of detailing the events and people involved in Charlie Manson’s cult, the victims, as well as the trial of the century.  In addition other crimes and little know facts are presented.  I’ve followed the Manson murders/trial as well as books, documentaries, television specials, etc. for decades.  I enjoyed Chaos: The Manson Murders, but found the C.I.A. speculation to be a bit of stretch.  Still, I thought the documentary was excellent.

Chaos: The Manson Murders (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“F1” starring Brad Pitt – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for F1 starring Brad Pitt.  The trailer looks to hit many of the same beats as Driven starring Sly Stallone.  Who doesn’t love the old gunfighter coming back to teach the young hotshot?

Deal me in.

Meet APXGP. Sonny Hayes and Joshua Pearce. #F1Movie only in theaters this SUMMER.

From Apple Original Films and the filmmakers from Top Gun: Maverick comes the high-octane, action-packed feature film F1, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Kosinski, seven-time FORMULA 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Chad Oman.

Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition—and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

F1 also stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem, and has been shot during actual Grand Prix weekends as the team competes against the titans of the sport.

Kosinski directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger. The film is executive produced by Daniel Lupi. Collaborating with Kosinski behind the scenes are his creative team, including director of photography Claudio Miranda, production designers Mark Tildesley and Ben Munro, editor Stephen Mirrione, costume designer Julian Day, casting director Lucy Bevan and composer Hans Zimmer.

Apple Original Films Presents a Monolith Pictures / Jerry Bruckheimer / Plan B Entertainment / Dawn Apollo Films Production, A Film by Joseph Kosinski, F1, distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theaters and IMAX nationwide on June 27, 2025 and internationally beginning 25 June 2025.

“The 8th Day” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for The 8th Day is here.

The person in charge of advertising should have done a better job.  The poster is too bright if this is a low-budget gritty crime story (as the trailer indicates).  And check out the synopsis below the trailer…

Two small-time thieves find themselves in a remote West Texas town.

How boring and non-descriptive is that?

So… if you’ve read this far, maybe just check out the trailer.  I like the looks of it.

Deal me in.

US Release Date: March 14, 2025
Starring: Coley Speaks, Darren Mann, Phoebe Tonkin
Director: Alexandra Chando
Synopsis: Two small-time thieves find themselves in a remote West Texas town.

“Manson: The Women” (2019) / Z-View

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Manson: The Women (2019)

Director: James Buddy Day

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Manson: The Women explores how four of Charles Manson’s female cult members were recruited, compelled to follow Manson’s every command and how they feel about Manson today.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Manson: The Women takes an interesting idea and showcases how four women who were members of Charles Manson’s family were recruited, compelled to follow Manson’s orders and how they feel about Manson today.  This is done using vintage footage, and interviews coupled with current interviews.

The recruitment method was similar for all of the women — they were young troubled girls without a support system looking for one.  Once in the family, Manson won them over using drugs, sex and saying things to make them feel special (even though he treated them terribly).  Manson had sex with all of them and made them available to anyone he wanted to impress.  They would beg, steal, and even kill for Charlie Manson.

All these years later, two looked back on their time in the cult with disgust, while two still spoke favorably about Manson and the things that went on there.

Manson: The Women (2019) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“All Souls” (2023) starring Mikey Madison & Gerald ‘G-Eazy’ Gillum / Z-View

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All Souls (2023)

Director: Emmanuelle Pickett

Screenplay: Anthony Ragnone II

Stars: Mikey Madison, Gerald G-Eazy Gillum, Calvin Clausell Jr., Jess Gabor, Xavier Jimenez, Joseph H. Johnson Jr., Samuel Roukin, Eric C. Sun, Faye Tamasa and Craig Ng.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

River (Madison) is a young single parent of a cute 5 year old girl named Jade.  When River is caught with weed, the two arresting cops offer her a chance to walk if she will serve as their confidential informant.  All River has to do is wear a wire to a buy from a major dealer named Silas (G-Eazy).  No one has been able to get close to Silas, but River has an “in”.

Silas got River high when she was sixteen then took advantage of her.  Silas is Jade’s father, although he’s never had any contact with her.  River cut all ties to Silas when she discovered she was pregnant.

Concerned that if she doesn’t set up Silas, the cops will go forward with charges.  She would go to jail and Jade would become a ward of the state.  River (and the cops) know Silas will kill her if it is discovered she is wearing a wire.  The cops promise they’ll be right there and rush in when the deal is done.  Then River will be able to walk away free and clear.

Feeling she has no choice, River takes the deal.

As with the best laid plans, things go sideways…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m surprised that All Souls isn’t a better known film.  It is well done from top to bottom.  Kudos to writer Anthony Ragnone II, and director Emmanuelle Pickett.  They’ve created a story that feels and looks like it could be taking place in any town’s drug area.

Mikey Madison is amazing in this role.  I’d never seen her before, but she is definitely an actress to watch. I’d say that even if she hadn’t just won an Best Actress Oscar.

I’d also never seen Gerald G-Eazy Gillum before.  He’s really good as Silas.  Perhaps acting may rival music for a career choice.

All Souls easily rates 4 of 5 stars for me.  I plan to watch it again soon with my wife.  Who knows, further consideration might kick it up to 5 stars.

All Souls (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Chuka” starring Rod Taylor, Ernest Borgnine & John Mills / Z-View

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Chuka (1967)

Director: Gordon Douglas

Screenplay: Richard Jessup, Rod Tayor (uncredited); based on CHUKA by Richard Jessup

Stars: Rod Taylor, Ernest Borgnine, John Mills, Luciana Paluzzi, James Whitmore, Victoria Vetri, Louis Hayward, Joseph Sirola and Michael Cole.

Tagline: They called him saddle-bum…desert rat…pistolero…but where would they have been without Chuka on that bloody summer’s day.

The Plot…

A stagecoach makes it to Fort Clandennon, a remote US calvary outpost located on the frontier.  Accompanying the stage is a gunfighter named Chuka (Taylor).  Chuka rode with the stagecoach after finding it broken down in Arapaho country.  On the stage is Senora Veronica Kleitz (Paluzzi) and her niece Senorita Helena Chavez (Vetri).

Fort Clandennon is under the command of Colonel Valois (Mills).  The soldiers at the outpost, except for Sergeant Hansbach (Borgnine), have been sent there as punishment for past crimes. Sergeant Hansbach is an excellent soldier dedicated to Colonel Valois.  Hansbach takes an instant dislike to Chuka.  The feeling is mutual.

Colonel Valois is concerned with talk of an Arapaho uprising.  His last patrol never returned.  Chuka sees that Valois soldiers aren’t up to an attack and tells Valois they need to leave.  Colonel Valois is insulted and refuses.

But it’s too late.  The Arapaho are on the move.  It looks to be a massacre.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Chuka was one of my favorite westerns when I saw it a child.  It still is.

Rod Taylor, Ernest Borgnine and James Whitmore shine.

The fight between Chuka and Sergeant Hansbach is a perfect cap to their escalating dislike for each other.

The reveal of why Hansbach is so dedicated to Colonel Valois was shocking to me as a kid. (And no, it’s not because of what you’re thinking.)  It was a bold choice for 1967.

Chuka deserves to be better known.

Chuka (1967) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Prophecy” starring Talia Shire & Armand Assante – Christopher Shy’s Alt Movie Poster!

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Christopher Shy‘s excellent alt movie poster for Prophecy reminded me of the horror film that doesn’t get enough love.

Prophecy was written by David (The Omen) Seltzer, directed by John (Ronin) Frankenheimer and starred Talia (Rocky) Shire, Robert (Damien: Omen II) and Armand (I, the Jury) Assante.

I saw Prophecy when it was first released. I liked it much better than expected.  I’ve seen Prophecy at least once since then (years ago) and thought it held up well.  Thanks to Christopher Shy, Prophecy is now on my list for another watch.

“Outlaw Johnny Black” starring Michael Jai White / Z-View

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Outlaw Johnny Black (2023)

Director: Michael Jai White

Screenplay: Michael Jai White, Byron Keith Minns

Stars: Michael Jai White, Anika Noni Rose, Erica Ash, Byron Minns, Chris Browning, Barry Bostwick, Randy Couture, Tommy Davidson, Gary Anthony Williams, Eme Ikwuakor, Jalyn Hall, Roger Yuan, Michael Madsen, Josh Barnett, Glynn Turman, Paul Sloan and Donald Cerrone.

Tagline: From the Brothers Who Brought You Black Dynamite

The Plot…

Johnny Black (White) is a wanted man.  Quick with a gun or his fists (or his feet – a martial artist in the old west!), Black is going to find and kill Brett Clayton (Browning).  Clayton killed Johnny Black’s father.  An eye for an eye and all that.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Outlaw Johnny Black wants to be for westerns what Black Dynamite was for blaxploitation films.  Sadly, at least for met the jokes weren’t landing and it felt like a poor tv version of Blazing Saddles (which I loved) crossed with Mario Van Peebles’ Posse (which I liked a lot).

I tapped out at 37 minutes.  Of course your mileage may vary.

Outlaw Johnny Black (2023) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“Blackboard Jungle” (1955) starring Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Vic Morrow and Sidney Poitier / Z-View

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Blackboard Jungle (1955)

Director: Richard Brooks

Screenplay: Richard Brooks; based on THE BLACKBOARD JUNGLE by Evan Hunter

Stars: Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Margaret Hayes, John Hoyt, Richard Kiley, Emile Meyer, Warner Anderson, Sidney Poitier, Vic Morrow, Dan Terranova, Paul Mazursky, Horace McMahon, Richard Deacon, James Drury, Emil Sitka and Jamie Farr.

Tagline: Is The Most Startling Picture Of The Year!

The Plot…

Richard Dadier (Ford) is a war vet and recent college graduate (thanks to the GI Bill).  His wife is pregnant and Dadier needs a job.  So Dadier accepts a position at North Manual Trades High School.  North Manual is an inner city school for boys.

From day one, the students attempt to run Dadier off.  But Dadier is not a quitter.  Although most other faculty members allow the students to run wild, Dadier is determined to reach and teach his students.  Dadier’s attempts to win over Greg Miller (Poitier) and Artie West (Morrow) are unsuccessful.  As time goes on West’s leadership turns the students from mild defiance to insubordination and worse.

Dadier is determined to teach his students, no matter the cost…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Blackboard Jungle was nominated for four 1956 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Ferris Webster
  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White – Cedric Gibbons, Randall Duell, Edwin B. Willis, Henry Grace
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Russell Harlan
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay – Richard Brooks

Blackboard Jungle features the film debuts of Vic Morrow, James Drury and Jamie Farr.

Morrow was 26 and Poitier was 28 playing high school students.

I liked Blackboard Jungle, but it didn’t resonate with me like the audiences in 1955 (and maybe most today).  I thought it was good.  Glenn Ford was an excellent choice to play Dadier.  Anne Francis doesn’t have much to do other than look pretty and she fulfills that role.  Vic Morrow and Sidney Poitier look right despite being a decade too old in real life.

The characters and story have all the expected arcs and plot points.  The students don’t seem that scary of course in 1955, they could have seemed shocking.  I liked the film but most folks seem to love it.  Your mileage, as always, could vary.

Blackboard Jungle (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Annie Hall” starring Woody Allen & Diane Keaton / Z-View

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Annie Hall (1977)

Director: Woody Allen

Screenplay: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman

Stars: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Paul Simon, Shelley Duvall, Janet Margolin, Colleen Dewhurst, Hy Anzell, Russell Horton, Dick Cavett, Mark Lenard, John Glover, Bernie Styles, Jeff Goldblum, Shelley Hack, Beverly D’Angelo, Sigourney Weaver, Walter Bernstein and Christopher Walken.

Tagline: A nervous romance.

The Plot…

Alvy Singer (Allen) looks back on his romance with Annie Hall (Keaton) trying to figure out where it went wrong.  There are many possibilities.  Alvy is a twice divorced, middle-aged, Jewish stand-up comedian from New York who over-intellectualizes.  Annie is younger, never married, insecure, WASP from the Midwest who dreams of being a singer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Annie Hall was nominated for five 1978 Academy Awards and won four…

  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Woody Allen
  • Winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman
  • Winner for Best Director – Woody Allen
  • Winner for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Diane Keaton
  • Winner for Best Picture – Charles H. Joffe

Sigourney Weaver’s feature film debut in a non-speaking role as Alvy’s date near the end of the movie.  Shelley Hack also made her film debut in Annie Hall in as a “street stranger”.

Alvy’s (Woody Allen’s) sneezing into the cocaine was reportedly an unscripted accident.

With Annie Hall Woody Allen became the first person to give an Oscar nominated performance in a film for which he won Best Director.  Interestingly enough, Annie Hall features Woody Allen’s only Oscar nominated performance and the only film directed by him to win a Best Picture Academy Award.

I liked Annie Hall, but it didn’t resonate with me like the majority of folks who love it.  Your mileage, as always, could vary.

Annie Hall (1977) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Wages of Fear” aka “Le salaire de la peur” (2024) / Z-View

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Wages of Fear aka Le salaire de la peur (2024)

Director: Julien Leclercq

Screenplay: Henri-Georges Clouzot (based on the motion picture “Le salaire de la peur”); Jérôme Géronimi (based on the motion picture “Le salaire de la peur” co-written by) (as Jean Clouzot); Georges Arnaud (novel); Hamid Hlioua (scenario); Hamid Hlioua (adaptation) & Julien Leclercq

Stars: Franck Gastambide, Alban Lenoir, Sofiane Zermani, Ana Girardot.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When a remote desert oil well catches fire, the only way to extinguish the blaze is to set off a small explosion that will put it out.  In less than 24 hours the oil well will explode.  If it blows the explosion will be gigantic and kill the local population.

A pair of brothers and a few other mercenaries are paid handsomely to drive two truckloads of highly explosive nitroglycerin to the site.  They’re sending two truckloads, because it is unlikely even one truck will make it.  With two there might be a chance.  Odds against making the journey safely include the speed needed to cover the distance, the rough terrain, bandits and more.

It’s a suicide mission to save a village.  Not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Wages of Fear (2024) is a remake of 1953’s Le Salaire de la Peur (The Wages of Fear).  In 1977, William Friedkin brought his version, Sorcerer, to the big screen.  Both the original and Friedkin’s versions are vastly superior to the latest.

Wages of Fear aka Le salaire de la peur (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.