Category: Movies

“Judge Dredd”: The Movie – The 30th Anniversary Edition!

Posted on by

Just in time for the 30th anniversary of Sly Stallone as Judge Dredd comes the, you guessed it, 30th Anniversary Edition of Judge Dredd: The Movie by writer Andrew Helfer and artist, Carlos Ezquerra.  Here’s the synopsis…

In the Third Millenium, the world changed. Climate. Nations. All were in upheaval. Humanity itself turned as violent as the planet. Civilisation threatened to collapse. And then… a solution was found. The crumbling legal system was merged with the overburdened police, creating a powerful and efficient hybrid. These new guardians of society had the power to dispense both justice and punishment. They were police, jury, and executioner all in one. They were the Judges!

When Mega-City One erupts in violent block wars, there’s only one man Justice Department can rely on to suffocate the flames of rebellion. His name is Judge Dredd.

But when the city’s brightest beacon of justice is convicted of breaking the very law he’s been entrusted to uphold, he’s sentenced to spend the rest of his life rotting in the Aspen Penal Colony.

In order to clear his name, Dredd must escape captivity, make his way across the toxic Cursed Earth, break back into the city, and find the familiar foe that framed him. All in a day’s work for Judge Dredd.

Featuring art by legendary Judge Dredd co-creator Carlos Ezquerra (Preacher) and a script by Andrew Helfer (The Shadow), this is the official adaptation of Judge Dredd, the 1995 movie written by William Wisher, Jr. (Terminator 2: Judgement Day) and Steven E. de Souza (Die Hard).”

30th Anniversary Edition Judge Dredd: The Movie drops Wednesday 12th March 2025

“Smile 2” (2024) written & directed by Parker Finn; starring Naomi Scott / Z-View

Posted on by

Smile 2 (2024)

Director: Parker Finn

Screenplay: Parker Finn

Stars: Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Roberts Jekabsons, Sean Stolzen, Jon Rua, Christopher Bailey and Drew Barrymore.

Tagline: It’s the last thing you’ll see.

The Plot…

Skye Riley (Scott) is just days away from her comeback concert.  A year ago Skye was in a car crash that killed her boyfriend and left her badly injured.  The crash led to public knowledge that Skye was suffering from substance abuse.  The path back was long and hard.  Now Skye is clean.  Everything rides on the upcoming concert.

When Skye re-injures her back during rehearsal, she reaches out to an old friend for some painkillers.  She sneaks away to her friend’s apartment.  When Skye arrives, her friend appears to be on something.  He’s having terrible hallucinations.  Suddenly he stands and smiles at Skye.  He picks up a weight and beats himself to death.  Skye quickly leaves.  She tells no one what she witnessed.

Over the next few days Skye begins to have memory loss and horrible visions.  People around Skye worry that she’s using again.  A stranger contacts Skye and describes the episodes she’s having.  He tells her she’s been cursed…

But he has a plan that could save her.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

As Skye thumbs through her cell phone contacts the names include: Adele, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.

Naomi Scott is excellent as the famous pop star on the comeback trail.  Naomi Scott co-wrote several of Skye Riley’s songs with producer Alexis Idarose Kesselman.  A “Skye Riley” mini-album was released in conjunction with the film.

Writer/director Parker Finn comes up with an ending that I have to applaud.

Smile 2 (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Fight Or Flight” starring Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackhoff and Charithra Chandran – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Posted on by

Not a fan of the poster but the trailer to Fight Or Flight starring Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackhoff and Charithra Chandran has won me over.

Deal me in.

A mercenary takes on the job of tracking down a target on a plane but must protect her when they’re surrounded by people trying to kill both of them.

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackhoff, Charithra Chandran, Julian Kostov, Marko Zaror

Directed by: James Madigan

“Killing Them Softly” (2008) written & directed by Andrew Dominik; starring Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn & James Gandolfini / Z-View

Posted on by

Killing Them Softly (2008)

Director: Andrew Dominik

Screenplay: Andrew Dominik based on COOGAN’S TRADE by George V. Higgins

Stars: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, James Gandolfini, Vincent Curatola, Trevor Long, Max Casella, George Carroll, Linara Washington, Ross Brodar, Wade Allen, Christopher Berry, Dared Wright, Garret Dillahunt and Sam Shepard.

Tagline: In America you’re on your own.

The Plot…

Markie Trattman (Liotta) runs illegal poker nights for mobsters.  Trattman got the smart idea to rob his own game.  He hired two thugs to come in with guns and take down the cash only casino.  Although it worked, Trattman was suspected.  Since it was never confirmed that Tratman was behind the heist, he skated.  It took a while, but Trattman brought the poker nights back.

Johnny “Squirrel” Amato (Curatola) has the bright idea to follow Trattman’s lead.  Amato figures if the poker game is robbed, the mobsters will think Trattman decided to do it again.  They’ll bump off Trattman without looking too deeply.  Amato hires to low-life criminals to execute the robbery.  Against all odds they succeed.

Just like Amato thought, Trattman is the main suspect.  What Amato didn’t count on is the mobsters to bring in hitman and problem solver, Jackie Coogan (Pitt).  Coogan is ordered to find out who pulled off the heist and do what he does best.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Killing Them Softly is perfectly cast.  Even the smaller parts have memorable actors.  Garret Dillahunt appears uncredited.

I enjoy this movie more with every re-watch.

Killing Them Softly (2008) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Best of 2024: FILMS / BOOKS / Posts

Posted on by

As we start 2025, let’s take a look at the BEST OF 2024. I hope you see something that you enjoyed or gets you interested to check out. Here we go…

Movies and Television Series

In 2024, I watched 396 movies and tv series. That number is down 13 from last year. My favorite films and limited series released in 2024 included (in alpha order):

  • American Nightmare
  • Apollo 13: Survival
  • Arnold
  • Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons
  • Carry-On, The
  • Cross: Season 1
  • Fargo: Season 5
  • From Darkness to Light
  • Greatest Night in Pop, The
  • Interview with the Vampire: Season 2
  • Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (A)
  • Mr. McMahon
  • Reacher: Season 2
  • Rebel Ridge
  • Shogun
  • Stallone Family, The Season 2
  • Sugar: Season 1

Books

In 2024, I read 46 books (up 25 from last year) My favorites from this year included (in the order I read them):

  • A Seance for Wicked King Death by Coy Hall
  • Racing the Light by Robert Crais
  • Ways of the Wolfe, The by James Carlos Blake
  • There and Back by Eric Beetner
  • The Wake-Up by Robert Ferrigno
  • The Amateurs by Marcus Sakey
  • Blood Grove by Walter Mosley
  • Scarecrow Returns by Matthew Reilly
  • The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos
  • Bright Orange for the Shroud by John D. McDonald
  • Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker

My Most Popular Posts of the Year

I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2024 and some thoughts for each…

  • 10. SYFY’s 2023/2024 Twilight Zone New Year’s Eve Marathon Schedule is Up! -– Who doesn’t love the Twilight Zone?
  • 09. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – After two years in the 10th spot, it moves into 9th place.
  • 08. Dracula Through the Ages – Fell from the #3 spot last year.
  • 07. Steranko’s Concept Art for “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” – New to the list!
  • 06. Philip Marlowe – Who Played Him Best? Ranking the Actors Who Played Him! – New to the list.
  • 05. “Arcadian” starring Nicholas Cage – The Poster and Trailer are Here! – New to the list.
  • 04. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer. – Same spot as last year (and the year before.)
  • 03. Batman – “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night” by Snoopy (Charles Schulz), Len Wein & Walt Simonson! – Came in at #3 for the first time on the list.
  • 02. New Evidence Points to Gary Francis Poste as The Zodiac Killer! – Jumped to the #2 spot in for the first appearance on the list.
  • 01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk”. – Returned to the #1 spot. It was #2 last year.

My All-Time Most Popular Posts

  • 10. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – held on to the 10th spot for three years in a row.
  • 09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – in the 9th spot for the last four years.
  • 08. Steve Reeves as Superman – No change.
  • 07. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – No change.
  • 06. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – Moves down from 5th.
  • 05. Dracula Through the Ages – Moves up to the 5th spot.
  • 04. SYFY’s 2023/2024 TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Up! – No change.
  • 03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – No change!
  • 02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – No change!
  • 01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 for the last two years and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.

It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.

“Taken” (2008) starring Liam Neeson / Z-View

Posted on by

Taken (2008)

Director: Pierre Morel

Screenplay:  Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen

Stars: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky, Holly Valance, Katie Cassidy, Xander Berkeley, Olivier Rabourdin, Arben Bajraktaraj, Radivoje Bukvic and Leland Orser.

Tagline: They took his daughter. He’ll take their lives.

The Plot…

Bryan Mills (Neeson) is a retired Green Beret, CIA operative who provides security for celebrities.  Mills is on the phone talking to his teenage daughter when she is kidnapped by sex traffickers.  One of the kidnappers takes the phone.

Mills tells him:  “I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.”

The kidnapper responds by saying: “Good luck.”

Big mistake.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Pierre Morel was on a roll.  He directed District B13, followed that with Taken and then helmed From Paris With Love.

Jeff Bridges was originally set to play Bryan Mills.  When he dropped out, Liam Neeson got the role.  Neeson thought the film might go direct to video, instead it became a huge hit.  Taken spawned two sequels.  Following the success of Taken, Neeson’s career leaned into action roles.

Taken (2008) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Monster” (2016) written and directed by Bryan Bertino / Z-View

Posted on by

The Monster (2016)

Director:  Bryan Bertino

Screenplay:  Bryan Bertino

Stars: Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine, Aaron Douglas, Christine Ebadi and Scott Speedman.

Tagline: Stay in the light.

The Plot…

A divorced mother and her young daughter are driving through remote woods one stormy evening.  When a wolf crosses their path, they wreck.  The wolf is killed.  The car axel is busted.  Stranded and alone, they call for a tow truck.

They don’t know that a monster is watching and ready for his next meal.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Monster was originally titled There Are Monsters.

I made it through the film.  Barely.  I’m giving it a two star rating for that reason, but it almost earned a 1.  As always, your mileage may vary.

The Monster (2016) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Maxxxine” (2024) written & directed by Ti West, starring Mia Goth / Z-View

Posted on by

Maxxxine (2024)

Director:  Ti West

Screenplay:  Ti West

Stars: Mia Goth, Charley Rowan McCain, Simon Prast, Deborah Geffner, Elizabeth Debicki, Uli Latukefu, Moses Sumney, Ned Vaughn, Kevin Bacon, Marcus LaVoi, Sophie Thatcher and Giancarlo Esposito.

Tagline: Hollywood is a killer.

The Plot…

1985.  Video is all the rage.  Now it is easy to rent a movie and watch it in the privacy of your home.  Maxine Minx is an adult film star.  She dreams of making it in mainstream films.  Despite all odds, Maxine auditions and gets a starring role in Puritan 2.

It is also a dangerous time to be in the adult entertainment.  A serial killer who tortures and mutilates his victims is stalking women in the industry.  Shortly after two of Maxine’s friends are found dead, branded with satanic symbols, a sketchy private eye shows up.  He tells Maxine that unless she meets with his employer, the mystery man will ruin her.  Maxine sees that he knows something about her that could end her dreams.

As Maxine decides what to do, the serial killer now has her in his sights.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Maxxxine is the third in a trilogy.  The first two films are X (2022) and Pearl (2022).

Kevin Bacon owns every scene he’s in.

Maxxxine (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Scrooge” aka “A Christmas Carol” (1951) starring Alistar Sim / Z-View

Posted on by

Scrooge aka A Christmas Carol (1951)

Director:  Brian Desmond Hurst

Screenplay:  Noel Langley based on A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens

Stars: Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Michael Hordern, Francis De Wolff, Miles Malleson and Ernest Thesiger.

Tagline: One of the world’s most loved character actors, Alastair Sim, in a masterful portrayal of one of the world’s best loved characters, Scrooge!

The Plot…

Ebenezer Scrooge is an old, cheap businessman whose only joy in life is making money.  He doesn’t pay his workers much and never donates to charity.  Scrooge alienates family members and see holidays as a way for business to make more money.  But they won’t get his!

On Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by a ghost who tells him that he will later be visited by three ghosts: the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.  Scrooge will be shown his life and learn that unless he changes, the afterlife won’t be paradise.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The films original title was Scrooge.  When it came to the US, it was retitled as A Christmas Carol.

Scrooge aka A Christmas Carol (1951) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…” (2024) / Z-View

Posted on by

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (2024)

Director:  Hamish Hamilton

Screenplay:  Jamie Foxx

Stars: Jamie Foxx.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

About a year ago Jamie Foxx was hospitalized.  His family clamped down on news about the cause of Foxx’s illness.  No photos.  No interviews.  So… of course speculation and rumors ran rampant.  Jamie Foxx had died.  Jamie Foxx was replaced by a clone.  Jamie Foxx had been poisoned.  Etc. Etc. Etc.

Thankfully Jamie Foxx fully recovered.  It took a lot of time and intensive rehab, but he did it.  And now Jamie Foxx wants to set the record straight.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jamie Foxx: What Happened Was is billed as a comedy special.  Which is unfortunate.  If you tune in to see Foxx’s comedy, you’ll get glimpses.  The laughs are mixed with a lot of Foxx talking about getting sick and his recovery.  Much of that is NOT funny.  And that’s fine… if you’re not expecting an all-out comedy special.

Jamie Foxx is talented.  He’s a comedian.  An actor.  A singer.  His impressions rock.  This special gives us glimpses of those talents and reminders of Foxx’s past success.  They’re found as Foxx talks about his stroke and recovery.  If you tune in thinking you’ll get a brief summary of what happened to Jamie followed by a comedy special, you’ll be disappointed.  I blame that on how the special was advertised.

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) / Z-View

Posted on by

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Director:  Jeremiah S. Chechik

Screenplay:  John Hughes based on characters created by John Hughes

Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Randy Quaid, Miriam Flynn, Cody Burger, Ellen Latzen, William Hickey, Mae Questel, Nicholas Guest, Nicolette Scorsese, Brian Doyle-Murray and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Tagline: There’s No Place Like Home For A Holiday!

The Plot…

Clark (Chase) and Ellen (D’Angelo) Griswald have invited their parents to spend Christmas (and the 10 days leading up to it) and their house.  Preparing for the holidays (when you’re hosting) can be stressful. Having both sets of in-laws at the same time even more so.  Add to that Clark has over-extended to surprise his family with a new swimming pool.  The check will bounce if his Christmas bonus doesn’t arrive soon.

Plus his yuppie neighbors are always creating issues.  The Christmas lights aren’t working, the tree is too big…  Oh, and don’t forget that Uncle Lewis (Hickey) and his senile wife Aunt Bethany (Questel) are coming Christmas Day.  With his kids complaining, the in-laws making comments, finishing up at work for the Christmas (still no bonus check?)… how could things get any worse.

That’s when Ellen’s cousin’s family – Catherine (Flynn), her dumb as bricks husband (Quaid), their two kids Rocky (Burger) and Ruby Sue (Latzen), and their aptly named Rottweiler, Snots, show up unannounced.

Let the good times roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mae Questel was the voice of Betty Boop in the 1930s.  Christmas Vacation was her last film appearance.

Brian Doyle-Murray, who plays Clark’s boss in this film, appeared in National Lampoon’s Vacation as another character (the clerk at Kamp Komfort).

Snots was Beverly D’Angelo’s real life dog.  Aunt Bethany’s cat was Beverly D’Angelo’s real life cat.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a stone cold classic.  Every scene is a winner.  It’s well written, well cast and well directed.  This film is required viewing each year at Christmas time.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) rates 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: Art Evans

Posted on by

Art Evans died on Saturday, December 21, 2024.  The cause of death was complications from diabetes.  Mr. Evans was 82.

Art Evans began his career as a stage actor.  His first screen appearance was in 1972.  Mr. Evans had an uncredited role in the early Brian DePalma film, Sisters.  In 1975, Art Evans received his first credited role in the television movie The Orphan and the Dude.  For the next forty plus years Mr. Evans appeared in movie and television roles.

Television projects that feature Art Evans include: The Orphan and the Dude; Chico and the Man; Police Woman; Minstrel Man; Roosevelt and Truman; King (3 episodes); Some Kind of Miracle; The Cracker Factory; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings; MASH; Skag; The Boy Who Drank Too Much; World War III; The Fall Guy; The Seduction of Gena; Hill Street Blues (3 episodes); American Playhouse; Long Time Gone; Nine to Five (12 episodes); 227; In the Heat of the Night; Doogie Houser MD; Midnight Caller; A Different World (2 episodes); Mad About You (2 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; Roc; Family Matters; Dream On; Walker, Texas Ranger; LA Heat; Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction; After All; City of Angels; The X-Files; Monk; Everybody Hates Chris; Lincoln Heights (2 episodes); The Sarah Silverman Program; Pretend Time (2 episodes); Last Man Standing; Beauty and the Baller (3 episodes); A House Divided (3 episodes); Real Husbands of Hollywood and The Proud Family Louder and Louder (2 episodes).

Feature films that Art Evans appeared in include: Sisters; Claudine; Death Wish; Amazing Grace; Leadbelly; Fun with Dick and Jane; The In-Laws; The Main Event; The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again; Christine; A Soldier’s Story; Tough Turf; Into the Night; Fright Night; Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling; Ruthless People; Native Son; White of the Eye; The Mighty Quinn; Adventures in Babysitting; Die Hard II; Revenge of the Nerds; Trespass; CB4; Tales from the Hood; The Story of Us; Interstate 60; Young Cesar; Shades of Ray and Church.

I probably first saw Art Evans in Death Wish.  I know by the time he appeared in Die Hard 2, I recognized him from his many guest appearances on television and movies.  My favorite Art Evans roles are the parts he played in Die Hard 2 and A Soldier’s Story.  Of course I always liked his performances in everything I ever saw him in.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Art Evans’ family, friends and fans.