Category: Movies

“Revenge of the Creature” (1955) starring John Agar, Lori Nelson & John Bromfield / Z-View

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Revenge of the Creature (1955)

Director: Jack Arnold

Screenplay: Martin Berkeley,  story by William Alland

Stars: John Agar, Lori Nelson, John Bromfield, Nestor Paiva, Grandon Rhodes, Dave Willock, Robert B. Williams, Charles Cane, Bill Baldwin, Clint Eastwood, Brett Halsey and Ricou Browning.

Tagline: ALL-NEW 3-D THILLS!

The Plot…

An expedition returns to the Amazon’s Black Lagoon.  They capture the Creature and bring it to the Ocean Harbor Oceanarium in Florida.  Professor Clete Ferguson (Agar) and Helen Dobson (Nelson) are the two main scientists studying the beast.

The Creature becomes enamored with Helen.  When the Creature escapes, it goes after Helen.  As one of the movie’s taglines says, “Monster Escapes! Terror Seizes City! …a woman’s beauty the lure for his dangerous desires!“

Oh my!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Revenge of the Creature was originally released in 3D, but theaters could request a regular version. The studio released both since the 3ED craze was dying.

Marineland in Saint Augustine, Florida doubled for the Ocean Harbor Oceanarium.  I was in heaven as a kid when I went to Marineland and was able to walk the same paths as The Creature from the Black Lagoon!

Revenge of the Creature falls short of the original.

Ricou Browning appears again (uncredited) playing the Creature. He did appear on-screen as one of the lab technicians.  Interestingly enough, Clint Eastwood also appears uncredited as a lab worker.

Revenge of the Creature (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Unit 234: The Lock Up” starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Don Johnson & Jack Huston – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Unit 234: The Lock Up are here.  It stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Don Johnson and Jack Huston.

Deal me in.

After the discovery of an unconscious man in a locked unit, the lone employee of a remote storage facility must fight to survive the night.

Overtime is hell for Isabelle Fuhrman in this tense white-knuckle thriller. After a shocking discovery of an unconscious man in a locked unit, the lone employee of a remote storage facility must fight to survive the night against a ruthless gang, dead set on retrieving their precious cargo – at any cost.

Starring Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan: First Kill), Don Johnson (Knives Out) and Jack Huston (Kill Your Darlings), Unit 234: The Lock Up is written by Derek Steiner and directed by Andy Tennant (Fool’s Gold).

“Fall” (2022) directed by Scott Mann, starring Grace Caroline Currey & Virginia Gardner / Z-View

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Fall (2022)

Director: Scott Mann

Screenplay: Scott Mann, Jonathan Frank

Stars: Grace Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardner, Mason Gooding, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jasper Cole, Julia Pace Mitchell.

Tagline: Fear reaches new heights.

The Plot…

Becky (Currey), her husband Dan (Gooding) and their best friend Shiloh (Gardner) are free climbing a mountain when Dan slips and falls to his death.

A year passes.

Becky quit climbing.  She drinks too much and sometimes thinks of ending it all.  Shiloh is now an internet star.  She livestreams her daring climbs.  Shiloh visits Becky and hoping to end her depression invites Becky to join her on a climb.  Shiloh plans to scale a 2,000 foot decommissioned television tower that sits in a remote desert location.

Becky reluctantly agrees.  Both women are having such a blast climbing that they miss some danger signs.  They make it to the top of the tower.  Then a mishap sends the only ladder crashing down.  Stuck 2,000 feet on a small perch in the middle of nowhere… what chance do they have?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Fall was surprisingly good.  You’re almost guaranteed to get sweaty palms and stomach butterflies.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s role is so small it’s more of a cameo.

Fall (2022) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Depravity” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster is pretty generic, but I like the trailer to Depravity.

Deal me in.

When three residents suspect their reclusive neighbor is a serial killer, they break into his apartment only to uncover a hidden fortune in stolen art. But their discovery turns into a nightmare as they’re ensnared in a sadistic game of survival, where every corner hides a new horror. Outsmart the killer, or become his next victim.

Starring Victoria Justice, Devon Ross, Taylor John Smith, and Dermot Mulroney. From the writer of THE FIGHTER and THE FINEST HOURS.

In Theaters and On Digital October 11, 2024

“The Amazing Johnathan Documentary” (2019) / Z-View

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The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019)

Director: Ben Berman

Screenplay: Ben Berman

Stars: John Edward Szeles (aka The Amazing Jonathan), Eric André, Criss Angel, Penn Jillette, Max Maven, Scott ‘Carrot Top’ Thompson and ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic.

Tagline: Magic. Meth. Mayhem.

The Plot…

The Amazing Jonathan was a magician/comedian who regularly appeared on television, in Vegas and around the country.  But that was decades ago.  After being diagnosed with a fatal heart condition, Jonathan gets the itch to perform again.  Ben Berman agrees to create a documentary of Jonathan’s final tour.

Berman begins filming.  The Amazing Jonathan has earned enough to live in a mansion and never work again.  The stress of  preparing for the tour, let alone the actual performing could kill him.  So why not live out his final days in the comfort from the wealth he’s earned?  Then Berman learns that Jonathan still smokes meth regularly.

Death wish, maybe?

As the documentary continues, Berman discovers that The Amazing Jonathan has another documentary crew filming… and another… ultimately there are four crews with each thinking that they have the rights to The Amazing Jonathan’s story.

The film starts out interesting enough.  I remember seeing The Amazing Jonathan perform many times on television.  His act was entertaining.  As the documentary continued, I began to lose interest.  Jonathan comes off in a bad light.  It’s not just smoking the meth.  What kind of person enters deals with multiple crews for the same thing.  And the documentary director decides to smoke meth with Jonathan to prove… what?

The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019) rates 2 of 5 stars.

RIP: James Earl Jones

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James Earl Jones died today.  Mr. Jones was 93.

James Earl Jones attended the University of Michigan.  Initially he was a pre-med major, but in his junior year Mr. Jones switched to drama.  He as a stage carpenter, stage manager and actor at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in drama.  After graduation, James Earl Jones attended Ranger School. He attained the rank of first lieutenant before his discharge.

Once out of the service, Mr. Jones moved to New York to pursue a career as an actor. In 1957, Mr. Jones became an understudy on Broadway.  Just a few months later James Earl Jones earned a feature role.  In the 1960s, James Earl Jones appeared in several productions of William Shakespeare’s plays.  He also began getting guest roles on television.  Then in 1964, Mr. Jones appeared in his first feature film, Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove.  For the rest of his career, James Earl Jones stayed busy, accepting roles for stage, television, and feature films.

Some of James Earl Jones’ honors include…

  • 1971 Oscar nomination as Best Leading Man for The Great White Hope
  • 2012 Oscar winner Honorary Award
  • 1987 Ace nominee Actor in a Comedy Series for Faerie Tale Theater: Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp
  • 1991 ACE winner Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries for Heatwave
  • 1991 Ace winner Actor in a Dramatic Series for Third and Oak: The Poolhall
  • 1998 Daytime Emmy nominee Outstanding Performer in Children’s Programing for CBS Schoolbreak Special
  • 2000 Daytime Emmy winner Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Special for Summer’s End
  • 1964 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for East Side/West Side
  • 1990 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for By Dawn’s Early Light
  • 1991 Primetime Emmy winner Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for Heatwave
  • 1991 Primetime Emmy winner Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Gabriel’s Fire
  • 1994 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Picket Fences
  • 1995 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Under One Roof
  • 1997 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Frasier
  • 2004 Primetime Emmy nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Everwood
  • 1970 Grammy nominee Best Spoken Word Recording for The Great White Hope
  • 1977 Grammy winner Best Spoken Word Recording for Great American Documents
  • 2001 Grammy nominee Best Spoken Word Album for Children for “The Christmas Miracle Of Jonathan Toomey (Susan Wojciechowski) (Album)”

Television projects that feature James Earl Jones include: Monitor; East Side/West Side; Channing; The Defenders (2 episodes); Camera Three (2 episodes); Dr. Kildare (4 episodes); Guiding Light; As the World Turns; Tarzan (2 episodes); NET Playhouse; NYPD (2 episodes); The UFO Incident; Jesus of Nazareth (4 episodes); Roots: The Next Generations; Paul Robeson; Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones; The Atlanta Child Murders (2 episodes); Highway to Heaven; LA Law (2 episodes); By Dawn’s Early Light; Heat Wave; Gabriel’s Fire (22 episodes); Mathnet (9 episodes); Pros and Cons (12 episodes); Square One Television (4 episodes); Garfield and Friends; Lincoln; Sesame Street; Law & Order; American Playhouse; The Vernon Johns Story; Picket Fences; Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; Signs and Wonders (4 episodes); Under One Roof (6 episodes); People: A Musical Celebration; 3rd Rock from the Sun (19 episodes); Rebound: The Legend of Earl “The Goat” Manigault; Touched by an Angel; Frasier; Stargate SG-1; Homicide: Life on the Street (3 episodes); The Simpsons (3 episodes); Merlin (2 episodes): Recess (2 episodes); Summer’s End; Everwood (3 episodes); Two and a Half Men; House; The Big Bang Theory; Great Performances (2 episodes); Agent X (2 episodes); Star Wars Rebels (5 episodes) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (4 episodes).

Feature films that feature James Earl Jones include: Dr. Strangelove; The Comedians; The Great White Hope; The Man; Claudine; The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings; The Greatest; Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope; Exorcist 2: The Heretic; Star Wars: Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back; Conan the Barbarian; Star Wars: Episode 6 – Return of the Jedi; Gardens of Stone; Matewan; Coming to America; Field of Dreams; The Hunt for Red October; Patriot Games; Sneakers; Sommersby; The Sandlot; Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult; The Lion King; Clear and Present Danger; Judge Dredd; Cry the Beloved Country; A Family Thing; Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; The Lion King; Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker and Coming 2 America.

I probably first saw James Earl Jones on Tarzan.  I first took notice of him with The Great White Hope.  After that I noticed him whenever he popped up in a movie of television appearance. I was thrilled that James Earl Jones provided the narration for Sly Stallone’s Judge Dredd.   Mr. Jones could do it all.  What an amazing career and legacy.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to James Earl Jones’ family, friends and fans.

“Killer’s Game” starring Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins, with Pom Klementieff, and Ben Kingsley – Two Posters and the Second Trailer are Here!

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TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT

We have two posters and the second trailer for Killer’s Game starring Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins, with Pom Klementieff, and Ben Kingsley

In the new action-comedy THE KILLER’S GAME, when top hitman Joe Flood (Dave Bautista) is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decides to take matters into his own hands – by taking a hit out on himself. But when the very hitmen he hired also target his ex-girlfriend (Sofia Boutella) , he must fend off an army of assassin colleagues and win back the love of his life before it’s too late.

The Killer’s Game – in theaters September 13! Get tickets now: https://www.thekillersgame.movie/tick…
Starring Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins, with Pom Klementieff, and Ben Kingsley.

“Hold Your Breath” starring Sarah Paulson – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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THERE’S SOMETHING EVIL IN THE AIR

Here are the poster and trailer for Hold Your Breath starring Sarah Paulson.

If you breathe him in, he’ll make you do terrible things.

HOLD YOUR BREATH. Starring Sarah Paulson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Amiah Miller and Annaleigh Ashford. Streaming only on ‪@hulu‬ October 3rd. #HoldYourBreath

Directed by: Will Joines, Karrie Crouse

Screenplay by: Karrie Crouse

Produced by: Alix Madigan, Lucas Joaquin

Cast: Sarah Paulson, Annaleigh Ashford, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Amiah Miller, Bill Heck

Take You Back: Sylvester Stallone’s “Paradise Alley”Sneak Peak

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The first sneak previews of Sylvester Stallone’s Paradise Alley took place on September 8, 1978.  Sly wrote, directed, starred and even sang the title song.  As Dave Buzan says…

This incredibly underrated Stallone film had the misfortune of following “Rocky,” so audiences were expecting something quite different.

It’s a strong movie that deserves more recognition than it has received over the years.

Source: Dave Buzan.

Scared Stiff (1953) starring Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis / Z-View

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Scared Stiff (1953)

Director: George Marshall

Screenplay: Herbert Baker, Walter DeLeon; based on The Ghost Breaker by Paul Dickey, Charles W. Goddard

Stars: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Lizabeth Scott, Carmen Miranda, Dorothy Malone, William Ching, Jack Lambert, Leonard Strong, Henry Brandon, Chester Clute, Earl Holliman, Frank Fontaine and Bing Crosby & Bob Hope.

Tagline: They’re making a spook-tacle of themselves!

The Plot…

Mary Carroll (Scott) receives word that she has inherited an island estate.  She also receives death threats and warnings that the place is haunted.  Throwing caution to the wind Mary boards a ship to claim her inheritance.  Joining Mary on the trip is nightclub singer, Larry Todd (Martin) and his buddy Myron Mertz (Lewis).

They three arrive at Mary’s castle… cue the ghosts and zombies!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Scared Stiff is based on the play The Ghost Breaker.  It was previously adapted in the movie The Ghost Breakers starring Bob Hope.  George Marshall directed both Scared Stiff and The Ghost Breakers.

Scared Stiff features Carmen Miranda’s last film appearance.

Frank Fontaine has an uncredited cameo as a drunk.  I recognized him from his appearances as Crazy Guggenheim on The Jackie Gleason Show.

Bob Hope and Bing Crosby have an uncredited cameo.  The previous year, Martin & Lewis made an uncredited cameo in Hope & Cosby’s Road to Bali film.

Scared Stiff is advertised as a comedy/horror film.  It takes forever to get to the horror aspect and then it’s not that funny.  I prefer the Bob Hope version, The Ghost Breakers.

Scared Stiff (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“At War with the Army” (1950) starring Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis / Z-View

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At War with the Army (1950)

Director: Hal Walker

Screenplay: Fred Finklehoffe; based on the play At War With the Army by James Allardice

Stars: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Mike Kellin, Danny Dayton, Polly Bergen and Douglas Evans.

Tagline: America’s Funniest Guys Are GI’s!

The Plot…

Vic Puccinelli (Martin) and Alvin Korwin (Lewis) were nightclub performers before the war.  Now Vic is a Sergeant and Alvin a private at a stateside army base.  The change in their status has caused some problems between the two.

To complicate matters, Vic wants a transfer to active duty.  Alvin just wants a weekend pass to see his wife and new baby.  Add to the mix confusion about a woman that may be pregnant and who the father is.

Martin and Lewis are at war with the army.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At War with the Army is in public domain.  Beware of shoddy copies.

Although Martin and Lewis had appeared together in films twice before, At War with the Army was their first starring roles as a team.

To Catch a Killer (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Wolf Man” – The Teaser Trailer is Here!

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“Wolf Man” – The teaser trailer is here!

From the Director of The Invisible Man, #WolfManMovie is in theaters January.

—
What if someone you loved became something else?

From Blumhouse and visionary writer-director Leigh Whannell, the creators of the chilling modern monster tale The Invisible Man, comes a terrifying new lupine nightmare: Wolf Man.

Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott (Poor Things, It Comes at Night) stars as Blake, a San Francisco husband and father, who inherits his remote childhood home in rural Oregon after his own father vanishes and is presumed dead. With his marriage to his high-powered wife, Charlotte (Emmy winner Julia Garner; Ozark, Inventing Anna), fraying, Blake persuades Charlotte to take a break from the city and visit the property with their young daughter, Ginger (Matlida Firth; Hullraisers, Coma).

But as the family approaches the farmhouse in the dead of night, they’re attacked by an unseen animal and, in a desperate escape, barricade themselves inside the home as the creature prowls the perimeter. As the night stretches on, however, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable, and Charlotte will be forced to decide whether the terror within their house is more lethal than the danger without.

The film co-stars Sam Jaeger (The Handmaid’s Tale), Ben Prendergast (The Sojourn Audio Drama) and Benedict Hardie (The Invisible Man).

Wolf Man is directed by Whannell, whose previous films with Blumhouse include The Invisible Man, Upgrade and Insidious: Chapter 3. The screenplay is written by Leigh Whannell & Corbett Tuck, Lauren Schuker Blum & Rebecca Angelo (Dumb Money).

The film is produced by Blumhouse founder and CEO Jason Blum and is executive produced by Ryan Gosling, Ken Kao, Bea Sequeira, Mel Turner and Leigh Whannell. Wolf Man is a Blumhouse and Motel Movies production.