Category: Movies

“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” (2024) / Z-View

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Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told (2024)

Director: P. Frank Williams

Stars: André 3000, The Notorious B.I.G., Big Boi, CeeLo Green.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

How a small black college picnic grew and grew to become an annual event known as Freaknik.  The event started out as a get-together for college students who didn’t have the resources to return home for Spring Break.

Each year the event grew bigger.  It began to attract out-of-towners from all over the country.  Many were not college students.  The event became so large it shut down the city.  Drugs, sex and sexual assaults turned the powers that be against the event.

This is the story of the rise and fall of Freaknik.

Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Shadows Over Chinatown” (1946) starring Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland & Jimmy Yung / Z-View

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Shadows Over Chinatown (1946)

Director: Terry O. Morse

Screenplay: Raymond L. Schrock; based characters created by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung, John Gallaudet, Paul Bryar, Mary Gordon, Mira McKinney and Franke Fontaine.

Tagline: Chan follows the trail of a blood-chilling wave of torso slayings!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler) has been called to San Francisco to investigate a series of murders.  On the way, someone takes a shot a him. Chan is not deterred, but even agrees to help a couple looking for a missing woman.  They’re worried that she has become a victim of the serial killings.

Now that Chan, his number two son, Jimmy (Yung) and faithful assistant Birmingham Brown (Moreland) are on the case, things are about to heat up.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Because Sidney Toler had terminal cancer, but wanted to continue the series, his character is often seated.  Also Mantan Moreland and  Victor Sen Yung were given more to do.

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

Shadows Over Chinatown (1946) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Megaloplis” – The Poster and Deleted Trailer!

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The poster and trailer for Megalopolis are here.  The trailer makes an interesting direction for it’s start.

Lionsgate Deletes Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis Trailer After Unexpected Controversy

Read More: https://www.slashfilm.com/1648225/francis-ford-coppola-megalopolis-trailer-controversy-explained/

MEGALOPOLIS – in theaters & IMAX September 27, 2024. Starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Kathryn Hunter, and Dustin Hoffman.

MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKESTEIN STARRING BORIS KARLOFF adapted by Kerry Gammill and El Garing is Coming!

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MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKESTEIN STARRING BORIS KARLOFF adapted by Kerry Gammill and El Garing is coming on October 22, 2024.

Horror fans will want to check this out…

Mary Shelley’s iconic masterpiece is brought to life with the definitive on-screen Frankenstein, Boris Karloff, in this stunning new graphic novel!

Decades before the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells, 18-year-old Mary Shelley wrote what many regard as the first work of science fiction when she penned FRANKENSTEIN: or, the MODERN PROMETHEUS, which was published in 1818.

Over one hundred years later, in 1931, a hard-working but relatively unknown actor named Boris Karloff was cast to play Frankenstein’s monster in James Whale’s now classic movie adaptation. The film made Karloff a star and solidified Frankenstein’s monster as an icon of the silver screen.

In 2024, Legendary Comics is proud to bring Shelley and Karloff together for the first time in a faithful adaptation of the novel starring the iconic actor in the lead role of the fully reimagined monster. In partnership with Sara Karloff of Karloff Enterprises, and featuring the artistic talents of Kerry Gammill and El Garing, the team behind the award-winning BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA STARRING BELA LUGOSI, this new graphic novel is certain to delight and terrify old and new fans alike.

“Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos – The poster and trailer are here.

Deal me in.  Badda-bing!

The man behind the cultural phenomenon.

In Wise Guy David Chase and The Sopranos, a new 2-part HBO Original Documentary, #TheSopranos creator offers a unique look into his work on the iconic series. #WiseGuyHBO premieres September 7 at 8 pm ET on ‪@StreamOnMax‬.

“Damaged” starring Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here are the poster and trailer for Damaged starring Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel.

How do you catch a brilliant monster? When a sadistic murderer surfaces in Scotland, terrified local authorities call on a Chicago police detective who investigated a killing spree with the same horrific pattern five years earlier. Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel star in this shocking thriller about two detectives with tortured pasts trying to stop a merciless serial killer before he claims his next victim.

“Long Gone Heroes” starring Frank Grillo & Andy Garcia – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Long Gone Heroes starring Frank Grillo with Andy Garcia is here.

Gunner, a special forces soldier who has witnessed the darkest side of country and combat, is forced back into the field of battle to save his niece, who is being held in South America. As the fight intensifies, Gunner and his team discover that her disappearance is part of a corrupt private operation that hits way too close to home. Acclaimed actors Andy Garcia, Melissa Leo, Josh Hutcherson and Frank Grillo star in a non-stop action thriller that will leave you breathless.

Long Gone Heroes – Watch the trailer now! In Select Theaters, on Digital, and On Demand September 20. Starring Frank Grillo, Josh Hutcherson, Eden Brolin, Mekhi Phifer, Melissa Leo, and Andy García.

“Open Range” (2003) directed by Kevin Costner, starring Robert Duvall & Kevin Costner / Z-View

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Open Range (2003)

Director: Kevin Costner

Screenplay: Craig Storper; based on THE OPEN RANGE MEN by Lauran Paine

Stars: Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Diego Luna, Abraham Benrubi, Annette Bening, Michael Gambon, Michael Jeter, James Russo, Peter MacNeill, Cliff Saunders, Julian Richings, Ian Tracey, Diego Diablo Del Mar and Kim Coates.

Tagline: No place to run. No reason to hide.

The Plot…

“Boss” Spearman (Duvall) and Charley Waite (Costner) are cattlemen driving their herd across country.  Along with them are Mose and Button, two young hired hands.  They decide to bed down for a few nights.  Mose is sent into a nearby town for supplies.

When Mose doesn’t return, Boss and Charley ride into town.  They find Mose in jail and badly beaten.  It turns out that rancher Denton Baxter (Gambon) doesn’t tolerate cattlemen crossing his land.  Baxter has the Sheriff on his payroll and the town afraid to do anything.  Baxter and the Sheriff release Mose with the warning to Boss and Charlie to be gone by nightfall.

That ain’t going to happen.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kevin Costner got the project going, starred in and directed it.  Touchstone gave him top billing until he requested that Robert Duvall be credited first.

Open Range is just about perfect.  Great story, cast, acting, and direction.  Robert Duvall is a national treasure.  I rank Open Range higher than Dances with Wolves.  It’s that good.

Open Range (2003) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Twisters” (2024) directed by Lee Isaac Chung, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell & Anthony Ramos / Z-View

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Twisters (2024)

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Screenplay: Mark L. Smith; story by Joseph Kosinski; based on characters created by Michael Crichton, Anne-Marie Martin

Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Kiernan Shipka, David Corenswet, Katy O’Brian, David Born and James Paxton.

Tagline: Chase. Ride. Survive.

The Plot…

Kate Carter (Edgar-Jones) was a young scientist/storm-chaser on the verge of a way to quickly reduce the intensity of a tornado.  But that was five years ago.  Kate quit her research when a tornado chase went sideways.  Three of her friends were killed.  Only Kate and Javi (Ramos) survived.

Now Kate works at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in New York City.  She monitors conditions from the safety of a control center.  Kate is surprised one day when Javi shows up unannounced.  He is part owner of a new company, Storm Par, that uses cutting edge technology to predict the paths/strengths of tornadoes.  Although hesitant at first, Kate agrees to work with Javi for one week since the new technology could save lives.

Back in Oklahoma, in tornado alley, Kate experiences a panic attack.  She’s worried how she’ll respond when the team closes in on a tornado.  Another problem is a competing group of tornado chasers.  Tyler Owens (Powell) aka The Tornado Wrangler along with his team are an internet sensation.  They’re all about the “views” and their hotdogging is liable to get people killed.

This is a bad mixture as the worst tornado weather in years is predicted.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Twisters isn’t a direct sequel to Twister, but Bill Paxton’s son, James Paxton has a cameo as the upset hotel guest.

Twisters works because of the direction of Lee Isaac Chung, the charm of Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos, the chemistry between Edgar-Jones and Powell and the special effects.

Twisters (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Drago from ROCKY IV is coming from McFarlane Toys!

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Drago from ROCKY IV is coming from McFarlane Toys!  Here’s the lowdown…

  • Incredibly detailed, highly decorated 6” scale figure based on the movie ROCKY IV
  • Accessories include an extra head, printed backdrop, environmental base, collectible art card and a secret bonus item
  • Also includes “VS.” display piece to re-create your favorite ROCKY boxing contest or create your own ultimate dream match! It also can be used as an art card holder
  • IVAN DRAGO as featured in the theatrical film ROCKY IV
  • Collect all McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs Figures

Click here for more details or to pre-order!

Rocky is also available the same day as Drago!

Rocky Balboa from ROCKY IV is coming from McFarlane Toys!

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Rocky Balboa from ROCKY IV is coming from McFarlane Toys!  Here’s the lowdown…

  • Incredibly detailed, highly decorated 6” scale figure based on the movie ROCKY IV
  • Accessories include an extra head, printed backdrop, environmental base, collectible art card and a secret bonus item
  • Also includes “VS.” display piece to re-create your favorite ROCKY boxing contest or create your own ultimate dream match! It also can be used as an art card holder
  • ROCKY BALBOA as featured in the theatrical film ROCKY IV
  • Preorders now for a drop date of Tuesday, October 8th
  • Collect all McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs Figures

Click here for more details or to pre-order!

Drago is also available the same day as Rocky!

“Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies” (2001) / Z-View

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Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

Director: Ray Greene

Screenplay: Ray Greene

Stars: Ray Greene, Roger Corman, Maila Nurmi, Dick Miller, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Forrest J. Ackerman and Peter Bogdanovich.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Movies that qualify as “schlock” are low-budget, genre films that usually focus on horror, sex and/or violence.  These films were made quickly and usually the second feature on a double bill or drive-in fare.  Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies explores (as the title suggests) the history of these types of movies.  It’s an interesting topic to see how these movies changed over time and influenced popular culture.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you have any interest in schlock cinema, this one is for you.

Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Docks of New Orleans” (1948) starring Roland Winters, Virginia Dale & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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Docks of New Orleans (1948)

Director: Derwin Abrahams

Screenplay: William Scott Darling based on Charlie Chan by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Roland Winters, Virginia Dale, Mantan Moreland, John Gallaudet, Victor Sen Yung, Douglas Fowley, Stanley Andrews, Emmett Vogan and Rory Mallinson.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The owners of the LaFontaine Chemical Company are shipping out a boatload of a secret cargo.  This is going to make them a, pardon the expression, a “boatload” of money.  They decide to sign an agreement that if one (or more) of them were to die, the money would be spent by the survivors.

No sooner done, then one of them is murdered.  How this was done is a mystery.  No signs of death and the victim was alone in a room that no one entered.

Thankfully Charlie Chan has been called in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mantan Mooreland gets more to do in this one.  This includes Mooreland’s famous “Indefinite Talk” routine.

Docks of New Orleans (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars.