Category: Humor

“The Inspector General” (1949) starring Danny Kaye / Z-View

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The Inspector General (1949)

Director:  Henry Koster

Screenplay: Philip Rapp, Harry Kurnitz; Suggested by the play by Nikolai Gogol

Stars: Danny Kaye, Walter Slezak, Barbara Bates, Elsa Lanchester, Gene Lockhart, Walter Catlett, Rhys Williams, Leonard Bremen, Albert Cavens and Alan Hale.

Tagline: We Won’t Tell, Danny!!! But wait till that luscious little lovely finds out you’re not the Inspector General!!!

The Plot…

Georgi, an uneducated but kind-hearted fool, is kicked out of a band of gypsies for revealing that a miracle potion being sold is anything but.  Georgi wanders into the small town of Brodny.

Brodny is governed by a corrupt Mayor who along with his council are making themselves rich at the expense of the town’s citizens.  The Mayor has learned that an Inspector General has secretly been sent to each city by the King.  The Inspector General’s job is to find corruption and make the guilty pay.

The Mayor believes that Georgi is the Inspector General.  Which is all well and good until the REAL Inspector General arrives.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Inspector General is a fun movie.  Be aware that the film is in the public domain so there are several versions available, some with cut scenes or songs.

The Inspector General (1949) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Paper” (2025) / Z-View

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“The Paper” (2025)

Created by: Greg Daniels, Michael Koman; based on The Office created by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1-2) Greg Daniels & Michael Koman
  • (ep. 3) Patrick Kang & Michael Levin
  • (ep. 4) Amanda Rosenberg
  • (ep. 5) Mo Welch
  • (ep. 6) Eric Rahill
  • (ep. 7) Alex Edelman
  • (ep. 8) Ben Philippe
  • (ep. 9) L.E. Correia
  • (ep. 10) Paul Lieberstein

Directed by:

  • Greg Daniels (ep. 1)
  • Ken Kwapis  (ep. 2)
  • Yana Gorskaya (ep. 3)
  • Paul Lieberstein (ep. 4)
  • Tazbah Chavez (ep. 5)
  • Jason Woliner (ep. 6)
  • Jennifer Celotta (ep. 7)
  • Matt Sohn (ep. 8)
  • Dave Rogers (ep. 9)
  • Jeffrey Blitz (ep. 10)

Stars: Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Ramona Young, Nancy Lenehan and Oscar Nuñez.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The documentary crew that followed Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton, Pennsylvania, office has now turned their cameras to The Toledo Truth Teller Newspaper office.  The dying paper has hired a new editor. He has brought in volunteers from Enervate’s (the newspaper’s parent company) other departments to work as reporters.

  • “Pilot”  Ned Sampson is hired as new managing editor of the paper.  Esmeralda Grand, the former acting editor, appears to support Ned.  In reality she wants him gone.  The paper had been running AP items and filler.  Ned wants to publish real news from the community.  He brings in folks from other departments who have no writing experience.

 

  • “The Five W’s”  Ned sends his new “reporters” out to find stories for the first edition of the newspaper under his leadership.  Their efforts produce unintentionally comedic results. As the deadline looms, his reporters’ results include one of his reporters in the hospital, two of his reporters fell for a prank story, another is in jail and the serial killer leads Ned was chasing were caused by his phone calls to the morgue!  With no news to report, how will the first edition come out?

 

  • “Buddy and the Dude”  Esmeralda continues to spread dissent behind the scenes.  Mare, Ned’s best reporter (who he is attracted to) considers taking another job.  In an effort to connect with her (and keep her at the paper), Ned and Mare go undercover on a “big” story that could blow the lid on the mattress business.

 

  • “TTT vs the Blogger”  When high school students get a tour of the newspaper office, it’s obvious the students know more about reporting than the “reporters”.  Worse still, the high school editor has more followers to his blog than the newspaper has subscribers.  This leads to an escalating rivalry between Ned and the school paper’s editor that goes public.
  • “Scam Alert!”  A scammer has been taking financial advantage of lonely Toledo residents.  Ned talks to his team about making this a lead story.  They accidentally learn that Esmeraldo is one of the victims still being scammed.

 

  • “I Love You”  Ned’s idea of a series of consumer reports backfires when his reporters test products with disasterous results.

 

  • “I Love You”  Marv Putnam, CEO of Enervate, the newspaper’s parent company has to set up his office on the newspaper’s floor.  This puts the entire office on edge.

 

  • “Church and State”  When it’s learned that Softees’ “Man Wipes” have caused a major plumbing issue for the city, it’s a story.  But Ned is encouraged to not cover it.  “Man Wipes” are produced by the newspaper’s parent company.  The bad press could kill them.  Ned is torn between doing what’s right and doing what’s right for the company.  Then he comes through like a champ.

 

  • “Matching Ponchos”  Mare and Ned go on the road to investigate a cult.  Miscommunications create tension between the two.  Meanwhile the company takes to the air waves for damage control over the “Man Wipes” incident.

 

  • “The Ohio Journalism Awards”  Against all odds, The Toledo Truth Teller has been nominated for three Ohio Journalism Awards.  The team attend the awards.  Ned is just happy to have been nominated.  Mare is hoping for valedation.  Esmeraldo just wants the spotlight no matter who wins.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Paper is an nice way to spend 3o minutes.

It’s interesting to note that the lead of The Paper, Domhnall Gleeson co-starred in the limited series The Patient.  Gleeson’s co-star in The Patient was Steve Carell.  Carell was the lead of The Office.  The Paper is a spin-off (of sorts) of The Office.

The Paper (2025) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Riff Raff” (2024) starring Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Lewis Pullman, Pete Davidson and Bill Murray / Z-View

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Riff Raff (2024)

Director:  Dito Montiel

Screenplay:  John Pollono

Stars: Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Miles J. Harvey, Lewis Pullman, Pete Davidson, Scott Michael Campbell, Roger Guenveur Smith, Angelic Zambrana and Bill Murray.

Tagline: Crime is a family affair.

The Plot…

Vincent Gauthier’s life is good.  He quit a life of crime.  He’s reached an age most in his former line of work never do.  Vincent is married to Sandy.  She’s a beautiful much younger woman.  Vincent and Sandy along with DJ (his stepson) are spending winter break at their vacation cabin.

Yes, life is good.

Then in the middle of the night Vincent’s oldest son shows up.  Rocco’s brought his pregnant girlfriend along… and his mom.  Vincent’s first wife.  They’re on the run.  Rocco killed a mobster’s son.

And now the mobster and a hitman are closing in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bill Murray and Pete Davidson have good on-screen chemistry.

I was expecting more laughs.

Riff Raff (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“California King” (2025) / Z-View

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California King (2025)

Director:  Eli Stern

Screenplay: Eli Stern

Stars: Travis Bennett, Jimmy Tatro, Victoria Justice, Joel McHale, Melanie Haynes and Kevin Changaris.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Perry is excited to learn that Lynette, his high school girlfriend, the love of his life has broken up with her boyfriend.  Perry wants to win her back.

But how?

With the help of his buddy and Lynette’s brother a scheme is born.  Perry will save Lynette’s brother from kidnappers.  That’s right.  Kidnappers.  Perry, his friend and Lynette’s brother will fake the kidnapping and rescue.

What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

California King is tries too hard to be hip.  I usually give movies at least 30 minutes before I give up.  With California King I lasted 21 minutes.  Your mileage may vary.

California King (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“Charlie Chan on Broadway” (1937) starring Warner Oland / Z-View

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Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937)

Director:  Eugene Forde

Screenplay:  Charles Belden. Jerome Cady story by Art Arthur Robert Ellis, Helen Logan

Stars: Warner Oland, Keye Luke, J. Edward Bromberg, Leon Ames, Marc Lawrence, Douglas Fowley and Lon Chaney Jr..

Tagline: DEATH STRIKES TWICE IN MANHATTAN’S GAYEST SPOTS!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Oland) and his son Lee (Luke) are in pulled into the murder investigation of a woman who knew political secrets and had threatened to tell all.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lon Chaney Jr, appears uncredited in one of his first roles.

This was Warner Oland’s 15th and second-t0-last outing as Charlie Chan.

Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937) rates 2 of 5 stars.

HATCHET GIRLS by Joe R. Lansdale / Z-View

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HATCHET GIRLS: A HAP AND LEONARD NOVEL by Joe R. Lansdale

First sentences…

“Wait a minute, now.  You’re saying you want us to deal with a pig problem?” Leonard said.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Hap and Leonard agree to help a poor single mother raising several children.  She has a pig problem.  When Hap and Leonard say they’ll take care of it, they got much more than imagined.  Turns out the hog was attacking the woman and her kids every chance it got.  When Hap and Leonard arrived, the porker attacked them too.

Never ones to back down from a challenge, Hap and Leonard finally trap the hog.  In doing so they discover the woman’s neighbors are making meth and the piggie knows how to access the stash.  No wonder the oinker was so hyped-up all the time.

The cops are called.  An investigation finds no only the make-shift meth lab, but bodies buried in the back yard.  This brings Hap and Leonard smack dab in the middle of drug dealers, crooked cops, a mysterious crime boss who is called the Benefactor and worse still, a gang of women looking to take over the area’s drug trade.  The women, are smart, tough and ruthless.  Every one of them is a cold-blooded killer, who uses a hatchet to finish the job.

Unfortunately for Hap and Leonard, they’ve become targets for all involved.

+++

HATCHET GIRLS is the fourteenth in the series. If you like crime stories with the perfect mix of humor, action and mystery, then HATCHET GIRLS (and all of the Hap and Leonard tales) are for you!

Rating:

“Support Your Local Gunfighter!” (1971) starring James Garner, Suzanne Pleshette and Jack Elam / Z-View

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Support Your Local Gunfighter! (1971)

Director:  Burt Kennedy

Screenplay: James Edward Grant, Burt Kennedy (uncredited)

Stars: James Garner, Suzanne Pleshette, Jack Elam, Harry Morgan, Joan Blondell, Marie Windsor, John Dehner, Henry Jones, Dub Taylor, Kathleen Freeman, Dick Curtis, Willis Bouchey, Willis Bouchey, Walter Burke, Gene Evans,  Grady Sutton, Virginia Capers and Ellen Corby. 

Tagline: The story of a man who took the law into his own finger!

The Plot…

Latigo Smith, a gambler, con artist, fast gun and ladies man is almost roped into marriage.  While his bride-to-be sleeps, the train they’re traveling on stops at the small mining town of Purgatory.  When the train leaves, Latigo isn’t on it.

Purgatory is in the middle of a war between two mine barons: Taylor Barton and Colonel Ames.  Each man is trying to get to the mother lode of gold.  They’ve both hired roughnecks and rowdies.  Needless to say the town is a wild place.

As the new man in town, Latigo is mistaken for the infamous gunslinger, “Swifty” Morgan.  This gives Latigo an idea.  Realizing it’s not a smart idea to play a killer, Latigo talks his new friend, the none-to-bright Jug May into playing the part.  Soon Latigo and “Swifty” are being treated like kings.

Then the real Swifty Morgan arrives.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I loved Support Your Local Sheriff.  I had high hopes for Support Your Local Gunfighter since the director, James Garner and most of the cast was returning.  Sadly it falls short of the first film.  Also the film is NOT a sequel.

Support Your Local Gunfighter! (1971) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Support Your Local Sheriff!” (1969) starring James Garner, Joan Hackett and Walter Brennan / Z-View

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Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969)

Director:  Burt Kennedy

Screenplay: William Bowers

Stars: James Garner, Joan Hackett, Walter Brennan, Harry Morgan, Jack Elam, Henry Jones, Willis Bouchey, Gene Evans, Walter Burke, Kathleen Freeman, Dick Haynes and Bruce Dern. 

Tagline: Our trouble-shooting sheriff always put his finger on it (or in it). No wonder they call him The Fastest Finger in the West.

The Plot…

When gold is discovered in the small settlement of Calendar, it becomes a lawless boom town overnight.  Every sheriff the city council hires is either killed or leaves in a hurry. The townsfolk find themselves at the mercy of the Danby family who own the property surrounding Calendar.

When Joe Danby kills a man over a card game, only Jason McCullough is willing to testify that it was murder.  McCullough is just passing through, but in need of money.  So when he’s offered the sheriff’s job, he accepts.

McCullough is as quick with his wits as he is with a gun.  He’ll need to use both since he’s sheriff of a town full of drunken miners, a jail with no bars, a cold blooded murder for a prisoner and the Danby family out for revenge.  McCullough’s biggest problem may be the mayor’s daughter Purdy.

Giddy up!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I saw Support Your Local Sheriff when it was first released.  I was ten.  Seeing it again brings back great memories.  Support Your Local Sheriff has the right mix of action and humor.  James Garner was perfect as the gunslinger who’d rather use his wits than his gun.

Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) rates 5 of 5 stars

“The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear” (1991) starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley and George Kennedy / Z-View

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)

Director:  David Zucker

Screenplay: David Zucker, Pat Proft; based on Police Squad! by David Zucker,  Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker

Stars: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, O.J. Simpson, Robert Goulet, Richard Griffiths, Jacqueline Brookes, Anthony James, Tim O’Connor, Peter Mark Richman, Peter Van Norden, Gail Neely, Mel Tormé, Zsa Zsa Gabor, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and Lloyd Bochner. 

Tagline: If you see only one movie this year…you ought to get out more often.

The Plot…

Dr. Albert Meinheimer is an advisor to the President.  Meinheimer supports renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.) and plans to get the President to move the country in that direction.  Quentin Hapsburg, of Hexagon Oil has other ideas.  Hapsburg kidnaps Meinheimer and replaces him with a lookalike.

And that’s where Frank Drebin and the police squad come in.

Annnnnnnd action!

 

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you enjoyed Airplane and The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, then you should get a kick out of The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear.

Lloyd Bochner has a brief cameo.  He is seen in a crowd carrying a large book titled TO SERVE MAN, as he yells, “It’s a cookbook!  It’s a cookbook!”.  This of course refers to the classic Twilight Zone episode, To Serve Man which he starred in.

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Freaky Tales” (2024) starring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn and Jay Ellis / Z-View

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Freaky Tales (2024)

Director:  Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Screenplay: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Stars: Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Too $hort, Jack Champion and Tom Hanks. 

Tagline: In 1987, Oakland was hella freaky.

The Plot…

Freaky Tales features four fictionalized interconnected stories about real events that took place in Oakland, California in 1987.

  • “Strength in Numbers: The Gilman Strikes Back” – A group of skinheads attacks kids attending a punk rock nightclub.  It’s not the first time.  It won’t be the last.  But the kids have had enough.  Next time they’ll be prepared to strike back.  Hard.

 

  • “Don’t Fight the Feeling” – Two young women, Barbie and Entice leave the punk rock nightclub just before the skinheads attack.  Barbie and Entice are rappers who preform under the stage name Danger Zone.  They want to be stars.  And they will get an opportunity… if they can rise to the occasion.

 

  • “Born to Mack” – Clint wants to end his life of crime.  His wife is pregnant and will deliver his first child soon.  Unfortunately Clints bosses want him to perform one last job — something to do with a pro basketball player.

 

  • “The Legend of Sleepy Floyd” – While Sleepy Floyd, a pro basketball player, is having a record setting game, his house is being robbed by a group of skinheads.  During the robbery his girlfriend is murdered.  Little do the skinheads know, they picked on the wrong guy.  Sleepy not only has super martial arts skills, he has supernatural powers.  And he will have his revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Freaky Tales has it’s moments, but it was just a little too, freaky for me.

Freaky Tales (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Long Distance” (2024) starring Naomi Scott & Anthony Ramos / Z-View

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Long Distance (2024)

Director:  Josh Gordon, Will Speck

Screenplay:  Spenser Cohen

Stars: Anthony Ramos, Naomi Scott, Kristofer Hivju and Zachary Quinto. 

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A spaceship carrying off-world miners is hit by asteroid.  As the ship begins to explode, escape pods are jettisoned.  One carrying Andy lands on a nearby planet.  Andy has a small air supply and his AI-equipped spacesuit.  When radioing for other survivors, Andy hears back from only one.  Her name is Naomi and she’s trapped in her escape pod.

Andy sets out to free her unaware of the creatures and dangerous terrain ahead.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Long Distance starts with a literal bang.

Although Naomi Scott gets top billing, she doesn’t appear on screen until about halfway through the movie.

Zachary Quinto voices Andy’s spacesuit AI.

Long Distance (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

“The Pickup” (2025) starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer / Z-View

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The Pickup (2025)

Director:  Tim Story

Screenplay:  Matt Mider, Kevin Burrows

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer, Jack Kesy, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Eva Longoria, Jef Holbrook, Enoch King, Nelson Bonilla, Joe Anoa’i (aka Roman Reigns), Ray Murphy Jr., Keith Adams,  Regina Ting Chen, Marshawn Lynch and Andrew Dice Clay. 

Tagline: They’re armed but she’s dangerous.

The Plot…

Russell Pierce, an armored car driver nearing retirement, cannot wait to finish his day.  He’s got dinner plans with his wife for a celebration.  When Russell learns his driving partner for the day is the crazy rookie, Travis Stolly, Russell hopes for an easy route.

But that’s not to be.

Instead their given a long drive through a radio dead zone.  And they’ll be carrying millions.

Of course as soon as they hit the dead zone, a trio of well armed thieves make their move.

Russell is going to be a little late.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was hoping for better.  But I have to say Keke Palmer is easy on the eyes.

The Pickup (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Madea’s Destination Wedding” (2025) written, directed by and starring Tyler Perry / Z-View

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Madea’s Destination Wedding (2025)

Director:  Tyler Perry

Screenplay: Tyler Perry

Stars: Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, David Mann, Tamela J. Mann, Diamond White, Xavier Smalls, Bree Shannon and Rocky Myers.

Tagline: Hellur from Bahamas.

The Plot…

Madea, the immediate family and a couple of friends are invited to a quicky wedding for Madea’s grandniece, Tiffany.  All expenses paid.

Tiffany’s dad, Brian, is concerned since he just met the groom-to-be, Xavier.  Xavier is arrogant and immature.  Worse still, Brian has been put in a position where he feels he needs to foot the entire wedding bill.  As if that weren’t enough, Tiffany wants a destination wedding at an expensive resort in the Bahamas.

Brian suggests that Tiffany not rush into things.  Tiffany’s mom appears to want the wedding even more than Tiffany.

There are a number of mishaps getting ready for the trip.  But when Madea and the family arrive at the resort they start living it up.  Then Madea discovers something that could change everything.

If anyone has a reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.  Madea isn’t one to hold her peace.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tyler Perry writes, directs and stars (playing three characters) in Madea’s Destination Wedding.  This is the first Madea film where Perry doesn’t use make-up.  Instead he used digital technology to erase his beard and change his face.

Madea’s Destination Wedding is the 13th in the series!

Madea’s Destination Wedding (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Stuber” (2019) starring Dave Bautista & Kumail Namjiani / Z-View

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Stuber (2019)

Director:  Michael Dowse

Screenplay: Tripper Clancy

Stars: Dave Bautista, Kumail Nanjiani, Mira Sorvino, Natalie Morales, Iko Uwais, Betty Gilpin, Karen Gillan, Steve Howey, Rene Moran, Amin Joseph and Christine Horn.

Tagline: Saving the day takes a pair

The Plot…

Six months ago L.A. Detective Vic Manning’s partner was killed by Oka Tedjo, a notorious drug kingpin.  Vic blames himself.  He lost his glasses in pursuit and was seconds late to his partner being gunned down.

Vic decides to get eye surgery so he won’t need glasses.  The operation was a success, but it will be a few days before Vic’s vision returns to normal.  The time off will do him good.  But when one of his informants gives Vic info on the location of Oka Tedjo, Vic knows he can’t wait.

Vic’s nearly blind,  so he calls an Uber to take him to killer’s location.  Stu, a timid man, shows up.  One thing leads to another a Stu finds himself partner to a nearly blind cop on a mission to catch a killer.

The meter is running!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani had fun chemistry.  It was nice seeing Mira Sorvino.  Bautista gives a funny performance as a nearly blind cop.  Stuber is a much better film than expected.

Stuber (2019) rates 3 of 5 stars