Category: Trivia

“The Long Lonesome Highway: The Michael Parks Story” (2025) / Z-View

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Long Lonesome Highway: The Story of Michael Parks (2025)

Director: Josh Roush

Screenplay:  Josh Roush

Stars:  Michael Parks, James Parks, Kurt Russell, Haley Joel Osment, Robert Rodriguez, Leonard Maltin, Mickey Rourke, Justin Long and Wyatt Russell.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Michael Parks is perhaps the greatest actor you’ve never heard of.

He began getting television roles in 1960 and quickly became a popular guest star.  Some of the shows he appeared on include Zane Grey Theater, The Untouchables, The Real McCoys, Gunsmoke, Ben Casey, Perry Mason, 77 Sunset Strip, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Wagon Train and Route 66.

In 1965, he started appearing in feature films as well.  In 1966, Michael Parks was nominated as a Photoplay Most Promising New Star.   Then in 1969, Mr. Parks was given the lead in the television series Then Came Bronson.   The show was well received, but behind the scenes there was trouble.  Michael Parks pushed back on ideas he didn’t like.  The show lasted one season and Michael Parks developed the reputation as difficult.

When the series ended, Mr. Parks didn’t act on television or films for a couple of years.  Then he began to get guest spots and small roles in both tv and feature films.  Those that worked with Michael Parks universally praised his acting… but also tempered that with Parks’ offscreen behavior could be  non-conformist.

This is Michael Parks story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was a kid when Then Came Bronson premiered.  I liked the show and expected Michael Parks to become a bigger star.  Now we learn part of the reason it didn’t happen.

Michael Parks was an amazing actor.  His scene in From Dusk Till Dawn is one of my favorites.  A small role, but man did he nail it.

Long Lonesome Highway: The Story of Michael Parks (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Brainstorm” (1965) directed by William Conrad; starring Jeffrey Hunter, Anne Francis and Dana Andrews / Z-View

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Brainstorm (1965)

Director: William Conrad

Screenplay:  Mann Rubin; story by Lawrence B. Marcus

Stars:  Jeffrey Hunter, Anne Francis, Dana Andrews, Viveca Lindfors, Michael Pate and Strother Martin.

Tagline: Brainstorm is the most fiendish idea ever conceived by the human brain!

The Plot…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jim Grayam is a super intelligent computer analyst for Benson Industries. He’s a rising star within the company.  One night on a deserted road, Jim comes across a car parked on railroad tracks.  An unconscious woman is behind the wheel.

Jim’s attempts to rouse her are unsuccessful.  A train is quickly approaching.  Jim breaks a window, pushes the still sleeping woman over, and drives the car to safety.  The woman is Lorrie Benson. When she wakes up, she admits she wanted to die.  Lorrie is in an unhappy marriage to Cort Benson.  Cort is a very rich man and refuses to give Lorrie a divorce.

As it turns out Cort Benson owns the company Jim works for.

Jim and Lorrie begin meeting secretly.  Jim loves Lorrie, but knows Cort would never release her.  Jim realizes to get Lorrie free, he must come up with a plan… and he does.

Jim will begin to show symptoms of a man losing his grasp of reality.  He will do this repeatedly in front of many witnesses.  Jim will then murder Cort in public. He’ll be caught, tried and found NOT guilty.  Due to reasons of insanity.

After some months in a sanatorium, Jim will stop acting crazy.  He’ll be found safe to return to public life.  Then he and Lorrie will move away, be married and have a happy life.  Plus she will have Cort’s money.

Ah, the perfect plan.

What could go wrong?

Thoughts…

Director William Conrad, best known as an actor, has a cameo in Brainstorm.  Conrad can be seen lying on a bed, smoking a cigar, in the sanitorium.

I think that it’s ironic that you’d have to be crazy to implement Jim’s plan to act crazy so that you’d be found not guilty of murder.  Think about that for a second.

Brainstorm (1965) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (1948) written & directed by John Huston; starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston and Tim Holt / Z-View

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The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

Director: John Huston

Screenplay: John Huston; based on THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE by B. Traven

Stars:  Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt, Bruce Bennett, Barton MacLane, Jay Silverheels and Robert Blake.

Tagline: They Sold Their Souls for… “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”

The Plot…

1925.  Mexico.  Fred C. Dobbs is down on his luck.  He’s had to resort to begging since jobs are few and far between.

Fred’s luck changes when he’s hired to be part of the construction crew on a job that should set him right.  Fred meets Bob Curtin, another American on the crew.  They become friends.  When the job is finished, Fred and Bob go to collect their pay… only to find their boss skipped out with their money.

That night in a flophouse, the boys meet an old miner named Howard.  Howard talks about his adventures mining for gold.  How beautiful life is when you hit a vein.  How he knows there’s gold in the hills just waiting to be taken.  How gold changes a man.  Makes him greedy and suspicious.  Willing to turn on a friend.  Fred and Bob both say that’d never happen to them.  Howard laughs.  He’s seen what gold will do to a friendship.

When Fred and Bob get a little grubstake they go to Howard.  They want to form a three-man partnership and become gold miners.  Howard says, he’s old.  The terrain could kill a man and if it doesn’t the bandits that roam the hills would.  Fred and Bob won’t take no for an answer.  Howard says he’s up for one last adventure.

Fred, Bob and Howard head into the mountain range.  Howard was right.  The terrain and bandits are deadly… but the biggest danger is what happens to friends when they strike gold.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre was nominated for five 1949 Academy Awards and won four…

  • Nominee for Best Picture
  • Winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Walter Huston
  • Winner for Best Director – John Huston
  • Winner for Best Writing, Screenplay – John Huston

Walter Huston won for Best Supporting Actor and John Huston won for Best Screenplay.  This was the first father/son Academy Award win.

Bruno Traven, who wrote the novel THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE was a recluse and B. Traven was his penname.  Traven signed contracts, approved the screenplay and director, all by mail.  He was offered $1,000 a week to go to the set as a technical advisor.  He refused but suggested his friend, Hal Croves, to go in his place.  Croves was paid $150 a week.  Some on the set believed Hal Croves was Bruno Traven.

Screenwriter/Director John Huston shows up in a cameo as the American Bogart repeatedly  hits up for money.

Robert Blake appears uncredited as the young boy who sells Bogart the lottery ticket.

Tim Holt is excellent as are Bogart and of course, Huston.

The Treasure of Sierra Madre is a classic.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Hope” (2026) written & directed by Na Hong-jin / Z-View

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Hope (2026)

Director: Na Hong-jin

Screenplay:  Na Hong-jin

Stars:  Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Ko Bum-seok is the Chief of Police for the small town of Hope Harbor. Ko drives to the outskirts of town to meet with a group of hunters.  They found a badly mutilated cow carcass.  Whatever killed the bovine had great strength and huge claws.  The hunters are concerned.  They speculate that it could have been a bear… or a tiger.  Whatever killed the cow is dangerous and needs to be captured or killed before it gets into town.  Concerns rise when more dead and mutilated livestock are found.

Ko radios for back-up but most of the force is off fighting wild fires.  Ko heads into town to alert the townfolk.  The hunters continue deeper into the woods to see if they can pick up the beast’s trail.

When Ko gets to Hope Harbor he finds a path of destruction.  Something is killing everyone in its way.  The trail is easy to follow due to dead bodies and destroyed building walls.  Ko is alone, with no back-up.  He’s scared but pushes on.

Meanwhile the hunters move deeper into the forest.

Neither Ko or the hunters are prepared for what they will find.  No one could be.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although it is never specifically mentioned, the film is set in the 1980s.  Writer/director Na Hong-jin used this time period to increase the isolation of the characters.  No cell phones or internet.  It is much harder to reach out for additional suppport once phone lines are down.

The promotion for Hope (trailers and posters) got my interest early on.  I loved that there was a mystery to what was actually happening.  This carries over to a good section of the movie.  The characters, like the audience want to know what is causing the damage.  And then when we find out — whew!

There is a nice mix of humor, action and mystery.  Na Hong-jin is not afraid to show that his characters have fear.  Their fear causes misteps, accidents and unheroic actions.  Yet these situations are caused by bravery and heroics despite fear.  It’s not often we see set-ups like these in action films.

Na Hong-jin wastes no time setting up the mystery and then getting to the action.

I like Hope.  A lot.  There are just three small nits I would pick.

  1. The ending seemed abrupt.  The final scenes are a great set-up for a sequel but I would have liked a bit more closure for Hope.
  2. Something happens near the end of the movie.  It’s a big moment.  Then in a mid-credits scene, the big moment is negated.  It felt like a cheat.  Was the intent to shock the audience and then say, “Not really.”  Or was the plan to **** spoiler alert**** really kill the character, but test screenings changed that idea?  The mid-credits scene fixed that.
  3. In some of the battles, characters survive things that should have killed them.  They came out with no or very superficial injuries.  The stakes could have been raised if there were more negative/serious outcomes.

Hats off to Na Hong-jin.  Hope is a winner.  I, er, hope we get to see more in this universe.

Hope (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Court Jester” (1955) starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury and Cecil Parker / Z-View

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The Court Jester (1955)

Director: Norman Panama, Melvin Frank

Screenplay:  Norman Panama, Melvin Frank

Stars:  Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil Parker,
Mildred Natwick, Robert Middleton, Michael Pate, Alan Napier and John Carradine.

Tagline: The Musical Romantic Adventure Of This Or Any Year!

The Plot…

King Roderick usurped the throne by killing the royal family.  Or so he thought.  A baby survived.  There is no doubt that the infant is of royal blood, as he possesses the inherited “purple pimpernel” birthmark on his bottom.  The baby is safely hidden away by The Black Fox and his rebel band.

Hubert Hawkins, a minstrel, joined the rebels.  He wanted to be a warrior fighting to overthrow King Roderick.  Unfortunately, Hubert is small, weak and not overly brave.

Roderick has barricaded himself in the King’s castle.  Unaware that a true heir to the throne survives, the king’s army provides support.  The Black Fox knows that their alliegence will change once they see the royal birthmark on the infant.  If they could only get a key to the king’s secret tunnel that would allow them access to the castle.

By chance, the rebels learn that Giacomo is on his way to the castle.  He will begin his new job as the King’s Jester!  A risky plan is quickly put together.  Hubert Hawkins will assume the role of Giacomo the Jester!  He will gain the king’s confidence, steal the key to the tunnel and The Black Fox and his rebels will take it from there.

Of course there are many things that can go wrong… all of them and more will.

Get it?  Got it?  Good!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Court Jester is one of my all time favorite musical/comedies.  There are so many truly funny scenes.  It is well written, well directed and perfectly cast.

Basil Rathbone was a two-time British Army fencing champion.  He was considered by many to be Hollywood’s best sword fighter. As such Rathbone had many famous on-screen sword fights.  His most famous were against Errol Flynn in Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood;  versus John Barrymore in Romeo and Juliet;  against Richard Plantagenet in Tower of London; against Tyrone Power in The Mark of Zorro and in his last on-screen battle versus Danny Kaye in The Court Jester.

The Court Jester (1955) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Suspiria” (1977) directed by Dario Argento; starring Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini and Joan Bennett / Z-View

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Suspiria (1977)

Director: Dario Argento

Screenplay:  Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi; based on Suspiria de Profundis by Thomas De Quincey

Stars:  Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Miguel Bosé, Barbara Magnolfi, Susanna Javicoli, Eva Axén, Alida Valli and Joan Bennett.

Tagline: The Only Thing More Terrifying Than The Last 12 Minutes Of This Film. Are The First 80.

The Plot…

Suzy Bannion, a talented American dancer is excited.  She was accepted to study at the prestigious Tanz dance school in West Germany.  Just prior to Suzy’s arrival a student at the academy was murdered.  That was just the start.  As more students turn up dead, the truth of the school will be revealed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dario Argento’s (co-writer & director) original idea was the story would take place at a dance school for children.  The producers and studio rejected the idea.  They felt having children experience the violence in the film would result in a banned film.  Argento revised the screenplay to consist of young adults… BUT he didn’t rewrite the dialogue.  This explains why some of the dialogue seems childlike.

Most folks like Suspiria much more than me.  I thought it was slow, predictable and not very scary.  Of course, your mileage may vary.

Suspiria (1977) rates 2 of 5 stars.

KILLING TOWN: THE LOST FIRST MIKE HAMMER THRILLER by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collins / Z-View

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KILLING TOWN by Mickey Spillane, Max Allan Collins

First sentence…

The blonde dame in the sleeper car window was damn near naked in front of the mirror on the back of her closed door, and ready to finish the job.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

World War II is over.  Mike Hammer made it back.  Many of his fellow soldiers didn’t.  Now a civilian, Hammer has a promise to keep.

Which is why he sneaks under a train and rides into Killington on the sly.  As Hammer exits from under the train, through a window in a car across the tracks, he spies a woman undressing.   She’s a looker, but Hammer isn’t a Peeping Tom and wants to get out of there before the railyard cops catch him.

So Hammer scoots.

But it isn’t long before Hammer is picked up for murder.  The murder of the woman he saw in the railyard.  The cops get rough trying to get Hammer to confess.  Things look bad.  He was in the railyard.  He saw the woman.  He has no alibi.

And then the cops turn Hammer loose.  Melba Charles, Senator Charles’ beautiful daughter says that Hammer was with her at the time of the murder.  In fact, she says she and Hammer are soon to be married!

Hammer is happy to be free.  He came to Killington to keep a promise.  That’ll get done after.  Now he needs to find the mystery woman’s killer.  But first he needs to meet his future bride and find out why she provided an alibi for a man she’d never met.

+++

KILLING TOWN takes place before Mike Hammer became a private eye.  It was actually an unfinished novel that Mickey Spillane started but never finished.  Max Allan Collins, Spillane’s friend was selected by Spillane to complete the tale.

KILLING TOWN is my one of my favorite Mike Hammer tales… on par with I, THE JURY.  (And I don’t say that lightly.)

Rating:

“The Man Who Laughs” (1928) starring Conrad Veidt & Mary Philbin / Z-View

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The Man Who Laughs (1928)

Director: Paul Leni

Screenplay:  J. Grubb Alexander, Walter Anthony, Mary McLean, Charles E. Whittaker; based on THE MAN WHO LAUGHS by Victor Hugo.

Stars:  Mary Philbin, Conrad Veidt, Olga Baclanova, Brandon Hurst, Cesare Gravina, Stuart Holmes, Samuel de Grasse, George Siegmann, Josephine Crowell.

Tagline: The Man Who laughs With Conrad Veidt as the clown on whose face was carved a horrible, leering grin.

The Plot…

Lord Clancharlie is executed when refuses to kiss the hand of King James.  Vengeance is also taken on Lord Clancharlie’s young son, Gwynplaine. His face is cut so that it appears he always sports a horrific impossibly wide smile.

Exilled young Gwynplaine struggles to find shelter in a winter storm.  He discovers a baby girl still in the arms of her dead mother who froze to death.  Gwynplaine picks up the infant and continues his search for shelter.  Ursus, a traveling showman takes them in.

Years pass. Ursus raises both Gwynplaine and the baby he named Dea. Dea loves Gwynplaine.  Even though he loves her, he feels unworthy due to his disfigurement.  Ironically, Gwynplaine’s disfigurement has made him famous as “The Laughing Man”.   Ursus, Gwynplaine and Dea travel from village to village to perform plays Ursus has written for them.  People come to see the show.  What they really want to see is the freak… the Laughing Man.

Word of The Laughing Man reaches the royal court.  Could this laughing freak be the heir to Lord Clancharlie?   If so, can he be allowed to live?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

To get Gwynplaine’s horrific smile, Conrad Veidt had to wear dentures with metal hooks that pulled back the corners of his mouth.

Conrad Veidt’s appearance in The Man Who Laughs inspired writer Bill Finger and artists Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson to create The Joker, who is the most famous of all Batman villains.

The Man Who Laughs (1928) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Dr. Jack” (1922) starring Harold Lloyd & Mildred Davis / Z-View

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Dr. Jack (1922)

Director: Fred C. Newmeyer

Screenplay:  Hal Roach, Sam Taylor, Jean C. Havez, H. M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis.

Tagline: Here is your “Fountain of Youth.” Here is Joy, Laughter and Inspiration. Here is Lloyd’s Master-piece of Mirth that turns old wrinkles into new smiles, puts electricity in your funny bone and spreads health and happiness.

The Plot…

Dr. Jack Jackson is a young country doctor who prescribes medicine as a last resort.  He keeps his fees low, accepts barter or doesn’t charge patients low on funds.

When Dr. Jack is brought in to consult on the case of a young woman who has been “ill” for years, he suspects her problem is more than a sickness.  The woman is heir to a fortune.  Her father has depended on Dr. Ludwig von Saulsbourg for a cure.  Saulsburg has strung them along with expensive therapies and medicines.

Dr. Jack knows to tread lightly, but knows he’s right.

When the young woman and Dr. Jack begin to fall in love, Saulsbourg decides to use that as a wedge to convince the woman’s father Jack is up to no good.

Will love prevail?  Will the young woman be cured?

The doctor is in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A year after the release of Dr. Jack, stars Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis were married.  They had three children and remained married until Mildred’s death in 1969.

Dr. Jack (1922) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Normal” (2025) starring Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler and Lena Headey / Z-View

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Normal (2025)

Director: Ben Wheatley

Screenplay:  Derek Kolstad, Bob Odenkirk.

Stars:  Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey.

Tagline: Small town. Big secret.

The Plot…

Ulysses Richardson, the interim sheriff of Normal, Minnesota, has an easy gig.  Normal is a small, quiet town full of friendly people.

That all changes when two bumbling crooks try to rob the town’s only bank.  Ulysses goes into the bank to talk the thieves into giving up.  Meanwhile the Mayor, the deputies and many of the townfolk have lined up outside.  They’re armed to the teeth and out for blood.

Inside, Ulysses and the two crooks are shocked.  The vault contains waaaaay more money and gold bars than the small town bank should have.  Way more.

The Mayor informs Ulysses that the goods in the bank belong to a Japanese Yakuza crime syndicate.  The town safeguards the syndicate’s goods and the townfolk get a monthly check.  If Ulysses kills the two robbers, they’ll make him the permanent sheriff and he’ll get paid too.  If Ulysses refuses, the citizens of Normal will kill the Ulysses and the robbers.

Ulysses refuses.

Oh, and the crooks tripped the alarm that notified the crime cartel of the robbery.  A squad of angry Yakuza are on their way now.

Things are about to get crazy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Normal is the third film that Derek Kolstad has written or co-written to star Bob Odenkirk.  The others were Nobody and Nobody 2.

If you’re looking for an over-the-top actionfest that doesn’t worry to much about anything but delivering fun and thrills, then give Normal a go.

Normal (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Kid Brother” (1927) starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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The Kid Brother (1927)

Director: Ted Wilde, J.A. Howe, Harold Lloyd (uncredited), Lewis Milestone (uncredited)

Screenplay:  Howard J. Green

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston.

Tagline: THAR’S LAFF IN THEM THAR REELS! A Gold Mine of mirth…HAROLD LLOYD AS “THE KID BROTHER”

The Plot…

Jim Hickory is the respected Sheriff of Hickoryville, the town named after his family.  Big Jim has three sons.  Leo and Olin are huge, strong barrel chested men like their father.  The youngest son, Harold, has none of their qualities.  Although they love Harold, he doesn’t get the same respect.

The residents of Hickoryville have finally raised enough money to get the state to build a much needed dam.  Big Jim is entrusted to hold the cash until a state representative arrives to collect it.

A traveling show comes to town.  Harold is attracted to Mary, the daughter of the show’s recently deceased owner.  Since her father’s death Mary is influenced by a couple of con men.  Big Jim knows the con men mean trouble.  Harold gets the chance to prove his manhood by shutting down the show.

Things go from bad to worse when the money Big Jim was holding turns up missing.  Big Jim is taken into custody.  There’s talk of lynching Jim if the money doesn’t appear and fast.

It will be up to Harold to save the day… and his father.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Kid Brother was Harold Lloyd’s favorite of all his films.

Lewis Milestone was the original director.  He left after directing a few scenes because of contract issues with Warner Bros.  Ted Wilde to over.  Wilde became ill and was unable to continue.  J.A. Howe picked up the reins with Harold Lloyd assisting to finish the film.  Lloyd helped direct most of his films, but never accepted credit.

If you look closely, you’ll see the list of “Subscribers to County Dam” are actual names of supporting cast members.

The Kid Brother is one of Harold Lloyd’s best silent films but doesn’t get the same respect as Safety Last or The Freshman.  It should.

The Kid Brother (1927) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Predators” (2010) starring Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Oleg Taktarov, Mahershala Ali and Danny Trejo / Z-View

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Predators (2010)

Director:  Nimród Antal

Screenplay:  Alex Litvak, Michael Finch; based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas

Stars:  Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Oleg Taktarov, Mahershala Ali and Danny Trejo.

Tagline: They are the most dangerous killers on the planet… but this is not our planet.

The Plot…

Seven killers awaken in a jungle.   They are…

  • Royce, a mercenary
  • Isabelle, a sniper
  • Stans, a death row inmate
  • Nikoli, a Russian Special Forces soldier
  • Cuchillo, a cartel enforcer
  • Hanzo, a Yakuza enforcer
  • Mombasa, a rebel warrior

With the group is a doctor named Edwin.

Each of them have no memory of how they got there.  In short order they discover they’re on a distant planet.  The animals are dangerous and will kill them.  Worse still, they learn that they’ve been brought to the planet to be hunted by Predators.

There only chance of survival is to band together.

The hunt is on.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The script described Cuchillo as a guy who looked like Danny Trejo.  Danny Trejo got word and called Robert Rodriguez (one of the producers) and said, “Hey, I heard there’s a guy in the script for ‘Predators‘ who looks just like Danny Trejo, and guess what, I look just like Danny Trejo!”

Adrian Brody was an interesting (and unexpected) choice to play the lead.  He does a great job.

Predators is my second favorite movie of the franchise.  (Predator is first.)

Predators (2010) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Enter the Dragon” (1973) starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon and Jim Kelly / Z-View

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Enter the Dragon (1973)

Director: Robert Clouse

Screenplay:  Michael Allin; Bruce Lee (uncredited)

Stars:  Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Ahna Capri, Bob Wall, Shih Kien and Jim Kelly.

Tagline: Their deadly mission: to crack the forbidden island of Han!

The Plot…

Han is a crime lord.  On his private island his word is law.  Han runs a worldwide drug distribution and human trafficking operation.  Each year Han invites the world’s best martial artists to take part in a competition that he hosts on the island.  The winners are potential recruits to his organization.

British Intelligence wants to bring down Han, but they need firsthand evidence. They approach Lee, a martial artist and Shaolin monk.  Lee agrees to go undercover as a participant in the tournament.

Roper, a gambler who loves the good life, is in debt to the mob.  He heads to the island hoping to win money in Han’s tournament.

Williams heads to the island to particpate in the tournament after an incident with racist cops.

Lee, Roper and Williams find themselves under suspicion when Han discovers that someone (but who?) is on his island for reasons other than the tournament.

Whoever it is must die.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jackie Chan plays one of Han’s henchmen who battles Lee.

Bruce Lee died three weeks before the premiere of Enter the Dragon.

Enter the Dragon is a classic.

Enter the Dragon (1973) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Lighter That Failed” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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The Lighter That Failed (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Edna Marion, May Wallace.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

It’s Charley’s birthday and his entire family has gathered for the party.   One of Charley’s gifts is a nice cigarette lighter.  Only problem is it won’t light. Charley’s frustration (and scenery destruction) grows as Charley repeatedly tries to get it working using the objects on hand.

Perhaps using gasoline as fuel for the lighter wasn’t the best idea…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor.  Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.

The Lighter That Failed was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.

The title The Lighter That Failed is a play on Rudyard Kipling’s novel THE LIGHT THAT FAILED.

The Lighter That Failed (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Cape Fear” Season 1 (2026) starring Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, Joe Anders, Lily Collias, CCH Pounder, Malia Pyles, Jamie Hector, Ron Perlman and Juliette Lewis / Z-View

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Cape Fear: Season 1 (2026)

Created by: Nick Antosca; based on THE EXECUTIONERS by John D. MacDonald; Cape Fear by Wesley Strick and Cape Fear by James R. Webb

Director:

  • Morten Tyldum (ep. 1)
  • SJ Clarkson (ep. 2)
  • Amanda Marsalis (ep. 3)
  • Reed Morano (ep. 4)
  • Steven Piet (ep. 5)
  • Trey Edward Shults (ep. 6)
  • Jon S. Baird (ep. 7)
  • Stephen Williams (ep. 8)
  • Amanda Marsalis (ep. 9)
  • Jonathan Van Tulleken (ep. 10)

Teleplay:

  • Nick Antosca (ep. 1)
  • André Jacquemetton & Maria Jacquemetton (ep. 2; 7)
  • Alan Page Arriaga (ep. 3; 8)
  • Tara Shivkumar (ep. 4)
  • Peter Blake (ep. 5)
  • Brian Evenson (ep. 6)
  • Diana Pawell & Peter Blake (ep. 9)
  • Nick Antosca & Peter Blake & Tara Shivkumar (ep. 10)

Stars:  Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, Joe Anders, Lily Collias, CCH Pounder, Malia Pyles, Jamie Hector, Ron Perlman and Juliette Lewis.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

From the outside Anna and Tom Bowden look like they have it all.  They’re both successful attorneys.  The have two children, a boy and a girl… a big house… nice salaries.  Yeah, from the outside it looks like all is good.

It’s not.

The marriage isn’t smooth sailing.  Their son is going through mental issues.  Their daughter feels isolated due to their parents’ and brother’s issues.

Then Max Cady shows up.  Max was just released from prison after seventeen years.  Cady has been convicted of killing his pregnant wife.  Cady was released due to someone else confessing to the murder.

Cady blames  Anna and Tom Bowden for his seventeen years in prison.  Anna was his defense attorney.  Tom was the prosecutor.  Cady believes they were having a relationship at the time of his trial.  Worse still they did something to make sure Cady was convicted.

But Cady is out now.  And he will have his revenge.  On Anna.  On Tom.  And their children.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Cape Fear is based on John D. MacDonald’s novel THE EXECUTIONERS, as well as the two movie adaptations of it.

There’s a definite attempt to give this adaptation a Hitchcock-feel from the way some of the scenes are shot to the soundtrack.

I am a huge fan of the Cape Fear movies.  I believe the series suffers because it’s hard to root for the Bowden family, because they are so unlikeable.

Bardem had big shoes to fill, following Robert Mitchum and Robert DeNiro.  He does an admirable job.

Ron Perlman has a small but important role.  He’s a welcome addition to the cast.  Same could be said for CCH Pounder, Jamie Hector and Juliette Lewis.

Cape Fear: Season 1 (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.