Category: Trivia

“The Faculty” (1998) directed by Robert Rodriguez / Z-View

The Faculty (1998)

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Screenplay: Kevin Williamson; story by David Wechter, Bruce Kimmel

Stars: Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy, Salma Hayek, Famke Janssen, Piper Laurie, Christopher McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Patrick, Usher, Daniel von Bargen, Elijah Wood, Jon Abrahams, Danny Masterson, Harry Knowles and Jon Stewart.

Tagline: Six students are about to find out their teachers really are from another planet.

The Plot…

When some members of the Herrington High faculty begin to act strangely, only a few students notice. Delilah (Brewster) and Casey (Wood) secretly see two teachers turning another faculty member and realize aliens are involved.

Only four of their closest friends believe what is happening.  As more of the faculty and students are turned the six students realize it is up to them to stop the alien takeover.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Faculty is like a love letter to horror movies of the 1950s geared to high school students with a nice helping of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing.

The Faculty features Jordana Brewster and Usher’s film debut.

Bebe Neuwirth and Robert Patrick own their scenes.

The Faculty (1998) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“14 Hours” (1951) starring Paul Douglas and Richard Basehart / Z-View

14 Hours (1951)

Director: Henry Hathaway

Screenplay: John Paxton; based on The Man on the Ledge by Joel Sayre

Stars: Paul Douglas, Richard Basehart, Barbara Bel Geddes, Debra Paget, Agnes Moorehead, Robert Keith, Howard Da Silva, Jeffrey Hunter, Martin Gabel, Frank Faylen, Jeff Corey, James Millican, Donald Randolph, Richard Beymer, John Cassavetes, Ossie Davis, Leif Erickson, Brian Keith, Rusty Lane and Grace Kelly.

Tagline: From the edge of the ledge he defied them all!

The Plot…

Robert Cosick (Basehart) has climbed out on the 15th story ledge outside his hotel room.  Cosick is threatening to jump.  The first officer on the scene is street cop Charlie Dunnigan (Douglas).  Dunnigan begins talking to Cosick in an attempt to get him to come back in.

When Dunnigan’s Chief and the police psychologist arrive, Dunnigan is sent back down to help with crowd control.  Cosick refuses to talk with anyone but Dunnigan, so he’s brought back up.

On ground level a crowd has formed.  It’s a circus atmosphere. Some want Cosick to jump while others are betting on the time he comes off the ledge.

As the minutes turn into hours, the chance of a safe outcome grows smaller.  The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

14 Hours features the film debut of Grace Kelly, Joyce Van Patten and John Cassavetes.  In addition, Jeffrey Hunter, Brian Keith and Ossie Davis have bit parts.

14 Hours is based on a real incident from 1938.  After a 12 hour standoff, a man jumped 17 stories to his death.

To Catch a Killer (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Breakout” (1975) starring Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall & Jill Ireland / Z-View

Breakout (1975)

Director: Tom Gries

Screenplay: Howard B. Kreitsek, Marc Norman; based on THE TEN SECOND BREAKOUT by Elliott Baker

Stars: Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall, Jill Ireland, Randy Quaid, Sheree North, Jorge Moreno, Emilio Fernández, Paul Mantee, Alan Vint, Alejandro Rey, Roy Jenson, Sidney Clute, Chalo González and John Huston.

Tagline: Sentenced to 28 years in prison for a crime he never committed. Only two things can get him out – A lot of money and Charles Bronson!

The Plot…

Jay Wagner (Duvall) is framed for murder and sent to a Mexican prison.  All hope is lost.  Unwilling to give up, Jay’s wife, Ann (Ireland) turns to Nick Colton (Bronson).  Colton is a pilot with a crazy plan that just might work.

What Colton doesn’t know is the people that framed Jay will go to any length to see he never leaves prison.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tom Gries directed two Charles Bronson films in 1975; this one and Breakheart Pass.

Believe it or not, this film was based on a real life Mexican prison escape using a helicopter.

With Charles Bronson and Robert Duvall starring, I was hoping for a better movie.

Breakout (1975) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Arnold” (2023) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger / Z-View

Arnold (2023)

Director: Lesley Chilcott

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Cameron, Sylvester Stallone, Linda Hamilton, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Frank Zane, Boyer Coe, Jay Leno, Franco Columbu and Ivan Reitman.

Tagline: A city at the center of chaos. A detective with special skills. A madman testing her limits.

The Plot…

Arnold is a three part mini-series on the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Each episode has a focus: 1) Athlete, 2) Actor and 3) American.  Arnold shares photos, videos and behind-the-scenes stories.  He is surprisingly frank about his life, including mistakes he’s made along the way.

It would have been easy for Arnold to just put the spotlight on his successes. Kudos to him for speaking frankly about his triumphs and shortfalls.

Arnold (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Breakheart Pass” (1975) starring Charles Bronson / Z-View

Breakheart Pass (1975)

Director: Tom Gries

Screenplay:  Alistair MacLean; based on BREAKHEART PASS by Alistair MacLean

Stars: Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna, Jill Ireland, Charles Durning, Ed Lauter, Bill McKinney, David Huddleston, Roy Jenson, Rayford Barnes, Scott Newman, Robert Tessier, Joe Kapp, Sally Kirkland, Eddie Little Sky, Paul Frees (voice) and Archie Moore.

Tagline: Death rode the express to Breakheart Pass.

The Plot…

A train is heading to Fort Humbold, a remote frontier outpost.  The soldiers at the fort have reported a diphtheria outbreak.  The train carries medical supplies, replacement soldiers, and civilians including Governor Fairchild (Crenna) and his fiancée Marica (Ireland), the daughter of the fort’s commander.  Also on board are U.S. Marshal Pearce (Johnson) and his prisoner, John Deakin (Bronson).

As the train gets further from civilization, people started turning up murdered.  There is a killer or killers on board.  To complicate matters, outlaw Levi Calhoun (Tessier) has joined with Chief White Hand (Little Sky) to rob the train of the weapons being taken to the fort.

No one knows who can be trusted.  As the bodies pile up, secrets are revealed and a conspiracy unfolds.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Breakheart Pass is a real location in Nevada’s Rocky Mountains.  And yes, trains pass through it.

The railroad cars that go off track and are destroyed weren’t miniatures.  They were actual full-sized train cars.

Archie Moore, the longest fighter to hold the light heavyweight title, has a featured role.  Moore fought in three weight divisions over his career.  He held the light heavyweight title for ten years!  His boxing record was 186 – 23.

Breakheart Pass is an under-rated Charles Bronson film.

Breakheart Pass (1975) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“London After Midnight” directed by Tod Browning, starring Lon Chaney – The Lost Film

London After Midnight is a lost film from 1927.  It was directed by Tod “Dracula” Browning and starred Lon “The Man of One Thousand Faces” Chaney.

London After Midnight was one of eight films Browning and Chaney made together,  The last known copy of the film was destroyed in the MGM vault fire of 1965.  I continue to hope another copy of the film will turn up one day.

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

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.

RIP: James Earl Jones

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.

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

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

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

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.

“Tall in the Saddle” (1944) starring John Wayne, Ella Raines & Ward Bond / Z-View

Tall in the Saddle (1944)

Director: Edwin L. Marin

Screenplay: Michael Hogan, Paul Fix; based on TALL IN THE SADDLE by Gordon Ray Young

Stars: John Wayne, Ella Raines, Ward Bond, George ‘Gabby’ Hayes, Audrey Long, Elisabeth Risdon, Donald Douglas, Paul Fix, Russell Wade, Emory Parnell, Harry Woods,  and Clem Bevans.

Tagline: A Man Looking For TROUBLE…could always find it in Santa Inez!

The Plot…

Rocklin (Wayne) a big stoic cowboy arrives in Santa Inez.  Rocklin has come to town to take the foreman job at Red Cardell’s ranch.  Only problem is Red was recently murdered.

Despite some run-ins and encouragement to move on, Rocklin is determined to find out who killed Red.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ward Bond was a friend and regular co-star of John Wayne.  They appeared in 23 films together.

If you’re a fan of old school westerns, you should enjoy Tall in the Saddle.

Tall in the Saddle (1944) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Mr. McMahon” – The Trailer is Here!

The trailer for Mr. McMahon is here.

I haven’t watched wrestling regularly since my boys were young, but I plan to watch this.

Deal me in.

Mr. McMahon chronicles the rise and fall of Vince McMahon, controversial businessman and co-founder of WWE. From his transformation of the WWE from a small, regional business into a global entertainment powerhouse to the explosive sexual misconduct allegations that led to his eventual resignation, this six-episode series offers a deep dive into McMahon’s life and his enduring franchise.

Culled from over 200 hours of interviews with McMahon himself (prior to his resignation), his family members, business associates and some of the most iconic names in wrestling history, as well as the journalists who uncovered McMahon’s allegations — filmmaker Chris Smith (Tiger King) and executive producer Bill Simmons (30 for 30) present an unflinching, no-holds-barred look at one of the most enigmatic figures in sports entertainment.

“To Catch a Killer” (2023) directed by Damián Szifron, starring Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo and Ralph Ineson / Z-View

To Catch a Killer (2023)

Director: Damián Szifron

Screenplay: Damián Szifron, Jonathan Wakeham

Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo, Ralph Ineson, Richard Zeman, Dusan Dukic, Jason Cavalier, Darcy Laurie, Mark Camacho, Marcello Bezina and Maurizio Terrazzano.

Tagline: A city at the center of chaos. A detective with special skills. A madman testing her limits.

The Plot…

A sniper from a high rise begins shooting New Year’s Eve rooftop partiers.  Dozens of people are killed.  The sniper is fast and efficient.  One shot.  One kill.  Police throughout the area are called to respond.  An explosion rocks the building used by the sniper.  As people begin pouring out of the structure, street cop, Eleanor Falco (Woodley) begins recording faces and tells other officers to do the same.

Special Agent Lammark of the FBI (Mendelsohn) is put in charge of the case.  He learns that Eleanor had the presence of mind to record those exiting the building.  Lammark speaks with her and is quickly impressed with her frankness and intuition.  Lammark invites Eleanor to join him and FBI agent Jack McKenzie (Adepo) on the case. She accepts.

Lammark gets some pushback from higher ups at the FBI.  Eleanor had applied to the Bureau and been rejected.  She had no college and things in her background that made her unacceptable.  Lammark stands his ground and Eleanor is kept on the team.

The sniper killed dozens of people.  Another mass killing is coming soon.  As Lammark, Eleanor and McKenzie work the case, the public outcry intensifies.  Politicians and FBI brass put the pressure on Lammark.

Then they get the break they need…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I absolutely loved To Catch a Killer.  Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn and Ralph Ineson give power house performances.  This is Damián Szifron’s first time directing an English language film and he hit a home run.  Kudos also to Damián Szifron and Jonathan Wakeham for their screenplay.

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

Lethal Weapon (1987) directed by Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson & Danny Glover / Z-View

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Director: Richard Donner

Screenplay:  Shane Black; Jeffrey Boam (uncredited)

Stars: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Jackie Swanson, Ebonie Smith, Bill Kalmenson, Lycia Naff, Don Gordon, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Jason Ronard, Blackie Dammett,  Mary Ellen Trainor, Jack Thibeau, Ed O’Ross, Joan Severance and Al Leong.

Tagline: After 20 years on the force, police detective Roger Murtaugh has come face-to-face with the most dangerous killing machine in Los Angeles… his new partner.

The Plot…

Martin Riggs (Gibson) was a Special Forces Ranger.  Now he’s a Los Angeles police Sergeant.  Since the unexpected death of his wife, Riggs’ behavior has become erratic.  Riggs’ Captain thinks Riggs is faking it to get early retirement.  The police psychologist isn’t so sure.  So the Captain teams Riggs with 20 year veteran Homicide Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Glover). The Captain figures Murtaugh will keep Riggs in line.

Murtaugh quickly discovers Riggs ain’t faking it.

An old friend of Murtaugh contacts him for help.  The friend’s daughter is into drugs, prostitution and pornography.  When Murtaugh and Riggs investigate, they discover a high level para-military organization acting as a drug cartel.

Now Murtaugh and Riggs are marked for death.  If the cartel doesn’t kill them, Riggs’ death wish might.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Richard Donner dedicated the film to legendary stuntman, Dar Robinson, who died shortly after filming was completed.

Gibson was 30 playing a character that is 38.  Glover was 40 playing a 50 year old.

Blackie Dammett whose real name is John Kiedis plays a drug dealer that gets The Three Stooges treatment from Gibson.  Dammett is the father of Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Richard Donner brought in Jeffrey Boam for an uncredited rewrite of Shane Black’s script.  Donner thought Black’s take was too dark.  Boam was brought in again for a clean-up on Lethal Weapon 2.  Boam then wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon 3.

Traci Wolfe played Murtaugh’s teenage daughter that had a crush on Riggs.  At the time of filming Wolfe was 26 and Gibson was 30.

Lethal Weapon is one of my all-time favorite films.  Notice I didn’t just say “action films”.  Everything about this one is right.

Lethal Weapon (1987) rates 5 of 5 stars.