Category: Trivia

RIP Lalo Schifrin

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Lalo Schifrin died yesterday from from complications of pneumonia. Mr. Schifrin was 93.

Lalo Schifrin was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  His birth name was Boris Claudio Schifrin.  He legally changed his name to Lalo when he came to the United States.

Lalo Schifrin was trained as a classical musician before falling in love with jazz.  Mr. Schifrin received a scholarship to the Conservatoire de Paris.   He studied during the day and played jazz in clubs at night.  While still in his twenties, Mr. Schifrin returned to Argentina.  He began radio, television, and film work.  Mr. Schifrin wrote for Xavier Cugat’s dance orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington.  He was also recording his own music.

  • Lalo Schifrin began to get work for American television and films.  He became one of the most prolific and productive composers.  He was nominated for six Academy Awards, and in 2019 was given an Honorary Oscar.  Mr. Schifrin was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards as well as three Golden Globes.  He was nominated for 19 Grammy Awards and won four.

Mr. Schifrin has 226 composer credits and 207 soundtrack credits on his IMDb resume.  Some of his best known works include the themes to THE Cat; Mission Impossible, Mannix and Starsky and Hutch.   Some of his best known film scores include Enter the Dragon, Cool Hand Luke, Bullitt, Dirty Harry, Rush Hour, The Amityville Horror, The Eagle Has Landed and so many others.

Mr. Schifrin’s best known composition is probably the Mission Impossible theme song.  It’s a classic.  My sentimental favorite is for Enter the Dragon.  Truth is, I loved all of his music.  Mr. Schifrin is a legend for good reason.  His music which will live on forever.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Lalo Schifrin’s family, friends and fans.

“Con Air” (1997) written by Scott Rosenberg; directed by Simon West, starring Nicholas Cage, John Cusack & John Malkovich / Z-View

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Con Air (1997)

Director:  Simon West

Screenplay: Scott Rosenberg

Stars: Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Colm Meaney, Mykelti Williamson, Nick Chinlund, Renoly Santiago, Ving Rhames, Dave Chappelle, Rachel Ticotin, Steve Eastin, Danny Trejo, M.C. Gainey, Landry Allbright, Monica Potter, Brendan Kelly, Jesse Borrego and Steve Buscemi.

Tagline:  Buckle Up!

The Plot…

Eight years ago Cameron Poe, a decorated Army Ranger was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.  A drunken thug had attacked Poe and his pregnant wife.  Poe accidentally killed the man.  Poe has been a model prisoner and is set to be paroled.

Poe is one of the convicts set to board a prison transport plane.  Most of the other felons are headed to a supermax prison.  They include a serial rapist, an arsonist, a drug lord, a mass murderer, a terrorist, a psycho criminal genius, and a serial killer.

The convicts take over the plane.  They murdered to get control.  They’ll kill anyone who tries to stop them.  It will be up to Poe to see they don’t succeed in their escape.

As the tag line says, “Buckle Up!”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Con Air was nominated for two 1998 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Best Music, Original Song – Diane Warren, For the song “How Do I Live”.
  • Nominee for Best Best Sound – Kevin O’Connell,Greg P. Russell, Art Rochester

Con Air is dedicated to Phil Swartz, an effects specialist who was killed when a rigged plane fell and crushed him.

Con Air is a fun, over-the-top action film.  Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Con Air (1997) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Braveheart” (1995) directed & starring Mel Gibson / Z-View

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Braveheart (1995)

Director:  Mel Gibson

Screenplay: Randall Wallace

Stars: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen, Sean Lawlor, James Cosmo, Ralph Riach, Ellen Greene, Brendan Gleeson, Tommy Flanagan and Brian Cox.

Tagline:  Every man dies, not every man really lives.

The Plot…

In the year 1280, King Edward 1 of England known as Longshanks conquers Scotland.  Longshanks installs Overlords to rule.  The people of Scotland have lost their freedom and are treated poorly.  William Wallace was just a boy.  His father and older brother were killed in the war to keep Scotland free.  William was sent away to live with his Uncle.

Now a man, William returns to the village of his birth.  He sees firsthand the mistreatment of the Scottish people.  William secretly marries his childhood sweetheart.  They wed in secret because Longshanks has granted his English Overlords jus primae noctis.  This law allows the English rulers the right to have sex with any Scottish female.  The Overlords especially like to take advantage of this on the bride’s wedding night.

When pushed too far, William leads the overthrow of the local English ruler.  The Scottish people rally around William’s charismatic leadership.  Soon he has a small army.  After winning several battles, William allows a survivor to live.  William tells him, “Go back to England and tell them there that Scotland’s daughters and her sons are yours no more. Tell them Scotland is free.”

Longshanks is unwilling to give up Scotland.  He sends his armies to put down the rebellion and kill William Wallace.

All men die, but not all truly live.  This is the story of William Wallace

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Braveheart was nominated for ten 1996 Academy Awards and won five…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score – James Horner
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Steven Rosenblum
  • Nominee for Best Best Sound – Andy Nelson, Scott Millan, Anna Behlmer, Brian Simmons
  • Nominee for Best Costume Design – Charles Knode
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Randall Wallace
  • Winner for Best Makeup – Peter Frampton, Paul Pattison, Lois Burwell
  • Winner for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Lon Bender, Per Hallberg
  • Winner for Best Cinematography – John Toll
  • Winner for Best Director – Mel Gibson
  • Winner for Best Picture – Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr., Bruce Davey

Braveheart, while fictionalized, does what Gibson intended.  It entertains and inspires.

Braveheart (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Léon: The Professional” (1994) written & directed by Luc Besson; starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman & Natalie Portman / Z-View

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Léon: The Professional (1994)

Director:  Luc Besson

Screenplay: Luc Besson

Stars: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel, Don Creech, Michael Badalucco, Ellen Greene and Frank Senger.

Tagline:  A professional hitman, an innocent witness, a corrupt detective who went too far

The Plot…

Twelve year old Mathilda is about to walk into her family apartment when she realizes something is wrong.  So she walks past the door and down to her neighbor Leon’s home.  Leon is hesitant but allows Mathilda in.

Leon knew Mathilda came from a dysfunctional household.  She lived with her little brother, stepmother and father.  Leon and Mathilda learn that her dad was working with drug-dealing DEA agents.  When the cooked cops discovered that dad was stealing from them, they decided to make an example of him.  Mathilda almost walked in as the cops were killing her father, step-mother and even her little brother.

Mathilda has no one.  She begs Leon to take her in.  He agrees to let her stay.  Mathilda is surprised to learn that her simple-minded neighbor is a professional killer.  Mathilda asks Leon to train her.  She wants to avenge her little brother.  Leon’s apartment contains many weapons.  He teaches Mathilda basics about some of them.

While Leon is on a job, Mathilda gathers some of Leon’s guns.  She then leaves him a note and heads out to kill the corrupt cops that murdered her little brother.  Leon knows that a little 12 year old girl has no hope of surviving a gun battle with trained cops.

But he might.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jean Reno came up with the idea to play Leon as mentally slow and emotionally repressed. Reno felt that audiences would then better accept that 12 year old Mathilda was safe living with a grown man.

The International version contains more scenes of  “awkward sexual tension” than the American release.  American test audiences did not like the scenes where Mathilda professes to love Leon.  Natalie Portman has said that she’s asked more about this film than any of her other performances.  She further stated that Mathilda and Leon’s relationship hasn’t aged well.

Leon is Natalie Portman’s feature film debut.

Keith A. Glascoe played Benny.  Glascoe later left acting to become a NY City Fireman. Mr. Glascoe died in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001.  RIP.

Léon: The Professional (1994) rates 5 of 5 stars

RIP: Bobby Sherman

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It was announced today that Bobby Sherman died today from stage 4 kidney cancer. Mr. Sherman was 81.

Bobby Sherman was born Robert Cabot Sherman Jr..  His professional career began as a singer when Sal Mineo arranged for the recording of two songs that Mineo had specifically written for Mr. Sherman.  Not long after this, Bobby Sherman landed a featured role on the television series Shindig!. This led to more records as well as appearances in teen magazines.

In 1968, Bobby Sherman landed the co-starring role as Jeremy Bolt on the television series Here Come the Brides.  It made Bobby Sherman a star.  During the show’s run Bobby Sherman received more fan mail than any other star on ABC.  Here Come the Brides. ran from 1968 – 1970.

For the rest of his entertainment career Bobby Sherman made records, appeared on television, in two feature films, and live concerts.  Although he still made television guest appearances, Bobby Sherman’s career shifted to public service.

Mr. Sherman became a paramedic.  He volunteered with the LA Police Department  where he taught first aide classes.  In the 1990s, Bobby Sherman became an LA Reserve Police Officer.  In 1999, Bobby Sherman earned LAPD’s Reserve Officer of the Year Award. Mr. Sherman became a reserve deputy sheriff in 1999 with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department where he continued CPR and emergency training of new deputies.

Some of the television projects that feature Bobby Sherman include:  Shindig! (28 episodes); Honey West; The Monkees; The F.B.I.; Here Come the Brides (52 episodes); The Partridge Family; Getting Together (14 episodes); Cade’s County; Mod Squad (2 episodes); Emergency; Ellery Queen; Jigsaw John; The Gossip Columnist; Fantasy Island; The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo; The Love Boat (2 episodes); Murder, She Wrote; Blacke’s Magic; Sanchez of Bel Aire (13 episodes) and Frazier.

Bobby Sherman’s feature film appearances are: Wild in the Streets; He is My Brother and Get Crazy.

As a singer, Bobby Sherman released 107 songs, 23 singles and 10 albums between 1962 and 1976.  Mr. Sherman had seven top 40 hits, seven gold singles, one platinum single as well as five gold albums.  Bobby Sherman’s biggest top ten hits were Little Woman [#3 in 1969]; La La La (If I Had You) [#9 in 1969]; Julie, Do Ya Love Me [#5 in 1970] and Easy Come, Easy Go [#9 in 1970].

I probably first saw Bobby Sherman when he appeared on The Monkees. Of course I remember him best from his co-starring role on Here Come the Brides.  When someone says “teen idol” it is Bobby Sherman that I think of first.  He was in all the teen magazines and the girls loved him.  He was also one of the few teen idols that the guys didn’t seem to mind.

I always admired that Bobby Sherman gave up the celebrity life for one of public service.  He didn’t just talk the talk.  Bobby Sherman walked the walk.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bobby Sherman’s family, friends and fans.

“In the Line of Fire” (1993) directed by Wolfgang Petersen; starring Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich and Rene Russo / Z-View

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In the Line of Fire (1993)

Director:  Wolfgang Petersen

Screenplay: Jeff Maguire

Stars: Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo, John Leguizamo, Dylan McDermott, Gary Cole, Fred Thompson, John Mahoney, Sally Hughes, Elsa Raven, Arthur Senzy, Patrika Darbo  and Tobin Bell.

Tagline:  An assassin on the loose. A president in danger. Only one man stands between them…

The Plot…

November 22, 1963.  Frank Horrigan was a young secret service agent hand-picked by President Kennedy to serve on his security detail.  That day President Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald.  The memory still haunts Horrigan.

Nearly 30 years later, Horrigan, nearing retirement is the only active Secret Service agent who was on President Kennedy’s detail the day he was assassinated. Being a secret service agent is a young man’s job.

During an investigation Horrigan finds a wall filled with articles and photographs of infamous assassinations.  Included is a cover photo of the current President.  A bold red marker has been used to draw a rifle’s crosshairs over the President’s face.  Horrigan gets a search warrant and returns.  He finds only one photo on the wall.  It is of President Kennedy taken on the day he was assassinated.  Behind Kennedy stands Horrigan.  In the photo, Horrigan’s face has been circled with a bold red marker.

Later Horrigan receives a phone call from a man who identifies himself as “Booth”.  Booth says that he is going to kill the President.  Booth taunts Horrigan about failing to save President Kennedy.  This call will be just the first of the killer’s game.  Horrigan knows that this isn’t some crank. The threat to the President is real.  What Horrigan doesn’t know is the caller is an ex-CIA assassin with a grudge.

What chance does an aging Secret Service Agent have against a trained assassin?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In the Line of Fire was nominated for three 1994 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Anne V. Coates
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Jeff Maguire
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – John Malkovich

Clint Eastwood (at the age of 62) wearing a safety harness actually did hang six stories above  the street for one of the scenes.

Speaking of Eastwood’s age, he initially turned down the role. He felt he time had passed to play someone in their early 50’s.  Thankfully, Eastwood was wrong and convinced to play the part.

John Malkovich improvised the scene where he puts Eastwood’s gun in his mouth.

In the Line of Fire (1993) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Carlito’s Way” (1993) directed by Brian De Palma; starring Al Pacino & Sean Penn / Z-View

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Carlito’s Way (1993)

Director:  Brian De Palma

Screenplay: David Koepp; based on CARLITO’S WAY and AFTER HOURS by Edwin Torres 

Stars: Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo, Ingrid Rogers, Luis Guzmán, James Rebhorn, Richard Foronjy, Frank Minucci, Adrian Pasdar, John Ortiz, Al Israel, Rick Aviles, Jaime Sánchez  and Viggo Mortensen.

Tagline:  In his world, you got to shoot your way out. He wanted out. He’d do anything to get there.

The Plot…

The year is 1975.  When Carlito Brigante gets released from prison after serving just five years of a thirty year stretch, he is determined to leave a life of crime behind.  Carlito hopes to get back with his ex-girlfriend Gail.  Once he has the cash, they’ll retire to the Caribbean.

How hard should it be to walk the straight and narrow?

Carlito’s cousin, Guajiro, asks Carlito to accompany him on a drug deal. Guajiro just wants Carlito there for moral support.  It will be an easy exchange.  Of course things go south.  Guajiro is killed.  Carlito shoots his way out with the cash from the drug deal.

Carlito’s buddy Dave Kleinfeld, is the lawyer who used a legal technicality to get Carlito out of prison.  Now Dave wants Carlito’s help with some thing not exactly legal.  How can Carlito turn him down?

Plus Benny Blanco, a young hotshot gangster wanna-be wants to go into “business” with Carlito.  Carlito turns Benny down repeatedly.

Carlito’s dream of a life free of crime in paradise with Gail is put at risk with every move he makes.

Will Carlito’s way become a dream or nightmare?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Carlito’s Way is based on two novels (CARLITO’S WAY and AFTER HOURS) by Edwin Torres.  Torres also wrote the novel Q&A which was the basis for the movie of the same name.  Torres, in addition to being a novelist, was a New York State Supreme Court Judge.

Carlito’s Way is based on two novels.  Most of the film comes from the second book, AFTER HOURS.  The title of the first novel was kept as the title of the movie, mostly to void confusion with Martin Scorsese’s movie After Hours.

When folks think of Al Pacino’s greatest films, they think Godfather I & II, Heat and Dog Day Afternoon.  Carlito’s Way should be on that list.

Carlito’s Way (1993) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Predator” (1987) directed by John McTiernan; starring Arnold Schwarzenegger / Z-View

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Predator (1987)

Director:  John McTiernan

Screenplay: Jim Thomas, John Thomas

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, R.G. Armstrong, Shane Black,
Franco Columbu and Sven-Ole Thorsen.

Tagline:  If it bleeds, we can kill it…

The Plot…

A helicopter carrying a diplomat is shot down in a Central American jungle.  The CIA sends in Agent Al Dillon to oversee the rescue mission led by Major “Dutch” Schaefer and his team of mercenaries.

Shortly after their drop-off in the jungle, the team finds three skinned corpses strung upside down from a tree.  Dutch learns that his team was sent in under false pretenses.  Even worse, as the team will soon discover, an alien predator with advanced technology is stalking them.

It wants warrior trophies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jean-Claude Van Damme (5’9″) was originally cast as the Predator.  It was soon decided that JCVD’s Predator (much shorter than Schwarzenegger and the rest of his squad) was not imposing enough.  Kevin Peter Hall (7’2″) ended up playing the Predator.

John McTiernan was chosen to helm Predator after Ridley Scott, James Cameron, John Milius, John Carpenter, Renny Harlin and others turned it down.  McTiernan proved to be the right choice.

Kevin Peter Hall can be seen as one of the helicopter pilots at the end of the film.  John McTiernan gave him the role as a reward for his performance in the Predator suit.

Shane Black, the actor who plays one of the rescue squad soldiers is better known as the screenwriter for Lethal Weapon and other films.

Both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura would go on to become state governors in real life.

Predator is a classic.

Predator (1987) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Die Hard 2” directed by Renny Harlin; starring Bruce Willis / Z-View

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Die Hard 2 (1990)

Director:  Renny Harlin

Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza, Doug Richardson; based on 58 MINUTES by Walter Wagner

Stars: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson, Franco Nero, William Sadler, Dennis Franz, Art Evans, Fred Thompson, Tom Bower, Sheila McCarthy, Don Harvey, Tony Ganios, Robert Patrick, John Leguizamo and John Amos.

Tagline: Wrong Place, Wrong Time, Same John McClane

The Plot…

Christmas Eve two years after the events at Nakatomi Tower.  John McClane is now a lieutenant with the LAPD.

While waiting to pick up his wife at the at Dulles International Airport, McClane notices two men sneaking into a restricted area.  McClane pulls his police ID and follows.  When McClane identifies himself, the two men pull guns and begin shooting.  McClane returns fire.  After a short gun battle, McClane kills one. The second man escapes.

McClane meets with Carmine Lorenzo airport police chief, and Ed Trudeau, air traffic control director.  McClane is concerned that the two men were part of a bigger team planning a major terrorist attack.  Neither Lorenzo or Trudeau are willing to accept that.

McClane is right.  What nobody knows is the Ramon Esperanza, a cartel drug lord, is in custody.  He’s on a plane headed for  Dulles International.  A squad of ex-military mercenaries led by disgraced US Colonel William Stuart have plans to liberate Esperanza.  It will be up to McClane to stop them.

What chance does one cop have against a group of heavily armed terrorists?  Anyone remember Nakatomi Tower?

Yippi-Ki-Yay, mother*******.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Die Hard 2 is loosely based on the Walter Wagner novel 58 MINUTES.  A lot was changed for the film.  Don’t read the book expecting Die Hard 2 the movie.

Die Hard was loosely based on Roderick Thorp’s novel NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.  Thorp was given credit in Die Hard 2 for creating  “certain original characters”.  His name was misspelled as Thorpe in the credits.

Because Willis’ ad-libbed many of the most popular lines in Die Hard, he was given free reign to ad-lib all he wanted in Die Hard 2.

Die Hard 2 did almost twice the box office of Die Hard.  This insured that the franchise would continue.

Roman Esperanza, the drug lord, was said to be from Val Verde.  This is the same fictional country used in Commando.  John McClane and John Matrix could have teamed up!

Die Hard 2 is a worthy follow-up to the original.

Die Hard 2 (1990) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Die Hard” (1988) directed by John McTiernan; starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman / Z-View

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Die Hard (1988)

Director:  John McTiernan

Screenplay: Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza; based on NOTHING LASTS FOREVER by Roderick Thorp

Stars: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, De’voreaux White, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, James Shigeta, Alexander Godunov, Andreas Wisniewski, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Lorenzo Caccialanza  and Al Leong.

Tagline: High above the city of L.A. a team of terrorists has seized a building, taken hostages and declared war. One man has managed to escape. An off-duty cop hiding somewhere inside. He’s alone, tired… and the only chance anyone has got.

The Plot…

New York City detective John McClane has flown to LA on Christmas Eve.  McClane is hoping to get back with with his estranged wife, Holly.  But first they have to attend Holly’s work Christmas party at the Nakatomi Towers.  Holly’s moving up in the Nakatomi corporation and that’s one of the problems in the McClane marriage.

The party is just getting underway when John arrives.  He excuses himself to clean up in one of the company restrooms.  Everyone else is gathered together for the party’s kick-off.  That’s when a group of heavily armed terrorists led by Hans Gruber busts in.  They take everyone at the party hostage.  Except for John McClane.

McClane realizes what is happening. He’s alone and unarmed.  The terrorists have cut off all communications to/from the tower.  When they realize McClane is there, one of the armed terrorists is sent to retrieve him.  McClane manages to kill the terrorist.  He takes the assassins machine gun and radio.

As the terrorists move forward with their plan (and it ain’t getting a ransom for the Nakatomi party-goers), they begin to hunt for John McClane.  Killing him with be a bonus.  What chance does one tired off-duty cop have against a band of armed mercenaries?

Yippi-Ki-Yay, mother*******.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Die Hard was nominated for four 1989 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Visual Effects – Richard Edlund, Al Di Sarro, Brent Boates, Thaine Morris
  • Nominee for Best Sound Effects Editing – Stephen Hunter Flick, Richard Shorr
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Frank J. Urioste, John F. Link
  • Nominee for Best Sound – Don J. Bassman, Kevin F. Cleary, Richard Overton, Al Overton Jr.

Die Hard is loosely based on the Roderick Thorp novel NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.  A lot was changed for the film.  Don’t read the book expecting Die Hard the movie.

Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and many other big name movie stars were offered the role of John McClane.  Even Frank Sinatra was courted to play the lead.  Everyone asked turned it down.  Bruce Willis, a television lead at a time when tv was seen as way below feature films, was paid $5 million to star.  In many of the first posters and ads for Die Hard, Willis’ name was not played up.  The movie went on to be a hit with audiences and shot Bruce Willis into the top tier of movie actors.

Die Hard features Alan Rickman’s first feature film role.  He is perfect as Hans Gruber.

Die Hard was added to the National film registry by the Library of Congress in 2017 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Hart Bochner is on point as the smarmy executive that overplays his hand with Hans Gruber.

Die Hard is one of the best action movies ever made.  Scratch the word action and the sentence is still true.

Die Hard (1988) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Sling Blade” (1996) written, directed and starring Billy Bob Thornton / Z-View

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Sling Blade (1996)

Director:  Billy Bob Thornton

Screenplay: Billy Bob Thornton; based on Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade by Billy Bob Thornton

Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Brent Briscoe, Mickey Jones and Robert Duvall.

Tagline: A simple man. A difficult choice.

The Plot…

Karl Childers is a mentally challenged man who has been in state custody for decades.  From the time Karl was born he was abused by his mother and father.  When Karl was twelve he accidentally caught his mother and a teenage boy having sex.  Karl believed the boy was raping his mother so Karl killed the kid using a sling blade.  When it became clear that his mom was enjoying the sex, Karl killed her as well.

At the state home Karl never had a problem.  Passive and shy, Karl spent most days just staring out a window.  So the state determined that Karl was no longer a danger to society and scheduled his release.  Karl begged his doctor to stay, but was forced to leave.

Now Karl has returned to his small hometown.  He gets a job repairing small engines.  Karl meets and befriends Frank Wheatley.  Frank is twelve.  His mother is divorced and in an abusive relationship.  Frank’s mom sees Karl is a kind man. Despite her boyfriend Vaughn’s misgivings she invites Karl to live in their garage.  Vaughn says that Karl could end up killing her or Frank.

Karl sees that Vaughn is a bully and cruel to everyone.  Karl especially worries about how Vaughn treats Frank.  Things are about to reach a breaking point.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sling Blade was nominated for two 1997 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Bob Thornton
  • Winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published – Billy Bob Thornton

Sling Blade is based on a short film written by Billy Bob Thornton and directed by George Hickenlooper.  It starred Billy Bob Thornton, Molly Ringwald and J. T. Walsh.

Billy Bob Thornton made his feature film directorial debut with Sling Blade.  It is also the film that made Thornton a famous actor.

Sling Blade (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964) directed by Stanley Kubrick; starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott / Z-View

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Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Director:  Stanley Kubrick

Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern, Peter George; based on RED ALERT by Peter Bryant (pseudonym of Peter George)

Stars: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, Peter Bull, James Earl Jones, Tracy Reed, Jack Creley, Robert O’Neil, Glenn Beck, Shane Rimmer, Hal Galili and Keenan Wynn.

Tagline: “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!”

The Plot…

Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper is mentally unstable.  Nobody realizes this until Ripper has put his plan into motion.  Ripper believes the Soviets are poisoning Americans through the use of fluoride in the water supply.  Ripper’s solution is to put his base on a condition red alert (so no one can get in or out).  Armed guards with shoot to kill orders will ensure this.  Ripper also confiscated all personal radios and shut down outside communication.  Ripper then ordered two Bombers carrying nuclear weapons to drop them on cities in Russia.  Since they can only communicate with him, the pilots believe the US is under attack.  They fly towards Russia intent on dropping their payload.

Once Merkin Muffley, the US President, gets word of what is happening, there is little time before the bombs drop.  President Muffley knows Russia will respond in kind.  That would trigger an all-out war.  Mutually assured destruction.

President Muffley brings General Buck Turgidson, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other officials into the War Room to formulate a plan.  Included in the group is a former Nazi, now a US scientist named Dr. Strangelove and Soviet Ambassador Alexi de Sadesky.  They get  Soviet Premier Dimitri Kisov on the hotline.  Kisov promises if a single bomb is detonated on Russian soil, they will unleash their doomsday device!

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dr. Strangelove was nominated for four 1965 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium – Stanley Kubrick, Peter George, Terry Southern
  • Nominee for Best Director – Stanley Kubrick
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Peter Sellers
  • Nominee for Best Picture – Stanley Kubrick

George C. Scott as General Turgidson trips in the War Room and then quickly gets up and continues talking.  Scott really tripped but didn’t break character.  Kubrick thought he was just acting.  The accident stayed in the film.

Peter Sellers was paid $1 million or 55% of the film’s budget.  In the film Sellers plays three characters so maybe the producers got a bargain.

Peter Sellers improvised most of his lines including the classic he yelled as Dr. Strangelove, “Mein Führer! I can walk!”  Peter Bull as the Soviet Ambassador can be seen breaking character when Sellers says it.

James Earl Jones thought that Slim Pickens stayed in character even off camera.  It wasn’t until later that Jones leaned that Pickens always talked like that.  Speaking of James Earl  Jones, Dr. Strangelove was his feature film debut.

Dr.  Strangelove is a classic.  Everyone should see it at least once.  (And it gets better with each repeated viewing.)

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Requiem for a Heavyweight” (1962) written by Rod Serling, directed by Ralph Nelson, starring Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney & Julie Harris / Z-View

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Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)

Director:  Ralph Nelson

Screenplay: Rod Serling

Stars: Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Julie Harris, Stanley Adams, Madame Spivy, Val Avery, Herbie Faye, Jack Dempsey, Barney Ross, Rory “Haystacks” Calhoun, Willie Pep and Muhammad Ali.

Tagline: They beat him… they broke him… they betrayed him… but they could not crush the towering dignity of a real fighter!

The Plot…

Louis “Mountain” Rivera was good at one thing.  Fighting.  In his last bout, a young fighter put a beating on the 37 year old Rivera.  Rivera was pummeled so badly that no doctor is going to clear him for future fights.  Fighting is all Rivera knows.  Now that is gone.

For years Rivera’s fight winnings have supported Rivera, his manager Maish Rennick, and Army, his cutman.  They have no savings.  Even worse Maish is in debt to Ma Greeny.  Ma deals harshly with those who don’t pay their debts.

When Rivera meets a woman named Grace, he begins to have hope.  Maish realizes that he’s about to lose his meal ticket.  That means no money coming in.  When Ma Greeny and her thugs show up, they will expect to be paid.  As Rivera’s manager, Maish is supposed to protect Rivera.  What he’s about to set up will break him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ralph Nelson was a 1963 Nominee Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures.

The National Board of Review named Requiem for a Heavyweight one of the top ten films of 1962.

Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) made his film debut as the young fighter who defeats Mountain Rivera at the start of the film.

Jackie Gleason, best know for his comedic skills on The Honeymooners, shows he’s just as adept as a dramatic actor.

Requiem for a Heavyweight first appeared as a television movie before becoming a feature film.  The television production featured Jack Palance as Mountain Rivera, Ed Wynn as Maish and his son Keenan Wynn as Army.   Ralph Nelson directed both versions.

Requiem for a Heavyweight is another example of the Rod Serling’s stellar writing talent.

Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Predator: Killer of Killers” (2025) / Z-View

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Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)

Director:  Dan Trachtenberg

Screenplay: Micho Robert Rutare, story by Dan Trachtenberg, Micho Robert Rutare, based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas

Stars: Voices of Michael Biehn, Doug Cockle, Rick Gonzalez, Lauren Holt, Lindsay LaVanchy, Jeff Leach, Piotr Michael and Andrew Morgado.

Tagline:  Hunt the enemy, before they hunt you!

The Plot…

In the year 841, Vikings, led by warrior woman Ursa, have just defeated the Krivich clan.  The Krivich’s leader, Zoran killed Ursa’s father when she was a child.  Now Ursa and her son Anders will have revenge. A Predator is invisibly watching. Once a victor has been determined, the Predator will attack.  It will be a vicious battle to the death.

In the 1629, Kenji returns to confront his brother.  Twenty years prior, Kenji and his brother Kiyoshi had been boys.  Each child was given a sword. Ordered to battle.  The winner would become the clan’s new Warlord.  Kenji refused to fight, even as Kiyoshi attacked.  Rather than battle his brother, Kenji ran off.

Now Kenji sneaks into his brother’s fortress.  As the brothers battle, a Predator, undetected, silently watches.  The predator will fight the winner to the death.

The year is 1941.  World War II rages.  A small group of US Airmen take off to engage the enemy in aerial battle.   On the ground, mechanic John Torres sees a strange craft destroying both US and enemy planes.  Torres gets a beat-up plane working.  He takes off to warn his squad. When Torres arrives, he and Captain Vandy are the only survivors.  The Predator space ship is ready to engage them.  It will be a fight to the death.

Ursa, Kenji and Torres are awakened from suspended animation.  They are on a foreign planet.  Predators led the three to the center of an arena.  A large Predator incites the crowd.  Ursa, Kenji and Torres will fight to the death.  The winner will face the Predator gladiator/warlord.  To make it even more interesting, a giant dragon-like beast is released.  Who/what will survive?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Michael Biehn now joins Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen as the only actors to have roles in Alien, Terminator and Predator films.

Predator: Killer of Killers has many Easter eggs that are open to speculation.  Is the Gladiator Predator wearing a cape made of Xenomorph tails? In one of the Predator cryo-tanks we get a glimpse of a muscular make human.  Is he Dutch from Predator? Maybe it is Royce from Predators? Naru from Prey is definitely in one of the cryo-tanks.  The flintlock pistol from Predator 2 and Prey makes an appearance.

I liked Predator: Killer of Killers, but not as much as most folks.  It currently has a 7.6 rating on IMDb and at Rotten Tomatoes in has a 95% rating from reviewers and 90% from viewers. There were too many unanswered questions (including the final resolution) for my taste.  Still, I enjoyed the film, just not as much as most everyone else.  Your mileage may vary.

Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars

10 Unsolved Presidential Mysteries!

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Selme Angulo at Listverse posted 10 Presidential Mysteries That Are Still Unsolved.  It’s a really interesting and fun article that looks at…

  • A President who was rumored to not be a  natural-born US citizen.  (And no it wasn’t Barack Obama!)
  • A President who many thought was our first gay President. His niece was our First Lady.  He also “had a longtime male “roommate” for much of his adult life”.
  • A President who many claim died because of his inauguration speech.  It remains the longest in US history.
  • A President who had a stroke so his wife took over the running of the country.
  • A President who took time to go “fishing” but instead had a dangerous surgery at sea.
  • A President who suddenly died in office.  Some believe he was poisoned… by his wife!
  • A President who died because of the treatment he received from his doctors.
  • A President who had almost 4,000 hours of recordings… except for one gap.  What could have been said that was so damaging?
  • A President whose brain went missing after his autopsy.
  • A President who may have ordered the cover-up of UFO evidence.

Click over and find the answers to these mysteries.  Kudos to Selme Angulo and Listverse for a fun read.