Category: Trivia

“Wolfs” (2024) written & directed by Jon Watts, starring George Clooney & Brad Pitt / Z-View

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Wolfs (2024)

Director:  Jon Watts

Screenplay: Jon Watts

Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Kymbali Craig, Linda Carola, Vladimir Sizov, Sammy Horowitz and Frank Trigg.

Tagline: They’re not partners. They’re not friends. They’re… Wolfs.

The Plot…

Margaret (Ryan), a Manhattan District Attorney gets a hotel room with a young man she just met.  When the man unexpectedly dies, Margaret uses a number she was given in case of emergencies.

Soon a fixer (Clooney) arrives to clean up the mess.  As the fixer prepares to remove the body, another fixer (Pitt) arrives.  He says the the hotel owner called him.  She was watching via a hidden camera.  The two fixers argue about who will do the job.  They reluctantly agree to team for the clean-up and disposal of the body.

Then a cache of drugs is found on the body.  The hotel owner convinces the fixers to find and return the drugs to their original owner.  Burdened with a dead body and drugs, the fixers learn much to late that nothing is as it seems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Apple wanted and announced a sequel, but writer/director Jon Watts refused, even returning advance money he’d been given.  Watts was upset because at the last minute, Apple decided to not give Wolfs a theatrical release.

George Clooney’s character’s BMW’s New York license plate is 3ABM582. Winston Wolf, (played by Harvey Keitel), the fixer in Pulp Fiction, drove an Acura NSX with the California license plate is 3ABM582.  It’s also interesting to note we never learn the names of Clooney or Pitt’s characters.  But the title of the movie is Wolfs which sounds like a call back to Winston Wolf.

I liked the movie, but expected more with Clooney and Pitt as the leads.

Wolfs (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone / Z-View

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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese; based on KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI by David Grann

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Jason Isbell, William Belleau, Louis Cancelmi, Scott Shepherd, Tatanka Means and Brendan Fraser.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Early in the 20th century oil was found on the Oklahoma Osage Nation reservation.  Members of the Osage tribe shared in the mineral rights. This made the Osage the wealthiest people per capita in the United States. Law required court-appointed guardians to oversee the distribution of money since the Osage were seen as incompetent.

At the end of World War I, Ernest Burkhart arrived at his uncle “King” Hale’s large ranch on the reservation.  King was known as a friend of the Osage.  He was anything but.

King tells Ernest if he marries an Osage woman, and she dies, he would inherit her oil rights.  Her death would make Ernest a wealthy man.  Ernest learns that many Osage have died from mysterious illnesses, accidents and suicide.

Ernest meets and woos an Osage named Mollie.  They marry.  Shortly after, Mollie becomes sick.

As more mysterious deaths occur, the Osage council sends a representative to Washington to request help.  Soon FBI agent Tom White arrives on the reservation.  White begins his investigation as King sets in motion a plan of his own.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Killers of the Flower Moon was nominated for ten 2024 Academy Awards…

  • Best Achievement in Costume Design – Jacqueline West
  • Best Achievement in Production Design – Jack Fisk (production designer), Adam Willis (set decorator)
  • Best Achievement in Film Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Best Achievement in Cinematography – Rodrigo Prieto
  • Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Robbie Robertson
  • Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – Scott George
    For “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)”
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert De Niro
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Lily Gladstone
  • Best Achievement in Directing – Martin Scorsese
  • Best Motion Picture of the Year – Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese, Daniel Lupi

King Hale, Ernest Burkhart, Mollie and Tom White were real people.  Records implicate King Hale in the deaths of multiple murders to gain oil rights.  While the movie focuses on King/Ernest and Mollie, there were many others like King/Ernest taking advantage of the Osage.  Between 1918 and 1931 estimates of up to 150 deaths have been made.

Martin Scorsese met with Osage leadership prior to starting the film.  Scorsese cast 40 Osage actors as well as hundreds of Osage as extras.

When the script was first brought to Leonardo DiCaprio, it was written from FBI agent, Tom White’s perspective.  DiCaprio suggested that put the focus on an outsider’s perspective.  The film would be better served from another view.  The script was, as Martin Scorsese say, re-constructed.

Martin Scorsese (81) became the oldest person was 81 nominated for a Best Director Academy Award with this movie.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Lady in the Lake” (1946) directed and starring Robert Montgomery, also starring Audrey Totter and Lloyd Nolan / Z-View

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Lady in the Lake (1946)

Director:  Robert Montgomery

Screenplay: Steve Fisher; based THE LADY IN THE LAKE by Raymond Chandler

Stars: Robert Montgomery, Audrey Totter, Lloyd Nolan, Tom Tully, Leon Ames, Dick Simmons, Morris Ankrum, Lila Leeds, Charles Bradstreet and Jayne Meadows.

Tagline: YOU AND ROBERT MONTGOMERY STAR IN AN EXCITING AND UNUSUAL MYSTERY-THRILLER -EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO HIM HAPPENS TO YOU!

The Plot…

Private Eye, Phillip Marlowe decides to take a shot at writing.  When Marlowe is called into the publisher’s office, he thinks they want to buy his story.  Adrienne Fromsett, is the publishing editor.  She wants to buy Marlowe’s story.  She also wants to hire Marlowe to find Chrystal Kingsby.  Chrystal is her boss’ wife.  She hasn’t been seen for two months.

After some back and forth, Marlowe accepts the job.  What sounds like a missing person’s case turns out to be a multiple murder investigation.  And Marlowe is the main suspect.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film is shot from the viewpoint of Marlowe.  The only time he is seen is by reflections in mirrors and windows or when he speaks directly to the audience.  It’s odd seeing this decades before video games made it popular.

Lady in the Lake (1946) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Compulsion” (1959) directed by Richard Fleischer, starring Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Diane Varsi and Bradford Dillman / Z-View

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Compulsion (1959)

Director:  Richard Fleischer

Screenplay: Richard Murphy; based on COMPULSION by Meyer Levin

Stars: Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Diane Varsi, Bradford Dillman, E.G. Marshall, Martin Milner, Richard Anderson, Robert F. Simon, Edward Binns, Robert Burton, Louise Lorimer, John Alban, Don Anderson, Terry Becker, Russ Bender and Gavin MacLeod .

Tagline: You know why we did it? Because we damn well felt like doing it!

The Plot…

Judd Steiner and Artie Straus are best friends.  It’s only natural.  They have much in common.  Both are from wealthy families.  They travel in the most elite social circles.  Both Judd and Artie have superior intellects.  Although still in their late teens, they’re law students.

Judd and Artie see everyone as less than them.  They feel because they are so intellectually superior laws don’t apply to them.  To that end, they have been committing small crimes just to prove they’re are so smart that they would never be caught.

Then they decide to commit the ultimate crime.

Murder.

They pick a young boy at random and kill him.

They’re confident that they left no clues.  And even more sure that if they did, with their superior intellect, no one could trip them up.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Compulsion is based on the real life murder trial of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. Leopold and Loeb kidnapped and murdered a fourteen year old boy.  They did it to prove to themselves their superior intellect would allow them to commit the perfect crime.  Their families hired Clarence Darrow to defend them.  At the time, the case was considered the trial of the century.

When the film came out, Leopold sued for invasion of privacy.  Because he had written a book about the crime himself, he didn’t prevail. (Loeb wasn’t involved in the lawsuit.  He had been killed by another prison years before.)

Orson Welles received top billing but doesn’t appear on screen until 65 minutes into the 99 minute film.

It’s hard for me to believe that Compulsion wasn’t nominated for a single Academy Award.  I could see nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Actor (Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman) and Best Supporting Actor (Orson Welles).

Alfred Hitchcock did his own loose adaption of the Leopold-Loeb murder with his film Rope.

Compulsion (1959) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Curse of Frankenstein” (1957) directed by Terence Fisher, starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee / Z-View

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Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

Director:  Terence Fisher

Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster; based on FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley

Stars: Peter Cushing, Hazel Court, Christopher Lee.

Tagline: PLEASE TRY NOT TO FAINT. Not recommended for people of nervous disposition.

The Plot…

As he waits for his execution, Victor Frankenstein recounts how he ended up headed to the gallows.  Frankenstein was obsessed with bringing the dead back to life since he was a boy.  Working with Paul Krempe, another scientist,  the two achieved success with reviving a dead dog.

Krempe wanted to share their results with the world.  Frankenstein wanted to keep their success a secret and begin experimenting with reviving dead humans.  Very quickly Krempe sees that Frankenstein is obsessed.  Frankenstein robs graves, pays for body parts and even resorts to murder to get the parts he needs.

When his creature comes to life, Frankenstein is shocked to learn he cannot control it.  And the monster isn’t happy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Curse of Frankenstein was a huge box office success.  Over the years, the film’s reputation has grown.  I’m in the minority, because the movie just doesn’t resonate with me.  I hate the creature’s design.  It reminds me of a bad attempt to monsterize Cesare the the somnambulist from 1920’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.  Dr. Frankenstein is totally unlikable, so who cares if he hangs?

Christopher Lee (who plays the monster) reportedly complained to Peter Cushing during the start of filming, that he had no lines.  Cushing replied, “You’re lucky. I’ve read the script.”  If this isn’t true, it should be.

As always, your mileage may vary but for me…

Curse of Frankenstein (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Peacemaker”: Season 1 (2022) written by James Gunn, starring Jon Cena / Z-View

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Peacemaker: Season 1 (2022)

Created by: James Gunn;  based on characters from DC Comics

Director:  James Gunn (Eps. 1-3, 6, 8), Jody Hill (Ep. 4), Rosemary Rodriguez (Ep. 5); Brad Anderson (Ep. 7)

Teleplay by:  James Gunn

Starring:  John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Dee Bradley Baker, Chukwudi Iwuji, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow, Crystal Mudry, Elizabeth McCarthy Meek, Lenny Jacobson, Kevin O’Grady, Natalia Safran, Darryl Scheelar, Christopher Heyerdahl, Ryan Jefferson Booth and Robert Patrick.

Tagline: They Give Peace a Bad Name

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Chris Smith aka Peacemaker wants to be a hero for peace.  He doesn’t care how many people he has to kill to achieve it.  Smith is recruited to join Task Force X and is given a support team to assist with his missions.

When things go sideways, it appears there is a mole on the team.  But who?  When Vigilante and Judomaster show up, things get even crazier.  And that’s before Smith’s father who is prison attempts to sell out his son and the team.  Oh, and did I mention that there’s an alien invasion brewing?

Thoughts 

Peacemaker received one 2022 Primetime Emmy nomination for  Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program – Wayne Dalglish (stunt coordinator), Gaston Morrison (stunt coordinator)

James Gunn wrote all episodes on spec!

Each episodes features a post-credits scene.

The series takes place in Charlton County as an Easter Egg to fans.  Peacemaker was first published by Charlton Comics.

Peacemaker is a fun show… even more so for comic fans.  Bring on season 2.

“Count the Hours” (1953) directed by Don Siegel, starring Teresa Wright & Macdonald Carey / Z-View

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Count the Hours (1953)

Director:  Don Siegel

Screenplay: Doane R. Hoag, Karen DeWolf; story by Doane R. Hoag

Stars: Teresa Wright, Macdonald Carey, Dolores Moran, Adele Mara, Edgar Barrier, Ralph Dumke and Jack Elam.

Tagline: Strange things happen in the night!

The Plot…

Late one night, Fred Morgan and his live-in housekeeper are killed during a home invasion/robbery.  The next morning the bodies are discovered and the police arrive.  George and Ellen Braden are the first to be questioned.

George and Ellen Braden live in a small house on the farm and assist with the chores.  George says they didn’t hear anything.  His wife says she heard gunshots and told George.  This makes the police suspicious. The couple are brought in for more questioning.  Sixteen hours later George says he’ll sign anything to get them to let up on his wife.

George is charged with the murder of Fred Morgan and his housekeeper.  Doug Madison is assigned to serve as George’s defense counsel.  Doug starts out believing George is guilty.  Slowly as Doug digs into the case, he changes his mind.  With all the evidence pointing to guilt and George’s life on the line, the clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Count the Hours is a low budget thriller made in just 9 days!

John Alton, the Director of Photography, was given a budget of $4,000.00 for all of the equipment for rigging (overhead lighting, cables, brackets, piping, etc.).  Alton told the Producer that if he was given a raise of $2,000.00 to his salary, he would do it without rigging.  The lack of traditional studio lighting greatly contributes to the film’s atmosphere.

Director Don Siegel’s sixth outing as a feature film director.  His excellent direction (along with John Alton’s lighting) help make this low budget thriller a winner.

Count the Hours (1953) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Brawl in Cell Block 99” (2017) written & directed by S. Craig Zahler, starring Vince Vaughn and Don Johnson / Z-View

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Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017)

Director:  S. Craig Zahler

Screenplay: S. Craig Zahler

Stars: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Don Johnson, Victor Almanzar, Willie C. Carpenter, Mustafa Shakir, Clark Johnson, Michael Medeiros, Jonathan Lee and Tom Guiry.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Bradley Thomas is a 6’5″ bruiser with an anger problem.  When Bradley is laid off and unable to get work, he turns to dealing drugs.  Things go well for a while.  Then Bradley’s boss gets a new partner named Eleazar.  When Bradley is sent on a delivery with two of Eleazar’s thugs, things go sideways.  After a shootout with the police, Bradley is arrested, tried and sentenced to seven years in a medium-security prison.

Eleazar reaches out to Bradley.  Eleazar threatens to kill Bradley unborn child unless Bradley kills another inmate.  The problem is the other inmate is in Redleaf, a maximum security prison reserved for the worst of the worst.

Bradley does what he must to get transferred to Redleaf.  Once there, Bradley is the target of Warden Tuggs and the guards.  Worse still, Bradley learns that Eleazar and his gang on inmates of the prison.  Bradley has been set up for execution.

With no options and only a desire to save his wife and unborn child, Bradley prepares for what comes next.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you only know Vince Vaughn from comedies, check out Brawl in Cell Block 99.  You’ll believe he’s a thug.  He put on 15 pounds of muscle working out for the role.

Don Johnson is excellent.

S. Craig Zahler wrote Brawl in Cell Block 99 before Bone Tomahawk.

Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) rates 5 of 5 stars

“The Eternaut”: Season 1 (2025) created, co-written & directed by Bruno Stagnaro; based on “The Eternaut” by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, Francisco Solano López / Z-View

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The Eternaut: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Bruno Stagnaro, based on The Eternaut by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, Francisco Solano López

Director:  Bruno Stagnaro

Teleplay by: Bruno Stagnaro, Ariel Staltari, and Gabriel Stagnaro (Eps. 1-2, 6), Bruno Stagnaro and Ariel Staltari (Eps. 3, 5),  Bruno Stagnaro, Ariel Staltari, and Martín Wain (Ep. 4)

Starring: Ricardo Darín, Carla Peterson, César Troncoso, Andrea Pietra.

Tagline:  None

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

One summer evening snow begins to fall.  Juan Salvo and some friends move to the window to check it out.  They’re shocked to see anyone outside suddenly drop dead as the snow touches them.  The snow falls though the night.  Juan rigs together a suit with gas mask so that he can venture out to search for his daughter.

As the days go on, it becomes clear that few have survived.  Many of those who did are just as dangerous as the snow.  Then they learn about the arriving aliens.   Juan and his friends will need to band together in order to live.

Thoughts 

The Eternaut is an Argentine television series created by Bruno Stagnaro.  It is based on the comic strip The Eternaut created by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López.  The strip ran from 1957 through 1959.  In 1977, Héctor Germán Oesterheld, along with his four daughters were taken into custody by Argentina’s last military dictatorship. Oesterheld’s writings against the military junta made him a target.  He and his daughters were never seen in public again.

I liked the pacing of season one.

Bring on season 2!

 

“Marked Woman” (1937) starring Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart / Z-View

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Marked Woman (1937)

Director:  Lloyd Bacon, Michael Curtiz (uncredited)

Screenplay: Robert Rossen, Abem Finkel, Seton I. Miller (uncredited)

Stars: Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Isabel Jewell, Mayo Methot, Eduardo Ciannelli, Raymond Hatton, William B. Davidson, Kenneth Harlan, Robert Strange and Allen Jenkins.

Tagline: A Star Teaming You’ll Never Forget!

The Plot…

Johnny Vanning (Ciannelli) controls all the rackets.  Vanning owns all the city’s hot spots. If  you want a night out with booze, gambling and women, Vanning will be getting a kickback.  Vanning’s latest purchase is a night club he names Club Intimate.  Before the club reopens Vanning meets with the “hostesses” – Mary, Gabby, Emmy Lou, Florrie, and Estelle.  Vanning makes it clear he expects the girls to push the booze, encourage the gambling and give the men whatever they want.

Mary (Davis) doesn’t like the new direction or Vanning.  She needs the money though, since she’s putting her kid sister through college.  One of Mary’s dates drinks waay to much (and orders drinks for the group). He then tops it off by losing big time at the craps table.  At the end of the evening he writes a check for his loses and the booze.

On the way to dropping Mary off, the man laughs, telling her the check will bounce and he’s had a great time.  Mary is shocked.  This rube thinks he’ll catch a plane back home and all will be forgotten.  Mary makes it clear that Vanning has killed for a lot less.  The man’s only hope is to leave right away.  He agrees.

The next morning, the police show up at Mary’s door.  Her “date” was found murdered.  David Graham (Bogart), the District Attorney, knows that Mary could be the witness that finally brings down Vanning.  Mary knows how Vanning deals with snitches.  Plus there’s her sister she needs to worry about.

Mary’s in a tough spot and it’s about to get worse.

 

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

For a hospital scene, Bette Davis’ character is to have been badly beaten.  Her face is bruises and her head bandaged.  The make-up department didn’t want to obscure Davis’ face. So few bandages were used.  When the crew broke for lunch, Bette Davis went to her personal doctor. She described the damage her character was to have.  The doc then put on appropriate coverings.  When Davis returned to the lot, the gate guard saw her and phoned Hal B. Wallis (the film’s executive producer) to say Miss Davis had been in an accident.

Although married, Humphrey Bogart fell in love with  Mayo Methot during filming.  Once Bogart divorced his second wife, he married Methot.  That marriage lasted until 1945 when he fell in love with Lauren Bacall during filming of To Have and Have Not.

Michael Curtiz filmed some scenes when director Lloyd Bacon was on his honeymoon.

Bette Davis shines in this role.

Marked Woman (1937) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Catch-22” (1970) directed by Mike Nichols, starring Alan Arkin / Z-View

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Catch-22 (1970)

Director:  Mike Nichols

Screenplay: Buck Henry based on CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller

Stars: Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, Bob Balaban, Susanne Benton, Norman Fell, Charles Grodin, Austin Pendleton, Peter Bonerz, Philip Roth, Bruce Kirby, Richard Libertini and Orson Welles.

Tagline: The nice thing about war is that the person who kills you really has nothing against you. Personally.

The Plot…

Captain John Yossarian is a U.S. Army Air Force B-25 bombardier during World War II.  A bombardier’s job is dangerous enough, but Yossarian’s commanding officer, Colonel Cathcart, is making it worse.  Normally once a bombardier has flown 25 missions, he’s rotated out.  Colonel Cathcart keeps raising the required number of missions before rotation out.  It now stands at 80.  Which is basically a death sentence.

Yossarian decides if a doctor agrees he is no longer fit for duty, he will be taken from the flight rotations.  When Yossarian talks to the doctor, he learns of Catch-22.  Because bombing flights are so dangerous, you’d have to be crazy to do them.  But if you ask to be relieved of duty because of the danger, it shows you’re not crazy, just prudent.  If you’re not crazy, you have to fly.

Yossarian is haunted by the bloody death of a young turret gunner who was killed on a flight with Yossarian.  But that doesn’t make him crazy, just someone who cares.  As Yossarian looks around he sees the madness of war.  Their squadron commander, Major Major has never flown a single bombing mission. Further, Major Major refuses to see people while he’s in his office.  They must see him when he’s out. But they must make their appointments when he is in. Colonel Cathcart is more concerned with getting good press than the safety of his men.  And those are just tips of the iceberg.

But Yossarian has a plan.  He’ll prove he’s insane.  But how do you look crazy among all the madness?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Catch-22 features Art Garfunkle and Bruce Kirby film debuts.

Bob Newhart, Peter Bonerz, and Jack Riley all appear in the film.  Bonerz and Riley would go on to be regulars in The Bob Newhart Show.

Stacey Keach originally had the role of Colonel Cathcart.  Director Mike Nichols fired him over creative differences and brought in Martin Balsam to fill the role.

Paula Prentiss has a scene with full frontal nudity.  It was one of the first times a major Hollywood actress bared all in a Hollywood production.

John Jordan, the second unit director, refused to wear a harness during a bomber scene.  Jordan died when he slipped out of the open tail turret and fell 4,000 feet into the ocean.

Catch-22 (1970) rates 4 of 5 stars

“The Time Machine” (1960) directed by George Pal, starring Rod Taylor, Alan Young and Yvette Mimieux / Z-View

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The Time Machine (1960)

Director:  George Pal

Screenplay: David Duncan based on THE TIME MACHINE by H.G. Wells

Stars: Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Tom Helmore, Whit Bissell, Doris Lloyd, Paul Frees and Sebastian Cabot.

Tagline: You Will Orbit into the Fantastic Future!

The Plot…

New Year’s Eve 1899… George Wells (Taylor) has created a time machine that works!  Wells decides to go into the future.  He wants to see what kind of utopian society awaits.  Wells is disappointed to learn that instead of paradise, World Wars await.  Wells decides to go far into the future hoping for something better.

Wells lands in the year 802,701.  What at first seems like a perfect world turns out to be anything but.  Humans are treated like cattle by creatures called Morlocks.  Making things worse, Wells’ time machine is now in their possession.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Time Machine won one Academy Award for Best Effects, Special Effects – Gene Warren, Tim Baar

Alan Young (best known as Wilbur on the Mr. Ed television series) is the only actor to appear in this film and the 2002 remake.

The Time Machine features the first starring role in a feature film for both Rod Taylor and Yvette Mimieux.

The Time Machine (1960) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Three the Hard Way” (1974) starring Jim Brown, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly / Z-View

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Three the Hard Way (1974)

Director:  Gordon Parks Jr.

Screenplay: Eric Bercovici, Jerrold L. Ludwig

Stars: Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly, Sheila Frazier, Jay Robinson, Richard Angarola, Marian Collier,
Alex Rocco, Corbin Bernsen and Howard Platt.

Tagline: Action explodes all over the place when the big three join forces to save their race!

The Plot…

When Jimmy Lait’s (Brown) friend unexpectedly shows up with a gunshot wound, Lait gets him to a hospital.  Almost delirious and dying, Lait’s friend says “they’re going to kill us all… just us”.  Later that night, Lait’s friend is executed.

Lait does some digging and learns that a white supremist group plans to poison the water supply of Detroit, Washington, D.C. and LA.  The poison is fatal only to African Americans.  Lait recruits two of his friends, Jagger Daniels (Williamson) and Mister Keyes (Kelly) to help him take down the Neo-Nazis before they can wipe out thousands.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was in ninth grade my girlfriend and I went to see Three the Hard Way.  It was playing as part of a double feature with Return of the Dragon.  When my girlfriend (now my wife) realized the plot of Three the Hard Way, she whispered, “We’re the only white people in here.”  I said, “We’ll be alright.”  And of course we were.  I liked Three the Hard Way a lot better seeing it in a theater in the ninth grade.

Three the Hard Way features Corbin Bernsen’s first credited feature film role.  Corbin’s father was co-producer of the film.

If you’re a fan of kung fu and blaxploitation movies, you should enjoy Three the Hard Way.

Three the Hard Way (1974) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Black Belt Jones” (1974) starring Jim Kelly / Z-View

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Black Belt Jones (1974)

Director:  Robert Clouse

Screenplay: Oscar Williams, story by Fred Weintraub, Alexandra Rose

Stars: Jim Kelly, Gloria Hendry, Scatman Crothers, Alan Weeks, Andre Philippe, Eddie Smith, Alex Brown, Earl Jolly Brown, Marla Gibbs, Ted Lange, Robert Wall  and Eric Laneuville.

Tagline: Enter Jim ”Dragon” Kelly. He clobbers the mob as BLACK BELT JONES.

The Plot…

When the mafia learns of a new civic center set to be constructed, they buy up all of the land except for one building.  It is owned by “Pop” Byrd and houses his karate dojo.  When “Pop” refuses to sell out, they send in a local drug dealer and his crew.  They figure after a beating or two, “Pop’ will happily sell out.

They didn’t know “Pop” was friends with Black Belt Jones.  Their mistake.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

 Warner Bros. made Black Belt Jones after the success of Enter the Dragon (and death of Bruce Lee).  Black Belt Jones reteams Enter the Dragon‘s director, Robert Claus and co-star Jim Kelly.  The film was marketed to make sure fans wouldn’t miss the connection.

If you’re a fan of kung fu and blaxploitation movies, you should enjoy Black Belt Jones.

Black Belt Jones (1974) rates 3 of 5 stars

“A Southern Yankee” (1948) starring Red Skelton / Z-View

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A Southern Yankee (1948)

Director:  Edward Sedgwick

Screenplay: Harry Tugend, written by Melvin Frank, Norman Panama; based on  Buster Keaton‘s The General.

Stars: Red Skelton, Brian Donlevy, Arlene Dahl, George Coulouris, Lloyd Gough and  John Ireland.

Tagline: HE’S A SPY FOR BOTH SIDES!

The Plot…

The year is 1865.  The Civil War is winding down, but spies are still a danger. Especially in a Union Army town. Aubrey Filmore (Skelton) is a hotel bellman who dreams of catching a rebel spy.  Problem is, Aubrey struggles to be an effective bellman.  He just isn’t soldier material.

When word arrives that the rebel spy known as The Grey Spider is coming to town, Aubrey goes on full alert.  Totally by accident, Aubrey discovers The Grey Spider’s identity and plans.  When The Grey Spider discovers Aubrey, Aubrey accidentally knocks him out.  Aubrey then turns The Grey Spider over to Colonel Baker.  Because nobody knows what The Grey Spider looks like, it is decided that Aubrey should impersonate him and go behind enemy lines.

It’s a suicide mission, but as Colonel Baker, “What do we have to lose.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

 A Southern Yankee is loosely based on Buster Keaton’s The General.  Buster Keaton was on set some during filming of A Southern Yankee and helped come up with the gags.

A Southern Yankee (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars