Category: Trivia

“Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” (1982) directed by Carl Reiner, starring Steve Martin

Posted on by

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)

Director:  Carl Reiner

Screenplay: Carl Reiner, George Gipe, Steve Martin

Stars: Steve Martin, Rachel Ward, Reni Santoni and Carl Reiner; archival footage: Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Ray Milland, Ava Gardner, Burt Lancaster, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Veronica Lake, Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, Kirk Douglas, Fred MacMurray, James Cagney, Joan Crawford, Charles Laughton, Vincent Price, William Conrad, Charles McGraw, Jeff Corey, Brian Donlevy, Norma Varden, Edmond O’Brien.

Tagline: Laugh… or I’ll blow your lips off!

The Plot…

When Juliet Forrest’s (Ward) scientist father is killed in an auto accident, she hires Private Eye Rigby Reardon (Martin) to investigate.  Searching her father’s lab, Reardon finds two lists of names.  A mystery man wings Reardon and steals the lists.

More determined than ever to solve the case, Reardon will follow clues that lead him down mean streets, into dark alleys, searching for hidden truths, dealing with hard cases, low-lifes, doublecrossers and beautiful dames.  What Reardon discovers is a conspiracy that could be the end of the good-old-USA.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is a film noir parody that seamlessly integrates characters/scenes from classic noir films into the new story.

Director Carl Reiner says that Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is the favorite film that he’s directed.

The film is Costume Designer Edith Head’s last feature film and is dedicated to her. It was also the final film of film composer Miklós Rózsa who re-scored music from films he had worked on in the 1940s.

The one city that the Nazi plot destroys is Terre Haute, Indiana.  That is where I was born and lived through eighth grade.

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars

“It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” (1963) directed by Stanley Kramer / Z-View

Posted on by

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

Director: Stanley Kramer

Screenplay: William Rose, Tania Rose

Stars: Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Edie Adams, Dorothy Provine, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Jim Backus, Ben Blue, Joe E. Brown, Alan Carney, Chick Chandler, Barrie Chase, Lloyd Corrigan, William Demarest, Andy Devine, Selma Diamond, Peter Falk, Norman Fell, Paul Ford, Stan Freberg, Leo Gorcey, Sterling Holloway, Edward Everett Horton, Marvin Kaplan, Buster Keaton, Don Knotts, Charles Lane, Mike Mazurki, Charles McGraw, ZaSu Pitts, Carl Reiner, Madlyn Rhue, Roy Roberts, Arnold Stang, Nick Stewart, Sammee Tong, Jesse White, Jimmy Durante, Jack Benny, Paul Birch, Paul Clarke, Stanley Clements, Minta Durfee, Roy Engel, Nicholas Georgiade, Stacy Harris, Don C. Harvey, Allen Jenkins, Robert Karnes, Tom Kennedy, Harry Lauter, Ben Lessey, Bobo Lewis, Jerry Lewis, Tyler McVey, Eddie Ryder, Doodles Weaver, Lennie Weinrib and The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe DiRita).

Tagline: It’s the biggest entertainment ever to hit the Cinerama screen!

The Plot…

A car is racing down a remote California desert highway.  When the driver misses a turn and his car goes careening down a steep incline, drivers of four vehicles pull over to see if they can assist.  In the vehicles are five men and four women.  The men make their way down to find the driver of the crashed car barely alive.  With his dying breath, the man tells the group that he buried $350,000 of stolen money in Santa Rosita park under a big “W”.  The man then literally kicks the bucket.

The men and women discuss the dying man’s claim.  They then decide he wouldn’t waste his final minutes lying.  The group then begins to argue about how to split the money.  When they cannot come up with a way agreeable to all, they rush to their cars.  Each plans to get to the park, find the bury cash and keep it all!

Let the good times roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World was nominated for six 1964 Academy Awards, winning one.

  • Nominee for Best Music, Score – Substantially Original: Ernest Gold
  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Song: Ernest Gold (music), Mack David (lyrics) For the song “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World”
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing: Frederic Knudtson, Robert C. Jones, Gene Fowler Jr.
  • Nominee for Best Sound: Gordon Sawyer (Samuel Goldwyn SSD)
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography, Color: Ernest Laszlo
  • Winner for Best Effects, Sound Effects: Walter Elliott

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World features the film debut of Jonathan Winters.  It also contains Jimmy Durante’s final feature film appearance.  It also has ZaSu Pitts final feature film appearance.  She died just four months before the film’s premiere. The movie contains Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson’s final feature film appearance.

Harold Lloyd, Bud Abbott, Edward Brophy, Wally Brown, and George Burns were all offered roles, but declined.

Bob Hope was to be in the film, but his studio refused to allow it.

Don Rickles wanted to be in the movie, but was never asked.  Rickles would tease Stanley Kramer about this “snub” from then on.

Stanley Kramer didn’t ask Charlie Chaplin to appear since Chaplin was living in exile in Sweden.

Red Skelton was to film a cameo but salary demands led to it not happening.

Ernie Kovaks was to play Melville Crump, but Kovaks was killed in an auto crash before filming began.

Joe Besser (best known as one of The Three Stooges) was asked to play one of the garage mechanics, but as co-star of The Danny Thomas Show, he couldn’t get the time off.

The Three Stooges have a cameo as firemen which is a callback to their 1930 short, Soup to Nuts, where they played firemen.

If you’re of the right age, or a dedicated film fan, spotting all of the cameos is fun!

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a classic.

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Catlow” (1971) starring Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna and Leonard Nimoy / Z-View

Posted on by

Catlow (1971)

Director: Sam Wanamaker

Screenplay: Scott Finch, J.J. Griffith based on CATLOW by Louis L’Amour

Stars: Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna, Leonard Nimoy, Daliah Lavi, Jo Ann Pflug, Jeff Corey, Michael DeLano, David Ladd, Bessie Love, Robert Logan and Dan van Husen.

Tagline: Everyone Wants Catlow Dead and Buried

The Plot…

Catlow (Brynner) is a cattle rustler, a thief and the leader of a band of outlaws.  Now Catlow is heading to Mexico where he plans to steal $2 million in gold.  Marshall Ben Cowan (Crenna) a war buddy of Catlow has been hired by a group of ranchers to bring Catlow back to stand trial.  A bounty hunter named Miller (Nimoy) is also after Catlow.

Who will get Catlow before he gets the gold.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was in the mood for a good western.  Stars Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna and Leonard Nimoy were the reasons I settled on Catlow.  Sadly even their presence couldn’t save Catlow.  I tapped out after 39 minutes.  Quentin Tarantino called it one of the worst westerns made in the 70s.  I wouldn’t argue with QT.

Catlow (1971) rates 1 of 5 stars

“Fighting Trouble” (1956) starring Huntz Hall and the Bowery Boys / Z-View

Posted on by

Fighting Trouble (1956)

Director: George Blair

Screenplay: Elwood Ullman

Stars: Huntz Hall, Stanley Clements, Adele Jergens, Queenie Smith, David Gorcey, Laurie Mitchell, Thomas Browne Henry, Tim Ryan, William Boyett, Michael Ross and Paul Brinegar.

Tagline: They’re KEYHOLE SNOOPERS with a CRAZY CAMERA!

The Plot…

Behind on their rent and in desperate need of quick cash, Sach (Hall) and Duke (Clements) take a dangerous job.  They’ve agreed to get a photo of Frankie Arbo (Henry).  Arbo is a gangster and a killer.

The plan is to pose as a gangster that is coming from out of town to join Arbo on a job.  Arbo’s never meet the guy, so this plan, as dangerous as it is, may work.  Wait a minute, we’re talking about Horace Debussy ‘Sach’ Jones convincing anyone he’s a dangerous gangster?  Not in a million years.

Let the hijinks begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is the first Bowery Boys film made without former lead, Leo Gorcey.  Huntz Hall was promoted to the lead and Stanley Clements as Stanislaus ‘Duke’ Coveleskie become the co-star.  This pairing works well.  (Although some Bowery Boys fans didn’t/don’t the films made without Gorcey true Bowery Boys films.

Fighting Trouble (1956) rates 3 of 5 stars

“The Earth Dies Screaming” (1964) directed by Terence Fisher, starring Willard Parker & Virginia Field / Z-View

Posted on by

The Earth Dies Screaming (1964)

Director: Terence Fisher

Screenplay: Harry Spalding (as Henry Cross)

Stars: Willard Parker, Virginia Field, Dennis Price, Thorley Walters, Vanda Godsell and Anna Palk.

Tagline: Why Were They Out To Kill Every Living Thing On Earth?

The Plot…

Jeff Nolan (Parker) is an American test pilot working in England.  When Jeff lands after a test run, he finds everyone on the ground is dead.  The airport is littered with bodies.  People seem to have suddenly died where they stood.

Nolan heads to a nearby small village.  Again, the streets are littered with the dead.  Nolan finds a small group of survivors.  Television and radio stations are playing nothing but static.  As Nolan and his group decide their next move they spot two beings in spacesuits moving slowly through the village.  It’s obvious the aliens intend to kill any person still alive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The two stars of The Earth Dies Screaming, Willard Parker and Virginia Field were married from 1951 until her death in 1992.

The Earth Dies Screaming was Virginia Field’s final film.

The Earth Dies Screaming felt like it could have fit in as an episode of The Twilight Zone.  With a running time of 62 minutes, it was just a bit longer than some of the episodes.

The Earth Dies Screaming (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars

“I Married a Monster from Outer Space” (1958) starring Gloria Talbott and Tom Tryon / Z-View

Posted on by

I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958)

Director: Gene Fowler Jr.

Screenplay: Louis Vittes

Stars: Tom Tryon, Gloria Talbott, Peter Baldwin, Robert Ivers, Valerie Allen, Ty Hardin, Ken Lynch, John Eldredge, Alan Dexter, James Anderson, Jean Carson, Steve London and Maxie Rosenbloom.

Tagline: Is it possible? Is it true? Can humans mate with MONSTERS?

The Plot…

Marge Farrell (Talbott), a newlywed bride, begins to suspect that something is strange about her husband, Bill (Tryon).  He’s become distant, cold even.  Tom loved dogs and now any dog that comes near him begins to growl and bark.  Things that Tom should know, he has forgotten.

Then Marge begins to notice changes in other men in Tom’s social circle.  Marge follows Tom one night and discovers an alien has taken Tom’s identity.  Marge realizes that aliens are planning a takeover.  But who will believe her before it is too late?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

John P. Fulton who did the special effects for I Married a Monster from Outer Space was well known and respected for his work.  Over the course of his career, Mr. Fulton was nominated for 8 Academy Awards for Special Effects and won three.

Tom Tryon retired from acting in 1969 and began a writing career.  He is best known for his novel THE OTHER.  Mr. Tryon wrote the screenplay for the feature film adaptation.

I’m surprised I Married a Monster from Outer Space isn’t as popular as other horror pictures of the era.  It is definitely an underrated gem.  Perhaps the title hurts the film from being given a chance.

I Married a Monster from Outer Space and the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers makes a great double feature!

I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958) rates 4 of 5 stars

“The Human Duplicators” (1964) / Z-View

Posted on by

The Human Duplicators (1964)

Director: Hugo Grimaldi, Arthur C. Pierce (uncredited)

Screenplay: Arthur C. Pierce

Stars: George Nader, Barbara Nichols, George Macready, Dolores Faith, Hugh Beaumont, Richard Arlen, John Indrisano, Margaret Teele and Richard Kiel.

Tagline: Made to Kill or Love on Command!

The Plot…

 Dr. Kolos (Kiel) is teletransported to Earth to begin plans for an Intergalactic takeover.  The plan is to create human androids to assist in the takeover.  Kolos goes to the mansion of the brilliant scientist, Dr. Vaughan Dornheimer (Macready).  Kolos forces Dr. Dornheimer to work with him to create the androids.  They begin by duplicating the top scientists in the country.

As the android army increases an agent from the NIA (National Intelligence Agency) begins snooping around. He discovers the plan to take over the planet, but it may be too late.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hugh Beaumont, best known for his role as Beaver’s father on the television classic Leave It To Beaver, appears in his final feature film role.

Richard Kiel plays Dr. Kolos, the alien sent down to lead the takeover of Earth.  His name wasn’t featured on the original movie poster.

I made it through the movie so I’ll give it two stars… barely.

The Human Duplicators (1964) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Clash by Night” (1952) directed by Fritz Lang, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas and Marilyn Monroe / Z-View

Posted on by

Clash by Night (1952)

Director: Fritz Lang

Screenplay: Alfred Hayes; based on Clash by Night by Clifford Odets

Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas, Marilyn Monroe, J. Carrol Naish, Keith Andes, Albert Cavens and Charles Cirillo.

Tagline: They called it love! But that isn’t what the whole town whispered…nor the ugly name the husband gave it when he found out…too late!

The Plot…

Mae Doyle (Stanwyck) left Monterey for a glamourous life.  Now, ten years later she’s returned.  The rich man she was seeing died.  He left Mae some money, but the man’s wife and family took her to court.  They won and Mae got nothing.  Now she’s ten years older and back in the same small town she hoped to never see again.

Mae moves into the family home now owned by her younger brother, Joe (Andes).  Joe isn’t happy to see Mae back.  Joe knows she’s a gold digger and is worried Mae will be a bad influence on his girl, Peggy (Monroe).

Mae begins to date Joe’s boss, Jerry.  Jerry owns a boat and makes a modest living leading a fishing crew.  Jerry falls for Mae but thinks he’s not in her league.  Mae hoped for a better life, but Jerry is the best she’ll find in this town.  They continue to date with Jerry hoping to win her over.

Jerry introduces Mae to his best friend, Earl (Ryan).  Earl is rough around the edges, and like Mae had hoped for a better life than he has.  Mae can’t stand Earl and the feeling is mutual.

Jerry proposes to Mae.  She warns him that she’s no good for him.  Jerry doesn’t see it that way.  Mae realizes that although Jerry isn’t her type of man, he could provide her with security.  Mae agrees to marry Jerry, maybe she will come to love him.

A year into the marriage and Jerry and Mae have a baby girl.  Small time life isn’t what Mae wanted.  And the way Earl is looking at her and talking to her.

Mae knows it’s wrong and someone could end up dead, but…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Clash by Night features one of Marilyn Monroe’s first starring roles.  During filming, news of Monroe’s nude calendar photos became public knowledge.  The news created quite a distraction for the film’s production.  Barbara Stanwyck advised Marilyn to admit the truth and say that she posed for the photos when she was younger and needed the money. (Much as Stanwyck did when she was younger.)

Stanwyck, Ryan and Monroe get well deserved praise for this film.  And rightly so.  Paul Douglas shines as well.

Clash by Night deals with a mature theme and is well directed and well cast.  I felt the ending wrapped things up too nicely.  Interestingly enough, the play on which the film is based had a different ending.  One of the main characters is murdered.  Director Fritz Lang wanted to keep that ending, but the studio forced a more positive outcome.  I wish Lang had gotten his way.

Clash by Night (1952) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Hand of Death” (1962) starring John Agar, Paula Raymond and Steve Dunne / Z-View

Posted on by

Hand of Death (1962)

Director: Gene Nelson

Screenplay: Eugene Ling

Stars: John Agar, Paula Raymond, Stephen Dunne, Roy Gordon, John A. Alonzo, Butch Patrick, Norman Burton, Fred Krone, Jack Donner and Joe Besser.

Tagline: No one dared come too close!

The Plot…

Alex Marsh (Agar) thinks he’s on the verge of a breakthrough.  Marsh has been working on the creation of a nerve gas for the military.  After long hours in the lab, Marsh spills some and infects himself.  Marsh slowly turns into a monster whose very touch kills!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Joe Besser, best known as one of the Three Stooges, has a small role.  Butch Patrick, best known for his role on The Munsters, appears in a small role as well.

Comic Book fans may note the resemblance between the movie’s monster and The Thing’s early appearances in Fantastic Four comics.  Although the movie monster was colored black, on the posters and lobby cards he was orange (same as the Thing).  The monster also disguised itself using a hat and trenchcoat (as did the Thing in comics).  Coincidence?

Hand of Death (1962) rates 2 of 5 stars

“John Wick: Chapter 4” (2023) starring Keanu Reeves / Z-View

Posted on by

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Director: Chad Stahelski

Screenplay: Shay Hatten, Michael Finch; based on characters created by Derek Kolstad

Stars: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, George Georgiou, Lance Reddick, Clancy Brown, Ian McShane, Marko Zaror, Bill Skarsgård, Donnie Yen, Aimée Kwan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama and Scott Adkins.

Tagline: No Way Back. One Way Out.

The Plot…

Recovered from wounds that should have left him dead, John Wick (Reeves) is ready to take his vengeance on the High Table.  He plans to “kill them all.”  Very quickly Wick learns that his actions have consequences.  If not on him, then on those few that he cares for.

Wick then decides to use a High Table tradition against them.  Wick will challenge the Marquis (Skarsgård) to a duel.  But to do this, John Wick must be a part of one of the crime families.  Reinstatement will come at a bloody cost.  But once in and if he wins the duel, John knows he will be free of all obligations to the High Table.

The Marquis learns of Wick’s plan and sets in motion all of the worldly resources he controls.  Wick must be killed at all costs.

Let the fun begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lance Reddick died a week before John Wick 4 was released.  Although he filmed some scenes for Ballerina, John Wick 4 contains Lance Riddick’s final completed film role.  The movie is dedicated to his memory.

As in previous chapters, Keanu Reeves did most of his own stunts.

Each new John Wick chapter expands his world.  Chapter 4 is no exception.  The new characters keep the movie fun.  Favorites this time out include Tracker (Shamier Anderson) and Killa (Scott Adkins).  It was nice to see roles for Donnie Yen, Clancy Brown and Bill Skarsgård.  It was also cool to see Laurence Fishburne, Lance Reddick and of course, Ian McShane back.  Sven Marquardt is memorable in his role as Klaus.

If you’re a fan of John Wick’s previous outings, you should greatly enjoy Chapter 4.  I wouldn’t mind a Chapter 5, if they can come up with a new twist.  I also wouldn’t mind seeing Tracker get a film of his own.  More tales from the World of John Wick would also be welcomed.  Then again, if this is the last Keanu Reeves outing as John Wick, I’m okay with that too.  It’s been a truly fun ride.

John Wick: Chapter 4 rates 4 of 5 stars.

“War of the Worlds” (1953) starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson / Z-View

Posted on by

War of the Worlds (1953)

Director: Byron Haskin

Screenplay: Barré Lyndon; based on THE WAR OF THE WORLDS by H.G. Wells

Stars: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne, Robert Cornthwaite, Sandro Giglio, Lewis Martin, Vernon Rich, Henry Brandon, Jack Kruschen, Cedric Hardwicke, Edgar Barrier, Carolyn Jones and Paul Frees.

Tagline: Amazing! terrifying! The most savage spectacle of all time!

The Plot…

When a meteor impacts near a small California town it generates a lot of attention.  The attention turns to fear when the meteor turns out to contain an alien ship. The ship goes airborne and begins destroying everything in it’s path.  Things go from terrible to devastating when it is learned that hundreds of these “meteors” have landed around the world.

Armies across the globe attempt to take down the alien invaders with no success. Cities are being wiped out.  Dr. Clayton Forrester (Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Robinson) find themselves on the run searching for safe haven.  As the aliens close in, reports from around the world show that no weapon works against the alien’s technology.

Humankind will be wiped out in weeks…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

War of the Worlds was nominated for three 1954 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Sound, Recording – Loren L. Ryder (Paramount Sound Department)
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Everett Douglas
  • Winner for Best Effects, Special Effects

The alien craft in H.G. Wells novel walk on tripod legs.  Unsure of how to make this work on screen, George Pal opted to give the craft the ability to fly.

H.G. Wells’ estate was so pleased with The War of the Worlds, that George Pal was offered any other H.G. Wells story to adapt.  Pal chose and made The Time Machine.

Paul Frees plays a radio reporter and uses his voice impersonation of Orson Welles as a homage to Welles’ War of the Worlds radio broadcast.

Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, the stars of this version appear as grandparents of Tom Cruise’s character’s children in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 War of the Worlds.

War of the Worlds is a classic.

War of the Worlds (1953) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Hog Wild” (1930) starring Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy / Z-View

Posted on by

Hog Wild (1930)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay: H. M. Walker, Stan Laurel

Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.

Tagline: Amnesia! Mr. Hardy was beginning to forget things but Mr. Laurel had no fear of losing his memory – As a matter of fact, Mr. Laurel never had a memory to lose.

The Plot…

Stan and Ollie plan to spend the afternoon together having fun.  But first, Ollie’s wife insists that Ollie install the radio antenna on their roof.

Oliver and Hardy on a rooftop installing an antenna!  What could go wrong?

But is using the car as the base of a ladder that Ollie has climbed to the top of the best idea?  Let the go times roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hog Wild (1930) clocks in at just 19 laugh filled minutes.

Stan and Ollie on a rooftop — deal me in.

Hog Wild (1930) rates 5 of 5 stars.

GOOD DAY IN HELL by J.D. Rhodes / Z-View

Posted on by

GOOD DAY IN HELL by J.D. Rhodes

First sentence…

The first blow split Stan’s lip and knocked him into a stack of recapped tires at the back of the repair bay.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Jack Keller is an ex-vet who makes a living as a bounty hunter.  Keller still deals with personal issues from an attack that left him the sole survivor of his unit.  His relationship with sheriff’s deputy Marie Jones has been tested more than once because of this.

Keller’s latest assignment is to bring in Laurel Marks.  She’s a nineteen year old who didn’t show up for a court hearing.  Bringing her in should be easy money.

Meanwhile Deputy Jones is first on the scene of a brutal gas station robbery.  The owner of the station was repeatedly shot, with the death blow being point blank to the face.  The station owner’s son is missing.

Shortly after the gas station robbery, a trio of killers begin their mass murder spree.  They film the executions for a local newscaster.  The killings come hours apart and are low risk/high target spots.  The killers become immediate nationwide news sensations.

When Keller is almost killed following up on a lead, it becomes clear Laurel Marks is part of the murderous trio.  Keller is ordered by the police to stand down.  He refuses.  Now it’s personal.  Keller will bring her in, no matter the cost.

With every police officer in the state on the lookout for them, the killers know it’s just a matter of time before they’re brought down.  They’ve always planned to go out in a blaze of glory.  They want publicity.  What better way to get it than to take down a police officer broadcast live on television.  And what sweet revenge since it will be Keller’s lover, sheriff’s deputy Marie Jones.

+++++

This is the second in J.D. Rhodes’ Jack Keller series.  You don’t need to have read the first to enjoy this outing.

Rating:

“Sin City” (2005) directed by Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller; starring Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba & Benico Del Toro / Z-View

Posted on by

Sin City (2005)

Director: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller based on Sin City created by Frank Miller

Screenplay: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez

Stars: Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Devon Aoki, Alexis Bledel, Powers Boothe, Jude Ciccolella, Jeff Dashnaw, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Elijah Wood, Carla Gugino, Josh Hartnett, Rutger Hauer, Greg Ingram, Nicky Katt, Jaime King, Michael Madsen, Frank Miller, Brittany Murphy, Nick Stahl, Nick Offerman, Jason Douglas, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rick Gomez and Tommy Flanagan.

Tagline: Walk down the right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything.

The Plot…

Four interconnected tales from Sin City…

The Customer is Always Right… A hitman that marks don’t see coming until it is too late. (Bookends the movie.)

That Yellow Bastard… For Detective John Hartigan (Willis) it’s his last day on the job.  He’s thinking about the thick steak his wife has waiting for him at the end of his shift.  But first, Hartigan is going to have a run-in with a serial killer who preys on children. Hartigan learns that the sick bastard is the son of a Senator, and is now prepping his next victim.  Hartigan knows this can only end one way.  He’ll save the child or die trying.

The Hard Goodbye… Marv (Rourke) is a ex-con hardcase.  Last night he had a one night stand with a goddess named Goldie.  She was beautiful beyond belief.  Marv wonders why she picked a big scary mug like him when she could have any man she wanted.  He’ll have to work it out later.  He just woke up.  Goldie is in bed beside him.  Dead.  Someone snuck in and murdered her while they were sleeping.  And now Marv hears cops coming up the stairs.  Someone set him up.  Someone killed Goldie.  Marv knows once he finds the killer the hell he sends the murderer to will seem like heaven after what Marv does to him.  But first the cops outside his door…

The Big Fat Kill… When Shellie’s ex-boyfriend, Jackie Boy (Del Toro) shows up unexpectedly with his crew, he’s surprised to find Shellie’s new boyfriend, Dwight (Owen) there.  The events that follow will lead to a potential turf war… unless Dwight and some of his friends from Old Town can set things right.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sin City, the movie, is what Robert Rodriguez called a “translation” of three of Frank Miller’s Sin City graphic novels – The Hard Goodbye; The Big Fat Kill, That Yellow Bastard and Miller’s Sin City short, The Customer is Always Right.  They are some of my all time favorite comics and the movie is a beautiful “translation”.

Quentin Tarantino is listed as a guest director.  Tarantino directed the scene between Dwight and Jackie Boy before the cop pulls the car over.

Rodriguez filmed the opening “intro” before Miller agreed to the Sin City “translation”.  Rodriguez wanted to prove that Miller’s Sin City tales could work as a movie that complemented the comics.  The comic panels from each tale were used as storyboards.

Robert Rodriguez working with Frank Miller to bring Sin City to the big screen was a dream project for me.  Magnificent casting was the icing on the cake.  If you like the comics, you should enjoy the movie.

Sin City (2005) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Annie Hall” starring Woody Allen & Diane Keaton / Z-View

Posted on by

Annie Hall (1977)

Director: Woody Allen

Screenplay: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman

Stars: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Paul Simon, Shelley Duvall, Janet Margolin, Colleen Dewhurst, Hy Anzell, Russell Horton, Dick Cavett, Mark Lenard, John Glover, Bernie Styles, Jeff Goldblum, Shelley Hack, Beverly D’Angelo, Sigourney Weaver, Walter Bernstein and Christopher Walken.

Tagline: A nervous romance.

The Plot…

Alvy Singer (Allen) looks back on his romance with Annie Hall (Keaton) trying to figure out where it went wrong.  There are many possibilities.  Alvy is a twice divorced, middle-aged, Jewish stand-up comedian from New York who over-intellectualizes.  Annie is younger, never married, insecure, WASP from the Midwest who dreams of being a singer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Annie Hall was nominated for five 1978 Academy Awards and won four…

  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Woody Allen
  • Winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman
  • Winner for Best Director – Woody Allen
  • Winner for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Diane Keaton
  • Winner for Best Picture – Charles H. Joffe

Sigourney Weaver’s feature film debut in a non-speaking role as Alvy’s date near the end of the movie.  Shelley Hack also made her film debut in Annie Hall in as a “street stranger”.

Alvy’s (Woody Allen’s) sneezing into the cocaine was reportedly an unscripted accident.

With Annie Hall Woody Allen became the first person to give an Oscar nominated performance in a film for which he won Best Director.  Interestingly enough, Annie Hall features Woody Allen’s only Oscar nominated performance and the only film directed by him to win a Best Picture Academy Award.

I liked Annie Hall, but it didn’t resonate with me like the majority of folks who love it.  Your mileage, as always, could vary.

Annie Hall (1977) rates 4 of 5 stars.