Category: Trivia

“Apocalypto” (2006) directed by Mel Gibson

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Apocalypto (2006)

Director:  Mel Gibson

Screenplay: Mel Gibson, Farhad Safinia

Stars: Rudy Youngblood, Raoul Max Trujillo, Gerardo Taracena, Jonathan Brewer and Iazua Larios.

Tagline: No one can outrun their destiny.

The Plot…

When Jaguar Paw’s village is attacked, he manages to hide his pregnant wife and young son in a deep hole right outside their jungle settlement.  He then goes back to fight the attackers.  With overwhelming numbers, the attacking Mayans kill or capture every man and woman in the village.  The prisoners will be marched to the Mayan city.  The women then sold into slavery and the men publicly sacrificed.

Jaguar Paw is determined to escape, survive and get back to his family.  Odds are against it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When people talk about Mel Gibson’s directing ability they usually mention Braveheart, Hacksaw Ridge and The Passion of the Christ.  Apocalypto should be included in that group.  It’s arguably the best film he ever directed.

Many of the roles in Apocalypto were performed by Mayans who had never acted before.

Apocalypto was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Achievement in Makeup (Aldo Signoretti, Vittorio Sodano); Best Achievement in Sound Mixing (Kevin O’Connell, Greg P. Russell, Fernando Cámara) and Best Achievement in Sound Editing (Sean McCormack, Kami Asgar).

Apocalypto (2006) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Pushover” (1954) starring Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone & E.G. Marshall / Z-View

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Pushover (1954)

Director:  Richard Quine

Screenplay: Roy Huggins based on THE NIGHT WATCH by Thomas Walsh and RAFFERTY by Bill Ballinger

Stars: Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone, E.G. Marshall, Allen Nourse, James Anderson, Tony Barrett, Phil Chambers, Alan Dexter, Anne Loos, Marion Ross, Paul Richards and Dick Crockett.

Tagline: HOT-BLOODED BLONDE…COLD-BLOODED GUY…and MURDER!

The Plot…

Detective Paul Sheridan (MacMurray) is sent undercover to befriend Lona McLane (Novak).  Lona is the girlfriend of Harry Wheeler (Richards), the prime suspect in a bank robbery where a security guard was killed and the thieves made off with over $200,000.00.  Paul and Lona hit it off.

The police have placed Lona’s apartment under 24 hour surveillance by Paul, an alcoholic cop named Paddy (Nourse) and Detective Rick McAllister (Carey).  Paul is surprised when Lona shows up at his house when he’s off-shift.  Lona tells Paul that she knows he’s a cop.  That she loves him.  That if Paul will kill Harry, they could run away together with the bank cash.

Paul refuses… at first.  But he’s in love and the temptation is too great.  Paul and Lona come up with a plan, but like the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Kim Novak’s credit says, Introducing, this wasn’t her first on-screen appearance.  She was just 21 when Pushover was released.  She definitely comes off as sexier,  older and more world-weary than a 21 year old.

Roy Huggins’s script was based on two books not written by him. Huggins was himself a novelist and screenwriter.  He was also writer, creator and/or producer of television series that include Maverick, 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive, Hunter, and The Rockford Files.

Marion Ross of Happy Days fame appears uncredited as Mrs. Crockett.

Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak are excellent.  Kudos also to Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone and E.G. Marshall.

Pushover (1954) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Die Hard” Trivia!

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Rob Hunter at Film School Rejects posted 37 Things We Learned from Steven E. de Souza’s ‘Die Hard’ Commentary. (Sadly the piece is no longer available.) But here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each…

8. Sinatra was actually the first of many actors to decline the role. “You have to view this movie in the context of the time it was made. In the 1980s there had been all these action movies with these muscular, steroid, pumped up, roid rage heroes.” He adds that he played a role in that, “mea culpa,” as a reference to films like Commando (1985) and The Running Man (1987). The only one he mentions by title, though, is 1985’s Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) — which he didn’t write. The point being that McClane spends a big chunk of the time trying to hide and call the cops, something action stars of the decade weren’t too keen on. “So in that context, this guy is a coward, he’s a pussy.” (The fact that McClane didn’t act like an action hero made him more believable.  It made the film better. – Craig)

12. After Sinatra said no, Fox took the script to other stars, but they were turned down by “Arnold, then Sly, then Clint Eastwood, then Mel Gibson, then Richard Gere, then Don Johnson, then Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Kurt Russell, James Caan, and Burt Reynolds who was a Hail Mary call from our producer.” In desperation, the studio made the offer to Willis whose management was well aware of the film’s hard release date — and negotiated a killer deal as a result. (I believe Willis ended up getting $5million for his role.  It was interesting that when the movie was first being advertised it didn’t focus on him being the star. The feeling was that the studio had waaay overpaid.  Turns out they got a bargain. – Craig)

7. The novel is actually a sequel to 1960’s The Detective, also based on a Thorp novel, which stars Frank Sinatra in the lead role. When Fox moved forward on Die Hard they has to approach Sinatra and offered him the role. “He said ‘I’m too old and too rich to do this, and the chases in the building would have to be on Rascal scooters.’” The character names were all changed to sever that connection, and they also took the opportunity to age down the retired cop character to a younger, active police officer. (I am so glad that Sinatra had the good sense to pass.  I’ve read the novel (NOTHING LASTS FOREVER) and it isn’t near as good as “Die Hard” turned out to be.  As you’ll see if you click over to Hunter’s article, many of the things fans love about “Die Hard” happened by accident or good luck. Everything came together to make a classic movie. – Craig)

“The Crooked Circle” (1932) starring Zasu Pitts & James Gleason / Z-View

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The Crooked Circle (1932)

Director:  H. Bruce Humberstone

Screenplay: Ralph Spence (original screenplay), Tim Whelan (additional dialogue)

Stars: Zasu Pitts, James Gleason, C. Henry Gordon, Raymond Hatton, Berton Churchill, Spencer Charters, Robert Frazer, Frank Reicher and Christian Rub.

Tagline: WHAT TIME IS IT WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 13? THRILLS will creep on you-LAUGHS will leap on you! IN ZASU PITTS FIRST FEATURE PICTURE

The Plot…

The Crooked Circle, a secret group of criminals, has vowed to kill Colonel Theodore Walters.  Walters is a member of the Sphinx Club, a group of amateur detectives.

When the Sphinx Club meets at a creepy, old mansion, the Crooked Circle plan to make good on their vow.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Crooked Circle is a variation on “The Old Dark House” movies that were popular in the era.  Hidden passageways, ghosts, bad guys and a touch of comedy are staples of this genre.

Zasu Pitts and James Gleason were the top billed stars, but their characters aren’t the main focus of the film.

Zasu is her real name.  Her mother made it up taking the last two letters of Eliza and the first two letters of Susan.  Her mother’s sisters were named Eliza and Susan.

Zasu Pitts was the inspiration for Popeye’s girlfriend, Olive Oyle!

The Crooked Circle (1932) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Naked Prey” (1965) directed by and starring Cornel Wilde / Z-View

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The Naked Prey (1965)

Director:  Cornel Wilde

Screenplay: Clint Johnston, Don Peters

Stars: Cornel Wilde, Gert van den Bergh, Ken Gampu.

Tagline: Stripped, weaponless, alone and only ten desperate seconds ahead of the killers!

The Plot…

When a 1800s safari enters a tribe’s territory, one of the warriors demands a tribute.  Even though the “gifts” wouldn’t amount to much, the man who paid for the safari refuses.  The guide suggests that to not pay would be seen as an insult and the toll would be minimal.  The man again refuses and pushes the warrior out of his way as he walks off.

Later the expedition is overrun by tribal warriors.  They kill all but five members of the safari including the guide. The members of the expedition are killed by brutal methods.  The guide is saved for last.  He is stripped of all weapons and clothes.  Totally naked he will be given a short head start.  Then the best warriors from the tribe will chase him down and kill him.

What chance does he have?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The script was based on a real life adventure that took place in 1808.  John Colter was a fur trapper.  He and another trapper were captured by Blackfoot Indians.  His partner was killed and Colter was given a head start to run for his life.  He survived.

This was Cornel Wilde’s favorite film that he directed.

The Naked Prey was filmed on location in Southern Africa

The Naked Prey (1965) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Plane Nuts” (1933) starring Moe Howard, Larry Fine & Curly Howard / Z-View

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Plane Nuts (1933)

Director:  Jack Cummings

Screenplay: Ted Healy, Matty Brooks, Moe Howard

Stars: Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Ted Healy, Curly Howard.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Ted Healy and His Stooges perform vaudeville routines with MGM dancers performing between acts.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Three Stooges before they became famous as The Three Stooges.  For die-hard Stooges fans only.

Plane Nuts (1933) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Killer That Stalked New York” (1950) / Z-View

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The Killer That Stalked New York (1950)

Director:  Earl McEvoy

Screenplay: Harry Essex based on Smallpox, the Killer That Stalks New York by Milton Lehman (1948 Cosmopolitan article)

Stars: Evelyn Keyes, Charles Korvin, Dorothy Malone, Lola Albright, Barry Kelley, Carl Benton Reid, Ludwig Donath, Art Smith, Whit Bissell, Roy Roberts, Harry Shannon  and Jim Backus.

Tagline: One woman brings terror to 8,000,000 people!

The Plot…

Sheila Bennet (Keyes) ha just returned to New York City from Cuba.  What the authorities don’t know is that she has smuggled in $50,000.00 in diamonds.  What Sheila doesn’t know is that her partner-in-crime, her husband, has been cheating on her with her sister.  Another thing that Sheila doesn’t know is that she has contracted small pox.

The disease spreads fast and soon citizens are dying.  Although the authorities are doing their best to track down the unknown carrier of the disease, the city begins to panic.  How many more will die?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Killer That Stalked New York (1950) is a docudrama based on Milton Lehman’s article about a real small pox outbreak in 1947.

The Killer That Stalked New York (1950) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Black Raven” (1943) / Z-View

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The Black Raven (1943)

Director:  Sam Newfield

Screenplay: Fred Myton

Stars: George Zucco, Charles Middleton and Glenn Strange.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A terrible thunderstorm is raging when five people arrive at The Black Raven motel seeking shelter.  A gangster, a young couple planning to elope, the girl’s father who plans to stop the wedding, and a bank employee (with $50,000.00 that he embezzled).  In short order, the girl’s father is murdered.  The hotel’s owner, Amos Bradford (Zucco) works to solve the crime aided by his not-too-bright employee, Andy (Strange).  Andy is a huge man afraid of his own shadow.  When the Sheriff arrives looking for an escaped convict, he learns of the murder and is ready to bring in anyone to resolve the case.

Can Mr. Bradford find the killer before he strikes again?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Black Raven is an old spooky house-type story popular at the time.  It’s supposed to be a thriller/comedy.  Unfortunately it’s not that thrilling or funny.  I will give Glenn Strange (who would later play Frankenstein and even later play the bartender in the long-running series Gunsmoke) credit for giving it his all as Andy.

The Black Raven (1943) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Payback” (1999) starring Mel Gibson & Gregg Henry / Z-View

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Payback (1999)

Director:  Brian Helgeland

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland, Terry Hayes based on THE HUNTER by Richard Stark aka Donald Westlake

Stars: Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bellor, Bill Duke, Deborah Kara Unger, John Glover, William Devane, Lucy Liu, Jack Conley, Kris Kristofferson, Kwame Amoaku, James Coburn and David Paymer.

Tagline: Get ready to root for the bad guy.

The Plot…

Porter is a career criminal.  After ripping off a Chinese gang for $140,000.00, Porter is betrayed by his crime partners.  Shot repeatedly in the back and left for dead, Parker doesn’t die.  Once he recovers, Parker is determined to get his cut of the job back.  Parker doesn’t care that he’s up against the Outfit or that the Chinese gang is gunning for him.  Parker wants his $70,000.00.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Payback (1999) is based on Richard Stark’s novel, THE HUNTER.  The novel was first filmed as Point Blank directed by John Boorman and starred Lee Marvin.

Brian Helgeland’s adaptation came to Mel Gibson’s attention who wanted to star in the movie.  Helgeland wanted to direct and it would be his first feature film.  He didn’t think Gibson would want to work with a first-time director.  But Gibson did.

Unfortunately, Gibson and Helgeland didn’t see eye-to-eye on how the film was shaping up.  Two days after winning an Academy Award (Best Screenplay Adaptation for LA Confidential), Gibson had Helgeland fired.  About one third of the movie was reshot.  Paul Abascal is credited with directing the reshoots.  Helgeland still got director’s credit.  This became the theatrical release reviewed here.

A director’s cut was released on DVD in 2007. It features a darker tone (more in line with noir), Kris Kristofferson isn’t in this version, but Sally Kellerman’s voice (as a female version of Kristofferson’s character) is. Some of the characters killed in the theatrical version survive in the director’s cut.

Gibson felt that Helgeland’s version was making his character less assessible to the audience.  After the release of the director’s cut (years later), Helgeland said he could now appreciate the theatrical, audience-friendly cut, but he was shooting a grittier noir film with a less than happy ending.  I think that both films work.

Gibson is excellent as Parker.  He is supported by an amazing cast.  Gregg Henry as Val Resnik is a scene-stealer.  Kudos also to Bill Duke, Deborah Kara Unger, William Devane, Lucy Liu, James Coburn and David Paymer.

Payback (1999) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Ring” (1927) written & directed by Alfred Hitchcock / Z-View

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The Ring (1927)

Director:  Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Alfred Hitchcock, Eliot Stannard (uncredited)

Stars: Carl Brisson, Lillian Hall-Davis, Ian Hunter and Forrester Harvey.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

“One Round” Jack Sander (Brisson) is a carnival fighter.  Sander takes on all-comers and has never been beaten.  Then one day, a big man enters the ring.  The fight is brutal and tough, but in the end the big man wins.  It turns out the huge challenger is none other than Bob Corby, the Australian Heavyweight Champ.

Corby is impressed with Sander’s fighting ability and offers to help make him a pro. Truth be told, Corby is more interested in helping himself to Sander’s fiancée.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hitchcock made no cameo appearance in this film.

The Ring (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Samurai” (1967) directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, starring Alain Delon / Z-View

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The Samurai (1967)

Director:  Jean-Pierre Melville

Screenplay: Jean-Pierre Melville, Georges Pellegrin

Stars: Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon and Cathy Rosier.

Tagline: There is no solitude greater than that of the samurai.

The Plot…

Jef Costello (Delon) is a contract killer for the mob.  As Costello walks away from a hit on a nightclub owner, he is seen by the club’s pianist (Rosier).  Soon Costello is brought in for a police line-up.  Rosier and a few other potential witnesses fail to identify Jef as the killer.  Although the police don’t have enough evidence to hold him, the commissaire still believes Jef is the killer.

When Jef goes to collect his fee for the hit, he is almost killed by the mob.  They believe that Jef is now compromised.  They believe that if the police bring Jef in for the killing, it will put them at risk.  Their plan is to kill Jeff.  Meanwhile the police are closing in.

Alone and without friends or resources, what chance does one man have against the mob and the police?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jean-Pierre Melville wrote the screenplay specifically for Alain Delon to star.  This, of course, made Alain Delon the perfect choice for the role.  Kudos also to Cathy Rosier.  I wish we got to see her in many more roles.

The Samurai is one of the most influential films in the history of cinema. John Woo’s The Killer and Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai are two examples of films that can be traced back to The Samurai.  Other directors similarly influenced include Walter Hill, John Frankenheimer, Michael Mann, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, David Fincher and many others.

The film is included on Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” list and THE 1001 MOVIES YOU MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE, edited by Steven Schneider and Ian Haydn Smith.

When The Samurai was released in the US, it was titled The Godson to cash in on the success of The Godfather.

The Samurai has an almost dream-like feel at times.  Hats off to Jean-Pierre Melville for having the vision and talent to bring everything together to make a classic film.

The Samurai has an 8.0 rating on the IMDb.  At Rotten Tomatoes it has an 100% rating with critics and 94% with audiences.

The Samurai (1967) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Number 17” directed by Alfred Hitchcock / Z-View

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Number 17 (1932)

Director:  Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Alfred Hitchcock, Alma Reville, Rodney Ackland based on Number Seventeen by Joseph Jefferson Farjeon

Stars: Leon M. Lion, Anne Grey, John Stuart and Ann Casson.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A detective enters an old, dark house late one evening.  Clues from a diamond necklace robbery have led him there. Once inside the detective discovers a man who claims he’s homeless and was looking for shelter for the evening.  The two discover the body of a man who was recently murdered.  Suddenly a woman falls from above!  As they question her, two additional men and a woman enter the house.  Some, maybe eveand ryone is involved in the diamond necklace theft.  Expect twists and not all will survive to the end.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Alfred Hitchcock wasn’t a fan of Number 17.  It wasn’t a film that he wanted to make.  Number 17 was adapted from a stage play.  Although conceived as a comedy-thriller, the end result fell short of expectations.  Although Hitchcock considered it a “disaster” it’s not as bad as that.

Hitchcock has no cameo in this one.

Number 17 (1932) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The 39 Steps” (1935) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Robert Donat & Madeline Carroll / Z-View

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The 39 Steps (1935)

Director:  Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Charles Bennett, Ian Hay based on THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS by John Buchan

Stars: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll and Alfred Hitchcock.

Tagline: HANDCUFFED TO THE GIRL WHO DOUBLE CROSSED HIM!

The Plot…

Richard Hannay (Donat) is watching an act called Mr. Memory in a crowded London theater.  When a gunshot goes off in the crowd, the audience stampedes for the exits.  Hannay is surprised when a woman he doesn’t know says she’s frightened and asks to leave with him.  They end up in Hannay’s apartment where the woman claims to be a government agent.  She admits to firing the shots to escape enemy spies who had found her.  She claims to have information that is vital to the nation’s security.  Hannay isn’t sure what to believe.

Later that night the woman bursts into Hannay’s bedroom.  She has been stabbed.  As she dies she warns Hannay he needs to escape.  In her hand is a map with with a building named “Alt-na-Shellach” circled.  Soon Hannay finds himself on the run.  The police think he killed the woman and the enemy agents know he has information to bring them down.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Alfred Hitchcock claimed that The 39 Steps was one of his favorite movies that he directed.

Hitchcock’s cameo comes around the 7 minute mark.  He is the man walking by the bus who throws litter to the ground.

Richard Hannay shows ingenuity in escaping from his apartment (disguised as a milk man) and later at a political rally.

Hannay (Donat) and Pamela (Carroll) spend several scenes on the run while handcuffed to each other.  In a rehearsal Hitchcock had them handcuffed together for several hours since he had lost the key.  In reality, he hadn’t lost the key, but wanted them to get used to being joined by the cuffs.

The 39 Steps (1935) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Abyss” (1989) written & directed by James Cameron, starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio & Michael Biehn / Z-View

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The Abyss (1989)

Director:  James Cameron

Screenplay: James Cameron

Stars: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, John Bedford Lloyd, J.C. Quinn, Kimberly Scott, Adam Nelson, Dick Warlock, Jimmie Ray Weeks, J. Kenneth Campbell, Ken Jenkins and Chris Elliott.

Tagline: Deep below the blue surface, there lies a place no one has ever dreamed of…..

The Plot

A United States military nuclear submarine has an encounter with something deep in the ocean and sinks.  The sub comes to rest near the Cayman Trough, the deepest point in the Caribbean Sea.  Soviet Ships are heading to the location to try to salvage whatever they can.  In an effort to beat the Russians, the US sends in a Navy SEAL team to work with Deep Core crew members.  Deep Core is a civilian company developing deep water vehicles for drilling.  To complicate matters a hurricane will hit the area in hours.

The civilian crew and the Navy Seals form an uneasy alliance that begins to fray when they reach the ocean floor.  The Seals have a hidden agenda… and there is something down there that no one was expecting.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

By all account The Abyss was a difficult shoot.  Tensions were high.  The actors did most of the stunts.  Both Ed Harris and James Cameron were in danger of drowning in different situations.  Both Ed Harris and Elizabeth Mastrantonio have not spoken highly about their experience making the film.

Fluid breathing is a real thing.  The rats used in the movie’s scenes actually breathed the specially treated fluid and were not harmed in the process.

The Abyss features an excellent cast from the stars to the supporting actors.  I was surprised by the turn of Michael Biehn’s character.

The Abyss was nominated for four Academy Awards (Best Cinematography: Mikael Salomon; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: Leslie Dilley, Anne Kuljian; Best Sound: Don J. Bassman, Kevin F. Cleary, Richard Overton, Lee Orloff and won one for Best Effects, Visual Effects: Hoyt Yeatman, Dennis Muren, John Bruno, Dennis Skotak.)

The Abyss (1989) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Road House” (1989) Trivia

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Rob Hunter at Film School Rejects posted 29 Things We Learned from the ‘Road House’ Commentary.  Sadly the post is no longer available, but here are three of my favorites from it…

The script called for a blind guitarist who played the instrument in his lap, and it was a direct reference to Jeff Healey who writer David Lee Henry had seen perform in Canada. The film’s music supervisor actually brought in Healey to audition, and he obviously got the job. (It was a plus and added to the film that they were able to get Healey for the film. – Craig)

Elliott initially declined the role of Wade as he felt it was too similar to the one he played in Mask (1985), but Herrington brought him in for a meeting to talk more about the character, and he changed his mind. “I can’t imagine this picture without Sam Elliott.” (Sam Elliott was definitely a plus.  He added gravitas to the film and it wouldn’t have worked as well without him. – Craig)

Keith David plays the new bartender, Ernie, and his original introductory scene — he comes to the bar with his girlfriend, gets into a fight with some rednecks, and is helped by Dalton — was cut from the film as it was already running too long. (Other scenes that were cut include Swayze fighting and Wade explaining his rose tattoo.  An extended cut would be interesting. – Craig)