Category: Trivia

“Tarzan’s Savage Fury” (1952) starring Lex Barker and Dorothy Hart / Z-View

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Tarzan’s Savage Fury (1952)

Director: Cy Endfield

Screenplay: Hans Jacoby; based on characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Stars: Lex Barker, Dorothy Hart, Patric Knowles, Charles Korvin, Tommy Carlton, Darby Jones, Peter Mamakos and Bill Walker.

Tagline: THIS YEAR’S ALL-NEW TARZAN THRILLER!

The Plot…

Tarzan (Barker) is tricked into leading government agents deep into the jungle land of the Wazuri nation.  Too late Tarzan learns that the men are crooks after Wazuri diamonds.  With Wazuri warriors attacking and the criminals out to kill him, Tarzan must rescue Jane and Joey.

Cue Tarzan’s yell!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lex Barker played Tarzan in five films.  Tarzan’s Savage Fury was his fourth outing.

Tommy Carlton played Joey, Tarzan and Jane’s adopted child.  It was his first and only film.\

In Tarzan’s Savage Fury, Tarzan isn’t very savage or very furious.

Tarzan’s Savage Fury (1952) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Halloween II” starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence / Z-View

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Halloween II (1981)

Director: Rick Rosenthal

Screenplay: John Carpenter, Debra Hill

Stars: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Charles Cyphers, Jeffrey Kramer, Lance Guest, Pamela Susan Shoop, Hunter von Leer, Dick Warlock, Leo Rossi, Gloria Gifford, Tawny Moyer, Ana Alicia, Ford Rainey, Cliff Emmich, Nancy Stephens, John Zenda, Catherine Bergstrom and Alan Haufrect.

Tagline: The Nightmare Isn’t Over

The Plot…

At the end of Halloween, Michael Myers escaped after being shot by Dr. Loomis (Pleasence).  Halloween II picks up immediately after this.  Loomis and the police begin searching for Myers.  Laurie Strode (Curtis) is taken to the hospital to treat her injuries.  Michael Myers is also headed to the hospital.  He kills anyone who crosses his path.  Soon he and Laurie Strode’s path’s will cross.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Halloween II is more of a slasher movie than Halloween.

John Carpenter chose not to direct Halloween II.  He was against a sequel, but became involved in order to be paid since the movie was going ahead with or without him.

Although Jamie Lee Curtis receives top billing she has less screen time than Donald Pleasence.  Also since this is more of a slasher film, several other young people get screen time before their deaths.

Halloween II (1981) rates 2 of 5 stars.

RIP: Pete Rose

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Pete Rose died yesterday.  No cause of death was given.  Mr. Rose was 83.

Pete Rose played professional baseball for 23 years…

  • Cincinnati Reds (1963–1978)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (1979–1983)
  • Montreal Expos (1984)
  • Cincinnati Reds (1984–1986)
    As manager for the Cincinnati Reds (1984–1989)

Pete Rose’s Honors and Awards…

  • 17 time All-Star Team (1965, 1967–1971, 1973–1982, 1985)
  • 3 time World Series champion (1975, 1976, 1980)
  • National League Most Valuable Player (1973)
  • World Series Most Valuable Payer (1975)
  • National League Rookie of the Year (1963)
  • 2 time Gold Glove Award (1969, 1970)
  • Silver Slugger Award (1981)
  • Roberto Clemente Award (1976)
  • 3 time National League batting champion (1968, 1969, 1973)
  • Cincinnati Reds retired his No. 14
  • Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team

Pete Rose holds Major League Baseball records for…

  • Hits: 4,256
  • Games Played: 3,562
  • At-Bats: 14,053
  • Singles: 3,215

For all of these achievements and records that he still holds, Pete Rose is not in Baseball’s Hall of Fame.  The reason: Pete Rose bet on baseball.  Although he denied allegations, there was enough evidence to support the charges.  Pete Rose was banned from baseball and made ineligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Mr. Rose finally admitted admitted that in addition to betting on horse racing, basketball and other things, he did bet on baseball.  Pete Rose claimed that he only bet on his team to win.  Still baseball players are not allowed to bet on baseball.  So Pete Rose was made ineligible for the Hall of Fame, despite many requests for reconsideration over the years.

I had always hoped that Pete Rose would make it into the Hall of Fame during his life.  You would think that these days where every sporting event has commercials for legalized betting and Major League Baseball is entering partnerships with sports betting services, the attitude toward Mr. Rose would have changed.  I am not in any way defending Pete Rose’s lying about betting.  Nor am I saying that he shouldn’t have faced a severe penalty for violating baseball’s rules against betting.  What I am saying is, Pete Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame.

When I was a little kid growing up in Terre Haute, Indiana, the Cincinnati Reds were my favorite team.  I loved watching Pete Rose play.  He always gave it his all more than earning the nickname Charlie Hustle. Pete Rose was still playing and at the top of his game when I graduated high school and headed into college.  What a career!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Pete Rose’s family, fans and friends.

Clint Eastwood’s Five Best Films (According to Craig)

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Clint Eastwood has 73 credits on his acting resume.  Picking his top five film performances isn’t an easy task.  Depending on my mood, there could even be some changes.  With that said, these are my choices for his five best (in alphabetical order)…

  • Dirty Harry (1971) directed by Don Siegel.  Eastwood’s best known character and the movie that started the Dirty Harry franchise.  

 

  • Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The (1966) directed by Sergio Leone.  The third and best of the trio of Leone/Eastwood westerns.  The final film in the Man With No Name franchise.

 

  • In the Line of Fire (1993) directed by Wolfgang Peterson.  Eastwood played aging secret service agent Frank Horrigan who is taunted by a former CIA agent out to kill the President.  

 

  • Outlaw Josey Wales, The (1976) directed by Clint Eastwood.  There are days I consider this Eastwood’s best western.  Yeah, I know… 

 

  • Play Misty for Me (1971) directed by Clint Eastwood.  What a year Eastwood had in 1971.  Play Misty for Me released in November and in December we got Dirty Harry!

RIP: Kris Kristofferson

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Kris Kristofferson died peacefully at his home on September 28, 2024.  Mr. Kristofferson was 88.  No cause of death was given.

After graduating high school Kris Kristofferson enrolled in Pomona College in California.  He hoped to become a writer.  Mr. Kristofferson excelled in football, rugby, as well as track and field while at Pomona.  Because of his athletic prowess, Kris Kristofferson was featured in the March 31, 1958 edition of Sports Illustrated.  Mr. Kristofferson graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature.

Kris Kristofferson was then awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford.  While there he achieved honors in rugby and boxing.  It was at this point that Mr. Kristofferson began writing and recording songs with Top Rank Records under the name Kris Carson.  Due to the lack of success with this venture, Mr. Kristofferson enlisted in the U.S. Army.

While in the service Mr. Kristofferson completed Ranger school, became a helicopter pilot and earned the rank of Captain.  He also continued performing with a band when possible.  When his enlistment was coming to an end, Mr. Kristofferson was given the opportunity to teach at West Point.  He instead opted to leave the service and move to Nashville.

Kris Krisofferson continued to work at odd jobs and later as a helicopter pilot while he pursued a music career.  Within a few years singers such as Ray Stevens, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roger Miller began recording Mr. Kristofferson’s songs.  Mr. Kristofferson also got his own recording contract.  In 1971, Kris Kristofferson’s album Me & Bobby McGee became a hit.  It was also the same year that Mr. Kristofferson made his feature film debut.  For the remainder of his career, Kris Kristofferson performed as a singer, song writer, as well as an actor in feature films and television.

Kris Kristofferson’s awards and honors include…

  • 1970 CMA winner – Song of the Year for “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”
  • 1972 Grammy Awards nominee – Best Country Song for “Me And Bobby Mc Gee”
  • 1972 Grammy Awards nominee – Best Country Song for “For The Good Times”
  • 1972 Grammy Awards nominee – Song of the Year for “Me And Bobby Mc Gee”
  • 1972 Grammy Awards nominee – Song of the Year for “Help Me Make It Through The Night”
  • 1972 Grammy Awards winner – Best Country Song for “Help Me Make It Through The Night” Sammi Smith
  • 1973 CMA nominee – Song of the Year for “Why Me Lord”
  • 1974 Grammy Awards nominee – Best Country Song for “Why Me”
  • 1974 Grammy Awards nominee – Best Country Vocal Performance, Male for “Why Me”
  • 1974 Grammy Awards winner – Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “From The Bottle To The Bottom”; shared with: Rita Coolidge
  • 1975 Grammy Awards nominee – Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “Loving Arms”; shared with: Rita Coolidge
  • 1976 Grammy Awards winner – Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “Lover Please”; shared with: Rita Coolidge
  • 1977 Golden Globe Awards winner – Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for A Star Is Born
  • 1985 Academy Awards nominee –  Best Music, Original Song Score for Songwriter
  • 1985 CMA nominee – Music Video of the Year for The Highwaymen: Highwayman shared with: Johnny Cash · Willie Nelson · Waylon Jennings · Peter Israelson
  • 1985 CMA nominee – Single of the Year for “Highwayman” shared with: Willie Nelson · Waylon Jennings · Johnny Cash
  • 1986 Grammy Awards nominee – Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Highwayman”; shared with: Willie Nelson · Johnny Cash · Waylon Jennings
  • 1990 CMA nominee – Vocal Event of the Year for “Highwaymen” shared with: Waylon Jennings · Johnny Cash · Willie Nelson
  • 1991 CMA nominee – Vocal Event of the Year for “Highwaymen” shared with: Waylon Jennings · Johnny Cash · Willie Nelson
  • 1991 Grammy Awards nominee – Best Country Vocal Collaboration for “Highwayman 2” shared with: Johnny Cash · Willie Nelson · Waylon Jennings
  • 2004 Country Music Hall of Fame
  • 2012 CMA nominee – Musical Event of the Year for “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” shared with: Jamey Johnson · Willie Nelson · Snoop Dogg
  • 2014 Grammy Awards winner – Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2017 Grammy Awards nominee – Best Americana Album for “The Cedar Creek Sessions”

Television projects that feature Kris Kristofferson include: Freedom Road; The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck; The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James; Stagecoach; Amerika (7 episodes); The Tracker; The Larry Sanders Show; Dead Man’s Gun; Two for Texas; Dead Man’s Gun (narrator; 44 episodes); Where the Red Fern Grows; The Break; Lives of the Saints and Texas Rising (5 episodes).

Feature films that Kris Kristofferson appeared in include: The Last Movie; Cisco Pike; Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid; Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia; Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore; The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea; Vigilante Force; A Star is Born; Semi-Tough; Convoy; Heaven’s Gate; Songwriter; Trouble in Mind; Big Top Pee-Wee; Mellennium; Lone Star; Fire Down Below; Blade; Payback; Planet of the Apes; Eye See You; Blade II; Blade Trinity and The Jacket; Dreamer.

I probably first saw Kris Kristofferson in A Star is Born. My favorite Kris Kristofferson role was in Lone Star, followed closely by his appearances in Payback; Eye See You and the Blade movies.  Two movies that Mr. Kristofferson starred in are The Tracker and Trouble in Mind.  I remember liking them both, but haven’t see them in years.  I going to try to rectify that.

What a life Kris Kristofferson led.  If you were creating a hero for a story and you said he was an ex-Ranger, three sport college athlete with the heart of a poet, your editor would say, “C’mon.  That guy is too good to be true.”  And he’d be wrong.  Kris Kristofferson was THAT guy.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Kris Kristofferson’s family, friends and fans.

“The Glass House” (1972) directed by Tom Gries, screenplay by Tracy Keenan Wynn, starring Vic Morrow, Alan Alda, Clu Gulager & Billy Dee Williams / Z-View

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The Glass House aka Truman Capote’s The Glass House (1972)

Director: Tom Gries

Screenplay: Tracy Keenan Wynn; story by Truman Capote, Wyatt Cooper

Stars: Vic Morrow, Alan Alda, Clu Gulager, Billy Dee Williams, Kristoffer Tabori, Scott Hylands, Roy Jenson, Alan Vint, Luke Askew, G. Wood and Dean Jagger.

Tagline: The most brutal prison story ever filmed!

The Plot…

It’s Brian Courtland’s (Gulager) first day on the job as a prison guard.  The same day a new  bus load of prisoners arrive. In the new group is college professor Jonathan Paige (Alda) and a nineteen year old named Allan Campbell (Tabori).  Paige is there on a manslaughter charge for accidentally killing a man.  Campbell was caught selling marijuana.  Neither Paige nor Campbell are built for prison.  The jury is still out on Courtland.

All three quickly learn that Hugo Slocum (Morrow) is the inmate who runs things.  Slocum leads a gang of convicts.  He also has at least one guard on the take.  What Slocum says goes.  Failure to fall in line leads to a beating or worse.  Slocum and his crew think nothing of killing to keep their power.

Paige warns Allan about Slocum.  Allan is young and naive and doesn’t see how he’s being played. Slocum is treating Allan good, offering protection with no strings attached.  Or so it seems.

The Warden (Jagger) wants Paige put to work in the prison pharmacy.  Courtland warns against that.  He knows Slocum’s man works there.  To switch him out will cause problems for Paige.  The warden doesn’t want to hear it.

When Paige starts work in the pharmacy, he learns about Slocum’s system to get drugs into the prison.  Paige refuses to play along.  He becomes a marked man.  Slocum decides to make an example out of Allan in the worst possible way.

What chance does Paige have?  He’s a college professor in a corrupt prison, marked for death by the con who runs things.  Don’t expect a happy ending.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Glass House was nominated for three Primetime Emmys and won one…

  • winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama – A Single Program: Tom Gries
  • nominee for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama – Adaptation: Tracy Keenan Wynn
  • nominee for Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing for Entertainment Programming – For a Special or Feature Length Program Made for Television: Gene Fowler Jr.

The Glass House was filmed at Utah State Prison.  Real prisoners were seen in the movie.

The Glass House was filmed for television, but a cut released for theaters and video features slight male nudity and profanity.

I saw The Glass House when it premiered on television.  I was thirteen.  It opened my eyes to things I’d never considered.  Over 50 years later it still is powerful filmmaking.  You might not believe it was made for tv.

Director Tom Gries directed episodes of many television programs and feature films that I enjoyed as a kid.  He’s probably best known for directing Charles Bronson in Breakheart Pass and Breakout in the same year.  The Glass House is my favorite of his films.

Screenwriter Tracey Keenan Wynn was the son of actor Keenan Wynn.  He had written the excellent television movie The Tribe starring Darrin McGavin and Jan-Michael Vincent two years prior.  Wynn won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama – Original Teleplay.  He followed The Glass House with The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman.  For that he won another Primetime Emmy for  Best Writing in Drama – Adaptation.  Wynn followed with the screenplays for The Longest Yard starring Burt Reynolds and Harper starring Paul Newman.  Wynn was on quite a roll.

Vic Morrow should have won or at least been nominated for a Primetime Emmy.  This is arguably his best performance ever.

A young Bill Dee Williams coming off of Brian’s Song has a co-starring role.

The Glass House aka Truman Capote’s The Glass House (1972) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Long Riders” (1980) directed by Walter Hill, starring the Carradine Brothers, the Keach Brothers and the Quaid Brothers / Z-View

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The Long Riders (1980)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Bill Bryden, Steven Phillip Smith, Stacy Keach, James Keach

Stars: David Carradine, Stacy Keach, Dennis Quaid, Keith Carradine, Robert Carradine, James Keach, Randy Quaid, Kevin Brophy, Harry Carey Jr., Christopher Guest, Nicholas Guest, Felice Orlandi, Pamela Reed, James Remar, Fran Ryan, Savannah Smith Boucher, Edward Bunker, Tim Rossovich and Sonny Landham.

Tagline: They were nine men from four families. They rode together from Missouri to Minnesota, and from Texas to Tennessee. This is their story…and it’s as close to the truth as legends can ever be.

The Plot…

The exploits (and eventual demise) of The James Gang.  After the Civil War ended three groups of brothers Jesse and Frank James, Cole, Jim and Bob Younger, plus Ed and Clell Miller became famous for their daring stagecoach, train and bank robberies.  Although they were stone cold killers, they became legends.

This is their story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

After James and his brother, Stacy Keach played the Wright Brothers in a tv movie, James got the idea for them to play Jesse and Frank James.  The story was developed as a play and ultimately an off-Broadway production ran.

When James Keach and Robert Carradine starred together in the television film, The Hatfields and the McCoys, they discussed the proposed James Gang movie.  Robert though he and his brothers should play the Youngers.

When the film was first announced Beau and Jeff Bridges were to play the Millers.  When Jeff became unavailable, the Quaids came on to play the Millers.

Everything was coming together as a six hour mini-series called The Bandit Kings.  When Fred Silverman became NBC’s President he cancelled all mini-series set up before he came on board.

Walter Hill agreed to direct, David Carradine gave up his normal profit participation, and the Keach Brothers gave up their Executive Producer pay to get the film made.

Director Walter Hill was on a roll.  The Long Riders was his fourth time at the helm.  His previous three films were Hard Times, The Driver and The Warriors.  After The Long Riders his next three movies were Southern Comfort, 48hrs. and Streets of Fire.  What a start!!

The Long Riders (1980) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996) directed by Robert Rodriguez, written by Quentin Tarantino, starring George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis & Quentin Tarantino / Z-View

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From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, story by Robert Kurtzman

Stars: George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Quentin Tarantino, Ernest Liu, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Tom Savini, Fred Williamson, Brenda Hillhouse, John Saxon, Marc Lawrence, Kelly Preston, John Hawkes, Greg Nicotero, Robert Rodriguez and Michael Parks.

Tagline: From Quentin Tarantino. From Robert Rodriguez. From Dusk Till Dawn

The Plot…

Seth (Clooney) and Richie (Tarantino) Gecko are bank robbers on the run.  They’re desperate to get to across the border to Mexico.  If they make it, they’ll meet Carlos at a strip club called The Titty Twister.  From there, for a price, they’ll be taken to a sanctuary.

The trip won’t be easy.  Every cop including the Texas Rangers are after them.  There are roadblocks, constant news reports plus Richie is liable to royally screw things up.  Seth is a thief and will kill anyone who attempts to bring him in, but there are lines he won’t cross.  Richie is a sadist, sexual deviant and is an eager killer.

Opportunity presents itself when the Gecko brothers see Jacob Fuller (Keitel) and his two teenage kids, Scott (Liu) and Kate (Lewis) outside their RV.  They kidnap the family and force Jacob to drive them across the border.

Now it’s a short journey to The Titty Twister.  Once there the family will be set free and the brothers will go to sanctuary.  Or so they think.  No one can imagine the horrors that await.  Not everyone will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I love how From Dusk Till Dawn morphs from a crime flick to a horror movie.

There are movie easter eggs throughout the film.  Earl McGraw (Michael Parks) appears here and in Kill Bill, Planet Terror and Death Proof.  Big Kahuna Burgers, made famous in Pulp Fiction (and later Death Proof) show up.  A Precinct 13 shirt worn by Scott is a reference to John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13.  The crotch-gun that Sex Machine uses was also seen in Rodriguez’s film Desperado. Chango Beer seen in this film was also a beverage in Desperado.

Cheech Marin plays three roles in the film: a border patrol agent, the barker at The Titty Twister and Carlos.

From Dusk Till Dawn fits in perfectly with Rodriguez and Tarantino’s Grindhouse double feature… instead make it a triple feature that would run from, uh, dusk till dawn.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Conan the Barbarian” (1982) directed by John Milius, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger & James Earl Jones / Z-View

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Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Director: John Milius

Screenplay: John Milius, Oliver Stone; based on CONAN THE BARBARIAN by Robert E. Howard

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow, Sandahl Bergman, Ben Davidson, Cassandra Gava, Gerry Lopez, Mako, Valérie Quennessen, Franco Columbu, Nadiuska, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Ron Cobb and William Smith.

Tagline: Slave. Barbarian. Warrior. Thief… Conan.

The Plot…

When Conan (Scwarzenegger) was a boy, his parents and entire village were massacred by a cult led by Thulsa Doom (Jones).  Conan was sold into slavery to work on the Wheel of Pain at a remote mill.  He grows into manhood.  The wheel has made Conan huge and muscular.  A passing traveler, buys Conan to turn him into a gladiator.

Conan is undefeated in the gladiator pits.  After countless wins, Conan earns his freedom.

Over the years, the cult of Thulsa Doom has grown.  Surrounded by warriors and his own mystical powers, Doom continues his heartless rule.  But now Conan has plans to avenge his parents.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Arnold was perfectly cast as Conan.

Sven-Ole Thorsen who appears as the warrior Thorgrim would go on to appear in a total of 15 films with Arnold Schwarzenegger either as an actor or stuntman.

Arnold was signed for three sequels.  Only one was made and it fell far short of the original.

Conan the Barbarian (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Killer” (2024) directed by John Woo / Z-View

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The Killer (2024)

Director: John Woo

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland, Josh Campbell, Matt Stuecken; based on The Killer by John Woo

Stars: Nathalie Emmanuel, Omar Sy, Sam Worthington, Diana Silvers, Saïd Taghmaoui, Tchéky Karyo and Aurélia Agel.

Tagline: A classic. Reloaded.

The Plot…

Zee (Emmanuel) is a hit woman known as The Queen of the Dead.  On a job, Zee successfully eliminates all of her targets.  Unfortunately Jenn Clark, a singer is wounded, causing her to losing her sight.  Although Zee had been hired to execute everyone, she takes pity and allows Jenn to live.

This decision turns Zee’s employers against her.  Now Zee has a crime cartel and the police on her trail.  An unlikely alliance with a police inspector may be her saving grace.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Killer (1989) is a classic.  I’m a huge fan of it, so I was looking forward to see what Woo would do with the remake.  Sadly, it fell far short of my expectations.

There had been talk of a The Killer remake for years.  In 1992, Walter Hill and David Giler worked up a script.  The hope was Richard Gere and Denzel Washington would star.  Nicholas Cage had expressed interest if a remake was ever created.

The Killer (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Sorcerer” (1977) directed by William Friedkin, starring Roy Scheider / Z-View

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Sorcerer (1977)

Director: William Friedkin

Screenplay: Walon Green basede on LE SALAIRE de la PEUR by Georges Arnaud

Stars: Roy Scheider, Amidou, Ramon Bieri, Peter Capell, Jacques François, Frank Pesce, Tom Signorelli and Joe Spinell.

Tagline: WANTED. Four men willing to drive a cargo of death to escape a life in hell.

The Plot…

Four men, on the run from their home countries have ended up in a small South American village.  They are:

  • Nilo, a Mexican hitman.
  • Kassem, an Arab terrorist
  • Victor, a French banker who embezzled millions
  • Jackie (Scheider), a U.S. getaway driver. During his last robbery one of his partners killed the brother of a Mafia kingpin.  Jackie, like each of these men has been marked for death.

All four men have by accident ended up in the same poor South American village.  They eek out a meager living working long hours for an American oil company.  When one of the company’s oil wells explodes, the only way to put out the resulting fire is by explosion.

Two truckloads of highly explosive nitroglycerin need to be transported to the oil well.  The journey will go through rainforests, over raging rivers, dangerous mountain roads, and areas where bandits kill travelers.  The company offers a huge bonus for any drivers willing to attempt the suicide mission.

Nilo, Kassem, Victor and Jackie are selected.  The four men will have to overcome personal differences and all of the obstacles of the trip… even then not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Stephen King has said that Sorcerer is his all time favorite movie.

Director William Friedkin said that the shoot was plagued by malaria, food poisoning and injury.  Friedkin contacted malaria and lost 50 pounds.

The decaying bridge scene over a raging river is a classic.  Despite looking like it could collapse at any moment, it was a special effect masterpiece.  It cost $1 million to construct.  The water below was only one and a half feet deep.  Friedkin created the visual effect of a raging river using wind machines, helicopters and huge water hoses.  The visuals are amazingly real.

Reportedly Friedkin wasn’t happen with Scheider in the starring role.  Friedkin wanted Steve McQueen.  McQueen would only agree if his wife, Ali McGraw was also cast.  Friedkin refused, so McQueen dropped out.  Friedkin then went after Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Gene Hackman and Kris Kristofferson without success.  Friedkin agreed to have Scheider take the lead.  Friedkin later called it the worst casting decision he ever made.

The film has achieved a cult status, but was considered a failure when released.

The final scene is a classic.  A sound effect lives the viewer to determine the ending.

Sorcerer (1977) rates 4 of 5 stars.

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

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The Faculty (1998)

Director: Robert Rodriguez

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

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

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

The Plot…

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

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

Bebe Neuwirth and Robert Patrick own their scenes.

The Faculty (1998) rates 4 of 5 stars.

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

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14 Hours (1951)

Director: Henry Hathaway

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

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

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

The Plot…

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

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

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

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

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

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

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Breakout (1975)

Director: Tom Gries

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

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

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

The Plot…

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

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

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

Breakout (1975) rates 3 of 5 stars.