Category: Trivia

“Hudson Hawk” (1991) starring Bruce Willis / Z-View

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Hudson Hawk (1991) 

Director: Michael Lehmann

Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza, Daniel Waters story by Bruce Willis, Robert Kraft

Stars: Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Andie MacDowell, James Coburn, Richard E. Grant, Sandra Bernhard, Don Harvey, David Caruso, Andrew Bryniarski, Lorraine Toussaint, William Conrad (voice) and Frank Stallone.

Tagline: Catch the excitement. Catch the laughter. Catch the Hawk.

The Plot…

Eddie “Hudson Hawk” Hawkins, the semi-famous cat burglar, was just released from prison.  One his first day out, Hawk’s parole officer and others want to blackmail Hawk into stealing a few famous pieces of art.  The final thefts will involve creations made by Leonardo da Vinci.

Hawk doesn’t want to go back to prison or be killed so he reluctantly agrees.  Little does he know the motives behind the blackmailers are nothing short of world domination!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hudson Hawk performed poorly at the box office and with critics.  Part of the problem was the marketing.  It was advertised as an action film.  Audiences expected something along the lines of Die Hard.  What they got was more of a live action Looney Toons.

This marks William Conrad’s last outing as a narrator.

Hudson Hawk isn’t a great film.  It’s a screwball action comedy.  Yeah, it’s over-the-top.  It’s unrealistic.  But if you go in with the understanding that what you’re watching takes place in a cartoon-like world, you should have a fun ride.

Of course your mileage may differ.

Hudson Hawk (1991) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“House of Usher” aka “The Fall of the House of Usher” (1960) directed by Roger Corman, written by Richard Matheson, starring Vincent Price / Z-View

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House of Usher aka The Fall of the House of Usher (1960) 

Director: Roger Corman

Screenplay: Richard Matheson based on “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Stars: Vincent Price, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey and Harry Ellerbe.

Tagline: He buried her alive… to save his soul!

The Plot…

Philip Winthrop (Damon) travels to the remote Usher estate.  Philip intends to leave with his fiancée Madeline Usher (Fahey) so they can be married.  Madeline’s brother Roderick (Price) warns Philip that the Usher bloodline is cursed.  All of the Usher ancestors went mad and committed evil deeds.  Roderick wants the Usher bloodline to end.  If Philip and Madeline marry, Roderick feels that the curse will continue.

Both Philip and Roderick are determined to have their way… only one will.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Prior to House of Usher, American International Pictures (AIP) focused on low budget black and white films destined to be second (or third) features at drive-ins.  The demand for these type of films was in decline so AIP rolled the dice.  House of Usher was given a higher budget and made in color.  The gamble paid off.

House of Usher was the first of eight films based on Edgar Allan Poe short stories directed by Roger Corman.

House of Usher aka The Fall of the House of Usher (1960) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“1917” (2019) directed by Sam Mendes / Z-View

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1917 (2019) 

Director: Sam Mendes

Screenplay: Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns

Stars: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays, Colin Firth, Andy Apollo, Billy Postlethwaite, Gabriel Akuwudike, Andrew Scott, Robert Maaser, Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Strong.

Tagline: Time is the enemy.

The Plot…

The year is 1917.  World War I rages.  Officers on the British front lines are surprised to see German troops withdrawing.  The British mistakenly believe that the Huns are retreating.  They’re not.  What the Germans are actually doing is a systematic extraction.  They want the British to believe that they’re on the run.  They know the British will believe the time to attack is now.  What the British on the front don’t realize is they’re being tricked into running headlong into a trap.

British officers away from the front get aerial evidence of the trap.  Unfortunately communication to the front is down.  Two young British corporals are selected to slip behind enemy lines with orders to the British officers stand down.  Time is of the essence.  The errand is a suicide mission, but if the message isn’t delivered, thousands of British soldiers will be massacred.

Time is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

1917 was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning three

  • winner Best Achievement in Cinematography – Roger Deakins
  • winner Best Achievement in Visual Effects – Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler, Dominic Tuohy
  • winner Best Achievement in Sound Mixing – Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson
  • nominee Best Motion Picture of the Year
  • nominee Best Achievement in Directing – Sam Mendes
  • nominee Best Original Screenplay – Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
  • nominee Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling – Naomi Donne, Tristan Versluis, Rebecca Cole
  • nominee Best Achievement in Production Design – Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales
  • nominee Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Thomas Newman
  • nominee Best Achievement in Sound Editing – Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate

Sam Mendes and his editor, Lee Smith worked together to make the film appear as if it was shot in one continuous take.  It works.

1917 is based on director Sam Mendes’ grandfather’s experiences in World War I.  The film is dedicated to Mendes’ grandfather.

1917 (2019)  rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Lonesome Dove” (1989) starring Robert Duvall & Tommy Lee Jones / Z-View

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Lonesome Dove (1989) 

Director: Simon Wincer

Teleplay: William D. Wittliff based on LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry

Stars: Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, Robert Urich, Frederic Forrest, D.B. Sweeney, Ricky Schroder, Anjelica Huston, Chris Cooper, Timothy Scott, Glenne Headly, Barry Corbin, William Sanderson, Barry Tubb, Gavan O’Herlihy, Frederick Coffin, Lanny Flaherty, David Carpenter, James Terry McIlvain, Sonny Carl Davis, Nina Siemaszko and Steve Buscemi.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Augustus “Gus” McCrae (Duvall) and Woodrow Call (Jones) are legendary Texas Rangers.  But their legends were made years ago.  Now they live quiet lives running a tiny ranch outside the small town of Lonesome Dove. Joshua Deets (Glover) and Pea Eye Parker (Scott), men that rode with them in their Ranger days, help with the ranch.  Also assisting is Newt Dobbs (Schroder), a young man Gus and Woodrow took in when Newt’s prostitute mother died years ago.

Gus and Woodrow couldn’t be more different.  Gus loves life, women, gambling and fun.  Woodrow is a workaholic who seldom laughs. Despite these disparities, Gus and Woodrow couldn’t be better friends.  And they both miss their wild days as Rangers.  When a friend passing through tells them about the beauty and opportunities in Montana, it isn’t long before Woodrow dreams of one last adventure.

Woodrow wants to drive a huge heard of cattle to Montana.  There they’ll start a big ranch in pristine country.  Gus surprisingly has a practical attitude.  They’re no longer young bucks.  They’re not cattlemen.  The territory is wild and full of hostile Indians.  Woodrow holds firm.  The more Gus thinks about it, the more he likes the idea of one last hurrah.

Gus and Woodrow are joined by Deets, Pea, Newt, and a few folks from town who decide to join the cattle drive.  They’ll face inhospitable land, drought, cattle thieves, Indian war parties and challenges they never dreamed of.  Not everyone will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lonesome Dove was nominated for 19 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning seven

  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Casting for a Miniseries or a Special
  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special
  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special (Dramatic Underscore) 
  • winner Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special
  • winner Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or a Special 
  • winner Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special
  • winner Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Special

Larry McMurtry originally wrote a feature film screenplay. His dream cast was John Wayne (Woodrow), Jimmy Stewart (Gus) and Henry Fonda (Spoon).  I think McMurtry was lucky that it wasn’t made.  The story is big and features a huge cast.  It needed the extra time that the mini-series provided.

Lonesome Dove features such a strong cast and no matter who he was paired with Robert Duvall owned the scene.

Lonesome Dove (1989)  rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Another 48 Hrs.” (1990) directed by Walter Hill, starring Eddie Murphy & Nick Nolte / Z-View 

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Another 48 Hrs. (1990) 

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: John Fasano, Jeb Stuart, Larry Gross; story by Fred Braughton; based on characters by Roger Spottiswoode, Walter Hill, Larry Gross. Steven E. de Souza

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Nick Nolte, Brion James, Kevin Tighe, Ed O’Ross, David Anthony Marshall, Andrew Divoff, Bernie Casey, Ted Markland, Felice Orlandi, Page Leong, Hoke Howell, Frank McRae and Tisha Campbell.

Tagline: The Boys Are Back In Town

The Plot…

San Francisco Detective Jack Cates (Nolte) on the trail of a big-time drug dealer known as the Iceman, kills a man in self-defense. Because no one could find the dead man’s gun Cates is now under investigation by Internal Affairs. Cates did find evidence that the Iceman has targeted Reggie Hammond (Murphy) for execution.

With outlaw bikers and the Iceman‘s hitmen targeting them, Cates and Hammond must stick together to survive.

The Boys Are Back in Town!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The original cut was 2 hours and 25 minutes.  It was then cut to 2 hours and finally one hour and 35 minutes.  Frank McRae and Brion James had their roles substantially reduced.  McRae now only appears in the background of a scene and is uncredited.  James said at the time, “I was the third lead and now I looked like a dressed extra.”  In the trailer Cates tells Reggie that he’s on a deadline to catch Iceman, that was cut — so now there’s no mention of 48 hours.

In a scene when Reggie calls old friends, one is named Willie Biggs.  That was originally Murphy’s character’s name, but he thought it sounded like a typical Hollywood black man’s name.

The story is credited to Fred Braughton.  That is the pen-name Eddie Murphy used when writing it.

Tisha Campbell is listed in the credits as Amy Kirkland.

For the first film Nick Nolte was paid one million dollars and got top billing.  Eddie Murphy made $450,000.00.  For this one Murphy got top billing and seven million dollars, while Nolte made three million dollars.

I loved 48 Hrs.  I like Another 48 Hrs.  It could be because of the major cuts to the finished film.  I’d love to see a director’s edition.

Another 48 Hrs. (1990) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“48 Hrs.” (1982) directed by Walter Hill, starring Nick Nolte & Eddie Murphy / Z-View

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48 Hrs. (1982) 

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Roger Spottiswoode, Walter Hill, Larry Gross, Steven E. de Souza

Stars: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O’Toole, Frank McRae, James Remar, David Patrick Kelly, Sonny Landham, Brion James, Kerry Sherman, James Keane, Greta Blackburn, Margot Rose, Denise Crosby, Olivia Brown, Todd Allen, Jack Thibeau, Ola Ray and Jonathan Banks.

Tagline: The boys are back in town. Nick Nolte is a cop. Eddie Murphy is a convict. They couldn’t have liked each other less. They couldn’t have needed each other more. And the last place they ever expected to be is on the same side. Even for… 48 HRS

The Plot…

When San Francisco detectives, Cates (Nolte),  Algren (Banks) and Van Zant (Keane) attempt to arrest two escaped convicts, things go sideways.  Algren and Van Zant are killed.  The convicts get away.

Detective Cates has a plan to catch the killers.  He’s getting a 48 hour supervised prison release for Reggie Hammond (Murphy). Hammond is a fast-talking, hip con man and thief.  Hammond also worked with one of the convicts.  Cates believes Hammond’s inside info will lead him to the convicts.

Cates and Hammond take an instant dislike to each other.  Over the next 48 hours they may develop a friendship… if they survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The idea of a cop and a convict working together had been floating around for a while.  Paramount hired Walter Hill to write a script with the idea that Clint Eastwood would play the convict.  Hill did, but when he finished he said he thought the script would work better with Eastwood playing the cop and someone like Richard Pryor playing the convict.  The project went into limbo until a few years passed.  Hill was brought back to work with Nolte and Eddie Murphy (in his feature film debut).

Eddie Murphy wasn’t the first actor considered for the role.  Gregory Hines was.  Other actors considered before Murphy included Howard Rollins, Jr. and Denzel Washington.

Eddie Murphy’s character’s name originally was Willie Biggs.  Murphy thought it sounded like a “Hollywood, made-up, black guy’s name” so it was changed to Reggie Hammond.

Nick Nolte was paid one million dollars and got top billing.  Eddie Murphy made $450,000.00.  For the sequel Murphy got top billing and seven million dollars, while Nolte made three million dollars.

Director Walter Hill has a brief cameo as a convict in the opening chain gang scene.

Nolte and Murphy, Remar and Landham are perfectly cast.  Each pair has the right chemistry.

48 Hrs. (1982) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“One-Eyed Jacks” (1961) directed by and starring Marlon Brando / Z-View

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One-Eyed Jacks (1961) 

Director: Marlon Brando

Screenplay:  Guy Trosper, Calder Willingham, Rod Serling (uncredited),Sam Peckinpah (uncredited); based on THE AUTHENTIC DEATH OF HENDRY JONES by Charles Neider

Stars: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Pina Pellicer, Katy Jurado, Ben Johnson, Slim Pickens, Larry Duran, Sam Gilman, Miriam Colon, Elisha Cook Jr., Rodolfo Acosta, Ray Teal, John Dierkes, Hank Worden, ‘Snub’ Pollard and Timothy Carey.

Tagline: The motion picture that starts its own tradition of greatness.

The Plot…

After robbing a bank, Rio (Brando) and his partner, Dad (Malden) are pinned down by Mexican Federales.  Rio talks Dad into taking their only horse to ride to a ranch a few miles away.  Dad is to get fresh mounts and return for Rio.  Dad takes the bank loot and rides off.

Dad makes it to the ranch.  Instead of getting two fresh horses, he gets one.  Dad then rides off leaving Rio to be captured.

After five years in a tough Mexican prison, Rio escapes.  Determined to get revenge, Rio tracks down Dad. Rio discovers that Dad has turned his life around.  Dad is now married with an adopted daughter.  He’s also sheriff of a frontier town.

Rio rides in to town unaware of the surprises that await.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

THE AUTHENTIC DEATH OF HENDRY JONES by Charles Neider was a fictional tale based on real-life outlaw, Billy the Kid.  The script went through so many revisions that the final film has little resemblance to the book.

Stanley Kubrick was set to direct with Brando and Spencer Tracy starring.  Brando used his power to instead hire Karl Malden.  Just a few weeks before filming was to begin, Kubrick bowed out.  Brando stepped in.

Budgeted at two million dollars, the film ended up costing six million.  Originally scheduled for a three month shooting schedule, principal filming lasted six months.  Brando shot over a million feet of film.  There were reportedly five additional hours of film that didn’t make the cut.

One-Eyed Jacks (1961)  rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Bob Newhart

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Bob Newhart died today after a short illness.  Mr. Newhart was 94.

Bob Newhart graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in business management. He was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as a clerk during the Korean War. After his discharge from the service Bob Newhart worked as an accountant and later an advertising copywriter.  All the while, Mr. Newhart worked on comedy routines that he sent out to radio stations.

This led to Mr. Newhart signing a contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1959.  The following year his first comedy album was released.  The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart was the first comedy album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts.  It also earned Mr. Newhart two Grammy awards for Best Album of the Year and Best New Artist.

Mr. Newhart’s recording success led to television and feature films. The Bob Newhart Show was a variety program that lasted one season, but was nominated for a Primetime Emmy award.  Mr. Newhart continued to record comedy albums, make many television guest appearances and even served as a co-host of The Entertainers variety show.  Then in 1972, he starred in The Bob Newhart Show.  It ran for 142 episodes.  Four years after it went off the air, Mr. Newhart starred in the series Newhart.  It ran for 184 episodes.

Mr. Newhart was nominated for five Grammy Awards, winning three…

  • 1961 winner Best New Artist
  • 1961 winner Album of the Year – for “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart”
  • 1961 winner Best Comedy Performance – Spoken Word for “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!”
  • 1998 nominee Best Spoken Comedy Album for “Button Down Concert”
  • 2007 nominee Best Spoken Word Album for “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This!”

Bob Newhart was nominated for nine Primetime Emmy Awards, winning one

  • 1962 nominee Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy for The Bob Newhart Show (shared with: Roland Kibbee · Don Hinkley · Milt Rosen · Ernest Chambers · Dean Hargrove · Robert Kaufman · Norm Liebmann · Charles Sherman · Howard Snyder · Larry Siegel)
  • 1985 nominee Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Newhart for playing “Dick Loudon”
  • 1986 nominee Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Newhart for playing “Dick Loudon”
  • 1987 nominee Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Newhart for playing “Dick Loudon”
  • 2004 nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – ER for playing “Ben Hollander”
  • 2009 nominee Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie – The Librarian III: The Curse of the Judas Chalice for playing: “Judson”
  • 2013 winner Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – The Big Bang Theory for playing “Arthur Jeffries and Professor Proton” in the episode “The Proton Resurgence”
  • 2014 nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – The Big Bang Theory for playing “Arthur”
  • 2016 nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series- The Big Bang Theory for playing: “Arthur” in the episode: “The Opening Night Excitation”

Television projects that feature Bob Newhart include: The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre; Captain Nice; The Don Rickles Show; The Bob Newhart Show (142 episodes); Insight (2 episodes); It’s Garry Shandling’s Show; Newhart (184 episodes); Bob (33 episodes); Murphy Brown; The Simpsons; George & Leo (22 episodes); ER (3 episodes); The Librarian: Quest for the Spear; Desperate Housewives (3 episodes); The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines; The Librarian III: The Curse of the Judas Chalice; NICS; Svengoolie (cameo); The Librarians (3 episodes); The Big Bang Theory (6 episodes) and Young Sheldon (3 episodes).

Feature films that feature Bob Newhart include: Hell is For Heroes; Hot Millions; On a Clear Day You Can See Forver; Catch-22; Cold Turkey; The Rescuers; The Rescuers Down Under; In & Out and Elf.

The Bob Newhart Show was must-see tv when I was a kid. I’m also old enough to remember listening to his comedy albums and laughing at his many television guest appearances.  What an amazing career Mr. Newhart had.  No wonder so many folks consider him a national treasure.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bob Newhart’s family, friends and fans.

John Carpenter Presents “Body Bags” (1993) / Z-View

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Body Bags (1993) 

Directors: John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Larry Sulkis

Screenplay:  Billy Brown, Dan Angel

Stars: John Carpenter, Tom Arnold, Tobe Hooper, Robert Carradine, Alex Datcher, Peter Jason, Molly Cheek, Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, David Naughton, George ‘Buck’ Flower, David Warner, Sheena Easton, Greg Nicotero, Debbie Harry, Mark Hamill, Twiggy, John Agar, Roger Corman, Charles Napier and Stacy Keach.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A scary coroner (Carpenter) introduces three tales…

  • The Gas Station.  A serial killer is operating in an area where a young woman has her first night working at a remote gas station.
  • Hair.  Richard Coberts (Keach) is a vain man concerned about losing his hair.  Nothing he’s tried so far as worked.  Then he learns about a new procedure guaranteed to grow hair.
  • Eye.  A pro baseball player (Hamill) on the verge of being called up to the big league gets into an accident that destroys one of his eyes.  Thinking he has nothing to lose, he agrees to an experimental eye transplant…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Body Bags was developed as a series for Showtime.  It would be their answer to HBO’s Tales from the Crypt.  Ultimately Showtime decided to not go forward with the project.

Body Bags is full of famous people showing up in cameos.

I would rank the three segments: The Gas Station (3 of 5), Hair (2 of 5) and Eye (2 of 5).

Body Bags (1993) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“American Fiction” (2023) written & directed by Cord Jefferson, starring Jeffrey Wright / Z-View

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American Fiction (2023) 

Director: Cord Jefferson

Screenplay: Cord Jefferson based on ERASURE by Percival Everett

Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Sterling K. Brown, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Raymond Anthony Thomas, Okieriete Onaodowan, Miriam Shor, J.C. MacKenzie and Keith David.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) is a writer and college professor.  Monk has had a couple of books published.  Although the books were critically praised, they were far from best sellers.  Monk’s latest book was turned down with publishers saying it wasn’t “black enough”.

To compound things, Monk’s mom’s mental health is rapidly deteriorating.  It’s clear she’s going to need the support of her family.  Monk’s brother just went through a divorce.  He won’t be much help.  His sister is willing, but there are issues.  Monk is feeling the pressure of life bearing down.

Monk’s exasperation grows when the novel WE’S LIVES IN DA GHETTO makes the best seller list.  The novel panders to the lowest common denominator and features typical black stereotypes.  Out of frustration, Monk begins writing.  His story features everything one would expect in a blaxploitation story – drugs, gangs, a deadbeat dad and a son who couldn’t rise above his surroundings.  When Monk is finished he has a book length story.  As a joke he submits it under the name Stagg R. Leigh, an ex-con who is one the run from the cops.

When Monk gets several offers as high as $750,000, he realizes that nobody gets the joke.  He tells his editor to decline the deal, but his mother’s bills are adding up.  So…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

American Fiction was nominated for five Academy Awards and won one…

  • nominee Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Laura Karpman
  • nominee Best Motion Picture of the Year – Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Jeffrey Wright
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Sterling K. Brown
  • winner Best Adapted Screenplay – Cord Jefferson

I thought American Fiction would be funny.  It is.  I didn’t realize how much heart it would have.  American Fiction is one of the best movie surprises I’ve had in recent years.

American Fiction is Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut.

American Fiction (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Brats” (2024) directed by Andrew McCarthy / Z-View

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Brats (2024) 

Director: Andrew McCarthy

Stars: Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Jon Cryer, Bret Easton Ellis, Lea Thompson, Timothy Hutton, Demi Moore, Howard Deutch and Rob Lowe.

Tagline: Everybody wanted to be in the Brat Pack. Except them.

The Plot…

In the 1980s a group of young actors and actresses were getting rich and famous.  They often appeared in movies as an ensemble. The were young, rich and in demand.  Things took a sideways turn when a writer for New York magazine wrote a profile about the group headlined Hollywood’s Brat Pack.

The label took hold even though it wasn’t clear which young actors were in the so-called pack.  For many painted with the Brat the impact was quick and negative.  Movies were cancelled.  Work became hard to get.  Who in Hollywood wanted to work with young brats who felt entitled and never paid their dues.

Now, 40 years later, Andrew McCarthy, one of the so-called Brat Pack decided to reach out to others tarnished by the label.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

While I haven’t seen many of the movies that would fall into the Brat Pack resume, I was interested in this documentary.  The Brat Pack label went viral.  Everyone knew what it meant even if no one was sure who exactly was in the pack.

It was interesting to see many of the stars.  I was happy that those who participated in the documentary were in good places.

I was surprised how difficult it was for Andrew McCarthy to contact some of the people he reached out to.  Good on Andrew for being humble about it and for getting a laugh from the situation as the movie ended.

Demi Moore seemed to be at ease with how things have worked out for her.  I was happy to see that.

Of all the folks negatively impacted by the Brat Pack label, it seemed that Andrew McCarthy took it hardest.  It felt like doing this doc brought him some peace of mind.  I hope so.

Brats (2024)  rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Lockout” (2012) starring Guy Pearce & Maggie Grace / Z-View

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Lockout (2012) 

Director: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather

Screenplay: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather, Luc Besson, story by Luc Besson, (influenced by Escape from New York by John Carpenter, Nick Castle and Escape from L.A. by John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kurt Russell)

Stars: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Vincent Regan, Joe Gilgun, Tim Plester, Peter Hudson and Lennie James.

Tagline: Take no prisoners.

The Plot…

The year is 2079.  When a riot results in convicts taking over the Earth’s orbiting prison, it’s only a matter of time before they learn that the President’s daughter, Emilie (Grace) is there.  Emilie has disguised herself as part of the prison medical staff.

The President and his advisors know the prisoners will execute all captured staff if an assault team is sent up.  They decide that one capable man, working alone could infiltrate the prison and rescue the President’s daughter.

The man for the job is a former government agent named Snow (Pearce).  Snow was recently framed for the murder of Colonel Frank Armstrong.  Armstrong had discovered a double-agent was working at the upper levels of our government.  Snow reluctantly agrees to the suicide mission.

The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There’s no denying the parallels to John Carpenter’s Escape from New York.  So much so that John Carpenter sued the film’s makers for plagiarism and won.

I’m a huge fan of Lockout.  Pearce was the right choice to play Snow the buff, wise cracking bad ass.  (When Pearce auditioned for the role, the directors told him he was too skinny.  He promised to bulk up.  Obviously he kept his word.)

Joe Gilgun plays a psycho convict to perfection.

Lockout (2012)  rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Brian’s Song” (1971) starring James Caan & Billy Dee Williams / Z-View

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Brian’s Song (1971) 

Director: Buzz Kulik

Screenplay: William Blinn, based on I AM THIRD by Gale Sayers, Al Silverman

Stars: James Caan, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden, Bernie Casey, Shelley Fabares, David Huddleston, Judy Pace, Harold ‘Happy’ Hairston, Stephen Coit, Stu Nahan, Dick Butkus and Doreen Lang

Tagline: An inspiring true story of friendship and courage.

The Plot…

Brian Piccolo and Gayle Sayers are rookie running backs drafted to the Chicago Bears. Piccolo is white, outgoing and a jokester while Sayers is black and shy.  Despite their differences and competing for the same position, they become friends. When both make the team they become the NFL’s  first interracial roommates and best friends.

Their friendship deepens when Piccolo assists Sayers through a long arduous knee rehabilitation. Later Piccolo becomes sick and Sayers is ready to return the favor.  That’s when they learn Piccolo has an aggressive terminal cancer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Brian’s Song was nominated for eleven Primetime Emmy Awards and won five…

  • winner Outstanding Single Program – Drama or Comedy – Paul Junger Witt (producer)
  • nominee Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – James Caan
  • nominee Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Dee Williams
  • winner Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Drama – Jack Warden
  • nominee Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama – A Single Program – Buzz Kulik
  • winner Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama – Adaptation – William Blinn
  • nominee Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition – For a Special Program – Michel Legrand
  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for Entertainment Programming – For a Special or Feature Length Program Made for Television – Joseph F. Biroc (cinematographer)
  • nominee Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing – Marvin I. Kosberg (sound editor), Harold E. Wooley (sound editor), Wayne Fury (sound editor), Ralph Hickey (sound editor), Paul Laune (sound editor), George C. Emick (sound editor), Monty Pearce (sound editor)
  • nominee Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Mixing – William J. Montague (sound mixer), Alfred E. Overton (sound mixer)
  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing for Entertainment Programming – For a Special or Feature Length Program Made for Television – Bud S. Isaacs (editor)

Louis Gossett Jr. was cast as Gayle Sayers.  Gossett tore his Achilles’ tendon before filming started and was replaced by Billy Dee Williams.

Brian’s Song was so popular in the US that it received a theatrical run in Europe.

Stu Nahan who plays a sportcaster in some of the Rocky movies plays a speaker at one of the awards ceremonies.

One of the best made-for-television movies ever.  It’s better than most feature films.

Brian’s Song (1971) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Lifeboat” (1944) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Tallulah Bankhead, John Hodiak, Walter Slezak & William Bendix / Z-View

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Lifeboat (1944) 

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Jo Swerling, story by John Steinbeck

Stars: Tallulah Bankhead, John Hodiak, Walter Slezak, William Bendix, Mary Anderson, Henry Hull, Heather Angel, Hume Cronyn, Canada Lee and William Yetter Jr.

Tagline: What happens when six men and three women are alone in an open boat ?

The Plot…

During a World War II a submarine sinks a passenger ship, but is also sunk.  There are only eight survivors. They end up in the same lifeboat.  Introductions show they’re from diverse backgrounds.  There are three ship workers, a famous columnist, a rich man, and three ship passengers (one a mother whose baby was killed in the attack).

When they see another man attempting to get in the lifeboat, they assist him.  The last survivor turns out to be a German soldier from the submarine.  The initial thought is to kill him.  Luckily for him, the vote is to spare his life.

Lost at sea, with little food or water, the odds of survival are slim.  What none know is one of them has secrets that could get them all killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lifeboat was nominated for three Academy Awards…

  • nominee Best Director – Alfred Hitchcock
  • nominee Best Writing, Original Story – John Steinbeck
  • nominee Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Glen MacWilliams

It was a rough shoot completed in a gigantic water tank.  The actors were in a free-floating boat constantly sprayed with water and a mist concoction of water/oil/dry ice.  Twice production had to be stopped due to actors’ illnesses and injury.

Lifeboat has no musical score which was unusual for the time.

Alfred Hitchcock originally wanted his cameo to be a dead body floating in the water.  It was changed and Hitch’s image appears in a newspaper ad.

William Bendix steals every scene he’s in.

Lifeboat (1944)  rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Killing” (1956) directed by Stanley Kubrick, starring Sterling Hayden / Z-View

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The Killing (1956) 

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick; dialogue by Jim Thompson; based on CLEAN BREAK by Lionel White

Stars: Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Jay C. Flippen, Ted de Corsia, Marie Windsor, Elisha Cook Jr., Joe Sawyer, James Edwards, Timothy Carey, Kola Kwariani, Dorothy Adams, James Griffith, Joe Turkel, William ‘Billy’ Benedict, Charles Cane, Robert B. Williams and Vince Edwards

Tagline: These 5 Men Had a $2,000,000 Secret Until One of them told this Woman!

The Plot…

Johnny Clay (Hayden) has been a crook his whole life.  Now he’s ready to settle down and marry Fay (Gray). Johnny has planned one last score.  It will be big.  Two million dollars big. He’s going to knock over a race track.

Johnny has put together his team: two race track workers in need of cash, a cop on the take, a sniper and a pro wrestler.  Johnny has planned for every contingency… except one.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Killing is arguably Stanley Kubrick’s best film.  Kirk Douglas loved it so much, he got Kubrick to direct Douglas’ next film, Paths of Glory.  Two years later, when Douglas fired Anthony Mann early in the filming of Spartacus, Douglas turned to Kubrick to finish the film.

The studio didn’t like the non-linear structure of The Killing.  Re-editing only made things more confusing. So it was released in the non-linear form Kubrick wanted.  Quentin Tarantino claims The Killing is a huge influence on the format of  Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction.

Kola Kwariani (the chess playing pro wrestler) and Stanley Kubrick would often play chess in a chess/checker lounge as shown in the film.

In a film full of memorable co-star performances, Timothy Carey stands out for his uniquely strange acting.

The Killing (1956)  rates 5 of 5 stars.