Category: History

“Untold: The Murder of Air McNair” (2024) / Z-View

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Untold: The Murder of Air McNair (2024)

Director: Rodney Lucas, Taylor Alexander Ward

Stars: Steve McNair.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Steve “Air” McNair had a wonderful NFL career.  McNair was the third player chosen in the first round.  He played for 12 years.  McNair was an all-pro, a passing leader and very wealthy.  McNair was married with two sons (and two sons from relationships before he was married).  At the age of 35, Steve McNair retired with a family farm in Mississippi and a restaurant he owned in Nashville.

Life should have been great.

On July 4, 2009, Steve McNair was found dead in his Nashville apartment.  He has been shot multiple times. Next to him, also dead from a gunshot wound was Sahel “Jenni” Kazemi.  McNair and Kazemi had been involved in an affair.  The person who found the two didn’t call 911 straight away.  He needed to do some things first.

When the police finally got the call the investigation ruled it a murder/suicide.  But was it?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you’re looking for a one and done murder documentary, this might fit the bill.  It clocks in at 57 minutes.

Untold: The Murder of Air McNair (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Apollo 13: Survival” (2024) / Z-View

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Apollo 13 Survival (2024)

Director: Peter Middleton

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Apollo 13 was halfway to the moon when catastrophe struck.  An explosion disabled the electrical system and life-support system.  NASA’s Mission Control needed to formulate a plan to use the tools and items on board to find a way to safely bring the Apollo 11 crew back.  Astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise lives hung in the balance.

“Houston, we have a problem.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Apollo 13 Survival provides never before seen footage as well as behind-the-scenes access to one of the greatest comeback triumphs in NASA’s history.

Apollo 13 Survival (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp” – The Teaser is Here!

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I’m a Chaplin movie fan.  So I plan to check out Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp when it comes to streaming.  Check out the trailer and maybe you’ll be on board too.

Deal me in.

World Premiere – San Sebastian International Film Festival
Genre: Documentary
Director: Carmen Chaplin
Language: English
Countries of Production: Spain, BeNeLux, UK, France
Producers: Wave of Humanity, Basque Films, Atlantika Films, Kwanon Films, Roy Export SAS, Submarine Sublime
Running Time: 86 minutes (excluding credits)

“London After Midnight” directed by Tod Browning, starring Lon Chaney – The Lost Film

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London After Midnight is a lost film from 1927.  It was directed by Tod “Dracula” Browning and starred Lon “The Man of One Thousand Faces” Chaney.

London After Midnight was one of eight films Browning and Chaney made together,  The last known copy of the film was destroyed in the MGM vault fire of 1965.  I continue to hope another copy of the film will turn up one day.

“Daytime Revolution” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for Daytime Revolution.

Deal me in.

For one extraordinary week beginning on February 14th, 1972, the revolution was televised. Daytime Revolution takes us back in time to the week that John Lennon and Yoko Ono descended upon a Philadelphia broadcasting studio to co-host the iconic Mike Douglas Show, at the time the most popular show on daytime television with an audience of 40 million viewers a week.

What followed was five unforgettable episodes of television, with Lennon and Ono at the helm and Douglas bravely keeping the show on track. Acting as both producers and hosts, Lennon and Ono handpicked their guests, including controversial choices like Yippie founder Jerry Rubin and Black Panther Chairman Bobby Seale, as well as political activist Ralph Nader and comic truth teller George Carlin.

Their version of daytime TV was a radical take on the traditional format, incorporating candid Q&A sessions with their transfixed audience, conversations about current issues like police violence and women’s liberation, conceptual art events, and one-of-a-kind musical performances, including a unique duet with Lennon and Chuck Berry and a poignant rendition of Lennon’s “Imagine.”

A document of the past that speaks to our turbulent present, Daytime Revolution is a time capsule reminding us of art’s power to break down barriers, and the bravery of two artists who never took the easy way out as they fought for their vision of a better world.

“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” (2024) / Z-View

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Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told (2024)

Director: P. Frank Williams

Stars: André 3000, The Notorious B.I.G., Big Boi, CeeLo Green.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

How a small black college picnic grew and grew to become an annual event known as Freaknik.  The event started out as a get-together for college students who didn’t have the resources to return home for Spring Break.

Each year the event grew bigger.  It began to attract out-of-towners from all over the country.  Many were not college students.  The event became so large it shut down the city.  Drugs, sex and sexual assaults turned the powers that be against the event.

This is the story of the rise and fall of Freaknik.

Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies” (2001) / Z-View

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Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

Director: Ray Greene

Screenplay: Ray Greene

Stars: Ray Greene, Roger Corman, Maila Nurmi, Dick Miller, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Forrest J. Ackerman and Peter Bogdanovich.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Movies that qualify as “schlock” are low-budget, genre films that usually focus on horror, sex and/or violence.  These films were made quickly and usually the second feature on a double bill or drive-in fare.  Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies explores (as the title suggests) the history of these types of movies.  It’s an interesting topic to see how these movies changed over time and influenced popular culture.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you have any interest in schlock cinema, this one is for you.

Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001) 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.

“Oppenheimer” (2023) written and directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Cilian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr. and Florence Pugh / Z-View

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Oppenheimer (2023)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Screenplay: Christopher Nolan based on AMERICAN PROMETHEUS by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherman

Stars: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Scott Grimes, Jason Clarke, Kurt Koehler, Tony Goldwyn, John Gowans, James D’Arcy, Kenneth Branagh, Harry Groener, Gregory Jbara, Ted King, Steven Houska, Matthew Modine, Casey Affleck, James Remar, Gary Oldman and Josh Hartnett

Tagline: The World Forever Changes

The Plot…

As World War II rages, the United States and Germany are racing to create an atomic bomb.  J. Robert Oppenheimer is recruited by the US army to co-ordinate scientists chosen for the project.  After Germany surrenders, Oppenheimer and others question the use of the bomb on Japan.  After the war, Oppenheimer’s loyalty to the US is questioned and his reputation put at risk.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Oppenheimer was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won seven…

  • nominee Best Sound – Willie D. Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo, Kevin O’Connell
  • nominee Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling – Luisa Abel
  • nominee Best Achievement in Production Design – Ruth De Jong (production designer), Claire Kaufman (set decorator)
  • nominee Best Achievement in Costume Design – Ellen Mirojnick
  • nominee Best Adapted Screenplay – Christopher Nolan
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Emily Blunt
  • winner Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Ludwig Göransson
  • winner Best Achievement in Film Editing – Jennifer Lame
  • winner Best Achievement in Cinematography – Hoyte Van Hoytema
  • winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr.
  • winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Cillian Murphy
  • winner Best Achievement in Directing – Christopher Nolan
  • winner Best Motion Picture of the Year – Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan

Oppenheimer is a dramatization of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life from 1926 to 1959.

Robert Downey, Jr. considers Oppenheimer to be his best film.

Many of the famous actors/actresses appearing in Oppenheimer took small roles and pay cuts to work with Sir Christopher Nolan.

Oppenheimer is an exceptional film from top to bottom.  The film and everyone who was nominated/won an award for it is deserving.  Because it’s not a movie that I will not often revisit, I’m giving it 4 of 5 stars.  Don’t let that fool you though, it is an excellent movie.

Oppenheimer (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Patriot” (2000) directed by Roland Emmerich, starring Mel Gibson & Heath Ledger / Z-View

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The Patriot (2000)

Director: Roland Emmerich

Screenplay: Robert Rodat

Stars: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, Tchéky Karyo, Rene Auberjonois, Tom Wilkinson, Donal Logue, Leon Rippy, Jay Arlen Jones, Joey D. Vieira and Trevor Morgan.

Tagline: Some things are worth fighting for.

The Plot…

Benjamin Martin (Gibson) is a veteran of the French and Indian War.  He was a hero and his exploits were legendary.  But that was years ago.  Benjamin is older and a widower with seven children.  As many colonists enlist in the Continental Army, Benjamin refuses.  He fears for his children if he were to be killed.

Despite his father’s wishes, Gabriel Martin (Ledger) enlists.  Gabriel becomes a dispatcher for the Continental Army.  When a battle spills over onto the Martin farm, Benjamin Martin tends to wounded soldiers of both armies.  Gabriel is one of them.

Colonel William Tavington (Isaacs) and his British Dragoons arrive.  Tavington thanks Benajamin Martin for tending to the British soldiers.  He orders all of the wounded rebel soldiers to be killed.  Tavington then orders Benjamin Martin’s house burned and his son, Gabriel to be hung as a spy.  Benjamin pleads for his son’s life, arguing that Gabriel was wearing a uniform and carrying dispatches in an official bag.  Rules of War specify that properly uniformed dispatchers are not spies.  Tavington doesn’t care.  When Gabriel’s younger brother attempts to free Gabe, Tavington shoots and kills the child.

As Tavington, his Dragoons ride off, a separate contingent of British soldiers take Gabriel to be hung.  Benjamin races into his burning house and from a chest grabs weapons he used in the French and Indian War.  Benjamin Martin hoped to keep his family safe. But his young son has been killed and the war brought to him…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Patriot was nominated for three Academy Awards…

  • nominee Best Cinematography – Caleb Deschanel
  • nominee Best Music, Original Score – John Williams
  • nominee Best Sound – Kevin O’Connell, Greg P. Russell, Lee Orloff

For the first time ever, the the Smithsonian Institution worked with producers to ensure the accuracy of the films costumes and settings.

Benjamin Martin is based on two real people: Francis Marion, a.k.a. The Swamp Fox and militia leader General Andrew Pickens who lost a son and had his estate burned before he returned to war.

The Patriot (2000) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Chisum” (1970) starring John Wayne / Z-View

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Chisum (1970)

Director: Andrew V. McLaglen

Screenplay: Andrew J. Fenady, based on the short story Chisum and the Lincoln County War by Andrew J. Fenady

Stars: John Wayne, Forrest Tucker, Christopher George, Ben Johnson, Glenn Corbett, Bruce Cabot, Patric Knowles, Richard Jaeckel, Geoffrey Deuel, Pamela McMyler, John Agar, Robert Donner, Ray Teal, Edward Faulkner, Ron Soble, William Conrad (voice), Lee Meriwether and Lynda Day (George).

Tagline: THE LEGEND – John Wayne is “Chisum”

The Plot…

John Chisum (Wayne) and Lawrence Murphy (Tucker) are the biggest land owners in Lincoln County, New Mexico.  Murphy has been buying up land and businesses by exerting behind-the-scenes pressure.  Murphy goes too far when he pays off the sheriff and hires outlaws to rustle cattle.

Chisum, aided by his trail boss Pepper, along with Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett take a stand against Murphy and his gang.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

John Wayne was 44 years into his career when he made Chisum. Wayne was the #2 Money-Making Box Office Star for 1970.  Paul Newman was #1.

Christopher George and Lynda Day had met before, but during filming of Chisum they fell in love and were later married.

The ranch house John Chisum lives in will be reused the following year for Wayne’s ranch house in Big Jake.

This was Geoffrey Deuel’s feature film debut.  Geoffrey is Pete Duel’s younger brother.  They look enough alike to be twins.  Pete changed his last name for professional reasons.  Pete would become famous for his role on Alias Smith and Jones.  Sadly Pete Jones died from a self-inflicted gunshot on December 31, 1971.

Lee Meriwether’s only appearance in the film is in a photograph in Chisum’s pocket watch.

John Wayne was reportedly disappointed that his stuntman was so obvious in the big fight scene with Forrest Tucker.  Tucker’s stunt man was Jim Burk who performed stunts on over 50 movies including Tango & Cash, Conan the Barbarian and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Chisum is based on the Lincoln County War of 1878.  Although fictionalized, several of the characters in the film were based on real people and events.

Chisum (1970) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die” (2023) / Z-View

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The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023)

Director: Edward Bazalgette

Screenplay: Martha Hillier based on THE SAXON STORIES by Bernard Cornwell

Stars: Alexander Dreymon, Harry Gilby, Mark Rowley.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When Edward, King of the Anglo-Saxons, dies without designating an heir to the throne, it sets off a chain reaction of lessor kings battling to become the one true king.  Expect brother versus brother, double-crosses and deceit.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023) is a spin-off of the The Last Kingdom series which ran for five seasons.  You don’t have to watch the series to enjoy the movie, but it probably would enhance the film if you did. (I had not seen the series prior to watching the film.)

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” – Season 1 (2015) / Z-View

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The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst – Season 1 (2015)

Created by: Andrew Jarecki, Marc Smerling, Zac Stuart-Pontier

Director: Andrew Jarecki (Eps. 1-6)

Written By: Andrew Jarecki, Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier (Eps. 1-6)

Tagline: The confession was just the beginning.

The Plot…

Andrew Jarecki directed All Good Things, a film inspired by Robert Durst’s life.  All Good Things is the fictional tale of David Marks, a real estate tycoon suspected of killing his wife Katie, who disappeared in 1982.  Robert Durst is an heir to the Durst family fortune made in real estate.  Robert Durst’s wife, Kathie disappeared in 1982.

After seeing All Good Things, Robert Durst reached out to Andrew Jarecki and proposed a series of interviews so that Durst could tell his side of the story.  In addition to being suspected of killing his wife Kathie, Durst had also admitted to killing and dismembering Morris Black and was also suspected of killing his friend Susan Berman.  Robert Durst gave Jarecki almost unlimited access to personal family photos/videos, court transcripts and depositions.  Jarecki performed extensive research prior to the interviews and uncovered previously unseen evidence.

Durst did the interviews to give his side of the story and to clear his name.  Little did Durst know that decision would lead to his arrest for murder.  Admitting his guilt on a hot mic didn’t help his side of the story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Jinx was nominated for six 2015 Primetime Emmys and won two: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming.

Robert Durst’s story is stranger than fiction.  A multi-millionaire who many think got away with killing his first wife goes on the run because he thinks the police are going to arrest him.  He leaves New York and travels to Galveston, Texas.  He disguises himself as a mute woman.  While in Galveston he kills and dismembers a man.  The body parts are found floating in plastic bags.  They have Durst’s fingerprints, a receipt where he paid for the bags and saws.  He is caught with the saw used to dismember the man.  Durst admits to the killing.

And his defense attorney gets him off!  I won’t spoil the way it is done.

Now Durst has gotten away with murder (potentially murders).  You’d think he’d take his multi-millions and lay low for the rest of his life.  Nope.  He becomes the main suspect in the killing of Susan Berman.  Durst’s brother hires bodyguards and takes out a restraining order — he fears he could be next.

What does Durst do?  He agrees to a series of interviews in which he inadvertently admits his guilt.  This leads to his arrest for murder.

Kudos to Andrew Jarecki, Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier.  Their research a dedication to finding the truth made for compelling television.  The Jinx deserves every accolade it has received.  I look forward to season two.

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst – Season 1 (2015) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback” (2023) / Z-View

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Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (2023)

Director: John Scheinfeld

Screenplay: John Scheinfeld

Stars: Elvis Presley, Leslie Uggams, The Beatles, Harry Belafonte, Petula Clark, Darius Rucker.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

In the mid 1950s, Elvis Presley burst on the scene.  He was an instant star and no one was bigger. Elvis was seen as a rebel by many and dangerous by some.  By the mid 1960s, Elvis’ star had faded.  His music wasn’t hip and a string of bad movies had Elvis doubting himself.  Then Elvis was signed for a television special.  Steve Binder was set to direct.  Binder had ideas for the production, but they were vetoed by Elvis’ manager, Colonel Parker.  Elvis faced a tough decision.  Follow his manager’s directives or give the new guy a chance.

Elvis knew his career depended on the success of the special…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback takes us behind the scenes with footage and stories from those who were there.

It’s interesting to note that the parts of the special that were best received were those that Colonel Parker tried to veto.  I had a pretty poor opinion of Parker before this documentary and after viewing it, my opinion dropped even further.

I was ten years old when the special aired.  I can remember adults talking about how “cool” Elvis was in it.  Yeah, Elvis was back, baby.

Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.