Category: Z-View

“Wick is Pain” (2025) starring Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski, David Leitch / Z-View

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Wick is Pain (2025)

Director: Jeffrey Doe

Stars: Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski, David Leitch, Scott Adkins, Daniel Bernhardt, Halle Berry, Hu Chen, Common, Jason Constantine, Jonathan Eusebio, Laurence Fishburne, Daniel Hernandez, Anjelica Huston, Basil Iwanyk and Mark Dacascos.

Tagline: The making of a killer franchise.

The Plot…

Wick Is Pain takes us behind the scenes detailing how the John Wick franchise came into existence.  Wick is Pain features current interviews with Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski, David Leitch as well as Wick franchise co-stars and stunt people.  Integrated into the interviews are behind-the-scenes footage from the Wick films.

We learn how the screenplay initially titled scorn morphed into John Wick.  How and why the first film almost wasn’t made… and the surprising celebrity that saved the day.  We are taken on a journey that explores why two men best known as for stunts were given the reins of the first movie.  How the first film changed action films forever.  We also learn that the road for each film had its own challenges both in front and behind the camera.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Wick is Pain is a fun, informative ride.

Keanu Reeves enthusiasm is contagious.

Wick is Pain gets my highest recommendation.

Wick is Pain (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Wagons Roll at Night” (1941) starring Humphrey Bogart, Sylvia Sidney, Eddie Albert and Joan Leslie / Z-View

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The Wagons Roll at Night (1941)

Director: Ray Enright

Screenplay: Fred Niblo Jr., Barry Trivers based on Kid Galahad by Francis Wallace

Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Sylvia Sidney, Eddie Albert, Joan Leslie, Sig Ruman, Frank Wilcox, John Ridgely, Clara Blandick, Aldrich Bowker and Garry Owen.

Tagline:  FOR THE MILLIONS WHO CHEERED “THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT”!

The Plot…

Nick Coster is trying to hold his combination circus/fair together.  It’s not an easy life.  Caesar, one of his lions is getting meaner by the day.  To make matters worse his lion tamer is an alcoholic whose drinking is getting worse.  Add in the day to day troubles and Nick is just keeping his head above water.

The circus had just arrived at the outskirts of another city when Caesar escaped.  Nick gets word and heads into town.  He fears the worst — that he will have to out down Caesar because the lion killed someone.

To Nick’s great surprise, a young shopkeeper named Matt Varney has trapped Caesar in his store.  Matt used a chair to direct the beast into a corner and then barricaded it.  Word spreads quickly that Matt Varney tamed the lion!

As his crew captures Caesar, Nick sees a way to cash in.  Word will spread about the handsome young man who tamed Caesar, the King of Beasts!  Nick offers Matt a job.  Matt is hesitant.  He was afraid of Caesar, but did what needed to be done.  Nick says that he will have his lion tamer train Matt and promises to bring Matt along slowly.  Matt agrees.

The publicity works.  People from city to city come in droves to see the brave young man.  Although the old lion tamer does most of the work, the crowd is happy to see Nick in his limited role.  Nick is happy to keep his word and not push Matt to do more than he’s ready for.

That all changes when Matt falls in love with Nick’s sister.  Matt doesn’t want her to have anything to do with circus people.  When Matt refuses to stop seeing Nick’s sister, Nick begins to push Matt to take more of a role in the lion cage.  Caesar is getting worse and Matt’s not ready.

Welcome to the big top!  The show’s about to start!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

The Wagons Roll at Night is considered to be the first “A” film to star Humphrey Bogart.

If you only know Sylvia Sidney as Juno, the overworked, cynical chain-smoking and very dead caseworker in the afterlife that she played Beetlejuice you’re in for a treat.

The Wagons Roll at Night (1941) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Last Samurai Standing”: Season 1 (2025) starring Jun’ichi Okada and Hideaki Itô / Z-View

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Last Samurai Standing: Season 1 (2025)

Creative Director: Jun’ichi Okada

Directed by:

  • Michihito Fujii (eps. 1-2; 6)
  • Kento Yamaguchi (ep. 3; 5)
  • Toru Yamamoto (ep. 4)

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1-6) Kento Yamaguchi & Michihito Fujii; based on Last Samurai Standing by Shogo Imamura and drawn by  Katsumi Tatsuzawa

Stars: Jun’ichi Okada, Masahiro Higashide, Yûya Endô, Hideaki Itô, Gaku Hamada, Arata Iura and Nobi Nakanishi.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The year is 1878.  A cholera epidemic rages through Japan.  Shujiro Saga’s baby daughter died from the disease.  Now Saga’s wife has fallen ill.  Saga is a former samurai. Samurai were outlawed ten years prior.  With epidemic raging, survival is hard.

Flyers begin showing up everywhere advertising a martial arts tournament in Kyoto that has a grand prize of ¥100,000.  Shujiro Saga sees this as an opportunity for his family and goes.

Martial artists from all over Japan have come to enter the tournament.  They are gathered in a fortress-like setting.  An official tells them that if they do not want to be in the tournament they are to leave now.  They will have 30 seconds to decide.  Once in the game, there is no quitting.  He begins counting down.

Some people yell out they want to know what the game will be.  The official continues to count.  Around the perimeter of the fortress armed guards stand ready to fire.  The official reaches zero.  Soldiers rush out and give each person a numbered tag.  They are now participants.

The official says that the tag must stay on their person.  If it is away from their body for more than 10 seconds they will be killed.  The goal is to pass seven checkpoints on the Tōkaidō Road from Kyoto to Tokyo.  They will have one month to arrive in Tokyo.  Points will be needed to pass each checkpoint.  They earn points by taking other participants tags.  They can do this by any means necessary.  Anything goes. The official concludes by saying, “The game begins at the end of this countdown… 10…”

When the game begins, it is mass chaos.  Nearly 300 martial artists go to war.  There are samurai, archers, brutes, knife fighters, and more. Across the way Shujiro Saga sees Futaba Katsuki, a young girl frozen with fear.  She will be easy pickins.  Saga rushes to her aide.

Kyojin Tsuge recognizes Saga as the former samurai known as The Manslayer.  Tsuge says that he has calculated that the points needed to finish in Tokyo allow for up to nine combatants to win.  Tsuge proposes that Saga, Futaba and he form an alliance.  Saga agrees and they head out.

The giant swordsman Bukotsu Kanjiya who loves to kill wants to end Saga The Manslayer‘s life.  Bukotsu has a bloodlust and murders any in his path.  Other teams have formed with each plotting to survive.

It will be a long road.  Not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Last Samurai Standing is based on a 2022 historical fiction graphic novel written by Shogo Imamura and drawn by  Katsumi Tatsuzawa.  Although the characters and tournament are fiction, real-life historical figures and events add to the backstory.

Junichi Okada who served as producer and stars in the series is a charismatic lead.

Hideaki Itô is awesome and frightening as the giant swordsman.

Last Samurai Standing gets my highest recommendation.  Bring on Season 2.

Last Samurai Standing: Season 1 (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Ice Road: Vengeance” (2025) written & directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, starring Liam Neeson / Z-View

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Ice Road: Vengeance (2025)

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh

Screenplay: Jonathan Hensleigh

Stars: Liam Neeson, Bingbing Fan, Marcus Thomas, Grace O’Sullivan, Mahesh Jadu, Shivantha Wijesinha and CJ Bloomfield.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Mike McCann has traveled to Nepal to honor his dead brother.  Mike plans to scatter his late brother’s ashes on Mount Everest.

Mike, his tour guide Dhani and others are on The Kiwi Express, an old bus used to shuttle tourists to Everest. Then mercenaries arrive.  They are looking to kill Vijay,  a rider on the shuttle.  Mike, Dhani, Vijay and a young girl named Grace escape in The Kiwi Express with the terrorists in hot pursuit.

Outmanned and outgunned, Mike knows that odds of survival are small.  The icy road up the mountain is as dangerous as the killers chasing them.

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Ice Road: Vengeance is a decent follow-up to Ice Road.   If you enjoyed the first film, you should like the second.

I hope we see more of Bingbing Fan (Dhani)  in other movies.

Ice Road: Vengeance (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Seven Days in May” (1964) screenplay by Rod Serling, directed by John Frankenheimer, starring Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredric March and Ava Gardner / Z-View

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Seven Days in May (1964)

Director: John Frankenheimer

Screenplay: Rod Serling; based on SEVEN DAYS IN MAY by Fletcher Knebel, Charles W. Bailey II

Stars: Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredric March, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien, Martin Balsam, Andrew Duggan, Hugh Marlowe, Whit Bissell, Helen Kleeb, George Macready, Richard Anderson, Bart Burns, John Alban, Al Bain, John Houseman, Ferris Webster, Kent McCord and Malcolm Atterbury.

Tagline:  “I’m suggesting Mr President, there’s a military plot to take over the Government of these United States, next Sunday…”

The Plot…

Set during the Cold War.  President Jordan Lyman’s popularity is at an all-time low. He’s just signed a nuclear disarmament treaty with Russia.  Many believe the Russians can’t be trusted.  Protests across the country have grown violent.  Some fear that Russia will renig on the treaty leaving the US unprotected.  Others think that if both countries don’t begin to disarm at some point the nukes will be used.

General James Mattoon Scott is the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  He’s a highly popular, highly decorated Air Force Ace.  Colonel Martin “Jiggs” Casey is the Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  His role is to assist the Joint Chiefs, particularly General Scott.  Privately, neither think Russia can be trusted to keep their part of the disarmament treaty.

Colonel Casey notices some strange messages left for General Mattoon.  This leads to his discovery that in seven days General Mattoon and several other military leaders plan a coup.  They plan to overthrow the President and take control of the government.

Colonel Casey speaks to the President in private.  At first the President can’t believe it.  But the evidence is there.  Unsure of who they can trust, the President, a few trusted aides and Colonel Casey must find a way to stop a coup led by the most popular military leader of the era.

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Seven Days in May was nominated for two 1965 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White – Cary Odell, Edward G. Boyle
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Edmond O’Brien

At a dinner with President Kennedy, Kirk Douglas was asked if he was adapting the novel SEVEN DAYS IN MAY.  When Douglas said that he was, President Kennedy spoke to him at length about how great a movie it would be.  President Kennedy granted set designers access to the White House to assist with an accurate look.

Seven Days in May was set to be released in December 1963.  The release was pushed back due to the assassination of JFK.

Seven Days in May marks John Houseman’s first (although uncredited) feature film role.

Kent McCord best known as Officer Jim Reed on Adam-12 appears as uncredited in a non-speaking role as a Secret Service agent.

Although released in 1964, the film is set in the near future.  Teleconferencing, digital displays, wall screens and the like look ancient now, but then they weren’t in use and appeared slightly futuristic.

The film features one of my favorite comeback lines when General Scott asks Colonel Casey if he knows who Judas was.

Seven Days in May (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Reindeer Games” (2000) directed by John Frankenheimer, starring Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise and Charlize Theron / Z-View

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Reindeer Games (2000)

Director: John Frankenheimer

Screenplay: Ehren Kruger

Stars: Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise, Charlize Theron, James Frain, Mark Acheson, Tom Heaton, Isaac Hayes, Douglas Arthurs, Ron Jeremy, Peter MacNeill, Donal Logue, Danny Trejo, Dennis Farina, Ashton Kutcher and Clarence Williams III.

Tagline:  The trap is set. The game is on.

The Plot…

Nick Cassidy and Rudy Duncan are prison cellmates who have become friends.  Both are scheduled for release soon.  Nick has been exchanging letters with a pretty young woman named Ashley. Althorugh she’s sent plenty of pictures and letters, she’s never seen Nick.  Nick will meet her for the first time when he’s released.

Nick has shared each letter/photo with Rudy as they’ve arrived.  Rudy has secretly become infatuated with Ashley.

Two days before Nick and Rudy are to be released a fight breaks out in the prison cafeteria.  A convict with a grudge against Rudy uses the confusion to try to kill him.  Nick steps in and the convict stabs him instead.  Nick falls to the floor dead as the guards restore order.

Two days pass.  Rudy and several other convicts are escorted out of the prison gates.  Most have family, girlfriends or significant others to meet them.  Rudy has no one.  He plans to get on a bus and head home.

Then he sees Ashley.

She’s beautiful.  Even prettier than the pictures.  Rudy heads for the bus.  Then realizes that Ashley has never seen Nick.  Rudy hesitates and than makes the decision.  He’ll pretend to be Nick.

It works.  Rudy and Ashley have a wonderful day together.  Finally they head to a cabin she has rented.  Rudy cannot believe his luck.

Then things go sideways.  Ashley’s brother Gabriel shows up.  Gabriel’s a thug without a conscience.  The hardcases with him are nearly as bad.  Gabriel knows Nick used to work at a small casino.  He plans to use Nick’s knowledge of the place to rob it.

With no other options, Rudy admits that he’s not Nick.  Ashley can’t believe it.  Gabriel doesn’t believe it.  He thinks Nick just doesn’t want to help with the robbery.  Rudy continues to protest that he’s not Nick.

Gabriel raises his gun as he says, “Then you’re not worth anything to me.”  Rudy quickly changes his tune.  In order to survive he’s going to have to mastermind the robbery of a place he’s never been in.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Let the reindeer games begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

John Frankenheimer’s original director’s cut was much more dark, sexy and violent.  For the theatrical release over 20 minutes was trimmed.  Frankenheimer’s cut was restored for a DVD version.

Reindeer Games was director John Frankenheimer’s final feature film.

Vin Diesel was orginally set to play Pug, a role ultimately played by Donal Logue.  Diesel instead went on to play Dom in The Fast and the Furious.  Smart move.

Ashton Kutcher shows up in a brief scene as a college kid.

There are a couple of unexpected twists that are fun.

Reindeer Games (2000) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Frankenstein” (2025) written & directed by Guillermo del Toro / Z-View

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Frankenstein (2025)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Screenplay: Guillermo del Toro; based on FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley

Stars: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, Charles Dance, David Bradley, Kyle Gatehouse, Lauren Collins, Ralph Ineson, Peter MacNeill and Burn Gorman.

Tagline:  Only monsters play God.

The Plot…

 1857.  The Horisont, a ship sailing to the North Pole, has become trapped in ice. While attempting to free the vessel, the crew finds a badly injured man named Victor Frankenstein.  They bring him aboard and begin treating his wounds.

Not long after, a huge scarred man with incredible strength attacks the ship.  Several of the crew are injured or killed.  The monster demands that Victor Frankenstein be turned over to him.  Instead the Captain orders his men to fire upon the creature.  The shots break the ice around the monster and it sinks away.

As the crew rejoices, Victor Frankenstein says that the creature can not be killed.  It will return and attack again.  Frankenstein says he knows this because he created the monster.

This is his (and the creature’s) story…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Guillermo del Toro licensed Bernie Wrightson’s illustrations from Wrightson’s FRANKENSTEIN graphic novel adaptation to be used in pre-production of the film.

Del Toro has created a beautiful adaptation.  It is well cast, well directed and well acted.  The set designs are award-worthy.  I enjoyed the experience of watching it, but his Frankenstein is not one I feel I will be re-watching much.

Frankenstein (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Red Eye”: Season 1 (2024) starring Jing Lusi & Richard Armitage / Z-View

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Red Eye (2024)

Created by: Peter A Dowling

Directed by:

  • Kieron Hawkes (eps. 1-6)

Teleplay by:

  • Peter A Dowling (eps. 1-3; 5-6)
  • Jingan Young (ep. 4)

Stars: Jing Lusi, Richard Armitage, Lesley Sharp, Jemma Moore, Dan Li, Thomas Chaanhing and Robert Gilbert.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Dr. Matthew Nolan and colleagues have been at a medical conference in Beijing.  On their last night there, Nolan meets an attractive woman named Shen Zhào.  They end up in a nightclub and from there Nolan’s memory gets hazy.

He knows he was in an altercation.  He has a stab wound to prove it.  Nolan remembers escaping and not much else.  He’s glad to arrive back in England after an all-night flight back.  His joy is shortlived.  Nolan is detained and told he must return to Beijing where he will stand trial for the murder of Shen Zhào.  To make matters worse, his colleagues must also return.

MI5 Director-General Madeline Delaney reluctantly agrees to allow Nolan’s extradition, despite his claim of innocence.  Agent Hana Li is assigned to escort Nolan back.  Nolan is adamant in his claims that he has been set up and he didn’t kill anyone.

When it becomes clear that someone on the plane is planing to murder Nolan before they arrive, Agent Li finds herself wondering who she can trust.

Trapped on a plane heading to Beijing, the bodies begin to pile up.  Odds are Nolan and Agent Li will be dead before the plane lands.

Buckle your seatbelts we’re in for a bumpy ride.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Red Eye ramps up the tension with each passing episode.  Trust no one.

Red Eye (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“First Shift” (2024) written & directed by Uwe Boll / Z-View

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First Shift (2024)

Director: Uwe Boll

Screenplay: Uwe Boll

Stars: Gino Anthony Pesi, Kristen Renton, Garry Pastore, Brandi Bravo, Daniel Sauli, Aaron Berg, Onye Eme-Akwari, Tom Ukah, Cate Bottiglione, Tamara Della Anderson and Willie C. Carpenter.

Tagline:  Day One, Duty Calls

The Plot…

 A hard-nosed NYPD cop is teamed with a new fresh-faced recruit from Atlanta.  They have different styles, but unless they can come together as a team, they won’t survive day one.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Gino Anthony Pesi and Kristen Renton have enough on-screen chemistry to make this one watchable… if you can’t find something better.

First Shift (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Monster: The Ed Gein Story” (2025) starring Charlie Hunnam and Laurie Metcalf / Z-View

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Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025)

Created by: Ian Brennan

Directed by:

  • Max Winkler (eps. 1-3; 6-8)
  • Ian Brennan (eps. 4-5)

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1-8) Ian Brennan

Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Suzanna Son, Vicky Krieps, Laurie Metcalf, Tom Hollander.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Ed Gein was a murderer and grave robber.  In 1957, when a sheriff’s deputy, following up on a missing person’s case went to Gein’s farm he discovered the missing woman’s decapitated body in a shed.  The partial corpse was hung upside down and mutilated.  In Gein’s house some of what authorities found included:

  • Whole human bones and fragments
  • A wastebasket made of human skin
  • Human skin covering several chairs
  • Human skulls mounted on bedposts
  • Bowls made from human skulls
  • A corset made from a female torso skinned from shoulders to waist
  • Leggings made from human leg skin
  • Masks made from the skin of female heads
  • A victim’s face made into a mask in a paper bag
  • A victim’s entire head in a burlap sack
  • A victim’s heart in a plastic bag
  • A belt made from female human nipples
  • A pair of lips on a window shade drawstring
  • A lampshade made from the skin of a human face
  • more

Gein was determined to be mentally incompetent to stand trial.  He was sentenced to a State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, where he lived until his death in 1984.  Ed Gein’s murders and depravity inspired the novel (and later movie) Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and more.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Charlie Hunnam is almost unrecognizable as Ed Gein.  Kudos to him for taking on such a challenging role.  Laurie Metcalf is perfect as Gein’s mother.

I wish Monster: The Ed Gein Story stuck closer to actual events.  Liberties are taken that I feel weaken the story.  For example, Gein never had a love interest.  Gein never chased down and killed lost hunters with a chain saw.  Gein never had contact with Christine Jorgensen, an American actress famous for being known as the first transexual widely known in the United States.

Because of these fictional additions, it makes me question things when other real life personalitites, like Anthony Perkins and Alfred Hitchcock show up.  I realize Monster: The Ed Gein Story isn’t a documentary.  But it is supposed to be Gein’s story and that was creepy enough.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“40 Acres” (2024) directed by R.T. Thorne, starring Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Greyeyes & Kataem O’Connor / Z-View

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40 Acres (2024)

Director: R. T. Thorne

Screenplay: R. T. Thorne, Glenn Taylor, Lora Campbell

Stars: Danielle Deadwyler, Kataem O’Connor, Michael Greyeyes, Tyrone Benskin, Mimi Côté, Patrick Garrow, John Tench, Derek Barnes and Elizabeth Saunders.

Tagline: Get off our land.

The Plot…

In a post-apocalyptic future Hailey Freeman’s family struggles to survive.  They have become self-sufficient by farming and hunting on a remote piece of land.  There are a few other small groups who have created farms or outposts as well.  They stay in contact using shortwave radios.  When a couple of the groups fail to respond, it is learned that a gang of cannibals are killing everyone in the communities.  They feast, steal what they can and move on.

The cannibal tribe is now heading towards the Freeman farm.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

40 Acres was written by R. T. Thorne, Glenn Taylor, Lora Campbell in the screenwriting debut.  It also marks R.T. Thorne’s directoral debut.

Danielle Deadwyler is a force to be reckoned with!

40 Acres deserves a wider-audience.

40 Acres (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Among Those Present” (1921) starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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Among Those Present (1921)

Director: Fred C. Newmeyer

Screenplay: Hal Roach, Sam Taylor, H. M. Walker

Stars: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Aggie Herring, James T. Kelley and William Gillespie.

Tagline: A triple barreled comedy shot with laughter.

The Plot…

The O’Brien family are newly rich.  Although Mrs. O’Brien wants to be accepted among society’s elite, her husband and daughter could care less.  In an effort to rub elbows (and hopefully make new friends) Mrs. O’Brien hires a “society pilot” to guide her.  He says she should host a fox hunt.  She invites all the wealthy society elite.

When Mrs. O’Brien learns that Lord Abernathy is in town, she orders the “society pilot” to get him to the party.  Unable to get Lord Abernathy to come, the pilot resorts to hiring a hotel bellboy to impersonate the Lord.  The bellboy is way out of his comfort zone.

Sound the horn.  Start the hunt!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Two years after the release of Among Those Present, Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis were married.  The union lasted until her death in 1969.

Among Those Present (1921) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Good Night and Good Luck” (2025) starring George Clooney / Z-View

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Good Night, and Good Luck (2025)

Director: Micah Bickham, David Cromer

Screenplay: George Clooney, Grant Heslov

Stars: George Clooney, Mac Brandt, Will Dagger, Christopher Denham, Glenn Fleshler, Joe Forbrich, Jennifer Morris, Michael Nathanson, Andrew Polk, Aaron Roman Weiner and Fran Kranz.

Tagline: We will not walk in fear, one of another

The Plot…

U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy leads investigations into individual citizens’ private lives in an effort to route out communists and get them blacklisted.  CBS journalist and broadcaster, Edward R. Murrow, arguably the most popular newsman of his time, takes a stand against McCarthy despite the problems and dangers it could cause him and others around him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Good Night, and Good Luck first appeared as feature film directed by George Clooney.  In the film, Clooney played Fred Friendly.  David Strathairn took the role of Edward R. Murrow.  Clooney said the reason he didn’t take the lead in the movie was, “Murrow had a gravitas to him that at 42 years old I wasn’t able to pull off”.

Good Night, and Good Luck was the first ever live televised global broadcast of a Broadway play.

It’s ironic how events in the 1950s echo current events.

Good Night, and Good Luck (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Spider Baby” (1967) written & directed by Jack Hill, starring Lon Chaney, Jr., Sid Haig and Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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Spider Baby (1967)

Director: Jack Hill

Screenplay: Jack Hill

Stars: Lon Chaney Jr., Carol Ohmart, Quinn K. Redeker, Beverly Washburn, Jill Banner, Sid Haig, Mary Mitchel and Mantan Moreland.

Tagline: Seductive innocence of LOLITA

The Plot…

The Merrye family lives in a house on a hill outside the city.  Since their parents died when they were children, the family butler, Bruno has watched over Ralph, Virginia, and Elizabeth.  Now young adults, the three have the Merrye syndrome, a genetic family curse named after them.

Once members of the Merrye family reach adulthood, they begin to regress mentally and socially.  They become violent, although they act childish.  Although Bruno does his best to watch over them, the three have killed people who wander onto the property.

When Bruno learns that distant relatives are coming to pay a visit, he does his best to prepare Ralph, Virginia and Elizabeth so they will not act out their murderous impulses.  Bruno’s plan is to entertain his guests and then send them on their way.

Ralph, Virginia and Elizabeth have other ideas.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Spider Baby was filmed over 12 days August/September of 1964.  It wasn’t released until 1967, because the producer (a real estate agent) went bankrupt.  The budget was $65,000.00.  The star of the film, Lon Chaney, Jr. was paid just $2,500.00.

Spider Baby was released under various titles including Spider Baby; The Liver Eaters; Attack of the Liver Eaters; Cannibal Orgy; and The Maddest Story Ever Told.  The latter title was a play on the popular film, The Greatest Story Ever Told.  One of the posters used to promote the film had the tagline, Whatever Happened to Spider Baby which of course, was a play on Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (another popular movie of the era).

Lon Chaney, Jr. sings Spider Baby‘s theme song.

Spider Baby marks director Jack Hill’s feature film debut (although it was released after some of his other movies).  Hill would go on to direct explotation films such as The Big Doll House; The Big Bird Cage; Coffy; Foxy Brown; The Swinging Cheerleaders and The Switchblade Sisters.

Spider Baby is a cult film. I wanted to see Spider Baby mainly for Mantan Moreland.  Best known for his comedy roles, Mantan was chosen for the film since he is brutally murdered in an opening scene.  The director rightly figured this would shock audiences.

Spider Baby (1967) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Miracle Mile” (1988) written & directed by Steve De Jarnatt; starring Anthony Edwards & Mare Winningham / Z-View

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Miracle Mile (1988)

Director: Steve De Jarnatt

Screenplay: Steve De Jarnatt

Stars: Anthony Edwards, Mare Winningham, John Agar, Lou Hancock, Kelly Jo Minter, Kurt Fuller, Denise Crosby, Robert DoQui, O-Lan Jones, Claude Earl Jones, Alan Rosenberg, Earl Boen, Diane Delano, Alan Berger, Jenette Goldstein, Peter Berg and Mykelti Williamson.

Tagline: There are 70 minutes to the end of the world. Where can you hide?

The Plot…

Harry Washello and Julie Peters have a chance meeting.  They have a definite connection and they spend the afternoon together.  That’s all it takes for them to know they’ve met their soulmate.  They agree to meet at midnight at the diner where Julie works.

Harry oversleeps due to an accident in his building.  His alarm didn’t go off.  Julie calls but the same accident took down the phone lines.

When Harry wakes up he rushes to the diner.  He’s four hours late, but maybe, just maybe Julie is still there.  She’s not.

Harry goes to a payphone outside the diner and calls Julie.  No answer.  So he leaves an apology message.  As he walks away, the payphone rings.  It’s not Julie.  A man named Chip is trying to reach his father.  Chip is speaking quickly with terror in his voice.  Chip claims that nukes have been launched.  In 70 minutes the US and Russia will be in a full on nuclear war.  Missles are now headed for LA.  Suddenly Harry hears gunshots and Chip is gone.

At first Harry thinks the call is a prank.  He speaks to folks in the diner.  Most laugh off the call… but one lady with connections makes a couple of calls.  She learns that politicians are hightailing it out of DC.  She tells the diners they need to get as far from the city as they can as fast as they can.

Harry believes the threat is real.  He’s not willing to leave without Julie.  He has a plan but time is running out.  As Harry makes his way across the city, word of incoming nukes is quickly spreading.  The city becomes a madhouse.

And the clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

In 2001, Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham were married!  They had been married and divorced to others, but reconnected years later.

Miracle Mile marks Peter Berg’s feature film debut.

Miracle Mile features three actors who appeared in Terminator films…

  • Earl Boen (The Terminator – 1984, Terminator 2: Judgment Day – 1991, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines – 2003, and Terminator: Dark Fate -2019)
  • Brian Thompson (The Terminator – 1984)
  • Jenette Goldstein (Terminator 2: Judgment Day – 1991)

Miracle Mile plays out like a fever-dream.  Writer/director Steve De Jarnatt had a vision for his film and he stuck to his guns to get it.

Miracle Mile (1988) rates 3 of 5 stars.