Category: Z-View

“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.

“This Side of the Law” (1950) starring Viveca Lindfors, Kent Smith, Janis Paige, Robert Douglas / Z-View

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This Side of the Law (1950)

Director: Richard L. Bare

Screenplay: Russell S. Hughes; story by Richard Sale

Stars: Viveca Lindfors, Kent Smith, Janis Paige, Robert Douglas, John Alvin, Nita Talbot,
Michael Mark, Edward Van Sloan and Monte Blue.

Tagline: He’s coming back – the man they thought they double-crossed to death!

The Plot…

David Cummings is going through hard times.  Homeless and looking for work, Cummings is picked up on a vagrancy charge.  The judge sentences him to “$50 or 30 days.”  Cummings is surprised to learn that Philip Cagle, a lawyer in the courtroom, paid his fine.

Cagle then takes Cummings to dinner and offers him a job.  It turns out that Cummings looks exactly like one of Cagle’s clients.  A rich man who disappeared nearly seven years ago.  In fact, in two weeks it will be seven years exactly that the man has been missing.  At that point the man will be declared dead and the man’s estate will be divided up among the missing man’s wife, brother and sister-in-law.

Cagle offers Cummings $500 to impersonate the missing man.  Cagle hopes that Cummings will then be able to discover the fate of the missing man.  Cummings agrees to the job… for $5,000.00 and is surprised when Cagle agrees to the sum.

Cummings is able to fool everyone.  He quickly discovers that each member of the missing man’s family had reason to kill him.  And now at least one of them has reason to kill him again.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

If you can go along with the conceit that the imposter could fool the missing man’s wife, brother and former lover, then this movie works well.  I went with it and enjoyed the ride.

This Side of the Law marks Nita Talbot’s first credited feature film role.  Ms. Talbot would go on to accumulate over 150 credits on her acting resume.

This Side of the Law (1950) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Lost World” (1925) / Z-View

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The Lost World (1925)

Director: Harry O. Hoyt

Screenplay: Marion Fairfax; based on THE LOST WORLD by Arthur Conan Doyle

Stars: Bessie Love, Lewis Stone, Wallace Beery, Lloyd Hughes and Arthur Conan Doyle.

Tagline: See the mighty prehistoric monsters clash with modern lovers in a most remarkable story of love, romance and amazing adventure.

The Plot…

Explorer Maple White is missing.  His journal details an amazing lost land where dinosaurs still roam!  A newspaper sponsors a rescue party consisting of Professor Challenger (an ecentric professor), his butler Austin, Paula White (Maple’s adult daughter), Sir John Roxton, the newspaper’s reporter Edward Malone (reluctantly going to impress his fiancée), Professor Summerlee (who is skeptical that they will find living dinosaurs), and Zambo (an Indian servant).

The rescue team finds more than expected… and may themselves need rescuing!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

The Lost World is the first US (and maybe the world) feature film to feature stop motion animation photography as the primary special effect.

In April 1925, The Lost World became the first in-flight movie shown to passengers on a London to Paris flight by Imperial Airways.

Buyers beware.  The Lost World has fallen into public domain so there are many shoddy copies out there.

The Lost World (1925) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Weapons” (2025) written & directed by Zach Cregger; starring Julia Garner, Josh Brolin and Amy Madigan / Z-View

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Weapons (2025)

Director: Zach Cregger

Screenplay: Zach Cregger

Stars: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Anny Jules, Howard St. John, Ali Burch, Alden Ehrenreich, Whitmer Thomas, Melissa Ponzio and Amy Madigan.

Tagline: Last night at 2:17 am every child from Mrs. Gandy’s class woke up, got out of bed, went downstairs, opened the front door, walked into the dark …and they never came back.

The Plot…

At 2:17 am, while nearly everyone in Maybrook, Pennsylvania, was fast asleep, 17 children got out of their beds, quietly left their homes and disappeared.  Several security cameras caught the children running from their homes into the night.  Police were stymied.  The children vanished with no clues as to where or why.

When it became clear that all of the children were in Justine Gandy’s third grade class, she became the main suspect.  Police questioned Ms. Gandy but there was nothing linking her to the disappearance.  It was a strange case. All but one of the children in Justine Gandy’s class were missing.  Only one, Alex Lilly, showed up for school the next day.  Neither Alex or his parents had any idea what/who was behind the missing children.

Justine Gandy, frustrated with police efforts decides to investigate.  She believes that Alex’s parents know more than they are saying.

She will find out just how wrong she is…

Archer Graff, the parent of a missing student, frustrated with police efforts decides to investigate.  He believes Justine Gandy knows more than she is saying.

He’ll find out just how wrong he is…

Ring the bell.  School’s in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Netflix premiered Weapons at 2:17 am, the same time as the disappearance of the children.

Amy Madigan was perfect!

Weapons (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Undercover Man” (1949) starring Glenn Ford / Z-View

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The Undercover Man (1949)

Director: Joseph H. Lewis

Screenplay: Sydney Boehm, Malvin Wald (additional dialogue) based on Undercover Man: He Trapped Capone by Frank J. Wilson from a story outline by Jack Rubin

Stars: Glenn Ford, Nina Foch, James Whitmore, Barry Kelley, David Bauer (as David Wolfe), Howard St. John, Leo Penn, Esther Minciotti, Angela Clarke, Anthony Caruso, Robert Osterloh, Kay Medford, Patricia Barry (as Patricia White) and Peter Brocco.

Tagline: TOLD WITH THE SNARL OF A MACHINE GUN!

The Plot…

US Treasury Agent Frank Warren has been assigned to bring down the mob boss know as Big Fellow.  Every witness or informent is terrified from testifying, paid off or found dead.  Then Warren gets a lead from an unexpected source.

Now Big Fellow has targeted Frank Warren and his wife to die.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Big Fellow was of course based on Al Capone.

The Undercover Man marks James Whitmore’s feature film debut.

Leo Penn is the father of actors Sean and Chris Penn.

The Undercover Man (1949) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Loudermilk” Season 3 (2020) / Z-View

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“Loudermilk”: Season 3 (2020)

Created by: Peter Farrelly & Bobby Mort

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1; 10) Bobby Mort & Peter Farrelly
  • (ep. 2) John Jordan & Thomas Jordan
  • (ep. 3) Bobby Mort
  • (ep. 4) Jackie Flynn, Jimmy Dunn & Peter Farrelly
  • (ep. 5) Laura Streicher & Kate Schriver
  • (ep. 6) Dave Connaughton & John Trozak
  • (ep. 7) Ricky Blitt
  • (ep. 8) Danny Smith
  • (ep. 9) Yassir Lester & Peter Farrelly

Directed by:

  • Bobby Farrelly (eps. 1-3, 5, 7-8, 10)
  • Peter Farrelly (eps. 4, 6, 9)

Stars: Ron Livingston, Will Sasso, Anja Savcic, Brian Regan, Jackie Flynn, Timothy Webber,
Ricky Blitt, Tyler Layton-Olson, Viv Leacock, Sam Bob, Laura Mennell and Eric Keenleyside.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Sam Loudermilk was once a popular music critic.  Now Sam is a recovering alcoholic and substance-abuse group leader.  Sam has a good heart, but an acid tongue.  He doesn’t hesitate to give his opinions on the absurd things/people he comes in contact with.  Sam’s best friends are his roomate, Ben (also a recovering alcoholic) and the regulars that attend his group sessions.

In season three Sam deals with…

  • being forced to “parent” his baby brother
  • Ben’s talents as a chef
  • Ben starting a food truck
  • the legal fallout from golfing with friends from the support group
  • the ramifications of an honest review
  • Roger getting a courage reward for being himself
  • someone using his credit card
  • the UNEXPECTED return of…
  • making amends for a past wrong
  • and more.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I just discovered Loudermilk this year.  The series is funny and has heart.  The supporting cast is a hoot.  If you enjoy a fun 30 minute sitcom, give Loudermilk a shot.

“Loudermilk’: Season 3 (2020) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“The Big Steal” (1949) directed by Don Siegel; starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and William Bendix / Z-View

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The Big Steal (1949)

Director: Don Siegel

Screenplay: Gerald Drayson Adams, Daniel Mainwaring (as Geoffrey Homes) based on “The Road to Carmichael’s” by Richard Wormser

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, William Bendix, Patric Knowles, Ramon Novarro, Don Alvarado and John Qualen.

Tagline: It’s a tough, terrific adventure in grand larceny! But, there’s more than money on his mind…when he mixes with this gal with the million dollar figure!

The Plot…

$300,000 was robbed from a U.S. military payroll. Army lieutenant Duke Halliday wants the money.  He knows Jim Fiske has it, but Fiske is on the lam.  Duke is in pursuit.  Duke’s superior, Captain Blake is after both Duke and Fiske.  Blake intends to get the money back.

Fiske makes it across the US/Mexican border with both Duke and Blake not far behind.  In Mexico, Duke meets Joan Graham.  Fiske scammed her for $2,000.00.  Duke and Joan reluctantly agree to work together.

Fiske is desperate.  He’s come too far to lose the money.  And he’ll kill anyone who gets in his way.  Duke and Joan are in his way.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Don Siegel, who would go on to helm classics such as Dirty Harry and Invasion of the Body Snatchers does a fine job in his third outing as a feature film director.

The film’s shooting schedule was disrupted by Robert Mitchum’s 50-day prison sentence for marijuana possession.

Jane Russell was up for the female lead, but Howard Hughes was worried that Mitchum’s marijuana arrest would reflect badly on her.  Russell was RKO Studios biggest female star and Hughes nixed her for the role.  Lizabeth Scott refused the part, because she was also afraid it would tarnish her career.  Jane Greer, who had worked with Mitchum in Out of the Past, got the role.

The Big Steal is the 1940s version of a chase movie.

There’s a couple of unexpected twists at the end.  The Big Steal is a fun ride.

The Big Steal (1949) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Iron Claw” written & directed by Sean Durkin; starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons with Holt McCallany and Lily James / Z-View

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The Iron Claw (2023)

Director:  Sean Durkin

Screenplay: Sean Durkin

Stars: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Lily James, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Garrett Hammond, Cazzey Louis Cereghino, Kevin Anton, Michael Papajohn and Holt McCallany.

Tagline:  Sons. Brothers. Champions.

The Plot…

The Von Erich family is known in professional wrestling circles not only for their legendary rise to the top, but also the multiple tragedies they suffered along the way.

Fritz Von Erich, although a successful professional wrestler, never became champion.  This left him bitter.  Fritz had five sons.  One died tragically at an early age.  The four others were given a strict upbringing and became professional wrestlers.  Fritz pinned his dream of winning a championship on his sons.  This brought the boys closer together.

A championship was in the family’s future, but also the tragedies of three more sons dying along the way.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

The Iron Claw is the true story of the Von Erich family.  Some changes were made to timeline of events, which is expected since the film isn’t a documentary.  The family was said to be cursed.  There were even more family deaths than appear in the film.

Holt McCallany is excellent as Fritz Von Erich.

I have never seen a part more miscast than that of Aaron Dean Eisenberg as Ric Flair.

The Iron Claw (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Dick Dynamite: 1944” (2023) / Z-View

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Dick Dynamite: 1944 (2023)

Director:  Robbie Davidson

Screenplay: Robbie Davidson

Stars: Snars, Olly Bassi, Irvine Welsh.

Tagline: Dick Dynamite and his Nazi-killing commandos must stop depraved German scientists from turning New Yorkers into flesh-eating zombies.

The Plot…

World War II is heading into its final days.  The Nazis realize they will lose unless a desperation plan works.

And it does!

The Nazis have developed a way to turn people into zombies!  This will give them access to unlimited soldiers.  In order to stop the Nazis, Dick Dynamite will lead a team of Nazi-Zombie-Killing-Commandos behind enemy lines.  Heaven help anyone who gets in Dick’s way.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

The Dick Dynamite: 1944 trailer made the movie look like zany, over-the-top fun.  It was zany.  It was over-the-top.  It was NOT fun.

The movie was made through crowd-funding and self-financing.  This in itself isn’t bad.  Microbudget movies can have a certain charm… when well done.  Dick Dynamite: 1944 had a promising start, but quickly grew tiresome.  The jokes were bad.  The pacing was off.  The acting and direction didn’t help.  I tapped out at about 22 minutes.  As always, your mileage may vary.

Dick Dynamite: 1944 (2023) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“Laws of Man” (2024) written & directed by Phil Blattenberger; starring Jacob Keohane, Jackson Rathbone, Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine and Graham Greene / Z-View

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Laws of Man (2024)

Director:  Phil Blattenberger

Screenplay: Phil Blattenberger

Stars: Jacob Keohane, Jackson Rathbone, Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine, Richard Brake, Forrie J. Smith, James Urbaniak, Kelly Lynn Reiter, Johnny Hoeft, Greg Kriek, David DeLao, Ashley Gallegos, Alaina Warren Zachary and Graham Greene.

Tagline: No One Is Innocent

The Plot…

1963.  US Marshalls Frank Fenton and Tommy Morton are sent to Nevada to bring in some bad hombres.  Frank is straight-laced and uptight.  His partner, Tommy is younger and hip.  While their outlooks on life are different they make a good team. During the course of an assignment to bring in a murderer they stumble on to a conspiracy.

Outgunned and over-their-heads, the pair refuse to back down.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Laws of Man plays out like a low-budget Tarantino movie.  Interesting and outlandish characters in over-the-top conflicts and a twist that takes the danger to the extreme.  The plot plays out like a fever dream set in 1963.

Jacob Keohane and Jackson Rathbone are excellent as the mismatched US Marshalls. Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine and Graham Greene led a supporting cast with the ability to play unbridled scenes straight.

While Laws of Man isn’t a great film, it is a fun one.  I enjoyed the characters and outlandish plot… even the twist at the end.  As always, your mileage may vary.

Laws of Man (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Detective Story” (1951) directed by William Wyler; starring Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix and introducing Lee Grant / Z-View

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Detective Story (1951)

Director:  William Wyler

Screenplay: Robert Wyler, Philip Yordan based on Detective Story (1949 play) by Sidney Kingsley

Stars: Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O’Donnell, George Macready, Horace McMahon, Gladys George, Lee Grant, Gerald Mohr, Frank Faylen, Michael Strong, Luis Van Rooten, Bert Freed, Warner Anderson, Grandon Rhodes  and Joseph Wiseman.

Tagline: The love story of a man whose wife was more woman than angel!

The Plot…

New York City Detective Jim McLeod has no tolerance for law-breakers.  McLeod’s dad was one and it literally drove McLeod’s mother insane.  McLeod’s tough on everyone.  Everyone except his beautiful wife, Mary.

One night, as other cops work their cases in the station house, McLeod has a breakthrough.  The other officers are dealing with shoplifters, burglars and even a potential psycho-rapist.  McLeod has been working a case involving Dr. Karl Schneider.  Schneider is a black market doctor who is responsible for at least one death.

Dr. Schneider’s lawyer warns McLeod to back off or else.  McLeod refuses.  He doesn’t know what the lawyer’s threats hold.  But he’s going to find out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Detective Story was nominated for four 1952 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay – Philip Yordan, Robert Wyler
  • Nominee for Best Director – William Wyler
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Lee Grant
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Eleanor Parker

In the original play, Dr. Schneider’s crimes were explicitly stated.  Due to Film Production Codes, in Detective Story they code only be hinted at.  Audiences could read between the lines.

Detective Story features Lee Grant’s film debut and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance!

Detective Story is one of the best play adaptations I’ve ever seen.  Lee Grant is superb. William Bendix is always awesome.  Kirk Douglas was the perfect choice to play the hard-nosed Detective McLeod.

Detective Story (1951) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Vertigo” (1958) directed by Alfred Hitchcock; starring James Stewart and Kim Novak / Z-View

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Vertigo (1958)

Director:  Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Alec Coppel, Samuel Taylor; based on D’entre les morts by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac

Stars: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, Henry Jones, Ellen Corby, Konstantin Shayne, Lee Patrick, John Benson, Paul Bryar and Raymond Bailey.

Tagline: Somewhere…Somehow – He’d Loved and Killed That Self-Same Girl Before!

The Plot…

San Francisco Detective John “Scottie” Ferguson and a patrol cop are in a rooftop chase of a wanted man.  The chase, high above the city, goes from building to building.  When Scottie falls short on a jump, he barely grabs hold of a gutter.  As Scottie begins to slip to a sure death, the cop eases down to assist.  The cop makes a misstep and plummets to his death.

Scottie survives but is traumatized from his near fall.  Scottie’s vertigo and fear of heights is so bad he retires from the force.

Gavin Elster, a college buddy that Scottie hasn’t seen in years, reaches out.  Elster is worried about his wife Madeline’s recent strange behavior.  He wants Scottie to follow her to see what’s up.

Scottie trails Madeline for days. He discovers she’s obsessed with a woman named Carlotta Valdes who committed suicide in 1857.  Elster becomes worried that Madeline may believe she is possessed by Carlotta’s spirit.  Worse still, Madeline may commit suicide herself.

The next day Scottie follows Madeline all over town.  She ends up at the San Francisco Bay where she jumps in.  She is drowning when Scottie pulls her out.  Madeline has no memory of the places she’s been or her attempt to kill herself.  Scottie has become infatuated with Madeline.  They begin spending time together… and she falls in love with him.

One day Madeline tells Scottie about a nightmare she had.  The setting was at the Mission San Juan Bautista.  It was Carlotta’s childhood home.  They decide to drive there.  Once there Madeline breaks away from Scottie.  She runs to the church’s bell tower and heads up.  Scottie attempts to follow, but his vertigo and fear of heights slows him down.  He isn’t to the top when he sees and hears Madeline fall to her death.

Scottie is devestated.  He was unable to save the woman that he loved.

Time passes.  One day Scottie is in the city.  Across the way he spots a woman who looks like Madeline.  It’s not the first time it has happened.  But this time is different.  Although there are subtle differences the woman could pass as Madeline.  Scottie makes a point to meet her.  He’s obsessed with winning her over.

Scottie has no idea what he is in for.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Vertigo was nominated for two 1959 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Sound – George Dutton
  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White or Color – Hal Pereira, Henry Bumstead, Sam Comer, Frank R. McKelvy

San Juan Bautista, the Spanish mission doesn’t have a bell tower; it was added with trick photography.

Alfred Hitchcock is one of my all-time favorite directors and many consider Vertigo to be his masterpiece.  While I am a huge fan of the movie, their are other Hitchcock films I prefer.  Your mileage may vary.

Vertigo (1958) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Loudermilk”: Season 2 (2018) / Z-View

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“Loudermilk: Season 1” (2018)

Created by: Peter Farrelly & Bobby Mort

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1; 10) Bobby Mort & Peter Farrelly
  • (ep. 2) Bobby Mort
  • (ep. 3) Jimmy Dunn, Jackie Flynn & Peter Farrelly
  • (eps. 4-5) Dave Connaughton & John Trozak
  • (ep. 6) Ricky Blitt
  • (ep. 7) Danny Smith
  • (ep. 8) Kate Schriver & Laura Streicher
  • (ep. 9) Jim Freeman & Brian Jarvis

Directed by:

  • Peter Farrelly (eps. 1-3)
  • Bobby Farrelly (eps. 4-10)

Stars: Ron Livingston, Will Sasso, Anja Savcic, Brian Regan, Jackie Flynn, Timothy Webber,
Ricky Blitt, Tyler Layton-Olson, Viv Leacock, Sam Bob, Laura Mennell and Eric Keenleyside.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Sam Loudermilk was once a popular music critic.  Now Sam is a recovering alcoholic and substance-abuse group leader.  Sam has a good heart, but an acid tongue.  He doesn’t hesitate to give his opinions on the absurd things/people he comes in contact with.  Sam’s best friends are his roomate, Ben (also a recovering alcoholic) and the regulars that attend his group sessions.

In season two Sam deals with…

  • finding a new group meeting space
  • Ben returns after marrying Loudermilk’s ex-wife
  • Tony, a bookie, starts using the group to take bets
  • Mugsy falls off the wagon and shows up to a meeting with a dart in his head
  • Ben hits a homeless man’s golf cart and finds himself indebted to the man
  • Loudermilk accidentally becomes a social media hit
  • New guy tells one group member his deepest secret: he’s still a virgin
  • New guy falls for a little person which leads to a love-triangle fight fundraiser
  • Claire learns that her dad has died; Sam learns that his dad has died
  • Sam’s dad impregnated a waitress in a one-night stand and now Sam has a baby brother

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I just discovered Loudermilk this year.  The series is funny and has heart.  The supporting cast is a hoot.  If you enjoy a fun 30 minute sitcom, give Loudermilk a shot.

“Loudermilk: Season 2” (2018) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Silent Zone” (2025) starring Matt Devere and Luca Papp / Z-View

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Silent Zone (2025)

Director:  Peter Deak

Screenplay: Viktor Csák, Krisztián Illés

Stars: Matt Devere, Luca Papp, Nikolett Barabas, Declan Hannigan, Katia Bokor and Robert Jackson.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

In a world ravaged by zombies, Cassius and Abigail, the teenage girl he saved as a baby, struggle to survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I knew going in this would be a drive-in movie, but it wasn’t bad.

Silent Zone (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.