Category: Z-View

“Mighty Joe Young” (1949) / Z-View

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Mighty Joe Young (1949)

Director: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack

Screenplay: Ruth Rose from a story by Merian C. Cooper

Stars: Terry Moore, Ben Johnson, Robert Armstrong, Mr. Joseph Young, Frank McHugh, Douglas Fowley, Nestor Paiva, Regis Toomey, James Flavin, Primo Carnera, Karl ‘Killer’ Davis, William ‘Wee Willie’ Davis, Man Mountain Dean, Richard Farnsworth, Phil Olafsson, Henry Kulky, Ivan Rasputin, Sammy Stein, Irene Ryan and Sammy Menacker.

Tagline:  Striking! Startling! Staggering!

The Plot…

The year is 1937.  Jill Young is an eight year old living on her father’s small estate in Africa.  Jill is in the front yard when two Africans pass by carrying an orphaned baby gorilla.  Jill makes a trade and becomes the owner of the infant gorilla.

Twelve years pass.  Max O’Hara (Armstong) has organized an African safari to capture lions for his nightclub show.  Greg (Johnson) is a cowboy who leads the group capturing the beasts.  They are about to leave when they spot a giant gorilla.  Max and Greg try to capture the huge ape but they only end up angering it.  Jill shows up and calms her now grown gorilla.

Soon enough Max convinces Jill if she comes to Hollywood with her giant ape, they will become famous with everything money can buy.

What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Mighty Joe Young won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects!

I first saw Mighty Joe Young when I was a child.  I loved it then,  I’ve rewatched it several times over the years and I still love it.  How could you not?  It has a misunderstood monster (Joe), lions fighting Joe, cowboys!, a test of strength between 10 strong men and Mighty Joe, a love story, and redemption.

The strong men who try Mighty Joe in tug of war include former world heavyweight boxing champion Primo Canera and nine professional wrestlers.  One of them was Sam Menacker.  I knew Mr. Menacker because he was the color commentator for professional wrestling in Indiana.  Menacker was a former wrestler himself.  I thought it was so cool to a young Slammin’ Sammy Menacker in a movie!

This was the first film to feature Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion animation effects.

Mighty Joe Young (1949) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Point Break” (1991) directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Patrick Swayze & Keanu Reeves / Z-View

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Point Break (1991)

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Screenplay: W. Peter Iliff from a story by Rick King, W. Peter Iliff

Stars: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty, John C. McGinley, James Le Gros, John Philbin, Bojesse Christopher, Julian Reyes, Daniel Beer, Chris Pedersen, Anthony Kiedis, Lee Tergesen and Christopher Pettiet.

Tagline:  27 banks in three years. Anything to catch the perfect wave!

The Plot…

Johnny Utah (Reeves), a rookie FBI agent, is assigned to a task force assembled to bring down a gang of bank robbers dubbed “The Ex-Presidents”.  They earned their nickname because each member of the crew wears the mask of, you guessed it, an ex-president.  The Ex-Presidents have successfully hit 27 banks over a period of three years.  They leave few clues and are in and out within 90 seconds.

The leader of the FBI task force, Pappas (Busey) believes that the Ex-Presidents may be surfers.  Pappas gets clearance for Utah to go undercover.  Soon Utah befriends a charismatic surfer named Bhodi (Swayze).  Bhodi’s crew distrusts Utah at first, but begins to warm to him when they see he’s as much of an adrenaline-junkie as they are.  As their friendship develops, Utah begins to suspect Bhodi and his crew are the Ex-Presidents.  Loyalties are about to be tested…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Patrick Swayze did his own skydiving and surfing for the film.

Point Break was Keanu Reeves first action movie.  Kathryn Bigelow wanted Reeves for the Johnny Utah role.  The studio wanted a higher profile star.  Stars considered included Johnny Depp, Val Kilmer, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen and Matthew Broderick.

Kathryn Bigelow’s next feature film following Point Break was Strange Days which is another excellent film!

Point Break (1991) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Berlin Express” (1948) directed by Jacques Tourneur, starring Merle Oberon & Robert Ryan / Z-View

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Berlin Express (1948)

Director: Jacques Tourneur

Screenplay: Harold Medford from a story by Curt Siodmak

Stars: Merle Oberon, Robert Ryan, Charles Korvin, Paul Lukas, Robert Coote, Reinhold Schünzel, Otto Waldis, Fritz Kortner and Tom Keene.

Tagline:  BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF SILENCE… into Berlin’s forbidden zone!

The Plot…

World War II is over, Germany has been divided into four zones of occupation under the control of the United States, Britain, France and the Soviet Union.  The city of Berlin, although located in the Soviet Zone, is also divided among the four governments.

On a train to Frankfurt, a bomb explodes in an assassination attempt on Dr. Bernhardt, a German working for a peaceful solution between Germany and the occupying governments. Although Bernhardt survived, his bodyguard was killed.  When the train arrives at the busy railway station, Bernhardt is kidnapped.  Several of the travelers including a US business man, a French woman, and a Russian soldier put aside their differences in an attempt to find Dr. Bernhardt.

Before it is over the group will face betrayal, mistaken identities, shootouts, fistfights, murders and more.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Berlin Express was the first Hollywood production filmed on location in post-war Berlin,  The bombed out city is a somber and terrifying backdrop.  The opening and closing of the film features narration that gives the move a documentary feel.  This didn’t work for me.

What did work were the scenes in the cabaret, the abandoned warehouse, the fight on the high dilapidated walkway, and the identity of the true murderer.  Oh, and let’s not forget the scene towards the end of the film showing Dr. Bernhardt being strangled — a very cleaver reveal.  It’s also interesting to note that the Russian soldier wasn’t treated as a caricature.

Berlin Express (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Red River” (1948) directed by Howard Hawks, starring John Wayne & Montgomery Clift / Z-View

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Red River (1948)

Director: Howard Hawks

Screenplay: Borden Chase, Charles Schnee based on The Chisholm Trail from The Saturday Evening Post (1946) by Borden Chase

Stars: John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Joanne Dru, Walter Brennan, Coleen Gray, Harry Carey, John Ireland, Noah Beery Jr., Paul Fix, Hank Worden and Mickey Kuhn.

Tagline:  In 25 Years, Only Three! “The Covered Wagon”, “Cimarron” and now Howard Hawks’ “Red River”

The Plot…

Thomas Dunson (Wayne) wants to start a big cattle ranch in Texas.  He plans is to travel there with his friend, Nadine Groot (Brennan).  Once Dunson has the ranch up and running he will send for his fiancée, Fen (Gray).  Although Fen wants to ride with Dunson to Texas, he tells her she should stay with the slower but safer wagon train.  

That night Dunson and Groot are attacked by Indians.  They fend off the attack and on one of the dead Indians Dunson finds a bracelet he had given to Fen.  Dunson and Groot discover that the wagon train was wiped out.  The sole survivor being a young boy named Matthew.  Dunson adopts the boy and they head to Texas.

Fourteen years pass, Although the ranch has been successful, unless Dunson can sell his herd, he will lose everything.  He decides on a massive cattle drive that will cover hundreds of miles through badlands.  As the group makes their way things go wrong.  They face stampedes, gunfights, thievery and more.  With each setback, Dunson becomes more tyrannical. When Dunson threatens to kill any man that attempts to quit the drive, Matthew has had enough.  If Matthew challenges Dunson’s authority, one of both may die.  But enough is enough.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Most people don’t realize that Red River was the feature film debut of Montgomery Clift.  Red River was filmed before, but released after The Search.

Red River is Howard Hawks first western!

This is the only movie to have both Harry Carey and his son in the cast.  Sadly, they had no scenes together.  This was Harry Carey’s final film.  He died before Red River was released.

John Wayne and Montgomery Clift did not care for each other off screen.  Their politics were diametrically opposed.  Wayne thought Clift wasn’t manly enough.  Clift that both Wayne and director Howard Hawks worked too hard at being macho.  Still, the team created a classic western by putting those thoughts aside and doing the work.

Some folks nitpick that Clift wouldn’t last long in a fight with John Wayne, but they often forget Wayne’s character had been shot prior to the fight.  If I were to pick a nit, I might say that the film’s resolution comes too easily.  But Red River is too good a ride to complain.

Red River (1948) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Let Me In” (2010) directed by Matt Reeves, starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloë Grace Moretz & Richard Jenkins / Z-View

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Let Me In (2010)

Director: Matt Reeves

Screenplay: Matt Reeves based on Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Stars: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloë Grace Moretz, Richard Jenkins, Cara Buono, Elias Koteas, Dylan Kenin, Chris Browning, Ritchie Coster and Dylan Minnette.

Tagline:  Innocence dies. Abby doesn’t.

The Plot…

Owen is having a bad year.  His recently divorced parents don’t have much time for him.  He has no friends and is being bullied at school.  Then one winter evening he meets Abby.  She’s twelve, too.  Abby is strange, but nice.  Abby lives with her dad in an apartment across the way. Abby doesn’t go to school.  Each evening Owen talks to Abby before he has to go in for the night.  Although the bullying at school is getting worse, Owen and Abby are starting to like each other more than friends.

What nobody knows is Abby is a vampire.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Let Me In is a remake of Let the Right One In, a 2008 Swedish film directed by Tomas Alfredson with a screenplay by John Ajvide Lindqvist based on his novel LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.

Matt Reeves directed Cloverfield before taking the helm of Let Me In.  He would go on to direct Dawn of the Planet of the Apes; War for the Planet of the Apes; and The Batman.  I thought Cloverfield was good, Dawn and War for the Planet of the Apes, very good and The Batman, even better.  Let Me In may be my preference of all of his films.

Stephen King called Let Me In his favorite film of 2010 and named it “The best American horror film in the last twenty years.”

Matt Reeves deserves much of the credit for the success of Let Me In.  He creates moody scenes that he lets play out.  There are special effects but they are used sparingly and effectively.

Kodi Smit-McPhee was an excellent choice to play Owen.  Chloë Grace Moretz is perfect as Abby, the vampire who has been 12 for a very long time.  Richard Jenkins was a surprising choice to play “father”.  I loved the suspense of his scenes when he went out at night alone.  Dylan Minnette made a great bully.

I put off watching Let Me In for a long time because of the kid being bullied and girl who is a vampire story made me think it’d be more for teenagers.  I was wrong.  I look forward to repeated viewings of Let Me In (and I plan to seek out Let the Right One In).

Let Me In (2010) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Blade Trinity” (2004) starring Wesley Snipes, Ryan Reynolds & Jessica Biel / Z-View

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Blade Trinity (2004)

Director: David S. Goyer

Screenplay: David S. Goyer based on a character created by Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan

Stars: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Parker Posey, Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Purcell, Jessica Biel, John Michael Higgins, Paul Levesque, Françoise Yip, Michael Anthony Rawlins, James Remar and Patton Oswalt.

Tagline:  He’s fought the forces of darkness alone…until now.

The Plot…

When Blade (Snipes) is captured by the police, Hannibal King (Reynolds) and Abigail Whistler (Biel) rescue him.  They then recruit Blade to join them in their efforts to wipe out all vampires. Blade learns that the Vampire Nation has reawakened Dracula (the original vampire) and they plan to use Dracula’s blood to increase the powers of all vampires, Blade joins Hannibal and Abagail in a fight to save the human race.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

After recently watching Blade II (which I love), I decided to give Blade Trinity another viewing.  It wasn’t as good as I remembered and then I had rated Blade Trinity 3 of 5 stars.  I think my lower rating is due to Ryan Reynold’s snarky comments.  They may have seemed fresh when I first saw Blade Trinity, but it seems that’s what Reynolds does in every role.  It’s grown stale for me.

From all reports the production of Blade Trinity didn’t go well.  Snipes was reportedly upset with choices Goyer was making.  Snipes also felt that too much time was given to Reynolds and Biel at the cost to Blade.  I agree.

Blade Trinity (2004) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Blade II” (2002) directed by Guillermo del Toro, starring Wesley Snipes and Ron Perlman / Z-View

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Blade II (2002)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Screenplay: David S. Goyer based on a character created by Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan

Stars: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman, Leonor Varela, Norman Reedus, Thomas Kretschmann, Luke Goss, Matt Schulze, Danny John-Jules, Donnie Yen, Karel Roden, Tony Curran, Daz Crawford, Samuel Le and Marek Vasut.

Tagline:  In A World Beyond The One We Know, The Forces Of Darkness Fear One Man…Blade!

The Plot…

A new breed of vampire, called “Reapers” have appeared.  The Reapers are primitive, mindless killers, with a need for blood. Their bite can mutate both humans and vampires into Reapers.  When it becomes clear that the Reapers are targeting vampires, Eli Damaskinos, the Vampire Overlord proposes a truce with Blade.  Damaskinos wants Blade to lead his vampire assassins in an effort to wipe out the Reapers.  Blade forms an uneasy alliance with the group of vampires originally assembled to kill him.

Of course not all is as it seems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

I was not a fan of the original Blade.  I am a huge fan of Blade II.  I love everything about it.  It’s got a fun story.  The Reapers have a cool design.  The vampire team that joins Blade have unique looks and personalities.  Wesley Snipes was born to play Blade.  Guillermo del Toro understands what makes this type of film work.  I’ve watched Blade II multiple times and like a good vampire, it always sucks me in.

Blade II (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Psycho” (1960) directed by Alfred Hitchcock / Z-View

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Psycho (1960)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Joseph Stefano based on Psycho by Robert Bloch

Stars: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Simon Oakland, Frank Albertson, Patricia Hitchcock, Vaughn Taylor and John Anderson.

Tagline:  The picture you MUST see from the beginning… Or not at all!… For no one will be seated after the start of… Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest shocker Psycho.

The Plot…

Marion Crane (Leigh) in a moment of weakness steals $40,000.00 from her boss.  She packs her bags and heads off to meet her lover (who has no idea of what she has done).  It’s a long drive so Marion decides to spend the night at the Bates’ Motel.  The motel is located off the main road in a remote location.  There’s no one else staying there.  The place is run by mild mannered Norman Bates who takes care of his invalid mother who lives in the house on the hill.

She should be safe for one night…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

After reading the Robert Bloch novel, Hitchcock bought the rights to the book and lobbied Paramount Pictures to get the film made.  The studio didn’t have faith in the material.  They agreed to a small budget ($800,000) if Mr. Hitchcock would defer his salary ($250,000) and instead take 60% of the gross.  It worked out well since Hitchcock ended up making about $15 million!

I love that the movie starts out as a crime film and turns into a horror movie.  What other movie has the “lead” actress killed off about an hour in?  The top billed actor, Anthony Perkins, doesn’t even appear until about 30 minutes into the film.

Hitchock loved the score by Bernard Herrmann so much that he reportedly doubled Herrmann’s salary.  Hitchcock also planned to have the shower scene appear as a silent sequence.  After seeing it with the score Herrmann created, Hitch decided it worked better with music.

Anthony Perkins gives a master class in acting when questioned by Martin Balsam.

Simon Oakland shows up for one scene and it’s impact reminded me of Alec Baldwin’s in Glengary Glen Ross.

Psycho is another of Alfred Hitchcock’s classics.

Psycho (1960) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Warriors” (1979) directed by Walter Hill / Z-View

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The Warriors (1979)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: David Shaber, Walter Hill based on The Warriors by Sol Yurick

Stars: Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler, David Harris, Tom McKitterick, Marcelino Sánchez, Terry Michos, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Roger Hill, David Patrick Kelly, Mercedes Ruehl and Lynne Thigpen.

Tagline: These are the Armies of the Night. They are 100,000 strong. They outnumber the cops five to one. They could run New York City. Tonight they’re all out to get the Warriors.

The Plot…

Cyrus, the leader of the biggest, most powerful gang in New York City has called a truce and requested every gang send nine representatives to a late night meeting at a Park in the Bronx.  Thousands of gang members show up to hear Cyrus announce his plan.  Gang members outnumber police 5 to 1.  If the gangs join together they can take over the city.

Suddenly Cyrus is shot by someone in the crowd.  Luther, the leader of Rogues is the assassin.  As eyes turn towards Luther, he yells, “It was the Warriors!  The Warriors killed Cyrus!”  At this same time, police arrive.  All hell breaks loose as gang members are running from the sound of the shot and the police.

When the Warriors regroup they realize that they have been marked as Cyrus’ killer.  They are 27 miles from home with every gang in between looking to kill them.  It’s going to be a long night.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Walter Hill was on a great directing streak when he made The Warriors.  His previous films were Hard Times and The Driver.  He would follow The Warriors with The Long Riders, Southern Comfort, 48hrs and Streets of Fire.  Hill was on fire!

Hill’s co-writer was David Shaber who would go on to write the screenplay for another of my favorite films, Nighthawks starring Sly Stallone.

Hill was smart to use mostly unknown actors for The Warriors.  James Remar was the standout.  One of my favorite scenes in the movie has Remar and another Warrior chased by some members of the Baseball Furies.  The Furies dress like baseball players and carry bats.  Remar’s partner is winded and says, “I can’t make it.”  Remar, “Are you sure?” His partner: “Yes, I’m sure.” Remar stops running and says,  “Well, good! I’m sick of runnin’ from these wimps!”

The Warriors (1979) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023) directed by Christopher McQuarrie, starring Tom Cruise / Z-View

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Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Screenplay: Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen based on Mission: Impossible created by Bruce Geller

Stars: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Frederick Schmidt, Mariela Garriga, Cary Elwes, Charles Parnell and Indira Varma.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his team have accepted a mission to retrieve a two part key that will ultimately help them control/destroy artificial intelligence that has become sentient.  The AI is known as Entity and all world governments hope to find the keys.  Also in the race to get the key is Gabriel (Morales) who is using Entity to predict Ethan’s moves before he makes them.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

If you’re a fan of Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible films, Dead Reckoning Part One should not disappoint.  Cruise is back doing what he does best.  The rest of the team also returns, although all may not survive.  We also get the tropes we’ve come to expect: chases, fights, crazy stunts, perfect disguises from masks that come off with a single pull and more.

A lot has been made of Tom Cruise’s motorcycle leap/parachute jump.  Perhaps too much has been shown in advance, but my favorite stunts involved the train scenes at the end.  It was also announced that a team member doesn’t survive.  There were several scenes where it could have been different characters.

I enjoyed Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.  I’m not a fan of two-part movies, but there is a resolution of sorts to hold us until Part Two opens.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Being There” (1979) starring Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine & Melvyn Douglas / Z-View

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Being There (1979)

Director: Hal Ashby

Screenplay: Jerzy Kosiński based on Being There by Jerzy Kosiński

Stars: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard Dysart, Richard Basehart and David Clennon.

Tagline: A story of chance

The Plot…

Chance (Sellers) is a simpleminded man who never learned to read or write.  Chance has lived his whole life without ever leaving the property of the old man who raised him.  Although Chance is an excellent gardener, he has learned most of what he knows from watching television (which he dearly loves).  When the old man dies, Chance is forced to leave the old man’s property.

For the first time he ventures out into the world.  When Ben Rand’s limousine accidentally strikes Chance, Rand’s wife, Eve (MacLaine) demands that Chance is brought back to their mansion.  On the ride back, Eve mishears “Chance the gardener” and thinks that Chance’s name is Chauncey Gardiner.”  Eve introduces Chauncey to her much older and sickly husband, Ben.  Ben takes a liking to Chauncey.  Ben misunderstands Chauncey and thinks that he’s a businessman who has fallen on hard times.  As they discuss business, Ben is impressed with Chauncey’s straight talk and comparisons of the economy to taking care of a garden.

Ben is a close advisor to the President of the United States. He plans to introduce Chauncey to the leader of the free world.  What could go wrong.  (And here’s a hint, nothing!)

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Being There is Hal Ashby’s highest rated film according to the IMDb.  It’s also my favorite Hal Ashby film.  Ashby is supported by a great cast.  Peter Sellers is wonderful as Chance.  He received a nomination for a Best Actor Oscar for his role.  Melvyn Douglas also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (and he won)!  Shirley MacLaine, Jack Warden, Richard Dysart and Richard Basehart (in his last feature film role) are all excellent.

Being There is a comedy with heart that also comments on modern life.  There’s an underlying message that may be different for each viewer, but the film leaves the audience with something to think about.  I first saw Being There in 1980 and wondered how it would hold up.  I’m happy to report it’s as wonderful as I remembered.

Being There (1979) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York” (2023) / Z-View

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Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (2023)

Director: Anthony Caronna

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

In the 1990s, dismembered bodies began turning up in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.  The victims were gay men.  It took a while before the police in the different jurisdictions realized they had a serial killer on their hands.  The press dubbed the murderer The Last Call Killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York is a four part documentary that focuses on the victims, the increased homophobia due to AIDS during this time period, the efforts the gay community took to raise awareness of the murders and the shortcomings of a system where different jurisdictions didn’t smoothly interact.  While we do learn who the killer was, how he was caught and the outcome of his trial, he is never the main focus.

Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Body Heat” (1981) written & directed by Lawrence Kasdan, starring William Hurt & Kathleen Turner / Z-View

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Body Heat (1981)

Director: Lawrence Kasdan

Screenplay: Lawrence Kasdan

Stars: William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna, Ted Danson, J.A. Preston, Kim Zimmer and Mickey Rourke.

Tagline:  The called it love. The DA called it murder.

The Plot…

One night in the middle of a brutal Florida heat wave, Ned Racine (Hurt) meets a beautiful woman on the boardwalk.  The woman is Matty Walker (Turner).  She’s married, but Racine, a notorious womanizer, isn’t fazed.  There’s a definite sexual attraction and soon the two are involved in a torrid affair.  Matty’s husband is rich, but has an airtight prenup.  As Ned and Matty’s affair heats up their thoughts turn to cold blooded murder.

All is not as it seems…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Body Heat is a classic noir.  If you’re a fan of Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice, this should light your fire.  It made stars of Kathleen Turner and Mickey Rourke.  It’s my favorite film written by Lawrence Kasdan.  It’s also my favorite film directed by Kasdan.  It’s my favorite William Hurt movie.

Body Heat features a twist ending that plays out slowly and adds a whole new layer to everything we’ve seen.

Body Heat (1981) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Haunted Strangler” (1958) starring Boris Karloff / Z-View

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The Haunted Strangler (1958)

Director: Robert Day

Screenplay: John Croydon (as “John C. Cooper“), Jan Read based on an original story by Jan Read

Stars: Boris Karloff, Anthony Dawson

Tagline: Their wild beauty marked them for death by . . . The Haunted Strangler

The Plot…

James Rankin (Karloff) believes that when the serial killer known as The Haymarket Strangler was executed, they hung the wrong guy. In his efforts to clear the man, Rankin comes into possession of the murder weapon.  As he holds the knife Rankin is compelled to kill…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

To give you an idea of the quality of this one, in order to show Karloff’s transformation from kind old man to sadistic killer, he simply took out his lower dentures and sucked his bottom lip up to show his upper teeth.

For Karloff completists only.

The Haunted Strangler (1994) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Pulp Fiction” (1994) / Z-View

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Pulp Fiction (1994)

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avery

Stars: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Phil LaMarr, Frank Whaley, Ving Rhames, Paul Calderon, Rosanna Arquette, Eric Stoltz, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Harvey Keitel, Julia Sweeney, Peter Greene, Kathy Griffin and Quentin Tarantino.

Tagline: You won’t know the facts until you’ve seen the fiction.

The Plot…

Pulp Fiction is the tale of…

  • Vincent Vega (Travolta) an enforcer for Marcellus Wallace
  • Jules Winnfield (Jackson) an enforcer for Marcellus Wallace
  • Marcellus Wallace (Rhames) a mobster
  • Mia Wallace (Thurman) Marcellus Wallace’s wife
  • Butch Coolidge (Willis) a boxer paid to take a dive for Marcellus Wallace
  • Pumpkin (Roth) a small time crook
  • Honey Bunny (Plummer) Pumpkin’s partner and lover
  • Mr. Wolf (Keitel) a cleaner

Pulp Fiction unfolds jumping back and forth in time as the characters interact.  There are seven sequences.  Each section focuses on a different main character(s) with the others either not appearing or taking a secondary role.  While this sounds confusing, it’s not.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Pulp Fiction was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director, Actor (Travolta), Supporting Actor (Jackson), Supporting Actress (Thurman), Film Editing and won for Best Original Screenplay (Tarantino & Avery).

Pulp Fiction was the film that made Quentin Tarantino a household name and reinvigorated John Travolta’s career.

A lot of credit for Pulp Fiction‘s popularity is given to its unique structure.  While that does have a lot to do with the movie’s success, we shouldn’t short the story or cast.  Tarantino and Avery came up with great characters. They then beautifully cast each role. The stories at first glance seemed to be traditional tropes for crime/gangster films, but each veered into strange new territory.  Pulp Fiction  became and remains a touchstone for crime films.

Pulp Fiction (1994) rates 5 of 5 stars.