Category: Z-View

“The Raven” (2012) starring John Cusack, Alice Eve, Luke Evans and Brendan Gleeson / Z-View

Posted on by

The Raven (2012)

Director:  James McTeigue

Writer: Ben Livingston, Hannah Shakespeare

Stars: John Cusack, Alice Eve, Luke Evans, Brendan Gleeson, Kevin McNally, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Jimmy Yuill, Sam Hazeldine, Pam Ferris, Dave Legeno  and Michael Shannon

Tagline:  The only one who can stop a serial killer is the man who inspired him.

The Plot…

When a serial killer uses methods from Edgar Allan Poe stories to dispatch his victims, Detective Fields (Evans) reluctantly turns to Poe (Cusak) for help.  This only inspires the demented killer to up the ante by kidnapping Poe’s  fiancée and setting a timeline for her murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Edgar Allan Poe may have been an insufferable alcoholic, but to make an insufferable alcoholic the sympathetic hero of a movie is a tall order.  I did like how the ending aligns with real-life events in Poe’s life.

Luke Evans and Brendan Gleeson are welcome additions in any movie and they shine in The Raven.

My favorite scene is the night of the party when a masked rider (the killer?) enters the ballroom on horseback.

Had the movie centered on Detective Fields a sequel would have been very cool since the final scenes seem to set it up.

The Raven (2012) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Sweet and Hot” (1958) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

Sweet and Hot (1958)

Director:  Jules White

Writer:  Jerome S. Gottler, Jack White

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser and Muriel Landers.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Larry is a successful nightclub performer.  When he returns home to the farm  he hears his sister, Tiny, singing.  He immediately gets the idea to have her in his act.  The only problem is Tiny suffers from stage fright.  Larry and Joe take Tiny to Dr. Hugo Gansamacher (Moe) in an effort to cure her.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There have been Stooges shorts before where the boys play separate characters rather than a team.  This happens again, in Sweet and Hot.  The difference between Sweet and Hot and those other shorts, is that in the others, the Stooges were still the leads.  In Sweet and Hot, Muriel Tiny Landers is the star.  And, for my money, that doesn’t work.

There are sight gags and wordplay, often making fun of Tiny’s size.  If you’re showing someone Stooges’ comedy, Sweet and Hot wouldn’t be the short to use.

O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder (2023) / Z-View

Posted on by

O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder (2023)

Stars: Tom Lange, Rod Englert, Kato Kaelin, Allan Park, O.J. Simpson

Tagline: None.

Synopsis…

O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder revisits the trial of the century.  It explores evidence collected (some which wasn’t used in the trial) at the murder scene as well as OJ’s house and features current interviews with Tom Lange, Rod Englert, Kato Kaelin and Allan Park.

Tom Lange was the lead detective investigating the murders of Nicole Kidman and Ron Goldman. Lange kept a personal case journal which is shared for the first time.   Rod Englert is a Crime Scene Reconstructionist.  He’s an expert in blood splatter and able to use evidence from murder scenes to determine how the killings took place. Kato Kaelin was a material witness who lived in OJ’s guest house.  Allan Park was the limo driver who took OJ to the airport the night of the murders.

The murders are discussed in detail.  Graphic crime scene photos are shown.  There is a recreation of the murders, based on the evidence collected.  The prosecution and defense strategies are discussed.  Evidence that didn’t make it into the trial is shared.  The “not guilty” verdict is discussed and reasons the jury went that way.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I cannot stress enough how disturbing the crime scene photos are.  O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder doesn’t shy away from sharing them in order for viewers to understand the brutality and overkill of the murderer.  This documentary is not for the squeamish.  I had mixed feelings about the use of the photos.  Without them viewers have a sanitized version of the crime.  Seeing them and the brutality involved is tough.

I remember when I heard that OJ was a suspect in the double murder case which involved his wife.  Like many Americans, I didn’t believe OJ, the great athlete and movie star, would do such a thing.  Then there was the slow speed chase, followed by the trial.  I watched with interest every day.  The twists and turns were unbelievable.  So was the verdict… at least for many.

The prosecution made terrible decisions along the way, while the defense seemed to make every “right” choice.  After watching  O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder, OJ’s guilt seems so obvious.  Then again, I didn’t buy in to the conspiracy theories at the time of the trial.

O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder earns 4 of 5 stars.

“I’ll Never Heil Again” (1941) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

I’ll Never Heil Again (1941)

Director:  Jules White

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman, Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Don Barclay, Lynton Brent, Vernon Dent, Ned Glass, Bud Jamison, Cy Schindell and Al Thompson.

Tagline: Hilarious howls with Hollywood’s daffiest dictators!

The Plot…

I’ll Never Heil Again is a sequel to You Nazty Spy.  Moe is still the idiot figurehead dictator with Curly and Larry his dimwit field marshals in the country of Moronica.  As our boys meet with other dictators to plan a world takeover, there are those closer to home planning to overthrow Moe, Curly and Larry’s dictatorship.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’ll Never Heil Again was released 5 months before the US would enter World War II.

As a sequel to You Nazty Spy, it carries the story forward.  In the first short arms manufacturers supported the dictatorship of Moe, Curly and Larry.  In I’ll Never Heil Again, these manufacturers have seen the error of their ways.

I’ll Never Heil Again like You Nazty Spy is a classic, full of slapstick, sight gags, and wordplay.

I’ll Never Heil Again earns 5 of 5 stars.

“We Have a Ghost” (2023) starring David Harbour & Jahi Winston / Z-View

Posted on by

We Have a Ghost (2023)

Director:  Christopher Landon

Writer: Christopher Landon based on the short story Ernest by Geoff Manaugh

Stars: Jahi Di’Allo Winston, David Harbour, Anthony Mackie, Isabella Russo, Tig Notaro, Tom Bower, Sean Boyd, Jennifer Coolidge and Peggy Walton-Walker.

Tagline: Set your spirit free.

The Plot…

The Presley family has just moved into an old house that they got for a rock-bottom price.  Kevin (Winston) isn’t happy about the move, but the family is looking for a fresh start.  Kevin’s dad, Frank (Mackie) is always looking for a get rich quick scheme and they never pan out.  While in the attic, a ghost named Ernest (Harbour) makes a poor attempt at scary Kevin.  Kevin manages to film Ernest.  When Kevin’s dad gets a hold of the video he has a plan to use it to make money.

Kevin and Ernest develop a friendship.  Ernest cannot remember all the details of his life, but thinks if he could it would help him to move on.  Meanwhile the CIA has seen the video of Ernest and they’re ready to move in…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

We Have a Ghost has some funny scenes and a wonderful cast.  Unfortunately it has as many scenes that miss the mark and a running time that goes a bit too long.

Jahi Di’Allo Winston and David Harbour have good chemistry.  Anthony Mackie does the best he can with what he’s given.  The writers make him an unlikeable loser at the start so when he does come around, it’s a little too late.  We Have a Ghost is probably best enjoyed by children in late elementary or middle school.  Your mileage may vary.

We Have a Ghost earns 2 of 5 stars.

“You Nazty Spy!” (1940) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

You Nazty Spy! (1940)

Director:  Jules White

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman, Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Don Beddoe, Dick Curtis, Charles Dorety, Ned Glass, Lorna Gray, John Rand and Al Thompson.

Tagline: A World of Laughs in the Wackiest Hit in This Gaga Globe!

The Plot…

Three weapons manufacturers in the country of Moronica realize that a war will increase their profits. They need a stupid dictator to start the war.  They choose Moe to be their fall guy and Larry & Curly to be his field marshals.  With these idiots as figureheads, what could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

You Nazty Spy was the first Hollywood film to satirize Adolph Hitler and Nazis.  It was released nine months before Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator.  It’s interesting to consider that when You Nazty Spy was made, the US was two years away from entering World War II.

Moe Howard and Larry Fine named You Nazty Spy as their favorite of all the Stooges shorts.  It was popular enough to spawn a Stooges sequel, I’ll Never Heil Again!

You Nazty Spy is a classic, full of slapstick, sight gags, and wordplay.

You Nazty Spy earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Charlie Chan in the Secret Service” (1944) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

Posted on by

Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944)

Director:  Phil Rosen

Writer: George Callahan based on characters created by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Sarah Edwards, George J. Lewis, Benson Fong and Gene Roth

Tagline:  The screen’s most daring sleuth!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler), now a government agent, is assigned to investigate the murder of a scientist working on a new type of weapon for the war effort.  The scientist was killed by an unknown method right before a dinner party he was hosting.  The house was filled with guests who are now suspects.  Chan is assisted by his #3 son, his #2 daughter and  a limo driver named Birmingham Brown (Moreland) Chan has just met.  The security of the United States rests with Charlie Chan solving this murder!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is the first Charlie Chan to feature Mantan Moreland!  It is also the first Charlie Chan film made by Monogram Pictures.  Monogram’s films featured a lower budget, but this often adds to the charm of their Charlie Chan movies.

Charlie Chan in the Secret Service earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Jeepers Creepers: Reborn” (2022) / Z-View

Posted on by

Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022)

Director:  Timo Vuorensola

Writer:  Sean-Michael Argo

Stars: Sydney Craven, Imran Adams, Jarreau Benjamin, Georgia Goodman and Dee Wallace

Tagline: Death gives it life.

The Plot…

Laine (Craven) and her boyfriend Chase (Adams) are heading to the Horror Hound festival held outdoors in a remote wooded area.  The festival is for fans of famous monsters, killers and all things horror.  Chase is a believer in the paranormal.  What they don’t know is an urban legend known as The Creeper is about to return.  Every 23 years for 23 days, the creature comes alive.  It then hunts and eats people.   The Creeper has it’s sights set on the Horror Hound festival.  Especially Laine.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I liked the original Jeepers Creepers.  I thought Jeepers Creepers 2 was even better. Jeepers Creepers 3 was just okay. I went into Jeepers Creepers: Reborn hoping for some scary fun.  Sadly, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn was worse than JC3.

Jeepers Creepers: Reborn is set at a Horror festival and sadly the Creeper looks like a bad cosplay.  If you don’t get the Creeper right in a Jeepers Creepers film, it’s just not going to work.  I make it through most movies, but I gave up on this one.  I just didn’t care about the characters and the Creeper just wasn’t as frightening as it should have been.

Jeepers Creepers: Reborn earns 1 of 5 stars.

“Duel” (1971) directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Dennis Weaver / Z-View

Posted on by

Duel (1971)

Director:  Steven Spielberg

Writer:  Richard Matheson

Stars: Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott, Gene Dynarski, Lucille Benson, Tim Herbert, Charles Seel, Shirley O’Hara and Carey Loftin.

Tagline: A duel is about to begin between a man, a truck, and an open road. Where a simple battle of wits is now a matter of life and death.

The Plot…

David Mann (Weaver), a salesman, is having a bad day.  He had an argument with his wife and she’s still ticked.  He has another stop to make before heading home and it’s a long drive both ways.  Mann’s day is about to get a lot worse when on a remote section of road an old tanker truck is creeping along.  Mann finally gets a chance to pass and does.  Almost immediately the tanker takes the lead back and then quickly slows down.  As Mann tries to pass again, the trucker tries to force him off the road. The trucker makes it clear he plans to kill Mann.  Miles out on a deserted road, what chance does Mann have?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Duel was the tv movie that put Steven Spielberg on the map.  He had directed a some television episodes (Marcus Welby, Night Gallery, The Name of the Game, The Psychiatrist, Columbo and Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law) prior to helming Duel.  The response to Spielberg’s tv movie was so good that Spielberg was brought back to shoot additional scenes to bring the film to feature length.  Duel was given a release in Europe, Australia and even a limited US release.

Richard Matheson provides the screenplay based on his short story of the same name.  Matheson’s resume contains so many winners and Duel is on that list.

Dennis Weaver does an excellent job of acting especially since he’s often the only person on screen.  It’s interesting to note the number of other performers who actually appear in the film because it’s Weaver and the trucker from hell that we remember.

I watched Duel when it premiered.  I was spending the night at my grandparents.  My grandpa and I watched together. (We both liked it a lot.)

Duel earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Corny Casanovas” (1952) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

Corny Casanovas (1952)

Director:  Jules White

Writer:  Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard and Connie Cezon.

Tagline: None

The Plot…

The boys decide to clean up their house (with their usual brand of success) just hours before they are all to be married. Once their house is tidy, they will all head off to get hitched to their future brides.  Surprisingly none of our guys have seen the others’ fiancés.  What they don’t know, but will soon learn is they are all expecting to marry the same woman!  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Surprisingly, Shemp and Larry give Moe the business more than they get it from him in this one!

Corny Casanovas earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Listen, Judge” (1952) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

Listen, Judge (1952)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Writer:  Elwood Ullman

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Kitty McHugh, Vernon Dent, Emil Sitka, John Hamilton and Gil Perkins.

Tagline: They’re very long on laughs as very short-order cooks!

The Plot…

The boys are door-to-door repairmen hired to fix a doorbell.  When our guys cause such a commotion that the chef and his staff leave, the Stooges are hired to cook and serve at a high class dinner party.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Listen, Judge was the first Stooges short released after Curly’s death.  The film borrows from three previous Stooges outings: A Plumbing We Will Go (the courtroom chicken scene); They Stooge to Conga (the whole doorbell repair sequence) and An Ache in Every Stake (the food preparation scene).

Shemp having a chicken escape from his suit jacket immediately after a judge finds the boys not guilty of being chicken thieves due to a lack of evidence is hilarious.

Listen Judge earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Some More of Samoa” (1941) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

Some More of Samoa (1941)

Director:  Del Lord

Writer:  Elwood Ullman, Harry Edwards

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Symona Boniface and Dudley Dickerson

Tagline: Gales of laughter in the South Seas!

The Plot…

The boys head to the remote tropical island of Rhum-Boogie in search of a rare tree.  On the island they are captured by cannibals.  Our guys are going to on the menu unless Curly agrees to marry the Chief’s ugly daughter.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At one point Larry and Moe do a short Amos ‘n Andy bit.

Some More of Samoa earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Grips, Grunts and Groans” (1937) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

Grips, Grunts and Groans (1937)

Director:  Jack White

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman from a story by Searle Kramer, Herman Boxer

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The boys become friends with Ivan Bustoff, a professional wrestling champion.  Bustoff has a match that evening, but spends the day drinking/carousing with our guys.  A local mobster has placed a big bet on Bustoff and if he’s unable to wrestle or loses, it’ll be the death of the Stooges. So when Bustoff is unable to compete, Larry and Moe disguise Curly as the champ.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In Grips, Grunts and Groans when Curly smells Wild Hyacinth perfume, it makes him go crazy. (Much like in Horses’ Collars when the sight of a mouse sets him off.)  They could have made more shorts just of our guys going out drinking with Bustoff – think of the misadventures they could have had!

Grips, Grunts and Groans earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Men in Black” (1934) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

Men in Black (1934)

Director:  Ray McCarey

Writer:  Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Phyllis Crane, Charles Dorety, Billy Gilbert  and Bud Jamison

Tagline: A TONIC for the “BLUES”!

The Plot…

The boys are recent graduates (because they’d been there too long) from a medical school sent to work at a hospital.  There our guys respond to a variety of calls with the type of success/zaniness you’d expect.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Men in Black was the third Three Stooges short and the only one to ever be nominated for an Academy Award. (It was nominated for Best Short Subject – Comedy. If only it had won.  Can you imagine future ads proclaiming The Stooges as Academy Award Winners?)

Curly forgot a line and adlibbed his famous “Woo-woo-woo” which would go on to become one of his trademark phrases.  Men in Black also contains many bits that would often turn up in Stooges shorts – the boys going into a quick huddle; breaking a plate glass door window repeatedly as they run through/by; pulling objects (bicycles, a horse, a go-cart) out of a closet that are obviously too big to fit, etc.

Men in Black earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988) / Z-View

Posted on by

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

Director:  Stephen Chiodo

Writer:  Charles Chiodo, Stephen Chiodo

Stars: Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Vernon, Royal Dano and Christopher Titus

Tagline: Alien bozos with an appetite for close encounters

The Plot…

When a couple discover an ship of hostile aliens has landed on the outskirts of a small town, no one believes it. That’s because the ship looks like a big top and the aliens resemble clowns!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Killer Klowns from Outer Space has become a cult classic thanks to video, dvd and television showings.  It probably works best with a rowdy crowd in the mood for low-budget silliness.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space earns 2 of 5 stars.