Category: Z-View

“One Body Too Many” (1944) starring Jack Haley & Bela Lugosi / Z-View

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One Body Too Many (1944)

Director:  Frank McDonald

Writer:  Winston Miller, Maxwell Shane

Stars: Jack Haley, Bela Lugosi, Douglas Fowley and Fay Helm

Tagline: You’ll SH-SH-SHIVER with SUSPENSE…and SH-SH-SHAKE with LAUGHTER!

The Plot…

Albert L. Tuttle (Haley), a nervous insurance agent arrives at Cyrus J. Rutherford’s mansion for an appointment to sell Rutherford life insurance.   Upon his arrival Tuttle learns that Rutherford recently died.  His family has arrived for the reading of the will.  The will states that until the body is buried in a vault on the property, the beneficiaries will not be known,  Further, if the body isn’t interred as directed, the order of the beneficiaries will be reversed with those scheduled to get the least amount now getting the most.

Since it is in the best interest of some to make sure the body isn’t buried as required, Tuttle is hired to guard the body until buried.  As the night progresses, the hijinks begin.  Expect hidden passages, secret wall panels, and Bela Lugosi as a creepy butler.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I wanted more from One Body Too Many.  There are many movies made with a creepy mansion, hidden passages, killers and comedy that find the right mix.  Sadly One Body Too Many isn’t one of them.  Haley and Lugosi deserved better.

One Body Too Many earns 2 of 5 stars.

“The Kiss of the Vampire” (1963) / Z-View

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The Kiss of the Vampire (1963)

Director:  Don Sharp

Writer:  Anthony Hinds

Stars:  Clifford Evans, Edward de Souza, Noel Willman

Tagline: Giant devil Bats…summoned from the caves of Hell to destroy the lust of the Vampires!

The Plot…

When a honeymooning couple become stranded in a small Bavarian village, they are invited to attend a costume ball hosted by Dr. Ravna.  What the couple doesn’t know is that Ravan is leader of a vampire coven.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In Kiss of the Vampire, the vampires are more like witches in a coven. The movie’s “Van Helsing”  is bitten by a vampire on the arm.  He cures himself by pouring Holy Water on the bite and then setting his arm on fire.  The Vampire Hunter also uses blood to draw a cross on his chest to force vampires to look away.  Finally he uses black magic to get hundreds of vampire bats to attack and kill the Vampires. Ugh.

Kiss of the Vampire earns 2 of 5 stars.

“You People” (2023) starring Jonah Hill, Lauren London, David Duchovny, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Eddie Murphy / Z-View

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You People (2023)

Director:  Kenya Barris

Writer:  Jonah Hill, Kenya Barris

Stars:  Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sam Jay, Nia Long, David Duchovny, Deon Cole, Andrea Savage, Elliott Gould, Rhea Perlman, Mike Epps and Yung Miami

Tagline: Opposites attract, families don’t.

The Plot…

A chance meeting between Ezra Cohen (Hill) and Amira Mohammed (London) leads to love.  Ezra is broker who wants to be a podcaster.  Amira is a fashion designer.  Ezra is Jewish and Amira is an African-American Muslim.  Despite differences and family issues with their relationship love finds a way… until it doesn’t… or does it?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

You People has a great set-up for comedy. Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Elliott Gould and Rhea Perlman should signal a chuckle-fest.  There are some good laughs, but much of the comedy is hit and miss.  Which is a shame.  It was cool seeing Andrea Savage (Tulsa King) in a small role.

The romance builds and builds and builds, then there’s an incident that changes everything.  And just as suddenly two supporting characters do a 180 and the movie ends.  My suspension of disbelief can only go so far.

You People earns 2 of 5 stars.

“The Golden Eye” (1948) starring Roland Winters & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Golden Eye (1948)

Director:  William Beaudine

Writer:  Scott Darling based on the character by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars:  Roland Winters, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung, Tim Ryan and Ralph Dunn

Tagline: Death lurks at every step…as your oriental super-sleuth stalks a desperate killer — below the surface of the earth!

The Plot…

Mr. Manning, the owner of a gold mine wants to secretly meet with Charlie Chan (Winters). So Chan, his son Tommy (Yung) and valet, Birmingham (Moreland) pose as tourists at a nearby dude ranch.  Before they can meet, Mr. Manning is found murdered.  Charlie Chan aided by Tommy and Birmingham soon discover there are multiple suspects.  As they get closer to the killer, he plots their deaths.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Golden Eye is a typical Charlie Chan film.  It runs just over an hour.  Mantan Moreland provides comedy relief.  Charlie Chan has multiple suspects, but discovers the true murderer (and it’s not who you think)!

The Golden Eye earns 3 of 5 stars.

“One Way” (2022) / Z-View

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One Way (2022)

Director: Andrew Baird

Writer:  Ben Conway

Stars:  Colson Baker, Travis Fimmel, Kevin Bacon, Drea de Matteo, Storm Reid and Thomas Francis Murphy

Tagline: Kill. Fuck. Play. One Way.

The Plot…

Freddy has been shot.  He’s on the run with a satchel of money.  Killers are following.  Freddy boards a bus as it’s pulling out.  Other passengers include a troubled young girl and a few others who might become problems.  If Freddy doesn’t get help soon, he’ll bleed out.  Plus the killers are closing in…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

One Way is a film that I kept watching, hoping it would get better.  That’s because One Way has an interesting plot, some good actors and looked stylish enough.  Sadly, at least for me, the payoff never came.  I felt like I was stuck on a bus with no way off and the same things kept happening.

Kevin Bacon appears as Freddy’s worthless father. It’s a small but important role. Dre de Matto has an even smaller role as the drug queenpin that Freddy ripped off.  Both are good at playing bad.  Storm Reid is a young girl headed for big trouble.  Her subplot has a twist you’ll see coming from the start.

One Way earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Vengeance” (2022) starring B.J. Novak / Z-View

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Vengeance (2022)

Director:  B.J. Novak

Writer:  B.J. Novak

Stars:  B.J. Novak, Boyd Holbrook, Ashton Kutcher, Louanne Stephens, John Mayer, Clint Obenchain, Rio Alexander, Sarah Minnich and Ben Whitehair

Tagline:  Find the story before it finds you

The Plot…

Late one night, Ben Manalowitz (Novak) receives a call. Ben’s girlfriend, Abby has died.  As Ty (Holbrook) explains his sister died of a drug overdose, Ben struggles to remember Abby.  Just as it comes to Ben that Abby was a one-night stand months ago, Ty invites him to her funeral.  Ben tries to get out of going but Ty insists.

When Ben arrives to attend the funeral of a girl he barely remembers, he learns that Abby told everyone that she and Ben were in a serious relationship!  Ty informs Ben that he believes Abby was murdered. He and Ben will search out the killer(s) and get vengeance for her death.  Ben doesn’t think Abby was murdered, but believes that Ty’s search for the killers could mean ratings for Ben’s podcast.  He agrees to stick around and assist with the investigation.  Ben begins interviewing people about Abby’s death… he’s a fish out of water, but the deeper he gets, the more he begins to believe Abby may have been murdered.  If that’s the case, he could be next.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ben is a New York City boy deep in the heart of Texas.  He barely remembers the woman that he was supposed to marry. Kudos to B.J. Novak for coming up with an interesting plot with tons of comedic opportunities.  The movie is well cast.  I was surprised in a good way by Ashton Kutcher’s performance.

Vengeance plays like a comedy and has plenty of laughs until it doesn’t.  There’s an unexpected 180 near the end that just didn’t work for me.  Your mileage may vary.

Vengeance earns 2 of 5 stars.

“The Invisible Man” (1933) starring Claude Rains / Z-View

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The Invisible Man (1933)

Director:  James Whale

Screenplay:  R. C. Sherriff based on The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells

Stars:  Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, Henry Travers, Una O’Connor, Forrester Harvey, Holmes Herbert, E.E. Clive, Dudley Digges, Harry Stubbs, Edgar Barrier and Walter Brennan

Tagline:   You’ll hardly believe what your eyes won’t see

The Plot…

Dr. Jack Griffin (Rains) perfects a formula that renders him invisible.  The serum also effects his mind making him power hungry as it slowly drives him insane.  Unable to find a cure, Griffin goes on a killing spree.  How can you find a killer that you can’t see?  Many more will die, if the police don’t figure out a solution.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was a kid, The Invisible Man wasn’t one of my favorites of the classic Universal Monsters.  Years later, watching as an adult, I loved it.  The Invisible Man was directed by James Whale, who also helmed Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein.  These three films assured his place in movie history.

The cast consists of players who would have long and notable careers.  Claude Rains plays The Invisible Man in a role where the star is seldom seen on screen!  Gloria Stewart plays Rains’ love interest.  She would have a career that spans 80 years with perhaps her most famous role (in The Titanic) coming when she was 87!  Other familiar faces include Henry Travers, Una O’Connor, Forrester Harvey, Holmes Herbert, E.E. Clive, Dudley Digges, Harry Stubbs, Edgar Barrier and Walter Brennan!

The Invisible Man was based on a novel written over 120 years ago, the film is 90 years old, yet it still resonates.  That’s because the movie is played straight. It doesn’t have a monster with fangs, or a creature that rises from the dead.  What it does have is a brilliant scientist who goes power crazy.  And that is something we can relate to. It has special effects that were ahead of its time. The Invisible Man is one of the classic Universal Monster movies.  If you didn’t like it as a kid, give the film another shot.

The Invisible Man earns 5 of 5 stars.

“The Chinese Ring” (1947) starring Roland Winters & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Chinese Ring (1947)

Director:  William Beaudine

Writer:  Scott Darling based on the character by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars:  Roland Winters, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung  and Paul Bryar

Tagline:  None

The Plot…

When a Chinese Princess is murdered while visiting Charlie Chan, she leaves behind a note which reads “Captain K”.  As the police work to find the killer, Chan follows the clues as well.  With multiple suspects, and the clock ticking more people will die if the murderer isn’t found.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Chinese Ring was Roland Winters first outing as Charlie Chan.  He would play the character 5 more times.

Mantan Moreland provides comedy relief as usual.  I wish he was given more screen time.

The Chinese Ring earns 3 of 5 stars.

“The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker” (2023) / Z-View

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The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker (2023)

Director:  Colette Camden

Writer:  Colette Camden

Stars:  Kai Lawrence, Jessob Reisbeck  

Tagline:  None

The Plot…

In 2013, an interview with Caleb Lawrence McGillvary. who called himself Kai, went viral. A reporter had interviewed Kai after he stopped a man from attacking a woman.

Kai had been hitchhiking.  When Jett McBride suddenly drove into a pedestrian pinning him to another vehicle, a passing woman came to the man’s aide. McBride attacked her.  Kai, sensing the woman would be killed, grabbed a hatchet from his backpack.  Kai repeatedly struck the man in the back of the head, incapacitating him.  The police arrived and took McBride into custody.  They questioned and released Kai.

A reporter interviewed Kai at the scene.  When the interview aired Kai came off as a free-spirited hero. The interview was placed on Youtube.  It received millions of views. Suddenly everyone wanted a piece of Kai.  He was on Inside Edition and Jimmy Kimmel Live.  On the surface, Kai appeared to be a fun-loving nonconformist. He didn’t have a job, a driver’s license or a social security number.  Kai didn’t consider himself homeless, he referred to his situation as homefree.  Kai’s appearances were off-the-wall and funny.  But beneath the surface of Kai’s easy-going exterior lurked a killer…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At first glance Kai seemed to be harmless.  A modern day hippie just getting by and having fun.  Yet anyone who spent a little time with Kai would realize his mental issues.  But who would think that Kai would be a cold-blooded murderer?

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Solace” (2015) starring Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish & Colin Farrell / Z-View

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Solace (2015)

Director:  Afonso Poyart

Screenplay:  Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin

Stars:  Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish, Colin Farrell, Matt Gerald, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Marley Shelton, Xander Berkeley, Kenny Johnson, Joshua Close, Janine Turner  and Jordan Woods-Robinson 

Tagline:  How do you stop a killer who can read your mind?

The Plot…

FBI agents Merriwether (Morgan) and Cowles (Cornish) are coming up empty while working a serial killer case.  Out of desperation, Merriweather reaches out to his friend, Dr. John Clancy (Hopkins).  Clancy reluctantly agrees to assist with the case.  Agent Cowles is skeptical even after Clancy begins to display abilities that assist with the case.

Soon enough Clancy’s paranormal skills alert him to two things: 1) the serial killer is a more powerful psychic; 2) both Agent Merriweather and Agent Morgan have tragic futures.  People will continue to be murdered unless Merriwether, Cowles and Clancy unless they figure how to catch the psychic killer… but there is no changing the future.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Solace has a cool concept – a psychic serial killer who is able to stay a step ahead of the FBI, despite them also having a clairvoyant of their own.  There are a couple of unexpected twists and a killer with a rationale that will keep you thinking.

Solace earns 4 of 5 stars.

“The Lion in the Winter” (1968) starring Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins & Timothy Dalton / Z-View

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The Lion in the Winter (1968)

Director:  Anthony Harvey

Screenplay:  James Goldman

Stars: Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle, Nigel Terry, Timothy Dalton, Nigel Stock and O.Z. Whitehead 

Tagline: “The Lion in Winter” is about love and hate between a man and a woman and their sons. It’s also about politics, vengeance, greed and ambition. It other words it’s about life.

The Plot…

The year is 1183.  King Henry II (O’Toole) has brought his family together as he prepares to name his successor.  Henry has three sons.  He is leaning towards his youngest son, John (Terry), getting the throne.  King Henry’s estranged wife,  Eleanor of Aquitaine (Hepburn) wants their son, Richard (Hopkins) to be the next king.  Of course all three sons want to be King.  To complicate matters, King Philip II of France (Dalton) arrives with demands of his own.

As King Henry contemplates who will be the next king, family members are plotting against him and each other. A confrontation exposes the alliances, schemes and long held secrets.  Who will be the next king takes a backseat to who will survive the face-off when King Henry confronts all three sons about their conspiracies against him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Lion in the Winter is an amazing film.  It was nominated for 7 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor <O’Toole>; Best Actress <Hepburn – won>; Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium; Best Costume Design; Best Original Score for a Motion Picture (Not a Musical) <John Barry – won>.  It was also nominated for 8 British Academy Awards (winning two – Best Actress <Hepburn> and Best Film Music <John Barry>); 7 Golden Globe Awards (winning two – Best Drama Motion Picture and Best Actor <O’Toole>.

The Lion in the Winter is outstanding in all areas – from story to direction, acting, music, and editing.  It’s deserving of all the awards and accolades it received.  As it came time for my rating, I settled on 4 stars.  I really liked the film, but didn’t love it.  So keep in mind, your mileage may vary.  And if someone said the movie deserves five of five stars, I wouldn’t argue.  My mileage may vary as well.

The Lion in the Winter earns 4 of 5 stars.

“The Trap (1946) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Trap (1946)

Director:  Howard Bretherton

Screenplay:  Marl Derr Biggers based on the character created by Miriam Kissinger

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung, Larry J. Blake, Kirk Alyn and Howard Negley 

Tagline: GORGEOUS SHOWGIRLS DOOMED TO DEATH!

The Plot…

Cole King (Negley) is vacationing with his troupe of showgirls at a beach house.  When one of the girls is found strangled, it isn’t long before Charlie Chan (aided by his son, Jimmy (Yung) and valet, Birmingham (Moreland) are called in to determine the murderer or murderess!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This was Sidney Toler’s last outing as Charlie Chan.  Toler had been suffering from cancer and passed away within 3 months of the film’s release.

The Trap follows the same format as all Charlie Chan films. There is a murder with multiple suspects and Chan is brought in to investigate.  He’s assisted by his son and valet (for comedy effect).  Chan determines who the killer is (and it’s usually not one suspected by the audience).  Everything wraps up in about an hour or a little more.  Charlie Chan films are a great way to end an evening.

My main reason for checking out the Charlie Chan films is Mantan Moreland.  He’s one of the most underrated comedians of his era.  The more screen time Moreland gets, the better the film.

The Trap earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Higher Than a Kite” (1943) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Higher Than a Kite (1943)

Director:  Del Lord

Screenplay:  Monte Collins, Elwood Ullman

Stars: Curly Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Vernon Dent and Dick Curtis 

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Our boys are mechanics and want to be pilots to fight Nazis.  When they find themselves behind enemy lines, Curly and Moe disguise themselves as German officers.  Larry is forced to disguise as a woman.  When German Generals become enamored with the beautiful  fraulein, what else could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Any time the Stooges go up against Nazis a fun time is guaranteed.

Higher Than a Kite earns 5 of 5 stars.

“The Raven” (1963) starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson / Z-View

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The Raven (1963)

Director:  Roger Corman

Screenplay:  Richard Matheson based on “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

Stars: Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Hazel Court, Jack Nicholson and Leo Gordon (voice uncredited)

Tagline: Wits and wizardry run a-fowl!

The Plot…

A talking raven shows up at the castle of Dr. Erasmus Craven (Price).  It turns out the raven is actually Dr. Adolphus Bedlo (Lorre)!  Bedlo was transformed into a raven by Dr. Scarabus (Karloff) when the two had a duel of magic.  Craven is able to restore Bedlo to human form.  They decide to go to Scarabus’ castle for a confrontation.  Bedlo wants revenge for being turned into a bird.  Craven is on a mission to find his missing wife Lenore.

Before it is over Bedlo, Craven and Scarabus will be in a battle of magic with the losers facing certain death!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Raven is very loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe’s poem.  Director, Roger Corman, and writer, Richard Matheson wanted more humor and less terror for this film.  It was shot in just 15 days and Corman allowed the actors to play loose with their dialogue.  This suited Peter Lorre, who improvised many of his lines.  Boris Karloff didn’t enjoy this method, while Vincent Price caught on quickly.  It’s interesting to note that Peter Lore and Jack Nicholson reportedly didn’t get along when the cameras weren’t rolling.

The highlight is the duel between Price and Karloff.  It’s an extended sequence that kids of all ages will enjoy.

The Raven earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Three Little Sew and Sews” (1939) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Three Little Sew and Sews (1939)

Director:  Del Lord

Screenplay:  Ewart Adamson

Stars: Curly Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Ned Glass, Charles Dorety, Lane Chandler, Vernon Dent, Bud Jamison, Al Thompson and Cy Schindell

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Our boys are Navy tailors getting ready for shore leave.  As they clean up, Curly gets the bright idea to “borrow” an Admiral’s uniform.  Using Curly’s new identity the boys get into a high class party.  Nazi spies decide to take advantage of “the Admiral and his two escorts”.  It will be up to our boys to save a US submarine.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Three Little Sew and Sews uses the tried and true gag of a spring getting attached to a person’s rear.  In this case it is Curly’s and is the funniest example of them all.  Curly really shines in this one.  He has a scene where he’s taunting Moe and Larry while they are in jail.  It’s a simple scene but Curly makes it work.  Of course the same could be said of his other moments.

This is also one of the few Stooges shorts where they die at the end… the good news is they earn their wings.  ; )

The Little Sew and Sews earns 5 of 5 stars.