“Three Little Pigskins” (1934) starring The Three Stooges & Lucille Ball / Z-View

Posted on by

Three Little Pigskins (1934)

Director:  Ray McCarey

Screenplay:  Felix Adler and Griffin Jay

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard and Lucille Ball 

Tagline: Watch ’em carry gloom offside – and goal you with glee!

The Plot…

Larry, Curly and Moe are mistaken for three great football players when a gangster hires them for a team he’s bet big money on.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There’s a lot of business before the Boys get to the football field.  Although the football antics are what this short is known for, there’s laughs as Larry, Curly and Moe flirt with the gangsters’ girls.  Lucy makes her only Three Stooges appearance and she’s a blonde!

Three Little Pigskins earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Smile” (2022) / Z-View

Posted on by

Smile (2022)

Director:  Parker Finn

Screenplay: Parker Finn

Stars: Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Caitlin Stasey, Kal Penn and Nick Arapoglou

Tagline: Once you see it, it’s too late.

The Plot…

Dr. Rose Cotter (Bacon) is a dedicated. overworked hospital psychiatrist.  When Cotter gets an emergency call, she finds Laura Weaver (Stasey) hysterical.  Weaver believes she is being followed by an entity that will murder her.  Earlier in the week Laura saw her college professor kill himself. Laura says she is next to die.  Dr. Cotter listens as Laura says that the entity takes the form of smiling people.  Suddenly Laura begins to have a seizure.  As Dr. Cotter calls for medical assistance, Laura breaks a planter, grabs a shard of glass and with a smile on her face, slits her own throat!

After witnessing Laura’s suicide, Dr. Cotter begins to have hallucinations. She sees smiling people.  When Cotter confides to her boss, he says she is suffering from overwork and trauma of seeing a patient kill herself.

Dr. Cotter follows up on the professor Laura saw kill himself.  She learns the professor witnessed a suicide, and the person who committed suicide witnessed a suicide!  Dr. Cotter follows the chain and realizes she’s been cursed.  All of the people in the chain committed suicide within a week… except one.  Dr. Cotter has just days to learn why one person survived the curse…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Smile was written and directed by Parker Finn who expanded his award-winning short film, Laura Hasn’t Slept to feature length.  Paramount budgeted $17 million for Smile and planned on a streaming release.  When test screenings returned extremely favorable results, it was decided that Smile would get a theatrical release before streaming.  Smile went on to gross over $200 million and counting.

I love Smile‘s tagline: Once you see it, it’s too late.  It perfectly summarizes the dread that builds as Rose Cotter realizes she’s been cursed.  No one believes her.  Instead of support, her friends and family think she’s losing her mind.  Smile is well cast, well written and well directed.  Parker Finn combines psychological horror with a supernatural aspect and comes out a winner.

Smile earns 4 of 5 stars.

“God Forbid” (2022) / Z-View

Posted on by

God Forbid (2022)

Director: Billy Corben

Stars: Giancarlo Granda, Jerry Falwell Jr., Becki Falwell, Michael Cohen, Tom Arnold, Ted Cruz, Mike Pence and Donald Trump.

Tagline: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty.

The Story…

When Giancarlo Granda was a twenty year old pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel, a hot looking “older” woman hit on him.  They flirted. Later she invited him up to her room for sex… but the catch was her husband would watch.  At the time, Granda had no idea the woman was Becki Falwell.  Her husband was Jerry Falwell, Jr.! Falwell was president of university operations at Liberty University (started by his father) and one of the most powerful leaders of the Christian Right. Their hookup led to a seven year affair with Giancarlo being flown around the world, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars and invited to events with leading political figures.

Ultimately the affair would become public and lead to the downfall of Jerry Falwell Jr,

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.  A story where one of the most powerful members of the Christian Right is brought down because he liked to watch his wife have sex with a “pool boy” would be laughed at as too cliché.  Yet that is what happened.

How stupid do you have to be to do the things that Jerry Falwell and his wife did?  Very. I think the only thing that would measure higher than their stupidity was their ability to live as hypocrites.

God Forbid is interesting and well done.  At times It almost has a “Godfather” like feel with they way powerful people trade “favors” to get things done.

God Forbid earns 5 of 5 stars.

“X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes” (1963) starring Ray Milland / Z-View

Posted on by

X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963)

Director: Roger Corman

Screenplay:  Robert Dillon, Ray Russell from a story by Ray Russell

Stars: Ray Milland, Diana Van der Vlis, Harold J. Stone, John Hoyt, Don Rickles and Dick Miller

Tagline: Suddenly he could see through clothes, flesh… and walls!

The Plot…

Dr. James Xavier (Milland) has invented drops that he believes will allow users to see different spectrums of light.  Despite the risk, Xavier tests them on himself… and they work.  Maybe too well.  At first he can see what an x-ray would show, but over time his vision increases to more than he can comprehend.  After accidentally killing a friend, Xavier goes on the run.  As Xavier’s grip on sanity fades the police close in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes is one of Roger Corman’s most popular movies.  Ray Milland is fine as a scientist so driven he’ll risk his life to test his invention.  Don Rickles plays it straight as a shady carny who sees money in exploiting Milland’s abilities.  Dick Miller, a Corman regular, shows up as a sideshow heckler.

I’d have liked X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes better if…

*,,,there had been a stronger focus on him losing his mind because he can’t comprehend what he sees

…and if there had been more consistency in his powers.  Some of the abilities he displayed had nothing to do with vision and ventured more into mind-reading.

Most folks like X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes more than I did; your mileage may vary.

X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Assassin” (1986) starring Robert Conrad / Z-View

Posted on by

Assassin (1986)

Director: Sandor Stern

Screenplay:  Sandor Stern

Stars: Robert Conrad, Karen Austin, Richard Young, Jonathan Banks, Robert Webber and Bob Hoy 

Tagline: Stanton Thought He Had Fought His Final Mission … Think Again!

The Plot…

Henry Stanton (Conrad) is a retired government agent, called back into service to kill a robot assassin!  The robot looks human, but is nearly indestructible.  Time is running out as the robot has a kill list and top government officials are on it!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Assassin has the feel of an 1980s tv movie made to cash in on the popularity of The Terminator.  Probably because it was just that.  I loved Robert Conrad in The Wild, Wild West.  Unfortunately Robert Conrad’s character here has none of the charm or action hero charisma of James West.  Jonathon Banks doesn’t get much to do, but it’s cool seeing him pre-Wiseguy and decades before Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul.

See the photo below of Robert Conrad?  He’s looking for something else to watch.  I should have as well.  Your mileage may vary.

Assassin earns 2 of 5 stars.

RIP: Brad William Henke

Posted on by

Brad William Henke, the professional football player turned actor died on November 29, 2022 at the age of 56. No cause of death was given.

.Mr. Henke played for the Denver Broncos from 1989 – 1994 when he retired due to repeated injuries.  Brad Henke then decided to give acting a try.  His first roles were in commercials which led to roles on television and in feature films.

Some of Brad Henke’s television appearances include: Chicago Hope; Nash Bridges; ER; The Pretender; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Dexter (4 episodes); October Road (19 episodes); Law & Order; Life on Mars; CSI: Miami; Lost (6 episodes); Criminal Minds; Justified (7 episodes); The Office; Longmire; The Bridge (4 episodes); Hawaii 5-0; Orange is the New Black (26 episodes); The Stand (6 episodes) and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

Some of Brad Henke’s feature film appearances include: The Fan; Space Jam; Star Trek (2009); Pacific Rim; Fury; Split and Arkansas.

Brad Henke successfully transitioned from pro football to an acting career.  He always made an imposing presence and he appeared in many television shows and movies that I enjoyed.  It’s sad that Mr. Henke died at such a young age, but what a life he led!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brad William Henke’s family, friends and fans.

“Dutiful but Dumb” starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

Dutiful but Dumb (1941)

Director:  Del Lord

Screenplay:  Elwood Ullman

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Bruce Bennett, Chester Conklin, Vernon Dent and Bud Jamison 

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Larry, Curly and Moe are photographers who are sent to Vulgaria.  Their boss knows that photography in Vulgaria is punishable by death!  When the Stooges arrive they begin taking photographs of soldiers in a firing squad about to execute a photographer.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Every scene in Dutiful but Dumb is full of gags with very few relying on Moe abusing Larry and Curly.  Highlights include: Moe wearing a long coat while riding on Larry’s shoulders to appear as an extremely tall man, Curly popping up to get a movie star’s photo, Moe disguised as a lamp, Curly hiding in a huge radio and “voicing” all the channels, and the classic bit of Curly attempting to eat a bowl of fresh clam soup.

We get to hear Curly’s real voice when he acts as an announcer while hiding in the radio.  Curly’s scene with the clam soup required several takes because the crew was laughing so much, Curly would begin to laugh as well. The clam soup gag was so popular that Lou Costello performed it in Here Come the Co-Eds (1945),  Moe presented it  Shivering Sherlocks (1948), and Larry took on Lobsters in 1954’s Tax Sappy.

Dutiful but Dumb earns 5 of 5 stars.

EVERY MAN A KING by Walter Mosley is Coming!

Posted on by

Walter Mosley’s Every Man a King drops on February 21, 2023.  It’s the second in Mosley’s King Oliver series.  Here’s the synopsis…

In this highly anticipated sequel to the Edgar award winner Down the River Unto the Sea, Joe King Oliver is entangled in a dangerous case when he’s asked to investigate whether a white nationalist is being unjustly set up.

When friend of the family and multi-billionaire Roger Ferris comes to Joe with an assignment, he’s got no choice but to accept, even if the case is a tough one to stomach. White nationalist Alfred Xavier Quiller has been accused of murder and the sale of sensitive information to the Russians. Ferris has reason to believe Quiller’s been set up and he needs King to see if the charges hold.

This linear assignment becomes a winding quest to uncover the extent of Quiller’s dealings, to understand Ferris’ skin in the game, and to get to the bottom of who is working for whom. Even with the help of bodyguard and mercenary Oliya Ruez—no regular girl Friday—the machine King’s up against proves relentless and unsparing. As King gets closer to exposing the truth, he and his loved ones barrel towards grave danger.

Mosley once again proves himself a “master of craft and narrative” (National Book Foundation) in this carefully plotted mystery that is at once a classic caper, a family saga and an examination of fealty, pride and how deep debt can go.

Pre-orders are available now.
Every Man a King Hardcover
Every Man a King Kindle

“Back to the Woods” (1937) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

Back to the Woods (1937)

Director:  Preston Black (pseudonym of Jack White, Jules White’s older brother)

Screenplay:  Andrew Bennison story by Searle Kramer

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Vernon Dent, Bud Jamison and Theodore Lorch

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Larry, Curly and Moe are sent to the American colonies as punishment. They arrive to discover that the colonists are starving.  The Indians are demanding more than the colonists can afford to hunt on their grounds. The Boys decide to go hunting there anyway.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Back to the Woods is the first Stooges short to re-use footage from an earlier Stooges film.  The final scene was first used in Whoops, I’m an Indian! released a year earlier.

Highlights include the Stooges dancing with three lady colonists, Curly’s method of taking out hostile Indians (eye poke/donkey kick combo), the ever-popular tree catapult as well as gut punch followed by hot coals in the pants.

Back to the Woods earns 4 of 5 stars.

RIP: Christine McVie

Posted on by

Christine McVie, the singer-songwriter, died today at the age of 79.  No cause of death was given.

Christine McVie began to study music at the age of 11.  She actually went to college with the thought of becoming an art teacher.  While in college she began performing professionally and her career path changed.  Christine McVie recorded two albums with a band called Chicken Shack and a solo album before joining Fleetwood Mac.  While with the band, they recorded 14 albums, 4 of which went to #1 on the US charts. When Fleetwood Mac released their Greatest Hits, she wrote or co-wrote eight of the sixteen songs on the album!  Ms. McVie also released four solo albums over the course of her career.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Christine McVie’s family, friends and fans.

“The Landing” (2017) / Z-View

Posted on by

The Landing (2017)

Director:  David Dodson, Mark Dodson

Screenplay: David Dodson, Mark Dodson

Stars: Don Hannah, Warren Farina, Jeff McVey, Page Hannah, Robert Pine and Craig Stepp

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

A faux documentary that explores the events leading to the tragic loss of an astronaut’s life on Apollo 18, the last U.S. mission to the moon.  Was it murder?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There was no Apollo 18 mission.  The Landing is total fiction, but done so well many folks believe it is an actual documentary.  One of the reasons that The Landing seems so real (besides great production values, acting, writing, directing and editing) is that the filmmakers came together in 1991 to began filming.  They then waited 25 years to film the “current” interviews!

The fact that The Landing presents as reality upset many reviewers.  They felt that an unsuspecting audience would believe that there was an Apollo 18 mission that resulted in a dead astronaut.  I say, “Judge the film on it’s merits, not what viewers may believe.”  Yes, The Landing is so well done it appears to be a legit documentary.  That is a strength, my friends.  Plus The Landing has an interesting mystery resulting in a death.  Was it an accident or murder?

I give credit to the filmmakers for having the patience and belief in the project to put it on hold for 25 years.  No wonder make-up or special effects weren’t needed to age the actors.  Don Hannah, who plays astronaut Bo Cunningham, deserves special mention.  Although Mr. Hannah usually works behind the camera as an Assistant Director, he was spot on with his acting.  I’d like to see him in other roles.

The Landing earns 4 of 5 stars.

“All Gummed Up” (1947) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Posted on by

All Gummed Up (1947)

Director:  Jules White

Screenplay:  Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Christine McIntyre, Emil Sitka, Symona Boniface and Al Thompson

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Larry, Shemp and Moe are pharmacists who invent a potion that reverses the aging process!  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It’s a change of pace to see the Stooges as successful business men.  They’re pharmacists who run a successful store.  The highlight is the boys and Christine McIntyre eating a marshmallow cake where the marshmallows were accidentally replaced with bubblegum.

All Gummed Up earns 4 of 5 stars.