Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I’d be more excited about Creed III if Sly Stallone had more input.
The past always finds its way back. Watch the extended Big Game spot now and experience Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors battle it out in #Creed3 – only in theaters March 3.
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)
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)
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.
I like the looks of Braek. Check out the trailer and you might as well.
The McCabe family’s weekend getaway was never meant to be a life-changing experience. Governor William McCabe (Nick Baillie), a respected politician, was looking forward to some rest and relaxation. His beautiful wife Lauren (Melissa Anschutz) and distant step daughter Erin (Alix Lane) strain to enjoy their time together, as the facade of the trophy family has worn dangerously thin. Things take a severe turn for the worse when a charismatic stranger (Kevin Interdonato) knocks on their door and triggers an unexpected chain of events.
CAST: Kevin Interdonato, Nick Baillie, Melissa Anschutz, Alix Lane, Danilo Rocha, John Fallon
I don’t care for the poster, but the trailer for Confession has me sold. Deal me in.
An up-and-coming district attorney takes on the case of a young woman who has accused three men of sexual assault, putting her career and her life on the line in the process.
Starring: Clark Backo, Sarah Hay, Michael Ironside
Directed by: Dayna Hanson
Release Date: 3/10/23
Carol Carpenter was a talented musician and first class singer. She died way too young.
She was the first in a long line of celebrities to suffer from an eating disorder during an era when the vastly misunderstood phenomenon brought shame and public humiliation.
For the first time, we hear Karen Carpenter’s personal struggle in her own voice through never-before-released recordings—and through the legendary voices of those who knew her and were inspired by her music.
As the #1 American musical act of the 1970s, the Carpenters were on “Top of the World,” producing a string of pop masterpieces, including “Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.” But behind closed doors, Karen’s quest for perfection resulted in low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a public battle with anorexia nervosa, which resulted in her untimely death at the age of only 32.
Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection is a captivating, revealing, and unvarnished documentary providing astounding new insight into the singer’s tragically short life and enduring musical legacy.
Starring
CAROL BURNETT
BELINDA CARLISLE
KRISTIN CHENOWETH
CYNTHIA GIBB
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
CUBBY O’BRIEN
SUZANNE SOMERS
CARNIE WILSON
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.
Burt Bacharach died yesterday from natural causes. Mr. Bacharach was 94.
Burt Bacharach earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Montreal’s McGill University. He also studied music at the Mannes School of Music, and at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito, California. Mr. Bacharach was drafted and served two years in the US Army. This is where he met singer Vic Damone, who was also a soldier. After they were discharged, Mr. Bacharach worked as a pianist and conductor for Mr. Damone and later other singers such as Steve Lawrence, The Ames Brothers, Joel Gray and Marlene Dietrich.
In 1957, Burt Bacharach met Hal David. Mr. David was a lyricist and they began writing songs together. The had back to back hits with The Story of My Life (performed by Marty Robbins) and Magic Moments (performed by Perry Como). Although Burt Bacharach wrote hits with other lyricists, he is best known for his collaborations with Hal David.
In 1961, Burt Bacharach was impressed with the talents of a session singer. Her name was Dionne Warwick. They teamed and over the next twenty years produced 22 Top 40 hits including “Walk On By”, “Alfie”, “I Say a Little Prayer”, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”, and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”.
Burt Bacharach would go on to work with or have his songs performed by Stan Getz, Dusty Springfield, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, B.J. Thomas, The Carpenters, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, Stephanie Mills, Carole Bayer Sager (his third wife), Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, Ronnie Milsap, Elvis Costello, Ronald Isley, Adel to name just a few.
Mr. Bacharach’s music would regularly be featured in films. He was nominated for 5 Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Song (winning two Oscars – for “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” with Hal David; and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” with Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross, Peter Allen). He also won an Oscar for Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture (not a Musical) for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Other films that featured Burt Bacharach compositions include: The Blob (1958); What’s New Pussycat; Casino Royale (1967); Night Shift; Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice; Arthur 2: On the Rocks; Goodfellas; Madonna: Truth or Dare; Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story; Forrest Gump; Bad Boys; Dead Presidents; Fargo; Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery; My Best Friend’s Wedding; I Know What You Did Last Summer; Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me; Shaft (2000); Meet the Parents; Austin Powers in Goldmember; Dawn of the Dead (2004) and so many more.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Burt Bacharch’s family, friends and fans.
Deal me in!
In Luther: The Fallen Sun — an epic continuation of the award-winning television saga reimagined for film — a gruesome serial killer is terrorizing London while brilliant but disgraced detective John Luther (Idris Elba) sits behind bars. Haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who now taunts him, Luther decides to break out of prison to finish the job by any means necessary. The film also stars Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis and Dermot Crowley, who returns as Martin Schenk.
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.
Just based on this teaser for The Night Agent, deal me in.
In the basement of the White House, there’s a phone that never rings. This is the story of the night it rings.
Meet The Night Agent. Coming to Netflix March 23.
If you’re driving and you need gas, a clean restroom, food or drink, then you cannot do better than Buc-ee’s. My guess is that if you have a Buc-ee’s anywhere near you, you know about them. But in case you don’t…
A Buc-ee’s is what you would get if you took a huge convenience store, added a bakery, a kitchen for breakfast, lunch and dinner items, a gas station with dozens of pumps, restrooms with dozens of individual stalls plus a worker who is dedicated to keeping each of them clean, multiple fountains for soft drinks of many flavors, sections for snacks of every kind, a wall of jerky of all types, plus books and other items you’d find in an ole country store.
Buc-ee’s are currently located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. New locations are coming to Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. We have two in Florida. When the closest one was being built, I didn’t understand the excitement. “It’s a gas station for crying out loud,” I thought.
Once it was built, I visited and understood the appeal. It’s a one-stop shop for all your traveling needs. You get cheap gas with virtually no waiting because of many pumps. There are all kinds of snacks available. If you need breakfast, lunch or dinner, they have you covered. The brisket sandwiches are most popular, but I’m partial to the turkey sandwiches. If you’re a Coke or Pepsi fan, both are available as fountain drinks. I usually choose an Arnold Palmer (lemonade & iced tea mix) that is also on the fountain. Oh, and a fresh cinnamon roll from the bakery is a bonus!
It’s funny seeing a person on their first visit to a Buc-ee’s. You can spot them a mile away. They have the look of a kid visiting a theme park for the first time. If you’re traveling and a Buc-ee’s is on your way, plan a stop. You won’t be disappointed.
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.
I like the looks of Liaison starring Vincent Cassel and Eva Green,
Stop at nothing to save everything. Liaison premieres February 24 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_Liaison
Vincent Cassel and Eva Green star as agents—and former lovers—who must work together to combat international cyberattacks threatening the UK while also confronting the buried secrets of their destructive relationship.
