RIP: Will Hutchins

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It was announced today that Will Hutchins died yesterday, April 21, 2025.  Respiratory failure was listed as the cause of death.  Mr. Hutchins was 94.

Will Hutchins was born Marshall Lowell Hutchason.  As a child Will Hutchins appeared as an extra in W.C. Fields’ Never Give A Sucker An Even Break.  Mr. Hutchins majored in Greek drama at Pomona College in Claremont, California. Will Hutchins served two years in the Army Signal Corps.  After his enlistment Mr. Hutchins, using the GI Bill, enrolled at UCLA and began to pursue an acting career.

A Warner Bros. talent scout discovered Mr. Hutchins.  It was at this point that Marshall Lowell Hutchason became Will Hutchins.  He began getting roles on both television and in films.  Will Hutchins is best known for his starring role on the television Sugarfoot.  When the series ended Mr. Hutchins continued acting until 2010.

Some of the television projects that feature Will Hutchins include: Warner Bros. Presents; Conflict (3 episodes); Matinee Theater (4 episodes); 77 Sunset Strip; Maverick (2 episodes); Cheyenne; The Roaring 20s; Bronc; Surfside 6; Sugarfoot (69 episodes); Howie; Gunsmoke; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; Take Me To Your Leader; Perry Mason; Hey Landlord (31 episodes); Blondie (16 episodes); Love American Style; The Horror At 37,000 Feet; The New Perry Mason; Emergency!; Chase; Movin’ On (2 episodes); The Streets of San Francisco and The Quest.

Some of Will Hutchins’ feature film appearances include: Bombers B-52; Lafayette Escadrille; No Time for Sergeants; Merrill’s Marauders; The Shooting; Spinout; Clambake; Shangani Patrol; Magnum Force; The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington; Roar; Maverick and The Romantics.

My favorite Will Hutchins role was Tom “Sugarfoot” Brewster.  It ran in the afternoons when I was a kid.  Mr. Hutchins played Tom Brewster a correspondence school lawyer who headed west to seek his fortune.  Brewster was far from your typical stoic, tough cowboy.  And I loved it.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Will Hutchins’ family, friends and fans.

“Alien Earth” – The Poster and Public Service Announcement is Here!

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How about a poster and public service announcement for Alien Earth?

The IGN World Guide for Alien: Earth launched today, Earth Day 2025, and it provides fans of the acclaimed sci-fi horror franchise an exclusive look at the FX-Hulu series coming this summer. As part of this launch, we’ve partnered with FX on this tongue-in-cheek Earth Day public service announcement. We’re also rolling out a series of short videos across our social media channels this week chronicling the gestation of a xenomorph.

When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in FX’s highly anticipated TV series Alien: Earth from creator Noah Hawley.

Alien: Earth is set in 2120 when five corporations – Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold – wield the power of nations, and proprietary advancements in technology provide the promise of a new tomorrow.

Lead by Chandler, the series showcases an expansive international cast which includes Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rysdahl, Adrian Edmondson, Adarsh Gourav, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diem Camille and Moe Bar-El.

FX’s Alien: Earth original series coming in Summer 2025. Watch on Hulu.

“Sly Lives” (2025) / Z-View

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Sly Lives (2025)

Director:  Questlove

Stars: Sly Stone, Greg Errico, Larry Graham, Jerry Martini, Vernon Reid, D’Angelo, Cynthia Robinson, Clive Davis, Jimmy Jam, Nile Rodgers, Terry Lewis, André 3000, George Clinton  and Chaka Khan.

Tagline: Baited…by a million dollars – and all they had to do was REACH!

The Plot…

Follows the rise and fall of Sly Stone.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At the age of 19, Sly Stone (whose real name was Sylvester Stewart) was a popular LA disc jokey and record producer.  He started the group Sly and the Family Stone.  At the time they were unique because of the group’s make-up (men and women, multiple races).  Sly wrote and produced many of their songs.

Some of Sly and the Family Stone hits include: Dance to the Music, Everyday People, Stand!, I Want to Take You Higher, Hot Fun in the Summertime, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and Everybody Is a Star.

The band’s popularity was on the rise, they were selling out concerts with multiple hit records and then Sly became addicted to drugs.  This led to him being late or even missing show dates.  His output dwindled along with the band’s popularity.  Multiple drug arrests, the breakup of the band and continued drug dependency…

Yet, Sly Stone’s music stood the test of time.  Sly and the Family Stone influenced many other bands of the era.  A younger generation of song writers discovered and sampled his music.  It took years but Sly Stone finally got his life together.

Sly Lives! is an excellent documentary that presents the life and career of Sly Stone… warts and all.

Sly Lives (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Matlock”: Season 1 (2025) starring Kathy Bates / Z-View

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Matlock: Season 1 (2025)

Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, based on Matlock by Dean Hargrove

Directors: Kat Coiro (Eps.1-2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18-19); Brad Silberling (Ep. 3); Marie Jamora (Ep. 5); Tessa Blake (Ep.7); Yangzom Brauen (Ep. 8); Daniel Willis (Ep. 9); Jennifer Lynch (Ep. 10); Hannah Michielsen (Ep. 11); Jude Weng (Ep. 13); Gina Lamar (Ep. 15); Hanelle Culpepper (Ep. 17)

Teleplay: Jennie Snyder Urman (Eps. 1-2); Nicki Renna (Ep. 3, 19); Jeffrey Lieber (Ep. 4, 14); Michelle Leibel (Ep. 5); Sara Rose Feinberg (Ep. 6, 11); Hennah Sekander (Ep. 7); Sheridan Watson (Ep. 8); John Lowe (Ep. 9); Lizzie Perrin & Nicki Renna (Ep. 10); David Aguilar & Hennah Sekander (Ep. 12); Michelle Leibel & Sheridan Watson (Ep. 13); Nicki Renna & Michelle Leibel (Ep. 15, 18); Jeffrey Lieber & Tommy Cook from a story by Tommy Cook (Ep. 16); Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Ep. 17)

Starring: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Eme Ikwuakor, Aaron Harris, Sam Anderson, Beau Bridges, Patricia Belcher, Yael Grobglas, Piper Curda and Andrea Londo.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Retired lawyer, Madeline Kingston learns that someone in the prestigious law firm of Jacobson Moore hid evidence that would have saved her daughter’s life (as well as many thousands of others).  Since the anonymous whistleblower didn’t name names, Madeline decides to take on a new identity as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.

Using her wiles, Matty gets a job at Jacobson Moore.  They believe she is a retired attorney forced to go back to work to raise her grandson.  Truth is, Matty is wealthy, and married.  She and her husband are raising her grandson.  Matty is an excellent lawyer and quickly proves valuable to the firm. Each case provides opportunities to learn the identity of the person who hid the valuable evidence.  As she makes friendships, she sometimes struggles with the lies and deception required to keep her identity secret.  As she gets closer to the truth, her boss begins to suspect something isn’t right with Matty.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I never watched a single episode of the original Matlock, but decided to give this version a try.  I’m glad I did.

I was concerned how they would have Matty’s lies and deceptions play out.  Kudos to the writers for the way it was handled.

Kathy Bates is such a talented actress.  Skye P. Marshall more than holds her own.

Matlock: Season 1 (2025) earns 4 stars.  Bring on Season 2.

Rocky Balboa by Tim Shinn!

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Tim Shinn is a freelance artist known for his storyboarding, advertising and comic work. Tim’s done art for Hasbro, Disney, Dark Horse and Fun Publications. Tim takes commissions and regularly posts art for sale.

Earlier this week when I saw this sketch of Sly Stallone as Rocky,  I didn’t hesitate.  It’s my second piece by Tim.  You can see more of Tim Shinn’s art on his Instagram page and his Twitter feed.

“The Steel Trap” (1952) starring Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright / Z-View

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The Steel Trap (1952)

Director:  Andrew L. Stone

Screenplay: Andrew L. Stone

Stars: Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, Jonathan Hale, Walter Sande, Eddie Marr, Carleton Young, Katherine Warren, Tom Powers, William Hudson and Marjorie Bennett.

Tagline: Baited…by a million dollars – and all they had to do was REACH!

The Plot…

Jim Osborn (Cotton) has worked his way up to Assistant Manager of a large LA bank.  Just for fun, Jim has thought of different ways to steal and getaway with one million dollars from the vault.  His most recent plan has him tempted.  He could steal the money on Friday after closing and take flights to get to Brazil before Monday morning.  As long as Jim and his family made it to Brazil where they don’t have an extradition treaty with the US, he would be free (and rich)!

Jim lies to his wife about why they are going to Brazil on Friday.  He puts his plan in place.  On Friday after the bank closes, he steals the money.  Now if everything falls into place…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I like the plan to steal the money.  My problem was that every single step of the way things go wrong.  This took a lot of suspense out.  Instead of thinking, “Whew! That was close,” I began thinking, “Ok, what is the problem now?”  Then when (BIG SPOILER ALERT), Jim decides to get the money back into the vault before the bank opens, everything goes right.

The Steel Trap (1952) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Sinners” (2025) Written and Directed by Ryan Coogler, Starring Michael B. Jordan / Z-View

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Sinners (2025)

Director:  Ryan Coogler

Screenplay: Ryan Coogler

Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Buddy Guy, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li , Lola Kirke, Tenaj L. Jackson, David Maldonado, Yao, Sam Malone and Delroy Lindo.

Tagline: Dance with the devil.

The Plot…

The notorious SmokeStack twins have returned home after seven years.  In between they served in World War I and worked for Al Capone.  Now flush with cash (that they stole from mobsters), Smoke and Stack plan to open a juke for colored folks.  It will serve food, Irish beer, good whiskey and moonshine.  Their cousin Preacher Boy is gonna be a big time Blues Man.  He’s gonna play. And they’ve got Delta Slim for opening night.  Music, dancing and food.  Word is out.  They’ve thought of everything to make it a night to remember.

Yeah, they’ve accounted for everything… except one.

Vampires.

Let the good times roll.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Michael B. Jordan plays identical twins Smoke and Stack.

Director Ryan Coogler said that Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn and The Faculty were two major influences in making Sinners.  Other influences according to Coogler were ‘Salem’s Lot and The Twilight Zone episode The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank.

Miles Caton makes his film debut.

Writer/Director Ryan Coogler has another winner.  Excellent film all around from start to finish and top to bottom.  Great casting, wonderful special effects and a story that entertains, provides scares, thrills and has a heart.

Sinners (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Maisie Gets Her Man” (1942) starring Ann Sothern and Red Skelton / Z-View

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Maisie Gets Her Man (1942)

Director:  Roy Del Ruth

Screenplay: Mary C. McCall Jr., Elizabeth Reinhardt, story by  Elizabeth Reinhardt, Ethel Hill, based characters created by Wilson Collison.

Stars: Ann Sothern, Red Skelton, Leo Gorcey, Allen Jenkins, Donald Meek, Lloyd Corrigan, Walter Catlett, Fritz Feld, Willie Best, Esther Dale and Rags Ragland.

Tagline: Roar with Red Skelton in the Funniest Maisie Hit of All!

The Plot…

Maisie Ravier is an out of work vaudeville performer.  Her former partner, Dr. Orco went crazy when his girl left him.  While looking for work, Maisie meets Hap Hixby.  Hap dreams of being a big time comedian.  Everyone in his small town thought he was the funniest.  So when Hap offers Maisie the opportunity to be his partner she accepts.

Only thing is, it turns out Hap has stage fright.  Good thing Hap has a back-up plan.  He sunk all his saved money in a business guaranteed to succeed.  Bet you can guess the odds it’s a scam.

Maisie is falling for Hap, who has already fallen for Maisie.  About that time, Hap’s former flame shows up.

Poor Maisie… what’s a girl to do?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Maisie Gets Her Man is the sixth in the ten film series.  Ann Sothern played Maisie in all of them.

Rags Ragland and Leo Gorcey show up in small parts!

Maisie Gets Her Man (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars

“28 Years Later” – The Trailer (and Poster) is Here!

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Finally we have the trailer (and poster) for 28 Years Later.

Deal me in.

Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle and Academy Award®-nominated writer Alex Garland reunite for 28 Years Later, a terrifying new story set in the world created by 28 Days Later.

It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

Directed by:​​ Danny Boyle​​​
​
Written by:​​​​ Alex Garland​​​

Produced by: ​​​​ Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, Bernard Bellew, Danny Boyle, Alex Garland

Executive Producer:​​​ Cillian Murphy

Cast:​ Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, ​Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams ​and Ralph Fiennes

“The Americas” (2025) narrated by Tom Hanks / Z-View

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The Americas (2025)

Director:  None listed.

Stars: Tom Hanks.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The Americas is a ten part series, narrated by Tom Hanks, that explores animal life on North and South America.  The episodes are:

  1. The Atlantic Coast
  2. Mexico
  3. The Wild West
  4. The Amazon
  5. The Frozen North
  6. The Gulf Coast
  7. The Andes
  8. The Carribean
  9. The West Coast
  10. Patagonia

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

According to NBC, the series was produced over 5 years and involved 180 expeditions.  Each episode covers an area’s climate, landforms and animal life, spotlighting a few species.  The episodes are exceptional – well written, produced and directed.  Tom Hanks is outstanding as the narrator.  Several episodes present many firsts on film.

The Americas (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars