“Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I don’t play video games and movies made from them have a low batting average.  With that said, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness may be able to get a base hit or more.  The poster is average.  I was impressed with the trailer.  I like zombies and government intrigue, so this is a good combination.  Having it on Netflix is a plus.  Yeah, batter up!

The landmark survival horror video game series Resident Evil has shipped over 110 million copies worldwide. Popular characters Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield appear in this CG serialized drama, the first in series history! Don’t miss this new epic entertainment on a scale more spectacular than ever before!

Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness streams worldwide from July 8, 2021, only on Netflix.

“The Fear Street Trilogy” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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What do you think of the poster and trailer for The Fear Street Trilogy?  I like that the poster uses art and the weapons relate to each movie.  The trailer is about what you’d expect.  I like the idea of the three interconnected movies released over a three week period.  Another plus is that they are showing on Netflix.  I’m leaning towards checking them out.

Three Movies. Three Weeks. One Killer Story.

In 1994, a group of teenagers discovers that the terrifying events that have haunted their town for generations ​may all be connected — and that they may be the next targets. Based on R.L. Stine’s best selling horror series, the trilogy follows the nightmare through Shadyside’s sinister history.

Watch the Fear Street Trilogy only on Netflix this July.
Fear Street Part One: 1994 – July 2
Fear Street Part Two: 1978 – July 9
Fear Street Part Three: 1666 – July 16

“24” – Surprising Facts That You May Not Know!

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When we talk tv shows on the message board, 24 continues to be one of the most popular.  And for good reason.  The series ran for nine seasons, with 204 episodes and earned the 2004 Golden Globe for Best Drama Series and the award for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards. 

Scott Beggs at Mental Floss must be a fan as well.  He recently posted 25 Surprising Facts About 24.  Before you click over, here are three of my favorites with my thoughts on each… 

24‘S PRODUCERS ALMOST SCRAPPED THE REAL-TIME FORMAT AFTER SEASON 1. (I’m glad that Keifer Sutherland lobbied to keep the real-time format.  It not only made sure that tension was ever-present but it made the show unique. – Craig)

THERE’S A NOD TO STAND BY ME IN 24. Milo Pressman is a character in Stand By Me who owns a junkyard (and a mean junkyard dog). Milo Pressman is also a character in 24. (I did not know this.  I love little Easter Eggs in movies and shows. – Craig) 

THERE WAS ALMOST A 24/DIE HARD CROSSOVER.  (It is interesting that this is listed as a fact.  I posted about this earlier this year in John McClane & Jack Bauer – “Die Hard 24/7” (Proposed Film or Fan’s Dream Team-Up? – Craig)

 

RIP: Charles Grodin

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Charles Grodin, the multitalented actor and author, died today at the age of 86 from bone cancer.  Mr. Grodin, whose acting career spanned over 60 years worked in feature films, television and on Broadway. 

His first role was an uncredited part in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  He then transitioned to television making guest appearances until his role in the feature film Rosemary’s Baby.  For the rest of his career Charles Grodin alternated between feature films, television movies and tv series.  Along the way, Mr. Grodin wrote plays, books, hosted his own talk show and was a political commentator for 60 Minutes.

Before researching Charles Grodin’s acting resume, I would have said that the first time I saw him was in Rosemary’s Baby.  I would have been wrong.  Prior to that film, Mr. Grodin had made appearances on television programs for well over a decade.  I must have seen him in The F.B.I., Captain Nice, or The Guns of Will Sonnet first. 

My favorite Charles Grodin movie role was in Midnight Run with Robert DeNiro.  I’m surprised there never was a sequel since Midnight Run was so well received by critics and fans.  Other memorable Charles Grodin movie appearances included roles in King Kong, Heaven Can Wait, Seems Like Old Times, and Beethoven. 

Charles Grodin was able to stay active over the length of his acting career (on stage and screen), had the talent to write plays, memoirs, screenplays, an award-winning television special as well as host his own show — all of this is evidence of his many talents. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Charles Grodin’s family, friends and fans.     

“The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2” – the Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 – the Poster and Trailer are Here!  I applaud the poster.  Finally, real artwork and not just photoshopped heads of the movie’s stars.  The trailer has a good mix of humor with a horror theme plus a little blaxploitation thrown in.  Call me crazy, but call me when this movie premieres.  I want to see it.

 

“Nighthawks” Overseas Poster

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Here’s a cool International poster for Nighthawks starring Sylvester Stallone, Rutger Hauer. and Billy Dee Williams.  Lindsay Wagner, Persis Khambatta and Joe Spinell also are featured.  Nighthawks was Rutger Hauer’s first US film.

If you haven’t seen Nighthawks you should consider giving it a view, it is more than worth your time.  You’ll find Nighthawks was ahead of the curve in regard to terrorism on US soil (I remember some folks saying it would never happen here) and buddy cop movies.  Click on the photo to see a bigger version of the poster.

Poster Source: Brian Stooss.

“The Big Heat” – Dave Bannion by Patrick Zircher!!

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One of my favorite movies (it gets my highest recommendation) is The Big Heat.  Released the year I was born  (1958), The Big Heat was directed by Fritz Lang and starred Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Jocelyn Brando, Alexander Scourby and Lee Marvin. 

I probably watch The Big Heat at least once a year.  TCM was showing it the other night.  I was checking out Twitter when the drawing above came into view.  Yes!  Patrick Zircher aka Patch must have been watching!  How cool is Patch’s take on Glenn Ford as  Dave Bannion?  Too cool not to share! 

Patch is pretty active on Twitter.  His posts are thoughtful and his art is wonderful.  Often we get both in a single helping.   

Boris Karloff – Trivia That You Might Enjoy!

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Mark Mancini at Mental Floss came up with 13 Facts About Boris Karloff and they’re worth a look.  Before you click over, here are my three favorite…

BORIS KARLOFF WAS IN THE ORIGINAL SCARFACE.  (When we think of Karloff, we think of horror movies, but he played in all types of movies.  It is strange seeing him show up in Scarface though. – Craig)

VAL LEWTON’S HORROR MOVIES WERE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR BORIS KARLOFF.  (Karloff loved acting and felt that the roles that Lewton provided allowed his to showcase his talents.  I like that Karloff gave credit to Lewton for the opportunities. – Craig)

BORIS KARLOFF POKED FUN AT HIS OWN CAREER IN THE HIT PLAY ARSENIC & OLD LACE. (I love this bit of trivia. Karloff played the role on Broadway, but due to his lack of experience had to be convinced. I’ll let Mark Mancini take it from there —

“You have just murdered a man,” (Producer) Crouse said (to Karloff), setting the scene. “[And] when questioned about it, you say ‘I killed him because he said I looked like Boris Karloff.’” Karloff loved the idea of ribbing himself on stage and took the part.

I love that Boris Karloff had a sense of humor. Can you imagine the audience’s reaction when he said that line? It’s too bad that Boris Karloff was unable to play the role when Arsenic and Old Lace was turned into a feature film (no discredit to Raymond Massey intended).

“Digging to Death” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I’m not sure what to make of this one.  Is the poster a nod to Breaking Bad?  At first glance Digging to Death appears to be a comedy.  Watching the trailer I still wonder… is it a comedy?  a psychological thriller?  Even with all that said, I’m interested in checking out Digging to Death.

David Van Owen moves into a mysterious house and discovers a box buried in his backyard, filled with 3 million dollars and a fresh corpse. David hides the money in the house, only to be stalked by the buried body. 
Directed By: Michael P. Blevins
Cast: Richard Riehle, Ken Hudson Campbell, Rachel Alig, Ford Austin, Clint Jung, Tom Fitzpatrick, Michael P. Blevins, Debbie DeLisi, Bryan Dodds, Sumeet Dang

 

 

The All-Time Best Sitcoms!

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Alan Sepinwall, Maria Fontoura, David Fear and Rob Sheffield at The Rolling Stone took on the monumental task of Ranking the 100 All-Time Best Sitcoms.  Ken Levine (who’s written for shows that made the list) explains why creating this ranking is a fool’s errand.  While I agree with Ken, I’m fool enough to play along. 

Of the top 100 on their list, I’ve seen less than half.  41 to be exact.  Since we’re just going to compare their top 10 to mine, that won’t be an issue since I’ve seen all of their top choices regularly except for two.  So without further fanfare, here are Rolling Stone’s All-Time Best Sitcoms compared to mine.

Rolling Stone Craig
10. Larry Sanders Show (HBO, 1992-1998) 10. Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968): Episodes featuring Barney are among the best sitcom episodes ever.
9. Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009-2015) 9. Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS, 1970-1977): was must-see tv.
8. Honeymooners (CBS, 1955-1956) 8. Modern Family (ABC, 2009-2020): Started as a fun watch and then became must-see.
7. Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS, 1970-1977) 7. Frasier (NBC, 1993-2004): I’m one of the folks that prefer Frasier to Cheers.
6. M*A*S*H (CBS, 1972-1983) 6. Big Bang Theory (CBS, 2007-2019): I came to this one late, but then caught up.  BBT became must-see for us.
5.  All in the Family (CBS, 1971-1979) 5. Sanford and Son (NBC, 1972-1977): S&S is often compared to All in the Family, but I think that S&S holds it’s own against AitF (and is better when comparing the later seasons of each)
4. I Love Lucy (CBS, 1951-1957) 4. Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS, 1996-2005): I didn’t start watching ELR until near the end of the run.  It grew on me and I’ve now seen every episode at least once.
3.  Seinfeld (NBC, 1989-1998) 3. I Love Lucy (CBS, 1951-1957): Every episode until they move to the country is classic.
2. Cheers (NBC, 1982-1993) 2. Seinfeld (NBC, 1989-1998): was required viewing since everyone discussed the latest episode the day after it aired.  Holds up under multiple viewings. 
1. Simpsons (Fox, 1989-Present) 1. Honeymooners (CBS, 1955-1956): Simple format, perfectly cast and still funny over half a century later.

I was surprised that Two and a Half Men didn’t make the All-Time Greatest list. The years featuring Charlie Sheen would have made mine. It just didn’t work for me once he was gone. Jon Cryer was still funny but, for me, the magic left with Charlie. (And while we’re on the topic of Jon Cryer — wouldn’t he have made a great Barney Fife??)

“Equal Standard” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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When I was a kid, Equal Standard would have been advertised as “Ripped from the Headlines”.  I like the poster and trailer for Equal Standard, but wish that they hadn’t shown us one of scenes in the trailer because it looks to be a big spoiler.  Oh, and the tagline, It’s never as simple as black and white, is a good one.

New York City police officers lives collide in interweaving stories of race, rank, loss, and betrayal.

Director: Brendan Kyle Cochrane
Writer: Taheim Bryan
Stars: Ice-T, Jules Willcox, Robert Clohessy