It’s the Curse of the Werewolf by Shane Oakley!
It’s no secret I’m a big fan of how Shane Oakley draws werewolves. Will ya just look at that!
“Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey” (2024) / Z-View
Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey (2024)
Director: Joe Berlinger (Eps. 1-3)
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
In a crime that rocked the nation, six year old JonBenet Ramsey was reported as kidnapped. The kidnappers left a long ransom note (reported as looking like mom’s writing; written on mom’s writing pad) asking for $188,000 in exchange for the safe return of JonBenet. ($118,000 is the amount that dad received as a Christmas bonus and is an odd amount to request at any rate.)
The police came. So did family friends who received word of the kidnapping. The police allowed everyone in the house. An officer suggested that dad check the house again. Dad found JonBenet bound with her mouth tapped on the floor in a downstairs play room. Dad took the tape off her mouth and brought her upstairs.
The case made national news. Speculation ran wild. The parents and JonBenet’s nine year old brother became the main suspects. The parents reported behaviors seemed suspicious. A grand jury was paneled. No one was ever charged.
This documentary explores the mistakes the police made, the evidence that was withheld and the push to make JonBenet’s parents the main suspects.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
It’s a shame how the reporters were not given the full facts of the case. The only reason that occurred was to put pressure on JonBenet’s parents. Much was made of the ransom note (and it still needs to be explained) but handwriting experts said it was NOT her mother’s writing. That was never to my knowledge reported. Much was also made about there being no footprints in the snow near the broken window that the killer supposedly used. While there was some snow in the front of the house, there was no snow on the ground near the window side. So of course there were no footprints in the snow. There were many things like this that is pointed out in the documentary.
We also learn of several child molesters that were considered suspects. One even had repeated phone calls admitting to killing JonBenet.
This documentary is an eye-opener. Not into who actually did the killing, but how the public’s perception of the killing was manipulated.
I hope someday we do learn the truth and the killer is brought to justice.
Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“28 Years Later” – The Poster is Here!
Here we have the poster for 28 Years Later. I’m not crazy about it, but that doesn’t change my wanting to see the movie.
Ballerina is set to premiere June 20, 2025.
“Ballerina – From the World of John Wick” – A Poster is Here!
What do you think of this Ballerina poster? While it does have the feel of being From the World of JOHN WICK, I don’t think it makes Ana De Armas look tough enough. Of course we’re not seeing her in action here.
Ballerina is set to premiere June 6, 2025.
“American Primeval” directed by Peter Berg, starring Taylor Kitcsch & Betty Gilpin – Two Posters and a Trailer are Here!
We are on a roll today. Here we have two posters and one trailer for American Primeval. Peter Berg directed this six episode limited series that premieres on January 9, 2025. Starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin.
Deal me in.
Only one goal matters: survival. Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin star in American Primeval, a gripping new limited series from director Peter Berg.
Coming Jan. 9, 2025, only on Netflix.
“Laws of Man” starring Jacob Keohane & Jackson Rathbone with Dermot Mulroney and Harvey Keitel – Two Posters and a Trailer are Here!
I like the looks of Laws of Man. Two posters and one trailer. January 10, 2025.
Deal me in.
“On Call” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
We have the poster and trailer for On Call, the new series which premieres on PRIME VIDEO on January 9th. On Call stars Troian Bellisario, Brandon Larracuente, Lori Loughlin, Eriq La Salle and Rich Ting.
Bellisario and Larracuente play a veteran and rookie teamed to fight crime in Long Beach, California.
On Call looks to be worth a look.
Deal me in.
“The Testament of Dr. Mabuse” (1933) directed by Fritz Lang / Z-View
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
Director: Fritz Lang
Screenplay: Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang
Stars: Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Otto Wernicke, Oscar Beregi Sr., Gustav Diessl
Tagline: Fritz Lang’s masterpiece. The most tremendous film of the present.
The Plot…
Hofmeister, a disgraced ex-police detective, uncovers an underworld criminal organization. Barely escaping with his life, Hofmeister calls police Inspector Karl Lohmann. As Hofmesiter lays out what he’s discovered, the connection is cut. When Hofmeister is found, he’s gone insane.
Inspector Lohmann finds clues indicating that Dr. Mabuse is the mastermind behind the underworld criminals discovered by Hofmeister. Lohmann is puzzled to learn that Dr. Mabuse went mad ten years prior. He’s been housed at Professor Baum’s asylum. Dr. Mabuse, locked in his cell with no outside contact, spends his days writing comprehensive plans for heists. Mabuse’s cell is full of them. Making things even stranger, since no one has access to these plans, is that they’re being used to commit crimes.
How can that be?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Nazis banned showing of The Testament of Dr. Mabuse because it might “incite people to anti-social behavior and terrorism against the State”.
Director Fritz Lang said that he was called to a meeting with Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda for the Nazi Party. Goebbels said that he and Adolph Hitler were fans of Fritz’s earlier movies but his latest films (M and The Testament of Dr. Mabuse) could be interpreted as against the Nazi Party. Goebbels then offered Lang the opportunity to direct films for the Nazis. Lang said he would consider the offer. He left Germany not long after this meeting.
Fritz is a master a direction, use of sound (talkies were still relatively new) and tension building scenes.
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Frank Miller’s Sin City Hartigan by Freddie Williams II!
Frank Miller’s Sin City character Hartigan by Freddie Williams II. I absolutely love this piece. It’s bold, iconic and makes great use of negative space.
Source: Tom Forbes.
“The Phantom Carriage” (1921) screenplay, directed by and starring Victor Sjöström / Z-View
The Phantom Carriage (1921)
Director: Victor Sjöström
Screenplay: Victor Sjöström; based on Körkarlen by Selma Lagerlöf
Stars: Victor Sjöström, Hilda Borgström, Tore Svennberg
Tagline: Do the Dead Come Back? Can Your Soul Leave Your Body – And Return Again? Is Spiritualism a Reality?
The Plot…
Three drunkards are in a graveyard on New Year’s Eve. One of the boozers, David, explains the legend that the last sinner to die each year is doomed. This unfortunate must spend the next year driving Death’s carriage to collect the souls of the dead. As the clock nears midnight David gets hit on the head with a bottle. He falls to the ground. It appears that David’s soul is seen leaving his body.
A carriage approaches…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Charlie Chaplin said The Phantom Carriage was the best film ever made.
The special effects for this 1921 film were done mainly through double (or more) film exposures. Filming took place from May to July 1920. Post-production work took five months!
The Phantom Carriage (1921) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Red 11” (2019) / Z-View
Red 11 (2019)
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Screenplay: Robert Rodriguez, Racer Rodriguez; inspired by REBEL WITHOUT A CREW by Robert Rodriguez
Stars: Roby Attal, Lauren Hatfield
Tagline: THE NEW $7,000.00 FILM FROM ROBERT RODRIGUEZ.
The Plot…
John owes bad people $7,000.00. If they don’t get paid, John will get killed. In order to get the money quickly John joins a clinical study that uses experimental drugs and treatments. Once locked in the treatment center, John discovers he may be in more danger there.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Robert Rodriguez made his first film El Mariachi for $7,000.00. He raised the money, in part, by taking part in medical studies. Rodriguez was inspired by his experiences to come up with this film. He also wanted to see if it was possible to make the film for $7,000.00. It was. Sadly, we didn’t get anything close to a movie as good as El Mariachi.
I’m a Robert Rodriguez fan. Red 11 just didn’t resonate with me. The movie is less than 90 minutes long. I stuck it out for a bit over 50 minutes before tapping out. Your mileage may vary.
Red 11 (2019) rates 1 of 5 stars.
Joker by Rafael Kayanan!
The Joker by Rafael Kayanan. Raf’s take on The Joker is terrifying.
“5 Steps to Danger” (1957) starring Ruth Roman & Sterling Hayden / Z-View
5 Steps to Danger (1957)
Director: Henry S. Kesler
Screenplay: Henry S. Kesler; story by Donald Hamilton, Turnley Walker; based on The Steel Mirror by Donald Hamilton
Stars: Ruth Roman, Sterling Hayden, Werner Klemperer, Richard Gaines, Peter Hansen, John Mitchum, Leonard Bremen, Sidney Clute and Ken Curtis.
Tagline: First she lured him into her car … then she let him taste her lips … and then … THE TERROR BEGAN !
The Plot…
John Emmett has just learned that his car is beyond repair. John sells it to the mechanic and asks about the nearest bus station. Ann Nicholson overheard John’s problem and offers him a ride. She’s driving to Santa Fe. Ann suggests John ride with her. They can split the drive time and motor straight through the night. John agrees.
When they stop for gas, a woman, claiming to be a nurse approaches John. The woman says that Ann has mental issues. The woman claims Ann is a patient of Dr. Frederick Simmons. John isn’t sure what to believe and says nothing to Ann.
Later, Ann and John are pulled over by two cops. They begin to question Ann about a murder in Los Angeles. She argues with a cop and in the struggle the policeman is knocked down the embankment. The other cop handcuffs Ann to John. The cop and John struggle and John knocks him down the hill. Ann and John take off.
On the run from the police, Ann tells John that she accidentally discovered a foreign government’s plot against the US. Ann says that she has important scientific information that she must get to trusted authorities. John is unsure if Ann is mentally unstable, a murderess or a patriot on the run.
One thing John does know, is that he’s now a wanted man. His life may depend on unraveling the mystery that is Ann Nicholson.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Wilder’s Garage in the opening scene was named that as a nod to Billy Wilder who opened Ace in the Hole with a similar scene.
Werner Klemperer went on to fame as Colonel Klink on Hogan’s Heroes. FBI Agent Jim Anderson is played (uncredited) by Ken Curtis who became famous as Festus on Gunsmoke.
5 Steps to Danger (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars.
