“The Mad Ghoul” (1943) / Z-View

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The Mad Ghoul (1943)

Director:  James P. Hogan

Screenplay: Brenda Weisberg, Paul Gangelin, Hanns Kräly

Stars: David Bruce, Evelyn Ankers, George Zucco, Robert Armstrong, Turhan Bey, Charles McGraw and Milburn Stone.

Tagline: A NEW SENSATION IN HORROR!

The Plot…

Dr. Morris (Zucco) has had success in experimenting with an ancient Mayan gas that makes those exposed to it, obedient and without a will of their own.  When Dr. Morris learns that his lab assistant’s girlfriend, Isabel (Ankers) loves another man, Morris believes it to be him.  Then Morris learns Isabel loves the handsome, Eric Iverson (Bey).

Dr. Morris decides to use the gas on his lab assistant.  Morris will then compel his assistant to kill Iverson.  Then Morris will have Isabel to himself.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

One of the rare times that the wisecracking reporter who breaks the case gets murdered.

The Mad Ghoul (1943) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Lawman: Bass Reeves” – Season 1 (2023) starring David Oyelowo / Z-View

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Lawman: Bass Reeves – Season 1 (2023)

Created by: Chad Feehan

Director: Christina Alexandra Voros (eps. 1-3, 7 & 8); Damian Marcano (eps. 4-6)

Screenplay: Chad Feehan (ep.1 & 8); Jewel Coronel (ep.2); Jacob Forman & Ning Zhou (ep. 3); J. Todd Scott (ep.4); Terence Anthony (ep.5); Jacob Forman (ep.6); Chad Feehan & K.C. Scott (ep.7)

Stars: David Oyelowo, Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Barry Pepper, Dennis Quaid, Grantham Coleman, Shea Whigham and Donald Sutherland.
.

Tagline: Some legends are true.

The Plot…

Dramatization of the life of Bass Reeves.

Bass Reeves was born a slave, escaped to freedom and became one of the first black Deputy US Marshalls. Over his 30 plus years as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Reeves arrested approximately 3,000 felons.  He killed 14 men without ever being shot himself.  He was smart, fearless and relentless.

It’s time his story was told.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Way back in 2013, I did a post called The Life and Times of Deputy U.S. Marshall Bass Reeves.  At that time I called for a movie or tv series about Bass Reeves.  I’m happy to report that Lawman: Bass Reeves was worth the wait.  Everything about the series is first rate.

The writing and direction are top notch.  All of the characters are well cast.  David Oyelowo who plays Bass Reeves was nominated for a Critics Choice and Golden Globe Award.  He deserves every honor available – he’s amazing in this role.  Dennis Quaid and Barry Pepper have never been better.  Let’s not forget to mention the talents of Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton and Shea Whigham.

Bring on season 2.

Lawman: Bass Reeves – Season 1 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: David Soul

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David Soul died yesterday.  Mr. Soul was 80.]

David Soul began performing as a founding member of the Firehouse Theater in Minneapolis.  In 1967, Mr, Soul had guest appearances on Flipper, I Dream of Jeannie and Star Trek.  In 1968, he landed a co-starring role on the series Here Come the Brides.  When the series ended, David Soul continued to act in movies and television roles.  In 1975, David Soul became a household name with his co-starring role in the hit series Starsky and Hutch.  His popularity allowed him to return to his love of singing (in addition to acting).  David Soul’s release of “Don’t Give Up on Us” hit number 1 in the US.  He also had 5 singles in the top twenty in the UK.  During his hiatus from filming Starsky and Hutch and after the series ended, David Soul would perform concerts in the US and around the world.

For the rest of his career, David Soul would perform as a singer, actor and director.

Some of David Soul’s television appearances include: Flipper; I Dream of Jeannie; Star Trek; Here Come the Brides (52 episodes); The Young Rebels; Dan August; Ironside; All in the Family; The FBI; The Streets of San Francisco; Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (7 episodes); Cannon (2 episodes); The Rookies; McMillan & Wife; Medical Center; Gunsmoke; Starsky and Hutch (92 episodes); Salem’s Lot; The Manions of America (3 episodes); World War III (2 episodes); Casablanca (5 episodes); The Yellow Rose (22 episodes); The Key to Rebecca; Crime Story; Secret of Sahara (4 episodes); Unsub (8 episodes); The Young Riders (2 episodes); Jake and the Fatman (2 episodes); Murder She Wrote (2 episodes) and Sandra the Rebel Princess (7 episodes);

Some of David Soul’s feature film appearances include: Johnny Got His Gun; Magnum Force and Appointment with Death.

I first remember seeing David Soul in Here Come the Brides.  However, I may have seen him first in Flipper,  I Dream of Jeannie or Star Trek since I regularly watched these shows as a kid.  When I was in high school Starsky & Hutch premiered and it was must-see tv.  I’m also a fan of David Soul in Salem’s Lot.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to David Soul’s family, friends and fans.

“Bye Bye Barry” (2023) / Z-View

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Bye Bye Barry (2023)

Director:  Paul Monusky, Micaela Powers. Angela Torma

Stars: Barry Sanders, Tim Allen, Jeff Daniels, Eminem, Jemele Hill, Calvin Johnson, Dan Patrick, Rodney Peete, Jalen Rose, Emmitt Smith and Bill Belichick.

Tagline: The Greatest Mystery in Sports History.

The Plot…

Barry Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.  In his junior year, Sanders rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in just 11 games.  He was a unanimous choice for the All American team and he won the Heisman Trophy.

The following year, Barry Sanders went into the NFL draft and was selected by the Detroit Lions.  Sanders made an immediate impact and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.  Barry Sanders went on to play ten years for Detroit.  He led the league in rushing four times and in rushing touchdowns once.  Barry Sanders was selected for the Pro Bowl every year that he played.  He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (1997), the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year (1994, 1997), and led the league in rushing touchdowns (1991).

Barry Sanders had earned 15,269 rushing yards (the most ever by any NFL player in a 10-year span).  He was just 1,457 rushing yards short of Walter Payton’s career rushing record.  Fans everywhere knew that if Sanders had a healthy year, he would become the new NFL rushing king.  But just one day before the Lions opened their training camp, Barry Sanders announced his retirement.

By a fax.

Barry Sanders was healthy and in the prime of his career.  Yet, he walked away from his multimillion dollar contract and never looked back.

Why?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Barry Sanders is arguably the best running back to ever play the game.  He was humble and cared more about the team than individual records.  Although I’m a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, I always enjoyed watching Barry Sanders play.  He was so good.  And so likeable.

After watching Bye Bye Barry, I found reasons to admire him even more.

Bye Bye Barry (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Death and Other Details” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Death and Other Details looks like fun.

Deal me in.

Set amidst the glamor of the global elite, Death and Other Details centers on the brilliant and restless Imogene, who finds herself in the wrong place/wrong time (okay, it was kinda her fault) and becomes the prime suspect in a locked room murder mystery.

Watch Death and Other Details on Hulu!

ABOUT DEATH AND OTHER DETAILS
Imogene Scott finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes the prime suspect in a locked-room murder mystery; to prove her innocence, she must partner with a man she despises, Rufus Cotesworth, the world’s greatest detective.

“Finestkind” (2023) written & directed by Brian Helgeland, starring Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega & Tommy Lee Jones / Z-View

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Finestkind (2023)

Director:  Brian Helgeland

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland

Stars: Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, Tommy Lee Jones, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Lolita Davidovich, Clayne Crawford, Meghan Leathers, Celeste Oliva and Tim Daly.
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Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charlie (Wallace) and Tom (Foster) are half-brothers.  They have the same mother, but different fathers.  Because of this, they come from opposite worlds.  Charlie’s father is a rich attorney.  Tom’s dad is a working class fisherman.  At one time Charlie and Tom had a great relationship. But they drifted apart.

Now that Charlie’s graduated college he wants to spend the summer fishing with Tom.  Despite some bad luck at first, Charlie’s summer is looking up.  He and Mabel (Ortiz) have hit it off.  Tom and his fishing crew have accepted him.  Now if Tom and his dad could just patch up their differences.  Things go sideways when Tom gets greedy.

Really sideways.  Losing Tom’s dad’s boat bad.

So they decide to do a “one-time” drug deal.  What they don’t know is that someone has a plan of their own.  One that will lead to betrayal and murders.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a Brian Helgeland fan.  As a writer we can thank him for L.A. Confidential, Man on Fire, Mystic River, Assassins, Payback and more.  He also directed films such as Payback and 42.  With Finestkind, Helgeland served as both screenwriter and director.

Finestkind doesn’t follow the typical Hollywood screenplay format.  Some reviewers have complained that Finestkind can’t decide if it’s a family drama or a crime story.  I find that a silly complaint. The guy who wrote it, directed it.  He knew exactly what he wanted, a family drama that involves a crime story.  Others have nitpicked that the movie takes too long to get to the crime, twists and action.  I like that Finestkind doesn’t follow the expected movie timeline.

Helgeland takes his time.   We come to understand the characters, their lives and the choices they’ve made. Helgeland is supported by an excellent cast.  Tommy Lee Jones is always great and I’d put his performance here near the top of his resume.  Ben Foster always delivers.  Jenna Ortega is a powerhouse.  The camera and audiences love her.  With good reason.  Toby Wallace is new to me, but I’ll be watching for his future films.  Kudos to Clayne Crawford for a smaller but important role.  He nails it.

Finestkind (2023) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Badland Hunters” starring Don Lee – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I’m a Don Lee fan so I’ll check out Badland Hunters.  But after looking at the poster and trailer, I have to see that he deserves better.

“The world has come to an end.
The world calls upon the hunter.”

Don Lee from《Train to Busan》,《The Roundup》, and《Eternals》is now a hunter in the dystopian world, who fights for survival and salvation.

Ready, Set, Hunt.

“The Lair” (2022) / Z-View

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The Lair (2022)

Director:  Neil Marshall

Screenplay: Neil Marshall, Charlotte Kirk

Stars: Charlotte Kirk, Jonathan Howard and Neil Marshall.

Tagline: Unlocked. Unleashed.

The Plot…

Shot down in Afghanistan, Royal Air Force pilot Captain Kate Sinclair (Kirk) is attacked by enemy forces.  Gunfire forces Sinclair to break into an abandoned underground bunker.  Sinclair’s battle with the enemy awakens deadly creatures that begin attacking.  She survives and is picked up by a unit stationed near the bunker.

Sinclair is unable to convince the soldiers that the monsters exist.  That’s about to change since the creatures have tracked her to the camp.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Neil Marshall is hit or miss for me.  Hits include Dog Soldiers and The Descent.  Doomsday and Hellboy fall into the latter category.  Unfortunately so does The Lair.

The Lair starts off well enough.  It has an interesting plot.  There’s action galore.  The acting is okay.  It goes off the rails when the creatures begin shooting tentacles out of their eyes and mouths.  If you’re looking for a way to spend a mindless hour and 37 minutes, then The Lair may fit the bill.

The Lair (2022) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Stamped from the Beginning” (2023) / Z-View

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Stamped from the Beginning (2023)

Director: Roger Ross Williams

Writer: Ibram X. Kendi, David Teague

Stars: Ibram X. Kendi, Angela Davis.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Stamped from the Beginning is based on Ibram X. Kendi’s book of the same name.  Both explore the racist tropes, symbols and imagery ingrained in American culture throughout history.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Often we get documentaries that are padded to fill out 4 or more episodes.  Stamped from the Beginning clocks in at a brisk 85 minutes.  The history of racism in the United States exploring racist tropes, symbols and imagery almost certainly could use a season (or more) of episodes.  With that said, this documentary is informative in a fashion that keeps the viewer watching.  I learned some facts and information about history (and historical figures) that were new to me.

Stamped from the Beginning (2023) earns 4 of 5 stars.

Best of 2023: Films, Books & Posts

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As we start 2024, let’s pause for a look at the BEST OF 2023. I hope you see something that you enjoyed or gets you interested to check out. Here we go…

Movies and Limited Series

In 2023, I watched 409 movies and limited series. That number is up 04 from last year. None were seen in a theater! My favorite films and limited series released in 2023 included (in alpha order):

  • 1923
  • Agent Elvis
  • AKA
  • Bill Russell: Legend
  • Bye Bye Barry
  • Dark Winds: Season 2
  • Extraction 2
  • Fall of the House of Usher, The
  • Family Stallone, The
  • Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
  • Joe Pickett: Season 2
  • Justified: City Primeval
  • Knock at the Cabin
  • Lawman Bass Reeves: Season 1
  • Leave the World Behind
  • Night Agent, The
  • Perry Mason: Season 2
  • Sly
  • StarTrek: Strange New Worlds Season 2
  • Tulsa King: Season 1

Books

In 2023, I read 21 books (16 down from last year, but considering the year we had, that’s not bad). My favorites from this year included (in the order I read them):

  • It Dies With You by Scott Blackburn

  • Blood Standard by Barron Laird
  • Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

  • Black Mountain by Laird Barron

  • Worse Angels by Barron Laird (A) 5.29
  • The Last Action Heroes by Nick de Semlyen
  • All Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

  • Too Many Bullets by Max Allan Collins

  • But Enough About Me by Burt Reynolds

  • Things Get Ugly: The Best Crime Stories of Joe R. Lansdale by Joe Lansdale

  • Dirty Words by Todd Robinson

  • Everybody Dies by Lawrence Block

  • The Big Bundle by Max Allan Collins

My Most Popular Posts of the Year

I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2023 and some thoughts for each…

10. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – Hung in the 10th spot for the second year in a row.

09. RIP: Rachel Welch. New to the list

08. The Different Covers for David Morrell’s First Blood. Same spot as last year.

07. Meeting Sly Stallone. New to the list!

06. Paul Gulacy Week: Day Four. New to the list!

05. Red Sonja, Conan and Dan Panosian. New to the list.

04. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer. Same spot as last year.

03. Dracula Through the Ages. Same spot as last year.

02. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Fell from the first spot last year.

01. SYFY’s 2023/2024 TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Up! The most popular post last year.

My All-Time Most Popular Posts

The top 4 didn’t change and only one new post broke in to the All-Time most popular posts. Let’s see how things shook out…

10. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – held on to the 10th spot for two years in a row.

09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – was in the 9th spot for the last three years.

08. Steve Reeves as Superman – No change.

07. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – from 5th to 7th.

06. Dracula Through the Ages – still in the 6th spot. Vampires are in.

05. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – No change!

04. SYFY’s 2023/2024 TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Up!

03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – No change!

02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – No change!

01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 last year and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.

It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.