RIP: Melinda Dillon

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Melinda Dillon’s family has announced that Ms. Dillon died on January 9, 2023 at the age of 83.  No cause of death was given.  Melinda Dillion was a two-time Academy Award Best Supporting Actress Award nominee (for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Absence of Malice).

It’s hard to determine what role Melinda Dillon was best known for because she played in many fan favorite films.  Prior to acting on television and in movies, Melinda Dillon was a stage actress.  She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her first major role on Broadway.  The play was Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe.  Ms. Dillon’s television career began in 1963, in an episode of The Defenders.  She went on to act on both television and in feature films for the rest of her career.

Some of Melinda Dillon’s television appearances include: The Defenders; Bonanza; The Jeffersons; The Twilight Zone; The Shadow Box; Fallen Angel; Right of Way and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Some of Melinda Dillon’s feature film appearances include: Bound for Glory; Slap Shot; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; F.I.S.T.; The Muppet Movie; Absence of Malice; A Christmas Story; Harry and the Hendersons and The Prince of Tides.

It’s hard to pick a favorite Melinda Dillon role.  If push came to shove my favorites include her work in F.I.S.T. and A Christmas Story.  I was excited when I learned Ms. Dillon would play Sly Stallone’s love interest in F.I.S.T.. (she was coming off a Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nomination).  Her role in A Christmas Story provides a great counterpoint to Ralphie’s dad (and in doing so make him more loveable). She was excellent in both.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Melinda Dillon’s family, friends and fans.

“Righteous Thieves” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Righteous Thieves looks fun.  Deal me in!

In this ultimate heist thrill-ride, Annabel (Lisa Vidal), a leader of a secret organization engaged in the recovery of priceless artwork, assembles a ragtag crew of art thieves to recover a Monet, Picasso, Degas, and Van Gogh stolen by Nazis during WWII and now in the possession of neo-Nazi billionaire oligarch Otto Huizen (Brian Cousins). As the planned heist approaches, loyalties are tested when the crew learns the real reason behind Annabel’s search for the long-lost paintings.

“Bruiser” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like the looks of Bruiser.  Since it is on HULU, checking it out will be a no-brainer.

In director Miles Warren’s searing feature debut about fathers, families and the effects of toxic masculinity, 14-year-old Darious (Jalyn Hall) explores the boundaries of his manhood through tumultuous interactions with Malcolm (Shamier Anderson), his strict but loving father, and Porter (Trevante Rhodes), a charismatic drifter. When Darious learns Porter’s true identity, he is thrust into a conflict between the two men that may rip his family apart and threaten his safety. Premiering February 24, only on Hulu.

ABOUT BRUISER
During summer break, 14-year-old Darious explores the boundaries of his manhood through tumultuous interactions with Malcolm his strict father and a burgeoning mentorship with mysterious drifter Porter.

“The Raven” (1963) starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson / Z-View

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The Raven (1963)

Director:  Roger Corman

Screenplay:  Richard Matheson based on “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

Stars: Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Hazel Court, Jack Nicholson and Leo Gordon (voice uncredited)

Tagline: Wits and wizardry run a-fowl!

The Plot…

A talking raven shows up at the castle of Dr. Erasmus Craven (Price).  It turns out the raven is actually Dr. Adolphus Bedlo (Lorre)!  Bedlo was transformed into a raven by Dr. Scarabus (Karloff) when the two had a duel of magic.  Craven is able to restore Bedlo to human form.  They decide to go to Scarabus’ castle for a confrontation.  Bedlo wants revenge for being turned into a bird.  Craven is on a mission to find his missing wife Lenore.

Before it is over Bedlo, Craven and Scarabus will be in a battle of magic with the losers facing certain death!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Raven is very loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe’s poem.  Director, Roger Corman, and writer, Richard Matheson wanted more humor and less terror for this film.  It was shot in just 15 days and Corman allowed the actors to play loose with their dialogue.  This suited Peter Lorre, who improvised many of his lines.  Boris Karloff didn’t enjoy this method, while Vincent Price caught on quickly.  It’s interesting to note that Peter Lore and Jack Nicholson reportedly didn’t get along when the cameras weren’t rolling.

The highlight is the duel between Price and Karloff.  It’s an extended sequence that kids of all ages will enjoy.

The Raven earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Three Little Sew and Sews” (1939) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Three Little Sew and Sews (1939)

Director:  Del Lord

Screenplay:  Ewart Adamson

Stars: Curly Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Ned Glass, Charles Dorety, Lane Chandler, Vernon Dent, Bud Jamison, Al Thompson and Cy Schindell

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Our boys are Navy tailors getting ready for shore leave.  As they clean up, Curly gets the bright idea to “borrow” an Admiral’s uniform.  Using Curly’s new identity the boys get into a high class party.  Nazi spies decide to take advantage of “the Admiral and his two escorts”.  It will be up to our boys to save a US submarine.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Three Little Sew and Sews uses the tried and true gag of a spring getting attached to a person’s rear.  In this case it is Curly’s and is the funniest example of them all.  Curly really shines in this one.  He has a scene where he’s taunting Moe and Larry while they are in jail.  It’s a simple scene but Curly makes it work.  Of course the same could be said of his other moments.

This is also one of the few Stooges shorts where they die at the end… the good news is they earn their wings.  ; )

The Little Sew and Sews earns 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: Lanny Poffo

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Lanny Poffo died today at the age of 68.  No cause of death was given.

Lanny Poffo was the son of Angelo and Judy Poffo,  Angelo was a professional wrestler and promoter.  It was only natural that Lanny follow his father and older brother, Randy aka Randy “The Macho Man” Savage into the sport.

Mr. Poffo began his career in 1974.  He would go on to wrestle professionally for the All-South Wrestling Alliance, National Wrestling Alliance, Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, International Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling, Continental Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation.  It would have been easy to capitalize on his brother’s fame, but Lanny wanted to make it on his own.  In the WWE he was known as Leaping Lanny and then later, The Genius.  It was as The Genius that Lanny Poffo generated the most heat.

I met Lanny Poffo at a small convention in 2009.  Mr. Poffo was very approachable.  I spoke to him about how when my sons were younger we loved to watch he and his brother wrestle.  I went on to say that when I was a kid I saw Lanny’s dad wrestle many times.  Lanny loved that I remembered his dad.  As we talked about wrestling and his career, Lanny would always steer it back to his brother and father.  What a humble man he was.  Lanny also wanted folks to know that his brother, Randy, was an amazing baseball player and all-around athlete.

Lanny Poffo had written a poetry book about the dangers of smoking.  He autographed a copy and gifted it to me.   Most people, when they think of Lanny Poffo, think of The Genius.  Lanny Poffo made a great heel which attests to his acting ability since he was such a generous kindhearted man outside the ring.  That’s who I think of first.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lanny Poffo’s family, friends and fans.

Sly Stallone’s Reality Series & More Commercial is Here!

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A Mountain of Entertainment | “Stallone Face” Big Game Commercial | Paramount+

For Paramount+’s Big Game commercial, Sylvester Stallone and his daughters Sophia, Scarlet and Sistine set up camp on Paramount Mountain, along with some other familiar faces (Dora The Explorer, Captain Pike, Ensign Mariner, Lieutenant Dangle, and Beavis and Butt-Head). Can Sly make it to the top of Sylvester Stallone Face? There’s only one way to find out… Stream Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Beavis and Butt-Head, RENO 911! and Dora the Explorer on Paramount+.

John Wayne’s Best Films!

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Jack Hawkins at /Film ranked his favorite John Wayne films.  It got me thinking about how I’d rate the Duke’s best.  So without further jibber-jabber, here’s how thinks shook out.

Hawkins

Zablo
10. The Cowboys 10. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
9. Stagecoach 9. The Shootist
8. Fort Apache 8. Red River
7. The Longest Day 7. 3 Godfathers
6. El Dorado 6. Rio Bravo
5. Baby Face 5. Hondo
4. Hatari! 4. True Grit
3. True Grit 3. The Cowboys
2. The Shootist 2. Stagecoach
1. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 1. The Searchers

“Last Looks” (2021) starring Charlie Hunnam & Mel Gibson / Z-View

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Last Looks (2021)

Director:  Tim Kirkby

Screenplay:  Howard Michael Gould based on this novel Last Looks

Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Mel Gibson, Lucy Fry, Clancy Brown, Robin Givens, CC Castillo, Method Man, Dominic Monaghan, Paul Ben-Victor and Josh McDermitt

Tagline:  This city is a bad place to be a good guy.

The Plot…

Charlie Waldo (Hunnam) is an ex-cop who has withdrawn from society.  He lives a quiet life in a trailer outside the city.  All of that changes when he is convinced to look into the murder of a Alastair Pinch’s wife.  Pinch (Gibson) is a an arrogant, alcoholic, but extremely popular tv star.  Pinch is also the prime suspect in his wife’s murder.  He claims he was blackout drunk when she was killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Last Looks has a great cast with Gibson and Hunnam leading the way.  Although Hunnam gets top billing, Gibson steals the show with his take on Alastair Pinch.  It’s fun to see see Clancy Brown, Dominic Monagham and Josh McDermitt show up as well.

Last Looks has the feel of a quirky detective show from the 1970s or 80s. You know the shows where the “guest star” gets the flashy part and there’s plenty of interesting characters along the way. I enjoyed Last Looks and could see it producing a sequel if the box office would support it.

Last Looks earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Merry Mavericks” (1951) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Merry Mavericks (1951)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Screenplay:  Edward Bernds

Stars: Shemp Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Emil Sitka, Al Thompson and Blackie Whiteford

Tagline:  Meet The Three Stooges as up-and-coming… always leave-’em-laughing con-men in the wild and woolly west!

The Plot…

The boys are kicked out of a frontier town as vagrants.  When they arrive at the next town, our guys are mistaken for gunfighters who’ve come to clean up the place. What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Merry Mavericks finds the Stooges in the old west PLUS we get a haunted house!

Merry Mavericks earns 5 of 5 stars.

DIG TWO GRAVES by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collins!

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A new Mike Hammer yarn, Dig Two Graves is coming from Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collins!  Here’s the lowdown…

Mike Hammer, the iconic PI created by the master of noir Mickey Spillane, takes on the mob in the first of two gripping final novels for the deadly private eye.

Winter 1969. After a hit-and-run accident nearly kills her mother, Velda learns her father is not who she thought he is. Seeking to uncover her true heritage, Velda and Mike Hammer travel to sunny Dreamland Park, where retired law enforcement officers keep an eye on notorious criminals held under the Witness Protection Act.

Just as Velda and Mike’s search leads to a dead end, a brutal attempt on their lives and a missing fortune in mob money leads them to a deadly midnight confrontation in a cemetery where secrets are buried and open graves await.

“Tulsa King”: Season 1 starring Sylvester Stallone / Z-View

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Tulsa King: Season 1 (2022 – 2023)

Teleplay by: Taylor Sheridan and Terence Winter (episode 1); Terence Winter & Joseph Riccobene (episodes 2, 7); Regina Corrado (episode 3); Dave Flebotte (episodes 4, 6); Joseph Riccobene (episode 5), Terence Winter & Tom Sierchio (episode 8), Terence Winter (9)

Directed by: Allen Coulter (episodes 1, 2); Ben Richardson (episode 3); Ben Semanoff (episodes 4,5); Guy Ferland (episodes 6,7); Lodge Kerrigan (episodes 8,9)

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, A.C. Peterson, Garrett Hedlund, Dana Delany, Chris Caldovino, Ritchie Coster, Tatiana Zappardino, McKenna Quigley Harrington, Scarlet Rose Stallone,  John Cenatiempo and Joseph Riccobene

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

After serving a 25 year prison sentence, Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone) believes he will be rewarded by the Invernizzi crime family. Manfredi could have talked to the Feds for a lighter sentence, but he stood the full load.  When Manfredi meets with Pete Invernizzi, the Don of their family, Manfredi  learns that he’s being exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Manfredi will be expected to earn money for the Invernizzis, but will be far enough away, he won’t have the influence he once held.  Although Pete and Dwight were once good friends, Pete’s son, Chickie, has always been jealous of their relationship.  Dwight knows that Chickie now makes most of the family decisions due to Pete’s illness.  What Dwight doesn’t know is that Chickie wants him dead.

After 25 years in the joint, it’s a new world for Dwight.  And Tulsa isn’t New York City.  Still, Dwight begins to build a crew and put deals together.  Soon enough Dwight finds himself in a relationship with an ATF agent (Savage), at odds with a deadly motorcycle gang, brought to the attention of the FBI and in the crosshairs of Chickie Invernizzi.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sylvester Stallone is perfectly cast as Dwight Manfredi.  That should be no surprise since Tulsa King series creator, Tyler Sheridan, built it around Stallone.  Plus Stallone has been welcomed to tweak dialogue and Manfredi’s character to better suit his personality.

The writing is first rate.  Tulsa King is populated by memorable characters.  We learn more about them as the series continues but it never feels like exposition.  They writers create scenes that feel natural with twists that are surprising.

The casting is superb.  Without a doubt, Stallone is the perfect star for this series.  Stallone is supported by an amazing cast. Every single actor/actress no matter how small their role is spot on.  Standouts include Andrea Savage, Jay Will; Dominic Lombardozzi, Garrett Hedlund, Ritchie Coster and Tatiana Zappardino.

I cannot wait for Tulsa King: Season 2.

Tulsa King: Season 1 (2022 – 2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Shot in the Frontier” (1954) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Shot in the Frontier (1954)

Director:  Jules White

Screenplay:  Felix Adler

Stars: Shemp Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Diana Darrin, Kenneth MacDonald, Mort Mills and Emil Sitka

Tagline:  Hey! Here’s hilarious horseplay!

The Plot…

Our guys are cowboys in the wild west.  Immediately after getting hitched, they guys learn that the dastardly Noonan brothers are coming to kill them and steal their wives.  The boys can run or fight.  They decide to run, but they’re too late!  Now Shemp, Larry and Moe was go gun to gun and toe to toe with the Noonan brothers. What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Shot in the Frontier uses sets from the classic western High Noon!

Shot in the Frontier earns 4 of 5 stars.