Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I loved RRR. Sadly not enough people are aware of its greatness. I look forward to watching the behind-the-scenes doc.
Deal me in.
The had a dream and a camera. History knows the rest.
RRR: Behind and Beyond is an exclusive behind-the-scenes feature on SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus, starring NTR and Ram Charan.
Watch RRR: Behind and Beyond on Netflix, out 27 December!
My most anticipated movie!
Conan by Pat Broderick!
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (2024)
Director: Hamish Hamilton
Screenplay: Jamie Foxx
Stars: Jamie Foxx.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
About a year ago Jamie Foxx was hospitalized. His family clamped down on news about the cause of Foxx’s illness. No photos. No interviews. So… of course speculation and rumors ran rampant. Jamie Foxx had died. Jamie Foxx was replaced by a clone. Jamie Foxx had been poisoned. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Thankfully Jamie Foxx fully recovered. It took a lot of time and intensive rehab, but he did it. And now Jamie Foxx wants to set the record straight.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Jamie Foxx: What Happened Was is billed as a comedy special. Which is unfortunate. If you tune in to see Foxx’s comedy, you’ll get glimpses. The laughs are mixed with a lot of Foxx talking about getting sick and his recovery. Much of that is NOT funny. And that’s fine… if you’re not expecting an all-out comedy special.
Jamie Foxx is talented. He’s a comedian. An actor. A singer. His impressions rock. This special gives us glimpses of those talents and reminders of Foxx’s past success. They’re found as Foxx talks about his stroke and recovery. If you tune in thinking you’ll get a brief summary of what happened to Jamie followed by a comedy special, you’ll be disappointed. I blame that on how the special was advertised.
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
American Primeval – The second teaser is here. I was sold with the first.
Deal me in.
This is America, 1857.
Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin star in American Primeval, a gripping new limited series from director Peter Berg.
Coming Jan. 9, only on Netflix.
The Night Agent: Season 2 trailer is here. I enjoyed the first round. Bring on the second.
Deal me in.
The fate of the nation relies on one man. The Night Agent Season 2 returns January 23, only on Netflix.
Wolverine by Jae Lee.
To those of you who celebrate, MERRY CHRISTMAS! If you don’t observe Christmas, HAPPY WEDNESDAY!
The art above was created by Rick Burchett. Rick and Chris Mills created one of my all-time favorite comic characters, Digger McCrae aka Gravedigger. If you like great crime comics, you’d love Gravedigger!
The trailer for the limited series, Zero Day starring Robert DeNiro, Jesse Plemons with Matthew Modine and Angela Bassett is here!
Deal me in.
In the wake of a devastating cyber attack, a former President (Robert De Niro) is tasked with finding the perpetrators and seeking truth when another attack is imminent — but is the greatest threat a foreign power, or from within? The new limited series ZERO DAY is the first series for #RobertDeNiro and premieres February 20.
Here’s a vintage (1979!) Wolverine drawing by John Byrne. Not sure if he did the colors. Man, those were the days!
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Screenplay: John Hughes based on characters created by John Hughes
Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Randy Quaid, Miriam Flynn, Cody Burger, Ellen Latzen, William Hickey, Mae Questel, Nicholas Guest, Nicolette Scorsese, Brian Doyle-Murray and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Tagline: There’s No Place Like Home For A Holiday!
The Plot…
Clark (Chase) and Ellen (D’Angelo) Griswald have invited their parents to spend Christmas (and the 10 days leading up to it) and their house. Preparing for the holidays (when you’re hosting) can be stressful. Having both sets of in-laws at the same time even more so. Add to that Clark has over-extended to surprise his family with a new swimming pool. The check will bounce if his Christmas bonus doesn’t arrive soon.
Plus his yuppie neighbors are always creating issues. The Christmas lights aren’t working, the tree is too big… Oh, and don’t forget that Uncle Lewis (Hickey) and his senile wife Aunt Bethany (Questel) are coming Christmas Day. With his kids complaining, the in-laws making comments, finishing up at work for the Christmas (still no bonus check?)… how could things get any worse.
That’s when Ellen’s cousin’s family – Catherine (Flynn), her dumb as bricks husband (Quaid), their two kids Rocky (Burger) and Ruby Sue (Latzen), and their aptly named Rottweiler, Snots, show up unannounced.
Let the good times roll!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Mae Questel was the voice of Betty Boop in the 1930s. Christmas Vacation was her last film appearance.
Brian Doyle-Murray, who plays Clark’s boss in this film, appeared in National Lampoon’s Vacation as another character (the clerk at Kamp Komfort).
Snots was Beverly D’Angelo’s real life dog. Aunt Bethany’s cat was Beverly D’Angelo’s real life cat.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a stone cold classic. Every scene is a winner. It’s well written, well cast and well directed. This film is required viewing each year at Christmas time.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Art Evans died on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The cause of death was complications from diabetes. Mr. Evans was 82.
Art Evans began his career as a stage actor. His first screen appearance was in 1972. Mr. Evans had an uncredited role in the early Brian DePalma film, Sisters. In 1975, Art Evans received his first credited role in the television movie The Orphan and the Dude. For the next forty plus years Mr. Evans appeared in movie and television roles.
Television projects that feature Art Evans include: The Orphan and the Dude; Chico and the Man; Police Woman; Minstrel Man; Roosevelt and Truman; King (3 episodes); Some Kind of Miracle; The Cracker Factory; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings; MASH; Skag; The Boy Who Drank Too Much; World War III; The Fall Guy; The Seduction of Gena; Hill Street Blues (3 episodes); American Playhouse; Long Time Gone; Nine to Five (12 episodes); 227; In the Heat of the Night; Doogie Houser MD; Midnight Caller; A Different World (2 episodes); Mad About You (2 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; Roc; Family Matters; Dream On; Walker, Texas Ranger; LA Heat; Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction; After All; City of Angels; The X-Files; Monk; Everybody Hates Chris; Lincoln Heights (2 episodes); The Sarah Silverman Program; Pretend Time (2 episodes); Last Man Standing; Beauty and the Baller (3 episodes); A House Divided (3 episodes); Real Husbands of Hollywood and The Proud Family Louder and Louder (2 episodes).
Feature films that Art Evans appeared in include: Sisters; Claudine; Death Wish; Amazing Grace; Leadbelly; Fun with Dick and Jane; The In-Laws; The Main Event; The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again; Christine; A Soldier’s Story; Tough Turf; Into the Night; Fright Night; Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling; Ruthless People; Native Son; White of the Eye; The Mighty Quinn; Adventures in Babysitting; Die Hard II; Revenge of the Nerds; Trespass; CB4; Tales from the Hood; The Story of Us; Interstate 60; Young Cesar; Shades of Ray and Church.
I probably first saw Art Evans in Death Wish. I know by the time he appeared in Die Hard 2, I recognized him from his many guest appearances on television and movies. My favorite Art Evans roles are the parts he played in Die Hard 2 and A Soldier’s Story. Of course I always liked his performances in everything I ever saw him in.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Art Evans’ family, friends and fans.
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv by Glenn Fabry.
THE MAN WHO CAME UPTOWN by George Pelecanos
First sentence…
When Antonius thought of all the things that they’d wrong the day of the robbery, wearing hoodies might have been at the top of the list.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Michael Hudson is in prison awaiting trial. Michael is at a cross roads. If found guilty of robbery, his life will go in one direction. If the jury decides he’s not guilty, another. Problem is, he’s guilty. And they have him dead to rights. Michael was the getaway driver in a job that went bad.
It’s sad to realize your potential too late. Michael’s not a bad looking guy. He’s not dumb. Michael could make something of his life, given another chance. Michael’s decided if he somehow gets freedom, he’s done with crime. He’ll get a job. Any job. Then he’ll continue to better himself.
A miracle happens. Private investigator Phil Ornazian sends word to Michael not to worry. Sure enough and soon enough Michael is released. The witness identifying Michael is no longer sure it was him. Unbelievable. A sentence of five years in a federal pen vanished.
Michael is done with crime. He gets a job as a dishwasher and starts planning for the future.
Then Michael is visited by Ornazian. Time to pay the piper. Ornazian and a retired cop moonlight by ripping off drug dealers and pimps. It’s easy money since the folks they steal from would never go to the cops. Ornazian needs a getaway driver for a score. Michael isn’t interested. Ornazian reminds Michael that he owes him. Who knows, maybe the witness’ memory comes back.
Michael agrees to drive… one last time.
Rating:
