“No Man of God” starring Luke Kirby and Elijah Wood – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like both the poster and trailer for No Man of God starring Luke Kirby and Elijah Wood.  The title ain’t bad either.  I plan to check this one out.

Starring Elijah Wood, Luke Kirby, Aleksa Palladino and Robert Patrick
Directed by Amber Sealey

In 1980, Ted Bundy was sentenced to death by electrocution. In the years that followed, he agreed to disclose the details of his crimes, but only to one man. During the early days of the agency’s criminal profiling unit, FBI analyst Bill Hagmaier met with the incarcerated Ted Bundy in the hopes of understanding the psychology of the serial killer and providing closure for the victim’s families. As Hagmaier delves into Bundy’s dark and twisted mind, a strange and complicated relationship develops that neither man expected. Based on actual transcripts of interviews between FBI analyst Bill Hagmaier and the incarcerated Ted Bundy, No Man of God is “nothing short of riveting. It is a must-see” (Reel News Daily).

“Kingdom: Ashin of the North” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Today we have the poster and trailer to Kingdom: Ashin of the North.  Billed as a special episode, but at 92 minutes, I see it more as a spinoff movie.

I’ve enjoyed both seasons of Kingdom and Kingdom: Ashin of the North is written by Kim Eun-Hee. who wrote both seasons as well.  I had no idea this was coming, so call me surprised and deal me in!

This summer, a 92 minute thirst for blood begins.
Kingdom: Ashin of the North

A Kingdom Special Episode:  Kingdom: Ashin of the North
Coming July 23, only on Netflix

What is Best at the Top 25 USA Restaurant Chains?

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Michele Debczak at Mental Floss posted the list of America’s 25 Biggest Restaurant Chains.  I thought it might be interesting to share my favorite food or drink at each.  Perhaps we have the same taste…

  • McDonald’s: Believe it or not, I go to McDonald’s almost every day for the Sugar-free French Vanilla Coffee.  I love it (even if I sometimes have to doctor it up with a bit of Monk Fruit.)
  • Starbucks: I never go there unless it is through the drive-through with/for my wife.  I find Starbucks to be
    over-priced and snooty.  Grande, indeed.
  • Taco Bell: Another place I seldom go.  I used to like the 7 layer burrito, but it has gone the way of Burger Chef.
  • Chick-fil-A: I go to Chick-fil-A on a weekly basis (at least). For breakfast; Egg white grill (egg, grilled chicken on an English muffin). For lunch: Grilled chicken sandwich & cup of chicken noodle soup.  They have the best staff and service time no matter the location.
  • Wendy’s: I love that you can get chili there year round.  Their grilled chicken sandwich isn’t bad either.  Want to splurge?  Get the Baconator.
  • Burger King: Their Whopper used to be the best fast food burger going.  It is still awesome, but the service at BK (no matter the locations) make the experience less than pleasurable.  I hope for a BK comeback some day.
  • Subway: I don’t eat there as often as I used to, but when I do, I get the BMT with lettuce, pickle, onion, mayo, mustard, plus a little oil and vinegar.
  • Dunkin’: I don’t eat at Dunkin’ unless there is nothing else.  Then I get a cinnamon roll.
  • Domino’s: I don’t eat at Domino’s but when I did it would be pizza with pepperoni and extra cheese.
  • Panera Bread: Any of their soup and sandwich choices are good.
  • Chipotle: I eat at Chipolte pretty regularly.  I like the burrito bowl.  Be sure and get the chips and salsa!
  • Pizza Hut:  I don’t eat at Pizza Hut but when I did it would be barbeque pizza.
  • KFC: They have great slaw and their biscuits aren’t bad either!
  • Popeyes: Their chicken sandwich is amazing.
  • Sonic Drive-In: I love that you can always get a hot dog or corn dog there… and they ain’t bad.
  • Buffalo Wild Wings: Go with what is in the name – get wings and a Diet Coke then watch some sports.
  • Arby’s: Get the Arby’s classic loaded with roast beef and add some horsey sauce.
  • Little Caesars: I don’t do Little Caesars.
  • Dairy Queen: Either a M&M Blizzard or an old fashioned chocolate milk shake made with vanilla ice cream and Hershey’s chocolate syrup.
  • Jack in the Box: I don’t eat at Jack in the Box.
  • Panda Express: Get the Honey Walnut Shrimp!
  • Olive Garden: Unlimited Soup, Salad and Breadsticks!  Switch up the soup if you go for seconds.  Oh, and be sure and add a side of Alfredo sauce for the breadsticks.
  • Papa John’s:  I don’t eat at Papa John’s.
  • Chili’s: They have a good bacon burger.
  • Applebee’s: I used to get the Club House Grill but it has gone the way of Lum’s, so I don’t eat at Applebee’s very often.

“Top Secret UFO Projects: Declassified” – The Trailer is Here!

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I enjoy documentaries, movies and television shows about UFOs.  I’m intrigued by the Roswell incident and other ufo/alien reports that feel like they could be true.  It is interesting that the government has admitted that there are things out there that and they don’t know what they are.

Below is a trailer for Top Secret UFO Projects: Declassified.  Because it will be on Netflix, I’ll check it out.  Based on the trailer it may not be worthy.  I hate the poor cgi aliens and ufos in the trailer. And the guy that says, “Nobody’s seen it or knows where it’s at” doesn’t inspire confidence in the quality of the series.  Still, you never know…

Original factual television series featuring the most recent information and proof exposing the most top-secret government projects that handled contacts with and cover-ups of, extraterrestrial presence on Earth.

“Terminator 2” – Surprising Facts!

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Terminator 2 is consider by many to be not only the best film in the Terminator series, but also the best movie that Arnold Schwarzenegger ever made.  It’s interesting to note that initially James Cameron had no interest in a sequel, Arnold didn’t like the idea of playing a good terminator and Linda Hamilton just wanted to be crazy.  You’ll learn the reasons behind these facts and a whole lot more if you click over to Todd Gilchrist’s 20 Facts About Terminator 2: Judgment Day at Mental Floss.  Before you do, here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each…

JAMES CAMERON WANTED BILLY IDOL TO PLAY THE T-1000.  (Cameron wanted a different body type for the T-1000 and Billy Idol was his first choice.  Idol was in a motorcycle wreck that led to Robert Patrick getting the part.  I believe that Idol’s celebrity would have taken from the impact of the T-1000 and it would have looked like stunt casting.  I also believe that Patrick was a better choice for the role – he’s an excellent actor! – Craig)


TERMINATOR 2 ESSENTIALLY MADE ITS MONEY BACK BEFORE IT EVEN PREMIERED. (This is an amazing fact when you consider that Cameron was paid $6 million dollars, Arnold was paid $15 million, Linda Hamilton got $1 million and the total budget was $102 million dollars. – Craig)

SEVERAL VERSIONS OF T2 HAVE BEEN RELEASED, BUT JAMES CAMERON HAS A FAVORITE. (It’s the theatrical release and I agree. – Craig)

 

“Val” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for Val.  The poster is interesting and the documentary should be as well.  I hope that it is insightful as well.  Val Kilmer is one of the most under-rated actors still alive.  His performance in Tombstone should have won the Oscar and he made everything he was in better.  Sadly, Val Kilmer got throat cancer which impacted his life and career.  I look forward to seeing Val when it premieres on August 6th.

Who is Val Kilmer? He’s Batman. He’s Iceman. He’s Jim Morrison. And he’s a lifelong filmmaker. Get re-acquainted with the legend on August 6.

J. Edgar Hoover – Some Surprising Facts You May Not Know!

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J. Edgar Hoover is an interesting character.  The fact that he was the head of the FBI and able to stay in office for decades, that even President’s feared him, and that he had “the goods” on anyone who was anyone has always intrigued me.  He wasn’t a good guy and there are many rumors that surround his personal life. 

Scott Beggs touches on many of these things and more in 20 Surprising Facts About J. Edgar Hoover.  Before you click over, here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each…

.J. EDGAR HOOVER DIDN’T HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE UNTIL HE WAS 43.  (This was the same year his mother died and there is speculation “that Hoover, who persecuted Black civil rights leaders, had a secret African-American heritage.” Wouldn’t that be something?  I wonder if the rumors are true. – Craig)

RICHARD NIXON WAS AFRAID OF J. EDGAR HOOVER.  (Hoover apparently had “dirt” on every President and they were afraid to fire him.  It is especially telling that “Richard Nixon, thought Hoover might ‘bring down the temple’ if he were sacked.”  We have learned over the years the indiscretions of many of our Presidents but Hoover had the goods at the time. – Craig)

J. EDGAR HOOVER HAD WHAT WAS POSSIBLY THE WORLD’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF PORNOGRAPHY. (Reportedly it contained photos of celebrities and politicians. The craziest rumor about it: That it contained nude pictures of Eleanor Roosevelt given to him by W.C. Fields!?  Really??  Also, why would he keep the collection — perhaps for his own enjoyment or more likely to have something on these folks should he ever need to it. – Craig)

RIP: Richard Donner

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Richard Donner died today at the age of 91.  This one hurts worse than most.

Richard Donner wanted a career as an actor.  It was director Martin Ritt who encouraged Donner to consider directing instead.  Ritt gave Donner a job as his assistant.  Later Donner graduated to a staff position at Desilu Productions where he directed commercials. 

In 1960, Mr. Donner began directing television episodes with the occasional feature film.  For the next 15 years Richard Donner directed well over 100 episodes of the best television had to offer.   Shows that I regularly watched that Mr. Donner directed episodes of include: The Rifleman; Combat; The Twilight Zone; The Man from UNCLE; Gilligan’s Island; Get Smart; The FBI; The Fugitive; It’s About Time; Jericho; The Wild, Wild West; The Banana Splits Adventure Hour / Danger Island; the Bearcats; Ironside and Cannon.

Richard Donner directed his first feature film in 1961.  Titled  X-15, it starred Charles Bronson and Mary Tyler Moore.  In 1976, Mr. Donner directed one of the biggest box office hits of the year with The Omen.  His next film was also a hit with fans and the box office: Superman.  The success of Superman allowed Richard Donner to add producer to his resume.  He would go on to produce 37 projects as he continued to direct feature films.  Following Superman, some of my favorite Richard Donner directed features include: Inside Moves; Ladyhawke; Lethal Weapon 1 -4; Maverick and Assassins.

Had Richard Donner only directed the Twilight Zone episode: Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, he would have warranted a post about his passing.  Same could be said for Superman, the Lethal Weapon films and a personal favorite of mine, Assassins staring Sly Stallone.  I didn’t realize until I was a young adult how many television shows I loved as a child were directed by Richard Donner.  Any time you see Richard Donner in the credits, now you are in for a good time. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to Richard Donner’s family, friends and fans.         

Have You Read Anything by Howard Chaykin?

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Howard Chaykin is one of my all-time favorite comic creators.  Chaykin started as an assistant to Gil Kane, worked his way up to being an artist on lesser known titles, then some of the more popular characters including the first issues of Star Wars.  Along the way he began writing and drawing his own stories and he never looked back.

Chaykin’s comic stories are intelligent and assume the reader is as well.  He has a sense of humor and irony in every tale.  His work usually contains adult language and adult situations for which he does not apologize.  Comics aren’t just for kids.

If you’ve never read anything by Howard Chaykin, you really should consider changing that.

“The Tomorrow War” / Z-View

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The Tomorrow War (2021) Director: Chris McKay Screenplay: Zach Dean

Stars:  Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, Sam Richardson, Edwin Hodge  and Mary Lynn Rajskub.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Dan Forester (Pratt) is an ex-military high school science teacher who believes he is destined for something bigger.  Forester will get his opportunity when he is drafted to fight in a war being held nearly 3 decades in the future.

Still with me?

Okay.  In the future earth has been invaded by aliens who have killed almost everyone on the planet.  In an effort to turn the tide and save humanity, future soldiers have come back into the past to recruit people to fight in the future.  A worldwide draft is instated and draftees are sent to the future to fight aliens for seven days.  If they survive they are returned to their proper time.  Forester is drafted.

Forester and the others in his group learn there is no training.  They are given weapons and transported to the future to kill aliens.  Less than 30% will survive the seven days.  In Forester’s group we have a nervous college professor, a tough as nails vet who has done three tours and a bunch of others who we learn nothing about (yep, they’re alien fodder).  As soon as they are in the future Forester’s team is given a mission and off we go.  Alien battles come fast and furious and we learn about the plan to save the world.

What I liked:  Chris Pratt was good.  This may be his best performance yet.  Edwin Hodge is a standout as the soldier with 3 tours.  Sam Richardson provides comic relief (although maybe too much in some spots).  I loved seeing Mary Lynn Rajskub and wish she was given more to do.  The action is non-stop once.  I really liked how they explained who could participate in the time travel (coming and going).  I liked the explanation of how the aliens got to earth.  All through the movie I was thinking these creatures don’t have the brains for space travel.

What bothered me:
  • Too many daddy issues.  Forester has them with his dad and Forester’s daughter has them with him.
  • The coincidences to save the day.  We need a solution that will kill the monsters.  Forester’s daughter (now grown) comes up with it.  We need to figure out where the aliens arrive when they come to earth so we can be there to kill them. Forester’s wife brainstorms with him to figure it out.  We need someone to figure out what the alien claw can tell us.  Remember the nervous college professor?  He can do it.  We need a volcano expert.  Hey, Forester has one in his high school class!  We need a way to get into Soviet air space undetected.  Uh, Forester’s dad can do it.
  • Sometimes the aliens are lethal killing machines and sometimes you can go mano y alien and kick their butt (if they have a butt that is).
  • (Most) Everything gets wrapped up too nicely: Forester was indeed destined for something bigger, daddy issues are resolved all the way around.  Everyone (Forester, his wife, his daughter, his dad, nervous college professor, hardcore vet, nerdy high school volcano lover) has a role in saving the world.
  • What I’d like to know: How does what Forester pulled off change the future (other than the obvious, there will be no aliens wiping out the earth)?

Despite the things I didn’t care for, The Tomorrow War has a core cast that is likeable, a script that keeps things moving and a conflict that involves saving the world.  If you’re looking for a fun ride (and don’t give it too much thought) you’ll enjoy The Tomorrow War.

“The Evening Hour” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I don’t think the poster for The Evening Hour provides much insight into what the movie may be about.  The trailer on the other hand works.  It makes me think that The Evening Hour could be a winner.  

The autumnal mountains of southern Appalachia hold a haunting power within which Cole Freeman (Philip Ettinger FIRST REFORMED), maintains an uneasy equilibrium, looking after the old and infirm in the community while selling their excess painkillers to local addicts to help make ends meet. But when an old friend, Terry Rose (Cosmo Jarvis, LADY MACBETH), returns with dangerous new plans that threaten the fragile balance Cole has crafted amidst the addiction, economic stress and environmental devastation that have his declining mining town in a stranglehold, his world and identity are thrown into deep disarray.

Directed by Braden King (HERE) from screenwriter Elizabeth Palmore’s adaptation of Carter Sickels’ acclaimed novel, photographed by Declan Quinn and set to an original score by Michael Krassner, Tim Rutili and Boxhead Ensemble, THE EVENING HOUR presents an authentic portrait of a rural American landscape in transition – and a moving, lyrical hymn for the complex tangle of hardship and hope wrought by opioid addiction in Appalachia.

“Tailgate” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like both the poster and trailer for Tailgate.  Yes, it seems to be very similar to Unhinged, but I really enjoyed that film, so maybe Tailgate will be as fun a ride.

You probably wouldn’t notice if I didn’t mention it, but there are no words spoken in the trailer.  It is a Dutch film and perhaps the studio didn’t want it so obvious to American audiences.  But the trailer is still very effective.

Hans is a self-confident man, driving across the country with his wife and two daughters by his side. His ego gets the better of him when he gets into an argument with another driver. The van driver turns out to be the wrong man to cross on the road, and sets out to teach Hans a deadly lesson. Skillfully pushing the buttons of Hans’s arrogance, a simple family road trip turns into a deadly obstacle course in this nerve-wracking, blackly comic morality tale thriller.

Director: Lodewijk Crijns
Writer: Lodewijk Crijns
Stars: Jeroen Spitzenberger, Anniek Pheifer, Roosmarijn van der Hoek

“No Sudden Move” / Z-View

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No Sudden Move (2021) Director: Steven Soderbergh Screenplay: Ed Solomon.

Stars:  Don Cheadle, Brendan Fraser, Benicio Del Toro, Kieran Culkin, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Ray Liotta, Bill Duke, Craig muMs Grant, Julia Fox, Amy Seimetz and Matt Damon.

Tagline: Trust is a set-up. The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Three low level crooks who don’t know each other are hired for a mysterious, high-paying job.  Curt Goynes (Cheadle) and Ronald Russo (Del Torro) each need the money from the score to get out of town.  Goynes has stolen important papers from one of the major crime players in the area and Russo is sleeping with his crime boss’ wife.  The job seems easy enough.  Goynes and Russo will hold Matt Wertz’s (Harbour) family hostage while the third man (Culkin) takes Wertz to collect something from his boss’ safe.

When things go sideways, Goynes and Russo realize that they’ve been set-up to be murdered with the Wertz family.  Both men are already on the run from their former alliances and now learn that there is a price on their heads.  Having just met, Goynes and Russo form an uneasy alliance and try to figure out their next move.  What follows is an intelligent story full of double-crosses, twists and an ending that is surprising and satisfying.

I have nothing but praise for No Sudden Move.  It has an intelligent screenplay by Ed Solomon which is extremely well directed by Steven Soderbergh.  It is rare to see a film with so many stars that is perfectly cast.  Cheadle, Del Toro, and Liotta are at the top of their game as to be expected.  David Harbor is spot on as the man in over his head with his wife, his job, and his mistress.  It was great seeing Brendan Fraser in a role that will surprise many.  The same is true for Bill Duke!  And don’t forget there is an uncredited role that is pivotal to the entire film!

It isn’t often that we get a film so perfectly written, cast and directed.  No Sudden Move is that rare film made for adults — it assumes the audience isn’t dumb and it doesn’t rely on special effects.  I absolutely loved No Sudden Move.

“The Walking Dead”: The Final Season, Part 1. – The Teaser Trailer is Here!

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Today we have the teaser for The Walking Dead: The Final Season, Part 1.  I look forward to seeing how this series ends.  The Walking Dead is one of the tv series that I can say I was with from the start (and if all goes well) and saw every episode.  It’s been a fun ride.

The Walking Dead returns for Season 11 on Sunday, August 22.