Category: Celebs

“The Capote Tapes” Poster and Trailer

I’m not a fan of the poster but I do like the trailer for The Capote Tapes.

Truman Capote became famous for his writing with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood.  The fact that they were turned into very well received movies added to his fame.  Breakfast at Tiffany’s was nominated for 5 Oscars and won two.  In Cold Blood was nominated for four Oscars.

Although Capote would go on to write other shorts stories, novels and teleplays, he became best known for being famous.  Capote was popular on the talk show circuit.  He was flamboyant and loved telling stories.  I look forward to seeing The Capote Tapes and someday pulling In Cold Blood off my to-be-read bookshelf and reading it.

In the 35 years since his death, Truman Capote has remained a source of curiosity to many. His works, including ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and ‘In Cold Blood’, have maintained their place in the literary canon of great twentieth century American literature and still appeal to readers across the globe today.

‘Answered Prayers’ was meant to be Truman Capote’s greatest masterpiece, an epic portrait of NYC’s glittering jet-set society. Instead, it sparked his downfall. Through never before heard audio archive and interviews with Capote’s friends and enemies, this intimate documentary reveals the rise and fall of one America’s most iconic writers.
#TheCapoteTapes

“Westworld” (1973) Modern Day Trailer!

I saw Westworld when it was first released.  I was almost 15 and thought the movie was awesome.  Living an hour from Disney World made the idea of a futuristic amusement park for adults seem reasonable.  I thought it was a surprising plot twist that they guy that appeared to be the sidekick (Benjamin) to the hero (Brolin) turns out to be the movie’s star.  Well, sort of.  Top billing, of course, went to Yul Brenner, who played a terminator years before Arnold.

I bring this up today because HBO Max just released a modern day (recut) trailer for Westworld.  Makes me think it’s time for another viewing.  Maybe I’ll do a Westworld and Capricorn One double feature.

A high-tech amusement park for adults features three recreated historical environments – Medieval World, Roman World and Western World – populated by highly realistic androids programmed to indulge the whims of every high-paying guest. The main attraction of Westworld is the Gunslinger – a robot programmed to start duels but who can always be killed by humans packing special guns. John and Peter, two buddies on vacation, wake up in a Westworld bordello after a night of brawls and booze, not yet knowing that a system-wide failure has infected the androids and placed them in mortal danger. Stream the 1973 film, Westworld, on HBO Max today.

“My Name is Roscoe: The Life and Legacy of ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle” by Joe Ramoni

I love movies.  Because of my love of film I search out older movies.  Thanks to TCM that’s not as hard to do as it once was.  So whenever there’s an older film that I think I might like I check it out.

I’ve watched a lot of silent films.  I started with the horror films and then worked my way to comedies.  Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd are considered the comedy kings of the silent film era.  As I began to watch and learn more about this time period, I was surprised to find that funny man Fatty Arbuckle wasn’t better known.  The films I saw with him were as good as any other comedian of the time.

When I came to learn that Arbuckle was the first comedian to be paid one million dollars from a studio, that Arbuckle had mentored both Chaplin and Keaton, that he started his own studio, that he wrote and directed films… well, I needed to know more about this man.  What I discovered was pretty sad.

Joe Ramoni has created an excellent overview of Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle’s career.  It is worth a watch.

He mentored Charlie Chaplin, discovered Buster Keaton, and changed film comedy forever – before a scandal destroyed his career. His name was Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. Though you may recognize his name or face, few know the heartbreaking story of his life. This documentary short takes a look back at his controversial life & career to highlight what an instrumental figure he was in the evolution of cinema and why he should be more remembered today.

Written, Compiled and Presented by Joe Ramoni
https://twitter.com/joeramoni

Source: Mark Evanier.

“The Little Things” Trailer Starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto is Here!

Wow!

Check out the trailer for The Little Things starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto.  Then watch it again and pay attention to the little things.  The Little Things looks to be a winner and I cannot wait to see it.

Watch the trailer for The Little Things, bringing Denzel Washington back to screen alongside fellow Academy Award® winners Rami Malek and Jared Leto. Coming to theaters and streaming exclusively on HBO Max on January 29. #TheLittleThingsMovie

Academy Award winners Denzel Washington (“Training Day,” “Glory”), Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club”) star in the psychological thriller “The Little Things.” John Lee Hancock (“The Blind Side,” “Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Founder”) directed the film from his own original screenplay.

Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon (Washington) is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a killer who is terrorizing the city. Leading the hunt, L.A. Sheriff Department Sergeant Jim Baxter (Malek), impressed with Deke’s cop instincts, unofficially engages his help. But as they track the killer, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

The main cast also includes Natalie Morales (“Battle of the Sexes”), Terry Kinney (“Mile 22,” TV’s “Billions”), Chris Bauer (“Sully,” TV’s “The Deuce”), Joris Jarsky (TV’s “Bad Blood”), Isabel Arraiza (TV’s “Pearson”) and Michael Hyatt (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”).

“The Little Things” is produced by Oscar- and Emmy-winning producer Mark Johnson (“Breaking Bad,” “Rain Man”) and Hancock, with Mike Drake and Kevin McCormick serving as executive producers.

Behind the scenes, Hancock reunited with several longtime collaborators, including Oscar-nominated director of photography John Schwartzman (“Seabiscuit,” “The Founder,” “Saving Mr. Banks”), Oscar-nominated production designer Michael Corenblith (“Apollo 13,” “The Founder,” “The Blind Side”) editor Robert Frazen (“The Founder”), and costume designer Daniel Orlandi (“The Founder,” “The Blind Side”). The music is by multiple Oscar-nominated composer Thomas Newman (“1917,” “Bridge of Spies,” “Saving Mr. Banks”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents A Gran Via Production, “The Little Things” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film has slated for release on January 29, 2021 in theaters and on HBO Max and has been rated R for violent/disturbing images, language and full nudity.

“The Beatles: Get Back” Sneak Peak from Peter Jackson!

Beatles fans will love this sneak peak…

PETER JACKSON REVEALS SNEAK PEEK OF HIS UPCOMING MUSIC DOCUMENTARY
“THE BEATLES: GET BACK” ONLINE AND STREAMING ON DISNEY+

Feature-Length Film Opens in Theatres August 27, 2021

Acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson has released an exclusive sneak peek of his upcoming documentary “The Beatles: Get Back” for fans everywhere to enjoy. The 5-minute special look is available to fans worldwide on TheBeatles.com and streaming on Disney+.

Jackson said, “We wanted to give the fans of The Beatles all over the world a holiday treat, so we put together this five-minute sneak peek at our upcoming theatrical film ‘The Beatles: Get Back.’ We hope it will bring a smile to everyone’s faces and some much-needed joy at this difficult time.”

Acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back” is a unique cinematic experience that takes audiences back in time to The Beatles’ intimate recording sessions during a pivotal moment in music history…

Ron Garney’s BRZRKR Preview Art is Here and Looks Awesome!

Boom! Studios has released preview art for BRZRKR, a new series from Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt (writers) and Ron Garney (artist). Bill Crabtree is set to serve as colorist with Clem Robins providing the letters.  Here’s the synopsis…

The man known only as B is half-mortal and half-God, cursed and compelled to violence…even at the sacrifice of his sanity. But after wandering the world for centuries, B may have finally found a refuge – working for the U.S. government to fight the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else. In exchange, B will be granted the one thing he desires – the truth about his endless blood-soaked existence…and how to end it.

BRZRKR is set to run 12 issues/chapters. The series will also be collected in 3 graphic novels, each containing four issues/chapters. The drop date for the graphic novels are September 2021 (Volume 1), April 2022 (Volume 2), and September 2022 (Volume 3).

For more information and additional preview art check out Bleeding Cool’s First Look At Ron Garney’s Art on Keanu Reeves-Written Comic, BRZRKR.

“M.C. Escher: Journey to Infinity” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

The poster and trailer to M.C. Escher: Journey to Infinity is here.

M.C. Escher: “I’m not an artist.  I’m a mathematician.”

This is going to be interesting!

The story of world famous Dutch graphic artist M.C Escher (1898-1972). Equal parts history, psychology, and psychedelia, Robin Lutz’s entertaining, eye-opening portrait gives us the man through his own words and images: diary musings, excerpts from lectures, correspondence and more are voiced by British actor Stephen Fry, while Escher’s woodcuts, lithographs, and other print works appear in both original and playfully altered form.

Mike Tyson Trailer for “Pharaoh’s War” or “Desert Strike” – Plus the Poster is Here!

Ok, stay with me now.  Above we have the poster for Pharaoh’s War starring, wait for it… Mike Tyson and Hafpor Julius Bjornson.  Below we have the same two stars in the same movie but the trailer now calls the movie Desert Strike.

Neither the poster nor the trailer (or either name for the movie) make me want to rush out and see it… but there is a curiosity factor that might make me watch on tv.

“The Twilight Zone” New Year’s Eve Marathon is Coming! Schedule is Up!

The Twilight Zone New Year’s Eve Marathon has been a tradition for years at the Zablo house.  We’ve alternated binge watching to checking in on favorite episodes depending on our mood.  Shadow & Substance (an excellent Rod Serling fan site) has the full schedule.  Before you click over to check it out, let me suggest some favorite Twilight Zone episodes…

Thursday, December 31, 2020
6:00pm – Time Enough At Last
7:30pm – The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
9:30pm – The Howling Man
10:00pm – Eye of the Beholder
11:30pm – The Invaders

Friday, January 1, 2021
2:00pm – The Shelter
3:30pm – The Grave
6:30pm – Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?
8:00pm – The Midnight Sun
9:00pm – To Serve Man
10:00pm – Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

“Blade” Trivia

Rob Hunter at Film School Rejects presents 32 Things We Learned from the ‘Blade‘ Commentary.  As always, before you click over, here are my three favorites and thoughts on each…

“I’ve found that American action films rely more on spectacle,” says Snipes, “but action films from other countries don’t do it that way.” He adds that international action is often embedded into “the emotional state and intent of the character.” (Snipes is right.  Too many of our movies these days rely on big special effects.  I prefer a movie that focuses on, as Snipes said, “the emotional state and intent of the character.” – Craig)

A deleted conversation from the script explained how Blade’s sword originally belonged to Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) who himself was part of a long line of vampire hunters. (It was smart to drop that.  The “long line of vampire hunters” bit is just too cliche. – Craig)

Norrington wanted Kristofferson for the role as he was “the cool grandfather, grungy type of fighting, jolly type of a guy.” Goyer actually wrote the character, though, with Samuel Fuller in mind.  (I’m not a big fan of Blade but loved Blade II.  With that said, Kristofferson was a great addition to the movie and one of the things I liked best about it. – Craig)

“Pulp Fiction” Trivia

Pulp Fiction is arguably Quentin Tarantino’s best film.  I’ve been thinking it’s about time for another viewing of it.  Paul Schrodt’s 12 Things to Look for While Watching Pulp Fiction makes me want to watch it even more.  Before you click over to Schrodt’s piece, here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON’S FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE DOESN’T EXIST.  (I was surprised when I first learned that Tarantino basically made up Jackson’s biblical quote.  Jackson really sold it for that scene and I wonder how many people believe the quote is right from the bible. – Craig)

JACK RABBIT SLIM’S IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS. (I remember when there was talk of Jack Rabbit Slim’s being turned into a real chain of joints.  I was excited about the idea and thought it would work.  I know I would have patronized them.  Sadly the venture never became reality. – Craig)

NO ONE FULLY UNDERSTANDS PULP FICTION’S “GIMP” SEQUENCE.  (I vividly remember seeing this scene for the first time and just being blown away.  What the – ?  Did we cross over into another film?  Another dimension?  I’ve come to like the unexpected, unexplainable aspect of it.  Sometimes things happen that don’t make sense, that we couldn’t have predicted and that can have terrible consequences.  – Craig)

Source: Mental Floss.

“The Minimalists” – The Poster & Trailer. (I Think I Need to See This. Do You?)

The poster and trailer for The Minimalists are here.

This documentary really interests me.  I have a collector’s mentality.  I collect movies (VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, Laser Disc), comic books, novels, Stallone-related items, original art and stuff.  It’s sometimes hard to let things go.

I have trimmed my comic collection waaay down.  These days I keep very few and trade the others in.  I do have 6 book shelves of graphic novels (some of which I still haven’t read).

A few years ago my wife and I began to trade in novels that we didn’t think we’d want to re-read.  With that said, thanks to the COVID pandemic, we currently have 8 packing boxes of novels to trade in.  I have 7 book cases of novels that I am keeping (including dozens of books still to be read) and my wife has another 2 book cases.

I got rid of all my laser disc movies.  In the garage I have storage bins of VHS movies that I haven’t watched in years.  I have a bin of record albums.  I got rid of my album cassettes. I have quite a few music cds and dvds / Blu-ray movies.

I have many photo albums of Stallone articles, press kits and boxes of memorabilia including movie scripts, books, sculptures and other collector’s items.

Yeah, I think I better watch The Minimalists.

They’ve built a movement out of minimalism. Longtime friends Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus share how our lives can be better with less. Directed by Matt D’Avella.