“Wrestled Away: The Lee Kemp Story” (2019) / Z-View

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Wrestled Away: The Lee Kemp Story (2019)

Director:  Riley Hanlon

Stars: Lee Kemp, William Baldwin (voice), Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Urijah Faber and Dan Gable.

Tagline: A World Champion Wrestler on the podium of life with one mission despite devastating setbacks; keep WINNING GOLD.

The Plot…

Lee Kemp was arguably the greatest amateur wrestler ever.  He was was a four-time NCAA Division I National finalist.  He was a National Champion his sophomore, junior and senior years.  His freshman year (freshman!) he came in 2nd thanks to a split decision.  He lost just three times during his entire collegiate wrestling career (and all of those losses came his freshman year).

Kemp was America’s first three time World Champion.  He was also America’s youngest World Champion at that time. Kemp was also a four-time World Cup Champion and a 7-time United States Freestyle National Champion.  Olympic Gold Medalist came out of retirement to wrestle Lee Kemp and Kemp won.  Going into the 1980 Olympics, Lee Kemp was favored to win a Gold Medal.

Then Russia invaded Afghanistan.  President Carter decreed that the U.S. would not participate in the Olympics in protest since they were to be held in Moscow.  Kemp’s dream of Olympic Gold was crushed.  Everything he had worked for was taken away with that decision.

Then life got worse.  This is Lee Kemp’s story.  One of a rise to the top and then a hard fall.  But like every true champion, Lee Kemp found a way back.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was in high school the two main amateur wrestlers known to the world were Dan Gable, the 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist and Lee Kemp.  Gable lost just once in his college career.  He was a legend.  Then along came Lee Kemp.  I knew that Gable had gone on to become a great college wrestling coach.  I never knew what became of Lee Kemp.  I’m glad Wrestled Away… The Lee Kemp Story tells us.

On a side note, when I was in tenth grade, I attended a Dan Gable wrestling camp.  Gable was impressive.  The highlight for me was when he picked me out of dozens in attendance to come on the mat with him for the demonstration.

Wrestled Away: The Lee Kemp Story (2019) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Bikeriders” starring Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy – The Second Trailer is Here!

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Deal me in!

Freedom belongs to the fearless. Starring Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy. THE BIKERIDERS is only in theaters June 21. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols.

THE BIKERIDERS follows the rise of a midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals. Seen through the lives of its members, the club evolves over the course of a decade from a gathering place for local outsiders into a more sinister gang, threatening the original group’s unique way of life.

RIP: Richard Lewis

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Richard Lewis, the stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer, died of a heart attack on February 27th.

Mr. Lewis began his stand-up career in 1971 while working at an advertising agency during the day.  David Brenner saw Richard Lewis’ act and helped to promote him.  By the mid-70s, Lewis was becoming well-known thanks to his appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and publications such as the New York Daily News.  Richard Lewis made his acting debut in Diary of a Young Comic.  He would go on to act on television, in feature films and stand-up for the remainder of his career.

Some of Richard Lewis’ television work includes: Diary of a Young Comic; The 416th; House Calls; Riptide; Harry (7 episodes); Anything But Love (56 episodes); The Larry Sanders Show; Daddy Dearest (13 episodes); Tales from the Crypt; Hiller & Diller (13 episodes); Rude Awakening (6 episodes); Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm; Alias; Two and a Half Men; 7th Heaven (9 episodes); The Dead Zone; Las Vegas; George Lopez; The Simpsons; Everybody Hates Chris; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; The Cleaner; ‘Til Death (3 episodes); Blunt Talk (6 episodes) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (41 episodes).

Some of Richard Lewis’ feature film work includes: The Wrong Guys; That’s Adequate; Once Upon a Crime; Robin Hood: Men in Tights; Wagons East; Leaving Las Vegas; The Maze and Vamps.

I was a fan of Richard Lewis.  It was always cool to see him show up in a television show or movie. ‘

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard Lewis’ family, friends and fans.

“Coded” (2021) / Z-View

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Coded (2021)

Director:  Ryan White

Tagline: Look Between the Lines.

The Plot…

J.C. Leyendecker was arguably the most popular artist of his time.  He worked professionally the mid-1890s until his death in 1951.  Leyendecker is most famous for his run of Saturday Evening Post covers that covered a 44 year span.  He also was known for his Arrow Shirts commercial art.

J.C. Leyendecker was gay and although closeted (due to prejudice of the time), some aspects of his lifestyle came through subliminally in his art.  Coded explores Leyendecker’s career and subliminal messages in commercial art then and now.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although I’m a fan of J.C. Leyendecker’s art, I didn’t know much about his life or career.  It was interesting that Leyendecker mentored Norman Rockwell who went on to be the next “Leyendecker”.

Coded gets my highest recommendation.

Coded (2021) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Watchers” written & directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan – The Trailer is Here!

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I’m not completely sold, but will keep an eye out for more of The Watchers.

From producer M. Night Shyamalan comes “The Watchers,” written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and based on the novel by A.M. Shine. The film follows Mina, a 28-year-old artist, who gets stranded in an expansive, untouched forest in western Ireland. When Mina finds shelter, she unknowingly becomes trapped alongside three strangers who are watched and stalked by mysterious creatures each night.

You can’t see them, but they see everything.

“The Watchers” stars Dakota Fanning (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Ocean’s Eight”), Georgina Campbell (“Barbarian,” “Suspicion”), Oliver Finnegan (“Creeped Out,” “Outlander”) and Olwen Fouere (“The Northman,” “The Tourist”). The film is produced by M. Night Shyamalan, Ashwin Rajan and Nimitt Mankad. The executive producers are Jo Homewood and Stephen Dembitzer.

Joining writer/director Shyamalan behind-the-camera are director of photography Eli Arenson (“Lamb,” “Hospitality”), production designer Ferdia Murphy (“Lola,” “Finding You”), editor Job ter Burg (“Benedetta,” “Elle”) and costume design by Frank Gallacher (“Sebastian,” “Aftersun”). The music is by Abel Korzeniowski (“Till,” “The Nun”).

New Line Cinema presents “The Watchers,” set to open in theaters internationally beginning 5 June 2024 and in North America on June 7, 2024; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Revolution in the Ring” (2017) / Z-View

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Revolution in the Ring (2017)

Director:  Jason Sklaver

Writer: Jason Sklaver

Tagline: None

The Plot…

Teófilo Stevenson was a Cuban amateur boxer who won Gold Medals in the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympics.  Because Cuba outlawed professional sports in 1962, Stevenson was never allowed to turn pro.  With Stevenson’s Gold Medal wins, many wondered how he would fare against the best heavyweight boxers in the world.  Several promoters offered Stevenson one million dollars to challenge Muhammad Ali for the title.  The fight never happened.  Revolution in the Ring is that story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A couple of times it appeared that the Ali vs Stevenson fight would be made.  Fight aficionados still debate who would have won. Ali fought the best professionals in the world in battles that went 15 rounds.  Stevenson fought the world’s best amateurs in matches that lasted 3 rounds at most.  The edge would go to Ali in a professional fight.  Yet, if the fight was held in 1977, Ali was past his prime and Stevenson was still in his.  So maybe Stevenson would have the edge.  The fight never happened but the debate will never end.

Revolution in the Ring (2017) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Jericho Ridge” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like the looks of Jericho Ridge.  Looking forward to catching it on streaming.

Trapped and without backup a small town cop fights for her life when her remote Sheriff’s Office is targeted by murderous attackers.

Jericho Ridge will be in UK Cinemas from 25th April and available on Digital Download from 29th April

Director, Writer : Will Gilbey
Cast: Nikki Amuka-Bird, Zack Morris, Chris Reilly
Run Time: 87 Minutes

“MLK/FBI” (2020) / Z-View

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MLK/FBI (2020)

Director:  Sam Pollard

Writers: David J. Carrow, Benjamin Hedin, Laura Tomaselli

Stars:  Martin Luther King, J. Edgar Hoover, Andrew Young, James Comey, Merv Griffin, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy  and Coretta Scott King

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

MLK/FBI chronicles the attempts made by the FBI through wiretaps and surveillance to discredit and ruin Martin Luther King, Jr..  Using newly declassified files coupled with news reports and film from the time period, we are given insight into the methods and extreme steps taken.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

MLK/FBI does an excellent job of presenting the civil unrest and movement for equal rights that brought Martin Luther King to the attention of our nation. The film’s biggest shocker is the lengths J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the F.B.I. took to discredit Martin Luther King, Jr..

When phone wiretaps proved Martin Luther King, Jr. was having affairs with multiple women, this information was used in an attempt to blackmail MLK into committing suicide!  The film says that Martin Luther King was worried that the information would become public knowledge.  It didn’t.  But Martin Luther King’s wife, Coretta Scott King was sent copies of the tapes.  So were church and civic leaders.  At the end of the film there is brief discussion that confirmed MLK did have affairs.  I would have liked to have heard more about how these revelations were received when the tapes were delivered.  Were these folks already aware?  What was the plan if the tapes became public knowledge?

Martin Luther King was a flawed human being.  He wasn’t perfect.  But who is?  The lengths the F.B.I. went to discredit him are shameful.  And we haven’t heard the full story yet.  Perhaps we never will.  Even with the full weight of the government working to take him down, Martin Luther King continued to speak out for equal rights for all and a future that we have yet to achieve.

MLK/FBI (2020) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Interview with a Vampire”: Season 2 – “Start the Tape Teaser” is Here!

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Interview with a Vampire: Season 2 – “Start the Tape Teaser” is Here!

What really happened in Paris?

ABOUT INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE
A luxury apartment covering an entire single floor of a high rise. Where the Vampire has granted the interview with the man he once judged to be unworthy. And where the journalist Daniel Molloy has hustled, for a second shot at the interview that got away from him 40 years earlier…

Based on Anne Rice’s iconic novel, Interview with The Vampire follows Louis’ epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality, as told to the journalist Daniel Molloy. Chafing at the limitations of life as a black man in 1900’s New Orleans, Louis finds it impossible to resist Lestat’s offer of the ultimate escape: joining him as his vampire companion.

But Louis’s intoxicating new powers come with a violent price, and the introduction of Lestat’s newest fledgling, the child vampire Claudia, soon sets them on a decades-long path of revenge and atonement. A sensuous, contemporary reinvention of Anne Rice’s revolutionary gothic novel.

Start the Tape | Interview with the Vampire Season 2 | Premieres May 12 | AMC+

Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga” | Trailer 1

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Deal me in!

This Summer the American Saga begins. Horizon: An American Saga – Only in Theaters June 28 #Horizonamericansaga

Academy Award-winning visionary filmmaker Kevin Costner directs New Line Cinema’s vast “Horizon: An American Saga” Chapters One and Two, a multi-faceted chronicle covering the Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West. A story of America too big for one film, this true cinematic event also stars Costner, who co-writes with Jon Baird (“The Explorers Guild”) and produces through his Territory Pictures.

In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, “Horizon: An American Saga” explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.

Costner stars alongside an impressive ensemble cast that includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Ella Hunt, Tim Guinee, Danny Huston, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Will Patton, Georgia MacPhail, Douglas Smith, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Alejandro Edda, Wasé Winyan Chief, Michael Anganaro, Angus Macfadyen, Jon Beavers, Alex Nibley, Kathleen Quinlan, Etienne Kellici, Amos Jason Charging Cloud, Bodhi Okuma Linton, Gregory Cruz, James Russo, Jeff Fahey, David O’Hara, Chris Conner, Leroy M. Silva, Bernardo Velasco, Tom Everett, Glynn Turman, Giovanni Ribisi and more.

Costner returns to directing for the first time since his 2003 critically acclaimed hit “Open Range,” and revisits Civil War-era America, the setting for his 1990 blockbuster and directorial debut, “Dances with Wolves,” which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. He produces alongside Howard Kaplan and Mark Gillard, with Danny Peykoff, Robert Scannell, Armyan Bernstein, Charlie Lyons, Barry Berg and Rod Lake executive producing.

Costner is joined behind the camera by director of photography J. Michael Muro (“Billionaire Boys Club,” “Parker”), production designer Derek R. Hill (“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “The Magnificent Seven”), editor Miklos Wright (“For All Mankind,” “Open Range”) and costume designer Lisa Lovaas (“Ambulance,” “Transformers: The Last Knight”). The music is by Oscar nominee John Debney (“The Passion of the Christ,” “The Greatest Showman”).

A New Line Cinema presentation of a Territory Pictures production, “Horizon: An American Saga” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The films will be released in theaters nationwide, the first on June 28, 2024, the second on August 16, 2024.