“The Strain”: Season 1 (2014) / Z-View

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The Strain: Season 1 (2014)

Created by:  Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan

Directors:  Guillermo del Toro (ep. 1); David Semel (eps. 2 – 3); Keith Gordon (ep. 4); Peter Weller (eps. 5 – 6, 11); Charlotte Sieling (eps. 7, 9); Guy Ferland (ep. 8); John Dahl (ep. 10); Deran Sarafian (ep. 12); Phil Abraham (ep. 13)

Screenplay: Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan (eps. 2, 8); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (eps. 2, 7); Chuck Hogan (ep. 3); Regina Corrado (eps. 4, 9); Gennifer Hutchison (eps. 5, 10); Justin Britt-Gibson (ep. 6); Justin Britt-Gibson, Chuck Hogan (ep. 11); Carlton Cruse, David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 12); Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (ep. 13)

Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Mía Maestro, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Ben Hyland, Ruta Gedmintas, Pedro Miguel Arce, Adriana Barraza and Sean Astin.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A passenger plan lands in New York City.  All but four people on board are dead.  Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather (Stohl) of the CDC is sent in with a small team to determine the cause.  When his efforts to quarantine the four survivors is refused, Eph believes that they will potentially transmit the unknown virus to to others.

Meanwhile Professor Abraham Setrakian (Bradley), a holocaust survivor, believes the cause is strigoi more commonly referred to as vampires.  Setrakian explains these are nothing like movie vampires.  Of course no one believes the old man.

The truth is strigoi are behind the deaths.  A “Master” strigoi is making his move to bring war on humans. The Master is aided by a sickly billionaire who has been promised eternal life and a former Nazi commandant who has aided the master for decades.  Eph and Setrakian are pulling together a team of people who have seen strigoi in action.

The fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries.  The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies.  And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul.  Here the fate of the world is at risk.

The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories.  Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather played by Corey Stoll is the lead.  It isn’t often the “star” is given so many character flaws.  Several members of the supporting cast have lived up to the title co-star.  Kudos to David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde for playing characters that make the show sing. Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer, the sickly billionaire who aides the Master and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte who has served the Master for decades deserve kudos as well.

Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.

The Strain: Season 1 (2019) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“We Are the World” – Behind the Scenes Trivia!

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Kenneth Partridge at Mental Floss posted The Greatest Night in Pop: 10 Facts About the Making of “We Are the World”. It takes you behind the scenes of who wanted in, who was not invited, and more.  It’s well worth a read.  Before you click over, here are three of my favorite facts and my thoughts on each.

Prince was notably absent from the proceedings.  (According to Partridge, “His (Prince’s) absence likely had something to do with his rivalry with Michael Jackson.”  It’s unfortunate that Prince didn’t participate.  It would have been the icing on the cake. – Craig)

Madonna was also missing—though not by choice. (According to Partridge the organizers didn’t think she could sing.  Madonna apparently carried a grudge of not being invited.  She “opted not to join the ‘We Are the World’ finale” at Live Aide. – Craig)

Not everyone liked “We Are the World.”  (And we’re talking about those who performed on the recording! Billy Joel was quoted as saying, “I don’t think anybody liked it… There was a lot of side-eye.”  Cyndi Lauper thought the song sounded like a Pepsi commercial.  Hopefully opinions changed when they saw the good the proceeds did. – Craig)

The Why Files: Season 1 (2020) starring Andrew Gentile / Z-View

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The Why Files: Season 1 (2020)

Creator:  Andrew Gentile

Stars: Andrew Gentile

Tagline: Where Cool Nerds Laugh and Learn

The Plot…

The Why Files started as a weekly Youtube podcast where the host, Andrew Gentile looked at myths, legends, strange phenomena and more.  Gentile approaches each subject with respect and the right touch of humor.  After explaining the subject he then explains what part is true, debunks parts that can be and admits if the truth isn’t known.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Andrew Gentile is an excellent host.  His sidekick is a Hecklefish that adds humor.

Some of my favorite episodes from season one include: Top Scariest Places You Can Actually Visit; Rain of Terror; The Most Top Secret Places in the World; Nanorobotics & Nanotechnology – Can We Live Forever?; The Voynich Manuscript; Stay out of the Nevada Triangle; CIA Declassifies UFO Documents; The Philadelphia Experiment and Time Travelers Caught on Film.

The Why Files: Season 1 (2020) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Road House” starring Jake Gyllenhall & Connor McGregor – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Yes, the original Road House is a cult classic.  Yes, Gyllenhall is going to be roasted when compared to Swayze.  Yet, with all that said, I like the looks of the poster and (especially) the trailer for the updated Road House.  Connor McGregor looks to be an excellent villain.

In this adrenaline-fueled reimagining of the 80s cult classic, ex-UFC fighter Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems. Road House is open for business March 21 on @primevideo.

“In the Shadow of the Moon” (2019) starring Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman & Bokeem Woodbine / Z-View

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In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)

Director:  Jim Mickle

Screenplay: Gregory Weidman, Geoff Tock

Stars: Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Bokeem Woodbine, Michael C. Hall, Tony Craig and Rachel Keller.

Tagline: Some Crimes Defy Time

The Plot…

The year is 1988.  Three people in different locations bleed from their ears and eyes and then die.  Police officers Lockhart (Holbrook) and Maddox (Woodbine) along with Detective Holt (Hall) are assigned to the case.  Lockhart discovers similar wounds on each victim.  The trail leads Lockhart and Maddox to a suspect in the subway.  She is a young, African-American female who tells Lockhart details she shouldn’t know about his life.  She tells him the date his wife will have a baby.  She further predicts her own death.  When Lockhart attempts to arrest her, a struggle ensues.  She is thrown in front of subway car and dies.

Nine years later people begin dying after bleeding from their ears and eyes.  Lockhart, now a Detective, believes that a copy cat killer is at large.  But when he locates a suspect, he is shocked to discover it is the same woman as before.  She didn’t die and hasn’t aged.

Why are these people being killed?  Is the killer a time traveler?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film has an interesting premise and starts off well enough.  Along the way I began to lose interest.  I finished the movie but just found it to be okay.

Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Bokeem Woodbine deserved better.

In the Shadow of the Moon (2019) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Pickup” (1951) directed by Hugo Haas, starring Hugo Haas & Beverly Michaels / Z-View

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Pickup (1951)

Director:  Hugo Haas

Screenplay: Hugo Haas, Arnold Phillips based on GUARD No. 47 by Josef Kopta

Stars: Hugo Haas, Beverly Michaels, Howland Chamberlain, Art Lewis and Bernard Gorcey.

Tagline: Easy to “pick-up” – but you won’t – if you know what’s good for you!

The Plot…

Jan “Hunky” Horak (Haas) is a middle-aged widowed railroad dispatcher who works alone at an isolated water stop.  When Hunky takes his first day off in a year, he heads in to town.  He’s surprised to find a carnival set up.  As Hunky walks through the amusements, he is targeted by Betty (Michaels), an attractive blonde.

Betty figures to get a free meal and maybe a couple of bucks from the old guy.  Betty is broke and about to be evicted.  When she learns Hunky has several thousand in his savings account she works him into marrying her.  Betty knows that if Hunky dies… or is killed, the money is hers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Pickup has a classic set-up.  A gold-digger has plans to end her older husband’s life to take sole possession of all he owns.  Along the way we’re treated to an interesting twist that alerts Hunky to his wife’s plans.  Up until the very end it felt like we were getting a poor man’s The Postman Always Rings Twice or Double Indemnity.  The ending isn’t bad, just not quite in line with the noir that had been set up.

Hugo Haas is perfect as Hunky.  Beverly Michaels is also just right as Betty, the girl that’s easy to pick-up at your own risk.  Watch for Bernard Gorcey (of The Bowery Boys fame) in a small role.

Pickup (1951) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“The Prince of Pennsylvania” (2015) / Z-View

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The Prince of Pennsylvania (2015)

Director:  Jesse Vile

Stars: Mark Schultz, John du Pont, Robbie Calabrese, Dave Schultz.

Tagline: None

The Plot…

Multimillionaire, John DuPont wanted to create a mecca for US amateur wrestlers. He recruited the best and they were on their way.  Then DuPont killed their best athlete.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

DuPont created a training facility that was state of the art.  He invited the best wrestlers from across the country to live and train there for free.  Using filmed interviews and never-before-seen footage we get access to life there and DuPont’s gradual decline that lead to murder.

The Prince of Pennsylvania (2015) earns 4 of 5 stars.

RIP: Norman Jewison

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Norman Jewison died on January 20, 2024.  He was 97.

Norman Jewison served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II,  After the war, Mr. Jewison attended Victoria College in the University of Toronto.  He graduated with a B.A. in 1949.

He then moved to London where he worked as a bit actor and script writer for children’s programing.  He moved back to Canada in 1951.  He got work as a writer, director and producer of musicals, comedy-variety shows, dramas, and specials for the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).

In 1958, Norman Jewison began working for NBC, directing Your Hit Parade and The Andy WIlliams Show.  Specials for Harry Belafonte, Jackie Gleason, Danny Kaye and Judy Garland followed.  The first feature film that Mr. Jewison directed was 40 Pounds of Trouble starring Tony Curtis, Phil Silvers and Suzanne Pleshette.  For the remainder of his career, Norman Jewison alternated between television projects and feature films.

Norman Jewison was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director three times.  Films he directed were nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award four times.

Television projects directed by Norman Jewison include: The Big Review; Your Hit Parade (2 episodes); The Chevy Showroom Starring Andy Williams (3 episodes); The Big Party (2 episodes); An Hour with Danny Kaye; Belafonte, New York 19; The Judy Garland Show and Dinner with Friends.

Feature films directed by Norman Jewison include: 40 Pounds of Trouble; The Cincinnati Kid; The Russians Are Coming the Russians are Coming; In the Heat of the Night; The Thomas Crown Affair; Fiddler on the Roof; Jesus Christ Superstar; Rollerball; F.I.S.T.; And Justice For All; Best Friends; A Soldier’s Story; Agnes of God; Moonstruck and The Hurricane.

Norman Jewison could direct any genre of movie.  My favorite Norman Jewison films are In the Heat of the Night, F.I.S.T., And Justice for All and A Soldier’s Story.  They are so good, it’s tough to pick just one and don’t sleep on any of his films!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Norman Jewison’s family, friends and fans.