RIP: Joss Ackland

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Joss Ackland, the English actor of stage and screen died yesterday.  Mr. Ackland was 95.

Mr. Ackland began his professional career in a stage production of The Hasty Heart after graduating from London’s Central School of Speech and Drama.  He was just 17.  For the next 60 years Joss Ackland would act on stage, television and in feature films.

Some of the television shows Joss Ackland appeared in include: Destination Downing Street; ITV Play of the Week (2 episodes); First Night (2 episodes); The Indian Tales of Rudyard Kipling (25 episodes); David Copperfield (6 episodes); Lord Raingo (3 episodes); Theater 625 (3 episodes); Armchair Theater (2 episodes); The Further Adventures of the Musketeers (16 episodes); The Wednesday Play (2 episodes); Mogul (5 episodes); Mystery and Imagination (2 episodes); Z Cars (42 episodes); The Avengers; Canterbury Tales (7 episodes); BBC Play of the Month (2 episodes); Thirty Minute Theater (2 episodes); Six Faces (2 episodes); Play for Today (3 episodes); Aquarius (2 episodes); The Crezz (12 episodes); Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy; A Question of Guilt (8 episodes); BBC2 Playhouse (2 episodes); Shroud for a Nightingale (5 episodes); A Killing on the Exchange (4 episodes); Queenie (2 episodes); Tales of the Unexpected (2 episodes); Codename Kyril (4 episodes); A Quiet Conspiracy (4 episodes); The Justice Game (2 episodes); A Woman Named Jackie (2 episodes); Ashenden (4 episodes); Jackanory (10 episodes); The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles; Screen Two (2 episodes); Testiment: The Bible in Animation (2 episodes); Above and Beyond (2 episodes); Pinocchio (2 episodes) and Crusoe (3 episodes).

Some of the feature films Joss Ackland appeared in include: Landfall; Ghost Ship; Rasputin The Mad Monk; The House That Dripped Blood; The Three Musketeers; S*P*Y*S; Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe; Watership Down; Saint Jack; Rough Cut; The Sicilian; Lethal Weapon 2; The Hunt for Red October; Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey; The Mighty Ducks; D3: The Mighty Ducks and K19: The WIdowmaker.

My favorite Joss Ackland role is Arjen Rudd in Lethal Weapon 2.  He was perfect.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joss Ackland’s family, friends and fans.

“The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live” starring Danai Gurira & Andrew Lincoln – The Teaser Trailer is Here!

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I hate that Rick was gone for years from The Walking Dead, but I am looking forward to The Ones Who Live.

Danai Gurira (Michonne Hawthorne) and Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes) reveal what’s in store for the return of these two iconic characters. Don’t miss the series premiere of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live February 25th on AMC and AMC+.

“Born Losers” (1967) directed by & starring Tom Laughlin / Z-View

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Born Losers (1967)

Director: T.C. Frank (Tom Laughlin)

Screenplay by: James Lloyd (Elizabeth James)

Starring: Tom Laughlin, Elizabeth James, Jeremy Slate, William Wellman Jr., Jack Starrett, Robert Tessier, Jeff Cooper, Stuart Lancaster, Delores Taylor and Jane Russell.

Tagline: KITTEN ON WHEELS WITH HER BIKE, HER BOOTS and HER BIKINI! Out for kicks… in for trouble! She’s going to Join the… BORN LOSERS

The Story:

The Born Losers motorcycle gang has begun to terrorize a small California town. Victims and witnesses alike are terrified to testify against them.

Billy Jack is a former Viet Nam vet who lives a quiet life in the mountains.  On a trip to town, Billy Jack sees gang members savagely beating a man.  Although no one else is willing to help, Billy Jack grabs his rifle.  He orders the gang to stop.  One gang member says he doesn’t have enough bullets to get them all and they begin to surround him.  Billy Jack shoots one in the leg.  The police arrive and arrest everyone including Billy Jack.  Billy Jack later learns that his fine for firing the gun was more than the gang members got for assault.

News spreads that gang members have raped some young women.  Only one is willing to testify.  She is being kept in protective custody at a hotel.  When gang members lure the cop guarding her away, others go to kidnap her.  Billy Jack intervenes.

Billy Jack plans to keep her safe until the trial.

What chance does one man have against an outlaw biker gang?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Tom Laughlin had the character Billy Jack in mind for years before he ever made it to the screen.  Born Losers was written to cash in on the biker craze and be a springboard for Billy Jack.  Elizabeth James, the movie’s co-star wrote the screenplay using the name James Lloyd.  The thought was who would want to see a biker movie written by a chick?

Tom Laughlin, who played Billy Jack, directed Born Losers. He used the pseudonym T.C. Frank. His three children are named Teresa, Christina and Frank. His wife Delores Taylor has a quick cameo as a mother with two children (played by Teresa and Frank).

Movie tough guy, Robert Tessier, makes his film debut in Born Losers!

Born Losers was successful enough for Laughlin to get financing to make Billy Jack.  When Billy Jack became a breakout hit, American International re-released Born Losers.  They advertised it with a new poster that focused on Billy Jack.  The box office of Born Losers ended up being American International’s highest grossing release until 1979.

Born Losers generated 3 more Billy Jack movies; Billy Jack (1971), The Trial of Billy Jack (1974) and Billy Jack Goes to Washington (1977).

Jack Starrett plays a deputy much like the deputy character he played in First Blood.

Most folks may be surprised my rating for Born Losers is so high.  The film resonates with me.  I saw Born Losers on a double feature with Billy Jack when I was in 9th grade.  (The perfect age for both those movies.)  My “date” was my girlfriend and future wife.  I love that Tom Laughlin had a vision and despite many, many obstacles (losing financing, losing distribution, etc.) was able to make his dream come true and create a legendary character.  Your mileage may vary.

“Island of Lost Souls” (1932) starring Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard Arlen & Kathleen Burke / Z-View

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Island of Lost Souls (1932)

Director: Erle C. Kenton

Screenplay by: Waldemar Young, Philip Wylie based on THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU by H. G. Wells

Starring: Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Kathleen Burke, Arthur Hohl, Stanley Fields, Paul Hurst.

Tagline: THE PANTHER WOMAN lured men on – only to destroy them body and soul!

The Story:

After a dispute with a supply ship’s drunken Captain, Edward Parker (Arlen), is left stranded on the remote jungle island of Dr. Moreau (Laughton). Moreau welcomes Parker to his home.  Parker thanks him for the hospitality and says he will leave on the next supply ship.  Parker is warned that many wild creatures live on the island.  He is then introduced to Lota (Burke) and Montgomery (Hohl), Moreau’s assistant.

Later as Lota and Edward are talking they hear terrible screams coming from Dr. Moreau’s lab.  Lota tells Edward the lab is called “the house of pain”.  Edward bursts in to find Moreau and Montgomery operating without anesthesia on some sort of human-animal hybrid.

Edward decides to take a small boat and leave.  As he walks from the safety of the house, Edward sees dozens of half-human beasts coming towards him.  Dr. Moreau shows up with his whip and drives them back into the jungle.  Moreau explains that the creatures are results of his failed experiments to turn animals into humans.

Edward is trapped on the island with the crazy Dr. Moreau and his assistant Montgomery.  As the jungle creatures get more daring, Edward knows that time for survival is running out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Paramount decided the role of Lota the Panther Woman would go to an unknown actress.  Kathleen Burke, a fashion model and radio actress who had never appeared in a feature film, won the role beating out 60,000 hopefuls.  The opening credits read Lota…. the Panther Woman, but the final credits list Kathleen Burke by name.  It’s interesting to note that Lota does not appear in H.G. Wells’ novel.

Island of Lost Souls (1932) was made before the Hays Code, which prohibited profanity, suggestive nudity, graphic or realistic violence, sexual persuasions and rape, went into effect.  Subsequently, the movie was censored in many countries and re-releases.

H.G. Wells reportedly felt that the film focused on horror at the expense of the “novel’s philosophical themes”.

Dolly Parton Rockstar

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I can’t remember the last album I bought.  It was probably a soundtrack,  Albums aren’t as big a thing as they used to be since folks download individual songs.  With that said, I’d like to direct you to Dolly Parton’s Rockstar album.

When Dolly was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she politely declined.  Dolly said, she was known as a country/western singer and had never sung rock and roll.  Dolly also said she would change that by doing a rock album.

And in true Dolly Parton style she did.  Take a look at the songs and artists she teamed with…

1. “Rockstar” (with Richie Sambora)
2. “World on Fire”
3. “Every Breath You Take” (featuring Sting)
4. “Open Arms” (featuring Steve Perry)
5. “Magic Man” (Carl Version) (featuring Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
6. “Long as I Can See the Light” (featuring John Fogerty)
7. “Either Or” (featuring Kid Rock)
8. “I Want You Back” (featuring Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
9. “What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You” (featuring Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
10. “Purple Rain”
11. “Baby, I Love Your Way” (featuring Peter Frampton)
12. “I Hate Myself for Loving You” (featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts)
13. “Night Moves” (featuring Chris Stapleton)
14. “Wrecking Ball” (featuring Miley Cyrus)
15. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (featuring P!nk and Brandi Carlile)
16. “Keep On Loving You” (featuring Kevin Cronin)
17. “Heart of Glass” (featuring Debbie Harry)
18. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (featuring Elton John)
19. “Tried to Rock and Roll Me” (featuring Melissa Etheridge)
20. “Stairway to Heaven” (featuring Lizzo)
21. “We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You”
22. “Bygones” (featuring Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx and John 5)
23. “My Blue Tears” (featuring Simon Le Bon)
24. “What’s Up?” (featuring Linda Perry)
25. “You’re No Good” (featuring Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow)
26. “Heartbreaker” (featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo)
27. “Bittersweet” (featuring Michael McDonald)
28. “I Dreamed About Elvis” (featuring Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
29. “Let It Be” (featuring Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood)
30. “Free Bird” (featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd and Artimus Pyle Band)

Dolly Parton has made Rockstar available on youtube to listen for free.

“Cry Terror!” (1958) written & directed by Andrew L. Stone, starring James Mason, Rod Steiger, Inger Stevens, Neville Brand, Angie Dickinson, Kenneth Tobey & Jack Klugman / Z-View

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Cry Terror! (1958)

Director: Andrew L. Stone

Screenplay by: Andrew L. Stone

Starring: James Mason, Rod Steiger, Inger Stevens, Neville Brand, Angie Dickinson, Kenneth Tobey, Jack Klugman, Jack Kruschen, Carleton Young, Barney Phillips, Chet Huntley, Jonathan Hole, Mae Marsh and William Schallert.

Tagline: TERRIFYING…as the time-triggered explosive of a mad bomber ticking-ticking-ticking!

The Story:

Jim Molner (Mason) is sickened to discover that his old army buddy, Paul Hoplin (Steiger) duped him.  Molner created a small, but powerful bomb design.  He was told it was for the U.S. army.  Hoplin instead used it to extort money from an airline.  He had one of the bombs placed on a airplane where it would be found with a note demanding $500,000.00.  The note said there were other bombs on other planes and gave a deadline for payment.

Now Jim, his wife, Joan (Stevens) and their small daughter are being held by Hoplin’s crime partners.  Molner and his daughter are captives of Vince (Klugman) and Eileen Kelly (Dickinson).  Joan is at the mercy of Steve (Brand), a convicted rapist.  Jim and Joan realize that they and their daughter are going to be killed even if the money is delivered.  It will be up to them to figure a way to survive.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers

Cry Terror! features an awesome cast:

  • James Mason, who had earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination three years prior was the star.
  • Rod Steiger, who also earned an Oscar nomination three years prior, for Best Supporting Actor, co-starred. Steiger is great as the nerdy, creepy but dangerous mastermind.
  • Inger Stevens in only her second feature film played Mason’s wife.  Her life would end tragically by suicide when she was just 35.
  • Neville Brand is excellent as a pill-popping sexual predator.
  • Angie Dickinson plays a woman as tough as the men and even more cold-hearted.  She’d hate to kill a kid, but she’d despise losing the payoff even more.
  • Jack Klugman as a bad guy!
  • The rest of the cast features many familiar faces: Kenneth (The Thing From Another World) Tobey, Jack (The War of the Worlds) Kruschen, Carleton (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance) Young, Barney (The Twilight Zone) Phillips, Chet (The Huntley – Brinkley Report) Huntley, Jonathan (The Twilight Zone) Hole and William (The Patty Duke Show) Schallert.

Kudos to Cry Terror! writer and director Andrew L. Stone for writing/directing a movie that still holds up. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The year before Cry Terror! was released, Stone wrote and directed a film called Julie.  It starred Doris Day as a woman who learns that her insanely jealous husband intends to kill her.  Julie featured many of the same actors (Barney Phillips, Jack Kruschen, Carleton Young, Harlan Warde and Mae Marsh) as Cry Terror! Andrew L. Stone received a Best Writing, Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination for Julie.

“The Killer” (2023) directed by David Fincher, starring Michael Fassbender / Z-View

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The Killer (2023)

Director: David Fincher

Screenplay by: Andrew Kevin Walker based on The Killer by Alexis “Matz” Nolent, Luc Jacamon

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell, Arliss Howard, Sala Baker, Endre Hules and Monique Ganderton.

Tagline:  None

The Story:

When a professional assassin misses his target, his employers mark him for death.  The assassin realizes in order to survive he will have to kill his way up the chain of command to get the hit on him called off.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers

This movie is based on the graphic novel The Killer written by Alexis “Matz” Nolent and  illustrated by Luc Jacamon.

Fans of 1970s sitcoms will get a kick out of the aliases the Killer uses: Felix Unger (The Odd Couple), Archibald Bunker (All in the Family), Oscar Madison (The Odd Couple), Howard Cunningham (Happy Days), Reuben Kincaid (The Partridge Family), Lou Grant (The Mary Tyler Moore Show / Lou Grant), Sam Malone (Cheers), George Jefferson (The Jeffersons), and Robert Hartley (The Bob Newhart Show).

This is the second teaming of David Fincher and Andrew Kevin Walker.  Their first was Se7en.

The Killer features an awesome fight scene between The Killer and a huge guy.

“Monsieur Spade” starring Clive Owen – The Trailer is Here!

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The Monsieur Spade trailer is here.  Lookin’ good.

Sam Spade (Clive Owen) is back for a brand-new chapter. When six beloved nuns are brutally murdered at the local convent, secrets emerge and new leads are established. Turns out, the murders are somehow connected to a mysterious child who is believed to possess great powers.
#MonsieurSpade premieres January 14 on AMC and AMC+.

“A Haunting in Venice” (2023) directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh &Tina Fey /Z-View

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A Haunting in Venice (2023)

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Screenplay by: Michael Green based on Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie

Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Riccardo Scamarcio.

Tagline:  Death is just the beginning.

The Story:

The year is 1947.  The world famous detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh) is retired and living in Venice.  Because of Poirot’s fame, people from all over the world attempt to hire him.  Poirot turns down every offer.

When Poirot’s old friend, mystery author Ariadne Oliver (Fey) visits, she tells Poirot about psychic Joyce Reynolds (Yeoh).  Poirot scoffs.  All psychics are frauds.  Ariadne agrees, but says that she couldn’t figure out how Joyce Reynolds pulls off her readings.  Ariadne says that if the smartest person she knows (herself) can’t figure it out, perhaps the second smartest (Poirot) can.

Ariande invites Poirot to attend a Halloween séance.  It will be held in a building that was once an orphanage.  It is now said to be haunted by orphans who were locked in and left to die during a plague.  Joyce Reynolds will lead the séance.  Poirot agrees to come along.  Ariande figures Poirot will either expose Reynolds as a fraud or not.  Either way she will have a story.

Everyone invited arrives for the séance. Reynolds while channeling a spirit says that one of the people in attendance is a murderer!  In short order, Joyce Reynolds is found impaled on a statue.  Periot locks everyone in. One of them is the killer.

Hercule Poirot is out of retirement.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers

Kenneth Branagh filmed on location in Venice.  He also didn’t tell the actors in advance about things like doors slamming, lights suddenly going out, etc.  He wanted to get their actual responses to startling events.

This was Tina Fey’s first appearance in a feature film or television production that wasn’t a comedy.  She was excellent as Ariadne Oliver.

This is Kenneth Branagh’s third outing as Hercule Poiroit.  He starred and directed Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Death on the Nile (2022) as well as A Haunting in Venice (2023).  I hope he does more.