“Why Worry?” starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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Why Worry? (1923)

Director: Fred Newmeyer, Sam Taylor

Screenplay: Sam Taylor (story), H.M. Walker (titles)

Stars: Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, John Aasen, Wally Howe.

Tagline: Come and See the Enormous Giant, 8ft. 9in. high, who helps Harold Quell a Revolution in Six reels of the cleverest and funniest humor imaginable.

The Plot…

Harold Van Pelham (Lloyd) is a wealthy hypochondriac.  Pelham decides to go to the South American island of Paradiso for his health.  There Pelham finds himself in the middle of a revolution… winds up rooming with men who are to be shot at dawn… befriends a giant… takes on an army… and finds true love!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Why Worry really takes off when Lloyd befriends the giant with a toothache.  Repeated attempts to remove the giant’s tooth bring laughs.

The funniest scene has Lloyd repeatedly jumping on a commandant and hitting him until the soldiers he was leading (from the rear) realize what is happening.  Lloyd then runs off with the soldiers after him and the Captain again leading from behind.  Lloyd then knocks the Captain down and starts beating him again.  This happens several times with Lloyd using some inventive means to get his licks in.

It’s hard to believe Why Worry premiered 100 years ago.

Why Worry? (1923) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Devil on Trial” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The Devil on Trial provided the inspiration for The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.  The Conjuring film was a dramatization while The Devil on Trial is a documentary of the one and only time demonic possession was used as a defense in a US murder trial.

Deal me in.

The Devil on Trial explores the first – and only – time “demonic possession” has officially been used as a defense in a U.S. murder trial. Including firsthand accounts of alleged devil possession and a shocking murder, this extraordinary story forces reflection on our fear of the unknown.

DIRECTOR: Christopher Holt

“Rumble Through the Dark” starring Aaron Eckhart & Bella Thorne – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Rumble Through the Dark have done their job.

Deal me in.

Rumble Through The Dark – Watch the trailer now!

In Theaters on November 3 and On Digital and On Demand November 10.

Golden Globe® nominee Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight) stars as a desperate, bare-knuckle cage fighter battling for the only thing he has left in Rumble Through The Dark, a riveting action thriller based on Michael Farris Smith’s celebrated novel THE FIGHTER. Bella Thorne (The DUFF) shines alongside Eckhart in this gripping film about one man’s last-ditch effort to save his family home against the strongest of foes and the longest of odds.

Starring Aaron Eckhart, Bella Thorne, Ritchie Coster, Amanda Saunders, Joe Hursley, Mike McColl, Derek Russo, Christopher Winchester, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

“The Beekeper” written by Kurt Wimmer, directed by David Ayer, starring Jason Statham – The Poster and Trailer are Here!  

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The Beekeeper is written by Kurt (Sons of Anarchy) Wimmer, directed by David (Sabotage, Fury) Ayer and stars Jason (The Transporter) Statham.

Deal me in.

Expose the corruption. Protect the hive.

Watch the trailer for #TheBeekeeper, directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham. Only in theaters January 12.

In The Beekeeper, one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers.”

Directed By: David Ayer

Starring: Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, with Phylicia Rashad and Jeremy Irons

Written By: Kurt Wimmer

The 10 Greatest 1930s Horror Movies!

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Vincent LoVerde at CBR came up with his list of the 10 Greatest Classic Horror Films of the 1930s, Ranked. Before you click over, here is how I’d rank them along with a thought on each.

Loverde

Zablo
10. The Black Cat (1934) *** Vampyr (1932) – I haven’t seen this yet, but hope to this month!
09. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) 09. Freaks (1932) – Doesn’t resonate with me. Most folks love it.
08. The Invisible Man (1933) 08. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) – Kids miss stuff, adults will see.
07. Island of Lost Souls (1932) 07. Island of Lost Souls (1932) – Another underrated winner!
06. Dracula (1931) 06. The Black Cat (1934) – Underrated. Karloff & Lugosi!
05. King Kong (1933) 05. King Kong (1933) – Who doesn’t love King Kong?
04. Frankenstein (1931) 04. The Invisible Man (1933) – Didn’t care for it as a kid. Love it now.
03. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) 03. Frankenstein (1931) – was my favorite horror film at one point.
02. Freaks (1932) 02. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) – Even better than the original.
01. Vampyr (1932) 01. Dracula (1931) – The King of Vampires gets my #1 spot.

“Beast” (2022) starring Idris Elba / Z-View

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Beast (2022)

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Screenplay: Ryan Engle, story by Jaime Primak Sullivan

Stars: Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley, Iyana Halley, Leah Jeffries.

Tagline: Sometimes the rustle in the bushes actually is a monster.

The Plot…

Dr. Nate Samuels (Elba) was separated from her wife when she developed cancer and died.  Now, in an effort to reconnect with his two teenage daughters he’s taken them on vacation to Africa.  Samuels’ old friend, Martin Battles (Copley) is a biologist with access to restricted areas of the preserve.  As they drive across the savannah they are able to get close to many wild animals.  When they reach a small village on the preserve  they are shocked to find all the villagers dead.  A rouge lion is on the loose.  Before Nate, his daughters and Martin can get back to the truck, the lion attacks.  Martin is badly injured.  Now the group is stranded.  The lion will return.  Their only hope for survival rests with Nate.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Watching Beast is an okay way to spend an hour and a half if you’re willing to put your brain on hold.

Beast (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” – Season 2(2023) / Z-View

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Season 2 (2023)

Director:  Chris Fisher (Ep.11); Valerie Weiss (Ep. 12); Amanda Row (Ep. 13); Eduardo Sánchez (Ep. 14); Jordan Canning (Ep. 15); Dan Liu (Ep. 16); Jonathan Frakes (Ep. 17); Jeff W. Byrd (Ep. 18); Dermott Downs (Ep. 19); Maja Vrvilo  (Ep. 20)

Teleplay by:  Henry Alonso Myers & Akiva Goldsman (Ep. 11); Dana Horgan (Ep. 12); David Reed (Ep. 13); Kirsten Beyer & Davy Perez (Ep. 14); Kathryn Lyn & Henry Alonso Myers (Ep. 15); Onitra Johnson & David Reed (Ep. 16); Kathryn Lyn & Bill Wolkoff (Ep. 17); Davy Perez (Ep. 18); Dana Horgan & Bill Wolkoff (Ep. 19); Henry Alonso Myers (Ep. 20)

Starring:  Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Melissa Navia, Christina Chong, Rebecca Romijn, Celia Rose Gooding, Babs Olusanmokun, Gia Sandhu, Carol Kane, Melanie Scrofano, Dan Jeannotte, Clint Howard, Martin Quinn and Paul Wesley.

Tagline:  None

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is the prequel to the original Star Trek series.  Set ten years prior to Star Trek, Strange New Worlds follows the adventures of the crew of the Enterprise under the command of Christopher Pike (Mount).  Characters from the original series (Spock, Nurse Christine Chapel, Uhura, T’Pring, James T. Kirk and watch for Montgomery Scott) are joined by new crew members (Erica Ortegas, La’an Noonien-Singh, Una Chin-Riley).

I was a fan of the original Star Trek series, cartoon and movies with the original cast.  I never watched any other Star Trek productions.  So I’m not a die hard fan of everything Star Trek.  Believe me, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is exceptional.  Everything from the production values, the cast, the direction and the music is spot on.  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a love letter to everything the original series strived to be.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is perfectly cast.  Anson Mount is amazing in his role, but so are Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Celia Rose Gooding and Melissa Navia.  The series is well written with each major cast member displaying personality and getting a showcase in season 2.  If you’re a fan of the original series there are things that begin in Strange New Worlds that will reverberate in the original series (the relationship between Spock and Nurse Chapel; seeing Nyota Uhura’s growth into a Star Fleet officer, the romance that will fail between Spock and T’Pring, and more).

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Season 2 different characters were given the spotlight.  This allowed us to better understand them and at the same time see how they perceived others.  I wasn’t thrilled when I read about the crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks.  I don’t watch the series and didn’t think it would be my cup of tea.  I had the same feelings when I read that episode 19 would be a “musical”.  I’m happy to say the writers made both episodes work.  While I’m still not planning to check out Lower Decks, the crossover was good. Truth be told, the musical episode is one of my favorites of the season, and probably the most memorable.

I loved every episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and cannot wait for season 3.  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Reptile” (2023) starring Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, Alicia Silverstone & Domenick Lombardozzi / Z-View

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Reptile (2023)

Director: Grant Singer

Screenplay: Grant Singer, Benjamin Brewer, Benicio del Toro from a story by Grant Singer, Benjamin Brewer

Stars: Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, Alicia Silverstone, Domenick Lombardozzi, Frances Fisher, Ato Essandoh, Mike Pniewski, Catherine Dyer, Michael Beasley, James Devoti and Matilda Lutz.

Tagline: Shed the Lies

The Plot…

When real estate agent Summer Elswick (Lutz) is brutally murdered, Detective Tom Nichols (del Toro) and his partner, Detective Dan Cleary (Essandoh) get the case.  As they dig into the murder several suspects begin to appear.  There’s Summer’s boyfriend, Will Grady (Timberlake), co-owner of the real estate company she worked for.  The murder victim’s ex-husband also looks good for it.  Then there’s the guy who thinks Grady was responsible for his father’s death.  Maybe he did it to get revenge.

The twisted truth is there.  Nichols will just have to dig through the lies and alibies.  He won’t like what he discovers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Reptile features an excellent cast.

  • Benicio del Toro always brings his “A” game.
  • Justin Timberlake surprised me.  He plays the boyfriend of the murder victim.  The guy’s just drained due to her death… or is he?
  • Alicia Silverstone is great as del Toro’s sexy wife.  She appears to be devoted and in love.  But is she?
  • I love when Domenick Lombardozzi shows up in a movie/series.  I first took notice of him in Tulsa King.  Then I went, “Yeah, that’s the guy from…”  Lombardozzi is always solid.
  • Eric Bogosian,  Frances Fisher and Mike Pniewski are in smaller, but important roles.  They are welcome additions to the cast.

Hats off to director and co-writer Grant Singer for creating a murder mystery populated by characters that all feel real.  Singer handles the action and quiet moments well.  I look forward to his next project.

Reptile (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.