Category: Humor

CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid & Rodolphe Guenoden / Z-View

CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid (writer) and Rodolphe Guenoden (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Vinent and Gaby Rocket are unlikely partners in crime.  At least they plan to be.  Their get rich scheme is to knock over an armored truck.  The thing is neither of them are criminals.  The only reason they’d dare such an outrageous crime is they need the money.

Gaby needs the cash to get off the booze and finally live a better life.  Vincent plans to use his cut to return to Senegal, the home of his true love and their baby that he’s never seen.  Vincent also wants to give a share of the loot to armored truck’s driver.  The guy isn’t in on the robbery.  He’s just a down on his luck schmo that Vincent feels sorry for.  Gaby’s not sure he’s okay with that.

Despite the best laid plans, things go sideways in ways no once could imagine.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lupano Wilfrid and Rodolphe Guenoden have created an unconventional crime story.  The characters are flawed and their motivations are real.  The twists are not those expected in a crime story, but are believable thanks to the set-up of Wilfrid’s story.  Guenoden’s art is on the mark.  I love how he has just the right touch of cartoony-ness.

CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid (writer) and Rodolphe Guenoden (artist) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“Docks of New Orleans” (1948) starring Roland Winters, Virginia Dale & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

Docks of New Orleans (1948)

Director: Derwin Abrahams

Screenplay: William Scott Darling based on Charlie Chan by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Roland Winters, Virginia Dale, Mantan Moreland, John Gallaudet, Victor Sen Yung, Douglas Fowley, Stanley Andrews, Emmett Vogan and Rory Mallinson.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The owners of the LaFontaine Chemical Company are shipping out a boatload of a secret cargo.  This is going to make them a, pardon the expression, a “boatload” of money.  They decide to sign an agreement that if one (or more) of them were to die, the money would be spent by the survivors.

No sooner done, then one of them is murdered.  How this was done is a mystery.  No signs of death and the victim was alone in a room that no one entered.

Thankfully Charlie Chan has been called in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mantan Mooreland gets more to do in this one.  This includes Mooreland’s famous “Indefinite Talk” routine.

Docks of New Orleans (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Midnight Run” (1988) directed by Martin Brest, starring Robert De Niro & Charles Grodin / Z-View

Midnight Run (1988)

Director: Martin Brest

Screenplay:  George Gallo

Stars:  Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano, Richard Foronjy, Robert Miranda,  Jack Kehoe, Wendy Phillips, Danielle DuClos, Philip Baker Hall, Tom McCleister, John Toles-Bey, Scott McAfee and Martin Brest.

Tagline: Monday… Escape with their lives from New York… Tuesday… Impersonate F.B.I. agents in Chicago… Wednesday… Steal plane in New Mexico… Thursday… Almost kill each other by accident… Friday… Almost kill each other on purpose…

The Plot…

Jack Walsh (De Niro) is a bounty hunter hired to bring in Jonathan Mardukas (Grodin).  Mardukas shouldn’t be a problem.  He’s just an accountant who embezzled his employer.  The gig should be easy… a midnight run.

Then Walsh learns that Mardukas’ employer is a Mafia boss.  The amount Mardukas stole was $15 million dollars.  Walsh also discovers the FBI is looking to capture Walsh.  To make matters worse, another bounty hunter is also after the reward.  With the mob, the FBI and a rival bond recovery agent on his trail, this will be anything but a midnight run!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Before Charles Grodin was cast, Cher, Robin Williams, Albert Brooks, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Steve Martin and Bruce Willis were considered.  The film would have been very different if any of them were cast.

Midnight Run would make a great double feature with Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  They are both about two guys who don’t like each other at first who in working together to get somewhere on a tight timeline develop a friendship.

Midnight Run (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987) written & directed by John Hughes, starring Steve Martin & John Candy / Z-View

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Director: John Hughes

Screenplay: John Hughes

Stars: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean, Carol Bruce, Olivia Burnette, Martin Ferrero, Larry Hankin, Richard Herd, Susan Kellermann, Matthew Lawrence, Edie McClurg, George Petrie, Gary Riley, Charles Tyner, Diana Castle, Ben Stein, Troy Evans, Richard Fike, William Windom and Kevin Bacon.

Tagline: What he really wanted was to spend Thanksgiving with his family. What he got was three days with the turkey.

The Plot…

Advertising executive, Neal Page (Martin) is beat. A boring business trip to New York City has left Neal ready for family time.  Thanksgiving is in a couple of days and Neal is flying home tonight.

Or so he thinks.

An accidental encounter with shower curtain salesman, Dell Griffith (Candy) costs Neal his cab.  Which is par for the course for Neal going forward.  Once on the plane he finds himself squeezed in next to Dell.  When their plane is diverted because of weather, Neal discovers no other flights are scheduled.  To make matters worse all hotels are sold out.  So when Dell offers to share the room he was able to book, Neal agrees.

The next morning, they discover weather has grounded all flights.  Neal just wants to get home.  Dell suggests that they forget the plane and take a train.  Neal agrees.

Neal and Dell are just two guys who want to get home in time for Thanksgiving.  What else could go wrong?

Everything.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ leads are perfectly cast and features my favorite John Candy role.

“Those aren’t pillows!” is the first thing I think of when someone mentions this film.

The first cut of the film was reportedly over three hours long.  John Hughes then edited it down to two hours.  Some of the scenes from that cut (that didn’t make the final film) appear in trailers.  The released cut of Planes, Trains and Automobiles was one hour and 33 minutes.

Michael McKean and Kevin Bacon are the fourth and fifth credited stars.  Both appear in just one scene.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Fast X” (2023) starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez & Jason Mamoa / Z-View

Fast X (2023)

Director: Louis Leterrier

Screenplay: Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin; story by Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin, Zach Dean based on characters by Gary Scott Thompson

Stars: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, John Cena, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Alan Ritchson, Daniela Melchior, Joaquim de Almeida, Rita Moreno, Pete Davidson, Gal Gadot, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Rooker  and Jason Momoa.

Tagline: The end of the road begins

The Plot…

Years ago, Dom (Diesel) and his crew took down drug lord Hernan Reyes (de Almeida).  Reyes lost his life and the family fortune.  Once that happened, Reyes’ son, Dante (Mamoa) began planing the ultimate revenge.

Now the time is right.  Dante is ready to wipe out Dom, his family and his crew.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise when it first started.  Each film got bigger and more outrageous.  Now they’re to the point, that physics and logic are out the window.  Put your mind in neutral and you’ll enjoy the ride… if there’s nothing better to watch.

The word family is said 56 times.  That’s about once every two and a half minutes.  C’mon, man.  We get it.  Family is everything.

Fast X was originally supposed to be the first of a two part finale.  Now it has expanded to a three part ending.

Jason Mamoa plays against character as a flamboyant, androgynous nut.  He’s a hoot and brings a needed freshness to the franchise.

Fast X (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

Alfred Hitchcock: His Ten Best Films!

Alfred Hitchcock was the first director that I knew by name.  He remains one of my favorite film makers.  He made a number of great movies over his career.  Here are my top ten…

01. “North by Northwest” (1959) – A mild mannered advertising executive goes on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by foreign spies. Now he’s targeted for death by the enemy agents and wanted for (a framed) murder by US officials.  Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Writing, Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color and Best Film Editing.

02. “Psycho” (1960) – A crime movie that morphs into a horror film.  Groundbreaking. Nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Director; Best Cinematography, Black-and-White and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White.

03. “The Birds” (1963) – One of the movies that I could “stay up late” to watch when I was a kid.  Birds begin attacking and killing humans.  The concept in a lesser director’s hands would be ridiculous.  Not in Hitchcock’s.  Nominated for one Academy Award: Best Effects, Special Visual Effects.

04. “Rope” (1948) – Two intellectuals think that they’ve committed the perfect murder. Through creative planning and editing, Hitchcock creates a film that appears to be done in one continuous shot. 

05. “Lifeboat” (1944) – During World War II nine survivors end up in the same lifeboat. Eight are American or British.  One is German from the U-Boat that sank their ship. Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Director; Best Writing, Original Story and Best Cinematography, Black-and-White.

06. “Rear Window” (1954) – A man confined to a wheelchair believes that he witnessed a murder in the apartment across the way. Nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Director; Best Writing, Screenplay; Best Cinematography, Color and Best Sound, Recording.

07. “Notorious” (1946) – The daughter of a Nazi spy is recruited by the U.S. government to go undercover.  How far will she go to get the needed info?  And what will the Nazis do to her if she is discovered? Nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Writing, Original Screenplay.

08. “Foreign Correspondent” (1940) – A bored New York reporter is sent to London.  There he discovers a group of foreign agents working to prepare Germany for war.  Nominated for six Academy Awards: Best Picture; Best Actor in a Supporting Role; Best Writing, Original Screenplay; Best Cinematography, Black-and-White; Best Art Direction, Black-and-White and Best Effects, Special Effects.

09. “The 39 Steps” (1935) – This one has it all.  Mistaken identity, spies, a man on the run, suspense, comedy and romance.  

10. “Saboteur” (1942) – During World War II, when a U.S. aircraft factory is blown up, the wrong man is accused.  Now on the run, the man must find a way to prove his innocence.

“Hudson Hawk” (1991) starring Bruce Willis / Z-View

Hudson Hawk (1991) 

Director: Michael Lehmann

Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza, Daniel Waters story by Bruce Willis, Robert Kraft

Stars: Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Andie MacDowell, James Coburn, Richard E. Grant, Sandra Bernhard, Don Harvey, David Caruso, Andrew Bryniarski, Lorraine Toussaint, William Conrad (voice) and Frank Stallone.

Tagline: Catch the excitement. Catch the laughter. Catch the Hawk.

The Plot…

Eddie “Hudson Hawk” Hawkins, the semi-famous cat burglar, was just released from prison.  One his first day out, Hawk’s parole officer and others want to blackmail Hawk into stealing a few famous pieces of art.  The final thefts will involve creations made by Leonardo da Vinci.

Hawk doesn’t want to go back to prison or be killed so he reluctantly agrees.  Little does he know the motives behind the blackmailers are nothing short of world domination!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hudson Hawk performed poorly at the box office and with critics.  Part of the problem was the marketing.  It was advertised as an action film.  Audiences expected something along the lines of Die Hard.  What they got was more of a live action Looney Toons.

This marks William Conrad’s last outing as a narrator.

Hudson Hawk isn’t a great film.  It’s a screwball action comedy.  Yeah, it’s over-the-top.  It’s unrealistic.  But if you go in with the understanding that what you’re watching takes place in a cartoon-like world, you should have a fun ride.

Of course your mileage may differ.

Hudson Hawk (1991) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Bad Monkey” starring Vince Vaughn – The Trailer is Here!

Here’s the trailer for Bad Monkey starring Vince Vaughn.  I like the looks of this one.

Welcome to the shady side of paradise where Vince Vaughn has a long list of unusual suspects. Bad Monkey premieres August 12 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_BadMonkey

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s New York Times bestselling novel and enduring cult favorite, BAD MONKEY tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), who has been bounced from the Miami Police Department and is now a health inspector in the Keys. But after stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.

The ensemble cast also includes L. Scott Caldwell (“The Fugitive”), Rob Delaney (“Catastrophe”), Meredith Hagner (“Search Party”), Natalie Martinez (“La Promesa del Retorno”), Alex Moffat (“Saturday Night Live,” “Holidate”), Michelle Monaghan (“Gone Baby Gone”), Ronald Peet (“First Reformed”), Jodie Turner-Smith (“Queen & Slim”), with special guest star John Ortiz (“American Fiction”) and guest stars Zach Braff (“Scrubs”), Ashley Nicole Black (“Ted Lasso”), Scott Glenn (“The Leftovers”) and Charlotte Lawrence in her television debut.

Hailing from Warner Bros. Television, “Bad Monkey” is developed by executive producer and showrunner Bill Lawrence through his Doozer Productions. Jeff Ingold, Matt Tarses (“Scrubs”), Marcos Siega, Vaughn and Liza Katzer are also executive producers.

Song: “Baby Did A Bad Thing” by Chris Isaak https://apple.co/BabyDidABadThing

“Another 48 Hrs.” (1990) directed by Walter Hill, starring Eddie Murphy & Nick Nolte / Z-View 

Another 48 Hrs. (1990) 

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: John Fasano, Jeb Stuart, Larry Gross; story by Fred Braughton; based on characters by Roger Spottiswoode, Walter Hill, Larry Gross. Steven E. de Souza

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Nick Nolte, Brion James, Kevin Tighe, Ed O’Ross, David Anthony Marshall, Andrew Divoff, Bernie Casey, Ted Markland, Felice Orlandi, Page Leong, Hoke Howell, Frank McRae and Tisha Campbell.

Tagline: The Boys Are Back In Town

The Plot…

San Francisco Detective Jack Cates (Nolte) on the trail of a big-time drug dealer known as the Iceman, kills a man in self-defense. Because no one could find the dead man’s gun Cates is now under investigation by Internal Affairs. Cates did find evidence that the Iceman has targeted Reggie Hammond (Murphy) for execution.

With outlaw bikers and the Iceman‘s hitmen targeting them, Cates and Hammond must stick together to survive.

The Boys Are Back in Town!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The original cut was 2 hours and 25 minutes.  It was then cut to 2 hours and finally one hour and 35 minutes.  Frank McRae and Brion James had their roles substantially reduced.  McRae now only appears in the background of a scene and is uncredited.  James said at the time, “I was the third lead and now I looked like a dressed extra.”  In the trailer Cates tells Reggie that he’s on a deadline to catch Iceman, that was cut — so now there’s no mention of 48 hours.

In a scene when Reggie calls old friends, one is named Willie Biggs.  That was originally Murphy’s character’s name, but he thought it sounded like a typical Hollywood black man’s name.

The story is credited to Fred Braughton.  That is the pen-name Eddie Murphy used when writing it.

Tisha Campbell is listed in the credits as Amy Kirkland.

For the first film Nick Nolte was paid one million dollars and got top billing.  Eddie Murphy made $450,000.00.  For this one Murphy got top billing and seven million dollars, while Nolte made three million dollars.

I loved 48 Hrs.  I like Another 48 Hrs.  It could be because of the major cuts to the finished film.  I’d love to see a director’s edition.

Another 48 Hrs. (1990) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“48 Hrs.” (1982) directed by Walter Hill, starring Nick Nolte & Eddie Murphy / Z-View

48 Hrs. (1982) 

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Roger Spottiswoode, Walter Hill, Larry Gross, Steven E. de Souza

Stars: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O’Toole, Frank McRae, James Remar, David Patrick Kelly, Sonny Landham, Brion James, Kerry Sherman, James Keane, Greta Blackburn, Margot Rose, Denise Crosby, Olivia Brown, Todd Allen, Jack Thibeau, Ola Ray and Jonathan Banks.

Tagline: The boys are back in town. Nick Nolte is a cop. Eddie Murphy is a convict. They couldn’t have liked each other less. They couldn’t have needed each other more. And the last place they ever expected to be is on the same side. Even for… 48 HRS

The Plot…

When San Francisco detectives, Cates (Nolte),  Algren (Banks) and Van Zant (Keane) attempt to arrest two escaped convicts, things go sideways.  Algren and Van Zant are killed.  The convicts get away.

Detective Cates has a plan to catch the killers.  He’s getting a 48 hour supervised prison release for Reggie Hammond (Murphy). Hammond is a fast-talking, hip con man and thief.  Hammond also worked with one of the convicts.  Cates believes Hammond’s inside info will lead him to the convicts.

Cates and Hammond take an instant dislike to each other.  Over the next 48 hours they may develop a friendship… if they survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The idea of a cop and a convict working together had been floating around for a while.  Paramount hired Walter Hill to write a script with the idea that Clint Eastwood would play the convict.  Hill did, but when he finished he said he thought the script would work better with Eastwood playing the cop and someone like Richard Pryor playing the convict.  The project went into limbo until a few years passed.  Hill was brought back to work with Nolte and Eddie Murphy (in his feature film debut).

Eddie Murphy wasn’t the first actor considered for the role.  Gregory Hines was.  Other actors considered before Murphy included Howard Rollins, Jr. and Denzel Washington.

Eddie Murphy’s character’s name originally was Willie Biggs.  Murphy thought it sounded like a “Hollywood, made-up, black guy’s name” so it was changed to Reggie Hammond.

Nick Nolte was paid one million dollars and got top billing.  Eddie Murphy made $450,000.00.  For the sequel Murphy got top billing and seven million dollars, while Nolte made three million dollars.

Director Walter Hill has a brief cameo as a convict in the opening chain gang scene.

Nolte and Murphy, Remar and Landham are perfectly cast.  Each pair has the right chemistry.

48 Hrs. (1982) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Spirit” (2008) written and directed by Frank Miller / Z-View

The Spirit (2008) 

Director: Frank Miller

Screenplay: Frank Miller, based on The Spirit by Will Eisner

Stars: Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Jaime King, David Brian Martin, Eva Mendes, Eric Balfour, Louis Lombardi, Sarah Paulson, Dan Lauria and Frank Miller.

Tagline: My city screams. She is my lover. And I am her spirit.

The Plot…

Denny Colt (Macht) was a rookie cop killed on the job. Colt was dead… until he wasn’t.  Now Colt has become a masked crimefighter known as The Spirit.  Supervillains beware!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a Frank Miller fan from his early days on Daredevil comics.  I’ve followed his work through the years and was excited to see that he was writing and directing The Spirit.   Over the years I’d read more than a couple of Will Eisner’s Spirit stories.

I tried to watch The Spirit more than a few times in the past.  It was just too over-the-top for me. I never made it all the way through. It also didn’t seem to be The Spirit from Eisner’s tales.  Recently I decided to stick it out and watch the movie all the way through.  It didn’t get better.

I wish Frank Miller had written and directed a Sin City movie instead of this one.

The Spirit (2008)  rates 1 of 5 stars.

RIP: Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart died today after a short illness.  Mr. Newhart was 94.

Bob Newhart graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in business management. He was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as a clerk during the Korean War. After his discharge from the service Bob Newhart worked as an accountant and later an advertising copywriter.  All the while, Mr. Newhart worked on comedy routines that he sent out to radio stations.

This led to Mr. Newhart signing a contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1959.  The following year his first comedy album was released.  The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart was the first comedy album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts.  It also earned Mr. Newhart two Grammy awards for Best Album of the Year and Best New Artist.

Mr. Newhart’s recording success led to television and feature films. The Bob Newhart Show was a variety program that lasted one season, but was nominated for a Primetime Emmy award.  Mr. Newhart continued to record comedy albums, make many television guest appearances and even served as a co-host of The Entertainers variety show.  Then in 1972, he starred in The Bob Newhart Show.  It ran for 142 episodes.  Four years after it went off the air, Mr. Newhart starred in the series Newhart.  It ran for 184 episodes.

Mr. Newhart was nominated for five Grammy Awards, winning three…

  • 1961 winner Best New Artist
  • 1961 winner Album of the Year – for “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart”
  • 1961 winner Best Comedy Performance – Spoken Word for “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!”
  • 1998 nominee Best Spoken Comedy Album for “Button Down Concert”
  • 2007 nominee Best Spoken Word Album for “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This!”

Bob Newhart was nominated for nine Primetime Emmy Awards, winning one

  • 1962 nominee Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy for The Bob Newhart Show (shared with: Roland Kibbee · Don Hinkley · Milt Rosen · Ernest Chambers · Dean Hargrove · Robert Kaufman · Norm Liebmann · Charles Sherman · Howard Snyder · Larry Siegel)
  • 1985 nominee Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Newhart for playing “Dick Loudon”
  • 1986 nominee Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Newhart for playing “Dick Loudon”
  • 1987 nominee Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Newhart for playing “Dick Loudon”
  • 2004 nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – ER for playing “Ben Hollander”
  • 2009 nominee Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie – The Librarian III: The Curse of the Judas Chalice for playing: “Judson”
  • 2013 winner Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – The Big Bang Theory for playing “Arthur Jeffries and Professor Proton” in the episode “The Proton Resurgence”
  • 2014 nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – The Big Bang Theory for playing “Arthur”
  • 2016 nominee Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series- The Big Bang Theory for playing: “Arthur” in the episode: “The Opening Night Excitation”

Television projects that feature Bob Newhart include: The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre; Captain Nice; The Don Rickles Show; The Bob Newhart Show (142 episodes); Insight (2 episodes); It’s Garry Shandling’s Show; Newhart (184 episodes); Bob (33 episodes); Murphy Brown; The Simpsons; George & Leo (22 episodes); ER (3 episodes); The Librarian: Quest for the Spear; Desperate Housewives (3 episodes); The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines; The Librarian III: The Curse of the Judas Chalice; NICS; Svengoolie (cameo); The Librarians (3 episodes); The Big Bang Theory (6 episodes) and Young Sheldon (3 episodes).

Feature films that feature Bob Newhart include: Hell is For Heroes; Hot Millions; On a Clear Day You Can See Forver; Catch-22; Cold Turkey; The Rescuers; The Rescuers Down Under; In & Out and Elf.

The Bob Newhart Show was must-see tv when I was a kid. I’m also old enough to remember listening to his comedy albums and laughing at his many television guest appearances.  What an amazing career Mr. Newhart had.  No wonder so many folks consider him a national treasure.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bob Newhart’s family, friends and fans.

John Carpenter Presents “Body Bags” (1993) / Z-View

Body Bags (1993) 

Directors: John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Larry Sulkis

Screenplay:  Billy Brown, Dan Angel

Stars: John Carpenter, Tom Arnold, Tobe Hooper, Robert Carradine, Alex Datcher, Peter Jason, Molly Cheek, Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, David Naughton, George ‘Buck’ Flower, David Warner, Sheena Easton, Greg Nicotero, Debbie Harry, Mark Hamill, Twiggy, John Agar, Roger Corman, Charles Napier and Stacy Keach.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A scary coroner (Carpenter) introduces three tales…

  • The Gas Station.  A serial killer is operating in an area where a young woman has her first night working at a remote gas station.
  • Hair.  Richard Coberts (Keach) is a vain man concerned about losing his hair.  Nothing he’s tried so far as worked.  Then he learns about a new procedure guaranteed to grow hair.
  • Eye.  A pro baseball player (Hamill) on the verge of being called up to the big league gets into an accident that destroys one of his eyes.  Thinking he has nothing to lose, he agrees to an experimental eye transplant…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Body Bags was developed as a series for Showtime.  It would be their answer to HBO’s Tales from the Crypt.  Ultimately Showtime decided to not go forward with the project.

Body Bags is full of famous people showing up in cameos.

I would rank the three segments: The Gas Station (3 of 5), Hair (2 of 5) and Eye (2 of 5).

Body Bags (1993) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“American Fiction” (2023) written & directed by Cord Jefferson, starring Jeffrey Wright / Z-View

American Fiction (2023) 

Director: Cord Jefferson

Screenplay: Cord Jefferson based on ERASURE by Percival Everett

Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Sterling K. Brown, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Raymond Anthony Thomas, Okieriete Onaodowan, Miriam Shor, J.C. MacKenzie and Keith David.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) is a writer and college professor.  Monk has had a couple of books published.  Although the books were critically praised, they were far from best sellers.  Monk’s latest book was turned down with publishers saying it wasn’t “black enough”.

To compound things, Monk’s mom’s mental health is rapidly deteriorating.  It’s clear she’s going to need the support of her family.  Monk’s brother just went through a divorce.  He won’t be much help.  His sister is willing, but there are issues.  Monk is feeling the pressure of life bearing down.

Monk’s exasperation grows when the novel WE’S LIVES IN DA GHETTO makes the best seller list.  The novel panders to the lowest common denominator and features typical black stereotypes.  Out of frustration, Monk begins writing.  His story features everything one would expect in a blaxploitation story – drugs, gangs, a deadbeat dad and a son who couldn’t rise above his surroundings.  When Monk is finished he has a book length story.  As a joke he submits it under the name Stagg R. Leigh, an ex-con who is one the run from the cops.

When Monk gets several offers as high as $750,000, he realizes that nobody gets the joke.  He tells his editor to decline the deal, but his mother’s bills are adding up.  So…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

American Fiction was nominated for five Academy Awards and won one…

  • nominee Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)Laura Karpman
  • nominee Best Motion Picture of the YearBen LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading RoleJeffrey Wright
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting RoleSterling K. Brown
  • winner Best Adapted ScreenplayCord Jefferson

I thought American Fiction would be funny.  It is.  I didn’t realize how much heart it would have.  American Fiction is one of the best movie surprises I’ve had in recent years.

American Fiction is Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut.

American Fiction (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.