“The Chinese Ring” (1947) starring Roland Winters & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Chinese Ring (1947)

Director:  William Beaudine

Writer:  Scott Darling based on the character by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars:  Roland Winters, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung  and Paul Bryar

Tagline:  None

The Plot…

When a Chinese Princess is murdered while visiting Charlie Chan, she leaves behind a note which reads “Captain K”.  As the police work to find the killer, Chan follows the clues as well.  With multiple suspects, and the clock ticking more people will die if the murderer isn’t found.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Chinese Ring was Roland Winters first outing as Charlie Chan.  He would play the character 5 more times.

Mantan Moreland provides comedy relief as usual.  I wish he was given more screen time.

The Chinese Ring earns 3 of 5 stars.

On the Road? Buc-ee’s For All Your Travel Needs!

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If you’re driving and you need gas, a clean restroom, food or drink, then you cannot do better than Buc-ee’s. My guess is that if you have a Buc-ee’s anywhere near you, you know about them.  But in case you don’t…

A Buc-ee’s is what you would get if you took a huge convenience store, added a bakery, a kitchen for breakfast, lunch and dinner items, a gas station with dozens of pumps, restrooms with dozens of individual stalls plus a worker who is dedicated to keeping each of them clean, multiple fountains for soft drinks of many flavors, sections for snacks of every kind, a wall of jerky of all types, plus books and other items you’d find in an ole country store.

Buc-ee’s are currently located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.  New locations are coming to Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.  We have two in Florida.  When the closest one was being built, I didn’t understand the excitement.  “It’s a gas station for crying out loud,” I thought.

Once it was built, I visited and understood the appeal.  It’s a one-stop shop for all your traveling needs.  You get cheap gas with virtually no waiting because of many pumps.  There are all kinds of snacks available.  If you need breakfast, lunch or dinner, they have you covered.  The brisket sandwiches are most popular, but I’m partial to the turkey sandwiches.  If you’re a Coke or Pepsi fan, both are available as fountain drinks.  I usually choose an Arnold Palmer (lemonade & iced tea mix) that is also on the fountain.  Oh, and a fresh cinnamon roll from the bakery is a bonus!

It’s funny seeing a person on their first visit to a Buc-ee’s.  You can spot them a mile away.  They have the look of a kid visiting a theme park for the first time.  If you’re traveling and a Buc-ee’s is on your way, plan a stop.  You won’t be disappointed.

“The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker” (2023) / Z-View

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The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker (2023)

Director:  Colette Camden

Writer:  Colette Camden

Stars:  Kai Lawrence, Jessob Reisbeck  

Tagline:  None

The Plot…

In 2013, an interview with Caleb Lawrence McGillvary. who called himself Kai, went viral. A reporter had interviewed Kai after he stopped a man from attacking a woman.

Kai had been hitchhiking.  When Jett McBride suddenly drove into a pedestrian pinning him to another vehicle, a passing woman came to the man’s aide. McBride attacked her.  Kai, sensing the woman would be killed, grabbed a hatchet from his backpack.  Kai repeatedly struck the man in the back of the head, incapacitating him.  The police arrived and took McBride into custody.  They questioned and released Kai.

A reporter interviewed Kai at the scene.  When the interview aired Kai came off as a free-spirited hero. The interview was placed on Youtube.  It received millions of views. Suddenly everyone wanted a piece of Kai.  He was on Inside Edition and Jimmy Kimmel Live.  On the surface, Kai appeared to be a fun-loving nonconformist. He didn’t have a job, a driver’s license or a social security number.  Kai didn’t consider himself homeless, he referred to his situation as homefree.  Kai’s appearances were off-the-wall and funny.  But beneath the surface of Kai’s easy-going exterior lurked a killer…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At first glance Kai seemed to be harmless.  A modern day hippie just getting by and having fun.  Yet anyone who spent a little time with Kai would realize his mental issues.  But who would think that Kai would be a cold-blooded murderer?

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Liaison” starring Vincent Cassel & Eva Green – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like the looks of Liaison starring Vincent Cassel and Eva Green,

Stop at nothing to save everything. Liaison premieres February 24 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_Liaison

Vincent Cassel and Eva Green star as agents—and former lovers—who must work together to combat international cyberattacks threatening the UK while also confronting the buried secrets of their destructive relationship.

“Solace” (2015) starring Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish & Colin Farrell / Z-View

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Solace (2015)

Director:  Afonso Poyart

Screenplay:  Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin

Stars:  Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish, Colin Farrell, Matt Gerald, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Marley Shelton, Xander Berkeley, Kenny Johnson, Joshua Close, Janine Turner  and Jordan Woods-Robinson 

Tagline:  How do you stop a killer who can read your mind?

The Plot…

FBI agents Merriwether (Morgan) and Cowles (Cornish) are coming up empty while working a serial killer case.  Out of desperation, Merriweather reaches out to his friend, Dr. John Clancy (Hopkins).  Clancy reluctantly agrees to assist with the case.  Agent Cowles is skeptical even after Clancy begins to display abilities that assist with the case.

Soon enough Clancy’s paranormal skills alert him to two things: 1) the serial killer is a more powerful psychic; 2) both Agent Merriweather and Agent Morgan have tragic futures.  People will continue to be murdered unless Merriwether, Cowles and Clancy unless they figure how to catch the psychic killer… but there is no changing the future.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Solace has a cool concept – a psychic serial killer who is able to stay a step ahead of the FBI, despite them also having a clairvoyant of their own.  There are a couple of unexpected twists and a killer with a rationale that will keep you thinking.

Solace earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Agent Elvis” is Coming!!

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Agent Elvis looks to be a blast, baby.  Matthew McConaughey is voicing The King with original character designs by Robert Valley!  Priscilla Presley was one of the show’s creators.  Check out the cool trailer below and then…  Deal me in… and… Thank you, thank you very much.

Academy Award-winner Matthew McConaughey is Agent Elvis. Only on Netflix, March 2023.

Elvis Presley trades in his jumpsuit for a jetpack to battle the dark forces that threaten the country – all while holding down his day job as the King of Rock and Roll.

MORE INFO ON AGENT ELVIS
This ten episode, Netflix adult animation series from Sony Pictures Animation is an irreverent action comedy starring Matthew McConaughey as Elvis Presley and follows Elvis as he lives a double-life as a secret agent. The show was created by Priscilla Presley and John Eddie, and was developed by Co-Showrunners Mike Arnold and John Eddie, who also serve as Executive Producers along with Executive Producers Kevin Noel, Matthew McConaughey, Priscilla Presley, with Fletcher Moules serving as Co-Executive Producer and Seranie Manoogian as Producer. Jamie Salter, Corey Salter, and Marc Rosen with Authentic Brands Group also served as Executive Producers. Vancouver-based Titmouse served as the animation studio with Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, and Ben Kalina serving as Executive Producers and Gary Ye as Supervising Director, Chris Thompson as Art Director, and Josue Sanchez as Editor. Robert Valley created original character designs, and Agent Elvis’ wardrobe was designed by John Varvatos. Music and original score was composed by Tyler Bates and Timothy Williams.

“The Lion in the Winter” (1968) starring Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins & Timothy Dalton / Z-View

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The Lion in the Winter (1968)

Director:  Anthony Harvey

Screenplay:  James Goldman

Stars: Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle, Nigel Terry, Timothy Dalton, Nigel Stock and O.Z. Whitehead 

Tagline: “The Lion in Winter” is about love and hate between a man and a woman and their sons. It’s also about politics, vengeance, greed and ambition. It other words it’s about life.

The Plot…

The year is 1183.  King Henry II (O’Toole) has brought his family together as he prepares to name his successor.  Henry has three sons.  He is leaning towards his youngest son, John (Terry), getting the throne.  King Henry’s estranged wife,  Eleanor of Aquitaine (Hepburn) wants their son, Richard (Hopkins) to be the next king.  Of course all three sons want to be King.  To complicate matters, King Philip II of France (Dalton) arrives with demands of his own.

As King Henry contemplates who will be the next king, family members are plotting against him and each other. A confrontation exposes the alliances, schemes and long held secrets.  Who will be the next king takes a backseat to who will survive the face-off when King Henry confronts all three sons about their conspiracies against him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Lion in the Winter is an amazing film.  It was nominated for 7 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor <O’Toole>; Best Actress <Hepburn – won>; Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium; Best Costume Design; Best Original Score for a Motion Picture (Not a Musical) <John Barry – won>.  It was also nominated for 8 British Academy Awards (winning two – Best Actress <Hepburn> and Best Film Music <John Barry>); 7 Golden Globe Awards (winning two – Best Drama Motion Picture and Best Actor <O’Toole>.

The Lion in the Winter is outstanding in all areas – from story to direction, acting, music, and editing.  It’s deserving of all the awards and accolades it received.  As it came time for my rating, I settled on 4 stars.  I really liked the film, but didn’t love it.  So keep in mind, your mileage may vary.  And if someone said the movie deserves five of five stars, I wouldn’t argue.  My mileage may vary as well.

The Lion in the Winter earns 4 of 5 stars.

“The Trap (1946) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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The Trap (1946)

Director:  Howard Bretherton

Screenplay:  Marl Derr Biggers based on the character created by Miriam Kissinger

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung, Larry J. Blake, Kirk Alyn and Howard Negley 

Tagline: GORGEOUS SHOWGIRLS DOOMED TO DEATH!

The Plot…

Cole King (Negley) is vacationing with his troupe of showgirls at a beach house.  When one of the girls is found strangled, it isn’t long before Charlie Chan (aided by his son, Jimmy (Yung) and valet, Birmingham (Moreland) are called in to determine the murderer or murderess!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This was Sidney Toler’s last outing as Charlie Chan.  Toler had been suffering from cancer and passed away within 3 months of the film’s release.

The Trap follows the same format as all Charlie Chan films. There is a murder with multiple suspects and Chan is brought in to investigate.  He’s assisted by his son and valet (for comedy effect).  Chan determines who the killer is (and it’s usually not one suspected by the audience).  Everything wraps up in about an hour or a little more.  Charlie Chan films are a great way to end an evening.

My main reason for checking out the Charlie Chan films is Mantan Moreland.  He’s one of the most underrated comedians of his era.  The more screen time Moreland gets, the better the film.

The Trap earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Higher Than a Kite” (1943) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Higher Than a Kite (1943)

Director:  Del Lord

Screenplay:  Monte Collins, Elwood Ullman

Stars: Curly Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Vernon Dent and Dick Curtis 

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Our boys are mechanics and want to be pilots to fight Nazis.  When they find themselves behind enemy lines, Curly and Moe disguise themselves as German officers.  Larry is forced to disguise as a woman.  When German Generals become enamored with the beautiful  fraulein, what else could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Any time the Stooges go up against Nazis a fun time is guaranteed.

Higher Than a Kite earns 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: Melinda Dillon

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Melinda Dillon’s family has announced that Ms. Dillon died on January 9, 2023 at the age of 83.  No cause of death was given.  Melinda Dillion was a two-time Academy Award Best Supporting Actress Award nominee (for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Absence of Malice).

It’s hard to determine what role Melinda Dillon was best known for because she played in many fan favorite films.  Prior to acting on television and in movies, Melinda Dillon was a stage actress.  She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her first major role on Broadway.  The play was Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe.  Ms. Dillon’s television career began in 1963, in an episode of The Defenders.  She went on to act on both television and in feature films for the rest of her career.

Some of Melinda Dillon’s television appearances include: The Defenders; Bonanza; The Jeffersons; The Twilight Zone; The Shadow Box; Fallen Angel; Right of Way and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Some of Melinda Dillon’s feature film appearances include: Bound for Glory; Slap Shot; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; F.I.S.T.; The Muppet Movie; Absence of Malice; A Christmas Story; Harry and the Hendersons and The Prince of Tides.

It’s hard to pick a favorite Melinda Dillon role.  If push came to shove my favorites include her work in F.I.S.T. and A Christmas Story.  I was excited when I learned Ms. Dillon would play Sly Stallone’s love interest in F.I.S.T.. (she was coming off a Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nomination).  Her role in A Christmas Story provides a great counterpoint to Ralphie’s dad (and in doing so make him more loveable). She was excellent in both.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Melinda Dillon’s family, friends and fans.

“Righteous Thieves” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Righteous Thieves looks fun.  Deal me in!

In this ultimate heist thrill-ride, Annabel (Lisa Vidal), a leader of a secret organization engaged in the recovery of priceless artwork, assembles a ragtag crew of art thieves to recover a Monet, Picasso, Degas, and Van Gogh stolen by Nazis during WWII and now in the possession of neo-Nazi billionaire oligarch Otto Huizen (Brian Cousins). As the planned heist approaches, loyalties are tested when the crew learns the real reason behind Annabel’s search for the long-lost paintings.