Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Duane Swierczynski’s new novel California Bear sounds like a must-buy. Here’s the synopsis…
A cinematic new mystery from an award-winning crime writer, California Bear follows two unlikely vigilantes whose decision to take justice into their own hands pits them against the villains behind California’s coldest cases—and their own twisted histories.
California Bear drops on September 5, 2023. Pre-orders are available now.
Farewell, My Lovely (1975)
Director: Dick Richards
Screenplay: David Zelag Goodman based on Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler
Stars: Robert Mitchum, Charlotte Rampling, John Ireland, Sylvia Miles, Anthony Zerbe, Harry Dean Stanton, Jack O’Halloran, Joe Spinell, Sylvester Stallone, Kate Murtagh, Ted Gehring and Logan Ramsey
Tagline: I need another drink … I need a lot of life insurance … I need a vacation … and all I’ve got is a coat, a hat, and a gun !
The Plot…
Moose Malloy (O’Halloran) just finished a seven year prison stretch. Now the big lug wants to reconnect with his girl, Velma. He hasn’t heard from her in years, but believes once he sees her all will be as it was. So Moose hires Marlowe (Mitchum) to find her. Marlowe explains that seven years is a long time, they have little to go on and Velma has probably moved on. (That last part nearly gets Mitchum’s face rearranged.)
So Mitchum reluctantly takes on the case. As he digs deeper, people start dying… and Marlowe may be next.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Farewell, My Lovely is a classic tale of love and betrayal. It’s been adapted as a film three times and all are good.
My first thought was Mitchum (legend that he is) was a bit old to play Phillip Marlowe. But as the movie progressed, my thinking changed to, “Why not an older world weary take on the PI?”. Jack O’Halloran (in his first role!) is perfectly cast as the slow thinking mountain of a man determined to find his old flame. The supporting cast includes many familiar faces including Charlotte Rampling, John Ireland, Sylvia Miles, Anthony Zerbe and Harry Dean Stanton. Sly Stallone and Joe Spinell have small roles, but would go on to appear in Rocky the following year! Kudos to Kate Murtagh for her take on a tough madam who can take a punch as good as she gives!
Dick Richards does an excellent job of creating a world that feels like LA in 1941. David Shire’s wonderful soundtrack adds to the feel of the era.
Every version of Farewell, My Lovely is worth a look. This one is no exception.
Farewell, My Lovely earns 4 of 5 stars.
Three Sappy People (1939)
Director: Jules White
Screenplay: Clyde Bruckman
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Lorna Gray, Don Beddoe, Bud Jamison and Ann Doran
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The boys are telephone repairmen mistaken for three psychiatrists with “unusual methods” of treating mental illness. A rich man hires our guys to treat his free-spirited manic wife. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Larry, Curly and Moe get another opportunity to create havoc at a high society party.
There’s a rumor that Lorna Gray nearly choked on a pastry during the concluding “pie fight”. While Ms. Gray was surprised (watch her reaction) by the pastry hitting the bullseye of her open mouth, she later denied that she was in in any trouble.
Three Sappy People earns 4 of 5 stars.
The English (2022)
Directors: Hugo Blick
Teleplay: Hugo Blick
Stars: Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer, Stephen Rea, Steve Wall, Malcolm Storry, Nicholas Aaron, Tadhg Murphy, Rafe Spall and Julian Bleach
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Years after the Civil War, an English noble woman, Cornelia Locke (Blunt) has come to the western frontier. She is hunting the man responsible for her son’s death. Eli Whipp (Spencer), a Pawnee by birth and a former US Calvary Scout, is riding to Nebraska to claim a plot of land. Their paths cross. After overcoming a shared “obstacle” Locke and Whipp decide to travel together.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The English easily made my best of 2022 list. It is well written, well directed and well cast. I had never seen anything by Hugo Blick, the creator, writer and director of The English. I’ll definitely search out more of his work. Emily Blunt picks out interesting projects and is always good in them. She served as an Executive Producer on The English. I’d seen Chaske Spencer before, but never in a starring role. Spencer is perfect as Eli Whipp. I look forward to seeing him as a lead in future productions. Kudos to The English‘s cinematographer, Arnau Valls Colomer. There are so many shots that would make beautiful paintings.
The English at it’s core is a love story/tale of revenge. But it doesn’t take the expected path. Having an English noble woman on the western frontier coupled with a Pawnee who isn’t accepted by Native Americans or Whites makes for interesting interactions. There are twists in every episode as we learn more about Locke and Whipp’s past. When The English ended, I found myself wanting to revisit the characters. Not because the series had an unsatisfying conclusion (far from that!), but because I enjoyed it so much.
The English earns 5 of 5 stars.
Mutts to You (1938)
Director: Charley Chase
Screenplay: Al Giebler, Elwood Ullman
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Vernon Dent, Bud Jamison and Cy Schindell
Tagline: Their dog-gone daffiest laugh show!
The Plot…
The boys own a dog grooming shop. When they see a baby alone on a doorstep, they think the child has been abandoned. They take the baby home only to read in the newspaper that the child was kidnapped!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Another of Curly’s favorites. He was a devoted dog lover and reportedly spent all his spare time between shots playing with the dogs!
The automated dog grooming scenes are classic!
Mutts to You earns 5 of 5 stars.
Love (1919)
Director: Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle
Screenplay: Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, Vincent Bryan
Stars: Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle
Tagline: AS A LOVE-MAKER FATTY IS ABOUT THE FUNNIEST EVER SEEN
The Plot…
Fatty and Winnie are in love. The only problem is Winnie’s father. He’s ordered Fatty to stay away. Her father wants Winnie to marry Al. Al is the son of a rich landowner. Al’s father has promised to give Winnie’s dad a huge plot of land if he can convince Winnie to marry his dimwit son.
Fatty’s running out of options, so he disguises himself as a maid to get hired as help for Winnie’s upcoming wedding. Now Fatty has two problems: 1) He needs to stop the wedding and 2) Winnie’s dad is attracted to him!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Love moves at a brisk pace with constant sight gags, pratfalls and slapstick. Almost everyone gets a shot at falling into the well. There’s a three-way broom fight that will bring a smile to your face. Of course the story has a happy ending with Fatty almost getting married twice.
Love earns 5 of 5 stars.
Goofs and Saddles (1937)
Director: Del Lord
Screenplay: Felix Adler
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Stanley Blystone, Theodore Lorch, Hank Mann and ‘Snub’ Pollard
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The boys are the best scouts in the cavalry, Buffalo Billious (Curly), Wild Bill Hiccup (Moe) and Just Plain Bill (Larry). They’re sent to catch dangerous cattle rustlers. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Goofs and Saddles is another generic Stooges’ short. The funniest scene involved Curly and Moe playing cards with a killer. They’re attempting to cheat with Larry running interference.
Goofs and Saddles earns 3 of 5 stars.
As we start 2023, let’s pause for a look at the BEST OF 2022. I hope you see something that you enjoyed or gets you interested to check out. Here we go…
Movies and Limited Series
In 2022, I watched 409 movies and limited series. That number is up 37 from last year. None were seen in a theater! My favorite films and limited series released in 2022 included (in alpha order):
Tulsa King would have made the list, but since the season hasn’t finished yet, I haven’t added it. It will definitely make next year’s Best Of list.
Books
In 2022, I read 37 books (2 less than last year). My favorites from this year included (in the order I read them):
Love & Bullets Megabomb Edition by Nick Kolakowski
Boise Longpig Hunting Club by Nick Kolakowski
The Devil’s Own Piss… by Whiskey Leavins
61 Hours by Lee Child
Ice Station by Matthew Reilly
At Their Own Game by Frank Zafiro
IQ by Joe Ide
Murder in Grease Paint by Whiskey Leavins
And Sometimes I Wonder About You by Walter Mosley
Righteous by Joe Ide
Trouble is What I Do by Walter Mosley
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino
Later by Stephen King
Down the River unto the Sea by Walter Mosley
I’m surprised I didn’t read anything by Joe Lansdale this year. How did that even happen??
My Most Popular Posts of the Year
I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2022 and some thoughts for each…
10. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – Dropped from #7 last year. Second year in a row to drop.
09. Batman & Manbat by Marshall Rogers & John Beatty! New to the list!
08. The Different Covers for David Morrell’s First Blood. New to the list!
07. “Clean” starring Adrian Brody – The Poster and Trailer are Here! New to the list!
06. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – was in the 8th spot last year.
05. Evidence Points to NEW Suspect as the Zodiac Killer. New to the list!
04. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer – came in the #3 spot last year and #2 the year before.
03. Dracula Through the Ages – was in our 4th spot last year. Flipped places with Louis Meyers.
02. The TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Coming and the Full Schedule is Out! – was the most popular post last year but was beat out this year by Schwarzenegger and Williams.
01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – regains the #1 spot for the year.
My All-Time Most Popular Posts
The top 4 didn’t change and only one new post broke in to the All-Time most popular posts. Let’s see how things shook out…
10. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – dropped from 7th to 10th. Two years in a row of drops. May not make the list next year.
09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – was in the 9th spot for the last two years.
08. The TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Coming and the Full Schedule is Out! – New to the list! I love the love that the TZ is getting!
07. Steve Reeves as Superman – was the #5 all-time most popular post last year.
06. Dracula Through the Ages – up from the 10th spot. Vampires are in.
05. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – from 6th to 5th. Two years in a row of moving up!
04. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – No change!
03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – No change!
02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – No change!
01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 last year and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.
It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.
The Watcher: Season 1 (2022)
Directors: Ryan Murphy (episodes 1, 3); Paris Barclay (episodes 2, 4); Jennifer Lynch (episodes 5, 7); Max Winkler (episode 6)
Teleplay: Ryan Murphy & Ian Brennan (episodes 1 – 5); Ian Brennan & Reilly Smith (episode 6); Ian Brennan & Reilly Smith & Todd Kubrak & Ryan Murphy (episode 7)
Stars: Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Mia Farrow, Terry Kinney, Henry Hunter Hall, Isabel Gravitt, Luke David Blumm, Jennifer Coolidge, Christopher McDonald, Noma Dumezweni, Margo Martindale, Richard Kind, Seth Gabel, Michael Nouri and Susan Merson
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Soon after Dean, Nora and their two kids move into their beautiful dream house, anonymous threatening letters begin to arrive. As the letters become more menacing, it becomes clear that whoever is sending them has access to their house. The letters contain information about their kids, private conversations and are always signed The Watcher.
The police are unable to help. Dean and Nora install a new security system. It doesn’t stop the strange events. The letters keep coming. As Dean and Nora become more paranoid, every neighbor becomes a suspect. They cannot sell the house because they mortgaged everything to afford the place.
Who is The Watcher? What does he/she want?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Watcher is based on real events. A family purchased their dream home and began receiving threatening letters from a stalker who signed off as The Watcher. The family ultimately sold the house at almost a $400,000 loss and moved out of town! The Watcher was originally conceived as a limited one season series. Thanks to good ratings, a second season was ordered.
I enjoyed The Watcher. For me the journey was better than the destination. In all fairness, I thought this was a limited series of one and done. Therefore I was looking for a definite conclusion. I’m not sure if the ending was the one planned or if it changed due to a second season order.
The Watcher is extremely well cast. Mia Farrow is perfect as an irritating, crazy neighbor. Jennifer Coolidge is a scene stealer as the unlikeable “friend”. Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale are excellent as the leads. Familiar faces show up in supporting roles: Terry (Oz) Kinney, Christopher (Family Law) McDonald, Margo (Justified) Martindale; Richard (Spin City) Kind and Michael (Flashdance) Nouri. I’d never seen Noma Dumezweni and Henry Hunter Hall before, but will be watching for them in the future.
The story has twists and turns in every episode. As the tension increases, so do mistakes made by Nick and Nora as far as blaming the wrong (?) people. As unbelievable as the twists become, because the story is based on a real incident and because the acting is so good, I went with it. The Watcher was a fun ride. I just wish the final episode was more satisfying… but then again, that might have negated the need for a season two.
The Watcher earns 4 of 5 stars.
Whoops, I’m an Indian (1936)
Director: Del Lord
Screenplay: Clyde Bruckman from a story by Searle Kramer, Herman Boxer
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Bud Jamison, Blackie Whiteford and Al Thompson
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The boys go on the lam when they’re caught cheating cowboys in a saloon. To make their escape they disguise as two Indian braves (Larry and Moe) and a maiden (Curly). When a big, rough Frenchman takes a liking to the maiden, well, what could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Whoops, I’m an Indian is a fairly generic Stooges’ short. I thought the funniest part was this exchange between Pierre as he carries his Indian Maiden (Curly) upstairs after they were married…
Pierre: “Now for our honeymoon! For you I have the grand surprise!”
Curly: [dressed as a Native American woman] “So do I if ya only knew it!”
That was pretty risqué for 1937!
Whoops, I’m an Indian earns 3 of 5 stars.
Jonathan Maberry’s sequel to Kagen the Damned, Son of the Poison Rose will be available on January 10, 2023. Here’s the synopsis…
Son of the Poison Rose marks the second installment of New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry’s epic, swashbuckling Kagen the Damned series.
The Silver Empire is in ruins. War is in the wind. Kagen and his allies are on the run from the Witch-king. Wild magic is running rampant everywhere. Spies and secret cabals plot from the shadows of golden thrones.
Kagen Vale is the most wanted man in the world, with a death sentence on his head and a reward for him―dead or alive―that would tempt a saint.
The Witch-king has new allies who bring a terrible weapon―a cursed disease that drives people into a murderous rage. If the disease is allowed to spread, the whole of the West will tear itself apart.
In order to build an army of resistance fighters and unearth magical weapons of his own, Kagen and his friends have to survive attacks and storms at sea, brave the haunted wastelands of the snowy north, fight their way across the deadly Cathedral Mountains, and rediscover a lost city filled with cannibal warriors, old ghosts, and monsters from other worlds. Along with his reckless adventurer brothers, Kagen races against time to save more than the old empire… if he fails the world will be drenched in a tsunami of bloodshed and horror.
Son of the Poison Rose weaves politics and espionage, sorcery and swordplay, treachery and heroism as the damned outcast Kagen fights against the forces of ultimate darkness.
Pre-orders are available now.
Leap Year (1924)
Director: James Cruze, Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle (uncredited)
Screenplay: Walter Woods from a story by Sarah Y. Mason
Stars: Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Stanley Piper (Arbuckle) lives with his rich uncle. As his Uncle prepares for a trip, he warns Stanley about falling in love with every woman he meets. Stanley is in love with just one woman. But through a series of mix-ups several women believe that Stanley has proposed to them… and they’re all heading to see Stanley at his Uncle’s mansion. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle was at one time arguably the most popular actor in Hollywood. He was also one of the highest paid! Arbuckle was a breakout star from his appearances in shorts for Keystone Studios. Roscoe Arbuckle served as a mentor to Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Bob Hope.
Arbuckle was making his move into feature length films when he was charged with rape and manslaughter in the death of actress Virginia Rappe. He was tried three times! The first two trials resulted in hung juries. Arbuckle was acquitted in the third trial. For all intents and purposes, Roscoe Arbuckle was finished as a big Hollywood star. He didn’t work much and when he directed it was under the name William Goodrich. Roscoe Arbuckle died in his sleep in 1933. He was just 46 years old.
Leap Year was completed in 1921, but because of the scandal it wasn’t released in the United States until 1981 for a limited run. 1924 is listed as the year of release due to the film being shown in Finland. Leap Year showcased Fatty Arbuckle in his final feature length film.
Leap Year earns 3 of 5 stars.
Half-Wits Holiday (1947)
Director: Jules White
Screenplay: Zion Myers
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Vernon Dent, Barbara Slater, Theodore Lorch, Symona Boniface, Emil Sitka and Al Thompson
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Half-Wits Holiday is a reboot of the Stooges’ 1935 short Hoi Polloi (which was an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play Pygmalion). The Stooges’ would rework the same plot again in their 1958 short Pies and Guys. Two college professors make a bet: one believes he can turn anybody into a gentleman. The other professor chooses three bumbling repair men (Larry, Curly and Moe) as the test subjects. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Half-Wits Holiday features Curly’s last outing as one of The Three Stooges. For the previous two years Curly had suffered a series of small strokes. They were taking a toll. Curly’s endurance was down. His timing was off. During the final day of filming a giant pie fight was scheduled.. Curly was to play a major part in the mayhem. As the scene was being prepared, Curly suffered a major stroke and was rushed to the hospital. The scene had to be shot without him.
In 1947, in the third Stooges short filmed with Shemp, Hold that Lion! Curly gets a cameo. and is nearly unrecognizable with a full head of hair. This is the only time all four Stooges appeared together.
Half-Wits Holiday earns 5 of 5 stars.
That’s the rarely seen Neal Adams original Billy Jack painting used for the cover of The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #11. If you click over to The Bristol Board you will see the art and magazine cover. It’s interesting to note that for the magazine they did a close-up of the painting to make a more dynamic cover.
If you like action films, consider checking out Billy Jack and its prequel, Born Losers. Both are fun. Two additional sequels, The Trial of Billy Jack and Billy Jack Goes to Washington aren’t as good. In 1985, Tom Laughlin began production on The Return of Billy Jack. Sadly, it was never completed.
Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields (2022)
Director: Jessica Dimmock
Stars: Tim Miller
Tagline: None.
The Story…
There’s a 25 acre area of land a little over 25 miles south of Houston that runs along Interstate 45. This area is known as The Texas Killing Fields. Thirty-three bodies of brutally murdered young girls and women were found in this patch of land. Even more young girls and women from this area are still missing.
Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields focuses on four of these victims.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I don’t know which is crazier: that so many girls and women disappeared with no trace and no murderer caught for years, or that there were TWO killers working independently using the same dumping ground.
I was surprised to learn that Tim Miller’s (founder of Texas EquuSearch) daughter was one of the victims. Miller founded Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery Team. They provide assistance to families of lost and missing persons. I became aware of Miller and his organization when he participated in the search for Caley Anthony. I had no idea Miller’s daughter was the victim of a serial killer.
Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields has a compelling story, but was a bit padded at three episodes. I felt bad for the innocent men accused of being the killers. I was glad to find that two killers (could there have been more) were arrested and convicted.
Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields earns 3 of 5 stars.
