Search Results for: moreno

“Clipped Wings” (1953) starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and the Bowery Boys / Z-View

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Clipped Wings (1953)

Director: Edward Bernds

Screenplay: Elwood Ullman, Charles R. Marion

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Renie Riano, Todd Karns, June Vincent, Fay Roope, Mary Treen, David Gorcey,
Benny Bartlett, Philip Van Zandt, Lyle Talbot, Ray Walker, Conrad Brooks and Bernard Gorcey.

Tagline: Fasten Your LAFF-Belts! They’re JET JOCKEYS NOW!

The Plot…

Slip (L. Gorcey) and Sach (Hall) learn that their buddy, Dave Moreno (Karns) has been charged with treason by the US Air Force.  So the boys decide to go to the base to find out what is going on.  Leave it to Slip and Satch to think that they are signing in to the air force base when they are actually enlisting!

To further screw things up, Sach is mistakenly assigned to the WAF (Women’s Air Force) barracks!

Even if the boys are able to prove Dave’s innocent, they are in the Air Force now!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Clipped Wings is the 31st of 48 Bowery Boys movies.

Clipped Wings (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Breakout” (1975) starring Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall & Jill Ireland / Z-View

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Breakout (1975)

Director: Tom Gries

Screenplay: Howard B. Kreitsek, Marc Norman; based on THE TEN SECOND BREAKOUT by Elliott Baker

Stars: Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall, Jill Ireland, Randy Quaid, Sheree North, Jorge Moreno, Emilio Fernández, Paul Mantee, Alan Vint, Alejandro Rey, Roy Jenson, Sidney Clute, Chalo González and John Huston.

Tagline: Sentenced to 28 years in prison for a crime he never committed. Only two things can get him out – A lot of money and Charles Bronson!

The Plot…

Jay Wagner (Duvall) is framed for murder and sent to a Mexican prison.  All hope is lost.  Unwilling to give up, Jay’s wife, Ann (Ireland) turns to Nick Colton (Bronson).  Colton is a pilot with a crazy plan that just might work.

What Colton doesn’t know is the people that framed Jay will go to any length to see he never leaves prison.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tom Gries directed two Charles Bronson films in 1975; this one and Breakheart Pass.

Believe it or not, this film was based on a real life Mexican prison escape using a helicopter.

With Charles Bronson and Robert Duvall starring, I was hoping for a better movie.

Breakout (1975) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Searchers” (1956) directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter & Natalie Wood / Z-View

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The Searchers (1956)

Director: John Ford

Screenplay: Frank S. Nugent; based on THE SEARCHERS by Alan Le May

Stars: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, John Qualen, Olive Carey, Henry Brandon, Ken Curtis, Harry Carey Jr., Antonio Moreno, Hank Worden, Patrick Wayne  and Lana Wood.

Tagline: He had to find her… he had to find her…

The Plot…

1868.  The Comanches are on the warpath.  They’ve been attacking homesteads along the frontier.  One of the farms belonged to the Edwards’ family.  The Comanches killed everyone except little Debbie. They kidnapped Debbie to raise as part of their tribe.

Ethan Edwards (Wayne) is Debbie’s uncle.  He’s a former Civil War soldier who hates Indians. (Ethan’s mother was killed by Comanches years earlier.) Ethan learns that his brother’s family was wiped out.  He forms a posse to rescue Debbie.  They trail the Comanches into the badlands.  As time drags on and they move farther into the frontier, some posse members give up.

Refusing to quit, Ethan and Martin Pawley (Hunter) press on.  Martin stays because the Edwards’ family adopted him when he was young.  He wants to bring Debbie safely home.  Ethan plans to kill Debbie.  He cannot stand the thought that she’s now a squaw.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Searchers was John Wayne’s favorite of all the movies he made.  Ethan Edwards was also his favorite of all the characters he ever played.  Wayne even named his youngest son Ethan.

The Mose Harper (Worden) character comes off as half-crazy,  Surprisingly the character is based on a real Indian fighter known as Mad Mose.  And yes, he loved rocking chairs.

Reportedly Buddy Holly’s song “That’ll Be The Day” was inspired by John Wayne’s repeated use in The Searchers.

Natalie Wood’s character when she was small was played by her younger sister, Lana.

The Searchers was in the first group of 25 movies chosen for preservation in The National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

The Searchers has it all.  Adventure, humor, suspense, action and even romance.  It is rightfully considered a classic.

The Searchers (1956) rates 5 of 5 stars.

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

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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.

“Joe Pickett”: Season 2 (2023) / Z-View

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Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023)

Written by: John Erick Dowdle (ep. 11, 20 ); Stacy Chbosky (eps. 12, 18); Isaac Gomez (ep. 13); Nelson Greaves (eps. 14, 19); Sarah Marie Masson (ep. 15); Diego D. Moreno (ep. 16); Alice Dennard (ep. 17);

Directed by: Stephen Woolfenden (eps. 11 – 12); Blackhorse Lowe (eps. 13 – 14); Drew Dowdle (eps. 15 – 16); Janice Cooke (eps. 17 – 18); Shana Stein (eps. 19 – 20)

Stars: Michael Dorman, Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, Mustafa Speaks, Skywalker Hughes, Kamryn Pilva, David Alan Grier, Chad Rook, Aadila Dosani, Patrick Gallagher, Emily Alabi, Sean Wei Mah, Alex Breaux and Chris Gauthier

Tagline: None

The Plot…

When a hunter doesn’t return home, Joe (Dorman) rides out in a remote section of wilderness to look for him.  Joe happens on Caleb and Camish Grimmengruber aka the Grim brothers.  The two live off the grid and are distrustful of the government.  One thing leads to another and the Grim brothers attempt to kill Joe.  Although they succeed in killing Joe’s horse, and badly wounding Joe, he barely makes it out alive.

In the mean time the hunter has been found… murdered.  He was decapitated and left hanging upside down from a tree.  Because the man was wealthy and of some importance, the Governor flies in.  He meets with the Sheriff and head of the area’s Fish and Game commission.  The Governor demands that the two groups work together to quickly find the murderer.

Not totally healed from the Grim Brothers’ attack, Joe finds himself thrust into an investigation that is going to lead to corruption and more murders by people in high places.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Joe Pickett: Season One was surprisingly good.  Season 2 is even better.

The series features some of the best acting you will find anywhere.  Standouts include: Michael Dorman (Joe Pickett), Julianna Guill (Marybeth Pickett), Sharon Lawrence (Missy, Marybeth’s mother), Mustafa Speaks (Nate Romanowski), Skywalker Hughes (Sheridan, one of the Pickett’s daughters) and Chad Rook (Deputy McLanahan).

Kudos to this season’s writers:

  • I love that events from season one had major ramifications in season two.
  • Joe and Marybeth’s relationship is so well written (and acted).
  • Each episode ended with a cliffhanger making us want to move on to the next episode.
  • All of the characters are given backstory without hindering the main focus of the season.
  • It was cool to see David Alan Grier get a cameo that has a major impact going forward.
  • The Grim Brothers are two of the creepiest bad guys you can imagine.  They get an interesting character arc.

Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023) ends with some great twists.  I hope we get a third season.

Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954) starring Richard Carlson, Julia Adams & Richard Denning / Z-View

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Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Director:  Jack Arnold

Writer:  Harry Essex, Arthur Ross from a story by Maurice Zimm

Stars: Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno, Whit Bissell, Ricou Browning, Ben Chapman, Perry Lopez and Rodd Redwing

Tagline: Not since the beginning of time has the world beheld terror like this!

The Plot…

When a huge fossilized hand containing webbed fingers/claws is found on the banks of the Amazon, an expedition is formed to look for the rest of the skeleton.  The mission consists of Dr. Carl Maia (Moreno), Dr. David Reed (Carlson), David’s girlfriend Kay Lawrence (Adams) and Dr. Edwin Thompson (Bissell).  They are piloted by Captain Lucas on his small steamer into the depths of the Amazon.

Far out of contact with civilization, in an area known as the Black Lagoon, the group discovers a living gill-man. When they attempt to capture the creature, they learn it is strong, smart and now hunting them.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Creature from the Black Lagoon is one of Universal’s Classic Monsters.  I’ve watched this film as many times as any other horror movie.  It never loses its effectiveness.

Jack (The Incredible Shrinking Man) Arnold helms another horror classic.  He’s smart to allow the audience to see the creature’s huge webbed claw a couple of times before we see the full gill-man.  Richard Carlson and Richard Denning are at home in science fiction/horror films.  Has there ever been a prettier female lead in a horror film than Julie Adams?  Kudos to  Henry Mancini (!), Hans J. Salter and Herman Stein for the music.

The Creature from the Black Lagoon earns 5 of 5 stars.

THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabino Iglesias!

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The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias is on my to-be-read list.  I’m a fan of Iglesias’ Zero Saints and love the plot of The Devil Takes You Home.  Check it out and see what you think,

From Bram Stoker, Anthony, and Locus award-nominated author, Gabino Iglesias, comes a genre-defying thriller about a father desperate to salvage what’s left of his family, even if it means a descent into violence –both supernatural and of our own terrifying world.

Buried in debt due to his young daughter’s illness, his marriage at the brink, Mario reluctantly takes a job as a hitman, surprising himself with his proclivity for violence. After tragedy destroys the life he knew, Mario agrees to one final job: hijack a cartel’s cash shipment before it reaches Mexico. Along with an old friend and a cartel-insider named Juanca, Mario sets off on the near-suicidal mission, which will leave him with either a cool $200,000 or a bullet in the skull. But the path to reward or ruin is never as straight as it seems. As the three complicated men travel through the endless landscape of Texas, across the border and back, their hidden motivations are laid bare alongside nightmarish encounters that defy explanation. One thing is certain: even if Mario makes it out alive, he won’t return the same.

The Devil Takes You Home is a panoramic odyssey for fans of S.A. Cosby’s southern noir, Blacktop Wasteland, by way of the boundary-defying storytelling of Stephen Graham Jones and Sylvia Moreno-Garcia.

“Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story” Teaser is Here!

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Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story teaser looks wonderful.  I think the time is right for a film like this – one that will take us to another time and place filled with great music, dancing and a story of forbidden love.   I look forward to seeing Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Tony Kushner, “West Side Story” tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony); Rachel Zegler (María); Ariana DeBose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff); Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino); Ana Isabelle (Rosalía); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); and Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works). Moreno – one of only three artists to be honored with Academy®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, Tony® and Peabody Awards – also serves as one of the film’s executive producers.

Bringing together the best of both Broadway and Hollywood, the film’s creative team includes Kushner, who also serves as an executive producer; Tony Award® winner Justin Peck, who choreographed the musical numbers in the film; renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor and GRAMMY Award® winner Gustavo Dudamel, who helmed the recording of the iconic score; Academy Award®-nominated composer and conductor David Newman (“Anastasia”), who arranged the score; Tony Award®-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”), who supervised the cast on vocals; and Grammy®-nominated music supervisor Matt Sullivan (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Chicago”), who served as executive music producer for the film. The film is produced by Spielberg, Academy Award®-nominated producer Kristie Macosko Krieger and Tony Award®-winning producer Kevin McCollum. “West Side Story” has been adapted for the screen from the original 1957 Broadway show, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and concept, direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins.

From 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company will release “West Side Story” in U.S. theaters on December 10, 2021.

Dead Body Road: Bad Blood #2 / Z-View

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Dead Body Road: Bad Blood #2 is part of a six-issue mini-series published by Image Comics.

Writer: Justin Jordan
Artist: Benjamin Tiesma
Colorist: Matt Lopes
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Cover Artist: Matteo Scalera and Moreno Dinisio

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

Hunter Hale is on the run from Monk Sinclair, boss of everything underground in their county…at least until Bree Hale declares war on him to defend her brother.

Dead Body Road: Bad Blood 2 picks up where issue one left off.  The chase is on.  Hunter Hale is scared and on the run with Monk Sinclair’s woman. Monk is following leads and growing more enraged with each passing moment.  Bree (Hunter’s sister) doesn’t know what Hunter has gotten himself into, but she knows if she doesn’t reach him first, Hunter won’t live to tell her.

Justin Jordan,  Benjamin Tiesma, Matt Lopes and Pat Brosseau are back with another great issue.  And let’s not forget the cover by Matteo Scalera and Moreno Dinisio.

Dead Body Road: Bad Blood continues with a story that should entertain all crime / action fans.


Rating:

Dead Body Road: Bad Blood #1 / Z-View

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Dead Body Road: Bad Blood #1 is part of a six-issue mini-series published by Image Comics.

Writer: Justin Jordan
Artist: Benjamin Tiesma
Colorist: Matt Lopes
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Cover Artist: Matteo Scalera and Moreno Dinisio

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

Bree Hale has left a lot behind in her life. Crime. The military. But she can’t leave behind her own family, and when the local crime boss puts a hit out on her brother, there’s nothing she won’t do to save him. Absolutely nothing. Skybound’s pulse-pounding action series returns, with writer JUSTIN JORDAN (REAVER, LUTHER STRODE) and artist BENJAMIN TIESMA delivering an explosive tale of revenge like you’ve never seen before!

I am huge fan of Dead Body Road.  If you haven’t read it you should.  Dead Body Road: Bad Blood isn’t a sequel (but could be set in the same universe) and is on track to be just as good.

Writer, Justin Jordan, has returned and this time he’s brought with him artist Benjamin Tiesma. Tiesma is an excellent choice.  Jordan and Tiesma are joined by colorist Matt Lopes and letterer Pat Brosseau who create a solid team.

Bree Hale is a woman with a mysterious past that involved both military and criminal experience.  Bree has left that all behind (she hopes) and now runs a bar where the biggest problem is dealing with folks who drink to much.

When a detective comes in asking questions about her brother, she can honestly say she hasn’t seen or heard from him.  The detective isn’t convinced, but what can he do?  At closing time a hardcase Bree’s never seen before comes in looking for her brother.  She tells him the same thing she told the detective.  He leaves but Bree knows it isn’t over. She’s being dragged into whatever mess her brother has made and it could get them both killed.

Dead Body Road: Bad Blood is everything a good crime comic should be.  I cannot wait for issue two.


Rating:

Dead Body Road: Bad Blood is Coming!

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Dead Body Road was/is a six issue mini-series published by Image in 2014.  Written by Justin Jordan with art by Matteo Scalera (pencils & inks) and Moreno Dinisio (colors).  I loved the series and would suggest if you’re a fan of crime fiction you seek it out.

I’m also going to suggest that you keep an eye out for Dead Body Road: Bad Blood.  Justin Jordan returns with a new artist, Benjamin Tiesma, and new colorist, Mat Lopes, and letterer Pat Brosseau. Matteo Scalera will return to provide covers for the series along with Moreno Dinisio.  The synopsis sounds great…

Bree Hale has left a lot behind in her life. Crime. The military. But she can’t leave behind her own family, and when the local crime boss puts a hit out on her brother, there’s nothing she won’t do to save him. Absolutely nothing.

Dead Body Road: Bad Blood #1 (Diamond Code MAR200042) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, May 20.

Our Top 2018 Posts and All-Time Favorites!

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As we head into 2019, I thought it would be interesting to see our top 2018 posts and our all-time favorites.  So, without further adieu, here are the 2018 most viewed posts…

  1.  Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk”
  2.  Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer
  3.  “Dancing in the Sky” by Dani and Lizzi
  4.  11 Nightmarish Facts About “Nosferatu”
  5.  The Final “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” Trailer is Here!
  6.  The TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS!
  7.  Steve Reeves as Superman
  8.  New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered
  9.  Bruce Lee in The Matrix and More
  10.  “Creed 2” Poster by Gerardo Moreno!

And our all-time favs…

  1.  Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk”
  2.  Zodiac Killer Code Cracked?
  3.  Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer
  4. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered
  5.  Real Clown Or Horror-Movie Clown?
  6.   Joel Osteen in Jacksonville
  7.  Steve Reeves as Superman
  8.  “Fast 7” Teaser: This is Where Roads Part
  9.  The Life and Times of Deputy U.S. Marshall Bass Reeves
  10.  “Dancing in the Sky” by Dani and Lizzi

Thanks to everyone who checks in here.  I hope your 2018 was a good one and your 2019 will be even better!

9 Altogether Ooky Facts About John Astin

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Me-TV presents 9 Altogether Ooky Facts About John Astin.  Here are three of my favorites…

3. He was nominated for an Oscar…

   Image: MGM Television

…but it wasn’t for acting. Astin directed the 1968 short film Prelude. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.

4. He appeared in ‘West Side Story.’

   Image: United Artists

The 1961 musical blockbuster starred box office heavyweights like Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno, but it also featured an uncredited appearance by Astin. The actor appeared as the character Glad Hand, the social worker who kicks off the “Mambo” dance sequence in the gymnasium.

 

5. He appeared as The Riddler on ‘Batman.’

Most people associate the devious villain with Frank Gorshin. But Astin also put on the green tights and purple mask in the season two episodes “Batman’s Anniversary” and “A Riddling Controversy.”

Z-View: Dead Body Road #6

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Dead Body Road is a six issue mini-series published by Image.

Writer: Justin Jordan

Penciler / Inker: Matteo Scalera

Colorist: Moreno Dinisio

There’s a man digging a hole in the desert. Let’s see just how many bodies will fit. Orson Gage’s bloody revenge saga ends here.

 

Dead Body Road #6  Justin Jordan and Matteo Scalera continue to create a comic that consistently entertains.

The Good

  • Justin Jordan and Matteo Scalera.  And when I say, “good” I mean great.
  • Justin Jordan’s message to the readers at the end of each issue.  Excellent feature!
  • Noir at it’s best.

The Bad:

  • Some people are going to be put off by the violence and profanity.
  • More people are going to be sad because the series ends here.

The Ugly:

  • Realizing “we wanted the wrong things” too late.

Dead Body Road #6  is a comic for mature audiences due to violence and language.  If you’re a fan of crime/revenge stories then this is for you.  

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dead Body Road is available in a Trade Paperback that collects all six issues.

 

Z-View: Dead Body Road #5

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Dead Body Road is a six issue mini-series published by Image.

Writer: Justin Jordan

Penciler / Inker: Matteo Scalera

Colorist: Moreno Dinisio

Holed up and under siege, Gage and his accomplices may have run out of road…but not bullets. Or heads to put them through.

 

Dead Body Road #5  Justin Jordan and Matteo Scalera continue to create a comic that consistently entertains.

The Good

  • Justin Jordan and Matteo Scalera.  And when I say, “good” I mean great.
  • Justin Jordan’s message to the readers at the end of each issue.  Excellent feature!

The Bad:

  • Some people are going to be put off by the violence and profanity.
  • When you think you’ve got the drop on someone only to discover – “Surprise” – someone has the drop on you.

The Ugly:

  • Riding your motorcycle into a building with guns blazing only to meet a man with an axe.

Dead Body Road #5  is a comic for mature audiences due to violence and language.  If you’re a fan of crime/revenge stories then this is for you.  

Rating: 5 out of 5