“Matlock”: Season 1 (2025) starring Kathy Bates / Z-View

Posted on by

Matlock: Season 1 (2025)

Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, based on Matlock by Dean Hargrove

Directors: Kat Coiro (Eps.1-2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18-19); Brad Silberling (Ep. 3); Marie Jamora (Ep. 5); Tessa Blake (Ep.7); Yangzom Brauen (Ep. 8); Daniel Willis (Ep. 9); Jennifer Lynch (Ep. 10); Hannah Michielsen (Ep. 11); Jude Weng (Ep. 13); Gina Lamar (Ep. 15); Hanelle Culpepper (Ep. 17)

Teleplay: Jennie Snyder Urman (Eps. 1-2); Nicki Renna (Ep. 3, 19); Jeffrey Lieber (Ep. 4, 14); Michelle Leibel (Ep. 5); Sara Rose Feinberg (Ep. 6, 11); Hennah Sekander (Ep. 7); Sheridan Watson (Ep. 8); John Lowe (Ep. 9); Lizzie Perrin & Nicki Renna (Ep. 10); David Aguilar & Hennah Sekander (Ep. 12); Michelle Leibel & Sheridan Watson (Ep. 13); Nicki Renna & Michelle Leibel (Ep. 15, 18); Jeffrey Lieber & Tommy Cook from a story by Tommy Cook (Ep. 16); Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Ep. 17)

Starring: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Eme Ikwuakor, Aaron Harris, Sam Anderson, Beau Bridges, Patricia Belcher, Yael Grobglas, Piper Curda and Andrea Londo.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Retired lawyer, Madeline Kingston learns that someone in the prestigious law firm of Jacobson Moore hid evidence that would have saved her daughter’s life (as well as many thousands of others).  Since the anonymous whistleblower didn’t name names, Madeline decides to take on a new identity as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.

Using her wiles, Matty gets a job at Jacobson Moore.  They believe she is a retired attorney forced to go back to work to raise her grandson.  Truth is, Matty is wealthy, and married.  She and her husband are raising her grandson.  Matty is an excellent lawyer and quickly proves valuable to the firm. Each case provides opportunities to learn the identity of the person who hid the valuable evidence.  As she makes friendships, she sometimes struggles with the lies and deception required to keep her identity secret.  As she gets closer to the truth, her boss begins to suspect something isn’t right with Matty.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I never watched a single episode of the original Matlock, but decided to give this version a try.  I’m glad I did.

I was concerned how they would have Matty’s lies and deceptions play out.  Kudos to the writers for the way it was handled.

Kathy Bates is such a talented actress.  Skye P. Marshall more than holds her own.

Matlock: Season 1 (2025) earns 4 stars.  Bring on Season 2.

Rocky Balboa by Tim Shinn!

Posted on by

Tim Shinn is a freelance artist known for his storyboarding, advertising and comic work. Tim’s done art for Hasbro, Disney, Dark Horse and Fun Publications. Tim takes commissions and regularly posts art for sale.

Earlier this week when I saw this sketch of Sly Stallone as Rocky,  I didn’t hesitate.  It’s my second piece by Tim.  You can see more of Tim Shinn’s art on his Instagram page and his Twitter feed.

“The Steel Trap” (1952) starring Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright / Z-View

Posted on by

The Steel Trap (1952)

Director:  Andrew L. Stone

Screenplay: Andrew L. Stone

Stars: Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, Jonathan Hale, Walter Sande, Eddie Marr, Carleton Young, Katherine Warren, Tom Powers, William Hudson and Marjorie Bennett.

Tagline: Baited…by a million dollars – and all they had to do was REACH!

The Plot…

Jim Osborn (Cotton) has worked his way up to Assistant Manager of a large LA bank.  Just for fun, Jim has thought of different ways to steal and getaway with one million dollars from the vault.  His most recent plan has him tempted.  He could steal the money on Friday after closing and take flights to get to Brazil before Monday morning.  As long as Jim and his family made it to Brazil where they don’t have an extradition treaty with the US, he would be free (and rich)!

Jim lies to his wife about why they are going to Brazil on Friday.  He puts his plan in place.  On Friday after the bank closes, he steals the money.  Now if everything falls into place…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I like the plan to steal the money.  My problem was that every single step of the way things go wrong.  This took a lot of suspense out.  Instead of thinking, “Whew! That was close,” I began thinking, “Ok, what is the problem now?”  Then when (BIG SPOILER ALERT), Jim decides to get the money back into the vault before the bank opens, everything goes right.

The Steel Trap (1952) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Sinners” (2025) Written and Directed by Ryan Coogler, Starring Michael B. Jordan / Z-View

Posted on by

Sinners (2025)

Director:  Ryan Coogler

Screenplay: Ryan Coogler

Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Buddy Guy, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li , Lola Kirke, Tenaj L. Jackson, David Maldonado, Yao, Sam Malone and Delroy Lindo.

Tagline: Dance with the devil.

The Plot…

The notorious SmokeStack twins have returned home after seven years.  In between they served in World War I and worked for Al Capone.  Now flush with cash (that they stole from mobsters), Smoke and Stack plan to open a juke for colored folks.  It will serve food, Irish beer, good whiskey and moonshine.  Their cousin Preacher Boy is gonna be a big time Blues Man.  He’s gonna play. And they’ve got Delta Slim for opening night.  Music, dancing and food.  Word is out.  They’ve thought of everything to make it a night to remember.

Yeah, they’ve accounted for everything… except one.

Vampires.

Let the good times roll.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Michael B. Jordan plays identical twins Smoke and Stack.

Director Ryan Coogler said that Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn and The Faculty were two major influences in making Sinners.  Other influences according to Coogler were ‘Salem’s Lot and The Twilight Zone episode The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank.

Miles Caton makes his film debut.

Writer/Director Ryan Coogler has another winner.  Excellent film all around from start to finish and top to bottom.  Great casting, wonderful special effects and a story that entertains, provides scares, thrills and has a heart.

Sinners (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Maisie Gets Her Man” (1942) starring Ann Sothern and Red Skelton / Z-View

Posted on by

Maisie Gets Her Man (1942)

Director:  Roy Del Ruth

Screenplay: Mary C. McCall Jr., Elizabeth Reinhardt, story by  Elizabeth Reinhardt, Ethel Hill, based characters created by Wilson Collison.

Stars: Ann Sothern, Red Skelton, Leo Gorcey, Allen Jenkins, Donald Meek, Lloyd Corrigan, Walter Catlett, Fritz Feld, Willie Best, Esther Dale and Rags Ragland.

Tagline: Roar with Red Skelton in the Funniest Maisie Hit of All!

The Plot…

Maisie Ravier is an out of work vaudeville performer.  Her former partner, Dr. Orco went crazy when his girl left him.  While looking for work, Maisie meets Hap Hixby.  Hap dreams of being a big time comedian.  Everyone in his small town thought he was the funniest.  So when Hap offers Maisie the opportunity to be his partner she accepts.

Only thing is, it turns out Hap has stage fright.  Good thing Hap has a back-up plan.  He sunk all his saved money in a business guaranteed to succeed.  Bet you can guess the odds it’s a scam.

Maisie is falling for Hap, who has already fallen for Maisie.  About that time, Hap’s former flame shows up.

Poor Maisie… what’s a girl to do?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Maisie Gets Her Man is the sixth in the ten film series.  Ann Sothern played Maisie in all of them.

Rags Ragland and Leo Gorcey show up in small parts!

Maisie Gets Her Man (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars

“28 Years Later” – The Trailer (and Poster) is Here!

Posted on by

Finally we have the trailer (and poster) for 28 Years Later.

Deal me in.

Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle and Academy Award®-nominated writer Alex Garland reunite for 28 Years Later, a terrifying new story set in the world created by 28 Days Later.

It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

Directed by:​​ Danny Boyle​​​
​
Written by:​​​​ Alex Garland​​​

Produced by: ​​​​ Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, Bernard Bellew, Danny Boyle, Alex Garland

Executive Producer:​​​ Cillian Murphy

Cast:​ Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, ​Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams ​and Ralph Fiennes

“The Americas” (2025) narrated by Tom Hanks / Z-View

Posted on by

The Americas (2025)

Director:  None listed.

Stars: Tom Hanks.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The Americas is a ten part series, narrated by Tom Hanks, that explores animal life on North and South America.  The episodes are:

  1. The Atlantic Coast
  2. Mexico
  3. The Wild West
  4. The Amazon
  5. The Frozen North
  6. The Gulf Coast
  7. The Andes
  8. The Carribean
  9. The West Coast
  10. Patagonia

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

According to NBC, the series was produced over 5 years and involved 180 expeditions.  Each episode covers an area’s climate, landforms and animal life, spotlighting a few species.  The episodes are exceptional – well written, produced and directed.  Tom Hanks is outstanding as the narrator.  Several episodes present many firsts on film.

The Americas (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Panama Hattie” (1942) starring Red Skelton, Ann Southern and Rags Ragland / Z-View

Posted on by

Panama Hattie (1942)

Director:  Norman Z. McLeod, Roy Del Ruth, Vincente Minnelli

Screenplay: Jack McGowan, Wilkie C. Mahoney (as Wilkie Mahoney), Herbert Fields, Mary C. McCall Jr. (uncredited), Lillie Messginer (uncredited), Vincent Minelli (uncredited), Joseph Schrank (uncredited), based on the 1940 American musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva.

Stars: Red Skelton, Ann Sothern, Rags Ragland, Ben Blue, Marsha Hunt, Virginia O’Brien, Alan Mowbray, Dan Dailey, The Berry Brothers and Lena Horne.

Tagline: Swing as Ann Sings – Laugh as Red Clowns – Thrill to the Navy Stirring Battle-cry

The Plot…

Panama Hattie is Hattie Maloney, a nightclub owner/singer in the Panama Canal Zone.  Hattie has three Navy buddies, Red, Rags and Rowdy.  They want Hattie to perform at big party they are organizing.  Hattie is also getting ready to meet her fiancé’s young daughter for the first time.  Kitty-Belle, an Admiral’s daughter also wants to marry Hattie’s fiancé.  Oh, and Red, Rags and Rowdy think that they’ve discovered some Nazi spies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Panama Hattie is all over the place.  But considering the movie was based on a play, brought to the screen with eight writers and three directors, it isn’t surprising.  There’s a little something for everyone if you’re looking for music, comedy and dancing.

I like Red Skelton and the under-rated Rags Ragland.  My favorite parts of the movie involve them.  As to the musical aspects, Virginia O’Brien has the best songs (especially about her getting drunk at the Savoy!), and The Berry Brothers the best dance.  Oh, and Lena Horne made her MGM film debut in this film.  Ms. Horne sings in a nightclub.  Her scene was easily cut (without effecting the plot) when the film was shown in the South.

This film was made during World War II and the entire cast joins to sing the final song about the US joining the fight.  The movie ends and immediately a card for War Bonds appears.

Panama Hattie (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Scandal Sheet” (1952) starring Broderick Crawford, Donna Reed and John Derek / Z-View

Posted on by

Scandal Sheet (1952)

Director:  Phil Karlson

Screenplay: Eugene Ling, James Poe, Ted Sherdeman based on THE DARK PAGE by Samuel Fuller

Stars: John Derek, Donna Reed, Broderick Crawford, Rosemary DeCamp, James Millican, Jay Adler, Shirley Ballard, Don Beddoe and Harry Morgan.

Tagline: The Man From “The Mob” Is Making Another Killing!

The Plot…

Steve McCleary (Derek), ace reporter for the New York Express, reports on a murderer that is dubbed The Lonely Hearts Killer.  Little does McCleary know, but his editor, Mark Chapman (Crawford) is the killer!  As McCleary digs deeper into the case, all of his evidence is being presented to the killer himself.  Soon McCleary will be the killer’s next target!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Scandal Sheet isn’t as well known as many other films of the era, but if you like crime thrillers, you should enjoy it.

Scandal Sheet (1952) rates 5 of 5 stars