Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
The trailer for Bad Boys: Ride or Die is her and looks to be a fun ride.
Deal me in.
This Summer, the world’s favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.
RELEASE DATE: June 7
CAST: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens
Valley of the Dead (2020)
Director: Javier Ruiz Caldera, Alberto de Toro
Screenplay: Jaime Marques Olarreaga, Alberto Fernández Arregui, Cristian Conti
Stars: Miki Esparbé, Aura Garrido, Luis Callejo
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
During the Spanish Civil War, rival soldiers must join forces when they encounter zombies created by Nazis.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I’m a sucker for zombie movies. Valley of the Dead isn’t terrible. In fact it’s better than a lot zombie flicks these days. If you’re looking for some mindless entertainment with a touch of humor, Valley of the Dead should fit the bill.
Valley of the Dead (2020) rates 2 of 5 stars.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE | Official Teaser Trailer
The juice is loose! #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice – Only in theaters September 6.
Beetlejuice is back! Oscar-nominated, singular creative visionary Tim Burton and Oscar nominee and star Michael Keaton reunite for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Burton’s award-winning Beetlejuice.
Keaton returns to his iconic role alongside Oscar nominee Winona Ryder (Stranger Things, Little Women) as Lydia Deetz and two-time Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt$ Creek, The Nightmare Before Christmas) as Delia Deetz, with new cast members Justin Theroux (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, The Leftovers), Monica Bellucci (Spectre, The Matrix films), Arthur Conti (House of the Dragon) in his feature film debut, with Emmy nominee Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream VI) as Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, and Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (Poor Things, At Eternity’s Gate).
Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
Burton, a genre unto himself, directs from a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (Wednesday), story by Gough & Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith (The LEGO® Batman Movie), based on characters created by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson. The film’s producers are Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper and Burton, with Sara Desmond, Katterli Frauenfelder, Gough, Millar, Brad Pitt, Larry Wilson, Laurence Senelick, Pete Chiappetta, Andrew Lary, Anthony Tittanegro, Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg executive producing.
Burton’s creatives behind the scenes includes director of photography Haris Zambarloukos (Meg 2: The Trench, Murder on the Orient Express); such previous and frequent collaborators as production designer Mark Scruton (Wednesday), editor Jay Prychidny (Wednesday), Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (Alice in Wonderland, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sleepy Hollow), Oscar-winning creature effects and special makeup FX creative supervisor Neal Scanlan (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Oscar-nominated composer Danny Elfman (Big Fish, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman); and Oscar-winning hair and makeup designer Christine Blundell (Topsy-Turvy).
A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will be released only in theaters and IMAX on September 6, 2024 nationwide, and internationally beginning 4 September 2024. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937)
Director: Eugene Forde
Screenplay: Charles Belden. Jerome Cady story by Robert Ellis, Helen Logan
Stars: Warner Oland, Keye Luke, Virginia Field and Sidney Blackmer
Tagline: Triple murder for high stakes! A new high in mystery excitement! And laughs, too!
The Plot…
Charlie Chan (Oland) and his son Lee (Luke) are in Monte Carlo. When their cab comes upon a murder scene, they become involved in the investigation. A messenger has been killed and the $200,000 in bonds he was delivering is missing.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
This was Warner Oland’s 16th and final outing as Charlie Chan. It was also Oland’s last film.
Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937) rates 2 of 5 stars.
El Conde (2023)
Director: Pablo Larraín
Screenplay: Pablo Larraín, Guillermo Calderón
Stars: Jaime Vadell
Tagline: Things are about to get bloody…
The Plot…
El Conde is a 250 year old vampire who is ready to die. His children who aren’t vampires are ready to help him.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I tapped out after 42 minutes. Your mileage may vary. El Conde currently has a 6.4/10 rating, while on Rotten Tomatoes it is at 82% out of 116 reviews and a65% audience score.
El Conde (2023) rates 1 of 5 stars.
Richard Lewis, the stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer, died of a heart attack on February 27th.
Mr. Lewis began his stand-up career in 1971 while working at an advertising agency during the day. David Brenner saw Richard Lewis’ act and helped to promote him. By the mid-70s, Lewis was becoming well-known thanks to his appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and publications such as the New York Daily News. Richard Lewis made his acting debut in Diary of a Young Comic. He would go on to act on television, in feature films and stand-up for the remainder of his career.
Some of Richard Lewis’ television work includes: Diary of a Young Comic; The 416th; House Calls; Riptide; Harry (7 episodes); Anything But Love (56 episodes); The Larry Sanders Show; Daddy Dearest (13 episodes); Tales from the Crypt; Hiller & Diller (13 episodes); Rude Awakening (6 episodes); Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm; Alias; Two and a Half Men; 7th Heaven (9 episodes); The Dead Zone; Las Vegas; George Lopez; The Simpsons; Everybody Hates Chris; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; The Cleaner; ‘Til Death (3 episodes); Blunt Talk (6 episodes) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (41 episodes).
Some of Richard Lewis’ feature film work includes: The Wrong Guys; That’s Adequate; Once Upon a Crime; Robin Hood: Men in Tights; Wagons East; Leaving Las Vegas; The Maze and Vamps.
I was a fan of Richard Lewis. It was always cool to see him show up in a television show or movie. ‘
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard Lewis’ family, friends and fans.
Attack of the Hollywood Cliches! (2021)
Directors: Sean Doherty, Ricky Kelehar, Alice Mathias
Writers: Dane Baptiste, Ben Caudell, Sean Doherty
Stars: Rob Lowe, Andie MacDowell
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Rob Lowe hosts an exploration of movie cliches like the hero walking calmly away as something behind him explodes, one-man super-soldiers, kissing in the rain, a character coming from the grocery store always has a loaf of French bread sticking out of the bag and more.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
A harmless way to spend an hour.
Attack of the Hollywood Cliches! (2021) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Grandma’s Boy (1922)
Director: Fred C. Newmeyer
Screenplay: Hal Roach, Sam Taylor, Jean Havez, H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Noah Young
Tagline: See the boy who shied at his shadow shake off his fear and capture a desperate criminal, subdue a bully and—oh, most courageous thing of all!—win the girl of his heart
The Plot…
Grandma’s Boy aka Harold Lloyd has grown up believing he’s a coward. He’s afraid to tell His Girl (Davis) that he loves her. He’s even more afraid of the rival for her affection. When a tramp comes to town causing trouble, the men of the town go looking for him. Grandma tells Harold a story about his Grandpa. She then gives him Grandpa’s lucky charm that will provide him with courage. Harold then goes off to prove himself a hero by confronting the tough tramp. Little does Harold know that Grandma made up the story about Grandpa and the lucky charm
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Grandma’s Boy was Harold Lloyd’s first full length feature. It was one of the top grossing movies of 1922.
Grandma’s Boy (1922) rates 3 of 5 stars.
I like the poster and the trailer for Drive-Away Dolls has me interested.
They’re on the road and on the run. You don’t want to miss this ride!
Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, this comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way. #DriveAwayDolls is in theaters February 23.
Fargo: Season 5 (2023)
Created by: Noah Hawley
Directors: Noah Hawley (eps. 1 -2); Donald Murphy (eps. 3 – 4); Dana Gonzales (eps. 5 – 6); Sylvain White (eps. 7 – 8); Thomas Bezucha (eps. 9 – 10)
Screenplay:Noah Hawley (eps. 1 -5, 9 – 10); Noah Hawley & Bob DeLaurentis (ep. 6); Noah Hawley & April Shih (ep. 7); Noah Hawley & Thomas Bezucha (ep. 8)
Stars: Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Rysdahl, Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris, Richa Moorjani, Sam Spruell, Dave Foley, Lukas Gage and Jon Hamm.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
When a riot breaks out at Dot Lyon’s (Temple) daughter’s school board meeting, Dot accidentally tasers a police officer. She’s arrested and booked. Her fingerprints indicate she’s not who she says she is. Soon this seemingly quiet housewife and mother will find herself in danger from kidnappers, her former husband who’s now a corrupt sheriff in a neighboring county and the F.B.I..
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Fargo presents new characters and story with each season. All have been excellent and season 5 may be the best yet.
The story is full of twists and fantastic characters. Every member of the cast is a standout. I would not be at all surprised to see nominations and awards for Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh (has she ever been better?), Sam Spruell and Jon Hamm. Their characters were quirky and the actors made the most of them. Kudos also to Joe Keery, Lamone Morris, Richa Moorjani and Dave Foley.
Fargo: Season 5 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.
Extended Family: Season 1 (2023)
Created by: Mike O’Malley
Directors: James Widdoes (eps. 1, 3); Ali LeRoi (eps. 2)
Screenplay: Mike O’Malley (ep. 1); Jim Vallely (ep. 2); Ajay Sahgal (ep. 3)
Stars: Jon Cryer, Donald Faison, Abigail Spencer, Sofia Capanna, Finn Sweeney and Lenny Clarke.
Tagline: Marriages End. Families Don’t.
The Plot…
Jim (Cryer) and Julia (Spencer) are divorced. Rather than have the kids move back and forth between parents, the parents have decided the children will stay in the same house and they parents will move in during their periods of custody. Matters are complicated when Julia gets engaged to Trey Taylor, the super rich owner of the Boston Celtics.
Let the hijinks begin.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I tuned in because of Jon Cryer. I stuck around because it sometimes takes a show an episode or two to get going.
Episode One was bad. One of the kids’ goldfish dies. There’s a lot of drama about how to best approach this. They ultimately get a new goldfish to spare the child’s feelings. Turns out the kid doesn’t get upset over the fish’s death. She’s upset over the divorce. The parents apologize to her and everyone goes to a Celtics game.
Episode Two was bad. Julia invites her fiance, Trey to spend the night while she is watching the kids. Jim is upset because according to the “divorce constitution” that they wrote, he should have been consulted. They argue. Jim ultimately agrees to Trey staying over. Then Trey can’t sleep on the mattress that used to be shared by Julia and Jim. So he buys a new mattress. Constitutional crisis! Then they settle that and painting the bedroom becomes an issue. You guessed it. Constitutional crisis.
More like series crisis, says I. I’ll try one more episode.
Episode 3 was bad. Jim has had the kids for a week on his own. When Julia returns, Jim heads home. She learns the daughter doesn’t like math and earned a C- on her test. Her son is hooked on a violent video game. She thinks that her kids are going to be failures. She tries some things that don’t work. She calls Jim back and he doesn’t see the problem. Trey gets involved. The kids end up concerned that there will be no future because of climate change.
Strike three. I’m out. Your mileage may vary but Extended Family is not for me.
Extended Family: Season 1 (2023) earns 1 of 5 stars.
For Heaven’s Sake (1926)
Director: Sam Taylor
Screenplay: John Grey, Ted Wilde, Clyde Bruckman, Ralph Spence (titles)
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, Noah Young, Paul Weigel
Tagline: There’s a new Lloyd comedy in town. You have laughed yourself hoarse at every one you have ever seen, but when you see him trying to “uplift” a gang of underworld crooks you will think you never laughed before.
The Plot…
J. Harold Manners (Lloyd) is a millionaire who accidentally sponsors a mission to provide relief to the poor. When the publicity hits the newspapers that the J. Harold Manners’ Mission has opened, J. Harold goes down to have his name taken off the mission. He’s embarrassed and doesn’t want to come off as a publicity seeker.
At the mission J. Harold meets Hope (Ralston), the daughter of the man running the mission. J. Harold is attracted to Hope. When she tells him the mission isn’t getting many folks coming in. J. Harold decides to get down and out people to the mission by going through the poor section of town and provoking them. The idea is they will chase him back to the mission.
What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
This was a tough production for Harold Lloyd. Many scenes were cut (but later used in his film Speedy). Lloyd reportedly wasn’t happy with the final product. Surprisingly, For Heaven’s Sake became one of Lloyd’s most successful films and the 12th highest-grossing film of the Silent Era.
For Heaven’s Sake (1926) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Here we have the poster and trailer for The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Henry Cavill, Eiza González and Alan Ritchson.
The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare – In theaters April 19. Starring Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Babs Olusanmokun, Henrique Zaga, Til Schweiger, with Henry Golding, and Cary Elwes.
Based upon recently declassified files of the British War Department and inspired by true events, THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE is an action-comedy that tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during WWII by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming. The top-secret combat unit, composed of a motley crew of rogues and mavericks, goes on a daring mission against the Nazis using entirely unconventional and utterly “ungentlemanly” fighting techniques. Ultimately their audacious approach changed the course of the war and laid the foundation for the British SAS and modern Black Ops warfare.
The Invisible Woman (1940)
Director: A. Edward Sutherland
Screenplay: Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, Gertrude Purcell, story by Curt Siodmak, Joe May
Stars: Virginia Bruce, John Barrymore, John Howard, Oscar Homolka, Donald MacBride, Margaret Hamilton, Charles Lane, Mary Gordon and Shemp Howard.
Tagline: The YEAR’S FUNNIEST FUN!
The Plot…
Richard Russell (Howard) has always used part of his wealth to fund eccentric Professor Gibbs’ (Barrymore) inventions. When Gibbs comes up with a method to turn people invisible he needs a test subject. Out-of-work model, Kitty Carroll (Bruce) volunteers. When gangsters learn of the device, they decide to steal it. Kitty, Professor Gibbs and Richard are in over their heads.
Let the fun begin!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Invisible Woman was a 1942 Oscar Nominee for Best Special Effects.
If at times John Barrymore seems to be looking past who he’s talking to or in different directions as he speaks, it’s because cue cards were placed in strategic locations around the room. Sadly Barrymore’s alcoholism had taken a toll.
Watch for Shemp Howard as the gangster named Frankie! Margaret Hamilton of Wizard of Oz fame also has a supporting role.
The Invisible Woman (1940) earns 3 of 5 stars.
The Why Files: Season 1 (2020)
Creator: Andrew Gentile
Stars: Andrew Gentile
Tagline: Where Cool Nerds Laugh and Learn
The Plot…
The Why Files started as a weekly Youtube podcast where the host, Andrew Gentile looked at myths, legends, strange phenomena and more. Gentile approaches each subject with respect and the right touch of humor. After explaining the subject he then explains what part is true, debunks parts that can be and admits if the truth isn’t known.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Andrew Gentile is an excellent host. His sidekick is a Hecklefish that adds humor.
Some of my favorite episodes from season one include: Top Scariest Places You Can Actually Visit; Rain of Terror; The Most Top Secret Places in the World; Nanorobotics & Nanotechnology – Can We Live Forever?; The Voynich Manuscript; Stay out of the Nevada Triangle; CIA Declassifies UFO Documents; The Philadelphia Experiment and Time Travelers Caught on Film.
The Why Files: Season 1 (2020) earns 5 of 5 stars.
