cult film freak: 2010

Written by James M. Tate / 12/31/2010 / No comments / adaptation , eighties , howard rollins jr. , james cagney , milos forman , period piece , samuel l. jackson

RAGTIME

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU6DQ7RdDR-ITCvZhBp5UAsENs9UeR-ZtQt7oCssDSncDOnfYDrjOh0UWzTHdsravt4g16JwvP9otV-of_jt171ABaHFl3T8dx3MJKbsLQrNFxkj85xHaI8ZvZbSIieeVx9lY4RzTgNA/s1600/patrick_ragtime1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557064149712497890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU6DQ7RdDR-ITCvZhBp5UAsENs9UeR-ZtQt7oCssDSncDOnfYDrjOh0UWzTHdsravt4g16JwvP9otV-of_jt171ABaHFl3T8dx3MJKbsLQrNFxkj85xHaI8ZvZbSIieeVx9lY4RzTgNA/s200/patrick_ragtime1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 140px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title: </span>RAGTIME<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">year: </span>1981<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">cast:</span> Howard Rollins Jr., James Cagney, James Olson, Brad Dourif<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">rating:</span> **<br />
<br />
With a great script, director Milos Forman can make a perfect film. With a mediocre script, Milos will make a mediocre film that looks great. Such is the case in this period drama centering on a black man, Howard Rollins, holed-up in a library with thugs (including a young Sam Jackson) and explosives because of what happened to his car and his lady. Legendary James Cagney plays a police commissioner after a long screen absence, but seems to be going through the motions: perhaps because of his advanced age. But the most frustrating aspect of this E.L. Doctorow adaptation is that it initially promises to be a big film on a grand scale, teasing us with gorgeous sets, historical tie-ins, and various eclectic characters who, by the end, mean very little.

adaptation, eighties, howard rollins jr., james cagney, milos forman, period piece, samuel l. jackson

RAGTIME

title: RAGTIME year: 1981 cast: Howard Rollins Jr., James Cagney, James Olson, Brad Dourif rating: ** With a great script, director M...

Written by James M. Tate / 12/21/2010 / No comments / action , brian blessed , fantasy , max von sydow , science-fiction , timothy dalton

SUMMARY ARCHIVE REVIEW OF CULT CLASSIC 'FLASH GORDON'

<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMsUHmAsmjSXq9hWjdQy8XHb-Z8YFqhAxnD3dSohjasZy0l-K61KYlXMW2Hk1eJ4C-qnX8pcvFQcUdg6Y5OGpP9K6bDK0PFR5MaXL58n41UI1yDY20S6KJx4NSg18ucvOhgS8QogF6G_l_BzbEISjQORJj-ze9n6YHRRUWs7XWuQdtpe9iMvorWx6iw/s1060/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-08%20at%2011.10.22%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1060" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMsUHmAsmjSXq9hWjdQy8XHb-Z8YFqhAxnD3dSohjasZy0l-K61KYlXMW2Hk1eJ4C-qnX8pcvFQcUdg6Y5OGpP9K6bDK0PFR5MaXL58n41UI1yDY20S6KJx4NSg18ucvOhgS8QogF6G_l_BzbEISjQORJj-ze9n6YHRRUWs7XWuQdtpe9iMvorWx6iw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-08%20at%2011.10.22%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Year: 1980 Rating: ****</u><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>A classic in every way, FLASH GORDON has only one "drawback": the title is somewhat misleading, being that our square-jawed hero, a perfectly-cast Sam J. Jones, has allies equally as important: Brian Blessed as Prince Vultan the hawk man, Timothy Dalton as Prince Barin, Melody Anderson as the beautiful ingenue Dale Arden, Ornella Muti as the seductive Princess Auri, and Topol as Dr. Zarkov, the wily scientist responsible for getting Gordon into space to save the Earth from Ming the Merciless, played by wickedly dependable Max Von Sydow. The way Flash goes from one doomed situation to the next, thrust into the primal customs of each race, is as perfect as the Queen soundtrack: cutting through the action like a machete. A man-to-man battle involving Gordon and Barin (Dalton) on a revolving spiked sphere is a standout. Director Mike Hodges and producer Dino De Laurentiis create a world that not only resembles a gloriously conceived comic book, but<span style="font-style: italic;"> reads </span>like one as well.

action, brian blessed, fantasy, max von sydow, science-fiction, timothy dalton

SUMMARY ARCHIVE REVIEW OF CULT CLASSIC 'FLASH GORDON'

Year: 1980 Rating: **** A classic in every way, FLASH GORDON has only one "drawback": the title is somewhat misleading, being that...

Written by James M. Tate / 12/20/2010 / No comments / bob rafelson , bruce dern , drama , ellen burstyn , independent , jack nicholson , seventies

BIG DOLL HOUSE HAS RELOCATED

<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FJLHH5hkNIkoa3jn91TYIYxfmG7kIk2Ky1coQYIgDqIUBTOn-DtBNZBUACw_Fr4qka_xy_wsEG-dUVJFwiuJrRUzpsbQekXyoZDQcEb9uPFRW4vCFSGTCJaouN0qC_fU1cY5J-N_0mMq/s1600/title06_214409716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FJLHH5hkNIkoa3jn91TYIYxfmG7kIk2Ky1coQYIgDqIUBTOn-DtBNZBUACw_Fr4qka_xy_wsEG-dUVJFwiuJrRUzpsbQekXyoZDQcEb9uPFRW4vCFSGTCJaouN0qC_fU1cY5J-N_0mMq/s640/title06_214409716.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cultfilmfreaks.com/2014/11/locked-up-ladies-70s.html">CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW BIG DOLL HOUSE REVIEW AND OTHER PRISON FLIX</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJqjuPraqbefNif7E1nAG8FLrVKc7eIh7roBEUHhP70oRVJGpr8fL7TeEUgEJKayM6qXMtCi9-JA8EZZlLpmdSTyCdLRTBcAcp_pvld5VQT2lPBY1hquWTiyLzjSLNQKhaAE0MIA4KUzP/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJqjuPraqbefNif7E1nAG8FLrVKc7eIh7roBEUHhP70oRVJGpr8fL7TeEUgEJKayM6qXMtCi9-JA8EZZlLpmdSTyCdLRTBcAcp_pvld5VQT2lPBY1hquWTiyLzjSLNQKhaAE0MIA4KUzP/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cultfilmfreaks.com/2014/11/locked-up-ladies-70s.html">CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW BIG DOLL HOUSE REVIEW AND OTHER PRISON FLIX</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaQz53BStY1j6s4HhSOvkcpa9L0gGypRTSJaYwXzZJQNWU_V7XDL2sBfQHMmQuPeGLjjXRfFKJcAP81_LFfby6dKApEHGOuSWrGBeKoTl2IHsoxQOvQ0bj9prxp5KcA4_kv2B3YNskqH6/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaQz53BStY1j6s4HhSOvkcpa9L0gGypRTSJaYwXzZJQNWU_V7XDL2sBfQHMmQuPeGLjjXRfFKJcAP81_LFfby6dKApEHGOuSWrGBeKoTl2IHsoxQOvQ0bj9prxp5KcA4_kv2B3YNskqH6/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listen to my podcast interview with Judy Brown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.adobe.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="105" id="125417" name="125417" width="210"><param name="movie" value="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf?file=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Fcultfilmfreak%2F2010%2F11%2F07%2Fjudy-brown-big-doll-house%2Fplaylist.xml&autostart=false&bufferlength=5&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashplayercallback.aspx" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Fcultfilmfreak%2F2010%2F11%2F07%2Fjudy-brown-big-doll-house%2fplaylist.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=210&height=105&volume=80&corner=rounded" width="210" height="105" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false" name="125417" id="125417" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 220px;">
<br />
Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/">internet radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cultfilmfreak">cultfilmfreak</a> on Blog Talk Radio</div>
<br />

bob rafelson, bruce dern, drama, ellen burstyn, independent, jack nicholson, seventies

BIG DOLL HOUSE HAS RELOCATED

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW BIG DOLL HOUSE REVIEW AND OTHER PRISON FLIX CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW BIG DOLL HOUSE REVIEW AND OTHER PRISON FLIX...

Written by James M. Tate / 12/14/2010 / No comments / bill wyman , charlie watts , concert film , keith richards , mick jagger , mick taylor , music , rolling stones , seventies

ROCKING WITH 'LADIES AND GENTLEMAN: THE ROLLING STONES'

<u><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtwzpeH6MMRJED-GpnjVSkMac_KHcfQ14xJLceBWjjUYuvpC-oF6uUhfExGieWPARiKoLQk1zKYkDoF_CM-oc0R-6Q_4Fgo6giV6dCaSfGPZ2tEbGITMh7M57hJ9vyRJ_Z9XDIVfYwS8v4x3Qlf9t8ZZ_FIHwXXZ7Jia6XwqkBciC83h2c_PYHpJvGw/s787/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-22%20at%204.41.50%20AM.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="787" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtwzpeH6MMRJED-GpnjVSkMac_KHcfQ14xJLceBWjjUYuvpC-oF6uUhfExGieWPARiKoLQk1zKYkDoF_CM-oc0R-6Q_4Fgo6giV6dCaSfGPZ2tEbGITMh7M57hJ9vyRJ_Z9XDIVfYwS8v4x3Qlf9t8ZZ_FIHwXXZ7Jia6XwqkBciC83h2c_PYHpJvGw/w400-h303/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-22%20at%204.41.50%20AM.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></b></u><div><div>
<div>You can't always get what you want, but if you try some time... You know the rest. Because if you <i>need </i>The Rolling Stones performing at the height of their reign, this is what the doctor ordered. But I <i>wanted </i>more close-ups of lead-guitarist Mick Taylor's fret-prancing fingers during his cascading solos (which does happen on LOVE IN VAIN), or Keith Richards playing five chords for the price of one, or Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman keeping it all steady... Instead of the camera glued mostly on Mick Jagger who, although mesmerizing at the helm of this rockin' Texas concert, often makes you forget they're a band. No matter, it's a show you can watch over and over: being that the only other way to hear the boys live during their early-seventies peak is through hard-to-find but worth-the-search imports. But Taylor's solo on Love in Vain is proof that, at one point, The Stones had their own guitar god... which was needed in the late sixties/early seventies guitar god era. Only wish he'd stayed. <u>Year: 1972 Rates: ****</u><br /></div></div></div>

bill wyman, charlie watts, concert film, keith richards, mick jagger, mick taylor, music, rolling stones, seventies

ROCKING WITH 'LADIES AND GENTLEMAN: THE ROLLING STONES'

You can't always get what you want, but if you try some time... You know the rest. Because if you need The Rolling Stones performing at...

Written by James M. Tate / 12/13/2010 / No comments / action , exploitation , gloria hendry , robert viharo , seventies , sherry jackson

BARE KNUCKLES

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-U6RWS_EZtdcFNA66hFzVEu7PDliF83Ju7IzIveyCHqPBQ307L2XvemBKarlK5xEdVRqxYOp9MyBXYDRtPs3WMVSUWEWjPg1PK6yxJAOag89HoWq3DUiiISCT-SXNPcY_w_vskDreD64/s1600/BARE%252BKNUCKLES.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550348289284508386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-U6RWS_EZtdcFNA66hFzVEu7PDliF83Ju7IzIveyCHqPBQ307L2XvemBKarlK5xEdVRqxYOp9MyBXYDRtPs3WMVSUWEWjPg1PK6yxJAOag89HoWq3DUiiISCT-SXNPcY_w_vskDreD64/s200/BARE%252BKNUCKLES.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 145px;" /></a><strong>title:</strong> BARE KNUCKLES<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1977</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Robert Viharo, Sherry Jackson, John Daniels, Gloria Hendry, Michael Heit</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> ***</div><br /><div></div><div>One of those cheapie films you can't believe you actually enjoyed. Centers on a rogue bounty hunter after a masked kung fu artist who, while hissing like a cat, murders women by night. Robert Viharo, resembling a criminal in a TV cop drama, makes for a decent tough guy hero. Gloria Hendry is a put-upon witness and Sherry Jackson, as Viharo's girl, is a lovely and effective damsel in distress. And the killer (pictured above), who resembles a nerdy accountant... and like most cinematic psychos, has intense mother issues... although very miscast and not much of an actor, adds to the overall low-budget charm. </div>

action, exploitation, gloria hendry, robert viharo, seventies, sherry jackson

BARE KNUCKLES

title: BARE KNUCKLES year: 1977 cast: Robert Viharo, Sherry Jackson, John Daniels, Gloria Hendry, Michael Heit rating: *** One of those ...

Written by James M. Tate / 12/08/2010 / No comments /

THE EXPENDABLES

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyznonkw4701GjVnG1R_6dLa9fTwUKbalp_xzFzha0cxUTHiZKKaM7jhtDOdR58xpRVvcBqWV-8rAe0Om3uXDNKEGoYY0aUraAuO4wFRNG_80W4zlRLXAcagA5dF_jKt2zFlX4nO2MkE/s1600/the_expendables_stallone1a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548561265903234866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyznonkw4701GjVnG1R_6dLa9fTwUKbalp_xzFzha0cxUTHiZKKaM7jhtDOdR58xpRVvcBqWV-8rAe0Om3uXDNKEGoYY0aUraAuO4wFRNG_80W4zlRLXAcagA5dF_jKt2zFlX4nO2MkE/s200/the_expendables_stallone1a.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title: </span>THE EXPENDABLES<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">year:</span> 2010<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cast:</span> Sylvester Stallone, Jason Stratham, Dolph Lungren, Eric Roberts, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Terry Crews, Steve Austin<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">writer/director:</span> Sylvester Stallone<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">rating:</span> *1/2<br /><br />Worse than the straight-to-DVD garbage Sylvester Stallone was stuck with a few years back, not only for the thin plot, the bad dialog, the choppy editing, the shaky cam, or the CGI, but because  for an action film: there's simply not enough of it. Jet Li, a premiere Kung Fu artist, is teased for being short but hardly shows his stuff. Other than Jason Stratham and Sly himself, the other ensemble have little to add to the mission: taking out an ex-CIA baddie from a third world country. Mickey Rourke merely sits around his tattoo parlor philosophizing about women, and a cameo by Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger seems completely out of place. Perhaps the entire film could be condensed into a ten minute prologue, and hopefully the already-planned sequel can pick up where this never began: because there's tons of potential to make something <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>dumb but in a <span style="font-style: italic;">great </span>way.

THE EXPENDABLES

title: THE EXPENDABLES year: 2010 cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Stratham, Dolph Lungren, Eric Roberts, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Eric Rober...

Written by James M. Tate / 12/06/2010 / No comments / action , espionage , ian fleming , james bond , seventies , sid haig

CONNERY BOND SIX: DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547708711715858978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EQERIzS_vf8AUSGTuMpbUOoC51MVe1vlYroQ4n4l_2zRtQ-wknLwOSg3Sbe_sl5Bh6Xwnc5JsceqNI8WIA17ezeJzaGkKGi9oDJLzjHr-xPsTzd6cm4Qz2R52OGOgD-kemtJGFXAOk8/s200/Diamonds+Are+Forever.jpg" style="height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 165px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1971 rating: ***</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EQERIzS_vf8AUSGTuMpbUOoC51MVe1vlYroQ4n4l_2zRtQ-wknLwOSg3Sbe_sl5Bh6Xwnc5JsceqNI8WIA17ezeJzaGkKGi9oDJLzjHr-xPsTzd6cm4Qz2R52OGOgD-kemtJGFXAOk8/s1600/Diamonds+Are+Forever.jpg"><b></b></a>This is the grand finale (if you don't consider NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN) for the quintessential James Bond actor Sean Connery, taking on arch nemesis Bloefield who, through surgery, has created a different persona and a few lookalikes. And, so, after a somewhat wooden George Lazenby failed HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, Sean was back in action... Or more like, reaction...<br />
<br />
The cat-lapped villain is smuggling lethal diamonds and Connery, suave, cool, and using another identity, goes from one dangerous situation to the next: figuring things along the way. Although there's too much bombastic gunplay during the last twenty minutes, taking from the rogue charm of the build-up, it all flows from start to finish. And in the next 007 film, LIVE AND LET DIE, a technically older yet younger looking Roger Moore carries on the franchise <i>just fine! </i>

action, espionage, ian fleming, james bond, seventies, sid haig

CONNERY BOND SIX: DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

1971 rating: *** This is the grand finale (if you don't consider NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN) for the quintessential James Bond actor Sean...

Written by James M. Tate / 12/02/2010 / No comments / action , beverly washburn , ellen burstyn , indie , jack hill , race car , richard davalos , sig haig , sixties

PIT STOP

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOebZtHjefFbmALOqS5LWVT_cTDM6r92Cb0qY6hCf9kPiLEa-AHmaMkE4cHexnifwmmqyNAbt4tdeALJ_0kxqM1C7iuHUk-3814SgGNzgEezQVoHZg_hGsYNgVk4ksPpw4Top-JI4W_0/s1600/pitstop.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546162979465204354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOebZtHjefFbmALOqS5LWVT_cTDM6r92Cb0qY6hCf9kPiLEa-AHmaMkE4cHexnifwmmqyNAbt4tdeALJ_0kxqM1C7iuHUk-3814SgGNzgEezQVoHZg_hGsYNgVk4ksPpw4Top-JI4W_0/s200/pitstop.jpg" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 160px; float: right; height: 200px;" /></a><strong>title:</strong> PIT STOP<strong><br />year:</strong> 1969<strong><br />cast:</strong> Richard Davalos, Brian Donlevy, Sig Haig, Ellen Burstyn, Beverly Washburn<strong><br />writer/director:</strong> Jack Hill<strong><br />rating:</strong> ****<div><br /><div>Unlike most racing flicks that followed, this doesn't rely on boring melodrama between hot-rods going around in circles, but centers on the exciting, if suicidal, Figure-8 racing with Dick Davalos as a loner who dreams of being number one. In his way is glorious villain Sid Haig, as "Hawk Sidney", getting "boos" from the crowd and playing nasty to the hilt: including over-the-top expressions and a sore-winner persona that steals the show. And while some of the behind-the-wheel shots look fake, Jack Hill's direction puts you right in the action.  </div></div>

action, beverly washburn, ellen burstyn, indie, jack hill, race car, richard davalos, sig haig, sixties

PIT STOP

title: PIT STOP year: 1969 cast: Richard Davalos, Brian Donlevy, Sig Haig, Ellen Burstyn, Beverly Washburn writer/director: Jack Hill ra...

Written by James M. Tate / 11/24/2010 / No comments / documentary , horror , science-fiction , tens

BEST WORST MOVIE

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-pGYXz-hnJdod2w-s-NmwwuAPTA-eliwgx5MISnyDxsN-LI3XcCPq7osWO8EUIThYlcsjhC2JO_Aiozg2tA7WjO_CDsk9ktAaR-V3Nf2cCpUQCBLr5511XkkfCvtW7yaRRNgMIx8msA/s1600/troll3.jpg"><b><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543198203107076178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-pGYXz-hnJdod2w-s-NmwwuAPTA-eliwgx5MISnyDxsN-LI3XcCPq7osWO8EUIThYlcsjhC2JO_Aiozg2tA7WjO_CDsk9ktAaR-V3Nf2cCpUQCBLr5511XkkfCvtW7yaRRNgMIx8msA/s200/troll3.jpg" style="float: right; height: 181px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></b></a><b>title:</b> BEST WORST MOVIE<br />
<b>year:</b> 2010<br />
<b>cast:</b> George Hardy, Michael Stephenson, Margo Prey, Connie Young, Darren Ewing, Jason Steadman, Claudio Fragasso, Rosella Drudi, James M. Tate<br />
<b>director:</b> Michael Stephenson<br />
<b>rating:</b> ***1/2<br />
<br />
A film in which I appear, as one of many fan/fanatics of the 1990 so-bad-it's-good horror flick TROLL2 (having written an unofficial sequel script), this documentary glosses over yesteryear's making of this amazingly terrible but hilariously engrossing gem while centering primarily on today's George Hardy, who played the patriarch of the "Waits" family who, swapping homes with a local "Nilbog" clan, battles the town's residents: a horde of goblins, not trolls. Hardy, a successful dentist in Alabama, got the role while practicing in Utah - the rest is history. The documentary, helmed by a mostly camera-obscured Michael Stephenson... who played "Joshua", the child actor who starred in the film... follows George at home: then as he greets fans at screenings across America, including an unsuccessful attempt at an autograph show overseas. While it's fun seeing (most of the) fellow cast members laughing about their past, it's Italian director Claudio Fragasso who steals the show as the essential antagonist... he's not sure why his movie's considered so bad, while Hardy and Stephenson embrace this phenomenon, using this documentary as an outlet: with captivating results.

documentary, horror, science-fiction, tens

BEST WORST MOVIE

title: BEST WORST MOVIE year: 2010 cast: George Hardy, Michael Stephenson, Margo Prey, Connie Young, Darren Ewing, Jason Steadman, Clau...

Written by James M. Tate / 11/18/2010 / No comments / cloris leachman , deborah winters , drama , eli wallach , hal holbrook , julie harris , rug culture , seventies , stephen mchattie

THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXZKSuZHoUwZlnCkvuNiwyvmrGqEALNFYdwXIcJ3YKg2iqNHVZ6VrQ9IOVNg0S20xNwUJRI0h5Y4Lw3-BIU4URmbrFmeY99TGZQID1aJW_rLWQKu7e3rgC2-dOd27LrJ-0cqC7pSCz8I/s1600/deborahwinters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXZKSuZHoUwZlnCkvuNiwyvmrGqEALNFYdwXIcJ3YKg2iqNHVZ6VrQ9IOVNg0S20xNwUJRI0h5Y4Lw3-BIU4URmbrFmeY99TGZQID1aJW_rLWQKu7e3rgC2-dOd27LrJ-0cqC7pSCz8I/s640/deborahwinters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1970 cast: Eli Wallach, Deborah Winters, Julie Harris, Stephen McHattie rating: ***1/2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
A psychedelic-era cult film about a suburban family with problems beneath the surface, headlined by rebellious teenager "Maxie," played by Deborah Winters who, when not freaking out on bad acid, scrutinizes her parent's shortcomings: like booze and hypocrisy.<br />
<br />
Eli Wallach is terrific as the drink-after-work patriarch, as are Stephen McHattie as the hippie son and wife Julie Harris, whose hard-nosed lecture to Maxie in a mental institution provides an explosive, and perhaps even effective, climax. But it's Deborah Winters alone, who, with a brooding reserve as intense as the drug-induced tirades, provides an underlying "vibe" throughout: where <i>anything </i>can happen... at <i>any</i> time. </div>

cloris leachman, deborah winters, drama, eli wallach, hal holbrook, julie harris, rug culture, seventies, stephen mchattie

THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR

year: 1970 cast: Eli Wallach, Deborah Winters, Julie Harris, Stephen McHattie rating: ***1/2 A psychedelic-era cult film about a suburb...

SPLICE

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFeA9ICEC7CRrN2OjnVTOQLumvvFWnIorROxSk0aJ2kLb0BEJf3PzYxikK8VDglVP-sSAk_iP7dN3QRIj6oJbY7Usd_ast8pe_fkTeYY1oIhxqT5F7q3BrG_9wzvgg8tOojtVhfW0oRU/s1600/splice_14.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540980010968562034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFeA9ICEC7CRrN2OjnVTOQLumvvFWnIorROxSk0aJ2kLb0BEJf3PzYxikK8VDglVP-sSAk_iP7dN3QRIj6oJbY7Usd_ast8pe_fkTeYY1oIhxqT5F7q3BrG_9wzvgg8tOojtVhfW0oRU/s200/splice_14.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><strong>title:</strong> SPLICE<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 2010</div><div><strong>year:</strong> Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine Chaneac, David Hewlett</div><div><strong>rating</strong>: **1/2</div><br /><div></div><div>The names of the two scientists, "Clive" (for "Frankenstein" actor Colin Clive) and "Elsa" (ala Elsa Lanchester, "The Bride of Frankenstein") is a nod to laboratory-set horror films and a prediction of what's to come. Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley create their own "monster" using animal, reptile and human DNA, thus resulting in a female creature resembling a Jurassic Park dilophosaurus till becoming a gorgeous winged teen bent on rebellion. It's involving till the last half hour when the couple move their untamed beast to a rural farmhouse, where there's not enough stuff to do, or people to kill.</div>

adrien brody, horror, sarah polley, suspense, zeroes

SPLICE

title: SPLICE year: 2010 year: Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine Chaneac, David Hewlett rating : **1/2 The names of the two scientists...

TRACKS

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBoQ2A4e6Q_kA0bDhE4FLMdjKg-qxkW4bahcDHLrCu-2F1vHF874Yw3wzH8oOvEUP69xPx7gbFPgqfKDhZZJadx9peKqhAJ2BEgiAwFO79OdyADuKBks-YVjSEzkSPqzXckUn5KDAqYs/s1600/tracks.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540975813114161122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBoQ2A4e6Q_kA0bDhE4FLMdjKg-qxkW4bahcDHLrCu-2F1vHF874Yw3wzH8oOvEUP69xPx7gbFPgqfKDhZZJadx9peKqhAJ2BEgiAwFO79OdyADuKBks-YVjSEzkSPqzXckUn5KDAqYs/s200/tracks.jpg" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 144px;" /></a><strong>title:</strong> TRACKS<br /><div><div><strong>year:</strong> 1977</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, Taryn Swope, Zack Norman, Michael Emil</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> **</div><br /><div>Before settling into character-driven films where the camera stayed in one or two settings, allowing the viewer to "realize" a plot through documentary-like conversation, Henry Jaglom used this same device in a train odyssey with Dennis Hopper, during the height of his real life drug use, playing a Vietnam vet escorting a dead soldier's body for burial. Hopper's too old and spaced-out for a soldier, especially one lusted-upon by young college lass Taryn Swope: unrealistically forgiving for his sporadic eccentricities. A meandering journey that even Dean Stockwell, Zack Norman and Michael Emil (the last two starring in Jaglom's next road movie, SITTING DUCKS, with terrific results) can't save. </div></div>

dean stockwell, dennis hopper, henry jaglom, michael emil, zack norman

TRACKS

title: TRACKS year: 1977 cast: Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, Taryn Swope, Zack Norman, Michael Emil rating: ** Before settling into cha...

MAHOGANY

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2WrzgwkoVYr-vdScp-VxS7767sIB-lx7OxCeeGo3swR2cUCHX5skTCavDA9n-p1_DaWqrG-iy5hjYcwo1Bl9D9igKDloUd1c6buHZFQPsS9btvE_xv-d6UZpkWrV6um5HOoGzwxgDic/s1600/mahogony.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540958130826577474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2WrzgwkoVYr-vdScp-VxS7767sIB-lx7OxCeeGo3swR2cUCHX5skTCavDA9n-p1_DaWqrG-iy5hjYcwo1Bl9D9igKDloUd1c6buHZFQPsS9btvE_xv-d6UZpkWrV6um5HOoGzwxgDic/s200/mahogony.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><strong>title:</strong> MAHOGANY<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1975</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Diana Ross, Anthony Perkins, Billy Dee Williams</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> **</div><br /><div></div><div>Odd pairing of eccentric Anthony Perkins, as a famously flitting photographer, and Diana Ross, as a would-be fashion designer stuck in a nowhere job... Perkins turning Ross into a famous model in Italy... is distracted with Ross's mundane relationship with Billy Dee Williams, a temperamental political climber in the slums of Chicago. "Mahogany" must choose between being Perkin's famous puppet or William's non-famous one. Her final choice is predictable, leading to a dull conclusion. </div>

anthony perkins, billy dee williams, blaxploitation, diana ross, seventies

MAHOGANY

title: MAHOGANY year: 1975 cast: Diana Ross, Anthony Perkins, Billy Dee Williams rating: ** Odd pairing of eccentric Anthony Perkins, as...

Written by James M. Tate / 11/11/2010 / No comments / action , blaxploitation , fred williamson , seventies

THAT MAN BOLT

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz30RaXhwWP8vGMN12UUy1MlrPC18Y_30H1jwJ2_SFMN8Me8XQD7ScosiDR58LKr03N-uvqjTSQ7mtuA9Dc0-lEsqPoVwoc8e8WDfg2NheR-tV7x2D8Ju1mFd-xOSL2e0pUg1-WghwRk/s1600/bolt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538463365184624850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz30RaXhwWP8vGMN12UUy1MlrPC18Y_30H1jwJ2_SFMN8Me8XQD7ScosiDR58LKr03N-uvqjTSQ7mtuA9Dc0-lEsqPoVwoc8e8WDfg2NheR-tV7x2D8Ju1mFd-xOSL2e0pUg1-WghwRk/s200/bolt.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 194px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 141px;" /></a><b>title:</b> THAT MAN BOLT<br />
<div>
<div>
<b>year:</b> 1973</div>
<div>
<b>cast:</b> Fred Williamson</div>
<div>
<b>rating:</b> ***1/2</div>
<br />
<div>
More Bond than Blaxploitation, this nifty adventure stars Fred Williamson as dapper badass Jefferson Bolt, with a lotta cash the bad guys want: but he's holding on no matter what's thrown at him. Ever-moving action makes up for a thin plot. Beautiful girls, a thug-ridden casino, big explosions on an island fortress: you can't ask for more... except maybe further adventures with the title character, which unfortunately never happened. </div>
</div>

action, blaxploitation, fred williamson, seventies

THAT MAN BOLT

title: THAT MAN BOLT year: 1973 cast: Fred Williamson rating: ***1/2 More Bond than Blaxploitation, this nifty adventure stars...

Written by James M. Tate / 11/05/2010 / No comments / eighties , horror , james farentino , lisa blount , melody anderson , suspense , zombie

DEAD & BURIED

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfG7T2CG-YVk06Ok1cAsaGjzIyn4JXCKCqYJq8-sVlu9y4PtKIUm4P-1ukYsB-tUJ3jWRmFiLixDJEQETS_WPdmGC3BzsrZufKngiL3086RiXHtsWGXcF5v5A5Gc64ozaAVlSHMP791Y/s1600/fQ5NA7cOH58BcxnNqxV51E5o5iu.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfG7T2CG-YVk06Ok1cAsaGjzIyn4JXCKCqYJq8-sVlu9y4PtKIUm4P-1ukYsB-tUJ3jWRmFiLixDJEQETS_WPdmGC3BzsrZufKngiL3086RiXHtsWGXcF5v5A5Gc64ozaAVlSHMP791Y/s1600/fQ5NA7cOH58BcxnNqxV51E5o5iu.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
Eighties horror/suspense centers on a small town where dead folks return to life, but instead of becoming the typical moaning, sleepwalking zombies they're as normal as can be.<br />
<div>
<br />
The local sheriff, James Farentino, investigates with sporadic advise from the elderly undertaker/plastic surgeon, Jack Albertson, but Melody Anderson, as Farantino's off-kilter stepford wife, and Lisa Blount (who died last week) as a gorgeous, and very lethal, hospital nurse, provide the real kicks.<br />
<br />
Jolts of music occurring each time a dead person unexpectedly reemerges into society is effectively chilling. And while the ending is quite predictable, this is a "walking dead" flick with style, substance and originality. </div>

eighties, horror, james farentino, lisa blount, melody anderson, suspense, zombie

DEAD & BURIED

Eighties horror/suspense centers on a small town where dead folks return to life, but instead of becoming the typical moaning, sleepwalk...

Written by James M. Tate / 11/03/2010 / No comments / computer animated , disney , michael keaton , ned beatty , pixar , prison , tens , tom hanks , wallace shawn

TOY STORY 3

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUS5ZIl9le4MwiVccWCIH8gD_uNu3C_0jTOwiOfuaNgHX0k1XjFALeDCT6lwwldAjnU7Rpa7ixCXObd8-K8IHASs-qRZ5lAz5u72UifiEVUe82hg-POFDEldV1XfSwqkuDvw7oih7fps/s1600/toy+story3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536147080283621138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUS5ZIl9le4MwiVccWCIH8gD_uNu3C_0jTOwiOfuaNgHX0k1XjFALeDCT6lwwldAjnU7Rpa7ixCXObd8-K8IHASs-qRZ5lAz5u72UifiEVUe82hg-POFDEldV1XfSwqkuDvw7oih7fps/s200/toy+story3.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><strong>title:</strong> TOY STORY 3<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 2010</div><div><strong>voices:</strong> Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Michael Keaton, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> ****</div><br /><div></div><div>The third (and possibly final) outing of the TOY STORY franchise is liken to an exploitation prison flick including the genre's staple elements: an evil warden, his ruthless henchmen, solitary confinement, and even good old fashion torture! The prison here is a daycare center, seeming like paradise at first and then becoming a nightmarish hellride our heroes must not only escape from, but their ultimate goal... to reach Andy's house before he ventures to college... adds suspenseful momentum equal, if not exceeding, the original. A prolonged death-impending sequence involving a flaming junkyard incinerator may be too intense for young children.</div>

computer animated, disney, michael keaton, ned beatty, pixar, prison, tens, tom hanks, wallace shawn

TOY STORY 3

title: TOY STORY 3 year: 2010 voices: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Michael Keaton, Joan Cusack, N...

Written by James M. Tate / 10/19/2010 / No comments / action , eighties , jason gedrick , larry b. scott , louis gossett jr. , military , robbie rist , teen , tim thomerson

IRON EAGLE

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdlXD-8xxnogRMRbRuGWMz_1xy93b-Zlq2hflpuFXaPBEf3HmySBCBKG51B_hok_kHe6ssPoM7FF7gFl_qW23N3x9gtV-TXlYHPKe5fxGU8Z2C4gPoBZ3HFtKwLPT74Aa3cTdDpPYFbU/s1600/iron-eagle.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529861306096018450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdlXD-8xxnogRMRbRuGWMz_1xy93b-Zlq2hflpuFXaPBEf3HmySBCBKG51B_hok_kHe6ssPoM7FF7gFl_qW23N3x9gtV-TXlYHPKe5fxGU8Z2C4gPoBZ3HFtKwLPT74Aa3cTdDpPYFbU/s200/iron-eagle.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 177px" /></a><strong>title:</strong> IRON EAGLE<br /><div><div><strong>year:</strong> 1986</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Jason Gedrick, Louis Gossett Jr., Jerry Levine, Larry B. Scott, Robbie Rist, Tim Thomerson</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> *</div><br /><div>Begins as an enjoyably bad film, the likes you'll on cable on a weekend afternoon, centering on a teenager, Jason Gedrick, whose military dad is captured in a third world country. He and his misfit buddies aim to pull off what the military won't: a rescue. Unfortunately, Gedrick's friendship with maverick flyer Louis Gossett Jr. takes over, and the other kids, including Robbie Rist, Jerry Levine, and Larry B. Scott, are replaced by tedious bouts of Gossett's rambling dialog to his young protegee, thus leading to the mission/dog fight that never quite establishes who's being battled up there. </div></div>

action, eighties, jason gedrick, larry b. scott, louis gossett jr., military, robbie rist, teen, tim thomerson

IRON EAGLE

title: IRON EAGLE year: 1986 cast: Jason Gedrick, Louis Gossett Jr., Jerry Levine, Larry B. Scott, Robbie Rist, Tim Thomerson rating: * ...

Written by James M. Tate / 10/12/2010 / No comments / ben gazzara , donna gordon , drama , independent , john cassavetes , mob , neo noir , seventies , timothy carey

THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE REVIEW HAS RELOCATED

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi_INuaTtNXaR3l5q3_yKsYehTAQ8vSwTV547QagmxxvfvOKGN6BMEWUG1U0rRmFCp9Pi6MVvYKvFC37GsRYjuuVE7l0_M46dToK7IgDYeZz3IoFE_UkV0VHHWfcrFfGLtkV-QSRcKooO/s1600/18489935_315820352180481_8374350590777312922_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi_INuaTtNXaR3l5q3_yKsYehTAQ8vSwTV547QagmxxvfvOKGN6BMEWUG1U0rRmFCp9Pi6MVvYKvFC37GsRYjuuVE7l0_M46dToK7IgDYeZz3IoFE_UkV0VHHWfcrFfGLtkV-QSRcKooO/s400/18489935_315820352180481_8374350590777312922_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>1978 Director's Cut by John Cassavetes</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitARArrDD3Oa8JgWceWlhLuJPCuusQ7FTiC1iQe-stIQ5uNJ0Fybl_HpGmsHDONWUaAblUfTGgjlJ5ftHSY5zCqaGx9t4jqR8CqoYXzq2MO3UunyQfxXC-wWcAJWMNSAUAOaL2ZarjgvI/s1600/Picture3_2-2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitARArrDD3Oa8JgWceWlhLuJPCuusQ7FTiC1iQe-stIQ5uNJ0Fybl_HpGmsHDONWUaAblUfTGgjlJ5ftHSY5zCqaGx9t4jqR8CqoYXzq2MO3UunyQfxXC-wWcAJWMNSAUAOaL2ZarjgvI/s320/Picture3_2-2-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Ben Gazzara and Timothy Carey</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In memorial of friend and actress, dancer and 70's starlet Donna Gordon, this review has moved to <a href="http://www.cultfilmfreaks.com/2017/07/donna-gordon.html">Donna's memorial page</a>...<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>

ben gazzara, donna gordon, drama, independent, john cassavetes, mob, neo noir, seventies, timothy carey

THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE REVIEW HAS RELOCATED

1978 Director's Cut by John Cassavetes Ben Gazzara and Timothy Carey In memorial of friend and actress, dancer and 70's st...

REVIEW FOR 'OPENING NIGHT' HAS MOVED

<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cultfilmfreaks.com/2018/09/possessed-by-laura.html">OPENING NIGHT HAS MOVED SO CLICK HERE TO FIND IT</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAc9T2ThneU3TC75SfNhnlsQTTejYYsDHilAp1_PrxPa-athvbIFwdLskuLzL9Hf3HZGMioaX9OdYVERKsY0FOj8uN-fKHh6lBIwYxrx2MCEKGhh5r9CS8ZPaDJooQmIyAfv4QXAA3PU6/s1600/41503605_572570733172107_8575818430362419200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAc9T2ThneU3TC75SfNhnlsQTTejYYsDHilAp1_PrxPa-athvbIFwdLskuLzL9Hf3HZGMioaX9OdYVERKsY0FOj8uN-fKHh6lBIwYxrx2MCEKGhh5r9CS8ZPaDJooQmIyAfv4QXAA3PU6/s1600/41503605_572570733172107_8575818430362419200_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cultfilmfreaks.com/2018/09/possessed-by-laura.html">click FOR THE NEW HOME OF OPENING NIGHT</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>

ben gazzara, drama, gena rowlands, independent, joan blondell, john cassavetes, paul stewart, seventies

REVIEW FOR 'OPENING NIGHT' HAS MOVED

OPENING NIGHT HAS MOVED SO CLICK HERE TO FIND IT click FOR THE NEW HOME OF OPENING NIGHT

Written by James M. Tate / 10/11/2010 / No comments / robert wagner , romance , sixties , steve mcqueen , war

THE WAR LOVER

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF652e0tCK6Vsw-MZnNHdnurX4-LyzbXLDEarnGZm0ob4EqxePMEBg6yVG53aWKT9EluqRAcsxNVwENRPysODEBkQanDQGyKnhSsW9riaW3m1lnr1xy3uGIZSLqM7D2nomn8ZQF9gxq8/s1600/warloverBig.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526970994134035954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF652e0tCK6Vsw-MZnNHdnurX4-LyzbXLDEarnGZm0ob4EqxePMEBg6yVG53aWKT9EluqRAcsxNVwENRPysODEBkQanDQGyKnhSsW9riaW3m1lnr1xy3uGIZSLqM7D2nomn8ZQF9gxq8/s200/warloverBig.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 169px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title:</span> THE WAR LOVER<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">year: </span>1962<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">cast:</span> Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, Michael Crawford<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">rating: </span>***1/2<br />
<br />
Steve McQueen and Robert Wagner make a fine team, but are polar opposites. McQueen, the pilot of a B52 bomber, is tops at his gig: becoming one with the plane, and as you might have guessed, he loves war. Wagner, the passive co-pilot, is both impressed by, and wary of, his partner: especially after setting sites on Wagner's girl, a gorgeous <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pacifist</span> Londoner who wants life back to normal. But what makes this film stand out beyond the semi-intriguing melodrama are the bomber planes, not stock footage but the real thing. And the momentum during the war scenes are topnotch, leading to a predictable climax that's quite <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">suspenseful</span> anyway.

robert wagner, romance, sixties, steve mcqueen, war

THE WAR LOVER

title: THE WAR LOVER year: 1962 cast: Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, Michael Crawford rating: ***1/2 Steve McQueen and Robert Wagner m...

THE MONSTER SQUAD

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt0qtuNd0KmUxuGK3KHdI4DZy1q6HJsnsHPaRRGV_wabUVZoG3Dbloxx-9JrVAlJWwxvol0pKZYRrSjahjkUinmajv__aRU_MEKlYIRrsq_u5MLolJSZpXm90iapYz6biq8a9e4BtMek/s1600/monster_squadbmp.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526964812710682114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt0qtuNd0KmUxuGK3KHdI4DZy1q6HJsnsHPaRRGV_wabUVZoG3Dbloxx-9JrVAlJWwxvol0pKZYRrSjahjkUinmajv__aRU_MEKlYIRrsq_u5MLolJSZpXm90iapYz6biq8a9e4BtMek/s200/monster_squadbmp.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 161px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">title: </span>THE MONSTER SQUAD<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">year:</span> 1987<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">cast:</span> Jon Gries<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">rating: </span>***<br /><br />Sure it's a total rehash, if ripoff, of "The Goonies", but these kid's love for monsters is far more interesting than buried treasure. After all, they have only their passion: and no map. The premise in which Dracula, Frankenstein, the Creature, and the Wolfman cross paths with the suburban "gang" is simplistic and forced, but once together there's plenty of action and even some genuinely scary, and downright creepy, moments: geared more for young adults than children. But it's the love for those iconic Universal Monsters that drives this film, and although things get somewhat tiresome midway through, it's a worthwhile ride.

eighties, ensemble, monster

THE MONSTER SQUAD

title: THE MONSTER SQUAD year: 1987 cast: Jon Gries rating: *** Sure it's a total rehash, if ripoff, of "The Goonies", but t...

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (REMAKE)

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNUMV2DSCtiOTxp7emJhqfZCJKrl_S_L62e6-4F2dDSdVmiSq0IOhoAvRfKswmsTecMjs5OEvBhZHIQuhArt2cLkxYP2m28qyDBtk24yU15L6Ks-SF2cDG0G8jYQG9EdVl170ZPf4qos/s1600/movie_mighty_joe2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526961616436071858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNUMV2DSCtiOTxp7emJhqfZCJKrl_S_L62e6-4F2dDSdVmiSq0IOhoAvRfKswmsTecMjs5OEvBhZHIQuhArt2cLkxYP2m28qyDBtk24yU15L6Ks-SF2cDG0G8jYQG9EdVl170ZPf4qos/s200/movie_mighty_joe2.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title: </span>MIGHTY JOE YOUNG<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">year: </span>1998<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cast:</span> Charlize Theron, Bill Paxton, Naveen Andrews, David Paymer<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">rating: </span>***<br /><br />The problem with humanizing the titular ape isn't that it makes the movie sappy. Well it does but that's not the problem. The same thing occurred in Peter Jackson's remake of KING KONG: that if you take a creature, and make him too realistic, you lose some of the dynamic. If Mighty Joe Young, or Kong for that matter, are really just gorillas who happen to be larger than normal, it takes away the monster-driven bedlam that made both original films, each produced, directed and written by the same folks, so classic. This, as a remake, isn't that bad, and the special effects are above average: it's difficult to tell what's CGI or otherwise. Bill Paxton makes for a decent accidental hero, and Charlize Theron fills Terry Moore's shoes decently enough. But there needed more old school mindless action and less weepy backstory.

bill paxton, charlize theron, creature, nineties, remake

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (REMAKE)

title: MIGHTY JOE YOUNG year: 1998 cast: Charlize Theron, Bill Paxton, Naveen Andrews, David Paymer rating: *** The problem with humanizing...

Written by James M. Tate / 10/08/2010 / No comments / david warner , don siegel , harry guardino , james coburn , nick adams , sixties , steve mcqueen

HELL IS FOR HEROES

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MxCPKOi8W3DHoJnoIfKQ7Aa5S7tgOUuZyItzCvqm7sHgq5JJ3w0Rer0M7Il4_HuyjiBm-tnxBLgvxzBVtS99erGh2xuwFvN3kDQ0b_8kTRZ7Dy_3uzHUBDZu0EEVTJQwpqM4MIKArCk/s1600/hellisforheroes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525828147872008322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MxCPKOi8W3DHoJnoIfKQ7Aa5S7tgOUuZyItzCvqm7sHgq5JJ3w0Rer0M7Il4_HuyjiBm-tnxBLgvxzBVtS99erGh2xuwFvN3kDQ0b_8kTRZ7Dy_3uzHUBDZu0EEVTJQwpqM4MIKArCk/s200/hellisforheroes.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 195px;" /></a><b>title:</b> HELL IS FOR HEROES<br /><div><b>year:</b> 1962</div><div><b>cast:</b> Steve McQueen, Nick Adams, Harry Guardino, Bob Newhart, Mike Kellin, Fess Parker, James Coburn</div><div><b>director:</b> Don Siegel </div><div><b>rating:</b> ***</div><br /><div></div><div>Ensemble war film plays like an episode of COMBAT as an outnumbered American troop, poised against a German battalion in a bevy of foxholes, fight the odds and each other. Steve McQueen is effective as an eerily subdued hellion whose only talent occurs in battle; he prefers killing to waiting around like the others including James Coburn as a witty mechanic, Nick Adams a young Russian, Harry Guardino a firm Sargent, and (of all people) Bob Newhart as a nerdy typist accidentally thrust into the dire situation, providing his famous phone bit to trick the Germans. Director Don Siegel moves things along at a nice pace and although the acting's a bit stagy, and stock footage takes away from some of the climactic battle, it all works as a kind of mellow War Noir. </div>

david warner, don siegel, harry guardino, james coburn, nick adams, sixties, steve mcqueen

HELL IS FOR HEROES

title: HELL IS FOR HEROES year: 1962 cast: Steve McQueen, Nick Adams, Harry Guardino, Bob Newhart, Mike Kellin, Fess Parker, James Coburn...

Written by James M. Tate / 10/01/2010 / No comments / christine lauti , comedy , daphne zuniga , eighties , john scott clough , matthew modine , romantic comedy , todd field

GROSS ANATOMY

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQC0jCAR2SmtmHNIHejrtt0HGeiM5oxSDKsxRRMEoYwh2XMg4S-9PhUVWnwkzypfUtmbGc_8fjX7UIyeJButEDEdrNkE5CHur5hGTQLnhzWI43MfBjpDfQ28flV7YzBEExmqk4amEPk4/s1600/1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523144497815087234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQC0jCAR2SmtmHNIHejrtt0HGeiM5oxSDKsxRRMEoYwh2XMg4S-9PhUVWnwkzypfUtmbGc_8fjX7UIyeJButEDEdrNkE5CHur5hGTQLnhzWI43MfBjpDfQ28flV7YzBEExmqk4amEPk4/s200/1.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 174px; cursor: pointer;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title:</span> GROSS ANATOMY<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">year:</span> 1989<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cast: </span>Matthew Modine, Daphne Zuniga, Christine Lauti, Todd Field, John Scott Clough<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">rating:</span> ***1/2<br /><br />One of the best romantic comedies set in the world of gross anatomy. Okay there's not many others but that's what makes this stand out. Along with Matthew Modine, whose usual offbeat charm gels with Daphne Zuniga's conceited eventually-she'll-come-around primadonna, the other med students: including Todd Field as Modine's troubled roommate and Jim Carrey doppelganger John Scott Clough as the jerky but likable "Frank Burns" character, elevate this from other med school comedies. Christine Lauti, as the hardnosed professor, adds style and depth to the proceedings.

christine lauti, comedy, daphne zuniga, eighties, john scott clough, matthew modine, romantic comedy, todd field

GROSS ANATOMY

title: GROSS ANATOMY year: 1989 cast: Matthew Modine, Daphne Zuniga, Christine Lauti, Todd Field, John Scott Clough rating: ***1/2 One of...

FOR LOVE OR MONEY

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju30qDLLYC6asq2Te5U4aSNsqafkXF5jxa2qW2CdEqqXwq_o0Movyy2IdgU1BczOobmrexOghT6XrvUMbMBHyR63bopgwwOCWTluYNaVRwv4wdV4qguKWz59LV243ygad0pvPcDnDquCM/s1600/For+Love+or+Money.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523141597543487538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju30qDLLYC6asq2Te5U4aSNsqafkXF5jxa2qW2CdEqqXwq_o0Movyy2IdgU1BczOobmrexOghT6XrvUMbMBHyR63bopgwwOCWTluYNaVRwv4wdV4qguKWz59LV243ygad0pvPcDnDquCM/s200/For+Love+or+Money.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 156px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title:</span> FOR LOVE OR MONEY<br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">year: 1</span>993<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cast:</span> Michael J. Fox, Gabrielle Anwar, Anthony Higgins<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">director: </span>Barry Sonnenfeld<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">rating: </span>***1/2<br /><br />Michael J. Fox revamps his "Secret of my Success" in a film that's even better. Seems like a goofball throwaway until Fox... as a hotel concierge whose job is to take care of the rich and powerful, in trying to seal a deal for his own dream hotel helps a millionaire keep his young lover in line... falls for the girl and has to choose between... well you already know the title. As Fox gets more inebriated with Gabrielle Anwar things get more complicated and entertaining. This is a romantic comedy with not only hijinx but interesting characters. Anthony Higgins (a British actor who played a Nazi in "Raiders of the Lost Ark") makes a perfect charming sleazeball ala Donald Trump.<br /></div>

anthony higgins, barry sonnenfield, bob balaban, gabrielle anwar, michael j. fox, nineties, richard b. schull, romantic comedy

FOR LOVE OR MONEY

title: FOR LOVE OR MONEY year: 1 993 cast: Michael J. Fox, Gabrielle Anwar, Anthony Higgins director: Barry Sonnenfeld rating: ***1/2 Mich...

Written by James M. Tate / 9/23/2010 / No comments / geri reischl , horror , l.q. jones , seventies , strother martin , suspense

THE BROTHERHOOD OF SATAN

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520170922201581618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujfjNwfDbxsy5sKnj8xp2OlN8ppf-pVYUO-pZlAS3XjEjEcSUCrY1vbyOUkfY-JA6adpvg3cU_VpgT5JVFKw-Pk1MpQIyLpvBE1nEyplaAEMu0l_Wajo_fn4cfeAexCXODzTzLl7-BPY/s200/satan1.jpg" style="height: 180px; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px;" title="" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future Fake Jan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>title:</b> THE BROTHERHOOD OF SATAN<br />
<div>
<b>year:</b> 1973</div>
<div>
<b>cast:</b> Strother Martin, Geri Reischl, LQ Jones, Charles Bateman</div>
<div>
<b>rating:</b> *1/2</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The would-be brilliant casting of Strother Martin as the leader of a Devil-worshiping cult is completely wasted by a pointless script centering on a family who happens upon a rural small town and, along with everyone else, cannot leave. The resident adults choke to death while their kids, hypnotized, join Martin's cult consisting of overlong sermons and lots of candles but absolutely no chills, thrills, or purpose.</span></div>

geri reischl, horror, l.q. jones, seventies, strother martin, suspense

THE BROTHERHOOD OF SATAN

Future Fake Jan title: THE BROTHERHOOD OF SATAN year: 1973 cast: Strother Martin, Geri Reischl, LQ Jones, Charles Bateman ratin...

Written by James M. Tate / 9/17/2010 / No comments / action , cheech and chong , dark comedy , dick miller , drama , eighties , griffin dunne , john heard , martin scorsese

MARTIN SCORSESE'S FRENETIC NEON NOIR OF 'AFTER HOURS'

<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB92tw1IwKgxnXdWbpDGvEkg0K8HchLNrFtJGLDMherbfekL4Y8-sZ8rLC35mupAOjO0mX2ArxHfO4oqLSKUWjq38LiDUeru5-tXjib9-OwJMbJ_5yYrZIA7HJR9-rfs46ERdCaNsSXlB3CmAd3uNQqpc1Q_8PQoY70Ucii9e5OI7Nf37N0rXFwJKzSg/s1180/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%202.53.14%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB92tw1IwKgxnXdWbpDGvEkg0K8HchLNrFtJGLDMherbfekL4Y8-sZ8rLC35mupAOjO0mX2ArxHfO4oqLSKUWjq38LiDUeru5-tXjib9-OwJMbJ_5yYrZIA7HJR9-rfs46ERdCaNsSXlB3CmAd3uNQqpc1Q_8PQoY70Ucii9e5OI7Nf37N0rXFwJKzSg/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%202.53.14%20PM.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>title: AFTER HOURS year: 1985 cast: Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette rating: *****</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The underrated Griffin Dunne stars in a dark comedy/Film Noir homage involving a bored word processor who takes a bad luck odyssey on a lonesome evening, leaving his lonely apartment and following the "rabbit" (Rosanna Arquette) into artsy Soho, New York, and is eventually accused of many things he didn't do: all the while connecting with various woman, each unluckier than the next. Martin Scorsese directs with fanatic precision, but it's Dunne's ride...<br />
<br />
Not only does he deliver some of the funniest glib humor ever, but as he's progressively unravelled his frustrated irritation turns to panicked desperation: making this one of the most entertaining performances in the history of cinema. And that's no exaggeration.  </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WdqX3S1CNSNk9ZshMW_Uf9UMsnsY1qrRraaiPrGvPSUJ3t00isQBxhkhEQUNK8QskS9wsqVHyVSNthhOF-gGuPdBriHmWkZ-2OqkFXVEv4vQ9zBlzQAWe_eLXBtSt7WgTik91kYor0WXilh6L3VgOwBEhpKKmosEZUyxSRiCMztmaVAwleBK26DD_w/s1879/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%201.55.32%20PM%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1879" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WdqX3S1CNSNk9ZshMW_Uf9UMsnsY1qrRraaiPrGvPSUJ3t00isQBxhkhEQUNK8QskS9wsqVHyVSNthhOF-gGuPdBriHmWkZ-2OqkFXVEv4vQ9zBlzQAWe_eLXBtSt7WgTik91kYor0WXilh6L3VgOwBEhpKKmosEZUyxSRiCMztmaVAwleBK26DD_w/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%201.55.32%20PM%201.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Griffin Dunne in AFTER HOURS</u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW-9PgMLXwyCHXzSPzIoUKSJJDkpUE7fTvZlxo9Lxlh7QMXUOzdHg2g2PD7OWcgENeKDkTJ_O2S7reyuf2mCCcaTjhY_3AUPiq_3aljZDyA_FHz-yzeLrkGcNOqufg3DIvr3dFrc01Xttrq93D1MUWgroJoIe-aVpL8713rkIgn7qJB6u4E-jhCFa8w/s1414/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%201.51.03%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW-9PgMLXwyCHXzSPzIoUKSJJDkpUE7fTvZlxo9Lxlh7QMXUOzdHg2g2PD7OWcgENeKDkTJ_O2S7reyuf2mCCcaTjhY_3AUPiq_3aljZDyA_FHz-yzeLrkGcNOqufg3DIvr3dFrc01Xttrq93D1MUWgroJoIe-aVpL8713rkIgn7qJB6u4E-jhCFa8w/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%201.51.03%20PM.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Griffin Dunne in AFTER HOURS</u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xDMxrp6DZ3Jf0_oubgkdWZLRHhAuLVzOHIFic-062unHdzbSaDKoXyHqbL5cXeoNz428nh_RbQf20WQxyUH1_0bdeb82jwQHYSWvh4Q2dDtLadPLQVmqywZ3fdAN5BpnHUJoX-lTrNHQq5xxA24nwNVjV4cn6WqON0lnkEQCWjenwYMDAnjIwdzOHw/s1822/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%201.53.28%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xDMxrp6DZ3Jf0_oubgkdWZLRHhAuLVzOHIFic-062unHdzbSaDKoXyHqbL5cXeoNz428nh_RbQf20WQxyUH1_0bdeb82jwQHYSWvh4Q2dDtLadPLQVmqywZ3fdAN5BpnHUJoX-lTrNHQq5xxA24nwNVjV4cn6WqON0lnkEQCWjenwYMDAnjIwdzOHw/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%201.53.28%20PM.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Griffin Dunne in AFTER HOURS</u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb2RAe4zmWFjKx63_tLgfu2N723NW1dMsYW5mmgC9cPdsfFnG1z-5SucBQ9od8WklhNEqfOeg6ADLaXYJvup4OsOwxD-aXWbIOoiL1glgyoKHowT1uvcSYr_oeHSU9VGAo5MjUutrHTPfUe9HFu6XDRfn6EqVIkgKGmRvkZpt8yCmjFm3KP7ewRtHoQ/s1748/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%201.53.36%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1748" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb2RAe4zmWFjKx63_tLgfu2N723NW1dMsYW5mmgC9cPdsfFnG1z-5SucBQ9od8WklhNEqfOeg6ADLaXYJvup4OsOwxD-aXWbIOoiL1glgyoKHowT1uvcSYr_oeHSU9VGAo5MjUutrHTPfUe9HFu6XDRfn6EqVIkgKGmRvkZpt8yCmjFm3KP7ewRtHoQ/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%201.53.36%20PM.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Griffin Dunne in AFTER HOURS</u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CRwnvdf7YLCt3Qw8L8_xWPwnVXCCQHewJ3OSZjFebY3wK0Fn_COgQwaQEh1kRGxWgYiAlSGeuA3VH68gxKiZklM6ItmE1P0lNegpdqswXwiCkCpySZwQriUTps1Q1sryFtMkv0Lgloq5O3ju4wfKzpSuNuo9Jnom8mbn8vcCsylJdJRmiCtxkXxSaA/s1638/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%202.06.06%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CRwnvdf7YLCt3Qw8L8_xWPwnVXCCQHewJ3OSZjFebY3wK0Fn_COgQwaQEh1kRGxWgYiAlSGeuA3VH68gxKiZklM6ItmE1P0lNegpdqswXwiCkCpySZwQriUTps1Q1sryFtMkv0Lgloq5O3ju4wfKzpSuNuo9Jnom8mbn8vcCsylJdJRmiCtxkXxSaA/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-14%20at%202.06.06%20PM.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Credits for AFTER HOURS</u></td></tr></tbody></table><br />

action, cheech and chong, dark comedy, dick miller, drama, eighties, griffin dunne, john heard, martin scorsese

MARTIN SCORSESE'S FRENETIC NEON NOIR OF 'AFTER HOURS'

title: AFTER HOURS year: 1985 cast: Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette rating: ***** The underrated Griffin Dunne stars in a dark comedy/Film ...

Written by James M. Tate / 8/21/2010 / No comments / andy griffith , drama , fifties , lee remick , patricia neal , politics , walter matthau

A FACE IN THE CROWD

<span style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_61_rx4oqy1ajsdYT8A9lGk9DudxcizY25Ibb723JNvDRgIhej_TtpyEpeRANALtuCXfkU9T2XVABOmvNv2eBff68gYiA-tSL6XICG5KTjZSbKPaJf0Ss0zoWycUQXlAEiH1_r628lnqXD6BIX2S_YdNGgsok1lD5Ns7y9qQyqO0_XK6BFKvxp2UDZA/s1330/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-16%20at%209.59.15%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1330" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_61_rx4oqy1ajsdYT8A9lGk9DudxcizY25Ibb723JNvDRgIhej_TtpyEpeRANALtuCXfkU9T2XVABOmvNv2eBff68gYiA-tSL6XICG5KTjZSbKPaJf0Ss0zoWycUQXlAEiH1_r628lnqXD6BIX2S_YdNGgsok1lD5Ns7y9qQyqO0_XK6BFKvxp2UDZA/w200-h181/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-16%20at%209.59.15%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></div></span><span>title:</span> A FACE IN THE CROWD<span> year:</span> 1957<span> cast: </span>Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Walter Mattau, Lee Remick<span> director:</span> Elia Kazan <span>rating:</span> ***<br />
<br />
The first half has charm and a nice story arc of a guitar-slinging slick-talking bum turned radio personality then TV host i.e. the man of the people aka "Lonesome Rhodes", played with sublime gusto by Andy Griffith. Patricia Neal, as a radio show producer, pulls the strings, falls in love, and eventually Rhodes glides into womanizing and worse yet, backing a politician. This occurs during the second half as the characters, and the story, declines into an overly-obvious over-the-top message: not that too much fame will ruin a normal man, but that politics, when mixed with television, doesn't work and can be America's downfall. (Ironic how, three years after this film, one of the most popular presidents of all time would be elected for that very reason.) Rhode's climb to the top, from rags to riches, is a treat; but once he arrives, the movie, like the main character, loses focus and never quite regains.

andy griffith, drama, fifties, lee remick, patricia neal, politics, walter matthau

A FACE IN THE CROWD

title: A FACE IN THE CROWD year: 1957 cast: Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Walter Mattau, Lee Remick director: Elia Kazan rating: *** ...

Written by James M. Tate / 8/16/2010 / No comments / comedy , forties , margaret o'brien , marshall thompson , wallace beery , western

BAD BASCOMB

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTUyXwww-CiYYb07sC7XMF4X7uyqvSvo2shRMcJ_-pqD2h-4npIn9mCMprVMazqHq5X0we3-G1wiSsIg437dTb9lhNQTM314RWEuCLlH34B5RYlNiSe3HB3Xl_22Ttzf2wQdUk7j5qa4/s1600/200px-Bad_Bascomb_1946.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506164747104425298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTUyXwww-CiYYb07sC7XMF4X7uyqvSvo2shRMcJ_-pqD2h-4npIn9mCMprVMazqHq5X0we3-G1wiSsIg437dTb9lhNQTM314RWEuCLlH34B5RYlNiSe3HB3Xl_22Ttzf2wQdUk7j5qa4/s200/200px-Bad_Bascomb_1946.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 161px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">title:</span> BAD BASCOMB<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">year: </span>1946<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">cast: </span>Wallace Beery, Margaret O'Brien, Marshall Thompson<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">rating: </span>**<br /><br />A Western involving a few salty marauders who happen upon a stagecoach-circle with woman of slain soldiers, and one little girl, played by Margaret O'Brien, who ends up melting the lead baddie's heart. Scenes with Wallace Berry and child actress O'Brien (around six years of age) are the creepiest thing I've witnessed in an "old movie" as O'Brien keeps telling Beery she wants to marry him, and in one particular scene they are off in the brush away from the camp, and she teaches him how to kiss. I realize this film, about the old codger being changed by the cute little girl, has its heart in the right place: but the beat is highly irregular. Other than that the story moves along pretty decently, although seems quite stagy and claustrophobic overall.

comedy, forties, margaret o'brien, marshall thompson, wallace beery, western

BAD BASCOMB

title: BAD BASCOMB year: 1946 cast: Wallace Beery, Margaret O'Brien, Marshall Thompson rating: ** A Western involving a few salty marau...

Written by James M. Tate / 8/04/2010 / No comments / alfred hitchcock , anthony dawson , crime , fifties , film noir or melodrama , grace kelly , perfect murder , ray milland , robert cummings , suspense

DIAL M FOR MURDER

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRb3rcptmgIX0Up4G1xR5wZ4OC5PEtaDtoyAzYUQpkBgMFOyJlTvzSuEnifxlWPi-e3f8f6dxn2F_WaBPIDigltcRk0NvRDzxFG9tb_b40AyLaMJDOYoySTbgnodinkXljXdysuZZ-jKN/s1600/dial+m+for+murder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRb3rcptmgIX0Up4G1xR5wZ4OC5PEtaDtoyAzYUQpkBgMFOyJlTvzSuEnifxlWPi-e3f8f6dxn2F_WaBPIDigltcRk0NvRDzxFG9tb_b40AyLaMJDOYoySTbgnodinkXljXdysuZZ-jKN/s640/dial+m+for+murder.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>year: </b>1954 <b> rating: </b>***</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Perhaps it's Alfred Hitchcock's fault. He made his villain so likable that the third act of this classic melodrama becomes a let-down when the somewhat one-dimensional good guys, including a cop and a crime novelist, hone in on the wrathfully delightful Ray Milland...<br />
<br />
The always-intense actor deliciously plots a "perfect murder" of his rich wife during a gloriously long scene (with Anthony Dawson) in that sublimely <i>executed</i> second act, thus leading to the pivotal "homocide" that still packs a wallop.<br />
<br />
What Hitchcock and his actors do with few locations, and tons of dialogue, is amazing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>

alfred hitchcock, anthony dawson, crime, fifties, film noir or melodrama, grace kelly, perfect murder, ray milland, robert cummings, suspense

DIAL M FOR MURDER

year: 1954 rating: *** Perhaps it's Alfred Hitchcock's fault. He made his villain so likable that the third act of this classi...

Written by James M. Tate / 8/03/2010 / No comments / action , bio , lawrence tierney , robert shaw , robert siodmak , sixties , suspense , western

CUSTER OF THE WEST

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip351Bgu0hWOtQssbyrB2G_TKZcw5slQeEQNNyd_8eDOYEPAp3CgB5ahZpsGDoBVwp3hUIfGAWksrsyHcP1lDqUsNG5q60Bpa8jhId0-vdeI5jrFCK8bBO-85lLTv3h-m1MEunCMNTqBg/s1600/custer+of+the+west.gif"><strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501263915108159634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip351Bgu0hWOtQssbyrB2G_TKZcw5slQeEQNNyd_8eDOYEPAp3CgB5ahZpsGDoBVwp3hUIfGAWksrsyHcP1lDqUsNG5q60Bpa8jhId0-vdeI5jrFCK8bBO-85lLTv3h-m1MEunCMNTqBg/s200/custer+of+the+west.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" /></strong></a><strong>title:</strong> CUSTER OF THE WEST<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1967</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Robert Shaw, Lawrence Tierney, Ty Hardin, Mary Ure</div><div><strong>director:</strong> Robert Siodmak</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> ***1/2 </div><div><br />Two action-packed scenes sum up this entire film of the famous general who died infamously: or vice versa. One has two miners tied down by Indians to a stage coach trying to survive as they wind along a mountainous trail; another has a soldier riding down a log-jam as he escapes from a band of Indians. In both situations, the characters wind up like our title character, and yet the suspense, thanks for director Robert Siodmak, keeps the viewer interested till the bitter end. Sporadic conversations between Custer and General Sheridan (Lawrence Tierney), showing Custer in a sympathetic light, are highlights in a somewhat muddled bio that goes on too long but has some great moments: Robert Shaw's mesmerizing style of delivering monologues enhance a mediocre script. The last twenty minutes, leading up to, and then rushing the battle of, Little Big Horn, is a let-down: but it's the build-up, thanks to a capable director and cast, that works. </div>

action, bio, lawrence tierney, robert shaw, robert siodmak, sixties, suspense, western

CUSTER OF THE WEST

title: CUSTER OF THE WEST year: 1967 cast: Robert Shaw, Lawrence Tierney, Ty Hardin, Mary Ure director: Robert Siodmak rating: ***1/2 T...

Written by James M. Tate / 7/17/2010 / No comments / dan curtis , horror , karen black , oliver reed , seventies , suspense

BURNT OFFERINGS

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpIysewzxLJ4SVMmJLA9Ggb1v22wuo9ka8_Poyz1HqSgllmjF2g-WmUyxh221MOQl_FoAPd4FLk7JTNm-dzP-qGzNaxg2CFDkRgaLcgzdEEdRNwHxtIR2jqEbf7vsvXvQ1dvOY66CiFI/s1600/vlcsnap-193001.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494999289113837170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpIysewzxLJ4SVMmJLA9Ggb1v22wuo9ka8_Poyz1HqSgllmjF2g-WmUyxh221MOQl_FoAPd4FLk7JTNm-dzP-qGzNaxg2CFDkRgaLcgzdEEdRNwHxtIR2jqEbf7vsvXvQ1dvOY66CiFI/s200/vlcsnap-193001.png" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 186px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title: </span>BURNT OFFERINGS<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">year: </span>1976<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">cast: </span>Oliver Reed, Karen Black<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">director:</span> Dan Curtis<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">rating: </span>**<br />
<br />
A family, consisting of a strong-willed, serious-minded husband; a faithful wife who sets up a room with his typewriter; and their young son moving into a large house for the summer. It's haunted, and within days, the father becomes violent towards the son. The house has a strange past that overlaps into the family's life. And after an extremely predictable ending, the last shot is of the family members seen in pictures within the house: as if they'd <span style="font-style: italic;">always </span>lived there. Sound familiar? This is very much like THE SHINING. Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick both should haven given credit to not only this film, but the novel in which it was based. Although since it's not very good... the suspenseful setup working much better than when the plot takes hold... and no one seemed to care to acknowledge it.

dan curtis, horror, karen black, oliver reed, seventies, suspense

BURNT OFFERINGS

title: BURNT OFFERINGS year: 1976 cast: Oliver Reed, Karen Black director: Dan Curtis rating: ** A family, consisting of a strong-wil...

Written by James M. Tate / 7/13/2010 / No comments / action , body count , crime , don siegel , drugs , eli wallach , fifties , film noir or melodrama , richard jaekal , robert keith , TV adaptation

THE LINEUP

action, body count, crime, don siegel, drugs, eli wallach, fifties, film noir or melodrama, richard jaekal, robert keith, TV adaptation

THE LINEUP

THIS REVIEW HAS MOVED HERE: CLICK FOR THE NEW IMPROVED LINEUP REVIEW

JMT