Curly (George Kennedy) strong-arms a mortician (John Doucette)…
...for information about John Elder (Wayne).
Duke returns unexpectedly, and...
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
John Wayne's Coolest Scenes #5: Axe Handle, "The Sons of Katie Elder" (1965) (video)
Curly (George Kennedy) strong-arms a mortician (John Doucette)…
...for information about John Elder (Wayne).
Duke returns unexpectedly, and...
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
GONE CRAZY -- DVD Review by Porfle
Talk about obscure--I couldn't find any info about GONE CRAZY online, it isn't on IMDb, and even the press release from IndiePix Films lists its year as "1980s." (Amazon says "1980" and the DVD cover says "1983.")
The castmembers who actually appear on IMDb have no credit in their filmographies that resembles it. That alone gives this enigmatic effort a bit of lost-film mystique which adds to its interest.
It's an interest this movie can use, being a rather dull and unremarkable affair. What makes it noteworthy is that it's part of a roster of South African films made during apartheid and shown to black audiences, films which have succumbed to neglect over the years but are now being digitally restored and released to modern-day audiences as part of IndiePix Films' "Retro Afrika Collection."
The mayor calls in the town's chief inspector while a lady scientist, Professor Gumbi, hires a private investigator. The two end up working together to track down Vusi and find the bomb before it can destroy the town and its inhabitants. Vusi, meanwhile, kidnaps Professor Gumbi and leaves her tied up atop the dam as the minutes tick down to detonation.
This is very basic stuff--blandly directed, languidly paced, and repetitive (the same exposition and plot points get rehashed over and over while the good guys try to decide their next move). Most of it is filmed in cramped indoor sets until finally, in the third act, a terrific found location is used as the town's dam.
Visually, GONE CRAZY is sort of a spiritual cousin to those threadbare shot-on-video titles that started coming out in the 80s and 90s when anybody with a video camera could make movies (the works of J.R. Bookwalter come to mind), although being shot on actual film makes a big difference. The print used here has been restored quite nicely.
While many viewers may rightly avoid a film of this nature, I derive a good deal of fun and pleasure from watching such an effort in which the filmmakers have severely limited resources with which they do their best to turn out passable entertainment.
In its own way, GONE CRAZY is sort of the cinematic equivalent of "primitive art"--earnestly done and, if watched in the right frame of mind, somewhat endearing.
TECH SPECS
Actors: Pepsi Mabizela, Fikile Majozi, Roy Dlamini
Format: Color, NTSC, 3:2, Stereo
Language: Zulu
Subtitles: English
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR
Studio: Indiepix Films
Run Time: 75 minutes
Extras: Trailer
indiepix.com
gravelroadafrica.com
retroafrika.com
George Falls Flat On His Face In The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" (1964) (video)
The Beatles' first movie opens with a typical scene...
...of the boys being chased by a mob of fans.
While most of them manage to stay on their feet throughout the scene...
...one of the girls takes a rather cringey dive.
But that's nothing compared to George's harrowing header in the opening shot.
He hits the sidewalk hard, and then Ringo trips over him.
Naturally, John gets a hearty laugh out of the whole thing.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Monday, October 22, 2018
UMBANGO -- DVD Review by Porfle
Part of Indiepix Films' "Retro Afrika" collection, 1985's offbeat Western UMBANGO is one of hundreds of South African films produced for black audiences during apartheid, some of which are now being preserved for posterity.
It's a fascinating novelty, seeing an all-black cast (save for one Caucasian gunfighter referred to as a "gringo") performing in this earnest homage to the classic American Western.
Described by one reviewer as a "spaghetti western", I would liken it much more to the sort of B-movie oaters that filled double bills back in the 30s and 40s (at 68 minutes it's even the right length for this) and involved upstanding good guys vs. villainous bad guys with the fate of a small frontier town in the balance.
Handsome Jack is in love with pretty young Molly, who owns her own small ranch. Theirs is a troubled relationship since she loves him but objects to any show of physical violence even when circumstances force Jack to draw his gun in self-defense.
One of those circumstances is KK, a big, burly, ill-tempered cuss whose brother George now sits in prison because of Jack and Owen. KK's first order of business after taking over the town is to start a gang of thugs headed by his unctious toady, Jake.
Labeled as being in "color", the film seems to have faded to a quite pleasing sepia tone, and the print used here is in fine condition. The town setting looks rather makeshift but it's fun anyway, and all the signs ("Bank", "Sheriff", etc.) are in English even though everyone is speaking Zulu. The attempt to recreate the look and feel of an old-fashioned American Western is endearing.
The capable cast get into their roles very well, and the direction by Tonie van der Merwe (FISHY STONES, OPERATION HIT SQUAD) ranges from amusingly amateurish to surprisingly stylish at times, with a lean, uncluttered storyline that moves along nicely toward the final gun battle between the forces of good and evil on the town's main street.
While this proves a satisfying resolution, the film is no more violent or complicated than an episode of a typical Western TV series from the 50s and 60s. As such, it's a nostalgic throwback to such times for those who enjoy this kind of entertainment.
And the fact that this traditional Western town is populated solely by black Africans (not counting the "gringo" gunfighter) in roles usually played by white actors gives UMBANGO an incongruously fantastic touch which, for me, only added to this novel film's unusual sense of discovery and fun.
www.indiepixfilms.com
Tech Specs
Actors: Popo Gumede, Hector Mathanda, Kay Magubane
Format: Color, NTSC
Language: Zulu with English subtitles
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR
Studio: Indiepix Films
3:2, Color, Stereo
DVD Release Date: October 23, 2018
Run Time: 68 minutes
Extras: Trailer
Dermot Mulroney Takes On "TRICK" from "My Bloody Valentine" Director Patrick Lussier
Horror Master Patrick Lussier to "TRICK" Us Anew
Dermot Mulroney to Take Lead in New Horror
Los Angeles, CA (October 22, 2018) - Ellen Wander, CEO of Film Bridge International (Winnie Mandela, Misconduct, Marshall, and Spinning Man) and Gabriela Revilla Lugo of Revek Entertainment (The Tribes of Palos Verdes, The Last Weekend in May, Gone: VR 360) announce the upcoming feature Trick, a horror thriller to be directed by genre master Patrick Lussier (My Bloody Valentine, Drive Angry, Terminator: Genisys) and written by Todd Farmer, alongside Lussier.
The story centers on an elusive serial killer, who descends upon a small town annually, bringing terror and death. He is responsible for gruesome murders year after year, each in different jurisdictions and seemingly unrelated. No one believes this could be the same killer. Detective Denver has faced Trick once before - he shot and killed him. Or so everyone keeps telling him. However, Denver knows Trick is out there and he's coming back for revenge.
"After much discussion with Director Lussier, Dermot was the only choice for this role and we are ecstatic that he was able to take on the project." stated Wander.
Dermot Mulroney (The Family Stone, The Wedding Date) plays Detective Mike Denver. Denver puts his works before anything else in life, including his own marriage but his no-nonsense attitude and steadfast approach makes him a perfect fit for a career in law enforcement. Against everyone else's judgement, he is convinced that Trick is not only alive and well, but the one responsible for a series of gruesome murders recurring over several years.
Director Patrick Lussier's lengthy and accomplished résumé includes several of the most successful horror films and television programs in recent years. His eye for detail was instrumental in editing the numerous Wes Craven films, including the famous Scream franchise, Red Eye, New Nightmare, and Cursed to name just a few.
Prolific actor Mulroney, has starred in over 70 films in a career spanning more than 3 decades. Most recently, he filmed an episode for the highly anticipated Netflix series "Homecoming" starring Julia Roberts, his co star in the box office hit My Best Friend's Wedding.
Writer Todd Farmer has worked with Patrick Lussier previously. He has written several genre films including Jason X, My Bloody Valentine and Drive Angry (alongside Lussier).
Ellen S. Wander of Film Bridge International will produce and handle worldwide sales for the film. Gabriela Lugo will also serve as producer. Additionally, Film Bridge International has partnered Chimney's Fredrik Zander to handle post-production.
Dermot Mulroney is repped by WME. Patrick Lussier is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency.
John Wayne's Coolest Scenes #4: Cockpit, "The High & The Mighty" (1954) (video)
Veteran pilot Duke is back after a long absence following a plane disaster.
Robert Stack plays an experienced pilot who is losing his nerve.
Their damaged plane is struggling to reach the California coast before having to ditch.
Will they make it?
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Hokey Hitchcock #2: Gun Hand From "Spellbound" (1945) (video)
Hitchcock's visual inventiveness was often a step ahead...
...of the FX technology needed to convincingly render it.
Sometimes even Hitchcock's most imaginative ideas...
...looked less than convincing in actual execution.
(spoilers)
Suggested by Paul Sanchez
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Saturday, October 20, 2018
John Wayne's Coolest Scenes #2: Meeting Ella Raines in "Tall In The Saddle" (1944)
Thursday, October 18, 2018
John Wayne's Coolest Scenes #3: "Cahill, U.S. Marshal" (1973) (video)
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Olive Films November Releases: "Mr. Capra Goes To War" and "The 7th Day"
Olive Films is proud to announce the following November 2018 releases:
Mr. Capra Goes To War: Frank Capra’s World War II Documentaries
The 7th Day
MR. CAPRA GOES TO WAR
FIRST TIME ON
BLU-RAY
US+CANADA
PREBOOK: 10/23/18
STREET: 11/6/18
MR. CAPRA GOES TO WAR DVD
CAT: OF1418
UPC: 887090141819
SRP: $24.95
MR. CAPRA GOES TO WAR BD
CAT: OF1419
UPC: 887090141918
SRP: $29.95
MR. CAPRA GOES TO WAR:
FRANK CAPRA’S WORLD WAR II DOCUMENTARIES
Directed or Produced by
FRANK CAPRA (A Hole in the Head, It’s A Wonderful Life, Meet John Doe)
YEAR: 1942 – 1945
GENRE: DOCUMENTARY
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH (with optional English subtitles)
LABEL: OLIVE FILMS
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 310 min
RATING: N/R
VIDEO: 1.33:1 and 1.78:1 Aspect Ratios; B&W and COLOR
AUDIO: MONO
SPECIAL FEATURES
“Frank Capra: Why We Fight,” an analysis of Frank Capra’s war documentaries by Joseph McBride, film historian and author of the biography “Frank Capra: The Catastrophe of Success”
Introductions to each of the five Capra war documentaries by Joseph McBride
Director Frank Capra, known to millions as the man behind the beloved classics It’s a Wonderful Life, It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Meet John Doe, also used his talents in support of the war effort by directing, producing and acting as an advisor on a series of World War II propaganda films. Depicting the ravages of combat, the lives of soldiers engaged in battle, as well as those left behind on the home front, five of the films that Capra was involved in bringing to the screen are represented in this special edition presented in cooperation with the National Archives.
Tunisian Victory takes us behind Allied troop lines and documents American and British forces working together to free North Africa from the grip of the Nazi stranglehold. Capra was assisted by film editor Hugh Stewart (49th Parallel) and directors Roy Boulting (The Outsider) and John Huston (The Maltese Falcon, Let There Be Light), in this film that features the voice talents of Burgess Meredith (Story of G.I. Joe, Rocky), Bernard Miles (In Which We Serve) and Leo Genn (Moby Dick), and a powerful film score attributed to Dimitri Tiomkin (High Noon) and William Alwyn (The Fallen Idol).
Prelude to War, the first in Capra's Why We Fight series of propaganda films, is a rallying cry for patriots to join the fight against the Axis powers and the tyranny of Nazism. A host of musical talent contributed to the score, including Alfred Newman (How the West Was Won), winner of nine Academy Awards®, and David Raksin (Laura).
The Battle of Russia, another of Capra’s Why We Fight films, is the longest and most ambitious of the series. Presented in two parts, the film focuses on the Nazi conquest of the Balkans in an attempt to capture Russia. Capra would share directing credit with Russian-born Anatole Litvak (Sorry, Wrong Number) in a film which is aided immeasurably by Walter Huston’s (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre) narration.
The Negro Soldier, produced by Capra and directed by Stuart Heisler (The Glass Key), was used as an enlistment tool to encourage African-American men and women to join the armed forces. The film incorporates footage of Olympic athlete Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Games, highlighting and contrasting the freedom-loving citizens of the United States with Germany’s oppressive and ever-growing Nazi party.
Your Job in Germany, directed by Capra and written by Theodor S. Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss), is a short form film shown to soldiers who would be serving “occupation duty” in Germany in 1945.
THE 7TH DAY
FIRST TIME ON
BLU-RAY
US+CANADA
PREBOOK: 10/23/18
STREET: 11/6/18
THE 7TH DAY DVD
CAT: OF1420
UPC: 887090142014
SRP: $24.95
THE 7TH DAY BD
CAT: OF1421
UPC: 887090142113
SRP: $29.95
THE 7TH DAY
El 7º Día
JUAN DIEGO
(Paco’s Men, Summer Rain, Painless)
VICTORIA ABRIL
(The Moon in the Gutter, High Heels, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!)
JOSÉ LUIS GÓMEZ
(Broken Embraces, The Skin I Live In, Goya’s Ghosts)
JOSÉ GARCIA
(The Take, The Ax, Now You See Me)
YOHANA COBO
(Volver, Angel of Death, Life Marks)
Directed by
CARLOS SAURA
(Cría Cuervos, ¡Ay, Carmela!, Goya in Bordeaux)
With The 7th Day (El 7º Día), Carlos Saura, the director behind the Academy Award® nominated films in the Best Foreign Language Film category – Mama Turns 100 (1980), Carmen (1984) and Tango (1999) – brings to the screen a riveting story of love and revenge.
YEAR: 2004
GENRE: DRAMA
LANGUAGE: SPANISH (with optional English subtitles)
LABEL: OLIVE FILMS
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 100 min
RATING: N/A
VIDEO: 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio; COLOR
AUDIO: STEREO
From master filmmaker Carlos Saura (Cría Cuervos) comes a story of love, betrayal and revenge. Set in the Spanish village of Extremadura, and based on a true account, The 7th Day (El 7º Día) is a tale of warring families and bloodshed that would stain the region.
The festering hatred between the Jiménez and Fuentes households, born out of a broken marriage vow, will unleash a vengeful wrath that engulfs an entire village, leaving no one unscathed. The 7th Day features riveting performances from a cast that includes Victoria Abril (High Heels), José Garcia (Now You See Me), Juan Diego (All is Silence), José Luis Gómez (Broken Embraces), Yohana Cobo (Volver), Oriol Vila (Blancanieves), Eulàlia Ramon (Girl Gets Girl), Juan Sanz (One Word from You) and Carlos Hipólito (Crazy Loves).
The 7th Day is directed by Carlos Saura, written by Ray Loriga (Live Flesh), photographed by François Lartigue (Black Really Suits You), edited by Julia Juaniz (Goya in Bordeaux), with music composed by Roque Baños (Don’t Breathe).
Lon Chaney Werewolf Transformation: "La Casa Del Terror" (Mexican, 1959) (video)
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
"ANT-MAN AND THE WASP" -- Watch Instantly On Digital and Add To Your Blu-ray™ Collection Today
A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD ADVENTURE FOR ALL AGES
FEATURING MARVEL’S FIERCE, PINT-SIZED SUPER HEROES
MARVEL STUDIOS' “ANT-MAN AND THE WASP”
WATCH INSTANTLY ON DIGITAL AND ADD TO YOUR BLU-RAY™ COLLECTION TODAY
Moviegoers are still buzzing about Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” the follow-up to 2015’s “Ant-Man” and the 20th consecutive Marvel Cinematic Universe film to debut at No. 1 opening weekend and ranked in the box office top 10 for six consecutive weeks this summer. Fans can instantly watch the laugh-out-loud super hero adventure Digitally in HD and take it home today on Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 4K Ultra HD™.
Exclusive extras provide an inside look at some of Marvel Comics’ most celebrated characters and the consummate, comedic actors who portray them in “Ant-Man and The Wasp.” Featurettes spotlight Paul Rudd, who returns as good-hearted thief turned hero, Scott Lang, and delivers big laughs both on set and in theaters; Evangeline Lilly, who transforms into The Wasp, the first female character to be featured in the title treatment of a Marvel Studios film; and iconic actors Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer as super couple Hank and Janet Van Dyne.
Viewers can explore more about the visual development artists and effects used to bring the characters to life and drastically alter the size of the Super Heroes and their surroundings. Additional extras include deleted scenes, bloopers, outtakes, and audio commentary by “Ant-Man” franchise director Peyton Reed.
“Ant-Man and The Wasp” comes packaged in several formats to best fit today’s varying consumer desires. Viewers can instantly bring home the film two weeks early on Digital SD/HD/4K Ultra HD and receive access to two exclusive features — including a clever commercial promoting a close-up look at the online magic school that FBI agent Jimmy Woo references to learn his card tricks and a 10 years of Marvel Studios featurette profiling the artists of the MCU — or they can purchase a physical copy of the film as either a Cinematic Universe Edition (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital Code) or a Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray and Digital Code), granting the flexibility to watch the device of their choice.
Hokey Hitchcock: Diner Scene From "The Birds" (1963) (video)
Monday, October 15, 2018
John Wayne's Coolest Scenes #1: "McLintock!" (1963) (video)
Sunday, October 14, 2018
All The Giant Gila Monster Scenes From "The Giant Gila Monster" (1959) (video)
Friday, October 12, 2018
What's With That Thing Arnold Throws In "Eraser"? (1996) (video)
"Eraser" is one of the best of Arnold's old-school action movies.
And the airplane sequence still blows us away.
But in the first showdown between Arnold and James Caan…
...Arnold throws a blade weapon that behaves very strangely.
The thing's just sort of spinning in mid air in front of Caan's arm.
Yet later we clearly see it sticking out of him.
And twenty-two years later, it's still a mystery.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Thursday, October 11, 2018
JET TRASH -- DVD Review by Porfle
An interestingly novel crime drama, JET TRASH (Indican Pictures, 2016) takes place mainly on a beautiful beach front in Southern India with characters who are laidback beach bums just taking it easy.
Until, that is, the harsh reality of how they got there catches up with them. At which point, to coin a phrase, life's a beach and then you die.
Lee (Robert Sheehan, MORTAL ENGINES) is the impulsive, irresponsible one who got himself and his more levelheaded friend Sol (Osy Ikhile, THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION) in serious trouble with the smalltime crime boss Marlowe (Craig Parkinson) they worked for back in England, forcing them to steal a hunk of Marlowe's dirty money and hightail it to their remote paradise.
Until then, Lee and Sol--along with their really weird ex-military friend Mike (Jasper Pääkkönen), who's now deep into monk-like spiritualism and agonized self-reflection--get into even more trouble when Lee's caught selling drugs (something local big-dog Shay frowns upon).
But that's nothing compared to when they accidentally run over a cow (the phrase "Holy cow!" comes to mind) and find themselves being rousted by Shay's goons and robbed of their nest egg.
The film has a pace as languid as its setting, yet the story gradually heats up as the boys' peril increases along with their own heated interpersonal conflicts (Sol's going nuts over Lee's constant irresponsible behavior, and Mike's just plain nuts).
Vix's arrival complicates things even further since it reignites the love affair that had started between her and Lee back in England, while he and Sol remain torn between trusting her and suspecting that she's still working for Marlowe.
Charles Henri Belleville's direction is eye-pleasing and stylishly dreamlike. He seems to revel in filming practically every shot in a visually interesting way that contributes to the film's colorful, easy narrative flow and encourages the viewer to interpret what's happening instead of just passively observing.
The conflict between the pastoral concerns of the beachfront village and the ruthless mob violence that Marlowe brings with him from the outside world builds to a suspenseful conclusion.
Rather than relying on big action scenes (save for sort of a chase between a car and a motor scooter), the excitement comes from seeing characters we like in peril and watching them try to blunder their way out of it.
I thought it was going to be boring at first, with salty slackers Lee and Sol on the beach having what seemed like yet another "Royale With Cheese"-inspired dialogue scene. But give JET TRASH five or ten minutes, and, if you're like me, you'll find yourself drawn right into this easygoing crime story and sticking around till it plays itself out.
Tech Specs
Runtime: 85 minutes
Format: 1:78 HD
Sound: Dolby Sr 5.1
Country: USA
Language: English
Website: www.IndicanPictures.com
Genre: Action
All The Giant Turkey-Buzzard Puppet Scenes From "The Giant Claw" (1957) (video)
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Most Spectacular Scene Ever Filmed: "Intolerance" (1916, D.W. Griffith) (video)
The "Babylonian Story" segment of D.W. Griffith's 1916 epic "Intolerance"...
...features the massive "Belshazzar's Feast" sequence.
It's one of the largest movie sets ever built.
The set extended back almost one mile.
Several thousands of extras were used.
The crumbling set towered over old Hollywood...
...until it was finally demolished in 1919.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Music By Ender Güney
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Laurel & Hardy--"Jeanie Weenie" Scene (BEAU HUNKS, 1931) (video)
Stanley reads a letter to Ollie from his sweetheart Jeanie...
...in which she informs him that he's being dumped.
Stan's nonplussed, but Ollie reacts with melodramatic angst.
The scene plays out in a subtly comical way...
...and then ends with a sudden, hilarious burst of slapstick.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Monday, October 8, 2018
The Three Stooges Meet The Wolf Man: "Idle Roomers" (1944) (video)
In the 1944 comedy, "Idle Roomers"...
...the Stooges first meet long-time leading lady Christine McIntyre.
They also meet Duke York as Lupe the Wolf Man.
York's makeup recalls that of werewolf Matt Willis in an earlier Columbia film, "Return of the Vampire" (1943).
The Stooges are about to find out the hard way that Lupe can't stand music!
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Friday, October 5, 2018
Most Expensive Silent Film Shot Ever: Train Wreck From "The General" (Buster Keaton, 1926) (video)
Buster Keaton is a Confederate train engineer in this classic Civil War comedy.
Pursued by two Union trains, he crosses a bridge and then sets it on fire.
The Union officer orders his own train to cross anyway.
The result is the costliest, and perhaps most spectacular, shot in all of silent film.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Thursday, October 4, 2018
WHO'S JENNA...? -- DVD Review by Porfle
Writer-director Thomas Baldinger shows off his flair for sharp, smart comedy in WHO'S JENNA...? (Indican Pictures, 2018), the story of an up-and-coming money management executive named Jonathan (Bill Sorvino) who discovers that his advancement up the ladder depends on whether or not he can sacrifice his scruples for a crude, cretinous boss who wants him to do his dirty work for him.
It's also sort of a rom-com, which gave me pause until I discovered that the rom takes a back seat to the com and doesn't really bog things down even when Jonathan cute-meets the gorgeous Jenna (Tracey Birdsall, DAWN OF THE CRESCENT MOON) and falls in love right before finding out that she's his vile boss's sister-in-law.
Jenna also is a dead ringer for porn star Jenna You-Know-Who, according to Jonathan's coworker, housemate, and lifelong friend Andy (Joseph D'Onofrio, A BRONX TALE, ANALYZE THAT, Young Tommy in GOODFELLAS), a porn addict who's thrilled beyond measure to find that one of Jonathan's new clients is studly porn god Kevin Steele (Michael Tota).
The conflict kicks in when one of the first orders that boss Barcia (Garry Pastore, GOODFELLAS, DO THE RIGHT THING, DONNIE BRASCO) gives Jonathan is to dump Kevin as a client because of his profession, and also to fire Jonathan's friend because in addition to being a great worker who deserves a promotion, he's both black and gay.
Jonathan must do these things or risk being fired himself, hence his moral quandary which will keep the plot moving while generating much witty dialogue and amusing situations.
"Witty" and "amusing" are apt words to describe a comedy that isn't going for farce, slapstick, or gross-out laughs, but actually wants to sort of engage our intellect while eliciting pleasant chuckles. (And you can quote me on that.) WHO'S JENNA...? is so neatly done, in fact, you could almost eat off of it. As a fresh, appealing comedy with unobtrusive romantic touches, it practically has a new car smell.
The leads are all just right (look for "The Sopranos" co-star Vincent Pastore and actual porn star Amber Lynn) with Tracey Birdsall looking almost enough like that Jenna to keep us wondering and Garry Pastore hitting a home run as Barcia, one of the most delightfully repugnant fictional slobs I've seen in years.
A major highlight is the scene where Jonathan must join Barcia and his horrible business friends for dinner, listening to their blustery, slimily offensive blather without fleeing in disgust. A day of golfing with this motley crew is no less insufferable.
Jonathan hatches a plot to turn against boss Barcia and still get his promotion while doing right by his friends and clients without compromising his ideals. But just as we settle in for some intriguingly complex plot twists and a rising level of comic intensity and suspense, the movie suddenly ends.
It seems the story was simpler than predicted, and quite happy to pop like a party favor instead of building up to any actual fireworks. (But stay tuned during the closing credits for an extra scene and some outtakes.)
I wanted it to keep going past that point and give us more. That considered, however, I'm happy with what I got. WHO'S JENNA...? is the kind of comedy that does its thing and then darts off the stage, leaving us wanting more. And what we do get in that short time is sparkling fun.
Tech Specs
Runtime: 95 min
Format: 1:78 HD
Sound: Dolby Sr.
Country: USA
Language: English
Captions: English
Website: www.IndicanPictures.com
Genre: Action, Comedy
Shapeshifters, Zombies and Ghosts Invade TNT With an All-Day "Supernatural" Marathon Airing on Halloween
Shapeshifters, Zombies and Ghosts Invade TNT With an All-Day "Supernatural" Marathon Airing on Halloween
This Halloween, TNT is bringing fans spooks, chills and thrills with an all-day Supernatural marathon, starting at 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., spanning four seasons of the most terrifying episodes from the fan-favorite series. From hauntings to ghosts, zombies and even Bloody Mary, TNT is your destination for getting into the Halloween spirit.
In the series, Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force twenty-six years ago. Subsequently, their father John raised them to be soldiers. He taught them about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America ... and he taught them how to kill it.
Please find the full schedule below:
Wednesday, October 31:
Episode 4.07 – “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester” – at 8:00a.m.-9:00 a.m. ET/PT
Sam and Dean meet Castiel and his fellow angel Uriel, who warn the brothers to avoid intervening in a town where a witch is attempting to summon the demon Samhain, opening one of the Seals.
Episode 4.05 – “Monster Movie” – at 9:00am-10:00a.m. ET/PT
Sam and Dean investigate a town plagued with monsters from classic black-and-white horror movies.
Episode 2.18 – “Hollywood Babylon” – at 10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. ET/PT
Sam and Dean discover that a group of ghosts are murdering the crew of a horror movie.
Episode 3.13 – “Ghostfacers” – at 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m. ET/PT
While investigating the haunted Morton Mansion, Sam and Dean run into a couple of familiar faces and become inadvertent participants in a new reality show named Ghostfacers. As events turn deadly and the team are trapped in the house, the investigation becomes a battle to survive until morning.
Episode 1.01 – “Pilot” – at 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. ET/PT
Sam is about to graduate from college and has an interview set up to join one of the most prestigious law schools in the country.
Episode 2.04 – “Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things” – at 1:00p.m.-2:00p.m. ET/PT
Dean and Sam investigate the death of a young college student who died in a car accident, but whose grave is now surrounded by a circle of dead plants.
Episode 1.19 – “Provenance” – at 2:00p.m.-3:00p.m. ET/PT
The Winchesters must deal with a dangerous spirit bound to an old family portrait that brings misfortune and death to anyone who buys it.
Episode 2.11 – “Playthings” – at 3:00p.m.-4:00p.m. ET/PT
Sam and Dean investigate a Connecticut inn run by a single mother where mysterious deaths are taking place. They find evidence of Hoodoo, and try to figure out who is causing the chaos.
Episode 1.15 – “The Benders” – at 4:00p.m.-5:00p.m. ET/PT
Dean searches for Sam when he is kidnapped by a backwoods family who likes to hunt humans and use their body parts as trophies.
Episode 3.02 – “The Kids Are Alright” – at 5:00p.m.-6:00p.m. ET/PT
Sam and Dean track down Changelings that are pursuing mothers and their children. A boy they protect bears a strange resemblance to Dean, which at first makes Dean uncomfortable because he once had a one-night stand with the boy's mother Lisa.
Episode 4.11 – “Family Remains” – at 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m. ET/PT
Sam and Dean investigate a house occupied by a female ghost, but when a new family moves in things take a turn for the worse.
Episode 1.05 – “Bloody Mary” – at 7:00p.m.-8:00p.m. ET/PT
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
PAINLESS -- DVD Review by Porfle
You'd think that being unable to feel physical pain would be a blessing, but it's a curse for Henry (Joey Klein) in writer-director Jordan Horowitz' absorbing drama PAINLESS (Indican Pictures, 2017).
Henry gains our sympathy from the very start because we can see how lonely and isolated he is from society as he labors alone in his apartment, which has been converted into a makeshift research laboratory, to find a cure for his condition.
He can't allow himself any kind of relationship lest it take away precious time from his research. We see how desperate he is by the measures he takes to purchase what he needs--selling illicit narcotics he's concocted to a small-time dealer, switching price tags on equipment at the store, pressuring his beleagured doctor (Kip Gilman) to procure forbidden drugs and even stem cells for him, etc.
This gave me my first reservations about PAINLESS, fearing an obligatory romantic angle to the story which had done quite well without one up until then. But it's handled well, with minimal sappiness, and is actually important to Henry's character development. Their odd "meet cute" involves her spilling scalding coffee on his hand, another instance where he can't discern how badly hurt he is.
Henry's involvement with Shani (Evalena Marie) yields one really good scene, in which their coffee shop date is interrupted by Shani's cretinous former coworker blatantly hitting on her right at their table. I won't go into what happens, but it highlights the disadvantages of not being able to use pain in gauging how badly hurt you are.
While Henry's goodhearted doctor tries to help him, a shady research scientist named Andrews (Pascal Yen-Pfister) lures him into a dicey experiment that could benefit both of them. Andrews, it turns out, has the opposite problem--he feels constant pain for no reason. They're like the main characters in UNBREAKABLE, one susceptible to nothing, the other to everything.
The conflict between these characters intensifies when Andrews' true unscrupulousness is revealed and Henry starts to feel like a human guinea pig. It forces him to question his own ruthlessness in achieving his goal, and makes him wonder if it's worth depriving himself of other forms of happiness.
It all comes to a head when Henry's true moment of truth arrives and we discover what kind of a person adversity has made out of him. As straight, no-frills drama, PAINLESS is confidently done in all aspects, and deeply engaging.
Tech Specs
Runtime: 82 min
Format: 1:78 HD
Sound: Dolby Sr.
Country: USA
Language: English
Captions: English
Website: www.IndicanPictures.com
Genre: Thriller
Extras: Director's commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette, trailers
"PAINLESS" -- Intense Thriller Based On Real Medical Science, Available Today on VOD + DVD
"PAINLESS"
AVAILABLE ON DVD + ALL MAJOR VOD PLATFORMS TODAY
A film by Jordan Horowitz
Starring Joey Klein, Evalena Marie, Kip Gilman, and Pascal Yen-Pfister
Henry Long was born with a rare condition that leaves him unable to feel physical pain. Life for him is a daily struggle, never knowing when he might become seriously injured without realizing it, or worse, die from an internal injury he never knew existed. He lives in a constant state of fear and is completely alienated from those around him who cannot relate to his daily struggles.
Barricading himself in a world of science, Henry has dedicated his life to finding a cure so that he can one day know what it’s like to feel ‘normal.’ His only temporary reprieve from this isolation is Shani - the one person that draws him out of this world. When he discovers a promising drug that he is unable to obtain on his own, he gets involved with a dangerous scientist with a dark past and his own secret agenda. Henry must decide if his need for normalcy is worth paying the ultimate price before it’s too late.
WATCH THE TRAILER:
Based on actual medical science, PAINLESS looks at the dark side of life with a rare condition and the challenges both symptomatic and social that people with these conditions face.
Director Jordan Horowitz’s previous film ‘Angel of Nanjing’ won Best Documentary at 13 film festivals before receiving a worldwide release, and became an Internet sensation when NowThisNews posted a story about it that was viewed over 23 million times. Jordan has also directed and produced content for MTV and VH1, and his short films have been referenced in the book Making It Big in Shorts: The Ultimate Filmmaker’s Guide to Short Films.
RT: 81 Minutes / Not Rated
Website: https://www.painlessmovie.com/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3412738/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/painlessmovie/posts/
Twitter: @PainlessMovie
Instagram: @painlessmovie
About Indican Pictures
Indican Pictures acquires and distributes feature films to a broad range of entertainment outlets. Our business model enables us to directly provide a diverse selection of independent film content (action, art-house, comedy, documentary, drama, family, foreign language, horror, rom-com, sci-fi, thriller, western) through our strategic partnerships, into all media platforms (theatrical, VOD/SVOD, home video, TV/broadcast, ancillary, educational), for consumer enjoyment. Indican Pictures presence throughout the foreign market and territories, include: AFM, Berlin/EFM, Cannes, Hong Kong International Film & TV, MIPCOM, MIPTV, NATPE and Toronto.
"ERNIE KOVACS: THE CENTENNIAL EDITION" -- On 11/13, Join Shout! Factory to Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Television's Original Genius
THIS NOVEMBER, JOIN SHOUT! FACTORY AS IT CELEBRATES THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF TELEVISION'S ORIGINAL GENIUS
"ERNIE KOVACS: THE CENTENNIAL EDITION"
Across 9 DVDs, Fans of Classic TV and Comedy Will Thrill to 22 Hours of Landmark Hilarity and Bonus Features
This Holiday Season, Shout! Factory Will Also Offer Limited Edition Sets of Never-Before-Available-or-Seen Lithographs by Ernie Kovacs, Starting at $250
This November, to kick off the 2019 100th birthday celebration of Ernie Kovacs, television's original genius, Shout! Factory brings together the riotous DVD set, ERNIE KOVACS: THE CENTENNIAL EDITION. Combining the previously released volumes of groundbreaking, rule-breaking, surreal and charmingly silly comedy of the beloved and iconic comedian, the singular set features over 22 classic hours of decidedly offbeat entertainment from across Kovacs many television shows and specials. It will be available on ShoutFactory.com or wherever DVDs are sold on November 13, 2018.
Across the 9 discs of ERNIE KOVACS: THE CENTENNIAL EDITION , home audiences will find a cornucopia of Kovacs' greatest and most memorable "hits", showcasing an utterly unique sensibility that has influenced such comedy institutions as Monty Python and "Saturday Night Live" including episodes from his local and national morning shows, episodes from his NBC prime-time show, his five ABC-TV specials, the rare color version of his legendary silent show, "Eugene", 3 complete episodes of his offbeat game show "Take a Good Look", "A Pony for Chris", Kovacs' rarely-seen pilot for "Medicine Man" co-starring Buster Keaton, the only existing filmed solo interview with Kovacs himself, his award-winning commercials for Dutch Masters Cigars, a collection of short films, tributes rarities and much more!
While best known as "Television's Original Genius", Kovacs' groundbreaking work in the early days of television has been his legacy, though he also starred in movies, recorded LPs, hosted radio shows, wrote novels, and worked as a columnist for his hometown paper, "The Trentonian". Many of his fans, however, may not know that the creative giant was also an artist, never without a pen and paper -- and the chronic insomniac often worked well into the night.
Early in his career, one of Kovacs' favorite TV segments was his "Illustrated Profuselies". And during this "visual improv" set to music, the viewing audience got to watch his fertile mind at work, as he quickly sketched doodles. Frequently drawn in pencil and sometimes using colors, these abstract, sometimes surrealistic images soon took shape and were eventually revealed on camera.
Now, just in time for the holiday season, Shout! Factory is proud to present exclusive lithograph sets - never before-seen-or sold -- featuring 10 limited edition sketches, originally born as "Profuselies" and later recreated. They are available either professionally framed ($1000) or unframed ($250) and bring to rich life Kovacs fertile creativity as never before available.
ERNIE KOVACS: THE CENTENNIAL EDITION digs deep into a goldmine of comedy and Kovacs' fans, both longtime and new, will marvel at the sheer invention, wit and goofy charm of these milestone programs from the Golden Age of TV. A creative force of nature, this specially-curated collection of his riches -- historic, unique and endlessly entertaining -- will help to seal his legacy forever.
ERNIE KOVACS: THE CENTENNIAL EDITION Bonus Programming:
1987 ATAS Hall Of Fame Induction
Andy McKay 8mm Home Movies
Audio Lost
Baseball Film
Charlie Clod In Brazil
Dutch Masters Commercials
Ernie's Opening Monologue
Home Movies: Golf With Edie And Ernie
Howard, The World's Strongest Ant on "A Hot Date" and "Howard's Campground"
Interview: Algernon Gerard, Archaeologist
Interview: The World At Your Doorstep
Introducing Coloratura Mimi Cosnowski
Irving Wong: Tin Pan Alley Songwriter
J. Burlington Gearshift
Making Of "Baseball Film"
Martin Krutch, Public Eye
Matzoh Hepplewhite
Miklos Molnar's Glue
Muriel Cigars Commercials Featuring Edie Adams
Original Theatrical Trailers: "Wake Me When It's Over" And "Five Golden Hours"
Our Man In Havana" Behind-The-Scenes Footage
Percy Dovetonsils : "Ode To A Housefly", "Ode To Electricity" and "Ode To Stanley's Pussycat"
Remembering Ernie With George Schlatter And Jolene Brand
Rock Mississippi In "Fingers Under Weskit"
Silents Please
Skodney Silsky, Hollywood Reporter
Strangely Believe It: Writers To Blame
Superclod Test
Surprise Audience Member
Take A Good Look: "Clues" and "Sales Film"
The Kapusta Kid In Outer Space Meets Olivia Scilloscope
The Mysterious Knockwurst
Trailer For "Operation Mad Ball" - "It Happened To Ernie"
About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory's entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Studios, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.
Pieced-Together Monster Suit: "The Monster of Piedras Blancas" (1959) (video)
The Monster's suit was created by Jack Kevan, who also worked on "Creature From the Black Lagoon" and "The Mole People."
The feet and lower torso were recycled from the Metaluna Mutants of "This Island Earth" (1955).
The claws were recycled from "The Mole People" (1956).
In 1965, the Monster's head was used in a "Flipper" episode, "Flipper's Monster."
It was directed by Ricou Browning, who played the Creature From the Black Lagoon.
Ricou even wore the suit.
(Here's our REVIEW of the movie.)
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Monday, October 1, 2018
Lon Chaney's Fireproof Mystery Shirt in "Indestructible Man" (1956) (video)
Outlaw science has turned Lon Chaney's "Butcher Benton" virtually indestructible.
A bazooka and a flame thrower finally injure the rampaging killer.
His face is horribly burned as the fire engulfs his torso...
...but his fireproof mystery shirt isn't even singed.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Friday, September 28, 2018
Is That A UFO Behind John Wayne In "Rio Grande"? (1950) (video)
Many believe that during this scene with Duke and Maureen O'Hara...
...the camera accidentally caught a distant UFO in the upper left corner.
Viewers still disagree over whether the scene was shot on location...
...or on an indoor soundstage with a painted backdrop.
What do you think?
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Thursday, September 27, 2018
"THE BEST OF THE THREE STOOGES" Brings Together their Biggest Nyuks in One Exclusive Time Life Collection, AVAILABLE NOW!
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, TIME LIFE BRINGS TOGETHER THE STOOGES BIGGEST NYUKS IN AN EXCLUSIVE SLAPSTICK COLLECTION WORTHY OF ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREAT COMEDY TEAMS!
THE BEST OF THE THREE STOOGES
AVAILABLE NOW, EXCLUSIVELY AT THREESTOOGESDVDS.COM
DVD SRP: $99.95
Across 13 Hilarious Discs, Lovers of the Three Stooges Will Find Over 45 Incredible Hours of Content, Including All of the Columbia Pictures Shorts (1934-1945), Four Feature Films, Vintage Animated Cartoons, the 9-Part Documentary Series "Hey Moe! Hey Dad!," a Collectible, Full-Color Memory Book and More!
WATCH THE TRAILER:
"Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk...Why I Oughta..."
For over 50 years, The Three Stooges presented a brand of pie-throwing, eye-poking and head-bonking routines that cracked up multiple generations. They were the masters of mirth, merriment and mayhem, turning slapstick comedy into an art form. And, with a body of work including over 300 films, television, stage shows, cartoons and more - they're forever ingrained in popular culture. Now, one of the greatest comedy troupes of all time is here to poke, smack, slap and bonk their way onto your screens with THE BEST OF THE THREE STOOGES!
With this riotous DVD set, Time Life has brought together the Stooges greatest hits in one exclusive collection, priced at $99.95 and available only at ThreeStoogesDVDs.com. Across 13 uproarious discs, viewers will yuk it up with over 45 hours of knee-slapping content brought together for the very first time, including:
THE BEST OF THE THREE STOOGES: COLUMBIA PICTURES SHORTS 1934-1945 -- These two volumes feature 87 hilarious short films from 1934 to 1945. Witness the rise of these comedy icons in this high-spirited collection containing the first of the iconic Columbia Pictures Shorts. Watch as the Stooges hit their stride and began to settle into their definitive roles- Moe as boss, Larry the middleman, and Curly as their foil -- and experience what has become regarded as the high point in the Three Stooges career - the Golden Age! (8 Discs; 1496 mins)
THE BEST OF THE THREE STOOGES: SHORTS, CARTOONS, & FEATURE FILMS -- From feature-length films to rare cartoons and vintage shorts - this collection is sure to leave a smile on your face and a bump on the back of your noggin! It includes Shemp Howard Comedy Shorts (14 classics from the '30s & '40s); Joe Besser Comedy Shorts (10 side-splitters from the '40s & '50s), Joe DeRita Comedy Shorts (4 smackers from the '40s), Feature Films (The Three Stooges (2000, biopic); Have Rocket, Will Travel; The Outlaws Is Coming and Rockin' in the Rockies; The Three Stooges Cartoons, inludingBon Bon Parade (1935), Merry Mutineers (1936), A Hollywood Detour (1942), as well as the bonus 9-part documentary series "Hey Moe! Hey Dad!," which takes fans behind the scenes with the family of The Three Stooges as they share never-before-seen footage and photos. (5 discs; 1309 mins)
About Time Life
Time Life is one of the world's pre-eminent creators and direct marketers of unique music and video/DVD products, specializing in distinctive multi-media collections that evoke memories of yesterday, capture the spirit of today, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. TIME LIFE and the TIME LIFE logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc. and affiliated companies used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc.
THE BEST OF THE THREE STOOGES
Type: DVD/13 Discs
Running Time: Approximately 2805 mins.
Genre: TV DVD
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 & 1.78:1
Audio: Stereo & Dolby Digital 5.1
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Shemp's Ad-libs Delight Christine McIntyre In "Of Cash and Hash" (3 Stooges, 1955) (video)
"Of Cash and Hash" was Christine McIntyre's final appearance with the Three Stooges.
At the end, Shemp gets to demonstrate the boys' affection for her as a leading lady.
Although the shot is over, Shemp continues to ad-lib...
...much to Christine's obvious surprise and delight.
By the fadeout, Christine's genuine fondness for Shemp is apparent.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Monday, September 24, 2018
Shemp Gets Slapped Silly For Real In "Brideless Groom" (3 Stooges, 1947) (video)
A case of mistaken identity gets Shemp in trouble with Christine McIntyre.
The script called for her to lay into him, but she was afraid of hurting him.
Several takes with Christine's tentative slaps were wearing Shemp out.
So he finally told her to go for it without holding back, and get it over with.
Which she did!
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Criswell's Nuttiest Moments From Ed Wood's "Orgy of the Dead" (1965) (video)
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Mirror POV Trick in "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" (Fredric March, 1932) (video)
How do you shoot a POV mirror shot without showing the camera?
The camera lens represents Dr. Henry Jekyll's first-person point of view.
The "mirror" is actually a clear-glass window in the wall.
On cue, Fredric March (Jekyll) approaches it from the far side...
...in a reverse-duplicate room.
Then his butler Poole (Edgar Norton) joins him in the mirror-room "reflection."
Later, the same window technique is used to give us another POV "mirror" view of Jekyll...
...and then, of his savage alter-ego, Hyde.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Friday, September 21, 2018
Opening Scene: "The Flesh Eaters" (1964) (video)
"The Flesh Eaters" is a low-budget horror flick starring Martin Kosleck.
The gore FX for this lurid thriller were pretty horrific for 1964.
But the first scene kicks the film off in pleasantly goofy (yet morbid) style.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Reacts To Gunshot Before He Gets Shot: "Bloody Mama" (Roger Corman, 1970) (video)
"Bloody Mama" (Roger Corman, 1970)
Ma Barker (Shelley Winters) and her sons wade through a dense hail of police bullets.
One of the Barker boys is so distraught...
...he reacts to a gunshot before it hits him.
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!
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