Mission: Impossible (1966–Present)

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Mission: Impossible (1966–Present) 

Mission: Impossible – The Complete Series (1966–1973)

C – 8550m (171 Episodes, 50 Minutes each)
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 – Fullscreen
Creator: Bruce Geller
Writers: Bruce Geller, Allan Balter, William Read Woodfield... to view the complete list, click here.
Dir.s: Reza Badiyi, Barry Crane, Paul Krasny... to view the complete list, click here.
Starring: Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Peter Graves... to view the complete list, click here.

An elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture. Who knew at the time that this show was on the air that it would launch a revival / reboot and a mega successful action film series? This classic show featured quite a stellar cast and scripts that holds the viewer’s interest from start to finish of each episode. The guest stars are fun too. While this has little action compared to the theatrical film series, the performances are such that one doesn’t really think about it. Are there corny lines every now and then? Sure, there is nothing wrong with that. This show is worth watching for two reasons: 1.) The cast is great, and 2.) This is the show that started the television reboot and the hit film series.

Trivia:

Only one hundred twenty missions include the famous warning that the tape will "self-destruct". Five say that the tape will "decompose", one says that it will "destroy itself", twelve instruct Briggs or Phelps to "dispose of" the recording, seven tell them to "destroy" it, and three contain no instructions, but Phelps destroys the recordings anyway. The remaining fifteen missions contain no recorded briefing at all. The reel–to–reel tape was actually in rewind mode when it was shown as “playing” because the tape moved too slowly to be believed when it would actually be playing. This show was not shown in syndication for several years due to the fact that the public became used to Peter Graves as the head of the MIF. When they saw the reruns of the first season of the show with Dan Briggs in the role of the head of the MIF it confused them. Greg Morris and Peter Lupus were the only two actors to stay throughout the course of all the seasons of this show. It should be noted though that Sam Elliot replaced Peter Lupus for about half of the fifth season of the show. 

The faceless figure shown lighting a match on the opening credits was series creator Bruce Geller. It wasn’t until the 1988 revival / reboot of the show that a character was created for it – Jim Phelps would be shown lighting it. Steven Hill left the show after only one season for two reasons: 1.) Because the show’s shooting schedule would have had him, an Orthodox Jew, working on the Sabbath and 2.) His behavior was frequently disruptive and would cause the production to shut down. Martin Landau and his then wife Barbara Bain jointly left the show after the third season due to contract disputes after their demands for a raises in their salaries were not met. Most of the non–lead actors on Star Trek (1966–1969) also appeared on this show. Even some of the leads had guest spots on this show. This was likely because both shows were filmed at Desilu Studios.

This show, when it was cancelled in 1973 was the last of the rash of spy shows from the 1960’s. Some others from that time were: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968), Secret Agent (1964–1967), Get Smart (1965–1970), The Wild Wild West (1965–1969), amongst others. 

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Mission: Impossible – The Complete Series (1988–1990)

C – 1645m (35 episodes, 47 minutes each)
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 – Fullscreen
Creator: Bruce Geller
Scriptwriters: Bruce Geller, Ted Roberts, Jeffrey M. Hayes, Robert Brennan, Michael Fisher, Walter Brough, David Phillips, Frank Abatemarco, Dale Duguid, Roger Dunn, Michael Seims, Allan Balter, Robert Hamner, Laurence Heath, Michael Lynn, Arthur Weiss, James Crown, Chip Hayes, Stephen Kandel, Rick Maier, Billy Marshall Stoneking, John Whelpley, Cliff Green, Dan Roberts and Jan Sardi.
Dir.s: Colin Budds, Arch Nicholson, Don Chaffey, Cliff Bole, Rob Stewart, Michael Vejar, Kim Manners, Rod Hardy, Brian Trenchard–Smith and John Jopson.
Starring: Peter Graves, Thaao Penghlis, Anthony Hamilton... to view complete list, click here.

An elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture. This reboot is actually a continuation of the original series. The returning cast is always a pleasure to see and by the same flip of the coin the stellar cast from the original series is greatly missed. Still there is drama and mild action that will keep viewers alert for the 47 minutes per episode.

Trivia:

This series was originally intended to be a Limited Series with the scripts being remakes of the classic episodes from the first series and the original characters being recast with then current actors. Instead, when Peter Graves returned to play his role again, it was changed to be a continuation of the original series. It should be noted that the first five episodes of this series were remakes of classic episodes due to a writers’ strike. Peter Graves, Greg Morris and Lynda Day George all reprise their roles from the original series. Terry Markwell opted not to renew her contract for the rest of Season One because she was dissatisfied with the amount of screen time she got. Terry Markwell was then replaced by Jane Badler. This was one of the first American commercial network shows to be filmed in Australia. After this series, there was a six–year break in the Mission: Impossible timeline, during which the series made the leap from the television screen to the theatrical screen. 

Primetime Emmy nominee for: Outstanding Sound Mixing – Drama Series (1989) and Outstanding Sound Editing – Series (1990).

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Mission: Impossible (1996)

C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mission Impossible
Television Series Creator And Writer: Bruce Geller
Story By: David Koepp and Steven Zaillian
Screenplay By: David Koepp and Robert Towne
Exec. Prod.: Paul Hitchcock
Prod.s: Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner
Assoc. Prod.: J.C. Calciano
Dir.: Brian De Palma
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Valentina Yakunina, Marek Vasut, Nathan Osgood, Rolf Saxon, Karel Dobry, Andreas Wisniewski, David Shaeffer, Rudolf Pechan, Ricco Ross, Mark Houghton, Annabel Mullion, Garrick Hagon, Sam Douglas, David Schneider, Helen Lindsay, Pat Starr, Richard D. Sharp, Randall Paul, Graydon Gould, Tom Vogel, Michael Rogers, and Laura Brook
Music By: Danny Elfman

An American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization. A fast–pace action – thriller that will keep viewers in a white–knuckle state for the better part of the film. Director Brian De Palma did a great job at the helm of this film and Cruise and the rest of the cast are in fine form. This was the successful start to the successful film series. Don’t miss it!  

Trivia:

In the filming of the iconic scene where Tom Cruise drops from the ceiling and hangs inches about the ground, Cruise’s head kept hitting the ground until he decided to put coins in his shoes for balance. The trick with the disappearing / reappearing CD that Ethan Hunt does to fool Franz Krieger is actual slight of hand, not a camera trick or any other visual effect. Vanessa Redgrave’s role was originally written for a man. The cinematic train sequence took six weeks to shoot at the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios in London, England. According to Martin Landau, in one of the earlier drafts of the script there was the idea to bring back the original cast from the original show just to kill them all off at the beginning of this film. George Clooney was offered the role of Ethan Hunt but turned it down to work in: One Fine Day (1996). Additionally Bruce Willis, John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Ralph Fiennes, and Mel Gibson were all considered of the role. Brian De Palma originally offered the role of Claire to Juliette Binoche. Al Pacino, Michael Douglas and Robert Redford were all considered for the role of Jim Phelps. Robert Towne rewrote scenes in between takes. Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.      

Followed by: Mission: Impossible II (2000), Mission Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Intense Action Violence
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

C – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: M.I.: Mission Impossible II, M.I. Mission Impossible 2, Mission: Impossible 2, Mission Impossible II, Mission Impossible 2, M:I – 2, M.I. 2, M:I 2
Creator / Writer: Bruce Geller
Story By: Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga
Screenplay By: Robert Towne
Exec. Prod.s: Terence Chang and Paul Hitchcock
Prod.s: Tom Cruise and Paul Wagner
Assoc. Prod.: Michael Doven
Dir.: John Woo
Starring: Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh, John Polson, Brendan Gleeson, Rade Serbedzija, William Mapother, Anthony Hopkins (uncredited), Patrick Marber (uncredited), William Morts (uncredited) and Tory Mussett (uncredited).
Music By: Hans Zimmer

IMF Agent Ethan Hunt is sent to Sydney, to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called "Chimera". This entry in the Mission series is by far the best entry. Action is plentiful and well choreographed. The performances are tops and the CGI is great and the makeup is the best of the series. As with the first one there are many white–knuckle moments – including the opening rock climbing. See it!  

Trivia:

John Woo’s first cut of this film ran 3 hours, 30 minutes. Tom Cruise’s then wife, Nicole Kidman suggested Thandie Newton. Newton was cast before the script was even written. When Ethan Hunt peals off his mask, it was done with a green screen for each actor. Tom Cruise was told to put his hand in a certain place below his chin and make the motion of pulling something off. The two faces were then put together in post–production (editing), making it look like Cruise took off a mask. The movie was initially rated R but was recut to a PG–13 by toning down violence considerably. This was the first film that Metallica agreed to write a song for.

Production was delayed because of Tom Cruise working in Eyes Wide Shut (1999) with Stanley Kubrick for over a year. This was the highest grossing film of 2000. The role of Commander Swanbeck was offered to Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins. Tom Cruise offered the chance to direct the sequel to Brian De Palma, but he turned it down. Oliver Stone was the first director attached to this film but he dropped out reportedly due to scheduling conflicts. This entry in the series had the only appearance of Anthony Hopkins as Mission Commander Swanbeck. Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996). Followed by: Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). 

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Violent Action & Some Sensuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

C – 126m (full film) / 124m (edited)
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mission: Impossible 3, Heyday, M:I: III, M.I. III, M:I III, M:I:3, M:I 3
Television Creator & Writer: Bruce Geller
Screenplay By: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and J.J. Abrams
Exec. Prod.s: Sanping Han, Stratton Leopold and Buting Yang
Sup. Prod.: Bill Borden
Line Prod.: Enzo Sisti
Prod.s: Tom Cruise, Paul Wagner and Haicheng Zhao (as Zhao Haicheng)
Co–Prod.: Arthur Anderson, Tao Jiang and Doming Shi
Assoc. Prod.: Guichun Wang
Dir.: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie Q, Simon Pegg, Eddie Marsan, Laurence Fishburne, Bahar Soomekh, Jeff Chase, Michael Berry, Jr., Carla Gallo, Bellamy Young, Paul Keeley, Jane Daly, Greg Grunberg, Tracy Middendorf, Aaron Paul, Sean O’Bryan, Bruce French, Ellen Bry, James Shaklin, Michelle Arthur, and Barney Cheng

IMF Agent Ethan Hunt comes into conflict with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer who threatens his life and his fiancée in response. This sequel is a tad tired after the last entry but still entertaining. Great cast and action but the rest is negligible. Not a bad start for J.J. Abrams as a director! Worth seeing! 

Trivia:

Curious people would loiter around the main unit of this film in Italy, so a faux second unit working with women dressed as nuns and women in bikinis to lure them away from the main unit so that they could shoot what they needed for the actual film. After the success of: Shaun Of The Dead (2004), Simon Pegg was asked if he was going to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. He jokingly replied, “It’s not like I’m going to be in Mission: Impossible III.” Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.

This was J.J. Abrams directorial debut. Scarlett Johansson was cast early on but pulled out of the film and was replaced by Keri Russell. Maggie Q had to learn how to drive for her role. In the bonus features on Blu–ray and DVD copies of this film it was revealed that Maggie Q’s high heal shoe got stuck on the acceleration peddle causing her to lightly crash into a parked car. Rachel McAdams turned down the role that went to Michelle Monaghan. Katie Holmes, Lindsay Lohan, Elisha Cuthbert and Jessica Alba were all considered for the role of Lindsay Ferris, which is played by Keri Russell here. David Fincher was slated to direct this but backed out to make: The Lords Of Dogtown (2005). When Fincher was slated to direct, Sylvestre Stallone was being courted to play the main villain. There was a false rumor that Brad Pitt was going to replace Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Kelly Brook was at one point slated to appear in this film.

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996) and Mission: Impossible II (2000). Followed by: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Frenetic Violence And Menace, Disturbing Images & Some Sensuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol  (2011)

C – 132m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Aspect Ratio: Mission: Impossible IV – Ghost Protocol, Mission Impossible IV – Ghost Protocol, Mission: Impossible 4 – Ghost Protocol, Mission: Impossible IV, Mission: Impossible 4, Mission Impossible IV, Mission Impossible 4, M:IIVGP, MIIVGP, M:I4GP, MI4GP, M:IGP, MIGP, Aries, M:I4, MIIV. MI4
Television Creator & Writer: Bruce Geller
Characters By: Steven Zaillian and David Koepp
Screenplay By: Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec
Exec. Prod.s: David Ellison and Dana Goldberg
Prod.s: J.J. Abrams, Tom Cruise
Dir.: Brad Bird
Starring: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Michael Nyqvist, Samuli Edelmann, Ivan Shvedoff, Anil Kapoor, Josh Holloway, Michelle Monaghan (uncredited), Ving Rhames (uncredited) and Tom Wilkinson (uncredited).

The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name. This is the WORST entry in the franchise. This reviewer cannot say enough bad things about it. Terrible CGI, acting is over the top or dull and the story is less than nothing in existence. The only two things that can be said FOR this film are that the makeup is passible and there is a nice use of the song: “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” sung by Dean Martin. If at all possible ignore this entry and go for the fifth one when you finish the third entry in the series. If one MUST watch this, they will be doing so at the risk of their own intellectual and entertainment peril! 

Trivia: Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts. This was Brad Bird’s directorial debut. 

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible II (2000) and Mission: Impossible III (2006). Followed by: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Intense Action & Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

C – 131m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mission: Impossible V – Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible 5 – Rogue Nation, Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible V, Mission: Impossible 5, Mission Impossible V, Mission Impossible 5, M:IV – RN, M:I5 – RN, M:I – RN, M:IVRN, MIVRN, M:IRN, M:I V, M:I 5, M:IV, M:I5, MIV, MI5
Television Show Creator & Writer: Bruce Geller
Story By: Christopher McQuarrie and Drew Pearce
Writer – Dir.: Christopher McQuarrie
Prod.s: J.J. Abrams, Tom Cruise, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, Simon McBurney, Tom Hollander, Alec Baldwin, Nigel Barber, William Roberts, Robert Maaser, Eva–Marie Becker, Jamie Buchan (uncredited), Jill Buchanan (uncredited), John Carr (uncredited), Jamie B. Chambers (uncredited), Tom Dab, Alexander Hathaway (uncredited), Helena Holmes (uncredited), Philip Howard, Peter Stanford, Glenn Webster and Belle Williams.

Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet, eradicating the Syndicate - an International rogue organization as highly skilled as they are, committed to destroying the IMF. This was a huge step up from the disaster that was the previous entry in this blockbuster series. The acting, writing, CGI and makeup are back on stable footing. The issue here is that it is a tad too long and slow spots become more pronounced because of it. Still an agreeable film to watch… Recommended.

Trivia:

Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts. Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg performed all their own driving stunts. It took ten days to film a 90–second involving Ethan Hunt, Tom Cruise, suspended on the airplane. When training for the underwater scene, Tom Cruise could hold his breath for six minutes. Paula Patton and Maggie Q were set to reprise their roles from: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Benedict Cumberbatch was the first actor considered to play the villain. In an interview with The Q&A With Jeff Goldsmith, Tom Cruise stated that the gray suit worn during the opening plane sequence was a direct homage to Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) in Alfred Hitchcock’s North By Northwest (1959), who wears a similarly colored suit in the classic plane sequence. Tom Cruise was attached to: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015), but dropped out to make this film. Henry Cavill replaced him. They would go on to be in: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), together.    

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible II (2000), Mission: Impossible III (2006) and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). Followed by: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Action And Violence, & Brief Partial Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

C – 147m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: M:I VI – Mission Impossible, M:I 6 – Mission Impossible, Mission: Impossible VI, Mission: Impossible 6
Characters From The TV Series By: Bruce Geller
Writer – Dir.: Christopher McQuarrie
Prod.s: J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise
Starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Vanessa Kirby, Michelle Monaghan, Wes Bentley, Alec Baldwin, Kristoffer Joner, Wolf Blitzer and Raphael Joner.

Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong. This is simultaneously one of the best entries in the series but is also the worst to try and review. If no analysis is done on this film it stands strong with a three out of four star rating. The minute one tries to say, “this works because…” the film falls apart. For sure: there is good tension built several times throughout the film, the action is high octane, the cinematography is good and CGI and makeup are tops. Unfortunately: These more than capable actors can be found chewing the scenery (over acting) at various points in the film, the story is slightly contrived, the script has a few too many corny lines, and dramatic scenes are on the melodramatic side of things and are unintentionally funny. Still there are some well–planned gags in the film that score bulls eyes. If one doesn’t think about the film, it works. Try to see the film doing just that. Recommended without scrutiny.  

Trivia:

This film had 3,000 setups, thirteen helicopters, six pregnancies, five hiatuses, four–weeks of aerial photography, three continents, two winters and one broken ankle. Tom Cruise trained for and entire year to perform the HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) stunt in this film. While filming a scene in August 2017, Tom Cruise fractured his ankle in a stunt where he leaped from a building. Production was halted for several weeks / 8 weeks (depending on the source), but the July 2018 release date was kept. The footage from that stunt was used both in the trailers for this film and this film itself. At a running length of 147 minutes or 2 hours 27 minutes, this was the longest Mission: Impossible film up to that point. This film was green–lit several days before the release of: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015). Solomon Lane was the first villain to appear in two entries in this series of film.

Jeremy Renner was not in this film due to his obligations to the Marvel universe. Rebecca Ferguson was pregnant while filming this movie. She was about seven months pregnant when filming was completed. Rebecca Ferguson was also the first actress to appear in two leading role parts in two entries in this series. Christopher McQuarrie was the first director from this series to direct more than one film in this series. Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames are the only actors to appear in all the Mission: Impossible films. Simon Pegg started in the series in Mission: Impossible III (2006). Henry Cavill, who is in this film with Tom Cruise, replaced Cruise in: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015). Michelle Monaghan’s appearances in this series were: Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) and this film. Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.

In June 2017, Tom Cruise, Michelle Monaghan and Simon Pegg arrived in New Zealand to begin filming scenes. This marked Tom Cruise’s first time in the country since filming: The Last Samurai (2003). This film was shot in 161 days. The filming took almost an entire year due to having to halt production for a few months due to Tom Cruise’s broken ankle. As usual Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts for this film. This was the first Mission: Impossible film to be released in 3D. Post–Production on this film was completed on July 3, 2018; Tom Cruise was shown the completed film for the first time on July 8, 2018; and this film was finally released in 2D and 3D on July 27, 2018.

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible II (2000), Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015).  
Rated: [PG–13] – Violence & Intense Scenes Of Action, & Brief Strong Language

Dark Crimes (2016 / 2018)

Dark Crimes (2016 / 2018)

C – 92m / 93m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: True Crimes
Inspired By The Article: “True Crime: A Postmodern Murder Mystery” by David Grann
Screenplay By: Jeremy Brock
Prod.: Brett Ratner
Assoc. Prod.: Jeremy Brock
Dir.: Alexandros Avranas
Starring:  Jim Carrey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Agata Kulesza and Parianna Figurska.

A murder investigation of a slain businessman turns to clues found in an author's book about an eerily similar crime. This abysmal monstrosity of a thriller has only the star powers of Jim Carrey and Charlotte Gainsbourg to recommend it. The aforementioned duo, Carrey and Gainsbourg, were in terrific shape as actors for this film. Otherwise the story is slight, there is never suspense formed at any time during the film, the script is weak and there is an excessive amount of material that could have and SHOULD HAVE been cut from this film. Even at a mere 93 minutes, this film is over–padded. If only Hollywood could bring back the days when films could be an hour in length and still be satisfying! If this had a better script and was 60 minutes instead of 93, the package of this film would have been in better shape. Sadly that is not the case. This fact alone may lead many viewers to either 1.) Skip this film, which is what this reviewer recommends doing, or 2.) Have their finger resting on the fast forward button on their remote, computer or phone. In any event, watch if you dare. Or be wise and see The Mask (1994) or Liar Liar (1997) for the hundredth time instead.    

Trivia:

This film shot for 32 days in Krakow, Poland. Marianna Figurska (Olga in the film) was Agata Kulesza’s real–life daughter. The article that his film is based on, “True Crime: A Postmodern Murder Mystery” by David Grann, told the strange true story of Krystian Bala, a writer who was arrested for the murder of a Polish businessman. A detective called Jacek, from the Wroclaw police department in Poland, investigated the crime unsuccessfully and yet three years later reopened the case because he read a mystery novel that described murders too close in detail to the case for it to have been a coincidence.    

Rated: [R] – Strong And Disturbing Violent / Sexual Content Including Rape, Graphic Nudity, & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy  

Gillian Flynn Films and Show

Gillian Flynn Films And Show

Gone Girl (2014)

C – 149m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Screenplay By: Gillian Flynn
Prod.: Reese Witherspoon
Dir.: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, David Clennon, Lisa Banes, Missi Pyle, Emily Ratajkowski, Casey Wilson, Lola Kirke, Boyd Holbrook, Sela Ward, Lee Norris, Jamie McShane, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Lynn Adrianna, Mark Atteberry, Darin Cooper, Kate Campbell, Brett Leigh, Antonio St. James, Lauren Glazier, Cooper Thornton, Casey Ruggieri, Cyd Strittmatter, Ashley Didion, L.A. Williams, Blake Sheldon, Ricky Wood, Fred Cross, Scott Takeda, Donna Rusch, Mark T. Anderson and Scoot McNairy.

With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it is suspected that he may not be innocent.

Trivia:

Ben Affleck postponed directing: Live By Night (2016), to work on this film. Affleck said of director David Fincher, “He’s the only director I’ve met who can do everybody else’s job better than they could.” One day on set Affleck changed the lens setting on a camera almost an indiscernible amount, betting a crewmember that Fincher wouldn’t notice. Affleck lost since David Fincher brought it up, saying, “Why does the camera look a little dim?” Ben Affleck’s weight fluctuated in the film, seeing him go from average build to muscular, as a result on him being cast as Batman in: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016). Rosamund Pike was cast as Amy because David Fincher felt that she was of ambiguous age in appearance – she could pass for someone older or someone younger.

 Reese Witherspoon obtained the film rights to Gone Girl from author Gillian Flynn and intended to use her production company to make it, with the idea of starring in it. After her meeting with David Fincher she realized she wasn’t right for the part and withdrew from contention for the lead female role. In addition to Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Abbie Cornish, Julianne Hough and Jessica Chastain were all considered for the role of Amy Dunne. For her performance Rosamund Pike drew inspiration from: Nicole Kidman in To Die For (1995), Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct (1992), and Carolyn Bessette–Kennedy. David Fincher had been known to cast actors in his films based on looks they gave in photos of them on the Internet. Fincher cast Ben Affleck in this film because of a certain grin that he had in about a dozen photos that Fincher had seen on the Internet.

Ben Affleck reportedly has quite extensive knowledge of 1980’s songs according to Tyler Perry. Perry played a game throughout the production of this film with Affleck, in which Perry would sing a song at random and see if Affleck knew the musical number. Reportedly this included show tunes, Barbra Streisand songs amongst many other songs. “The Bar” restaurant in this film became a real place right where the scenes there were filmed, in downtown Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Originally, Nick, played by Ben Affleck here, was to wear a New York Yankees cap. Affleck refused to wear it, as he was a die–hard Boston Red Sox fan. The disagreement shut down production for four days. He and director David Fincher finally compromised and Affleck wound up wearing the Mets cap you see in the scene. In the scene where Nick pushes Amy into the wall, Affleck used a tad too much force and almost gave Rosamund Pike a concussion. She was even quoted as saying that she had seen stars somewhere around take 18.

This was the first film in which Ben Affleck did full frontal nudity. He did it because David Fincher said he wanted this film to be like a European film, “warts and all” in terms of nudity. Fincher went on to say that it would be more realistic that way. This film became David Fincher’s highest grossing film at the box office up to the point of this film’s release, passing The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008). The character of Tanner Bolt was written as, “an Alec Baldwin type.” The whole play with the pens of different colors was Gillian Flynn’s visual solution to the translation to screen of Amy’s diary. Rosamund Pike told film critic Peter Travers that when David Fincher would catch her using her cellphone, he’d take a, “stern face,” selfie and send it to her, causing her to instantly stop using her phone and pocket it.

Most of the doors and windows in daytime interior scenes were fitted with green screens and had the background added in later, as it was impossible to expose for interiors without the outdoors blowing out. (This reviewer apologizes if there are too many outs there.) David Fincher cast Emily Ratajkowski on the recommendation of Ben Affleck who told Fincher to look at her performance in Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” Music Video. The character Ellen Abbott was loosely based on television host Nancy Grace. David Fincher shot some 500 hours of footage over the course of the 100–day shooting schedule, averaging five hours a day. This was the feature film debut of Carrie Coon. When Nick and Amy have sex in the library, they talk about Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austin. Rosamund Pike, who played Amy here, played Jane Bennet in: Pride & Prejudice (2005). Neil Patrick Harris’ character in this film is named Mr. Collings, which is very similar to Mr. Collins in Pride & Prejudice.

Ben Affleck and his character in this film, Nick Dunne, were both born on August 15th. Seth Rogan, Ryan Reynolds, Brad Pitt and Jon Hamm were all considered for the role of Nick Dunne at various points of pre–production. Hamm’s commitment on the AMC television show: Mad Men (2007–2015) prevented him from being able to do this film. Ben Affleck, who played Nick Dunne here, previously directed Jon Hamm in: The Town (2010). Coincidentally, Hamm was also considered for the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman in: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016), which also went to Ben Affleck. David Fincher said that when he was casting the title role for this film, he wanted a Faye Dunaway type actress, citing her specifically in the Roman Polanski film: Chinatown (1974). This film features the first script written by Gillian Flynn, author of the blockbuster book from which this is adapted. This was also the first adaption of any of Flynn’s written works. The name Schieber, from the character Sharon Schieber, was author, Gillian Flynn’s middle name. Originally David Fincher was supposed to direct: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Captain Nemo, but due to a complete halt in the production’s development, Fincher dropped out of the project, and quickly joined this one.

Nick Dunne always complained that his cellphone had no signal. A close–up of his phone showed it was T–Mobile, which at the time had questionable indoor signal strength due to the lack of lower operating spectrum. Nick and Margo Dunne, Ben Affleck and Carrie Coon respectively, were supposed to be twins. In real life Affleck and Coon had a 9–year age difference between them. The campground scene was filmed at Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant in southern Illinois, just south of Carbondale. The story of Gone Girl was set in North Carthage, Missouri. It was however filmed in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Casting of extras took place in the Rose Theatre of Southeast Missouri State University, also in Cape Girardeau. The old federal building at 339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was dressed as the North Carthage Police Department building. 

The videogame Nick Dunne played in this film was Battlefield 3 (2011) for PlayStation 3 (PS3). In the book, when Amy met Desi at the casino, a stranger interrupted their conversation to ask if Amy is related to the Enloe. In the acknowledgements Gillian Flynn thanked Detective Enloe of the Overland Park Police for answering her “42,000 e–mails.” In this film the line is still present, but the name was changed from Enloe to Nolan, the surname of Flynn’s spouse, Brett, and their children. An early draft of the screenplay for this film was 177 pages long. Had that been the draft that was used for shooting, the film would have been 2 hours 57 minutes long. The editing software that was used to edit this film was Adobe Premiere Pro CC.

One of Amy’s pink pens has a outline of a stork carrying a baby pouch, likely in reference to the topic Amy is writing about in her diary. After Amy disappeared and Nick and the detective go into Nick’s office to follow up on Amy’s first clue, there are two books of interest on his shelves: Manhood For Amateurs by Michael Chabon – nonfiction essays about being a husband that the mistakes and surprises of being a father, and Freedom by Jonathan Franzen – an American novel concerned with the themes of marriage. Gillian Flynn was originally going to call this film’s book Psycho Bitch, but changed her mind. There are even allusions to that in the book. At the volunteer center, Margo tells Nick, “You look like hammered shit.” This is the exact same line spoken by Drum (Tom Skerritt) in: Steel Magnolias (1989).

Ben Affleck’s character searching for a woman named Amy may bring to mind his role in the Kevin Smith film: Chasing Amy (1997).      

Oscar® nominated for: Best Actress – Rosamund Pike. Golden Globe® nominated for: Best Director – Motion Picture – David Fincher, Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama – Rosamund Pike, Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Gillian Flynn, and Best Original Score – Motion Picture.

Rated: [R] – A Scene Of Bloody Violence, Some Strong Sexual Content / Nudity & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Dark Places (2015)

C. – 113m.
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel Written By: Gillian Flynn
Starring: Charlize Theron, Nick Hoult, Christina Hendricks, Corey Stoll, Drea De Matteo, Chloe Grace Moretz and Sean Bridgers.

Thirty years after a young girl’s family is presumably murdered by a satanic cult, the young girl, now a woman, learns the truths about what really happened. Rarely does this happen to this reviewer, but it does happen occasionally: I don’t know how to review this film. It isn’t good and it isn’t bad, it just exists as a film. All aspects of the filmmaking is fine, I just don’t have a clear feeling on this one. Read the description of the film and judge for yourself.

Trivia:

During the scene where Libby encounters the Kill Club, source novel author Gillian Flynn has a brief cameo as the woman sitting in the chair with an axe across her lap. Amy Adams was originally cast in the lead role while this film was in development. When it came time to shoot the film, Amy Adams wasn’t available and was thus replaced by Charlize Theron. Amy Adams would go on to be cast in the lead of the limited run HBO television series Sharp Objects (2018), which was adapted from another Gillian Flynn novel – bearing the same title as the show. Christina Hendricks was originally cast as Krissi Cates and Samantha Morton was cast as Patty Day. When Morton dropped out just prior to filming, Hendricks took the role of Patty Day and Drea De Matteo took the role of Krissi Cates. Ben Day was seven years older than his sister Libby in the story. In real life, Charlize Theron, who plays Libby here, was a year older than Corey Stoll, who played Ben Day in this film. This film, which was originally slated for a 2014 release, was released on Charlize Theron’s 40th Birthday.   

Rated: [R] – Some Disturbing Violence, Language, Drug Use & Sexual Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Sharp Objects: The Complete Series (2018)

C. – +/- 480m. (8 Episodes, 60 Minutes–ish Each)
Novel Witten By: Gillian Flynn.
Exec. Pro.s: Amy Adams, Gillian Flynn and Jean–Marc Vallee. 
Dir.: Jean–Marc Vallee
Starring: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Matt Craven, Miguel Sandoval, April Brinson, Violet Brinson, Sydney Sweeney, Taylor John Smith, Elizabeth Perkins, Barbara Eve Harris, David Sullivan, Will Chase, Gracie Prewitt, Jessica Treska, Jackson Hurst, Aaron Holliday, Ryan James Nelson, Jennifer Aspen, Guy Boyd, Kaegan Baron, Betsy Baker, Cody Sullivan, Madison Davenport, Sophia Lillis, Randy Oglesby, Lauran September, Jean Villepique, Ericka Kreutz, Dylan Schombing, Lulu Wilson, Beth Broderick, Hilary Ward, D.B. Sweeney, Evan Castelloe and Lauren Dale Williams (uncredited).

A reporter must confront the demons of her past as she stays with her mother when she returns to her hometown to report on a murder. This limited run HBO television series was just as twisted as the novel it was adapted from. At that, the novel was just as twisted as Gillian Flynn’s other writings. To that end, this show may not be for all tastes. However, if one likes slow–burn gothic horror and / or the cast of this show, than this will be of interest. The acting, direction, scripts and cinematography are all solid. The editing is hit or miss however. There is also an uneven sound mix on this show (which appeared to be a fashion statement by Hollywood at the time it was shot and released / aired). This reviewer finds the pace just fine, however others may vary, and some may even think it is deliberately slow paced, not is a positive way. Story wise there are enough twists to keep one engaged.

The casting of Sophia Lillis as Amy Adams’ sister was a stroke of genus, though admittedly a somewhat obvious choice. Just like in: IT (2017), Lillis steals every scene she is in, which is no small feat given the presence of Amy Adams in the show. Adams herself gives yet another stunning performance that is also brilliantly nuanced. Like Gone Girl (2014), and unlike Dark Places (2015), the characters are well developed and stunningly enhanced by the actors. This comes recommended by this reviewer with the reminder and admission that this may not be for all tastes. 

Trivia:

This was the third Gillian Flynn novel to be adapted to the screen, this time a television screen. The other two were films: Gone Girl (2014) and Dark Places (2015). Amy Adams, who played the lead here, was originally cast in the film: Dark Places (2015) but dropped out just prior to filming. This limited run show was partially filmed in Barnesville, GA in the theme of Wind Gap, Missouri. It was also partially filmed in Mendocino and Lake Counties in Northern California. The titles of each of the episodes are the words that Camille carved into her skin. In the novel, the word, “Vanish,” is carved into the back of Camille’s neck, while in this show it is carved into her right forearm.

Rated: [TV–MA]

Psycho Series (1960–Present)

Psycho Series & Related Films & Shows (1960–Present)

In the mid 1950’s writer Robert Bloch (pronounced: “Block”) wrote a short story titled Your’s Truly, Jack The Ripper. The premise of the story was that Jack The Ripper survived the end of his murder spree in 1888 and resurfaced in America in the 1950’s only to kill again. In the late 1950’s Bloch, influenced / inspired by the killer Ed Gein, wrote a novel titled: Psycho. The story consisted of a 40 – something year old man who did intimate acts on himself while spying on women staying at the motel he ran, before killing them. The man’s name was Norman Bates. Almost as soon as the book was published, producer and director Alfred Hitchcock bought the film rights for $9,000 in an anonymous bid and subsequently bought as many of the books out of circulation has he could so as to not spoil the ending. Hitchcock went into production in 1959 for a 1960 release of his film Psycho (1960).

While much of the story remained intact, the more seedy elements were removed due to film censorship of the day. Years later the film would go through various ratings leading up to and landing finally on its current R rating in 1984. The studios involved with the production were dubious as to how well the film would do and therefore gave Hitchcock little money with which to make his film. They also gave him over 50% of the box office profits, thinking the film wouldn’t do that well. When the film became a sleeper it, Hitch amassed a small fortune. The film has since gone on to be hailed as one of the best films of all times generally speaking and specifically in the Horror and Thriller genres.

After Alfred Hitchcock’s death in 1980, Robert Bloch went back to the Psycho well and wrote 3 sequels. Subsequently these novels were turned into films starring Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, reprising the role he made famous in Hitchcock’s Psycho. The films were made from 1983–1990. Two were theatrical and the final one was made for cable television. Robert Bloch then returned in 1984 to the Jack The Ripper story and wrote the novel: The Night Of The Ripper. While it is noteworthy to this reviewer that Bloch toggled between two knife–wielding killers, the general public remembers him best for his Psycho writings.

A failed television show pilot from 1987 titled Bates Motel (1987) now rests on DVD as a television movie in the franchise. It would, in story anyway, follow the three Perkins sequels. In the late 1990’s there was talk of: “Who would dare make a remake of Psycho (1960)?” Fortunately people didn’t have much time to speculate since director Gus Van Sant viewed it as a challenge and took it upon himself to remake Psycho. Unfortunately for him, despite updating the story and having more freedom content wise as to what was allowed in the film censorship wise, he decided to make a shot by shot remake of Hitchcock’s classic.

The general public and film critics did not take kindly to this film. It was notoriously panned as a BOMB while the original is notoriously hailed as a classic. No one dared to touch the Psycho properties for a while after that. In 2012 Anthony Hopkins played Alfred Hitchcock and Helen Mirren played his wife Alma in the film: Hitchcock (2012). It was a satirical look at the making of the film and the strong bond between Hitch and his wife. It was highly sanitized though given the plethora of information available about how nasty and crude Hitchcock could be. That film is reviewed elsewhere. See the review for more details on that film.

A successful television show was made titled: Bates Motel (2013–2017). The show took place in then present day but had clothing styles, cars, and sets that looked straight out of 1959. The series starred Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates and Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates. The show chronicled the teen Norman Bates and how he became the notorious killer depicted in Psycho (1960). Concurrently with the final season of the show there was a documentary film released titled: 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene (2017). It was a in depth look at the making of that infamous scene from the 1960 film. With the exception of Hitchcock (2012), all the aforementioned shows and films have been reviewed below. They are divided into the category in which they properly fit. Enjoy…    

The Films:

Psycho (1960)

B&W – 109m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Production 9401, Psychosis, Wimpy
Novel: Psycho by Robert Bloch
Screenplay By: Joseph Stefano
Prod. (uncredited) – Dir.: Sir Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Janet Leigh, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Simon Oakland, Frank Albertson, Patricia Hitchcock (as Pat Hitchcock), Lurene Tuttle, John Anderson, Mort Mills, Francis De Sales (uncredited), Virginia Gregg (uncredited), Sir Alfred Hitchcock (uncredited), Ted Knight (uncredited), Jeanette Nolan (uncredited), Robert Osborne (uncredited) and Helen Wallace (uncredited).
Music By: Bernard Herrmann

A Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000.00 from her employer’s client, goes on the run, checks into a remote hotel run by a young man under the domination of his mother. A truly horrifying picture for anyone seeing it for the first time who doesn’t know anything about the film. After that it is a well–done thriller that still has shock to it even decades after it was made and released. The acting is superb, script is nice and tight, the pacing is perfect and the story does have genuine shock value to it. Particularly when one reads the story of the real life killer the novels were based on and subsequently reads the novels and sees the films and shows. In short, this is a well – orchestrated film, in every sense of the phrase. Dig Bernard Herrmann’s haunting and jolting score – particularly in the Shower Scene, which made this film notorious!

Trivia:

In this film, director Alfred Hitchcock wanted to do a pan / zoom over the entirety of Marion Crane’s hotel room, as the first shot of the film. The technology was not yet capable of such a shot so Hitch did it with pans and dissolves. In the 1998 remake, director Gus Van Sant was able to achieve the shot Hitchcock wanted because the technology had advanced many years between the films. This film was shot in six weeks, as was the 1998 remake. Alfred Hitchcock was initially disappointed with the final cut of the film. He believed it would be on a double bill at a Drive–In Theatre. According to Bernard Herrmann Hitchcock even considered editing it down for broadcast on his television show: Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962).  Hitchcock did on conceive of the idea of music for the Shower Scene. Bernard Herrmann did however and wrote the score. Also according to Herrmann, he brought back the title sequence music to the scene where Marion Crane drives away after taking the money. He said that the scene didn’t work until he did so. Hitch was so happy with the score by Bernard Herrmann that he doubled Herrmann’s salary to: $34,501.00. Hitch later said, “33% of the effect of Psycho was due to the music.”

Sir Alfred Hitchcock would only call Anthony Perkins, “Master Bates,” on the set of this film (one of the director’s many double entendres). On the first day of work Hitchcock made the cast and crew raise their right hands and swear not to reveal any part of the plot to anyone. Hitchcock also withheld the end of the script from the actors until he actually had to shoot it. Alfred Hitchcock bought the film rights to the novel from Robert Bloch anonymously for $9,000.00 in U.S. dollars. He then bought up as many copies of the novel as he could to keep the ending a secret. Walt Disney refused to allow Hitchcock to film at Disneyland because he made, “that disgusting movie Psycho.” Hitchcock wanted to make this film so badly that he deferred his standard salary of $250,000 in lieu of 60% of the profits of the film. Paramount gave Hitchcock a very small budget to work with, because of their distaste for the source material. They also deferred most of the net profits over to Hitchcock because they thought it would be a flop. When the film became a sleeper hit, Hitchcock made a small fortune. His personal earning from the film exceeded $15 million. Adjusted for inflation, that would be just over $120 million in 2016 dollars. Incidentally, this was Hitch’s final film for Paramount Studios. It was also Hitch’s final film in Black And White. This was even Hitch’s final time being Oscar® nominated for Best Director. He was nominated a total of five times but never won. He did however get an honorary Oscar® and an AFI Life Achievement Award.

Every theatre that showed this film had a cardboard cutout of Hitch pointing at his watch installed in the lobby. The cutout said, “The manager of this theatre has been instructed at the risk of his life, not to admit to the theatre, any persons after the picture starts. Any spurious attempts to enter by the side doors, fire escapes or ventilation shaft will be met with force. The entire object of this extraordinary policy, of course, is to help you enjoy PSYCHO that much more. Alfred Hitchcock.”  Some theatres also had a record player installed with a special record that would play music and sporadically announce the countdown times to a Psycho screening. This was to further emphasize the point that no one was allowed in after the start of the film. Additionally, the theatres were told to lock the doors to the screening rooms when Psycho was playing so that no one would come in after show times.

In the opening of the film Marion Crane is shown in a white bra to symbolize “angelic”. After she steals the money, her bra is black because she did something sinful. The same color scheming goes for her purse in before and after the crime. This was the first American film to SHOW a toilet flushing. The first film that a toilet is HEARD flushing was: Frankenstein 1970 (1958). Joseph Stefano was adamant that the toilet had to flush on screen. Hitchcock told him if he wanted to see it, he had to make it so on paper. This caused Stefano to add the scene of Marion Crane adding up the money on paper and then flushing it down the toilet, thus making it impossible for the scene to be nixed by the censors. For the shot of the showerhead looking up at the water stream, Hitchcock had a six–foot diameter showerhead made and blocked the central jets so that the water sprayed in a cone past the lens of the camera, without spraying water directly at it.

Janet Leigh received threatening letters, which detailed what people wanted to do to Marion Crane. One was so bad that she contacted the FBI with it. The culprit behind that letter was caught. The FBI further informed Janet Leigh that, should she get more letters of that ilk, she should contact them immediately. The official trailer for this film ran over 6 minutes and 30 seconds in 1960, a feat unheard of in today’s film world. There was even a mandate installed in the 2010’s to keep film trailers 2 minutes 30 seconds or less.

The real life killer who inspired the novel, Ed Gein, also inspired: Deranged: Confessions Of A Necrophile (1974), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), and its sequels and prequels, and The Silence Of The Lambs (1991). According to Janet Leigh, the wardrobe she had as Marion Crane was purchased “off the rack” in regular stores rather than made for her, thus adding to the “realism” of the film. Filming of the famous Shower Scene took about two weeks. Janet Leigh said she never showered again after making this film; she only took baths. Leigh’s daughter Jamie Le Curtis went on to be in a knife wielding film franchise – Halloween (1978–Present). Alfred Hitchcock produced this film after his plans for making No Bale For The Judge, starring Audrey Hepburn fell through.

In the shower scene there is someone dressed as Mother Bates but it was never Anthony Perkins. It was a different man every day for two weeks while the scene was shot. (Spoilers!) Anthony Perkins only had the dress on during the finale climax. It was later reported that Anthony Perkins had two shower scenes in 1960: the one in this film and the one he did with Jane Fonda in her film debut, Tall Story (1960). Due to the technicality of Perkins not being present during this film’s shower scene while it was being shot, one can argue the point that he only had one shower scene. 

For years after making this film Anthony Perkins refused to talk about it or his character because people only knew him as his character in this film – reference wise. He did talk about it in the early 1990’s, shortly before his death. There is video of it, though the video is in rough shape it does give some idea of his feelings on the character and how Hitchcock instructed him to play the part. It can be found in a few documentaries and on YouTube.com for those who are interested. Alfred Hitchcock had a prop torso made up that would shoot blood out of it when it was stabbed with a knife but didn’t use it. He used Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup for the blood since he thought it showed up better than the typical makeup blood mixture on camera.

The scene where Martin Balsam, as Detective Milton Arbogast, has his career–ending, run–in with Mrs. Bates that has him going down the stairs backwards was done with him sitting in front of a screening waving his arms and making a face while rear projection of the stairs was played behind him. When the film was played back, it looked as if he had gone down the stairs himself. The story of the torso and the aforementioned scene was revealed on: The Dick Cavett Show (1968–1974), by Alfred Hitchcock himself in 1972. In his interviews on Cavett’s show, he appears impish with his humor. A stark contrast to the tyrant he was reported to be my actors and actresses, starting most famously with Tippi Hedren. Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh were allowed to improvise parts of their roles, such as Norman Bates habit of eating candy corn.

As part of a publicity campaign prior to the film Hitchcock said, “It has been rumored that Psycho is so terrifying that it will scare some people speechless. Some of my men hopefully took their wives to a screening. The women emerged badly shaken but still vigorously vocal.” This is considered by many to be Alfred Hitchcock’s first horror film. This film cost $800,000.00 in U.S. dollars to make and earned $40 million U.S. dollars. This was the highest grossing film of Hitchcock’s career. Some biographers have said that Hitchcock’s own issues with his mother influenced him to make this film, though his issues were not as disturbing as the ones in this film. Further, it is reported that screenwriter Joseph Stefano was dealing with his mother issues in therapy as he wrote the script for this film. A scene of Marion Crane removing her black bra before her shower was cut from U.S. prints of the film for censorship reasons. It did however remain intact in the U.K. release of the film.

Anthony Perkins was paid $40,000.00 for his role as Norman Bates, the exact amount that Marion Crane, played by Janet Leigh in this film, embezzles. In 1992, this film was selected for preservation in The Library Of Congress. Over the years this film has been rated and rerated. First it was released with no rating, then it was rated PG, then PG–13, and finally R – rated. The R rating was given to this film in 1984. The shower scene, which runs a mere 45 seconds and is comprised of 78 shots, with 52 camera setups became the subject of the documentary: 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene (2017). Alfred Hitchcock lamented for the rest of his life that this film was meant as a joke in his eyes and that no one but him thought it was funny.

Vera Miles wore a wig for her role in this film, as she had her head shaved for her role in: 5 Branded Women (1960). In the novel it was explained that Marion and Sam met on a cruise and fell in love. This explained why it was a long distance relationship between them, with Marion in Phoenix and Sam in Fairvale. The novel Psycho by Robert Bloch was originally part of an anthology of novels published in conjunction with the popular and spooky radio show: “Inner Sanctum”. Kim Stanley was reportedly offered the role of Lila but turned it down citing personal reservations about working with Anthony Perkins.

This film was originally set to air on television in the fall of 1966. Shortly before it was to air, the daughter of then U.S. Senate candidate Charles H. Percy (U.S. Senate – Republican, Illinois 1967–1985), was stabbed to death by an intruder. As of 2011, the murder was still unsolved. Due to the murder, this film was not shown on U.S. network television until 1970, after a hugely successful theatrical re–release the previous year. In a grisly and ironic twist of fate, Janet Leigh’s body double for this film was found raped and murdered at the age of 71 in 1988. Her murderer was arrested and charged just days after this film’s remake premiered. A book has been written about the case titled: The Girl In Alfred Hitchcock’s Shower by Robert Graysmith.

In an early draft of the script for this film: In Mr. Lowery's office the following exchange is heard:

CASSIDY (to Marion): You should take a vacation in Las Vegas, playground of the world!
MARION: Thank you, but I think I'll spend this weekend in bed. CASSIDY: “Only playground to beat Las Vegas.”

The last sentence was in the script but Hitch had to cut it due to the censors. Gus Van Sant used it in his remake of this film since Hitch had intended to use it.

The Psychiatrist Explanation Scene at the end of the film was the most panned part of this film by Hitchcock, critics and Hitch’s fans. Three women recorded the dialogue of Norma Bates. Hitchcock mixed them together until he found the right tone of voice for each scene. Alfred Hitchcock preferred working on sound stages rather than outdoors. As such, most of the work of the actors outside the house and motel were done in studio. The exterior of the Bates house and motel were mixed in with the footage of the actors. If one looks closely it can be discerned which footage is which by looking at the lighting. Two cameras were usually used in the shooting of this film to avoid having to reset everything up for multiple angles. While this was not uncommon for a television show production, it was certainly a rarity at the time in filmmaking. The A.K.A. title: Wimpy was in reference to second unit cameraman Rex Wimpy.

Eva Marie Saint, Lee Remick, Angie Dickinson, Piper Laurie, Martha Hyer, Hope Lange, Shirley Jones and Lana Turner were all considered for the role of Marion Crane. Angie Dickinson went on to star in a film that was heavily influenced by this film: Brian De Palma’s Dressed To Kill (1980). There were false reports that actor George Reeves was hired for the role of Detective Milton Arbogast. The facts around the timing of his death, and the timing of the start of production on this film prove them false. For more information of George Reeves’ untimely death see Hollywoodland (2006). James P. Cavanagh was the first to adapt Robert Bloch’s novel into script form. His script was jettisoned in favor of Joseph Stefano’s script however.

The camera used to shoot Norman’s perspective as he watched Marion Crane undress through the peephole required a circular mask on the lens. Alfred Hitchcock wanted Sam Whitman, Tom Tryon, Brian Keith, Cliff Robertson, or Rod Taylor for the role of Sam Loomis but Universal insisted on John Gavin. Reflections are often used to imply Schizophrenia, but everyone in this movie except Norman Bates is shown in a mirror. Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles and Virginia Gregg all reprised their roles in: Psycho II (1983). Janet Leigh is shown in a flashback at the beginning of Psycho II (1983), but is not considered to have reprised her role, as it was stock footage. This was Janet Leigh’s only Oscar® nominated performance. Ted Knight (A.K.A.: Ted Baxter) made an appearance in this film as one of the guards at the end of the film. He opened the door so they could bring Norman a blanket in his cell. 

Oscar® nominated for: Best Supporting Actress – Janet Leigh, Best Director – Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Best Black And White Cinematography, and Best Black And White Art Direction – Set Decoration.

Followed by: Psycho II (1983), Psycho III (1986), a failed television show pilot that now stands as a movie: Bates Motel (1987), Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990), and the television show Bates Motel (2012–2017). Remade as: Psycho (1998).            

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Psycho II (1983)

C – 113m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Characters By: Robert Bloch
Screenplay By: Tom Holland
Exec. Prod.: Bernard Schwartz
Prod.: Hilton A. Green
Dir.: Richard Franklin
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia, Dennis Franz, Hugh Gillin, Jill Carroll, Tom Holland, Lee Garlington, Oz Perkins (as Osgood Perkins) and Virginia Gregg (voice only, uncredited).
Music By: Jerry Goldsmith

After 22 years of psychiatric care, Norman Bates attempts to return to a life of solitude, but the specters of his crimes – and his mother – continue to haunt him. Funny to think at some point someone would have been considered psycho to try and make a sequel to: Psycho (1960), pardon the redundancy of that statement. Fortunately for that psycho this Psycho sequel is quite well done. Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Virginia Gregg and Meg Tilly turn in powerhouse performances. Props should also be given to Tom Holland for coming up with such a Hitchcock worthy script. Sadly the third act of the film is a bit wobbly but when the first two acts work, and the conclusion of the film works, why quibble? Naturally, nothing will live up to the original film but this was a worthy sequel. Don’t hesitate to see it.

Trivia:

Producer Hilton A. Green suggested Jamie Lee Curtis for the role of Mary Loomis, as she was the daughter of Janet Leigh and had success with: Halloween (1978). When Mary and Norman go into Norman’s mother’s room, before they turn the lights on, Alfred Hitchcock’s silhouette can be seen on the wall to the far right. Meg Tilly was never allowed to watch television when she was growing up and thus never saw Psycho (1960). Not understanding the significant stature of the film, she asked someone on set, “Why is Tony getting all the attention?” Anthony Perkins heard this and was upset; he didn’t talk to her during filming and even suggested that she be fired in spite of the fact that over half of her scenes had already been filmed. Meg Tilly went on to say that this film was her worst working experience because Anthony Perkins and director Richard Franklin were difficult to work with. The reflection of a young Norman Bates in the doorknob, when he flashes back to his mother’s poisoning, was Anthony Perkins’ son Oz Perkins (Osgood Perkins).

The way Norman Bates says, “cutlery,” in the scene in the kitchen, was conceived during a table read of the script. When Anthony Perkins said the word he stuttered during the table read. Director Richard Franklin liked it and instructed him to say it like that when the film was being shot. The original house set was used and the motel set was reconstructed. The original showerhead was going to be used in this film but someone stole it before filming commenced. When Anthony Perkins was ambivalent about this film and leaning towards not reprising his role, a rumor circulated that Christopher Walken would step into the role and that this would be a television movie event. Perkins did however decided to do the film. On the commentary track for this film, screenwriter Tom Holland was asked if he could confirm that rumor about Walken as Norman Bates. Holland said he could neither confirm nor deny the rumor and quickly changed the subject. Quentin Tarantino said that this was one of his favorite films and that he preferred it to: Psycho (1960).

The scene in Norman’s childhood bedroom where Mary comforts Norman on the bed, was added by Tom Holland at the request of Anthony Perkins. Perkins felt Norman needed a touching scene with the character of Mary Loomis. Composer Jerry Goldsmith gave Anthony Perkins a cassette tape of the opening title theme. Reportedly he was so touched while listening to it that he started to cry. Writer Robert Bloch published the novel "Psycho II" in 1982. The plot of the book is very different than the feature film. It has Norman Bates escaping from the mental institution and traveling to Hollywood, California to stop the production of a film based on his life. Universal Studios was reportedly upset by Bloch's take on the horror film industry and this lead to the development of this 1983 film sequel.

Meg Tilly’s character’s name in this film was Mary Samuels, a reference to: Psycho (1960). In the original film Marion Crane signs her name Marie Samuels in the Bates Motel Guest Ledger. The novel Psycho by Robert Bloch had Marion’s name as: “Mary”. Richard Franklin was selected to direct this film because of a film he made titled: Road Games (1981), which was considered to be influenced by another famous Hitchcock film: Rear Window (1954). It didn’t hurt either that Franklin was a Hitchcock student, hosting a discussion / retrospective during his first semester at University Of Southern California (U.S.C.). Further, Franklin even visited Hitchcock on the set of his film: Topaz (1969). Lee Garlington, who played Myrna in this film, also produced the handwriting shown in “Mother’s” notes. In the original screenplay, there was dialogue between Mary and Dr. Raymond when he drives her to work, but it was cut from the film. This film made over $34 million in the worldwide box office and was shot in just 32 days.

Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, and Virginia Gregg reprise their roles from: Psycho (1960). Richard Franklin was so keen on having Jerry Goldsmith compose the music for this film that he turned down Universal Studios’ offer for the use of the Bernard Herrmann music cues from the original film and even Herrmann’s unused work for: Torn Curtin (1966). John Williams was originally suggested to compose the music for this film. The character of Sam Loomis from the original film was written out of this one since actor John Gavin, who played the role in 1960, was then currently serving as the American Ambassador to Mexico. It took screenwriter Tom Holland 6 months to complete the screenplay. Sheriff Hunt was originally named Sheriff Chambers and Dr. Raymond was originally named Dr. William Richmond in the script. They were both from the original film but their names were changed at the last minute. The producer’s name is Barnard Schwartz, Bernard Herschel Schwartz, better known as Tony Curtis, is of no relation to this film’s producer. He was however married to Janet Leigh, Marion Crane in: Psycho (1960), and was the father of Jamie Lee Curtis, from: Halloween (1978). Janet Leigh did appear in both Psycho II (1983), this film, and Psycho III (1986), only through stock footage from Psycho (1960) though. 

Followed by: Psycho III (1986), Bates Motel (1987), Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990), Psycho (1998) and Bates Motel (2013–2017).

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Psycho III (1986)

C – 93m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Characters By: Robert Bloch
Screenplay By: Charles Edward Pogue
Prod.: Hilton A. Green
Assoc. Prod.: Don Zepfel
Dir.: Anthony Perkins
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, Roberta Maxwell, Hugh Gillin, Lee Garlington, Robert Alan Browne, Gary Bayer, Patience Cleveland, Katt Shea, Juliette Cummins and Virginia Gregg (voice only, uncredited).
Cinematography By: Bruce Surtees

Norman Bates falls in love with a fallen nun who stays at the Bates Motel along side a drifter and a curious reporter. Meanwhile, “Mother” is still watching. A valiant effort by Anthony Perkins and company to keep Norman Bates alive… Sadly this film falls short of the previous entry’s success and feels mildly forced. Perkins gets props from this reviewer for getting good performances out of himself and the other actors as the director of this film though! Worth a look but nothing special.

Trivia:

This was Anthony Perkins’ directorial debut. Actress Juliette Cummins was nearly fired by director – actor Anthony Perkins after making an unintentional joke about his homosexuality. In an interview with American Movie Classics shortly before his death, Anthony Perkins admitted that he felt he wasn’t up to the task of directing this film, feeling that his technical knowledge was too limited. During the filming of this film, Anthony Perkins was diagnosed as H.I.V.–positive when he went into a clinic for a routine medical examination. Mary Loomis’ book from Psycho II (1983), The Belly Of The Beast, is seen lying in the dirt by Norman’s house. Anthony Perkins originally suggested that this film be shot in Black & White as a homage to the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock classic, but Universal opposed it.

This was the lowest grossing entry in the Psycho series, with just $14,481,606.00 in worldwide box office returns. The famous opening line, “There is no God!” was improvised by actress Diana Scarwid on the set. Brinke Stevens performed Diana Scarwid’s bare bottom nude scene. Actress Diana Scarwid fondly remembered Anthony Perkins as loving, sensitive and caring. Anthony Perkins originally wanted to use a stuntwoman for the scene where Duane throws Red out of the motel room. Juliette Cummings talked him out of it and performed her own stunt. Actress Katt Shea got her part of Patsy because she read her lines to a bush outside at the audition. Anthony Perkins’ main inspiration for the style of this film came from the film: Blood Simple (1984), the Coen Brothers’ film. Before production began on this film, he took the entire cast and crew to a screening of the film.

When the film went into Pre–Production, Anthony Perkins asked Psycho II (1983) director Richard Franklin to co–direct the film with him, though Franklin declined. Director Of Photography (D.P. / DP) Bruce Surtees quizzed Anthony Perkins on the blockings of scenes and what lenses to use. He was surprised to find that Perkins knew the answers to all the questions, and never questioned him again. It was Anthony Perkins’ idea for the unique transitions in the film, like the light under the door that is actually a knife, and the scene were Norman leaves the hospital, and closes the door and finds himself in “Mother’s” room. After the completion of the film, Universal Studios felt that it needed a better ending, one with a twist, so Anthony Perkins was called back to shoot the final scene. Screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue claimed that Anthony Perkins would get so many off–beat ideas for the film that Perkins would call him late at night to pitch them.

This film takes place in 1982, one month after the events of Psycho II (1983). Director – actor Anthony Perkins originally wanted Jeff Fahey completely nude in the foreplay scene between Duke and Red. Jeff Fahey felt too uncomfortable though and was allowed to hold two lamps to partially cover himself with. Producer Hilton A. Green cited this as his least favorite entry in the series due to the excessive graphic violence and nudity. The reporter Tracy Venable was supposed to be younger but when Roberta Maxwell was cast, the character became older. Anthony Perkins and Virginia Gregg were the only two actors to reprise their roles from: Psycho (1960). Hugh Gillin, Robert Alan Browne and Lee Garlington were the only actors in addition to Perkins and Gregg to reprise their roles from Psycho II (1983). Once again, Janet Leigh appears in this film in stock footage from Psycho (1960).

During the opening shots of the Bates house, it shows the cellar window from the second film with fingerprints on the glass. It is a nod to the boy who was murdered. After production wrapped, Anthony Perkins and screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue were asked to pitch an idea for Psycho IV. After the poor box office performance of this film, the idea of a 4th theatrical film was shelved. In 1988 the idea was dusted off as a made for television film. That one was penned by the original screenwriter Joseph Stefano.

Followed By: Bates Motel (1987), Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990), Psycho (1998) and the television series Bates Motel (2013–2017).    

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

 

Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990) 

C – 96m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen (original broadcast Aspect Ratio) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy Aspect Ratio)
Based On The Characters Created By: Robert Bloch
Screenplay By: Joseph Stefano
Exec. Prod.: Hilton A. Green
Co–Prod.: Alan Duncan Ross
Dir.: Mick Garris
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Henry Thomas, Olivia Hussey, CHH Pounder, Warren Frost, Donna Mitchell, John Landis, Alice Hirson (voice only), Ryan Finnegan (as Ryan Finnigan), Peggy O’Neal and Bob Barnes.

Norman Bates recalls his childhood with his abusive mother while fearing his unborn child will inherit his split personality disorder. A strange and incestuous finale to the Anthony Perkins Psycho series, finds Perkins in good form as an actor. The story is interesting but never thrilling. The cinematography is a tad soft given the crispness of the rest of the series, but there are a few visually captivating moments in spite of it. Recommended as a solid finish to the series.  

Trivia

When Anthony Perkins saw the first screening of this film, he called it the best out of all the Psycho sequels. Anthony Perkins and Psycho III (1986) screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue originally pitched and idea for Psycho IV that had the Bates Motel and House turned into a tourist attraction for horror weekends. From there Norman escapes the mental institution with a mute patient and the actor who was set to play Norman Bates for the weekend quits and Norman returns home to be hired to play himself. Pogue claimed that the idea was meant to be a black comedy but Universal opposed the idea. Director Mick Garris called Anthony Perkins the most difficult actor he ever worked with. When shooting the first murder scene, Henry Thomas got so involved in the stabbing that part of the knife went into his hand, causing nerve damage. He had the scar from that point forward in his life.

When Norman Bates first called into the radio show, he said his name was Ed. Psycho books author Robert Bloch modeled Norman Bates after real life serial killer and cannibal, Ed Gein. Gein was also the basis for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre series (1974–Present). When Janet Leigh did her intro for the television broadcast of this film, she stated that multiple endings were shot. Director Mick Garris said subsequently that only one ending was shot and that the claim of multiple endings was a publicity stunt by Universal Studios. When screenwriter Joseph Stefano, screenwriter of Psycho (1960) and this film, ignored the Mrs. Spool story arch from Psycho II (1983) and Psycho III (1986), preferring to and actual did use the original film as a source. Olivia Hussey did not audition for her role but was asked if she was interested and she said.  

This was the only Psycho sequel to use Bernard Herrmann’s score from: Psycho (1960). During Pre–Production, the idea of having Norman’s flashbacks being in black and white, as homage to the classic film, was talked about but ultimately was nixed. The bed in Norma Bates’ room in this film is the same bed used in the 1960 classic film. Anthony Perkins improvised the scene where Norman Bates rips an apple in half. The script called for Norman to slam a butcher’s knife into the apple, but Perkins thought it was too corny and went for ripping the apple. This film was shot in 24 days. The house and motel used in this film were built in 1988 on the Backlot of Universal Studios in Florida. It remained there until 1998 when it was torn down.

Rumors spread about a Psych V after this film aired on Showtime, the television network. None came to pass. In 1998 Gus Van Sant put out a frame–by–frame remake of the original film. This was the only Psycho sequel to not feature footage from the shower scene in: Psycho (1960). This was reportedly the first film to be filmed at Universal Studios in Florida. This was the first Psycho film not to have Virginia Gregg providing the voice of Norma Bates. Gregg died on September 15, 1986 at the age of 70. During the filming of this movie, Anthony Perkins continued to get treatment for HIV.      

Rated: [R] – Violence & Sensuality
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Psycho (1998)

C – 105m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Gus Van Sant’s Psycho, Psychosis
Novel: Psycho by Robert Bloch
Screenplay By: Joseph Stefano
Prod. – Dir.: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, Julianne Moore, Viggo Mortensen, William H. Macy, Robert Forster, Philip Baker Hall, Chad Everett, Rance Howard, Rita Wilson, James Remar, James Le Gros, Flea, Marjorie Lovett, Ryan Cutrona, Ken Jenkins, Roy Brocksmith, Rose Marie (voice only, uncredited) and Gus Van Sant (uncredited).
Music By: Bernard Herrmann, Danny Elfman and Steve Bartek

A young female embezzler arrives at the Bates Motel, which has terrible secrets of its own. One of the best things about Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) was that it was original and horrifying. And who, up to that point, would dare to kill off the leading lady so soon in the film? Hitchcock, that’s who! So why then, after four sequels (one of which was a failed television show pilot), would there be a reason to do an almost frame–by–frame remake of the classic Hitchcock film? Why would someone willingly remake a classic film frame–by–frame and expect to come out of the project unscathed? These are some of the questions that educated viewers may have. Leaving aside the novelty of seeing a color version with then current actors, this film doesn’t have much to recommend it. The film isn’t a total turkey but it isn’t far off either. The cast does their best with tried and true material, but director Gus Van Sant’s heavy–handed approach to the material makes it drearily slow and flat. A shame given the cast… This film is mesmerizing the same way watching a trainwreck is. One knows it is bad but one can’t quite bring them selves to tear one’s eyes away from it.

Trivia:

Scriptwriter Joseph Stefano felt that Anne Heche played the role of Marion Crane completely differently than Janet Leigh, despite using the exact same lines. In his film Psycho (1960), director Alfred Hitchcock wanted to do a pan / zoom over the entirety of Marion Crane’s hotel room, as the first shot of the film. The technology was not yet capable of such a shot so Hitch did it with pans and dissolves. In this version Gus Van Sant was able to achieve the shot Hitchcock wanted because the technology had advanced many years between the films. When Gus Van Sant was asked why he made a color shot–by–shot remake of Psycho (1960), he said, “So no one else would have to. Gus Van Sant brought a DVD copy of the original film to the set to use as a guide for his remake. When he spotted an error of a door opening without a key, he decided to put that in the remake too.

In the original film Marion Crane embezzled $40,000.00. This was upped to $400,000.00 for this remake. This film was critically panned. In spite of that, Pat Hitchcock, Hitch’s daughter, gave this film her blessing stating that a shot for shot remake of one of Hitch’s films is what her father would have done to his own work. This appears to have flown in the face of the fact that Hitch’s original The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) was nothing like Hitch’s own remake, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). This remake was shot in 6 weeks, just as the original was. In a grisly and ironic twist of fate, Janet Leigh’s body double for the original film was found raped and murdered at the age of 71 in 1988. Her murderer was arrested and charged just days after this film’s premiere. A book has been written about the case titled: The Girl In Alfred Hitchcock’s Shower by Robert Graysmith.

Tobey Maguire, Christian Bale, Robert Sean Leonard, Jeremy Davies, Henry Thomas and Joaquin Phoenix were all considered for the role of Norman Bates, which ultimately went to Vince Vaughn. In Mr. Lowery's office the following exchange is heard:

CASSIDY (to Marion): You should take a vacation in Las Vegas, playground of the world!
MARION: Thank you, but I think I'll spend this weekend in bed. CASSIDY: “Only playground to beat Las Vegas.”

The last sentence was in the original script used by Alfred Hitchcock for the original film but Hitch had to cut it due to the censors. Gus Van Sant used it in this remake since Hitch had intended to use it. Anne Heche had never seen the original Psycho (1960), before getting the part as Marion Crane. Bernard Herrmann did the score for the original film, which was adapted for this remake by Danny Elfman and Steve Bartek. By the time this film was made, the original exterior to the Bates Motel had long since been demolished. The one here was used for Psycho II (1983). The house was a new set constructed in front of the old one on the Backlot of Universal Studios. Upon completion of this film, the house was moved along side the first house on the Universal Backlot. Laura Linney was offered the role of Marion Crane but turned it down to do The Truman Show (1998) with Jim Carrey. This film marks the second time Viggo Mortensen was in a Hitchcock remake. The first was: A Perfect Murder (1998), which was a remake of: Dial ‘M’ For Murder (1954) – Hitch’s only 3D film. Julianne Moore was considered for the role of Marion Crane before being cast as Lila. Nicole Kidman was offered the role of Marion Crane but turned it down and Drew Barrymore was also considered for the role. The kitchen knife used in this film was credited as belonging to John Woo. The skull, which is superimposed over Vince Vaughn’s face at the end of the film, is the same skull put over Anthony Perkins’ face in the original film’s ending.

This film version of Psycho served as a springboard for a comedic segment on the Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman podcast: “Hollywood Babble–On”. In the first installment of the segment, Kevin Smith informed listeners that he spotted a rarely seen in film part of anatomy on Anne Heche in this film at the end of The Shower Scene. In subsequent segments listeners would send in stills and video of different famous backsides in films and television shows for Smith and Garman to view with their audience during the recording of the podcast. The segment also inspired two versions of a jingle for the podcast for the segment. One was almost like a kid’s show intro but with crude lyrics, while the other one had a beat that one could dance to, once again with crude lyrics. Mileage may vary as to how people may receive these segments, let alone this trivia. However, this reviewer found it all very amusing. 

Rated: [R] – Violence & Sexuality / Nudity
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Psycho Legacy (2010)

B&W / C – 87m / 90m (sources vary)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Psycho Legacy: 50 Years Of Norman Bates
Writer – Prod. – Dir.: Robert V. Galluzzo (as Robert Victor Galluzzo)
Starring: Juliette Cummins, Jeff Fahey, Lee Garlington, Cynthia Garris, Mick Garris, Stuart Gordon, Adam Green, Hilton A. Green, Tom Holland, Olivia Hussey, Robert Loggia, Andrew London, Joe Lynch, Anthony Perkins (archive footage), Charles Edward Pogue, Diana Scarwid, Donovan Scott, Brinke Stevens, Henry Thomas, Clint Carney, Richard Franklin (archive footage), Robert V. Galluzzo, Alfred Hitchcock (archive footage), Janet Leigh (archive footage) and Vera Miles (archive footage).

The cast and crew of all four Psycho films (1960–1990) recall their time working on the influential horror series as today’s masters of horror reminisce on what the movies stirred in them. This documentary on the Psycho film series (1960–1990) is slow moving but informative. While there is precious little time spent on the sequels there is a plethora of archive video that helps round out an appreciation for them. See this one.  

Trivia:

Writer, Producer, Director Robert V. Galluzzo started filming this documentary back in January 2007 by himself. Galluzzo went to Universal and pitched the idea of them financing the film and releasing it in a box set with the four Psycho films. Universal, uninterested, turned down the idea and it became an independent project. Richard Franklin was originally supposed to be interviewed in this documentary. Sadly he passed away before the interview took place. Two segments on Bates Motel (1987) and Psych (1998) were supposed to be included on the two–disc DVD version of this film. Strangely they were left off when the DVD set was released.

Rated: [NOT RATED]
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene (2017)

C / B&W – 91m
Aspect Ratio:
A.K.A.: 78/52
Writer – Dir.: Alexandre O. Philippe

The story of how the, “Shower Scene,” in Alfred Hitchcock’s: Psycho (1960), was filmed. Fascinating if somewhat repetitive analysis of the legendary scene features an interesting approach to the new footage. Where most documentaries would conduct their non–archival footage interviews in color, it was decided to do them in black and white here, so as to note break the flow of black and white from Psycho (1960). There is color footage from other Hitchcock films that were in color though. While there is some great psychological analysis of the film and the famous scene in particular, there is one factual error to report. While showing a fragment of The Lodger (1927), it is incorrectly dated as 1928. In actuality, The Lodger was shot in 1926 and released in 1927. Oops!

Trivia: The titled scene that is the subject of this documentary was comprised of 78 camera setups and 52 cuts. Thus the title.  

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Shows:

Bates Motel (1987)

B&W / C – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
Writer – Exec. Prod. – Dir.: Richard Rothstein
Starring: Bud Cort, Lori Petty, Moses Gunn, Gregg Henry, Jason Bateman, Kerrie Keane, Robert Picardo, Kurt Paul, Peter Dobson, Paula Irvine and Greg Finley.
Music By: Jerry Cohen

A mentally disturbed man, who roomed with the late Norman Bates at the state lunatic asylum, inherits the legendary Bates Motel after the death of Norman and tries to fix it up and make it a respectable business. An interesting premise gone awry… This had a promising premise but just about everything that exists here is below sub–par. Maybe worth a look once just as a curio, but it isn’t a recommended viewing. 

Trivia:

This was a failed television series pilot that has since been released as a made for television movie on video. Bud Cort called Anthony Perkins for advice on how to prep for the role. Perkins told him to get in shape by doing pushups. Anthony Perkins, who played Norman Bates from 1960–1990, said that this film / show was terrible. Kurt Paul, who played Norman Bates here, was previously Anthony Perkins’ stunt double for: Psycho II (1983) and Psycho III (1986). He later played another killer being interviewed on a talk show in: Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990). He’s the only actor to appear in all the Psycho sequels done during Anthony Perkins’ lifetime. This was a popular bootleg film, due to low availability of the VHS tape, until 2013 when it was finally offered as a Manufactured On Demand (MOD) DVD. It has subsequently been released as part of a Psycho sequels 4 film collection on regular DVD. The opening shot of the Psycho house was lifted from the opening credits of: Psycho II (1983). The original house and motel exteriors were used during the production of this show / film. The alterations done in the film remained on the Universal Tour until 1993. This is still the lowest rated entry in the Psycho Franchise (1960 – Present).   

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Bates Motel: The Complete Series (2013–2017)

C – 2207m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
Characters Created By: Robert Bloch
Developed By: Anthony Cipriano, Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin
Writers: Philip Buiser, Torrey Speer, Bill Balas, Erica Lipez, Alyson Evans, Steve Kornacki, Scott Kosar, Jeff Wadlo, Alexandra Cunningham, Liz Tigelaar, Nikki Toscano, Freddie Highmore and Tom Szentgyorgyi.
Dir.s: Tucker Gates, Ed Bianchi, Phil Abraham, Nestor Carbonell, Tim Southam, Sarah Boyd, Roxann Dawson, Christopher Nelson, Olatunde Osunsanmi, S.J. Clarkson, Paul A. Edwards, Johan Renck, David Straiton, John David Coles, Lodge Kerrigan, T.J. Scott, Stephen Surjik, Steph Green, Freddie Highmore and Max Thieriot.
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke, Nestor Carbonell, Kenny Johnson, Ryan Hurst, Nicola Peltz, Keenan Tracey, Ian Tracey, Aliyah O’Brien, Isabelle McNally, Kevin Rahm, Michael Eklund, Damon Gupton, Andrew Howard, Michael O’Neill, Keegan Connor Tracy, Mike Vogel, Jaime Ray Newman, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Joshua Leonard, Austin Nichols, Brooke Smith, Michael Vartan, Jenna Romanin, Rebecca Creskoff, Diana Bang, Vincent Gale, Kathleen Robertson, Peter Stebbings, Brittney Wilson, Jillian Fargey, Terence Kelly, Anika Noni Rose, Jere Burns, Marshall Allman, David Cubitt, Tomiwa Edun, Richard Harmon, Fiona Vroom, Emmalyn Estrada, Matthew Mandij, Kelly–Ruth Mercier, Terry Chen, Craig Erickson, Tracy Spiridakos, Nicholas Carella, Travis Breure, Farrah Aviva, Lini Evans, etc.

A contemporary prequel to Psycho that tracks Norman Bates and his mother, Norma, as he progresses through his teen years and becomes one of the most notorious serial killers of all time. This show may cause some to have the song, “Let’s Do The Time Warp Again”, stuck in their heads while watching it. A smart remake / prequel to Psycho (1960) featured an updated time setting but features clothing styles and cars from 1959. This may be a mind bender for some; it may even turn some people off to it, but not this reviewer. The performances are solid, particularly Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore and the cinematography is excellent. The sets are splendid and there is just enough feeling of oddity to the show that will keep viewers wondering what will happen next. As a film historian this reviewer can say that nothing will top the original film but this is a splendid companion to that Hitchcock masterpiece. See it! 

Trivia:

This was the first successful TV series from the Norman Bates world. There was a failed TV pilot that has since been released to video as a movie: Bates Motel (1987). The Wi–Fi password for the Bates Motel was: MOTHER. Vera Farmiga suggested Freddie Highmore for the role of Norman Bates. The exterior of the Bates’ house is a faithful reproduction of the design for the characters’ house in: Psycho (1960). That house in turn was modeled by Sir Alfred Hitchcock after Edward Hopper’s 1925 painting: “The House By The Railroad”. Series writer Bill Balas actually has Cystic Fibrosis and was the inspiration for the character Emma Decody having the disease. Despite the setting of the show being present day (at the time it aired), Norma Bates’ look, costumes, house design, etc. are modeled after the fashions of 1959, when the first Psycho film was being shot. Freddie Highmore studied at Cambridge during the filming of the first few seasons, so the shooting worked around that. Highmore then took six months off in order to go and finish at Cambridge. Timothee Chalamet auditioned for the role of Norman Bates but botched his audition, according to him, because he based his take on the character on Christian Bale in American Psycho (2000), rather than Anthony Perkins in Psycho (1960). This was based on his search results on Netflix.

Olivia Cooke was English, though she played her character with an American accent, her character’s backstory said she was English. Rihanna shot all her scenes in five days due to her busy schedule. When asked if she wanted to direct an episode of this show, Vera Farmiga hesitated because, on a TV show, the director doesn’t have any say over the final cut of an episode. She ultimately declined. Freddie Highmore, Nester Carbonell and Max Thieriot all directed episodes though. Brooke Smith plays a sheriff in the fifth season. She was also in The Silence Of The Lambs (1991), in which she played a young woman who was kidnapped by the bad guy, “Buffalo Bill”. Norman Bates and “Buffalo Bill” were both based on the same serial killer, Ed Gein. Tucker Gates directed the first episode and the final episode, bookending the series. Bates Motel is the third time that the Bates’ house has been replicated. The first time was for Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990) and the second time was in 2010 in Winnemucca, Nevada to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Psycho (1960).

Freddie Highmore, who plays Norman Bates here, was born in 1992, the same year Anthony Perkins, the actor who made the role of Norman Bates famous in Psycho (1960) and three subsequent films, died. The company Marion Crane worked at was R.A. Bloch, an homage to Robert Bloch who wrote the Psycho book series. In the novels and films Dylan Massett did not exist, nor did Norman Bates have any siblings. The character of Marion Crane, played here by Rihanna, was originally played by Janet Leigh in: Psycho (1960). Olivia Hussey played Norma Bates in: Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990).   

Rated: [TV–14] & [TV–MA]
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Male Sexual Abuse Films (1996–2015)

Male Sexual Abuse Films (1996–2015)

Sleepers (1996)

C – 147m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel: Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra
Writer – Prod. – Dir.: Barry Levinson
Co–Prod.: Lorenzo Carcaterra
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Minnie Driver, Dustin Hoffman, Bruno Kirby, Jason Patric, Billy Crudup, John Slattery, Brad Pitt, Jonathan Tucker, Gerry Becker, Ben Hammer, Paul Herman, Lennie Loftin, Danny Mastrogiorgio, Mary B. McCann, Pat McNamara, Peter McRobbie, Mick O’Rourke, James Pickens, Jr., Wendell Pierce and Sean Patrick Reilly.
Music By: John Williams

After a prank goes disastrously wrong, a group of boys are sent to a detention center where they are brutalized. Over ten years later, they get their chance for revenge. Deliberately slowly paced but has great actors turning in great performances. The film is slightly over–long but the cinematography is impressive as are the aforementioned performances and an almost stellar script. There are a few lines that may invoke a, “No duh,” or other wised colored version of that statement from viewers. Period detail is fine and the soundtrack is fun. The indecision on a star rating is the fault of this reviewer. This reviewer can make arguments as to why this should just be a three star film but can also make arguments as to why it is the near perfect three and a half star film rating too. Rather than split hairs, this reviewer will cop to saying: flip a coin on it yourself after you have seen it and see where it lands for you. It does come highly recommended though!  

Trivia: Film Critic Roger Ebert criticized this movie as, “homophobic.” During filming, the two younger actors who play the roles that would become Brad Pitt and Jason Patric, wore contact lenses so they would have the same eye color as Pitt and Patric. This movie was filmed at Fairfield Hills, a former psychiatric hospital in Newtown, Connecticut; right after the state took possession of the property. Billy Crudup and John Slattery, in addition to this film, appeared in Spotlight (2015), which also revolves around similar themes of abuse.

Oscar® nominated for: Best Original Score – John Williams. 
Rated: [R] – Language, Graphic Violence, & Two Scenes Of Strong Sexual Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Mystic River (2003)

C – 138m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Theatrical) / 2.40:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
Novel: Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
Screenplay By: Brian Helgeland
Prod. – Dir.: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney, Kevin Chapman, Tom Guiry (as Thomas Guiry), Emmy Rossum, Spencer Treat Clark, Andrew Mackin, Adam Nelson, Robert Wahlberg, Jenny O’Hara, John Doman, Cameron Bowen, Jason Kelly, Connor Paolo, T. Bruce Page (as Bruce Page), Miles Herter, Cayden Boyd, Joe Stapleton, Tom Kemp, Bill Thorpe, Ken Cheeseman, Duncan B. Putney, Ed O’Keefe, Michael McGovern, Susan Bergeron (uncredited), Kevin Conway (uncredited), Brian Frates (uncredited), Eli Wallach (uncredited), Victor Warren (uncredited), Jillian Wheeler (uncredited), Brian A. White (uncredited) and Kris Williams (uncredited).
Music By: Clint Eastwood

The lives of three men who were childhood friends are shattered when one of them has a family tragedy. Heavy but powerful film focuses on the tight bonds of three guys who grew up in or around Southie, Boston. It adds to the enjoyment of the film if one is familiar with the area. Solid performances abound here and Eastwood masterfully handles the direction chore. The length may not be for all tastes but this reviewer doesn’t mind it. If one can look past the language, violence and thematic element of sexual abuse of a boy, there is a lot to be enjoyed here. The subtext is as rich as the plot and the characters. Good cinematography to boot… Dig the score composed and performed by Clint Eastwood too. A MUST for Boston or Boston area natives!

Trivia: The situation at the opening of this film is based on an incident when, as a child, author Dennis Lehane’s mother castigated him for getting into a car with two men who claimed to be plain–clothes policemen. The studio execs at Warner Brothers wanted Clint Eastwood to shoot this film in Toronto, Canada to save money. Eastwood refused and pushed to have the film shot in Boston where the story takes place. He won. Michael Keaton was originally cast as Sean Devine, played here by Kevin Bacon, and had already done several table reads with the principle cast and was well on his way in his research for the role with the Massachusetts State Police Department, when he got into a huge argument with Clint Eastwood. As a result of the argument, Keaton left the film and was replaced by Kevin Bacon.

This film was shot in 39 days. Forest Whitaker was the original choice for the role of Whitey Powers, played here by Laurence Fishburne, and he almost accepted the role but backed out due to other conflicts. Clint Eastwood narrated the teaser trailer. The liquor store scene was shot in Costello’s, a liquor store on Boylston Street in the Back Bay of Boston, next to Berklee College Of Music. After filming, screen shots from the scene were placed in the front display windows. Costello’s closed in January 2007. In the novel the surname of Jimmy and his family is Marcus but in the film it is Markum. 

Oscar® winner for: Best Actor – Sean Penn and Best Supporting Actor – Tim Robbins. Additionally Oscar® nominated for: Best Picture – Robert Lorenz, Jodie Hoyt and Clint Eastwood, Best Supporting Actress – Marcia Gay Harden, Best Director – Clint Eastwood, and Best Adapted Screenplay – Brian Helgeland. Golden Globe winner for: Best Actor – Motion Picture – Drama – Sean Penn and Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Tim Robbins. Additionally Golden Globe nominated for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Clint Eastwood, and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Brian Helgeland.

Rated: [R] – Language & Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Spotlight (2015)

C – 128m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Writers: Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy
Exec. Prod.s: Jonathan King and Josh Singer
Dir.: Tom McCarthy
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Live Schreiber, John Slattery, Brian d’Arcy James, Stanley Tucci, Elena Wohl, Gene Amoroso, Doug Murray, Sharon McFarlane, Jamey Sheridan, Neal Huff, Billy Crudup, Robert B. Kennedy, Duane Murray, Brian Chamberlain, Michael Cyril Creighton, Paul Guilfoyle, Michael Countryman, Gary Galone, Nancy Villone, Joe Stapleton, Maureen Keiller, Laurie Murdoch, Richard O’Rourke, David Boston (uncredited), Richard Jenkins (voice, uncredited) and Colleen Kelly (uncredited).
Music By: Howard Shore

The true story of how The Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover–up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core. This is a splendid dramatization of the facts around the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal and how The Boston Globe uncovered it. While this may not technically be a thriller there is tension built during the film that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Wonderful acting by a colossal cast and a very impressive set of actors to be sure. The set on which parts of this film was shot is an achievement as well. While the subject matter may be a sore spot for some, or even unappealing or repulsive to others, the depiction of the victims of the abuse and their stories are handled with dignity and there is nothing graphically depicted here. While the purported numbers of abuse cases may be indeed huge, there are likely some minor embellishments, as is the case with most dramatizations. Should this wreck the film for you? Or even keep one from seeing the film? No. It works on too well to be ignored as a film. Watch it! 

Trivia: The Boston Globe offices were all a big set. When Michael Keaton met the man he played in the film, he did an impression of him based on tapes he had watched of the man, etc. It was so good that it unnerved the real person Keaton played in the film. The guy was quoted as saying, “If Michael Keaton robbed a bank they would come and arrest me!”

Oscar® winner for: Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay – Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy. Additionally Oscar® nominated for: Best Supporting Actor – Mark Ruffalo, Best Supporting Actress – Rachel McAdams, Best Director – Tom McCarthy, and Best Editing. Golden Globe nominated for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Tom McCarthy, and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy.

Rated: [R] – Some Language Including Sexual References
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Red Sparrow (2018)

Red Sparrow (2018)

C – 140m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Based On The Novel: Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews
Screenplay By: Justin Haythe
Dir.: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Mary–Louise Parker, Joely Richardson, Bill Camp, Jeremy Irons, Thekla Reuten, Douglas Hodge, Sakina Jaffrey and David Z. Miller.

Ballerina Dominika Egorova, is recruited to “Sparrow School,” a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission, targeting a C.I.A. agent, threatens to unravel he security of both nations. Solid adaption of the best selling first book in the Sparrow trilogy offers a rather graphic approach to the material. The story is brutal and unrelenting but is masterfully told. The casting from A–Z is perfect, particularly Lawrence and Irons. The tension remains from the first jump at the beginning of the film until the last credit has rolled at the end of the film, which is quite a feat. For those who don’t like graphic anything (sex, language, violence, etc.) this film is not for you. For book purists, this film omits a few parts – particularly the Vladimir Putin character and storyline. The spy world hasn’t looked this good since: The Good Shepherd (2006)! As this was an adaption of the first book of a trilogy, as previously stated, the question is inescapable: Will the sequels be made into films? Here’s hoping, from this reviewer, that they are! Don’t miss this one!   

Trivia: The novel this was based on was by retired C.I.A. agent Jason Matthews and is the first book of a trilogy. The other two books in the trilogy were: Palace Of Treason and The Kremlin’s Candidate. The film rights to Red Sparrow were sold for a seven–figure sum before the novel was even completed. To prep for the role Jennifer Lawrence practiced ballet with instructor Kurt Froman for three hours a day for four months. She also practiced her Russian accent for the four–month duration. American ballet dancer Isabella Boylston was Jennifer Laurence’s dance double in the movie. In 2013, the same year the novel was published, Darren Aronofsky was in talks to direct it. He left the project when David Fincher was in talks to direct it with Rooney Mara starring in 2014. By September 2015 Francis Lawrence was set to direct with Jennifer Lawrence set to star.

This is Francis Lawrence’s fourth teaming with Jennifer Lawrence. The others being: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015). The plot and some scenes of Red Sparrow (2018) are similar to the made for Television film Secret Weapons (1985) which starred Linda Hamilton in the Dominika Egorova role and Sally Kellerman as the Matron character. And finally for film nudity buffs (forgive the redundancy): This film contains Jennifer Lawrence’s first fully nude scene.  

Rated: [R] – Strong Violence, Torture, Sexual Content, Language & Some Graphic Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Suburbicon (2017)

Suburbicon (2017)

C – 105m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Writers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, George Clooney and Grant Heslov.
Exec. Prod.s: Ethan Coen, Barbara A. Hall and Joel Silver
Prod. – Dir.: George Clooney
Starring: Julianne Moore, Noah Jupe, Matt Damon, Steven Shaw, Ellen Crawford, Richard Kind, Robert Pierce, Oscar Isaac and Josh Brolin (scenes deleted).

As a 1950’s suburban community self–destructs, a home invasion has sinister consequences for one seemingly normal family. … For those who care the body count is: 7. The period detail is nice and the cast is appealing. Too bad the Coen Brothers couldn’t produce a better script with the aid of George Clooney this outing! The movie moves at a snail’s pace, the humor is sparse and tension is never built in this would be thriller. This has to be a career low point for all involved. Though the memory of Clooney’s live television remake Fail–Safe (2000) leaps to mind as another low for the otherwise brilliant actor / director / activist. Best to skip this one. 

Trivia: Josh Brolin was cast as a baseball coach but his scenes were deleted after test screenings showed that the scenes with Brolin took the tension out of the film. George Clooney said he felt bad about deleting Brolin from the film as he felt those scenes were the funniest. George Clooney previously starred in 4 Coen Brothers films, this time he directed it. This also makes the first film that Clooney directed a film without acting in it. This film had the lowest opening weekend grossing of any Paramount film in over 2,000 theaters. George Clooney screened this film for Norman Lear. After the screening Lear told Clooney, “The is the angriest film I have ever seen.” Woody Harrelson dropped out of this film due to scheduling conflicts. 

Rated: [R] – Violence, Language & Some Sexuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ready Player One (2018)

Ready Player One (2018)

C – 140m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Based On The Novel: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Screenplay By: Zak Penn and Ernest Cline
Prod. – Dir.: Sir Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, Mark Rylance, Philip Zhao and Susan Lynch.

When the creator of a virtual reality world called the OASIS dies, he releases a video challenging all OASIS users to find his Easter Egg hidden in the OASIS. Once found, this egg will give the player who found it the late creator’s fortune. Avatar set in a video game world is the best way to describe this film. It’s good but not impressive. The film is a tad long but holds interest. Acting and direction are solid and the pop culture references are fun to spot. Worth seeing in the theater or on a big screen television with surround sound.

Trivia: In an interview Sir Steven Spielberg said this was the third most challenging movie of his career, behind Jaws (1975) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Ernest Cline referenced several Steven Spielberg films in his novel. Spielberg removed most of them but a few remain. Christopher Nolan, Robert Zemeckis, Matthew Vaughn, Peter Jackson and Edgar Wright were all considered to direct this film. This project was in development so long that Steven Spielberg approached Gene Wilder to appear in the film, but Wilder respectfully declined. Michael Keaton was considered for J.D. Halliday. The character of F’Nale Zandor was not in the book. Elle Fanning and Lola Kirke were considered for Art3mis before Olivia Cooke was cast in the role. Given that the film is about finding an Easter Egg, the film was released Easter weekend – 3/29/2018.   

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Sci–Fi Action Violence, Bloody Images, Some Suggestive Material, Partial Nudity & Language  
Available on 3D/4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Chappaquiddick (2018)

Chappaquiddick (2018)

C – 106m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Last Son
Screenplay By: Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan
Exec. Prod.: Byron Allen and Taylor Allen
Dir.: John Curran
Starring: Jason Clarke, Ed Helms, Jim Gaffigan, Kate Mara, Bruce Dern, John Fiore and Clancy Brown.

A depiction of Ted Kennedy’s involvement in the fatal 1969 car accident that claims the life of young campaign strategist, Mary Jo Kopechne. Certainly a fair portrayal of the events around the accident. The film boasts of fine performances, moderate CGI and great cinematography (sans one shot where the camera pans across a room from a bookshelf to someone at a desk on a phone). It may not be for all tastes and certainly political bias can taint how one receives this film if one is strongly political. But there is enough going for this film mechanics wise that will hold this as a solid if not just under stellar film. Don’t miss it!

Note: This may be snide but, how much of a Bostonian would this film reviewer be if this reviewer didn’t go to see Chappaquiddick (2018)?!

Trivia: Jason Clarke, who plays Ted Kennedy here, was born July 17, 1969, one day before the Chappaquiddick incident on July 18, 1969. Though not mentioned in the movie, there were three other men at the cottage with Ted Kennedy, Joseph Gargan, and Paul F. Markham. They were: Charles Tretter, Raymond La Rosa, and John Crimmins. Part of the film was filmed in Rockport, Massachusetts. When Ted Kennedy is being chastised by his lawyers for his actions, they refer to his actions as: “John Wayne stuff.” Bruce Dern, who plays Joseph Kennedy, Sr. here, was in The Cowboys (1972) with John Wayne. In that film he killed John Wayne’s character, one of John “Duke” Wayne’s few on screen deaths. Chappaquiddick is the name of the island in Massachusetts where the accident occurred that killed Mary Jo Kopechne.

Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Material, Disturbing Images, Some Strong Language, & Historical Smoking
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Kirk Douglas & Frank Sinatra Pairings (1963 & 1966)

Kirk Douglas and Frank Sinatra, another two of Hollywood’s brightest stars from Hollywood’s “Golden Age” also have to be two of the angriest actors ever written about. Douglas admitted to his anger in his book: The Ragman’s Son, while much was made of Sinatra’s temper while he was alive and many years after his death. Despite or rather in spite of their tempers, they managed to be in two films together, though not necessarily sharing many if any scenes. They also managed to be fairly good friends. Enough so that Kirk would go to Sinatra’s house for spaghetti dinners and some light gambling poker games. (If the rich are gambling: how ‘light’ is ‘light’?)

This also extended to their marriages. Douglas claimed to have counseled Ava Gardner during one of her stormy arguments with Sinatra, never telling him about it. And Sinatra in turn was reported to have made homemade chicken soup and spaghetti dinners for Douglas’s second wife any time she was under the weather. Douglas amusingly claims in two of his books that he would ask Frank Sinatra for some meal occasionally and Sinatra would, in polite terms here, tell him to, “go pound sand!”

Regardless for the reasons behind their friendship, however brief or long it may have been (reports vary), two fine films came out of these two wonderful entertainers: The List Of Adrian Messenger (1963) and Cast A Giant Shadow (1966). The latter is a repeat post – sorry! The former is a much scrutinized and analyzed film that can be summed up best in this reviewer’s mind as: a good mystery caper. Below are the reviews for said films.   

The List Of Adrian Messenger (1963)

B&W – 98m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Based On A Story By: Alec Coppel (uncredited) and Philip MacDonald (credited)
Screenplay By: Anthony Veiller
Exec. Prod.: Kirk Douglas (uncredited)
Dir.: John Huston
Starring: Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, George C. Scott, Dana Wynter, Clive Brook, Gladys Cooper, Herbert Marshall, Marcel Dalio, Bernard Archard, Tony Huston (as Walter Anthony Huston), Ronald Long (as Roland Long), Alan Caillou (uncredited), Tim Durant (uncredited), Bernard Fox (uncredited), Paul Frees (uncredited), John Huston (uncredited), Delphi Lawrence (uncredited), Jan Merlin (uncredited), Barbara Morrison (uncredited), Richard Peel (uncredited), Noel Purcell (uncredited), Anita Sharp–Bolster (uncredited) and Dave Willock (uncredited).  
Music By: Jerry Goldsmith

A former intelligence officer is tasked by the heir to the Gleneyre estate to investigate the unusual deaths of a disparate group of eleven men on a list. Amusing little caper film is arguably one of the most scrutinized in Hollywood History, thanks in no small part to actor Jan Merlin’s claims (see trivia for details). While “who is under the makeup?” may be up for debate – shot to shot – the fact that this moves along at a good pace and has a decent storyline remains in tact. The cast and director, no matter how much or how little they are in the film, are appealing and in fine form.

Personal note: This reviewer is still impressed with the ending of this film, decades after seeing it at age 8.  

Trivia: In an article for Video Watchdog Magazine actor Jan Merlin claimed that he played the heavily made up parts in the film, mostly standing in for Kirk Douglas. He further claimed that Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster and Frank Sinatra, doubled by Dave Willock, were never actually in the film and that they only filmed the “reveals” at the end of the film. He claimed to have used his experiences from this film for the reportedly thinly veiled novel: Shooting Montezuma: A Hollywood Monster Story, which he wrote. Elizabeth Taylor was reportedly offered a disguised role as a scruffy sailor named “Chesty” but turned it down known how painful the makeup would be. This film was partially shot on John Huston’s own estate in Ireland.

This was the final film of Clive Brook. John Huston cameos as Lord Ashton in a short dialogue scene in the last hunt. Paul Frees looped most of Jacques Roux’s dialogue in the film like, “thanks” when he accepts a drink from George C. Scott, this is attributed to sound issues on the set. He also provided a word or sentence (source depending) for Herbert Marshall. Frees is best known as the man who dubbed Tony Curtis’ Josephine voice in: Some Like It Hot (1959), since Tony Curtis couldn’t get his voice that high. This was the 4th of 7 films Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster made together. And finally: This film was spoofed in: Get Smart (1965–1970), Season 5, Episode 18: The Mess Of Adrian Listenger (1970).

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Cast A Giant Shadow (1966)

B&W / C – 146m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Book By: Ted Berkman
Writer – Prod. – Dir.: Melville Shavelson
Co–Exec. Prod.s: Kirk Douglas and John Wayne (both uncredited)
Co–Prod.: Michael Wayne
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Senta Berger, Angie Dickinson, James Donald, Stathis Giallelis, Luther Adler, Topol, Ruth White, Gordon Jackson, Michael Hordern, Allan Cuthbertson, Jeremy Kemp, Sean Barrett, Frank Latimore, Frank Sinatra, Yul Brynner, Gary Merrill, Michael Douglas (uncredited), Rudolph Hess (archival footage), Geoffrey Palmer (uncredited), Franklin D. Roosevelt (archival footage), Jimmy Shaw (uncredited) and Joseph Stalin (archival footage).
Music By: Elmer Bernstein

In 1947, following the United Nations’ (U.N.’s) decision to split British Palestine into separate Jewish and Palestinian states, a former U.S. Army officer is recruited by the Jews to reorganize Haganah. Well done if just a tad overlong war drama. It should be noted that many dispute the historical accuracy of this film. However, this reviewer will not do so. Acting is strong and the script adds a few hints of humor: the recruiting of Douglas while he is shopping and Sinatra’s plane come to mind readily. (Seltzer? Really?) While this is not quite the epic that In Harm’s Way (1965) was, it is no less impressively mounted with yet another great cast. Worth a look on a rainy day, or in school towards the end of a school year.

Trivia: During filming John Wayne enraged Director Melville Shavelson with his views on the Watts Riots. Director Melville Shavelson and actor Kirk Douglas fought throughout this filming of this movie. At one point director Shavelson walked off set, leaving his assistant to take over for the day. This was Michael Douglas’ movie debut and Topol’s English film debut. The scene where Frank Sinatra’s spotter plane is attacked by an Arab fighter plane used a brief clip from: 633 Squadron (1964), showing a Nord 2002 (a French built Messerschmitt BF108).

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Films (1960 – Present)

Ocean’s Films (1960 – Present)

After the moderate success of Some Came Running (1958) and the failure of The Thin Man: The Television Show (1957–1959), in 1959, Peter Lawford approached Frank Sinatra with a project about a group of old paratroopers who pull off a big heist in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Both Sinatra and Lawford agreed (one of the few times they did) that it would be a good vehicle for “The Summit” (“The Rat Pack”). With five out of the eleven heisters automatically cast, the rest was just phone calls away. The production occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada on sets mostly, but when they could they would shoot in the casinos. At night the Sinatra and the guys (some say, “boys”) would, “play,” at The Sands Hotel and Casino, Sinatra’s favorite place. They would hold court with some booze but mostly props of various kinds and do shows from around 8:00pm or 9:00pm at night and get done around 2:00am or 3:00am in the morning. If Martin or anyone else, who didn’t want to spend the rest of the night awake talking to Frank until production resumed the next morning, were lucky, they would get to bed around that time and get a few hours rest before the events would repeat the next day.

Those shows featured some of the best in the entertainment world, both on the stage and ringside (audience). On a given night, aside from seeing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, one could see Milton Berle, Red Skelton, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett, Shirley MacLaine, Bob Hope, and / or other notables, including the spouses of said performers. Language was sometimes course but the jokes were always funny and the songs were standards for each of the singers. Sometime a novelty song would show up. No one was safe from the barbs and if a known comedian was in the audience, you could bet (it was Las Vegas after all) that he or she would be called to the stage to do a bit of their act or interact with the boys. The shows proved so popular that they became a regular thing over the years both in Vegas and in later years on the road. Some clips of various shows can be found on YouTube (The Summit or The Rat Pack At The Sands or At The Copacabana). There is also a special from the 1960’s that Sinatra and company did for charity with Johnny Carson on closed circuit television. While this would give you a more complete and sanitized version of what a given show would look like, please do not mistake it for what was being done in Vegas at the time of the filming of Ocean’s 11 (1960).

Getting back to that production: The result of the long days during the production schedule is a movie that has painted Las Vegas as an adult’s playground for over 50 years. It was remade in 2001, which then spun off a series, ending in 2007, and that series in turn spun off a all female series starting in 2018. Below are the film reviews and notes accompanying each series.

Ocean’s 11 (1960)

C – 127m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s Eleven
Story: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay: Harry Brown and Charles Lederer
Uncredited Contribution: Billy Wilder
Prod. – Dir.: Lewis Milestone
Assoc. Prod.: Henry W. Sanicola
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, Angie Dickinson, Richard Conte, Cesar Romero, Patrice Wymore, Joey Bishop, Akim Tamiroff, Henry Silva, Ilka Chase, Buddy Lester, Richard Benedict, Jean Willes, Norman Fell, Clem Harvey, Hank Henry, Red Skelton, George Raft, Robert Brice, John Holland, Murray Alper, Don Anderson, Don “Red” Barry, Majorie Bennett, Richard Boone, Paul Bryar, John Craven, Gregory Gaye, John George, Hoot Gibson, Joe Gray, Brad Harris, Shirley MacLaine, Charles Meredith, Anne Neyland, William H. O’Brien, Steve Pendleton, Jack Perrin, Carmen Phillips, Fred Rapport, Joan Staley and George E. Stone.
Music: Nelson Riddle
Songs: “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen – Performed by: Dean Martin
“Eee-O-Eleven” – Performed By: Sammy Davis, Jr.

A group of WWII paratroopers join forces to pull of the biggest heist in Las Vegas history: five hotels / casinos in one night – New Year’s Eve! Splendid fun with The Summit / “Rat Pack” offers plenty of laughs and some fun music. Be aware that some of the humor is considered racist by today’s standards but was meant in fun and as social commentary back when the film was made and released. That noted, the film has fine performances, is light fare and has music that will have one bouncing in time with it. Pacing may be slow for kids but teens on should be able to appreciate the film.

Trivia: Sammy Davis, Jr. was not allowed to stay at any of the major hotels / casinos in Vegas until Frank Sinatra and separately Jerry Lewis confronted them (the casinos / hotels) about it, thus breaking the color barrier. Patrice Whymore adlibbed throwing the candy dish during that scene with Sinatra and his friends, hence the genuine look of surprise on their faces. Shirley MacLaine adlibbed her drunk cameo and got a car as compensation from Warner Brothers. Her line, “I’m so drunk I don’t think I lay down without holding on,” was a rehash of a line attributed to Dean Martin that was actually Martin quoting comedian Joe E. Lewis. MacLaine filmed her cameo while on a break from Billy Wilder’s The Apartment (1960). She said she took the job, although compensated as noted with a car, as an excuse to hang out with Sinatra and company and see their Vegas show. Tony Curtis, Jackie Gleason and Milton Berle were all originally offered Cameo roles.

Additional Trivia Note: There were reported high-jinx of firecrackers being set off in one another’s shoes, and other pranks; like locking one another in the bathroom performed by Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Bishop and Lawford during the filming of this movie. Wouldn’t it have been great to have some of that available on the video releases?!  And / or some outtakes?!

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

 After the mild success of the Ocean’s 11 film, Frank Sinatra and his group would, in various forms go on to make other films together. Starting from the beginning, just prior to Ocean’s Eleven, they go as follows:

1.) Some Came Running (1958) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine (See review)
2.) The Thin Man: The Television Show (1957–1959) – Peter Lawford – guest star Frank Sinatra (See review)
3.) Ocean’s 11 (1960) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, Pater Lawford, Henry Silva, Cesar Romero etc. (as noted above). (See above review)
4.) Sergeants 3 (1962) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford – the boys out west ripping off Gunga Din. (See review)
5.) Convicts 4 (1962) featured Ben Gazzara of John Cassavetes’ “Rat Pack” and Sammy Davis, Jr., amongst many notable others.  (See review)
6.) The Road To Hong Kong (1962) – A series entry in the Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour series noted for a huge amount of cameos. Amongst them: Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra (as it pertains to this entry – see other entries for more information). (See review)
7.) The Manchurian Candidate (1962) – Frank Sinatra, and others as noted in the blog about the two titled films, features Henry Silva from Ocean’s 11.
8.) Johnny Cool (1963) – Henry Silva, Sammy Davis, Jr., many other notables and Executive Produced by Peter Lawford. (See review)
9.) Come Blow Your Horn (1963) – Stars Frank Sinatra with a cameo by Dean Martin. (See review)
10.) 4 For Texas (1963) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others…
11.) Robin And The Seven Hoods (1964) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., others from Ocean’s 11, Bing Crosby from Road To Hong Kong (1962), Peter Falk from John Cassavetes’ “Rat Pack” and several other notable folks.
12.) Marriage On The Rocks (1965) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Cesar Romero amongst other notables. (See review)
13 & 14.) The Tony Rome films (Tony Rome (1967) and Lady In Cement (1968) – see the blog about them for details) featured “in” jokes by Sinatra about Davis, Martin and some of his (Sinatra’s) romantic history. Actor Richard Conte also starred in the films with Sinatra. (See review)
15 – 19.) The Matt Helm films (1966 – 1968) featured Dean Martin taking joking jabs at Frank Sinatra. (See review)
20 & 21.) And Salt And Pepper (1968) and One More Time (1970) teamed Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Lawford, the latter being directed by Jerry Lewis. (See review)
22.) Contract On Cherry Street – Starring Frank Sinatra and Henry Silva, amongst others.
23 & 24.) The Cannonball Run (1981) – A huge cast that included Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.… & The Cannonball Run II (1984) – In addition to the big cast that features Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra has a cameo. (See review)

None of this includes the numerous television specials and appearances by the various members of the Ocean’s group in which there may be other members or joking references to other members.

Some 40 years after Ocean’s 11 (1960), George Clooney and his, for lack of a better term, “Rat Pack” did a trilogy of Ocean’s films. Below are the reviews.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

C – 116m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s 11, O11, 11
Original Story: George Clayton Jonson and Jack Golden Russell
Original Screenplay: Harry Brown and Charles Lederer
Original Uncredited Contribution: Billy Wilder
Screenplay: Ted Griffin
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Paul L. Nolan, Bernie Mac, Brad Pitt, Mark Gantt, Tim Perez, Elliott Gould, Frank Patton, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Miguel Perez, Shaobo Qin, Carl Reiner, Lennox Lewis, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Michael DeLano, Julia Roberts, Robin Sachs, J.P. Manoux, Jerry Weintraub, Henry Silva, Eydie Gorme, Angie Dickinson, Steve Lawrence, Wayne Newton, Rusty Meyers, Scott L. Schwartz, Don Cheadle (uncredited), Holly Marie Combs, Jaime Gallagher, Steven Soderbergh, Emanuel Steward, Barry Watson and Shane West.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh

Danny Ocean assembles eleven guys to rob three casinos in Las Vegas simultaneously and tries to win back his ex–wife. Fairly quick paced action thriller that reimagines the, “…11”, story for the modern age comes off well. Almost everything works here, especially the major misdirection of the story. A worthy remake!

Trivia: The script was sent to Julia Roberts with a $20 bill attached with a note from George Clooney saying, “I hear you’re getting 20 a picture now.” This was a joke in reference to Julia Roberts being the highest paid actress at $20 Million per picture at the time. Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson were offered the roles of the brothers Virgil and Turk but they dropped out to make The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Danny Glover also turned down the role of Frank Catton. Bruce Willis was originally cast as Danny Ocean, the part Clooney plays. Don Cheadle plays a major role but is uncredited. Andy Garcia said it wasn’t easy to do a serious scene with Carl Reiner because Reiner was so funny.

Steven Soderbergh wanted to shoot the film in black and white. Warner Brothers said he could do so only if he drastically reduced the cost of the film, so he changed his mind. Henry Silva and Angie Dickinson, from the original film, make cameos here. This was Silva’s final film as he retired after it. Casey Affleck and Scott Caan adlibbed some of their lines. George Clooney and the other guys would pull pranks on Julia Roberts, like leaving a request for a 5am wakeup call on days when she didn’t need to be on the set until Noon / 12:00pm. Julia Roberts filmed all her scenes in two weeks. Jon Favreau was offered a chance to write the screenplay but turned it down. Alan Arkin was cast as Saul Bloom but dropped out for personal reasons. Don Rickles was also an early choice to play Saul Bloom. Johnny Depp was considered for the role of Linus Caldwell, the part Matt Damon plays. 

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Language & Sexual Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Twelve (2004)

C – 125m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Honor Amongst Thieves, Ocean’s 12
Characters Created By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay By: George Nolfi
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta–Jones, George Clooney, Ed Kross, Julia Roberts, Don Tiffany, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Mini Anden, Shaobo Qin, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle, Jared Harris, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner, Eddie Jemison, Elliott Gould, Nerissa Tedesco, Robbie Coltrane, Vincent Cassel, Eddie Izzard, Michael DeLano, Scott L. Schwartz, Albert Finney and Bruce Willis.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh (as Peter Andrews)

Danny Ocean recruits one more team member so he can pull of three major European heists. While this is an okay sequel, it does drag a bit and the scenes with Zeta–Jones feel a tad too rushed and forced. The subplot with Bruce Willis is amusing though. Solid entertainment but nothing special in this reviewer’s opinion… Others may vary. 

Trivia: It is reported that in the rough draft of the script Clint Eastwood was penciled in for a cameo as Linus’ (Matt Damon) father, Bobby Caldwell. Peter Fonda filmed the cameo as Linus’ father but it didn’t make the final cut of the film. Ricky Gervais turned down the role of Basher’s engineer. Bruce Willis, who was originally cast as Danny Ocean in the first film plays himself here.

Rated: [PG–13] – Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)

C – 122m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Danny Ocean 13, Ocean’s 13
Characters By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay: Brian Koppelman and David Levien
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Michael Mantell, Elliott Gould, Ray Xifo, Al Pacino, Adam Lazarre–White, Eddie Jemison, Don Cheadle, Shaobo Qin, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Eddie Izzard, Maggie Rowe, Ellen Barkin, Jerry Weintraub, Steven Lambert, Jon Wellner, David Paymer, Vincent Cassel, Andy Garcia, Bob Einstein, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Harney, James DuMont and Scott L. Schwartz.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh (as Peter Andrews)

Danny Ocean rounds up the boys for a third heist after casino owner Willy Bank double crosses one of the original eleven, Reuben Tishkoff. The third in a trilogy almost never works as well at the first, with few exceptions. This is one of those! The action and suspense are high and the pace is perfect. It hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until the very end of the film. Great use of the Frank Sinatra song: “This Town”! Everyone is in top form here.

Trivia: Matt Damon’s scene was shot in London while he was filming The Bourne Ultimatum (2007). Linus’ fake nose scheme is called, “The Brody,” after actor Adrien Brody. Al Pacino shot all his scenes in three weeks.

Rated: [PG–13] – Brief Sexuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

A decade after the final Ocean’s outing for Clooney and the boys, the idea of doing an all female Ocean’s film was floated and people liked the idea. This was set to be the start of a series. Below is the review.

Ocean’s Eight (2018)

C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s 8
Based On The Characters Created By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Story By: Gary Ross
Screenplay By: Gary Ross and Olivia Milch
Prod.: Steven Soderbergh
Dir.: Gary Ross
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchette, Griffin Dunne, Deidre Goodwin, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Gemma Forbes, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Elliot Gould, Richard Armitage, Charlotte Kirk, David Gibson, Dakota Fanning, James Corden, Hailey Baldwin (uncredited), Katie Holmes (uncredited), Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian West (uncredited), Jaime King (uncredited), Olivia Munn (uncredited), Matt Damon (scene deleted) and Carl Reiner (scene deleted).

 Debbie Ocean gathers together a crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City’s annual Met Gala. Smart spin off of the Clooney remake / series of Ocean’s Eleven (2001–2007). Sandra Bullock plays the late Danny Ocean’s (George Clooney’s) sister who just out of jail puts together a crew of 8 women to pull of a Jewelry heist. There are some nice subtle touches to the film. The presence of “These Boots Are Made For Walking” on the soundtrack is a nod to the fact that Frank Sinatra was in the original Ocean’s 11 (1960), for example. James Corden plays Caesar Romero’s part of insurance investigator to the hilt. The comedy is witty, the acting is good, an attractive cast to be sure, pacing is good and the one–two punch of the real way the heist went down at the end of the film stands up against the Clooney series surprises. Don’t miss this one!   

Trivia: Elliot Gould, Matt Damon and Carl Reiner are the only three of the cast of the Clooney Ocean’s trilogy to appear in the film, though Soderbergh did produce. Elizabeth Banks was approached about a role but dropped out. Sarah Paulson was later cast. Cate Blanchett has the Brad Pitt role in this one. Jennifer Lawrence was offered a role but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts.

Rated: [PG–13] – Language, Drug Use, & Some Suggestive Content
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Hangman (2017)

Hangman (2017)

C – 98m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Hangman: The Killing Game
Starring: Al Pacino, Karl Urban, Brittany Snow, Sarah Shahi, Joe Anderson, Michael Papajohn, Steve Coulter and Michael Rose.

A homicide detective teams up with a criminal profiler to catch a serial killer whose crimes are inspired by the children’s game Hangman. The premise of the film is fairly simple and therefore could have been good or sucked. Thankfully it is the former. This reviewer is on the fence as to the star rating for the film. Due to being impressed with how well the suspense was built several times this could easily fallen into the 3.5 star rating, however, to play it safe it is at the very least the three stars indicated. The acting is satisfactory though unremarkable, though Al Pacino appears to be gliding through the film with his performance. This reviewer also has the nagging question of: Why does Pacino have a semi–Southern accent and no one else does? That point is never explained and is the only major complaint about the film for this reviewer. As noted the suspense is well built, particularly during the train track sequence. The story is basic but serves its purpose well. Worth a look.  

Trivia: This is the 9th time Al Pacino has played a police detective or law enforcement agent. The others were: Serpico (1973), Cruising (1980), Sea Of Love (1989), Heat (1995), Insomnia (2002), 88 Minutes (2007), Righteous Kill (2008), and Son Of No One (2011). This is the second time Joe Anderson was in a serial killer plotted project. The first was the television show: Hannibal (2013–2015).

Rated: [R] – Violent Content, Bloody Images, & Language|
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Just Getting Started (2017)

Just Getting Started (2017)

C – 91m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen (Theatrical) / 2.40:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
A.K.A.: Villa Capri
Writer – Dir.: Ron Shelton
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones, Rene Russo, Joe Pantoliano, Glenne Headly, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Elizabeth Ashley, George Wallace, Graham Beckel, Jane Seymour, Johnny Mathis, Eli Goodman and Kat Sawyer.

An ex–F.B.I. Agent and his ex–mob lawyer in the witness protection program have to put aside their petty rivalry on the golf course to fend off a mob hit. Mildly uneven and a tad overlong, but never the less a fun outing with the stars… The unevenness comes from the scenes going on a tad longer than they likely should have. Rene Russo has the most level – headed role in the film. Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones play off of each other very well. The scene where Freeman tries to pick Russo up in the bar is a riot. The actors are in fine form and most of the material is good. If only the scenes had been trimmed just a tad more. Still it is entertaining and is worth a watch.  

Trivia: This film was never screened for critics prior to its theatrical release.

Rated: [PG–13] – For language, suggestive material & Brief Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Life (2017)

Life (2017)

C – 104m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
Dir.: Daniel Espinosa
Starring: Hiroyuki Sanada, Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ariyon Bakare.

A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discover a rapidly evolving life form that caused extinction on Mars and now threatens all life on Earth. While this film is basically a retooling of Alien (1979), (see Trivia), it is a better–paced version of it in this reviewer’s opinion. There is one good kill in this film. Everything else is pretty much what you would expect to see.

Trivia: Ryan Reynolds intended to play the lead role but took the supporting role due to scheduling conflicts with this film while making: The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017). Rebecca Ferguson almost didn’t make the movie until she met with director Daniel Espinosa who talked her into doing the film. This was Skydance’s first [R]–rated film. In a TV Spot (commercial) it was revealed that this movie reused old B–Roll footage from Spider–Man 3 (2007). This was inspired by the film: Alien (1979).   

Rated: [R] – Language Throughout, Some Sci–Fi Violence & Terror
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Other Jack The Ripper Films & Shows (1961–2017)

 Thriller: Season 1, Episode 28: Yours Truly, Jack The Ripper (1961)

B&W – 60m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
Story: Yours Truly, Jack The Ripper by Robert Bloch
Adaptation By: Barre Lyndon
Prod.: William Frye
Dir.: Ray Milland
Starring: Boris Karloff, John Williams, Donald Woods, Edmon Ryan, Ottola Nesmith, Adam Williams, Nancy Valentine, Sam Gilman, Gloria Blondell and J. Pat O’Malley.
Music By: Jerry Goldsmith

70 years after the Jack The Ripper killings in London, Sir Guy convinces the police that Jack The Ripper may still be alive, eternally young, and still killing, currently in New York City. Smart and spooky rendering of the tale of Jack The Ripper. While the gory sensationalism of the later Ripper film and television outings is absent, the atmosphere and tension of “Who is Jack The Ripper,” is present and makes this a must watch. Milland handled the directorial work splendidly and the actors are capable. Karloff, “The Gentle Monster”, intros this tale of suspense with his soothing voice very nicely. He was the perfect host for this show. 

Trivia: The director of this episode of Thriller, Ray Milland starred in Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M For Murder with actor John Williams. The story’s author Robert Bloch is the same man who wrote the novel Psycho (1960) was based on. He subsequently wrote sequels to Psycho and a Jack The Ripper novel, after this short story, titled: Night Of The Ripper.

Out Of Print on DVD but Available on YouTube and Digital Copy

Time After Time (1979)

C – 112m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 / 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Theatrical Ratio) / 2.40:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray Ratio)
Story: Time After Time by Karl Alexander and Steve Hayes
Screenplay By: Nicholas Meyer
Dir.: Nicholas Meyer
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, David Warner, Mary Steenburgen, Michael Evans, John Colton, Corey Feldman, Neil Armstrong (archival sound), Sir Winston Churchill (archival sound), Jimi Hendrix (archival footage), John F. Kennedy (archival sound), Douglas MacArthur (archival sound), Edward R. Murrow (archival sound), Franklin D. Roosevelt (archival sound).

H.G. Welles chases Jack The Ripper through time to the 20th Century when the serial murderer uses the future writer’s time machine to escape his own time. Smart and literate Sci–fi yarn pits H.G. Welles brilliantly against Jack The Ripper. This premise has spawned several books over the years and a failed TV show in 2017 (see review below). A cult classic like this is stylish though somewhat average. Worth watching over the failed show with the same title though!   

Trivia: Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen met and fell in love while making this film. They were subsequently married from September 29, 1980 – October 1, 1990. Screenwriter – director Nicholas Meyer chose not to let them meet before they filmed the scene where they meet in order to keep their reaction fresh for the take. Malcolm McDowell listened to recordings of H.G. Welles to prep for his role as Welles. The real Welles’ voice was high and croaky according to McDowell, hence he chose not to imitate it. All four of H.G. Welles’ children were still alive when this film was released. A deleted scene had H.G. Welles meeting a punk on a bus who was playing loud music on a boom–box. The premise of the scene was later used in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), which was also co–written and directed by Nicholas Meyer. In the chase scenes at the hotel David Warner had a stunt double as he was recovering from two broken ankles at the time. In the close–ups you can see him running gingerly so as to not hurt himself. This was Corey Feldman’s film debut. Reportedly, Nicholas Meyer originally wanted Edward Fox as The Ripper; then he considered Mick Jagger as The Ripper but just couldn’t see him in the role. The studio wanted Sally Field for the role that went to Mary Steenburgen. This was the second Jack The Ripper film of 1979, the other was: Murder My Decree (1979) (see review in another entry).

Rated: [PG]
Out Of Print on Laserdisc Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through The Warner Archive Collection 

Jack’s Back (1988)

C – 97m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: A Knife To Kill, The Ripper, Red Rain
Writer – Dir.: Rowdy Herrington
Starring: James Spader, Cynthia Gibb, Jim Haynie, Robert Picardo, Rod Loomis and Chris Mulkey.

A serial killer in Los Angeles, California celebrates Jack The Ripper’s 100th birthday (anniversary) by committing similar murders and only one person has a chance at stopping him. This reviewer will resist the urge to make cutting remarks about this film. However the film does have a slow pace, iffy acting and a script that never builds suspense. It plays like a television movie, at best. Still, James Spader does his best with the lackluster material. As noted in the description of the film, the “birthday” of Jack The Ripper is actually the anniversary of his killings. This reviewer does not know many babies with surgical skills. 

Trivia: Director Harrington wanted the title to be: Red Rain, and to have Peter Gabriel’s song play over the opening credits. Due to budget restraints, he couldn’t get the rights to the song. So he had Paul Saax compose: “Red Harvest”. At the last minute the studio decided Red Rain had nothing to do with the film and changed the title to Jack’s Back.

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Ripper (1997)

C – 96m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ripper
Written By: Robert Rodat
Exec. Prod.: Mark Gordon
Dir.: Janet Meyers
Starring: Patrick Bergin, Gabrielle Anwar, Samuel West, Michael York, Essie Davis, Karen Davitt and Josephine Keen.

The tale of Jack The Ripper and the lives of the people around him. “…Someone’s sneakin’, ‘round the corner...” A typical Jack The Ripper tale is boosted by the approach of focusing on the royal family rather than the victims. While this is a 1990’s television movie, it has the quality of an indie film sleeper hit. There are some factual errors as with any Ripper film / show. This is more of a drama than a mystery but the suspense still builds making it a good thriller.

Trivia: Samuel West previously played Prince Albert Victor Edward as a young child in: Edward The King (1975), in which his father, Timothy West, played the title role.

Rated: [R] – Violence & Sexuality
Out Of Print on VHS and not available on YouTube or Digital Copy, though it occasionally runs on TV 

Ripper (2001)

C – 114m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ripper: Letter From Hell
Story By: John A Curtis and Evan Tylor
Screenplay By: Pat Bermel and Neil Bermel
Exec. Prod. – Prod.: John A Curtis (as John Cutis)
Dir.: John Eyres
Starring: A.J. Cook, Bruce Payne, Ryan Northcott, Derek Hamilton, Daniella Evangelista, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Kelly Brook and Bruce Pinard.

A massacre survivor studies serial killers under a famous expert, but her classmates soon start dying at the hands of a Jack The Ripper copycat. Excesses of excesses hamper this otherwise okay gory chiller. Followed by a sequel: Ripper 2: Letter From Within (2004).

Rated: [R] – Violence / Gore, Sexuality & Language
Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

Ripper 2: Letter From Within (2004)

C – 85m (Uncut) 89m (DVD)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Evan Tylor, Jonas Quastel, and John A. Curtis
Screenplay By: Jonas Quastel and John Sheppard
Additional Screenplay By: Pat Bermel and Neil Bermel
Exec. Prod.: John A. Curtis
Dir.: Jonas Quastel and Lloyd A. Simandl
Starring: Erin Karpluk and Richard Bremmer

When Ripper Murders start occurring to a haunted mental patient who survived the first film, time will tell who the killer is. A killer is on the loose in the nut house plot works rather well here. Better pacing than the first film and more of a coherent story make this superior to its predecessor. 

Rated: [R] – Strong Sexual Content, Violence & Language
Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

Ripper Street: The Complete Series (2012 – 2017)

C – 59m. Per Episode
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 / 1.78:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: Various. Writers: Various.

Starring: Matthew Macfadyen, Adam Rothenberg, MyAnna Buring, Jerome Flynn, David Wilmot, Charlene McKenna, David Dawson, Anna Burnett, Clive Russell and others.

The crimes of Jack The Ripper, and some of the other criminals, on the streets around the time of the Ripper killings, as they relate to Inspector Reid and company. Excellent telling of The Ripper tale bookending a series of crimes committed by thugs, rapists, murderers, and sometimes even the police force. Not one false note in this series. Although the episode count is low, the body count is high and the production is vivid. A must for Ripperphiles and fans of period piece films and shows! Be forewarned: This is NOT for the squeamish. Disclaimer: This reviewer is a self-taught Ripperphile and therefore holds some prejudice in favor of this show and others like it.     

Trivia: BBC 1 and BBC America decided to cancel the show in 2013 after two seasons. Amazon.com picked up the show and aired it on their streaming service and on BBC 1 and BBC America. That stint ran three additional seasons; totaling five seasons and 36 episodes. This show was filmed primarily in the U.K. and England.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

Time After Time: The Complete Series (2017)

C – 552m
Writers: Various
Novelization: Time After Time by Karl Alexander
Dir.s: Various
Starring: Freddie Stroma and Josh Bowman.

H.G. Welles takes his time machine through time to chase Jack The Rippers and other notable Troubledoers. This abysmal attempt to bring the Nicholas Meyer cult classic to the small screen for the modern audience should be avoided at all cost. By that this reviewer means: don’t spend money to see it! The acting resembles Charlie McCarthy sans humor and the story is stretched beyond reason. What is left is 552 minutes of agony for anyone that has good will towards the 1979 cult classic film, from which this abomination is derived. Weirdly the television show: Sleepy Hollow (2013–2017), derived from the 1999 Tim Burton film, succeeds where this one failed, in this reviewer’s opinion. Others may think differently on these points of course. But in the interest of saving people time after time, don’t bother with this one!

Available on Digital Copy

Christina Ricci Lizzie Borden Film & Show (2014 & 2015)

 Lizzie Borden Took An Axe (2014)

C – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 / 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Lizzie Borden Took An Ax
Writer: Stephen Kay
Dir.: Nick Gomez
Starring: Christina Ricci, Clea DuVall, Gregg Henry, Stephen McHattie, Shawn Doyle, Sarah Botsford, Jeremy Akerman, Brett Donahue, John Dunsworth and Andrew Gillies.

The true story of Lizzie Borden, a woman tried and acquitted in the 1892 murders of her father and stepmother. “Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks. When she’d seen what she had done, she gave her father 41.” The premise is simple the acting is solid. The only thing out of place is punk rock – ish music playing in a film set in 1892. Still, this reviewer enjoyed the film that did it first: A Knight’s Tale (2001). So why complain too much with it here? Christina Ricci and the cast are capable but the presentation is average. This spawned the limited series: The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015), A.K.A.: Lizzie Borden: The Fall River Chronicles.

Rated: [TV–14]
Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles: The Complete Series (2015)

C – 337m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 / 1.78:1 – Widescreen
AKA: Lizzie Borden: The Fall River Chronicles
Exec. Prod.: Christina Ricci
Starring: Christina Ricci, Clea DuVall, Cole Hauser, Dylan Taylor, John Ralston, Jeff Wincott, Jonathan Banks, John Heard, Kenneth Welsh, Stephen McHattie, Bill Carr, Chris Lawrence.

Fictionalized account of the actual events and people surrounding Lizzie Borden after her controversial acquittal of the double murder of her father and stepmother in 1892. Vivid characters help boost this above the original movie, Lizzie Borden Took An Axe (2014). The stories of the episodes are even more lively than that of the film and the body count is greater than two, which helps. Not for the squeamish but not the most violent thing to view either. Christina Ricci, as always in this reviewer’s opinion, is in good form and she commendably produced this project. This was a limited run series. 

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

The Lodger Films (1927–2009)

The Lodger (1926 / 1927)

B&W – 98m (Ontario, Canada) / 92m (Theatrical) / 90m (2012 Restoration & TCM Print) / 74m (National Film Archive Print) / 67m (VHS)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
A.K.A.: The Lodger: A Story Of The London Fog
Novel: The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Play: “The Lodger” by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Scenario By: Eliot Stannard
Uncredited: Sir Alfred Hitchcock
Prod.: Michael Balcon
Dir.: Sir Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Marie Ault, Arthur Chesney, June Tripp, Malcolm Keen, Ivor Novello, Reginald Gardiner, Eve Gray, Sir Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville.
Script Supervisor: Elma Reville

SILENT FILM

A landlady suspects her new lodger is the madman killing women in London. The first surviving Jack The Ripper film boasts of the talents of Alfred Hitchcock, his wife Alma Reville and actor Reginald Gardiner. As it is a silent film it helps to pay attention when watching the film and not try to multitask. The film is dated and stilted but worth watching for the fact that it was Hitchcock’s first suspense film and the first surviving Jack The Ripper film. 

Trivia: This was the first Sir Alfred Hitchcock film in which Hitchcock had cameo. For the opening of the film Hitchcock wanted the Avenger’s murder victim being dragged out of The Thames River with the Charing Cross Bridge in the background. His request to shoot the scene was turned down by Scotland Yard. After several more appeals to the Yard, Hitch got his answer when they agreed to look the other way if he could shoot it in one night. Hitch sent the cameraman and his actors to shoot the scene. After the film was developed they searched frantically for the scene. It was discovered that the cameraman forgot to load the lens on the camera before shooting the scene. The original story had hints of homosexuality and incest but Ivor Montagu changed that by removing title cards, bringing the number from 400 down to 80, at the behest of producer Michael Balcon.

The book is supposedly based on a story told to painter Walter Richard Sickert, writer Patricia Cornwell’s pick for who was Jack The Ripper, by a landlady who made the claim that her last lodger was Jack The Ripper. This was the film debut of Reginald Gardiner. Ivor Novello reprised his role in the first talkie remake of this film: The Phantom Fiend (1932).

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy separate and as part of The Criterion Collection

The Phantom Fiend (1932)

B&W – 67m (Full Running Length – beware of shorter prints)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
A.K.A.: The Lodger
Novel: The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes (as Mrs. Belloc Lowndes)
Scenario By: Miles Mander and Paul Rotha
Adapted For The Screen By: H. Fowler Mear
Uncredited: Ivor Novello
Dir.: Maurice Elvey
Starring: Ivor Novello, Elizabeth Allan, A.W. Baskcomb and Jack Hawkins.

A landlady suspects her new lodger is the man killing women in London. Interesting but somewhat lesser version of the Sir Alfred Hitchcock classic. Hitch had the visual flair while this relies on the new addition of sound. Still it does build some suspense. Worth a look.

Trivia: This film is in public domain. Ivor Novello reprised his role from the classic Sir Alfred Hitchcock Film. Hitchcock was asked to direct but declined. 

Available on DVD, Digital Copy & on YouTube

The Lodger (1944)

B&W – 84m
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen (Theatrical Ratio) / 1.34:1 – Fullscreen (Blu–ray Ratio)
A.K.A.: Jack The Ripper
From The Novel: The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Screenplay By: Barre Lyndon
Dir.: John Brahm
Starring: Merle Oberon, George Sanders, Laird Cregar, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Sara Allgood, Aubrey Mather, Queenie Leonard, Doris Lloyd, Billy Bevan, Edmund Breon, Ruth Clifford, Herbert Clifton, Cyril Delevanti, Frank Elliott, Herbert Evans, Kit Guard, Gerald Hamer, Lumsden Hare, Forrester Harvey, Stuart Holmes, Boyd Irwin, Colin Kenny, Skelton Knaggs, Anita Sharp–Bolster, C. Montague Shaw, Ethel Sherman, Will Stanton and Frederick Worlock. Cinematography By: Lucien Ballard

A landlady suspects her new lodger of being Jack The Ripper. Splendid remake of the Hitchcock classic and subsequent 1932 remake that also starred Ivor Novello. Cinematography is wonderful! Oberon is stunning and Cregar is menacing. The suspense builds wonderfully and this reviewer will admit to having nightmares based on the ending chase. A must watch!

Trivia: Merle Oberon fell in love with the cinematographer, Lucien Ballard, and they were married the following year. Because of a car accident Oberon was in she had facial scars. Ballard created a way of lighting her that would wash out the scars. This technique is still called: “The Obie”, not to be confused with the Off–Broadway award. Laird Cregar’s screen presence created such a stir 20th Century Fox planned to cast him in many more roles capitalizing on his role here. The first of which was Hangover Square (1945). Unfortunately Cregar suffered a fatal heart attack and Hangover Square was released posthumously. This was filmed in 1943 and released in 1944. This film was remade by 20th Century Fox as: Man In The Attic (1953), which was filmed on the same sets and reused footage of the London police chasing Jack The Ripper on the rooftops. The sequence of the killing at the beginning of the picture was ordered to be placed there by studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Man In The Attic (1953)

B&W – 82m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen
Novel: The Lodger By Marie Belloc Lowndes
Screenplay By: Robert Presnell, Jr. and Barre Lyndon
Exec. Prod.: Leonard Goldstein
Prod.: Robert L. Jacks
Dir.: Hugo Fregonese
Starring: Jack Palance, Constance Smith, Byron Palmer, Frances Bavier, Rhys Williams, Sean McClory, Leslie Bradley, Lester Matthews, Harry Cording, Lisa Daniels, Lilian Bond, Isabel Jewell, Rama Bai, Chet Brandenburg, Morgan Brown, Noble ‘Kid’ Chissell, Franklyn Farnum, Stuart Holmes, Michael Jeffers, Colin Kenny, Sylvia Lewis, Mickey Martin, Monty O’Grady, Joe Phillips, Bob Reeves, Cosmo Sardo and Ben Wright.

After an enigmatic, self–described pathologist rents the attic room of a Victorian house, his landlady begins to suspect that her lodger is Jack The Ripper. A near miss of a film remake of The Lodger suffers from stuffy scripting and over–acting. Likely best to skip this one.

Trivia: This film is in “public domain”. This is 20th Century Fox’s second stab at The Lodger story. Film debut of Lisa Daniels.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

The Lodger (2009)

C – 95m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
Novel: The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes
Writer – Dir.: David Ondaatje
Starring: Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Shane West, Donal Logue, Philip Baker Hall, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rebecca Pidgeon and Simon Baker.

A couple rents out a room to a mysterious young man, who may or may not be guilty of a series of grisly neighborhood murders. While there are historical inaccuracies in this version, as with any other version, the film is a smart updating of the classic novel. Be aware that this is a premise only remake. Obviously Jack The Ripper was seldom mentioned in 2009. Worth a look as a completion of The Lodger story.

Trivia: Annie Chapman was Jack The Ripper’s second victim, not his fourth victim. Liz Stride and Catherine Eddowes were killed on the same night but in different locations unlike what is stated here.

Rated: [R] – Violent Content, Language & Brief Nudity
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper Films

A Study In Terror (1965 / 1966)

C – 95m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper, Fog
Characters By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Loosely Adapted From The Novel: A Study In Terror by Ellery Queen (Daniel Nathan / Fredric Dannay and Emanuel Benjamin Lepofsky / Manfred Bennington Lee) 
Original Story By: Jim O’Connolly
Screenplay By: Donald Ford and Derek Ford
Dir.: James Hill
Starring: John Neville, Donald Houston, John Fraser, Anthony Quayle, Barbara Windsor, Adrienne Corri, Frank Finlay, Judi Dench, Cecil Parker, Georgia Brown, Barry Jones, Robert Morley, Peter Carsten, Christiane Maybach and Patrick Newell. 

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson join the hunt for the notorious serial killer, Jack The Ripper. Slick loose adaption of the Ellery Queen classic novel features an interesting take on The Ripper story. The novel it is loosely adapted from has the Holmes story framed by armchair detective / writer Ellery Queen reading the manuscript by Dr. John H. Watson. This film is simply the Holmes Vs. The Ripper story that Queen was, “reading”… For what it was at the time the film does a swift job of telling the story, though there are many loose ends not so well tied up. Still, it is of interest for Ripperphiles and should be screened with Murder By Decree (1979).   

Trivia: The close of the film, set a Baker Street eludes to The Adventure Of The Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Frank Finlay also plays Inspector Lestrade in: Murder By Decree (1979). Anthony Quayle appears in both films as well. John Neville reprised his role as Sherlock Holmes on Broadway in the 1970’s. Robert Stephens was the first choice to play Sherlock Holmes here; he would go on to do so in 1970 and Thorley Walters was the first choice for Dr. Watson. Jim O’Connolly was at first attached to direct the film. Mary Anne Nichols, The Ripper’s first victim, bought a hat that she was proud of the night she was murdered. This bit of info was given to his third victim in this film: “Long Liz” – Elizabeth Stride. The final victim, Mary Jane Kelly’s one room flat was historically located on the first floor.

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Murder By Decree (1979)

C – 124m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Sherlock Holmes: Murder By Decree, Sherlock Holmes And Saucy Jack
Characters By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Book: The Ripper File by Elwyn Jones, Stephen Knight and John Lloyd
Screenplay By: John Hopkins
Novelization By: Robert Weverka
Prod. – Dir.: Bob Clark
Starring: Christopher Plummer, James Mason, David Hemmings, Susan Clark, Anthony Quayle, John Gielgud, Frank Finlay, Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold, June Brown, Hilary Sesta, Anthony May, Ann Mitchell and Iris Fry.

Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders committed by Jack The Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer. Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper once again – basic but fun. The ending feels a tad rushed but the film is entertaining. For a shoe–string budget film, this is quite impressive. Worth a look and should be on a double bill with A Study In Terror (1965). 

Trivia: Alien (1979) was filming concurrently with this film, Murder By Decree (1979). Peter O’Toole was originally cast as Sherlock Holmes with Sir Laurence Olivier as Dr. Watson. Director Bob Clark had to research to see if the word, “fart,” existed in 1888, it was. According to Bob Clark the film’s budget was less than $4 million. Christopher Plumber, who plays Sherlock Holmes here, was a cousin of Nigel Bruce, who played Dr. Watson to Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes from 1939 – 1946. Plummer previously played Holmes in the tele-movie: The Sunday Drama: The Silver Blaze (1977). Frank Finlay also played Inspector Lestrade in A Study In Terror (1965). Anthony Quayle also was in that film. This was the first Ripper film released in 1979. The other was: Time After Time (1979).

Rated: [PG]
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

From Hell (2001)

C – 122m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Jack
Graphic Novel By: Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
Screenplay By: Terry Hayes and Rafael Yglesias
Exec. Prod.s – Dir.s: Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes
Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Sir Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Sir Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng, Katrin Cartlidge, Terence Howard, Susan Lynch, Lesley Sharp, Annabelle Apsion, Joanna Page, Mark Dexter, Sophia Myles, Donald Douglas, John Owens, Ian McNeice, Vincent Franklin, Anthony Parker, James Greene, Dominic Cooper and Carey Thring.

In Victorian Era London, a troubled clairvoyant police detective investigates the murders of Jack The Ripper. Other critics and film historians panned this film thoroughly. This reviewer on the other hand loves this film. The period detail is fairly good, the CGI and makeup are great and the story is basically Sherlock Holmes, as a clairvoyant, chasing Jack The Ripper, as previously depicted in A Study In Terror (1965/1966) and Murder By Decree (1979). The cast plays this to the hilt and it has some wonderful visuals – the red London skyline and the drugged visions of the streets including The Elephant Man – Joseph Carey Merrick ( incorrectly called: “John Merrick”). There is also great attention paid to the details of The Ripper’s crimes. A must!  

Trivia: Heather Graham almost went into softcore pornography until she got her role in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), then, subsequently made this film where she plays a prostitute. Real photos of The Ripper’s victims were pinned to the walls of the police station set. The directors did this to unnerve the actors in order to get better performances out of them. Commissioner of Police Sir Charles Warren never really visited the site of the fifth ripper victim as he was relieved of his duties, forced resignation, prior to the final victim’s murder. Daniel Day–Lewis, Sir Sean Connery, Jude Law and Brad Pitt were all either, considered, wanted or interviewed for the role that went to Johnny Depp. Sir Nigel Hawthorne was set to play Sir William Gull, played here by Sir Ian Holm, but had to drop out due to being terminally ill with cancer. As noted Sir Ian Holm replaced him. Sir Nigel Hawthorne died in 2001. Around the time of this film William Friedkin was trying to set up The Diary Of Jack The Ripper as a film with Sir Anthony Hopkins. This was the film debut of Dominic Cooper and the final film of Katrin Cartlidge who died from food poisoning at the age of 41 on September 7, 2002.  

Rated: [R] – Strong Violence / Gore, Sexuality, Language & Dug Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Home Sweet Hell (2015)

Home Sweet Hell (2015)

C – 98m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Dangerous Housewife, North Of Hell
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe, Aiden Flowers, Jim Belushi, Jordana Brewster, Heath Freeman, A.J. Buckley, Kevin McKidd, Artie Baxter and Chi McBride.

Don Champagne, a “happily married man,” is forced into a killing spree when his wife finds out about his affair with one of his employees who is now blackmailing them. The film’s alternant title may prove to be the best indication of a review for the film: North Of Hell. The premise is good, the acting is swell, but the execution, pardon the pun, is generally flat in terms of the humor. A contender for Mystery Science Theater in the modern era. Drinking may help the audience with this one.

Trivia: Katherine Heigl’s real life husband provided all the songs for the soundtrack. 

Rated: [R] – Violence, Language, Strong Sexual Content & Some Drug Use
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Hannibal Lecter Films & Shows (1986 – 2015)

Author Thomas Harris wrote four books in the Hannibal Lecter series. The books, in order of the story are: Hannibal Rising, Red Dragon, The Silence Of The Lambs and Hannibal. They were turned into films and a television show between 1986 and 2015. Below are the reviews for the filmed versions in the order that they were made. The star rating on each also expresses the review of the books in this reviewer’s opinion.

Manhunter (1986)

C – 120m (Theatrical Cut) / 124m (Director’s Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Red Dragon: The Pursuit Of Hannibal Lecter, Red Dragon: The Curse Of Hannibal Lecter, Red Dragon, Blutmond, Hunter
Novel: Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: Michael Mann
Dir.: Michael Mann
Starring: William Peterson, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina, Tom Noonan, Stephen Lang, Benjamin Hendrickson, Michael Talbott, Dan Butler, Frankie Faison, Joanne Camp, David Allen Brooks and Chris Elliott.

Former FBI profiler Will Graham returns to service to pursue a dangerous serial murderer nicknamed, “The Tooth Fairy,” by the media. Well done early Lecter (Lecktor here) film doesn’t hold a candle to the subsequent films but holds it’s own nicely. Cox and Peterson are tops. The preferred cut of the film is the Director’s Cut.

Trivia: While this movie was being filmed, Anthony Hopkins (who would go on to play Hannibal Lecter from 1991 – 2002 in three theatrical outings, including this film’s remake) was playing in King Lear at the National Theatre. In turn, when The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) was filming, Brian Cox, who plays Hannibal Lecter here, was playing in King Lear at the National Theatre. Brian Cox said that he based his portrayal of Hannibal was based on Scottish serial killer: Peter Manuel. This is the only Hannibal movie where his last name is spelled: Lecktor. Frankie Faison is the only actor to appear in four out of the five Hannibal films. Anthony Hopkins is next record holder being in three of them.

Nominated for a 1987 Edgar Allan Poe Award for: Best Picture – Michael Mann. Followed by the films: The Silence Of The Lambs (1991), Hannibal (2001) and the prequel: Hannibal Rising (2007). This was remade as: Red Dragon (2002), the book’s actual title, by Brett Ratner, and starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Harvey Keitel, Ralph Fiennes and others. This was also remade as the television show: Hannibal (2013 – 2015).

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS, Laserdisc and DVD but Available on Blu–ray and Digital Copy in both Theatrical Cut and Director’s Cut

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

C – 118m (Current Cut) / 138m (Original Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Silence Of The Lambs
Novel: The Silence Of The Lambs by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: Ted Tally
Dir.: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Jodie Foster, Scott Glenn, Anthony Heald, Frankie Faison, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ted Levine, Tracey Walter, Dan Butler, Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Charles Napier, Brent Hinkley, Chris Isaak, George A Romero, Edward Saxon and Mike Schaeffer.
Music By: Howard Shore

A young F.B.I. cadet seeks the help of a convicted, incarcerated, manipulating cannibal killer in order to catch another serial killer known as, “Buffalo Bill,” who skins his victims. This film is a tour de force for all involved. A perfect thriller that genuinely gives someone watching the film the creeps for one reason or another. All who got awards or were nominated for awards, richly deserved them.

Trivia: Jodie Foster has said that in the scene where Hannibal meets Starling and he mocks her Southern accent, it was not planned. Anthony Hopkins mocked her and her reaction was genuine indignation and hurt. She is said to have later thanked him for eliciting such an honest response from her. Sir Anthony Hopkins was confused when he learned that he got the role of Hannibal from his portrayal of Dr. Fredrick Treves in The Elephant Man (1981). He questioned Jonathan Demme about it by saying, “But Dr. Treves was a good man.” Demme replied, “So is Lecter, he is a good man too. Just trapped in an insane mind.” Sir Anthony Hopkins only had 24 minutes and 52 seconds of screen–time, making him the second shortest performance time to win Best Actor. The shortest is still held by David Niven in Separate Tables (1958), with 23 minutes and 39 seconds of screen–time.

After Lecter is moved from Baltimore the idea was to put him in an orange or yellow jumpsuit. Sir Anthony Hopkins convinced Director Jonathan Demme and Costume Designer Colleen Atwood that he would be more sinister looking in white. It has since been reported that Sir Anthony Hopkins said that he attributed his idea to his fear of dentist. Sir Anthony Hopkins explained his voice as Hannibal as being a cross between Truman Capote and Katharine Hepburn. Jame Gumb’s dance was not in the script but was in the novel. The dance was added at the behest of an insistent Ted Levine, who said that the dance was: “essential in the definition of the character.” The first moth cocoon found in a victim’s throat was made from a combination of Tootsie Rolls and Gummy Bears so that it would be edible in the event it was accidentally swallowed. And finally: Jodie Foster tried to buy the film rights to this book but Gene Hackman beat her to it. He planned to direct the film and star as either Jack Crawford or Hannibal Lecter, however he withdrew from the idea when he saw a clip of himself in Mississippi Burning (1988) at the Oscars® and felt too afraid to make more violent films.

Oscar® winner for: Best Picture, Best Actor – Sir Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress – Jodie Foster, Best Director – Jonathan Demme and Best Adapted Screenplay – Ted Tally. It was additionally Oscar® nominated for: Best Sound and Best Editing. It was also a Golden Globe winner for Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama – Jodie Foster. It was additionally nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Jonathan Demme, Best Actor – Motion Picture – Drama – Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Ted Tally.

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS and Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy as part of The Criterion Collection and separately

Hannibal (2001)

C – 131m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Silence Of The Lambs II, The Silence Of The Lambs 2
Novel: Hannibal by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: David Mamet and Steven Zaillian
Pro. – Dir.: Ridley Scott
Starring: Sir Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta, Frankie Faison, Giancarlo Giannini, Francesca Neri, Zeljko Ivanek, David Andrews and Francis Guinan.
Music By: Hans Zimmer

Living in exile, Hannibal Lecter tries to reconnect with Agent Starling and finds himself the target of revenge from a powerful victim. Frankly a lesser entry in the series isn’t without its own gruesome interesting points. Sadly most of those are towards the rear of the film and the viewer must float through a dream state first two acts to get to the final two gory ones. Still, it is worth a watch.

Trivia: When Thomas Harris finished the Hannibal novel, he sent copies to Jonathan Demme, Jodie Foster and Sir Anthony Hopkins. The screenplay for the film was rewritten numerous times due to issues with character elements that Demme and Foster had. As it turned out, neither Demme, nor Foster stuck with the production. Only Sir Anthony Hopkins and Frankie Faison returned. At one point David Fincher was slated to direct the film but dropped out. Sir Anthony Hopkins reportedly wrote a script for a sequel to this film. It was never utilized. Though Sir Anthony Hopkins had no official say in who would play Starling, Director Ridley Scott consulted him on the matter after Jodie Foster declined to reprise her role as Starling. Sir Anthony suggested Julianne Moore whom he had previously worked with on: Surviving Picasso (1996).  The part of Mason Verger was offered to Christopher Reeve first, and he displayed some interest, though having not read the novel. When he found out Verger was a quadriplegic, facially disfigured and a child rapist to boot, he declined the role. Gary Oldman based his Verger voice on Katharine Hepburn.

Rated: [R] – Strong Gruesome Violence, Some Nudity & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Red Dragon (2002)

C – 124m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel: Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: Ted Tally
Producers: Dino De Laurentiis and Martha De Laurentiis
Uncredited Associate Producer: Terry Needham
Dir.: Brett Ratner
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary–Louise Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Anthony Heald, Ken Leung, Frankie Faison, Madison Mason, Bill Duke and Frank Langella.
Music By: Danny Elfman

A retired F.B.I. Agent with special psychological gifts, is assigned to help track down the mysterious killer, “The Tooth Fairy,” with the help of his old nemesis: Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter. This remake of Manhunter (1986), under the novel’s original title, offers a more grisly telling of the story but does so with style. Everyone connected to this film is welcome when they turn out work like this and by that this reviewer means they are in top form here. This was Sir Anthony Hopkins’s swan song as Hannibal Lecter, though he made other films where he played basically the same character sans the cannibalism. 

Trivia: Director Brett Ratner reportedly asked Sir Anthony Hopkins to get a facelift and Sir Anthony refused. Sir Anthony Hopkins showed up on set on one of his days off just to watch Philip Seymour Hoffman work, as they shared no scenes together. Philip Seymour Hoffman insisted on being glued to the chair during his encounter with Ralph Fiennes’ character. Ralph Fiennes gained fifteen pounds of muscle for the role of Francis Dolarhyde. Sir Anthony Hopkins stated that his final outing as Hannibal was to remind audiences that Hannibal is a serial killer. He stated that he didn’t like the fact that Hannibal became a fun anti-hero in the public’s minds.

Rated: [R] – Violence, Grisly Images, Language, Some Nudity & Sexuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Hannibal Rising (2007)

C – 121m (Theatrical Cut) / 131m (Unrated Cut)

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen

A.K.A.: The Lecter Variation: The Story Of Young Hannibal Lecter, Young Hannibal: Behind The Mask, The Lector Variations, Young Hannibal, Hannibal 4
Novel: Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris
Screenplay By: Thomas Harris
Producers: Dino De Laurentiis and Martha De Laurentiis
Dir.: Peter Webber
Starring: Gaspard Ulliel, Li Gong and Rhys Ifans

Hannibal grows up after escaping the Nazis and cannibalism during World War II and plans revenge on the cannibals responsible for his sister’s murder years before. Lured and frankly unnecessary prequel to the successful Hannibal series is also slow moving. One scene of revenge is welcome when Hannibal goes after the crude guy in the market. Otherwise, skip it.

Trivia: The only Hannibal outing to be scripted by the book series’ author, Thomas Harris.

Rated: [R] – Strong Grisly Violent Content and some Language / Sexual References
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Hannibal: The Complete Series (2013–2015)

C – 44m Each, 39 Episodes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
Inspired By The Novel: Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Creator: Bryan Fuller
Starring: Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Laurence Fishburne and Eddie Izzard.

Will Graham is a teacher who is recruited because of his psychological gifts to help the F.B.I. track down killers, along the way he meets Hannibal Lecter and trouble ensues in the long run. The short lived series is slow moving for the most part, which may be a hindrance for some, but the visual touches are amazing. Worth a look.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy