The Clapper (2016–2018)

The Clapper (2016–2018)

C – 89m
Aspect Ratio:
Based On The Novel: Eddie Krumble Is The Clapper by Dito Montiel
Writer – Prod. – Dir.: Dito Montiel
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Leah Remini, Ed Helms, Alan Thicke, Adam Levine, Tracy Morgan, Mark Cuban and Rob Gronkowski.

15 minutes of fame destroys the life of a man who works as a clapper in television. A one–line joke premise is stretched into 89 minutes of Dramady here. As such the script is uneven and the laughs are in short supply. A sweet if somewhat muddled romance story is present though. Worth a look but nothing special.

Trivia: This was the last film that Alan Thicke starred in before his death on 12/13/2016. Ed Helms and Amanda Seyfried previously worked together in: Love The Coopers (2015).

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

Blockers (2018)

Blockers (2018)

C – 102m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Cherries, The Pact
Prod.s: Chris Fenton, Seth Rogan, Jon Hurwitz and James Weaver
Dir.: Kay Cannon
Starring: Leslie Mann, John Cena, Ramona Young, Kathryn Newton, Miles Robbins, Gary Cole, Graham Phillips and Jill Jane Clements.

Parents accidentally find out a pact that their daughters have to lose their virginity on prom night and set out to stop them. American Pie for girls with meddling parents as the heroes of the film. Nice twist on the Pie storyline. For those who care Kay Cannon, the director of this film, wrote the Pitch Perfect series. This made her a natural choice to direct this (if you will pardon the pun) coming of age story. The film has more to it than meets the eye and ear in the advertisement campaign (television spots and theatrical trailers). The casting is perfect and there is a lot of heart behind the otherwise crude jokes. At that, the jokes start off as cringe worthy but elevate from there after the first little bit of the film. If one can stomach vulgarity, than this is a breeze. If one can’t see past the crudeness, than this film may not be for them. The parents are played as slow, which may appeal to teens, though they ultimately prove to be more on top of things than you may think. The teens are played as highly intelligent and very self–aware. While the accuracy of that may be questioned, it works well for this film to have well–rounded characters. Seldom do these kinds of comedies score high with this reviewer, but this one hits all the right notes. It would be a shame to miss this one!  

Trivia: The title is short for: “Cock Blockers”. Due to censorship on advertising, a silhouette of a rooster (a cock by definition of gender) is shown in front of the word Blockers on the advertisements to suggest the full title.

Rated: [R] – Crude And Sexual Content, And Language Throughout, Drug Content, Teen Partying, & Some Graphic Nudity
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

A Quiet Place (2018)

A Quiet Place (2018)

C – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Bryan Woods and Scott Beck
Screenplay By: Bryan Woods, Scott Beck and John Krasinski
Exec. Prod.s: Scott Beck, John Krasinski and Bryan Woods
Prod.s: Michael Bay and Bradley Fuller (as Brad Fuller)
Dir.: John Krasinski
Starring: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward, Leon Russom and Doris McCarthy (uncredited).

A family is forced to live in silence when hiding from creatures that hunt by sound. Slow moving and utterly predictable “horror” film. Make no mistake, this is a creature film, but this reviewer felt no suspense, no fear what so ever. When one can see the ending coming from the beginning of the film there is a need for retooling the script. And that is the trouble here, but, alas, this was not done and the film suffers greatly for it. The acting and CGI are good but very little else to commend here.

Trivia: The Bathtub scene with Emily Blunt was shot in one take. Millicent Simmonds was deaf since infancy due to a medical overdose. This was her second film role. Her first was Wonderstruck (2017). Bryan Woods and Scott Beck’s original script contained only one line of dialogue. John Krasinski played the monster using motion capture animation in a few scenes. The filmmakers purchased 20 tons of corn and hired local farmers to grow it. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski were married in real life.

Rated: [PG–13] – Terror & Some Bloody Images
Available on 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

Justice League Films (2017–Present)

Justice League (2017)

C – 120m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Justice League Of America, Justice League Mortal
Exec. Prod.s: Ben Affleck and Christopher Nolan
Producer: Deborah Snyder
Co–Story Writer – Dir.: Zack Snyder
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, J.K. Simmons, Amber Heard, David Thewlis, Jesse Eisenberg and Robin Wright.
Music By: Danny Elfman

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. One cannot do much better than this film for a superhero film. Affleck is, once again, almost miscast as Bruce Wayne / Batman, though he carries it off mildly well. Everyone else is in fine form. This moves along with no real slow / dull periods in the film and the action – humor ratio is satisfactory. Adams, Irons, Lane and Simmons are always welcome!   

Trivia: Zack and Deborah Snyder stepped away from this film after their daughter’s suicide in March 2017. Joss Whedon finished the film. Danny Elfman took over for Junkie XL, who had replaced Hans Zimmer. Laurence Fishburne was asked to reprise his role as Perry White in a cameo. Due to scheduling conflicts he was unavailable to do so on the day that scene was set to film. Ben Affleck was considered to direct this film. This was Zack Snyder’s first film to be shot in the 1.85:1 – Widescreen aspect ratio. 

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Sci–Fi Violence & Action
Available on 3D and 2D Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Amazing Spider–Man Double Feature (2012 & 2014)

The Amazing Spider–Man Double Feature (2012 & 2014)

The Amazing Spider–Man (2012)

C. – 136m.
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 4: The Amazing Spider–Man, Spiderman 4: The Amazing Spiderman, The Amazing Spider–Man In 3D, The Amazing Spiderman In 3D, The Amazing Spiderman, Spider–Man, Spiderman
Dir.: Marc Webb.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Campbell Scott and C. Thomas Howell.

As with the first Tobey Maguire Spider–Man (2002), Peter Parker finds himself an alter–ego around the time of the death of his Uncle Ben (Sheen). Garfield is the web-slinging hero and Emma Stone is his drug of choice, Gwen Stacy, right under the nose of her father – a cop, Denis Leary. Rhys Ifans is right at home as the decent guy turned evil by mutation in a lab accident, he turns into The Lizard, and Field plays a lovely matronly Aunt May. 

This one holds it’s own against the first two Maguire Spider–Mans (2002 & 2004) and delivers just a bit more. While Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane Watson is clueless but cute, Stone’s Gwen Stacy is almost as equally a nerd as Garfield’s Peter Parker. Need I say that she is of course as pretty as Dunst was in her respective role back in the day? In short: There are no dumb or clueless characters in sight here and that is what makes this one work so well in, what can only be called, the cynical age (2010 – Present). There is plenty of romance and action here to keep both sexes appeased! 

Rated: [PG – 13] – Sequences Of Action & Violence.
Available On 3D & 2D Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

The Amazing Spider–Man 2 (2014)

C. – 142m.
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen.
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 5: The Amazing Spider–Man 2
The Amazing Spider–Man 2: Rise Of Elctro, The Amazing Spiderman 2: Rise Of Electro, Spiderman 5: The Amazing Spiderman 2, The Amazing Spider–Man 2 In 3D, The Amazing Spiderman 2 In 3D, The Amazing Spiderman 2, London Calling, Spider–Man 2, Spiderman 2, Spider–Man, Spiderman
Dir.: Marc Webb.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Fox, Dane DeHaan, Felicity Jones, Paul Giamatti and Sally Field.

After pushing Gwen Stacy (Stone) away at the end of the first film, Peter Parker (Garfield) must fight to keep his one time love and the rest of New York City safe from another Oscorp villain, Electro (Jamie Fox).

Part of the charm of the Spider–Man character is that he is at once bright but shy and cool but yet awkward. In this sequel, Spider–Man ceases to be shy, cool and awkward. What is left is a pompous jerk who can throw canned webbing around so he can get place to place. This is a far cry from what Spider–Man was and should be. As such it is hard to root for him even though he is THE superhero of the film. And where the first film felt nice and tight and left viewers wanting more, this one is a slow, sloppily told yarn that could have been shortened by 40 minutes. In short, this just about kills the fun of a Spider–Man film! Small wonder this was the last of the Garfield series.   

Rated: [PG – 13] – Sequences Of Sci–Fi Action / Violence.
Available on 3D & 2D Blu–ray, DVD and Digital Copy. 

The Tobey Maguire Spider – Man Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

The Tobey Maguire Spider – Man Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

Spider–Man (2002)

C – 121m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man: The Motion Picture, Spiderman
Marvel Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screenplay By: David Koepp
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Joe Manganiello, Gerry Becker, Elizabeth Banks, John Paxton, Jason Padgett, Jim Ward, David Holcomb, Octavia Spencer, Jim Norton and Stan Lee.

A geeky high school outcast gets bitten by a spider and gains superpowers. A very entertaining way to bring the comic book hero to the big screen. A good start to the trilogy.

Trivia: Hugh Jackman was supposed to have a cameo as Wolverine and even showed up to shoot the scene but the idea was scrapped because the production could not get the costume from X–Men (2000). Tobey Maguire’s nose kept filling with water during the upside–down kiss in the rain. The first issued film poster was recalled because it featured The World Trade Center as part of the NYC skyline, 9/11/2001 had just occurred.

Oscar® nominated for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
Rated: [PG–13] – Stylized Violence & Action
Available on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Spider–Man 2 (2004)

C – 127m (Theatrical Cut) / 135m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 2: The IMAX Experience, The Amazing Spider–Man, Spider–Man: No More, Spider–Man 2 Lives, Spider–Man 2.1, Spider–Man 1.5, Spiderman 2
Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screen Story By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Michael Chabon
Screenplay By: Alvin Sargent
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Dylan Baker, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, Elizabeth Banks, Bruce Campbell, Stan Lee, John Paxton and John Landis.

Peter Parker’s personal life is in a tailspin as he battles Dr. Otto Octavius. Smart sequel and by far the best entry in the Raimi – Maguire trilogy. Everything works! The preferred cut is the Extended Cut. 

Trivia: Tobey Maguire was having back problems and almost didn’t make this film. Jake Gyllenhaal was set to replace him but Maguire returned for the film. The, “My back!” joke after Peter Parker falls from the roof, just happened to be in the script before Maguire’s back issues arose. (Anyone else skeptical?) When Peter Parker flips over an oncoming car, Tobey Maguire did the stunt himself. A stuntman also did it but director Sam Raimi liked Maguire’s take and thought it looked more natural, so he used it. 

Oscar® winner for: Best Visual Effects. Additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing.

Rated: [PG–13] – Stylized Action Violence
Available in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Spider–Man 3 (2007)

C – 139m (Theatrical Cut) / 137 (Editor’s Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 3: The IMAX Experience, Spiderman 3, 3
Marvel Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screen Story By: Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi
Screenplay By: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, James Cromwell, Theresa Russell, Dylan Baker, Bruce Campbell, Elizabeth Banks, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, John Paxton, Becky Ann Baker, Stan Lee and Joe Manganiello. 

A dark entity from another world threatens to take over Peter Parker as he battles new villians, causing inner turmoil. Dismal final outing in the Raimi – Maguire trilogy leaves one feeling sorry that the story came to this. Watchable only as part of the series. The preferred cut is the theatrical cut, oddly.

Trivia: All of the screams Kirsten Dunst has in this film are reused from Spider–Man 2 (2004). The film took two years and ten months to make. At one point it was a consideration to split the film into two parts. Many scenes were shot that were never released theatrically as part of the film or on home video as part of the bonus features. Many of them considered too dark for consumption. This was Cliff Robertson’s final film before his death on September 10, 2011 at the age of 88.

Rated: [PG–13] Sequences Of Intense Action Violence
Available in Theatrical Cut and Editor’s Cut on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Spider–Man: Homecoming (2017)

Spider–Man Homecoming (2017)

C – 133m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen – 3D / 2D
A.K.A.: The Summer Of George
Based On Comic Books By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Captain America Character Created By: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Dir.: John Watts
Starring: Tom Holland, Michal Keaton, Robert Downey, Jr., Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Connelly, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Hannibal Buress, Stan Lee and Chris Evans.

Peter Parker comes into his own doing a balancing act between his life as student Peter Parker and crime–fighting Spider–Man. This is the next to worst Spider–Man film made to date. The acting is good, so is the CGI and the first 40 minutes move along well. Sadly the pacing goes awry right at that point and although there are a few good action scenes to go before the end of the film, the pacing is so bad that this reviewer became detached from the film. Somehow this film garnered B–ish ratings from critics. This reviewer suspects something is amiss there. In short, this film is far from the best that Marvel has to offer, much less anything resembling a good Spider–Man film. Skip it!

Trivia: Jennifer Connelly voices Spider-Man’s suit’s voice, Karen. Her husband voiced J.A.R.V.I.S. – the voice in Iron Man’s suit. Connelly was additionally cast because she was in the John Hughes film: Career Opportunities (1991), since this film is a tribute to John Hughes’ high school films. Tom Holland was the youngest actor to play Spider–Man at age 19. Previously the actors who played the part, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, were in their mid–20’s when they played the role. Michael Keaton plays a character called: The Vulture. The appearance of The Vulture is not unlike the design of Birdman in the Best Picture Oscar® winning film: Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) (2014).  

Rated: [PG–13] – Sci–Fi Action Violence, Some Language & Some Suggestive Comments
Available in 3D and 2D on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Shape Of Water (2017)

The Shape Of Water (2017)

C  / B&W – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Guillermo del Toro
Screenplay By: Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale
Pro. – Dir.: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones, David Hewlett and Nick Searcy.

In the 1950’s a lonely janitor at a top-secret research lab starts a relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity. A creature film in the style of The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954), right down to the design of the creature; difference being: this is a love story. The film is by no means fast paced but it has the visual flair of del Toro to off–set it. Period detail is nice, sets are impeccable, costumes are tops and the actors play their parts with gusto. How can you go wrong? The only complaint here is that it is a creature film from the 1950’s released in 2017. In short: It has all been done before. Unlike most creature films though you actually feel for the creature here. Between that and the romance element being played in an entirely different way makes this a film worth watching. 

Trivia: The creature’s design here was heavily influenced by the title creature in the film: The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954). Guillermo del Toro reportedly wrote backstories for all the characters and offered them to the actors. Some utilized them (Michael Stuhlbarg) while others ignored them (Richard Jenkins). Guillermo del Toro started work on this film in 2011.

Oscar® winner for: Best Picture – Guillermo del Toro and J Miles Dale, Best Director – Guillermo del Toro, Best Original Score and Best Production Design. Additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Actress – Sally Hawkins, Best Supporting Actor – Richard Jenkins, Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer, Best Original Screenplay – Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. Golden Globe winner for: Best Director – Motion Picture – Guillermo del Toro and Best Original Score – Motion Picture. Additionally nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama – Sally Hawkins, Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Richard Jenkins, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – Octavia Spencer, Best Original Screenplay – Guillermo Del Toro.

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

I, Tonya (2017)

I, Tonya (2017)

C – 120m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Steven Rogers
Pro.: Margot Robbie
Dir.: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Julianne Nicholson and Bobby Cannavale.

Tanya Harding’s bright future as an Olympic ice–skating competitor is in jeopardy when her ex–husband intervenes. Brash and fowl–mouthed docudrama style film is strictly by the numbers. The actors are great, the pace is solid, but it’s all be done before. As docudramas go, this is the way they should be rather than: The Gallant Hours (1960). Humor is here, whether intentional or not may be up for questioning, but it is present. Alison Janney won a richly deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar® for her portrayal of one of the worst mothers in screen history!

Trivia: Allison Janney practiced for many years to be a figure skater. When she was 17 she had a bad accident of sliding through a glass door. Her leg was nearly severed and didn’t skate again for many years.

Oscar® winner for: Best Supporting Actress – Allison Janney. Oscar® nominated for: Best Actress – Margot Robbie, Best Supporting Actress – Allison Janney, and Best Editing. Allison Janney won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. The film was nominated for additional Golden Globes for: Best Picture – Musical Or Comedy and Best Actress – Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy – Margot Robbie. 

Rated: [R] – Perverse Language, Violence, & Some Sexual Content / Nudity
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

Ted Series (2012 & 2015)

The largely Boston based Ted series (2012 & 2015) is available in [R] rated theatrical cuts and [UNRATED] extended cuts. The preferred cuts are the [UNRATED] extended cuts.

Ted (2012)

C – 106m (Theatrical Cut) / 112m (Unrated Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Teddy Bear
Story By: Seth MacFarlane
Screenplay By: Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild
Pro. – Dir.: Seth MacFarlane
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale, Giovanni Ribisi, Patrick Warburton, Matt Walsh, Jessica Barth, Sir Patrick Stewart, Norah Jones, Sam J. Jones, Ralph Garman, Alex Borstein, John Viener, Laura Vandervoort, Johnny Carson, Ted Danson, Richard DeAgazio, Ed McMahon, Ryan Reynolds, Tara Strong and Ray Romano.  

A man who’s childhood wish was to bring his teddy bear to life, must choose between drug and alcohol fueled hangouts with the “grown” bear and his fiancé. An outrageous and hysterically funny farce that is actually a fairytale set a Christmas time. An unexpected hit to be sure. It helps if you appreciate Boston humor though.

Trivia: Ted, voiced by Seth MacFarlane, mentioned 9/11 in the movie. Both Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane were both booked on American Airlines Flight 11, one of the planes that took down The World Trade Center. Wahlberg opted to drive to New York City, New York then fly to California later and was not on the plane. MacFarlane had a hangover, overslept and missed his boarding by ten minutes by the time he got to the airport. He watched the plane he was supposed to be on fly into the tower on TV at the airport bar. Ted’s various motions were done using motion capture animation from MacFarlane. This was the first live–action production to be directed by Seth MacFarlane.

Oscar® nominated for: Best Original Song – “Everybody Needs A Best Friend,” Music by Walter Murphy and Lyrics by Seth McFarlane.

Rated: [R] – Crude And Sexual Content, Pervasive Language, & Some Drug Use
[UNRATED] – More Of The Same
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ted 2 (2015)

C – 115m (Theatrical Cut) / 125m (Unrated Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Based On Characters Created By: Seth MacFarlane
Screenplay By: Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild
Exec. Pro: Alec Sulkin
Pro. – Dir.: Seth MacFarlane
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Barth, Giovanni Ribisi, Morgan Freeman, Sam J. Jones, Patrick Warburton, Michael Dorn, Liam Neeson, Sir Patrick Stewart, Tom Brady, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Kate MacKinnon, Alec Sulkin, Ralph Garman, Rachel MacFarlane, Tara Strong.

Newlyweds Ted and Tami–Lynn want to have a baby but must prove Ted is a person in a court of law. A contrived sequel to be sure but still worth a few laughs. Amanda Seyfried replaces Mila Kunis here and does a decent job at it. Not the sequel that one would hope for but it suffices.

Trivia: This is the first time that Mark Wahlberg has appeared in both the original film and the sequel film. Stephen Collins had a major cameo but was replaced after a video confession of sex abuse surfaced. When Ted drives, it is the recreation of the classic John Candy scene from John Hughes’ Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987).

Rated: [R] – Crude And Sexual Content, Pervasive Language, & Some Drug Use
[UNRATED] – More Of The Same
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Let There Be Light (2017)

Let There Be Light (2017)

C – 100m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Dan Godon & Sam Sorbo
Exec. Prod.: Sean Hannity
Prod.s: Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo
Dir.: Kevin Sorbo
Starring: Kevin Sorbo, Sam Sorbo, Daniel Roebuck, Donielle Artese, Gary Grubbs, Sean Hannity, Braeden Sorbo and Shane Sorbo.

An atheist, who lost a son to cancer, goes through a near–death experience in a car accident before converting to Christianity. By the numbers but well done. Sam Sorbo steals the show here. As with the God’s Not Dead franchise, Atheists may be outraged. For those who believe, this is preaching to the quire. 

Trivia: This was the film directorial debut of Kevin Sorbo. Conservative talk–show host Sean Hannity was the Executive Producer of this film and cameos as himself. This film has a similar plot to the parody film: Jesus, Bro! (2017). One of the book cover posters in Kevin Sorbo’s character’s office has Hercules in the title. This is a knowing wink to the fact that Kevin Sorbo played Hercules on television from 1994–1999. 

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Thematic Material Including Alcohol & Drug Issues
Available on 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

Brad's Status (2017)

Brad’s Status (2017)

C – 102m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen (Theatrical) / 2.40:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
Exec. Prod.: Brad Pitt
Writer – Dir.: Mike White
Starring: Ben Stiller, Austin Abrams, Jenna Fischer, Michael Sheen, Jemaine Clement, Luke Wilson, Shazi Raja, Luisa Lee, Mike White, Felicia Shulman, Jonah Carson, Kenny Wong and Jimmy Kimmel.

A man going through a midlife crisis takes his son to tour colleges and meets up with an old friend who makes him feel inferior about his own life choices. Sad, off–putting, and at times hard to take comedy drama… The major thing here is the midlife crisis that messes with Stiller’s characters’ head. The film is hard to take at times particularly if you know people who make the same boneheaded statements that Stiller’s character makes to his family and friends repeatedly. A more up–lifting, and granted suicidal, version of this story (a man taking stock of his life) can be found in the Christmas time classic: It’s A Wonderful Life (1947) (see review). And an equally sad but more moving version of the story can be found in the John Cassavetes masterpiece: Husbands (1970) (see review). Granted there are a few comedic moments here and there, it is a Ben Stiller film after all. The cast does its best with the material but the results are best summed up as off–putting.

Trivia: Director Mike White’s father worked as a minister and at times questioned his own success. According to director White, he made this film to thank his father and to tell him that he found him, his father, to be successful. Director Mike White plays Nick in a cameo by the way. Many of the scenes set in Boston, MA, USA were actually shot in Montreal, Canada.

Rated: [R] – Language
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