‘Cape Fear’ Shows How Extreme Fathers Go To Protect Their Families

I haven’t seen the Cape Fear series and I’ve only seen parts of the 1962 version. But the 1991 version directed by Martin Scorsese as a followup to Goodfellas brought him the best commercial success of his career so far. While the original with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum is set in the last daysContinue reading “‘Cape Fear’ Shows How Extreme Fathers Go To Protect Their Families”

Fade Out For Gene Shalit

There’s an old saying of “There’s a face for radio.” And Gene Shalit may not have had the preppy looks of Tom Brokaw or Peter Jennings, but he made film criticism worth watching with his witty puns and on-camers enthusiasm.His distinct look which consisted of a brushy moustache, frizzy Afro-styled hair, horn-rimmed glasses and bowContinue reading “Fade Out For Gene Shalit”

Before ‘Scary Movie’ There Was The Horror Parody ‘Student Bodies’

Horror comedies have been around for decades all the way back when ‘Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ had the two sharing the silver screen with Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi. And then Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder gave us ‘Young Frankenstein.’ In 2000, the Wayans brought us ‘Scary Movie,’ a crude but hilarious parodyContinue reading “Before ‘Scary Movie’ There Was The Horror Parody ‘Student Bodies’”

Fuhrman’s Legacy Shows Some Cops Are Just Racist, Violent Bullies

Almost 32 years have passed since Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman, were murdered outside her home. The chief suspect in the case was O.J. Simpson, Brown’s ex-husband. Simpson was later charged, tried and acquitted of the double murder. No one else has ever been charged in connection withe case.   On the night ofContinue reading “Fuhrman’s Legacy Shows Some Cops Are Just Racist, Violent Bullies”

RIP Donald Gibb, aka Ogre

Donald Gibb may have never won an Oscar or Emmy but his 6-foot-4 hulking feature made him a memorable actor. Originally playing for the San Diego Chargers, his sports career was sidelined early following an injury from an automobile accident.  But who better to play a football player than a football player?  In 1984, heContinue reading “RIP Donald Gibb, aka Ogre”

‘Dead Alive’ Isn’t Your Typical ‘Braindead’ Zombie Flick

Sometimes fame and fortune doesn’t have the end results we expect. While some filmmakers might think a lot of awards and recognition might bring them more freedom, I think it has the opposite effect sometimes.  Now, Peter Jackson is an Oscar-winning filmmaker and respected documentary producer. But about 40 years ago, he was a youngContinue reading “‘Dead Alive’ Isn’t Your Typical ‘Braindead’ Zombie Flick”

Swipe Left On ‘DTF St. Louis’

We’ve kinda reached the point where movie studios are only throwing money at big budget movies that stories like “DTF St. Louis” are being released as limited series.  But what should’ve been a two-hour family drama movie in the vein of “Rashomon” is a shaggy dog story that is stretched over seven episodes that areContinue reading “Swipe Left On ‘DTF St. Louis’”

It’s Time To Give ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ The Hook

Back in 1997, a friend and I went to go to the movies. “Jungle 2 Jungle,” Tim Allen’s followup to “The Santa Clause” was about to be released. The movie was a remake of the French movie “Little Indian Big City” which had been heavily panned by critics when it opened in America a yearContinue reading “It’s Time To Give ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ The Hook”

‘Pizza Movie’ Turns Stale And Cold Losing Its Buzz Too Quickly

Gatan Matazarro became famous for his role as Dustin Henderson on “Stranger Things.” The character was a loveable geek who was very book smart but not always with when it came to common sense and he wasn’t too popular. Even school outcast Eddie Munson was cautious of him before the two learned more about eachContinue reading “‘Pizza Movie’ Turns Stale And Cold Losing Its Buzz Too Quickly”

‘Dead Of Winter’ Has Thrills

In the mid-1990s, Emma Thompson became an A-lister she appeared in many period piece movies mostly made by the Merchant-Ivory filmmakers. She won an Oscar for acting for “Howard’s End” and an Oscar for adapted screenplay for “Sense and Sensibility.” But it seemed she was already getting typecast. Thankfully Mike Nichols cast her as aContinue reading “‘Dead Of Winter’ Has Thrills”