Welcome to the 839th Edition of my series. Today is week one of the playoffs where my team the 49ers look to take down the Cowboys. I would also like to do a plug for the radio play SUE 'EM that I did last year. It airs again today at 5 pm eastern time at https://www.weciradio.org/ and is only about twenty minutes long. This was the first radio play ever put on in about 1925 and a young John Huston played the role that I play in this show. This will likely be on the Richmond Radioworks podcasts at some point. I will shut up and get on with my selections. Go Niners!!!!
Baywatch (2017): Seth Gordon directed this movie based on the popular tv series written by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann. Former WWE Champion Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars as Mitch Buchannon, played by David Hasselhoff in the tv series. He teams up with the cocky rookie Matt Brody, played by Zac Efron, when he finds a new synthetic drug is hitting the beach uncovering a big crime ring. Alexandra Daddario, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kelly Rohrbach, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jon Bass, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Hannibal Buress, Rob Heubel, Amin Joseph, Oscar Nunez, David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Clem Cheung, Belinda Peregrin, Charlotte McKinney, Izabel Goulart, and many others co-star in this comedy. Many know that Hasselhoff and Anderson were in the series and make cameo appearances in this movie. If you're looking for some great plot, this is not it. If looking for a fun guilty pleasure, this is it. This was my middle school show and I have been reliving it some which like this movie, is a guilty pleasure. This seems to reflect season three of the show in terms of the characters used. This parodies the show in some ways like how the lifeguards always seem to fight crime. Efron and Johnson are a great duo in this movie. I just wish more BAYWATCH alums would have made appearances like Nicole Eggert whose character Summer Quinn is played by Daddario. This is available to watch on Paramount Plus.
Certain Women (2016): Now I get a little more serious with this film directed by Kelly Reichardt and based on stories written by Maile Meloy. These are interrelated stories that involve Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams, and Laura Dern in small-town America. Dern plays attorney Laura who is trying to diffuse a hostage situation being done by her client Fuller, played by Jared Harris. Williams plays Gina, who along with her husband Ryan, played by James Le Gros, try to talk an elderly man, played by Rene Auberjonois, to sell them some sandstone and experiencing marital issues in the process. Stewart plays Elizabeth who is teaching adult education classes but making a long commute. Lily Gladstone plays lonely ranch hand and forms an attachment to Elizabeth. Ashlie Atkinson, Guy Boyd, Edelen McWilliams, John Getz, James Jordan, Matt McTighe, Sara Rodier, co-star in this film. This is a nice slice of life kind of film which shows the flaws in humanity for a lack of a better description.
The Suicide Squad (2021): This is my superhero film for the week which was written and directed by James Gunn who is also known for directing Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY films. Viola Davis plays Amanda Waller who puts together a group of supervillains from Belle Reve prison in return for reduced sentences and places a bomb in their heads for if they try to run away. This group mostly consists of Bloodsport, played by Idris Elba, Peacemaker, played by former WWE champion John Cena, Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie, King Shark, voiced by Sylvester Stallone, Ratcatcher II, played by Daniela Melchior, Colonel Rick Flag, played by Joel Kinnaman, and Polka-Dot Man, played by David Dastmalchian. They are sent on a very dangerous mission and must learn to work together. I mean, how can we ever leave out Robbie as Harley Quinn? Michael Rooker, Nathan Fillion, Jai Courtner, Flula Borg, Mayling Ng, Pete Davidson, Sean Gunn, Stephen Blackehart, Steve Agee, Tinashe Kajese, Jennifer Holland, Fernando Martinez, Dee Bradley Baker, Storm Reid, Natalia Safran, Jared Leland Gore, Rey Hernandez, Ray Benitez, Alice Braga, Reinaldo Faberlle, Jonathan Fritschi, Peter Capaldi, Juan Diego Botto, Joaquin Cosio, Josh Ventura, Geraldo Davila, Mikaela Hoover, Lynne Ashe, Julio Cesar Ruiz, Taika Waititi, Maya Le Clark, and many others co-star in this superhero film. Ostrander wrote the modern version of this comic book series in the '80s. This is not one of those superhero movies that is mostly family oriented. This has an R rating and rightfully so. It also has a lot of really obscure characters that make their presence felt. Gunn brings his cleverness from the Guardians films to this one. This is very fun with a lot of action and comedy and is more for the adults. This is available to watch on HBO Max.
Edward the Conqueror (1979): This is part three of my possible five-part Joseph Cotten series. This is technically and episode from the tv series TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED but I'm billing it as my short film for the week. Joseph Cotten and Wendy Hiller star as married couple Edward and Louisa who discover a stray cat in their garden. Louisa starts playing classical music on her piano and the cat reacts very well to it convincing her the cat is the reincarnation of Franz Liszt. This does not sit well with Edward and tension arises. This was series that was based on short stories of Roald Dahl and would host these episodes like Hitchcock in ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS. I had never watched this before but was a pretty entertaining half hour. This episode and series is available on Tubi.
The Woman Condemned (1934): Dorothy Davenport directed this pre-code crime drama. Richard Hemingway stars as reporter Jerry Beall who takes interest in Barbara Hammond, played by Claudia Dell. Barbara is accused of murdering a radio star and Jerry looks to prove her innocence. Lola Lane, Jason Robards Sr., Paul Ellis, Douglas Cosgrove, Mischa Auer, Sheila Bromley, Louise Beavers, and many others co-star in this crime drama. This is more of a b-list movie and is a pretty intriguing murder mystery that will require full attention. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Crime Wave (1953): Andre De Toth directed this film noir. Gene Nelson stars as parolee Steve Lacey who is trying to get his life together with his lovely wife Ellen, played by Phyllis Kirk. Some of Lacey's old cronies take refuge in his home trying to get away, one of which is wounded. Sterling Hayden co-stars as Detective Sims who is looking to get Lacey to help bring in the criminals putting him as they say between a rock and a hard place. Ted de Corsia, Charles Bronson, Jay Novello, Nedrick Young, James Bell, Dub Taylor, and many others co-star in this film. Bronson at the time was Charles Buchinsky who would later adopt the name Bronson. Nice and gritty film noir that I came across on a tribute section to Sterling Hayden. I have always been intrigued by him and find him to be a rather underrated actor. As mentioned, this is available to watch on the Criterion Channel as well as a few other Sterling Hayden films.
Crank (2006): I bring some action back with this action film directed by which was co-written and co-directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Jason Statham stars as assassin Chev Chelios who has been injected with a poison that will kill him if his heart rate drops. To survive, Chev must stay active and keep the adrenaline going in his system. With the help of his girlfriend Eve, played by Amy Smart, and his doctor Doc Miles, played by Dwight Yoakam, telling him ways to survive, he sets out to avenge those who poisoned him. Carlos Sanz, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Efren Ramirez, Reno Wilson, Edi Gathegi, Glenn Howerton, Keone Young, Valerie Rae Miller, and many others co-star in this action movie. This is what it is which is some Jason Statham action. I saw someone say that this is a combination of movies SPEED and D.O.A. which I feel is pretty accurate. This is available to watch on imdb tv.
One Wonderful Sunday (1947): Akira Kurasawa directed and co-wrote this Japanese film. Isao Numasaki and Chieko Nakakita star in this film as couple Yuzo and Masako who are an engaged couple in war-ravaged Japan. They are also struggling and trying to make the most of the 35 yen that they have. This is a very good look at a poor couple trying to appreciate what they do have while trying to be there for one another. Most people when they think Kurasawa might think the director of samurai films but he was a very versatile director and this one shows it. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (1962): Robert Aldrich directed this film which is based on the novel by Henry Farrell. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford make their historic teaming as sisters Jane and Blanche Hudson. Jane was a child star as Baby Jane Hudson and cannot let go of her fame which drives her to insanity. Blanche had a more successful career as an actress but is confined to a wheelchair. Victor Buono, Wesley Addy, Anne Barton, Marjorie Bennett, Bert Freed, Anna Lee, Maidie Norman, Dave Willock, Russ Conway, Maxine Cooper, Robert Cornthwaite, Gina Gillespie, and many others co-star in this film. This started the famous rivalry that might be exaggerated some but it was there, especially post filming is my understanding. Davis clearly enjoyed herself in this while Crawford played her role in a more sane matter since she was the level-headed of the two sisters. This is available to watch on HBO Max.
Oliver Twist (2005): Roman Polanski directed this adaptation on the classic Charles Dickens novel. Barney Clark stars as the orphaned Oliver Twist in 19th century England. He must fend for himself until he is taken in by Fagin, played by an unrecognizable Ben Kingsley, who runs a pickpocket scam using other children including Artful Dodger, played by Harry Eden. While it was a very shady place, he was treated better than other places he had been but must worry about the real villain in Bill Sikes, played by Jamie Foreman. Jeremy Swift, Ian McNeice, Michael Heath, Gillian Hanna, Teresa Churcher, Chris Overton, Lewis Chase, Leanne Rowe, Ophelia Lovibond, Edward Hardwicke, Mark Strong, Jake Curran, and many others co-star in this Dickens adaption. This does not have a bunch of musical numbers and I thought was a little darker than usual which is a very dark story to begin with. This is a different presentation though the basics are still all there. I still thought this was a well done telling of the classic story.
Well, that is it for this week but I did return with my "Fun and Useless Facts" segment. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned next week which so far includes Amy Adams, Kenneth Branagh, Marilyn Monroe, and many others.
FUN AND USELESS FACTS
I decided to bring back this segment for the week. As always, I focus on connections from movie to movie. I also usually end at 25 facts so I'm sure I've missed some so feel free to comment.
Alexandra Daddario (Baywatch) and Nathan Fillion (The Suicide Squad) were in the 2013 fantasy film PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS.
Charlotte McKinney (Baywatch) and Michael Rooker (The Suicide Squad) were in the 2020 movie FANTASY ISLAND.
David Hasselhoff (Baywatch) and Michael Rooker (The Suicide Squad) were in the the 2017 superhero film GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. There are probably plenty of others I can name off.
David Hasselhoff (Baywatch) and Flula Borg (The Suicide Squad) were in the 2017 comedy KILLING HASSELHOFF.
Dwayne Johnson (Baywatch) and Jason Statham (Crank) team up in the 2019 action movie as the title characters in FAST AND FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS AND SHAW.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Baywatch) fought John Cena (The Suicide Squad) in WRESTLEMANIA 28 where the Rock defeated Cena. The next year in WRESTLEMANIA 29, Cena got his rematch and defeated the Rock.
Dwayne Johnson (Baywatch) and Rey Hernandez (The Suicide Squad) were in the 2013 movie PAIN AND GAIN.
Hannibal Buress (Baywatch) and John Cena (The Suicide Squad) were in the 2015 comedy DADDY'S HOME.
Idris Elba (The Suicide Squad) and Ben Kingsley (Oliver Twist) were in the 2016 film THE JUNGLE BOOK.
James Le Gros and Michelle Williams play a married couple in this week's feature CERTAIN WOMEN. Both of these actors made their screen debuts in tv series that star David Hasselhoff (Baywatch). Le Gros was in the 1984 episode THE ROTTEN APPLES of KNIGHT RIDER in episode seven of season three. Williams was in the 1993 episode RACE AGAINST TIME: PART 1 of BAYWATCH which was in episode 4 of season four. That was very mind blowing to me and would love a job in sports where I can find deep statistics like this one here.
Jon Bass (Baywatch) and Idris Elba (The Suicide Squad) were in the 2017 film MOLLY'S GAME.
Joseph Cotten (Edward the Conqueror) and Bette Davis (What Ever Happened to Baby Jane) were in the 1964 film HUSH...HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE.
Kristen Stewart's (Certain Women) was invaded by Dwight Yoakam (Crank) in the 2002 film PANIC ROOM.
Margot Robbie (The Suicide Squad) plays Queen Elizabeth I in the 2018 movie MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. Bette Davis (What Ever Happened to Baby Jane) plays Elizabeth I in the 1939 film THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX and would reprise the role in the 1955 film THE VIRGIN QUEEN.
Michael Rooker (The Suicide Squad) and Ophelia Lovibond (Oliver Twist) were in the 2014 superhero film GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.
Michelle Williams (Certain Women) and Ben Kingsley (Oliver Twist) were in the 2010 film SHUTTER ISLAND.
Mischa Auer (The Woman Condemned) plays Kolenkhov in the 1938 film YOU CAN"T TAKE IT WITH YOU. I played the role in a 2020 production for the Attic Theater group in Elwood.
Pamela Anderson (Baywatch) and John Getz (Certain Women) were in the 2008 comedy SUPERHERO MOVIE.
Rob Heubel (Baywatch) and Ben Kingsley (Oliver Twist) were in the 2008 comedy THE LOVE GURU.
Rob Heubel (Baywatch) and Laura Dern (Certain Women) were in the 2010 comedy LITTLE FOCKERS.
Sterling Hayden (Crime Wave) and Joan Crawford (What Ever Happened to Baby Jane) team up in the 1954 western JOHNNY GUITAR.
Sterling Hayden (Crime Wave) and Maxine Cooper (What Ever Happened to Baby Jane were in the 1957 film ZERO HOUR.
Sylvester Stallone (The Suicide Squad) and Jason Statham (Crank) star in THE EXPENDABLES franchise which includes an upcoming 4th one.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Baywatch) and Natalia Safran (The Suicide Squad) are in the 2018 superhero movie AQUAMAN.
Zac Efron (Baywatch) and Michelle Williams (Certain Women) were in the 2017 musical THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.
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