Welcome to the 911th Edition of my series. In December, I make my return to the Guyer Opera House where I am in YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS: A LIVE RADIO PLAY. This goes from December 8-10 where the 8th and 9th are at 7:30 pm and the 10th is at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students so get your ticket at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/5665 and enjoy a holiday show for the family.
Kingpin (2003): I start the week out with this mini-series so I'm sorry to those that thought I was featuring the bowling comedy. This mini-series was created by David Mills and centers around a drug cartel that is run by Miguel Cadena, played by Yancey Arias. This also takes a look at the DEA which is trying to bring the family down with Angela Alvarado co-starring as Agent Delia Flores who struggles to make it in such a man's world. Brian Benben, Bobby Cannavale, Shay Roundtree, Reuben J. Carbajal, Sheryl Lee, Darius McCrary, Greg Serano, Wings Hauser, Maria Conchito Alonso, Lombardo Boyar, Miguel Sandoval, Stephen Tobolowsky, Joaquim de Almeida, Aaron Paul, Danny Trejo, Ed Lauter, Sean Young, Frank Gallegos, and many others co-star in this mini-series. This is technically not a movie but as I always say, this is my blog so I can make my own rules. This was originally aired on NBC and has six episodes. This was originally going to be an actual series but low ratings prompted NBC to cancel this show. I remember watching this when it was on and it was good to revisit but also wonder what could have been. I found this to be available to watch on Youtube.
Priscilla (2023): Sofia Coppola directed this biopic that is based on the movie ELVIS AND ME by Priscilla Presley. Cailee Spaeny stars as the teenage Priscilla who meets rock star Elvis Presley, played by Jacob Elordi. Elvis takes a liking to the teen as she becomes very intrigued and forms a relationship. At a young age, she moves into the home of Elvis where she usually has to wait for him from a tour and deal with the headlines of his possible infidelity. As she gets older, she must consider her own happiness. Ari Cohen, Dagmara Dominczyk, Tim Post, Lynne Griffin, Dan Beirne, Rodrigo Fernanzez-Stoll, Dan Abramovici, and many others co-star in this film. While this movie features Elvis, this is not a rock biopic by any means. This is from Priscilla's point of view and the real-life Priscilla Presley was on hand for the film. This focuses on the volatile relationship between the two. This had a relatively unknown, at least to me, cast and they managed to make this work along with the good script and direction.
In and Out (1997): Frank Oz directed this romantic comedy where sexuality comes into question. Kevin Kline stars as Howard Brackett who has a great job as an English teacher and is engaged to marry his colleague Emily Montgomery, played by Joan Cusack. Howard's former student Cameron Drake, played by Matt Dillon, has become a big actor and wins a Best Actor award and thanks Howard while also proclaiming him to by gay. The rest of the town also wonders if if what he said is true as well as his fiance. Tom Selleck, Wilford Brimley, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Newhart, Gregory Jbara, Shalom Harlow, Shawn Hatosy, Zak Orth, Lauren Ambrose, Alexandra Holden, Lewis J. Stadlen, Deborah Rush, J. Smith-Cameron, Kate McGregor-Stewart, Debra Monk, Dan Hedaya, Alice Drummond, Bill Camp, Selma Blair, Clare Kramer, and many others co-star in this comedy. Selleck is very amusing as the overzealous reporter. My own late friend Ralph Bard was an extra towards the end. This was made during a time where it was not nearly as acceptable to be gay like it is today and I recall getting made fun of a bit when I said I went to see this. This has some very funny moments and I felt it also has a really good message. This is available to watch on Showtime.
The Sour Puss (1940): This is my animated short for the week which was directed by Robert Clampett. This features Porky Pig, voiced by Mel Blanc, who tells his pet cat they they are going fishing the next day. The cat gets very excited but gets more than he bargained for when dealing with a flying fish. Blanc did the voice of the other characters as well. I loved the idea of Porky as a pet owner as he also had a pet canary and there were some good gags to go along with it.
Daughter of the Dragon (1931): Lloyd Corrigan directed this pre-code crime drama which is based on the novel by Sax Rohmer. Anna May Wong stars as Princess Ling Moy who becomes involved with Ah Kee, played by Sessue Hayakawa, not knowing that he is a detective investigating Dr. Fu Manchu, played by Warner Oland. She also does not know that Fu is her father. Bramwell Fletcher, Frances Dade, Holmes Herbert, Lawrence Grant, Harold Minjir, Nicholas Soussanin, E. Alyn Warren, and many others co-star in this film. This is a little too complicated to really explain further. Oland seems to have made a career of playing Asian characters most notably Charlie Chan. Wong and Hayakawa made it known that they can portray their race. This is a decent mystery that needs full attention and pretty action packed for its time. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969): Bill Melendez directed this animated film which is the first feature film for the Peanuts gang. Charlie Brown, voiced by Peter Robbins, tries to prove the gang wrong that he is not a failure after many losses from the baseball team and Lucy, voiced by Pamelyn Ferdin, pulling the football out from him. When learning of a spelling bee, Charlie finds himself a pattern and wins it for his school sending him to nationals. There are some good subplots dealing with Linus, voiced by Glenn Gilger and Snoopy. Christopher DeFaria, Bill Melendez, and many others provide their voice. The gang come into their own in their first feature along with a good soundtrack. This is a very underrated animated feature that deserves a look. This is available to watch on Paramount Plus.
The Avengers (2012): Joss Whedon directed and co-wrote this superhero film. Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, must call upon the Avengers Initiative when learning that Asgardian Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, and his army plan to enslave humanity. The team of Iron Man, played by Robert Downey Jr., Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, Captain America, played by Chris Evans, the Incredible Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo, Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, and Hawkeye, played by Jeremy Renner, must all work together to save the world. Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stallan Skarsgard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Bettany, Alexis Denisof, Powers Boothe, Jenny Aguttar, Harry Dean Stanton, and many others co-star in this superhero film. Right now, I am on a slow-moving binge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and as I write, this is where I am in the binge. This is the first movie in the MCU that consisted of the Avengers and has always ranked very high for me in the universe and just with film in general. This was a very well done storyline with great action along with developing the characters well.
Ivy (1947): Sam Wood directed this film that is based on the novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes. Joan Fontaine stars as British belle Ivy Lexton who longs for a wealthier lifestyle that her husband Jervis, played by Richard Ney, is not giving her. She becomes intrigued by the older and richer Miles, played by Herbert Marshall, and resorts to very extreme measures to be with Miles. Patric Knowles, Cedric Hardwicke, Lucille Watson, Sara Allgood, Henry Stephenson, Una O'Connor, Alan Napier, and many others co-star in this film. Fontaine plays the femme fatale very well in this violent love story. This is one that has seemed to go overlooked through the years so I hope this goes on the radar a bit. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Phantom of the Paradise (1974): This is my musical for the week which was directed and co-written by Brian De Palma. William Finley stars as disfigured musician Winslow Leach who sells his soul the evil record tycoon Swan, played by Paul Williams, for the woman he loves to perform his music. Jessica Harper co-stars as aspiring singer Phoenix who Winslow really likes. Swan soon betrays Winslow seeks vengeance against Swan. Gerrit Graham, George Memmoli, and many othesr co-star in this rock opera. This is a variation of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with a great twist to it. Paul Williams also wrote the soundtrack of this film in addition to co-starring as the villain. This is a lot of fun and has some great music numbers. This is also available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Crisis in Six Scenes (2016): I started with a mini-series and I end with a mini-series so I suppose these could have gone into the below segment but I decided to be a rebel this week. Woody Allen directed and co-wrote this comedy series that deals with serious subjects. Allen and Elaine May star as '60s married couple Sidney and Kay Munsinger who reluctantly take in revolutionary Lennie Dale, played by Miley Cyrus. Lennie is on the run from the law and takes refuge in the Munsinger home while also turning it upside-down. John Magaro, Rachel Brosnahan, Joy Behar, Mary Boyer, Marylouise Burke, Margaret Goodman, Julie Halston, Margaret Ladd, Lewis Black, David Harbour, Nina Arianda, Max Casella, Michael Rapaport, and many others co-star in this mini-series. This consists of six episodes that are around a half hour each. This consists of the usual Woody Allen sort of humor so I will just leave it at that. This is available to watch on Prime.
Well, that is it for this week but continue on for the return of my segment "Tube Time". Tell me what you like or dislike and stay tuned for two weeks where I return with all holiday selections.
TUBE TIME
These are some shows I have been working on lately. A couple come from the Madness in October and one comes from a show that I started a while back. I have a few shows that I am doing a slow-moving binge on as I like to call it.
Veronica Mars (2004-2019): Rob Thomas created this tv series and no it is not that guy from Matchbox 20. Kristen Bell stars as the title character whose best friend Lily Kane, played by Amanda Seyfried, is murdered and her father Keith, played by Enrico Colantani, is removed as Sheriff of Neptune, California so in turn opens his own private detective agency which Veronica helps a lot. Jason Dohring, Percy Daggs III, Francis Capra, Ryan Hansen, Teddy Dunn, Michael Muhney, Tina Majorino, Brandon Hillock, Kyle Gallner, Tessa Thompson, Julie Gonzalo, Daran Norris, Christopher Lowell, Duane Daniels, Max Greenfield, Ken Marino, Patrick Wolff, Harry Hamlin, Lisa Thornhill, Kyle Secor, Charisma Carpenter, Clifton Collins Jr., Frank Gallegos, Dawnn Lewis, Patton Oswalt, Krysten Ritter, Steve Guttenberg, Sydney Tamila Poitier, J.K. Simmons, Clark Duke, Aaron Ashmore, Cress Williams, Lisa Rinna, Alyson Hannigan, Laura San Giacomo, Dianna Agron, Leighton Meester, Zachary Ty Bryan, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Anthony Anderson, Melissa Leo, Paris Hilton, Jessica Chastain, Rachel Roth, Aaron Paul, Kevin Smith, Lucy Lawless, Jane Lynch, Christine Lakin, Patricia Hearst, Paul Rudd, Adam Wylie, Joey Lauren Adams, and many others co-star, play recurring characters or make guest appearances. NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar co-wrote and episode in the last season and was a co-producer. Saying 2004-2019 is not real accurate. This had three full seasons along with a movie in 2014 and they decided to have one more season in 2019 which is more like a mini-series. We first get to know Veronica as a resourceful high school student and then into college in season three. The description I made is more for season one and would have a different storyline each season. This is a really fun mystery show but could get intense at times. This is available to watch on Hulu and I am proud to call myself a Marshmallow.
Big Little Lies (2017-2019): David E. Kelley created this series which is based on the novel by Liane Moriarty. Shailene Woodley stars as single mother Jane Chapman who moves into an upper-class California beach town. She is taken in by fellow mothers Madeline, played by Reese Witherspoon, and Celeste, played by Nicole Kidman, and secrets among them will effect them all. Zoe Kravitz, Adam Scott, Laura Dern, James Tupper, Alexander Skarsgard, Jeffrey Nordling, Iain Armitage, Darby Camp, Kathryn Newton, Cameron Crovetti, Nicholas Crovetti, Chloe Coleman, Ivy George, Larry Sullivan, Merrin Dungey, Kelen Coleman, P.J. Byrne, Meryl Streep, Douglas Smith, Hong Chau, Joseph Cross, Martin Donovan, and many others co-star in this series. This is hard to explain as it is kind of a slow-burn to the event that happens. This is hard to really describe this series without giving it away. The first season was in 2017 was shot like a documentary some of the time where events are discussed that lead to a violent act. The second season was done in 2019 and deals with the aftermath of the event that happened and the lives of the town. This worked on so many levels in my opinion. I loved the theme song COLD LITTLE HEART by Michael Kiwanuka and the soundtrack in general was really good. This was originally going to be a one season mini-series but with the success of the series and the desire of the actors to work together again, Liane Moriarty wrote a novella to map out a second season. I started this during the Madness when Alexander Skarsgard was a wild card. This takes a look at all kinds of issues like domestic violence, bullying, and many other things. This is available to watch on Max.
Jack of All Trades (2000): Eric Morris created this historic comedy series. Bruce Campbell stars as American spy Jack Stiles who is sent to the tiny South Pacific island Polau Polau by Thomas Jefferson to stop the advances of Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Verne Troyer in a recurring role. Jack teams up with British agent and inventor Emilia Rothschild, played by Angela Dotchin, while also leading a double life a the Zorro-esque Daring Dragoon. Stuart Devenie and Stephen Papps co-star in this series. This was one of those shows on Fox that only lasted one season. I started watching this during the Madness on account of our annual wild card Bruce Campbell. This was a pretty funny show that dealt with a lot of historical figures from this era. It also had the ultimate casting of Napoleon in Verne Troyer and it is just too bad that Troyer is no longer with us to reprise his role in Ridley Scott's upcoming film NAPOLEON.
Moonlight (2007-2008): Ron Koslow and Trevor Munson created this short lived vampire series. Alex O'Laughlin stars as private investigator Mick St. John who is also a vampire of about fifty years. When meeting reporter Beth Turner, played by Sophia Myles, he feels bound to protect her and falls in love with her while wrestling the complications of love between a vampire and human. Jason Dohring co-stars as Mick's wealthy vampire friend Josef and Shannyn Sossaman co-stars as Mick's ex-wife who made him a vampire. Tami Roman, Jordan Belfi, Brian White, David Blue, Jacbo Vargas, Eric Winter, Erika Ringer, Kevin Weisman, Luis Moncada, Chase Kim, Meredith Monroe, Ian Abercrombie, Elizabeth Tulloch, Peyton List, and many others co-star in this series or make guest appearances. I also started watching this series on account of the Madness with our vampire theme. I remember watching this when it first came out and I thought it was a pretty cool series but I guess I got busy and tapered off a bit. This is inspired from the '90s vampire series FOREVER KNIGHT with the vampire detective element and this also reminded me a little bit of the vampire series THE ORIGINALS. Unfortunately, this show was killed off a bit by the writers's strike that went on at that time. When returning, it did not maintain the high ratings it first got and was cancelled, then O'Laughlin signed on for the reboot of HAWAII FIVE-0 which was very successful.
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