Welcome to the 936th edition of my series. I will start by saying that my thoughts go out to those in Florida and those affected by the hurricanes. I don't have a lot of other things going on so I will just release this week's edition.
King Kong (2005): Peter Jackson directed this remake of the classic 1933 film. Jack Black stars as the greedy film producer Carl Denham and is hoping to finish his movie at the location of Skull Island. He struggles to find his leading lady but comes across the struggling actress Ann Darrow, played by Naomi Watts, to fulfill the role he needs. The cast and crew set out for the unknown Skull Island where they encounter a lot of trouble including the title character who takes to Ann right away. Adrian Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Andy Serkis, Evan Parke, Jamie Bell, Lobo Chan, John Sumner, Craig Hall, Kyle Chandler, Mark Hadlow, and many other co-star in this film. This is my favorite adaptation of Kong and what won me over for that was the interaction between Ann Darrow and King Kong. In the 1933 version, she is very resistant of the gorilla which is understandable but in this version she forms more of a relationship with Kong knowing he saved her life. I felt this was a remake that pays respect to the original while having its own image.
Scream 4 (2011): Wes Craven directed this entry in the Franchise which was written by Kevin Williamson. Neve Campbell reprises her role of Sidney Prescott who has become very successful on account of a self-help book she wrote and returns to Woodsboro after ten years. With her return unfortunately starts a series of murders by a new Ghostface Killer, voiced by Roger Jackson but could be just about anybody. With the help of her friends Dewey, reprised by former WCW champion David Arquette, and Gale, reprised by Courteney Cox, she looks to find the murderer and prevent any further killings. Lucy Hale, Shenae Grimes-Beech, Anna Paquin, Kristen Bell, Aimee Teegarden, Britt Robertson, Alison Brie, Hayden Panetteire, Emma Roberts, Marielle Jaffe, Marley Shelton, Erik Knudsen, Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella, Anthony Anderson, Adam Brody, Gordon Michaels, John Lepard, Mary McDonnell, and many others co-star or have cameos in this sequel. This marked the first entry in the franchise since 2000 and I thought this was a decent return. This is also a bit of a parody to a horror movie franchise within an entry of a horror movie franchise. It was also the last movie Craven would direct before his death. Bell and Paquin have a very amusing scene together in the beginning.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991): Michael Pressman directed this sequel to the iconic franchise. Our favorite ninja turtles Michaelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello, voiced by Michelan Sisti, Mark Caso, Kenn Scott, and Leif Tilden, are back along with Master Splinter, voiced by Kevin Clash. Their services are needed once again as they learn Shredder, played by Francois Chau and later WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash as Super Shredder, has survived and must save New York City. With the help of their reporter friend April O'Neil, played by Paige Turco, and their new pizza delivery friend Keno, played by Ernie Reyes Jr., they do what they can to save the town from Shredder and the Foot Clan. David Warner, Kurt Bryant, Susie Essman, and many other co-star in this sequel. Vanilla Ice also has a cameo as himself where we get to hear his song NINJA RAP so were can we go wrong there? I remember seeing this in the theaters and it was fun then and it is a lot of fun now. Check out Kevin Nash's podcast KLIQ THIS.
Herman the Rookie (1965): This is my "short film" for the week which is technically an episode from THE MUNSTERS. A big league team takes an interest in Herman Munster, played by Fred Gwynne, who is found to be the one who hit a baseball extremely far while teaching Eddie, played by Butch Patrick, how to hit a baseball. When getting to the tryouts, they find he might just throw and hit a little too hard. Yvonne de Carlo, Al Lewis, Pat Priest, and Gene Darfler co-star in this episode. This was a fun episode incorporating the world of baseball. This is a show that still holds up today and is perfect for this time of hear.
The Raven (1935): Lew Landers directed this film that is essentially an homage to Poe. Bela Lugosi stars as the Poe obsessed surgeon Dr. Vollin. Judge Thatcher, played by Samuel S. Hinds, is desperate to have his daughter Jean, played by Irene Ware, saved and talks Vollin into coming out of retirement to do a procedure. While he saves Jean, his Poe obsession kicks in and hires criminal Edmond Bateman, played by Boris Karloff, to do his dirty work with the promise that he will fix his face. Spencer Charters, Inez Courtney, Ian Wolfe, Inez Courtney, and many others co-star in this horror film. This is the second of eight films where Lugosi and Karloff would work together. This is a pretty clever homage to Poe and is not the same as the 1963 film of the same name that would also star Karloff. These could both make a good double feature though.
Sanshiro Sugata (1943): Akira Kurosawa directed this film which is based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita. Susumu Fugita stars as the title character who is a young man wanting to learn judo in hopes of one day becoming a master. In the process, he struggles through his stubbornness and finds love in the master's daughter. He also learns a lot about life in his quest to be the best. This is Kurasawa's directorial debut and was the start of a great career.
Tetris (2023): Jon S. Baird directed this biographical film and was written by Noah Pink. Taron Egerton stars as video game designer Henk Rogers who looks to secure the rights of the video game TETRIS and goes to very extreme measures to do so. This leads him to the Soviet Union where he risks his life dealing with their strict government. Mara Huf, Miles Barrow, Rick Yune, Nikita Efremov, Toby Jones, Oleg Stefan, Roger Allam, Anthony Boyle, Ayano Yamamoto, Nino Furuhata, Togo Igawa, Ayane Nagabuchi, and many others co-star in this film. This is a very intense and true story of how one of the most popular video games came to be. It is also a good homage to video gaming of the mid 1980s.
The Big Doll House (1971): Jack Hill directed this prison exploitation film. Judith Brown stars as Collier who is sentenced to life in an all-female prison in the Philippines. There is a lot of corruption going on with the sadistic guard Lucian, played by Kathryn Loder, who subjects the inmates to a lot of humiliation and torture. Some inmates band together in hopes of an escape. Pam Grier, Roberta Collins, Pat Woodell, Sid Haig, Christiane Schmidtmer, Gina Stuart, and many others co-star in this film. This does not exactly age well I suppose but this was essentially the exploitation genre. This was the first big role for Pam Grier which would lead to a really good career in the long run. This is not easy to watch but is a rather compelling story.
The Mad Magician (1954): John Brahm directed this film which is based on a story by Crane Wilbur. Vincent Price stars as illusionist Don Gallico who in very inventive but always works more behind the scenes for other illusionists. When Gallico tries to put on his own show, it gets stopped by his employer Ormand, played by Donald Randolph, which sends Gallico on the brink of insanity. Mary Murphy, Eva Gabor, John Emery, Lenita Lane, Patrick O'Neal, Jay Novello, and many others co-star in this horror film. This is a pretty clever horror film within the illusionist world. It is perfect for this time of year and some rather underrated Vincent Price.
The Brother From Another Planet (1984): John Sayles wrote and directed this sci-fi film. Joe Morton stars as a mute alien who appears in human form as a black man and is on the run from bounty hunters, played by Sayles and David Strathairn, from his planet in the town of Harlem. The alien also has a hard time adjusting to the world full of racism but also earns respect from members at a bar. Daryl Edwards, Steve James, Leonard Jackson, Bill Cobbs, Maggie Renzi, Olga Merediz, Tom Wright, Renn Woods, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Alvin Alexis, Caroline Aaron, and many others co-star in this sci-fi film. It is hard to describe this movie, the only real sci-fi element are the alien characters but not much happens in a sci-fi way. This has stood as a cult classic with some really good themes to look upon.
Well, that is it for this week but read on for week 2 of the Madness. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week.
This is week two of the Madness. I have a moniker of "King of the Loophole" because of the way I use wild cards and selections that are not Halloween related so I think I have maintained that title.
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Akira is a wild card this year thanks to his association with Roger Corman who would help him with American distribution.
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Anna is not a wild card this year but has been in the past and would be a good candidate for a Women in Horror wild card.
Scream 4 (2011, 111 minutes, 66 1/2): Anna has a fun cameo in the beginning with Kristen Bell. Sidney Prescott believes everything is behind her after a decade but Ghostface returns.
-Sidney and Jill are cousins for a bonus point?
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006, 104 minutes, 66 1/2): Anna reprises her role as Rogue and is not opposed to the cure that has been made for mutants. This is where Jean Grey gets a lot darker as Phoenix.
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Barry is not a wild card but he presented himself enough this year so I made a category for him.
Ghost Whisperer: Till Death Do Us Start S5, E3 (2009, 44 minutes, 66 1/2): Barry guest stars in this supernatural series as Don Sullivan who holds a secret to deaths that have happened.
Supernatural: Criss Angel is a Douche Bag S4, E12 (2009, 44 minutes, 666): Barry guest stars as aging magician Jay who is pulling off some very dangerous magic tricks but at a price to others.
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Burn Notice: Turn and Burn S2, E2 (2008, 44 minutes, 666): Bruce plays Sam Axe in this series about a burned spy named Michael who Sam is trying to help. In this episode, Sam asks Michael to help a woman who says she is being stalked by a drug dealer.
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Big Love: Pilot S1, E1 (2016, 59 minutes, 666): Bruce co-stars in this HBO series as Frank who is the father of polygamist Bill Hendrickson, played by Bill Paxton, who has three wives.
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Brain Drain (2001, 44 minutes, 666): The Source abducts Piper knowing she is the most vulnerable in hopes of her giving up their powers.
Black as Cole (2001, 44 minutes, 666): Cole must confront his past when he must go up against another demon similar to him.
Muse to my Ears (2001, 44 minutes, 666): The Charmed Ones must protect muses that are being hunted by a warlock.
Paige from the Past (2002, 44 minutes, 666): Leo takes Paige into the past when her parents were killed in a car accident.
Trial by Magic (2002, 44 minutes, 666): Phoebe is on jury duty and has a premonition that the defendant is innocent. The other Charmed Ones try to help find the real killer before it is too late.
Lost and Bound (2002, 44 minutes, 666): The Charmed Ones find a 10 year old runaway and find that he is a firestarter being hunted by demon bounty hunters. Ray Wise guest stars as Ludlow.
-The Hallwell sisters
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Christian is not a wild card but he made himself into a category this year.
The Boy and the Heron (2023, 124 minutes, 666): Christian voices the role of Shoichi Maki in the U.S. version of the anime film. A headstrong boy named Mahito ventures into a dreamlike world shared by the living and the dead.
-Father/Son relationship
The Dark Knight (2008, 152 minutes, 666 1/2): Christian plays Batman in the second part of the Christopher Nolan trilogy and must take on the maniacal Joker. I think this is my favorite Batman movie.
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Christina is not a wild card this year but has made a career that she could be one for a future Women in Horror.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998, 118 minutes, 666): Christina has a cameo role as Lucy in this film about Hunter S. Thompson. I might be pushing it with this one but I feel the hallucination sequences like with the flies and the lizards could make this qualify.
The Smurfs 2 (2013, 105 minutes, 66 1/2): Christina co-stars in this sequel as Vexy who is one of Gargamel's new creations to get to the Smurfs. Should qualify as a creature feature.
Wednesday: Woe What a Night S1, E4 (2022, 48 minutes, 666): The former Wednesday herself co-stars in this series as teacher Marilyn Thornhill. Wednesday asks Xavier to the Rave'N Dance and Eugene stakes out the cave against Wednesday's wishes.
Wednesday: You Reap What You Woe S1, E5 (2022, 50 minutes, 666): Christina has more of a cameo in this episode. It is parent week so Gomez and Morticia visit and Gomez gets arrested for things that happened in the past.
Wednesday: Quid Pro Woe S1, E6 (2022, 50 minutes, 666): Wednesday's friends throw her a birthday party but she would rather solve the murders going on.
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Danielle is not a wild card this year but would be another worthy candidate if Women in Horror is ever done.
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989, 96 minutes, 66 1/2): Danielle reprises her role as Michael's niece Jamie who is now mute and forms a psychic connection to Michael Myers.
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The "Father of Horror" is a wild card this year so we can watch anything based on his work.
The Raven (1935, 61 minutes, 66 1/2): This is almost like an homage to Poe in general and a great vehicle for Karloff and Lugosi. Lugosi plays a doctor who has an obsession with Poe which influences what he is doing. I guess this was an early look of bad influences.
The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror S2, E3 (1990, 25 minutes, 666): This is the first of their annual Halloween theme. Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are in the treehouse telling stories and Lisa tells the story of Edgar Allen Poe's THE RAVEN.
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Mr. Coppola is a wild card this year so I can use just about any of his work.
The Conversation (1974, 113 minutes, 666): Coppola directed this thriller which would not usually count but with Coppola's wild card status, it does this year.
The Odyssey (1997, 180 minutes, 666): Coppola was the executive producer of this tv mini-series which is based on the epic poem by Homer. Armand Assante stars as Odysseus as he wanders back to Ithaca following the Trojan war. This was a pretty well-done two-part series which has quite the cast.
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Jack is a wild card this year so I get to use whatever I want for him.
As Good as It Gets (1997, 139 minutes, 666): This comedy counts this year on account of Jack where Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear for a very unlikely friendship.
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James is a wild card this year so anything he has done will count for the Madness.
Dark Angel: Freak Angel S2, E21 (2002, 63 minutes, 666): James was an executive producer of this series. This episode was the series finale even though it was shot more like a season finale as it got cancelled. I feel like it deserved another season but that is just me. Jessica Alba stars as Max Guevera who is genetically engineered who is trying to make it in the post-apocalyptic world. WWE Hall of Famer Lita makes a guest appearance on this episode and would unfortunately sustain a neck injury filing action scenes that would put her out for about a year.
Titanic (1997, 194 minutes, 666 1/2): James Cameron directed this film based on the ill-fated ship which is based around a love story of an upper-class person in Rose, played by Kate Winslet, and a drifter in Jack, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. I have a moniker of "King of the Loophole" so I must include this one when getting a chance.
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DC's Legends of Tomorrow: Night of the Hawk S1, E8 (2016, 44 minutes, 66 1/2): Joe directed this episode of the CW series. The team travels to 1950s Oregon to track down Vandal Savage.
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John is a wild card this year, so I have a wide array for him this year.
The Brother From Another Planet (1984, 108 minutes, 666): This would not usually have enough to qualify from what I can tell but it counts this year.
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Cozy Karaoke: This was karaoke night which had a lot of October oriented decorations and had the poster of Sid Haig so this will get me a point.
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Mitzi is a wild card this year likely on account of her past work with Roger Corman.
Seinfeld: The Secretary S6, E9 (1994, 23 minutes, 666): Mitzi guest stars on this episode as Donna who runs the dry cleaning shop that causes Jerry a lot of problems.
7th Heaven: Letting Go S6, E19 (2002, 45 minutes, 66 1/2): Mitzi guest stars in this episode as Mrs. Tallridges who is seeking the help of Eric, but Eric forgets when dealing with his own family.
World's Greatest Dad (2009, 99 minutes, 666 1/2): Robin Williams stars as high school teacher Lance whose son dies in a humiliating accident and in turn writes a suicide note to cover up what really happened. Doing this gets Lance unexpected attention when the rest of the school believes his son was an inspiration. Mitzi co-stars as Lance's outcast neighbor Bonnie. I believe this is Robin's most underrated movie and maybe his best.
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Naomi is not a wild card but has a couple good selections me so I made her into a category.
Funny Games (2007, 111 minutes, 66 1/2): Naomi stars in this psychological film as Ann who along with her husband and son are taken hostage in their vacation home and tormented by a couple younger guys. This is as disturbing as it gets.
King Kong (2005, 187 minutes, 666 1/2): This is one of my favorites where Naomi plays actress Ann Darrow and takes a job with a shady producer. She then goes to Skull Island where she meets Kong.
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Paige is not a wild card but found a couple worthy selections that presented themselves to me for her to become a category.
The 100: Earth Skills S1, E2 (2014, 43 minutes, 66 1/2): Paige co-starred on this show as Dr. Abigail Griffin who is on the Ark while helping to send 100 kids to the uninhabited earth to see if it is still livable. This includes her daughter Clarke. This should work as dark sci-fi.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991, 88 minutes, 666): Paige plays reporter April O'Neil and replaces Judith Hoag from the first one. Very fun sequel and we get introduced to NINJA RAP by Vanilla Ice.
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Pam is a wild card this year so there is a lot to choose from with her.
The Big Doll House (1971, 95 minutes, 66 1/2): Pam plays an inmate in a brutal women's prison. This exploitation film usually would not count but I can make it count this year.
Holy Smoke (1999, 115 minutes, 66 1/2): This is one that would not usually count for the Madness but holy smoke, it does this year with Grier's cameo appearance.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit: Disappearing Acts S4, E5 (2002, 43 minutes, 66 1/2): Pam guest stars in this episode as U.S. attorney Claudia Williams who makes it hard for Stabler and Benson to talk to a suspect in witness protection.
Smallville: Checkmate S9, E17 (2010, 44 minutes, 66 1/2): Pam guest stars in this series as Suicide Squad leader Amanda Waller who is trying to get Green Arrow.
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Pat is not a wild card but found a couple sitcom episodes to make her a category.
Bewitched: Just a Kid Again S6, E23 (1970, 24 minutes, 66 1/2): Pat guest stars as Ruthie whose boyfriend wishes to be young again and Tabitha makes him nine years old.
The Munsters: Herman, the Rookie S1, E30 (1965, 30 minutes, 666): Pat plays Marilyn Munster in this sitcom and is a bit of a black sheep as she does not look as "normal" as her family. In this episode, Herman's strength gets him a tryout for a professional baseball team.
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Peter is a wild card this year so anything with him counts in this Halloween oriented contest.
Broken English (2007, 93 minutes, 666): Peter has a cameo as Irving Mills in this love story. This Parker Posey film was a rather pleasant surprise to me and a pretty complex love story.
Noises Off... (1992, 101 minutes, 666): This farce was directed by Peter so I can use it for the Madness if I want.
The Sopranos: Toodle-Fucking-Oo S2, E3 (2000, 51 minutes, 666): Peter plays recurring character Dr. Elliot Kupferberg who was Dr. Melfi's psychiatrist and this was his first episode. This episode also introduces Richie Aprile after he gets out of prison and they hold nothing back when introducing him.
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Roger is a wild card on account of his death earlier in the year and has been one in the past.
Black Scorpion S1, E2 (2001, 44 minutes, 66): Roger co-wrote this series, maybe trying to create his own superhero universe. A biologist gets toxins dumped on her which gets her newfound water-based powers and becomes Hurricane. Black Scorpion must stop Hurricane. This show is a guilty pleasure more than anything.
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Ron is a wild card this year so anything he has done will count.
Arrested Development: Charity Drive S1, E5 (2003, 24 minutes, 666): Ron was executive producer and narrator for this sitcom. Michael trades in a bicycle for his father's car and is accused of being selfish by all his lazy family members.
Arrested Development: Visiting Ours S1, E6 (2003, 24 minutes, 666): Michael sets up a conjugal visit between George Sr. and Kitty.
Arrested Development: In God We Trust S1, E7 (2003, 24 minutes, 666): Henry Winkler guest stars as George Sr.'s incompetent attorney and looks to get him released from prison for Christmas.
Dennis the Menace: Dennis and the Signpost S1, E2 (1959, 25 minutes, 66 1/2): Ron plays recurring role Stewart before he would go onto play his iconic child role of Opie.
Felicity: Thanksgiving S1, E9 (1998, 44 minutes, 666): It is Thanksgiving break at the college and Felicity is about to go home but decides to stay. The rest of the gang also decides to stay and they all have their own Thanksgiving. Jennifer Garner guest stars as Noel's long-distance girlfriend Hannah which complicates things a bit and this is my first time meeting Jennifer.
Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012, 93 minutes, 66 1/2): Ron was executive producer on this documentary of pop star Katy Perry where we follow her on her California Dreams World Tour and learn a lot about her religious upbringing.
Tetris (2023, 118 minutes, 666): Ron was the executive producer for this movie based on how we got the popular video game.
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Sid is a wild card this year in the Madness so I can include whatever I want from him.
Diamonds are Forever (1971, 120 minutes, 66 1/2): I always have to include a Bond film when I get a chance. Sid had a bit role as a "Slumber Inc. Attendant" which was more of a gangster.
Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004, 137 minutes, 666): Sid has a cameo as a bartender in this film. The Bride continues her quest for vengeance in going after the group that left her for dead which is lead by Bill. The first installment would likely be easier to argue but this counts thanks to Sid.
-Woman in peril is wearing a wedding dress
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NWA Powerrr 10/1/2024 (2024, 63 minutes, 666): I might be pushing it on this one but this episode had an appearance of Blue Meanie who we could call a creature.
TNA Impact 10/3/2024 (2024, 93 minutes, 66 1/2): The actual taping was cancelled on account of the weather so they did a best of BOUND FOR GLORY which is an upcoming PPV. This episode features PCO who is a creature type wrestler and has a moniker of the French Canadian Frankenstein.
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Tony is a wild card this year and this horror icon has been one in the past.
The Debt Collector (2018, 95 minutes, 66 1/2): Tony Todd plays Barbosa to make this buddy action movie count this year and the movie was surprisingly rather good.
Law and Order: Sanctuary S4, E19 (1994, 47 minutes, 66 1/2): Tony guest stars as Reverend Ott in this episode. A Jewish driver kills a black youth in a hit and run accident that brings a lot of racial tension in this episode.
Xena: Warrior Princess: Lost Mariner S2, E21 (1997, 45 minutes, 66 1/2): Tony guest stars as Cecrops who is cursed to be on a ship for the rest of his life along with the rest of his crew. When rescuing Gabrielle, she is now cursed and Xena tries to help Cecrops break the curse.
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Vincent is a wild card this year and has been quite a few times throughout the Madness.
The Mad Magician (1954, 72 minutes, 66 1/2): Vincent is an illusionist who goes all nuts when his ideas get stolen.
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Bill is a wild card this year so anything can be used for him.
Senior Moment (2021, 92 minutes, 66 1/2): Bill stars retired NASA pilot Victor Martin who loses his driver's license for drag racing and finds love and I guess himself. This is quite the guilty pleasure with William and Christopher Lloyd.
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Batman: The Animated Series: Read My Lips S1, E59 (1993, 22 minutes, 666): Batman discovers that a crime boss is a wooden dummy.
Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.: The Incredible Shrinking Hulks S1, E7 (2013, 22 minutes, 666): The Hulk family gets reduced to miniature size by the Leader.
Superman and Lois: The End and the Beginning S4, S1 (2024, 45 minutes, 666): Superman is locked in a battle with Lex Luthor's enhanced version of Bizarro.
Superman and Lois: A World Without S4, E2 (2024, 45 minutes, 666): This episode deals with the aftermath of the fight with Lana and Sarah joining in on the fight.
-Immediate family
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