Sunday, September 27, 2026

Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 992nd Edition and My Own Madness- Week 1


Welcome to the 992nd edition of my series.  I hope everyone is able to hang in there in these times.  On October 10th, I am going be taking part in the Annual Historical Tour at Beech Grove Cemetery for the first time in a couple of years.  I am reprising the role of Muncie historical figure Goldsmith Gilbert.  Also, on October 18th I will be ring announcing once again for Guilty By Affiliation Wrestling in New Castle at the Lightkeepers of Henry County building.  That information can be found at the bottom of my page.  I will shut up and get on with my selections for the week.



Bad Samaritan (2018):  Dean Devlin directed this thriller which was written by Brandon Boyce.  Robert Sheehan and Carlito Olivero star as small-time burglars Sean and Derek who pose as valet parkers.  When Sean is about to burgle the home of Cale Erendeich, played by David Tennant, he comes across a stumble upon a woman, played by Kerry Condon, being held captive and was unable to save her.  When trying to inform the police, they will not listen, so Sean sets out to save her himself.  Jacqueline Byers, Rob Nagle, Jacob Resnikoff, David Meyers, Tony Doupe, Lisa Brenner, Sofia Hasmik, and many others co-star in this thriller.  Tennant may just be the scariest villain out here judging by this and his time on JESSICA JONES.  This is very disturbing and suspenseful.  It is also a pretty compelling film with a really good performance from Tennant.  This is available to watch on Youtube, Plex, and Pluto TV.


Captive State (2019):  Rupert Wyatt directed and co-wrote this Dystopian film.  This takes place in a Chicago Neighborhood by an extraterrestrial force.  Ashton Sanders stars as Gabriel who is trying to be the resistance.  John Goodman co-stars as the hard-nosed Special Branch Commander William Mulligan.  Jonathan Majors, Vera Farmiga, Kevin Dunn, James Ransome, Alan Ruck, Madeline Brewer, Colson Baker, Kevin J. O'Connor, Ben Daniels, Caitlin Ewald, Lawrence Grimm, Guy Van Swearingen, Elena Marisa Flores, D.B. Sweeney, Rene L. Moreno, Yasen Peyankov, and many others co-star in this film.  It is hard to really put this one into words.  It is essentially, the oppressed taking on the oppressors, they just happen to be aliens here.  It is an underrated movie with a really good performance out of Goodman.  I suppose this could be a good double feature to go along with THEY LIVE.


Wicked:  For Good (2025):  This is the follow-up from last year's WICKED.  Jon M. Chu directed this musical which is based on the musical by Stephen Schwartz and based on the novel by Gregory Maguire.  Cynthia Erivo reprises her role as Elphaba who is deemed "The Wicked Witch of the West" after battling the totalitarian regime of Oz.  Ariana Grande co-stars as Glinda who has been given the title Glinda the Good.  Both witches have a lot of choices to make.  Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Colman Domingo, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Aaron Teoh Guan Ti, Keala Settle, Sharon D. Clarke, Adam James, Scarlett Spears, Dee Bradley Baker, and many others co-star in this musical.  This is act two of the popular Broadway musical.  This also plays more into THE WIZARD OF OZ.  This would be hard to watch without the first one but they did a great job adapted this musical into film.  This is availble to watch on Netflix.


A Monster Among Us (1978):  This is technically the first episode of the short-lived animated Marvel series THE FANTASTIC FOUR.  We get most of our usual folks from the supergroup including Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic, voiced by Mike Road, Sue Richards aka the Invisible Girl, voiced by Ginny Tyler, Ben Grimm aka the Thing, voiced by Ted Cassidy, and we get a robot named H.E.R.B.I.E., voiced by Frank Welker, instead of Johnny Storm.  In this episode, the team must take on a King Kong type creature and figure out how to handle it. This has a little bit of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL vibes in this episode.  Cassidy is most known as Lurch in THE ADDAMS FAMILY.  This is of interest to see from this decade and the typical '70s animation.  


Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931):  Rouben Mamoulian directed this film which is based on the classic horror novel by Robert Louis Stevenston.  Fredric March stars as Dr. Henry Jekyll who was a scientist with rather radical ideas including that there are two distinct sides to man, a good side and an evil side.  He believes that both sides can be separated and that man can be liberated.  He develops a formula and transforms into Mr. Hyde who commits some horrendous crimes in the process.  Miriam Hopkins, Rose Hobart, Holmes Herbert, Halliwell Hobbes, Edgar Norton, Tempe Pigott, and many others co-star in this horror classic.  This might be the definitive film on the Jekyll/Hyde franchise.  March is great with both roles and the makeup department deserves their own credit.  This also has some really good special effects for its time on the transformation scenes.  This is the first "Talkie" movie having done a silent version in 1920 which starred John Barrymore who apparently was offered the role but declined.    


The Queen of Spades (1949):  Thorold Dickinson directed this horror-fantasy which is based on a short story by Alexander Pushkin.  Anton Walbrook stars as Herman who becomes obsessed with winning at a card game.  He soon learns an old countess, played by Edith Evans, sold her soul to always in cards and resorts to murder in hopes of learning her secrets.  Yvonne Mitchell, Ronald Howard, Mary Jarrold, Anthony Dawson, Miles Malleson, Michael Medwin, Athene Seyler, and many others co-star in this film.  This has a very good atmospheric feel to it which has a great climatic card scene.  This is one that has gone rather overlooked through the years and hope to get it on the radar.  This is available to watch on Kanopy.


Mortal Kombat (1995):  Paul W.S. Anderson directed this adaptation of the popular video game.  Linden Ashby, Robin Shou, and Bridgette Wilson-Sampras star as everyday humans Johnny Cage, Liu Kang, and Sonya Blade recruited by Lord Rayden, played by Christopher Lambert, to defeat the evil Outworld, led by the evil Shang Tsung, played by Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa, in an extreme fight contest.  Talisa Soto, Trevor Goddard, Chris Casamassa, Francois Petit, Keith Cooke, and many others co-star in this fantasy action movie.  This is the first movie adaptation to the video game and did a pretty good job staying true to it.  This is essentially a fight movie involving the characters from the video game and some very unusual abilities some of them have.  This is available to watch on HBO Max.


House of Frankenstein (1944):  Erle C. Kenton directed this Universal horror film.  Boris Karloff stars as the mad scientist Dr. Gustav Niemann who escapes from prison along with his hunchback assistant Daniel, played by J. Carrol Naish.  Niemann has some revenge on his mind and starts by reviving Count Dracula, played by John Carradine.  He also enlists the Wolf Man, played by Lon Chaney Jr., and Frankenstein's Monster, played by Glenn Strange, in his plans of revenge.  Anne Gwynne, Peter Coe, Lionel Atwill, George Zucco, Elena Verdugo, Sig Ruman, and many others co-star in this Universal film.  This is in the later years of Universal.  This is a lot better than it should be on account of the cast.  It was good to see Karloff on the scientific side of things this time around.  I suppose this is the original Marvel Cinematic Universe with their continuation films of the monsters of the era.


Lady in a Cage (1964):  Walter Grauman directed this film which was written by Luther Davis.  Olivia de Havilland stars as Cornelia Hilyard who just recuperating from a broken hip.  A portable elevator gets installed into her home so she does not need to use the stairs and one day it becomes stuck and she cannot get out.  While this is going on, a group of hoodlums lead by Randall, played by James Caan in his credited film role, terrorize the house.  Jennifer Billingsley, Rafael Campos, William Swan, Jeff Corey, and Ann Sothern co-star in this thriller.  This was a pretty chilling film of a helpless person trying to survive her home invasion.  Caan is great in this much earlier role for him with de Havilland working very well with him.  This is available to watch on Kanopy


The Invisible Man (2020):  Leigh Whannell directed this film which is loosely based on the novel by H.G. Wells.  Elizabeth Moss stars as Cecilia Kass whose abusive husband Adrian, played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen, commits suicide.  Strange things start to happen making Cecelia suspect her husband may not be dead, hence the title, and tries to prove.  Harriett Dyer, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Michael Dorman, Benedict Hardie, Renee Lim, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a rather different take to the story.  It is a very compelling story with some good twists and very clever special effects.  This is great for the season.

Well, that is it for the week, continue on for the first week of "My Own Madness".  I will be going back to a weekly format for a few weeks as we get on with the Madness so just stay tuned for next Sunday.


MY OWN MADNESS:  WEEK 1


ALDIS HODGE

Aldis is not a wild card this year but has a couple worthy selections to become a category.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer:  Fear Itself S4, E4 (1999, 43 minutes):  Aldis has a bit role as the "masked teen" who tries to scare Buffy and pays for it.  The gang is trapped in a haunted frat house which includes a terrifying demon.  


The Invisible Man (2020, 124 minutes):  Aldis co-stars in this variation of the classic as James Lanier who tries to help Cecilia to try to figure out about her attacker.


Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One (2024,93 minutes):  Aldis co-stars in this DC animated series as the voice of John Stewart of the Lanterns.  This is the first of a trilogy, the others will be featured in later weeks.  All the Justice League members must band together to save all the Earths.

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ALEXANDER SKARSGARD

Alexander is a wild card this year for this portion and has been a past wild card for the Madness.

Big Little Lies:  Somebody's Dead S1, E1 (2017, 51 minutes):  Alexander co-stars in this series as suburban father Perry Wright who is rather abusive toward his wife.  This show centers around a homicide and has a slow-burn feel that I really like and has been a favorite of mine.  I just wish they would get to season three.

Godzilla vs. Kong (2021, 113 minutes):  Alexander co-stars as scientist Nathan Lind who tries to help with the Monarch situation.  This has a battle between the two title characters but goes quite a bit deeper.


True Blood:  You'll Be the Death of Me S1, E12 (2008, 53 minutes):  Alexande co-starred in this popular vampire series as the vampire Eric Northman.  He has more of a cameo in this episode near the end.  Sookie finally learns who the serial killer is in Bon Temps.

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BRIDGETTE WILSON-SAMPRAS

Bridgette is not a wild card this year but has made her way into this world very well.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997, 101 minutes):  Bridgette co-stars as Helen's bitter sister in this teen horror film.


Mortal Kombat (1995, 101 minutes):  Bridgette plays Sonya Blade in this classic adaptation to the popular video game.


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BRUCE CAMPBELL

Bruce is an automatic wild card every year for My Own Madness and the Madness.

Burn Notice:  Friends and Enemies S4, E1 (2010, 44 minutes):  Bruce co-stars in this spy series as Sam Ace who helps burned spy Michael Weston.  Michael, Sam, and Fiona help an attorney who has been green-lighted by a biker gang.


Burn Notice:  Fast Friends S4, E2 (2010, 44 minutes):  The recently burned spy Jesse turns to Michael for help not knowing Michael was the one who accidently had him burned.  


Burn Notice:  Made Man S4, E3 (2010, 44 minutes):  Jesse turns to Michael, Sam, and Fiona for help for a security guard being harassed by mobsters.


Xena:  Warrior Princess:  The Quest S2, E13 (1997, 43 minutes):  Bruce plays the recurring character Autolycus who is known as the King of Thieves.  The spirit of Xena enlists Autolycus to help bring her back to life.  


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CARA BUONO

Cara is not a wild card this year but I found a couple worthy selections to make her into a category.

Stranger Things:  Chapter One:  MADMAX S2, E1 (2017, 48 minutes):  Cara plays the concerned mother of Nancy and Mike in this horror series.  Will tries to adjust to the new world and Hopper is investigating fields of rotting pumpkins.



Stranger Things:  Chapter Two:  Trick or Treat, Freak S2, E2 (2017, 56 minutes):  Cara continues to be concerned for her kids, especially Mike.  Mike starts to wonder if Eleven is still out there.  I couldn't find any episode photos of Cara so just gave a couple posed photos.



Supergirl:  Tremors S5, E7 (2019, 43 minutes):  Cara had a stint on this series as Gemma Cooper aka Gamemnae.  Supergirl finally sees Lena's intentions when going to the Fortress of Solitude.



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ELIZABETH TULLOCH

Elizabeth is a wild card this year for My Own Madness so anything she has done will count for this segment.

Grimm:  Pilot S1, E1 (2011, 43 minutes):  Elizabeth co-stars in this series as the fiancĂ©e of Detective Nick Burkhardt.  Nick learns of his family heritage being part of the Grimm family and can now see people becoming monsters of some sort.



Superman and Lois:  The Inverse Method S2, E4 (2022, 44 minutes):  Elizabeth stars as Lois in the last CW superhero series and the one that became my favorite.  Lois and Chrissy look to save Lois's sister Lucy from a cult leader.


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GAEL GARCIA BERNAL

Gael is not a wild card for this year but he did present himself a couple selections so he is a category this year.

Old (2021, 108 minutes):  Gael stars as Guy who is the father of a vacationing family who go to an island that they realize ages them very fast.


Station Eleven:  Hurricane S1, E3 (2011, 49 minutes):  Gael co-stars in this mini-series as actor Arthur Leander which this episode focuses more upon in addition to his girlfriend Miranda Carroll

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JACK BLACK

Jack is not a wild card this year, but a couple animated selections presented themselves to make him a category.

Kung Fu Panda (2008, 92 minutes):  Jack plays the clumsy panda Po who learns he is destined to be the protector of the Valley of Peace and has a lot of learning to do.

 
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023, 92 minutes):  Jack provides the voice of the dragon Bowser in this adaptation of the classic video game.  Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi find themselves in the magical Mushroom Kingdom.  Mario teams with Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong to rescue Luigi from Bowser.


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JEFF GOLDBLUM

Jeff is not a wild card this year but always fits in here whenever he wants.

Hideaway (1995, 106 minutes):  Jeff stars as Hatch who is deemed dead but is brought back to life by special resuscitative medicine.  The side effects is that he is having nightmares like attacking a teen girl.


Jurassic World:  Fallen Kingdom (2018, 128 minutes):  Jeff has more of a cameo as her reprises his role of Dr. Ian Malcolm from the JURASSIC PARK franchise.  In this one, the park is no longer in business but there are still a lot of dinosaurs, volcanos, schemers, with Claire and Owen trying to rescue the dinosaurs from extinction when a volcano is going off.


Wicked:  For Good (2025, 137 minutes):  Jeff plays the wizard in this continuation of the musical retelling Oz's most famous witches.

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JOHN GOODMAN

John is not a wild card this year but is a category for My Own Madness.

Captive State (2019, 109 minutes):  John co-stars as Commander William Mulligan who is trying to help save us from aliens.


10 Cloverfield Lane (2016, 103 minutes):  John stars as Howard who saves a woman from a car wreck and forces her into his bunker claiming that the world is inhabitable with the aliens and the air outside.

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JOHN C. REILLY

John is a wild card this year for My Own Madness so anything with him counts.

The Anniversary Party (2001, 115 minutes):  John co-stars in this dark comedy as director Mac Forsythe in this ensemble cast which features a troubled celebrity couple celebrating an anniversary.


Magnolia (1999, 188 minutes):  John co-stars in this film as the conflicted police officer Jim Kurring so this counts in this Madness.  I suppose an argument could be made in general for this in the actual Madness with the scene involving frogs.


Winning Time:  The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty:  The Swan S1, E1 (2022, 60 minutes):  John starred in this series as businessman Jerry Buss who bets it all to purchase the struggling Lakers and goes after Earvin "Magic" Johnson in the draft.

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JUDY GREER

Judy is not a wild card but has a couple motherly roles to get herself a category.

Jurassic World (2015, 124 minutes):  Judy co-stars as Karen who sends her two sons to spend time with their Aunt Karen at her workplace of Jurassic World which proves to be rather dangerous.


The Long Walk (2025, 148 minutes):  This is based on a Stephen King novel which pulls some from THE HUNGER GAMES except in this situation, a group of teenage boys are forced to walk.  It must be at a certain speed at all times or they will get shot.  Judy plays the mother of one of the boys that must walk.


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JUSTIN LONG

Justin is a wild card this year for this segment so anything he is in will count for this particular segment.  

Giri/Haji:  Episode 1.2 (2019, 52 minutes):  Justin co-stars in this mini-series as the criminal Vickers.  This is a mystery series dealing with the Yakuza which expands to England.


Weapons (2025, 128 minutes):  Justin has a smaller role as the father of one of the disappeared children.  Only one child in a classroom of 18 disappear and when an investigation is done, some very sinister things are uncovered.


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KARL URBAN

Karl is not a wild card this year but presented himself as a category this year.  

The Boys:  Season Four Finale (2024, 65 minutes):  Karl starred in this superhero series as the vigilante Billy Butcher who went after the corrupt organization of Vought.  This show could be very gory at times but was kind of like how it would be if we had real-life superheroes.


Xena:  Warrior Princess:  Destiny S2, E12 (1997, 43 minutes):  Karl is introduced in this episode as his recurring role of Julius Caesar.  Xena is wounded by a huge log where Gabrielle looks to get her help.  This episode flashes back to a significant time in Xena's life when she meets Caesar and beginning a rivalry that happens throughout the series.  This is my introduction to Karl.


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KERRY CONDON

Kerry is not a wild card this year but she did make her way into this madness.

Avengers:  Infinity War (2018, 149 minutes):  Kerry provides the voice of Tony Stark's AI assistant F.R.I.D.A.Y.


Bad Samaritan (2018, 110 minutes):  Kerry is held captive in this psychological horror film.

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LUCY HALE

Lucy is a wild card this year so anything she is in will count for this particular segment.

Pretty Little Liars:  Pilot S1, E1 (2010, 44 minutes):  I decided to start this teen-oriented mystery where Lucy stars as Aria and is one of four friends dealing with a friend's disappearance.  A year after it happens, they think everything is okay but deal with an anonymous foe.


Scream 4 (2011, 111 minutes):  Lucy has more of a cameo in this franchise as Sherrie.  This takes place ten years later where Ghostface makes himself known again.  I always love how this entire franchise is really a commentary on the horror genre.


Truth or Dare (2018, 100 minutes):  Lucy stars in this horror movie as college student Olivia Barron and gets caught up with some friends in a deadly game of truth or dare which gets taken to a whole new level.


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MACKENZIE DAVIS

Speak No Evil (2024, 110 minutes):  Mackenzie stars as the mother Louise whose family is in danger when visiting a charismatic but dangerous couple in the countryside.


Station Eleven:  Wheel of Fire S1, E1 (2021, 45 minutes):  This is a post-apocalyptic saga from about a 20-year period of survivors of a devastating flu.  Mackenzie stars in this series as the older Kirsten Raymonde who in this episode does not come in until the end as it focused more on the younger version of the character.


Station Eleven:  A Hawk from a Handsaw S1, E2 (2021, 46 minutes):  We learn more about older Kirsten in this episode and is part of a travelling Shakespeare Troupe.

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MARIE AVGEROPOULOS

Marie is not a wild card this year but had some enough selections to justify herself a category.

The 100:  Sanctum S6, E1 (2019, 43 minutes):  Marie co-starred in this series as Octavia Blake.  The survivors end up on a different planet many years later after being asleep for many years. 

 
Supernatural:  After School Special S4, E13 (2009, 43 minutes):  Marie makes her acting debut in this episode as Taylor.  Sam and Dean go back to an old high school to investigate possible deadly ghost killings.


Wonder Woman:  Bloodlines (2019, 83 minutes):  This is a DC animated movie which centers around Wonder Woman.   Marie co-stars as Vanessa who has fallen into an organization called Villainy Inc.

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MARY SHELLEY

Mary is a wild card this year at least for my Madness.  Anything that features the Creature of Frankenstein or the word "Franken" as part of a name will count.  Also, any portrayals of Mary will count this year as well

Frankenstein (2025, 149 minutes):  This is Guillermo Del Toro's adaptation of Mary's novel and I thought this was a very clever version.  

Frankenweenie (2012, 87 minutes):  Tim Burton puts a much different twist to Mary's story that I think we can all relate to as many of us have lost a dog at some point.  Victor Frankenstein is a high school student who longs to bring back his beloved dog.

House of Frankenstein (1944, 71 minutes):  Glenn Strange plays the Monster in this team up monster movie.


Mary Shelley (2017, 120 minutes):  Elle Fanning stars as Mary in the biopic on getting her famous novel published.  

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MIRIAM HOPKINS

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931, 98 minutes):  Miriam co-stars in this film as nightclub singer Ivy Pearson in this adaptation to the classic horror novel by Robert Louis Stevenson.


The Outer Limits:  Don't Open Till Doomsday S1, E17 (1964, 50 minutes):  Miriam guest stars in this anthology series as Mary Kry.  This has a box people get trapped in along with a deadly creature. 

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NICOLE OLIVER

Arrow:  Broken Hearts S4, E16 (2016, 42 minutes):  Nicole guest starred in this episode as Judge Sakow who is presiding over Damien Darkh's trial.


Supernatural:  Repo Man S7, E15 (2012, 42 minutes):  Nicole guest stars in this episode as the witch Nora Havelock who Sam and Dean helped exercise a demon four years ago and now it is back.

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OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND

Lady in a Cage (1964, 94 minutes):  Olivia stars in this thriller as Cornelia who is trapped in a home elevator and being terrorized by a group of hoodlums.


The Swarm (1978, 150 minutes):  Olivia co-stars in this ensemble disaster movie as Maureen.  African killer bees are wreaking havoc all over town.

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OLIVIA THIRLBY

Dumb Money (2023, 105 minutes):  Olivia co-stars in this film as Yaara Plotkin which is based on true events.  This is about a regular guy seeing potential in the stock of Gamestop that no one else saw and becomes very successful and must also go to war with the billionaires.


Goliath Prime:  Of Mice and Men S1, E1 (2016, 54 minutes):  Olivia plays attorney Lucy Kittridge in this law series.  Attorney Billy McBride has a chance at redemption when taking on a wrongful death suit and going against his old law firm.


Law and Order:  Organized Crime:  Beautiful Disaster S5, E7 (2025, 45 minutes):  Olivia had a stint on the last part of this series as Detective Frances Tanner who was from counterterrorism.  Christopher Meloni stars in this one as Detective Stabler.

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RON PERLMAN

Pacific Rim (2013, 131 minutes):  Ron co-stars in this sci-fi action film as black-market kingpin Hannibal Chau.  In a world full of Kaijus, the humans make their own monsters to take on the Kaijus.


Sons of Anarchy:  Pilot S1, E1 (2008, 56 minutes):  Ron co-stars in this popular biker series as Clay. 

 

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ROSE MCIVER

Ghosts:  The Investor S5, E17 (2026, 24 minutes):  Rose stars in this series as Sam who has the ability to see ghosts.  She owns a lodge along with her husband Jay which is inhibited by a lot of ghosts.  Sam and Jay must make a difficult decision to save their business.


iZombie:  Some Like it Hot Mess S3, E6 (2017, 45 minutes):  Rose starred in this CW series as zombie Olivia Moore.  Liv eats the brain of a narcissist making her unpredictable during an investigation.

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SIGOURNEY WEAVER

Avatar (2009, 162 minutes):  Sigourney co-stars as Grace in this franchise who is part of a military group that infiltrates native humanoid group the Na'vi.


The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart:  Part 1:  Black Fire Orchid S1, E1 (2023, 60 minutes):  Sigourney stars as June Hart in this mini-series who takes in her granddaughter after her parents die.  Lots of dark secrets ensue in this mini-series.


The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart:  Part 2:  Wattle S1, E2 (2023, 60 minutes):  June is worried about having a child at Thornfield again.  Alice is still adjusting to live after her parents death.

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WORLD OF SUPERHEROES AND SUPERVILLAINS

Batman:  The Animated Series:  The Lion and the Unicorn S2, E20 (1995, 23 minutes):  Alfred's past comes to haunt him when Red Claw kidnaps a former colleague of his in London.


The Fantastic Four:  A Monster Among Us S1, E1 (1978, 24 minutes):  This was an animated series which features most of the usual except Johnny Storm gets replaced by a robot named H.E.R.B.I.E.


Gen V:  New Year, New U S2, E1 (2025, 49 minutes):  Emma and Jordan are back at God U and try to piece together what happened to Maria and Andre.


Gen V:  Justice Never Forgets S2, E2 (2025, 45 minutes):  Marie returns to Godokin U and meets Dean Cipher while learning more about Andre.  


Gen V:  H is for Human S2, E3 (2025, 55 minutes):  Marie learns more about her childhood from a family member.  


Harley Quinn:  Harlivy S3, E1 (2022, 23 minutes):  Harley and Ivy go on an "eat bang kill tour" leading them to an abandoned project of Ivy's.  


Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.:  The Skaar Whisperer S1, E11 (2013, 23 minutes):  Skaar gets a lesson in civility from Doc Sampson while the rest of the Hulks battle Absorbing Man.


Lanterns:  Pilot S1, E1 (2026, 56 minutes):  This centers around Green Lantern Hal Jordan and his new recruit John Stewart. Hal is convinced that a small-town murder was done by an extra terrestrial.


Runaways:  Smoke and Mirrors S3, E1 (2019, 51 minutes):  Karolina, Chase, and Janet must take part in a fantasy type world while the rest look to save them from Jonah.


Runaways:  The Great Escape S3, E2 (2019, 45 minutes):  The Runaways spring a trap to save their friends from Jonah.


Young Justice:  Downtime S1, E8 (2011, 23 minutes):  Aqualad gets a bad evaluation during a mission and goes back to Atlantis to do some sour searching.


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YVONNE MITCHELL

Demons of the Mind (1972, 89 minutes):  Yvone co-stars in this Hammer horror film as Aunt Hilda.  She is a stern caretaker in a home where a couple of kids are essentially imprisoned.


The Queen of Spades (1949, 95 minutes):  Yvonne stars as Lizaveta who is the young ward of the elderly countess.

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Sunday, September 20, 2026

Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 991st Edition

 


Welcome to the 991st edition of my series.  Pretty soon, I have my last performance of ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW, I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN.  It has been a fun to be a part of and has been received well.  Starting next week with the start of "The Madness" as well as my own segment, "My Own Madness", I will be returning to a weekly format for a few weeks so I will be back next week.  Last week was a good week for me in football, I won my fantasy game and my real team of the 49ers won.  I will shut up now and get on with my selections.


Life Itself (2018):  Dan Fogelman directed and wrote this psychological drama.  I feel the story centers around the characters Will and Abby, played by Oscar Isaac and Olivia Wilde, who meet in college, get married, and are expecting their first child.  Events happen that connect to the couple and future generations.  Annette Bening, Mandy Patinkin, Jean Smart, Olivia Cooke, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Antonio Banderas, Laia Costa, Alex Monner, Isabel Durant, Lorenza Izzo, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Robinson, Adrian Marrero, Kya Kruse, Charlie Thurston, Gabby Bryan, Caitlin Carmichael, and many others co-star in this complex film.  Jackson has a very amusing cameo in this film.  This goes a lot into life through generations and how one seemingly little thing can change another person's life.  This is available to watch on Prime.


Six the Musical Live! (2025):  Liz Clare directed this live musical which was written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.  This features the original cast which includes Jarneia Richard-Noel, Millie O'Connell, Natalie Paris, Alexia McIntosh, Maiya Quansah-Breed, and Aimie Atkinson who were divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, and survived.  They are the wives of Henry VIII who are reimagined as pop stars singing about their lives and times with Henry.  This was a very well done musical and the six women work very well together.  These six women have since formed their own pop group called SVN.  


Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988):  Robert Zemeckis directed this very clever blend of live-action and animation as well as paying homage to classic Hollywood.  Charles Fleischer stars as cartoon Roger Rabbit who is being accused of murder.  His only hope for proving his innocence is the bitter private investigator Eddie Valiant, played by Bob Hoskins, who has issues with the toons.  Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Stubby Kaye, Alan Tilvern, Richard LeParmentier, Lou Hirsch, Betsy Brantley, Joel Silver, Paul Springer, Richard Ridings, Mike Edmonds, Mae Questel, Mel Blanc, Amy Irving, Kathleen Turner, Frank Welker, and many others co-star in this film.  Lloyd is very amusing as the eccentric Judge Doom.  This movie blends both Disney and Warner Brothers which includes a very iconic scene between Daffy Duck and Donald Duck which takes dueling pianos to a whole new level.  There is also a scene has each of their biggest icons together in Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse.  In rewatching this, and thinking of the career of Zemeckis, I believe this might be his best work in my opinion.  I believe this works on so many levels and still holds up today.  This is available to watch on Disney Plus.


The Little Ranger (1938):  This is my short film for the week which features those kids of OUR GANG.  Gordon Douglas directed this short film which was written by Hal Law and Robert McGowan.  The rascals end up at a movie theater with Alfalfa, played by Carl Switzer, is rather dejected through his rival Butch.  At the theater, Alfalfa dreams of being a western hero.  Eugene 'Porky' Lee, Darla Hood, Billie 'Buckwheat' Thomas, Darwood Kaye, and Sidney Kibrick co-star in this short film.  These shorts started back in 1922, but this is the first one that was produced by MGM.  The western dream sequences are a lot of fun along with the love triangle happening.  


Executive Suite (1954):  Robert Wise directed this corporate film which was based on the novel by Cameron Hawley.  When the president of a corporation dies and does not leave a successor, a group of people try to figure out who will become president.  William Holden stars as McDonald Walling who was the vice president who is the more idealistic of them all.  Barbara Stanwyck, June Allyson, Fredric March, Walter Pidgeon, Shelley Winters, Paul Douglas, Louis Calhern, Dean Jagger, Nina Foch, and many others co-star in this film.  This has a pretty authentic look in the corporate world that may still resonate today.  This has a great ensemble cast with very good performances.  This is available to watch on HBO Max.


The Rain People (1969):  Francis Ford Coppola wrote and directed this film which is much earlier in this career.  Shirley Knight stars as burned-out wife Natalie who learns she is pregnant and out of panic decides to run away.  She picks up the hitchhiker Jimmy "Killer" Kilgannon, played by James Caan, who had a promising football career but sustained brain damage.  Natalie tries to help Killer but finds herself in over her head in her attempts to help.  Robert Duvall, Tom Aldredge, Andrew Duncan, Alan Manson, and many others co-star in this film.  This is an early film for Coppola, Caan, and Duvall who would reunite in three years for THE GODFATHER.  This movie got pretty deep at times and falls into that "character study" category in my opinion.  Caan was very good in his naive character and someone who had to fend for himself.  This is available to watch on HBO Max.


Helter Skelter (1976):  This is my mini-series for the week which was directed by Tom Gries and based on the book by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry.  This is a docudrama on the Tate-LaBianca murders that were orchestrated by a cult that was led by Charles Manson, played by Steve Railsback.  George DiCenzo stars as prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi who does what he can to make sure the murders were also pinned on Manson for the orchestration of the murders even though he did not commit them directly.  Marilyn Burns, Christina Hart, Alan Oppenheimer, Phillip R. Allen, David Clennon, Linden Chiles, Larry Pennell, Howard Caine, Jon Gries, and many others co-star in this mini-series which was two parts.  A lot of attention to detail was put into this movie though some names were changed which I believe applies to the Manson women.  Railsback plays the part of Manson all too well and was very disturbing like the man he portrays.  I never understood why Manson has been so revered in pop culture.  I pretty much feel the way Bugliosi felt about him.  


The Heroic Trio (1993):  Johnny To directed this Chinese superhero movie.  Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, and Maggie Cheung star as superheroines who are very different but are forced to team up in a baby kidnapping ring.  Damian Lau, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Paul Chun, and many others co-star in this action movie.  This is mostly of worth for the three female Hong Kong girls who were on the rise at the time.  The plot leaves a lot to be desired and is mostly for the action.  This could be a fun Saturday afternoon movie to watch among friends.  This is available to watch on HBO Max.  


The Pride of the Yankees (1942):  Sam Wood directed this biopic on baseball legend Lou Gehrig.  Gary Cooper stars as the famed player who found he was really good at baseball but was still trying to fulfill his mother's wish of becoming an engineer.  Circumstances lead Gehrig to finally choose to be a professional baseball player.  He would later contract ALS which is a lot of times referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease" but was still the luckiest man alive.  Teresa Wright, Babe Ruth, Walter Brennan, Dan Duryea, Elsa Janssen, Ludwig Stossel, Virginia Gilmore, Ernie Adams, Pierre Watkin, Harry Harvey, and many others co-star in this baseball film.  This movie was released 17 months after Gehrig's death.  Babe Ruth plays himself as part of the Yankees.  Cooper also does a great job with his everyman kind of persona.  Also, wrestler Tanea "Rebel" Brooks is fighting her own battle of incurable ALS and is a big advocate for the progression.  Maybe she'll finally be to the one to survive.  I got to meet her a couple years ago at Squared Circle Expo before all this happened and she was so nice to me.  You can help her out at the website Rebel x I AM ALS - I AM ALS - ALS is Relentless. So Are We! by donating and getting information.  The movie is available to watch on Prime, TUBI, Pluto TV, and Plex.


Eviction (1999):  I end the week with this short film which was directed and written by Tom Waller.  This is set in 19th century Ireland where tenant farmers are facing eviction in very harsh times.  A group known as "Molly Maguires" look to take revenge on an old man accused of informing on them.  Ruper Vansittart, Maria Lennon, Dermot Martin, Cillian Murphy, and Mark Lambert star in this short film.  This would be an early movie for Murphy who would go onto have a very promising career.  This is av a very deep film and is quite compelling in its time of twelve minutes.  This is available to watch on Youtube.  

Well, that is it for this week.  Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week where I return to the weekly format the Halloween season.  



Sunday, September 6, 2026

Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 990th Edition


Welcome to the 990th edition of my series.  I hope everyone has a good holiday however celebrated.  For me, I guess just having a three-day weekend from work is good enough for me.  The play ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN goes from September 18-20 and I have a poster listed at the bottom.  There is also a Guilty By Affiliation wrestling show on September 20th which I likely will not be working with my show.  This is on a Sunday show at the Boys and Girls Club in Muncie at 5 pm and tickets are $15 at the door and $12 in advance as well as VIP tables for $100.  We will finally be debuting at the Gatekeepers of Henry County building on October 18 and will have more details in the coming weeks.



Reefer Madness:  The Movie Musical (2005):  Andy Fickman directed this parody musical which was written by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney.  Christian Campbell and Kristen Bell star as high school sweethearts Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane who unfortunately fall victim to that menace Marijuana.  Alan Cumming co-stars as the Lecturer who looks to convince the parents of the horrible drug out there killing our children.  Neve Campbell, Ana Gasteyer, John Kassir, Amy Spanger, Robert Torti, Steven Weber, Kevin McNulty, Stephen E. Miller, Robert Clarke, Lynda Boyd, Harry S. Murphy, Christine Lakin, and many others co-star in this musical comedy which was presented as a Showtime original.  I would recommend watching the 1938 propaganda B-movie first which was supposed to be a very serious movie at the time but has become a cult classic.  This was a very fun parody of that B-movie which shamelessly goes extremely over the top.  I would love to see theaters near me put this on and I would love to be in it.  Obviously, April would be the perfect month for it.  This is available to watch on TUBI and Pluto TV.


The Odyssey (2026):  Christopher Nolan directed this adaptation of the classic story by Homer.  Matt Damon stars as Odysseus who has been gone for a long time and makes a dangerous trip home to Ithaca where he longs to see his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, and his son Telemachus, played by Tom Holland.  Along the way, Odysseus and his men deal with the elements, Cyclops, a witch, some sirens, among other things.  Travis Scott, Robert Pattinson, Corey Hawkins, Jerreth J. Merz, Niko Nicotera, Elliot Page, Shiloh Fernandez, Rafi Gavron, Elyes Gabel, Iddo Goldberg, Jamie Harris, John Ales, Raimy Lang, Mason Cufari, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Himesh Patel, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Bill Irwin, Samantha Morton, and many others co-star in this film.  This has been quite popular but very polarizing at the same time.  I suppose this is the Odyssey the Christopher Nolan way.  I have never read the book, nor do I have any plans to do so.  I felt this had a really good look to it and did not overdo the special effects.  This is likely best watched in a movie theater and was worth the three hours that I paid half price for a Tuesday.


Heart of a Dog (2015):  Visual artist and musician Laurie Anderson directed this documentary.  She reflects on the relationship with her late terrier Lolabelle.  This goes deeper than just a story of a dog.  This reflects on life and death and Anderson's experiences after the 9/11 attacks.  It is hard to describe this documentary beyond it being rather spiritual.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.


Run Run (1961):  This is a part of a Jim Henson's experimental short films long before he gave us Kermit and Ernie.  This is a simple short of Henson which feature his two daughters running through the woods saturated by the colored leaves.  This has about six short films and is available to watch on Kanopy.


Jesse James (1939):  Henry King directed this western based on the title historical figure.  Tyrone Power stars as the famed outlaw Jesse James and Henry Fonda stars as his older brother Frank James.  Railroad authorities are forcing people out of their land with very little money in return.  When they talk to Jesse and Frank's mother, they refuse to give up their land with Jesse shooting one of them in the hand in self-defense thus making the brothers outlaws.  They would soon go onto for the James Gang with included Robert Ford, played by John Carradine.  Nancy Kelly, Randolph Scott, Henry Hull, Slim Summerville, J. Edward Bromberg, Brian Donlevy, John Carradine, Donald Meek, Johnny Russell, Jane Darwell, Charles Tannen, Claire Du Brey, Willard Robertson, Harold Goodwin, Ernest Whitman, and many others co-star in this western.  This is a pretty good dramatization on the legend of the historical figure.  This portrays Jesse James as a hero to a point but starts to slip as part of the James Gang.  It is an enjoyable watch more than anything and got entry into that Golden Year of Cinema.


Strangers on a Train (1951):  Alfred Hitchcock directed this film which is based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith.  Farley Granger stars as the professional tennis player Guy Haines who is on a train and meets a seemingly obsessed fan in Bruno Antony, played by Robert Walker.  Bruno knows a lot about Guy including the hate he has for his estranged wife and Bruno hates his father.  Bruno has the idea to "swap murders" causing Guy's life to spin out of control leading to a crazy climax on the carousel.  Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll, Patricia Hitchcock, Kasey Rogers, Marion Lorne, Jonathan Hale, Howard St. John, Norma Varden, Robert Gist, and many others co-star in this film.  This has that usual Hitchcock blend of action and dark comedy.  Having recently been part of a radio play recording for Richmond Radioworks, I decided to revisit this one.  The radio play is not out yet and will keep posted as things get announced.  I have always maintained that this is my favorite Hitchcock film and nothing has changed.  This is available to watch on TUBI and Plex.


Vanilla Sky (2001):  Cameron Crowe directed this remake of the 1997 Spanish film OPEN YOUR EYES.  Tom Cruise stars as publishing magnate David Aames Jr. who has quite the privileged life.  His relationship with Sofia, played by Penelope Cruz, has the jealous Julie, played by Cameron Diaz, angry and causing a car accident.  From there David cannot tell what is real and fantasy.  Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Timothy Spall, Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, Delaina Hlavin, Shalom, Harlow, Oona Hart, Ivana Milicevic, Johnny Galecki, and many others co-star in this film.  This has a lot of sci-fi elements to it that if I explain, I might give it away.  It is very intriguing and one that must be followed pretty closely.  I have not seen the mentioned 1997 film except that Cruz also plays Sofia in that version.  There are also lots of pop culture refences done cleverly.  This is available to watch on Paramount Plus and MGM Plus.


The Fallen Idol (1948):  Carol Reed directed this Film Noir which is based on a short story by Graham Greene.  Ralph Richardson stars as foreign embassy butler Mr. Baines who comes under suspicion when his wife Mrs. Baines, played by Sonia Dresdel, falls to her death.  Bobby Henrey stars as the impressionable Phillipe who becomes very confused about the death and just what is going on around him.  Michele Morgan, Denis O'Dea, Jack Hawkins, Walter Fitzgerald, Dandy Nichols, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a gripping film centered around the confusion of a child and trying to understand what the adults are saying.  This is an underrated film from this era.  This is available to watch on Kanopy.


The Connection (1961):  Shirley Clark directed this experimental film which is based on a play by Jack Gelber.  William Redfield stars as documentary filmmaker Jim Dunn who is filming eight heroin addicts and pays for their fix.  As time goes on, Jim's voyeuristic nature in filming comes into question.  Warren Finnerty, Garry Goodrow, Roscoe Lee Browne, and many others co-star in this film.  This has a very deep subject matter.  It is as independent as it gets for a film and is effective in the low-budget feel.  This is available to watch on Kanopy.


The Last Repair Shop (2023):  I end the week with this short film which was directed by Kris Bowers and Ben Proudfoot.  This takes a look at a group of people in Los Angeles who specialize in repairing musical instruments and in turn get them to students who might not be able to afford them.  It takes a good look at the importance of the arts and for band in this situation.  This takes a look at some of the employees of the repair place and some students who have benefitted.  We just need more of these types of people.  This is available to watch on Disney Plus and is about 40 minutes long.

Well, that is it for this week but continue on for my new segment "The Kevin Bacon Experience".  Tell me what you like and dislike and I'll be back in a couple weeks which includes Antonio Banderas, Bob Hoskins, William Holden, James Caan, Gary Cooper, and many others.


THE KEVIN BACON EXPERIENCE

Years ago, we learned from some frat guys that everyone is six degrees away from Kevin Bacon.  I was not aware of this challenge until recently from my friend Dennis the Library Menace.  The rules are that you start with a Kevin Bacon and continue to follow with another actor from that movie.  I also learned that these all have to be first time watches which they are first time from me.  This is technically a 2026 challenge, but this might take me into 2027 having started late.  As of now, I am starting ten and will continue to bring this segment back periodically.  I intend to have 100 and end on a Kevin Bacon movie.


1.  Kevin Bacon was in the 2004 movie The Woodsman with Michael Shannon


2.  Michael Shannon was in the 2001 movie Vanilla Sky with Penelope Cruz


3.  Penelope Cruz was in the 2026 movie The Bride with Annette Bening


4.  Annette Benning was in the 2018 movie Life Itself with Antonio Banderas


5.  Antonio Banderas was in the 2022 movie Puss in Boots:  The Last Wish with Florence Pugh


6.  Florence Pugh was in the 2026 movie Spider-Man:  Brand New Day with Zendaya


7.  Zendaya was in the 2026 movie The Odyssey with Mia Goth


8.  Mia Goth was in 2025 movie Frankenstein with Oscar Isaac


9.  Oscar Isaac was in the 2023 movie Spider-Man:  Across the Spider-Verse with Brian Tyree Henry


10.  Brian Tyree Henry was in 2021 movie Godzilla vs. Kong with Alexander Skarsgard


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