July 19 - 25, 2025

 

To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.

Brain Teasers:

With which female co-star did Richard Harrison spend the night while she was having her "period" causing the maid in the morning to think there had been a murder with blood all over the room?

It was Pamela Tudor during the making of UNO DOLPO L'ALTRO, aka ONE AFTER THE OTHER.

Which Italian Western, starring Klaus Kinski, reused the music from UN UOMO, UN CAVALLO, UNA PISTOLA, aka THE STRANGER RETURNS?

No one has answered this question yet.

By what name is Anthony Richmond better known?

George Grimes and Tom Betts knew that it is Tonino Ricci.

Can you name two Italian actors known for their resemblance to Franco Nero?

Angel Rivera, Tom Betts and George Grimes knew that it was Terence Hill and Maurizio Merli.

Which Italian born actor survived the Allied bombing of Dresden in World War 2?

George Grimes and Tom Betts knew that it was Mario Girotti, aka Terence Hill.

And now for some new brain teasers:

Which American actress was a celebrated dancer on Broadway before getting into movies, including one directed by Duccio Tessari?

Which Italian actress' career began in 1955, but thought she would retire from acting when she married a film director, only to find that he continued to ask her to appear in front of the camera because he needed her?

How many children did the previously mentioned actress have with her director husband?

Name the movies from which these images came.

George Grimes and Tom Betts identified last week's photo of Franco Nero and Eli Wallace in VIVA LA MUERTE... TUA, aka LONG LIVE DEATH... YOUR'S, aka LONG LIVE YOUR DEATH, aka DON'T TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

Angel Rivera and George Grimes identified last week's photo of Serge Nubret in ARRIVANO I TITANI, aka SONS OF THUNDER, aka MY SON THE HERO.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

George Grimes identified last week's photo of Lino Ventura in TOUGH GUYS, aka THREE TOUGH GUYS.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

George Grimes identified last week's photo of David Chiang in VENGEANCE.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

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I am interested in knowing what movies you have watched and what you enjoyed or not. So please send me an email at scinema@earthlink.net if you'd like to share. Here's what I watched last week:

Enjoyed:

GEORGE A. ROMERO'S RESIDENT EVIL (2025) - There have been a number of documentaries about movies which didn't get made. The earliest of which I am aware was THE EPIC THAT NEVER WAS, the 1965 program about the unfinished 1937 production of I CLAUDIUS. More recently there was JODOROWSKY'S DUNE and THE DEATH OF 'SUPERMAN LIVES' WHAT HAPPENED?. But there was no unrealized project that I wanted to see more than director George A. Romero's RESIDENT EVIL. I followed the stories about what had happened, but Brandon Salisbury's documentary seemed to best explain what happened. It also gave me more information about the video game than I wanted to know, but in an interesting way. The program ended with a moving eulogy for one of America's best moviemakers.

Liza: A Truly Terrific Aboslutely True Story (2024) - This would more appropriately be called "Liza: Her Friends and Mentors" with moving stories about how Kay Thompson, Charles Aznavour, Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse, Halston and others helped mould the daughter of Vincent Minnelli and Judy Garland into the celebrated talent she became. There is less about how her star dimmed in the decades after she won a Tony, an Emmy, a Grammy and an Oscar. That fact the program doesn't even mention THE STERILE CUCKOO is irksome to me. However, there is much to be much to be savored in writer/director Bruce David Klein's documentary, which also gives a taste of how difficult the subject can get.

SUPERMAN (2025) - Writer/director James Gunn obviously wanted to expand the "D.C. Universe" with this movie and so includes a number of characters from the comic books which hadn't been in movies before - like The Engineer, Mr. Terrific, the Guy Gardner Green Lantern, Metamorpho and Hawkgirl. There's even a bit with Peacemaker from THE SUICIDE SQUAD. Not only does Superman have a dog in this movie, he also has robots that take care of the Fortress of Solitude. And he's living with Lois Lane in her apartment. Unfortunately, the villain is still Lex Luthor. While there are many plot elements which made me cringe, the pace and the humor of the film kept me going. What would have been a nice capper would have been Luthor's wealth being seized to pay for all of the repairs to Metropolis, but that plot would probably be held up in court for decades. Rather than Marvel's Mutants and Immortals, D.C. now has "metahumans", but calling the mystery being "Ultraman" is irritating. Rachel Brosnahan is terrific as Lois Lane and having her be an active participant in the action is most welcome. Another plus for the movie is having two cast members from Firefly present.

LE VOYOU, aka THE CROOK (1970) - My interest in French Crime movies was ignited by two films: MELODIE EN SOUS SOL with Alain Delon and Jean Gabin, and SAFARI DIAMANTS with Jean-Louis Trintignant. My first film by director Claude Lelouch was VIVRE POUR VIVRE, followed by LA VIE, L'AMOUR, LA MORT and UN HOMME QUI ME PLAIT. All five of the previous mentioned films I saw in French with Japanese subtitles, but LE VOYOU was the first to leave me rather confused. Now that I've seen it with English subtitles, I better understand my confusion. Like many films at the time, there were no "signifiers" to alert the audience whether what we were seeing was a flashback or not. Also, no other French Crime movie I've seen started off with a musical number in which a tall Black man, surrounded by costumes and cars like you would have seen in BONNIE AND CLYDE, proclaimed that he was "Le Voyou". When I came across the 45rpm for Francis Lai singing "Le Voyou" I bought it, and was again confused that it was a very different arrangement from the song used in the movie. (I prefer the 45rpm 

version and I wish I could find it on CD.) In any case, with subtitles I now understand the movie. Perhaps a more appropriate title would have been THE UTTERLY CHARMING CROOK, but that would have given away some of the surprised in the film. Having had some exposure to films by Lelouch, I wasn't surprised by the rather casual storytelling which suggested quite a bit of improvisation by the cast. I even enjoyed the gags, such as a cop being told that a man and a woman were on the phone and Trintignant whistling the incredibly popular theme music by Francis Lai. Of course Trintigant was the star of that movie, but I hadn't seen it yet when I first saw LE VOYOU. In any case, LE VOYOU was a goof of a film and as charming as the crook at the center of it. There was no mistaking Amidou, Gabriella Giorgelli and Luciano Pigozzi (not billed as Alan Collins) in the film, but I didn't see Mimmo Palmara who was promenent in the cast list. Popular singer and respected jazz musician Sacha Distel appeared in concert in the film singing his hit version, in French, of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head".

Mildly enjoyed:

GEKIJOBAN URUTORAMAN RUBU SEREKTOL KIZUNA NO KURISUTARU, aka ULTRAMAN R/B THE MOVIE: SELECT! THE CRYSTAL OF BOND (2019) - The 2018 TV series Ultraman R/B is quite a bit different from the Ultraman shows I've previously seen. There is no Earth Defense Force in which hides a man who can channel Ultraman. Here we have a family comedy/drama in which two brothers end up with the powers of separte Ultramen. This comes in handy as they live in Ayaka City, which is frequently attacked by giant monsters. Katsumi is Ultraman Rosso and Isami is Ultraman Blu. They live with their father and a younger adopted sister, Asahi. Isami is preparing to move to the U.S. to get a science degree. Katsumi doesn't have plans for the future, which reminds him of his friend  Toi, who once chided our hero because he didn't follow up on his high school baseball success. Toi had planned to become a video game designer, but when Katsumi finds him, he has withdrawn into spending all of his time in his room playing video games and drawing monsters. Toi is visited via his computer by a disembodied creature who calls himself Tregear and promises to make the young man's dreams come true. Meanwhile, Katsumi and Isami are drafted by their father to spy on Asahi, who he fears has developed an interest in boys. The boy to whom she is speaking turns out to be Riku, Ultraman Geed from another dimension. He's in town looking for his friend, Pega, a friendly version of the Pegassa alien from Ultra Seven. Meanwhile, Tregear visits Katsumi and convinces him to be transported across the universe to a planet of Pigmons, introduced way back in Ultra Q, that are facing destruction by a Mecha Gomora. This proves to be a ruse so that he isn't there to help the other Ultramen when Tao is turned into a giant monster and starts destroying the city. Luckily, the mother knows how to find Katsumi and bring him back to Earth. Toi's monster is joined by an Ultraman looking creature called Snake Darkness. Now I thought Snake Darkness was the full body Tregear, but I guess I was wrong. The last part of this movie is very confusing with Rosso and Blu and Geed combining and separating while calling out the various attack forms they are using - like in a cheap Kung Fu movie. Just to confuse matters more, Asahi finds a device that turns her into Ultrawoman Grigio. Will our heroes be able to defeat the evil creatures without killing Tao? Tao's mother really hopes so. The movie has a message - that family bonds are where real strength is found. Much of this movie is visualized with computer animation in addition to the usual model cities and rubber suits.

Did not enjoy:

THE LAST CHALLENGE (1967) - Chad Everett wants to be the best pistolero there is, so he travels to a town where Glenn Ford is the Marshal to test his skills. Ford spends over an hour of the film's running time trying to change Everett's mind to no avail. Ford's lady Angie Dickinson even hires Jack Elam to bushwack Everett, and after that fails, she is even willing to try and to shoot him herself. This finally pushes Ford to face off with Everett. Now I can understand Ford wanting to leave town after all this, but throwing his gun away seems stupid. What if he comes upon more rattlesnakes? John Sherry gets co-screenwriting credits on this adaptation of his novel PISTOLERO'S PROGRESS with Robert Emmett Ginna. It is kind of odd hearing everyone call gunmen pistoleros in an American Western. This is the last credit for Richard Thorpe before he retired. He started his directing career in 1923. In 1954 he directed Steve Reeves in ATHENA. He directed Elvis Presley twice in JAILHOUSE ROCK and FUN IN ACAPULCO. In 1961 he shared directing chores with Ferdinando Baldi for I TARTARI, aka THE TARTARS. He died in 1991.

THE WRATH OF GOD (1972) - Director Ralph Nelson had a curious career. Starting out on Broadway with the play THE WIND IS NINETY with Kirk Douglas, he moved to television where he directed REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT and then helmed the feature film version . He followed that with LILIES OF THE FIELD, which won Sidney Poitier the Academy Award for Best Actor. He would again work with Poitier in the hard hitting Western DUEL AT DIABLO. 1968's CHARLY would win Cliff Robertson his Best Actor Oscar. While 1970's SOLDIER BLUE gained much attention for a rather graphic depiction of the Sand Creek Massacre of Cheyenne women and children by the U.S. Cavalry, most don't remember the proceeding hour of low comedy and weak romance. Now, after making the children's movie FLIGHT OF THE DOVES in Ireland, Nelson seemed to want to make his version of THE WILD BUNCH with an adaptation of the James Graham (aka Jack Higgins) novel. Towards that end, he used many familiar faces from the Sam Peckinpah film like Enrique Lucero, Jorge Russek, Chano Urueta and Aurora Clavel. While the film began just like QUIEN SABE?, aka A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL, with a firing squad followed by a scene in which a Gringo bought a train ticket, Nelson seemed to want this to be a comedic adventure film. Unfortunately, no matter how manic Ken Hutchinson played a scene, it was just not funny. Victor Buono forced Hutchinson to drive a truck toward the U.S. He befriended phony priest Robert Mitchum on the way, but all three were captured and set to be executed by Col. John Colicos. However, Colicos decided to hire the trio to assassinate Frank Langella, who was in control of a part of the country which Colicos had thus far failed to conquer. Also, along the way, Hutchinson rescued native girl Paula Pritchett. While Mitchum arranged some potential murder traps for Langella, something always went wrong. Once Langella's mother, Rita Hayworth inadvertently showed up to screw up the plan. The last half hour felt very drawn out and took too long to get the predictable ending. However, the film ended on a mystery - who was ringing the church bells? Fans of TV's Barney Miller may enjoy seeing Gregory Sierra as a one-eyed bad guy, but I didn't. Director of Photography Alex Phillips Jr. would go on to work for Peckinpah on BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA. Lalo Schifrin's music score wasn't very memorable. The story of a criminal thought to be a priest who leads a village to fight for their freedom was better portrayed in GUNS FOR SAN SEBASTIAN.

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Angel Rivera  Enjoyed:

"HERCULES, SAMSON, & ULYSSES" (1963/5)
TCM is continuing its Wednesday "Mythology" films with some more sword and sandal films. This time with what is meant to have been a sequel to the Steve Reeves films, "Hercules" (1958/9) and "Hercules Unchained" (1959/60), but with Italian body-builder Kirk Morris (aka Adriano Bellini) as Hercules and Iranian body builder Iloosh Khoshabe (here credited as Richard Lloyd) portraying Samson. And as Delilah, the delectable Liana Morfi. Morris and Lloyd go at it as Hercules and Samson and their battle scenes are well worth watching. They then join forces to take down an evil king. Hercules as he leaves to return to his home in Ithaca, tells Samson to "beware of Delilah" and his vessel, which has as one of its occupants, the wife of Hercules, here played by Diletta D'Andrea sails away.

"ULYSSES" (1954/5)
TCM's "Mythology" night also featured the Kirk Douglas film, "Ulysses" in its Italian language version with English subtitles. I don't remember which scenes were not in the English language version as the Italian language version was supposed to have 26 minutes more of footage than the English language version.  Still worthwhile viewing; especially for the scene where Ulysses makes it home and kills all the men who were trying to force themselves on his wife Penelope whom was presumed a widow in need of a husband to be king of Ithaca, Ulysses' kingdom. Featured as the lead "suitor" is Anthony Quinn and in a dual role of Queen Penelope and the sorceress Circe is Silvana Mangano.

Mildly enjoyed:

"LIVE A LITTLE, LOVE A LITTLE" (1968)
Elvis Presley stars in an almost, what some may call a rom-com. Elvis plays a professional photographer who meets a free spirit with a dog on the beach who lives in a house near the beach. The movie then goes on about the ups and down progress of Elvis's romance with the comely actress, Michele Carey, who does a dance sequence in the film to Elvis singing one of his not so bad songs,"the Edge of Reality". The original version of his rebooted posthumous hit, "A Little Less Conversation" also appears in the film. Not a great film, but bearable for the songs he does sing and its antics which includes a drawn out fist fight and some silliness confusions. 

Did not enjoy:

"KANSAS CITY BOMBER" (1972)
A Raquel Welch starring film I tried to like, but it's only worthwhile for the presence of Raquel. Here she plays a Roller Derby Queen with two children to raise; a son and a daughter. Her daughter is played by a very young Jodie Foster. Her love interest, is also her very shady manager played by Kevin McCarthy of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" fame. Raquel skates and knocks down other skaters. There is a subplot about her throwing a match which she in turn double crosses her manager and wins the race, Thus gaining her freedom. Yippee! 

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David Deal Enjoyed:

 THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (63)

MASSACRE TIME (66)

PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (65)

I'M STILL HERE (24)

THE KILLING (56)

IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA (55)

THE GREEN-EYED BLONDE (57) - Susan Oliver is the titular blonde living in a boarding school for troubled girls. In some ways, this is what you would expect from a 1950s juvenile delinquent potboiler. In other ways it was pushing the limits of what could be discussed in those films by being obliquely frank. Not to be dismissed out of hand.

THE GOLDEN BUDDHA (66) - Born of the 1960s spy craze, this creative Hong Kong "bangpian" film features a Bondian hero and a fashion-challenged villain obsessed with learning the secret held by three golden buddha statuettes. Fast-moving and colorful adventure with plenty to enjoy.

THE GREAT TEXAS DYNAMITE CHASE (75)

DANGER: DIABOLIK (68) - The 4K looks very nice.

COUNT DRACULA'S GREAT LOVE (73)

THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL (71)

Mildly Enjoyed

LENINGRAD COWBOYS GO AMERICA (89) - A (for reals) Finnish band heads to America with their unscrupulous manager (Matti Pellonpaa) where they win the hearts of southern, small town yahoos and border town Mexicans. Early, amusing oddball comedy from famed oddball director Aki Kaurismaki. For fans who want to explore the beginnings of the auteur's career.

THE MASK OF FU MANCHU (32)

THE BLACK COBRA (63)

REVOLT OF THE PRAETORIANS (64)

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July 12 - 18, 2025

 

To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.

Brain Teasers:

Claudia Cardinale said "hi" to Henry Fonda while Fonda was relaxing off set with Robert Woods on BATTLE OF THE BULGE. What was Fonda's comment about Claudia to Robert?

"Beautiful girl.... Fat ass."

With which female co-star did Richard Harrison spend the night while she was having her "period" causing the maid in the morning to think there had been a murder with blood all over the room?

No one answered this question yet.

Which Italian Western, starring Klaus Kinski, reused the music from UN UOMO, UN CAVALLO, UNA PISTOLA, aka THE STRANGER RETURNS?

No one has answered this question yet.

Veteran screenwriter Ennio De Concini credited which director whose personality infused the Sword and Sandal movies of the 1950s and '60s?

Bertrand van Wonterghem, George Grimes and Angel Rivera knew that it was Pietro Francisci.

Apollonios of Rhodes wrote a poem about which Ancient Greek hero that inspired at least two movies and one TV mini-series?

Bertrand van Wonterghem, George Grimes and Angel Rivera knew that it was Jason and the Argonauts.

Which actress, born in 1933 Croatia, made five movies for Hollywood producers, but is mostly thought of as an Italian performer?

Bertrand van Wonterghem, George Grimes and Angel Rivera knew that it was Sylva Koscina.

And now for some new brain teasers:

By what name is Anthony Richmond better known?

Can you name two Italian actors known for their resemblance to Franco Nero?

Which Italian born actor survived the Allied bombing of Dresden in World War 2?

Name the movies from which these images came.

Bertrand van Wonterghem and George Grimes identified last week's photo of Antonio Sabato in DUE VOLTE GUIDA, aka TWICE A JUDAS.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

Bertrand van Wonterghem and George Grimes identified last week's photo of Alan Steel, Yann Lavor, Rentao Rossini and Nadir Moretti, in ERCOLE, SANSONE, MACISTE E URSUS, GLI INVINCIBILI, aka SAMSON AND THE MIGHTY CHALLENGE.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

Bertrand van Wonterghem and George Grimes identified last week's photo of Alan Steel in STORIA DI ARCIERI, PUGNI E OCCHI NERI, aka ROBIN HOOD... ARROW, BEANS AND KARATE.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

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I am interested in knowing what movies you have watched and what you enjoyed or not. So please send me an email at scinema@earthlink.net if you'd like to share. Here's what I watched last week:

Enjoyed:

SCRE4M (2011) - I love the original Sceam trilogy, so when a fourth film was announced, I cringed. It took me 14 years, and ignoring two new films, to finally get around to watching it. I was pleasantly surprised, because it didn't ruin the original three. But, my chief pleasure in watching it was staring at Neve Campbell again, as well as seeing Courteney Cox before her ruinous face lift. It was also a pleasure to see Hayden Panettiere, Marley Shelton, Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell.

SCREAM, aka SCREAM V (2022) - There are moments when this film seems in danger of heading up its own ass with all the talk about Horror movie conventions and the concept of a "requel" - neither a reboot nor a sequel but an introduction of a new cast of characters intended to continue the previously established storyline. With creator Kevin Williamson aboard as an executive producer, the production, written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick and directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, does a good job of being enough like the previous films to seem right, but different enough to be interesting. Through-out this movie there are references to the STAB franchise, which substitutes for the SCREAM movies. It got a little confusing when everyone complained about the last STAB movie, #8, being universally hated. It made me wonder if I missed something as the last SCREAM movie was #4. The motivation for a new killing spree was to inspire the movie makers to make a new STAB movie worthy of their fans. The film got on my good side by not having the first woman attacked die, and now I feel that I've finally seen Jenna Ortega. Who would have predicted that Mikey Madison would go on from this movie to win a Best Actress Oscar for ANORA? I was pleased to see SCREAM veterans Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Marley Shelton and Heather Matarazzo return, and that Courteney Cox looked better than she in Cougar Town. And it was good to hear "Red Right Hand" if only for a little bit. "I still prefer BABADOOK".

SCREAM VI, aka SCREAM (2023) - A sequel to a "requel" equals a franchise - and all rules are off. I'm okay with Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Hayden Panettiere (who I didn't immediately recognize) and Courtney Cox being the new "Legacy" characters. I'd be happy if Skeet Ulrich went away and the writers, James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, and directors, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, would stop suggesting that Barrera will become a female Dexter. It is a shame that Samara Weaving won't be returning because she looks spectacular in that yellow dress.

Mildly enjoyed:

True Detective: North Country (2024) - As far as a TV series dealing with the missing and murdered indigenous women of Alaska, I felt that Alaska Daily on ABC-TV did a better job. And being a proper U.S. TV series, Alaska Daily filmed in Canada. Why the fourth season of True Detective decided to film in Iceland suggests a production deal of which I have no knowledge. Mexican writer/director Issa Lopez was perhaps best known for Horror Movies and True Detective: North Country had that kind of atmosphere. Unfortunately, like most shows made for streaming, it really didn't need to be six hours long.

GEKIJOBAN URUTORAMAN EKKUSU KITA ZO! WARERE NO URUTORAMAN, aka ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE: HERE HE COMES! OUR ULTRAMAN  (2016) - I watched Ultraman, without English subtitles or audio, religiously when I was a child and even saw the movie when it hit the threaters on Okinawa. When Ultra 7 replaced it, I continued to watch. When re-runs of Ultra Q came on, I was a viewer. When Return of Ultraman came around in 1971, I was occupied with high school stuff. So, I only saw some of the next 50 some years of the franchise on home video. Ultraman X came on TV in 2015 with the "movie" coming out the next year. Mill Creek put it out on Blu-ray, with English subtitles, which is where I saw it. If the movie is a good representation of the show, the show got more complicated over the years, and, thankfully, the humans got more useful. Ultraman X's human collaborator isn't a secret identity, and the Earth defense organization, Xio, even has an extra-terrestrial member. The team use "cyber cards", which look like Pokemon cards, in their weapons, which was certain to boost merchandising sales. For the finale, the villain monster, Zaigorg is able to create a small army of monsters which are spread throughout the world. Thankfully, because of a boy's love for his mother, a small army of Ultramen, including the original hero, show up to save the world - though it looks like most of Tokyo is once again rubble. This finale loosely resembles the final battle of the Japanese/Thai co-production URUTORA ROKU KYODAI TAI KAIJU GUNDAN, aka HANUNMAN POB JED YODMANUDE, aka THE 6 ULTRA BROTHERS VS. THE MONSTER ARMY, aka HANUMAN MEETS 7 SUPER MEN, which I saw on Japanese language VHS. The monster battles still look a bit like wrestling matches with a lot of explosions and sparks. Interestingly, while the Japanese filmmakers now have access to C.G.I., they still prefer the Ultras and the monsters to be humans in suits - and every Ultra has an obvious zipper in the back.

GEKIJOBAN URUTORAMAN GINGA ESU KESSEN! URUTORA JU YUSHI!! aka ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE, aka ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE: SHOWDOWN! THE 10 ULTRA WARRIORS! (2015) - The Ultraman Ginga S.series began on TV in 2014 with this movie following the next year.The Earth defense force is now UPG - Ultra Party Guardians, and for this movie their team is joined by an android girl, who was once a villain. (Shades of 7 of 9.) The most distinctive element of this movie - and possibly the TV series - is that to create a sense of the gigantic, everytime the monsters or the Ultras move about, they kick up a lot of dirt. In the final battle, it becomes obvious that the special effects guys have cannons all over the set to shoot dirt into the air. This time there are so many Ultras bonding with humans, that I lost count. Plus the villain is collecting all of the Ultras in some kind of dimensional prison (Shades of SUPERMAN, 1978.) that looks like trading cards. Eventually, all of the Ultras are freed and the villain brings back previously defeated monsters with which all of the Ultras battle seperately. I know I'm not watching these movies in the order in which they came out, but this makes the third movie I've seen in which a small army of monsters fight a small army of Ultras. As the Ultras all belong in the "Heisei" period of the franchise, my favorite, Ultra 7, doesn't appear. For all of the blade like weapons conjured up, none of them slice off mosters' heads the way Ultra 7 used to do. The fights here look less like wrestling and more like Kung Fu movie fights. The Chinese influence is underlined by when one hero is sent into a dream state to be menanced by her greatest fear, her greatest fear is three "hopping" ghost/vampires. Was the other hero being chased by a giant tomato a nod to ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES?

URUTORAMAN TIGA & URUTORAMAN DAINA: HIKARI NO HOSHI NO SENSHI-TACHI, aka ULTRAMAN TIGA & ULTRAMAN DYNA: WARRIORS OF THE STAR OF LIGHT, aka ULTRAMAN TIGA & ULTRAMAN DYNA: WARRIORS OF THE LIGHTING STAR (1998) - From 1980 until 1996, there were no new Ultraman shows. 1996's Ultraman Tiga was released and proved to be very popular. After 52 episodes, Tiga was followed by Ultraman Dyna. In Tiga, the TPC (Terrestrial Peaceable Consortium) created GUTS (Global Unlimited Task Squad) to combat monsters from outer space. Set seven years after the end of Tiga, Ultraman Dyna takes place in the year 2017 during the "Age of the Neo Frontier" with the terraforming of Mars and the creation of "Super GUTS". The ULTRAMAN TIGA & ULTRAMAN DYNA movie is set between episodes 26 & 30 of the Dyna TV series. The movie begins with a shot echoing the opening of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY before quickly echoing the opening of the first STAR WARS with a monster being chased by space ships flying overhead of the camera. When Dyna seems about to lose the fight with the giant monster, a giant new spaceship, called Prometheus appears and destroys it. It turns out that Prometheus is the newest weapon created by the TPC which is powered by a giant computer. (Shades of THE FORBIN PROJECT.) However, this new weapon is soon taken over by the evil extraterrestrials, who, as to be expected in an Ultraman story, incorporate it into a giant robot with which they plan to exterminate the human race. Also, as to be expected in an Ultraman story, the destruction of the human race will take place in a single Japanese city at high noon. Prefiguring 2005's WAR OF THE WORLDS, the alien attack doesn't come from the sky, but from under the ground. Luckily, our dispirited human host to Ultraman Dyna talks with a little boy who still has the Ultraman Tiga action figure. This sends our hero to visit with the former Captain of GUTS to learn more about Tiga. However, it is the little boy remembering how the Light in every human is what really powers Ultraman. (Shades of The Force.) When it looks like Dyna has died, the boy reminds the huddled humans that they can't lose Hope for the powers the Light in everyone. In a scene reminiscent of Peter Pan and the resurrection of Tinkerbell, everyone sends their Light to the moribund figure of Tiga, which revives him. Tiga revives Dyna and, of course, everyone is happy in victory - except, perhaps, the property owners of the Japanese city heavily damaged in the fight. Oh man, is this movie incredibly corny. Inspired by the memory of Tiga, the former Captain of GUTS joins in the final battle. This inspires all of the former members of GUTS to show up at the Captain's office to discuss old times. The special effects people at Tsuburaya Productions have no qualms about using a lot of explosive flash pots, but the same can be said about the guys at Toei who even used them in ninja TV shows.

Za Urutoraman, aka The Ultraman (1979), aka The Adventures of Ultraman (1981) and Ultraman II: The Further Adventures of Ultraman (1983) - Four years after the end of the TV series Ultraman Leo, Tsuburaya Productions decided to try an animated series with Nippon Sunrise. The series ran for 50 episodes. In 1981, a feature film compilation of the series was released. Even though the follow-up film was called Ultraman II, it wasn't a sequel. Instead, it was a straight English version of the first four episodes of the TV series. From a space station drawn to look similar to the one in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, our hero observes a strange glowing substance which surrounds the Earth's sky. Strange letters appear which no one can decypher. Because of this, the Earth Defense Force assembles the Emergency Science and Defense Squad. Our hero is requested to join the Eastern Defense Squad on Earth. Traveling from the space station to the planet, our hero is contacted by Ultraman - called Ultraman Joneus in Japan according to Wikipedia. Ultraman explains that he must use our hero's human body to survive on Earth, and that he needs to be on Earth to protect people from coming monsters. The strange events in the Earth's sky was a warning from his extraterrestrial federation. Meanwhile, giant prehistoric monsters are awakening around the Earth, including from melting glaciers in Antartica. At first our hero doesn't understand why he has a blue crystal like star in his posession, but eventually he learns that with it he can transform into Ultraman. Ultraman II also features a robot at the EDS home base that looks like Garamon, a popular friendly monster that first appeared in Ultra Q and the first Ultraman series. Why anyone would design a robot to look like a monster is never explained.

I found a copy of The Adventures of Ultraman on YouTube.

URUTORAMAN YU ESU E, aka ULTRAMAN USA, aka ULTRAMAN: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS (1987) - Hanna-Barbera Productions in the U.S. collaborated with Tsuburaya to create an English language animated TV series, but the pilot never sold. So, it was turned into a feature length TV movie which aired in 1987, but had a threatrical run in Japan, dubbed into Japanese, in 1989. As in the original series, a jet pilot is accidentally killed encountering an extraterrestrial event. Only this time it is three pilots who become hosts to three Ultra Warriors. As the fun of all of the Tsuburaya FX productions is in watching models and giant monsters in "rubber suits", seeing this stuff done in animated drawings is a disappointment. However, the writers throw in some unique bits that make this interesting. First of all, there is no planetary defense force for our heroes to join. They are U.S. military stunt pilots like the Blue Angels, but are called the Flying Angels. After their new status as Ultra hosts, they discover a secret organization under the Georgia National Golf Course - possibly established by an interstellar peace keeping group. Soon they are whisked away to a secret base inside Mount Rushmore. (Years before TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE in 2004.) In this version, our heroes can not call forth their Ultra selves. The Ultras only come out when the human hosts are in danger of losing their lives. A meteor breaks up entering the Earth's atmosphere, with each piece turning into a monster. As this is an American show, all the pieces fall in the U.S. After Ultraman Scott destroys a monster in San Francisco, Dr. Susan Rand of the Federation for Extraterrestrial Research, F.E.R. Labs, angrilly accuses him of murder since he never tried to peacefully communicate with the monster first. (Shades of THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD.) Scott is obviously attracted to Susan and is so inspired that when our heroes encounter a monster in Utah that doesn't act agressively, they figure out a way to safely send it to another planet where it can life peacefully. The Ultras are assisted in this endeavour by the three robots that run the secret base. The little boy personalities of the three robots is made obvious when Susan talks to them and they all blush.

Did not enjoy:

DEVIL'S PARTNER (made in 1958, but not released until 1961) - In the small town of Furnace Flats, old coot Ed Nelson sells his soul to the Devil in order to return as his handsome young nephew Ed Nelson. He lusts for the attractive Jean Allison, who is in love with handsome gas station owner Richard Crane. She also wears a pesky gold cross around her neck. In addition to not sweating no matter how hot it gets, Nelson is able to will evil onto others with the help of a hexagon on the floor of his shack, and a seemingly endless supply of goat's blood. Nelson is also able to transform himself into an horse in order to trample a bum to death. But when he transforms into a rattlesnake to kill Crane, Crane has a gun and wounds the snake. Eventually, everyone chases down Nelson, who tries to get away as the horse, but Sheriff Spencer Carlisle shoots the steed dead. As the surviving main cast stands around, Nelson changes from the dead horse to the handsome young man, and finally the old coot. Also, the hideous scar across Crane's face, caused when Nelson willed Crane's dog to attack him, fades away so that the young couple can be pretty for each other again. The opening credits for this film says "introducing Ed Nelson" which isn't quite true as Nelson had already appeared in 13 films before making this one, and made 12 more before this "introduction" was released. Nelson finally became a star on the TV drama Peyton Place in 1964. This was director Charles R. Rondeau's third low-budget feature film, before he moved on to a 20 year career in TV working on just about every action show there was.

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Angel Rivera  Highly enjoyed:

"STAR TREK Voyage One: THE MENAGERIE" (aka "The Cage) (1964/65/66/88)
This became my favorite episode of "Star Trek" when I first saw Roddenberry's B/W answer print of the original uncut version of the first Star Trek pilot. (the working title was "The Cage", but just before filming began, Roddenberry changed the title to "The Menagerie". That title was used when the  two part edited version was shown on TV. When the original uncut and unedited version was finally shown on TV and released to home video, it was given its working title back to distinguish it from the televised version.  I thought it was the best episode of "The Outer Limits" not actually produced by "The Outer Limits". Since the episode was actually filmed in color, it was a treat to see the restored version. Capt. Pike (captain of the Enterprise before Kirk) is taken prisoner on the planet Talos IV by its inhabitants, the Talosians for an experiment to see if humans can be used to rebuild their planet which had been destroyed by war. The Talosians also have great mental powers: especially in creating illusions.

"STARGIRL" S3: E13, Frenemies--Chapter Thirteen--The Reckoning" (2022)
Watched the final episode on Max and enjoyed it all over again. Stargirl and the newly formed Justice Society battle the Injustice Society. Since this was the last episode of the series before it was cancelled, they also have a section at the conclusion of the episode which hints at what might have been the series next season; had it not been cancelled. Satisfying as it gives one an idea of what was coming next. 

"JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS" (1963)
TCM was showing what it calls Mythology Wednesdays and showing a tribute to Ray Harryhausen. First the original "Clash of the Titans" (which I only caught the ending) and then Harryhausen's masterpiece "Jason and the Argonauts". Every time I see this film I am amazed how well its technology holds up. Especially the battle with the skeleton "children of the Hydra".

Mildly enjoyed:

"SUPERMAN" (2025)
This film is now supposed to be the corner stone of the new DC cinematic universe. Don't want to reveal any parts of the story. If you were planning to see this film, let me just tell you  I rated it "7 out of 10" for a score, 10 being highest score.. If you're a DC fan you won't want to miss this one. 

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David Deal enjoyed:

 WAR OF THE TROJANS (62)

WHITE SAVAGE (43)

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (81) - Maybe you've heard of it.

THE ADVENTURES OF ARSENE LUPIN (56) - Arsene Lupin (Robert Lamoureux), gentleman thief and master of disguise, becomes involved in a challenge by the German Kaiser to find a secret hiding place in his castle. Along the way, he alternately charms and frustrates the Kaiser's daughter (Liselotte Pulver). Highly enjoyable take on the famous character. Colorful and funny, this lighthearted turn will keep viewer amused throughout.

THE TERRIBLE PEOPLE (60)

TALES OF TERROR (62)

CAMILLE 2000 (69)

MY FAVORITE BRUNETTE (47)

L'IMMORTELLE (62) - A Frenchman (Jacques Doniol-Valcroze) in Istanbul meets a mysterious woman (Francoise Brion) who comes and goes, much to his frustration. Alain Robbe-Grillet's first film as director echoes his fascination with labyrinths explored earlier in his screenplay for Last Year in Marienbad. This time, the puzzle is an inscrutable Orient; the empty spaces, incomprehensible language (the Turkish spoken is not translated), and the unavoidable ruins of an ancient civilization. Fascinating, and filmed with a vacant beauty. Highly recommended for fans of Marienbad.

THEM (54)

TO CATCH A THIEF (54)

FUNERAL IN BERLIN (66)

Mildly Enjoyed

THE HIGH TERRACE (56) - Actress Lois Maxwell has a supporting role in a new play, and she shows promise. Playwright Dale Robertson wants Lois as the lead in his new work The High Terrace, but Lois's manager Eric Pohlman won't release her. Suddenly Pohlman turns up dead. A by-the-numbers backstage melodrama with little to distinguish it other than the short running time.

OCCHI DI CRISTALLO (04) - AKA Eyes of Crystal. A lovemaking couple and a voyeur are killed with extreme prejudice. Inspector Amaldi's (Luigi Lo Cascio) investigation reveals a serial killer who begins taking souvenirs from his victims. Well-crafted giallo with occult leanings and a certain exuberance in conveying the grisley, ritualistic killings; as if Dario Argento had made Seven. Fans of the form will be satisfied.

VAMPIRE CIRCUS (72)

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Bertrand van Wonterghem Enjoyed: 

Stage to Tucson (1950, Ralph Murphy)

Along came Jones (1945, Stuart Heisler)

Man with the gun (1955, Richard Wilson)

Nolajuneun yeoja / My secret mobster (2024, Kim Yeong-hwan) – episodes 1 to 5

Unconquered (1947, Cecil B. De Mille)

Mildly enjoyed:

Rôjin Z (1991, Hiroyuki Kitakubo)

Hudson Hawk (1991, Michael Lehmann)

Voyage to the bottom of the sea – episode « The shape of doom » (1966, Nathan Juran)

Did not enjoy:

Dead fire (1996, Robert Lee)

Drums along the Mohawk (1939, John Ford)

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