To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.
Brain Teasers:
Bertrand van Wonterghem asks, "Which Italian Western actor made five films with his biological son and two with his adopted son?"
No one has answered this question yet.
The step-daughter of which Italian Western star performed nude at the age of 12 in an Italian movie?
No one has answered this question yet.
The English version of which Italian Western ends with the line "The Red and the Black"?
No one has answered this question yet.
And now for some new brain teasers:
Complete the lyric: "She talks about a night without a ____."
Which Italian/Spanish Western ends with our "hero" riding away from two kids playing at screaming?
Which Italian/Spanish Western begins with someone trying to pry a gold tooth out of a dead man's mouth?
Name the movies from which these images came.
Bertrand van Wonterghem and Rick Garibaldi identified last week's photo of William Berger and Alan Steel in MI CHIAMAVANO 'REQUIESCAT'...MA AVEVANO SBAGLIATO, aka MANO RAPIDA, aka FAST HAND IS STILL MY NAME.
Above a new photo.
Can you identify from what movie it came?
Bertrand van Wonterghem, Rick Garibaldi and Angel Rivera identified last week's photo of Arnaldo dell'Acqua, Alan Steel and Enzo Maggio in GLI INVINCIBILI TRE, aka THE THREE AVENGERS.
Above is a new photo.
Can you identify from what movie it came?
Bertrand van Wonterghem and Angel Rivera identified last week's photo of Angelo Infanti and Laura Gemser in EMANUELLE NERA, aka BLACK EMANUELLE.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
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No one has identified the above photo yet.
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:
Mildly enjoyed:
DEEP RISING (1998) - I am not a fan of writer/director Stephen Sommers, but I am only familiar with the films he made after he stopped working for the Walt Disney company. This was his last film for Disney's Hollywood Pictures, and it had every element which featured in his later films. The screenplay seemed like a jumble of bits from other movies, but with enough humor to keep it watchable. What if the luxury liner in THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE wasn't hit by a tidal wave but was attacked by creatures from THE ABYSS that increase in size as they rise to the surface? What if instead of a single ALIEN intent on impregnating every human it finds, the creature (or creatures) swallows people whole, sucks out all of their moisture and then dumps out their skeletons? What if instead of a crew of salvagers like from BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, the desolated ship was boarded by a group of mercenaries who were hired by the liner's owner, Anthony Heald, to rob all of the rich passengers because he over spent creating the ship? He could also collect on the insurance after the liner was sunk. The mercenaries were the most ethnically diverse gang ever put on the screen, led by a Native American, Wes Studi, and featuring African Djimon Hounsou. To get to the liner, the mercenaries hired Treat Williams, who was this film's version of Hans Solo from STAR WARS, who piloted a small but fast boat. Williams didn't know their evil plan, but soon became the guy with the best ideas on how to survive. Not surprising, the film ends, like ALIEN, with the liner blowing up, though Williams had to construct a method to do that since the liner didn't come with a self-destruct program. Famke Janssen also appeared in the film as a thief aboard the ship, who became the film's leading lady. I would have preffered that role going to Una Damon's character who was part of Williams' crew, but she got killed too soon. Kevin J. O'Connor provided most of the gags in the film and Sommers would use him in three future projects. In the end, the survivors land on an island, that suddenly growls at them, so they may have landed in T.V.'s Lost territory. It was too bad that the "Chinese M1 L1 triple-plus assault rifles" used in the film weren't real because having a magazine that carried a "thousand-round capacity" sure made re-loading unnecessary.
THE PROFESSOR, aka RICHARD SAYS GOODBYE (2018) - A non-smoker, Johnny Depp is shocked to learn that he has stage 4 lung cancer which has spread to his spine. With treatment, he might live another year, but will probably die in six months without. Depp often seems to play drunk in his roles, and as someone self-medicating with alcohol and drugs, this role is a good match for him. He gives a surprisingly moving performance as a New England College Professor of Literature taking stock of his life while facing the end of it. Danny Huston is remarkable as his best friend trying to help Depp in his time of need. The sentimentality of their relationship is nicely undercut by Depp's concern that observers might think that they are gay. Rosemarie DeWitt is Depp's wife, who is having an affair with the chancellor of the college, played by Ron Livingston. As a big fan of the TV show Standoff, it is good to see DeWitt and Livingston working together again and to know that they married in 2009. The lovely Odessa Young plays Depp's daughter who is dealing with her first serious romance with another student Kaitlyn Bernard. Depp whittles his final class down to a few interesting students, and gives them some life lessons as he tries to inspire them to seize life. However, unlike DEAD POETS SOCIETY, he doesn't inspire anyone to commit suicide, and student Devvon Terrell offers to give Depp a "blow job". I wasn't expecting much from the movie as it was a critical and financial flop, but I found it enjoyable pretty much from the beginning. Interestingly, writer/director Wayne Roberts' first film was KATIE SAYS GOODBYE. It was decided to re-title this film from RICHARD SAYS GOODBYE to THE PROFESSOR. Will Mr. Roberts get a chance to make the third film in his "SAYS GOODBYE" trilogy?
Uncnsrd. "Ginuwine" (2024)
Uncnsrd "Jasmine Guy(2024)
Unsung "Chuckii Booker" (2024)
Unsung "Candi Staton" (2024)
Did not enjoy:
THE YOUNG LOVERS (1964) - Black listed screenwriter Julian Zimet wrote the original novel using the pen name of Julian Halavey in 1956. Producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. got the movie rights in 1957, but was unhappy with the scripts adapting it until English assistant professor George Garrett gave it a try. Goldwyn decided to direct the movie himself in order to have "total control". Seeing Peter Fonda in his New York stage debut in BLOOD SWEAT AND STANLEY POOLE - for which he won a New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, Goldwyn cast him as the male lead. (The 1961 play also featured Darren McGavin and James Caan in the cast and ran for 84 performances. The play was one of two stage efforts on which brothers William and James Goldman collaborated before they decided to stop talking to each other.) While THE YOUNG LOVERS seemed to be a serious attempt to depict the problems of college age students at a time when being drafted into the Army was a big concern, the film was unconvincing and flat. Fonda played an art student worried that he won't get a fellowship if he can't improve his grades. Nick Adams played his room mate who was terrified of being drafted. Deborah Walley was Adams' girlfriend and Sharon Hugueny was Walley's friend who lived with her widowed mother Beatrice Straight. Fonda took a liking to Hugueny and finally convinced her to have sex with him. Naturally, she became pregnant and Fonda was unable to handle the news. Hugueny considered getting an abortion, but decided that "abortion is murder" and decided, instead, to move away. Fonda had a change of heart and tried to win her back. In an unusual move for a 1964 movie, Hugueny rebuffs Fonda and walked away. Perhaps to give the audience some hope, Fonda went after the departing Hugueny as "The End" appeared. Goldwyn Jr. never directed a movie again.
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David Deal Enjoyed:
POLICE STORY 2 (88)
CRUEL GUN STORY (64) - Released early from prison, Jo Shishido is beholden to the mobster that got him out. The price is to lead a team of the mobster's henchmen in robbing an armored car of racetrack receipts. Things don't end well. Another superior crime flick from Nikkatsu studios starring the effortlessly cool Shishido in a stylish, brutal, and ultimately devastating take on the heist flick. Highly recommended.
SON OF SINBAD (55) - The son of Sinbad (Dale Robertson), aided by the 40 (female) thieves, repels the invading Mongol horde. Harmless, colorful fun with Vincent Price (as Omar Khayyam!) providing the humorous highlights. Features a bevy of beauties including Mari Blanchard.
THE MATRIX (99)
THE MUMMY (59)
THE WITCH'S MIRROR (60)
Mildly Enjoyed
STAGE TO TUCSON (50) - Stage agent Rod Cameron reluctantly takes a job investigating stolen stagecoaches around the Tucson area. Turns out it's the work of Southern sympathizers stealing the stages for use in the coming Civil War, but who's running the outfit? Plenty of action in this colorful western with political overtones. Cameron has an uneasy alliance with Wayne Morris - they both have eyes for Kay Buckley - as they are ordered to work together on the investigation. Not bad.
STRAW MAN (53) - Lana Morris stands to gain by her husband's conviction for murder and execution. Insurance investigator Clifford Evans is on the case. Halfway thru we learn the true identity of the killer and this little British mystery takes a turn into film noir territory with the killer's increasing panic setting the pace. Rather talky but for fans of the proper English approach, this will do.
THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN SPIDER (60) - The chanteuse of the Green Spider nightclub is murdered and the various suspects go thru the motions. Set almost entirely in the nightclub, this murder mystery puts more emphasis on ersatz musical numbers than homicidal activities. Adrian Hoven stars as the journalist who appears to have nothing to do other than hang out at the GS. The stage shows are almost indescribable except to say that this was clearly never meant for export, yet here we are. A silly yet somehow fascinating slice of West Berlin life with a Gert Wilden soundtrack.
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Angel Rivera Enjoyed:
"COOGAN'S BLUFF" (1968) When I first saw this movie in theaters, when it was first released, I thought it was the best action film I had ever seen. When it was released to TV. all the best parts had been censored out. I caught the film when it played on TCM with all the removed scenes put back in. It was the film I saw in theaters. The film follows Clint Eastwood as an Arizona deputy sheriff assigned to escort a prisoner being extradited from NYC to Arizona to stand trial for murder. There is a running joke in the film as everyone keeps asking Coogan if he is from Texas or calling him Tex, which causes him to continually correct everyone.. The film was also the inspiration for the "McCloud" TV series which starred Dennis Weaver as a New Mexico lawman on loan to the City of New York. Eastwood's love interest is Susan Clark, probably best known for her role as Webster's adopted mother on the sitcom, "Webster". Also in the cast are:Don Stroud as Coogan's prisoner; Lee J. Cobb as a veteran NYC police Lieutenant, and Tisha Sterling as Stroud's girl friend. the film is considered a link between Eastwood's Man with No Name character and Dirty Harry. (A play on words "Coogan's Bluff" is also a promontory in Upper Manhattan, New York City.)
"BABYLON 5: Season 2, Episode 10 --"GROPOS" (1995) On the "Big Bang Theory" Sheldon hated this series. For me it was better than some of the later "Star Trek" series. One of the episodes that left an impression on me was this one. "Gropos" is short for ground pounders, a nickname given to the Infantry. ["Babylon 5" is a space station, similar in scope to "Deep Space Nine". Both premiered in 1993, "Deep Space Nine" lasting a year longer than "Babylon 5" on the air in its initial run.] In this episode, the station is requisitioned by EarthForce (An entity similar to "Star Trek's Star Fleet Command", yet different.) to house 25,000 Infantry troops secretly to be used as a surprise attack force in a conflict that involves the planets near the boundaries of the space station. In this, the "space grunts" quarter with Babylon 5 personnel. The leader of the forces is the father of the station's chief medical officer. It is one of the best anti-war themed episodes of a program, I have ever seen on TV. In these troops, women are also combatants. In one scene the female soldiers get to show off their stuff. Many important themes are brought up, especially about soldiers about to face battle. A memorable episode.
Mildly enjoyed:
"SOME GIRLS DO" (1969) The sequel to "Deadlier Than the Male" (1967) featuring Richard Johnson, the one time choice to play James Bond playing a version of Bond in this revamp of the adventurer "Bulldog Drummond;' here known as Hugh Drummond, This one is a paint by the numbers James Bond clone. Drummond must foil the plans of a criminal genius who has a bevy of beautiful women at his disposal to fight for him. The loveliest of which is lead female costar, Daliah Lavi , probably best known for her roles in the Matt Helm film "The Silencers" (1966) and the first big screen adaptation of "Casino Royale" (1967). Johnson as Drummond shows just why the producers of the Bond films wanted him. He plays Drummond with all the requisite characteristics of a super spy. The best part of the film is the bevy of beauties who turn out to be robots. Drummond triumphs with the help of some eccentric characters and the film reaches its end in a style similar to a Bond film. Don't know how well this one did at the box office, but Johnson did no others.
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Bertrand van Wonterghem Enjoyed:
Outlaw posse (2023, Mario Van Peebles)
Goe-ji-maen-syon / Ghost mansion (2021, Jo Ba-reun)
Naean-ui geunom / The man inside me (2019, Kang Hyo-jin)
La mujer murcielago / The batwoman (1967, René Cardona)
Extraordinary – season 2 (2023) (8 epis)
Onueldo sarangseureobgae / A good day to be a dog (2023, Kim Dae-woong) (tv serie) episodes 5 to 9
Mildly enjoyed:
Don't open the door / Don't hang up (1974, S.F. Brownrigg)
Les dieux s'amusent (1935, Reinhold Schünzel)
Did not enjoy:
3 body problem – season 1 – episodes 3 to 8
Il est charmant (1931, Louis Mercanton)
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