To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.
Brain Teasers:
Which Spanish actor was a soccer player in Mexico and a singer before he became an actor?
No one answered this question.
Which Spanish actor decided that he would not work for director Sergio Corbucci again because he felt the Italian wasn't as serious as Sergio Leone?
No one answered this question.
Which Spanish actor was told by Sergio Leone that he would play Tuco if Eli Wallach turned down the role?
No one answered this question.
And now for some new brain teasers:
By what name is actress Loredana Cappelletti better known?
Which Italian actress won the 1959 Miss Trieste beauty contest?
Which Italian actress co-starred with Richard Harrison, Carl Mohner, Franco Nero, Gianni Garko and John Ireland?
Name the movies from which these images came.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
Angel Rivera, George Grimes and Charles Gilbert identified last week's frame grab of Kirk Morris and Luciana Gilli in IL CONQUISTATORE DI ATLANTIDE, aka THE CONQUEROR OF ATLANTIS.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
George Grimes identified last week's photo of Lou Castel and Lisa Gastoni in GRAZIE ZIA, aka THANK YOU, AUNT, aka COME PLAY WITH ME.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
George Grimes identified last week's photo of Angela Mao, Carter Wong and Sammo Hung in HAPKIDO, aka LADY KUNG FU.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
**********************************************************************
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:
EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS (1983) - Having started his feature film directing career with THE LORDS OF FLATBUSH, Martin Davidson was looking for a project about rock and roll music. He found EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS by P.F. Kluge which provided the inspiration for a CITIZEN KANE like tale of a rock musician and the mystery of what happened to the recording tapes for his last album. Arlene Davidson co-wrote the screenplay and served as an associate producer, but remains a mystery as to her relationship with Martin, who was married to residential designer Sandy Davidson. I had been avoiding this film for over 20 years, but was pleasantly surprised when I finally watched it. Tom Berenger gave a compelling performance as a man who thought that he had left his time in the music business behind him, but after reporter Ellen Barkin came asking questions about the old days, found himself seeking out his old band mates and trying to solve the mystery of what happened to the final album. Joe Pantoliano gave his usual manic performance as the band's old business manager. The real failing of this movie is that the band supposedly had a hit record in 1963, but none of the music played by the band in the flashbacks sounds anything like the kind of music which was popular right before The Beatles conquered the world. Davidson hired John Cafferty and the Beaver Band to provide the music, and they sounded more like Bruce Springsteen than Jay and the Americans. This film was a flop when originally released in theaters, but began creating a cult after playing on HBO. This was so successful on HBO that a soundtrack ablum went quadruple platinum.
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. season 12 episode four "The Road We Took, Lizzy Caplan and Hasan Minhaj" (2026)
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. season 12 episode five "Love and Basketball, Brittney Griner and Chris Paul" (2026)
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. season 12 episode six "Westward Bound, Sara Haines and Tracy Letts" (2026) - It is always fun to see guests hoping to not find slave owners in their family trees. It is even more fun when African-American guests find out that their Black ancestors had slaves.
Midsomer Murders "The Devil's Work" season 24, episode 1 (2023)
THE NUTCRACKER (1993) - Around Christmas 1989, Steve Ross of Time Warner Entertainment thought it might be a good idea to make a movie of the seasonal hit ballet of THE NUTCRACKER by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. George Balanchine's staging was being produced by Peter Martin at the New York City Ballet, so a collaboration between Warner Bros. and the New York City Ballet seemed like a good idea. To make the movie, former Broadway director Emile Ardolino, who had just had a big hit with his first feature film DIRTY DANCING, was hired, and HOME ALONE star Macaulay Culkin was brought in for some "star power". Unfortunately, the production was plagued by bad press because of demands made by Culkin's father, Kit, so that when the film came out, audiences stayed away and critics were not impressed. Ballet on film seemed more like something you'd watch on Public Broadcasting, not in a movie theater, and I'm not a devote of ballet. Fortunately, or unfortunately, director Ardolino died four days before the film came and out flopped. In any case, Jessica Lynn Cohen was radiant as the little girl who was summoned to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Unfortunately, she was paired with Macaulay Culkin, who looked quite flat footed surrounded by accomplished ballet dancers. There was no faulting of the sensational music by Tchaikovsky.
Did not enjoy:
BIONIC NINJA (1986) - Does the IMDb know secrets, or are they too bored to check the credits on another ninja film grafted onto some unknown crime movie? They list this as an IFD production, when the film's credits state that this is from Filmark International. Their list of producers includes Joseph Lai, who used to be a partner in IFD. The print only lists Tomas Tang, who seems to have left IFD and continued their legacy on his own. The IMDb lists Godfrey Ho as the director, while the print says "A Tim Ashby Film". As a matter of fact, the final result looks just like one of those turkeys to which Richard Harrison was added as a ninja, but with the uncharaismatic Mike Abbott taking his place. The original movie seemed to be a cops chasing jewel thieves story. Here, the thieves also got their hands on a top secret roll of film. Abbott is the CIA agent, who is also a ninja, sent to Hong Kong to get back the film. His enemy is a ninja working for the Russians. None of this is interesting nor does it involve bionics. It is amazing that these flicks lasted as long as they did in VHS video stores.
BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 (1940) - There is no doubting the skills of Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, but weighing them down with the irritating script credited to Leon Gordon and George Oppenheimer, from a story by Jack McGowan and Dore Schary, is almost criminal. Astaire and George Murphy are a dancing team stuck in a poor club that also stages weddings. After Astaire is told that a bill collector is looking for Murphy, Astaire assumes producer Frank Morgan is the bill collector and says that he is Murphy. The next day, Murphy is offered a job by the producer's partner, Ian Hunter. Meanwhile Astaire adores star Eleanor Powell from afar, but can't complain when his partner gets cast in a show with her. Murphy hopes to romance Powell, and gets jealous when he sees her and Astaire becoming close. On opening night, Murphy is still recovering from the drunk he was the night before. Astaire can't whip him into shape for the opening number, so he performs the number which requires him to wear a mask. Powell knows that it is Astaire, but keeps quiet when Astaire is able to get Murphy in shape to do the rest of the show. Murphy is acclaimed a new star, but Powell lets him know that it was Astaire who deserved the accolades. The next night, Murphy shows up acting like he is drunk again. Powell rushes out to pull Astaire out of the poor club and on to the Broadway stage. When it is time for the curtain call, Murphy reveals that he only pretended to be drunk in order to force Astaire into the spotlight. Powell , Astaire and Murphy perform an encore together. There is a running gang in which Frank Morgan uses an Ermine fur coat to entice beautiful women to go out with him, only to tear it off when he leaves. Reportedly this was something that talent agent Doc Shurr would do in real life. Even though the film is filled with songs by Cole Porter, none of them were memorable to me. I understand that "Begin the Beguine" was popular in the mid 1930s, but it did nothing for me here.
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE (1987) - High School nerd Patrick Dempsey has a crush on Amanda Peterson, but she is part of the cool crowd and doesn't acknowledge his existence. Dempsey has saved $1,000 by mowing lawns in order to buy a telescope, which his younger brother Seth Green thinks is lame. At a party, Peterson wears her mother's suede outfit and gets wine spilled on it. Dempsey sees this and offers Peterson's his $1,000 to replace the outfit if Peterson will pretend to like him, which would get him into the cool crowd. Naturally, as Dempsey is accepted by the cool crowd, he has to join in humiliating his old nerd friends. He also finds that Peterson's girlfriends want him to cheat on Peterson with them. At a party, Peterson's boyfriend visits from college and explodes when people tell him that Peterson is dating Dempsey. Peterson loudly confesses to all that she only pretended to like Dempsey for $1,000, while the cool crowd followed her lead blindly. So, the last part of the movie is Dempsey trying to make up with his old nerd friends, but also finding the experience has given him the sense of self to stand up to the bullying jocks. Eventually, Peterson realizes that nice guy Dempsey is a better catch than her egotistical football boyfriend, and the two ride off into the sunset on his lawn mower. The screenplay credited to Michael Swerdlick is another comedy about high school society, which director Steve Rash fails to make funny. Amanda Peterson is appealing in the film, and it is a shame to find out that she died at the age of 43 due to an accidental drug overdose ten years after she retired from acting.
DEATHSTALKER II Duel of the Titans (1987) - I haven't seen DEATHSTALKER, but that's fine as the sequel has only the name in common with the first film. You know you have watched a film directed by Jim Wynorski when you find a slew of Italian Western names in the end credits: Arch Stanton, Douglas Mortimer, Leo Nichols, Red Sands and Dan Savio. This was the last of a series of films Roger Corman's New Horizon Picture Corp. had contracted with Aries Cinematografica Argentina, all low budget CONAN THE BARBARIAN copies. Monique Gabrielle was very appealing in this, though one had to wonder about all of these barbarian women with no body hair. This film was a spoof of this kind of movie, or had Wynorski was quoted as saying, an "anachronistic comedy of sorts". While very tongue in cheek, it wasn't made to cater to my sense of humor.
SCHOOL SPIRIT (1985) - It seems that after appearing on 4 TV shows from 1983 until 1984, Elizabeth Foxx hoped this feature film would lead to bigger things. It didn't so she seems to have left the business. She was a very attractive blond who looked great in her nude scenes, but it would seem that the competition for roles in low budget teen sex comedies was too stressful for her to put up with the effort anymore. Tom Nolan figures that he's got Foxx right where he wants her, but she insists on his using "protection". He rushes off to buy a condom and ends being killed in an auto accident. In the hospital, his spirit is greeted by the ghost of his Uncle John Finnegan, who is supposed to guide him to the afterlife, but Nolan convinces him to get a one day reprieve to try and score with Foxx. Unfortunately, Fox is more concerned with what she needs to do to get her scholarship. Luckily, he meets Daniele Arnaud who is interested in having sex with him. Arnaud is most remembered as the "girl" in four ZZ Top videos, and she too seems to have decided to leave the business after SCHOOL SPIRIT. The very attractive Toni Hudson is someone who is still active in the business, though she's gone through three divorces and has three children. Larry Linville, best remembered for TVs M*A*S*H, appears as a faculty guy. This is the first of three screenplays credited by Geoffrey Baere that were produced, and the last credit for director Alan Holleb, who had previously worked for Roger Corman.
TREASURE OF THE LOST DESERT (1984) - Reportedly Iranian director Tony Zarindast made CONQUERORS OF THE DESERT in 1971, but couldn't sell it in Europe without a name better known than star Reza Beyk Imanverdi. So, a prologue was made featuring Gordon Mitchell. After nine minutes of Mitchell walking about, being followed by a suspicious young blond man, and two people telling him "bang, bang, you're a dead man", Mitchell finally gets home and has a drink. The drink is poisoned and he dies. Interestingly, Mitchell can be heard speaking with his real voice in these scenes. Filmed in Yemen in 1971, this was obviously made before the Islamic Republic of Iran was created as there was a scene an aborted rape scene featuring female nudity. One can't help but wonder if the original film was as confusing as the new version with many scenes going by without any explanation as to what we're seeing. The English language version only identifies that the story takes place in the Middle East. There is no identification of the country or of the nationalities of the people involved. Behind the name Bruce Miller, Reza Beyk Imanverdi plays a Captain sent on a mission to retrieve some valuable artifacts found by an archeologist but stolen by a rebel called Eagle. The area where Eagle can be found is the Captain's home town. After some pointless scenes of training his hand-picked unit, the Captain heads out and, of course, survives an ambush by Eagle's red shirted men. Getting near his old home, the Captain starts to have flashbacks about the woman he left behnd. The woman, played by Vejesta behind the name Susan West, is now married to the Captain's old best friend, played by writer/producer/director Tony Zarindast. It seems obvious to the viewer that Zarindast is also Eagle, but it isn't until the film's conclusion that the Captain realizes it. The moviemakers seem to have been quite impressed that they were able to use military vehicles, because there are endless shots of them traveling all over the scenery, often with no explanation where they are going. One of the Captain's men comes up with the idea of having himself and another soldier pretend to be prisoners to win the confidence of two of Eagle's men already locked up. It turns out that the two who are locked up are the only ones who know where the treasure has been hidden. The Captain agrees to the plan that his two men and the two prisoners should escape in order for them to uncover the treasure. So, suspecting a double cross, Eagle and his men set out to find the fleeing prisoners, while the Captain sets our after them as well. Who will catch the treasure seekers, or will they end up killing each other themselved? Spoiler alert: Zarindast gives himself a very long and protracted death scene, including flashbacks as to why he doesn't kill the Captain afterall.
******************************************************************
David Deal Enjoyed:
THE MISSIONARY (82) - Ages since I'd seen this Michael Palin classic and I still found it amusing and agreeable.
HELLBENT FOR LEATHER (60)
REFLECTION IN A DEAD DIAMOND (25) - The past of secret agent Fabio Testi catches up with him. And how. From the folks that brought us the impressive Amer (09), this continues their devil-may-care artistry in creating a fantasy and deconstructing it at the same time. The subverting of the viewer's expectations is at once frustrating and liberating.
THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES (07) - This never fails to impress me. It's top notch in all departments: Brad and Casey are terrific, great approach, photography, music, you name it. First rate.
LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART IN THE LAND OF DEMONS (74)
TERRIFYING GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL: LYNCH LAW CLASSROOM (73) - A young delinquent, The Boss with the Cross, infiltrates a high school looking for answers to her friend's disappearance. What she finds is corruption and debauchery at the highest levels. Her revenge is sweet. Over-the-top Japanese sexploitation number that will please those with the appetite for such things.
ISLAND OF TERROR (66)
THROUGH THE EYES OF YUGA (15) - An interesting made-for-television documentary on the concert pianist Yuga Wang, that focuses on the nomadic existence of an artist on tour. Ms. Wang's genius is on full display here but this is not designed to get beneath of the skin of its subject. A rewarding watch nonetheless.
A QUIET PLACE TO KILL (70)
Mildly Enjoyed:
BLUE MOON (25)
THE GRAVE ROBBERS (89) - A small band of grave robbers discover a tomb filled with jewels. They promptly take all they can get their hands on, including an axe pulled from the chest of a cadaver. This, of course, unleashes pure evil and the body count begins. This Mexican slaughter-fest pulls no punches and the gore effects are right up front.
Did not enjoy:
SEX & DRUGS & ROCK & ROLL (10) - Andy Serkis inhabits punk icon Ian Dury in this biopic I found as unpleasant as its subject.
****************************************************************
Angel Rivera Highly enjoyed:
"MATCH POINT" (2005)
Woody Allen's well-done film about a retired married tennis pro who has an affair and has to find the ultimate solution to get rid of the mistress when she becomes pregnant and he can't won't leave his wife for her after she refuses to get an abortion and wants him "to do the right thing" by her. Stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the tennis pro, Scarlett Johansson as the mistress. Luck plays a big role when he decides he has to get rid of her. A well made thriller.
"RED SUN (1971/2)
As a fan of the films of Akira Kurosawa, I was well aware of Toshiro Mifune. Here he is a samurai tasked by his master, the ambassador from Japan to avenge a slain samurai and retrieve a stolen golden samurai sword meant as a gift for the US president. He has to team up with the murdering thief's former partner played by Charles Bronson to complete his mission. The murdering thief is played by Alain Delon. Bronson is reluctant to help Mifune because he needs his former partner (who left him for dead), alive so he can get the location of the hidden loot before Mifune kills him. As a means of locating Delon, the two get the reluctant aid of Delon's woman played by Ursula Andress. Also in the cast as a love interest for Bronson is Capucine. Of course Mifune was one of the stars of the classic film, "Seven Samurai" (1954) and Bronson of course was one of the stars of the American remake of "Seven Samurai"; "The Magnificent Seven" (1960)! I saw this film when it first played in theaters under the slogan, the first "East meets West" western.and it was directed by veteran action director, Terence Young responsible for three James Bond films including "Dr. No" (1962), "From Russia With Love" (1963) and "Thunderball" (1965). Well made action film with loads of action fun.
Enjoyed:
Woody Allen's well-done film about a retired married tennis pro who has an affair and has to find the ultimate solution to get rid of the mistress when she becomes pregnant and he can't won't leave his wife for her after she refuses to get an abortion and wants him "to do the right thing" by her. Stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the tennis pro, Scarlett Johansson as the mistress. Luck plays a big role when he decides he has to get rid of her. A well made thriller.
"RED SUN (1971/2)
As a fan of the films of Akira Kurosawa, I was well aware of Toshiro Mifune. Here he is a samurai tasked by his master, the ambassador from Japan to avenge a slain samurai and retrieve a stolen golden samurai sword meant as a gift for the US president. He has to team up with the murdering thief's former partner played by Charles Bronson to complete his mission. The murdering thief is played by Alain Delon. Bronson is reluctant to help Mifune because he needs his former partner (who left him for dead), alive so he can get the location of the hidden loot before Mifune kills him. As a means of locating Delon, the two get the reluctant aid of Delon's woman played by Ursula Andress. Also in the cast as a love interest for Bronson is Capucine. Of course Mifune was one of the stars of the classic film, "Seven Samurai" (1954) and Bronson of course was one of the stars of the American remake of "Seven Samurai"; "The Magnificent Seven" (1960)! I saw this film when it first played in theaters under the slogan, the first "East meets West" western.and it was directed by veteran action director, Terence Young responsible for three James Bond films including "Dr. No" (1962), "From Russia With Love" (1963) and "Thunderball" (1965). Well made action film with loads of action fun.
Enjoyed:
"GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT" (2009)
An animated film featuring the origin of Green Lantern/ Hal Jordan here voiced by "Law and Order:SVU" star Christopher Meloni as he battles his main nemesis, the renegade Green Lantern, Sinestro, here voiced by Victor Garber of "Titanic"(1997) and "Legends of Tomorrow" (2016-2922) fame. Much better than the disappointing live action "Green Lantern" film of 2011. For long times of DC there will be somethings in this film that are familiar, but will slightly changed from what one remembers. Still a fun film for fans of DC superhero adventures.
'SUPER BOWL LX HALFTIME SHOW (2026)
Controversial because the performer, Puerto Rican music star, known as Bad Bunny did his act in mostly Spanish and he is a very vocal critic of the president's immigration enforcement tactics. Still Bad Bunny is the most streamed artist on Spotify and popular all over the world.He is the first artist to win the Grammy for album of the year that was an all Spanish Language album. His music is more for those who enjoy the Latin based music His show was largely a salute to the culture of Hispanic Americans as he showed that "Americans" encompass the entire Western Hemisphere. His guest artists who performed at his show were the ever popular Lady Gaga and another popular American artist of Puerto Rican heritage, Ricky Martin whose big pop hit was "Living La Vida Loca" back in 1999. Since I am a fan of the "Latin" based music and because mainly racist people were against his performing, I watched the show, even though I am not a football fan. (Just so you know I understand Spanish, but only after having taken eight years of courses in the New York City school system. But I still had some trouble getting all that he sang, but I give the beat and performances a thumbs up.) Bad Bunny's main theme at his show was, in these troubled times; that "The only thing stronger than hate is Love!"
"HELLS ANGELS ON WHEELS" (1967)
I first saw this back in 1967 when "biker" films were very popular along with "Elvis" movies; "Jerry Lewis" movies and "Godzilla" movies. It also was an interesting sight for this then 11 year old who on the throws of puberty was noticing all the scantily clad females on the screen. The film stars (an actor I didn't know at the time) Jack Nicholson is a "recruit" for the Hells Angel Biker club. He joins them in their "rollicking" ways. Though at one point he challenges the "leader of the pack" played by Adam Roarke (whom Star Trek fans will recognize as a member of the crew in the original Star Trek pilot episode) as Nicholson vies for the affections of Sabrina Scharf, who some will remember for her role in "Easy Rider" (1969). Ms. Scharf's meandering back and forth between the two male leads in her affections causes the tension between the two which causes a tragic ending.
An animated film featuring the origin of Green Lantern/ Hal Jordan here voiced by "Law and Order:SVU" star Christopher Meloni as he battles his main nemesis, the renegade Green Lantern, Sinestro, here voiced by Victor Garber of "Titanic"(1997) and "Legends of Tomorrow" (2016-2922) fame. Much better than the disappointing live action "Green Lantern" film of 2011. For long times of DC there will be somethings in this film that are familiar, but will slightly changed from what one remembers. Still a fun film for fans of DC superhero adventures.
'SUPER BOWL LX HALFTIME SHOW (2026)
Controversial because the performer, Puerto Rican music star, known as Bad Bunny did his act in mostly Spanish and he is a very vocal critic of the president's immigration enforcement tactics. Still Bad Bunny is the most streamed artist on Spotify and popular all over the world.He is the first artist to win the Grammy for album of the year that was an all Spanish Language album. His music is more for those who enjoy the Latin based music His show was largely a salute to the culture of Hispanic Americans as he showed that "Americans" encompass the entire Western Hemisphere. His guest artists who performed at his show were the ever popular Lady Gaga and another popular American artist of Puerto Rican heritage, Ricky Martin whose big pop hit was "Living La Vida Loca" back in 1999. Since I am a fan of the "Latin" based music and because mainly racist people were against his performing, I watched the show, even though I am not a football fan. (Just so you know I understand Spanish, but only after having taken eight years of courses in the New York City school system. But I still had some trouble getting all that he sang, but I give the beat and performances a thumbs up.) Bad Bunny's main theme at his show was, in these troubled times; that "The only thing stronger than hate is Love!"
"HELLS ANGELS ON WHEELS" (1967)
I first saw this back in 1967 when "biker" films were very popular along with "Elvis" movies; "Jerry Lewis" movies and "Godzilla" movies. It also was an interesting sight for this then 11 year old who on the throws of puberty was noticing all the scantily clad females on the screen. The film stars (an actor I didn't know at the time) Jack Nicholson is a "recruit" for the Hells Angel Biker club. He joins them in their "rollicking" ways. Though at one point he challenges the "leader of the pack" played by Adam Roarke (whom Star Trek fans will recognize as a member of the crew in the original Star Trek pilot episode) as Nicholson vies for the affections of Sabrina Scharf, who some will remember for her role in "Easy Rider" (1969). Ms. Scharf's meandering back and forth between the two male leads in her affections causes the tension between the two which causes a tragic ending.
**************************************************
Charles Gilbert watched:
THE WILD, WILD WEST The abominable movie version with Will Smith was featured on Grit-tv Friday evening February 6 in a "Weird Westerns" trilogy with WESTWORLD and THE VALLEY OF GWANGI. I didn't stay up for the other two, and had seen GWANGI rather recently on Svengoolie.
ARIZONA COLT RETURNS (1965) Opening song "i guess I gotta get my gun...I guess I gotta shoot someone." Anthony Steffen sets out to rescue partner Roberto Camardiel taken prisoner by Aldo Sombrell and his gold-thieving gang.
THE FASTEST GUITAR ALIVE (1967) A travelling wagon medicine show selling magic elixir is cover for Confederate agents to rob a Northern bank of its gold. Roy Orbison's only stab at acting is a western comedy where he plays a guitar rigged with a rifle barrel, gets to sing, and appear in disguises; F troop on the big screen.Originally this cinematic farce was intended to be serious. It panned so badly at the box office that the other four films in his contract were cancelled. The talents of Lyle Bettger, Ben Cooper, and John Doucette were wasted.
THE HITCH-HIKER (1953) B&W. Ida Lupino directed this noir about a gunman (William Talman) abducting two men at constant gunpoint for days as they slip the law and head into Mexico from California. Anticlimactic ending as no one is killed. Frank Lovejoy and Edmond O'brien.
****************************************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment