Week of March 14 - 20, 2020

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

Brain Teasers:

How is Ed Fury and Reg Lewis related to Steve Reeves' co-star Richard Sabre?

No one has answered this question yet.

With which film producer did Robert Woods begin his Western career?

No one has answered this question yet.

Which actor was born in Spain in 1917 and died at the age of 68?

No one has answered this question yet.

Which Italian went from editing Italian Westerns to directing Italian Westerns?

No one has answered this question yet.

Can you name an Italian actress whose only Western was one shot in Spain by an American company?

No one has answered this question yet.

And now for some new brain teasers:

By what name is Frank Grafield better known?

By what name is Fernand Lion better known?

By what name is Richard Sabre better known?

Name the movies from which these images came.

George Grimes identified last week's photo of George Rigaud getting slugged by Roberto Camardiel in 7 DONNE PER I MACGREGOR, aka UP THE MACGREGORS!.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

No one has identified the above photo yet.

Can you name from what movie it came? 

George Grimes identified last week's frame grab of Michele Mercier in LE PRIGIONIERE DELL'ISOLA DEL DIAVOLO, aka THE WOMEN PRISONERS OF DEVIL'S ISLAND.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

George Grimes identified last week's frame grab from director Hiroshi Inagaki's CHUSHINGURA, aka 47 RONIN, of 1962.

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:

Highly enjoyed:

The Big Bang Theory series finale (2019)

Enjoyed:

Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 (2012) - The version being shown on MGM-HD doesn't have the titles identifying the people talking.

Mildly enjoyed:

1917 (2019)

THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE (2017)

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS (2001) - This is like a remake of POINT BREAK with a street racing background and less violence.

2 FAST 2 FURIOUS (2003) - This is very silly.

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT (2006) - This is even more silly. Why is Chiba billed as "J.J. Sonny Chiba"?

FAST & FURIOUS (2009) - I didn't know that Gal Godot was in this.

FAST 5 (2011) - Now this is stupid.

FAST & FURIOUS 6 (2013) - If you thought 5 was stupid this installment gives stupid a new meaning.

FURIOUS 7 (2015)

THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS (2017) - Has shooting in Cuba become trendy?

I MONSTER (1971)

HOTEL TERMINUS: KLAUS BARBIE, SA VIE ET SON TEMPS, aka HOTEL TERMINUS: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF KLAUS BARBIE (1988) - This is a fascinating subject and film, but, like LE CHAGRIN ET LA PITIE, aka THE SORROW AND THE PITY, the length is punishing.

Did not enjoy:

A VIOLENT MAN (2017)

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION (2014) - Having hated every other film I've seen directed by Michael Bay my reaction to this was predictable and my viewing experience was painful.

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT (2017) - The first  hour of this one was surprisingly watchable and Laura Haddock was easily the best female lead in the series. Unfortunately, the film soon returns to formula. And has Cuba become a trendy location?

WHITE WITCH DOCTOR (1953)

XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE (2017) - One fun Avengers joke doesn't make up for the rest of the movie.

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David Deal enjoyed:

ZZ TOP: THAT LITTLE OL' BAND FROM TEXAS (19)

YPOTRON (68) - See the Eurospy Guide book for a full review.

THE FALCON TAKES OVER (42)

THE BLACK BOX AFFAIR (66) - See the Eurospy Guide book for a full review.

THE SKULL (65)

Mildly enjoyed:

FURY OF ACHILLES (62) - Achilles (Gordon Mitchell) doesn't get along with Agamemnon, and Troy, in the person of Hector (Jacques Bergerac) seeks to take advantage.  This sword and sandal epic of high order from journeyman Marino Girolami is surely Mitchell's finest peplum hour.  The version streaming on Amazon is 115 minutes and windowboxed to 1.85:1 but doesn't suffer too much.

SCANDALOUS (19) - Documentary on the National Enquirer.

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Charles Gilbert watched:

THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED (1955) B&W. Richard Denning, Paul Birch, and daughter Lori Nelson have provisions for themselves only, after a nuclear blast, when wandering ne'er-do-well intruders Mike Connors and Adele Jergens demand shelter. Lecherous Touch makes a play for the new girly right away. Meanwhile horned mutants roam the woods. Monster effects courtesy of Paul Blaisdell for moviemaker Roger Corman.

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (1962) Howard Keel, Janette Scott, and Kieron Moore are some of the few left in England with eyesight after a meteorite strikes the Earth, blinding the masses and rendering a nondescript triffid plant menace. Add to that a collapse of social infrastructure. Cheesy sfx.

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Week of March 7 - 13, 2020

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

Brain Teasers:

Which Italian actor born in 1932 was not only often credited as the stunt arranger on films in which he appeared, but was also sometimes the director?

Rick Garibaldi knew that it was Alfio Caltabiano.

How is Ed Fury and Reg Lewis related to Steve Reeves' co-star Richard Sabre?

No one has answered this question yet.

With which film producer did Robert Woods begin his Western career?

No one has answered this question yet.

Which Hong Kong film director first met Richard Harrison as a driver employed by the Shaw Brothers studio?

George Grimes knew that it was Godfrey Ho.

And now for some new brain teasers:

Which actor was born in Spain in 1917 and died at the age of 68?

Which Italian went from editing Italian Westerns to directing Italian Westerns?

Can you name an Italian actress whose only Western was one shot in Spain by an American company?

Name the movies from which these images came.

Rick Garibaldi identified last week's photo of Conrado San Martin in ALL'OMBRA DI UNA COLT, aka IN A COLT'S SHADOW.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

Charles Gilbert identified last week's frame grab of Piero Lulli in ROMOLO E REMO, aka DUEL OF THE TITANS.

Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came? 

George Grimes identified last week's frame grab of Alida Valli and Farley Granger in SENSO.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

John  Black and George Grimes identified last week's photo from SAMURAI III: DUEL AT GANRYU ISLAND.

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:

IL RITORNO DI RINGO, aka THE RETURN OF RINGO (1965) - This is the first time I watched this with English subtitles. The copy available on Prime Video is gorgeous.

Opry Video Classics "Queens of Country" (2008)

XXX (2002) - This is certainly silly, but it is also fun. Samuel L. Jackson's participation makes this seem like a prequel to his performance as Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Mildly enjoyed:

XXX: STATE OF THE UNION (2005) - If you're going to do an ersatz James Bond movie, why not get the guy who directed a James Bond movie?

Unsung "Dru Hill" (2020)

Unsung "Roxanne Shante" (2020)

WIDOWS (2018)

YOUR NAME (2016)

Did not enjoy:

WHAT MEN WANT (2019)

Zaion ~ I Wish You Were Here ~ (2001)

WOLF CREEK (2004)

US (2019)

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (2013) - Jean-Claude Van Damme generates a few snickers in this.

WELCOME TO MARWEN (2018)

SKINNED DEEP (2003)

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David Deal enjoyed:

IL SORPASSO (62)

PASSPORT FOR A CORPSE (62)

LAKE OF DRACULA (71) - A woman reaches to her past to understand a vampire threat.  I liked this contemporary Gothic Japanese horror; it has Hammer style to burn, nice photography, and a true sense of dream-like atmosphere.  The version streaming on Amazon is a beauty.  Recommended.

OUTPOST EARTH (18) - A small resistance group holds out against alien invaders on a post-apocalyptic earth.  Enjoyed this recent Brett Piper opus.  It's an impressive mix of stop-motion animation, mattes, miniatures, and complimentary CGI.  The women are strong and better actors than the men, as usual.

AD ASTRA (19)

BLACK MOON (34)

QUEEN OF BLOOD (66)

ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES (44)

LOST IN TRANSLATION (03)

DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS (64)

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Charles Gilbert watched:

One On One interview with David Suchet. The British actor talks about his role as Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and the many dark characters he has played. I favor his role as the Islamic terrorist in EXECUTIVE DECISION.

TERROR OF THE TONGS (1961) Hammer Production with mostly British actors in Oriental makeup. Could have been a good martial arts flick ten years later. Milton Reid appears as a henchman for Christopher Lee. Viewing is distinctly enhanced by James Bernard score.

MONOLITH MONSTERS (1957) B&W. Tepid scifi with Grant Williams and Lola Albright.

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Week of February 29 - March 6, 2020

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

Brain Teasers:

Which Italian actor born in 1932 was not only often credited as the stunt arranger on films in which he appeared, but was also sometimes the director?

No one has answered this question yet.

Which Italian actor in both Sword & Sandal flicks and Westerns died on August 21, 2016 at the age of 76?

George Grimes knew that it was Mario Novelli.

What ancient historical figure was played by Alan Steel and Christopher Plummer?

George Grimes and Charles Gilbert knew that it was Commodus.

And now for some new brain teasers:

How is Ed Fury and Reg Lewis related to Steve Reeves' co-star Richard Sabre?

With which film producer did Robert Woods begin his Western career?

Which Hong Kong film director first met Richard Harrison as a driver employed by the Shaw Brothers studio?

Name the movies from which these images came.

George Grimes and Rick Garibaldi identified last week's photo from DOS HOMBRES VAN A MORIR, aka RINGO THE LONE RIDER.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

No one has identified the above frame grab yet.
Can you name from what movie it came? 

George Grimes identified last week's frame grab from L'OCCHIO SELVAGGIO, aka THE WILD EYE.

Above is a new photo.

Can you name from what movie it came?

George Grimes identified last week's photo from THE DELIGHTFUL FOREST.

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:

SID & JUDY (2019)

THE BALLAD OF RAMBLIN' JACK (2000)

Mildly enjoyed:

JAY & SILENT BOB REBOOT (2019)

JUDY (2019)

THE BRAIN EATERS (1958) 

Did not enjoy:

MA (2019) - At least this movie introduced me to Diana Silvers.

BOOKSMART (2019) - At least this movie reminded me of Diana Silvers.

WHEN A MAN RIDES ALONE (1933) - Tom Tyler played the Llano Kid, who rode up behind the stagecoach, transfered from his horse to the back of the stage, and then climbed up top inorder to pull a gun on the driver and the guard. "Throw off the gold shipment from the Cottonwood Mine." The Kid leaves the stage by jumping onto a low branch of a tree the coach speeds under, and then whistles to his horse to stand under the tree and he jumped into the saddle. Like Robin Hood, the Kid gave the gold to those who were swindled by the Cottonwood Mine operation - with a receipt! Even though the sheriff is out to catch the robber, he felt that the owner of Cottonwood, Slade, was getting what he deserved. 

THE BONNIE PARKER STORY (1958)

EL CHICANO (2018) - Who requested a Mexican-American Batman who kills with an Aztec blade?

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David Deal enjoyed:

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (19)

BRIDES OF DRACULA (60)

Mildly enjoyed:

BLUEPRINT FOR A MASSACRE (67) - See The Eurospy Guide book for detailed review.

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Charles Gilbert watched:

THE MUMMY'S CURSE (1944) B&W. Referenced in Leave It to Beaver S02E18 'The Garage Painters'.  After reading Mark Twain's 'Tom Sawyer', Beaver states that the "dead cat in the cemetary Incident was better that THE MUMMY'S CURSE".

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