Thursday, February 29, 2024

Podcast 'Unsolved Mysteries' episode 'Lost in the Ashes'

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES podcast. I am re-listening to episodes of murders that remain unsolved. The segment called, "Lost in the Ashes" has no answers to an Arson.

An elderly couple was found dead after a house fire. Their two grandchildren were assumed to be dead too inside the home. Fire investigators discovered that the remains of those kids were not found in the ashes. 

The grandparents didn't sleep in the same bed. Both were found together and dead in the basement. A few months before the fire. The couple changed their "Will" that left everything to those kids. That "Will" was inside the house safe, but it disappeared after the fire.

Fire investigators cannot tell if the couple died before or after the fire started. The crime of murder has not been ruled out. The missing kids turned into a kidnapping and investigators believe they were taken by someone they knew. 

The deaths of the couple remains a mystery and so does the kidnapping of their grandchildren. It has been ten years and this unsolved mystery remains open by police... Take a listen.

No TV preview from 'Dateline' for Friday Night Mystery

DATELINE on NBC. The network does not have any TV Previews for the Friday Night episode. The NBC schedule has a title about the death of a firefighter...???

So... Check your local listings for day and time in the next 24 hours.

via GIPHY

Saturday Night '48 Hours' on March 2, 2024

48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m. 

CBS says, "The Menendez brothers were given life sentences for gunning down their own parents. Now they’re hoping new evidence could reopen the case. 48 Hours - contributor Natalie Morales reports."

Monday, February 26, 2024

Roscoe Pond 2nd Western E-Book 'Miss Kitty' a 'Gunsmoke' Prequel 1870

Hello everyone - "Miss Kitty" is an extension of my Movie Screenplay 2024. This is my 2nd Western E-Book over at Amazon. 

This is a prequel to "Gunsmoke" just before Matt Dillon comes to Dodge City, Kansas.

Kitty Russell is a half owner of the Long Branch saloon in 1870. A dance hall girl named Katherine Tyler has always wanted Kitty's life. She sets up a plan which frames Miss Kitty for the brutal murder of a gunman named Bob Larson.

Click Promo logo below for AMAZON.

By Roscoe Pond 2024.

Classic Movie Flashback 'The Natural' 1984 with Robert Redford

THE NATURAL distributed by TRI-STAR pictures (1984). Movie star Robert Redford was reaching middle age when he pulled off a miracle as the aging baseball rookie Roy Hobbs.

The production budget climbed to $28 million. It reached $48 million at the U.S. box office (Movie ticket price $3.36). Robert Redford was still a box office draw.

It is the 1910's. The story surrounds Roy Hobbs (Redford) who is an upcoming baseball player at 19 yrs. A female fan shoots him with a gun. She then commits suicide. The bullet remains inside of his stomach. After 20 years. Roy decides to get back into baseball at middle age. During a game. He hits a baseball so hard that the cover is knocked completely off. He becomes a sensation. As he grabs a winning streak. The bullet inside is going to kill him if he doesn't stop playing ball. Age isn't an issue anymore, but his life's choices are outside the game. He chooses baseball to do or die. 

"The Natural" grabbed 4 Oscar nominations including best actress in a supporting role (Glenn Close), Cinematography (Caleb Deschanel), Art Direction (Mel Bourne, Angelo P. Graham, Bruce Weintraub) and Music (Randy Newman). 

It would later go onto become a smash hit with VHS home rentals. Good Grief. My brothers rented this movie too many times.

Tri-Star Pictures 1984.

"The Natural" 1984. From left, Robert Redford, Richard Farnsworth and Wilfred Brimley.

Below is the original 1984 Movie Trailer.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

First Indigenous Woman 'Lily Gladstone' to win SAG Award as Best Actress

The SAG Awards (2024) were presented last night that streamed live on "Netflix." 

Lily Gladstone won the Best Actress award for the film "Killers of the Flower Moon." 

It is a first for a Native/Indigenous actress. Lily is also the first to be nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress.

SAG Awards 2024.

Classic '48 Hours' Podcast 'An Invisible Enemy' with Richard Schlesinger

CBS says, "Nearly five years after Todd Sommer's death, his wife Cynthia was convicted of murdering her Marine Sergeant husband with a lethal dose of arsenic. But ten months after her conviction, she was granted a new trial due to decisions the defense made that deprived her of a fair trial."

"Then questions arose about the validity of the lab tests. Would this be enough to exonerate her? 48 Hours - correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports. This classic episode last aired on 4/24/2010."

No TV Ratings for Saturday Night's '48 Hours'

48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "The People v. Kouri Richins" (2/24/2024). There are no TV ratings to report. 

Click the CBS logo for 48 HOURS.

CBS.

Top Box Office 'Bob Marley: One Love' Remains number #1 with $13 Million

TOP BOX  OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / Feb.25, 2024 / ESTIMATED

$13.5M - Bob Marley: One Love

$11.6M - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - To the Hashira Training

$6.5M - Ordinary Angels

$6.0M - Madame Web

$3.0M - Migration

via GIPHY

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Podcast 'Unsolved Mysteries' episode 'Condo Killings'

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES Podcast Episode "Condo Killings." I've been revisiting segments that are complete mysteries which remain unsolved. This episode is about a couple who are dedicated churchgoers. They seemed to have no enemies inside the church and outside the church.

The killer got into their Condo between 1 am and 4 am. The couple was bludgeoned to death and none of their neighbors heard anything. The killer climbed out the window from which they entered. They also left no finger prints or DNA evidence behind. The killer knew them and wanted to kill both. Plus, it was planned. 

There were no eye witnesses and no clear evidence identifying a suspect. Police believe it was a male who committed the murders. He entered the condo, left and disappeared into the night.

It's a mystery folks.... Take a listen. 

Saturday Night '48 Hours' with Natalie Morales on Feb. 24, 2024

48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The People v. Kouri Richins" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m. 

CBS says, "When her husband is found dead of an apparent overdose, Kouri Richins writes a children's book about grief. Soon after she’s charged with his murder. 48 Hours - contributor Natalie Morales reports."

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

New Reader Review 'The Gunshot Wound' E-Book 4-out-of-5 Stars!

"The Gunshot Wound" written by Roscoe Pond. New Reader Review 4-Out-Of-5 Stars

"Fast read - I wanted more! Good character development- you could see their faces!" MJ

E-Book Logo 2024.

Monday, February 19, 2024

Classic Movie Flashback 'Born on the Fourth of July' 1989 with Tom Cruise

BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY from UNIVERSAL pictures (1989). This is the second film in director Oliver Stone's Vietnam trilogy. First was "Platoon" (1986). Third was "Heaven & Earth" (1993). 

"July" was based on the autobiography written by Ron Kovic (1976). He also co-wrote the screenplay with Oliver Stone. 

The production budget climbed to $17 million and grossed $162 million at the worldwide box office. It went onto become the 9th highest grossing film around the planet (1989).

During the 1980's - Tom Cruise was the biggest movie star in the world. It was reported that he was discouraged by many not to take the lead role of Ron Kovic. They claimed that it would spell disaster for his career. Cruise wanted to work under the direction of Oliver Stone.

The story follows Ron Kovic who dreamed of serving in the military to represent the U.S. He went into the Vietnam War and was severely injured. He was also paralyzed from the waist down. Kovic came back from the War only to change his views and become an anti-War activist.

The film covered 20 years in the life of Kovic. Tom Cruise received rave reviews from critics and fans. He also nabbed his first Oscar nomination as Best Actor. It is considered his best performance and I agree. Tom embodied Ron Kovic.

"July" received 8 Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Oliver Stone won Best Director. David Brenner and Joe Hutshing won for Best Film Editing.

Throughout the 1980's. America was still dealing with the Vietnam War from the 1970's. Movie studios and television made a lot of stories about that War.

Movie poster from 1989. Universal Pictures.

Below is the original 1989 movie trailer.

Sunday, February 18, 2024

No TV Ratings for Saturday night '48 Hours'

48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "The Assassination of Jeff German" (2-17/2024).  There are no TV ratings to report at this time.

Click on the CBS logo below for 48 HOURS.

CBS.

Top Box Office 'Bob Marley: One Love' is number #1 with $27 Million

TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / FEB. 18, 2024 / ESTIMATED

$27.7M - Bob Marley: One Love

$15.2M - Madame Web

$4.7M - Argylle

$3.8M - Migration

$3.4M - The Chosen: S4 Episodes 4-6

via GIPHY

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Donald Trump ordered to pay $355 million over 'Fraud' in New York City

The "Wall Street Journal" money expert breaks down the Civil Fraud Case against Donald Trump. There is a $90 million interest cap on top of the $355 million. Interest will be added each day when money is not paid. Trump plans to appeal the verdict. 

(I was told that after 30 days. Trump has to pay full amount plus the interest. If he doesn't. Then, a money fee will be added each day).

Trump still has to pay $83 million in the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll. He is appealing that verdict. 

He was recently found guilty of sexual assault against Carroll back in the 1980's. $5 million was paid by him and that money will sit in court banks until all appeals by Trump are examined and/or exhausted.

No TV ratings for Friday's 'Dateline'

DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "The Perfect Life" (2-16-2024). There are no TV ratings to report.

Note: I watched this and "good grief" this guy was so aggravating. Even Andrea Canning was losing her patience with him during their contentious interviews. He made me sick to my stomach. He's ugly from the inside/out. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter because he would've lost in that second trial.

You have to Sign-Up to Sign-In to watch the latest episode. 

Click on NBC Logo below for DATELINE.

NBC TV screenshot.

Horror Trailer 'Stopmotion' in theaters on Feb. 23, 2024

International Trailer 'About Dry Grasses' in theaters on Feb. 23, 2024

International Trailer 'Golden Years' in theaters on Feb. 23, 2024

Trailer 'Ordinary Angels' in theaters on Feb. 23, 2024

Trailer 'Drugstore June' in theaters on Feb. 23, 2024

International Trailer 'Io Capitano' in theaters on Feb. 23, 2024

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Classic '48 Hours' Podcast 'Every Picture Tells a Story' with Richard Schlesinger

CBS - "On February 15, 2009, Cathy McNaughton was stabbed to death in her home in Sharpsburg, Georgia. Her husband, Alec, claimed he had served her breakfast in bed and then went to his mother's house, about an hour away. But cell phone records placed him just two miles away."

"Police discovered a secret file in Cathy's closet that included photographs of a bruised and battered Cathy. 48 Hours - correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports. This classic episode last aired on 8/31/2013."

Saturday Night '48 Hours' on Feb. 18, 2024 at 10/9 p.m.

48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The Assassination of Jeff German."

CBS says, "A Las Vegas journalist is stabbed to death while investigating claims a boss was toxic. Did his reporting make him a target? 48 Hours - correspondent Peter Van Sant reports."

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Classic Movie Flashback 'Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn' 1982 with William Shatner

STAR TREK 2: THE WRATH OF KAHN from PARAMOUNT pictures (1982). The production budget climbed to $12 million and grossed $97 million at the box office. It is a sequel to the "Star Trek" series episode called, "Space Seed" (1967). Fans consider this their favorite in the complete series. It is my mine too because of legendary movie star Ricardo Montalban. (1982 Movie Ticket Price $2.94).

The story arc begins with "Kahn" and it crosses into "Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock" (1984) and "Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home" (1986).  

It follows Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) who returns from exile in space and wants revenge against Captain Kirk (William Shatner).

The "Star Trek" TV Series (1966-69) aired on NBC. It earned a cult following in TV syndication which ran on independent TV channels across the U.S. That popularity spawned "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979). It received mixed reviews. The original TV creator Gene Rodenberry was forced out before the 2nd movie.

Six films starred the original cast of the TV series which ended in 1991.

The new cast began with "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1994). Three more films were made and ended in 2002. They were not as popular with the original cast.

A reboot spawned three movies starting with "Star Trek" (2009-2013-2016). The stories surround younger versions of the original TV characters. These productions became very popular.

1982 Lobby Cards for "Kahn."

1982 Publicity Photo of "Kahn" with the original TV cast.

1982 Ricardo Montalban as "Kahn." Out for revenge against Captain Kirk. 

Trailer 2 'Godzilla x Kong' in theaters on March 29, 2024

Sunday Night 'Dateline' with Keith Morrison on Feb. 17, 2024 at 10/9 p.m.

Explosive Friday Night 'Dateline' with Andrea Canning on Feb. 16, 2024 at 9/8 pm.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Podcast SAG-AFTRA 'Secrets to a Substantial Acting Career' 2024

2024 SAG Awards Voting Deadline is on Feb. 23.

VOTING DEADLINE: 

"All ballots, whether submitted online or by mail, must be RECEIVED by Integrity Voting Systems by Noon PT, on Friday, February 23."

Note: All paid up SAG-AFTRA members should have received their voting information by Email.

SAG-AFTRA logo.

2024 New Mexico SAG Awards Viewing Party Feb. 24

SAG/AFTRA MEMBERS... REGISTER & PAY ONLINE.

2024 New Mexico SAG Awards Viewing Party

Saturday, February 24, 5 to 8 p.m.

Fusion - 708 1st Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

"You are invited to the New Mexico Local live viewing party for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. It’s a fun evening, so we hope to see you there! Be sure to share your experience and excitement about the SAG Awards in the NM Local on social media using #sagawards."

Schedule:

  • 5 p.m. – Pre-show mixer (doors open at 4:30 p.m.)
  • 6 - 8 p.m. – Awards show viewing on Netflix
  • 8 p.m. – Guess-the-Winners Ballot Contest winners announced

Parking: Free on-site and street parking available.

Admission Price:

  • $25 for SAG-AFTRA Members
  • $50 for SAG-AFTRA Member + 1 guest

"Ticket Price Includes: Buffet dinner and dessert, non-alcoholic drinks, Guess-the-Winner Contest and additional door prizes. There will be a no-host bar, with cash or credit cards accepted."

"RSVP: Required by Friday, Feb. 16. Please review the information below. There is a two-step registration process. You must RSVP AND complete your payment online."

SAG-AFTRA Logo

WOW Trailer 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' in theaters May 10, 2024

Sunday, February 11, 2024

The '48 Hours' episode 'Justice for Amie Harwick' Hit 2.73 TV Ratings Overall

48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "Justice for Amie Harwick" (2/10/2024). In the overnight TV ratings. It grabbed 2.73 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 demographic.

Click the CBS logo below for 48 HOURS.

CBS

Top Box Office 'Argylle' remains number #1 with $6.5 Million

TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / FEB. 11, 2024 / ESTIMATED

$6.5M - Argylle

$3.8M - Lisa Frankenstein

$3.5M - The Beekeeper

$3.2M - The Chosen: S4 Episodes 

$3.1M - Wonka

via GIPHY

Saturday, February 10, 2024

The 'Dateline' episode 'Death at the Spa' Hit 2.54 TV Ratings Overall

DATELINE on NBC. Friday night's episode was called, "Death at the Spa" (2/9/2024). In the overnight TV ratings. It grabbed 2.54 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.

You have to Sign-Up to Sign-In to watch the latest episode.

Click the NBC logo below for DATELINE.

NBC

Trailer 'Bleeding Love' in theaters on Feb. 16, 2024

Trailer 'Altered Reality' in theaters on Feb. 16, 2024

Trailer 'Land of Bad' in theaters on Feb. 16, 2024

Trailer 'Adam the First' in theaters on Feb. 14, 2024

Trailer 'Madame Web' in theaters on Feb. 14, 2024

Trailer 'Bob Marley: One Love' in theaters on Feb. 14, 2024

Documentary Trailer 'Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive' in theaters on Feb. 13, 2024

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Classic Movie Flashback 'Places in the Heart' 1984 with Sally Field

PLACES IN THE HEART from TRI-STAR pictures (1984). This was one of three "Farm" movies that came out that year. The other two were "Country" and "The River." All films focused on the plight of the American farm. It reflected the times when "Farms" were losing money and being foreclosed to local banks.

"Places" was set in the 1930's during the great depression. Royce Spalding is the sheriff who is accidentally shot and killed. He leaves behind a wife, Edna (Sally Field) and their two kids. The bank is going to foreclose on the Spalding farm. Edna decides to fight to save it.

Sally Field gives a good performance as the determined Edna. She actually resorts to picking cotton to sell and raise money. She never picked cotton in her life. It nearly kills her physically and spiritually. Plus, that tornado is terrifying. 

"Places" was nominated for 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Sally won for Best Actress. Robert Benton won for Best Screenplay.

All three farm movies were considered modern "westerns." During the 1980's - Western films were considered "dead" with American movie audiences. They were still alive though. Hollywood studios created only teen, action, slasher and sequel movies. 

"Places in the Heart" is on DVD and Blu-Ray. Check it out. All three farm movies are on YouTube for "Free" in other formats.


1984 Publicity Poster.

Final Trailer 'Shogun' Streaming at HULU/FX on Feb. 27, 2024

Entertainment Tonight 'Toby Keith' dies at 62

Classic '48 Hours' podcast episode 'Murder at the Manor' with Richard Schlesinger

CBS says, "Harold “H” Landry,  a self-made Cajun millionaire, left behind his life in Louisiana to pursue an international romance with a British woman, Lucy Davies, whom he met online. This seemingly perfect relationship ended when Lucy Landry was murdered at their home over a decade later in February 2010."

"Landry didn't deny killing her, but when the trial began, the past came back to haunt him. 48 Hours - correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports. This classic episode last aired on 6/19/2012."

Monday, February 5, 2024

Reader Review 'The Gunshot Wound' 4-out-of-5 Stars

THE GUNSHOT WOUND an E-BOOK at AMAZON. This is my first book and it's a Western set in 1879. It is an extension of my film screenplay.

Reader Review... 4-out-of-5 Stars. "Well Worth Reading."

"A firebug, killers, cowboys, bordellos, and plenty of whiskey. What could go wrong? It's old Arizona, and passions run high in a very convincing story with some very interesting characters. You'll hate some and love some. There's an air of authenticity fueled by the violent history of the area around Tucson in the Territory of Arizona. But the story is about some people who struggled to live, love, and survive." TM

E-Book can be downloaded to all computer platforms for $3.99.

Click Logo Above for E-Book at Amazon.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

The '48 Hours' episode 'Who Took Our Dad? The Abduction of Ray Wright' Hit 2.12 TV Ratings Overall

48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "Who Took Our Dad? The abduction of Ray Wright" (2/3/2024). In the overnight TV ratings. It grabbed 2.12 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.1 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.

Click the CBS logo below for 48 HOURS.

CBS

Top Box Office 'Argylle' Grabs Number #1 with $18 million

TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / FEB. 4, 2024 /ESTIMATED

$18.0M - Argylle

$6.0M - The Chosen: S4 Episodes 1-3

$5.3M - The Beekeeper

$4.8M - Wonka

$4.1M - Migration

via GIPHY

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Carl Weathers 'Rocky' Star Dies at 76

ROCKY 2 distributed by UNITED ARTISTS (1979). It starred Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa) and Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed) in a sequel to the widely popular "Rocky" (1976). Critics at the time said sequels never reach the success of the original. "Rocky 2" equaled the original with popularity and box office stature.

The production budget was a mere $7 million. It climbed to a massive $200 million at the worldwide box office.

The story focused on the heavy-weight boxing rematch between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa. Creed won their first match in the first movie, "Rocky."

"Rocky 2" had a rousing finale that had film audiences jumping in the theater aisles. It was an exciting cinematic experience. That excitement is still there on DVD and Blu-Ray 2024.

Carl Weathers portrayed Apollo Creed like the real heavy-weight boxing champ Muhammed Ali. Apollo was a "Star" with power, strength and charisma. He earned every ounce of his championship title. Weathers appeared in 3 "Rocky" films whose presence endures. 

His son continues with his legacy in 3 recent "Creed" films. He was trained by Rocky too.

RIP... Carl Weathers. You will be missed.

1979 Publicity posters.

1979 movie finale scene. It made film audiences jump up from their seats. "Get up. Get up.!!"

The 'Dateline' episode 'The Sleepover' Hit 2.43 TV Ratings Overall

DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "The Sleepover" (2/2/2024). In the overnight TV ratings. It grabbed 2.43 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.1 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.

Note: I didn't understand why the mistress waited all these years to tell her story. Plus, the defense lawyer wasn't too convinced of his client's innocence. I thought the husband was guilty, but they had no real evidence.

You have to Sign-Up to Sign-In to watch the latest episode.

Click on the NBC logo below for DATELINE.

NBC.

Trailer 'Popular Theory' in theaters on Feb. 9, 2024

Trailer 'Skin Deep' goes wide in theaters on Feb. 9, 2024

Animation Trailer 'Turning Red' in theaters on Feb. 9, 2024

Trailer 'Lisa Frankenstein' in theaters on Feb. 9, 2024

Trailer 'Lola' in theaters on Feb. 9, 2024

Trailer 'Float' in theaters on Feb. 9, 2024

60th Anniversary Re-Release 'My Fair Lady' on Feb. 4, 2024

Classic 'Dateline' Podcast 'The Case of the Missing DA' with Lester Holt

I am watching episodes of "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered" and came upon this episode which I had missed. 

It's called, "The Case of the Missing DA." A lawyer was on the verge of retirement in 2005. He goes missing and to this day. He hasn't been found. His car was discovered in a parking lot. Plus, his laptop and hard drive were found in a river.

What a mystery which might've led to murder. But, there is no body or signs of foul play.

Originally aired on NBC on December 16, 2011

Click the NBC Logo below for Podcast Episode.

NBC.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Suspense Trailer '48 Hours' on Saturday Feb. 3, 2024 at 10/9 p.m.

CBS says, "A family man abruptly vanishes. Police tie his disappearance to a monstrous plot for revenge. 48 Hours - correspondent Natalie Morales reports."