Saturday, February 10, 2024
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Wednesday, February 7, 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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."