Roscoe Pond

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Apple Podcast 'Radioactive: The Karen Silkwood Mystery' episode one 'The Tapes'

Apple says, "Sharing an episode of the new podcast "Radioactive: The Karen Silkwood Mystery." It details the death of a 28-year-old whistleblower which, 50 years later, continues to haunt Oklahoma and the nation. The young plutonium plant worker died in a fatal crash while driving to meet a reporter with The New York Times. She’d agreed to deliver sensitive documents that were never found."

"Two reporters who covered the story in 1974 have spent years trying to piece together what many in Oklahoma speculate: Karen Silkwood may have died for what she knew. Now, hear newly-discovered investigative tapes, deathbed revelations and long-awaited interviews reexamining what happened that night."

"Fifty years later, the story still resonates: nuclear secrets, threats to the powerful, and why the truth stubbornly refuses to stay buried."

Friday Night 'Dateline' on Nov. 15, 2024 at 10 p.m.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Classic Movie Flashback 'Johnny Handsome' 1989 with Mickey Rourke

JOHNNY HANDSOME distributed by TRI-STAR pictures (1989). It stars Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, Lance Henriksen and Morgan Freeman. It was directed by Walter Hill. The production budget reached $20 million. It grabbed only $7 million at the box office.

The story surrounds John Sedley (Mickey Rourke) who has a disfigured face. People laugh and call him "Johnny Handsome." He is sent to prison after being double-crossed by a ruthless couple. He vows revenge if and when he gets out. While locked up. He meets a doctor who wants to perform a first time plastic surgery on John's face. It is a success and he is released from prison with a normal face. He still seeks revenge.

I remember when I saw preview trailers on this. I couldn't wait to see it when released. It harkens back to the 1940's with black & white film noir. "Johnny Handsome" is in color and the revenge is followed by hate fueled rage. John is given a chance to turn his life around with a new love (Elizabeth McGovern). He is also followed by a police detective (Morgan Freeman). He believes John will always be a criminal. His new face changes nothing.

This was 1989 and Hollywood studios cranked out films with happy endings. "Handsome" did not have a great ending and suffered at the box office. I think it's one of the best crime thrillers of the 1980's. I watched it recently and it stands up over time.

Click the original movie poster of JOHNNY HANDSOME for Blu-Ray.