Try the New Cheese!

A Hard Sell

2012-01-13T08:45:00.001-08:00

Killing Time with Old Movies (and Such)

2011-12-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Games (1967) - ** ½. I had just finished reading Hal (Duke, Tomboy) Ellson’s novelization of this Curtis Harrington thriller when it popped up on cable. It’s minor Harrington but still worth seeing Katherine Ross & James Caan in early pre-stardom roles.

Way Out West (1930) - ** ½. One of the better William Haines talkies I’ve seen about a carny huckster forced to work off a debt on a ranch. Lovely Leila Hyams co-stars with fine support from Charles Middleton, Cliff Edwards and Francis X Bushman Jr. Hyams is fondly remembered for roles in Freaks, Island of Lost Souls, & Ruggles of Red Gap, but this is the largest role I’ve seen for her. She retired in 1936 to everyone’s loss.

James Cagney was my favorite actor when I was growing up when his films played constantly on local television. So it was great to see a few of his early films that I’d only read about.

Sinner’s Holiday (1930) ** 1/ 2 is both Cagney and Joan Blondell’s film debuts and they clearly outshine stars (the doomed Grant Withers & obscure Evalyn Knapp). Cagney’s tearful confession scene with his mother is especially jarring and shows the talent to come.

Taxi! (1932) ** ½ is also a mixed bag but hotheaded Cagney keeps the contrived plot moving. Best scene: Cagney( & Loretta Young) lose a dance-off to George Raft so he slugs Raft creating a riot.

Much better is Picture Snatcher (1933) *** 1/2 , prime Cagney and a must for any Warner Bros. fan. The fast-paced plot is very loosely based on the newspaper reporter who snuck into an electrocution of husband murderer Ruth Snyder to take a picture.

The American (2010) - ****. Slow, meditative film set in Italy stars George Clooney as a hitman looking to connect. Reminds me of a cryptic 70s foreign film (Antonioni's The Passenger comes to mind). Costar Violante Placido is too stunningly beautiful for words.

The Smart Set (1928) - **. This trivial silent was William Haines’ most popular film and if you couldn’t figure out his sexual orientation from this, oy vey! His outrageously effeminate prancing and preening and mugging (as a spoiled rich polo player in pursuit of plain Alice Day) is hard to take and makes it extremely difficult to like his boorish, prissy, obnoxious character. He may have been instructed to overact (to add some needed life to lame story?), because he is much more subdued in Vidor’s Show People (1928) opposite Marion Davies.

My Junk is for sale!!

2011-11-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

Literally dozens of must need items at reasonable prices for up for auction at eBay! Just check out Neverless33's stuff!! Wild!

DRY RUN with KRIS & KEN 8/29/11

2011-11-10T07:16:00.001-08:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

13th Show. 8/29/11 (final show)

Flesh – Ken Nordine

Pithecanthropus Erectus – Charles Mingus

I Am What I Am – Adrian Belew/The Prophet Omega

If You Gotta Go, Go Now – Manfred Mann

Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues – Bryan ferry

Everything Is Broken – R. L. Burnside

Highway 61 – Johnny Winter

We All Gotta Go Sometime – Joe Hill Louis

Dixie Fried – Carl Perkins

Hydramatic Woman – Joe Hill Louis

Her Love Rubbed Off – Carl Perkins

She May Be Yours – Joe Hill Louis

Greasy Chicken – Andre Williams

Bacon Fat - Andre Williams

Jail Bait - Andre Williams

Sweet Lil Pussycat - Andre Williams

Lost Highway – Hank Williams

Take the Highway – Marshall Tucker Band

Train In Vain – Dwight Yoakum

2011-10-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in Central Florida

2011-10-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

DRY RUN with KRIS & KEN 8/22/11

2011-10-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

12th Show. 8/22/11 (All Covers Show)

Colorado Cool-Aid – Johnny Paycheck

Watermelon Man – King Curtis

Cover Me – Eddie Hinton

Farmer John – Neil Young

Are You Ready for the Country? – Waylon Jennings

Chokin’ Kind – Joe Simon

Stand By Your Man – Candi Staton

To Love Somebody – James Carr

Golden Rocket – Warren Smith

Big Legged Woman – Jerry Lee Lewis

Folsom Prison Blues – Charlie Feathers

Shake Around – Tommy Blake

Sunday Morning Coming Down – Johnny Cash

Help Me Make It Through the Night – Sammi Smith

Loving Her Was Easier – Waylon Jennings

Me and Bobby McGee – Jerry lee Lewis

Bacon Fat – Sir Douglas Quintet

He’s About a Mover – Dottie Campbell

Mercy Mercy – The Remains

Knock on Wood – Albert King/Steve Cropper/Pops Staples

Ticket to Ride – Vanilla Fudge

I Want to Hold Your Hand – Moving Sidewalks

I Should Have Known Better – The Skatallites

Good Golly Miss Molly – Creedence Clearwater Revival

DRY RUN with KRIS & KEN 8/15/11

2011-08-31T17:33:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

11th Show. 8/15/11

Pot Party – Teenage Rebellion

The Other Side of the Record - Sounds Like Us

The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion) – Grateful Dead

Alabama Bound – The Charlatans

Omaha – Moby Grape

Pushin Too Hard – The Seeds

Savage Lost – Kollection

From the Womb to the Tomb – Orange Wedge

Right Behind You Baby – Ray Smith

You Made a Hit - Ray Smith

Rockin Bandit - Ray Smith

Shake Around - Ray Smith

Do the Chicken – Rosco Gordon

Just a Little Bit – Rosco Gordon

Lucy Mae Blues – Frankie Lee Sims

Married Woman - Frankie Lee Sims

No More Doggin’ – Steve Miller

You Left the Water Runnin’ – Maurice & Mac

Snatchin It Back – Clarence Carter

River’s Invitation – Ted Taylor

Pouring Water on a Drowning Man – James Carr

Hound Dog – Big Mama Thornton

Big Legged Woman – Freddie King

Water Song – Hot Tuna

DRY RUN with KRIS & KEN 8/8/11

2011-08-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

10th Show. 8/8/11

Ballad of the Skeletons – Allen Ginsberg

Slunky – Eric Clapton

Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? – Waylon Jennings

Black Rose – Billy Joe Shaver

Good Year For the Roses – George Jones

Still Life with Rose – Junior Brown

Dead Flowers – Rolling Stones

Let’s Get High – Rosco Gordon

That’s What You Do to Me - Rosco Gordon

Decorate the Counter - Rosco Gordon

I Don’t Like It - Rosco Gordon

Rock Star on the Moon – Shadow Makers

Mission to Mars - Shadow Makers

All Your Love – Magic Sam

Dirty Work at the Crossroads – Gatemouth Brown

Rollin and Tumblin – Elmore James

Do the Camel Walk – Magic Sam

Walking the Dog – Luther ‘Guitar Jr’ Johnson

Tired Chicken Blues – Cannon’s Jug Stompers

Voila Lee Blues – Grateful Dead

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken 8th Show. 7/25/11

2011-07-26T09:48:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

8th Show. 7/25/11

The Letter – Harry Partch

Compared to What –Les McCann/ Eddie Harris

Legend of a Cowgirl – Imani Coppola

Let’s Have a Party – Wanda Jackson

Fujiyama Mama – Wanda Jackson

Mean Mean Man - Wanda Jackson

Thunder on the Mountain - Wanda Jackson

Making Believe – Social Distortion

Whirlwind – Charlie Rich

Break Up - Charlie Rich

Philadelphia Baby - Charlie Rich

Lonely Weekends - Charlie Rich

Looking at the World Through a Windshield – Son Volt

Guided by Wire – Neko Case

Natcho Mama – Joe Ely

Long White Cadillac- Dwight Yoakum

Louisiana Fog – Charlie Musselwhite

The Cuckoo – Taj Mahal

Going to Mexico – Steve Miller Band

Sitting Home Alone – Hound Dog Taylor

Mean Ol’ Wind Died Down – North Mississippi All-Stars

Neverless33 has Great Junk!! on eBay!!!

2011-07-24T07:50:00.001-07:00

Neverless33 has what you want on eBay!!

DRY RUN with KRIS & KEN

2011-07-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

7th Show. 7/18/11

Live interview with Scott Raposa & Paul Gordon (Katmosphere)

Furthering the Scepter’s Triad – Katmosphere

Lead Butterfly – Katmosphere

Stage Night – Katmosphere

Whereness – Lewis Jordan

Eat That Chicken! – Charles Mingus

Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba

Intro/Sweet Jane – Lou Reed

Choo Choo Train – Box Tops

Junction No. 1 – Nightriders

Do You Know What I Mean – Lee Michaels

Rock & Roll Ruby – Warren Smith

Ubangi Stomp – Warren Smith

Got Love If You Want It - Warren Smith

Who Took My Baby - Warren Smith

I’m Going on a Long Journey Never to Return – T Bone Burnett

Floatin’ Bridge – Gregg Allman

Will the Wolf Survive? – Los Lobos

6th Dry Run Show 7/11/11

2011-07-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

6th Show. 7/11/11

The Train - Lord Buckley

Big Heart – Lounge Lizards

The Good Ones – The Kills

Different Drum – Stone Poneys

Mary Mary – Butterfield Blues Band

Good Old Days (Our Gang theme) – Beau Hunks

Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals – Raymond Scott

Snagglepuss – Naked City

Commander Keen – Mike Sperone

Moving to the Country – Paul Rishell & Anne Raines

I’ve Got the Blues – Michelle Vecchione

Ridin’ with the Blues – Ry Cooder

Death Letter – James Blood Ulmer

Bayou Tortois – James Mc Murtry

Pink O Boogie – Ry Cooder

Stealing Electricity – Tom Russell

Painless Windows – Raposa/Struck

Magnum Force – Vin Gordon

Burning Logs – THC

Easy Go- Scott Raposa

5th DRY RUN 6/27/11

2011-06-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

5th Show. 6/27/11

Goofin Off – Macy Skipper

Stop – Al Kooper/ Mike Bloomfield

Madison Time – Ray Bryant Trio

Do Your Duty – Bettye LaVette

He Called Me Baby – Candi Staton

Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky – Claudia Linnear

You Need a Great Big Woman – Candye Kane

Tiger Man – Rufus Thomas

Straighten Up Baby – James Cotton

Cotton Crop Blues – James Cotton

I’m Gonna Murder My Baby – Pat Hare

The Bottle Let Me Down – Merle Haggard

The Real Mr. Heartache – Johnny Paycheck

Out of Control – George Jones

She’s Got a Drinking Problem – Gary Stewart

Funky Chicken – Rufus Thomas

Finger Lickin Chicken – the Radars

Chicken Heads – Oscar Brown Jr

Chicken Half – Sugarman 3

Ramble Tamble – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Funky #7 – Hot Tuna

Sweet Spot – Sugarman 3

2011-06-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

2011-06-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

4th DRY RUN 6/20/11

2011-06-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

4th Show. 6/20/11

‘On the Road’ – Jack Kerouac with Steve Allen

Ralaxin’ at Camarillo – Charlie Parker

Problem Child – Carol Jones

The One Who Really Loves You – Mary Wells

So Much Love – Dusty Springfield

I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down – Ann Peebles

Heart on a String – Candi Staton

Flying Saucers Rock n Roll – Billy Lee Riley

Red Hot – Billy Lee Riley

Trouble Bound – Billy Lee Riley

College Man - Billy Lee Riley

If Not For You – Olivia Newton-John

This Wheel’s on Fire – Leslie West

Wicked Messenger – Black Keys

New Pony – Dead Weather

Chicken Scratch – Lee Scratch Perry

Chicken Scratch – JC Davis

Baby Scratch My Back – Slim Harpo

Chicken Stuff – Hop Wilson

Smoke Smoke Smoke (that Cigarette) – Johnny Bond & His Blue Valley Boys

Nicotine – The Vikings

One Toke Over the Line – Brewer & Shipley

Any Way the Winds Blows – Mothers of Invention

Cult of Personality – Living Colour

Snake Drive – RL Burnside

WMSC - 90.3 FM MONDAYS 7-10 PM

2011-06-14T17:05:00.000-07:00

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

3rd Show. 6/13/11

Untitled (“supermarket joke”)– Tom Waits

Little Walter Rides Again – Medeski, Martin, Wood & Scofield

Just Your Fool – Little Walter

Don’t Start Me Talkin’ – Sonny Boy Williamson

That’s What They Want – Jerry McCain

Cha Cha in Blues – Junior Wells

Cross Eyed Cat – Muddy Waters

Come On Little Mama – Ray Harris

Where Did You Stay Last Night – Ray Harris

Greenback Dollar – Ray Harris

Lonely Wolf – Ray Harris

Chicken Shack Boogie – Roy Gaines

Run Chicken Run – Link Wray

8 Piece Box – Southern Culture on the Skids

Chicken Wire – Roy Clark

Stranger in a Strange Land – Leon Russell

Theme From an Imaginary Western – Mountain

Rattlesnake Shake – Fleetwood Mac

WMSC - 90.3 FM MONDAYS 7-10 PM

2011-06-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

My gal Kris and I are co-hosting a radio show at Montclair University, NJ this summer!
http://wmscradio.com/
Our 3rd show is coming up, so I'm posting my playlists for the previous 2 shows so you all can see what you missed hearing.

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

1^st Show. 5/23/11

Woody Allen – The Moose

Allman Brothers Band – Les Brers in A Minor

Yardbirds – Smile On Me

Tom Waits – Whistlin Past the Graveyard

Howlin Wolf – Howlin for My Baby

Bo Diddley – You Don’t Love Me No More

Screamin Jay Hawkins – Alligator Wine

Sonny Sharrock – Promises Kept

Eric Dolphy – Fire Waltz

Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe McCoy – What’s the Matter with the Mill?

Muddy Waters – Trouble No More

Asie Payton – I Love You

Junior Kimbrough – Tramp

Captain Beefheart – Sometimes a Woman’s Gotta Hit a Man

Watermelon Slim – Call My Job

WMSC 90.3FM

DRY RUN with Kris & Ken

2nd Show. 6/6/11

Ken Nordine – Flibberty Jib

Buddy Guy – Feels Like Rain

Derek Trucks Band – Down in the Flood

Clarence Garlow – Crawfishin’

Professor Longhair – Big Chief

Dr. John – Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya

The Meters -Look-Ka Py Py

Dr. John – Walk on Gilded Splinters

King Oliver – Canal Street Blues

King Oliver – Dippermouth Blues

King Oliver – Alligator Hop

Louis Armstrong – Muskrat Ramble

Louis Armstrong – Struttin with Some Barbecue

C J Chenier – Au Contraire, Mon Frère

Rosie Ledet – You Can Eat My Poussiere

Tab Benoit – Crawfishin’

Lee Dorsey – Ride the Pony

Irma Thomas – Hittin on Nothin’

Ernie K Doe – Mother in Law

Neville Brothers – Hey Pock-a-Way

More film reviews for you!

2011-03-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

No Orchids for Miss Blandish (1948) - ***1/2. A low-budget British film company tries like heck to make a Warner Bros gangster movie with characters based on Cagney (killed off way too soon), Bogie, Bacall, Ann Sheridan, and Sydney Greenstreet) and nearly succeeds. The ludicrous plot (heiress inexplicably falls for one of her captors) is surrounded by seedy characters and so much abrupt violence that it borders on parody. Bogs melodramatically down at the end before incredible finale. Based on James Hadley Chase’s gritty 1^st novel.

Daughter of Horror (1951) -***1/2. Finally got to see this after reading about it in Re Search book Incredibly Strange Films, and it doesn't disappoint. Basically a silent movie by choice with a pulsating cool jazz soundtrack (including screen time for Shorty Rogers) and narration by Ed McMahon. I wonder if anybody ever talked to Ed about his involvement in this indy treasure.

Too Busy to Work (1931) - ***. Lesser known Will Rogers vehicle about a tramp who meets his child after 15 years. Sentimental but not too sticky, Rogers carries film along with Louise Beavers and a young non- crooning Dick Powell.

Gunplay, knife play, racism, child abuse, smoking, fighting, stealing, child labor, rock fights, total mayhem. That’s right, it’s the silent Our Gang comedies! Overall these are very hard to take. Farina is about 0ne year old and is put through some gruesome escapades for the sake of humor, except these shorts aren’t that funny. On the positive side, ‘Sunshine” Sammy Morrison was one heck of a silent film actor.

Loyalty, honor, camaraderie, baseball games, talent shows. that’s right, it’s John Ford’s 1930 prison comedy Up The River (**) starring Spencer Tracy in his film debut, and Bogart in his 2^nd film. These are the kind of movies that made being a prisoner look like a pretty good career option to an impressionable youth.

GAG IT UP!

2011-02-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

random comic book covers

2010-11-30T08:23:00.001-08:00

Cover of the Week #299875501784.

2010-11-11T09:24:00.000-08:00

Film Capsule Reviews

2010-11-10T07:39:00.000-08:00

Sheba, Baby (1975) - BOMB. Poor Pam Grier flick suffers from dull script, bad acting, little action, no nudity. What were they thinking?? Barbara Mason’s funky soundtrack is its only virtue.

SherryBaby (2006) - ***. Another gutsy role for Maggie Gyllenhaal as a drug-addict ex-con trying to get her life together. Nice to see bad guy Danny Trejo in a sympathetic role too.

Watchmen (2008) - * ½. Expensive, overlong, self-important superhero gobbledygook without one sympathetic character among them. Based on Alan Moore’s celebrated graphic novel.

Whiteout (2009) - * ½. There’s a killer on the South Pole and only Kate Beckinsale can catch him in this trite, illogical time waster.

Die, Mommy, Die (2003) - ** ½. Campy John Waters-like tribute to 50s melodramas stars drag performer Charles Busch as a washed up singer mounting a comeback in the worst possible way. Fun for awhile, but Busch fared better with Psycho Beach Party (2000).

Whip It (2009) - ***. Predictable but likable ‘girl power’ roller derby movie. Excellent work by Marcia Gay Harden and Daniel Stern as Ellen Page’s parents. Directed by Drew Barrymore who also co-stars.

Corsair (1931) - ** ½.. This sturdy, atmospheric rum-runner movie received a bum rap in the Thelma Todd bio, Hot Toddy, but is well worth seeing. Todd has a thankless role as a bitchy society girl in one of her few dramatic performances. Director Roland West’s last film.

The Last Flight (1931)- ** ½. Four shell-shocked airmen decide to stay in France after the war and pursue the same girl (an irritating Helen Chandler ). Borrows alot from Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises (right down to the bullfights). David Manners’ character is remarkably fey, at one time called “a big sissy”. Don’t ask, don’t tell.

More Must Have Junk for Sale on Ebay!

2010-10-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Neverless33 is selling everything you want!!!

Cover of the Week #15566772389110

2010-10-14T09:51:00.001-07:00

2010-10-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week #72900357459

2010-10-04T14:57:00.001-07:00

Old Movies Ate My Life!

2010-10-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sally (1929) - ** ½. The first time seeing the fabled Ziegfeld star Marilyn Miller (only a passable actress but sings and dances like the dickens), rubber-legged Joe E Brown, former Sennett star Ford Sterling (quite funny in a Billy Gilbert-like ethnic role) and the hit song “Look for the Silver Lining”… these novelties barely make it bearable to sit through this early sound musical’s inane rags and riches dramatics. The stage version was Brown’s big break and he does a great dance number with Miller. Oddly, I don’t recall Brown dancing in his films at all! Wonder why he gave it up?

The Captain Hates the Sea (1934) - **. This hodgepodge on the high seas stars alcoholic John Gilbert as a drunk in his last role, comic Leon Errol plays it straight and the Three Stooges have barely any screen time (only Larry has dialogue). Unfortunately even with these oddities, the comedy is unfunny and the drama is contrived.

Blow-Out (1981) - **. A wildly inappropriate noirish score and an awful performance by Nancy Allen sink this so-called DePalma “thriller”. The director’s Hitchcock fixation and misogynistic view are in full bloom in this sleazy variation of Antonioni’s Blow-Up. Still one of Travolta’s better performances.

The Chief (1933) - * ½. Fascinating failed attempt to bring radio’s Ed Wynn to the screen. By this time, Wynn (immensely popular on stage , radio, and early television) was about 40 years too old for his “Perfect Fool” persona. Film (by MGM no less) actually ends contrived plot early to showcase Wynn’s radio show. Perennial mug Nat Pendleton is good though.

Hot Rod Girl (1956) - * ½. Tease of a low-budgeter with hardly a ‘hot-rod gal’ in sight. It does have Chuck Connors and Frank Gorshin in early roles. Best seek out the similar but superior Dragstrip Girl (1957) also with Gorshin.

Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) - ***. Considered by many the film that ushered in Blaxploitation, Cotton is slicker than most and thus less fun, but you still have good period detail, anti-whitey sentiments and gorgeous, naked Judy Pace seducing everyone in sight. Directed by Ossie Davis from Chester Himes’ novel.

Found Object #13.

2010-09-23T10:17:00.001-07:00

Cover of the Week #9865472800983

2010-09-16T11:41:00.001-07:00

2010-09-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Films.....

2010-08-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

Sit Tight (1931) - ** ½. Awfully bizarre early Joe E. Brown comedy casts him as a letch in Winnie Lightner’s spa. First time I’ve seen the wisecracking Lightner (who looks like a young Karl Malden in drag) in what is basically a mixed bag of racy burlesque routines stitched together.

Flying High (1931) - ** ½. Mancrazy Charlotte Greenwood outshines the material in this at times unendurable Bert Lahr comedy. As with Joe E. Brown, Bert Wheeler, and other comedians of this era, Lahr’s “cowardly” antics come across as slightly effeminate. Pat O’Brian is out of his element as Lahr’s crony in this George White’s Scandals stage show.

The Better ‘Ole (1926) - *. Painfully unfunny WW1 comedy starring Charlie’s half-brother, Sydney Chaplin, a life-time private who matches wits with Sgt. Edgar Kennedy. Based on a popular British stage hit, this probably isn’t the best way to meet Sydney, who had a lengthy career. I imagine the short was his forte, because he is unimpressive here.

2012 (2009) - * ½. This film coulda used Sydney Chaplin! Every disaster film cliché is employed to bookend the DAZZLING SPECIAL EFFECTS that Hollywood believes we deserve when the world ends.

When Ladies Meet (1933)- **1/2. Myrna Loy competes with Ann Harding for the love of Frank Morgan in this soapy talkfest. Top-billed Harding is pleasant if somewhat dull while Loy exudes star quality. Alice Brady adds amble support, while perennial ‘excitable Italian’ Luis Alberni plays an excitable French valet.

Cover of the Week #3756978123009

2010-06-21T13:04:00.001-07:00

It is to Laugh.

2010-06-15T09:04:00.001-07:00

Films, movies and picture shows.

2010-05-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

Oldboy (2003) - ***. Crazed, surreal Korean film about a drunken womanizer who is locked up for 15 years, then tries to find out why. Plot holes and occasional lapses in logic actually enhance the film. Well worth seeing.
The International (2009) - ***. Solid actioner has Clive Owen and an underwritten Naomi Watts going against a crooked banking system (shocking!). Scene in the Guggenheim is a standout.
The Merry Widow (1925) - ***. Mae Murray fends off three horndogs (roguish John Gilbert, slimy Roy D'Arcy, and crippled foot-fetishist Tully Marshall) in Erich Von Stroheim's extravagant silent romance. Enough weird Stroheim touches throughout to maintain interest but bogs down considerably in second half.
Gran Torino (2008) - ****. Clint Eastwood's pitch perfect as widower Walt Kowalski, a retired autoworker who begrudgingly befriends his Hmong neighbors. A burning plea for the reestablishing of honor and vanishing values. Awesome.
Navy Blues (1929) - **. Not a 'good' movie by any means, but a wonderful showcase for its two stars, effete William Haines and adorable Anita Page. Haines was #1 male star at the box office that year, though he's clearly outgrowing his 'Silly Billy" persona. Doomed Karl Dane lends good support as a gob.
Jinx Money (1948) - **1/2. Possibly the quintessential Bowery Boys comedy benefits from thug Sheldon Leonard and ham Donald (Room Service) MacBride as police chief. Directed by William "One-Take" Beaudine.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005) - ****. Tommy Lee Jones stars and directs this sure handed modern day western about a trigger-happy sociopath border patrolman who meets his match when he kills the title character, Jones' best friend. A classic.

Bluesman #3

2010-05-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Rev. Gary Davis, Newport, 1968.

Andy Griffith Show card of the week #2

2010-05-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week #478891264701

2010-05-14T12:11:00.001-07:00

2010-05-13T15:44:00.000-07:00

Rule #1 - Felix the Cat is Never Wrong.

2010-05-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Andy Griffith Show card of the week #1

2010-05-10T17:09:00.000-07:00

The Photos of Joy Goldkind #2

2010-05-06T15:31:00.000-07:00

The Photos of Joy Goldkind #1

2010-05-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Films in Review from me to you

2010-04-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Sat through 3 Walter Huston movies, 2 of which I was dying to see, The Criminal Code (1931) **1/2, and Beast of the City (1932) ** 1/2, and ended up liking The Ruling Voice (1931) ***, which starts off as a classic then peters out into contrived dramatics. Huston's one of my favorite actors, alot of fun to watch him work with mediocrity and still give a riveting performance, as in all three flicks. Jean Harlow is scorching hot in Beast, in a showy role as a moll, and Criminal boasts a prime role for Boris Karloff as a mug.
Youth of the Beast (1963) ***1/2. Best Suzuki film of the few I've seen. Lone wolf infiltrates two gangs and pits them against each other. 60s Style to burn. A must see.
Dead Heat on a Merry Go Round (1966) ** 1/2. Very deliberately paced heist film where James Coburn dons different personas throughout until an abrupt and surprising conclusion. Coburn is always good while everybody else is pretty forgettable except Joey Faye, Rose Marie and Harrison Ford's awkward turn as a bellboy in his 1st movie.
I Love You, Man (2009) **. Contrived, overlong comedy " bromance" scores some laughs early on then drags on and on like most of today's post - Apatow comedies. Never liked Rush either. Passaic NJ 's Paul Rudd who plays basically the same character in Roll Models (2009) ***, a somewhat poignant community service comedy.
Sing Your Worries Away (1942) - **. Grade C musical boasts the novel (and odd) teaming of Bert Lahr and Buddy ( coulda been a " tinman") Ebsen, along with Patsy Kelly and the late June Havoc. Incredibly, this mishmash was the very next movie Lahr made after OZ three years earlier! Margaret Dumont has a small role.
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1945) ** 1/2. Kurosawa's 3rd movie is a very modest soundstage production which relies heavily on the comedic Puck-like antics of Kenichi Enomoto as a porter, which at times are hard to take. It is only as film progresses that you realize his character's importance. For completists only, I'm afraid.

Cover of the Week #729411078

2010-04-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

Cover of the Week #10098355228

2010-04-08T06:49:00.001-07:00

I can-can, why cant you?

2010-04-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

Found Object #12.

2010-04-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

"The Mystery Tenor"

I want this!!!

2010-03-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

Keep your eyes Pieled!!

For "a friendly, dependable time."

2010-03-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

Angola, Indiana.

You rarely call...

2010-03-23T08:57:00.001-07:00

and when you do, it hurts!

Cover of the Week #9836529800160156

2010-03-22T08:12:00.002-07:00

Blue Sun Customs

2010-03-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

Moving Pictures Monthly

2010-03-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Our Dancing Daughters (1928) - ***. "Wild" Joan Crawford battles "pure" Anita Page for Johnny Mack Brown's affections. Add dishy Dorothy Sebastian and you've got the penultimate 'jazz baby' silent film. Lotsa fun.

Defiance (1980) - ***. I remember seeing this at the drive-in back in high school. Merchant marine Jan-Michael Vincent battles New York gang with help from Theresa Saldana, Danny Aiello, Art Carney and future Soprano fixture Tony Sirico. Definitely a film of its time, but done with conviction.

Twilight (2008) - * 1/2. Christ, did this suck.

Le Samourai (1967) - ****. Alain Delon plays the definitive existential hired gun in Jean-Pierre Melville's homage to the American gangster film. A more masterful piece of coolness would be hard to find. Essential.

Cover of the Week #49001235478

2010-03-11T11:24:00.001-08:00

"What? You mean these???"

Unknown group, 1920s.

2010-03-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

Cover of the Week #49743312

2010-03-04T07:51:00.000-08:00

Bluesman (& Woman) #2

2010-03-04T07:45:00.001-08:00

Memphis Minnie & Kancas City Joe McCoy.
Minnie appears to be floating like an angel in this photo.

Anybody know what film this is from?

2010-03-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

Who am I to argue?

2010-03-01T11:09:00.000-08:00