Halloween Viewings

Greetings True Believers.

Horror films have never been a favorite of mine. There's enough real scary things in the world. But...I do love the Universal Classic monster movies from the 30's and 40's. Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolf Man, the Mummy....and the rest are all great films. The best of them, and I agree is Bride of Frankenstein....which with wicked wit, and atmosphere created the mother of all classic horror.

On Halloween...for about 10 years I have enjoyed two films faithfully on Halloween. Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein....and Love at First Bite.

Way back in the 70's...before cable TV...Abbott and Costello movies were mainstays on Football-less Saturday afternoons. AC meet Frankenstein was far and away my favorite. Universal hit a master stroke putting the monsters....played by almost all the original actors......against Bud and Lou. The key is the monsters played it straight. It is a classic film that deserves to be watched. Vincent Price even makes a cameo apperence!

Now by the time cable graced my house, Love at First Bite was on HBO. I absolutely loved it then, and it still holds up. Count Dracula....oddly enough played by the eternally tanned George Hamilton, is forced to come to America...during the disco 70's. He has to adjust to life, as he courts his true love. It's a great film, that still makes me laugh.

Have a hauntingly good time this weekend, where the lion's share of Halloween Parties will commence. Make sure you don't Drink and Drive...and have a good one.

Jason

Spamalot in Seattle.....alot of fun.

Greetings True Believers.

I had the pleasure of heading over to Seattle this past weekend, and checking out the US tour of Monty Python's Spamalot. A hugely entertaining romp through the world of King Arthur and his court. Of course the basis is from the immortal movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail......and much of the funnier bits survive to the musical. And alot of other new goodies is added as well. I honestly didn't know what to expect from this production....but it far exceeded any expectations I had.

For those who want to check it out....the US Tour is in Seattle until this Sunday. They then move to Boise for a one week run there. Afterthat...you have three places you can enjoy some Spam. It is still running on Broadway......London...and the Wynn Casino in Las Vegas.

If you have the chance, go see it!

"A True End of an Era"

Joey Bishop....the last surviving member of the Rat Pack passed away today.

The Rat Pack was a phenomenon for the early 60's....pairing up the odd quintet of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. Whenever available, they would do a show at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.....a show that was often described as frantic....and magical for that slice in time. To get an idea of what they were about, check out the great movie....appropriately called "The Rat Pack" from HBO films on DVD.

Joey Bishop was a successful comedian on his own. He had two network shows...which bombed. And was the only person who had a show opposite Johnny Carson......that Johnny didn't blackball after its demise. He is the person who guest hosted the Tonight Show for Johnny more than anyone else.

A true end of an era.......

Star Trek's New Cast

Greetings True Believers.

Above...courtesy of the website Trekweb.com is your first look at most of the new cast for the BIG budget Star Trek film. I've talked to a number of Star Trek fans who are at best nervous....and at worst would rather not see this film come to be. I personally have extreme faith in JJ Abrams who is taking the reigns. Yes....this is a last swing at the Star Trek Francise. If it fails, it will die. But Paramount is putting a budget of 165 million bucks to make sure it works. JJ Abrams knows how to make things exciting and cool.....I personally can't wait. Time will tell.

2008 Movie Season Preview

Hello True Believers........

I know the 2007 Movie Season is not over....and there are a few good films coming this holiday season....but I am jazzed about 2008. It is one of the best line-ups of long awaited genre films ever.

In May....we get Indiana Jones 4, and Iron Man. I'm salavating for both. With Iron Man, it's the first Marvel Comics film funded by Marvel Comics themselves. There's alot of pressure...but the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark is inspired. With Indy....I'm just happy to have the old gang back together....including the return of Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood. May is going to be great.

In July.....The Dark Knight comes with the Joker. Batman Begins was a fantastic film...the first movie to get the Batman right. Director Christopher Nolan is back.....and it should be great. Above is Harvey Dent....the future Two-Face.....so Batman is going to be hip deep with baddies.

And the 2008 holiday season has the return of Harry and Star Trek.

Harry Potter 6 continues what will go down as the most profitable, and truly timeless series possibly ever. To have all the kids for all 7 movies makes it absolutely unique, and one for the ages.

Star Trek is brought to you by Lost mastermind JJ Abrams. This is going to be a major hit or miss, as he re-casts the original crew......Kirk, Spock and all....for a reboot of the series. I don't know if Trek has another life in her....but if anyone can do it....it's JJ Abrams.

Here's looking forward to a great 2008!!!!!

J

FOX is praying for NY.....Seth Rogan great SNL visit

Hello true believers.

The logos here are the fear of the FOX network. A meeting between two small market teams in the World Series will bring extremely low ratings, to already faltering ratings for baseball. FOX has always had trouble in the fall due to baseball reeking havoc with their new fall shows. And if Boston or New York doesn't make it to the fall classic, low ratings doom will knock FOX down a few notches. When the new baseball contract is up, don't expect any of the networks to want the World Series.....it sounds like sacrilege, but I think its true.

Seth Rogan is a funny man. Riding his success with Superbad and Knocked Up, he hosted Saturday Night Live last weekend, and helped with one of their best episodes in ages. I actually watched each skit.....which with my DVR I haven't done in years. My watching habit of SNL is to watch every digital short, the news...and watch the first minute of a skit...if I don't FWD!!!! Two years ago, Seth would have killed to have been a member of SNL.......Too bad he's a big star now and can't.

Miss Moneypenny RIP

Lois Maxwell, the original Miss Moneypenny from the James Bond series passed away over the weekend. She is only 2nd to Desmond LLewelyn who played Q with the most appearances in the James Bond Series with 14. She was 80, and died of Cancer near her home in Australia.

She played the secretary for the head of the MIS, M. She served two M's, and three James Bond's.

Lois won the most promising newcomer Golden Globe in 1947.

She will live on, either flirting with James forever, or compiling the biggest sexual harrassment suit ever.

My thanks to her.


Jason