“Tear the Roof Off-the Untold Story of Parliament Funkadelic” (2016) / Z-View

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Tear the Roof Off-the Untold Story of Parliament Funkadelic (2016)

Director: Bobby J. Brown

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

In the late 1950s, George Clinton formed and led a doo-wop group he called The Parliaments.  In 1968, while leading The Parliaments, Clinton formed another group using the backup singers for The Parliaments.  This second band was named Funkadelic.

Seeing the popularity of the two bands, and using his experience as a producer-writer-frontman, Clinton moved to Detroit and talked the band members into coming along.  The Parliaments morphed from doo-wop to become a funk band with members creating sci-fi inspired personas.  Meanwhile Funkadelic developed a sound that blended funk with psychedelic rock.

As both bands popularity grew, so did Clinton’s influence over the band members.  Clinton ultimately combined both bands who performed under the named name Parliament-Funkadelic.  This new band, led by Clinton, had a rotating roster of musicians.  Clinton furthered his producing power by creating two female bands, Brides of Fukenstein and Parlet.

Clinton was on top of the world.  His bands were popular, they were creating hits and the money was rolling in.

But all was not good.  Allegations came that Clinton was using his power and influence to pay band members in drugs, partially or not at all.  Further allegations of female band members being sexually abused.

This is that story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was in high school Clinton’s funk bands were popular.  I liked some of their songs, but didn’t know much about them.  When I saw the trailer for the documentary I was intrigued.

Even the musicians claiming that Clinton did them wrong, also called him a great showman and a musical genius.  But as one band member said, “…a genius can be a liar and a thief.”  Another claimed his signature was forged on a contract.  A female singer said she was beaten and raped.

By the late 1970s, although these stories weren’t known by the general public, many (most?) of the band members left the group.  Casablanca Records, Clinton’s label folded due to financial problems.  In the early 80s,  Clinton had financial problems of his own as well as a drug problem.

Sadly, stories like George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic’s rise and fall happens all too often in showbiz.

Tear the Roof Off-the Untold Story of Parliament Funkadelic (2016) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Hondo”(1953) starring John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate and James Arness / Z-View

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Hondo (1953)

Director: John Farrow, John Ford (uncredited, final scenes only)

Screenplay: James Edward Grant; based on The Gift of Cochise by Louis L’Amour

Stars: John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate, Leo Gordon, Tom Irish, Lee Aaker, Paul Fix, Rayford Barnes,Frank McGrath, Chuck Roberson and James Arness.

Tagline: First she was afraid he’d stay—then she was afraid he wouldn’t.

The Plot…

Hondo Lane, a US Calvary dispatch rider, discovers a woman named Angie and her young son living alone on the frontier at the edge of Indian territory.  The woman says her husband is due back any day.  The truth is her husband has been gone for far too long.  He may be dead or perhaps he just took off.

Because the Apache Vittorio is threatening war, Hondo offers to take Angie and her son to the nearest Calvary fort.  Angie refuses.  She doesn’t believe the Apache will go to war.

She is wrong.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hondo was nominated for two 1954 Academy Awards.

  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Geraldine Page
  • Nominee Best Writing, Motion Picture Story – Louis L’Amour

Louis L’Amour won a nomination for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story.  Both L’Amour and the producer of Hondo questioned the honor.  They pointed out that the Hondo screenplay was based on L’Amour’s short story.  Therefore the nomination was withdrawn and only four films were list in this category on the final Oscar voting ballot.

Pal, the dog that played Sam, was the original screen Lassie.

John Wayne produced Hondo.  Wayne wanted Glenn Ford to star.  Ford didn’t care for director, John Farrow and turned down the opportunity.  So Wayne decided to take on the role.

John Ford directed the battle scenes at the end of the movie. John Farrow had to leave due to another film commitment. Ford, uncredited, took over as a favor to John Wayne.

Hondo was originally released in 3D.

Hondo gets better with every viewing.

Hondo (1953) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Boys from Brazil” (1978) starring Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier and James Mason / Z-View

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The Boys from Brazil (1978)

Director: Franklin J. Schaffner

Screenplay: Heywood Gould; based on THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL by Ira Levin

Stars: Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Denholm Elliott, Rosemary Harris, John Dehner, John Rubinstein, Anne Meara, Walter Gotell, David Hurst, Wolfgang Preiss, Michael Gough, Joachim Hansen and Steve Guttenberg.

Tagline: If they survive…will we?

The Plot…

Barry Kohler, a young Nazi hunter discovers that Josef Mengele is still alive.  Worse still, Mengele is part of a secret organization to bring back the Third Reich.  Kohler reaches out to Ezra Lieberman, an elderly but famous Nazi hunter.  Lierberman doesn’t believe Kohler.

But when Kohler is murdered, Lierberman discovers that Kohler was right.

And Mengele’s plan is even more sinister.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Boys from Brazil was nominated for three 1979 Academy Awards.

  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Laurence Olivier
  • Nominee Best Film Editing – Robert Swink
  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Score – Jerry Goldsmith

George C. Scott was originally cast as Mengele.  He dropped out before filming began.

Because of Laurence Olivier’s declining health the fight scene between he and Gregory Peck took several days to film.  Both Olivier and Peck that it humorous that at their age they were rolling around on the floor.

Jeremy Black, who played the young Hitler clones, received an “introducing” credit.  Ironically, The Boys from Brazil features his first and last acting role.

The Boys from Brazil (1978) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh and Helena Bonham Carter / Z-View

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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Screenplay: Steph Lady, Frank Darabont; based on FRANKENSTEIN: or THE MODERN PROMETHEUS by Mary Shelley

Stars: Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter, Aidan Quinn, Ian Holm, Robert Hardy, Cherie Lunghi and John Cleese.

Tagline: Be warned. It’s alive.

The Plot…

1794. Captain Walton, leading an expedition to the North Pole, is in a bad way.  His ship has become trapped in ice. While attempting to free the vessel, the crew hears a frightening scream somewhere in the mist that surrounds them.  Suddenly a man appears and calls for the men to grab their weapons and come with him.

The crew grab their guns and begin to move forward.  Their dogs run ahead, disappearing into the mist.  Within seconds they hear the cries of their dogs being killed.

The men retreat to the ship.  As his crew stands guard Captain Walton and the man talk.  The stranger says that he created the creature in the mist, and that his name is Victor Frankenstein.

This is his (and the creature’s) story…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein earned a 1995 Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup – Daniel Parker, Paul Engelen, Carol Hemming

Francis Ford Coppola bought Steph Lady’s screenplay with the intent to direct the film as a follow-up to his Dracula film.  When Coppola decided to just serve as the film’s producer, he insisted that Robert DeNiro play the creature.

DeNiro chose Kenneth Branagh to direct.  Branagh brought in Frank Darabont to create a second draft of the screenplay.  Branagh wanted the film to include a “recreated bride” which doesn’t happen in Shelley’s novel.

Coppola didn’t like many of the choices Branagh made and their were multiple disagreements during filming.  Coppola wanted to recut the film, but Branagh refused.  Coppola went on record denouncing the film.

Coppola wasn’t the only creative who worked on the film that didn’t care for the finished movie.  Frank Darabont said in interviews that he didn’t care for the movie and that Kenneth Branagh mishandled the material, and made changes to the screenplay.

Kenneth Branagh was married to actress Emma Thompson, but during filming of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, began an affair with his co-star Helena Bonham Carter.  Thompson divorced Branagh in 1997 and he continued his affair with Carter until their breakup in 1999.

A four-issue comic book adaptation was published by Topps.  It was written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Rafael Kayanan.

DeNiro as the creature didn’t work for me.  I could only see DeNiro in make-up and not a creature reanimated from dead bodies.

The screen loves Helena Bonham Carter, so her rebirth as “the Bride” is shocking — especially since she doesn’t (and legally couldn’t) look like the classic Universal Bride.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Wind River” (2017) written & directed by Taylor Sheridan, starring Jeremy Renner & Elizabeth Olsen / Z-View

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Wind River (2017)

Director: Taylor Sheridan

Screenplay: Taylor Sheridan

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Jon Bernthal, James Jordan, Kelsey Asbille, Julia Jones, Teo Briones, Apesanahkwat, Tantoo Cardinal, Eric Lange, Gil Birmingham, Tokala Black Elk, Gil Birmingham, Martin Sensmeier, Austin R. Grant, Ian Bohen and Graham Greene.

Tagline: Nothing is harder to track than the truth.

The Plot…

When Natalie Hanson’s frozen dead body is found on the Wind River Indian Reservation after a brutal snow, rookie FBI Agent Jane Banner is sent in to investigate.

The autopsy reveals signs of rape and blunt trauma, but because Natalie died from a pulmonary hemorrhage caused by breathing subzero air, the coroner can not list the cause of death as murder.  That means that Agent Banner is unable to get additional support to investigate Natalie’s death.

Agent Banner knows she’s in over her head.  She is new to the area.  The customs and ways of life of the Northern Arapaho tribe who live on the reservation are alien to her.  So Agent Banner turns to Cory Lambert for assistance.  Lambert is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent who found Natalie’s body.  Lambert is an expert tracker and knows the people having been married to a Northern Arapaho woman.

Banner and Lambert begin to backtrack Natalie’s last hours.  The will uncover another murder and conspiracy that leaves them outnumbered and on their own.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Wind River was filmed on location with some scenes filmed in real blizzard conditions.

Wind River is the first screenplay that he didn’t write on spec.  Both Sicario and Hell or High Water were written on spec.

Wind River is a bit of a slow burn.  But the amazing cast, the ultimate reveal of Natalie’s murder and the explosive gun battle after the sudden standoff are <chef’s kiss>.

Wind River (2017) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992) written by David Mamet, directed by James Foley, starring Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Jonathan Pryce and Alec Baldwin / Z-View

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Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Director: James Foley

Screenplay: David Mamet; based on his play Glengarry Glen Ross

Stars: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Jonathan Pryce, Bruce Altman, Jude Ciccolella and Alec Baldwin.

Tagline: Lie. Cheat. Steal. All in a day’s work.

The Plot…

Richard “Ricky” Roma, George Aaronow, Shelley “The Machine” Levene, and Dave Moss are real estate salesmen in a small office for a company that makes big promises. Despite lies and questionable tactics by all the men, sales are down.   Of late only Ricky Roma has been able to close deals.

With one week in the month left, the office manager John Williamson, says that the company is sending in Blake, their top salesman to inspire them.  Blake arrives and immediately begins talking.  Blake insults and attacks each worker’s salemenship and manhood.  Blake says that in one week, the top saleman for the office will win a car.  Second place gets a set of steak knives.  Third and fourth place winners will be fired.

And he’s serious.

Blake then leaves.  Ricky, George, Shelley, and Dave Moss are shocked.  Then angry.  Each man complains that the leads Williamson gives them are crap.  The leads have been repeatedly used.  The people on the leads have no money or no interest and have been called on several times.  Williamson doesn’t disagree.  You get what you get.  BUT, the two men show survive the month will next month get new leads.  These leads will be for the new  Glengarry development.

The Glengarry development is sweet.  It almost sells itself.  Those leads are worth their weight in gold.

Ricky is in a great position to win the car.  George, Shelley and Dave are all in danger of losing their jobs.  Each man has reason to do whatever it takes to survive.

And one will.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Al Pacino was nominated for a 1993 Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Jack Lemmon gives the performance of a lifetime.  Same could be said for Alec Baldwin.  Kudos also to Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey and Jonathan Pryce who more than hold their own.

Glengarry Glen Ross is a showcase for great acting.  Jack Lemmon said Glengarry Glen Ross featured the greatest acting ensemble he had ever been part of.  High praise indeed.

Glengarry Glen Ross gets my highest recommendation.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Howard Chaykin’s American Flagg Omnibus!

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Man, I can remember the excitement when Howard Chaykin’s American Flagg comic series made its premiere.  Now, Chaykin’s run is getting the treatment it deserves and fans want.  Here’s the scoop…

A landmark of 1980s comics, American Flagg! is Howard Chaykin’s groundbreaking sci-fi classic about media manipulation, corporate fascism, and one reluctant hero fighting back.

From its 1983 debut, American Flagg! was a breakout success, emerging from a new generation of small publishers, imprints now lost to history. Award-winning, narratively and graphically audacious, and ridiculously influential, its impact on comic book storytelling is still being felt today, in a story comically – and sometimes frighteningly – prescient about the world in which we live.

It got some things wrong, but man, it got a lot more right.

A lot.

This fully remastered 1,064-page collection includes Howard Chaykin’s run on the series’ first 30 issues – more than half of which have never before been collected – plus the American Flagg! Special, all the Flagg! shorts from the years since, and a host of extras, in addition to an all-new 26-page story created for this volume.

Collects American Flagg! Vol. 1 Issues 1-30, American Flagg! Special

Pre-orders are available now for an October 27, 2026 release.

“China Moon” starring Ed Harris, Madeleine Stowe and Benicio Del Toro / Z-View

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China Moon (1994)

Director: John Bailey

Screenplay: Roy Carlson

Stars: Ed Harris, Madeleine Stowe, Charles Dance, Patricia Healy, Tim Powell, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Benicio Del Toro.

Tagline: He thought it was passion. It was deceit. He thought it was love. It was murder.

The Plot…

Kyle Bodine, a detective in a small Florida town, is having a drink when he sees Rachel Munro across the room. Kyle tries to hit on her, but she’s not interested.

It turns out Rachel is married to a rich banker named Rupert Munro.  The thing is, her marriage is not a happy one.  Her husband is abusive.  Before long Kyle and Rachel are having an affair.

When Kyle and his partner respond to a domestic abuse call, they find Rachel showing signs of being beaten.  Kyle threatens Munro what will happen if they get another call.

Later Rachel tells Kyle that she is ready to leave her husband.  Kyle drives Rachel home and waits in the car while she grabs a few things.  They don’t realize her husband has returned home.

When Kyle hears a gunshot, he rushes in the house.  Rachel is standing over her dead husband with the gun who killed him in her hand.  Kyle’s first reaction is they need to call the police and report a self-defense killing.  Rachel says, that no one will believe them.  Her husband is wealthy and has influential friends.  Plus Kyle had threatened her husband.  Everyone will think that they planned the murder.

Kyle has a decision.  Call it in or get rid of the body and cover up the murder.

As the tagline says: “He thought it was passion. It was deceit. He thought it was love. It was murder.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you think China Moon sounds a lot like Body Heat, you wouldn’t be wrong.

China Moon (1994) rates 3 of 5 stars.