Celebrate St. Patrick's Day With "The Quiet Man"

Above, the buggy from The Quiet Man at the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

St. Patrick's Day is two days away (Tuesday) and many celebrate the holiday by popping in the John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara/John Ford classic The Quiet Man (1952).

The Quiet Man is one of Hollywood's most beloved movies. 

Here's a St. Patrick's Day clip:

@john.wayne.fans Happy #StPatricksDay! 🍀 The Quiet Man was said to be John Ford's love letter to Ireland & is one of the few Hollywood films where the native Irish language is spoken. 🍀 What's your favorite scene from The Quiet Man? #JohnWayne #MaureenOHara #JohnWayne #TheQuietMan ♬ original sound - John Wayne Fans

"EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert" Review

Yesterday, I went to the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup to see the new Baz Luhrmann EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert movie. It is a documentary/concert film. Afterwards, I went to Jerry's Café for dinner before heading home.

The movie focused Presley's early residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas (circa 1969) and some arena concerts circa 1971-1972.  

Reviews of the movie have been raving and, quite frankly, it didn't disappoint. The only narration was by Presley himself and not any talking heads of commentators. 

Much of the footage I had never seen before. The sharpness and color were great, as if the footage was shot only recently. What really impressed me was the sound. The theater had a great surround system and make one almost feel as if they were in the showroom. 

I was thinking during the movie that it was too bad my mother wasn't alive to enjoy it. She was the big Elvis fan in the family. 

I have to give this movie a strong A+ grade. 

EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert

The documentary by Baz Luhrmann opens in theaters this week. I have been seeing rave reviews.

The movie features long-lost films found at the Graceland estate and restored.

The Hanford Sentinel posted a review which starts with:

Over the years, countless attempts have been made to resurrect the King, whether it was movies, TV specials or musical ventures celebrating his artistry and legacy, attempting to bring him back and keep him among us.

No single project has done a better job of making Elvis feel present and alive than "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert," director Baz Luhrmann's dazzling documentary-slash-concert film, which lets us see and feel Elvis on stage, in his element.

It's a pure joy to see, to feel, to behold, as Elvis tells his story, in his own words, and hits the stage to let us bask in his greatness. The movie, meanwhile, helps to reclaim Elvis as a singular force of nature, an otherworldly dynamo, not the parody of himself with which we've come to associate his Vegas years.

The movie will be opening February 27 at the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup. I'll be seeing it there.

To read more, go here.

Jeff Goldblum On "King Kong vs. Godzilla"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Unite_Godzilla_Fans (@unite_godzilla_fans)

Actor Jeff Goldblum's favorite movie as a kid was King Kong vs. Godzilla. It was released by Toho in 1962 and the edited American version was released in 1963 by Universal Pictures.

Interestingly, his excitement about going to see the movie echoed what neighborhood kids and I felt in Los Angeles. 

My parents took me and two friends to the Balboa Theater in the Vermont Avenue/Manchester Blvd. area of Los Angeles. The movie was paired with the John Wayne South Seas light comedy Donovan's Reef.

We can laugh about King Kong vs. Godzilla now, especially the gawd-awful King Kong suit. 

The Japanese version was played as a satire on big business. Unfortunately, that aspect was muddied up in the American version. 

Still, for pre-teens back in 1963, the movie was fun to watch. 

Godzilla and Kong Unite Against SpaceGodzilla

Above, the SpaceGodzilla from Toho's 1994 Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

The next entry in Legendary's Godzilla franchise, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova had a test screening on February 9.

As such, it has been revealed that the main villain in the movie will be SpaceGodzilla. 

According to Maxblizz:

The test screening for Godzilla x Kong: Supernova was reportedly held on February 9, 2026. It is reported that reactions after the screening are mostly positive, with some negative responses.

It is confirmed that SpaceGodzilla is the main villain in the movie. The character is described as being pretty recognizable compared to the original design.

Godzilla is the main focus of the film and has the most screen time, but Kong still has more screen time compared to Godzilla’s role in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

SpaceGodzilla is created by a greater threat, which is teased at the end of the film. Despite that, SpaceGodzilla still has his own free will and is not controlled by it.

To read more, go here.

"Shin Godzilla" Stomping Back Into Theaters

Above, Shin Godzilla. Toho Co., Ltd photo.

If you haven't seen Shin Godzilla on the big screen, you will have a chance to do so this summer. It is going to be re-released and tickets are now going on sale.

MSN reported:

GKIDS has officially announced the theatrical return of Shin Godzilla, the critically acclaimed 2016 entry in the long-running kaiju franchise directed by Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and co-directed by Shinji Higuchi (Shin Ultraman). Tickets are now on sale for the film’s nationwide release onAugust 14, with select screenings available in 4DX and D-BOX, giving fans a fully immersive experience as the monstrous terror resurfaces in Tokyo Bay, along with a new trailer for the epic take on the legendary monster.

Shin Godzilla is decidedly a quirky entry. Many Godzilla fans didn't like it at first, but some (like me) have grown to like it. It is a take on the kaiju that is definitely different than what fans are used to.

To read more, go here.

54 Years Since "The Cowboys"

Above, a group photo of John Wayne and his young co-stars.

The final decade of John Wayne's movie career was a mixed bag. Some movies were good, some mediocre and some were great. All were entertaining to various degrees.

One of the great ones was The Cowboys (1972). Yesterday marked 54 years since The Cowboys was released. I remember seeing it at a theater during its initial release. It was directed by Mark Rydell. The score was composed by John Williams.

The John Wayne official Facebook page posted the following yesterday:

Celebrating 54 Years of The Cowboys (1972)

On January 13, 1972, The Cowboys premiered, marking a significant chapter in Western cinema. In this film, John Wayne portrays Wil Andersen, a seasoned rancher who, after losing his crew to a gold rush, enlists a group of schoolboys to drive cattle across treacherous terrain. The film is notable for being one of the few where Wayne's character meets an untimely end.

Directed by Mark Rydell, The Cowboys not only showcased Wayne's enduring talent but also launched the careers of several young actors, including Robert Carradine and A Martinez. The film's blend of grit and heart continues to resonate with audiences today.

To this day, some John Wayne fans hold a grudge against the movie's villain, Bruce Dern. He played a very unlikeable villain, but magnificently so. Around about that time, while my family and I were headed up Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu to attend the Point Mugu airshow, we saw Dern jogging along the side of the road.  

If you haven't seen The Cowboys, I highly recommend seeing it. I have a DVD copy of it.

Two Incredible Yakima Canutt "Stagecoach" Stunts

 Two Incredible Yakima Canutt Stunts From John Ford's "Stagecoach" (John Wayne, 1939)

Summary:

"Stagecoach" would be John Wayne's starmaking picture.

His friend, actor/stuntman Yakima Canutt, was the film's stunt coordinator.

Yakima personally performed one thrilling stunt in particular...

...which would famously inspire a similar one in "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

And then there's the next one...

Yakima Canutt would win an honorary Oscar award in 1967. 

"Airplane!" Viewing

While in Orange County, California last week, I stayed at my former roommate's mom's house. One night, we decided to pop in a DVD of Airplane! (1980). It had been ages since I last viewed the movie (I have it on VHS, but have (at present) no working VHS player).

It was fun seeing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) before the upper deck roadway and other changes were made just before the 1984 Olympics. 

Above, Howard Jarvis in the taxi cab in the movie.

Many of the actors in the movie have since passed on, such as Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Leslie Nielson and Howard Jarvis (the man who sat in a taxi at the airport throughout the movie). Jarvis is best known for Proposition 13, the Jarvis-Gann property tax reduction initiative.

The first time I saw Airplane! was during its initial release in a double-feature with Caddyshack at the theaters in the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, California. The theater was full and the audience enjoyed both movies. 

Elvis Presley and Willys Jeep M38A1

 Here's a clip of Elvis Presley and a Willys Jeep M38A1:

Son of Frankenstein: 20 Weird Facts You Never Knew!

Son of Frankenstein (1939): 20 Weird Facts You Never Knew! video by Iconic TV Rewind.

Summary:

Discover 20 weird and disturbing facts about Son of Frankenstein (1939)—one of the most iconic films in the entire Universal Monsters franchise. In this deep-dive horror documentary, we reveal shocking behind-the-scenes secrets, rare Karloff and Lugosi stories, brutal makeup truths, lost color test footage, grueling production chaos, and the hidden history that shaped this legendary Frankenstein sequel. Whether you're a fan of classic horror movies, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, or vintage Hollywood filmmaking, this video uncovers the wild and unsettling mysteries that Universal tried to bury. Perfect for fans of old monster films, Universal’s Frankenstein trilogy, horror film history, and the darker side of 1930s cinema.

In this video, we explore everything from Karloff wearing full Monster makeup to his daughter’s birth… to Lugosi’s exploitation by Universal… to massive script rewrites done minutes before filming. You’ll hear how Son of Frankenstein nearly collapsed under studio pressure, how lost footage mysteriously vanished, how child actor Donnie Dunagan became the youngest Marine drill instructor, and how this film became the longest—and one of the most expensive—classic horror productions of its era.

If you love learning shocking Hollywood secrets, rare Universal Monsters trivia, and hidden stories from the golden age of horror, you’re in the right place.

Black Friday and "Black Friday" (1940)

If one is dense or just happened to forget, today is Black Friday. This is the day that Christmas shopping starts with deals (supposedly) to cause people to part with their money.

Some people will avoid fighting traffic and parking hassles and just treat today as a normal day. For them, here is a treat.

Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi starred in Universal's Black Friday (1940). But Stanley Ridges gives a great performance and outshines both Karloff and Lugosi.

Here's the complete movie (on YouTube):

"Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man" Battle

Since today's Halloween, here's a classic scene from monster movie history: the battle between the Frankenstein monster (Bela Lugosi) and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.) from Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943). 

Featured in the following clip are Ilona Massey and Patric Knowles.

Too bad the fight didn't last a little longer, but it is still fun to watch regardless. 

"Halloween III: Season of the Witch" (1982)

As we are in Halloween season...

In 1982, director John Carpenter and Debra Hill released Halloween III: Season of the Witch. 

Many were disappointed that there was no Michael Myers in the movie. The Halloween movie series was originally meant to be an anthology series. But it was disappointing at the box office. From Halloween IV and beyond, Michael Myers was the focus again.

The plot:

Hospital emergency room Dr. Daniel "Dan" Challis (Tom Atkins) and Ellie Grimbridge (Stacey Nelkin), the daughter of a murder victim, uncover a terrible plot by small-town mask maker Conal Cochran (Dan O'Herlihy), a madman who's planning a Halloween mass murder utilizing an ancient Celtic ritual. The ritual involves a boulder stolen from Stonehenge, the use of Silver Shamrock masks and a triggering device contained in a television commercial -- all designed to kill millions of children.

However, the movie has risen in esteem (especially if one looks at it as a stand-alone film) over the years. It is now a cult favorite. I watched it with my mother when it was on cable and we both got a big kick out of the dark humor. 

The Silver Shamrock jingle for the movie's mask commercials is both annoying and catchy. Some of us sang it at work for fun. 

If you get the chance, see Halloween III: Season of the Witch. I recommend it!

Filming Starts On "Godzilla Minus One" Sequel

Good news from Japan!

Spread the good news!! The #GodzillaMinusOne sequel has officially started filming!

We wish Takashi Yamazaki and everyone involved the best of luck during production! 🙏🎬 https://t.co/smWFmVgtsH pic.twitter.com/cHa5ZOCRfr

— Godzilla Movies (@GodzillaMovies) September 1, 2025

"Shin Godzilla" Beat Its Original Opening Weekend

Above, a Shin Godzilla one-sheet in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I visited Japan was in October 2015. At that time, Shin Godzilla was in production by Toho Studios. It was released on a limited basis to U.S. theaters in July 2016. 

At first, I didn't like Shin Godzilla much. It was a vastly different Godzilla movie and, as I thought at the time, too talky. It has since grown on me.

Presently, Shin Godzilla is out in U.S. theaters after being updated into 4K. It has already surpassed it's 2016 box office take.

According to ComicBook.com:

Godzilla continues roaring onto the box office with its latest re-release. The Godzilla film franchise has always been one of the most enduring pop culture icons in cinemas ever since the King of Monsters graced our screens in 1954. The series has achieved a new level of cultural reprisal from the mainstream, with recent entries in the franchise delivering a new level of awareness it hasn’t had in decades. GKIDS, an American film and television distributor, recognized Godzilla’s films’ growing reproximation and decided to help re-release one of the franchise’s most popular motion pictures. On August 14th, GKIDS re-released Shin Godzilla in North American theaters.

Shin Godzilla was the brainchild of Hideaki Anno, one of the lead creators of Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Shinji Higuchi, opening in Japanese cinemas in July 2016. Funimation initially gave the film a limited North American run, grossing only $1.9 million in its entire run. GKIDS re-released the film to promote the new 4K upscale of the film, which is heading to home media. Within only four days of GKIDS’ re-release, Shin Godzilla opened to $1.6 million per Deadline, which quickly rose to $2.4 million at the end of the fourth day. The film opened 11th in the North American box office weekend.

The nearest theaters in New Mexico where Shin Godzilla is screening is Albuquerque. I have a copy of the movie on Blu-ray.

"Animal House" Released 47 Years Ago (July 28, 1978)

Yeeouch! It is hard to believe that the 1978 comedy classic, Animal House was released 47 years ago (as of July 28). 

Singer Stephen Bishop posted the following at X:

Animal House was released 47 years ago today. I wrote and sang the theme song, along with another track in the film called ‘Dream Girl.’ And yes, I’m the guy on the stairs whose guitar gets smashed by John Belushi. I still have the guitar and it’s signed by the entire cast. pic.twitter.com/XJXRGwzFy1

— Stephen Bishop (@BishSongs) July 30, 2025

Hot Bench Has A Roku Channel

Above, our appearance on Hot Bench nine years ago.

While perusing the directory of stations on Roku television, I saw that the courtroom show, Hot Bench, has its own channel.

There are many channels on Roku including Universal Monsters (1931's Dracula with Bela Lugosi was just on), westerns, news, crime, Cheaters and others. 

Denise Santos and I were on Hot Bench nine years ago (season 3, episode 55). Although the verdict by the three judges was mixed, overall, it was a win for me. It is hard to believe that nine years has been reached. Yeesh!

Since I already have a copy of the Hot Bench episode we were in, I needn't bother watching for it.

New "Superman" Drops "The American Way"...Again

Above, the good ol' days

The new Superman movie is carrying on Hollywood's anti-American stance.

Again, they are dropping "the American Way" from "Truth, Justice and the American Way" from Superman. 

The Gateway Pundit reported:

If you needed another reason to skip the newest ‘Superman’ movie, you’re in luck.

The people behind this movie have changed the hero’s iconic catchphrase ‘truth, justice and the American way’ to ‘truth, justice and the human way.’

This isn’t the first time this has happened. Back in 2021, they changed it to ‘truth, justice and a better tomorrow.’

The latest change makes perfect sense when you consider that the movie is pushing a political, pro-illegal immigrant narrative which the filmmakers have admitted is a deliberately political choice.

One of the actors just said that if you don’t approve of this messaging, you’re not American.

Comicbook.com reported:

James Gunn’s Superman Changes “Truth, Justice, & the American Way” Catchphrase

Ever since his creation in the 1930s, Superman has stood for two things: “truth” and “justice.” It’s hard to argue with those being his main concerns, especially since he’s a role model for kids. Sometimes, a third core value even finds its way into his stories, with the most popular being “the American Way.” Superman started pushing that agenda during World War II, hoping to fire up the country during a dark period in its history.

In the subsequent decades, Superman would drop “the American Way” from his vernacular, choosing to replace it with things like “a Better Tomorrow” and “Peace for All Mankind.” However, Gunn is putting his own spin on Superman’s catchphrase, making the third most important thing for his iteration of the character “the Human Way.”

To read more, go here. 

"Jaws" Movie's 50th Anniversary

It is hard to believe that today marks the 50th anniversary of the theatrical release of Jaws, based on Peter Benchley's book.

I remember going to see it with Max Bettman at the Studio Drive-In Theater in Culver City, California. 

About a year or so before, I read Peter Benchley's original novel. Although the movie was a good one, the Peter Benchley novel was far better.