B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - DEAD END (2003)

Made for less than a million dollars, the slightly obscure Dead End is a chilling little indie you don't want to miss. It might just be the best Christmas horror movie no one ever heard of and every dollar is up there on the screen. It's quirky, weird, funny, bizarre, and scary all at once. Black comedy for sure but much more, this would make a nice double feature with The Perfect Host, another movie we're big on around here. So, grab some eggnog and a snack or two and check out the inimitable Ray Wise with legendary Lin Shaye as they take their family down a wrong turn, what's up with this road? Why doesn't it end? After all, they're just trying to make it to Christmas Eve dessert at Frank's mother's house. Tubi, Plex, Freevee, enjoy! 2.75 stars/2.75

Sunday, September 29, 2024

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON PASSES AT 88 - A TRIBUTE TO A FILM HE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN, "A STAR IS BORN" (1976)

 

Country music legend and iconic actor Kris Kristofferson has passed at 88. I just recently wrote about his very first film Cisko Pike (1972) and almost meeting him as a teen. 

It was actually about two years after this came out, another one I saw in the theaters first-run, I would have been about 14. I'll tell you this much about A Star Is Born - when it came out it was a lot more well received than the reputation garnered thru the decades. I'll never forget being in Palm Springs circa 2000 and seeing a book called 50 Worst Films Ever Made in the store and to my astonishment seeing this listed in the table of contents. 

Kris was the perfect choice here as the excessive rock n roller and he was Barbra Streisand's first choice always. Yes, there was some discussion about Elvis Presley doing it but the King's health at that point was too far gone; he wouldn't have been able to handle the shoot and the shoot wouldn't have been able to handle him. 

Below are the three great musical numbers Kris leads including one slightly ahead of it's time as all the band members wear masks on "Hellacious Acres," penned by Paul Williams. I believe Crippled Crow is Kris' song but don't quote me on that.

To a very special talent, you will be sorely missed, enjoy the ride. 

A Star Is Born is available VOD on Amazon or Apple.  3.0 stars/5   

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