B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - THE DEATH OF RITCHIE (TV 1977)

Looks like a lot of fun to me, I don't know. Seriously and for those that don't know, The Death Of Ritchie is one of the most iconic TV movies of the entire '70's decade. I was roughly 15 when it aired and i can tell you that both Robby Benson and teens taking drugs were very hot topics at the time. The film is based on a true story where a father who couldn't control his teen's behavior from drug abuse was forced to take the law into his own hands. The father here is good ole Ben Gazzara and he is at his Gazzara best with a ferocious intensity, his scenes with Benson as father and son a perfect chemistry. At the time more emphasis was on Benson as a model but his performance here is really amazing. Streams free on Tubi, Freevee, Roku and Plex, if this was being rated on the standard scale I would give it five stars, 'nuff said. 2.75 stars/2.75

Friday, August 12, 2022

REST IN PEACE, ANNE HECHE - HERE'S ONE OF HER LESSER KNOWN PERFORMANCES AS A CONVICT'S PEN-PAL IN "AUGGIE ROSE" (2000) AKA BEYOND SUSPICION

 

Oh man, such a sad story and turn of events. I literally have not been myself since last Friday but am glad she is in peace now and didn't have to spend the rest of her life with those burns. I hope she rests in peace.

As has become kind of a tradition here at the B-Movie Gazette, we are showcasing a lesser-known performance by the artist that is worthy of attention from those who haven't seen it or those who may have forgot about the film and want to revisit it. And this one is a doosie, funny enough I had just watched this the same week she had her accident. 

Jeff Goldblum plays John Nolan, a married insurance salesman. He stops at a liquor store on the way home one night and witnesses a robbery and killing of a stock boy named Augie Rose. Rose dies on the way to the hospital and Nolan can't figure out why no one is coming forward to claim the body. Turns out Rose is a ex-con who has a pen-pal (Anne Heche) who is arriving on a bus to meet him for the first time the next week. Nolan steps in and takes the ex-con's place, the rest I won't give away. Trust me, it's a great drama or sleeper thriller if you will and both leading performances are awesome. Goldblum stepped in just two weeks prior to principal after William H Macy the original star had to bow out. 

Beyond Suspicion has unfortunately not entered the streaming world as of yet. DVD is the main route.  3.0 stars/5

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