RICHARD LEWIS PASSES AT AGE 76 OF HEART ATTACK - IN TRIBUTE WE PRESENT AN INCREDIBLE INDIE WHERE HE STARS IN "DRUNKS" (1997)

 

Greetings all - so sad to pass on the news that comic/actor (can I throw in neurotic genius?) Richard Lewis has passed. Read more about it here >  
Many don't know about the movie reco today, Drunks from 1997, which is a shame because it's actually the first movie ever completely centered around the AA program. The plot takes place in a big NYC church where a big meeting is taking place. This gave the filmmakers a lot of room to cast some big names and the supporting cast is chock full of A-listers. But Lewis is the star, he is in charge of coffee for this big metting but he's had a real bad day and wants to go out. After unexpectedly being asked to speak, he loses it, leaves the meeting and begins an odyssey thru NYC relapsing and I won't spoil the rest. Lewis was never really properly commended for this performance though as he acts way outside his normal comedic presence. 

As of this post, Drunks is not available in the streaming world, used DVD best bet, I put some scenes below and if you can handle German subtitles, here's a pretty good upp I found on YT.  3.0 stars/5

Rest in peace Mr Lewis, enjoy the ride. 

NICOLAS CAGE IS A TWISTED, DEMONIC & TOTALLY UNHINGED PASSENGER, YOU BETTER HOPE YOU'RE NOT HIS DRIVER IN "SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL" (2023)

 

If you like Nicolas Cage because, well, because he's "Nicolas Fuc*ingggg Cage," then you will dig this new thriller involving a psychological cat-n-mouse game between the Passenger (Cage) and the Driver (Joel Kinnaman.) An interesting if not slightly convoluted plot keeps it moving along at a nice pace. It's  a more than serviceable thriller with the one caveat being that you dig Cage who delivers a deliciously over-the-top performance. .

I love the diner sequence in middle and cinematography should appropriately be mentioned if not nominated, the nightime photography thru various parts of Las Vegas is stellar. So brilliant it's almost as good as Michael Mann shooting LA in Collateral. 

The movie's title seems like too golden an opportunity to riff off the famous Rolling Stones song which is nowhere to be found in the movie. It's not like Cage is sporting horns or this is a supernatural thriller, I would have opted for a different title. Dosen't matter much, flop-flop went the box office receipts on this one although it seems to be doing better in the streaming world. I recommend this one, you can check it out VOD or also AMC+ and Hoopla. For those that like to build a collection, it's on sale for five or seven dollars depending on which service. Enjoy, and I would also add this is a good late at night flick after a little 420 if you're into that kind of thing.

3.25 stars/5

Do not interrupt the man in conversation, he doesn't like that.

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON IS, LITERALLY, "THE SAILOR WHO FELL FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA" (1976)

 

A British romance drama adapted from a 1963 Japanese novel, this is one whack film. First, we have a group of mischievious teen boys that have a club led by a cvigar-smoking 14-year old brat who calls himself "Chief." The others he refers to by numbers 1 through 5, ocassionally promoting or demoting their rank. Sarah Miles plays one of the boy's mother. She's a single mom who is desperately seeking a man. Enter Kristofferson, sans guitar and looking like he's on Bennies or pain pills, who becomes the new stepdad which ultimately puts him square in the path of the boy's club. A quirky, interesting and very Dartmouth drama, streams now on Tubi. 3.75 stars/5

(This post written by Stoney Jones, filling in for Tommy)

The incredible Sarah Miles, what a career.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TURNS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS CAREER AS A GREIVING FATHER IN A PLANE CRASH'S "AFTERMATH" (2017)

Good ole Arnie boy does his most impressive work, at least from the films I have seen.. Aftermath is a heavy (that's putting it mildly) drama about a plane crash, a grieving father and the air traffic controller (Scoot McNairy) that caused the crash. The film follows those two main characters path as Arnie seeks an apology for his daughter and the air traffic controller seeks the return of his sanity. Everything from the acting to the direction and production is top notch. Highly recommend if and when you're in the mood for this kind of flick. Currently streaming on Tubi, Plex, Freevee and several others.  4 stars/5

(This post written by Stoney Jones, filling in for Tommy while his broken arm is healing.)