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

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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