Welcome to the 990th edition of my series. I hope everyone has a good holiday however celebrated. For me, I guess just having a three-day weekend from work is good enough for me. The play ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN goes from September 18-20 and I have a poster listed at the bottom. There is also a Guilty By Affiliation wrestling show on September 20th which I likely will not be working with my show. This is on a Sunday show at the Boys and Girls Club in Muncie at 5 pm and tickets are $15 at the door and $12 in advance as well as VIP tables for $100. We will finally be debuting at the Gatekeepers of Henry County building on October 18 and will have more details in the coming weeks.
Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2005): Andy Fickman directed this parody musical which was written by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney. Christian Campbell and Kristen Bell star as high school sweethearts Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane who unfortunately fall victim to that menace Marijuana. Alan Cumming co-stars as the Lecturer who looks to convince the parents of the horrible drug out there killing our children. Neve Campbell, Ana Gasteyer, John Kassir, Amy Spanger, Robert Torti, Steven Weber, Kevin McNulty, Stephen E. Miller, Robert Clarke, Lynda Boyd, Harry S. Murphy, Christine Lakin, and many others co-star in this musical comedy which was presented as a Showtime original. I would recommend watching the 1938 propaganda B-movie first which was supposed to be a very serious movie at the time but has become a cult classic. This was a very fun parody of that B-movie which shamelessly goes extremely over the top. I would love to see theaters near me put this on and I would love to be in it. Obviously, April would be the perfect month for it. This is available to watch on TUBI and Pluto TV.
The Odyssey (2026): Christopher Nolan directed this adaptation of the classic story by Homer. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus who has been gone for a long time and makes a dangerous trip home to Ithaca where he longs to see his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, and his son Telemachus, played by Tom Holland. Along the way, Odysseus and his men deal with the elements, Cyclops, a witch, some sirens, among other things. Travis Scott, Robert Pattinson, Corey Hawkins, Jerreth J. Merz, Niko Nicotera, Elliot Page, Shiloh Fernandez, Rafi Gavron, Elyes Gabel, Iddo Goldberg, Jamie Harris, John Ales, Raimy Lang, Mason Cufari, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Himesh Patel, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Bill Irwin, Samantha Morton, and many others co-star in this film. This has been quite popular but very polarizing at the same time. I suppose this is the Odyssey the Christopher Nolan way. I have never read the book, nor do I have any plans to do so. I felt this had a really good look to it and did not overdo the special effects. This is likely best watched in a movie theater and was worth the three hours that I paid half price for a Tuesday.
Heart of a Dog (2015): Visual artist and musician Laurie Anderson directed this documentary. She reflects on the relationship with her late terrier Lolabelle. This goes deeper than just a story of a dog. This reflects on life and death and Anderson's experiences after the 9/11 attacks. It is hard to describe this documentary beyond it being rather spiritual. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Run Run (1961): This is a part of a Jim Henson's experimental short films long before he gave us Kermit and Ernie. This is a simple short of Henson which feature his two daughters running through the woods saturated by the colored leaves. This has about six short films and is available to watch on Kanopy.
Jesse James (1939): Henry King directed this western based on the title historical figure. Tyrone Power stars as the famed outlaw Jesse James and Henry Fonda stars as his older brother Frank James. Railroad authorities are forcing people out of their land with very little money in return. When they talk to Jesse and Frank's mother, they refuse to give up their land with Jesse shooting one of them in the hand in self-defense thus making the brothers outlaws. They would soon go onto for the James Gang with included Robert Ford, played by John Carradine. Nancy Kelly, Randolph Scott, Henry Hull, Slim Summerville, J. Edward Bromberg, Brian Donlevy, John Carradine, Donald Meek, Johnny Russell, Jane Darwell, Charles Tannen, Claire Du Brey, Willard Robertson, Harold Goodwin, Ernest Whitman, and many others co-star in this western. This is a pretty good dramatization on the legend of the historical figure. This portrays Jesse James as a hero to a point but starts to slip as part of the James Gang. It is an enjoyable watch more than anything and got entry into that Golden Year of Cinema.
Strangers on a Train (1951): Alfred Hitchcock directed this film which is based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith. Farley Granger stars as the professional tennis player Guy Haines who is on a train and meets a seemingly obsessed fan in Bruno Antony, played by Robert Walker. Bruno knows a lot about Guy including the hate he has for his estranged wife and Bruno hates his father. Bruno has the idea to "swap murders" causing Guy's life to spin out of control leading to a crazy climax on the carousel. Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll, Patricia Hitchcock, Kasey Rogers, Marion Lorne, Jonathan Hale, Howard St. John, Norma Varden, Robert Gist, and many others co-star in this film. This has that usual Hitchcock blend of action and dark comedy. Having recently been part of a radio play recording for Richmond Radioworks, I decided to revisit this one. The radio play is not out yet and will keep posted as things get announced. I have always maintained that this is my favorite Hitchcock film and nothing has changed. This is available to watch on TUBI and Plex.
Vanilla Sky (2001): Cameron Crowe directed this remake of the 1997 Spanish film OPEN YOUR EYES. Tom Cruise stars as publishing magnate David Aames Jr. who has quite the privileged life. His relationship with Sofia, played by Penelope Cruz, has the jealous Julie, played by Cameron Diaz, angry and causing a car accident. From there David cannot tell what is real and fantasy. Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Timothy Spall, Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, Delaina Hlavin, Shalom, Harlow, Oona Hart, Ivana Milicevic, Johnny Galecki, and many others co-star in this film. This has a lot of sci-fi elements to it that if I explain, I might give it away. It is very intriguing and one that must be followed pretty closely. I have not seen the mentioned 1997 film except that Cruz also plays Sofia in that version. There are also lots of pop culture refences done cleverly. This is available to watch on Paramount Plus and MGM Plus.
The Fallen Idol (1948): Carol Reed directed this Film Noir which is based on a short story by Graham Greene. Ralph Richardson stars as foreign embassy butler Mr. Baines who comes under suspicion when his wife Mrs. Baines, played by Sonia Dresdel, falls to her death. Bobby Henrey stars as the impressionable Phillipe who becomes very confused about the death and just what is going on around him. Michele Morgan, Denis O'Dea, Jack Hawkins, Walter Fitzgerald, Dandy Nichols, and many others co-star in this film. This is a gripping film centered around the confusion of a child and trying to understand what the adults are saying. This is an underrated film from this era. This is available to watch on Kanopy.
The Connection (1961): Shirley Clark directed this experimental film which is based on a play by Jack Gelber. William Redfield stars as documentary filmmaker Jim Dunn who is filming eight heroin addicts and pays for their fix. As time goes on, Jim's voyeuristic nature in filming comes into question. Warren Finnerty, Garry Goodrow, Roscoe Lee Browne, and many others co-star in this film. This has a very deep subject matter. It is as independent as it gets for a film and is effective in the low-budget feel. This is available to watch on Kanopy.
The Last Repair Shop (2023): I end the week with this short film which was directed by Kris Bowers and Ben Proudfoot. This takes a look at a group of people in Los Angeles who specialize in repairing musical instruments and in turn get them to students who might not be able to afford them. It takes a good look at the importance of the arts and for band in this situation. This takes a look at some of the employees of the repair place and some students who have benefitted. We just need more of these types of people. This is available to watch on Disney Plus and is about 40 minutes long.
Well, that is it for this week but continue on for my new segment "The Kevin Bacon Experience". Tell me what you like and dislike and I'll be back in a couple weeks which includes Antonio Banderas, Bob Hoskins, William Holden, James Caan, Gary Cooper, and many others.
Years ago, we learned from some frat guys that everyone is six degrees away from Kevin Bacon. I was not aware of this challenge until recently from my friend Dennis the Library Menace. The rules are that you start with a Kevin Bacon and continue to follow with another actor from that movie. I also learned that these all have to be first time watches which they are first time from me. This is technically a 2026 challenge, but this might take me into 2027 having started late. As of now, I am starting ten and will continue to bring this segment back periodically. I intend to have 100 and end on a Kevin Bacon movie.
2. Michael Shannon was in the 2001 movie Vanilla Sky with Penelope Cruz
3. Penelope Cruz was in the 2026 movie The Bride with Annette Bening
4. Annette Benning was in the 2018 movie Life Itself with Antonio Banderas


















































