Sunday, March 17, 2024

I saw You Can Call Me Bill

Imagi-movie, documentary director Alexandre O. Phillipe's loving tribute to William Shatner, You Can Call Me Bill, is one to analyze and revere, much like Peter Jaysen's Shatner/Nimoy Mind Meld: created, that is, for devotees; and for those uncultivated outsiders (or the cultists of Dennis William Hauck's Captain Quirk), well, to hell with 'em. 

The  reflective document works because it delivers what it promises. It's all about Shatner, an hour and forty minutes of the 93-year-old, with a result that's more philosophical than funny (though humor certainly intercedes), covering his many jaunts and challenges and how such have colored his career (and our lives). That means Star Trek and Captain James T. Kirk distinguish the grand remembrance (how could they not?), but with Shatner's sidebar triumphs also haunting our collective consciousness: T.J. Hooker, Boston Legal, The Practice, $#!@My Dad SaysThe Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits, not to mention a coveted-and-achieved, space-shuttle sojourn.

Shatner's dual role in Jose Briz Mendez's underrated White Comanche is even acknowledged (a clever tit-for-tat that holds its own with Trek's "The Enemy Within" and "Turnabout Intruder"). This inclusion, in itself, furthers You Can Call Me Bill's thorough slant, but it's Shatner's heartfelt reminiscing (with worthy bit after worthy bit, stretching from his youth through his senior years) that enlivens Phillipe's expedition. Here we get the still-virile Shatner in a frank, no-frills context, poised under the hot lights, as we, the audience, witness his soulful confession. 

The content comprises what few actors could hope to gain, but as You Can Call Me Bill implies, Shatner isn't like most actors. He's distinct and original like Bogart, Wayne, Cagney, Eastwood and Brando, with an energetic emoting that's parroted by others because, damn it, Shatner is a charismatic one of a kind. He's relevant, persuasive and beloved, even by those who may have cause not to admire him (pardon the paradox). 

As a lifelong, Shatner fan, I appreciate Phillipe's sincere staging, for it summons the best from the best. For sure, You Can Call Me Bill may come and go in theaters, but like Trek (and Shatner's marginal, though no less important works), this one will endure: a gem that's already a classic without any need of fermentation. 

WELCOME SPRING 2024 (3/19)

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Collectible Time: Mr. Lobo's Deluxe, Fan Club Kit (Celebrating 22 Years of Misunderstood Movies)

Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia fans have good reason to rejoice. A deluxe, fan-club kit is available for purchase and contains precious, you-gotta-get-'em goodies.

This chockful-of-wonders arrangement includes four, eye-catching buttons (two featuring Mr. Lobo portraits: one in which he portrays Brain That Wouldn't Die's Jan in the Pan); a stylish, decoder-message ring sporting Mr. Lobo's likeness (accompanied by a nifty, code-cracking insert); an awesome, plastic, fan-club wallet-card; a super-ornate, numbered, blue-parchment, Sleepless Knights of Insomnia certificate (doodled-to-the-max with utmost precison by Mr. Lobo and Dixie Dellamorto, signed by the former, as well as the late, great horror host, Bob Wilkins); an enamel Cinema Insomnia logo-pin; a Cinema Insomnia logo-sticker; two signed, Mr. Lobo photos (one 4" x 6", in black-and-white, the other 8" x 10", in color); a signed, Miss Mittens 8" x 10" color photo; a Letter of Commendation, listing all prime, fan-club members; a cosmically breathtaking, Mr. Lobo/Miss Mittens, 13" x 19" poster (see top of post), rendered by none other than Chuck Foulds, creator of MTV's Daria; and as a fetching bonus-gem, a neato postcard by acclaimed, retro-monster artist, El Gato Gomez.  

When I was a wee lad, I often sent away for horror-fan kits. I enjoyed them immensely, but without question, Mr. Lobo's exceeds each and every one, combining tender-loving nostalgic with quality, modern aesthetics. 

If you're a sincere, Mr. Lobo and Cinema Insomnia loyalist, this satisfying set is a great way to celebrate a phenomenon that continues to make its "misunderstood" mark on popular culture. Don't hesitate! Order your kit today!

https://osi74.square.site/product/new-mr-lobo-s-cinema-insomnia-fan-club-kit-2024/42?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true

Collection Recommendation: Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia (Superturtle Meets Shovelface)

Mr. Lobo's newest Cinema Insomnia, Blu-ray release is an adoring, "field-trip" venture aimed at his youngest fans, the Sleepless Knights Lobo Cubs: Troop 74, with a Monster-O-Vision presentation of 1967's Giant Monster Air-Sea Battle: Superturtle Meets Shovelface (aka Gamera vs Gyaos/Return of the Giant Monsters). 

Gamera is Daiei Film Co.'s turtle-tooled reply to Toho's Godzilla, with his opponent, Gyaos, a handy, Rodan knockoff. For their titanic clash, Gamera and Gyaos surface in the wake of volcanic eruptions (underscored by a dash of corporate-imposed upheaval), leaving the kiddie-friendly, flame-spewing turtle to fight tooth and nail against the laser-spitting, winged reptile across vast and scenic territory.

Director Noriaki Yuasa and writer Niisan Takahashi instill childlike wonder throughout the monster melee, for its human lead is an affable boy named Eiichi, played by Naoyuki Abe. Eiichi's trust in Gamera is inspiring, charging the plot with optimism and in the end, triumph. 

Mr. Lobo's presentation is enhanced by salutations from his cheerful cubs, assisted by the cantankerous Countess Bloodsuger (Jessie Seeherman); variants of Toho's lovable, Infant Island Peanuts (Cynetra Verona-Connelly); Puddles, the rubber turtle; the short-fused Flip Floppington (Eric Sabo); the banana-hyped Yella Fever (also Sabo); Emperor Maus (Wendy Sews); Commander Micronauti (Crystal Quin), Forresty Fly (Joseph La Scola); Sally the Zombie Cheerleader (Nicole M. King); John Stanley (as himself); Igor (Ben Stansbery); and big-time CEO, Alan N. Smithee (who just so happens to sport an uncanny resemblance to our beloved, Cinema Insomnia host), who's accompanied in his own right by the diligent droid, R-Du Du. (As with previous Cinema Insomnia offerings, this one overflows with theme-related commercials and trailers.) 

I loved this kaiju entry when I was a mere cub, and I love it even more under its new-and-improved title. For a family-angled installment, Mr. Lobo (and his ever faithful director/producer, Aaron M. Lane) sure chose the right, cinematic submission and seasoned it oh-so-well!

Order Giant Monster Air-Sea Battle: Superturtle Meets Shovelface at 

https://osi74.square.site/s/search?q=Superturtle

Collection Recommendation: Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia Presents Retro Con 2 (Space Transformers)

The first Retro Con release of Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia proved a fulfilling hit, and now Retro Con the Movie, Part 2 manifests on Blu-ray, rivaling the first's high-tech splendor with the copycat, robotic, space odyssey, Return of Rise of the Space Transformers (aka Space Transformer/Micro Commando Diatron 5). 

Director Su-yong Jeong's 1985, animated epic is, in fact, a dubbed, South Korean Transformers wannabe, but heck, its derivation still packs a colorful punch in its shameless goal to make established material its own. In this plagiarized respect, not only does Space Transformers rob from the veritable Transformers, its characters get miniaturized in what becomes a reinterpreted Fantastic Voyage!

Mr. Lobo and Miss Mittens begin their presentation with the arduous task of elevating an ersatz Unicron into a full-fledged, mega-monster, but Sally the Zombie Cheerleader (Nicole M. King) intervenes by dragging Mr. Lobo away to attend the latest Retro Con in Oaks, PA, queuing a new jaunt of special-guest intrigue. 

The headliners include Sam J. (Flash Gordon/The Spirit) Jones, singer/songwriter Stan (Transformers: The Movie) Bush; Diane (Creature/Batman Returns/Pee-wee's Big Adventure & Holiday) Salinger; Kathy (Family Affair/Spider-man and His Amazing Friends) Garver; Roxanne "Jem" Guarino; The Mad Darbarian; Justin (Retroware) Silverman; James (Angry Video Game Nerd) Rolfe; the vindictive Grimlock (Adam Emerson Wyeth); Mini Sally (Beatrix Troutman); and the legendary, robotic, rock band, Cybertronic Spree! As expected, these awesome appearances are spiked by nostalgic commercials, trailers and tidbits that'll put anyone in a comfy, 1980s mood.  

Mr. Lobo and Sally's enthusiasm is so contagious that fans will believe they're experiencing the convention firsthand, and by owning this delightful disc, viewers can re-experience the celebration time and again. 

Order Retro Con, Part 2: Return of the Rise of the Space Transformers at 

https://osi74.square.site/product/blu-ray-pre-order-cinema-insomnia-retrocon-the-movie-2-return-of-the-rise-of-the-space-transformers-/175?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Collectible Time: Arrow's The Shootist Special Edition

"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." J.B. Brooks

Arrow Video has released an anticipated, Blu-ray box set of director Don (Dirty Harry) Siegel and producer Dino (King Kong) De Laurentiis' The Shootist, starring John Wayne in his final, film role. 

The Shootist, based on Glendon Swarthout's acclaimed novel and adapted for the screen by the author with Scott Hale, depicts the last days of legendary gunslinger, John Bernard Brooks, who's diagnosed with cancer. Bad men smell blood and converge to do him in, but the shootist won't go down without a fight, even if it should prove his last. 

In addition to headliners, John Wayne and Lauren Bacall, the cast includes such Hollywood heavyweights as James Stewart, Richard Boone, Hugh O'Brian, John Carradine, Sheree North, Harry Morgan, Bill McKinney, Scatman Crothers, Rick (Richard) Lenz and in an offbeat departure, Ron Howard. 

This 2K-remastered, Blu-ray includes commentary from filmmaker/effects-artist/critic, Howard (The Walking Dead) Berger; a reflective interview with western writer, C. Courtney Joyner; visual essays by critic, David Cairns and filmmaker/critic, Scott Totoya; an analysis of Elmer Bernstein's spirited score by historian/composer, Neil (Stan) Brand; an archival featurette; theatrical trailer; and photo gallery. 

In addition to the Blu-ray's special features, the set includes six, 4" x 6", lobby-card (postcard-sized) reproductions; a 14" x 17", folded reproduction of Richard Amsel's theatrical poster, with a flipside reinterpretation (as seen on the Blu-ray cover), by Juan Esteban Rodriguez; and a 31-page, comprehensive, illustrated booklet by critic, Philip Kemp, detailing the movie's production. 

The Shootist is a powerful, poignant character study, the sort that's hard to come by these days. As such, Arrow Video deserves enormous credit for commemorating this classic with renewed vigor. The release will no doubt extend the movie's popularity and maybe, just maybe, show some of Hollywood's current crop what quality storytelling is all about.