Tag Archives: Lisa Marie Bowman

Mini Late Night Retro Television Review: Friday the 13th: The Series 2.5 “Symphony in B Sharp”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Welcome to Late Night Retro Television Reviews, a new feature where we review some of our favorite and least favorite shows of the past! On Fridays, I will be reviewing Friday the 13th: The Series, a show which ran in syndication from 1987 to 1990. The show can be found on YouTube!

Hi, everyone!  I sprained my wrist yesterday and today, it still hurts to type so, just as with T and T, today’s review is going to be a quick one.  You might even call it a mini-review!

Episode 2.5 “Symphony In B Sharp”

(Dir by Francis Delia, originally aired on October 31st, 1988)

Oh, Ryan!

You would think that, by this point, Ryan would know better than to fall in love with anyone, seeing as how he had to leave one girlfriend behind in a Mennonite village and he lost another girlfriend to an insane news anchorman.  Add to that, Ryan has also seen Micki repeatedly lose the people with which she has fallen in love.  But, once again, the episode finds Ryan falling in love.

This time, his lover is Leslie Reins (Ely Pouget), who plays violin in the local symphony.  Her former boyfriend, Janos Korda (James Russo), was believed to have been killed in a car accident but instead, he’s alive but terribly scarred.  He hangs out in the rafters and the basement of the symphony hall and kills anyone who get too close to Leslie.  He has a cursed violin that is slowly healing his disfigured appearance in return for Janos using a sharpened bow to kill people.  Janos’s newest target is Ryan.

Yep, it’s Phantom of the Opera all over again, with Leslie Reins’s last name deliberately invoking the name of a past actor who played the Phantom, Claude Rains.  It’s not a bad episode.  There’s plenty of atmosphere and James Russo makes for a good villain.  That said, the cursed antique is not that interesting and the whole episode leans a bit too much into the Phantom of the Opera story.  It was a bit predictable, right down Janos accidentally killing Leslie before taking his own life and Ryan ending yet another episode in tears, with a concerned Jack and Micki watching from a distance.  Ryan listens to a recording of Leslie playing her violin and swears that he’ll never fall in love again.  We know that’s not true, Ryan.  I guess we should be glad that Ryan is no longer looking to hook up with his cousin but still, it’s hard to feel that the guy just can’t get a break!

Next week, hopefully, things will look up for Ryan.  (It would seem that they certainly couldn’t get any worse.)  We’ll find out soon enough.

Scenes that I love: Angels Live In My Town From Boogie Nights (Happy Birthday, John C. Reilly)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today is John C. Reilly’s 59th birthday.  This provides me with a great reason to share a scene that I love from 1997’s Boogie Nights.  In this scene, John C. Reilly and Mark Wahlberg star in one of the best films never actually made, Angels Live In My Town.

Brock Landers and Chest Rockwell were quite a team.

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Roger Deakins Edition

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!

Today is the birthday of our greatest living cinematographer, Roger Deakins!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Roger Deakins Films

Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984, dir by Michael Radford, cinematography by Roger Deakins)

Fargo (1996, dir by the Coen Brothers, cinematography by Roger Deakins)

No Country For Old Men (2007, dir by the Coen Brothers, cinematography by Roger Deakins)

Blade Runner 2049 (2017, dir by Denis Villeneuve, cinematography by Roger Deakins)

Mini Retro Television Review: T and T 3.10 “Silent Witness”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Welcome to Retro Television Reviews, a new feature where we review some of our favorite and least favorite shows of the past! On Fridays, I will be reviewing T. and T., a Canadian show which ran in syndication from 1987 to 1990.  The show can be found on Tubi!

Hi, everyone!  I sprained my wrist yesterday and today, it still hurts to type so today’s review is going to be a quick one.  You might even call it a mini-review!

Episode 3.10 “Silent Witness”

(Dir by Alan Simmonds, originally aired on March 10th, 1990)

When a bank is robbed, a young deaf boy named Vito (Daniel DeSanto) is the only witness to catch sight of one of the robbers without his mask on.  The police bring in T.S. to keep an eye on the kid until it is time to testify.

This was a sweet episode.  Mr. T, who has occasionally seemed a bit bored with the third season of this show, really brightened up when he was acting opposite DeSanto.  One gets the feeling that both T.S. and Mr. T are naturally protective of kids.  It was nice to see Mr. T being warm-hearted instead of grumpy and annoyed.  It felt like a flashback to the first season, when T.S. Turner was still an earnest idealist.

Proving that everyone has to start somewhere, the great character actor Henry Czerny shows up here as a corrupt cop.

This episode suffered a bit due to its short running time.  Stuffing an hour’s worth of plot led to things occasionally feeling a bit rushed.

The episode ended with Vito watching Turner argue with a detective (Richard Fitzpatrick) and finally speaking, for the first time in the episode.  “Stop!” Vito says.  It was a nice note to end on.  Stop arguing and just be happy that the case has been solved.

And that seems like a good place to stop this review.

Live Tweet Alert: Join #FridayNightFlix For Trancers!

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

As some of our regular readers undoubtedly know, I am involved in a few weekly live tweets on Twitter and Mastodon.  I host #FridayNightFlix every Friday, I co-host #ScarySocial on Saturday, and I am one of the five hosts of #MondayActionMovie!  Every week, we get together.  We watch a movie.  We tweet our way through it.

Tonight, at 10 pm et, we’ve got 1984’s Trancers!

If you want to join us this Friday, just hop onto twitter, start the movie at 10 pm et, and use the #FridayNightFlix hashtag!  It’s a friendly group and welcoming of newcomers so don’t be shy.

Trancers is available on Prime!  See you there!

Late Night Retro Television Review: Highway to Heaven 2.11 “The Monster Part II)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Welcome to Late Night Retro Television Reviews, a feature where we review some of our favorite and least favorite shows of the past!  On Thursdays, I will be reviewing Highway to Heaven, which aired on NBC from 1984 to 1989.  The entire show is currently streaming on Freevee and several other services!

This week, the story of Julian and Scotty continues!

Episode 2.11 “The Monster Part II”

(Dir by Victor French, originally aired on December 11th, 1985)

This week’s episode of Highway to Heaven begins where last week’s episode ended.

Julian (Jeff Kober) has been charged with attempting to murder Rachel McCullough (Annabella Price) and the whole town is ready to convict him because he has a birthmark on his face and a bratty kid named Ridley (Peter Billingsley) claims that he saw Julian push Rachel.  Rachel, having hit her head, is in a coma and not expected to survive.  Julian is pressured to accept a plea bargain but he protests that he’s innocent and that he loves Rachel.  He would never had hurt her, no matter what the ignorant townspeople believe.

Only Jonathan and Scotty (James Troesch) believe that Julian is innocent.  After Jonathan saves the depressed Scotty from drowning in his swimming pool, Scotty agrees to put off suicide so that he can defend Julian at his trial.  Scotty does so from his motorized wheelchair and, as he explains to the jury, he knows what its like to be treated a certain way because you look different.  With ease, Scotty demolishes Ridley’s testimony and puts the smug prosecutor in his place.  All of the reporters in the courtroom are shocked when Julian is acquitted but the prosecution really didn’t have a case, beyond Julian having a birthmark on his face.  Scotty gets back together with his wife (Margie Impert) and Rachel not only wakes up but she wakes up with her sight restored.  Despite Julian’s fear, Rachel loves him even more when she can see his face.

Awwwwwww!

(Where is Mark during all this?  He doesn’t show up until the final few minutes, probably because Victor French was busy directing this episode.)

Even if one sets aside that this episode is nearly 40 years old, it still feels old-fashioned.  This is the type of courtroom drama where the trial watchers gasp at each piece of testimony.  As far a courtroom procedurals go, this episode went more for melodrama than realism but that’s to expected with this show.  It was heartfelt and earnest and Jeff Kober gave a touching performance as Julian.

Probably the most interesting thing about this episode was the number of times Jonathan got mad at people.  He got mad at Julian’s original lawyer.  He got mad at Scotty for trying to drown himself.  He called Scotty’s wife a “jerk” to her face.  He gave the prosecutor a dirty look during the latter’s opening statement.  He even got annoyed with Julian’s overly protective mother (Ann Doran).  Jonathan may be an angel but this episode suggests that even angels lose their patience.

Scene That I Love: The Casino Scene From Run, Lola, Run

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today, we wish a happy 59th birthday to director Tom Tykwer.

Today’s scene that I love comes from Tykwer’s 1998 masterpiece, Run, Lola, Run.  Everyone has their own system when it comes to gambling but I don’t think anyone has ever come up with a system as effective as Lola’s.

4 Shots from 4 Films: Special Ryan Coogler Edition

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

4 Or More Shots From 4 Or More Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!

Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to director Ryan Coogler! Ryan Coogler has made a star out of Michael B. Jordan, redeemed the acting career of Sylvester Stallone, introduced the rest of the world to Wakanda, and changed the way that film viewers talk about race in cinema.  With all that in mind, it’s time for….

4 Shots from 4 Ryan Coogler Films

Fruitvale Station (2013, dir by Ryan Coogler, DP: Rachel Morrison)

Creed (2015, dir by Ryan Coogler, DP: Maryse Alberti)

Black Panther (2018, dir by Ryan Coogler, DP: Rachel Morrison)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022, dir by Ryan Coogler, DP: Autumn Durald Arkapaw)

Retro Television Review: Malibu, CA 1.4 “The Classic Car”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Welcome to Retro Television Reviews, a feature where we review some of our favorite and least favorite shows of the past!  On Thursdays, I will be reviewing Malibu CA, which aired in Syndication in 1998 and 1999.  The entire show is currently streaming on YouTube!

This week, Malibu CA continues to be the worst TV show that I’ve ever reviewed for this site.  Considering that I previously reviewed both City Guys and One World, that’s saying something.

Episode 1.4 “The Classic Car”

(Dir by Gary Shimokawa, originally aired on November 1st, 1988)

Summer forever…. the show’s opening theme song reminds us as we, the viewers, are invited to suffer through another 30 minute tour of Jason and Scott’s life.

Scott and Sam are working together to restore a classic old car.  This panics Jason because he likes Sam.  This panics Stads because she likes Scott.  It doesn’t panic Sam because she has absolutely zero personality and her interests are apparently determined solely by the needs of the script.

When they learn that Scott and Sam will be going to a car show, Jason and Stads decide to trick Scott and Sam into thinking the car has been stolen.  However, Scott and Sam figure out what Jason and Stads are planning so they decide to make it look like the car has been stolen for real.  What?  How is that clever?  They’re just ripping off someone else’s scheme.

Jason and Stads panic until Scott reveals the truth.  He also says that Sam can’t go to the car show so all that panic was for nothing.  Jason and Stads laugh and then share a kiss.  “Wooooo!” the audience says.

Meanwhile, Peter tries to teach Murray how to be a businessman.  Murray, the fabulously wealthy son of an oil magnate, has apparently never had a business lesson before and was allowing people to rent surfboards in return for shells.  So, how exactly was the Surf Shack staying open to begin with?  And since when does Peter care about money?  I thought Peter was supposed to be some sort of middle-aged Zen guy.

Ugh, this episode.  Imagine Saved By The Bell or California Dreams without the charm of a Slater or a Sly Winkle and you’ve got Malibu CA.  In the previous episodes, Scott was the nerdy brother and Jason was the cool one.  Now, with this episode, Jason is suddenly nerdy and Scott is the big handsome lug who is detailing old cars.  Not even the show’s writers can keep track of who is supposed to be who.  If Jason and Scott are both idiots, Sam is just incredibly boring and the idea that she’s the character that everyone is supposed to be in love with just shows how shallow-minded this show really was.  Even Hang Time was willing to admit that guys could like girls other than Julie.  At the end of this episode, Jason and Stads hook up but Stads deserves not only a better man but also a better nickname.

Seriously, what a terrible show.

Late Night Retro Television Review: Monsters 2.9 “Reaper”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Welcome to Late Night Retro Television Reviews, a feature where we review some of our favorite and least favorite shows of the past! On Wednesdays, I will be reviewing Monsters, which aired in syndication from 1988 to 1991. The entire series is streaming on YouTube.

This week, on Monsters, an elderly man tries to make a deal with Death.  Because if there’s anyone you can trust to honor a verbal agreement, it’s the Grim Reaper.

Episode 2.9 “Reaper”

(Dir by John Lafia, originally aired on November 26th, 1989)

Robert Ross (George D. Wallace) is a bitter old man who is living out his final days in a retirement home.  Not even the sight of one of his neighbors celebrating her 103rd birthday can cheer up the angry Robert.  However, things look up for Robert when he meets a new nurse, an incurable optimist named Sheila (Barbara Billingsley).  Robert falls in love with her and Sheila seems to be falling in love with Robert as well.

What a terrible time for Dr. Morton (Curt Lowens) to show up in the middle of the night!  Now, it should be understood that Dr. Morton is not actually a doctor nor is he human.  Instead, he’s the Grim Reaper and he’s come to collect Robert’s life.  Robert begs for a few more years and offers to do anything to live.  The Grim Reaper makes a deal with Robert.  If Robert kills three people, the Reaper will allow him to live.  The requirement is that Robert has to personally kill each person and that he has to kill when the Reaper tells him to.  At the same time, Robert can pick his victims.  The Reaper is not particular about who he takes away with him.

Robert agrees and soon discovers that murder isn’t as difficult as he thought.  After the first two murders, Robert is able to rise from his wheelchair and he starts to move around with a spring in his step.  He’s ready to ask Sheila to marry him but then he spots Dr. Morton in the nursing home.  Dr. Morton explains that it is Sheila’s time, unless Robert can send him a third life.  Robert agrees but it turns out that he’s not the only one at the nursing home who has made a deal with the Grim Reaper.  Afterall, how else do you think that woman has lived to be a 103?

Especially when compared to last week’s disappointing episode, Reaper is superior episode of Monsters.  Along with telling an interesting story (and, for once, this is an episode that feels neither rushed nor padded for length), this episode featured strong performances from Wallace, Billingsley, and Lowens and a memorable villain in the form of the skull-faced Grim Reaper.  Director John Lafia does a good job of creating and maintaining a properly ominous and creepy atmosphere.  The image of the Grim Reaper standing in the dark hallway of the nursing home is genuinely unsettling.  This was a good and effective episode that ended with a properly macabre twist.