Boy here’s a weird one. Today Universal Pictures dropped the first trailer for their upcoming action horror comedy “Renfield”. It comes from director Chris McKay and screenwriter Ryan Ridley and is based on a character that first appeared in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula”. The trailer looks insanely wacky (and I say that as a compliment). And if you needed another reason to be excited – Dracula is played by none other than Nicolas Cage. Like I said….wacky.

The title character, Renfield, is played by Nicholas Hoult. He’s the manservant of the one and only Count Dracula, but he’s ready to find a new life all his own. But it’s not so easy when you have vampiric powers and Dracula himself breathing down your neck. The film also stars Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Bess Rous. This looks goofy beyond measure, and that’s exactly what I hope it turns out to be.

“Renfield” hits theaters April 14th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Those of us who grew up on the movies of the 1980s probably remember the wave of Vietnam War related films. Some were more serious minded like “Platoon”, “Full Metal Jacket”, and “Hamburger Hill”. Others were action-packed B-movies that found a home in VHS rental stores. Somewhere in between the two where Chuck Norris’ three “Missing in Action” films. Now thanks to Kino Lorber, fans can own the complete trilogy on Blu-ray later this month.

This new Blu-ray box set of the “Missing in Action” trilogy hits shelves January 17, 2023. See below for a full synopsis and breakdown of the bonus features.

“Missing in Action”

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1984

Rating: R

Runtime: 101 Minutes

Director: Joseph Zito

Starring: Chuck Norris, M. Emmit Walsh, Lenore Kasdorf, David Tress, James Hong, Ernie Ortega, E. Erich Anderson, Pierrino Mascarino, Joseph Carberry, Bella Flores, Willie Williams, Jean-Claude Van Damme (uncredited).

Missing in Action (1984) – American servicemen are still being held captive in Vietnam—and it’s up to one man to bring them home in this blistering, fast-paced action/adventure. Following a daring escape from a Vietnamese POW camp, Special Forces Colonel James Braddock (Norris) is on a mission to locate and save remaining MIAs. Aided by a beautiful State Department official (Lenore Kasdorf, L.A. Bounty) and a former Army buddy (M. Emmet Walsh, Blood Simple), Braddock amasses top-secret information and state-of-the-art weaponry. Now this one-man army is prepared to blast his way into Vietnam…but will he be able to blast his way back out? Directed by Joseph Zito (Invasion U.S.A.) and featuring James Hong (The Perfect Weapon) and David Tress (Stone Cold).

“Missing in Action 2: The Beginning “

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1985

Rating: R

Runtime: 95 Minutes

Director: Lance Hool

Starring: Chuck Norris, Soon-Tek Oh, Steven Williams, Bennett Ohta, Cosie Costa, John Michael Terry, Christopher Carey, John Wesley, David Chung, Professor Toru Tanaka, Dean Raphael Ferrandini, Pierre Issot, Mischa Hausserman

Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (1985) – Chuck Norris returns as Colonel James Braddock in this intense, action-packed prequel to the original runaway hit. Captured during a daring mid-air rescue operation, Braddock and his men are imprisoned by the insane Colonel Yin (Soon-Tek Oh, Good Guys Wear Black), who stops at nothing to break their spirits. Held captive in a godforsaken jungle, death seems the only escape. But like a cunning tiger waiting for the right time to pounce on his prey, Braddock seizes the opportunity to spring into action…and becomes a one-man fighting machine dead-set on freeing his men at any cost. Directed by Lance Hool (Steel Dawn) and featuring Steven Williams (Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday) and Professor Toru Tanaka (Catch the Heat).

“Braddock: Missing in Action 3”

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

Year: 1988

Rating: R

Runtime: 103 Minutes

Director: Aaron Norris

Starring: Chuck Norris, Aki Aleong, Roland Harrah III, Yehuda Efroni, Floyd Levine, Miki Kim, Ron Barker, Jack Rader, Keith David

Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) – When Colonel James Braddock (Norris) is told that his wife and 12-year-old son are still alive in Communist Vietnam, he mounts a one-man assault to free them. Armed with the latest high-tech firepower, Braddock fights his way into the heart of the country and ends up battling his way out with several dozen abused children in tow. Struggling to protect the kids while outmaneuvering the sadistic Vietnamese officer General Quoc (Aki Aleong, V: The Series), Braddock ignites the jungles in a blazing race for freedom. This is the final chapter in the slam-bang Missing in Action trilogy, featuring Keith David (They Live) and directed by Chuck’s stunt coordinator and brother, Aaron Norris (Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection).

Bonus Features

Newly Remastered in 4K and 2K | Audio Commentary for MISSING IN ACTION by Director Joseph Zito, Moderated by Filmmaker Michael Felsher | Interview with MISSING IN ACTION Screenwriter James Bruner| NEW Audio Commentary for MISSING ACTION 2 by Director Lance Hool, Moderated by Historian/Filmmaker Daniel Kremer | NEW Audio Commentary for BRADDOCK: MISSING IN ACTION III by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and Arne Venema | Theatrical Trailers for all Three MISSING IN ACTION Films | Optional English Subtitles

1981’s “The Evil Dead” remains one of my favorite horror films of all-time. Not only do I love the movie and find it a legitimately creepy horror flick, but I also love the story behind it and how it was made. And it introduced the world to Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. After three movies and one standalone 2013 “remake”, the franchise is getting a new installment called “Evil Dead Rise”. Produced by Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures, the film certainly has the look and chill of past entries.

The new trailer for “Evil Dead Rise” is out and gleefully teases a grisly, blood-drenched horror romp that looks to be exactly what fans will be looking for. Written and directed by Lee Cronin, the story follows the reunion of two sisters who discover a mysterious book that unleashes a malevolent possessing spirit. Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies, and Nell Fisher star in a feature that’s clearly not for the squeamish. Me? I’ll be there day one.

“Evil Dead Rise” hits theaters April 21st. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

I know I’m late getting this out, but I just wanted to wish all the readers of this little old website a very Happy New Year. It’s hard for me to put into words just how much I appreciate all of you who visit, read, and/or comment on my reviews, commentaries, or features. It means a lot. It’s a great encouragement knowing people are finding some enjoyment here. It’s also a lot of fun talking movies with the many people I’ve e-met here over the years.

2022 was a pretty wild year for me in terms of reviewing movies professionally and exposure. I’m hoping 2023 sees even more growth. And while some exciting critic opportunities opened up for me outside of this website, Keith & the Movies remains an important and beloved outlet for me. So I have no plans of shutting it down any time soon. In fact, I can’t wait to see where it goes from here, in large part thanks to all of you.

I do have a few goals in mind for 2023.

• Last year I watched and reviewed over 220 new movies. That takes a lot time. I’m not planning on slowing down, but going forward some reviews may be a bit more concise and slightly less exhaustive.
• I’m hoping to squeeze in a few more Retro Reviews. I’ve had a ton of fun revisiting and reviewing older movies that for one reason or another haven’t been added to my movie review archive. I’d love to do more of them.
• I’m also hoping to add a couple more features. Some may be new. I may revive some older ones. I have some ideas, but it will all come down to time.

Anyway, those are just some of the things I’m thinking about doing in the year to come. I hope you’ll be here and enjoy them. And again, I appreciate all the contributions you all have made on this site in 2022. Simply visiting and reading means so much. So thank you and a very Happy New Year to you and yours. Here’s to a amazing 2023.

While I recently shared my Top 10 films of 2022 (you can check them out HERE), today is a far less joyous occasion. In keeping with tradition, it’s time for me to share my picks for the five worst movies I had the displeasure of seeing in 2022. It’s sad to say, but there was some healthy competition this year. Yet I did my duty and finally whittled them down to five? So here we go. Enjoy….I guess.

Dishonorable Mentions: “Jackass Forever”, “Halloween Ends”, “Hellraiser”, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, “Blonde”, “Mack & Rita”, “Bullet Train”, “X”, “Thor: Love and Thunder”, “Spiderhead”, “Brazen”, “Interceptor”, “Senior Year”, “Firestarter”, “The Long Night”, “Alice”

#5 – “Me Time” [REVIEW]

Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg in a Netflix buddy comedy. That should be ample warning for anyone going into “Me Time”. And wouldn’t you know it, it’s exactly the kind of movie you’d expect it to be. It’s bland and formulaic, leaving its audience in a haze of flat jokes, predictable story beats, and one of the most cringe-worthy music numbers you’ll ever see. Everything about it feels canned and processed. I should have heeded the warning.

#4 – “Babylon” [REVIEW]

Technically there are a lot worse movies than Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon”. But this grating three-hour exercise in unbridled self-indulgence is easily one of the most annoying and frustrating films of the year. “Babylon” is so beholden to its brash, gleefully vulgar, full-throttled vision that it doesn’t have time to do anything with its characters other than revel in their self-destruction. And don’t get me started on its ending – easily one of the phoniest things I’ve seen all year.

#3 – “The Requin” [REVIEW]

I went in thinking, “It’s a shark movie. Even if it’s not great it could still be fun.” Well, it is a shark movie so I got that part right. Otherwise “The Requin” is burdened with undercooked family drama, a goofy survival angle, laughably corny dialogue, exaggerated performances, and some incredibly dumb decisions from its characters. And that’s before the glaringly CGI sharks finally arrive. Instead of livening things up, they only manage to make things worse. Yikes.

#2 – “9 Bullets” [REVIEW]

Oh boy. So I didn’t have any real expectations for “9 Bullets” and that’s probably a good thing. This clunky action-thriller (in name only) is a movie full of pieces that don’t fit. None of its emotions feel sincere, and the characters are so constricted by formula that they barely seem human. Inescapably hokey, utterly implausible, and with arguably the year’s most hilariously bad ending this side of “Barbarian”, “9 Bullets” had to have looked a lot better on paper.

#1 – “The Bubble” [REVIEW]

Talk about a terrible waste of a lot of good talent. “The Bubble” certainly won’t appear on the career highlight reel of anyone involved. Instead, this misguided COVID-era clunker is more of a stain. Judd Apatow directs this scattershot mess that’s so full of itself it doesn’t seem to know how unfunny it is. At over two hours, the film is an insufferable slog, full of groan-worthy gags and even worse characters. Perhaps there’s a good idea for a movie in there somewhere. But I’m not willing to endure a second sitting just to find out.

(Originally Reviewed in 2012)

Out of all the movies we watch each Christmas season, no other holiday film hits me quite like Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Over the years this 1946 gem has become a perennial favorite. But this beloved feature can’t be easily pigeonholed as a simple Christmas movie. Its so much more. It’s a tremendous bit of filmmaking full of warmth, some really funny humor, a well-written story, a terrific ensemble, and a heartfelt ending that I still adore. It’s a true motion picture classic that shouldn’t be reserved for just the holiday season.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is the movie that introduced me to the great Jimmy Stewart. Over the years, he would grow to be one of my favorite actors. Here he plays George Bailey, an adventure-minded young man who desires to shake off the dust of his small hometown and see the world. But in his close-knit community things don’t always go as planned. And in George’s case, circumstances would always arise that managed to keep him in Bedford Falls.

The story (co-written by Capra, Frances Goodrich, and Albert Hackett) is an adaptation of Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story “The Greatest Gift”. It begins close to its end. George as is at the end of his rope and is thinking about taking his own life. But Heaven has heard the many prayers of his family and friends and is set to intervene by sending George’s guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers) to remind him of the wonderful life he has lived. In order for the plan to be successful, first Clarence needs to know about the man he’s saving. So he (and the audience) are shown how George’s life has unfolded.

We’re shown that at a young age George Bailey had a significant influence on Bedford Falls. That influence took off after he finished high school and went to work with his father at the Bailey Building and Loan, the only thing in town the miserly money-grubbing Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) couldn’t get his hands on. It’s George’s fight with Potter that leads to his troubles. But it’s also the thing that leads to an important revelation – he truly has had a wonderful life.

The beautiful and charming Donna Reed plays Mary Hatch who first catches George’s eye at a high school dance. The spark between them is undeniable and over time they marry. Stewart and Reed have a delightful chemistry which is evident in every scene they share. Reed really impresses with her ability to convey the love-sick sweetness of young Mary as well as the motherly concern and maturity of older Mary. Together, she and Stewart are a treat.

The rest of the supporting cast are equally great. Barrymore is pitch-perfect as the story’s despicable antagonist who has he hands around the throats of everyone in town. Travers has a ton of fun playing Clarence, the most unlikely of guardian angels. His back-and-forth’s with Stewart offer some of the film’s best moments. And then there is Thomas Mitchell as the absent-minded uncle Billy. The rest of the cast wonderfully brings life and personality to George’s family and Bedford Falls.

But at the end of the day this is Stewart’s show. He brings depth and personality to George Bailey and portrays him in a way that only Stewart could. He’s the charismatic engine that drives this unforgettable and utterly timeless classic. Surprisingly “It’s a Wonderful Life” wasn’t the most well reviewed movie when it was first released. But over time, especially during the Christmas season, it has earned the high praise it has so richly deserves.

VERDICT – 5 STARS