Cadillac Records

2008 Musical Biographical Film

Director: Darnell Martin

Writer: Darnell Martin

Cinematography: Anastas Michos

Running time: 109 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: If you take the ride, you must pay the price.

Cast:

Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess

Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters

Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon

Gabrielle Union as Geneva Wade

Columbus Short as Little Walter

Emmanuelle Chriqui as Revetta Chess

Eamonn Walker as Howlin' Wolf

Mos Def as Chuck Berry

Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James

Shiloh Fernandez as Phil Chess

Jay O. Sanders as Mr. Feder

Eric Bogosian as Alan Freed

Vincent D'Onofrio (uncredited) as disk jockey

Plot

Leonard Chess, a Polish immigrant of Jewish descent, becomes the founder of a record label, which opens the doors for African-American people to record music. This leads to Chuck Berry, Little Walter, Etta James, and Muddy Waters.

Awards:

1. Black Reel-Best Ensemble Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Eamonn Walker
   Cedric the Entertainer, Mos Def, Gabrielle Union, Beyoncé Knowles &
   Columbus Short-Black Reel Awards
2. Black Reel-Best Film Andrew Lack, Sofia Sondervan & Beyoncé Knowles-Black Reel Awards
3. Black Reel-Best Supporting Actor Jeffrey Wright-Black Reel Awards
4. Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Columbus Short

Trivia

Arranger Riley Hampton, who orchestrated all of Etta's Chess hits, including "At Last," is not mentioned anywhere in the film. 

Pictures

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http://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Records-Blu-ray-Adrien-Brody/dp/B001P3SA8U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1335782759&sr=8-3

5 star out of 5 stars

Backdraft

1991 Action Thriller Film

Director: Ron Howard

Writer: Gregory Widen

Cinematography: Mikael Salomon

Running time: 132 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: In that instant it can create a hero... or cover a secret.

Cast:

Kurt Russell as Lt. Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey/Dennis McCaffery

William Baldwin as Brian McCaffery

Scott Glenn as John "Axe" Adcox

Jennifer Jason Leigh as Jennifer Vaitkus

Rebecca De Mornay as Helen McCaffrey

Donald Sutherland as Ronald Bartel

Robert De Niro as Donald "Shadow" Rimgale

Jason Gedrick as Tim Krizminski

J. T. Walsh as Alderman Martin Swayzak

Anthony Mockus, Sr. as Chief John Fitzgerald

Cedric Young as Grindle

Juan Ramirez as Ray Santos

Kevin Casey as Nightingale

Jack McGee as Schmidt

Mark Wheeler as Pengelly

Plot

Two Chicago firefighter brothers who don't get along have to work together while a dangerous arsonist is on the loose.

Awards:

1. BMI Film Music Award-Hans Zimmer-BMI Film & TV Awards

Trivia

In an interesting twist of fate, Brad Pitt lost out on the role of Brian McCaffrey in Backdraft to William Baldwin, who then had to be released from his contract to play the small part of J. D. in Thelma & Louise that was re-cast with Brad Pitt. 

Pictures

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http://www.amazon.com/Backdraft-Blu-ray-Combo-Digital-Copy/dp/B004ZJZQF6/ref=sr_1_5?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1335523128&sr=1-5

5 star out of 5 stars

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

1995 Comedy Film

Director: Steve Oedekerk

Writer: Steve Oedekerk

Cinematography: Donald E. Thorin

Running time: 90 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: The great plains of Africa, the cradle of civilization. A place where there exists a balance between nature and man. So ancient, so sacred, no man would dare to disturb it. No man but Ace Ventura.

Cast:

Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura

Ian McNeice as Fulton Greenwall

Simon Callow as Vincent Cadby

Maynard Eziashi as Ouda

Bob Gunton as Burton Quinn

Alan Calder as Shikaka Tribe Leader

Sophie Okonedo as the Wachati Princess

Arsenio "Sonny" Trinidad as Ashram Monk

Danny D. Daniels as Wachootoo Witch Doctor

Andrew Steel as Mick Katie

Bruce Spence as Gahjii

Tom Grunke as Derrick McCane

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Hitu

Dev Kennedy as Dad Tourist

Tommy Davidson as the Tiny Warrior

Patti Tippo as Mom Tourist

Michael Reid Mackay as Skinny Husband

Plot

Pet detective Ace Ventura comes out of retirement to investigate the disappearance of a rare white bat, the symbol of an African tribe.

Awards:

1. ASCAP Award-Top Box Office Films Robert Folk-ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
2. Blimp Award-Favorite Movie-Kids' Choice Awards, USA
3. Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor Jim Carrey-Kids' Choice Awards, USA
4. MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance Jim Carrey-MTV Movie Awards
5. MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance Jim Carrey- MTV Movie Awards

Trivia

When listing other words that start with "-sh" after hearing of the Shikaka, Ace includes "Shawshank Redemption". Bob Gunton, who plays Burton Quinn, also starred in The Shawshank Redemption. 

Pictures

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http://www.amazon.com/Ace-Ventura-When-Nature-Calls/dp/6304696469/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335433384&sr=8-2

5 star out of 5 stars

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

1994 Comedy Film

Director: Tom Shadyac

Writer: Jack Bernstein, Tom Shadyac & Jim Carrey

Cinematography: Julio Macat

Running time: 86 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: He's the best there is! (Actually, he's the only one there is.)

Cast:

Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura

Courteney Cox as Melissa Robinson

Sean Young as Lt. Lois Einhorn/Ray Finkle

Tone Lōc as Emilio

Dan Marino as Himself

Noble Willingham as Riddle

Troy Evans as Roger Podacter

Raynor Scheine as Woodstock

Udo Kier as Ronald Camp

Frank Adonis as Vinnie

Tiny Ron as Roc

David Margulies as Doctor

John Capodice as Aguado

Judy Clayton as Martha Mertz

Bill Zuckert as Mr. Finkle

Alice Drummond as Mrs. Finkle

Rebecca Ferratti as Sexy Woman

Mark Margolis as Mr. Shickadance

Don Shula as Himself

Scott Mitchell as Miami Dolphins Player

Cannibal Corpse as themselves

Nosey (Miami Seaquarium, Florida) as Snowflake the dolphin

Plot

A goofy detective specializing in animals goes in search of a missing dolphin mascot of a football team.

Awards:

1. ASCAP Award-Top Box Office Films Ira Newborn-ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
2. Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Comedy, On Video
   Jim Carrey-Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
3. Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Male Newcomer, On Video
   Jim Carrey-Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
4. Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor Jim Carrey-Kids' Choice Awards, USA
5. ALFS Award-Newcomer of the Year Jim Carrey-London Critics Circle Film Awards

      Trivia

The voice of Ace Ventura and the manner, in which he speaks, was added by Carrey only after several read through of the script. The voice was something Carrey used in his stand up routine. The "All righty then" was the catch phrase of one of his stand up characters and after the lines from the script weren't feeling right, he added it to the script and read through it again using that voice for all the lines. It was such an improvement that it became the main Ace Ventura personality trait. 

Pictures

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http://www.amazon.com/Ace-Ventura-Detective-Jim-Carrey/dp/0790732157/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335347271&sr=8-2

5 star out of 5 stars

12 Monkeys

1995 Science Fiction Film

Director: Terry Gilliam

Writer: David Peoples & Janet Peoples

Cinematography: Roger Pratt

Running time: 127 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: The future is history.

Cast:

Bruce Willis as James Cole

Madeleine Stowe as Kathryn Railly

Brad Pitt as Jeffrey Goines

Christopher Plummer as Dr. Goines

Jon Seda as Jose

Christopher Meloni as Lt. Halperin

David Morse as Dr. Peters

Frank Gorshin as Dr. Fletcher

Vernon Campbell as Tiny

Lisa Gay Hamilton as Teddy

Bob Adrian as Geologist

Simon Jones as Zoologist

Carol Florence as Astrophysicist/Jones

Bill Raymond as Microbiologist

Thomas Roy as a street preacher

Plot

In a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.

Awards:

1. ASCAP Award-Top Box Office Films Paul Buckmaster-ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
2. Saturn Award-Best Costumes Julie Weiss-Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
3. Saturn Award-Best Science Fiction Film-Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
4. Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor Brad Pitt-Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
5. Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Science Fiction
   Brad Pitt-Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
6. Empire Award-Best Director Terry Gilliam-Empire Awards, UK
7. Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Brad Pitt-Golden Globes, USA
8. Universe Reader's Choice Award-Best Actress in a Genre Motion Picture
   Madeleine Stowe-Sci-Fi Universe Magazine, USA
9. Universe Reader's Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Genre Motion Picture Brad Pitt- Sci-Fi Universe Magazine, USA

Trivia

The Army of the Twelve Monkeys is inspired by a passage in L. Frank Baum's novel, "The Magic of Oz", in which the Nome King and Kiki Aru convince twelve monkeys they will have an endless supply of food if they become human soldiers for them. 

Pictures

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http://www.amazon.com/12-Monkeys-Blu-ray-Brad-Pitt/dp/B0026FCNK2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1335264385&sr=8-3

5 star out of 5 stars

Dead Moon Rising

2007 Horror Comedy Film

Director: Mark E. Poole

Writer: Mark E. Poole

Cinematography: Mark E. Poole

Running time: 93 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: Girls, Ghouls & Guns... What Else Do You Need For A Good Time?

Cast:

Jason Crowe as Jim

Mike Seely as Nick

Erica Goldsmith as April

Gary Williams as Dick

Tucky Williams as Vix

Kiki Wallace as Myrtle

Derek Miller as Albert

Jennifer Shank as Sarah

Chris Albro as Bruce

Jeff Mitchell as Scar

Cory J. Grace as Bob

Gracie Maddox as Vicky Mays

Dillon Owen as Young Jim

Warren Maddox as Young Bruce

Autumn Barefoot as Mornin Y'all Host

Josh Stopfel as Weather Dude / Ninja Terrorist

Kevin Temple as Hazmat Doctor / Clumsy Ninja Terrorist

Plot

A mysterious disease overtakes the world, and the infected develop a hankering for human flesh. Jim and his fellow Cheapskate Car Rental clerks are oblivious to the changes going on right outside their door, until it literally gets right in their faces. Jim struggles with disgruntled customers, hordes of cannibals, the barely legal April, his certifiable ex-girlfriend Vix (the sexy "Terminatrix"), and reconciling issues with his brother, an aversion to guns, and the "pants thing." Can Jim pull it together and rally Louisville's remaining bike gangs and defeat the infected hordes? Maybe with the help of 1000 rounds a minute mini-gun...

Awards: None

Trivia

When character Vix makes her first appearance in the film she uses her sword to slice and dice a number of zombies but her sword had not a drop of blood on it and is extremely clean.

Pictures

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http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Moon-Rising-Jason-Crowe/dp/B00116VG3C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1335177893&sr=8-3

1 star out of 5 stars

Tainted

1998 Comedy Thriller Film

Director: Brian Evans

Writer: Sean Farley

Cinematography: Brian Evans

Running time: 108 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: Dead End Jobs, A Drunk Ex-girlfriend, Psychotic Vampires: ONE HELL OF A NIGHT!

Cast:

Dean Chekvala as Alex

Sean Farley as J.T

Caryn Hottle as Vampire Woman

Eric Jaan as Clyde

Greg James as Ryan

Tina Kapousis as Adia

Tony Lucchi as Tommy

Stephany Slongo as Karen

Trish Stroh as Trish

Ronnie Walsh as Irwin

Plot

A sarcastic comedy thriller about a vampire who sets out to infect the blood of a hospital and the twenty-something slackers set out to stop him.

Awards: None

Trivia

Sean Farley's character says "Wake up, time to die." This line was made famous by James Brion in Blade Runner, and in Crimewave (1985/I) James throws Farley out of an elevator. 

Buy

http://www.amazon.com/Tainted-VHS-Farley/dp/6305282048/ref=sr_1_28?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1334918396&sr=1-28

2 stars out of 5 stars

Scrapbook

2000 Horror Film

Director: Eric Stanze

Writer: Tommy Biondo

Cinematography: Eric Stanze

Running time: 95 minutes

Country: United States

Tagline: True horror is simply what one human being can do to another.

Cast:

Emily Haack as Clara

Tommy Biondo as Leonard

Todd Tevlin as Biffle Morris

Elizabeth Hammock as Young Leonard's Sister

Sam Maiden Jr. as Young Leonard's Brother

Angelia Sanderson as the Victim in the Van

Plot

A young woman named Clara is captured by a serial killer named Leonard who records his "life story" by keeping a scrapbook of his many victims. In addition to adhering Polaroid’s, scraps of clothing, and other small trophies to the pages, Leonard has forced his victims to personally write in the scrapbook about their individual ordeals. Clara is beaten, raped, starved, and locked up like an animal, filthy and naked. She is forced to write in the scrapbook, adding her agony to the pages. She soon realizes that her only hope for survival is to manipulate Leonard through her writings in his cherished scrapbook.

Awards:

1. B-Movie Award-Best B-Movie Eric Stanze-B-Movie Film Festival
2. B-Movie Award-Best Director Eric Stanze-B-Movie Film Festival
3. B-Movie Award-Best Screenplay Tommy Biondo-B-Movie Film Festival 
4. B-Movie Award-Best Villian Tommy Biondo-B-Movie Film Festival 

Trivia

The movie is based on actual events, researched by Tommy Biondo over a five year period. 

Buy

http://www.amazon.com/Scrapbook/dp/B000RIE4QQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334831371&sr=8-2

2 stars out of 5 stars

Rockabilly Vampire

1996 Comedy Horror Film

Director: Lee Bennett Sobel

Writer: Paul Gambino & Lee Bennett Sobel

Cinematography: John Cooper

Running time: 90 minutes

Country: United States

Cast:

Stephen Blackehart as Wrecks Vincent

Paul Stevenson as Eddie Vincent

Margaret Lancaster as Iris Dougherty

Valentine Miele as Greasy

Dennis Davies as Benny Lawalski

Wendy Walker as Emma Cross

Jeremy Klavens as Beatle Boy

Philip Carroll as Mr. Lawalski

James Breen as T-Bone

David van Leesten as Juju the Voodoo Guru

Alex Tufel as Lowlife

Jerry Meko as Mamma Jerry

Eliot Gartley as Wino #1

James M. Gordon as Wino #2

Plot

A woman obsessed with Elvis Presley is having problems with her job, her landlord and her landlord's scummy son. One day she meets a man who looks and dresses just like Elvis. She immediately falls in love, but there's one thing she doesn't realize--"Elvis" is a vampire. 

Awards: None

Trivia

This film was actually shot in late 1995, immediately after 'Tromeo and Juliet (1996)', though not released on DVD until 2001. 

Pictures

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http://www.amazon.com/Rockabilly-Vampire-Stephen-Blackehart/dp/B003VWC142/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334739917&sr=8-2

2 stars out of 5 stars