2009 “Punisher: War Zone” is everything its predecessor was not: namely, fun to watch. The slate-cleaning pays off. Ray Stevenson takes over as Frank Castle, who’s been keen on killing crime syndicates ever since his wife and kids were murdered for witnessing a mob execution while picnicking several years earlier. His latest target is Billy […]
Rod Lott
Posted inArts & Culture
Dead of Night
1977 Today’s generation wouldn’t know it, but one of the more reliable sources of quality horror in the 1970s was regular network television. Yes, back when your channel options were limited to little more than three, the webs churned out a surprising amount of made-for-TV movies that generated serious scares. Producer Dan Curtis was responsible […]
Posted inArts & Culture
M.A.N.T.I.S.: The Complete Series
1994-1995 Before Blade, before Hancock, there was M.A.N.T.I.S.! Television’s first series to star a black superhero, “M.A.N.T.I.S.” was a one-season wonder for Fox, co-created by film director Sam Raimi in the same vein as his “Darkman.” A likable Carl Lumbly stars as Dr. Miles Hawkins, a brilliant scientist confined to a wheelchair … until he […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Friday the 13th
Over the past 30 years, Jason Voorhees has been drowned, macheted through the shoulder, axed in the head, macheted through the head, drowned again, drowned yet again, disintegrated by toxic waste, dragged into Hell and shot into space. But can he survive being remade? One could argue that 1980’s seminal slasher “Friday the 13th” has […]
Posted inMusic
Glen Campbell — Greatest Hits
As far as I’m concerned, with his recent comeback album, Glen Campbell has washed the has-been taint of Branson from his reputation. Now, a 16-track collection of his “Greatest Hits” reminds us why we ever loved him in the first place. These songs hold up, sounding very much of their time, yet timeless as well. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Pink Panther 2
Steve Martin is a national treasure. He has leading-man chops, has wit to burn in his screenplays and brightens every scene he’s in with hilarity … if this were 1989, when the manic comedian was on quite a roll with the likes of “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” “Roxanne,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Parenthood” and “Dirty […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Being There: Deluxe Edition
1979 Peter Sellers is perhaps best remembered for his umpteen appearances as Inspector Closeau in the “Pink Panther” franchise, but I’ll always have a fond place for him in my heart for “Being There.” He has the role of a lifetime — and an Oscar nod —? in Chance, a simple-minded gardener whose life is […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Friday the 13th Part 2: Deluxe Edition
1981 Avenging the beheading of his loving mother, Jason Voorhees embarks on his first killing spree in “Friday the 13th Part 2,” the instant sequel to the slasher classic. Unlike its big brother, this one isn’t being re-released uncut, but it comes with several new special features. As sequels go, this one’s pretty good. The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Friday the 13th: Uncut
1980 Ever since “Friday the 13th” forever changed the face of horror as a sleeper hit in 1980, fans have been wanting to see the slasher classic in its original, unedited form. It may have taken the upcoming remake to make that happen, but Paramount finally has relented. And you know what? I can’t tell […]
Posted inNews
Big Apple holiday tradition comes to Oklahoma City
Nothing beats a great pair of legs. Except maybe two dozen of them. For the past four years, Oklahoma City University alum and OKC resident Karen Boyd Bethel has been one of 24 of the world-famous Rockettes touring the country with the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular.” With each new year, she’s living a childhood dream, […]