The Dogcast – The First Dog’s Movie House Podcast!
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with some exciting news! I’m am posting at this very site my very first episode of the Dog’s Movie House Podcast! It’s been a long time coming, let me tell you! I had the get the right equipment, find the time, etc. A lot of it was just getting off my duff and doing it no matter the consquences. I have to say it sounds good for a first effort (but I’m a little biased, heh) but there are a few glitches, primarily with the volume of the trailers and some small editing issues, but overall I think you’ll enjoy it, especially if you like my segments on the Pat Walsh Show! This episode features reviews of “Wuthering Heights” and the new Chris Hemsworth heist drama “Crime 101.” I also talk about my first (and possibly last) experience with D-Box seats! Enjoy and feel free to leave comments and (constructive, please) critcism either here or on my Facebook page! So Sayeth The Kendog!
Dog’s Movie House – Luc Besson’s “Dracula” An Odd Bird Of A Film With Some Interesting Moments!
“Dracula” tells the tale of Prince Vlad (Caleb Landry Jones) Prince of Wallachia and leader of the order of the Dracul (Dragon). In the prologue, Vlad must leave his beloved Elisebeta (Zoe Bleu) to wage war on the invading Muslims. He’s successful, but the enemy kills his beloved wife as she flees for safety. Her death and the advising priest’s lack of action on God’s behalf enrages Vlad to the point that he turns his back on God, resulting in his being cursed for all eternity to live in the shadows and subsisting on the blood of the living.
Four hundred years later, a chance meeting with a solicitor named Jonathan Harker (Ewans Abid) at Dracula’s castle leads Vlad to go to Paris to reclaim his reincarnated Elisabeta, who is really Jonathan’s fiance (also Bleu). In pursuit of Dracula is an enigmatic priest (Christophe Waltz), dispatched from the Vatican to investigate the origins of the legendary vampire. With the help of others, the priest must protect Mina from Dracula’s influence lest she become another member of Dracula’s undead.
Let’s get this out of the way first: “Dracula” is not a scary film . . .at all! It has all the gothic imagery and some violence, but the suspense is almost non-existent and our title character is portrayed as almost an heroic figure with hardly any real menace to him at all. Jones is actually very good in the roll, delivering a Dracula who doesn’t fight or kill unless he’s supposed to. Even those he’s turned, such as Maria (Matilda De Angelis) seemed to share of mutual respect with the Count. Instead of brides he has a multitude of living stone gargoyles to do his bidding (Don’t ask!). His seduction of Mina is more of a courtship than a seduction as Dracula is unfailingly polite and understanding. Jones uses this interpretation to give this Dracula some real charm, but unfortunately it robs Dracula of any menace.
Waltz has a great time playing the priest who is clearly a substitute for Van Helsing, and his performance has some real dramatic heft despite the character’s somewhat quirky nature. He doesn’t want to end Dracula becuase the vampire is evil: the priest simply wants to provide Dracula with salvation and keep others from sharing his fate.
The visuals are fairly well done and the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking at times, but the movie moves a bit slowly at times (it’s over two hours) and the lack of tension can be maddening at times. Still, the good performances and interesting ideas presented in the film make the movie worth watching at least once. Just remember that the horror film is not horrific at all, and if you wnat to see as turgid supernatural romance, then “Dracula” might be for you! 3 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!
Radio Daze: Enjoy “The Great Guildersleeve” For Some Old Radio Listening Pleasure!
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog with another episode of Radio Daze! This edtion features one of the most successful spin off shows of all time. “The Great Guildersleeve” started in 1941 and ran all the way until 1954. Throckmorton P. Guildersleeve had previously been popular on Fibber McGee and Molly and proved to be just as possible on his own show. Played for most of its run by the talented Harold Peary, Guildersleeve was the Water Commissioner for the town of Summerfield and the guardian of little Leroy (Walter Tetley) and Marjorie (Virginia Lynne). Like Fibber McGee & Molly, this show had a variety of colorful characters and the show had its own groove. The first two episodes here are from 1941 and show how good the show would become! Enjoy and snuggle up to the old radio tonight! So Sayeth The kendog!
Dog’s Movie House: “Send Help” A Fine Return To Form For Sam Raimi!
“Send Help” features Rachel McAdams as Lindle Liddle, an overworked, somewhat dowdy woman who works for this Fortune 500 company. Despite her quirks, she’s been invaluable to the company. Things change when the owner passes away and douchebag son Bradley (Dylan O’brien) takes over and, in the ultimat bro move, passes Linda over for her promised promotion in favor of one of his boys. A devestated Linda ends up accompanying Bradley and his asshole associates on a trip to Thailand because, although she’s not well-liked, she is necessary to an upcoming merger.
Things take a dark turn when the plane crashes into the sea and Linda and Bradley, as the only survivors, wash up on an apparently deserted island. Bradley is hurt and clearly out of his element. Linda finds herself in unfamiliar territory: healthy and in charge. It’s a position she takes to like a fish to water and it’s a position Bradley hates. The tables have been well and truly turned and. although they try to get along, the resentment between both parties makes them adveserial and soon it’s not only the hostile elements Linda and Bradley have to contend with.
“Send Help” revels in its bonkers intensity. Once the two main characters get to the island, Raimi gets crazy. There’s gross bodily fluids galore, boar attacks from the boar’s point of view and various violent encounters that get crazier and crazier as the movie goes on. The tight script by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift keeps things moving without sacrificing character development.
This is basically a two person show and “Send Help” doesn’t work if the actors don’t work. Fortunately McAdams and O’brien are wonderful here. McAdams has never been better here, channeling a young Francis McDormand here, always being sympathetic even when Linda goes on a bit of a power trip and she does some questionable things. She’s matched by O’brien who flips his normal nice-guy persona on its head to play one of the most hissable douche canoes in recent memory. Everytime you think he’s letting his walls down or making some emotional progress, it turns out it’s just another ruse or another false front for his jabs of emotional crualty. You will never want to see a man get his comeuppance more.
The last act takes an interesting twist, but it’s in line with the story, leading to an intence finale. “Send Help” doesn’t necessary reinvent the wheel, but it’s a solid thriller well done in that signature Raimi style. Fans of old school survival horror will find a lot to like in “Send Help” and bolstered by two wonderful perfrmances, provides a fine time at the movies. 4 Out Of 5 on Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!
The Kenblog: Great Movie Scenes- The Final Cross Examination In “Presumed Innocent!”
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here and I’ve got another great movie scene for you to enjoy. This one’s from Alan J. Pakula’s wonderful court thriller “Presumed Innocent” starring Harrison Ford as Rusty Sabitch, an Assistant District Attorney in Chicago on trial for the murder of a colleague who just happened to be his lover at one time. The movie is filled with twists and turns and has some great actors including John Spencer, Sab Shimono, Bonnie Bedellia, Brian Dennehy, and Raul Julia. This scene features Julia’s Sandy Stern (Sabitch’s defense attorney) giving a devestating cross examination to Shimono’s Dr. Kumigai, a forensic specialist with some shady activities. It’s a riveting scene with crackling dialogue that gets your heart pumping just as well as any action picture! If you haven’t seen “Presumed Innocent” perhaps this scene with inspire you to do so! It’s a great film! So Sayeth The Kendog!
Radio Daze: “Fibber McGee And Molly” Is Classic Comedy With A Truly Talented Supporting Cast!
Howdy Folks! Welcome to another episode of Radio Daze! This episode will return us to Wistful Vista, home of Fibber McGee And Molly! Jim and Marian Jordan rivaled Burns And Allen as the funniest husband and wife team in Old Radio. “Fibber McGee And Molly” also feature one of the finest supporting casts in comedic radio. Actors such as Gale Gordon, Arthur Q. Bryant, and the delightful Bill Thomspon (who performed at least a half dozen characters) and others always had the audience in stitches when they visited 79 Wistful Vista. Harold Peary became a household name as the Great Gildersleeve and was so popular he even got his own long running spinoff show! These two episodes are from February of 1943 and feature many of these same cast members. It’s a classic comedy with the ability to make you chuckle all these decades later! Enjoy! So Sayeth The Kendog!
