The Kenblog: Remembering Ray Liotta

Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with some sad news. Immensely talented actor Ray Liotta passed away this week while filming a movie in the Dominican Republic. He died in his sleep and, although the cause of death hasn’t been revealed, it’s been said he had a heart condition of some kind. He was only 67 years old.

Liotta was one of most intense actors ever captured on camera. With those piercing eyes and that horizontal slash of a mouth, he could terrify and intimidate without saying a single word. His first big film was as a psychotic ex-boyfriend of Melanie Griffith who becomes gradually more and more threatening to the nice, naive guy she’s currently seeing (played to perfection by Jeff Daniels.). He later gained fame as Shoeless Joe Jackson in the Kevin Costner baseball classic “Field Of Dreams.” Then came his classic role as mobster Henry Hill in Martin Scorcese’s classic “Goodfellas.” He’s front and center in a film filled with some of the greatest actors of any generation but he holds our attention with his magnetic gaze.

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Dog’s Movie House: “Top Gun: Maverick” Rousing Sequel 36 Years In The Making!”

Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with a look at the long-delayed sequel to the 1986 classic piece of cinematic machismo, “Top Gun.” This one’s called “Top Gun: Maverick” and, despite the Covid-19 delays and restrictive filming conditions, I’m happy to say that “Maverick” not only honors its predecessor; it surpasses it in terms of sheer thrills and cinematic craftsmanship. At the forefront is the ageless (well, almost) Tom Cruise, slipping into the character of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell like a comfortable pair of old slippers. He and director Joseph Kosinski have made a rousing, old-school Hollywood blockbuster that is guaranteed to have audiences cheering, clapping, and laughing in their seats.

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Dog’s Movie House: “Men” Ambitious, Well Crafted Horror That May Not Be To Everyone’s Taste!

Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with a look at the latest from notable director Alex Garland. The man is responsible for a couple of the most ambitious science fiction movies in the last ten years. Garland gave us “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation.” Now he’s back and working in the realm of horror. His latest is called “Men” and it has all the hallmarks of what makes Garland such a creative and talented filmmaker. “Men” is atmospheric, expertly paced, and features excellent performances from his two leads, especially Rory Kinnear in multiple roles. It also has something of an ambiguous climax, another hallmark of Alex Garland’s work. It could be a metaphorical journey involving a woman’s grief or an incomprehensible horror fever dream, or maybe both. It’s up to you to decide, but if you keep an open mind “Men” is quite the rewarding experience!

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The Dogcast: The Pat Walsh Show For 05/13/22

Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with another appearance on The Pat Walsh Show! This week is the Friday The 13th edition. Pat and I talk the new Firestarter and a Peacock Original film “The Outfit!” Also have some fun talking about a story in which being called “bald” qualifies as sexual harassment, Friday The 13th movies that ironically have nothing to do with Friday The 13th. We also remember the late, great character actor Fred Ward, probably most famous for playing astronaut Gus Grissom in “The RIght Stuff” and teaming with Kevin Bacon for the cult classic monster flick “Tremors.” Enjoy the Pat Walsh Show and as always, feel free to comment below or on my Facebook page! So Sayeth The Kendog!

The Dogcast: The Pat Walsh Show- Friday, 5/6/22!

Howdy folks! It’s The Kendog here with another episode of the Pat Walsh Show! This time I’m chatting with Sweet Lou Gallagher as Pat is currently enjoying the musical stylings of one Paul McCartney in Oakland (lucky stiff). During this hour we talk about Lou’s trip to Hawaii and I get to review both “Dr. Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness” and the excellent “Everything, Everywhere All At Once” starring the fantastic Michelle Yeoh. Enjoy the program and feel free to comment either below or on my Facebook Page. So Sayeth The Kendog!