Category: Online Videos

Digital Documentaries Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes)

MURDER CHOSE ME: TRAPPED IN PLACE (Season 3: Episode 5)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 5, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 42:00 Min.

Retired Shreveport, LA homicide detective Rodney L. “Rod” Demery hosts this TV series revisiting cases he had investigated earlier in his law enforcement career.

Demery’s on-screen narration is supplemented by interviews with fellow law enforcement personnel and journalists familiar with the case in question. The episode, otherwise, consists of dramatic reenactments (with actor John Nicholson portraying Demery). First airing on Investigation Discovery on May 27, 2019, “Trapped in Place” examines a fatal domestic incident that occurred in Shreveport on or about Christmas Eve in 2008.

At a rent-controlled Shreveport housing complex, an adult male suffers a broken neck causing full-body paralysis. The victim’s girlfriend states that he had fallen and fatally hit his head during a night of drinking with her and two of her adult relatives. Within a matter of days, as the victim is unable to either move or speak, he dies in intensive care. Prior to his death, the victim makes one faint nod that ominously hints towards what had really happened to him.

With the police’s assigned investigator deeming the matter an alcohol-related mishap, the victim’s suspicious sister contacts Demery for help. Skeptical of the initial investigator’s laziness, Demery’s interviews with law enforcement and medical personnel indicate that the victim’s severe injuries weren’t likely accidental. Inconsistent answers from the victim’s girlfriend about his tragic fall has Demery pivoting back towards her and the two others he was partying with. Specifically, Demery senses that there has been a cover-up leading to the victim’s homicide.

This episode includes corroborating interviews with former Shreveport police detective Shannon Mack; local TV news journalist Keristen Holmes; prosecutor Dhu Thompson; and coroner’s investigator Erin Deutsch.

Note: The reenactment’s cast is left uncredited.

REVIEW:

Aside from excellent production values (including the real Rod Demery’s convincing narrative), this episode doesn’t hold any surprises. Per the case’s eventual outcome, it’s a disappointing reflection of how the American criminal justice system sometimes works in securing some degree of justice. Though slickly produced, the storytelling of “Trapped in Place” may still give viewers pause for thought.

One: Despite playing up rising tensions with the initial investigator on-screen, nothing remotely critical of Demery’s own investigation is presented. Hence, is this episode’s depiction of Demery’s case fair and accurate, as none of the interviewed guests contradict him? Without sufficient independent research, there’s no way to know, to what degree, Murder Chose Me has packaged its storytelling for this particular case.

Two: is this episode (or really the series itself) exploitative and/or self-serving to satisfy fans of sensationalized ‘true crime’ entertainment? Given how Murder Chose Me hypes itself (i.e. eye-rolling close-ups teasing potential suspects before or after scenes), the show’s credibility loses some momentum – in spite of Demery’s no-nonsense demeanor.

If deemed an educational (and teen-friendly) alternative to Hollywood’s take on TV cops-and-robbers, then Murder Chose Me works as is. Despite muddling entertainment with real-world crime, “Trapped in Place” presents solid one-time viewing.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

MERRY LITTLE BATMAN (2023)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 9, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 32 Min.

Released on Amazon Instant Video in December 2023, Mike Roth directed and co-wrote this original Warner Discovery animated film. Roth’s co-writers are Morgan Evans and Jase Ricci.

It is Christmas Eve in Gotham City. At Wayne Manor, the precocious Damian is ecstatic that his billionaire father, Bruce Wayne (aka a semi-retired Batman), has gifted him an early Christmas treasure: his first utility belt. Unexpectedly called away on an emergency rescue to the North Pole, Batman must first discipline his overzealous little boy and take away his prized new belt. Yet, some ominous sabotage later ensures that the Dark Knight is left stranded far from Gotham.

Having lured butler Alfred away, Damian intends to go on his first patrol as the future Batman. Yet, two conniving burglars choose to home-invade a suddenly vulnerable Wayne Manor in search of a treasure trove of loot. Having swiped his utility belt, the thugs barely escape Damian’s Home Alone-like wrath. Vengefully pursuing his enemies deep into Gotham City, a Bat-disguised Damian finds that he has unwittingly becomes a pawn of his father’s worst enemies.

With the clock ticking towards Christmas morning, Gotham is besieged by Damian’s inadvertent rampage. Worse yet, by ending up right where the bad guys want him, Damian is in for the fight of his life. Can even Damian’s legendary dad save him, not to mention Gotham’s Christmas, in time?

Primary Voice Cast:

Damian Wayne: Yonas Kibreab

Bruce Wayne/Batman: Luke Wilson

Alfred Pennyworth: James Cromwell

The Joker: David Hornsby

The Penguin: Brian George

Poison Ivy / Hostage / Citizen: Therese McLaughlin

Mr. Freeze: Dolph Adomian

Vicki Vale: Cynthia Kaye McWilliams

Bane: Chris Sullivan

Commissioner James Gordon: Reid Scott

Himself: DC Comics’ Carmine Infantino (archival voice footage)

Terry the Thief: Michael Fielding

Francine the Thief: Natalie Palamides

Department Store Santa / Scarecrow / Crazy Guy: Fred Tatasciore.

REVIEW:

One can presume that the scriptwriters lifted ideas from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story, and Home Alone in this homage to family-friendly Christmas movies. Still, even a little Gotham holiday cheer goes a long way.

The storyline might have delighted more as a seven-minute short or a 22-minute animated TV episode (a full 45-minute diversion ought to have been the limit). There are still cute moments and consistently stellar backdrop imagery, but such assets can’t hide an exceedingly eye-rolling Bat-caper. However, Damian’s ridiculous crusade (more in line with Teen Titans Go!) is extended too far to make for a watchable feature film outside its intended kiddie audience.

More so, while the voice cast is on its game, their characters are crudely drawn more as parodies. Case in point: James Cromwell’s Alfred is so grotesquely depicted that it looks like he just stepped out of a “Far Side” comic strip. While parody and homage can be cleverly and even hilariously intertwined (i.e. Looney Tunes) by animation, nothing is gained the way Merry Little Batman’s characters are so disproportionately drawn. Had the animation style more closely resembled Batman: The Animated Series, the story’s charm would not have been lost.

Meant to be ultimately heartwarming, Merry Little Batman falls short of an instant holiday viewing tradition.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos

LAST NIGHT (2014)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 3, 2024

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: Approx. 1 Hr., 34 Min.

Filmed on location in Washington, D.C., Harold Jackson IIII wrote and directed this 2014 independent romantic drama for his American Filmmaker film production company.

After a brief prologue revealing Last Night’s outcome, a flashback reveals the events that had occurred nearly two years earlier. In Washington, D.C., following her last photo shoot, African American fashion model Sky (Johnson) is ambivalent about starting a new life in Raleigh, North Carolina with her boyfriend: Daniel (Greene), an upscale business consultant. With her road trip beginning the next day, a restless Sky goes out for a mid-morning walk stopping for tea at an organic coffee bar. A fellow customer, despondent contract analyst Jon Carter (Gavigan), takes an impulsive chance and doesn’t easily give up flirting with her.

Sky and Jon’s sudden friendship starting out as a short downtown stroll evolves long past nightfall, as they walk the city together. With Jon becoming increasingly distant as her sympathetic listener, Sky is later shown the underlying reason for his moodiness. Despite Jon’s obvious growing attraction, Sky consents to Daniel’s plea to give their relationship a second chance. Yet, what is about Jon that emotionally draws a reluctant Sky towards him?

Meanwhile, in Raleigh, throughout the day, a perturbed Daniel senses Sky’s mixed emotions over the phone. Coping as best as he can with possibly losing Sky, Daniel seeks out old friends for solace. He is in for a late night himself. Inside of twenty-four hours, two romances poignantly unfold – one in Washington, D.C. and the other in Raleigh, N.C. The question becomes: will either love story play out as any of them might hope for?

Sky: Judi Johnson (Judi Blair)

Jonathan “Jon” Carter: Danny Gavigan

Daniel: Benton Greene

Angela: Nedra Marie Taylor

Dorah: Nikkole Salter

Daniel’s Niece: London Perry

Nightclub Singer: Kia El-Amin

Sky’s Photographer: Violetta Markelou

Choncho: Chad Eric Smith

Bartender: Eli El

Sky’s Neighbor: Pasquale Piquion

Salesperson: Jenny Taylor

Rude Customer: Anthony Anderson

Barista: Chaseedaw Giles

REVIEW:

Featuring scenic glimpses of Washington, D.C., Last Night is a nice, low-key treat for fans of indie romantic movies. In spite of his minimal plot being hard-pressed to justify its ninety-minute running time, writer-director Harold Jackson III slickly conveys a well-played love triangle.

Between his indie rock choices (i.e. The Noisettes) for background music, beautifully intercut backdrops of Washington, D.C., and even some archival film clips, Jackson’s film exudes a classy artistic vibe to keep viewers tuned in. Last Night, in that sense, holds up well as a PG-rated flick for adults.

Judi Johnson (aka Judi Blair) anchors the movie with an appealingly down-to-earth lead performance. Johnson’s gentle ‘Sky’ keeps Last Night percolating as a plausible, big city should-I-or-shouldn’t-I romance rather than one subtly exploring interracial dating issues in the 21^st Century.

Johnson’s co-lead, Danny Gavigan, meanwhile, conveys his moody ‘Jon Carter’ in a manner reminiscent of John Krasinski’s Jim Halpert on The Office, as ‘Jon’ senses an unexpected soulmate in ‘Sky.’ Hence, Johnson and Gavigan’s on-screen chemistry ensures that the film’s melancholic tone balances romanticism and poignant realism. The backstage dressing room sequence they share with singer Kia El-Amin exemplifies this welcome dramatic asset.

Contributing to the film’s likable aura are co-stars Benton Greene and Nedra Marie Taylor in the parallel storyline, despite being allotted considerably less screen time. Jackson, to his credit, doesn’t short-change this secondary plot, as all four actors concoct equally satisfying performances. It’s easy to imagine how blandly forgettable this film might have been with a lesser cast.

Last Night, suffice to say, is a potential antidote for date movie aficionados seeking respite from the sugary cute-and-sweet formulas The Hallmark Channel deploys.

BONUS FEATURES:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes)

HART TO HART: NIGHT HORRORS (Season 1: Episode 14 or Episode 16)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 22, 2023

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: Approx. 49:15 Min.

First airing on January 22, 1980, on ABC-TV, Ray Austin directed this early Hart to Hart episode, which was written by Bill La Mond & Jo La Mond. Attending an awkward dinner party on a dark, stormy night, multi-millionaire industrialist Jonathan Hart (Wagner) reluctantly declines wife Jennifer’s (Powers) prodding that they politely escape while they can.

Not only is their friends Amanda & Fred’s (Harris & Snyder) secluded mansion haunted, but tonight’s quirky fun is a treasure hunt for the late prior owner’s priceless cache stashed somewhere in the house. Others recruited for this dimly lit parlor game include: a boozy realtor (Small); a smarmy horror novelist (Shenar); an enigmatic reverend (Martin); the household’s creepy butler (Stuthman); and a frosty psychologist (van Pallandt) prone to psychic disturbances.

Once their host makes a ghoulish entrance, everyone is split into random pairs to search the house – evidently, with the winner(s) to take all. As amateur sleuths Jennifer & Jonathan find out, all double-crosses aside, it appears that somebody is willing to kill to acquire the lost Greeley fortune.

With their cars and telephones now disabled, everyone has no choice but to wait inside the mansion and resume the search. Not only are the elusive Greely gems at stake, so now are the Harts’ lives.

Jonathan Hart & Jennifer Hart: Robert Wagner & Stefanie Powers

Max: Lionel Stander

Amanda & Fred: Cynthia Harris & Arlen Dean Snyder

Reverend Tyson: Barney Martin

Michael Shillingford: Paul Shenar

Gladys Leary: Mews Small

Simon: Fred Stuthman

Dr. Lorna Phelps: Nina van Pallandt

Freeway: Charlie Gray

REVIEW:

It’s false optimism if one expects more from this murder-mystery hokum than Wagner and Powers trading Halloween quips and marital double-entendres. Otherwise, the eye-rolling plot resembles Hart to Hart’s bungled attempt at playing CLUE.

Sabotaged by a glut of haunted house teases from a Hollywood cliché festival, the cast’s presence offers this misfire’s sole asset. Still, the actors fall short of overcoming the guest characters’ absence of depth, let alone selling a series of plot curveballs that lead nowhere. The blame falls on the La Monds’ mediocre script imitating far better haunted house whodunnits, which director Ray Austin doesn’t improve upon. All he can do is convey an appropriately spooky ambiance, which mostly goes to waste.

This episode’s first two-thirds is tolerable as an average TV mystery for that era. Regrettably, the worst unforced error comes in its last fifteen minutes, which resorts to some midnight grave-robbing. There’s no plausibility justifying sending the Harts and the other treasure seekers out to raid the Greeley family cemetery … conveniently located in the estate’s backyard.

Even impulsive greed, as a homicidal motive, doesn’t disguise the last few twists in the cemetery from being flat-out ludicrous. Ultimately, “Night Horrors” is one dubious Hart to Hart whodunnit caper where even die-hard fans might resent far more cheese being served than substance.

P.S. As a spoiler, the script’s ineptitude even botches an easy gag prior to the epilogue. Viewers will get to briefly glimpse the aforementioned Greeley gems, which are obviously nothing more than glittery trinkets from the studio’s prop department. The mystery’s end, however, is left ambiguous, with most of the treasure hunters inexplicably losing interest after taking a gaze inside the jewelry box.

The La Monds and/or Austin inexplicably fail to conjure up some satisfying wink to explain why these gems were a joke all along (as irony), given an earlier plot hiccup. For instance, do the characters scornfully recognize these ‘precious’ Greeley gems as an assortment of unremarkable costume jewelry after risking their lives for it? Or is there some other reason why no one seems to want this treasure in the end?

Such a surprise wouldn’t have salvaged this TV dud, but one decent chuckle still might have sufficed for viewers. And the less said about the epilogue’s weak finish afterwards playing ‘vampires’ with Max the better.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos TV Episodes & Movies

MURDER CAN HURT YOU! (1980 TV Film)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date July 10, 2023

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 33 Min.

From Aaron Spelling’s production company, this obscure TV mystery-comedy premiered on ABC-TV on May 21, 1980. Roger Duchowny directed the project off veteran TV screenwriter Ron Friedman’s script.

Mimicking 1976’s big-screen Murder By Death (which parodied Hercule Poirot, Jane Marple, Sam Spade, Charlie Chan, and Nick & Nora Charles), this spoof similarly targets popular 1970’s American TV cops-and-robbers: i.e. Baretta; Columbo and its short-lived spin-off, Mrs. Columbo; Policewoman; McCloud; Starsky & Hutch; Ironside; and Kojak. Even their signature TV theme songs are briefly imitated introducing these goofy counterparts.

Outlandishly disposing of one high-profile Los Angeles undercover sleuth, the nefarious ‘Man in White’ has now declared war on L.A.’s various ‘super-cops.’ Assembling to tackle their common enemy, these bumbling police detectives soon realize they are being targeted for humiliating elimination – one by one.

Ostensibly under Lt. Nojack’s (MacLeod) command, it’s a matter of getting their investigative teamwork together while evading screwball death traps to apprehend this sinister assassin before it’s too late. The question becomes: who gets whom first?

To spell out the movie’s tongue-in-cheek vibe, a cartoony band-aid adorns the opening logo. As a figurative last gag, there’s even a swipe at Dragnet actor-producer Jack Webb’s signature ‘Mark VII Limited’ logo.

The Cast (plus the TV series the character parodies)

The Man in White: Mitchell Kreindel

Officer Pony Lambretta: Tony Danza (Baretta)

Chickie Baby the Parrot (voice only): Mel Blanc (Baretta)

Mrs. Serafina/Seraphina Palumbo: Liz Torres (Columbo/Mrs. Columbo)

Inspector Palumbo: Burt Young (Columbo)

Palumbo’s Bloodhound: Uncredited (Columbo)

Sgt. Salty Sanderson: Connie Stevens (Policewoman)

Sheriff Tim MacSkye: Buck Owens (McCloud)

Det. Studsky: Jamie Farr (Starsky & Hutch)

Det. Len ‘Hatch’ Hatchington: John Byner (Starsky & Hutch)

Chief Ironbottom: Victor Buono (Ironside)

Parks the Pusher: Jimmie Walker (Ironside)

Lt. Nojack: Gavin MacLeod (Kojak)

Detective Starkos: Marty Allen (Kojak)

Mr. Burnice: Richard Deacon

Raquel the Prostitute: Gunilla Hutton

Marilyn the Prostitute: E. Wetta Little

Sophia the Prostitute: Tessa Richarde

Miss Virgina Trickwood: Roz Kelly

Willie the Wino: Mason Adams

Salty’s Arrested Thug: Michael DeLano

Willie’s Physician: Allen Case

Uniformed Cop: Jack Lindline

Truck Driver: W.T. Zacha

Fitzhugh the Butler: Colin Hamilton

Wealthy Couple: Carle Bensen & Harriet Medin

Candy Store Owner: Iris Adrian

‘Girls:’ Linda Lawrence & Kathy Clarke

Studsky & Hatch’s Hot Tub Dates: Uncredited

‘Stunner:’ Tanya Boyd

Other Prostitutes: Twink Caplan & Muffi Durham

Miss Trickwood’s Additional Prostitutes: Uncredited

Narrator (voice only): Don Adams

Note: Another possible inspiration might have been 1977’s ITV comedy, The Strange Case of The End of Civilisation As We Know It. This British mystery-parody co-stars Fawlty Towers’ John Cleese and Connie Booth. Primarily spoofing Sherlock Holmes, other famed sleuths ridiculed are: Hercule Poirot; Sam Spade; Samuel McCloud; Lt. Columbo; Hawaii 5-0’s Steve McGarrett; and James Bond.

REVIEW:

It’s one less insult to a viewer’s intelligence that this misguided live-action cartoon doesn’t resort to a sitcom laugh track. Still, suffering through such dreck spells out how trendy it was for iconic 1960’s-early 1980’s movies to inspire a glut of TV series copycats (i.e. look up prolific TV producer Glen A. Larson’s resumé in that era) – no matter how blatantly.

Whether it be Star Wars – Episode IV: A New Hope vs. the original Battlestar Galactica; Smokey and The Bandit vs. The Dukes of Hazzard and B.J. and The Bear; Hooper vs. The Fall Guy; Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid vs. Alias Smith and Jones; Blue Thunder vs. Airwolf; Raiders of The Lost Ark vs. Tales of The Gold Monkey and Bring ‘Em Back Alive; or even Tron vs. Automan, etc., the odds of TV retreads equaling or even surpassing their big-screen inspirations were typically nil. Let be said, for its own lack of merit, Murder Can Hurt You! gives even the worst knockoffs a bad name.

Considering its ultra-silly premise, eye-rolling slapstick, and moronic puns posing as character names, Murder Can Hurt You! only bolsters Murder By Death’s reputation as a classic comedy-spoof. Neil Simon’s satiric wit, Robert Moore’s first-rate direction, and the chemistry of a game (mostly all-star) cast make Murder By Death – though it’s somewhat risqué – a gimmicky whodunnit worth multiple viewings. Aside from the film’s assortment of wacky gags, a second viewing or more is likely necessary just to catch all the clever jibes targeting detective story clichés.

Murder Can Hurt You!, by comparison, lazily squanders its good TV talent on a dumb, Mad magazine-style script and even more idiotic execution (pardon the expression). Lame caricatures of iconic TV cops, not to mention minimal compatibility amongst this cast, makes watching Murder Can Hurt You! as much fun as sitting through a root canal. What might have sufficed for a few minor chuckles as a Saturday Night Live or SCTV skit is stretched out to mind-boggling feature-length proportions.

Case in point: Aaron Spelling’s reliable production values fall far short, as if even the fake backdrop scenery is embarrassed to decorate such a cheap, made-for-TV fiasco. Beyond cashing their paychecks, one is hard-pressed to fathom what possible value this cast thought the script’s insipid game of misdirection possessed. For instance, the ‘detective’s decrepit clubhouse’ scenes, or, worse yet, the balloon factory sequence, should have drawn instant red flags during any competent analysis of the script prior to filming.

Deeming this whodunnit wanna-be as TV’s answer to Murder By Death is far too generous seeing how Simon’s ingenious concept is swiped down to even the last plot twist. Even a seemingly well-intentioned message in the final few minutes condemning how the sexist American television industry has unfairly neglected females in the TV cop genre is wasted on viewers.

Specifically, Murder Can Hurt You!’s effort advocating for gender equality while simultaneously degrading its own female cast members for bottom-of-the-barrel chuckles surpasses tone-deaf. The script’s misogynistic jabs ridiculing women in TV cop melodramas come off as crass hypocrisy rather than an inspired display of satire. Hence, the less the said the better of Connie Stevens’ over-sexed ‘policewoman,’ not to mention, of the plot’s nonsense parading around a bevy of PG-friendly prostitutes.

Murder Can Hurt You!, ultimately, is far too insipid to qualify for an it’s-so-bad-it’s-funny tag as a guilty pleasure. It instead merits a dubious spot on a list of the worst-ever TV movie eyesores.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 1½ Stars

Note: As an early 80’s alternative, there is the Zucker Brothers’ short-lived Police Squad TV series. It was subsequently rebooted six years after cancellation into 1988’s The Naked Gun: From The Files of Police Squad, plus two subsequent yet inferior sequels.

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos Sports (TV & Videos) TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes) WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

NWA CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS IV: SEASON’S BEATINGS (Aired: 12-7-1988)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 30, 2023

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: Approx. 1 Hour, 52 Min.

During the 1988 holiday season in the rough-and-tumble NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), it’s not about merely getting lumps of coal in your stocking – it’s just about getting lumps. From Chattanooga, TN at the UTC (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga) Arena, TBS aired the NWA’s Clash of the Champions IV: Season’s Beatings live on December 7, 1988.

The event’s ringside commentators are Jim Ross & Bob Caudle. After each match, Tony Schiavone and his guest, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, also briefly contribute supplemental commentary. Magnum T.A., meanwhile, conducts some of the interviews. Teenage actor Jason Hervey (of ABC-TV’s “The Wonder Years”) is present at ringside – he is referenced as the opening match’s ring announcer. This Clash is a prelude for that’s month’s NWA Pay-Per-View, Starrcade ’88: True Gritt.

Notes: It is repeatedly announced that these matches are alotted a half-hour time limit. With this show, the NWA also experimented with glimpses of an above-the ring camera angle. Let’s just say it doesn’t bolster the show’s viewing quality.

Match 1: “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert & Ron Simmons vs. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) – U.S. Tag Team Championship Tournament Final (27:04). Approaching the time limit, both fan favorite duos contribute an excellent effort. Gilbert is valiant selling his injured arm during the bout’s latter half. Suffice to say, whoever chose this tournament final to lead off the show made a smart call. Rating: 7½ Stars.

Ross interviews NWA World Television Champion Mike Rotunda and Kevin Sullivan. The ultra-snide villains ridicule Rotunda’s Starrcade ’88 challenger (and their ex-Varsity Club stablemate), Rick Steiner.

Match 2: The Varsity Club’s “Dr. Death” Steve Williams (with Kevin Sullivan) vs. The Italian Stallion (15:17). Instead of a predictable squash, The Italian Stallion somehow stays competitive against the now-heel Williams. While the finish is exactly what viewers expect, the bout is watchable TV filler. Rating: 6 Stars.

With Luger looking on, Schiavone interviews Jason Hervey.
Magnum T.A. interviews The Junkyard Dog (JYD). JYD has been recruited as Nikita Koloff’s replacement for a tag match with Ivan Koloff against Paul Jones’ Russian Assassins at Starrcade ’88.
There’s a second replay of The Road Warriors’ recent bloody attack on Dusty Rhodes from an episode of World Championship Wrestling. The first replay was included in the pre-title segment.

Note: Nikita Koloff had recently departed the NWA on a personal sabbatical and would not return until early 1991.

Match 3: Ivan Koloff (with the stipulation of having one arm tied behind his back) vs. Paul Jones (8:21). Given these players, their bout is as near-unwatchable as it sounds. It’s no shocker that the masked Russian Assassins and JYD intervene to hype their upcoming tag bout. Rating 3½ Stars.

Ross briefly interviews Sting, who is in at ringside in support of Rhodes (his tag partner at Starrcade ’88).
Per Rhodes’ late arrival (planned or not), Magnum T.A. interviews “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner, who is in full goofy mode.

Match 4: “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes (with Sting) vs. NWA World Tag Team Champion Road Warrior Animal (with Paul Ellering & Road Warrior Hawk (2:54). With the winner gaining control of the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, an eye-patched Rhodes seeks vengeance upon his ex-partners: The Road Warriors. In only a few minutes, it is the show’s most sadistic content and does little to justify its airtime. Rating: 3 Stars.

Notes: The NWA subsequently retired its World Six-Man Tag Team Championship in February1989. This bout (aside from Starrcade ’88) was evidently Rhodes’ last NWA TV match before jumping to the WWF in early 1990.

Match 5: The Midnight Express -“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton & “Sweet” Stan Lane (with Jim Cornette) vs. NWA World Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair & NWA U.S. Champion Barry Windham (with J.J. Dillon) (17:41). While the winners’ chicanery isn’t a surprise, the pre-match hype is justifiable. Specifically, this bout is tag team dynamite. With the Express mostly dominating the Two Horsemen, a reeling Flair & Windham play up this scenario for all it’s worth.

Considering Cornette’s now-popular Express three months before became the sole NWA team to simultaneously hold the U.S. and World Tag Team Championships, their star power now appears equitable to the remaining Horsemen. Including Cornette and Dillon’s wily contributions, this tag team showdown absolutely merits re-discovery. Rating: 8½ Stars.

Note: Having jumped to the WWF, then-NWA World Tag Team Champions Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson (the other half of The Four Horsemen) dropped the titles to fellow heels The Midnight Express on 9/10/88. In a bloody rout, Eaton & Lane subsequently lost the championship to the rampaging Road Warriors on 10/29/88.

Schiavone interviews an irate Cornette.
Ross & Caudle review some of the Clash’s highlights.
Schiavone & Luger review the main event’s finish before closing out the show. Luger deems himself ready to claim Flair’s NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Starrcade ’88.

REVIEW:

Predictably, the NWA’s video quality isn’t as slickly-produced as the rival WWF, but the overall content is still more than sufficient. Ross and Caudle are an excellent ringside tandem that easily surpasses Schiavone & Luger’s bland screen time – which is mere filler by comparison.

With two outstanding bouts book-ending the show, the other three matches are skippable. That said, the rare Midnight Express vs. Flair & Windham bout is a welcome blast of Late ‘80s NWA nostalgia. If one should have extra time, the Simmons/Gilbert vs. The Fantastics title bout delivers a minor gem. Everything else in between often requires a fast-forward button.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos Sports (TV & Videos) TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes) WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

NWA WORLD CHAMPION “NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR VS. “THE MAN WITH THE HANDS OF STONE” RONNIE GARVIN {Steel Cage Match} (NWA World Wide Wrestling: Taped 9-25-1987)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 30, 2023

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 42:19 Min.

Later airing on NWA World Wide Wrestling, this NWA World Championship steel cage match occurred on September 25, 1987, at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. At the time, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair was feuding with both Ronnie Garvin and his on-screen ‘brother,’ “Gorgeous” Jimmy Gavin (who is Ronnie’s real-life step-son).

Without his Four Horsemen cronies (including manager J.J. Dillon), Flair is on his own defending his World Heavyweight Title against the so-called “The Man With The Hands of Stone.” Apart from a classic top rope finish (including a rare high-flying move from Garvin), this slugfest is dominated by Garvin’s pounding ground game. Flair appears in vintage mid-80’s form, even as he slowly wilts under Garvin’s barrage.

The post-match reaction includes NWA promoters Jim & David Crockett; Dusty Rhodes; Nikita Koloff; Sting; Barry Windham; Michael “P.S.” Hayes; The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson); Shane Douglas; and The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner). Approximately five minutes replaying the bout’s climax and finish are included. As seen on screen, David Crockett provides the solo ringside commentary.

Note: Including commercial breakaways, the match (as shown in progress) is approximately thirty-two minutes. The subsequent ten minutes is the post-match celebration/recap.

REVIEW:

Keeping in mind that, at the time, Garvin was 42 and Flair himself was 38, their veteran in-ring conditioning is astounding. Specifically, neither one resorts to rest holds or cheap stalling to catch a breath amidst grueling ‘combat.’ Even more so, Garvin’s gritty, no-nonsense style might seem boring after 10-15 minutes; that is not the case here. This gutsy display is likely one of the best, if not the best, of Garvin’s career.

Between a bloodied yet resilient Flair and a relentless Garvin, fans absolutely get their money’s worth. The shame is that this no-nonsense showdown was soon overshadowed (and basically forgotten) upon the obligatory Starrcade ’87 title rematch (in a cage, of course) … where the predictable happens. Still, to Flair’s credit, he illuminates Garvin’s star power in this bout’s closing seconds.

Suffice to say, it’s an immortal coronation of a reliable yet perennial mid-carder finally getting his due.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos Sports (TV & Videos) WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

ICW WORLD CHAMPION “MACHO MAN” RANDY SAVAGE VS. “ONE MAN GANG” RONNIE GARVIN {Steel Cage Match} (International Championship Wrestling: Filmed Possibly 1982 or 1983)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 30, 2023

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 26:17 Min.

It is unknown exactly when ICW World Champion “Macho Man” Randy Savage faced “One Man Gang” Ronnie Garvin in this early-80’s steel cage slugfest. A best guess would either 1982 or 1983. The same enigma applies to the arena, but this title defense likely occurred in proximity to ICW’s base in Lexington, KY.

Somewhat foreshadowing their future WWF co-existence, Savage is the flamboyantly popular champion while Garvin (in villainous mode) conveys an icy thug. The footage begins with quick summary profiles of these two combatants, in terms of their comparable sizes. Of note, Garvin’s flat brown hair makes him near-unrecognizable (he resembles Dino Bravo at the time), as opposed to his spiky peroxide blonde look later that decade. Savage’s glitzy ring appearance, meanwhile, is accompanied by the Fame movie theme. Notably, neither wrestler is accompanied by any manager/valet or entourage.

With this title bout captured on film (like 1970’s pro boxing), Savage’s unseen brother, Lanny Poffo, supplies voiceover commentary. For instance, Poffo identifies George Weingeroff as the referee. As to the post-match shenanigans, Pez Whatley, “Speed” Manson, and even Poffo himself make appearances.

Note: Considering their father, Angelo Poffo, owned International Championship Wrestling (ICW), it’s no surprise that Randy Savage & Lanny Poffo were his promotion’s undisputed stars.

REVIEW:

Given this match is at least forty years old, its footage is well-produced and appears in surprisingly pristine condition. Another terrific asset is Poffo’s low-key, articulate narration, which is reminiscent of an impartial TV news anchor.

Garvin’s brutally effective ground game limits Savage’s patented aerial tactics to one missed flying elbow drop. Forced to play mostly defense, a bloodied “Macho Man” is unexpectedly dominated by Garvin. Sporadic local cheers invariably favoring the champion help convey that Savage is the underdog against this formidable rival. Ultimately, the winning maneuver: a makeshift piledriver off the second turnbuckle (presumably, a planned spot) is well-played.

As opposed to their eventual WWF tenure – where their family connection isn’t acknowledged, Poffo’s commentary briefly (if not reluctantly) mentions at the end that he and Savage are brothers. It is a nice set-up explaining his intervention to end a 2-on-1 beatdown against a defenseless “Macho Man.” From a supposedly low-rent regional promotion, this no-nonsense title showdown is impressive work.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos Sports (TV & Videos) TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes) WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

NWA WORLD CHAMPION RICKY “THE DRAGON” STEAMBOAT VS. RON SIMMONS (NWA World Championship Wrestling: Aired 4-15-1989)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 6, 2023

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 8:15 Min.

Aired April 15, 1989, on TBS, this episode of the NWA’s World Championship Wrestling was presumably filmed at its Atlanta, GA studio. Months before officially turning heel as half of the masked Doom tag team (with Butch Reed), Ron Simmons challenges NWA World Champion Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. It isn’t spelled out whether or not this face vs. face bout is a non-title match, but it mostly likely is.

The ringside commentators are Jim Ross and The Fabulous Freebirds’ Michael “P.S.” Hayes.

REVIEW:

Even if this rare Steamboat vs. Simmons encounter isn’t a classic, seeing “The Dragon” battle a future WCW World Champion still offers some first-class pro wrestling. In just over eight minutes, they deliver a satisfying performance by the NWA’s TV main event standards for that era.

For nostalgia purposes, this entertaining relic reminds fans of an era where NWA bouts typically preferred in-ring substance over the rival WWF’s cartoony style. Nicely played!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

HARLEY QUINN SERIES – POISON IVY (aka IVY): SEEDLING (Episode 201)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date June 6, 2023

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 9:37 Min.

Through his production company, Imagination Upgraded!, Brandon Champ Robinson co-wrote the script (with Samantha Briggs) and directed this live-action fan film/webisode. It was evidently released in 2020. Inspired by DC Comics’ Poison Ivy, this fan film depicts Ivy/’Ms. P’ (Biosah) as an enigmatic African American woman who possesses telepathic powers with all plants. The city where she lives isn’t identified.

At her suburban home, Ivy’s use of a cannabis-like smoking device is interrupted by two teens, Chris & TK (Brown & Curtis), who playfully pose as burglars. She senses their presence through her home’s array of plants. After a round of shooting foam bullets back and forth with the kids, she agrees to help TK with a project. Ivy then returns to her private relaxation.

Leaving Ivy’s home, the teens are approached by a neighborhood drug dealer, Vic (Walker). While much preferring Ivy’s mysterious substance, Vic prods a reluctant TK into pushing a new designer drug. Vic claims these pills have five times the potency of Ivy’s personal concoction.

At home with TK, Chris naively stumbles upon Vic’s pills in TK’s backpack. Leading into a cliffhanger, plants in proximity to Chris send a dire alert to Ivy – that her friend is imminent danger just as the naive teenager is about to sample one of Vic’s illicit pills.

Pamela/Poison Ivy aka ‘Ms. P:’ Justina Biosah

TK: Charles Curtis

Chris: Kaitlyn Brown

Vic: Nathan Walker.

Notes: George Ross Bridgman and Jon Finfera’s names appear in the cast’s opening credits, but their roles aren’t identified. There’s two possibilities: either A. they are the voice actors for Ivy’s telepathic plants, or B. perhaps their footage was edited out of the finalized episode.

For clarification, DC Comics isn’t acknowledged in the credits. Also, despite the series title, there isn’t a Harley Quinn referenced in this film. One may infer that “Ivy: Seedling (Episode 201)” is meant to be a ‘spin-off’ of a Harley Quinn fan film.

REVIEW:

Despite the drug-related plot, this low-budget film’s visual vibe demonstrates some welcome potential. Case in point: combined with nature sounds, the opening credits sequence’s cinematography is stylish. As to the acting, Justina Biosah makes Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy an intriguing heroine, in what little is seen of her sultry character. By comparison, her castmates’ performances come off as somewhat amateurish, but this TV-caliber mini-film is nonetheless watchable.

Fans of DC’s Poison Ivy might want to check this neat little production out, at least for curiosity’s sake. If Brandon Champ Robinson devised this project as a work sample for DC Entertainment to contemplate hiring him, then he makes a reasonably convincing case. The same applies to Biosah for potential TV/film roles in the DC Universe.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE