King Ralph (1991): Modern Cult Films

     As I recall, to no surprise, King Ralph (1991) was not very well received upon it's release. However, after a few years it really seemed to catch on and develop a Cult following. That might've been a result of the huge interest in John Goodman after the release of The Big Lebowski in 1998 (another Cult film). Who knows? King Ralph, despite the unlikely story scenario, has a great cast, many funny scenes and strong performances all around. It's worth a viewing.

     After the entire British Royal Family is accidentally killed by electrocution during a photo shoot, an heir to the throne must be found. A team searches far and wide. They come up with only one blood relative... Ralph Jones, a Las Vegas piano man/lounge singer (Goodman) whose level of classiness leaves a lot to be desired. Reluctant at first, he is then convinced to come to England to claim his position as King. His reception and initiation is awkward, to say the least. 

     At first, Ralph tries his best to get used to the luxurious lifestyle, but boredom soon takes hold...

     Unaccustomed to Royal customs, proper etiquette and routines, King Ralph ventures out to a strip club and meets Miranda... 

     He immediately falls in love with her, and despite objections from his advisers, begins dating her.

     Meanwhile Ralph's best intentions and easy going ways work against him at all fronts. His team tries their best to improve his image and standing... 

     But his old ways always have a way of coming through, often bringing embarrassment to his position... 

     Scandal and sabotage plague his reign, due largely to the efforts of Lord Graves, who would assume the throne if Ralph was to relinquish it. 

     Ralph has tough decisions to make regarding both his legacy and the future of England...

King Ralph- movie trailer

CLOSE UP: Joe Wong

Joe Wong, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Joe Wong- Stand-up Comedy (Late Night with David Letterman)

For more info, visit: http://www.joewongcomedy.com/

The Artist (2011): An Homage to American Silent Films

     Not since Singin' in the Rain (1952) has there been a really great "what do I do now that talkies are here?" film. In a ballsy move, The Artist (2011) not only addresses that dilemma, it does so in the form of a modern silent film. Capturing the major Academy Awards this year, the only major competition it faced was Martin Scorsese's Hugo (2011), which also features and eludes to silent movies. Portraying in stylish form, the struggles, discouragement and fear an artist faces in adapting to a new medium in order to stay relevant, The Artist deserves the acclaim it has received.

     George Valentin is a silent film star... 

     His pictures have earned him the adoration of fans, and the respect of his director (John Goodman)...

     Peppy Miller arrives at the studio seeking work as an extra, and George's attraction to her and the chemistry they have gets her a spot in the film. 

     A crisis happens, however, when talkies become the rage and the studio decides to halt all production of silent films. George believes it is a fad that will soon fade, and refuses to take part. Instituting his artistic integrity, he is left behind. 

     Peppy, on the other hand, embraces the new form of cinema and becomes a major star...

     George struggles to come to terms with his new irrelevance. He invested all his money in the self-production of a silent film that flops, and his world spins out of control. Destitution leads to despondence and self-destruction... 

     But Peppy, who still has affection for George, will not let him be forgotten easily. A place must be found for him in modern cinema... 

The Artist- movie trailer

Tony Norris: Profiles from the Illustrations

Tony Norris, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     Acording to his website, "No western entertainer does it all with the warmth and wit of Tony Norris. Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, he is a regular at storytelling festivals, cowboy poetry gatherings, schools, campfires, and corporate conferences. Young and old alike are captivated by his homespun charm and rich tenor voice. With the accompaniment of his big Martin guitar and healthy doses of humor, he invites the adventurous spirit in each of us to leave the everyday world behind and journey into the old West. Performing solo or in an ensemble, his concerts are for those who want to hear the old songs, learn about the West, relax and have a good time."
     All of that is true... but after knowing Tony for 25 years, I'd add that he is also a loyal friend, very helpful and a hell of a nice guy.

Tony Norris- Rock Salt and Nails

Tony Norris- I Still Miss Someone

Tony Norris, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Tony Norris- Paganini Is Not a City in Japan

Tony Norris- Besame Mucho

Tony Norris- Old Lee

Tony Norris- Me and My Uncle

For more info and a schedule of performances, visit: http://www.tonynorris.com/

Tony Norris, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Justin Townes Earle: Art and Music (Songs that Inspired the Illustrations)

Justin Townes Earle, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Slippin' and Slidin'

Mama's Eyes

Harlem River Blues

Maybe Baby (Buddy Holly cover)

Who Am I To Say?

Justin Townes Earle, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://justintownesearle.com/

Matt DiBiasie: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Matt DiBiasie, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     As the resident drug dealer on Quiet Desperation, Matt DiBiasie plays the catalyst to much of the show's wild antics.  Mushrooms and fireworks, and slingshots and jolly ranchers are among his favorite combinations. He is a loose cannon (don't tell him he can't smoke a cigarette at a party), that is eventually tamed by Tetra, a woman he initially avoided at all cost.

The Cigarette Outburst- Quiet D: Holidays Episode

Mushrooms and Firecrackers- Santa's Village

Slingshot and Jolly Ranchers

     Although he wasn't a trained actor, Rob Potylo saw something in his friend, Matt DiBiasie, and cast him in some episodes of Quiet Desperation. From that work, it is apparent that Matt has a gift for improvisational acting. He has since left Boston and lives on the West Coast.

Matt's initial reaction to Tetra

Matt and Tetra in Love

Quiet Desperation #6, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Bride of the Gorilla (1951): Classic B Movies

     Lon Chaney, Jr. was good in even his worst films, but the main reason I became interested in Bride of the Gorilla (1951) was that Raymond Burr played the lead role. I had seen Burr's most famous performance as the murderous neighbor in Alfred Hitchcock's classic Rear Window (1954), so I was curious to see how he managed here.

     Burr plays Barney Chavez, the manager of a plantation somewhere in South America. Over the course of his employment, he has found that he is madly in love with the breathtakingly beautiful wife of his boss, the owner.

     One night, at dinner, the boss (husband) tells Barney off in front of everyone present and fires him, saying his performance is substandard. Later that night, while the two are alone, Barney reciprocates by telling the boss how he feels and that he has the hots for his wife. The boss take a swing and does little but to piss Barney off. Barney, seeing a venomous snake approaching, gets an idea. He clocks the boss and knocks him down directly in the snake's path. The snake freaks out and strikes, killing the boss. A native sorceress witnesses the act from the bushes and places a curse on Barney, making him into a hideous creature by night that stalks the jungle looking for victims.

     The police commissioner (Lon Chaney, Jr.) doesn't buy Barney's story about not being present when the death occurred. But the sorceress comes forward with an alibi for him, hoping that allowing Barney to complete his mutation unfettered will eventually lead to his death.

     Barney marries the lovely wife, now widow, he had been lusting after. However, his transformations into a hairy gorilla beast are becoming more frequent and harder to explain...

Bride of the Gorilla- movie trailer

The Addams Family (1991): Films from Comic Strips

     The characters created by Charles Addams in the 1930's come to life in this modern classic take on the old comic strip. The Addams Family (1991) boasts a talented cast of characters actors (Christopher Lloyd, Raul Julia, Angelica Huston) and the debut of future star, Christina Ricci.

     The Addams family fortune is in danger. Loan sharks, schemers and con artists have set their sights on looting the gold from the vault rumored to be underneath the Addams' estate, hidden beyond a series of secret passages and entry ways. A horrid woman and her brute son have gained access to the Addams' home through a plan set up by the family's accountant. The son bears a more than passing resemblance to Gomez Addams' brother, Fester, who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle 25 years ago.

     Claiming that Fester has returned, he is welcomed into the home, but suspicions regarding his identity abound from the start. 

     Bizarre antics, which are commonplace in the household, provide daily amusement... 

     In between intervals of experiencing the peculiar, morbid ways of the family, he must search the estate and find the elusive vault, but Morticia senses something is amiss... 

     The family begins to grow on him, however, and along the way he himself questions his true identity... 

The Addams Family- movie trailer

     Is he in fact Fester Addams, reunited with his real family?

CLOSE UP: Dan Burke

Dan Burke, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Gamble & Burke: Let's Go Together

For more info, visit: http://www.gambleandburke.com/

Monstrosity (1964): Classic B Movies

     Claustrophobic, with wacky characters and some bad acting, Monstrosity a.k.a. The Atomic Brain (1964) has all those elements of which good/bad B movies are made.

     The story begins with Doctor Frank seeking dead bodies in graveyards, which he plans to use to perfect his experiment: transplanting brains. He is assisted with the heavy lifting in this arduous task by a dog-faced mutated product of one of his tests, in which he transplanted an animal brain inside the man.

     The Doctor is hired by Mrs. March, a bitter old woman who desires to have her brain placed in a nice, young attractive body. Her immense wealth makes it possible for the Doctor to continue his work unfettered.

     A sophisticated radioactive laboratory is constructed.

     The doctor begins by re-animating the corpse of a young woman, whose body he had swiped from the cemetery.

     This being a test, she does not have brain function and just wanderers around like a zombie, constantly staring blankly forward.

     In order for the real deal to work, the Doctor requires living subjects. So, Mrs. March places an advertisement for a housekeeper and three young ladies apply.

     Upon arrival, the Doctor gives them all very thorough physical examinations and the sexiest, most glamorously perfect girl is chosen.

     The other two girls are forced to stay, so word can not leak out to the authorities. They try escaping several times, but their attempts are always thwarted.

     Time is running out. The Doctor is gaining confidence and making preparations. Mrs. March is getting impatient, anxious to get her new youthful body. And the girls desperately need to come up with a plan...

Monstrosity (The Atomic Brain)- intro