2/14/25
Speed
Let's set the Wayback Machine to 1994 and visit the movie that helped two young actors on their way to movie stardom. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. It has some other fine actors as well, including Dennis Hopper and Jeff Daniels. Hopper plays a bitter former bomb squad cop out to feather his retirement nest by threating to blow stuff, and people up. His first attempt is thwarted by two LA cops played by Daniels and Reeves. So he tries a again, rigging a city bus to explode if it goes under 50 MPH. Sandra Bullock just happened to be on the wrong bus and ends up behind the wheel as Reeves plays a battle of wits against man who wants "his money" and Reeves dead. Definately worth the popcorn, so sit back and enjoy "Die Hard on a bus." Since this is Valentines day, I'll throw in a spoiler, the two young leads end up together at the end. Which of course lead to a sequel.
3/14/25
The Wrecking Crew
The last of four late 1960s Matt Helm movies starring Dean Martin. These are light comedy spy movies with plenty of female eye candy. Spoofs of the more serious James Bond movies and a nice view into the era they were made. Lots of smoking, drinking, large cars, and beautiful women who fall to the charms of counter-intelligence agent Matt Helm. They dialed the beautiful women up to 11 in this one with Tina Louise, Elke Sommer, Nancy Kwan, and Sharon Tate. Bruce Lee was listed as the "Karate Advisor", and he got some of his LA area martial arts buddies bit parts in the film. Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Ed Parker, and Mike Stone doing stunt work for Dean Martin. They are all really young in this movie, and aren't on screen long, so you have to pay attention. All four films have been released on Blu-Ray and DVD, so fire up some popcorn and enjoy.