RECENTLY VIEWED: BACK IN ACTION

 The kids for a change did not need anything on a Saturday after dinner so my wife and I sat down to check out the Netflix film Back In Action. The movie is a 2025 American action-comedy film directed by Seth Gordon from a script he co-wrote with Brendan O'Brien. The film stars Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close. The film was released by Netflix on January 17, 2025. 

CIA NOC operatives Matt (Jamie Foxx) and his pregnant fiance Emily (Cameron Diaz) are tasked by their superior and friend, Chuck (Kyle Chandler), to obtain the key called the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) - a device that can control any electronic system. They must get it from the Polish KGB agent-turned terrorist Balthazzar Gor (Robert Besta during his children's grandiose birthday party. Gor is the head of the terrorist organization named Volka. Chuck says that Gor could the key to trigger another catastrophe like the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Before embarking on the mission Emily had taken a pregnancy test and found that she was expecting a baby. Observing them through remote cameras, Chuck finds that Emily and Matt are now together.

Matt and Emily manage to steal the device and escape to a rendezvous point. However, on their flight home, the crew ambushes them for the Key as they are on Gor's payroll. Just before the ambush, Emily had told Matt that she is pregnant and that he is the dad. The duo manages to neutralize the flight crew, and the pilot is accidentally shot by a stray bullet. The plane hurtles to the ground and the duo barely escapes the plane crash. The plane crash lands on a mountain slope and slides towards a cliff, triggering an avalanche. There was only a single parachute in the plane and Matt wanted Emily to save herself, but Emily grab onto Matt as she deploys the parachute, saving them both. Realizing someone must have fed the flight crew information of their Key, the two decide to go off the grid. They give up their careers and their secret identities for a life together as a family.

Fifteen years later, the now married Matt and Emily reside in Atlanta under new identities while trying to care for their children Leo (Rylan Jackson) and Alice (McKenna Roberts). Emily has a side business selling custom puzzles on Etsy. Alice and Leo are now teenagers and don't really listen to their parents. Alice has doubts about her parents being truthful as she had heard Matt speaking to the AC repair guy in Russian, which Emily explains to their stint in the peace corps. Emily tries hard to connect with Alice, but she needs her own space and keeps pushing back.

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz are sucked back into the CIA, so as you can guess they not only have to deal with getting killed but have normal family problems with teenagers. The movie really hit home with my wife and I as we try to figure out how to raise teenagers. Jamie Foxx was ill during the film, and he looked tired in some parts, but Cameron Diaz really shined. She has not appeared in a movie since 2014's Annie. The action is amazing, and there are some really good laughs. Critics were not kind to the film, but anyone that has teenagers will find a lot of good humor and lessons in this film. I highly recommend this film...

MY RATING: 9 OUT OF 10

RIP: VAL KILMER

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Val Kilmer, the brooding, versatile actor who played fan favorite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65.

Kilmer died Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said in an email to The Associated Press. The New York Times was the first to report his death on Tuesday.

Val Kilmer died from pneumonia. He had recovered after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies.

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.”

Kilmer, the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most. His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by the comedy “Real Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in films including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

His movie career hit its zenith in the early 1990s as he made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, starring alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

“While working with Val on ‘Heat’ I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character,” director Michael Mann said in a statement Tuesday night.

One of his more iconic roles — hotshot pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise — almost didn’t happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott for “Top Gun” but initially balked. “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me,” he wrote in his memoir. He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script. He would reprise the role in the film’s 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.”

One career nadir was playing Batman in Joel Schumacher’s goofy, garish “Batman Forever” with Nicole Kidman and opposite Chris O’Donnell‘s Robin — before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997’s “Batman & Robin” and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.”

Janet Maslin in the Times said Kilmer was “hamstrung by the straight-man aspects of the role,” while Roger Ebert deadpanned that he was a “completely acceptable” substitute for Keaton. Kilmer, who was one and done as Batman, blamed much of his performance on the suit.

“When you’re in it, you can barely move and people have to help you stand up and sit down,” Kilmer said in “Val,” in lines spoken by his son Jack, who voiced the part of his father in the film because of his inability to speak. “You also can’t hear anything and after a while people stop talking to you, it’s very isolating. It was a struggle for me to get a performance past the suit, and it was frustrating until I realized that my role in the film was just to show up and stand where I was told to.”

Kilmer published two books of poetry (including “My Edens After Burns”) and was nominated for a Grammy in 2012 for spoken word album for “The Mark of Zorro.” He was also a visual artist and a lifelong Christian Scientist.

He dated Cher, married and divorced actor Joanne Whalley. He is survived by their two children, Mercedes and Jack.

“I have no regrets,” Kilmer told the AP in 2021. “I’ve witnessed and experienced miracles.”

STAR FRIENDS: JERRY SEINFELD AND LARRY DAVID

David met comedian Jerry Seinfeld in 1976, and the two soon began collaborating on stand-up material. As Seinfeld’s stand-up career took off, David worked as a writer and performer (1980–82) on the ABC television sketch comedy series Fridays and as a writer (1984–85) for Saturday Night Live (SNL), but he never gained much public notice. David was known as “a comic’s comic” whose antagonistic, bitingly sarcastic act often alienated the audience but delighted his fellow comedians. In 1988 Seinfeld was offered a sitcom pilot by NBC, and he and David created Seinfeld.

Jerry Seinfeld was no stranger to comedy, but with Larry David, something clicked. It wasn’t just Larry’s knack for cracking jokes; he was different. Jerry recalls, “I’d never met a comedian who actually wrote something—like, a real script. Not just an airline peanuts bit. Larry had actually typed out a movie script, and that made him feel like a writer to me.”

  
Jerry, always looking for a creative partner, thought to himself, “This guy gets it. He’s on the same wavelength.” And just like that, a legendary partnership was born, shaping comedy history in ways no one could have predicted.

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld's friendship remains strong, as the two were recently spotted vacationing together in Italy with friends.

Both Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld achieved great success individually after Seinfeld ended, with David creating Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld signing a lucrative deal with Netflix...

BILL MURRAY ON GILDA RADNER

Bill Murray says “SNL” costar Gilda Radner used to 'wet her pants' laughing: 'She'd have to run out of the room' Radner, who died in 1989, was one of the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players."

The Saturday Night Live family has lost many cast members over the years. Former show regular Bill Murray remembered one of them, his friend Gilda Radner, in probably the best way that a comedian can.

"Everybody liked making her laugh," Murray said of Radner.

The reason was simple.

"She would wet her pants, that's what Gilda would do," Murray said. "You could get her going, and she'd have to run out of the room. But there was sort of no limit to how much she could laugh until her bodily functions broke down."

The comedians worked together on the show in its early years. Radner was one of the original seven ensemble players starting in 1975, and she stood out for her characters such as Baba Wawa, her parody on Barbara Walters, and "Weekend Update" consumer affairs reporter Roseanne Roseannadanna. She was on the show until 1980, which overlapped with Murray's tenure from 1977 to 1980.

"To know her for as long as I knew her was, really, sort of a training camp," Murray said. "It was like a real discipline, like, I've got a possibility here to make someone laugh a lot. And she'd see it and go like, 'Uh-oh, here it comes.' And you do, and it's fun."

Murray has acknowledged that he cried at last month's star-studded SNL50 special, celebrating a half-century of the sketch comedy remembering Gilda Radner...

RECENTLY VIEWED: SNOW WHITE

Okay, if you have heard or read the news lately about Disney's Snow White, you will have known about the political problems between the stars and how bad the movie is. I went to see the film with my daughter, and it is not that bad. Disney's Snow White, or simply Snow White, is a 2025 American musical fantasy film directed by Marc Webb and written by Erin Cressida Wilson. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Marc Platt Productions, it is a live-action reimagining of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. That animated film was based on the 1812 fairy tale "Snow White" by the Brothers Grimm. Starring Rachel Zegler, Andrew Burnap and Gal Gadot, the new film follows the pure-hearted Snow White (Zegler) who joins forces with seven dwarfs and a bandit named Jonathan (Burnap) to free her kingdom from her cruel stepmother (Gadot).

Plans for a remake of 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were confirmed in October 2016, with Wilson announced as a screenwriter. Webb entered talks to direct in May 2019 and was announced as director in September 2019. Filming took place primarily in London from March to July 2022, with additional filming and pick-ups in June 2024. With an estimated production budget of $240–270 million, Snow White is one of the most expensive films ever made and Disney's fifteenth-most expensive. Before release, controversies arose about the film related to its color-blind casting, story changes, Zegler's public critiques of the original film, Zegler and Gadot's conflicting political views, and the reimagining of the Seven Dwarfs.

Politics aside, it was a pretty good film. The music was spot on, and I was surprised by Gail Gadot singing. The only weak part for me weas how the cruel stepmother was defeated at the end. My daughter is a huge Disney fan, and we have been going to all the remakes. This movie does not compare to 2017's Beauty And The Beast or 2021's Cruella, but it is definitely better than 2019's Dumbo and 2023's Little Mermaid. Don't listen to critics and check out this movie for yourself. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

MY RATING: 8 OUT OF 10

THE HUMOR OF YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Mel Brook's humor has always stood out for its ability to engage with the world by revealing its ugly side. His jokes have famously turned the negative aspects of society upside down to satirically disarm them by exposing their faults and hypocrisy. Films like The Producers and Blazing Saddles are prime examples since they cover sensitive topics like prejudice and racism in a well-received way. Aside from this, however, Brook's comedy also has a penchant for the crass and risqué, which is common among some directors, and Young Frankenstein is no different. The film transforms slapstick antics like kneeing someone in the genitals into an intellectual exercise on the inner workings of the human brain while also using sexual innuendos and wordplay to explore a discourse focused on the nuances of relationships between men and women, regardless of whether they're organic or manufactured beings. As a result, bits like "Rolling Around in the Hay" and "The Mysteries of Life" are memorable and remain relevant today. However, the "Frau Blücher" bit has never been given the same regard.

In many ways, the funny exchanges between Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman), while comical and unforgettable in their own right, can be viewed as a throwaway bit compared to the others. This is because it doesn't stand out as much among all the other hilarious scenes within the film. After all, juxtaposed against the "Sedagive" routine, Wilder's shrieking "Quiet Dignity" or the "Abby Normal" scene, a little bit of thunder and a horse neighing after hearing the housekeeper's name doesn't have the same comedic impact. However, considering who Frau Blücher is concerning the family, the character's famous scene, including her offering the good doctor a refreshment before bed, might be Young Frankenstein's most underrated and subtlest joke. One that contains a bit of unnoticed raunchiness that highlights Mel Brook's timeless comedic genius -- even almost 50 years later.

HEALTHWATCH: JOHNNY MATHIS

Johnny Mathis has announced he’s retiring from live stage performances due to “age and memory issues which have accelerated.”

The news was shared in a statement on the 89-year-old’s Facebook page Wednesday: “While there are still some exciting concerts coming up, regrettably all Johnny Mathis concerts from June 2025 onwards are now cancelled.”

“As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,” the statement continued. “So, it’s with sincere regret that due to Mr. Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring & live concerts.”

According to Mathis’ website, the singer-songwriter has four concerts remaining on his 2025 Voice of Romance tour before he officially retires, including in Pennsylvania, Indiana, California and New Jersey, with his final show scheduled for May 18. As for the four canceled shows, “refunds will be made through the original point of purchase,” according to the post.

“Johnny Mathis & his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis Fans worldwide for your continued love & support of his music! It’s truly been ‘Wonderful, Wonderful,'” the statement concluded.

Mathis, the voice behind the hits “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” “Gina,” “What Will My Mary Say” and “Misty,” has been touring across the world for seven decades, since releasing his self-titled debut album in 1956.

In addition to earning five Grammy nominations throughout his career, he was awarded The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Mathis also has three recordings — “Chances Are,” “It’s Not for Me to Say” and “Misty” — in the Grammy Hall of Fame.