#Alex Hyde White

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

[nerds-yearbook]

In 1938, archeological Professor Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr (Harrison Ford) was recruited once more to beat the Nazi’s to another religious relic, this time the Holy Grail. This adventure reunited him with his estranged father (Sean Connery) and, in an odd turn of events, even gave him a brief encounter with Adolf Hitler (Michael Sheard). (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Flm)

[duranduratulsa]

Up next on my 80's Fest DuranDuranTulsa's Plenty Scary Movie...Phantom Of The Opera (1989) on glorious vintage VHS 📼! #movie #movies #horror #phantomoftheopera #robertenglund #jillschoelen #mollyshannon #joshryanevans #BillNighy #alexhydewhite #vintage #vhs #80s #80sfest #durandurantulsas6thannual80sfest #durandurantulsa #plentyscarymovie #8sThePlace #ktul #durandurantulsasplentyscarymovie

[lakecountylibrary]

Thriller Rec: Sleeping Giants by Rene Denfeld

Audiobook narrated by Alex Hyde-White (8 hours, 15 minutes)

Trigger Warning: child abuse, child trauma, animal cruelty

This book was a lot! It was hard to read, yet hard to put down. This novel follows three story lines: those of Dennis, Amanda, and Molly.

Dennis Owens was born almost thirty years ago to an alcoholic mother not capable of caring for him. He was bounced around foster homes, and finally ended up at a home for disturbed boys by the time he was six years old.

The novel follows Dennis' tragic time at the boys' home. The parts about Dennis are the hardest to read in the book. The boys' home uses questionable therapy methods to “correct” the boys.

The story jumps back and forth between Dennis' tragic childhood to present day. Amanda Dufresne is the polar bear keeper at a small Oregon zoo. She has a special bond with the bear in her care, Molly, but has trouble relating to other humans.

Molly doesn't relate well to other polar bears, and came to the zoo as an orphan cub found near a remote research station in Alaska. As the stories unfold it becomes clear how they all tie together.

The book is a tear-jerker, with an ending that brings peace, but doesn't tie everything up in a bow.

The audiobook narration was good; Alex Hyde-White speaks with a clear voice, and there is distinction between the characters.

Those who have read Dave Pelzer's works of nonfiction may want to give Sleeping Giants a try.

See more of Brenna's recs

Check out Sleeping Giants (available on Libby and in print)

[moviecorner]

Welcome to the Movie Corner

(Originally Published in THE ALPINE TIMES - Issue 21)

RUSS GOMM – local filmmaker, photographer, writer and cinephile – shares his movie memories, knowledge and love of the cinema with you, dear reader.

Hi! Welcome to the first ever Movie Corner, I’m your host – Russ Gomm! I’ve been working in film for more years than I can remember (well, nearly thirty years!) and I’ve had a great passion of all things cinematic since I was taken to the Canon Classic Cinema in Herne Bay by my mum when I was three years old to see Return of the Jedi. She secretly hoped it wasn’t for me as she had no inclination to sit through a two-hour science fiction film, but it turned out I loved it and it started me off on my life long journey through film.

 …and yes, Jedi is still my favourite of the original trilogy.

I’m looking forward to sharing some of this journey through film with you in future issues of this wonderful publication The Alpine Times, but for now I’d like to take you back in time for a retrospective look at a film that is very dear to my heart…

BIGGLES

Biggles (1986) also known as Biggles: Adventures in Time (for the 1988 American release where audiences were unfamiliar with our British hero) is not your father’s take on the classic adventure stories by William Earl Johns - himself an English pilot during the First World War -but rather a flashy 80s action adventure crafted by veteran British filmmakers for the then upcoming MTV generation. Regardless of this I have fond memories of my own father and I together enjoying this new take on the wartime hero who was introduced to us via the wonders of the local VHS rental shop.

With the success of Back to the Future (1985) the production team for Biggles were keen to add a time-travel twist and an American sidekick, along with a fabulous soundtrack - featuring Jon Anderson (from Yes), Deep Purple and mötley crüe. A brilliant score by polish composer Stanisław Syrewicz (still a long awaited release by fans of the film) helped bring an edgy and exciting tone to the film, one that was designed to gain interest from new, younger audiences.

In the film, Jim Ferguson (Alex Hyde-White) finds himself transported from New York in the 1980s back to the Western Front in 1917 in order to assist our hero Biggles (Neil Dickson) in his mission to save the day! Much of the charm of the film comes from the humour of the obvious culture shock, the ridiculous 80s fashion and the slang terms that Ferguson brings with him on the trip – Biggles himself also gets to deliver some gleefully over the top wartime English dialogue. That’s not to say the film is a joke (as much of it is quite serious), rather the jokes make the characters (especially Ferguson) much more fun and endearing. There is plenty to keep your attention with fine locations, great action, fantastic aerial dogfight photography and very importantly our own dear Peter Cushing in wonderful form in what would be his final appearance onscreen.

Alongside Cushing there is another connection to Hammer Films as the film is directed by John Hough – a British director known for his work in the horror genre with films such as The Legend of Hell House (1973) but who also worked for Hammer Films and in particular directed Twins of Evil (1971)

As I have mentioned the film is great fun and is one I have revisited many times over the years on VHS, DVD and now even on Blu-Ray! There’s just something special about this one-of-a-kind motion picture, with so many memorable scenes and a great atmosphere of excitement and adventure which always takes me back to childhood. Sadly no other Biggles films were made. It would have been great to follow these characters on further adventures. I always wondered what it would have been like to see a war film based purely on one of the books, played straight with Dickson returning as Biggles. The closest we ever came was a scene starring Dickson as a very familiar character in all but name in the Pet Shop Boys video It Couldn’t Happen Here (1988)

The film divided audiences, some loving the somewhat cheesy playful tone and some hating it, but those who loved it remain loyal fans to this day. Chocks Away!

Since you are reading a publication with a ski theme I’d now like to welcome you to a small section I like to call SNOW-CAPPED CINEMA, in which we take a quick look at films set in the snow!

 Dumb and Dumber (1994) starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly (in their debut - four years later they would strike back with There’s Something About Mary)  has some of the goofiest snow set scenes I’ve seen. Chaos ensues during the finale of the film as our two “heroes” Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) arrive on the ski slopes of Aspen after a cross-country journey to return a missing briefcase. Who can forget the snowball fight between Harry and Mary (Lauren Holly) and of course Harry’s frozen tongue!

 I watch a LOT of films and it’s always great to uncover a HIDDEN GEM, and in this issue I’d very much like to introduce you to Come True (2020) directed by Anthony Scott Burns (also a synth musician under the name Pilotpriest) I first heard of the film through the amazing band Electric Youth, who had written some songs for the soundtrack (They had also scored his previous film Breathing (2018) but after Burns left the project it was retitled Our House and rescored – it’s also worth a watch though). I don’t want to say too much about the film – only that it is a clever and creepy sci-fi horror, with a decadent dash of synth and neon. Come True is a visually stunning and atmospheric piece, the presence of which stayed with me long after the film had finished. If this sounds like your cup of tea I highly recommend it to you. It is available on Blu-ray or currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Enjoy.

Now, it’s time for some MOVIE TRIVIA!

Did you know that Return of the Jedi was originally titled Revenge of the Jedi, but at the last minute director George Lucas decided that it wasn’t fitting for a Jedi to seek revenge! Posters had already been sent out to cinemas with this original title – some of them now being worth serious money!

Composer John Williams enlisted the help of his son Joseph Williams (lead singer for Toto during the 1980s) to help with the score of Return of the Jedi and to write lyrics for the Ewok songs!

Steven Spielberg was the original choice of George Lucas to direct Return of the Jedi but was unable to due to restrictions as a member of the Directors Guild!

 TRAILERS

We’ve got some great films coming soon to the big screen, in particular I just can’t wait for Evil Dead Rise, a new chapter in the franchise helmed by brilliant upcoming Irish director Lee Cronin - check out his previous feature The Hole in the Ground (2019). Nicolas Cage stars as Count Dracula in Renfield, Ben Affleck directs and stars in Air – the story of Michael Jordan and Nike – also starring Matt Damon. Also heading our way is a remake of Salem’s Lot, Oppenheimer (from Christopher Nolan), and lots more sequels including Fast X, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and finally Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (Part One).

 EPILOGUE

That’s all the time we have for this issue, but be sure to join me next time for a look over the career of one of the greatest British directors of all time as we spend a year with Alfred Hitchcock. There’s just time to join me with a glass (perhaps even a glass of our very own Rock Lodge Lager) to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Olympus Has Fallen, the 20th Anniversary of Kill Bill, the 30th Anniversary of Demolition Man, and of course - the 40th Anniversary of Return of the Jedi.

 Cheers, May the Force be with you!

[90ssuperheroes]

the original MCU (1977-1994)

[vertigoartgore]

According to IMDb, the 1994 Fantastic Four movie turns 30 today. Feel old yet ?

"United States : May 31 1994 (only known showing)"

[2013venjix]

Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards)

[erstwhile-punk-guerito]

[kwebtv]

Echoes in the Darkness - CBS - November 1-2, 1987

Crime Drama / True Crime (2 episodes)

Running Time: 250 minutes

Stars:

Peter Coyote as William Bradfield Jr

Stockard Channing as Susan Reinert

Robert Loggia as Jay Smith

Peter Boyle as Sgt Joe Van Nort

Cindy Pickett as Sue Myers

Gary Cole as Jack Holt

Željko Ivanek as Vince Valaitis

Alex Hyde-White as Chris Pappas

Treat Williams as Rick Guida

Vincent Irizarry as Montione

Philip Bosco as Judge Garb

Brenda Bazinet as Lynn Reinert

Diane D'Aquila as Pat Schnure

Tony De Santis as Lou De Santis

Patricia Hamilton as Dorothy Hunsberger

Susannah Hoffman as Beth Ann

Alan Jordan as Ken Reinert

Isabelle Mejias as Shelly

Eugene Clark as Proctor Nowell

Chuck Shamata as Costopoulos

Richard Comar as Matt Mullin

[camyfilms]

PRETTY WOMAN 1990

The bad stuff is easier to believe. You ever notice that?

[geekcavepodcast]

Invitation to a Murder Trailer

Miranda Green, an amateur detective, along with five strangers, is invited to the remote mansion of billionaire Lewis Findley. “What do they all have in common? What’s become of their absent host? And who just murdered one of the guests in cold blood? Now Miranda must hunt for hidden clues, interview witnesses, and find the killer — before she becomes the next victim!” (Lionsgate)

Invitation to a Murder stars Mischa Barton, Chris Browning, Seamus Dever, Bianca Santos, Giles Matthey, Grace Lynn Kung, Amy Sloan, Alex Hyde-White, James Urbaniak, and Clark Carmichael. Stephen Shimek directs from a screenplay by Gérard MIller, Brian O’Donnell, and Jerome Reygner-Kalfon.

Invitation to a Murder releases on digital and on demand on April 25, 2023.

[duranduratulsa]

Now showing on my 80's Fest Movie 🎥 marathon and DuranDuranTulsa's Plenty Scary Movie...The Phantom Of The Opera (1989) on glorious vintage VHS 📼! #movie #movies #horror #thephantomoftheopera #phantomoftheopera #robertenglund #jillschoelen #BillNighy #alexhydewhite #mollyshannon #vintage #vhs #80s #80sfest #durandurantulsas5thannual80sfest #durandurantulsa #plentyscarymovie #8sThePlace #ktul #durandurantulsasplentyscarymovie

[thenerdsofcolor]

Mischa Barton Channels Agatha Christie in 'Invitation to a Murder' Trailer

The murder mystery genre is officially back in style. Following up on the likes of The Glass Onion and Poker Face, the upcoming film Invitation to a Murder promises a weekend getaway full of secrets, twists, and murder. The official Lionsgate description teases: (more…) “”

[splendsay]

COD FIC // Callsign: Sunshine // Chapter 19: Strawberry Ice Cream

um. so yeah. I...I have...I have a lot of feelings about this chapter. it hurt to write. it hurt to read it back. but I hope you enjoy it all the same.

..................................................................

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Callsign: Sunshine // Chapter 19: Strawberry Ice Cream

!!!HEAVY CONTENT WARNING!!!

CWs: Explicit language, torture, canon-typical violence, implied rape

Characters: Reader (You), Unnamed OC x2, Alex Keller

Chapter Excerpt:

There is -- was -- this little ice cream shop in Hyde Park that your dad used to bring you to every Saturday as a kid. You've always loved ice cream. Have an insatiable sweet tooth, as dad would say. Even in the dead of winter, you'd beg him to take you for a frozen treat. And he always would. 

The shop was tiny on the inside, but they still had one of those refrigerated counters where you could see all of the flavors in their tubs. You'd press your grubby little kid fingers against the glass, pointing at each and every one before ultimately selecting your tried and true favorite: strawberry. It'd usually smelled like cake inside the shop, which you'd always thought was funny. Cake in an ice cream shop? It was only once you'd gotten older that you'd realized it was because they made their own cones. 

Your mind keeps conjuring images of this place. You don't know why. But it pushes you back there, over and over and over again. To the sign above the doorway, wooden and dangling by two chains, shaped like an ice cream cone, of course, and decorated with bright streaks of blue and pink and yellow. To the wrought iron furniture, painted white to match the building and adorned with different colored carnations in little empty soda bottle vases. And the little striped paper hats the owner made the teenagers working the counter wear, even though they moped and complained and took them off when he wasn't looking. 

Maybe your mind keeps going back there because the alternative would be to open your eyes. Open your eyes to the dim, stinking rat cellar, lit only by the light of one, singular candle, that's your current home. Open your eyes to the sight of Alex, beat to hell in front of you. Gagged and strapped to a chair, same as you are, unable to do fuck all about it. Open your eyes to realize you can't really open them at all -- not with how swollen they've become. 

No, the ice cream shop is better. Easier to buy. Easier to digest. 

..................................................................... Links to: Spotify Playlist Full Fic