Inside Memphis teen's journey to playing young Marlon in 'Michael' Briarcrest student Jaylen Lyndon Hunter will be seen on thousands of movie screens around the world as a member of the Jackson 5 in "Michael."

A Memphis teen in the Jackson 5: Meet the Briarcrest student who plays young Marlon in the new Michael Jackson movie, MICHAEL: bit.ly/4mF8NWY

and finally, ST. JOSEPH: GUARDIAN OF THE FAMILY, a Polish drama about "a journalist investigating St. Joseph’s miracles while navigating his own marital crisis." 3/3

I SWEAR (Tourette syndrome drama that caused controversy at the BAFTAs); OVER YOUR DEAD BODY (Samara Weaving and Jason Segel try to kill each other); RICKY (30-year-old locked up since he was a teen tries to adjust to life outside prison) ... 2/3

New movies in Memphis, 4/24: MICHAEL (the Michael Jackson movie); David Lowery's MOTHER MARY (with Anne Hathaway and Michaela Cole); DESERT WARRIOR (Saudi-produced historical action epic with Anthony Mackie); FUZE (suspense from director David 'Hell or High Water' Mackenzie) 1/3

Must-see Memphis Zoo animals? 12 fascinating creatures to check out The Memphis Zoo is home to 3,500-plus animals. Here are some of our favorites that don't always get the spotlight.

The Memphis Zoo turns 120 this year. So here's a look at 12 of its more unusual animals: bit.ly/41MaHM6

last night's double feature

RIP model, actress and frequent Groucho Marx foil Joy Harmon, 85, who famously suspended Johnny Crawford from her bikini top after becoming one of the title titans in VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS (1965) - an image immortalized in the film's poster.

People are Strange: Glenn Strange, THE MAD MONSTER (1942).

They kindly asked me to be a speaker (even though my 'insights' don’t extend much beyond the original series). Proved to be fun and seemingly successful event, for Trekkies and bemused coincidentally present day drinkers alike.

‘Nurse Christine Chapel’ is behind the bar at this past weekend’s annual Shelby County Star Trek Day at Neil’s. (Does any other locale have a Star Trek Day founded and organized by the district attorney??)

Fantastic photo of grey-headed flying fox bats in the Science section of today’s NYTimes.

MILE ENDS KICKS (unhelpful title for a romcom with Barbara Ferreira, set in the indie rock world); ARIEL PHENOMENON (documentary about a supposedly well-known UFO incident); BHOOTH BANGLA (horror comedy from India). 3/3

LORNE (doc about SNL and Lorne Michaels, two topics that at this point need more attention about as much as the Beatles do); BUSBOYS (if this were a Crown International release from 1976 I'd be psyched, but it stars podcaster Theo Von and David Spade)... 2/3

New movies in Memphis, 4/17: LEE CRONIN'S THE MUMMY (not sure why he rates a possessive on the strength of his Evil Dead remake, but, whatever); EXIT 8 (well-reviewed Japanese horror movie, Ridgeway only); NORMAL (comedy-action with Bob Odenkirk, but not a 'Nobody' sequel) 1/3

It's a single movie, not a series, but I highly recommend undercover biker cop Brian Bosworth vs. Lance Henriksen as "Chains Cooper" in STONE COLD (1991).

Porky Pig morphs into Oliver Hardy (and not for the first time) in THE TIMID TOREADOR (Looney Tunes, 1940).

New movies in Memphis, 4/10: FACES OF DEATH (new horror movie inspired by the infamous 1978 'mondo' video); YOU, ME & TUSCANY (romcom); BEAST (Russell Crowe is an MMA coach); HUNTING MATTHEW NICHOLS (yet more found footage horror); DACOIT: A LOVE STORY (from India).

News: Brooklyn's Brandon Harris - author, critic, filmmaker, festival programmer, former Amazon Studios development exec, more - is returning to the resurgent Indie Memphis Film Festival as "Artistic Director," meaning he will help guide programming (as he did a decade ago).

I've been on a Merrie Melodies tear myself lately

Eva Bartok, SPACEWAYS (Terence Fisher, 1953)

If I got my hands on one of those it would be attached to my keychain so fast your head would spin faster than Knucklehead Smiff’s

Hadn’t seen THE BRIDE (1985) in decades; it’s not good. But nice to see, however briefly, Guy ‘Mr. Sardonicus’ Rolfe as a count (his countess is Veruschka).

Former TIME editor Richard Stengel: “He is repeating every foreign and domestic policy mistake the US has made over the last 5 decades, but he’s doing it with a gracelessness, cluelessness, and corruption that has no precedent.”

New movies in Memphis, 4/3: THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE; THE DRAMA (but it's a comedy! - at least in part), with Zendaya and Robert Pattinson; FANTASY LIFE (Amanda Peet); A GREAT AWAKENING ('faith' drama with Ben Franklin as a character); and 2 from India: YOUTH and PRATHICHAYA.

Me too, although Lightning (the longest yet, I think?) is outstanding (despite some well-intended but shall we say 'problematic' content ...)

Just finished 37 (LIGHTNING) on my first-time journey through the entire series.

Chuck Jones’ Frankenstein: SNIFFLES AND THE BOOKWORM (Merrie Melodies, 1939)

Looney Tunes, 1940