“Red 11” (2019) / Z-View
Red 11 (2019)
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Screenplay: Robert Rodriguez, Racer Rodriguez; inspired by REBEL WITHOUT A CREW by Robert Rodriguez
Stars: Roby Attal, Lauren Hatfield
Tagline: THE NEW $7,000.00 FILM FROM ROBERT RODRIGUEZ.
The Plot…
John owes bad people $7,000.00. If they don’t get paid, John will get killed. In order to get the money quickly John joins a clinical study that uses experimental drugs and treatments. Once locked in the treatment center, John discovers he may be in more danger there.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Robert Rodriguez made his first film El Mariachi for $7,000.00. He raised the money, in part, by taking part in medical studies. Rodriguez was inspired by his experiences to come up with this film. He also wanted to see if it was possible to make the film for $7,000.00. It was. Sadly, we didn’t get anything close to a movie as good as El Mariachi.
I’m a Robert Rodriguez fan. Red 11 just didn’t resonate with me. The movie is less than 90 minutes long. I stuck it out for a bit over 50 minutes before tapping out. Your mileage may vary.
Red 11 (2019) rates 1 of 5 stars.
Joker by Rafael Kayanan!
The Joker by Rafael Kayanan. Raf’s take on The Joker is terrifying.
“5 Steps to Danger” (1957) starring Ruth Roman & Sterling Hayden / Z-View
5 Steps to Danger (1957)
Director: Henry S. Kesler
Screenplay: Henry S. Kesler; story by Donald Hamilton, Turnley Walker; based on The Steel Mirror by Donald Hamilton
Stars: Ruth Roman, Sterling Hayden, Werner Klemperer, Richard Gaines, Peter Hansen, John Mitchum, Leonard Bremen, Sidney Clute and Ken Curtis.
Tagline: First she lured him into her car … then she let him taste her lips … and then … THE TERROR BEGAN !
The Plot…
John Emmett has just learned that his car is beyond repair. John sells it to the mechanic and asks about the nearest bus station. Ann Nicholson overheard John’s problem and offers him a ride. She’s driving to Santa Fe. Ann suggests John ride with her. They can split the drive time and motor straight through the night. John agrees.
When they stop for gas, a woman, claiming to be a nurse approaches John. The woman says that Ann has mental issues. The woman claims Ann is a patient of Dr. Frederick Simmons. John isn’t sure what to believe and says nothing to Ann.
Later, Ann and John are pulled over by two cops. They begin to question Ann about a murder in Los Angeles. She argues with a cop and in the struggle the policeman is knocked down the embankment. The other cop handcuffs Ann to John. The cop and John struggle and John knocks him down the hill. Ann and John take off.
On the run from the police, Ann tells John that she accidentally discovered a foreign government’s plot against the US. Ann says that she has important scientific information that she must get to trusted authorities. John is unsure if Ann is mentally unstable, a murderess or a patriot on the run.
One thing John does know, is that he’s now a wanted man. His life may depend on unraveling the mystery that is Ann Nicholson.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Wilder’s Garage in the opening scene was named that as a nod to Billy Wilder who opened Ace in the Hole with a similar scene.
Werner Klemperer went on to fame as Colonel Klink on Hogan’s Heroes. FBI Agent Jim Anderson is played (uncredited) by Ken Curtis who became famous as Festus on Gunsmoke.
5 Steps to Danger (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars.
SKULL FULL by Anthony Neil Smith
SKULL FULL by Anthony Neil Smith drops tomorrow. Here’s the lowdown…
A collection of stories by 2024 Horror Showdown Finalist Anthony Neil Smith about f****d-up families, f****d-up relationships, f****d-up crimes, and f****d-up f**kedness, and are adorably twisted around a darkly humorous core.
Anthony Neil Smith is a novelist whose short fiction has appeared in HAD, Bull, Cowboy Jamboree, Maudlin House, Reckon Review, and many more. He’s a professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, and current editor of online lit mag Revolution John. One of his stories appeared in Best American Mystery & Suspense 2023. He’s been nominated for a Pushcart twice, and for Best of the Net twice. Another story collection, THE TICKS WILL EAT YOU WHOLE, is forthcoming in March of 2025.
REVELATION by Robert Knott / Z-View
REVELATION by Robert Knott
First sentence…
Augustus Noble Driggs was lying inside the small stone room on a bunk, thinking about Jesus and whatnot.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
US Marshall Virgil Cole and Deputy Everette Hitch receive word that several convicts have escaped prison. Worse still, they have taken the warden’s wife with them. One of the escapees is none other than Augustus Noble Driggs. Driggs is “square-jawed, handsome, and built like a muscled thoroughbred stallion.” He’s well educated, resourceful and a West Point graduate. Driggs is accurate with both pistol and long rifle. Smart, physically fit and capable. Driggs is a stone cold killer and dangerous adversary.
Virgil and Everette ride out to track down Driggs and the convicts. Little do they know that an equal danger is brewing in Appaloosa.
+++++
Robert Knott does Robert B. Parker proud with another Virgil and Everett yarn.
Rating:
“Brothers” (2024) starring Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, Glenn Close, Marisa Tomei & Brendan Fraser / Z-View
Brothers (2024)
Director: Max Barbakow
Screenplay: Macon Blair; story by Etan Cohen
Stars: Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, Jen Landon, Brendan Fraser, Glenn Close, M. Emmet Walsh, Margo Moorer, Joshua Mikel, Nathan Hesse, Taylor St. Clair and Marisa Tomei.
Tagline: Family is a life sentence.
The Plot…
Thirty years ago, Mike and Jady’s mother took off with the cops in hot pursuit. Mom and her boyfriend had stolen emeralds worth millions. Mom was not caught or heard from again. After mom split, Mike and Jady began a life of small time crime. Jady was eventually caught and sent to prison. Mike married and hoped to turn his life around.
When Jady is released from prison, he visits Mike. Jady has a plan for a road trip and one last score. Desperate since he just lost his job, Mike agrees. Had Mike known that it would involve an overly-friendly orangutan, a cop with a vendetta and their long lost mother, he might have reconsidered.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Brothers has a great cast with a story that has potential. Sadly the film falls short. I didn’t care for any of the characters. The go-to for laughs was seeing people fall off roofs, get punched, run over or knocked down. I made it to the end. Barely.
Brothers is M. Emmet Walsh’s last feature film appearance. He deserved better. So did the other talents in this movie. Brendan Fraser and Marisa Tomei are Academy Award winners. Josh Brolin and Glenn Close are Academy Award nominees. Peter Dinklage is a 4 time Emmy Award winner.
Although Marisa Tomei is listed on the movie poster, her name doesn’t appear in the film credits.
Brothers (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Dizzy by Rev. Dave Johnson
Here’s a vintage Dave Johnson sketch of Dizzy.
“Late Night with the Devil” (2023) written & directed by Colin Cairnes & Cameron Cairnes / Z-View
Late Night with the Devil (2023)
Director: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes
Screenplay: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes
Stars: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli, Steve Mouzakis, Christopher Kirby and Rhys Auteri.
Tagline: The live television event that shocked a nation!
The Plot…
In October 1977, Night Owls late night talk show host Jack Delroy’s contract was coming up for renewal. The show has had it’s ups and downs, but lately has been dropping in the ratings. Because Halloween falls during sweeps week, Delroy has a special episode planned.
On Halloween night, on Night Owls Jack Delroy will present live…
- Christou, a medium who claims he will communicate with the dead.
- June Ross-Mitchell and Lilly. Ross-Mitchell, a parapsychologist who wrote a best-seller about her work with Lilly who is reportedly possessed by a demon.
- Carmichael Haig, a former magician and professional debunker. Haig has offered $100,000 to anyone who can prove paranormal powers exist.
No one was prepared for what happened.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Late Night with the Devil feels like a real talk show from 1977. They’ve absolutely captured the dress, the sound, and sets. This one is excellent all the way around — writing, direction and casting. Kudos to all involved.
Late Night with the Devil (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.
MYSTIC: THE MONK ADDISON CASE FILES by Jonathan Maberry!
I’m a big fan of Jonathan Maberry’s novels. My favorite is his JOE LEDGER series, but everything I’ve ever read by Maberry has been worthy.
MYSTIC: THE MONK ADDISON CASE FILES is on my “must-buy” list. (How about that cover by Lynne Hansen!)
MYSTIC: THE MONK ADDISON CASE FILES drops December 3rd, 2024. Below is the synopsis…
Gerald “Monk” Addison used to be a soldier. Sometimes he’s a bounty hunter. Mostly, he’s a killer of killers.
His body is covered with the faces of victims of serial killers, human traffickers, and other monsters. Their blood is mixed with holy water and then inked onto his skin, allowing him to relive their deaths. To feel what they felt, and to see what they saw. The faces of the killers.And then Monk goes hunting.
He is forever haunted by the ghosts who hire him. A madman mystic. A man driven to darkness and acts of shocking violence. Monk is a good man on a dark and dangerous road in search of personal redemption. In search of red justice.
MYSTIC collects the Monk Addison case files, pitting him against the most dangerous kinds of human monsters. These are stories of a complex and driven hunter of men. They are tales of a mystic hunting the nightmare streets and back alleys.
“Leon: The Professional” Alt Poster by Joshua Lane Johnson and the 30th Anniversary Trailer are Here!
Leon: The Professional turns 30 this year. A new Blu-Ray with extras is coming. To celebrate with have the alt poster by Joshua Lane Johnson above and the 30th anniversary trailer below.
A film by Luc Besson
12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Leon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégé and learns the assassin’s trade.
Dusty Star by Adam Hughes!
Dusty Star by Adam Hughes. I love the use of negative space. Cool concept and excellent execution.
Dusty Star created by Andrew Robinson
“Black Dynamite” (2009) starring Michael Jai White / Z-View
Black Dynamite (2009)
Director: Scott Sanders
Screenplay: Michael Jai White, Scott Sanders, Byron Minns, story by Michael Jai White, Byron Minns
Stars: Michael Jai White, Arsenio Hall, Tommy Davidson, Phyllis Applegate, Obba Babatundé, William Bassett and Mykelti Williamson.
Tagline: He’s super bad, he’s outta sight. He’s Black Dynamite.
The Plot…
Black Dynamite (White) is a Viet Nam vet, fung fu expert, ex-CIA, love machine. He’s a mean muther — I’m just talking about Black Dynamite. When Black Dynamite’s brother is killed, evidence leads to an organization that is providing heroin to black orphanages, and poisoning malt liquor headed for the ghetto. The CIA reinstate Black Dynamite so he can make those muthers pay.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Black Dynamite is a love letter to the low-budget blaxploitation movies of the early 1970s. It definitely captured the look, sound and feel of those films. We get split screen, slow-motion, boom mic errors, jump cuts, bad dialogue and music that take us back to those wonderful days of one cool cat willing and able to take down the man in between loving the ladies.
Kudos to Michael Jai White for not only playing the lead, but coming up with the idea and hitting the right mix of homage and parody.
Black Dynamite (2009) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Alfred Hitchcock – Video of Every Cameo He Ever Made!
Alfred Hitchcock was the first director I ever knew by name. I love his cameos. Below is a compilation of every one of them!
