Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I like the poster and trailer for Breaking. Deal me in.
When Marine Veteran Brian Brown-Easley is denied support from Veterans Affairs, financially desperate and running out of options, he takes a bank and several of its employees’ hostage, setting the stage for a tense confrontation with the police. Based on the true story.
Brimstone (2016)
Director: Martin Koolhoven
Screenplay by: Martin Koolhoven
Starring: Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning, Emilia Jones and Kit Harington
Tagline: Retribution is coming
The Overview: Beware of spoilers…
Brimstone is the story of Liz (Fanning), the Reverend (Pearce) and their twisted relationship. The story is told out of order, so when we first see Liz, she is a young married woman. The Reverend shows up to the wilderness town where she lives and we quickly learn that he means to harm Liz and her family. As the story unfolds we learn that their relationship goes back to Liz’s childhood and no matter where she runs, the Reverend finds her.
I wanted to like Brimstone. It has an interesting premise. I’m a fan of Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning, Kit Harrington and westerns. The set up for Brimstone leaves the audience with many questions and as the story unfolds most are answered. What turned me off was the slow pace, excessive and redundant violence and an ending that left me wishing I’d checked out before the nearly 2 and a half hour run time.
Guy Pearce is an excellent actor and he convincingly plays one of the most despicable characters you can imagine. Dakota Fanning is Pearce’s equal as far as acting goes, and perhaps it is their talents that kept me watching. Kit Harrington takes some getting used to with his southern accent, but he isn’t in the film for much more than a glorified cameo. The film is divided into four parts 1) Revelation 2) Exodus 3) Genesis 4) Retribution and loses me in the last section. I was having doubts about the film before, but it is when Liz pulls a Riddick in Pitch Black move to escape being tied to a post that I realized my doubts were well founded.
Throughout the movie we believe that the Reverend is out to get retribution. My interpretation of the ending is that despite it being a downer, Liz is the one to get poetic justice. If that’s the case the ending just doesn’t work for me. Everyone but one person in Liz’s life is murdered and Liz commits suicide. Plus there’s the whole question if the Reverend is a real person or something else.
I wish I liked Brimstone more but I also realize it just wasn’t for me. For that reason Brimstone gets 1 of 5 stars.
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
Director: Bob Rafelson
Screenplay by: David Mamet based on the James M. Cain novel The Postman Always Rings Twice
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Jessica Lange, John Colicos, Michael Lerner, John P. Ryan and Anjelica Huston
Tagline: In the heat of passion two things can happen. The second is murder.
The Overview: Beware of spoilers…
Frank Chambers (Nicholson) is a drifter who plans to scam a meal from a roadside diner and move on. When the diner’s owner, Nick Papadakis (Colicos), offers Chambers a job, he declines… then he catches a look at Papadakis’ young wife (Lange). Chambers takes the job,
Soon he and young Mrs. Papadakis are involved in a low-rent romance. As things heat up, their thoughts turn to cold-blooded murder. With Mr. Papadakis permanently out of the way, they’ll have each other and the diner to themselves. They think they’ll be on the way to easy street, but depending on how things turn out it could be the electric chair!
This film is the fourth version of James M. Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice. It was David Mamet’s first produced screenplay and had Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange in the lead roles. My expectations were high. Sadly, I was disappointed. The advertisements for the film boasted of the heat between Nicholson and Lange. I didn’t feel it. Chambers and Papadakis’ wife need to be so in love (or at least in lust) that they’re willing to risk everything. I had the feeling that either of them could have moved on without a glance back. The love scenes weren’t loving or even sexy.
I’m a huge fan of the 1946 movie version starring Lana Turner and John Garfield which I thought was a 5 star film. This could have influenced my feelings toward the remake which earns 2 of 5 stars.
The Spoilers (1942)
Director: Ray Enright
Screenplay by: Lawrence Hazard, Tom Reed based on The Spoilers novel by Rex Beach
Starring: Marlene Dietrich, Randolph Scott, John Wayne, Margaret Lindsay and Harry Carey
Tagline: BOLD WOMEN! BRAWNY MEN! Living…loving in the Hot-spot of the Frozen North!
The Overview: Beware of spoilers…
Roy Glennister (Wayne) and his partner, Al Dextry (Carey) are goldminers in a partnership with saloon owner, Cherry Malotte (Dietrich). The trio’s goldmine has a rich vein and they found it. Things are looking good until the new gold commissioner, Alex McNamara (Scott) arrives. McNamara is claim-jumping mines that are paying off! He’s doing it “legally” with the backing of a crooked judge that he secretly has in his pocket. In addition, to Glennister’s mine, McNamara has his eyes on Glennister’s woman, Cherry Malotte! The tension mounts as it becomes obvious there is only one way this will end…
I was surprised at the innuendo in dialogue and actions of Dietrich, Wayne and Scott. There is a whole other level to this film that you usually don’t see in westerns of the 1940s. Wayne’s character is a player! I loved Randolph Scott as the bad guy! There is chemistry between the Dietrich, Wayne and Scott that adds to the believability of the film. The climatic fight between Wayne and Scott lives up to it’s reputation. The Spoilers is a fun ride and rates 4 of 5 stars.
Dead Man (1995)
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Screenplay by: Jim Jarmusch
Starring: Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Crispin Glover, Lance Henriksen, Michael Wincott, Eugene Byrd, John Hurt, Robert Mitchum, Iggy Pop, Gabriel Byrne, Mili Avital and Billy Bob Thornton
Tagline: Sometimes it is preferable not to travel with a dead man.
The Overview: Beware of spoilers…
William Blake (Depp), a mild-mannered accountant, travels by train to a small town on the edge of the frontier. There he meets a prostitute named Thel (Avital) who takes him home. The next morning Thel’s ex-boyfriend, Charlie (Byrne) confronts Blake and Thel while they’re still in bed. Charlie shoots at Blake. The bullet hits (and kills) Thel and then strikes Blake in the chest when the bullet passes through her. Blake picks up Thel’s gun and kills Charlie. Blake then hightails it out of town.
Although he escaped into the wilderness, Blake’s chest wound is serious. He passes out. When he comes to he is surprised to find a huge Native American named Nobody (Farmer) standing over him. Nobody says that the bullet is too close to his heart to be removed. Blake is a walking dead man. Nobody says he will help Blake prepare for his journey back to the spiritual world. Along the way Blake has run-ins with many unusual characters including the three notorious killers hired by Charlie’s dad (Mitchum) to avenge his son’s murder.
Jim Jarmusch brought together an all-star cast to tell a strange, almost mesmerizing tale, Dead Man was shot in black and white, with fadeouts after each scene enhanced by an improvised Neil Young soundtrack. Truth be told, I started to watch Dead Man years ago and couldn’t get into it. This time, I loved every minute. Dead Man earns 4 of 5 stars.
The poster and trailer for Paradise Highway are here. I like the looks of this one.
Academy Award® winners Juliette Binoche and Morgan Freeman lead this riveting thriller set in the trucking industry and its seamy underbelly of human trafficking. To save the life of her brother (Frank Grillo), Sally (Binoche), a truck driver, reluctantly agrees to smuggle illicit cargo: a girl named Leila (Hala Finley). As Sally and Leila begin a danger-fraught journey across state lines, a dogged FBI operative (Freeman) sets out on their trail, determined to do whatever it takes to terminate a human-trafficking operation — and bring Sally and Leila to safety.
The poster and trailer for What Joshua Saw do what they should do… make me want to know more!
A family with buried secrets reunite at a farmhouse after two decades to pay for their past sins. Starring Robert Patrick, Nick Stahl, Scott Haze, Kelli Garner, with Jake Weber and Tony Hale. Directed by Vincent Grashaw.
Now we have a poster and firm release date for Samaritan starring Sly Stallone directed by Julius (Overlord) Avery. Samaritan drops August 26th on Prime!
I like the poster and the trailer for Day Shift looks like fun. Deal me in.
Jamie Foxx stars as a hard working blue collar dad who just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted daughter, but his mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income, hunting and killing vampires as part of an international Union of vampire hunters. #DayShift #Netflix
RELEASE DATE: August 12th on Netflix
CAST: James Franco, Snoop Dogg, Dave Franco
The Thing (1982)
Director: John Carpenter
Screenplay by: Bill Lancaster based on a short story by John W. Campbell Jr.
Starring: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Donald Moffat, Joel Polis, Thomas G. Waites and Adrienne Barbeau (uncredited computer voice)
Tagline: Man is The Warmest Place to Hide.
The Overview: Beware of spoilers
Members of a US Antarctica research station go on full alert when a Norwegian helicopter begins buzzing their outpost. One of the Norwegians is shooting at a husky that’s running towards the American station. The helicopter lands and more shots ring out missing the dog and nearly hitting members of the US team. Garry (Moffat) shoots back, killing the Norwegian. A fire caused by wild shots leads to the explosion of the helicopter and death of the pilot.
MacReady (Russell) and Dr. Copper (Dysart) fly to the Norwegian base. Everyone there is dead! MacReady and Copper discover a disfigured burned vaguely human-looking corpse. MacReady and Copper return to the US base with the corpse and more questions than answers.
The Norwegian dog had been given free reign at the US base. When MacReady returns the dog is placed in a kennel with the US huskies. Once the lights are out, the Norwegian dog begins to transform as it kills the US dogs and assimilates them. The dogs’ screams alert the base and everyone shows up. They’re shocked, but use a flamethrower to incinerate the thing.
They ultimately learn that the Norwegians discovered an alien ship. One of the creatures from the ship thawed and began killing them. It made it’s escape in the form of the Norwegian dog.
Dr. Blair runs computer simulations and realizes odds are that at least one of the US team has been assimilated. The computer also shows that if one of the things makes it to civilization, humans will be wiped out.
Dr. Cooper suggests a blood test to determine if anyone has been compromised. Before that can happen, the blood supply is destroyed, as are every means of communication and the transportation. At least one of the US team is no longer human. But who?
As they struggle for a solution, the lack of sleep and paranoia makes each person as much of a danger as the thing. Will anyone survive? And what of the human race?
Bill Lancaster’s script is closer to John Campbell’s short story than the 1951 film. Everything comes together. John Carpenter is the right director for this project — he respects the source material. He’s supported by a wonderful cast led by Kurt Russell, and each cast member gets their moment to shine. Stan Winston’s effects were groundbreaking for the time and still impress. Ennio Morricone provides music that adds to the tension.
When I saw The Thing on it’s original release, the theater was nearly empty. Over the years, The Thing developed a following and the props it deserves. My initial rating for The Thing was 4 of 5 stars, but over the years, I’ve bumped it up to a more proper 5 of 5 stars.
The great Tony Stella posted this very cool Nighthawks painting of Sly and Billy Dee Williams! You can see more of Mr. Stella’s art on his website or by following his Twitter.
L.Q. Jones born Justus Ellis McQueen Jr. died today from natural causes at the age of 94.
After serving in the Navy, LQ went to college, worked as a stand-up comedian, played a little pro-football and pro-basketball and even did some ranching. A letter from his old college roommate, (actor) Fess Parker, encouraged Mr. Jones to give acting a try.
Jones’ first role was in 1955’s Battle Cry where he was billed under his given name, Justus E. McQueen. The character he played in Battle Cry was named LQ Jones! He liked the name so much he took it as his stage name for the rest of his career! LQ never looked back. He stayed busy alternating between television and feature films for the rest of his career.
Television highlights include: Cheyenne, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, The Rebel, Death Valley Days, The Rifleman, Lassie, Ben Casey, Have Gun – Will Travel, Route 66, Laramie, Perry Mason, Wagon Train, Branded, Rawhide, My Favorite Martian, Hondo, The Big Valley, Hawaii Five-O, The Virginian (semi-regular), The FBI, Gunsmoke, Alias Smith and Jones, Assignment: Vienna, Ironside, Kung Fu, McCloud, CHiPs, Columbo, The Incredible Hulk, Vega$, Charlie’s Angels, The Dukes of Hazard, The Fall Guy, Walker Texas Ranger and Renegade.
Some of the feature films with LQ Jones: Battle Cry, The Naked and the Dead, Cimarron, Flaming Star, Ride the High Country, Major Dundee, Hang ‘Em High, The Wild Bunch, The Ballad of Cable Hogue, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, White Line Fever, Casino, The Mask of Zorro and Route 666.
I probably first saw LQ Jones when he appeared in multiple episodes of Cheyenne. Of course Mr. Jones stayed so busy on so many shows that I watched, it may have been one of the others on his resume. Since I enjoyed his role as Cheyenne Brodie’s friend, we’ll go with that though. As for his feature films, you could always count on him to have a role in most Sam Peckinpah films. When LQ Jones’ name is mentioned, White Line Fever is one I think of right after The Wild Bunch. Whenever LQ showed up, you were in for a treat!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to LQ Jones’ family, friends and fans.
G-Men (1935)
Director: William Keighley
Screenplay by: Darryl F. Zanuck, Seton I. Miller (uncredited) based on the novel Public Enemy No. 1 by Gregory Rogers
Starring: James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay, Ann Dvorak, Robert Armstrong and Lloyd Nolan
Tagline: Hollywood’s Most Famous Bad Man Joins the “G-MEN” and Halts the March of Crime!
The Overview: Beware of spoilers
Because he won’t play ball with crooks, Brick Davis (Cagney) isn’t making it as a lawyer. So when Brick’s recruited to join the FBI, he does. We then follow Brick through training and his efforts to bring down a crime syndicate.
Cagney’s star power is evident in this pretty much by the numbers outing. With that said, G-Men rates 3 of 5 stars.
Sara Snow at CBR.com posted 10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Munsters. Before you click over, here are my top three and comments on each…
The Addams Family Coincidence: …As a coincidence, The Munsters and The Addams Family premiered on their respective networks on the same day. While this does appear as if CBS was completing ABC, the networks were unaware they were both producing spooky-themed family sitcoms. (I find it hard to buy that either network wasn’t aware of what the other was producing. – Craig)
Mel Blanc Was The Voice Of The Raven: The man behind the raven was famed voice actor and radio personality Mel Blanc, “The Man of 1,000 Voices.” (Who doesn’t love Mel Blanc? – Craig)
Why The Munsters Was Shot In Black & White: the main one was cost; it was cheaper to film a show in black and white than in color… execs were concerned kids would find the show too scary if the spooky characters were in color… <Black and White> worked in the show’s favor since it felt like the classic black and white Universal monster movies… (I liked it for exactly the last reason. It reminded me of the classic horror movies. – Craig)
Tony Sirico, who rose to fame playing Peter Paul “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri on The Sopranos died this morning. Mr. Sirico was 79. Tony Sirico’s brother posted the following on Facebook…
“It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony ‘Tony’ Sirico wishes to inform you of his death” Friday morning, The family is deeply grateful for the many expressions of love, prayer and condolences and requests that the public respect its privacy in this time of bereavement.”
Tony Sirico built a career playing tough guys and mobsters. He was convincing because Mr. Sirico was a real-life tough guy who knew first hand the view from the backseat of a police cruiser. Tony Sirico was arrested 28 times and served two prison terms. It was during his second stint in prison that he decided to give acting a try (after an acting troupe visited the prison).
Tony Sirico appeared in both television and feature films. Some television shows/movies where you can find Mr. Sirico include: Kojak, Police Squad, Miami Vice, Gotti, Cosby, The Sopranos, Medium, A Muppets Christmas and Family Guy.
Feature films that, uh, feature Tony Sirico include: The Pick-Up Artist, Goodfellas, Romeo is Bleeding, Bullets Over Broadway, Dead Presidents and Cop Land,
Tony Sirico brought a feeling of authenticity to his roles. One of my favorite Tony Sirico roles was Toy Torillo in Cop Land. It’s not a huge role, but Mr. Sirico provided the gravitas needed. Of course if I have to pick just one Tony Sirico role, then of course I’m going with Paulie Walnuts in The Sopranos. Thankfully, we aren’t limited to just one because Tony Sirico was good in everything.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.
