Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
The Covenant looks like a winner.
A bond. A pledge. A commitment. Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim star in Guy Ritchie’s #TheCovenant. Watch the official trailer now and see the film only in theaters April.
Directed By: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim
Written By: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies
Jack Hawkins at /Film ranked his favorite John Wayne films. It got me thinking about how I’d rate the Duke’s best. So without further jibber-jabber, here’s how thinks shook out.
|
Hawkins |
Zablo |
| 10. The Cowboys | 10. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance |
| 9. Stagecoach | 9. The Shootist |
| 8. Fort Apache | 8. Red River |
| 7. The Longest Day | 7. 3 Godfathers |
| 6. El Dorado | 6. Rio Bravo |
| 5. Baby Face | 5. Hondo |
| 4. Hatari! | 4. True Grit |
| 3. True Grit | 3. The Cowboys |
| 2. The Shootist | 2. Stagecoach |
| 1. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance | 1. The Searchers |
Last Looks (2021)
Director: Tim Kirkby
Screenplay: Howard Michael Gould based on this novel Last Looks
Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Mel Gibson, Lucy Fry, Clancy Brown, Robin Givens, CC Castillo, Method Man, Dominic Monaghan, Paul Ben-Victor and Josh McDermitt
Tagline: This city is a bad place to be a good guy.
The Plot…
Charlie Waldo (Hunnam) is an ex-cop who has withdrawn from society. He lives a quiet life in a trailer outside the city. All of that changes when he is convinced to look into the murder of a Alastair Pinch’s wife. Pinch (Gibson) is a an arrogant, alcoholic, but extremely popular tv star. Pinch is also the prime suspect in his wife’s murder. He claims he was blackout drunk when she was killed.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Last Looks has a great cast with Gibson and Hunnam leading the way. Although Hunnam gets top billing, Gibson steals the show with his take on Alastair Pinch. It’s fun to see see Clancy Brown, Dominic Monagham and Josh McDermitt show up as well.
Last Looks has the feel of a quirky detective show from the 1970s or 80s. You know the shows where the “guest star” gets the flashy part and there’s plenty of interesting characters along the way. I enjoyed Last Looks and could see it producing a sequel if the box office would support it.
Last Looks earns 4 of 5 stars.
Tulsa King: Season 1 (2022 – 2023)
Teleplay by: Taylor Sheridan and Terence Winter (episode 1); Terence Winter & Joseph Riccobene (episodes 2, 7); Regina Corrado (episode 3); Dave Flebotte (episodes 4, 6); Joseph Riccobene (episode 5), Terence Winter & Tom Sierchio (episode 8), Terence Winter (9)
Directed by: Allen Coulter (episodes 1, 2); Ben Richardson (episode 3); Ben Semanoff (episodes 4,5); Guy Ferland (episodes 6,7); Lodge Kerrigan (episodes 8,9)
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, A.C. Peterson, Garrett Hedlund, Dana Delany, Chris Caldovino, Ritchie Coster, Tatiana Zappardino, McKenna Quigley Harrington, Scarlet Rose Stallone, John Cenatiempo and Joseph Riccobene
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
After serving a 25 year prison sentence, Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone) believes he will be rewarded by the Invernizzi crime family. Manfredi could have talked to the Feds for a lighter sentence, but he stood the full load. When Manfredi meets with Pete Invernizzi, the Don of their family, Manfredi learns that he’s being exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Manfredi will be expected to earn money for the Invernizzis, but will be far enough away, he won’t have the influence he once held. Although Pete and Dwight were once good friends, Pete’s son, Chickie, has always been jealous of their relationship. Dwight knows that Chickie now makes most of the family decisions due to Pete’s illness. What Dwight doesn’t know is that Chickie wants him dead.
After 25 years in the joint, it’s a new world for Dwight. And Tulsa isn’t New York City. Still, Dwight begins to build a crew and put deals together. Soon enough Dwight finds himself in a relationship with an ATF agent (Savage), at odds with a deadly motorcycle gang, brought to the attention of the FBI and in the crosshairs of Chickie Invernizzi.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Sylvester Stallone is perfectly cast as Dwight Manfredi. That should be no surprise since Tulsa King series creator, Tyler Sheridan, built it around Stallone. Plus Stallone has been welcomed to tweak dialogue and Manfredi’s character to better suit his personality.
The writing is first rate. Tulsa King is populated by memorable characters. We learn more about them as the series continues but it never feels like exposition. They writers create scenes that feel natural with twists that are surprising.
The casting is superb. Without a doubt, Stallone is the perfect star for this series. Stallone is supported by an amazing cast. Every single actor/actress no matter how small their role is spot on. Standouts include Andrea Savage, Jay Will; Dominic Lombardozzi, Garrett Hedlund, Ritchie Coster and Tatiana Zappardino.
I cannot wait for Tulsa King: Season 2.
Tulsa King: Season 1 (2022 – 2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.
Cindy Williams, best known as Shirley Feeney who first appeared on Happy Days, and then in the popular television series Laverne & Shirley, died on January 25, 2023. Today her family announced Ms. Williams passing after a short illness. She was 75.
Cindy Williams wrote and acted in high school. She attended Los Angles Community College as a theater major. After graduation Ms. Williams began getting roles in commercials. In 1970, Cindy Williams won roles in both a feature film and two television series. She would continue to get work in both television and feature films for the rest of her career.
Some of Cindy Williams’ television appearances include: My World and Welcome to It; Nanny and the Professor; Room 222 (3 episodes); Love American Style (2 episodes); Hawaii 5-0; Cannon; Police Story; Laugh-In (2 episodes); Happy Days (5 episodes); Laverne & Shirley (158 episodes); CHiPs (2 episodes); Laverne & Shirley in the Army (13 episodes); Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour; The Magical World of Disney (2 episodes); Just Like Family (5 episodes); Perry Mason: The Case of the Poison Pen; Normal Life (13 episodes); Getting By (31 episodes); Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; Touched by an Angel; Strip Mall (6 episodes); For Your Love (4 episodes); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Girlfriends (2 episodes) and Drive (3 episodes).
Some of Cindy Williams’ feature film appearances include: Drive, He Said; Beware! The Blob; American Graffiti; The Conversation; The First Nudie Musical and More American Graffiti.
Although Cindy Williams played Shirley Feeney on Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley (and other places), her career encompassed so much more. She appeared in so many popular television series before and after getting that role. Jack Nicholson directed her in Drive, He Said. She had a featured role in the classic American Graffiti. The same could be said for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation. While I wasn’t a Laverne & Shirley fan, Cindy Williams always seemed the anchor of it when I watched.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cindy Williams’ family, friends and fans.
Lisa Loring, best known as Wednesday on The Addams Family, died on January 28, 2023. Ms. Loring suffered a massive stroke four days earlier and had been on life support.
Lisa Loring began her career as a child model at the age of three. She appeared on an episode of Dr. Kildare in 1964. This was the same year that The Addams Family premiered. The series ran for two years. Following that Lisa Loring occasionally worked on television and in feature films.
Some of Lisa Loring’s television appearances include: Dr. Kildare; The Addams Family (64 episodes); The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.; Halloween with the New Addams Family; Fantasy Island; Barnaby Jones (2 episodes) and As the World Turns (7 episodes).
Some of Lisa Loring’s feature film appearances include: Blood Frenzy; Savage Harbor and Doctor Spine.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa Loring’s family, friends and fans.
Up in the Air (1940)
Director: Howard Bretherton
Screenplay: Edmond Kelso
Stars: Frankie Darro, Mantan Moreland, Tristram Coffin, Dick Elliott, John Holland and Carleton Young
Tagline: Murder in a radio station…while the public listens!
The Plot…
Frankie Ryan (Darro) is a radio station page. Jeff Jefferson (Moreland) is a janitor at the same station. They dream of becoming a comedy team. Their antics have almost gotten them fired more than once. When one of the radio’s singers is murdered at the station, Frankie and Jeff hope to solve the crime before the cops. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Mantan Moreland was the reason I decided to check out Up in the Air. Mantan is good, the movie less so.
Up in the Air is a low-budget production that clocks in at just 62 minutes. If you’re a Mantan Moreland fan, then it’s worth a view. Even so, be advised that there’s a scene where Darro and Moreland do a comedy bit with Darro in blackface. Darro and Moreland made several films together. I plan to check out as many as possible.
Up in the Air earns 2 of 5 stars.
SPILLANE: KING OF PULP FICTION by Max Allan Collins and James L. Traylor is coming!
The first-ever biography of the most popular and most influential pulp writer of all time, written by the collaborator who knew him best
There has never been a full-length biography of Mickey Spillane, the most popular and influential mystery writer of his era―until now.
Beginning in 1947 with I, the Jury, and continuing with his next six novels, Spillane quickly amassed a readership in the tens of millions, becoming the bestselling novelist in the history of American publishing. Surrounded by controversy for the overt violence and suggestive sexual content of his iconic Mike Hammer private eye novels, Spillane was loathed by critics but beloved by his readers.
There is, however, more to Spillane’s life than the books. He also starred as Hammer in a movie, was a circus performer, worked with the FBI in capturing a notorious criminal, and starred in Miller Light beer commercials that were so popular they ran for a quarter of a century.
Max Allan Collins became Spillane’s friend and collaborator, continuing the Mike Hammer series for years after the author’s death, building upon unfinished manuscripts the writer left behind. Now, with co-author James Traylor, Collins has produced the first comprehensive and authoritative profile of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master. It is a must-read for any fan of the author―or of the generations of crime writers that were influenced by his work.
What do you think of the poster and teaser for Rabbit Hole starring Kiefer Sutherland? I like the teaser better than the poster. It will definitely be worth a look.
The enemy is everywhere.
Kiefer Sutherland stars as John Weir in the new series Rabbit Hole, where nothing is what it seems. A master of deception in the world of corporate espionage, Weir must use all the resources at his disposal when he’s framed for murder by powerful forces with the ability to influence and control populations.
Rabbit Hole also stars Charles Dance, Meta Golding, Enid Graham, Jason Butler Harner, Walt Klink, and Rob Yang.
Stream the series premiere of Rabbit Hole on Sunday, Mar. 26, exclusively on Paramount+.
I’m looking forward to this documentary on Bill Russell. The fact that it is on Netflix makes watching a no brainer. Deal me in.
On the court, Bill Russell was a force to be reckoned with – a champion who sacrificed himself for his teammates and love of basketball. Off the court, Bill Russell was a force in the fight for human rights – marching with the great Martin Luther King Jr., pioneering NBA boycotts and fighting against racism. BILL RUSSELL: LEGEND tells the remarkable life and legacy of an NBA superstar and civil rights icon.
Lance Kerwin, one of the most popular children actors of the 1970s, died on January 24, 2023. He was 62.
Lance Kerwin began his career in 1974 with guest appearances on seven popular television series and two made for tv movies! Mr. Kerwin stayed busy with roles in feature films throughout his career. He retired from acting in 1995. Lance Kerwin is best known for the television series James at 16 and the tv movie Salem’s Lot.
Some of Lance Kerwin’s television appearances include: Emergency!; Shazam; Little House on the Prairie; Police Story; Cannon; Gunsmoke; ABC Afterschool Specials (5 episodes); The Loneliest Runner (tv movie); Wonder Woman; The Bionic Woman; James at 16 (21 episodes); The Boy Who Drank Too Much (tv movie); Hotel; Trapper John; Simon & Simon and Murder She Wrote.
Some of Lance Kerwin’s feature film appearances include: Enemy Mine and Outbreak.
My favorite Lance Kerwin role was in the made-for-tv adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. If Mr. Kerwin was only known for that film, his passing would still be noted due to the impact that movie has on horror movie fans.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lance Kerwin’s family, friends and fans.
Here we have a second poster and trailer for 65 starring Adam Driver. I like this poster even better than the first. The outline of the T-Rex behind them is ominous. The trailer kicks the action up a notch as well. Deal me in!
They must fight to survive. From the writers of A Quiet Place and producer Sam Raimi, #65movie is Only In Cinemas March 17.
After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills (Adam Driver) quickly discovers he’s actually stranded on Earth…65 million years ago. Now, with only one chance at rescue, Mills and the only other survivor, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), must make their way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to survive. From the writers of A Quiet Place and producer Sam Raimi comes 65, a sci-fi thriller starring Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, and Chloe Coleman. Written and directed by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods and produced by Sam Raimi, Deborah Liebling and Zainab Azizi. Also produced by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.
Written and Directed by:
Scott Beck & Bryan Woods
We Have a Ghost starring David Harbour, Jahi Winston and Anthony Mackie looks like a lot of fun. Deal me in.
Finding a ghost named Ernest haunting their new home turns Kevin’s family into overnight social media sensations. But when Kevin and Ernest go rogue to investigate the mystery of Ernest’s past, they become a target of the CIA.
The Black Phone (2021)
Director: Scott Derrickson
Screenplay: Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill based on “The Black Phone” short story by Joe Hill
Stars: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Davies and E. Roger Mitchell
Tagline: Never Talk to Strangers
The Plot…
A sadistic serial killer of children has been dubbed The Grabber by news media. Despite multiple kidnappings and murders, the killer leaves no clues. When Finney, a thirteen year old boy, wakes up in a locked basement, he comes to realize that The Grabber plans to torture and kill him… unless Finney can find a way out.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Although The Grabber’s “name” isn’t that scary, the masks he wears are. The scene (picture below) of the serial killer sitting shirtless, in a mask, whip in hand waiting in the kitchen to see if Finney will come up is truly creepy.
The Black Phone has a supernatural aspect to it that makes it less scary in my opinion. A kid, alone in a serial killer’s basement is frightening. When he begins getting “help” from beyond, it is much more likely that he’ll survive.
There are couple of cool plot twists and the ending works well.
The Black Phone earns 3 of 5 stars.
On July 19, 1952, a large number of people, including air traffic controllers, saw six unidentified flying objects in restricted air space over Washington, D.C. The event lasted fourteen minutes and made national news. It inspired Louis A. Gardner to write Albert Einstein. He wanted Einstein’s opinion: were UFOs the result of intelligent alien life, top secret technology created by humans or something else.
Albert Einstein wrote back. His letter is above. I’m surprised by Einstein’s response. I would have thought he’d be curious. But then again… maybe he wasn’t because he already knew the answer.
Source: Albert Einstein’s Letter About UFOs at Mental Floss.
