Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale – The trailer is here.
Although the poster and trailer leave out “A Love Tale” that is reportedly the official title of the film. Besson wrote the screenplay which he adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel. Dracula: A Love Tale stars Caleb Landry Jones, Christoph Waltz and Zoë Bleu.
DRACULA Trailer International (2025) Caleb Landry Jones, Christoph Waltz, Matilda De Angelis, Luc Besson
Mobland: Season 1 (2025)
Created by: Ronan Bennett
Director: Guy Ritchie (Eps. 1-2), Anthony Byrne (Eps. 3-4, 9-10), Daniel Syrkin (Eps. 5-6); Lawrence Gough (Eps. 7-8)
Teleplay by: Ronan Bennett and Jez Butterworth
Starring: Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Paddy Considine, Joanne Froggatt, Lara Pulver, Anson Boon, Geoff Bell, Teddie Allen, Mandeep Dhillon, Emily Barber, Janet McTeer, Jordi Mollà , Jasmine Jobson, Luke Mably, Daniel Betts and Emmett J Scanlan.
Tagline: None.
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Two London crime families, the Harrigans and the Stevensons have long existed with an uneasy truce. That changes when Tommy Stevenson, the only son of crime boss Richie Stevenson, disappears. Tommy was last seen with Eddie Harrigan, the grandson of Conrad Harrigan. Conrad is the patriarch of the Harrigans.
As the two families prepare for war, Harry Da Souza, a fixer for the Harrigans at first works to keep the peace. When actions from both families make peace impossible, Harry must…
Harry sees that Conrad is losing his grip. Ten years ago, no one would have come against the Harrigans. Now Richie Stevenson’s family may have the upper hand. Complicating things is Conrad’s wife, Maeve, sees herself as the power behind the throne. Maeve not only encourages Eddie in his antics, but also takes steps to increase the friction between the Harrigans and the Stevensons.
Harry is considered a valuable player. He is calm and cool in the worst situations. Harry knows how to resolve the worst complications. Harry realizes that Conrad’s leadership is faltering. Harry also knows that Maeve and Eddie would like Harry “gone”. With his wife ready to take his daughter and leave him, Harry knows their lives are as at risk as his.
The powder keg is going to explode. Not all will survive.
Thoughts…
Mobland features an amazing cast. Tom Hardy is perfect as the fixer Harry Da Souza.
Pierce Brosnan has never been better. His portrayal of Conrad Harrigan is 180 degrees from the cool, Bond-type character he does so well. This role shows Brosnan’s range.
Helen Mirren as Maeve Harrigan shows a different side of her as well. Her Maeve is a devious, power-hungry, smart, scary woman who more than holds her own with the men around her.
Geoff Bell as Richie Stevenson is a formidable foe. Bell gets to show his range in this role.
Anson Boon as Eddie is perfect. Boon plays a cocky, arrogant, crazy young wanna-be who is at times scary and other times weak, but always despicable.
Paddy Considine, Janet McTeer, Jasmine Jobson, Emmett J Scanlan and Mandeep Dhillon all also shine.
Kudos to the writers for creating a series with so many varied and interesting characters. The twists and turns as the tension ratchets up make for must-see viewing. I cannot wait for season two.
Mobland: Season 1 (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Wolfs (2024)
Director: Jon Watts
Screenplay: Jon Watts
Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Kymbali Craig, Linda Carola, Vladimir Sizov, Sammy Horowitz and Frank Trigg.
Tagline: They’re not partners. They’re not friends. They’re… Wolfs.
The Plot…
Margaret (Ryan), a Manhattan District Attorney gets a hotel room with a young man she just met. When the man unexpectedly dies, Margaret uses a number she was given in case of emergencies.
Soon a fixer (Clooney) arrives to clean up the mess. As the fixer prepares to remove the body, another fixer (Pitt) arrives. He says the the hotel owner called him. She was watching via a hidden camera. The two fixers argue about who will do the job. They reluctantly agree to team for the clean-up and disposal of the body.
Then a cache of drugs is found on the body. The hotel owner convinces the fixers to find and return the drugs to their original owner. Burdened with a dead body and drugs, the fixers learn much to late that nothing is as it seems.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Apple wanted and announced a sequel, but writer/director Jon Watts refused, even returning advance money he’d been given. Watts was upset because at the last minute, Apple decided to not give Wolfs a theatrical release.
George Clooney’s character’s BMW’s New York license plate is 3ABM582. Winston Wolf, (played by Harvey Keitel), the fixer in Pulp Fiction, drove an Acura NSX with the California license plate is 3ABM582. It’s also interesting to note we never learn the names of Clooney or Pitt’s characters. But the title of the movie is Wolfs which sounds like a call back to Winston Wolf.
I liked the movie, but expected more with Clooney and Pitt as the leads.
Wolfs (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars
Anthony Le Duc Mergeay draws Rocky 2, too!
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Screenplay: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese; based on KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI by David Grann
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Jason Isbell, William Belleau, Louis Cancelmi, Scott Shepherd, Tatanka Means and Brendan Fraser.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Early in the 20th century oil was found on the Oklahoma Osage Nation reservation. Members of the Osage tribe shared in the mineral rights. This made the Osage the wealthiest people per capita in the United States. Law required court-appointed guardians to oversee the distribution of money since the Osage were seen as incompetent.
At the end of World War I, Ernest Burkhart arrived at his uncle “King” Hale’s large ranch on the reservation. King was known as a friend of the Osage. He was anything but.
King tells Ernest if he marries an Osage woman, and she dies, he would inherit her oil rights. Her death would make Ernest a wealthy man. Ernest learns that many Osage have died from mysterious illnesses, accidents and suicide.
Ernest meets and woos an Osage named Mollie. They marry. Shortly after, Mollie becomes sick.
As more mysterious deaths occur, the Osage council sends a representative to Washington to request help. Soon FBI agent Tom White arrives on the reservation. White begins his investigation as King sets in motion a plan of his own.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Killers of the Flower Moon was nominated for ten 2024 Academy Awards…
King Hale, Ernest Burkhart, Mollie and Tom White were real people. Records implicate King Hale in the deaths of multiple murders to gain oil rights. While the movie focuses on King/Ernest and Mollie, there were many others like King/Ernest taking advantage of the Osage. Between 1918 and 1931 estimates of up to 150 deaths have been made.
Martin Scorsese met with Osage leadership prior to starting the film. Scorsese cast 40 Osage actors as well as hundreds of Osage as extras.
When the script was first brought to Leonardo DiCaprio, it was written from FBI agent, Tom White’s perspective. DiCaprio suggested that put the focus on an outsider’s perspective. The film would be better served from another view. The script was, as Martin Scorsese say, re-constructed.
Martin Scorsese (81) became the oldest person was 81 nominated for a Best Director Academy Award with this movie.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars
Revenge (1990)
Director: Tony Scott
Screenplay: Jim Harrison, Jeffrey Alan Fiskin; based on Revenge by Jim Harrison
Stars: Kevin Costner, Anthony Quinn, Madeleine Stowe, Tomas Milian, Joaquín Martínez, James Gammon, Jesse Corti, Sally Kirkland, Gerardo Zepeda, Miguel Ferrer, Joe Santos and John Leguizamo.
Tagline: A passion that cannot be denied. A betrayal that cannot be forgiven.
The Plot…
Jay Cochran was a Navy jet pilot. He recently retired early. Now Jay’s time is his own.
Jay decides to accept an invitation to visit his wealthy friend Tiburon “Tibey” Mendez in Mexico. Jay is warned that Mendez is a reputed crime boss. Jay isn’t concerned.
When Jay arrives at Tibey’s estate he is met by Cesar, Tibey’s right-hand man. Jay is admonished for being late. Jay responds, that he’s a guest, not an employee. This doesn’t sit well with Cesar. Jay sees armed guards positioned throughout the estate.
Tibey is legitimately happy to see Jay. Although Tibey is much older than Jay, their friendship is genuine. Jay is formally introduced to Mireya, Tibey’s wife. She’s beautiful. And much younger than Tibey.
During Jay’s visit, his independent attitude doesn’t sit well with Cesar. At a dinner thrown by Tibey, two of the guests try to provoke Jay. Jay doesn’t back down and his answers could be seen as poking fun. After dinner, Tibey has a private meeting with the two men. They are surprised when Tibey takes Jay’s side. The penalty for insulting Tibey’s friend is severe.
Jay and Mireya begin spending more time together. The attraction between the two is undeniable. As they become closer, the inevitable happens. Shortly after, Jay says that he must go. Mireya begs him to stay. They decide to leave together. Both understand that if Tibey discovers their affair, his revenge would be savage. Tibey’s response to the slightest offense is always extreme. To be betrayed by his wife and best friend would require an unimaginable response of violence.
Jay and Mireya plan their getaway. They’re unaware that Tibey knows everything.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The sex scenes between Costner and Stowe were totally improvised.
Before Tony Scott was brought on to direct, John Huston was considered. Huston didn’t want Costner to star. Huston wanted Jack Nicholson to play Tibey. When Huston left the project, Orson Welles was considered to helm the project. Costner considered directing it himself. Ultimately he served as Executive Producer and star.
Anthony Quinn and Madeline Stowe play husband and wife in Revenge. In 2002, they re-teamed in Sly Stallone’s Avenging Angelo. There they play father and daughter in what turned out to be Quinn’s final film.
Tony Scott said that Revenge was his favorite film that he directed.
James Gammon is memorable in a small but important role. Same for Miguel Ferrer and John Leguizamo.
Revenge is one of my all-time favorite films.
Revenge (1990) rates 5 of 5 stars
Dope Thief: Season 1 (2025)
Created by: Peter Craig; based on DOPE THIEF by Dennis Tafoya
Director: Ridley Scott (Ep. 1), Jonathan van Tulleken (Eps. 2, 6), Tanya Hamilton (Ep. 3); Marcela Said (Eps. 4-5, 7); Peter Craig (Ep. 8)
Teleplay by: Peter Craig
Starring: Brian Tyree Henry, Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Amir Arison, Nesta Cooper, Kate Mulgrew and Ving Rhames, .
Tagline: No one gets away clean.
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Ray Driscoll and Manny Carvalho have been friends since reform school. They’re adults now and still struggling. Then they come up with a plan for easy money.
Ray and Manny use fake badges to pose as DEA agents. They bust into small time drug houses with guns drawn. Wearing DEA jackets, they flash their badges and zip-tie the dealers. Ray and Manny then scoop up the dealer’s cash and disappear.
It’s a good gig. It works every time.
Until Ray and Manny take down the wrong drug house. A house run by a cartel.
Now Ray and Manny are on the run. They and everyone they love are targets to tortured and murdered.
Thoughts…
I could see Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura getting nominations for their acting. Kate Mulgrew is a hoot. Ving Rhames is always a welcome addition.
Untold: Caitlyn Jenner (2022)
Director: Crystal Moselle
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Every four years an Olympic athlete earns a gold medal in the decathlon. The decathlon consists of ten events over two days. Day One: 100 meter dash; long jump; shot put; high jump and 400 meter run. Day two: 110 meter hurdles; discus throw; pole vault; javelin throw and 1500 meter run. Because of the variety of events and the different strengths and skills needed, the decathlon gold medalist is considered by many to be the world’s greatest athlete.
In 1976, Bruce Jenner was the Olympic Gold medalist.
This documentary explores Bruce Jenner’s life, his desire to become the World’s Greatest Athlete, and the inner turmoil he faced since childhood. Although a Gold Medal winner, a world famous celebrity, Jenner struggled with identity issues for decades. Bruce ultimately transitioned into Caitlyn Jenner. This is his/her story.
Thoughts…
I was a huge fan of Bruce Jenner. His story to become the world’s greatest athlete was inspiring. He was married to his college sweetheart and she supported his efforts to train daily for the Olympics. They seemed destined to have it all.
I was disappointed when they divorced. Later Bruce had some face work done and a nose job. I thought the nose job made him look too feminine. Also I wondered why such a good looking guy would want to mess with his looks. Why fix something that ain’t broken?
I had no idea of Jenner’s identity issues. This is that story.
Untold: Caitlyn Jenner (2022) rates 3 of 5 stars
Untold: The Fall of Favre (2025)
Director: Rebecca Gitlitz
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Brett Favre played 20 seasons as an NFL quarterback. Over the course of his career Favre led his team to a Super Bowl championship, three times was voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, once the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, three times voted First-Team All Pro, elven times voted to the Pro Bowl, was twice the NFL’s Passing Leader, and he set the record for most consecutive starts with 297.
Favre was considered a football living legend. On the field he was considered a god. Off the field he was far from it.
Although married, Favre wouldn’t be considered a role-model. It came out later in his career that he was a womanizer. Worse still he repeatedly pursued a woman through intermediaries, and text messages. Each time the woman told him, “No.” But Favre persisted, ultimately sending her pictures of his penis. She rebuffed him at every turn. In fact, she never met him or was in the same room with him, despite both being employed by the New York Jets. At the end of the season, she was fired.
Two years later, the story came out.
Turns out that Favre also was involved in 2022 Mississippi welfare scandal. Money earmarked for the state’s poorest, saw millions diverted to build a volleyball gym at the school where Favre’s daughter attended, and money to other of Favre’s causes. Text messages came to light from Favre asking if the media could find out if he was paid and how much he got. Why would he worry, if everything was on the up-and-up. Making it even worse, Mississippi is the poorest state of our fifty.
This is story of The Fall of Favre.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you wondered why we no longer see Brett Favre making product endorsements, now you know. It’s too bad that Favre wasn’t as good a human being as he was a football player.
Untold: The Fall of Favre (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars
Tim Shinn draws Rambo, Two, too.
Lady in the Lake (1946)
Director: Robert Montgomery
Screenplay: Steve Fisher; based THE LADY IN THE LAKE by Raymond Chandler
Stars: Robert Montgomery, Audrey Totter, Lloyd Nolan, Tom Tully, Leon Ames, Dick Simmons, Morris Ankrum, Lila Leeds, Charles Bradstreet and Jayne Meadows.
Tagline: YOU AND ROBERT MONTGOMERY STAR IN AN EXCITING AND UNUSUAL MYSTERY-THRILLER -EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO HIM HAPPENS TO YOU!
The Plot…
Private Eye, Phillip Marlowe decides to take a shot at writing. When Marlowe is called into the publisher’s office, he thinks they want to buy his story. Adrienne Fromsett, is the publishing editor. She wants to buy Marlowe’s story. She also wants to hire Marlowe to find Chrystal Kingsby. Chrystal is her boss’ wife. She hasn’t been seen for two months.
After some back and forth, Marlowe accepts the job. What sounds like a missing person’s case turns out to be a multiple murder investigation. And Marlowe is the main suspect.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The film is shot from the viewpoint of Marlowe. The only time he is seen is by reflections in mirrors and windows or when he speaks directly to the audience. It’s odd seeing this decades before video games made it popular.
Lady in the Lake (1946) rates 3 of 5 stars
The trailer for Caught Stealing is here and I am sold.
The film’s based on Charlie Huston’s novel CAUGHT STEALING. I’ve been a fan of the book (and Charlie Huston) since I first read it nearly two decades ago. CAUGHT STEALING is the first of a trilogy that gets my highest recommendation. I hope the movie can match the level of excellence.
He was just supposed to watch the cat. Now he’s running for his f**king life.
Austin Butler stars in Darren Aronofsky’s #CaughtStealingMovie – only in theatres August 29.
Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high-school baseball phenom who can’t play anymore, but everything else is going okay. He’s got a great girl (Zoë Kravitz), tends bar at a New York dive, and his favorite team is making an underdog run at the pennant.
When his punk-rock neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters. They all want a piece of him; the problem is he has no idea why. As Hank attempts to evade their ever-tightening grip, he’s got to use all his hustle to stay alive long enough to find out…
Caught Stealing is directed by Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky, screenplay by Charlie Huston, based on his book of the same name.
The film stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and Carol Kane.
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Screenplay by: Charlie Huston
Based on the book by: Charlie Huston
Produced by: Jeremy Dawson, Dylan Golden, Ari Handel, Darren Aronofsky
Executive Producers: Charlie Huston, Ann Ruark
Cast:
Austin Butler
Regina King
Zoë Kravitz
Matt Smith
Liev Schreiber
Vincent D’Onofrio
Griffin Dunne
Benito A Martínez Ocasio
Carol KaneCredits not final
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)
Director: Charles Lamont
Screenplay: Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, John Grant; story by Hugh Wedlock Jr., Howard Snyder; based THE INVISIBLE MAN by H.G. Wells
Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Arthur Franz, Sheldon Leonard, Sam Balter, John Daheim, Bobby Barber and William Frawley.
Tagline: AS PRIVATE EYES…they’re getting an Eyeful!
The Plot…
Bud and Lou get their first case after graduating from Detective School. Tommy Nelson, a middleweight boxing contender on the lam from the cops after being accused of killing his manager, wants their help. Tommy’s plan is to take a potion his fiancée’s uncle invented. The drink will turn him invisible. Tommy believes that once no one can see him, he can sneak around and get the evidence on the real killer.
Bud and Lou agree to help. Let the good times roll!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The plot of this film (minus the Abbott & Costello comedy) was to be a sequel to The Invisible Man. The success of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein caused the studio to reformat the idea to fit the comedy of A & C.
The final scene of this movie has Lou briefly turning invisible. As he reappears his legs appear to be on backwards. While it makes no sense, it probably got some laughs.
Don’t Touch the Loot aka Grisbi (1954) rates 3 of 5 stars
It was announced today that George Wendt died today. No cause of death was given. Mr. Wendt was 76.
George Wendt graduated from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, with a B.A. in economics. After seeing The Second City, Mr. Wendt became motivated to try his hand at comedy. In 1975, he became a part of The Second City troupe.
In 1978, Mr. Wendt appeared in his first feature film. It was an uncredited role in Robert Altman’s A Wedding. His next role didn’t come until 1980, but that year he appeared in Bronco Billy, My Bodyguard, Avery Schreiber Live from Second City and The Gift of the Magi. The roles just kept coming for the rest of his career.
George Wendt was best known for his role as Norm Peterson on Cheers. Mr. Wendt appeared in all 269 episodes. Each year from 1984 – 1989, George Wendt was nominated for a Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Norm.
If the only role George Wendt ever played was Norm on Cheers, he would still be an important (and loved) part of television history.
Some of the television projects that feature George Wendt include: Avery Schreiber Live from Second City; Hart to Hart; Soap; Taxi; Alice; Making the Grade (6 episodes); Cheers (269 episodes); Cheers: Uncle Sam Malone; M*A*S*H; Likely Stories, Vol. 4; Garfield Specials; Garfield in the Rough; St. Elsewhere; The Twilight Zone; The Tortellis; Mickey’s 60th Birthday; Arena; The Magical World of Disney; Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary Special; Wings; Tales from the Crypt; Michael Jackson: Black or White; Roc; Seinfeld; Bob; The Edge; The Building; The Larry Sanders Show; The Martin Short Show; The Simpsons; Columbo: Strange Bedfellows; The George Wendt Show (8 episodes); Good Company; Spin City; The Naked Truth (13 episodes); The List; Madigan Men (4 episodes); TV Funhouse; Strange Relations; Becker; Sabrina the Teenage Witch (6 episodes); Frasier; Saturday Night Live (8 episodes); George Lopez (2 episodes); Modern Men (7 episodes); Masters of Horror; Guy Walks into a Bar; The Green Grass; Family Guy (2 episodes); Less Than Kind; Ghost Whisperer; The Stay-at-Home Dad; Hot in Cleveland; Harry’s Law; The Seven Year Hitch; Kickin’ It; Portlandia; Franklin & Bash; Clipped (10 episodes); Children’s Hospital; Fresh Off the Boat; Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell; The Goldbergs; Christmas 9 to 5 and Fancy Nancy (11 episodes).
Some of George Wendt’s feature film appearances include: A Wedding; Bronco Billy; My Bodyguard; Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again; Airplane II: The Sequel; Dreamscape; Fletch; House; Gung Ho; Forever Young; The Little Rascals; The Prime Gig; Wild About Harry; Garage: A Rock Saga; Edmond; Saturday Morning; The Independents and I Lost My Body.
It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw George Wendt, but I do know that he was a HUGE part of Cheers’ success. Mr. Wendt was perfectly cast as Norm Peterson and his one-liners as he entered the bar each week were a highlight.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to George Wendt’s family, friends and fans.
Don’t Touch the Loot aka Grisbi (1954)
Director: Jacques Becker
Screenplay: Jacques Becker, Albert Simonin, Maurice Griffe; based Touchez pas au grisbi by Albert Simonin
Stars: Jean Gabin, René Dary, Dora Doll.
Tagline: From the demi-mondes of Paris…with its pimps, its pushers, its passions, from the world of “RIFIFI” and “RAZZIA”…an electrifying adventure in suspense!
The Plot…
Max has beaten the odds. He’s a criminal who reached middle age without going to prison or worse getting killed. What’s better is that Max and Riton, his trusted crime partner, recently pulled off a heist of gold bars worth millions. More than enough for both Max and Riton to give up their life of crime and retire.
One night shortly after the heist, Max meets Riton at a nightclub. Riton has brought along Josy, his latest girlfriend. Josy’s a dancer half Riton’s age. Later that evening Max spots Josy making out with a young man.
When Max is heading home for the night, he notices he’s being followed. He gets the drop on the thugs and sends them running. Max calls Riton to warn him. Max then picks up Riton and takes him to a safe house. Riton admits that he told Josy about their latest score to impress her. They realize that Josy has sold them out.
The next day Max meets with his uncle who will fence the gold. When Max calls to update Riton, he learns that Riton has been kidnapped. The thugs want the gold bars in exchange for Riton’s safe return.
Max is promised a simple trade and nobody will get hurt. Don’t count on it.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
It’s interesting that Jacques Becker doesn’t focus on the theft of the gold bars (in fact it happens prior to the start of the film). I like the pace of the film. Jean Gabin is perfect as Max, the world weary criminal who is so close to living the dream. Max reminded me a bit of Mike McClusky (Mayor of Kingstown) and Harry (Mobland) in his ability/ways to deal with situations/people.
Don’t Touch the Loot aka Grisbi (1954) rates 5 of 5 stars
