Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
The poster and trailer for Back in Action starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz is here. This looks like fun.
Deal me in.
Years after giving up life as CIA spies to start a family, Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) find themselves dragged back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.
From Producer Martin Scorsese we have the poster and trailer for Beatles ’64.
Deal me in.
Journey back to 1964 and experience Beatlemania like never before. From producer Martin Scorsese and director David Tedeschi, stream Beatles ’64, an original documentary, only on #DisneyPlus November 29.
We have the poster and trailer for The Madness starring Colman Domingo. I’m a fan. Plus the supporting cast looks good and the trailer seals it.
Deal me in.
After a media pundit stumbles upon a dead body deep in the Poconos woods, he finds himself framed for the murder of a notorious white supremacist.
Where do you run when you’ve got a bullseye on your back?
You can’t escape The Madness.
Colman Domingo stars in the new conspiracy thriller, coming to Netflix on November 28.
Don’t Move (2024)
Director: Adam Schindler, Brian Netto
Screenplay: TJ Cimfel, David White
Stars: Kelsey Asbille, Finn Wittrock, Moray Treadwell and Daniel Francis.
Tagline: You can hide, but you can’t run.
The Plot…
Iris (Asbille) had gone to the site of her young child’s death in a remote wilderness park. One the way back to her car, Iris was kidnapped and drugged by a serial killer (Wittrock). She escaped, but the narcotic is slowly paralyzing her.
Before long she won’t be able to move at all. Her time is running out in more ways than one.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Finn Wittrock is believable as he transforms from nice guy to grieving husband to loving father to heartless serial killer.
Don’t Move (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
The second trailer for Wolf Man starring Julia Garner is here!
Deal me in.
What if someone you loved became something else? #WolfManMovie only in theaters January 17.
—
From Blumhouse and visionary writer-director Leigh Whannell, the creators of the chilling modern monster tale The Invisible Man, comes a terrifying new lupine nightmare: Wolf Man.Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott (Poor Things, It Comes at Night) stars as Blake, a San Francisco husband and father, who inherits his remote childhood home in rural Oregon after his own father vanishes and is presumed dead. With his marriage to his high-powered wife, Charlotte (Emmy winner Julia Garner; Ozark, Inventing Anna), fraying, Blake persuades Charlotte to take a break from the city and visit the property with their young daughter, Ginger (Matlida Firth; Hullraisers, Coma).
But as the family approaches the farmhouse in the dead of night, they’re attacked by an unseen animal and, in a desperate escape, barricade themselves inside the home as the creature prowls the perimeter. As the night stretches on, however, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable, and Charlotte will be forced to decide whether the terror within their house is more lethal than the danger without.
The film co-stars Sam Jaeger (The Handmaid’s Tale), Ben Prendergast (The Sojourn Audio Drama) and Benedict Hardie (The Invisible Man).
Wolf Man is directed by Whannell, whose previous films with Blumhouse include The Invisible Man, Upgrade and Insidious: Chapter 3. The screenplay is written by Leigh Whannell & Corbett Tuck, Lauren Schuker Blum & Rebecca Angelo (Dumb Money).
The film is produced by Blumhouse founder and CEO Jason Blum and is executive produced by Ryan Gosling, Ken Kao, Bea Sequeira, Mel Turner and Leigh Whannell. Wolf Man is a Blumhouse and Motel Movies production.
The poster and trailer for The Amateur starring Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne is here! I was also glad to see Jon Bernthal and Holt McCallany listed in the credits.
Deal me in!
Watch the trailer for #TheAmateur starring Oscar® winner Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Academy Award® nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”). The all-new espionage thriller opens in theaters nationwide April 11, 2025.
Charlie Heller (Malek) is a brilliant, but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA working out of a basement office at headquarters in Langley whose life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge.
The film also stars Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne.
“The Amateur” is directed by James Hawes. The screenplay is by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli based on the novel by Robert Littell. The film is produced by Hutch Parker, p.g.a., Dan Wilson, p.g.a., Rami Malek, Joel B. Michaels, with JJ Hook serving as executive producer.
Body Double (1984)
Director: Brian De Palma
Screenplay: Brian De Palma, Robert J. Avrech story by Brian De Palma
Stars: Craig Wasson, Melanie Griffith, Gregg Henry, Deborah Shelton, Al Israel, Douglas Warhit, Russ Marin, Lane Davies, Larry Flash Jenkins, Monte Landis, Brinke Stevens, Steven Bauer and Dennis Franz.
Tagline: You can’t believe everything you see.
The Plot…
Jack Scully (Wasson) is a struggling actor going through a rough patch. He just lost his role in a low-budget horror film. He came home to catch his girlfriend in bed with someone else. Jack needs a new place to live until things get back on track.
Things are looking up when Sam Bouchard (Henry), an actor Jack met at auditions, offers a place to stay. Sam’s rich friend needs a house-sitter. Sam shows Jack the place. It’s in an upscale neighborhood. Very modern. Plus, there’s a bonus. Every night at a specific time, a lady neighbor does a strip tease as she changes into night clothes. She’s easy to watch through the telescope focused on her window. Jack is skeptical until he sees for himself. She’s beautiful.
Jack agrees to house sit. Watching the woman across the way becomes a nightly activity. He’s becoming obsessed with her. Then one night Jack sees a scary looking hombre across the way, also watching the woman strip.
Jack wants to warn her. But how can he without making himself look like a creeper? The next night as he’s watching her, Jack sees the scary man hiding in her apartment. He races over to warn her, but is too late. Jack finds her murdered.
And that makes him the key suspect. Jack begins to suspect he was set up.
He was. But NOT to be the murderer.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Body Double is a love letter to the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Brian De Palma and Robert J. Avrech are both fans of Hitch. They screened Vertigo and Rear Window for inspiration.
Deborah Shelton’s voice was dubbed by actress Helen Shaver.
Melanie Griffith was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for this film for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.
Body Double is a fun ride.
Body Double (1984) rates 4 of 5 stars.
It was announced that Tony Todd died on on November 6, 2024, at the age of 69. No cause of death was listed.
After high school graduation Tony Todd attended the University of Connecticut, the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute, and the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Todd acted on Broadway, television and in feature films.
Television projects that feature Tony Todd include: Simon & Simon; Werewolf; 21 Jump Street; Kate & Allie; Night Court; MacGyver; Matlock; Cop Rock; Father Dowling Mysteries; Jake and the Fatman (3 episodes); Star Trek: The Next Generation (3 episodes); Law and Order; The X-Files; Homicide: Life on the Street (3 episodes); Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2 episodes); Murder She Wrote; New York Undercover; Beverly Hills 90210; NYPD Blue; Xena: Warrior Princess; Star Trek: Voyager; Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (2 episodes); Babylon 5: A Call to Arms; Angel; UC: Undercover; Smallville; Crossing Jordan; Andromeda; Charmed; Boston Public (2 episodes); CSI: Miami; The District (2 episodes); Criminal Minds; Stargate SG-1 (3 episodes); Boston Legal; Without a Trace; 24 Redemption; 24 (7 episodes); Batman: The Brave and the Bold; Psyche; Splatter (8 episodes); The Event (2 episodes); Chuck (10 episodes); Hawaii 5-0; Holliston (2 episodes); Transformers Prime (8 episodes); Young Justice (2 episodes); The Young and the Restless (14 episodes); Dead of Summer (5 episodes); Be Cool Scooby-Doo! (2 episodes); The Orville; Scream: The TV Series (3 episodes); Masters of the Universe: Revelation (3 episodes); Dota: Dragon’s Blood (17 episodes); The Flash (16 episodes); Masters of the Universe: Revolution and Winnie Taylor’s 4th & Inches (8 episodes).
Feature films that Tony Todd appeared in include: Sleepwalk; Platoon; 84 Charing Cross Road; Colors; Bird; Lean on Me; Night of the Living Dead; Candyman; The Crow; Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh; The Rock; Candyman: Day of the Dead; Final Destination; Final Destination 2; Final Destination 3; The Man from Earth; Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen; Final Destination 5; Army of the Damned; Zombies; Candy Corn and All Gone Wrong.
I probably first saw Tony Todd in Platoon. Talk about an impressive first credit. When I think of Tony Todd, the first film that comes to mind is the remake of Night of the Living Dead. Then I quickly remember that Mr. Todd was also in The Rock, Boston Public, Boston Legal, 24, Candyman and so many other shows and movies that I enjoy. What a career!
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Tony Todd’s family, friends and fans.
The poster and trailer for Dirty Angels starring Eva Green and Ruby Rose is here!
Deal me in.
DIRTY ANGELS Official Trailer (2024) Eva Green
PLOT: It centers on a group of female soldiers who disguise themselves as medics to rescue a group of teenagers caught between ISIS and the forces of the Taliban.
RELEASE DATE: December 12, 2024
GENRE: Action, Drama
STARS: Eva Green, Ruby Rose, Maria Bakalova, Rona-Lee Shimon, Jonica T. Gibbs, Emily Bruni, Christopher Backus
Fort Apache (1948)
Director: John Ford
Screenplay: Frank S. Nugent based on Massacre by James Warner Bellah
Stars: John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple, Pedro Armendáriz, Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen, Anna Lee, Dick Foran, Guy Kibbee, Movita, Mary Gordon, John Agar, Hank Worden, Ben Johnson and Grant Withers.
Tagline: John Ford’s Masterpiece of the Frontier!
The Plot…
Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday (Fonda) has been assigned the command of Fort Apache, a remote post located deep on the frontier. Thursday sees this as an insult. He feels he was on track for greater things. Thursday is arrogant, overbearing and sees himself as a class above the men he commands. He thinks even less of Native Americans.
Arriving at Fort Apache at the same time as Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday is his daughter, Philadelphia (Temple) and West Point graduate Lieutenant Michael O’Rourke (Agar). Michael’s father, Sergeant Major Michael O’Rourke (Bond) also serves at Fort Apache.
From the moment he arrives, Lieutenant Colonel Thursday puts himself at odds with the well liked Captain York (Wayne) and Sergeant O’Rourke. The friction intensifies when Cochise stirs unrest among the Apache. Captain York explains the government’s Indian Agent, Silas Meacham has been shorting the tribe’s food allocations. Meacham has also been providing the Apache with cheap whiskey and repeating rifles. Thursday downplays this.
Colonel Thursday intends to round up the Apache or kill them if they refuse to return to the reservation. Captain York warns that the Apache outnumber the local soldiers four to one. Thursday ignores York. He sees an opportunity to enhance his reputation.
This will not end well.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Shirley Temple and John Agar’s characters fall in love. The two were a married couple in real life.
Actor/stuntman Ben Johnson appears in the film, as a stuntman for Henry Fonda.
Fort Apache’s culminating battle is loosely based on Custer’s Last Stand and how Custer’s mistakes were downplayed to create a legendary hero.
Fort Apache (1948) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Nocturne (1946)
Director: Edwin L. Marin
Screenplay: Jonathan Latimer; story by Roland Brown, Frank Fenton
Stars: George Raft, Lynn Bari, Virginia Huston, Joseph Pevney, Myrna Dell, Edward Ashley, Walter Sande,
Dorothy Adams and John Banner.
Tagline: Whose legs are these? 10 of Hollywood’s most beautiful brunettes all had motives for murder!
The Plot…
Keith Vincent (Ashley), a famous Hollywood composer and womanizer is found dead from a gunshot to the head. Most of the cops on the scene are ready to call it a suicide and close the case. Police Detective Joe Warne (Raft) feels differently. Vincent’s housekeeper is a woman who has served time. Vincent keeps photos of his past conquests. One is missing. Detective Warne pushes to investigate the case. His Captain gives him one day.
As Warne digs deeper things aren’t adding up. He wants more time, but the Captain calls him off the case. Warne refuses to back off. If he continues his investigation it could cost him his job… and maybe even his life.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
John Banner, best known as Sgt. “I know nothing” Schultz on Hogan’s Heroes appears uncredited as the character Charles Shawn.
Nocturne (1946) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Quincy Jones died yesterday at the age of 91. No cause of death was given.
Quincy Jones loved music from an early age. In high school Mr. Jones played trumpet and arranged music. After high school Quincy Jones received a scholarship to Seattle University. He left after one semester with a scholarship to attend Boston’s Berklee’s College of Music. Mr. Jones left college to tour with Lionel Hampton’s band as a pianist and trumpeter. It was on this tour that Quincy Jones began to get a reputation for his musical arrangements.
After the tour, Mr. Jones worked creating musical arrangements for stars such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Gene Kupra and Sarah Vaughn. Quincy Jones continued to take freelance arrangement jobs and he toured with several bands. He then took a job as musical director of Mercury Records New York division.
In 1961, two things happened: He became the Vice President of Mercury Records and was hired to compose the music for The Pawnbroker. Quincy Jones became so in demand to produce music for movies that he left Mercury Records. For the remainder of his career Quincy Jones wrote, performed, arranged and produced music for films, television, records and live performances.
Some of Quincy Jones composer credits include: The Pawnbroker; Mirage; The Slender Thread; Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre; Walk Don’t Run; The Deadly Affair; Enter Laughing; Ironside (movie); Hey Landlord (7 episodes); In the Heat of the Night; In Cold Blood; Ironside (12 episodes); The Split; McKenna’s Gold; The Italian Job; Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice; John and Mary; Catus Flower; The Out of Towners; They Call Me Mister Tibbs!; The Bill Cosby Show (52 episodes); The Anderson Tapes; The Hot Rock; The New Centurians; The Getaway; Roots (2 episodes) and The Color Purple.
Quincy Jones was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and won 2:
Quincy Jones was nominated for 4 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 1:
Quincy Jones was nominated for 80 Grammys and won 28.
Quincy Jones’ music has been a part of my life for almost as long as I’ve been alive. The music he created improved each television or movie project he was part of. His collaborations with Michael Jackson are classic. His leadership in getting We Are the World made for charity has yet to be matched. Quincy Jones was a musical genius and his efforts made life a bit better.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Quincy Jones’ family friends and fans.
I Walk Alone (1947)
Director: Byron Haskin
Screenplay: Charles Schnee, Robert Smith (adaptation), John Bright (adaptation) based on Beggars Are Coming to Town by Theodore Reeves
Stars: Burt Lancaster, Lizabeth Scott, Kirk Douglas, Wendell Corey, Kristine Miller, Marc Lawrence, Mickey Knox, Bobby Barber and Mike Mazurki.
Tagline: He Fell for the Oldest Trick in the World. If You Want to Pump a Guy… Send a Dame.
The Plot…
Frankie Madison (Lancaster) and Noll Turner (Douglas) were best friends and bootlegging partners. It was 50-50 right down the line. On their last run, they got into a gunfight with thieves who attempted to hijack their load. The noise brought the police. Deciding it was best to split up, Frankie stayed with the truck of bootleg hooch, and Noll split.
Frankie was caught, convicted and sent to prison. That was 14 years ago.
While Frankie was in prison, Noll took the money he and Frankie had, and invested it in a bar. He then sold the bar to buy a better nightclub. It took work, but Noll built it into an exclusive hotspot. Noll became very rich.
Now that Frankie’s out, he’s ready to join Noll. They’d always agreed that everything would be 50-50. Frankie never ratted out Noll. Frankie did the time. He and Noll were best friends and business partners. Noll would never double cross Frankie.
Would he?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster made seven movies together. This is the first.
Eddie Muller called I Walk Alone a landmark crime film because it marked the first time movie outlaws moved from working outside the system to becoming legitimate operators working within the system.
I Walk Alone (1947) rates 4 of 5 stars.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
Director: Renny Harlin
Screenplay: Shane Black
Stars: Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Yvonne Zima, Craig Bierko, Brian Cox, Patrick Malahide, David Morse, Joseph McKenna, Melina Kanakaredes, Alan North, Edwin Hodge, G.D. Spradlin and Rex Linn.
Tagline: Eight years ago she lost her memory. Now, a detective must help her remember the past before it buries them both. What’s forgotten is not always gone.
The Plot…
Samantha Caine (Davis) is a small town schoolteacher. Life is quiet. Life is good. Samantha is happy. She lives with her daughter and boyfriend. Samantha has come a long way in eight years. That was when she was found on a Jersey beach, pregnant and with no memory of her past.
At first Samantha hired the best detectives to try to discover her past. They all struck out. Mitch Henessey (Jackson) is a shady PI. Mitch lucked onto a suitcase with info that may help Samantha.
Samantha is shocked when a crazed convict breaks into her house to kill her. Samantha is even more dumbfounded by the fighting skills she didn’t know she had. The killer calls Samantha by a different name. He obviously knew her. In a fight to the death Samantha wins.
Mitch shows up. Samantha and Mitch decide to follow the clues the suitcase provides. Samantha will discover the truth to her past. The people that thought Samantha was dead will realize the job needs to be finished.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Long Kiss Goodnight came at the right time. Writer Shane Black was at the top of his game. His screenplay provides the right mix of over-the-top action and humor. Director Renny Harlin was also killing it. He’s supported by a great cast. Gena Davis is perfect as the school teacher/assassin. Samuel L. Jackson wasn’t yet THE Samuel L. Jackson and is perfect as the guy who just wants to do one thing right. Kudos to Craig Bierko for owning all of his scenes. Brian Cox and David Morse are also perfectly cast.
Samuel L. Jackson has said that this was his favorite role.
Gena Davis and Renny Harlin were married when this film was made.
The Long Kiss Goodnight was ahead of it’s time. Now female action heroes are fairly common, but this was a groundbreaking role by Gena Davis.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars.
TMZ Presents: OJ How He Did It (2024)
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Harvey Levin was a young reporter who covered the OJ Simpson murder trial. Levin was there from the start and has insights never before shared. Levin shares how he believes OJ Simpson’s murder of Nicole Kidman and Mark Goldman went down.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Levin’s theory is plausible. He does a good job of presenting the background of the trial with news footage and new interviews with some of those involved.
Levin’s theory is new, but not groundbreaking. Now if he had gotten an interview and Al Cowlings opened up, THAT would be the story!
TMZ Presents: OJ How He Did It (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
