Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I’m a sucker for a good crime story. Mob Land starring John Travolta, Stephen Dorff and Kevin Dillon looks to fit the bill. Deal me in.
A young father gets in over his head after a robbery goes wrong. Some debts can’t be repaid with money.
MOB LAND Official Trailer (2023) John Travolta, Stephen Dorff, Ashley Benson, Kevin Dillon
Se7en (1995)
Director: David Fincher
Writer: Andrew Kevin Walker
Stars: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Cassini, Peter Crombie, Reg E. Cathey, R. Lee Ermey, George Christy, Hawthorne James, Richard Roundtree, John C. McGinley, Mark Boone Junior, Leland Orser, Richard Schiff, Charles S. Dutton and Andrew Kevin Walker.
Tagline: Seven deadly sins. Seven ways to die.
The Plot…
Just one week from retirement, veteran detective William Somerset (Freeman) is teamed with young rookie detective, David Mills (Pitt). Their styles and personalities are at odds from the start. Somerset is even-keeled, patient and methodical. Mills is short-tempered, eager and prone to rush in.
Somerset and Mills are assigned a murder investigation where the killer mutilated the victim before slowly murdering him. When another body turns up, Somerset and Mills realize that they’re dealing with a serial killer who is using the seven deadly sins to determine his victims and method of murder. The killer is intelligent, but insane… and he knows that Somerset and Mills are on the case.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
What could have been a very generic and exploitive serial killer movie is anything but. Andrew Kevin Walker created a story that is compelling and clever. The old cop just a week from retirement teamed with a young hotshot is so played out.. but not in the hands of Walker. The situation is what it is, and adds to the personalities of Somerset and Mills. The finale is one of the best ever.
David Fincher is an amazing director and Se7en is a masterpiece. The film stars Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, but the supporting actors/actresses are just as amazing. It’s cool seeing familiar faces before they were “known” popping up throughout the film. Everything from the opening credits to the final shot are perfection.
Se7en (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Treat Williams died yesterday, the result of a motorcycle accident. Mr. Williams was 71.
Treat Williams was an actor who performed on stage, television and in feature films. Mr. Williams appeared in several off-Broadway and Broadway productions including Grease; Stephen Sondheim’s Follies (which won him a Drama League Award); The Pirates of Penzance and David Mamet’s Oleanna.
Treat Williams began his feature film career in 1975’s Deadly Hero. Four years later Mr. Williams’ earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Hair. Then two years later, Treat Williams was nominated for his second Golden Globe award for his starring role in Prince of the City. In 1984, he earned his third Golden Globe nomination for the television production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Some of Treat Williams’ television appearances include: Dempsey; A Streetcar Named Desire; J. Edgar Hoover; Drug Wars: The Camarena Story; Eddie Dodd (6 episodes); Tales from the Crypt; Batman: The Animated Series (2 episodes); Good Advice (19 episodes); Journey to the Center of the Earth; UC Undercover; Everwood (89 episodes); Brothers & Sisters (4 episodes); Heartland (9 episodes); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; The Simpsons; Eve of Destruction (2 episodes); Hawaii 5-0 (2 episodes); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; American Odyssey (10 episodes); Confirmation; Chicago Fire (16 episodes); The Christmas House; The Christmas House 2; We Own This City (2 episodes); Chesapeake Shores (53 episodes) and Blue Bloods (6 episodes).
Some of Treat Williams’ feature film appearances include: Deadly Hero; Marathon Man; The Eagle Has Landed; Hair; 1941; The Empire Strikes Back; Prince of the City; The Pursuit of DB Cooper; Once Upon a Time in America; Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead; Mulholland Falls; The Phantom; Deep Rising; The Substitute 2; The Deep End of the Ocean; The Substitute 3 and Deadfall.
My favorite Treat Williams performance is in Prince of the City. I recently watched him again in Mulholland Falls. It is always a, uh treat, to see Treat Williams’ name in the credits. I thought it was pretty daring when he played Stanley Kowalski in a television movie of A Streetcar Named Desire. Not only was he following Marlon Brando, but to do it on television seemed risky at the time. What a great actor and what a great career!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Treat Williams’ family, friends and fans.
The poster and trailer for They Cloned Tyrone (and the fact that it’s on Netflix) have me on board. Deal me in.
A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio (John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx) onto the trail of a nefarious government experience conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper.
If you follow Drew Struzan on Twitter, then you’ve probably seen this rare concept piece that Struzan did for Rocky IV. Even still, it’s worth another look. Oh, and click on the art to see a “director’s cut”.
Agent Elvis: Season 1 (2023)
Written by: Mike Arnold (ep. 1; 4; 6; 10); Casper Kelly (ep.2); Mark Ganek (ep.3); Matt Roller (ep.5; 9); Asha Wilson (ep. 7); John Eddie (ep. 8)
Directed by: Gary Ye
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Kaitlin Olson, Johnny Knoxville, Niecy Nash, Tom Kenny, Don Cheadle, Fred Armisen, Chris Elliott, Baz Luhrmann, Gary Cole, Ed Helms, Simon Pegg, Craig Robinson, Kieran Culkin and Priscilla Presley
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Elvis is recruited by The Commander to join a US government agency to become one of their secret agents. Elvis, his best friend Ray and Elvis’ out of control monkey Scatter, are partnered with CeCe Ryder on various missions.
In season one Elvis…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I loved Agent Elvis. The animation is perfect for the series. Getting name actors to voice the characters is a plus and of course, having the participation of Priscilla Presley is the icing on the cake. It’s cool how actual events and famous personalities are incorporated into the series. It’s a bit over the top, but that’s part of the fun.
Agent Elvis: Season 1 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.
Rock Hudson was one of the biggest stars of his time. Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed looks well done. Since it’s on MAX, it’s a no-brainer to give it a shot.
A Hollywood icon. A legendary impact.
A new @HBO original documentary from Stephen Kijak examines the life and legacy of one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars. #RockHudson: All That Heaven Allowed premieres June 28 on @streamonmax.
Special Ops: Lioness looks great. Deal me in!
SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS, inspired by an actual US Military program, follows the life of Joe (Zoe Saldaña) while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Donald Westfield (Michael Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of State terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.
The series stars Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Michael Kelly with Morgan Freeman, and Nicole Kidman.
Stream the two-episode premiere of Special Ops: Lioness on Sunday, July 23, exclusively on Paramount+. Then stream all-new episodes on Sundays.
Special Ops: Lioness will also release globally on Paramount+ on July 23.
Pat Cooper, the stand-up comedian and actor, died on June 6, 2023. He was 93.
Pat Cooper, born Pasquale Caputo, began his career as stand-up comedian in the 1950s. His big break came after an appearance on The Jackie Gleason Show in 1963. Pat Cooper would go on to create comedy albums, provide the opening act for top stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr. and many others. Pat Cooper would also headline shows in Vegas, Atlantic City and other entertainment locales.
Pat Cooper also appeared on television and in movies.
Some of Pat Cooper’s television appearances include: Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine (3 episodes); Vega$; Charlie’s Angles; LA Law and Seinfeld.
Some of Pat Cooper’s feature film appearances include: Silent Predator; Analyze This and Analyze That.
In 1981, Pat Cooper went on Tom Snyder’s Tomorrow where Mr. Cooper insulted many top celebrities while at the same time telling how great he was. This would become his trademark act in later years when he would go on The Howard Stern Show (and other programs) and his short temper would ignite and he’d insult others while explaining that he was “A-List!” Some times his grown children would phone in and he’d get into arguments with them.
I was driving on the highway to a friend’s house one day while listening to Howard Stern. Pat Cooper wanted to come in, unannounced and have a segment on the show. Howard eventually let Mr. Cooper in and Pat Cooper went ballistic. He was ranting that he was a big star, that Howard said he could come any time he wanted, that he was A-List, etc. I was laughing so hard, I truly had to pull off to the side of the road. Pat Cooper was one of a kind.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Pat Cooper’s family, friends and fans.
I don’t care much for the poster, but am diggin’ the trailer for Poor Things. Deal me in.
In Theaters September 8th
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Cast: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, better known as The Iron Sheik, died today at the age of 81.
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri was born in Damghan, Iran. He was a talented amateur wrestler and represented Iran on the Greco-Roman wrestling team in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Following the Olympics, Mr. Vaziri moved to the United States. In 1971, he was the gold medalist in the Amateur Athletic Union Greco-Roman wrestling championships. He then served as an assistant wrestling coach for the 1972 US Olympic team.
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri began his wrestling career in 1972. Capitalizing on his heritage, Mr. Vaziri shaved his head, grew a thick mustache and wore wrestling boots with toes that curved up. He wrestled under the names The Great Hossein Arab and “Hussein Arab” before taking on the moniker of The Iron Sheik. His character, ability in the ring and to work an audience made him a headliner. Over the course of his career The Iron Sheik wrestled for all of the major wrestling organizations winning multiple championships in each. The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.
Here’s the trailer for Confidential Informant starring Dominic Purcell, Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl and Kate Bosworth. I’d give it a shot.
This gritty crime thriller starring Mel Gibson tells the tale of two narcotics agents hunting for a cop killer during a crack epidemic. Hoping for leads, Moran (Dominic Purcell, “Prison Break”) and Thorton (Nick Stahl, Sin City) pay off a junkie informant. To provide for his wife (Kate Bosworth, Superman Returns) and son, Moran involves the stool pigeon in a deadly scheme. This causes the partners to come under the scrutiny of a suspicious internal affairs agent, leading to an explosive finale…
RELEASE DATE: June 27th, 2023
CAST: Dominic Purcell, Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl
Sympathy for the Devil looks pretty good. Deal me in.
In Theaters and On Demand July 28
Starring Nicolas Cage, Joel Kinnaman
Directed by Yuval Adler
Written by Luke ParadiseAfter being forced to drive a mysterious passenger (Nicolas Cage) at gunpoint, a man (Joel Kinnaman) finds himself in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse where it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems.
It was announced that Barry Newman died on May 11, 2023. He was 93.
Barry Newman didn’t discover his love of acting until after he had served in the Army and earned a degree in anthropology from Brandeis University. Mr. Newman was working on a Masters Degree when he sat in on an acting class with a friend. He soon left college to pursue a career as an actor. After getting parts in off-Broadway and Broadway productions, Mr. Newman decided to try for roles in television and movies. Barry Newman is probably best known for his starring roles in the feature film Vanishing Point and the television series Petrocelli.
Some of Barry Newman’s television appearances include: The Defenders; Naked City; The Edge of Night (3 episodes); Get Smart; The Lawyer; Night Games; Petrocelli (44 episodes); Quincy; The Fall Guy; Fatal Vision (2 episodes); Nightingales (13 episodes); LA Law (3 episodes); Murder She Wrote (3 episodes); JAG, NYPD Blue (2 episodes) and The OC (3 episodes)
Some of Barry Newman’s feature films include: Pretty Boy Floyd; Vanishing Point; City on Fire; Daylight; The Limey; Bowfinger and 40 Days and 40 Nights.
My favorite Barry Newman role was as the defense lawyer Anthony Petrocelli in the television series Petrocelli. I also enjoyed seeing him in Daylight with Sly Stallone.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Barry Newman’s family, friends and fans.
It has been announced that Joe Gayton, the writer, director and producer, died on May 14, 2023, from prostrate cancer. Mr. Gayton was 66.
Joe Gayton’s first screenwriting credit was on Uncommon Valor starring Gene Hackman and Patrick Swayze. Mr. Gayton co-wrote the feature with Wings Hauser. Joe Gayton is probably best known for Hell on Wheels the AMC series he created with his brother, Tony Gayton.
I am a huge fan of the under-rated film, Faster, written by Joe and Tony Gayton. Faster starred Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thorton, Maggie Grace, Tom Berenger and Michael Epps. Hell on Wheels is a series that is on my to-be-watched list.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Gayton’s family, friends and fans.
