Category: Crime

“Diabolique” (1955) directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, starring Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Paul Meurisse, and Charles Vanel / Z-View

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Diabolique (1955)

Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot

Screenplay: Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jérôme Géronimi, René Masson, Frédéric Grendel, based on  CELLE QUI N’éTAIT PLUS by Boileau-Narcejac

Stars: Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Paul Meurisse, Charles Vanel

Tagline: Don’t Reveal the Ending!

The Plot…

Michel Delassalle is a cruel man.  Michel is the Principal of a boys’ boarding school owned by his wife, Christina.  Christina also works as a teacher at the school.  Michel enjoys flaunting his authority over his teachers including his wife.  He gets off on humiliating them at every opportunity.  To make matters worse, Michel has an on-going affair with Nicole Horner, another teacher at the school, who he also mistreats.

Surprisingly, Christina and Nicole have developed a friendship… and a plan.  They’ve devised the perfect albi so when they kill Michel, they will be above suspicion.

Or so they thought.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Alfred Hitchcock reportedly wanted the rights to the original novel but was beaten by just a few hours by Henri-Georges Clouzot who went on to direct Diabolique.

Véra Clouzot died suddenly of a heart attack five years after the release of Diabolique.  She was only 46. Her character in the film suffered from a weak heart.

Diabolique was ahead of it’s time.  It inspired filmmakers from William Castle to Alfred Hitchcock.  And what a twist ending!

Diabolique (1955) rates 4 of 5 stars.

NOVEMBER ROAD by Lou Berney / Z-View

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NOVEMBER ROAD by Lou Berney

First sentences…

Behold!  The Big Easy in all its wicked splendor!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Frank Guidry is living the life he could only imagine as a boy.  Guidry’s charm, smarts and ruthlessness made him a valuable asset to New Orleans’ mob boss Carlos Marcello.  Now Guidry is a fixer for Marcello.  This comes with benefits.  Guidry’s a known man in New Orleans. He gets the best seats at restaurants. He’s respected.  Women are attracted to him.  Even Seraphine, Marcello’s right hand and brains of the outfit fell for Guidry’s charms. Guidry believes he’ll rise even higher in Marcello’s organization.

Then President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas.

Within hours of Kennedy’s murder, associates of Carlos Marcello start turning up dead.  No way it is a coincidence.  Guidry is worried.  Marcello had Guidry drive a car to Dallas before the assassination.  It was a strange request.  Guidry didn’t think much of it at the time.  But now he’s concerned.  Was it used as the getaway car after the assassination?  If so, Guidry is one of the few people who can tie Carlos Marcello to the President’s murder.  That means Guidry is marked for death.

Maybe he’s reading too much into the errand.

Then Seraphine tells Guidry he needs to return to Dallas to “get rid” of the car.  Seraphine also wants to know the hotel that Guidry is going to use.  Now there is no doubt.  Guidry is sure he’s next on the hit list.  His only chance is to run.

If Guidry can make it to Las Vegas, a contact who hates Marcello will help him escape. Getting to Vegas quick and gone is the plan.  But when Guidry sees a woman and two little girls beside a broken down car, he stops to assist.  Charlotte is heading to California with her two girls to start a new life.  Her car engine is beyond repair.  Guidry realizes that the hitmen sent after him won’t be looking for a man with a woman and two kids.  Guidry offers to take them along if they’ll accompany him to Vegas.  There he promises to help her get a car for the rest of her trip.

Although hesitant at first, Charlotte agrees.  Guidry realizes that Marcello and the killers he sends will think Guidry is racing to Vegas.  If he slows down, they may think he got away.  Then he can slip into Vegas with Charlotte and her kids and his escape will be complete.

There are two things Guidry didn’t count on.  One: He and Charlotte falling in love.  Two: The killer Marcello sent is Barone.  Barone is a ruthless, intelligent, killing machine.  Barone never quits until he’s target is hit.

+++

I loved NOVEMBER ROAD.  At the start of the tale Guidry isn’t sure if he’s been set up or not.  If he has, he needs to run.  But if he hasn’t been set up and he runs, that will surely mark him for execution.  We also see right away that Guidry is all about self-preservation.  Will that change with Charlotte and her girls?

The time on the road for both Guidry and the killer provides for interesting situations for both.  The tension builds as bodies pile up and the killer closes in.

NOVEMBER ROAD has an ending that surprises and satisfies.

Rating:

“There Are No Saints” (2022) starring José María Yazpik, Paz Vega with Ron Perlman and Tim Roth / Z-View

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There Are No Saints (2022)

Director: Alfonso Pineda Ulloa

Screenplay: Paul Schrader

Stars: José María Yazpik, Shannyn Sossamon, Paz Vega, Tommy Flanagan, Ron Perlman, Tim Roth and Neal McDonough.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Neto Niente, a former mob enforcer known as The Jesuit, was just released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit.  Things get worse when his ex-wife’s husband kills her and kidnaps his son.  Now Niente is on a quest to save his son.

Things don’t always go as planned.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film reportedly was a tough production.  Screenwriter, Paul Schrader was originally set to direct.  Because of production delays, Schrader moved on.  Oscar Isaac was originally set to star, but dropped out when the film lost financing.  Brian Cox was originally in the cast.  Reshoots were required when he dropped out and was replaced by Ron Perlman.

If you’re expecting a happy ending, don’t.  This one is brutal and dark.

There Are No Saints (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Rip” (2026) written & directed by Joe Carnahan, starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno with Scott Adkins and Kyle Chandler / Z-View

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The Rip (2026)

Director: Joe Carnahan

Screenplay: Joe Carnahan, story by Joe Carnahan, Michael McGrale

Stars: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, Kyle Chandler, Daisuke Tsuji, Nestor Carbonell, Lina Esco, Cliff Chamberlain, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Marco Morales, Sal Lopez, Angel Rosario Jr. and Scott Adkins.

Tagline: Count the money. Count it again. Count on no one.

The Plot…

Rumors of crooked cops in the Miami-Dade Police Department are gaining traction.  When Captain Jackie Velez is murdered, suspicion falls on her Tactical Narcotics Team.  The TNT consists of Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Detectives J.D. Byrne, Mike Ro, Numa Baptiste, and Lolo Salazar.  One or more of them may be dirty.

Just before the end of the day, Dumars recieves a tip about a house in a new subdivision containing drug money.  It is the only occupied house in the area.  Dumars informs the team that it is supposed to contain $100,000 to $200,00 in cartel cash.

Desi Molina answers the door.  Desi is a young woman who recently inherited the house from her grandmother.  She lives alone.  Desi reluctantly lets the team in.  The search of the house reveals a hidden space in the attic.  The team discovers $20 million dollars in cash.

Lieutenant Dumars tells the team that they are not going to follow standard protocal.  Normally they would call in the location and amount of the seizure.  Dumars says he’s worried about crooked cops.  Dumars orders the team to give him their cell phones.  One or more of them could be crooked.  Or is Dumars one of the bad cops?

Then a call comes to the house. Dumars answers.  The voice on the other end says to take the amount of money called in and leave the rest.  They have 30 minutes to comply.  If they don’t everyone in the house will be executed.

Dumars and the team aren’t sure how to proceed.  Was it the cartel or dirty cops calling?  How did they know the money had been found?  Who can they trust?  What is the best thing to do?

The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I went in to The Rip thinking it would be good.  I was wrong.  It was great.  I absolutely loved it.  Writer/director Joe Carnahan has crafted a story that has mystery, tension, suspense and action.  Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are joined by Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, and Kyle Chandler.  All are perfectly cast.

I love the mystery of who to trust.  The tension continues to mount as the minutes tick off.  Trapped with a team that may not have your back in a deserted subivision.  Afraid to call back-up because of dirty cops with the cartel closing in.

The Rip gets my highest recommendation.

The Rip (2026) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Police Story” (1985) directed by and starring Jackie Chan / Z-View

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Police Story (1985)

Director: Jackie Chan

Screenplay: Jackie Chan, Edward Tang

Stars: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung.

Tagline: From the master of action comes more screen excitement than you’ve ever seen.

The Plot…

Sergeant Chan Ka-Kui, an undercover officer in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force was part of a task force to bring down crime lord Chu Tao.  Things go sideways.  Now Tao wants revenge and his target is Sergeant Chan.

Step back, Jackie Chan is ready to roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Police Story is famous for several big stunts and set pieces.  In one, Jackie slides several stories down a pole of Christmas lights in a mall.  In this stunt, Chan burned his hands, injured two vertebrae and dislocated his pelvis.  The pole slide was done in one take, without rehearsals and without the use of wires.

Sly Stallone paid homage to a Jackie Chan action beat in Police Story.  In Tango & Cash, Stallone’s character stops a semi, the same way that Chan stops the bus.

Police Story (1985) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Death by Lightning” (2025) written by Mike Makowski, directed by Matt Ross, starring Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman and Betty Gilpin / Z-View

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Death by Lightning (2025)

Created by: Mike Makowsky; based on DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC: A TALE OF MADNESS, MEDICINE AND THE MURDER OF A PRESIDENT by Candice Millard

Director:

  • Matt Ross (Eps. 1-4)

Teleplay:

  • Mike Makowsky (Eps. 1-4)

Stars: Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Shannon, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, Bradley Whitford, Nick Offerman, Laura Marcus, David Nykl, Alfie Tempest, Paula Malcomson, Barry Shabaka Henley and Vondie Curtis-Hall.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Congressman James Garfield went to the 1880 Republican National Convention to give a nomination speech.  Garfield’s oratory was so powerful that through an unlikely series of events he became the party’s nominee.  Although an underdog, Garfield won the election and became the 20th President of the United States.

Charles Guiteau, an ex-con, chronic liar and thief has dreams of glory and fame.  Guiteau admires Garfield and feels their destiny’s are intwined.  But they are not.

So Guiteau decides to kill the man he admires.  Guiteau shoots Garfield in the back.  Garfield is bedridden and in pain for months.  Eighty days after being shot he dies.  James Garfield was President just 200 days.  But his Presidency had a positive impact to this day that few realize.

Charles Guiteau dreamed of fame.  He was executed for his crime and is largely forgotten except to historians.

This is their story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Death by Lightning is an amazing, but true story.  Although a dramatization, it sticks very close to the actual events.  Kudos to Mike Makowsky, who wrote the teleplay for all four episodes, and to Candice Millard who wrote the book which inspired the project.

The cast is amazing.  Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Shannon, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, Bradley Whitford and Nick Offerman give performances that deserve awards.  They are amazing.  It was also nice to see Barry Shabaka Henley and Vondie Curtis-Hall appear.

Death by Lightning gets my highest recommendation.

Death by Lightning (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Wrecking Crew” (2026) starring Dave Bautista and Jason Mamoa / Z-View

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The Wrecking Crew (2026)

Director: Ángel Manuel Soto

Screenplay: Jonathan Tropper

Stars: Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin, Maia Kealoha, Stephen Root, Miyavi, David Hekili Kenui Bell, Lydia Peckham, Branscombe Richmond, Stephen Oyoung and Claes Bang.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Jonny Hale is a reservation cop living in Oklahoma.  James Hale is a Navy Seal living in Hawaii.  The two are half brothers who haven’t seen each other in ten years.  When their father is killed in a hit and run, Jonny returns to Hawaii for the funeral.

Jonny believes that his father was murdered.  Although unconvinced at first, James comes around when it becomes clear the Yakuza were involved.

Now Jonny and James have teamed to find the killers.  Hawaiians should take cover.  Things are about to get crazy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Wrecking Crew features David Hekili Kenui Bell final film role. He died on June 12, 2025.

Dave Bautista and Jason Mamoa have great chemistry.  Kudos also to Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin and Stephen Root.

I wanted to like this film more, but it was a bit too over-the-top to be taken seriously.  They really leaned into the humor to the point that I never felt concerned for the duo’s safety.  The action (with a couple of gory scenes as well) is ratcheted up to match the humor.  Still, watching Bautista and Mamoa tear through the bad guys isn’t a bad way to spend an hour and half.

The Wrecking Crew (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Diablo” (2025) starring Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror / Z-View

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Diablo (2025)

Director: Ernesto Díaz Espinoza

Screenplay: Mat Sansom, story by Mat Sansom, Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza

Stars: Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Alanna De La Rossa, Lucho Velasco.

Tagline: There’ll Be Hell to Pay

The Plot…

Elisa, the daughter of Vincente, an extremely rich and ruthless Mexican mob boss, has been kidnapped. Kris Chaney, an ex-con has Elisa and is trying to escape with her back to the United States.  Vincente has his entire criminal network looking for them plus he’s hired El Corvo, a psychopathic killer who will stop at nothing to finish his assignment.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Chris has little chance of survival.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you don’t see the plot twist coming, get your eyes checked.  ; )

Diablo (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.