Category: Crime

HOLE by Gerry Brown with art by Eduardo Risso / Z-View

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HOLE by Gerry Brown with art by Eduardo Risso

First sentences…

They came for Hole while he was in the library.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Emile Hole’s size didn’t fit his demeanor.  Emile was very large, long haired man with small round glasses that looked too small for his face.  Emile’s voice didn’t help either.  It was way too light.  You wouldn’t find Emile in the weight room.  No, he’d be found in the prison library sitting alone in a small chair reading.

Even in the best conditions prison would be rough on men like Emile.  Moundsville State Prison was about as far as you could get from the best conditions.  The guards either were crooked or looked the other way.  Gangs ran Moundsville.  Davie and his Warlords were at the top of the heap.

The Warlords ran a profitable business.  One of their best money-making endeavors was to video-tape the beating of a new inmate.  They’d then send the video to the inmate’s family with a request for on-going payments to prevent further beatings.  It always worked.

So when the gang gave Emile a tune-up and sent the video to Emile’s brother Vint, they expected the money to come rolling in.

Man, were they wrong.

Vint’s going to pay the Warlords, but not in the way they’re expecting.  See Vint’s got skills.  Skills better left contained.  But now, Vint’s got reason to let loose.  And he’s going to.

+++

Eduardo Risso’s art was what got me interested in HOLE.  Then I read the sample and was hooked.  Gerry Brown has crafted a fun prison/revenge story that’s a fast, fun read.

HOLE is only available on Kindle but the price is less than a buck.  It’s worth a buck just to see Risso’s illustrations.

Rating:

“Bent” (2018) starring Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García / Z-View

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Bent (2018)

Director: Robert Moresco

Screenplay: Robert Moresco; based on DEADLY CODES by JP O’Donnell

Stars: Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara, Andy García and Vincent Spano.

Tagline: Corruption has its own set of rules.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Detective Danny Gallagher was framed and sent to prison.  He’s out now and bent on revenge.  Danny trusts his mentor Jimmy Murtha and a sexy government agent named Rebecca.

But his trust may be misplaced.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a fan of Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García.  I was hoping Bent would be a lot better.

Bent (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Apex” starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton / Z-View

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Apex (2026)

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Screenplay: Jeremy Robbins

Stars: Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton

Tagline: Hunt. Survive.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Five months ago, adrenaline junkie Sasha and her boyfriend were mountain climbing when an avalanche knocked him unconscious.  As he hung limp the safety line attached to Sasha began to pull her down.  Either she had to cut him loose or they both would die.

She did the unthinkable.

Now Sasha has come to a remote part of the Australian outback. The remote mountains, raging rapids and harsh conditions are unforgiving.  Perhaps Sasha has a death wish.

Sasha’s will to live will be tested when she crosses path with a psychopath.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charlize Theron was quoted as saying this is her favorite of all the films she’s made.  Stars often say that their current film is their favorite.  In this case it may be true.  Theron and Apex director Baltasar Kormákur are signed to make another film together.

Taron Egerton is believable as the psycho but his portrayal isn’t as frightening as it could be.  He’s more manic than maniac.  Some of the background characteristics (the jerky, what happened to the family that was missing) could have worked to make Egerton’s killer much more scary and dangerous.  They would have had to lean a bit more into tension and terror and I don’t think they wanted to do that at the expense of action.

Apex (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Dark Winds” Season 4 / Z-View

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Dark Winds Season 4 (2026)

Created by: Graham Roland

Director:

  • Craig Zisk (Ep. 1),
  • Zahn McClarnon (Ep. 2)
  • Chris Eyre (Eps. 3, 5, 7)
  • Jim Chory (Ep. 4)
  • Steven Paul Judd (Ep. 6)
  • Erica Trimblay (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:

  • John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd (Eps. 1, 4),
  • Max Hurwitz & Wenonah Wilms (Eps. 2, 5)
  • Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay (Eps. 3, 6)
  • Shaandiin Tome & Shandton Williams II (Eps. 7)
  • Max Hurwitz & Thomas Brady (Ep. 8)
    Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman

Starring:  Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez.

Tagline:  None

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Lt. Leaphorn, Sgt. Chee, and Sgt. Manuelito find themselves on the trail of a teenage runaway.  The girl left her boarding school with her boyfriend.  They’re on the run but from who?  And why?

Things become even more confusing when a mysterious female assassin shows up looking for the kids.  Leaphorn, Chee and Manulito follow the trail that leads to LA.  They’re a step behind the assassin and if they don’t catch up, the kids will die along with the reason they’re being hunted.  

Thoughts…

 Moving the action to LA was an interesting idea.   I did miss the feel of action on the reservation since that location is almost like an additional character.

Dark Winds continues to entertain and the set-up for season 5 is a winner.

Sly Stallone as Jack Carter & Keanu Reeves as John Wick by Steven Sanchez!

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When Steven Sanchez announced that he was taking on double headsketch commissions, I jumped on board.  As you can see I requested Sly Stallone as Jack Carter (from Get Carter) and Keanu Reeves as John Wick.  I couldn’t be happier with Sanchez’s finished art.

What made it even cooler is that Sanchez sent a prelim rough for approval.  In the rough he used a photo from Lock Up for Stallone reference.  I pointed out that I wanted Carter and Sanchez made the change with a new prelim for approval.  He then created the finished pencil piece above.  When my art arrived, the original prelim (using the Lock Up reference) and two other studies were included!

This is my second piece from Steven Sanchez. I cannot recommend him highly enough to sketch collectors.

“Nobody 2” (2025) starring Bob Odenkirk / Z-View

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Nobody 2 (2025)

Director: Timo Tjahjanto

Screenplay: Derek Kolstad, Aaron Rabin; story by Derek Kolstad

Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, RZA, Christopher Lloyd and Sharon Stone.

Tagline: Nobody ruins his vacation.

The Plot…

Hutch Mansell has been on the job nonstop as an assassin to pay off a debt created during the first movie.  Hutch’s family life has suffered due to him always working.  In an effort to have some quality family time Hutch decides to take his family on vacation to a resort/amusement park that his father took him to when he was young.

At the amusement park Hutch’s son gets into it with a local bully.  The bully’s dad (who owns the amusement park) causes things to escalate when he slaps Hutch’s young daughter in the back of the head.  Hutch then returns the favor by beating up the bully’ dad and several park employees.

As it turns out, the bully’s dad is friends with the local Sheriff.  The two are involved in several criminal enterprises with a psycho-crime lord named Lendina.  Soon Hutch finds himself the target of revenge by the Sheriff as well as Lendina and her organization.

So much for vacation time.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sharon Stone is excellent as the over-the-top villain who wouldn’t be out of place in a James Bond movie.

Nobody 2 features Timo Tjahjanto’s American directorial debut.  Tjahjanto is best known for his ultra-violent Indonesian action films.

Bob Odenkirk and Christopher Lloyd share the same birthday of the 22nd of October. What are the odds?  That’s also my birthday.

Nobody 2 is fun.  It leans into over-the-top comedy a bit more than I’d prefer at times, but is still a fun ride.

Nobody 2 (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Cape Fear” The Limited Series starring Amy Adams, Javier Bardem & Patrick Wilson – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The original is a classic.  The remake is worthy.  Now we have a Cape Fear limited television series.  Check out the poster and trailer and see what you think.

Deal me in.

Out of prison, and out for revenge.

Cape Fear premieres June 5 on Apple TV

Inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance.

Hailing from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Amblin Television, “Cape Fear” is based on both the novel “The Executioners,” which inspired Gregory Peck’s Universal Pictures feature (1962) of the same name, as well as the acclaimed 1991 remake directed by Scorsese.

The series is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, who produced the 1991 film, alongside Scorsese. Creator Nick Antosca showruns and produces alongside Alex Hedlund for Eat The Cat, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey produce alongside Spielberg for Amblin Television. Academy Award nominee Morten Tyldum will direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. The series is developed and produced through Antosca’s overall deal at UCP, where he’s been based since 2017.

“Motor City” starring Alan Ritchson – The Teaser Trailer is Here!

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Who doesn’t love a good revenge flick?  Check out the teaser for Motor City starring Alan Ritchson.  It’s a revenge flick… the only question is will it be good. (Bonus points if you saw a scene shot out of Rocky III.)

In 1970s Detroit, a working-class romantic is framed by a ruthless gangster after falling for his girlfriend. After years in prison, he returns with only one mission: revenge.

In Theaters July 24th

Directed by: Potsy Ponciroli
Starring: Alan Ritchson, Shailene Woodley, Pablo Schreiber, Ben Foster

“Heat” Alt Poster by Sahin Düzgün!

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Heat is a modern masterpiece.  If you’re going to create an alt poster for it, the poster better be good.  Real good.  Thankfully, this beauty created by Sahin Düzgün is. Sahin is a graphic designer, poster artist  and movie lover from Berlin, Germany.

Here is what Sahin had to say about his design:  That cold L.A. glow, the silence between gunshots, and two men on opposite sides of the same line. Heat is mood, tension, and minimalism at its best. This one’s all about that atmosphere.

Neil McCauley: Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.

“Nuremberg” (2025) starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek / Z-View

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Nuremberg (2025)

Director:  James Vanderbilt

Screenplay:  James Vanderbilt; based on THE NAZI AND THE PSYCHIATRIST by Jack El-Hao

Stars: Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O’Brien, Colin Hanks, Wrenn Schmidt, Lydia Peckham, Richard E. Grant and Michael Shannon.

Tagline: An epic World War ll thriller based on true events

The Plot…

1945.  World War II is over.  For the first time in history an international trial will be held to determine if crimes against humanity were committed.  The defendants are leaders of the Nazi party including Reichsmarshall Hermann Göring, Hitler’s former second-in-command.  Göring welcomes the opportunity to present his case to the world.

Douglas Kelley, a Lt. Colonel and U.S. Army psychiatrist, is brought in to evaluate the Nazis competency to stand trial.  Kelley determines that they are competent, but cautions the prosecutors. Hermann Göring has a genius level IQ.  He’s a sly, charismatic, confident narcissistic who believes that he will be able to prove he is not guilty of the crimes charged.

As the prosecutors prepare for trial it becomes clear that Göring is going to be a problem.  Even Lt. Colonel Kelley begins to fall under his spell.

As the world watches, the trial begins…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Much of the dialogue in the trial cross-examination exchanges of Göring came from transcripts from the trial.

Göring was found guilty and sentenced to death.  He committed suicide using cyanide before the sentence could be carried out.  It’s ironic/creepy that Lt. Colonel Kelley committed suicide twelve years later by cyanide in 1958.

Russell Crowe, Rami Malek and Michael Shannon are excellent.

Nuremberg (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars