Marv by Alexandre Tso!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv by Alexandre Tso.
Category: Crime
“Matlock”: Season 1 (2025) starring Kathy Bates / Z-View
Matlock: Season 1 (2025)
Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, based on Matlock by Dean Hargrove
Directors: Kat Coiro (Eps.1-2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18-19); Brad Silberling (Ep. 3); Marie Jamora (Ep. 5); Tessa Blake (Ep.7); Yangzom Brauen (Ep. 8); Daniel Willis (Ep. 9); Jennifer Lynch (Ep. 10); Hannah Michielsen (Ep. 11); Jude Weng (Ep. 13); Gina Lamar (Ep. 15); Hanelle Culpepper (Ep. 17)
Teleplay: Jennie Snyder Urman (Eps. 1-2); Nicki Renna (Ep. 3, 19); Jeffrey Lieber (Ep. 4, 14); Michelle Leibel (Ep. 5); Sara Rose Feinberg (Ep. 6, 11); Hennah Sekander (Ep. 7); Sheridan Watson (Ep. 8); John Lowe (Ep. 9); Lizzie Perrin & Nicki Renna (Ep. 10); David Aguilar & Hennah Sekander (Ep. 12); Michelle Leibel & Sheridan Watson (Ep. 13); Nicki Renna & Michelle Leibel (Ep. 15, 18); Jeffrey Lieber & Tommy Cook from a story by Tommy Cook (Ep. 16); Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Ep. 17)
Starring: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Eme Ikwuakor, Aaron Harris, Sam Anderson, Beau Bridges, Patricia Belcher, Yael Grobglas, Piper Curda and Andrea Londo.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Retired lawyer, Madeline Kingston learns that someone in the prestigious law firm of Jacobson Moore hid evidence that would have saved her daughter’s life (as well as many thousands of others). Since the anonymous whistleblower didn’t name names, Madeline decides to take on a new identity as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.
Using her wiles, Matty gets a job at Jacobson Moore. They believe she is a retired attorney forced to go back to work to raise her grandson. Truth is, Matty is wealthy, and married. She and her husband are raising her grandson. Matty is an excellent lawyer and quickly proves valuable to the firm. Each case provides opportunities to learn the identity of the person who hid the valuable evidence. As she makes friendships, she sometimes struggles with the lies and deception required to keep her identity secret. As she gets closer to the truth, her boss begins to suspect something isn’t right with Matty.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I never watched a single episode of the original Matlock, but decided to give this version a try. I’m glad I did.
I was concerned how they would have Matty’s lies and deceptions play out. Kudos to the writers for the way it was handled.
Kathy Bates is such a talented actress. Skye P. Marshall more than holds her own.
Matlock: Season 1 (2025) earns 4 stars. Bring on Season 2.
“The Steel Trap” (1952) starring Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright / Z-View
The Steel Trap (1952)
Director: Andrew L. Stone
Screenplay: Andrew L. Stone
Stars: Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, Jonathan Hale, Walter Sande, Eddie Marr, Carleton Young, Katherine Warren, Tom Powers, William Hudson and Marjorie Bennett.
Tagline: Baited…by a million dollars – and all they had to do was REACH!
The Plot…
Jim Osborn (Cotton) has worked his way up to Assistant Manager of a large LA bank. Just for fun, Jim has thought of different ways to steal and getaway with one million dollars from the vault. His most recent plan has him tempted. He could steal the money on Friday after closing and take flights to get to Brazil before Monday morning. As long as Jim and his family made it to Brazil where they don’t have an extradition treaty with the US, he would be free (and rich)!
Jim lies to his wife about why they are going to Brazil on Friday. He puts his plan in place. On Friday after the bank closes, he steals the money. Now if everything falls into place…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I like the plan to steal the money. My problem was that every single step of the way things go wrong. This took a lot of suspense out. Instead of thinking, “Whew! That was close,” I began thinking, “Ok, what is the problem now?” Then when (BIG SPOILER ALERT), Jim decides to get the money back into the vault before the bank opens, everything goes right.
The Steel Trap (1952) rates 2 of 5 stars
“Scandal Sheet” (1952) starring Broderick Crawford, Donna Reed and John Derek / Z-View
Scandal Sheet (1952)
Director: Phil Karlson
Screenplay: Eugene Ling, James Poe, Ted Sherdeman based on THE DARK PAGE by Samuel Fuller
Stars: John Derek, Donna Reed, Broderick Crawford, Rosemary DeCamp, James Millican, Jay Adler, Shirley Ballard, Don Beddoe and Harry Morgan.
Tagline: The Man From “The Mob” Is Making Another Killing!
The Plot…
Steve McCleary (Derek), ace reporter for the New York Express, reports on a murderer that is dubbed The Lonely Hearts Killer. Little does McCleary know, but his editor, Mark Chapman (Crawford) is the killer! As McCleary digs deeper into the case, all of his evidence is being presented to the killer himself. Soon McCleary will be the killer’s next target!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Scandal Sheet isn’t as well known as many other films of the era, but if you like crime thrillers, you should enjoy it.
Scandal Sheet (1952) rates 5 of 5 stars
Marv & Nancy by Eduardo Risso!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv & Nancy by Eduardo Risso!
Source: Chad Knopf.
“Reservoir Dogs” Alt Poster by Sam Green!
How about this Reservoir Dogs alt poster by Sam Green?
“Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” (1982) directed by Carl Reiner, starring Steve Martin
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)
Director: Carl Reiner
Screenplay: Carl Reiner, George Gipe, Steve Martin
Stars: Steve Martin, Rachel Ward, Reni Santoni and Carl Reiner; archival footage: Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Ray Milland, Ava Gardner, Burt Lancaster, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Veronica Lake, Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, Kirk Douglas, Fred MacMurray, James Cagney, Joan Crawford, Charles Laughton, Vincent Price, William Conrad, Charles McGraw, Jeff Corey, Brian Donlevy, Norma Varden, Edmond O’Brien.
Tagline: Laugh… or I’ll blow your lips off!
The Plot…
When Juliet Forrest’s (Ward) scientist father is killed in an auto accident, she hires Private Eye Rigby Reardon (Martin) to investigate. Searching her father’s lab, Reardon finds two lists of names. A mystery man wings Reardon and steals the lists.
More determined than ever to solve the case, Reardon will follow clues that lead him down mean streets, into dark alleys, searching for hidden truths, dealing with hard cases, low-lifes, doublecrossers and beautiful dames. What Reardon discovers is a conspiracy that could be the end of the good-old-USA.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is a film noir parody that seamlessly integrates characters/scenes from classic noir films into the new story.
Director Carl Reiner says that Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is the favorite film that he’s directed.
The film is Costume Designer Edith Head’s last feature film and is dedicated to her. It was also the final film of film composer Miklós Rózsa who re-scored music from films he had worked on in the 1940s.
The one city that the Nazi plot destroys is Terre Haute, Indiana. That is where I was born and lived through eighth grade.
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars
“My Gun is Quick” (1957) starring Robert Bray / Z-View
My Gun is Quick (1957)
Director: George White, Victor Saville (as Phil Victor)
Screenplay: Richard Collins, Richard Powell, screen story by Richard Powell, based on My GUN IS QUICK by Mickey Spillane
Stars: Robert Bray, Whitney Blake, Donald Randolph, Richard Garland, Fred Essler, Booth Colman, Pamela Duncan, Patricia Donahue, Peter Mamakos, Claire Carleton, Phil Arnold, George Cisar and Jan Chaney.
Tagline: The High Society Dame Who Played It Lowdown And Dirty! – The Secretary Who “Worked” After Hours! – The Stripper Who Knew How To Tease! – The Blonde Who Left Her Bedroom Door Open!
The Plot…
Late one evening in a diner, Mike Hammer (Bray) strikes up a conversation with a young prostitute called Red. When Red’s pimp comes in and begins to berate her, Hammer roughs the punk up and sends him on his way. Feeling sorry for Red, Hammer gives her money for a bus ticket home.
The next day Hammer learns Red was killed in a hit and run. A ring she was wearing was stolen. Hammer begins to dig into the case and learns the ring was part of a cache of Nazi jewels stolen after the war. Hammer makes it his business to discover Red’s killer and finds himself up against an American Colonel and other thugs looking for the jewels.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
My Gun is Quick is a low budget adaptation of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer. Several actors have played Hammer in films/television including Mickey Spillane himself. My favorite is Armand Assante in I, the Jury.
My Gun is Quick (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars
Marco Finnegan’s CALAVERA P.I. is Coming!
Marco Finnegan’s Calavera, PI is dropping on September 9th. Let me drop a dime…
In 1925, Juan Calavera died a hero. After a career spent outside the law defending the Chicano barrios where the police refused to operate, he earned a reputation for fearlessness . . . and a gunshot in the stomach. Now, five years later, on Día de los Muertos, his restless spirit has been summoned from the grave to help a desperate former colleague unravel a kidnapping all too close to home. With only days to solve the case before he is called back to the underworld, can Calavera reveal the identity of the masked human trafficker known as La Fantasma before tragedy strikes again . . . and solve the mystery of his own murder in the process?
From the desk of rising star Marco Finnegan (Morning Star, Night People), walk the shadow-shrouded alleys of Hollywoodland to solve the mystery of Calavera—a newly resurrected private investigator whose first case is about to straddle the blood-soaked boundaries between the living and the dead!
Preorders are available now.
“Unit 234” starring Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman and Jack Huston – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Here’s a new trailer for Unit 234 starring Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman and Jack Huston. It looks like fun.
Deal me in.
US Release Date: May 9, 2025
Starring: Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jack Huston
Director: Andy Tennant
Synopsis: After the discovery of an unconscious man in a locked unit, the lone employee of a remote storage facility must fight to survive the night.
“Chicago Confidential” (1957) starring Brian Keith / Z-View
Chicago Confidential (1957)
Director: Sidney Salkow
Screenplay: Bernard Gordon, based on CHICAGO: CONFIDENTIAL! by Raymond T. Marcus
Stars: Brian Keith, Beverly Garland, Dick Foran, Douglas Kennedy, Paul Langton, Gavin Gordon, Buddy Lewis, Anthony George and Elisha Cook Jr..
Tagline: Rough, Real…and RAW!
The Plot…
When Artie Blaine, a union official, can’t be bribed, mobsters set him up as a patsy for murder. District Attorney Jim Fremont knows a conviction will help him in his quest to become Governor. The evidence is there and Fremont gets the murder conviction.
After the trial Fremont begins to have doubts. His search for evidence to clear Blaine makes him a target for the mob.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
A low budget crime tale with Brian Keith (an underrated actor) and Elisha Cook, Jr.!
Chicago Confidential (1957) rates 3 of 5 stars
Marv Takin’ Care of Business by Matteo Scalera!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv Takin’ Care of Business by Matteo Scalera.
Source: Ron Pittman.
“5 Minutes to Live” aka “Door-to-Door Maniac” (1961) starring Johnny Cash & Vic Tayback / Z-View
5 Minutes to Live aka Door-to-Door Maniac (1961)
Director: Bill Karn
Screenplay: Cay Forrester
Stars: Johnny Cash, Donald Woods, Cay Forester, Midge Ware, Merle Travis, Vic Tayback, Norma Varden, Hanna Landy, Howard Wright and Ron Howard.
Tagline: Introducing JOHNNY CASH, America’s top-recording star, as a lusty, romantic, guitar singing powerhouse
The Plot…
Fred Dorella and cold-blooded killer Johnny Cabot have a fool-proof way to rob a bank. Johnny will take the bank Vice-president’s wife, Nancy hostage. If the bank’s VP gives Fred $70k, Fred will call Johnny who will release Nancy. If the bank’s VP doesn’t turn over the cash, Fred will call Johnny who will kill Nancy.
What Fred and Johnny didn’t count on, is the bank’s VP having an affair. If the crooks kill his wife, he’ll be free!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
5 Minutes to Live was rereleased in 1966 as Door-to-Door Maniac.
Cay Forester, the female lead, wrote the screenplay.
Johnny Cash (in his film debut) teamed with Vic Tayback (of the television comedy Alice fame) as the bank robbers. Ronnie Howard who played Opie on The Andy Griffith Show plays the son of bank vice president.
If you enjoy low budget crime thrillers, then give 5 Minutes to Live a shot.
5 Minutes to Live aka Door-to-Door Maniac (1961) rates 3 of 5 stars
“Havok” directed by Gareth Evans, starring Tom Hardy, Jesse Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant & Forest Whitaker – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
We have the poster and trailer for Havok directed by Gareth Evans, starring Tom Hardy, Jesse Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant, Forest Whitaker. Man, oh man, does this thing kick ass?
Deal me in.
No law, only disorder.
When a drug heist swerves lethally out of control, a jaded cop fights his way through a corrupt city’s criminal underworld to save a politician’s son.
Watch HAVOC, coming to Netflix on April 25.
“Scarface” Alt Poster by Ruiz Burgos!
“All I Have In This World Is My Balls And My Word, And I Don’t Break ‘Em For No One!”
That is one fine alt Scarface poster by Ruiz Burgos. Don’t you agree?
