Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
While digging through the Zablo Vault, I came across a Dave Wachter sketch of Sly Stallone as Jimmy “Bobo” from Bullet to the Head that I somehow never posted. Well, it’s time to fix that!
You can see more of Dave’s art at his site. – Craig
Crime 101 starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry – A New Poster and Trailer are Here!
Get an inside look at the making of #Crime101 starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry. Experience it in theaters and IMAX on February 13.
Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher. As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.
Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter). Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out the cast.
Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil is a movie that has grown on me over the years. Now it is one of my favorites. Angora has come up with an alt poster that I hope brings more eyes to the film.
This Godfather art was created by Mark Levy for a custom box set for The Godfather trilogy.
“Leave the gun and the cannoli. Take the art.”
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 a Marv by Nacho Yunis A.
Normal starring Bob Odenkirk, Lena Heady and Henry Winkler – The Teaser Trailer is Here!
In theaters April 17.
The latest collaboration between Bob Odenkirk, JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad and NOBODY producer Marc Provissiero, director Ben Wheatley’s (FREE FIRE, HIGH RISE) kinetic neo-Western stars Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a small, sleepy town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.
For Sheriff Ulysses (Odenkirk), his provisional posting to the quaint Midwestern American town of Normal was meant to be a welcome respite from both his marital woes and recent moral injuries in the line of duty. But when a botched bank robbery interrupts the municipality’s tranquil pace, a dark secret is inadvertently exposed, and Ulysses soon discovers that the town is anything but its namesake.
Starring Bob Odenkirk, Lena Heady and Henry Winkler
Directed by Ben Wheatley
Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia (2025)
Director: Raissa Botterman
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, became a war zone in the 1990s. Two rival, mafia families fought for control. John Stanfa and Joey Merlino were the crime bosses of each. As the body count rose, the FBI and local cops fought to bring down the crime bosses and their gangs.
This is that story, told by the cops and gangsters that were there.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you like gangster movies/shows and true life crime you should enjoy Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia.
The series is worth watching just to hear John Veasey. Veasey may not be the brightest guy you’d ever meet, but he’s no doubt one of the toughest. A thief, a tough guy and a killer. Veasey was shot in the head, stabbed and still overpowered his attempted killer. Then he got his revenge.
Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Tulsa King: Season 3 (2025)
Created by: Taylor Sheridan
Directors:
Teleplay:
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Garrett Hedlund, Dana Delany, Chris Caldovino, McKenna Quigley Harrington, Vincent Piazza, Annabella Sciorra, Dashiell Connery, Justin Garcia-Pruneda, Mike “Cash Flo” Walden, Tatiana Zappardino, Neal McDonough, Robert Patrick, Beau Knapp, Bella Heathcote, Frank Grillo, Kevin Pollak, James Russo, Michael Beach, Juliette Jeffers, Barry Corbin, Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlet Rose Stallone.
Tagline: More Power. More Problems.
The Plot…
In season three…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Tulsa King was nominated for one 2025 PrimeTime Emmy Award – Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program: Freddie Poole
Robert Patrick is great as Dunmire, a villain you love to hate. Patrick co-starred with Sly Stallone in Cop Land.
As you might have guessed, Tulsa King continues to be one of my current favorite television shows. Bring on season four!
Tulsa King: Season 2 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.
His & Hers starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
I’m a fan of both so deal me in.
Two sides. One truth. HIS & HERS premieres January 8th, only on Netflix!
Two estranged spouses — one a cop, the other a news reporter — compete to solve a murder case in which each believes the other is a prime suspect.
Leon by Barret Chapman! This awesome piece is available as a limited edition print.
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 a Marv by Elvin Hernandez. Click on the art above to see a biggie version.
The Silent Hour (2024)
Director: Brad Anderson
Screenplay: Dan Hall
Stars: Joel Kinnaman, Sandra Mae Frank, Mark Strong, Jonathan Koensgen and Mekhi Phifer.
Tagline: Without a sound.
The Plot…
Sixteen months ago Boston Police Detective Frank Shaw lost his hearing. Now, back on the job, Frank is still adjusting. Frank and his partner, Detective Doug Slater, are sent to a building undergoing renovations to interview Ava Freemont. Ava witnessed a murder.
Frank meets his partner at the building. It turns out Ava is deaf. Frank gets some first hand practice at sign language. After the interview Frank and Detective Slater go their separate ways. As Frank is about to drive off, he realizes he left something in Ava’s apartment. He returns to get it.
That’s when the murderer and several of his buddies show up. They plan to silence Ava… forever.
What chance do two deal people have against several armed murderers? Trapped in a building… with no way to communicate to the outside world Frank and Ava are outmanned and outgunned.
Worse still, they can’t hear what’s coming.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Sandra Mae Frank, who plays Ava, has been deaf since the age of three.
In 2023, Joel Kinnaman starred in Silent Night, where he also played a hearing-impaired protagonist.
The Silent Hour (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
One Ranger (2023)
Director: Jesse V. Johnson
Screenplay: Jesse V. Johnson
Stars: Thomas Jane, Dean Jagger, Dominique Tipper, Nick Moran, Patrick Bergin, David Sakurai and John Malkovich.
Tagline: London is About to Get a Taste of Texas
The Plot…
Texas Ranger Alex Tyree is a throwback. Tyree is a tough, no-nonsense Texas Ranger with no quit in him. When Tyree and his partner track a bank robber named Declan McBride into the desert, Tyree’s partner is killed and Tyree is badly wounded.
It turns out that McBride is a terrorist with plans to detonate a bomb in London. British Intelligence wants Tyree on the case. Tyree wants McBride caught. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Far from it.
Tyree has a way of doing things that doesn’t align with Agent Smith, his British liaison. The two are going to have to find a way to work together before McBride detonates his bombs.
Mount up. We’re burning daylight.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
One Ranger echoes Clint Eastwood in Coogan’s Bluff and Dennis Weaver in McCloud. In both a cowboy lawman is sent to New York City on a case. Substitute a Texas Ranger and London and you have the outline for One Ranger.
Although Thomas Jane’s character comes off as a caricature, Jane plays it straight which makes for the best part of the movie. Still, I was expecting more.
One Ranger (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.
House of the Rising Sun (2011)
Director: Brian A. Miller
Screenplay: Chuck Hustmyre and Brian A. Miller; based on HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN by Chuck Hustmyre
Stars: Dave Bautista, Amy Smart, Dominic Purcell, Craig Fairbrass, Tim Fields, Jesse Pruett, Joe Ochman and Danny Trejo.
Tagline: They took his badge. He kept the gun.
The Plot…
Ray Shane is an ex-cop and ex-con. Shane did a five year stretch for corruption. Now he’s head of security for the strip club called “The House of the Rising Sun”. The strip club is actually a front for an illegal gambling club. That’s where the real money is made.
One night on Shane’s watch, the club is robbed. Things go from bad to worse when Shane discovers the safe was holding $300,000. That much cash should never have been on hand. Worse still, the club owner’s son is killed during a shootout with the masked thieves.
Both the cops and Ray’s underworld boss consider Ray the prime suspect. The cops are looking for just enough to arrest Ray. His boss needs just a bit more info to place a hit on Ray.
If Ray doesn’t find the real killers soon, it will be too late.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
House of the Rising Sun features Dave Bautista’s first starring role in a feature film. Bautista is backed up by a decent supporting cast for a low-budget crime film: Amy Smart, Dominic Purcell, Craig Fairbrass and Danny Trejo.
The movie had potential but falls short of expectations.
The movie is based on HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN by Chuck Hustmyre. Here’s what Hustmyre said in the paperback release of his novel:
If you’ve seen the low-budget Lionsgate action movie, “House of the Rising Sun”, first let me apologize. I wish I could give you back those wasted ninety minutes of your life. The movie is a TERRIBLE adaptation of my novel. And yes, I wrote the screenplay, but director Brian A. Miller hijacked my original script and turned what could have been a decent neo-noir crime thriller into a godawful mess…
Hustmyre wrote more, but I think you get the gist.
House of the Rising Sun (2011) rates 2 of 5 stars.
