Category: Crime

“Lockdown” Starring Michael Paré & Bai Ling – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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From time to time you hear read me lamenting about the loss of drive-in theaters and the types of movies often shown there.  While drive-ins have gone the way of flip phones, the genre of movies they featured still thrive.  Lockdown starring Michael Paré and Bai Ling is a prime example. For many drive-in movies, the poster is often as good or better than the film.   That may be the case with Lockdown.  At any rate, deal me in.

In this action thriller staring Michael Paré (Gone) and Bai Ling (The Crow), hell on earth erupts as three savage criminals take over a prescinct and hold the police force hostage.

“Bullet Train” Starring Brad Pitt & Directed by David Leitch – The Trailer is Here!

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While I didn’t care for the book, I am looking for Bullet Train starring Brad Pitt and directed by David Leitch.  Check out the trailer and see if you agree.

Getting back on the job is never as easy as you think… especially with the world’s deadliest assassins on board. Take a ride with Brad Pitt in #BulletTrainMovie, exclusively in movie theaters July 15. Visit our site: https://www.bullettrainmovie.com

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An original movie event, Bullet Train is a fun, delirious action-thriller from the director of Deadpool 2, David Leitch. Brad Pitt headlines an ensemble cast of eclectic, diverse assassins – all with connected yet conflicting objectives – set against the backdrop of a non-stop ride through modern-day Japan.

Directed by: David Leitch
Screenplay by: Zak Olkewicz
Based upon the book Maria Beetle by: Kotaro Isaka
Produced by: Kelly McCormick David Leitch Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Benito A Martínez Ocasio.

61 HOURS by Lee Child / Z-View

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61 Hours by Lee Child

Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press; 1st edition (May 18, 2010)

First sentences…

Five minutes to three in the afternoon.  Exactly sixty-one hours before it happened.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Reacher finds himself stranded in the small town of Bolton, South Dakota.  The roads are snowed in and the temperature is well below freezing.  The weather is scheduled to turn even worse with a savage snowstorm bearing down.   The small Bolton police force is on edge and the Chief is in over his head.  They’ve received word a deadly assassin is coming to Bolton to kill a witness (70 year old Janet Salter) they’re protecting.

The clock is ticking and with no help coming, Reacher offers his assistance.  Unknown to Reacher or the police, a vicious drug cartel kingpin and his handpicked hit squad is on the way to Bolton as well.

61 Hours is Jack Reacher’s 14th outing and perhaps his best yet.  Reacher is alone, out of his element dealing with an unknown assassin, a drug cartel hit squad and a handful of police officers unsure of who he can trust.  The tension ratchets up as the clock clicks down.  I loved 61 Hours and rate it 5 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“Code 8” (2019) / Z-View

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Code 8 (2019)

Director:  Jeff Chan

Screenplay:  Chris Pare  (from a story by Jeff Chan)

Starring: Robbie Amell, Stephen Amell and Sung Kang.

Tagline:   Fear is the most dangerous power.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

In the future a small percentage of the population have special powers.  Conner Reed (Robbie Amell) is one of the few.  Because his mother needs an expensive medical procedure, Reed falls in with a group of criminals who have use for Reed’s special abilities.  Will Reed’s special abilities be enough when he has cops and criminals after him?

Code 8 features a pretty straight forward story with ambitious special effects for a low budget film.  This is especially impressive considering that Code 8 was made thanks to crowdfunding dollars! Watch the credits for an amazing list of backers.  Code 8 was a fun ride and earns 3 of 5 stars.

EW Presents “An Oral History of THE SHIELD” is a Must Read for Any Fan of the Show!

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Derek Lawrence at Entertainment Weekly has put together a must-read piece for any fan of The Shield.  An Oral History of The Shield features recollections from Shawn Ryan (series creator), Michael Chiklis, Walton Goggins, Kurt Sutter,  Glenn Close as well as other cast regulars, guest stars, writers, directors, and FX executives.

Take a bow Mr. Lawrence! 

“Catching Killers” Season 2 / Z-View

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Catching Killers: Season 2 (2022)

Produced by :  Simon Dekker and Diana Sole Walko

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Catching Killers is a documentary series focused on the capture of notorious killers as told by the actual investigators who caught them.  There are four episodes in season 2.

Season 2, Episode 1: Bind, Torture, Kill: BTK.  Although I  knew the story of the BTK killer, this episode was exciting and engrossing.  Over the course of nearly two decades the BTK killer violently tortured and then murdered ten people including an entire family of 4.  After the murders BTK w0uld send taunting letters to the media and police describing his kills and threats of more to come,  Despite leaving few clues during his 17 year murder spree, it was a stupid mistake that led to his capture.

Season 2, Episode 2: Thrill Kills: The Phoenix Serial Shooter.  In 2005 through 2006, a pair of serial killers were stalking the streets of Phoenix, Arizona.  These shotgun killers would find people on deserted sidewalks and blast as they drove by.  The final victim count included six fatalities and several dozen people wounded.

Season 2, Episodes 3 & 4: The Toronto Village Killer.  Talk about creepy!  This case involved men who were missing and thought to be the victim of a cannibal killer!  These two episodes produced the most suspense of the series.  The police actually saved a man who was about to become the latest victim.  Unfortunately, there’s a denouncement at the end of the episode that takes a little luster off the capture.

“Murderville” Season 1 (2022) / Z-View

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Murderville: Season 1 (2022)

Directors:  Brennan Shroff (Eps.1 -2); Iain Morris (Eps. 3 – 6)

Teleplay: Marina Cockenberg (Ep.1, 4);  Krister Johnson (Eps. 1 – 2, 4); Kerry O’Neill (Ep. 2); Anna Drezen (Ep. 3); Hannah Levy (Ep. 5); Adriana Robles (Ep. 5); Jack Kukoda (Ep.6)


Starring:  Will Arnett, Haneefah Wood, Lilan Bowden, Phillip Smithey, Conan O’Brien, Marshawn Lynch, Kumail Nanjiani, Annie Murphy, Sharon Stone and Ken Jeong.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Detective Terry Seattle (Arnett) likes to think of himself as rugged, intelligent and capable.  Sadly, he’s not.  In each episode Detective Seattle is teamed with a new guest star who is tasked with solving a murder.  The conceit of the series (and it’s a good one) is that the guest star is never given a script or access to the set until it is time for his/her scene.  If you enjoy improv comedy, you’ll probably like Murderville.

Each episode has a basic framework: Detective Seattle meets his new partner, they’re sent to solve a murder that has three suspects.  After interviewing each potential murderer, everyone is brought together and the guest star has to say who the killer is and the clues that led to that conclusion. Then the actual killer and clues are disclosed.  A cool aspect of the show is that we can play along and see if our suspect is guilty.  I was wrong as often as I was right.

There’s also an overarching mystery that runs throughout the six episodes.  Fifteen years ago, Detective Seattle’s partner (Jennifer Anniston) was murdered.  There were few clues and her murder was never solved,,, (at least until the last episode of the season)!

I enjoyed the mystery aspect as much as the improvisation in each episode.  It was as fun guessing the killer as guessing which actors would break character or try to hide a smile/laugh.  I enjoyed Murderville and hope it gets a second season.  Murderville rates 3 of 5 stars.

KING SUCKERMAN by George Pelecanos

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King Suckerman by George Pelecanos

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1st edition (August 1, 1997)

First sentence…

Wilton Cooper reached for the speaker, counterclockwised the volume.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Dimitri Karras and Marcus Clay are long-time buddies who still hang out and shoot hoops despite the fact that they’re no longer kids. Clay owns a record store and Karras makes a living doing odd jobs and selling a little weed from time to time.  After a session on the courts, Karras has a meeting lined up with Eddie Spags. Spags isn’t his usual source, but Karras’ contact has vouched for Spags.  Clay agrees to tag along.

When they get to the meeting, Spags is finishing up a deal with four strangers.  There’s a bag of money on the table.  Karras and Clay realize the thugs aren’t there for a little pot.  Wilton Cooper, the leader of the four men is an ex-con sociopath with a death wish.  Cooper’s crew consists of Bobby Roy Clagget (on the run after using a shotgun on his boss) and slow-witted brothers, Ronald and Russell Thomas.

Things get tense when Cooper makes a smart remark to Clay and he responds.  One thing leads to another and Clagget starts to bring his shotgun in to play.  Clay quickly disarms him and without thinking grabs the money on the table.  Karras and Clay then make a quick exit.

As they’re driving away, Clay is as shocked as Karras that he took the money.  They’re even more shocked when it turns out to be $20,000.  Clay figures he’ll return the cash once things cool down.  But there’s no cooling down a psycho who wants Karras and Clay dead and has a crew to back him up.

Pelecanos creates a great sense of time and place (Washington, D.C. in 1976).  His characters are authentic and if you’ve read some of his other books will see an overlap with characters from this one.  King Suckerman is another excellent Pelecanos crime novel and rates 4 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“Pieces of Her” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I haven’t read the book, but the poster and trailer have my interest up in Pieces of Her.  Toni Collette is always a plus so…

Deal me in.

What if everything you thought you knew about your life was a lie? Based on the NY Times Bestseller by Karin Slaughter, and from the Producers of Big Little Lies and The Undoing, Toni Collette and Bella Heathcote star in the new edge-of-your-seat thriller series, Pieces of Her.

“The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil” / Z-View

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The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019)

Director:  Won-Tae Lee

Screenplay: Won-Tae Lee

Starring:  Ma Dong-seok, Mu-Yeol Kim  and Kim Sungkyu.

Tagline:  Don’t let the devil win.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

A gangster, after barely surviving a brutal attack, reluctantly joins forces with the one cop who believes a serial killer is active in the area.  The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil is a stylish, violent tale written and directed by Won-Tae Lee.  The charismatic, Ma Dong-seok (of Train to Busan fame) plays the gangster and was one of the reasons I wanted to check out the film. The fact that Sylvester Stallone optioned the rights for an American reboot with Ma Dong-seok returning was another.

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil was a fun ride.  Ma Dong-seok is already on my stars to watch list.  I’m going to add writer./director Won-Tae Lee as well.    The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Kimi” (2022) / Z-View

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Kimi (2021)

Director:  Steven Soderbergh

Screenplay:  David Koepp

Starring:  Zoë Kravitz, Byron Bowers, Devin Ratray  and Rita Wilson.

Tagline:  She’s not the only one listening.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Angela Childs (Kravitz) suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has shaped her life so she never has to leave her apartment.  In her job as a voice-stream analyzer for a new tech company, Childs reviews an audio file that appears to have recorded a murder.  Childs brings the file to her supervisor’s attention.  She is told to erase the file and forget she ever heard it.  Child’s refuses and becomes the target of killers.

Kimi starts out as a mash-up of Rear Window and Blowout, but quickly morphs into something very different. Koepp’s script under Soderberg’s direction keeps things interesting and moving.  Kravitz is excellent as Angela Childs.  I’d even go so far as to say Kravitz nailed it. ; )  Kudos for how the ending was handled.

Kimi was a fun ride that I will probably revisit.  It rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Power of the Dog” / Z-View

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The Power of the Dog (2021)

Director:  Jane Campion

Screenplay: Jane Campion based on the novel by Thomas Savage

Starring:  Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee  and Keith Carradine.

Tagline:  What it means to be a man.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

It’s 1923 and brothers Phil (Cumberbatch) and George (Plemons) share a large cattle ranch on the Montana frontier.  The brothers work well together, but are as different as night and day.  George speaks and dresses like a well-educated man (which he is).  Phil comes across like a roughneck alpha male cowboy who is quick to make fun of those not up to his manly standards.

Phil doesn’t like it when George suddenly marries and brings his new wife, Rose (Dunst), home to the ranch.  Phil likes it even less when Rose’s college-age son, Peter (Smit-McPhee) shows up for the summer.  Peter is a sensitive, effeminate young man and an easy target for Phil.

Things take a turn when Peter discovers a long held secret of Phil’s.  Suddenly Phil wants to help Peter become more of a cowboy… but Phil could have an ulterior motive.

The Power of the Dog is held together by strong acting and direction that pull the viewer in.  I love how we’re led down a path where we think one of two things are going to happen and suddenly the film comes to an unexpected (but logical) ending.  For me, The Power of the Dog earned 4 of 5 stars.

“Reacher: Season 1” / Z-View

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Reacher: Season 1 (2022)

Directors: Thomas Vincent (Ep.1); Sam Hill (Ep. 2); Stephen Surjik (Ep. 3); Christine Moore (Ep.4); Norberto Barba (Ep. 5); Omar Madha (Ep. 6); Lin Oeding (Ep. 7); M.J. Bassett (Ep. 8)

Teleplay: Nick Santora (Showrunner, Executive Producer, Writer); Cait Duffy (Eps. 1 – 8); Aadrita Mukerji (Eps. 1, 3, 6); Scott Sullivan (Ep. 3, 5, 7);  Season 1 based on Lee Child‘s novel The Killing Floor.

Starring:  Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald, Maria Sten, Chris Webster, Bruce McGill and Willie C. Carpenter.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Jack Reacher, an ex-Military Police Investigator, arrives in the small town of Margrove and is immediately arrested for a murder he didn’t commit.  Getting cleared of the charges shouldn’t be a problem.  Getting out of Margrove alive could be.  Corrupt cops, a crooked politician and a rich backer want Reacher dead before he can piece together the puzzle of it all.

If you’re a fan of Lee Child’s Reacher series, you’re going to love this adaptation.  If you haven’t read the novels, but are a fan of thoughtful action thrillers, you’ll still enjoy the series.

Alan Ritchson plays Reacher and he’s physically right for the part.  Reacher is a 6’5″ inch monster of a man.  The books play up Reacher’s size/strength and with Ritchson in the role this adaption does as well.  But Reacher is the opposite of big and stupid — he pays attention to details, has an analytical mind and doesn’t suffer fools.  Ritchson is perfect as Reacher.

The other parts are also well cast and acted.   Malcolm Goodwin is the straight-arrow cop with a secret in his past.  Willa Fitzgerald is as much a partner in resolving the crime as she is a love interest for Reacher.  Maria Sten plays Frances Neagley.  I loved her character and hope we haven’t seen the last of her.

Reacher is lightning in a bottle.  It’s one of those rare shows that everyone seems to love.  Reacher currently has an 8.5 rating at IMDb.com.  6 of the 8 episodes have an 8.6 or higher rating.  The other two episodes are rated 8.4 and 8.5.  At Rotten Tomatoes, Reacher is rated at 88%!  As for me, I give Reacher: Season 1,  5 of 5 stars.