Category: Crime

The Killer Collective by Barry Eisler / Z-View

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The Killer Collective by Barry Eisler

Hardcover: 401 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

First sentence…

That was the dirty little secret of 9/11, he thought.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

When sex crimes detective, Livia Lone uncovers a child pornography ring with ties to government officials and a cover-up by the FBI, she becomes a target.  Barely avoiding assassination by a two person hit team, Lone reaches out to Dox, a mercenary and former Marine sniper.  When a second attack on Livia is thwarted, Dox contacts his former team:  John Rain, Rain’s ex-lover Delilah, black ops soldiers Ben Treven, Daniel Larison, and Colonel Scot “Hort” Horton.

Eisler is not only an excellent writer but his experience in a covert position for the CIA and black belt in judo provide authenticity to the action scenes.  He’s especially good at bringing out the underlying tension when a group of mercenaries are brought together under circumstances where any one (or more of them) may be secretly part of the group they are working to bring down.

The Killer Collective is an intelligent action novel that entertains.

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Quentin Tarantino Takes a Second Look at “Escape from Alcatraz”

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Quentin Tarantino’s first line had me hooked…

Escape from Alcatraz, a film I didn’t like when it came out…

Why was Tarantino writing about a film he didn’t like?  Sure, it starred Clint Eastwood and was directed by Don Siegel, but Tarantino didn’t like it and it wasn’t one of my favorite Eastwood films either.

Ah, but when Tarantino revisited it a few years ago, he gained a greater appreciation for it.

Ok Quentin, tell me more.

And he does in his overview of Escape from Alcatraz.  If you click over and read it, you’ll not only get the backstory of Escape from Alcatraz, you’ll also learn about the connection to Charles Bronson, Burt Reynolds and more.  It’s an interesting read and has made me want to re-visit Eastwood in Escape from Alcatraz.  Maybe I’ll like it as much on review as Quentin Tarantino.

“Cop Land” Gets the Cinephilia Treatment!

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Cop Land features one of Sylvester Stallone’s finest performances.  Written and directed by James Mangold, Cop Land is a modern day western and Mangold knew that it’s success hinged on the actor cast as Freddy Heflin.

Stallone wanted the role despite the fact that Mangold had zero interest in him.  Mangold explained to Stallone all of the reasons he was wrong for the role.  Stallone persisted and promised that none of Mangold’s concerns would become reality.

Stallone earned the role and Mangold got his Freddy Heflin.  Cop Land surprised critics who’d forgotten or doubted Stallone’s acting chops.

You’re Gonna Be Redeemed: The Jersey Noir and Western Fable of James Mangold’s Cop Land by Travis Woods at  Cinephilia and Beyond  provides

  • Travis Woods’ back story of Cop Land
  • Cop Land screenplay
  • Cop Land: The Making of an Urban Western
  • Rare behind-the-scenes photos
  • and much more!

CZ Suggests: Frank Miller Presents Tales from Sin City

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Check out Bill Sienkiewicz‘s Sin City art!  I sure wish Frank Miller would create more Sin City yarns.

If he doesn’t have time to write and draw ’em, he could write and turn the art chores over to another artist.  Or, maybe have guest artists and writers.  How cool would that be?

I get that Sin City is Miller’s baby but, man, the thought of a Frank Miller Presents Tales from Sin City featuring Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips, Dan Panosian, Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso, Mike Zeck & John Beatty, Phill Hester… well, you get the idea.

C’mon, Mr. Miller!  What do you think?

Tom Reilly and The Boxer!

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I’d never seen Tom Reilly’s art until last week when I learned…

Tom Reilly is an artist from Mount Desert Island, Maine. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, with a BFA in Illustration. Tom’s work has been included in exhibits such as the Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Exhibition, the Rhode Island School of Design Illustration Triennial Exhibition, and the 2017 MoCCA Arts Festival. Tom is also an Eagle Scout, and his dad keeps telling him to let people know this, because it might get him a job one day.

I really liked the art Tom had created for what looked to be a series called The Boxer.  I reached out to find out where I could purchase the comic/graphic novel only to learn there wasn’t one. (There should be!)

If so inclined, you can check out more of Tom’s art and follow him on Twitter.

All the Way Down by Eric Beetner / Z-View

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All the Way Down by Eric Beetner

TPB: 276 pages
Publisher: Down and Out Books

First sentence…

As Dale rode up in the elevator he thought, This is it, they know everything.  I’m fired and then off to jail.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Dale is a crooked cop who gets a chance at redemption if he can save the mayor’s daughter, Lauren. She’s being held captive in an abandoned building by a local gang.  Being on the gang leader’s payroll will get Dale in the building and to the top floor where Lauren is being held.  It will take a miracle and a lot of people dying for Dale and Lauren to get out alive.

All the Way Down, reads like a cross between Game of Death, Die Hard and The Raid: Redemption.  It’s an action-packed page-turner as Dale and Lauren work their way down, floor-to-floor meeting different folks out to kill them.  To complicate matters, thanks to Dale’s efforts, his wife is now in the crosshairs of gang members who want her dead… and does the Mayor really want Lauren brought out alive?

I’m a big Eric Beetner fan and All the Way Down doesn’t disappoint.

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The “Dark Side of the Ring” Trailer is Here!

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The Dark Side of the Ring is a 6 episode series airing on Viceland and premieres April 10th.

From backstage controversies to mysterious deaths and unsolved homicides, this series explores the darkest stories from the golden age of professional wrestling, and tries to find truth at the intersection of fantasy and reality. From backstage controversies to mysterious deaths and unsolved homicides, this series explores the darkest stories from the golden age of professional wrestling, and tries to find truth at the intersection of fantasy and reality.