Category: Crime

“Normal” starring Bob Odenkirk, Lena Heady and Henry Winkler – The Teaser Trailer is Here!

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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) / Z-View

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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) starring Sylvester Stallone / Z-View

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Tulsa King: Season 3 (2025)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan

Directors:

  • Jim McKay (Eps. 1-2; 9-10)
  • Kevin Dowling (Eps. 3-4)
  • Joe Chappelle  (Eps. 5-6)
  • Guy Ferland (Eps. 7-8)

Teleplay:

  • (Ep. 1) Dave Erickson and Sylvester Stallone
  • (Ep. 2) Sheri Elwood
  • (Ep. 3) Jameel Saleem
  • (Ep. 4) Taylor Streitz
  • (Ep. 5) Ildy Modrovich and Sylvester Stallone
  • (Ep. 6) Joseph Riccobene
  • (Ep. 7) Daniel C. Connolly
  • (Ep. 8) Nick Jones Jr. & Sylvester Stallone
  • (Ep. 9) Daniel C. Connolly & Ildy Modrovich; story by Dave Erickson & Daniel C. Connolly & Ildy Modrovich 
  • (Ep. 10) Dave Erickson & Sylvester Stallone

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…

  • Agent Musso of the FBI has a personal vendetta and plans to use Dwight Manfredi to resolve it.  If Dwight doesn’t play along, his entire crew will be arrested for the crimes they’ve committed.

 

  • Quiet Ray Renzetti, a senior New York crime boss is pressuring Dwight for a piece of everything that Dwight has going.

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!

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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.

“The Silent Hour” (2024) starring Joel Kinnaman, Sandra Mae Frank, Mekhi Phifer and Mark Strong / Z-View

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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) written & directed by Jesse V. Johnson, starring Thomas Jane / Z-View

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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” directed by Brian A. Miller, starring Dave Bautista, Amy Smart, Danny Trejo, Dominic Purcell and Craig Fairbass / Z-View

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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.

“Eeinie Meanie” (2025) written & directed by Shawn Simmons, starring Samara Weaving, Karl Glusman and Andy Garcia / Z-View

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Eeinie Meanie (2025)

Director: Shawn Simmons

Screenplay: Shawn Simmons

Stars: Samara Weaving, Karl Glusman, Andy Garcia, Jermaine Fowler, Marshawn Lynch, Randall Park, Mike O’Malley, Elle Graham, Kyanna Simone, Chris Bauer, Chelsey Crisp, Phuong Kubacki, Tim Neff and Steve Zahn.

Tagline:  She can get away from anything. Except him.

The Plot…

Edie Meaney had a rough childhood.  When she was 14 her drunk, drug-abusing parents had her driving them home.  When a cop pulled Edie over, her dad ordered her to speed away.  She did and a high speed chase was on.  Edie crashed.  The wreck killed her mom and left her dad a paraplegic.

Edie spent the rest of her teen years in one terrible foster home after another.  Finally on her own as a young woman, Edie fell in love with John.  John was a small time hood who worked for a crime boss named Nico.  Nico planned robberies.  John did them and Edie drove the getaway car.  It was Nico who nicknamed Edie, Eeeny Meanie.

Edie finally came to her senses.  She realized her life could only end in jail or dead if she didn’t change.  So she did.  A few months ago she left John and a life of crime behind.  She got a job at a bank to put herself through college.  Things were finally off to a good (and legitimate) start.

Then Edie discovers she’s pregnant.

The baby is John’s.  So she decides to let him know.  That’s when she learns John owes Nico a lot of money.  Enough to get him killed.  Of course if Edie will drive getaway on a big score, Nico will forgive the debt… and save John’s life will be saved.

Buckle up!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

The framework for Eenie Meanie is well known but there are twists to keep it interesting.

Andy Garcia is having a great second career as THE bad guy.

Eeinie Meanie (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Burt Reynolds’ Best Movies

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Rob Hunter at /Film came up with his list of Burt Reynolds Best Movies.  I decided to play along and came up with my list as well.  Before (or after) you click over to read Hunter’s rationale for his choices, you can (if you’re so inclined) read my thoughts below.

Burt Reynolds Best Movies

Hunter

Zablo
01. Deliverance

01. Smokey and the Bandit

02. Smokey and the Bandit

02. Sharky’s Machine

03. Hooper

03. Longest Yard, The

04. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

04. Hooper

05. The Longest Yard

05. The Last Movie Star
06. White Lightning

06. Driven
07. Fade In

07. Man Who Loved Cat Dancing, The

08. Hustle

08. Malone
09. Heat

09. Heat
10. Sharky’s Machine

10. Deliverance
11. Navajo Joe

11. End, The

12. The End

12. W.W. And the Dixie Dance Kings

There are three films on Hunter’s list that I haven’t seen: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Fade In and Navajo Joe.

Now the rationale for my choices…

12.  WW and the Dixie Dance Kings – this is kind of a sentimental choice.  My mom and dad were divorced and we had moved out of state.  Dad was down visiting and took us to see the film.  Dad wasn’t a movie guy, but he enjoyed Burt Reynolds.  Great memories, even if the movie isn’t.

11.  The End – I thought this was really funny when I saw it during its theatrical release.  Re-visited it years later and was surprised it didn’t hold up as well.  The movie takes off once Dom DeLuise shows up.  Wish he made his appearance sooner.

10. Deliverance – Arguably it features Burt Reynolds best acting of his career.  The movie has one of my favorite Reynolds’ scenes – when Ned Beatty is getting molested and the camera cuts to Reynolds ready to shoot an arrow.  It would rate higher if the movie was one I liked to revisit.

09.  Heat – A serviceable action picture with Reynolds as a bodyguard whose dream stays out of reach because of his behaviors.

08.  Malone – Made the year before Heat, and about the same quality.  Reynolds is ex-CIA who helps a family survive small town corruption.

07.  The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing – Burt Reynolds is joined by Sarah Miles,  Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, George Hamilton, Bo Hopkins and Jay Silverheels (!) in a western.  I thought the Reynolds character was so cool!  (Hey! I was in 8th grade.)

06.  Driven – I’d always hoped to see Burt Reynolds and Sly Stallone co-starring in a movie.  While it wasn’t the action-fest that could/should have happened earlier in both stars’ careers, they did get to share the screen.

05.  The Last Movie Star – Made at the very end of Reynolds’ career.  I believe it to feature his best performance.  I wish more people would see this film.

04.  Hooper – Reynolds plays an aging stunt man.  He’s joined by Sally Field, Jan-Michael Vincent, Brian Keith, Hal Needham, Adam West and even Terry Bradshaw.  I saw it twice during it’s theatrical run.  Good times.

03.  The Longest Yard (1974) – Although Reynolds appeared in the Adam Sandler remake, the original is the one to see!  I first saw this with our 10th grade football team. Our coach arranged for us to go see it as a team.  What a perfect film for a tenth grader.  We started calling ourselves “Mean Machine” and it must have worked.  We were county champs that year.  Great memories and the film holds up still.

02.  Sharky’s Machine – I love this film.  I hoped that we’d see some sequels with Reynolds continuing to direct and star.  It wasn’t to be, but at least we have this gem. Oh, and what a great soundtrack!

01.  Smokey and the Bandit – Jackie Gleason, Sally Field, and the black Trans Am!  I love this film.  You can see the joy that they had making it.  My brother-in-law (RIP) could do a great Bufford T. Justice impersonation.  Great memories.