Category: Crime

“Detective Story” (1951) directed by William Wyler; starring Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix and introducing Lee Grant / Z-View

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Detective Story (1951)

Director:  William Wyler

Screenplay: Robert Wyler, Philip Yordan based on Detective Story (1949 play) by Sidney Kingsley

Stars: Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O’Donnell, George Macready, Horace McMahon, Gladys George, Lee Grant, Gerald Mohr, Frank Faylen, Michael Strong, Luis Van Rooten, Bert Freed, Warner Anderson, Grandon Rhodes  and Joseph Wiseman.

Tagline: The love story of a man whose wife was more woman than angel!

The Plot…

New York City Detective Jim McLeod has no tolerance for law-breakers.  McLeod’s dad was one and it literally drove McLeod’s mother insane.  McLeod’s tough on everyone.  Everyone except his beautiful wife, Mary.

One night, as other cops work their cases in the station house, McLeod has a breakthrough.  The other officers are dealing with shoplifters, burglars and even a potential psycho-rapist.  McLeod has been working a case involving Dr. Karl Schneider.  Schneider is a black market doctor who is responsible for at least one death.

Dr. Schneider’s lawyer warns McLeod to back off or else.  McLeod refuses.  He doesn’t know what the lawyer’s threats hold.  But he’s going to find out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Detective Story was nominated for four 1952 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay – Philip Yordan, Robert Wyler
  • Nominee for Best Director – William Wyler
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Lee Grant
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Eleanor Parker

In the original play, Dr. Schneider’s crimes were explicitly stated.  Due to Film Production Codes, in Detective Story they code only be hinted at.  Audiences could read between the lines.

Detective Story features Lee Grant’s film debut and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance!

Detective Story is one of the best play adaptations I’ve ever seen.  Lee Grant is superb. William Bendix is always awesome.  Kirk Douglas was the perfect choice to play the hard-nosed Detective McLeod.

Detective Story (1951) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Task” Season One (2025) starring Mark Ruffalo / Z-View

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“Task: Season 1” (2017)

Created by: Brad Ingelsby

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1-3; 7) Brad Ingelsby
  • (ep. 4-6) Brad Ingelsby; story by  Brad Ingelsby & Dave Obzud

Directed by:

  • Jeremiah Zagar (eps. 1-2; 5; 7)
  • Salli Richardson Whitfield (eps. 3-4; 6)

Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, Thuso Mbedu, Silvia Dionicio, Ben Lewis Doherty, Tom Pelphrey, Alison Oliver, Sam Keeley, Martha Plimpton, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Raúl Castillo and Jamie McShane.

Tagline: Every force has its equal.

The Plot…

Tom Brandis hasn’t fully recovered from his wife’s murder at the hands of their adopted son. When a series of violent drug house robberies continue, Tom is called back to duty. Tom will lead a cross-agency task force made up of county Detective Anthony Grasso, State Trooper Lizzie Stover and city detective Aleah Clinton.  What Brandis doesn’t know is there is a traitor among them.

The drug houses taken down are run by the Dark Hearts biker gang.  The Dark Hearts are notorious for their brutality. Perry Dorazo, the Dark Hearts Chapter President is getting heat because of the robberies.  Dorazo wants the thieves caught so he can make an example of them.

Unknown to either Brandis’ task force or the Dark Hearts, the robberies are the work of Robbie Prendergrast and his friend Cliff Broward. Robbie’s wife left him a year ago. Before he started the robberies.  Robbie needs the cash to support his two young children as well as his dead brother’s daughter. Robbie and Cliff aren’t criminal masterminds.  They’ve been lucky with inside information.

Then their luck runs out.

During a drug house robbery, an unexpected biker shows up.  A gunfight ensues.  Robbie and Cliff survive.  A friend they brought along to assist is killed.  So are three Dark Hearts.  Robbie and Cliff are about to leave with the cash when the young son of one of the murdered bikers walks in.  Refusing to kill a child, they take the kid, the drugs and the cash.

The murders and kidnapping are all over the news.  The heat is on Brandis’ task force to resolve the case.  The Dark Hearts have made finding Robbie and Cliff top priority.  Robbie and Cliff know their time is running out.  They need to fence the drugs.  They’ll then use the cash to get far away with the kids.

It’s now a race.  Will Robbie and Cliff escape?  If they Dark Hearts get to them first, they will suffer a slow tortuous death.  If the task force captures them, it’ll be prison and the Dark Hearts will still get to them.

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Task is well done.  It’s got interesting subplots and twists that will keep the viewer on edge.

Mark Ruffalo has never been better.  Jamie McShane is always excellent.

I look forward to season 2.

“Task: Season 1” (2025) earns 4 of 5 stars.

Sly Stallone as Freddy Hefflin from “Cop Land” by Rich Hennemann!

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Rich Hennemann is an amazing freelance artist. A few years ago I picked up his sketchbook and a sketch and I was hooked. Since then I’ve gotten several sketches from Rich.

Heading in to October each year, Rich takes sketch suggestions.  He then picks one a day to draw.  The person who suggested the piece has first dibs. I sugested Sly Stallone from Cop Land and it was picked for the 20th.  Of course I purchased the piece. I couldn’t be more pleased.  There will be more art from Rich in my future.  If you’re a sketch collector, you owe it to yourself to get a piece as well.

“The Killing” Alt Poster by Rich Davies!

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When folks talk about the great films of Stanley Kubrick, one that doesn’t get mentioned enough is The Killing.  It’s not only one of my favorite Kubrick movies, it’s one of my all-time favorites.

The Killing is also a favorite of Rich Davies.   Davies created the very cool alt poster above.  It also comes in a color variant, but I prefer the mono one myself.  You can check out more of Davies’ art here.

“Play Dirty” written/directed by Shane Black; starring Mark Wahlberg and Lakeith Standfield / Z-View

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Play Dirty (2025)

Director:  Shane Black

Screenplay: Shane Black, Charles Mondry, Anthony Bagarozzi; based on the PARKER novels by Richard Stark

Stars: Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key, Chukwudi Iwuji, Gretchen Mol, Tony Shalhoub, Hemky Madera, Alejandro Edda, Claire Lovering and Thomas Jane.

Tagline: Even robbers get robbed.

The Plot…

Parker is a professional thief.  He was part of a crew that robbed a horse track count room.  The heist went sideways, but they got away with the cash.  At the hideout as Parker and the team are getting ready to divide the loot, Zen, the getaway driver betrays them.  She shoots them all and makes off with the dough.

Parker, left for dead, survives.  Once he recovers he makes it his mission in life to track down Zen, get the money back and take her life.  It won’t be easy.  Especially when Parker decides to also rob a crime syndicate known as the Outfit.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film was originally supposed to reteam Robert Downey, Jr. and writer/director Shane Black.  They had worked together before on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.  When Downey dropped out, Mark Wahlberg was chosen to replace him.

Play Dirty is the fifth movie adaptation of Richard Stark’s Parker character.  The other films are: Point Blank (1967) starring Lee Marvin; The Outfit (1973) starring Robert Duvall; Payback (1999) starring Mel Gibson; Parker (2013) starring Jason Statham and now Play Dirty starring Mark Wahlberg.

Play Dirty is okay, but your time would be better served watching one of the other Parker adaptations.

Play Dirty (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Untamed” (2025) starring Eric Bana / Z-View

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“Untamed” (2025)

Created by: Mark L. Smith & Elle Smith

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1-6) Mark L. Smith & Elle Smith

Directed by:

  • Thomas Bezucha (eps. 1-2)
  • Nick Murphy  (eps. 3-4)
  • Neasa Hardiman (eps. 5-6)

Stars: Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lily Santiago, Wilson Bethel, Josh Randall, Joe Holt, Iris Quinn, Jonathan Whitesell, J.D. Pardo and Raoul Max Trujillo.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Kyle Turner, a Special Agent for the National Parks Investigative Services Branch is called to look into the death of a woman who fell or was thrown off El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.  Turner’s head is in a bad space.  He’s still dealing with his divorce caused by a tragedy involving his young son.  Although good at his job, Turner’s social skills have suffered since the incident.  So his pairing with a rookie on the murder investigation is the last thing he wanted.

Or so he thought.

The clues in the murder lead to the possibility of a serial killer working in Yosemite and an unsolved case that has tormented Turner for years.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lily Santiago is excellent in her role as the rookie investigator.  J.D. Pardo shows up in a small but impactful part.

Kudos to Eric Bana for playing a character who is often a jerk because of how he’s dealing with a personal tragedy.  Most stars would want their character to be more likeable.

I enjoyed Untamed and look forward to season 2.

“Untamed” (2025) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“A Single Shot” (2013) starring Sam Rockwell, Jeffrey Wright, Kelly Reilly, Jason Isaacs & Willam H. Macy / Z-View

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A Single Shot (2013)

Director:  David M. Rosenthal

Screenplay: Matthew F. Jones; based on A SINGLE SHOT by Matthew F. Jones

Stars: Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy, Kelly Reilly, Jason Isaacs, Joe Anderson, Jeffrey Wright, Ophelia Lovibond, Amy Sloan, W. Earl Brown, David Flannery, A.C. Peterson and Ted Levine.

Tagline: One mistake.  One secret.  One chance.

The Plot…

John Moon has lost a lot.  First it was the family farm.  Then his wife and child.  His work at the factory doesn’t pay enough.  Times are tough.

It’s not hunting season, but John decides to risk it. He needs the meat.  John hikes deep into the woods.  He spots a big stag and takes a shot.  The wounded beast runs off.  John doesn’t want the buck to suffer and tracks it.  Deeper in the woods, John bends down to check the trail.  He hears movement and looks up to see a flash of brown and white.  John fires and hears the animal fall.

John pushes through the brush to where he heard the animal fall.  It’s a young woman.  She’s dead.  Killed by John. John considers his options.  Turning himself in won’t change anything for the girl.  It’ll destroy his family.  And put him in prison.  Why was she out here anyway?

John decides to bury her.  He looks around for a spot and John discovers a box full of money.

John makes another decision.  It’s an easier one.  He takes the money. Then does his best to remove any evidence he was there.  Finished, John hikes out.

John is paranoid as the days pass.  Bad men have a way of finding what’s theirs.  And soon they will.

Then they will come for it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Both the novel and movie are worth a look.

William H. Macy and Jeffrey Wright are always good.

A Single Shot (2013) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Public Enemies” (2009) directed by Michael Mann; starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard / Z-View

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Public Enemies (2009)

Director:  Michael Mann

Screenplay: Ronan Bennett, Ann Biderman, Michael Mann; based on PUBLIC ENEMIES: AMERICA’S GREATEST CRIME WAVE AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI, 1933–34 by Bryan Burrough

Stars: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Christian Stolte, Jason Clarke, Stephen Graham, David Wenham, John Judd, Stephen Dorff, James Russo, Giovanni Ribisi, Wesley Walker, Channing Tatum, Casey Siemaszko, Billy Crudup, Domenick Lombardozzi, Don Frye and Stephen Lang.

Tagline: America’s Most Wanted

The Plot…

1933.  The Great Depression is raging.  Gangsters such as John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and others have been robbing banks with impunity.  Despite killing cops and the occassional bystander, these criminals are becoming folk heroes.  J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI has ordered Agent Melvin Purvis to put together a task force.  Purvis’ orders are to bring in these gangsters dead or alive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Public Enemies isn’t a documentary, it is very close to the real life stories.

Michael Mann filmed John Dillinger’s famous escape from Crown Point Jail at the real jail.  Although it had been turned into a historical museum, it was redressed along with the store fronts on the square to how they would’ve appeared in 1933. Mann also filmed the Little Bohemia shoot-out at the real lodge and in the same room Dillinger stayed in.

During a getaway scene Johnny Depp drives a 1932 Studebaker that was actually used by Dillinger as a getaway car following a bank robbery in Greencastle, Indiana. The car was on loan from an auto museum.

Public Enemies (2009) rates 4 of 5 stars.

RIGHTEOUS TRASH by Nick Kolakowski!

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I just ordered a copy of RIGHTEOUS TRASH by Nick Kolakowski.  Here’s the lowdown…

Jake Halligan tried living the quiet life.

After years of war and crime, Jake has settled down with his wife and daughter in rural Idaho. But in a country that pushes people to the brink, Jake soon makes a bet to get ahead that will have disastrous consequences.

Spurred by his sister Frankie, the West’s most dangerous arms dealer, Jake is pulled into a chaotic conspiracy that involves a pregnant teenager, gangs of gun-toting thugs, a wetwork specialist from New Orleans, high-powered politicos, and a backwoods shooting competition just begging to be robbed.

Jake Halligan tried living the quiet life, but when the bullets start flying and everything he knows is at risk, he’ll have to decide who he really is and what he really wants. The wrong choice might kill him and everyone he cares about.

Kolakowski’s tales always entertain and I expect RIGHTEOUS TRASH to be no different.  If it sounds like something you’d enjoy, you know what to do.

RIGHTEOUS TRASH paperback

RIGHTEOUS TRASH Kindle

“Crime 101” starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Crime 101 starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

He’s about to break every rule he’s ever lived by.

Watch the trailer for #Crime101 now, starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry. See the movie only in theaters February 13.

Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose high-stakes heists unfolding along the iconic 101 freeway have mystified police.

When he eyes the score of a lifetime with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads, forcing the two to collaborate.

Determined to crack the case, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher. As the multimillion-dollar heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are forced to confront the cost of their choices–and the realization that there’s 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.