Category: Crime

“Fallen” (1998) starring Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland & James Gandolfini / Z-View

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Fallen (1998)

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Screenplay:  Nicholas Kazan

Stars:  Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz, James Gandolfini, Elias Koteas, Robert Joy.

Tagline: Don’t trust a soul.

The Plot…

Detective John Hobbes is surprised to find serial killer Edgar Reese is so cheerful when he is about to be executed.  Reese shows no remorse as he taunts the witnesses and sings “Time is On My Side” as justice is served.

Following Reese’s execution, a new series of murders occur.  The killer uses the same methods as Reese.  Detective Hobbes and his partner Jonesy believe a copycat is at play.  As they investigate the new murders, friends and strangers begin to say and do strange things around Hobbes.  It is almost as if they are taunting him.  It is especially disconcerting to hear them sing “Time is on my side”.

Then Hobbes discovers an occult connection to Reese.  Could it be possible that a demon took possession of the humans behind the murders?  If true, this demon can transfer from one body to another simply by touch.  Hobbes cannot believe that a supernatural force, a demon, could be involved.

Then the demon makes it’s presence known.

Hobbes is at a loss.  How do you defeat a demon that can possess anyone around you?  One thing is for sure… he can’t trust a soul.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Fallen is better than I thought it would be.  Much of that credit goes to the cast — especially Denzel Washington, John Goodman and James Gandolfini.

Other taglines for the film include:

  • I ALMOST died… – this  is a good one, but only makes real sense after seeing the movie.
  • Detective John Hobbes is searching for a criminal he’s already met… already caught… and already killed – is a bit too spot on and long
  • Time is on my side…. – is perhaps my favorite (along with the one on the poster I used).

Fallen (1998) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Lethal Weapon 2” directed by Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson & Danny Glover / Z-View

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Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

Director: Richard Donner

Screenplay:  Jeffrey Boam; story by Shane Black, Warren Murphy; based on characters created by Shane Black

Stars: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O’Connor, Patsy Kensit, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Steve Kahan, Mark Rolston, Jeanette Goldstein, Nester Serrano, Grand L. Bush and Dean Norris.

Tagline: The magic is back!

The Plot…

LA Detective Martin Riggs and his partner, Detective Murtaugh are tasked with keeping Leo Getz alive long enough to testify in a federal case.  When an attempt is made on Getz’s life, Riggs and Murtaugh discover that Arjen Rudd, a South African diplomat, has put together a crime organization using “diplomatic immunity” to further his enterprise.

Without hard evidence Riggs and Murtaugh can’t move forward with an arrest.  When Arjen Rudd discovers that Riggs and Murtaugh are inquiring about him, Rudd uses his politcal influence to get them ordered to back off.

Any bets on if that will happen?

The magic is back!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lethal Weapon 2 was nominated for one Academy Award for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Robert G. Henderson, Alan Robert Murray

Lethal Weapon 2 earned more money at the box office than the original film which is unusal for a sequel.

Shane Black’s original script for Lethal Weapon 2 was a much darker and more action-oriented film than what was made.  In the end of Black’s script Riggs is killed saving Murtaugh.  The studios wanted Riggs to live because they wanted more sequels.  So Jeffrey Boam was brought in to write the screenplay.

Lethal Weapon 2 features a reunion of sorts – Jenette Goldstein (Meagan Shapiro) and Mark Rolston (Hans) also appeared in Aliens (1986), as Vasquez and Drake.

Joe Pesci is perfect as Leo Getz.

Lethal Weapon 2 leans much more into comedy than the original.

Lethal Weapon (1987) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Mobland” Season 2 starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Hellen Mirren – The Trailer is Here!

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Season 1 was awesome.  From the looks of the trailer for Mobland Season 2, looks like we’re in for more of the same.

Deal me in.

Season 2 of MobLand premieres September 18 only on Paramount+.

The Harrigans struggle to show a unified front as rising rivals threaten their criminal empire. Harry Da Souza, their street-smart and formidable ‘fixer’, must walk a dangerous tightrope when tensions within the family intensify. As violence spills into every corner of their lives, loyalties snap, safety proves temporary and the battle for power leaves no room for mercy.

WISDOM CORNER by David Heska Wanbli Weiden / Z-View

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WISDOM CORNER by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

First sentence…

I surveyed the wreckage around Wisdom Corner.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Virgil Wounded Horse wants to walk a different path.  He’s given up drinking.  He’s given up violence.  He no longer works as the reservation’s paid vigilante.

When a members of the Pine Ridge 705 gang make a move to take-over Pudge Iron Shell’s business, Virgil agrees to attend a meeting to reason with the thugs and get them to move on.

The meeting goes sideways.  One of the goons charges Virgil.  Virgil answers by giving the hood a disfiguring injury.  Virgil and Pudge escape.

Now the stakes are raised.

Virgil knows that the 705 bangers will respond.  He can handle himself, but what if they target his family and friends?

When Benny Many Wounds, a respected Rosebud Lakota medicine man, elder, and good friend of Virgil’s is murdered, Virgil suspects the Pine Ridge 705 gang is responsible.

And they may be.

Virgil has to be sure.  Soon there are several suspects.

  • The 705 crew.  Benny was an outspoken leader on the reservation.  Killing Benny would send a strong message that 705 gang was here.
  • Mitch Gagnon and land developers.  Gagnon has big political aspirations and is backed by developers looking to build on sacred land.  Benny was an outspoken opponent.
  • A mysterious hacker who has been leaking documents that tie the reservation’s leadership (including Benny) to covering up atrocities.  Perhaps the hacker took things to another level.

Virgil seeks justice for Benny’s death.  Whether the 705 gang are behind Benny’s death or not, Virgil knows they have unfinished business.  Violence has found Virgil Wounded Horse… and now he welcomes it.

+++

Rating:

“House of Numbers” (1957) starring Jack Palance / Z-View

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House of Numbers (1957)

Director: Russell Rouse

Screenplay:  Don Mankiewicz, Russell Rouse; based on HOUSE OF NUMBERS by Jack Finey.

Stars:  Jack Palance, Harold J. Stone, Barbara Lang, Edward Platt and Timothy Carey.

Tagline: The Most Fascinating Puzzle a Man Ever Faced…and his love depended on the solution!

The Plot…

Arnie Judlow is serving a life sentence for murder.  When Arnie throws a guard over the third floor railing during an altercation, he realizes he may get the gas chamber.  Authorities are waiting to see if the guard recovers or dies.

Arnie comes up with a daring plan.  There is a construction area in the prison. It is off limits to prisoners. Guards just make casual checks there.  Arnie realizes if he can get into the construction zone overnight, he could do “something” that would get him over-the-wall.  The only problem is that during the night count, he would be discovered missing.  The guards would then search every square inch of the prison until they found him.

Arnie knows his plan would work if he could work out a fix for the night count.  And it dawns on him.  If Bill, Arnie’s twin, could sneak into the prison and take his place for the night count, Arnie could setup his escape plan.

Arnie convinces his brother, if the guard dies, Arnie will get the death penalty. The only way to save him is to take Arnie’s place overnight.  Bill realizes, the plan has little hope to succeed, but it is Arnie’s only chance.

Bill agrees to take Arnie’s place overnight.  If all goes well, Bill will get out the next day and Arnie will escape that night.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jack Palance plays both Arnie and Bill.

Much of the movie was filmed in San Quentin.

Arnie’s escape plan is so over the top, I was lured in just to see if it would work.

Timothy Carey who is always interesting to watch has a small part.

House of Numbers (1957) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“By Any Means” starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & Mark Wahlberg – The Final Trailer is Here!

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The final trailer for By Any Means is here!

Deal me in.

Fight fire with fury, by any means necessary.

Based on a true story, watch the Final Trailer for #ByAnyMeansMovie, only in theaters September 4.

Inspired by a true story, a young Black FBI agent (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is sent into 1960s Mississippi to investigate a wave of brutal killings targeting civil rights leaders. Forced to work alongside notorious mafia hitman Greg Scarpa (Mark Wahlberg), he finds himself pulled into a deadly hunt where justice and vengeance begin to blur.

When the system is broken, two men divided by everything agree on one thing: the law has limits. They don’t.

“The Raid: Redemption” (2011) written & directed by Gareth Evans, starring Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian / Z-View

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The Raid: Redemption (2011)

Director:  Gareth Evans

Screenplay: Gareth Evans

Stars:  Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Ray Sahetapy and Tegar Sathya.

Tagline: 1 Ruthless Crime Lord, 20 Elite Cops, 30 Floors of Hell

The Plot…

Rama, a rookie cop is part of a squad sent in to take down the notorius crime lord Tama Riyadi.  Riyadi along with his crime bosses Andi and Mad Dog have made a large apartment building their headquarters.  Although some law-abiding citizens live in the building, many of the apartments are rented by Riyadi’s drug dealers and crooks.

The raid starts off well… until one of Riyadi’s lookoouts sounds an alarm.  Riyadi calls in reinforcements and announces to all of the residents the police are there.  Anyone who kills a cop will get to live rent-free forever.

Rama hopes to survive to get home to his pregnant wife.  Outumbered and outgunned, Rama and the police squad are in a battle for their lives.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although the tagline says “30 Floors of Hell” the apartment building has just 15 stories.

Gareth Evans originally wanted to film in a prison, but the budget wouldn’t allow it.  So Gareth changed the location to an apartment building.  The success of the film allowed the sequel to be set in a prison.

The Raid: Redemption is a favorite of action fans.  It felt as if Gareth Evans took the plot of Bruce Lee’s Game of Death and said, “Let’s go bigger.”  Coincidentally, The Raid: Redemption and Dredd starring Karl Urban share a similar plot and were released within months of each other.

The Raid: Redemption (2011) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“I Don’t Deal with Psychos.” by MARK Stegbauer!

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At HeroesCon 2026, I commissioned Mark Stegbauer for two sketch cards: Sly Stallone as Marion Cobretti from Cobra and Stallone as Stanley Kowalski from Lords of Flatbush.  This (obviously) is the Cobra card.  Sweet, right?

I will post the Lords of Flatbush card commission in the near future.

Each August Mark does an Action Against Alzheimer’s art campaign.  It’s a great way to pick up cool art and at the same time help a wonderful cause.

“I don’t deal with psychos. I put ’em away.” – Marion Cobretti

“Alien Nation” (1988) starring James Caan & Mandy Patinkin / Z-View

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Alien Nation  (1988)

Director:  Graham Baker

Screenplay: Rockne S. O’Bannon

Stars:  James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, Terence Stamp, Kevyn Major Howard, Leslie Bevis, Peter Jason, Jeff Kober, Roger Aaron Brown  and Brian Thompson.

Tagline: Los Angeles, 1991. They have come to Earth to live among us. They’ve learned the language, taken jobs, and tried to fit in. But there’s something about them we don’t know.

The Plot…

Three years ago aliens landed.  Since then these “Newcomers” have intigrated into society.  In L.A.,  Newcomer Sam Francisco has just been promoted to Detective.  Francisco is teamed with veteran cop Matthew Sykes.  It’s an uneasy alliance.

Francisco and Sykes’ first case is to look into the murder of Newcomer Warren Hubley.  Their investigation uncovers a conspiracy between wealthy politicans and influential newcomers.  At the heart of the cabal’s scheme is a newcomer secret that changes everything.

Prepare yourself… the aliens are here and all is not as it seems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sam Francisco’s name in the original script was George Jetson.  That changed when Hanna-Barbera refused to license the rights.  Sykes’ calling Sam “George” was a in-joke.

James Cameron was credited as one of the writers in an Alien Nation early draft, but his name doesn’t appear in the movie’s credits.

Alien Nation spawned a tv series that ran for one season.  There were also five television movie spin-offs, comic books and novelizations.

Brian “Cobra” Thompson is the only actor to appear in both the feature film and the television series.

I like the poster for the film.  It doesn’t feature the movie’s stars.  Instead we get a tagline that sets up everything and cool art that looks like it could be a crime thriller (with aliens).

Alien Nation is a fun film.

Alien Nation  (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Only Living Pickpocket in New York” starring John Turturro, Giancarlo Esposito, Will Price, Tatiana Maslany, Victoria Moroles, Steve Buscemi, and Jamie Lee Curtis – The Trailer is Here!

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Check out the trailer for The Only Living Pickpocket in New York starring John Turturro, Giancarlo Esposito, Will Price, Tatiana Maslany, Victoria Moroles, Steve Buscemi, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

What a cast!  The trailer works.

Deal me in.

A love-letter to New York City.

Watch the official trailer for THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK.

Opens in NY & LA theaters October 23, nationwide October 30.

Directed by: Noah Segan

Starring: John Turturro, Giancarlo Esposito, Will Price, Tatiana Maslany, Victoria Moroles, Steve Buscemi, and Jamie Lee Curtis

Harry Lehman (John Turturro) is an aging pickpocket who plies his trade with ever-diminishing returns in a drastically changed New York. Wallets stuffed with cash have been replaced by easily canceled credit cards, and Harry struggles to make ends meet as he cares for his disabled wife, Rosie. When he unwittingly purloins and fences a valuable USB stick, Harry finds himself in a race against time to return the loot or face the rage of a vengeful crime family.

“The Deputy” starring Duke Nicholson​, William H. Macy, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen Dorff, Devon Ross, Julia Fox, and Billie Lourd – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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Here are the poster and trailer for The Deputy.  

The film is based on THE DEPUTY by Victor Gischler.  I read the book when it first came out and loved it.  If Gischler’s name sounds familiar, you may remember that Fast Charlie, the film starring Pierce Brosnan, was based on Gischler’s novel GUN MONKEYS (which I thought was better than the film).

Here’s to hoping the movie is as good as the novel.

THE DEPUTY | Official Trailer | Starring Duke Nicholson

In Theaters & On Digital September 25
Film Page: https://wellgousa.com/films/deputy

Chief Kreuger (William H. Macy) assigns rookie Deputy Toby Sawyer (Duke Nicholson) to guard a dead body. But when the corpse vanishes, Toby launches a frantic search that unearths decades of small-town rot. Pressured to look the other way, Toby finds a lone ally in Deputy Amanda Jackson (Tiffany Haddish) and sets his sights to unravel a lethal web of corruption to clear his name in a town where secrets stay buried.

Directed by Matt Sukkar
Starring Duke Nicholson​, William H. Macy, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen Dorff, Devon Ross, Julia Fox, and Billie Lourd