Category: Crime

Miller & Rodriguez on Sin City

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Frank Miller‘s Sin City directed by Robert Rodriguez! Man, that news is just too good to be true.

Frank Miller’s a genius. Daredevil... Ronin… The Dark Knight Returns… 300… and my personal favorite, his Sin City series.

Robert Rodriguez is the man behind El Mariachi, Desparado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico and the Spy Kids Series… 1, 2 and 3D.

Now Rodriguez is teaming with Miller to bring Sin City to the big screen. And when I say, “teaming,” I mean as co-directors.

According to Harry at Ain’t It Cool News the screenplay will pull from Sin City, That Yellow Bastard, The Big Fat Kill and possibly Booze, Broads & Bullets.

The only thing cooler than that is how Miller and Rodriguez got together.

Con Man’s Daughter

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I think I’ve found a great character for Sly to bring to the big screen!

Ed Dee Dee introduces ex-cop, ex-prize-fighter Eddie “God help me… I love a brawl” Dunn in his latest novel, The Con Man’s Daughter.

Dunn was a decorated NY City Detective who was forced to resign in disgrace and then worked for a Russian mobster. Now in his mid-50’s and retired, Dunn must return to the mean streets of New York and go toe to toe with a variety of the worst that the city has to offer in order to save his kidnapped daughter.

If you like hard boiled heroes and stories that keep you guessing, then this one is for you… and Sly!

Shield Too

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The Shield doesn’t premiere until March. Like I told you here, that really disappoints me. The Shield is one of my favorite if not my very favorite tv shows going.

The good news is that at the same time the third season premieres, a new comic based on The Shield will also premiere. Jeff Mariotte, the writer, promises that like the tv show, the comic will be “a bit edgy, a bit dark…” and will stretch “the boundaries of its medium.”

I’ve pre-ordered my copy and I’m hoping that it lives up to the hype… or at least the tv show on which it’s based.

That’s That About That

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If you like The Sopranos, The Godfather, or Wiseguy, then you probably should check out ABC‘s new drama, Line of Fire.

It’s on Tuesday nights at 10pm and follows the lives of FBI agents and the underworld criminals they have sworn to take down.

 

Line of Fire has an interesting structure in that it shows how the mobsters‘ lives parallel those of the agents after them. The show is well written, well directed and well cast. I’ve watched every episode since the first and it just keeps getting better.

“And that’s that about that.”

Waiting for Mackey

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The 3rd season of one of the best shows on tv, The Shield, won’t premiere until March!

Man, that really stinks. Especially when you consider that most series started their new seasons last September. At least the second season will be out on dvd this month.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather have the series take the time needed to keep up the consistantly high quality. And when March rolls around, I’ll be there every Tuesday night at 10 watching Vic Mackey and the rest of the Strike Force.

Do I Have Your Confidence

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I finally got a chance to see “Confidence” which is directed by James Foley and stars Edward Burns, Rachael Weisz, Morris Chestnut, Luis Guzmán, DustinHoffman, Andy Garcia, and Robert Forrester.

“Confidence” is the story of some mid-level grifters who accidently rip-off a mobster. When they discover their mistake, he’s already on to them. Their only hope is to get him his money back by pulling off a major scam under the watchful eye of the police, the mobster, and a special agent hot on their trail.

Doug Jung‘s excellent script is full of twists and everything in this movie worked for me; the direction, the acting, the music, the cinematography… everything. Special mention should be given to Dustin Hoffman — he’s just perfect in his role as the mobster who was swindled and Rachael Weisz — she’s perfect for her role as well and has never looked more attractive.

You ought to check out this film. It’s really good. Trust me, I wouldn’t con you.

“Confidence” rates an A

Movies, Robbers & More

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  • “The Hulk” earned a little better than $62 million to force “Finding Nemo” into second spot. I’ll still bet on the fish in the long run.
  • “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” opens next Friday. I waited to rent the original, but plan to see this one on the big screen!
  • I just finished reading Robbers by Chris Cook. This is his first novel and I’d say that he’s going to become a “name” to anyone who enjoys a good crime story!
  • One of the scariest movies that I ever saw as a kid, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” got a little write up today. They’re out there!
  • Mike Tyson got involved in what is being described as a “street brawl.” Even though it appears that Tyson didn’t start it, he could get a year in the slammer if convicted. When is“Iron Mike” gonna learn…
  • Lennox Lewis kept the title but may have lost his desire to continue. If history tells us anything, he’ll fight again though.
  • Archaeologists in western China discovered five earthenware jars of 2,000-year-old rice wine in an ancient tomb. “Ah, do you have anything in a 0003 vintage?”
  • Anybody else been keeping up with the news about U.S. bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman who was arrested by Mexican authorities while attempting to bring Andrew Luster, the fugitive heir of the Max Factor fortune and convicted rapist back to the USA? This has been my favorite news item this week… it’s like something out of a movie — which I bet it will be.

Zeck, Grant & More

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* In 1997 Mike Zeck [penciler] teamed up with writer Steven Grant, inker Denis Rodier and colorist Kurt Goldzung to create one of my all-time favorite comic mini-sereies. It was a hard-boiled crime story called DAMNED. Finally a trade paperback is scheduled to ship in August. This book is well worth the price!

* A failing British company fired 2,500 employees by sending text messages to their mobile telephones. ” U R Fired.”

A wanted man was arrested after his parole officer spotted him kissing his girlfriend in a live crowd shot displayed on the scoreboard at a Cincinnati Reds game. If convicted he could get up to 18 years in prison. He could be heading for the [grand] slammer.

Cruise, Ming and OZ

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  • NBA star Yao Ming took center stage at a telethon Sunday, which raised more than $300,000 to help researchers seeking a cure for SARS. The Houston Rockets center said this was his way of giving back to his homeland. If only more celebrities felt this way!

 

  • Was it a break-in or a break-out? Speaking of Prison… I rented season one of OZ. I’ve heard great things about the HBO series… and ya gotta love a good prison story.

So… What’s on Your Mind?

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So, what’s on your mind?

Many of you find your way here through StalloneZone, while others come in through the art gallery or from message boards at other sites. However you got here, I want to thank you for taking the time to check out what I have to say. I’d also like to hear what’s on your mind. I’ve opened up a NEW message board which should be more user friendly. Why not drop by and tell me what you’re thinking?

Here’s some stuff that I’ve been thinking about this morning:

  • There’s a sad article about Charlton Heston making his final appearance before the NRA. A lot of people bag on Heston for his stance on guns, or make jokes about his acting ability. While I don’t agree with everything he stands for and he’s not high on my list of favorite actors; I do admire his taking a stand for what he believes in. He also starred in some of my all-time favorite movies. [Who doesn’t love “Ben Hur” or the original “Planet of the Apes”?]. It was sad to read he was schuffling on stage and only said three sentences. Alzeheimer’s is a terrible, terrible disease.
  • Despite a $60,000 reward, there have been no leads into who killed Jam Master Jay [real name: Jason Mizell] of Run-DMC fame. What’s also equally surprising is that the article says that Mizell was “drowning in debt.” It’s hard for me to understand how celebrities can STILL go through all of their money… you’d think that someone in their family or friends would say, “Hey! You’ve made enough for the rest of your life if you don’t go crazy.” For most people three words should get the message across “M – C – Hammer.”
  • Shelley Morrison, who plays a wisecracking maid on television’s “Will & Grace,” has been arrested for investigation of felony shoplifting in LA. Comedian Jamie Foxx and his sister were arrested in New Orleans for allegedly refusing to leave a casino and then fighting with police officers. Two comedians get arrested — hmmm… sounds like a set-up for a sitcom.

Movies In Our Future

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It’s been a while since I’ve been to a theater to see a movie, but with the summer season approaching that’s going to change. The best trailer that I’ve seen lately has been for Underworld. I really haven’t heard much about this movie, but the preview kicks and kicks hard. It will be on my “must -see” list.

Of the other new trailers, here are a few you might want to check out: S.W.A.T. looks like a sure thing with Samuel L. Jackson, Collin Farrell and Michelle Rodriguez.  Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle looks to be as much fun as the original, so I’ll plan to see it..

Hollywood Homicide [with Harrison Ford], Pirates of the Carribean and The Hulk look to be movies I’ll pass on, at least until a rental is available.

I’m sure that we’re going to see more trailers for “Terminator 3,” “Spy Kids 3D,” and many more in the next few weeks. And you know I’ll post up my thoughts and the links here!

Back Story (A Spenser Novel) by Robert B. Parker

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Every year I go up to Indiana to visit family and friends. Once a year is all I see many of these people, but because they’re old friends, it’s always a welcome visit. We quickly catch up with where we left off and share tales of things that have happened since we last were together. It’s always fun and I end up looking forward to the next visit as the current one ends.

That’s exactly how it is each time I read a new Spencer novel by Robert B. Parker. Back Story is the latest entry in the Spencer series. [It’s the 30th book, so if you’ve never read any of them, you’re in for a lot of fun!] The Spencer books come out once a year and like my visits to Indiana are always fun.

Spencer is a wise-cracking PI who has guts, intelligence and a strict moral code. His best friend, Hawk, hovers on the edge of the criminal element and although gutsy and intelligent has no qualms with doing what needs to be done. Although Hawk and Spencer are different they are also the same. Their interactions are half the fun.

Back Story finds Spencer investigating a 28 year old murder. Soon he discovers that the FBI, and mobsters want him to drop the case. Things heat up when he doesn’t. Throw in a stone cold killer named Harvey and you have yourself a story!

If you haven’t read any of the Spencer books, you should. You might find that you like them. And then you, too, can look forward to his annual visit!

Who’s “Lucky”?

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There’s a new show premiering on Tuesday at 10PM on FX. It’s called “Lucky” and looks like it might be a winner.

Michael “Lucky” Linkletter is a professional poker gambler. He’s cool, supremely smart, but tragically flawed. He’s a compulsive gambler with a conscience. He’s been on top and also bottomed out. He wants to quit gambling but living in Vegas and with a debt to the mob…

I’ll be watching on Tuesday… and if I’m “Lucky” the show will be a winner.

Osbourne & Garner Are Free and Diesel is Apart

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I didn’t post anything up yesterday. I could use April Fool’s Day as an excuse. But I won’t. I’m not much for April Fool’s jokes… especially people and websites that post up something which seems like exciting news and then ends with APRIL FOOLS!

Sharon Osbourne is cancer-free. That’s great news. I don’t think that Ozzy could get along without her. Jennifer Garner [Alias] is also free, but this news isn’t happy. She and her husband, Scott Foley [“Below”] have separated.

Vin Diesel‘s “A Man Apart” had its world premiere in Hollywood yesterday and opens everywhere on Friday. Although it’s getting mixed reviews, I’ll probably see it before it leaves theaters. I’m not overly excited about this one. I say bring on “The Riddick Chronicles!”

See you tomorrow. No fooling.

“The Shield”

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I was ready to write a ZONE piece about Andrew Vachss, or a cool series of sketchbooks that I found on the web, but then I read this article.

If you’re a ZONE regular then you know that I’m a huge fan of The Shield. I was intrigued by the ads for the premiere and it’s ending hooked me. The writing and acting is first rate. ALL of the characters come off as real people. The Shield racked up numerous positive reviews and awards during it’s first season. The question was could they do it again?

As the second season comes to a close, I find myself enjoying The Shield more than ever. In case you haven’t checked it out, FX is going to run a Shield marathon of all of this season’s episodes.

That’s it until tomorrow, when I’ll probably tell you about Andrew Vachss or this cool series of sketchbooks.