Category: Crime

“Carlito’s Way” (1993) directed by Brian De Palma; starring Al Pacino & Sean Penn / Z-View

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Carlito’s Way (1993)

Director:  Brian De Palma

Screenplay: David Koepp; based on CARLITO’S WAY and AFTER HOURS by Edwin Torres 

Stars: Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo, Ingrid Rogers, Luis Guzmán, James Rebhorn, Richard Foronjy, Frank Minucci, Adrian Pasdar, John Ortiz, Al Israel, Rick Aviles, Jaime Sánchez  and Viggo Mortensen.

Tagline:  In his world, you got to shoot your way out. He wanted out. He’d do anything to get there.

The Plot…

The year is 1975.  When Carlito Brigante gets released from prison after serving just five years of a thirty year stretch, he is determined to leave a life of crime behind.  Carlito hopes to get back with his ex-girlfriend Gail.  Once he has the cash, they’ll retire to the Caribbean.

How hard should it be to walk the straight and narrow?

Carlito’s cousin, Guajiro, asks Carlito to accompany him on a drug deal. Guajiro just wants Carlito there for moral support.  It will be an easy exchange.  Of course things go south.  Guajiro is killed.  Carlito shoots his way out with the cash from the drug deal.

Carlito’s buddy Dave Kleinfeld, is the lawyer who used a legal technicality to get Carlito out of prison.  Now Dave wants Carlito’s help with some thing not exactly legal.  How can Carlito turn him down?

Plus Benny Blanco, a young hotshot gangster wanna-be wants to go into “business” with Carlito.  Carlito turns Benny down repeatedly.

Carlito’s dream of a life free of crime in paradise with Gail is put at risk with every move he makes.

Will Carlito’s way become a dream or nightmare?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Carlito’s Way is based on two novels (CARLITO’S WAY and AFTER HOURS) by Edwin Torres.  Torres also wrote the novel Q&A which was the basis for the movie of the same name.  Torres, in addition to being a novelist, was a New York State Supreme Court Judge.

Carlito’s Way is based on two novels.  Most of the film comes from the second book, AFTER HOURS.  The title of the first novel was kept as the title of the movie, mostly to void confusion with Martin Scorsese’s movie After Hours.

When folks think of Al Pacino’s greatest films, they think Godfather I & II, Heat and Dog Day Afternoon.  Carlito’s Way should be on that list.

Carlito’s Way (1993) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Die Hard 2” directed by Renny Harlin; starring Bruce Willis / Z-View

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Die Hard 2 (1990)

Director:  Renny Harlin

Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza, Doug Richardson; based on 58 MINUTES by Walter Wagner

Stars: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson, Franco Nero, William Sadler, Dennis Franz, Art Evans, Fred Thompson, Tom Bower, Sheila McCarthy, Don Harvey, Tony Ganios, Robert Patrick, John Leguizamo and John Amos.

Tagline: Wrong Place, Wrong Time, Same John McClane

The Plot…

Christmas Eve two years after the events at Nakatomi Tower.  John McClane is now a lieutenant with the LAPD.

While waiting to pick up his wife at the at Dulles International Airport, McClane notices two men sneaking into a restricted area.  McClane pulls his police ID and follows.  When McClane identifies himself, the two men pull guns and begin shooting.  McClane returns fire.  After a short gun battle, McClane kills one. The second man escapes.

McClane meets with Carmine Lorenzo airport police chief, and Ed Trudeau, air traffic control director.  McClane is concerned that the two men were part of a bigger team planning a major terrorist attack.  Neither Lorenzo or Trudeau are willing to accept that.

McClane is right.  What nobody knows is the Ramon Esperanza, a cartel drug lord, is in custody.  He’s on a plane headed for  Dulles International.  A squad of ex-military mercenaries led by disgraced US Colonel William Stuart have plans to liberate Esperanza.  It will be up to McClane to stop them.

What chance does one cop have against a group of heavily armed terrorists?  Anyone remember Nakatomi Tower?

Yippi-Ki-Yay, mother*******.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Die Hard 2 is loosely based on the Walter Wagner novel 58 MINUTES.  A lot was changed for the film.  Don’t read the book expecting Die Hard 2 the movie.

Die Hard was loosely based on Roderick Thorp’s novel NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.  Thorp was given credit in Die Hard 2 for creating  “certain original characters”.  His name was misspelled as Thorpe in the credits.

Because Willis’ ad-libbed many of the most popular lines in Die Hard, he was given free reign to ad-lib all he wanted in Die Hard 2.

Die Hard 2 did almost twice the box office of Die Hard.  This insured that the franchise would continue.

Roman Esperanza, the drug lord, was said to be from Val Verde.  This is the same fictional country used in Commando.  John McClane and John Matrix could have teamed up!

Die Hard 2 is a worthy follow-up to the original.

Die Hard 2 (1990) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Die Hard” (1988) directed by John McTiernan; starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman / Z-View

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Die Hard (1988)

Director:  John McTiernan

Screenplay: Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza; based on NOTHING LASTS FOREVER by Roderick Thorp

Stars: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, De’voreaux White, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, James Shigeta, Alexander Godunov, Andreas Wisniewski, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Lorenzo Caccialanza  and Al Leong.

Tagline: High above the city of L.A. a team of terrorists has seized a building, taken hostages and declared war. One man has managed to escape. An off-duty cop hiding somewhere inside. He’s alone, tired… and the only chance anyone has got.

The Plot…

New York City detective John McClane has flown to LA on Christmas Eve.  McClane is hoping to get back with with his estranged wife, Holly.  But first they have to attend Holly’s work Christmas party at the Nakatomi Towers.  Holly’s moving up in the Nakatomi corporation and that’s one of the problems in the McClane marriage.

The party is just getting underway when John arrives.  He excuses himself to clean up in one of the company restrooms.  Everyone else is gathered together for the party’s kick-off.  That’s when a group of heavily armed terrorists led by Hans Gruber busts in.  They take everyone at the party hostage.  Except for John McClane.

McClane realizes what is happening. He’s alone and unarmed.  The terrorists have cut off all communications to/from the tower.  When they realize McClane is there, one of the armed terrorists is sent to retrieve him.  McClane manages to kill the terrorist.  He takes the assassins machine gun and radio.

As the terrorists move forward with their plan (and it ain’t getting a ransom for the Nakatomi party-goers), they begin to hunt for John McClane.  Killing him with be a bonus.  What chance does one tired off-duty cop have against a band of armed mercenaries?

Yippi-Ki-Yay, mother*******.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Die Hard was nominated for four 1989 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Visual Effects – Richard Edlund, Al Di Sarro, Brent Boates, Thaine Morris
  • Nominee for Best Sound Effects Editing – Stephen Hunter Flick, Richard Shorr
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Frank J. Urioste, John F. Link
  • Nominee for Best Sound – Don J. Bassman, Kevin F. Cleary, Richard Overton, Al Overton Jr.

Die Hard is loosely based on the Roderick Thorp novel NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.  A lot was changed for the film.  Don’t read the book expecting Die Hard the movie.

Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and many other big name movie stars were offered the role of John McClane.  Even Frank Sinatra was courted to play the lead.  Everyone asked turned it down.  Bruce Willis, a television lead at a time when tv was seen as way below feature films, was paid $5 million to star.  In many of the first posters and ads for Die Hard, Willis’ name was not played up.  The movie went on to be a hit with audiences and shot Bruce Willis into the top tier of movie actors.

Die Hard features Alan Rickman’s first feature film role.  He is perfect as Hans Gruber.

Die Hard was added to the National film registry by the Library of Congress in 2017 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Hart Bochner is on point as the smarmy executive that overplays his hand with Hans Gruber.

Die Hard is one of the best action movies ever made.  Scratch the word action and the sentence is still true.

Die Hard (1988) rates 5 of 5 stars

Jack Carter by Jarrod Alberich “The Yard Sale Artist”!

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Jarrod Alberich aka The Yard Sale Artist created the Jack Carter piece above for me after I won a contest he was running.

Jarrod calls himself The Yard Sale Artist because he uses only materials that he finds at yard sales, thrift stores, dumpsters and so on. Jarrod is a great guy and his prices are reasonable. This was my second piece by Jarrod that he did way back in 2017.  Jarrod’s art has improved since then as you’ll see in future posts.

Jack Carter & John Wick by Karl Slominski!

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The Jack Carter & John Wick piece above was created as a commission for me at HeroesCon 2017 by Karl Slominski. It was my first piece by Slominski. It wasn’t my last.

My second piece by Karl was Jack Carter and Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City.

My third piece from Karl was Carter and Raylan Givens from Justified.

I wonder what my fourth piece will be.

“Sling Blade” (1996) written, directed and starring Billy Bob Thornton / Z-View

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Sling Blade (1996)

Director:  Billy Bob Thornton

Screenplay: Billy Bob Thornton; based on Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade by Billy Bob Thornton

Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Brent Briscoe, Mickey Jones and Robert Duvall.

Tagline: A simple man. A difficult choice.

The Plot…

Karl Childers is a mentally challenged man who has been in state custody for decades.  From the time Karl was born he was abused by his mother and father.  When Karl was twelve he accidentally caught his mother and a teenage boy having sex.  Karl believed the boy was raping his mother so Karl killed the kid using a sling blade.  When it became clear that his mom was enjoying the sex, Karl killed her as well.

At the state home Karl never had a problem.  Passive and shy, Karl spent most days just staring out a window.  So the state determined that Karl was no longer a danger to society and scheduled his release.  Karl begged his doctor to stay, but was forced to leave.

Now Karl has returned to his small hometown.  He gets a job repairing small engines.  Karl meets and befriends Frank Wheatley.  Frank is twelve.  His mother is divorced and in an abusive relationship.  Frank’s mom sees Karl is a kind man. Despite her boyfriend Vaughn’s misgivings she invites Karl to live in their garage.  Vaughn says that Karl could end up killing her or Frank.

Karl sees that Vaughn is a bully and cruel to everyone.  Karl especially worries about how Vaughn treats Frank.  Things are about to reach a breaking point.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sling Blade was nominated for two 1997 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Bob Thornton
  • Winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published – Billy Bob Thornton

Sling Blade is based on a short film written by Billy Bob Thornton and directed by George Hickenlooper.  It starred Billy Bob Thornton, Molly Ringwald and J. T. Walsh.

Billy Bob Thornton made his feature film directorial debut with Sling Blade.  It is also the film that made Thornton a famous actor.

Sling Blade (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars

“London Calling” starring Josh Duhamel – The Trailer is Here!

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The trailer for London Calling starring Josh Duhamel looks to have the right mix of comedy and action.

Deal me in.

US Release Date: September 19, 2025
Starring: Josh Duhamel, Rick Hoffman, Aidan Gillen, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Director: Allan Ungar
Synopsis: After fleeing the UK from a job gone wrong, a down on his luck hitman is forced to babysit the son of his new crime boss and show him how to become a man.

THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos / Z-View

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THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos

First sentence…

He called the place Pappas and Sons Coffee Shop.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

1972.  When Alex’s plans to hangout with his girlfriend get cancelled, he decides to go riding with his buddies, Billy and Pete.  Cruising with the guys and some beer isn’t as fun as he’d have had with Karen, but it’s something to do.

As they drive aimlessly, trading jokes and insults, the boys end up near Heathrow Heights.  The black kids at their school were bussed in from Heathrow.  Billy, behind the wheel, starts talking about driving through Heathrow Heights.  Alex is ready to go home, but to say so now would mark him as “chicken”.  Instead Alex asks, “What are we gonna do when we get in there?”  “Raise a little hell” is the answer.  Alex doesn’t want to, but keeps quiet.

When they see a few black kids near the street, Billy slows the car.  Pete hits one with a Hostess pie as he yells racial slurs.  Billy guns the car.  He thinks a turnaround is straight ahead.

It’s a dead end.

One of the boys jumps out of the car and runs.  The other two see the black kids angry and coming toward them fast.  Each are punched.  Then a shot rings out.

Thirty-five years later.  Everyone involved in the incident has been affected.  One kid was killed.  One kid sent to prison.  Thirty-five years later and they’re no longer kids.  One of the survivors contacts another he hasn’t seen since the incident.  If they meet would it be for revenge or healing?  Does it have anything to do with the boy, now a bitter man, that was sent to prison?  Are they aware he’s now out?  Do they even know that the ex-con plans on getting restitution, one way or another?

George Pelecanos has written another winner.

Rating:

FULLY LOADED #1 created, written, illustrated and lettered by Jimmy Broxton / Z-View

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FULLY LOADED #1: THERE GOES THE FUTURE Part 1 created, written, illustrated and lettered by Jimmy Broxton

Publisher: Verity/Scratch Comics

The year is 2065.  Ten years ago Carson Blake betrayed the only “family” he ever knew.  And the only woman he ever loved.  So he left the city.  No reason to go back.

Then Blake gets a call.

It’s from Austin Roper.  The one man who knew how to get in touch.  Austin Roper.  The bravest and most loyal soldier Blake knew.  Austin Roper.  The man who saved Blake’s life.

Roper tells Blake, “Atticus and his crew have kidnapped my wife and kids.  If I can’t get you to come back –”  Roper doesn’t even finish the sentence.  Blake is on his way.

Now Blake has a reason to return.  Better buckle up.

Jimmy Broxton’s Fully Loaded checks all the right boxes.  It has a vibe that feels like Broxton took the best parts of Blade Runner, Frank Miller’s Sin City, The Road Warrior, classic gangster movies and filtered them all through his sensibilities.

Broxton introduces us to the Fully Loaded world while moving the story forward.  There’s a mystery to exactly what Blake did that put him at odds with the family and cost him the love of his life.  Broxton has created a story with all the makings of a fun ride.  Honor, betrayal, loyalty, are all coming into play.

Broxton’s art is amazing.  Printed in beautiful black and white.  Jaw-dropping double-page spreads.  Atmosphere oozes off every page.  And let’s not forget Broxton’s use of lettering as sound effects.

Jimmy Broxton’s Fully Loaded was offered as a trade edition on Zoop.  I supported the campaign, but couldn’t pass on issue one when I saw it was available.  In addition to the story, Broxton gives us four pages that appear as ads from 2065 plus one page hinting at next issue.  I cannot wait!

FULLY LOADED #1 gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“Bang” starring Jack Kesy and Peter Weller – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Bang starring Jack Kesy and Peter Weller – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

If like me, you enjoy a fun drive-in movie (even if there are no more drive-ins), then Bang looks to fit the bill.

Deal me in.

Bang, one of the most feared hitmen, questions his violent life after a near-death experience. Seeing a future beyond bloodshed, he wants out—but his crime boss won’t let go without a fight.

The film will be released in select theaters, digital, and on demand on July 11th.

“The Accountant 2” (2025) starring Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and Cynthia Addai-Robinson / Z-View

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The Accountant 2 (2025)

Director:  Gavin O’Connor

Screenplay: Bill Dubuque, based on characters created by Bill Dubuque

Stars: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Alison Wright, Daniella Pineda, Robert Morgan, Grant Harvey, Andrew Howard, Yael Ocasio, Lombardo Boyar, Michael Tourek, Fernando Chien, Talia Thiesfield and J.K. Simmons.

Tagline: He sees what others can’t. He does what others won’t.

The Plot…

Raymond King, the retired director of the Financial Crimes Division of the US Treasury is found murdered.  King was working a case.  Before he was killed, King was able to write on his arm, “Find the Accountant”.  Marybeth Medina, King’s former protégé, and current FCD director, knows the meaning.  She and King had worked with Christian Wolf aka The Accountant on a case eight years prior.

Marybeth reaches out to Wolf and informs Wolf of King’s murder.  King and Marybeth meet.  She has access to all of the data King was using, but can’t decipher it’s meaning.  In short order Wolf determines the links.  King was working on bringing down an international human trafficking cartel.

Realizing that he’s going to need help, Wolf contacts his estranged hitman brother, Braxton.  Things are about to heat up.

Let’s go!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Accountant was released in 2016.  This sequel was announced in 2017.  A third film is a possibility.  At one point a television series was also considered.

Affleck and Bernthal have real chemistry as brothers.  The scene at the cowboy bar is a highlight.

The Accountant 2 (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Happy Face” (2025) starring Annaleigh Ashford & Dennis Quaid / Z-View

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Happy Face (2025)

Created by: Jennifer Cacicio; based on Happy Face by Melissa Moore and SHATTERED SILENCE by Moore and M. Bridget Cook

Director: Michael Showalter (Eps 1), Jennifer Getzinger (Ep. 2), Steven Piet (Ep. 3); Laurel Parmet (Ep. 4); Ramaa Mosley (Ep. 5); Darren Grant (Ep. 6); Samira Radsi (Ep. 7); Darren Grant (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:  Jennifer Cacicio (Eps. 1, 8); Andrew Gettens & Lauren Mackenzie (Ep. 2); Adam Toltzis & Sal Calleros (Ep. 3); Sarah Beckett (Ep. 4); Erica Saleh & Inda Craig-Galván (Ep. 5); Bam Johnson, story by Andrew Gettens & Lauren Mackenzie (Ep. 6); Tiffany Ezuma & Brandi Nicole Payne (Ep. 7)

Starring: Annaleigh Ashford, James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Khiyla Aynne, Benjamin Mackey, David Harewood, Damon Gupton, Michael O’Neill, Charles Zuckermann, Marci T. House and Dennis Quaid.

Tagline: Melissa, You Can’t Hide Forever

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Melissa is happily married to Ben.  They have two children.  They also have a secret.  Melissa is the daughter of the infamous serial killer known as Happy Face.  Melissa and Rex have kept Melissa’s dad a secret. No one at their work knows.  Their friends are unaware.  Even Melissa and Max’s children are unaware that grandpa is a serial killer.  Melissa’s dad has written her dozens of letters from prison.  She never reads them.  She won’t accept his calls.

Melissa works as a make-up artist on The Dr. Greg Show.  One day she is called into the office.  The Happy Face Killer contacted Dr. Greg.  Happy Face informed Dr. Greg that Melissa is his daughter.  Further, he said that he is ready to confess to an additional murder, but will only make the confession to his daughter.

Melissa thinks her dad is just playing for attention.  She initially refuses to meet.  Then she learns that a man sits on death row for the murder her father is ready to admit he committed.  Reluctantly, Melissa agrees to meet with her dad.  Dr. Greg loves the story.  His ratings are going through the roof as The Happy Face Killer slowly doles out information about the murder.

As the clock ticks down and an innocent man’s execution date draws near, Melissa marriage, her relationship with her children suffer.  Melissa is compelled to try to save the man on death row… but what if her dad is truly playing everyone?

Expect twists.

Thoughts…

Happy Face is based on a true story.

Dennis Quaid is more creepy than menacing.  Which makes him even scarier as a serial killer.

Happy Face (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.