Category: Crime

10 Unsolved Presidential Mysteries!

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Selme Angulo at Listverse posted 10 Presidential Mysteries That Are Still Unsolved.  It’s a really interesting and fun article that looks at…

  • A President who was rumored to not be a  natural-born US citizen.  (And no it wasn’t Barack Obama!)
  • A President who many thought was our first gay President. His niece was our First Lady.  He also “had a longtime male “roommate” for much of his adult life”.
  • A President who many claim died because of his inauguration speech.  It remains the longest in US history.
  • A President who had a stroke so his wife took over the running of the country.
  • A President who took time to go “fishing” but instead had a dangerous surgery at sea.
  • A President who suddenly died in office.  Some believe he was poisoned… by his wife!
  • A President who died because of the treatment he received from his doctors.
  • A President who had almost 4,000 hours of recordings… except for one gap.  What could have been said that was so damaging?
  • A President whose brain went missing after his autopsy.
  • A President who may have ordered the cover-up of UFO evidence.

Click over and find the answers to these mysteries.  Kudos to Selme Angulo and Listverse for a fun read.

“The Vanishing” (1988) directed by George Sluizer, starring Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets  and Johanna ter Steege / Z-View

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The Vanishing (1988)

Director:  George Sluizer

Screenplay: George Sluizer, Tim Krabbé, based on The Golden Egg by Tim Krabbé

Stars: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets  and Johanna ter Steege.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Rex and Saskia are young and in love.  While on vacation in France, they stop at a busy gas station.  They stretch their legs and take a break in a nearby grassy area.  As Rex waits at the car, Saskia heads in to get drinks for the road.

She never returns.

When Rex realizes Saskia should have been back, he searches the gas station and surrounding area.  Nobody saw anything.  Rex goes to the police.  Searches and appeals to the public turn up no clues.

Rex is obsessed with finding Saskia.  He makes sure posters with Saiska’s picture and information about her disappearance are always up.  He follows up on even the smallest possibility.  Rex realizes Saskia is probably not alive.  Still, it torments Rex to not know what happened to her.

Three years after her disappearance, Rex is contacted by Saiska’s kidnapper.  He wants to meet.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Stanley Kubrick reportedly considered The Vanishing the most terrifying film he’d ever seen.  Entertainment Weekly listed The Vanishing  as one of the all-time scariest films ever made.  The Vanishing is a movie that doesn’t have jump scares.  There is no unstoppable killer or traditional monsters.  And that makes it even more frightening.

The Vanishing will stay with you.  You’ll think about the movie long after you finish watching it. THAT ending.  The killer alone practicing his moves.  The fact that Rex gets his wish.

The success of The Vanishing, the Dutch film was optioned to be remade in the United States.  George Sluizer, who co-wrote and directed the original, was brought on to direct the American remake.  Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis and Sandra Bullock were brought on to star.  The budget was set at $20 million dollars (over ten times the budget of the original).  The ending was changed because “American audiences don’t like sad endings.”  Change the ending and you’re making a totally different film.  Why bother?  Audiences and critics overwhelmingly prefer the original.

The Vanishing (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Strange Days” (1995) directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett & Juliette Lewis / Z-View

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Strange Days (1995)

Director:  Kathryn Bigelow

Screenplay: James Cameron, Jay Cocks; story by James Cameron

Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tomas Milian, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Vincent D’Onofrio, Glenn Plummer, Richard Edson, Josef Sommer, Nicky Katt, Michael Jace, Jim Ishida, Todd Graff and William Fichtner.

Tagline: you know you want it

The Plot…

1999 is almost over.  The New Year is almost here.  Civil unrest rules.  The streets of LA are full of soldiers and cops.

Lenny Nero, an ex-cop, makes his living selling illegal SQUID recordings.  Using a small machine that plays the SQUID recordings and with the proper headset, a user is able to watch and experience whatever was recorded.  Think virtual reality on steroids.  The user sees and feels all of the sensations.

Lenny is still reeling. The love of his life (or so he thought), Faith Justin left him.  Or so he thought. Faith dreams of being a singer.  She’s now hooked up with music promoter, Philo Grant.

It’s been a bad couple of days.  Now Lenny has discovered that cops are looking for him.  He has no idea why.  It can’t be because of the recordings he sells.  He’s too careful.  Maybe Philo Grant is behind his problems.  That would make sense.

What Lenny doesn’t know is he has the key to a murder conspiracy.  And it isn’t just the cops he can’t trust.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Strange Days is a sci-fi murder mystery love story.  And it works on all levels.

When Faith Justin is singing, it’s Juliette Lewis’ voice we hear.

James Cameron did uncredited editing on the film.

Loretta “Mace” Mason, played by Angela Bassett, is an awesome character.  She could have carried her own spin-off.

Strange Days (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Mobland”: Season 1 (2025) created by Roan Bennett, starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren / Z-View

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Mobland: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Ronan Bennett

Director:  Guy Ritchie (Eps. 1-2), Anthony Byrne (Eps. 3-4, 9-10), Daniel Syrkin (Eps. 5-6); Lawrence Gough (Eps. 7-8)

Teleplay by:  Ronan Bennett and Jez Butterworth 

Starring: Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Paddy Considine, Joanne Froggatt, Lara Pulver, Anson Boon, Geoff Bell, Teddie Allen, Mandeep Dhillon, Emily Barber, Janet McTeer, Jordi Mollà , Jasmine Jobson, Luke Mably, Daniel Betts and Emmett J Scanlan.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Two London crime families, the Harrigans and the Stevensons have long existed with an uneasy truce.  That changes when Tommy Stevenson, the only son of crime boss Richie Stevenson, disappears.  Tommy was last seen with Eddie Harrigan, the grandson of Conrad Harrigan.  Conrad is the patriarch of the Harrigans.

As the two families prepare for war, Harry Da Souza, a fixer for the Harrigans at first works to keep the peace.  When actions from both families make peace impossible, Harry must…

  • make sure his wife and daughter are safe
  • consider opportunities to leave the Harrigans
  • find the mole selling out the Harrigans
  • attempt to save two kidnapped Harrigan family members set to be executed
  • put himself in a position of “owing a favor” to an international cartel operative
  • deal with Eddie Harrigan’s violent, psychotic outbursts while staying loyal to the family
  • and much, much more

Harry sees that Conrad is losing his grip.  Ten years ago, no one would have come against the Harrigans.  Now Richie Stevenson’s family may have the upper hand.  Complicating things is Conrad’s wife, Maeve, sees herself as the power behind the throne.  Maeve not only encourages Eddie in his antics, but also takes steps to increase the friction between the Harrigans and the Stevensons.

Harry is considered a valuable player.  He is calm and cool in the worst situations.  Harry knows how to resolve the worst complications.  Harry realizes that Conrad’s leadership is faltering.  Harry also knows that Maeve and Eddie would like Harry “gone”.  With his wife ready to take his daughter and leave him, Harry knows their lives are as at risk as his.

The powder keg is going to explode.  Not all will survive.

Thoughts…

Mobland features an amazing cast.  Tom Hardy is perfect as the fixer Harry Da Souza.

Pierce Brosnan has never been better.  His portrayal of Conrad Harrigan is 180 degrees from the cool, Bond-type character he does so well.  This role shows Brosnan’s range.

Helen Mirren as Maeve Harrigan shows a different side of her as well.  Her Maeve is a devious, power-hungry, smart, scary woman who more than holds her own with the men around her.

Geoff Bell as Richie Stevenson is a formidable foe.  Bell gets to show his range in this role.

Anson Boon as Eddie is perfect.  Boon plays a cocky, arrogant, crazy young wanna-be who is at times scary and other times weak, but always despicable.

Paddy Considine, Janet McTeer, Jasmine Jobson, Emmett J Scanlan and Mandeep Dhillon all also shine.

Kudos to the writers for creating a series with so many varied and interesting characters.  The twists and turns as the tension ratchets up make for must-see viewing.  I cannot wait for season two.

Mobland: Season 1 (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Order” (2024) starring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult and Tye Sheridan / Z-View

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The Order (2024)

Director:  Justin Kurzel

Screenplay: Zach Baylin; based on THE SILENT BROTHERHOOD: INSIDE AMERICA’S RACIST UNDERGROUND by Kevin Flynn, Gary Gerhardt

Stars: Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, George Tchortov, John Warkentin and Marc Maron.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

FBI Agent Terry Husk is relocated to a small town in Idaho.  Husk is looking for a change of pace.  The long hours he put in on major cases took a toll on his marriage.  He hopes his wife and daughter will eventually join him.

When a member of the Aryan Nation goes missing, leads indicate he was murdered.  As Husk digs deeper he learns that a series of bank robberies as well as a counterfeiting scheme are being used to raise money for a major terrorist act.

Husk is joined by Deputy Jamie Bowen.  They need evidence to bring down the anarchists before their plan is launched.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

While based on real events, the FBI Agent Terry Husk is fictional.

The Order (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Wolfs” (2024) written & directed by Jon Watts, starring George Clooney & Brad Pitt / Z-View

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Wolfs (2024)

Director:  Jon Watts

Screenplay: Jon Watts

Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Kymbali Craig, Linda Carola, Vladimir Sizov, Sammy Horowitz and Frank Trigg.

Tagline: They’re not partners. They’re not friends. They’re… Wolfs.

The Plot…

Margaret (Ryan), a Manhattan District Attorney gets a hotel room with a young man she just met.  When the man unexpectedly dies, Margaret uses a number she was given in case of emergencies.

Soon a fixer (Clooney) arrives to clean up the mess.  As the fixer prepares to remove the body, another fixer (Pitt) arrives.  He says the the hotel owner called him.  She was watching via a hidden camera.  The two fixers argue about who will do the job.  They reluctantly agree to team for the clean-up and disposal of the body.

Then a cache of drugs is found on the body.  The hotel owner convinces the fixers to find and return the drugs to their original owner.  Burdened with a dead body and drugs, the fixers learn much to late that nothing is as it seems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Apple wanted and announced a sequel, but writer/director Jon Watts refused, even returning advance money he’d been given.  Watts was upset because at the last minute, Apple decided to not give Wolfs a theatrical release.

George Clooney’s character’s BMW’s New York license plate is 3ABM582. Winston Wolf, (played by Harvey Keitel), the fixer in Pulp Fiction, drove an Acura NSX with the California license plate is 3ABM582.  It’s also interesting to note we never learn the names of Clooney or Pitt’s characters.  But the title of the movie is Wolfs which sounds like a call back to Winston Wolf.

I liked the movie, but expected more with Clooney and Pitt as the leads.

Wolfs (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

THE BIG EMPTY by Robert Crais / Z-View

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THE BIG EMPTY: AN ELVIS COLE AND JOE PIKE NOVEL by Robert Crais

First sentence…

Sadie Given woke from a troubled sleep, the stupid phone babbling like an angry turkey, gobble-gobble, gobble-gobble.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Traci Beller has the wholesome good looks of the girl next door.  That is, if your neighbor is in her early twenties and adorable.  Traci’s looks, personality and baking ability have captured an audience. She’s a super influencer.

Now that the money is rolling in, Traci seeks out the detective best known for his ability to find missing persons.  Elvis Cole.

Traci explains to Elvis that ten years ago, when she was just 13, her dad, Tommy Beller, went to work and didn’t came home.  There was never a call or a letter.  Nothing.  Things had been good at home.  He had no enemies. Tommy Beller just vanished.  Other private eyes had looked into Tommy’s disappearance, but all had come up empty.

Elvis explains that after ten years, odds are nothing could be found.  Traci, in tears, pleads.  Elvis reluctantly agrees to see what he can discover.

Elvis begins asking questions of the last folks to have seen Tommy Beller.  Although Tommy is remembered, nothing special sticks out.  But as word gets out who Elvis is looking for, he finds himself being followed by rough looking guys in a Challenger.

Elvis decides to turn the tables.  He trails the Challenger to a house.  Elvis is more than capable, so when two guys come at him, he’s not worried.  Then a truck pulls up and more big men get out…

Sheer numbers are the deciding factor.  Left  unconscious and badly beaten, the thugs think they’ve scared Elvis off.  They figure once he gets out of the hospital, Elvis will let the ten year old disappearance go cold again.

Instead Elvis calls Joe Pike.  Once Elvis heals, they’re going to find out what happened to Tommy Beller.

+++

I’ve been a fan of Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole tales since THE MONKEY’S RAINCOAT.  The stories always are fun and entertaining.

THE BIG EMPTY has one of the most unexpected twists in years.

Rating:

“American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden” (2025) / Z-View

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American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden (2025)

Director:  Mor Loushy, Daniel Sivan

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden is a three episode documentary about the intelligence and years that went into finding Osama bin Laden.

After 9/11, the CIA determines that Osama bin Laden was the mastermind behind the attacks.  A team is put together to determine bin Laden’s location.  Despite an interview with ABC news and releasing tapes threatening more attacks, Osama bin Laden cannot be found.

Despite near misses, the hunt for Osama bin Laden continues.  Years pass and Al-Qaida continues making attacks throughout the world.

Ten years pass.  Finally a credible clue emerges.  US intelligence might know where Osama bin Laden is.  The evidence is ALL circumstantial.  President Obama orders a highly classified and dangerous mission.  Seal Team Six is sent in to bring back Osama bin Laden dead or alive.

Thoughts…

The behind the scenes information from people makes this documentary special.

I still cannot wrap my head around the mistake of letting a suicide bomber in a secure CIA compound without a search outside first.

It was interesting that not everyone was on board with President Obama’s decision to go forward with the mission without clear proof that Osama bin Laden was there.

American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone / Z-View

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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese; based on KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI by David Grann

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Jason Isbell, William Belleau, Louis Cancelmi, Scott Shepherd, Tatanka Means and Brendan Fraser.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Early in the 20th century oil was found on the Oklahoma Osage Nation reservation.  Members of the Osage tribe shared in the mineral rights. This made the Osage the wealthiest people per capita in the United States. Law required court-appointed guardians to oversee the distribution of money since the Osage were seen as incompetent.

At the end of World War I, Ernest Burkhart arrived at his uncle “King” Hale’s large ranch on the reservation.  King was known as a friend of the Osage.  He was anything but.

King tells Ernest if he marries an Osage woman, and she dies, he would inherit her oil rights.  Her death would make Ernest a wealthy man.  Ernest learns that many Osage have died from mysterious illnesses, accidents and suicide.

Ernest meets and woos an Osage named Mollie.  They marry.  Shortly after, Mollie becomes sick.

As more mysterious deaths occur, the Osage council sends a representative to Washington to request help.  Soon FBI agent Tom White arrives on the reservation.  White begins his investigation as King sets in motion a plan of his own.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Killers of the Flower Moon was nominated for ten 2024 Academy Awards…

  • Best Achievement in Costume Design – Jacqueline West
  • Best Achievement in Production Design – Jack Fisk (production designer), Adam Willis (set decorator)
  • Best Achievement in Film Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Best Achievement in Cinematography – Rodrigo Prieto
  • Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Robbie Robertson
  • Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – Scott George
    For “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)”
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert De Niro
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Lily Gladstone
  • Best Achievement in Directing – Martin Scorsese
  • Best Motion Picture of the Year – Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese, Daniel Lupi

King Hale, Ernest Burkhart, Mollie and Tom White were real people.  Records implicate King Hale in the deaths of multiple murders to gain oil rights.  While the movie focuses on King/Ernest and Mollie, there were many others like King/Ernest taking advantage of the Osage.  Between 1918 and 1931 estimates of up to 150 deaths have been made.

Martin Scorsese met with Osage leadership prior to starting the film.  Scorsese cast 40 Osage actors as well as hundreds of Osage as extras.

When the script was first brought to Leonardo DiCaprio, it was written from FBI agent, Tom White’s perspective.  DiCaprio suggested that put the focus on an outsider’s perspective.  The film would be better served from another view.  The script was, as Martin Scorsese say, re-constructed.

Martin Scorsese (81) became the oldest person was 81 nominated for a Best Director Academy Award with this movie.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Dope Thief: Season 1” starring Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura / Z-View

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Dope Thief: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Peter Craig; based on DOPE THIEF by Dennis Tafoya

Director:  Ridley Scott (Ep. 1), Jonathan van Tulleken (Eps. 2, 6), Tanya Hamilton (Ep. 3); Marcela Said (Eps. 4-5, 7); Peter Craig (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:  Peter Craig

Starring:  Brian Tyree Henry, Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Amir Arison, Nesta Cooper, Kate Mulgrew and Ving Rhames, .

Tagline:  No one gets away clean.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Ray Driscoll and Manny Carvalho have been friends since reform school.  They’re adults now and still struggling.  Then they come up with a plan for easy money.

Ray and Manny use fake badges to pose as DEA agents.  They bust into small time drug houses with guns drawn.  Wearing DEA jackets, they flash their badges and zip-tie the dealers.  Ray and Manny then scoop up the dealer’s cash and disappear.

It’s a good gig. It works every time.

Until Ray and Manny take down the wrong drug house.  A house run by a cartel.

Now Ray and Manny are on the run.  They and everyone they love are targets to tortured and murdered.

Thoughts…

I could see Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura getting nominations for their acting.  Kate Mulgrew is a hoot.  Ving Rhames is always a welcome addition.

 

“Untold: Deal with the Devil” (2021) / Z-View

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Untold: Deal with the Devil (2021)

Director:  Laura Brownson

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Christy Martin was born Christy Salters.  She excelled in sports in high school.  Christy attended college on a basketball scholarship.  She entered a “tough woman” contest on a lark.  Christy won.  After winning three consecutive “tough woman” contests, Christy was introduced to boxing trainer/coach Jim Martin.

Although reluctant at first, Martin decided to train/manage Christy.  After a 2-1-1 start, Christy went on an undefeated streak that made her the face of women’s boxing.  She was one of the first female fighters to appear on a Pay-Per-View card.  Don King became her promoter.  Christy was the on the undercard of a Mike Tyson title defense because Tyson was impressed with her fighting.

Along the way, Christy and Jim Martin became involved.  They married.  Money and fame followed.  All was good.

Until it wasn’t.

Christy had a secret that she’d suppressed.  Jim was controlling and older than her father.  Drugs came into play.  Christy was going to divorce Jim when he repeatedly stabbed and shot her.  And that isn’t the final twist to the story.

Thoughts…

I thought I knew the Christy Martin story, but that final twist is stranger than fiction.

Untold: Deal with the Devil (2021) rates 5 of 5 stars