Category: Crime

THE WAKE-UP by Robert Ferrigno / Z-View

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THE WAKE-UP by Robert Ferrigno

First sentence…

The Engineer’s bodyguard gave Frank Thorpe the jitters.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Frank Thorpe was an operative for the shop.  But three months ago a job went sideways.  Their target, known as The Engineer, got the best of them.  Good people died.  The shop needed a scapegoat, so Frank got the boot.

Frank decides to get away and clear his head.  Traveling through the airport, Frank is jostled by an arrogant business man as he pushes past.  Frank almost starts after the jerk, but catches himself.  In his current mood, Frank knows he’d take it too far. Frank watches as the self-absorbed jerk pushes his way through the crowd.  A young boy who obviously needs money is selling candy and gum from a tray he’s holding. The boy says something to the hotshot.  The man, without breaking stride swings his crocodile briefcase, knocking the boy’s tray to the ground and striking the kid in the head.

As the jerk strides off, Frank moves to the kid.  Frank makes sure the boy is okay and then heads off to confront Mr. Big Shot.  Frank gets outside in time to see the man get into a Porsche driven by a beautiful blonde.  Frank decides Mr. Entitled needs a wake-up.  Nothing too extreme.  Just enough to get his attention.

Using skills from his past, Frank easily learns the man is an art dealer.  It’ll be a breeze to teach this cat a lesson.  Unfortunately, Frank’s plan unleashes an unexpected response.  Soon a laid back creator of designer drugs and his psychopathic wife are involved.  Frank’s wake-up puts him in line for a payback.  Vlad (a Romanian Frankenstein if there ever was one) and Arturo are hired killers working for the crazy wife.

Frank’s expertise will be put to the ultimate test.  And that’s before The Engineer returns for another round.

+++++

Robert Ferrigno has created another winner.

Rating:

“Amber Alert” (2024) starring Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams / Z-View

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Amber Alert (2024)

Director:  Kerry Bellessa

Screenplay:  Kerry Bellessa, Joshua Oram

Stars: Hayden Panettiere, Tyler James Williams, Kevin Dunn, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Dinora Walcott, Kruz Valero and Claire Slemmer.

Tagline: Two Strangers Are Her Only Hope.

The Plot…

Jaq (Panettiere) is running late.  She offers a nice tip to Shane (Williams), an Uber driver who was quitting for the day to get to his son’s birthday.  During the drive an Amber Alert comes across.  At the next stop light, Jaq believes the car ahead is holding the kidnapped little girl.  Shane isn’t so sure.  As they try to get a closer look, the driver runs the light and jumps on the highway.

Jaq and Shane follow the speeding car.  Jaq calls 911 but are put on hold since so many calls about the alert are coming in.  As the driver heads away from the city, the little girl’s only hope are two strangers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The writers and director made a film in 2012 titled Amber Alert.  The 2024 film is a bigger budget re-working.

My favorite scene is when the driver confronts Jaq and Shane in a deserted lot on the highway.

Amber Alert (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Jack Carter by Sam Banchard aka Shlepzig!

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Sam Banchard aka Shlepzig had a unique style.  I loved it.  In addition to being an artist, Sam was a teacher, a fencer, a husband and so much more.  I met Sam in 2022 at HeroesCon.  I got the commission above, went back for another and introduced my friends to his art.  They got pieces and all commented on how humble and nice Sam was.

Sadly Sam passed away at the end of 2024.  He was way too young.  Thankfully his art will live on.

“The Third Man” (1949) written by Graham Greene; directed by Carol Reed; starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten / Z-View

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The Third Man (1949)

Director:  Carol Reed

Screenplay: Graham Greene

Stars: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Paul Birch, Martin Boddey and Bernard Lee.

Tagline:  HUNTED…By a thousand men! Haunted…By a lovely girl!

The Plot…

World War 2 is over.  Vienna is divided into five occupation zones—one zone for each of the Allied powers and one international zone.  The black market thrives.

Holly Martins (Cotten) comes to Allied-occupied Vienna.  Martins has been promised a job by his good friend, Harry Lime (Welles).  Martins is shocked to learn that Harry was killed crossing the street when he was hit by a car.  Still reeling from the news, Martins attends Harry’s funeral.

Afterwards, Martins talks to different people and their stories don’t add up.  Martins then goes to the Allied Authority, Major Calloway (Howard) and demands an investigation into Harry’s death.  Major Calloway informs Martins that Harry Lime was involved in the black market.  Lime was behind the theft of penicillin from military hospitals.  Lime diluted the medicine until it had to curative effect.  Lime then sold it on the black market at outrageous prices.  Because of the dilution, dozens of people, many children died.  If Lime had lived he was about to be arrested.

At first Martins doesn’t believe Major Calloway… but the evidence is there.  His childhood friend, Harry Lime had become a despicable person responsible for the death of many including little children.  That night as Martins walks a deserted street across the way he sees Harry Lime.  Martins calls out, but Harry runs away.

Determined to get to the bottom of this Martins makes it his mission to find Harry… even if it kills him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Third Man was nominated for three 1951 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Oswald Hafenrichter
  • Nominee for Best Director – Carol Reed
  • Winner for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Robert Krasker

Orson Welles was concerned that filming in real sewers would make him sick.  His close-ups were done in a studio with long shots in a sewer feature a body double.

Welles was offered a straight salary or a percentage of the profits.  He opted for a straight salary.  Because the film was so successful, Welles would have made much more with a percentage of profits.

The film was popular during it’s initial release, was nominated for three Academy Awards and remains popular to this day.  It currently has an 8.1/10 score on IMDb.  At RottenTomatoes it has a 99% rating from reviewers and 93% from all users.

Although Orson Welles is the film’s star, he finished his part in one week of filming.  He doesn’t show up in the movie until the movie is 2/3 over.

The Third Man is a classic.  Well written, well directed, well cast and well acted.  Well… what do you expect, I said, “It’s a classic.”

I love the final scene when Holly Martins waits for Anna to catch up to him.  He’s hoping they have a chance at romance.  She walks by without even looking his way.

The Third Man (1949) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Accountant 2” starring Ben Affleck & Jon Bernthal – Two Posters and a Trailer are Here!

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The Accountant was surprisingly good.  Today we have two posters and a trailer for The Accountant 2.  It looks even better.

Deal me in/

Do you like puzzles?

Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are back in The Accountant 2. Watch the new trailer now and see the movie only in theaters April 25. #Accountant2

Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) has a talent for solving complex problems. When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to “find the accountant,” Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax (Jon Bernthal), to help. In partnership with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.

“12 Angry Men” (1957) written by Reginald Rose; directed by Sidney Lumet; starring Henry Fonda / Z-View

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12 Angry Men (1957)

Director:  Sidney Lumet

Screenplay:  Reginald Rose based on his 1954 teleplay for Studio One.

Stars: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Jack Warden, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovec, Robert Webber and Rudy Bond.

Tagline:  Life Is In Their Hands — Death Is On Their Minds!

The Plot…

On the hottest day of the year, twelve jurors enter the jury room to determine the verdict in a capital murder case.  A teenage boy is accused of stabbing his father to death.  A guilty verdict results in a mandatory death penalty.  Eleven jurors see the accused as guilty.  One isn’t sure.

Tempers will flare and motivations bared as deliberations proceed.  A young man’s life hangs in the balance.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

12 Angry Men was nominated for three 1958 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium – Reginald Rose
  • Nominee for Best Director – Sidney Lumet
  • Nominee for Best Picture – Henry Fonda, Reginald Rose

12 Angry Men is considered a classic.  It currently has a 9 out of 10 rating on IMDb.  It has an 100% reviewers rating and 97% user rating at Rotten Tomatoes.  Surprisingly, 12 Angry Men was a box office disappointment.  Henry Fonda had deferred part of his salary and the film didn’t earn enough to pay off.  Still, Fonda considered 12 Angry Men one of his best films.

12 Angry Men was Sidney Lumet’s feature film directing debut.

An all star cast (although not all were stars at the time), an exceptional screenplay and a director who knew how to film in tight quarters and get the tension on screen from men talking make for a film classic.

12 Angry Men (1957) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“G20” starring Viola Davis – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for G20 starring Viola Davis are here!

The target becomes a weapon.

G20 starring Viola Davis is streaming on Prime Video April 10.

When the G20 summit comes under siege, U.S. President Danielle Sutton (Academy Award® winner Viola Davis) becomes the number one target. After evading capture by the attackers, she must outsmart the enemy to protect her family, defend her country and safeguard world leaders in this action-packed thrill ride.

Starring Viola Davis, Anthony Anderson, Marsai Martin, Ramón Rodríguez, Douglas Hodge, Elizabeth Marvel, Sabrina Impacciatore, Christopher Farrar and Antony Starr

Directed by Patricia Riggen

“King of the Apocalypse” (2025) / Z-View

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King of the Apocalypse (2025)

Director:  Daniel Vernon

Tagline:  PATRIOT.  ENEMY.  DAD.

The Plot…

Dakota Adams is the son of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes.

In King of the Apocalypse we are told the story, through his son’s eyes, of how Stewart Rhodes, a vet and Yale graduate became more and more obsessed with the idea of a coming apocalypse.  Rhodes trained his children in military and survival tactics.  In 2009, Rhodes started the Oath Keepers.  The organization took off and membership increased dramatically across the country.

As Rhodes popularity and the Oath Keepers membership continued to grow, Rhodes’ mental stability diminished.  His children and wife began to fear for their lives.  They ultimately fled the house, giving Rhodes no notice.

Following the 2020 election, Rhodes was an outspoken critic, claiming the Presidency was stolen.  He spoke about the need to prepare for a bloody war.  On January 6, 2021, Rhodes was at the US Capitol directing members and entering restricted areas.

Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years for his actions on January 6, 2021 at the US Capitol.  Rhodes was recently pardoned by President Trump and is now a free man.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was interested in how Stewart Rhodes became obsessed with a coming apocalypse, his journey to becoming the founder/leader of the Oath Keepers and his thoughts after spending time in prison for his actions on January 6th.  King of the Apocalypse presents the tale of a man whose obsessions increase to the point that his wife and children flee for their lives.

It’s not a pretty story.  My nit to pick is that the story is one-sided.  I wonder how Rhodes would respond to his families’ allegations.  It’s not that I believe Rhodes could justify his actions, but it would be interesting to hear where his mind was/is at.  Also, if we could have heard from police, prosecutors or even some of his followers, it would have presented a more rounded documentary.  Of course, this is Dakota’s story and none of those things are needed to tell it.

King of the Apocalypse (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.

HIGH FIVE: AN IQ NOVEL by Joe Ide / Z-View

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HIGH FIVE: AN IQ NOVEL by Joe Ide

First sentence…

Isaiah Quintabe’s East Long Beach neighborhood hadn’t changed much over the years.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Isaiah Quintabe, aka IQ because he’s super smart, is back. IQ was orphaned in high school. So he went to work.  He earned money from neighborhood folks needing help. After IQ found a a young runaway word spread. Soon he was getting  “cases the police couldn’t or wouldn’t touch.” The jobs didn’t pay much. Sometimes the reward was food or a service IQ needed.

But that was over a decade ago. Now IQ is the go-to guy when folks need a real detective.

IQ is hired by Angus Byrne to exonerate his daughter Christina.  She witnessed a murder and is the primary suspect.  The job is complicated by the fact that Byrne is a notorious arms dealer.  He wants his daughter cleared at all costs.  Should IQ fail, Byrne has promised to maim IQ’s girlfriend.  Even if Christina is guilty Byrne wants her vindicated.

The police are preparing to arrest Christina.  IQ is under the gun and the clock is ticking.  Then he discovers Christina suffers from multiple personality disorder.  Meanwhile a gang war is brewing and two female assassins have IQ in their crosshairs.

Rating:

“24 Hours To Live” (2017) starring Ethan Hawke / Z-View

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24 Hours To Live (2017)

Director:  Brian Smrz

Screenplay:  Zach Dean, Jim McClain, Ron Mita

Stars: Ethan Hawke, Paul Anderson, Nat Boltt, Liam Cunningham, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Tanya van Graan, Alex Anlos, Brendan Sean Murray, Clayton Evertson, Marty Kintu and Rutger Hauer.

Tagline:  Contracted to Kill.  Fighting to Survive.

The Plot…

Travis Conrad (Hawke) is a hitman killed while on a mission.  Brought back to life by an experimental drug, Conrad learns that the folks behind the hit only wanted the information he obtained.  That is why they brought him back to life… and that is why they plan to kill him now.

On the run, with just 24 hours to live, Conrad plans to get payback.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

24 Hours To Live isn’t a bad way to spend an hour and a half.

24 Hours To Live (2017) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Riff Raff” starring Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Lewis Pullman, Pete Davidson & Bill Murray – The Poster is Here!

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Here we have the poster for Riff Raff starring Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Lewis Pullman, Pete Davidson and Bill Murray.  I’ve also attached the trailer in case you missed it.

Deal me in.

Riff Raff – Watch the trailer now! In theaters February 28.

Starring Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Lewis Pullman, Miles J. Harvey, Emanuela Postacchini, Michael Angelo Covino, Pete Davidson, and Bill Murray.

Oscar nominees Bill Murray and Ed Harris star alongside Emmy winner Jennifer Coolidge and Pete Davidson in this darkly comic crime thriller about how far you’ll go to protect the ones you love. Vincent (Harris) and his family plan to share a quiet New Year’s Eve together until his sketchy past catches up with him and the night reveals secrets no one could ever imagine. Gabrielle Union and Emmy nominee Lewis Pullman also star.

“Dillinger” (1945) starring Lawrence Tierney / Z-View

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Dillinger (1945)

Director:  Max Nosseck

Screenplay:  Philip Yordan, William Castle (uncredited)

Stars: Lawrence Tierney, Anne Jeffreys, Eduardo Ciannelli, Marc Lawrence, Fred Aldrich, Sam Balter (voice), Dick Elliott and Elisha Cook Jr..

Tagline: His Story Is Written in Bullets, Blood and Blondes!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of John Dillinger (Tierney).

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dillinger was Lawrence Tierney’s first starring role.

Dillinger (1945) rates 2 of 5 stars.