Category: Crime

“American Me” (1992) directed by Edward James Olmos, starring Edward James Olmos & William Forsythe / Z-View

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American Me (1992)

Director: Edward James Olmos

Screenplay: Floyd Mutrux, Desmond Nakano; story by Floyd Mutrux

Stars: Edward James Olmos, William Forsythe, Pepe Serna, Lopez, Dyana Ortelli, Lance August, Cody Glenn, Don Pugsley and William Smith.

Tagline: In prison they are the law. On the streets they are the power.

The Plot…

American Me follows three friends, Montoya Santana (Olmos), JD (Forsythe) and Mundo (Serna) from their days of youthful crime to their leadership of the powerful La Eme gang.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

American Me is based on real people and events, but was fictionalized.  Some of the choices made were not well received.  Reportedly at least three of the consultants for the film were murdered after the movie’s release.  Danny Trejo talks about the problems and the people who were killed in this interview (start at 24:32).

Several scenes were shot at Folsom State Prison and the California Institution for Men.  Real gang members, prisoners and guards are seen on screen.

Edward James Olmos’ debut as a director.

American Me (1992) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) directed by Robert Mulligan, starring Gregory Peck, Mary Badham and Phillip Alford / Z-View

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To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Director: Robert Mulligan

Screenplay: Horton Foote; based on TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee

Stars: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcox Paxton, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley, William Windom, Crahan Denton, Richard Hale and Robert Duvall.

Tagline: The most beloved and widely read Pulitzer Prize Winner now comes vividly alive on the screen!

The Plot…

Summer is always the best time for Scout (Badham), her older brother Jem (Alford) and their friend Dill (Megna).  Like most kids, they play games, stay out until dark and share stories.  Often their tales involve Boo Radley who lives in the scary house just down the way.  Since no one has ever seen Boo, imaginations run wild. Scout’s Dad, Atticus (Peck) warns the children to stay away from the Radley house.  This just makes the stories more exciting.

Atticus is a widowed lawyer and well respected in the town.  That is until, he agrees to defend a black man accused of raping a white woman.  Taking on this case in Alabama in the early 1930s sets off a certain segment of the population.  Unfortunately, even Scout and Jem aren’t safe from taunts and threats.

As the case progresses, tension throughout the small town escalates.  Before it is over, the powder keg will blow and the truth about Boo Radley will be known.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic.  It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three…

  • nominee Best Music, Score – Substantially Original: Elmer Bernstein
  • nominee Best Cinematography, Black-and-White: Russell Harlan
  • nominee Best Director: Robert Mulligan
  • nominee Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Mary Badham
  • winner Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White: Alexander Golitzen, Henry Bumstead, Oliver Emert
  • winner Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Horton Foote
  • winner Best Actor in a Leading Role: Gregory Peck
  • winner Best Picture: Alan J. Pakula

Brock Peters, who played Tom Robinson the man accused of rape in the film, gave Gregory Peck’s eulogy at his funeral.

First credited role of Robert Duvall and film debut of William Windom.

The character Dill was based on Truman Capote, a childhood friend of author Harper Lee.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Killer” (2024) directed by John Woo / Z-View

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The Killer (2024)

Director: John Woo

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland, Josh Campbell, Matt Stuecken; based on The Killer by John Woo

Stars: Nathalie Emmanuel, Omar Sy, Sam Worthington, Diana Silvers, Saïd Taghmaoui, Tchéky Karyo and Aurélia Agel.

Tagline: A classic. Reloaded.

The Plot…

Zee (Emmanuel) is a hit woman known as The Queen of the Dead.  On a job, Zee successfully eliminates all of her targets.  Unfortunately Jenn Clark, a singer is wounded, causing her to losing her sight.  Although Zee had been hired to execute everyone, she takes pity and allows Jenn to live.

This decision turns Zee’s employers against her.  Now Zee has a crime cartel and the police on her trail.  An unlikely alliance with a police inspector may be her saving grace.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Killer (1989) is a classic.  I’m a huge fan of it, so I was looking forward to see what Woo would do with the remake.  Sadly, it fell far short of my expectations.

There had been talk of a The Killer remake for years.  In 1992, Walter Hill and David Giler worked up a script.  The hope was Richard Gere and Denzel Washington would star.  Nicholas Cage had expressed interest if a remake was ever created.

The Killer (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” starring Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Deal me in!

Gerard Butler (Plane, Has Fallen series) and O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Out of Compton, Godzilla: King of the Monsters) return in the sequel to 2018’s action-heist hit Den of Thieves.

In DEN OF THIEVES: PANTERA, Big Nick (Butler) is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie (Jackson), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s largest diamond exchange.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera – in theaters January 10! Starring Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr

“Brothers” starring Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, M. Emmet Walsh, Jennifer Landon, with Brendan Fraser and Glenn Close – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Brothers starring Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, M. Emmet Walsh, Jennifer Landon, with Brendan Fraser and Glenn Close are here!

Brothers tells the story of a reformed criminal (Josh Brolin) whose attempt at going straight is derailed when he reunites with his sanity-testing twin brother (Peter Dinklage) on a cross-country road trip for the score of a lifetime. Dodging bullets, the law, and an overbearing mother along the way, they must heal their severed family bond before they end up killing each other.

Family is a life sentence. Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, M. Emmet Walsh, Jennifer Landon, with Brendan Fraser and Glenn Close star in #BrothersMovie, streaming on Prime Video October 17th.

SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark & Sean Phillips / Z-View

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SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark (artist), Sean Phillips (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Jack Herriman is surprised when he gets a call from his dead father’s former partner, Detective Paul Raymonds.  Jack’s dad was assassinated in the line of duty when Jack was a teenager. Jack didn’t deal with the loss well and made some bad choices. Detective Raymonds helped Paul along the way.

But that was years ago.  Jack turned his life around.  He got clean.  Jack began working as a Private Investigator.  Detective Raymonds wants Jack to find a missing woman named Maggie. Maggie is the daughter of Raymonds’ mistress.

Finding Maggie is surprisingly easy.  She’s a free spirit. Jack follows the leads and meets her.  After some back and forth, they decide to talk over a meal.  Maggie agrees to call her mother and reassure her she’s safe.  There’s chemistry between Jack and Maggie.  As he drops her at her hotel room, they both agree they’ll see each other again.

The next morning Maggie is found murdered in her hotel room.  In a bag is $10,000 in cash.

Now the case is personal.  Jack is determined to find Maggie’s killer.  The trail will lead to other crimes, a family conspiracy and secrets that are as sickening as they are shocking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

SCENE OF THE CRIME was the first time that Ed Brubaker worked with both Michael Lark and Sean Phillips.  Brubaker would go on to have celebrated runs on Daredevil and Gotham Central.  Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips would go on to create the Criminal series and so many other classic tales.

The book also contains the following extras…

  • Intro by Brian Michael Bendis
  • Covers from the original comic series
  • Gods and Sinners, a heartbreaking short tale featuring Jack Herriman
  • The Untold Story of Scene of the Crime by Ed Brubaker
  • Examples of Michael Larks pencils and Sean Phillips inks

SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark (artist), Sean Phillips (artist) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Rating:

BURN TO SHINE: A JOE LEDGER AND ROUGE TEAM INTERNATIONAL NOVEL by Joe Ledger!

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Jonathan Maberry’s new Joe Ledger is titled BURN TO SHINE: A JOE LEDGER AND ROUGE TEAM INTERNATIONAL NOVEL.  It’ll be released on March 4, 2025 (and in my mitts the same day).  Here’s the scoop…

Rogue Team International joins Joe Ledger in a new, tension-filled mission to stop a wave of bioterrorism from devastating the country in the fourth installment of bestselling author Jonathan Maberry’s ongoing series.

A covert group is infiltrating the world’s most secure bio-weapons research sites. All across the country, people are acting as human ‘disease bombs’ by infecting themselves and walking into public places. And heavily-armed groups of illegal private soldiers are massing for some unknown strike.

Joe Ledger and the members of Rogue Team International, still reeling from the devastation and heartbreaking losses of their last mission, are forced into relentless action to try and save the country, if not the entire world.

Old enemies are rising and joining forces to hit Joe and his team with one devastating blow after another. What is the end game for all of this madness and terror? Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outgunned, Joe Ledger has to find a way back from the fires of grief in order to make a stand between these enemies and millions of potential innocent lives. But Joe has allies, too. His team, the vicious fighters of Arklight, and friends who may or may not be entirely human.

A war of darkness and light is coming. Who will stand? Who will fall? And how will anyone ever survive?

BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz and Tim Hamilton / Z-View

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BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz (writer) and Tim Hamilton (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Detective Billy O’Connor suffers from PTSD.  His time in Afghanistan took a heavy toil.  O’Connor has occasional hallucinations and blackouts.  He’s been able to keep it together, but things that trigger episodes are becoming more frequent.

Detective Nadira Hasan is O’Connor’s partner.  She’s aware of O’Connor’s issues, but has his back.  They’re a good team.  That’s why they get the assignment when a serial killer begins leaving gruesomely mutilated bodies in public places.

As O’Connor and Hasan work the case, O’Connor’s visions begin to change from Afghanistan to terrible images from Brooklyn’s past.  He’s seeing things that make no sense, but are somehow connected.  O’Connor thinks a psychic may have some answers.  When O’Connor tells Hasan, she’s skeptical.  But as bodies pile, up, anything is worth a shot.

As O’Connor and Hasan get closer to the killer, he turns his sights on them.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I knew Paul Levitz from his days as a writer and editor for DC Comics.  I liked his one sentence summary for BROOKLYN BLOOD: In Brooklyn, a serial killer is on the loose–and when strange clues lead down a paranormal path, a detective confronts his inner demons to solve the case.

I wasn’t familiar with Tim Hamilton’s art, but that’s what got me to pull the trigger on the purchase.  His storytelling is straightforward with interesting camera angles.  I especially love Hamilton’s inking.  He has an open art style, then comes in with bold inks.  He’s great at spotting blacks and creating a page that pops.  I definitely will keep my eyes open for more from Hamilton.  I’d love to see him take on additional crime/noir stories.

BROOKLYN BLOOD definitely leans into the paranormal aspect of the case with Lovecraftian monsters showing up at the end of the tale.  If that’s you’re thing, you’re going to like the story even more than me.  I was entertained and enjoyed the ride.

BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz (writer) and Tim Hamilton (artist) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (1974) starring Walter Matthau & Robert Shaw / Z-View

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The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1973)

Director: Joseph Sargent

Screenplay: Peter Stone;  based on THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE by John Godey

Stars: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo, Earl Hindman, James Broderick, Dick O’Neill, Lee Wallace, Tom Pedi, Nathan George, Rudy Bond, Kenneth McMillan, Doris Roberts, Julius Harris and Jerry Stiller.

Tagline: We are going to kill one passenger a minute until New York City pays us 1 million dollars.

The Plot…

Four armed men, code named Mr. Blue, Mr. Grey, Mr. Brown and Mr. Green hijack subway train Pelham One Two Three.  The cut loose the first car and hold its 17 passengers and conductor hostage.

Their demand: One Million Dollars.  If the money isn’t delivered in one hour, they will kill one passenger for each minute that passes.

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is an effective thriller.  Part of the fun is trying to figure out how the hijackers expect to get away since they are also trapped in the subway.

Peter Stone did an excellent job of adapting John Godey’s best selling novel.  It is my favorite film directed by Joseph Sargent.

Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw were the big name stars, but the supporting cast more than pull their weight. Kudos to  Doris (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) Roberts and Jerry (“Seinfeld” and “King of Queens”) Stiller best known for their comedy roles, who appear in serious roles here.

The fade out shot is a classic.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1973) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“No Questions Asked” (1951) starring Barry Sullivan, Arlene Dahl, George Murphy & Jean Hagen / Z-View

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No Questions Asked (1951)

Director: Harold F. Kress

Screenplay: Sidney Sheldon; story by Berne Giler

Stars: Barry Sullivan, Arlene Dahl, Jean Hagen, Richard Anderson, Moroni Olsen, Danny Dayton, William Phipps, Howland Chamberlain and Robert Osterloh.

Tagline: M-G-M presents the inside story of the men and their women in the “stolen goods” racket.

The Plot…

Steve Keiver (Sullivan) wants to marry Ellen Sayburn (Dahl).  Trouble is he can’t afford her lifestyle.  Not on his insurance investigator’s salary.  When some valuable furs are stolen, Keiver gets a brainstorm.  It’s risky, but Ellen is worth it.

Keiver meets with some locally known mobsters.  Keiver puts out word he will accept the furs, no questions asked.  In turn he will pay them $7,500 of the $10,000 insurance reward.  Keiver will keep $2,500 for his trouble.

Surprisingly, Keiver’s deal is accepted.  Keiver takes the money to buy a ring for Ellen. Then he learns that she’s with someone else.  So when mobsters come to Keiver with more stolen goods, he’s more than eager to act as the go-between with the insurance companies.  The insurance companies like getting the goods back, but aren’t too happy with Keiver.  The cops even less so.  But he’s not doing anything illegal.  Immoral maybe, but not illegal.

As Keiver gets in deeper with the crooks, it’s only a matter of time before things go sideways.  And when things go bad, people get killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

No Questions Asked  has an interesting idea that quickly loses steam.

No Questions Asked (1951) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Killer Heat” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Richard Madden – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for Killer Heat starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Richard Madden.  Looks pretty good so…

Deal me in.

Jealousy can drive you to the edge. KILLER HEAT, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Richard Madden, is streaming on Prime Video September 26.