Category: Crime

“Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” (1966) directed by Russ Meyer, starring Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams & Sue Bernard / Z-View

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Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1966)

Director: Russ Meyer

Screenplay: Jack Moran; story by Russ Meyer

Stars: Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams, Ray Barlow, Sue Bernard, Stuart Lancaster, John Furlong (voice) and Paul Trinka.

Tagline: Go-Go for a Wild Ride with the ACTION GIRLS!

The Plot…

Varla, Rosie, and Billie are three young, wild women living on the edge.  When they’re not working as go-go dancers, they’re on the prowl for thrills.  They race cars… flirt… fight… tease or whatever strikes their mood.

After a desert race goes bad, they kidnap a teenage girl.  Then they hear about a rich old man living alone in a remote house.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is a low budget exploitation flick that made only a modest profit on its initial release, over the years it has become a cult classic.

The movie feels like it is set in an alternate universe.  Filming it in black and white enhances this.

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1966) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Lone Star” (1996) written & directed by John Sayles, starring Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña, Kris Kristofferson & Matthew McConaughey / Z-View

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Lone Star (1996)

Director: John Sayles

Screenplay: John Sayles

Stars: Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña, Stephen Mendillo, Stephen J. Lang, Oni Faida Lampley, Joe Stevens, Richard Coca, Clifton James, Tony Frank, Miriam Colon, Kris Kristofferson, Joe Morton, LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Matthew McConaughey .

Tagline: John Sayles invites you to return to the scene of the crime.

The Plot…

Sam Deeds (Cooper) is Sheriff of Frontera, Texas, a small border town.  When a skeleton, a Masonic ring and Sheriff’s badge are found in a shallow grave just outside of town, Deeds opens an investigation.  The remains appear to be those of Charlie Wade.

Wade was the infamously corrupt Sheriff of Frontera twenty years ago.  Sheriff Wade vanished under mysterious circumstances. At the same time $10,000 of county funds was missing.  To add to the puzzle, Wade’s disappearance happened after a public argument with one of his deputies.  That deputy was Buddy Deeds (McConaughey), Sam’s father.  During the argument each man threatened to kill the other.  Many thought Buddy made good on his promise.  That didn’t stop Buddy from becoming the new Sheriff.

But that was years ago.  Although Buddy is dead, his legend lives on.  And now his son,  Sheriff Sam Deeds is determined to discover the truth.

No one could have predicted the lies and deceptions about to surface.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lone Star was nominated for one Academy Award…

  • nominee Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – John Sayles

Kudos to John Sayles who wrote, directed, and assembled an all-star cast to create an interesting mystery with heart.  I loved Sayles’ inventive transitions from present to past done without a cut.

I also get a kick out of the fact that the movie appears to be about solving the mystery of who was in the shallow grave and who killed him.  But neither of those hold the answers to the biggest secrets that will be revealed.

Lone Star (1946) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Shadows Over Chinatown” (1946) starring Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland & Jimmy Yung / Z-View

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Shadows Over Chinatown (1946)

Director: Terry O. Morse

Screenplay: Raymond L. Schrock; based characters created by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Victor Sen Yung, John Gallaudet, Paul Bryar, Mary Gordon, Mira McKinney and Franke Fontaine.

Tagline: Chan follows the trail of a blood-chilling wave of torso slayings!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Toler) has been called to San Francisco to investigate a series of murders.  On the way, someone takes a shot a him. Chan is not deterred, but even agrees to help a couple looking for a missing woman.  They’re worried that she has become a victim of the serial killings.

Now that Chan, his number two son, Jimmy (Yung) and faithful assistant Birmingham Brown (Moreland) are on the case, things are about to heat up.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Because Sidney Toler had terminal cancer, but wanted to continue the series, his character is often seated.  Also Mantan Moreland and  Victor Sen Yung were given more to do.

Frankie Fontaine has an uncredited cameo doing his bit as a drunk.  I recognized him from his appearances as Crazy Guggenheim on The Jackie Gleason Show.

Shadows Over Chinatown (1946) rates 3 of 5 stars.

CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid & Rodolphe Guenoden / Z-View

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CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid (writer) and Rodolphe Guenoden (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Vinent and Gaby Rocket are unlikely partners in crime.  At least they plan to be.  Their get rich scheme is to knock over an armored truck.  The thing is neither of them are criminals.  The only reason they’d dare such an outrageous crime is they need the money.

Gaby needs the cash to get off the booze and finally live a better life.  Vincent plans to use his cut to return to Senegal, the home of his true love and their baby that he’s never seen.  Vincent also wants to give a share of the loot to armored truck’s driver.  The guy isn’t in on the robbery.  He’s just a down on his luck schmo that Vincent feels sorry for.  Gaby’s not sure he’s okay with that.

Despite the best laid plans, things go sideways in ways no once could imagine.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lupano Wilfrid and Rodolphe Guenoden have created an unconventional crime story.  The characters are flawed and their motivations are real.  The twists are not those expected in a crime story, but are believable thanks to the set-up of Wilfrid’s story.  Guenoden’s art is on the mark.  I love how he has just the right touch of cartoony-ness.

CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid (writer) and Rodolphe Guenoden (artist) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos – The poster and trailer are here.

Deal me in.  Badda-bing!

The man behind the cultural phenomenon.

In Wise Guy David Chase and The Sopranos, a new 2-part HBO Original Documentary, #TheSopranos creator offers a unique look into his work on the iconic series. #WiseGuyHBO premieres September 7 at 8 pm ET on ‪@StreamOnMax‬.

“Damaged” starring Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here are the poster and trailer for Damaged starring Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel.

How do you catch a brilliant monster? When a sadistic murderer surfaces in Scotland, terrified local authorities call on a Chicago police detective who investigated a killing spree with the same horrific pattern five years earlier. Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel star in this shocking thriller about two detectives with tortured pasts trying to stop a merciless serial killer before he claims his next victim.

“Docks of New Orleans” (1948) starring Roland Winters, Virginia Dale & Mantan Moreland / Z-View

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Docks of New Orleans (1948)

Director: Derwin Abrahams

Screenplay: William Scott Darling based on Charlie Chan by Earl Derr Biggers

Stars: Roland Winters, Virginia Dale, Mantan Moreland, John Gallaudet, Victor Sen Yung, Douglas Fowley, Stanley Andrews, Emmett Vogan and Rory Mallinson.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The owners of the LaFontaine Chemical Company are shipping out a boatload of a secret cargo.  This is going to make them a, pardon the expression, a “boatload” of money.  They decide to sign an agreement that if one (or more) of them were to die, the money would be spent by the survivors.

No sooner done, then one of them is murdered.  How this was done is a mystery.  No signs of death and the victim was alone in a room that no one entered.

Thankfully Charlie Chan has been called in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mantan Mooreland gets more to do in this one.  This includes Mooreland’s famous “Indefinite Talk” routine.

Docks of New Orleans (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Mayor of Kingstown”: Season 3 (2024) starring Jeremy Renner / Z-View

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Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (2024)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon

Director: Christoph Schrewe (Eps. 1-2, 9-10); Nina Lopez-Corrado (Eps. 3-4); Paul Cameron  (Ep. 5-6); Guy Ferland (7-8)

Teleplay: Dave Erickson (Ep. 1-10); Regina Corrado (Ep. 2); Wendy Riss (Ep. 3); Aalia Brown (Ep. 4); Christian Donovan (Ep. 5); James Arcega Tinsley (Ep. 6); Wendy Riss & Molly Forman (Ep. 7); ; Regina Corrado & Dave Erickson (Ep. 10)

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Hugh Dillon, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley, Michael Beach, Yorick van Wageningen, Nichole Galicia, Necar Zadegan, Lane Garrison, Mark Ivanir, Denny Love, Derek Basco, Gratiela Brancusi, Richard Brake, Paula Malcomson, Nona Parker Johnson, Dylan Kenin, Rob Kirkland, Matthew Del Negro and Kenny Johnson.

Tagline: You can’t bury the past.

The Plot…

The prison riot left gangs without leadership.  As they battle to determine their status, a Russian mob moves into town.  Each gang jockeys to get Mike to assist their rise to the top.  Mike and Bunny’s relationship is pushed to the breaking point.  As the body count rises, Mike comes up with a plan…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mayor of Kingstown continues to be well written, well directed, well acted with production values that rival those of feature films.

Jeremy Renner is perfect as the no-nonsense Mike McClusky.  Other standouts in the acting department include Hugh Dillon, Emma Laird, Nichole Galicia, Tobi Bamtefa and Hamish Allan-Headley.  Actually, I should probably list every supporting actor/actress because they are all perfectly cast.

The surprises, twists and ever building tension make each episode must-see tv.  I hope we get a season four.

Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Red Light” (1949) starring George Raft & Virginia Mayo / Z-View

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Red Light (1949)

Director: Roy Del Ruth

Screenplay: George Callahan, Charles Grayson (additional dialogue); based on the story “This Guy Gideon” by Don “Red” Barry

Stars: George Raft, Virginia Mayo, Gene Lockhart, Raymond Burr, Harry Morgan, Barton MacLane, Arthur Franz, Ken Murray, Stanley Clements, Arthur Shields, Frank Orth, Phillip Pine, Leonard Bremen and William Frawley.

Tagline: The raw, ruthless story of a strong-arm guy…and the blonde he used to bait his deadly trap!

The Plot…

John Torno (Raft) is a successful business man.  John’s younger brother, Jess (Franz) is a Catholic Chaplin just brought home from a World War II prisoner of war camp.  John idolizes Jess who he raised.  He’s a war hero who has dedicated his life to helping others.

So when Jess is murdered, John makes it his life’s mission to find the killer.  And get revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Raymond Burr made an excellent heavy in this and other films early in his career.

Red Light (1949) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Driver” (1978) written & directed by Walter Hill, starring Ryan O’Neal and Bruce Dern / Z-View

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The Driver (1978)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Walter Hill

Stars: Ryan O’Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani, Ronee Blakley, Matt Clark, Felice Orlandi, Joseph Walsh, Rudy Ramos, Sandy Brown Wyeth, Bob Minor and Nick Dimitri.

Tagline: To break the driver, the cop was willing to break the law.

The Plot…

A getaway driver (O’Neal) has a reputation as THE one to use if you’re planning any kind of heist.  Although the driver’s identity isn’t known, a detective (Dern) has become obsessed with catching this wheelman.  The detective is willing to break the law to make the arrest.  The driver is willing to risk his life to prove he’s the best.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Driver is the second film written and directed by Walter Hill.  Hill’s intent was to create a “pure genre” film.  The main characters aren’t given names other than their archetype.

Steve McQueen turned down the lead.  He didn’t want to do another “car picture” after Bullitt and The Getaway.

Charles Bronson, who had starred in Hill’s last film, Hard Times, was then offered the lead.  Bronson didn’t want to work with Hill again.  He felt that Hill’s editing of Hard Times put Jill Ireland (Bronson’s wife) in a bad light.

While Sylvester Stallone was filming F.I.S.T., he was approached about starring.  Stallone ultimately turned down the role.

Ryan O’Neal reached out to Walter Hill.  He wanted to play the Driver.  Hill and O’Neal were on the same page with how the role should be played.  The rest is history.

Walter Hill approached Robert Mitchum about playing the Detective.  Mitchum turned down the offer.

When The Driver was released it didn’t do well at the U.S. box office.  Isabelle Adjani said she felt the film hurt her career. Walter Hill said the studio gave him a six inch stack containing reviews of The Driver.  Only one was positive.  Hill later said in an interview, ” “Had I not been shooting The Warriors at the time, I don’t think my career would have survived.

Over the years, The Driver‘s reputation has improved.  Quentin Tarantino is a fan.  The Driver also served as an influence of other films including Driver and Baby Driver.

Although I’m a Walter Hill fan, The Driver isn’t one of my favorites of his films.  I get what he was going for.  It just doesn’t work as well for me as many of his other films.

The Driver (1978) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Paradox Effect” starring Harvey Keitel, Olga Kurylenko & Oliver Trevena – Anyone See This One?

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The Paradox Effect poster and trailer are here.  It doesn’t look bad (or great).  Anyone seen this one?

Estranged from her daughter because of a past life of drug-abuse, Karina is taking all the steps she can towards being the mother she needs to be. One night Karina hears the discharge of a muted weapon and a body breaking through heavy glass.

Looking up, she locks eyes with the man who pulled the trigger and she is captured.

The mastermind of it all is crime lord Silvio and his vicious gangsters who forces Karina and Covek, a deadly killer threatened by him, to go on a journey against time.

“Devil’s Peak’ (2023) starring Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Hopper Penn, Katelyn Nacon & Jackie Earle Haley / Z-View

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Devil’s Peak (2023)

Director: Ben Young

Screenplay: Robert Knott, based on WHERE ALL LIGHT TENDS TO GO by David Joy

Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Hopper Penn, Katelyn Nacon, David Kallaway, Mark Ashworth, Mark Ashworth, Elena Sanchez, Sean Freeland and Jackie Earle Haley.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Jacob McNeely (Penn) is 18 years  old and in love with Maggie (Nacon).  But there are problems.  Jacob is from the wrong side of the tracks.   His dad, Charlie (Thorton) is the area’s meth/drug dealer.  Maggie’s middle class, smart and headed for college.

Charlie tells Jacob to drop her.  Jacob refuses and wants the money that Charlie has always said he was holding for Jacob.  People who don’t do as Charlie asks have a habit of disappearing.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

With this cast, I was expecting a better film.

Devil’s Peak (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Breakwater” (2023) written & directed by James Rowe, starring Dermot Mulroney, Darren Mann, Alyssa Goss & Mena Suvari / Z-View

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Breakwater (2023)

Director: James Rowe

Screenplay: James Rowe

Stars: Dermot Mulroney, Darren Mann, Alyssa Goss, Don Henderson Baker, JD Evermore, Celia Rose Gooding, Mike Stanley, Sonja Sohn, Timothy Douglas Perez, Blaque Fowler, Kenneth Nance Jr. and Mena Suvari.

Tagline: The deepest secrets are the last to rise.

The Plot…

Dovey (Mann) is a young man about to be released from prison.  He was sent there on a trumped up charge.  While in the joint Dovey was protected by a respected con named Ray Childress (Mulroney).

Right before Dovey is released Childress shares a photo of his daughter.  He tells Dovey that they haven’t seen each other in years.  She won’t talk to him.  Childress asks Dovey to go to her.  Make sure she is safe and doing well.  Dovey feels he owes Childress and makes the commitment.

What Doey doesn’t know is that the woman isn’t Childress’ daughter.  And if Dovey finds her, she’ll be targeted for murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Breakwater is an enjoyable low budget crime film.  Dermot Mulroney plays a convict the other inmates fear, not because he’s a beast, but because he’s smart.  Mulroney is surprisingly menacing.  Darren Mann is believable as the naive ex-con who wants to do what’s right.

Breakwater (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.