Category: Crime

“Red Right Hand” (2024) starring Orlando Bloom, Garret Dillahunt & Andie MacDowell / Z-View

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Red Right Hand (2024)

Director:  Ian Nelms, Eshom Nelms

Screenplay: Jonathan Easley

Stars: Orlando Bloom, Garret Dillahunt, Andie MacDowell, Brian Geraghty, Scott Haze, Jeremy Ratchford,  Nicholas Logan, Evan Gamble, Daniel David Stewart and Chapel Oaks.

Tagline: God. Family. Survival.

The Plot…

Cash (Bloom) used to run with the wrong crowd.  He was in a life of crime and he was good at it.

That was then.

Now Cash lives an honest, quiet life with his (screwup) brother-in-law and niece. The three of them are the only family they have left.  When his brother-in-law gets in debt to the local crime boss, Cash knows how it will end… unless he can find a way to get the obligation cleared.

Against his best judgment, Cash rejoins Big Cat’s crew. If the crimes don’t get him killed, Big Cat might.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Andie MacDowell was an interesting choice to play the sadistic crime boss.  I liked her over-the-top performance.

Orlando Bloom and Garret Dilahunt were solid.

The story is a bit over the top and reminded me of something that Burt Reynolds would have starred in at the start of his movie career.

Red Right Hand (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Hounds of War” starring Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick & Rhona Mitra – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Hounds of War.  An action film starring Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick, and Rhona Mitra?

Deal me in.

Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick, and Rhona Mitra star in Hounds of War about the best military mercenaries money can buy. Known as ‘The Hounds’, they are sent on a final mission by their creator: a carefully planned trap set up to destroy them. XYZ Films will release director Isaac Florentine’s Hounds of War on digital on September 6, 2024.

“Dead Money” starring Emile Hirsch, David Keith, India Eisley, Jackie Earle Haley & Rory Culkin – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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How about the poster and trailer for Dead Money starring Emile Hirsch, David Keith, India Eisley, Jackie Earle Haley, Rory Culkin and Peter Facinelli?

Deal me in.

DEAD MONEY is in theaters and on digital September 13

Directed by Luc Walpoth
Starring: Emile Hirsch, David Keith, India Eisley, Jackie Earle Haley, Rory Culkin, Peter Facinelli.

When a home poker game is robbed by armed men, pro poker player Andy and his girlfriend Chloe get caught in the middle. Now, Andy must play the best poker of his life at the biggest game in town to save his and Chloe’s lives.

“Rebel Ridge” starring Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson & Annasophia Robb – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for Rebel Ridge starring Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson and Annasophia Robb. It definitely is following the First Blood framework.  I like what they’re showing.

Deal me in.

A former Marine grapples his way through a web of small-town corruption when an attempt to post bail for his cousin escalates into a violent standoff with the local police chief. He didn’t start this fight, but he will finish it.

Rebel Ridge, the next film by Jeremy Saulnier, comes to Netflix September 6th.

“Bring Him to Me” (2023) starring Barry Pepper, Jamie Costa & Sam Neill / Z-View

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Bring Him to Me (2023)

Director: Luke Sparke

Screenplay: Tom Evans

Stars: Barry Pepper, Jamie Costa, Sam Neill, Rachel Griffiths and Liam McIntyre.

Tagline: When is it too late to turn back?

The Plot…

When a well planned robbery goes bad, the crime boss has questions.  Now the getaway driver and one of the thugs involved are headed back to provide answers.

Two problems: 1.  It appears that they’re being followed.  2.  They may be heading to a certain death.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bring Him to Me was a wonderful surprise.  I loved everything about it. The story, the cinematography, the direction and acting are all top notch.

Bring Him to Me features my favorite performances by Barry Pepper and Sam Neil. Jamie Costa was excellent in his role.

Bring Him to Me (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Knox Goes Away” (2023) directed by and starring Michael Keaton / Z-View

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Knox Goes Away (2023)

Director: Michael Keaton

Screenplay: Gregory Poirier

Stars: Michael Keaton, Ray McKinnon, Paul Perri, Suzy Nakamura, Dennis Dugan, James Marsden, Jimmy Ortega, Lela Loren, Sasha Neboga, Marcia Gay Harden and Al Pacino.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

John Knox (Keaton) is a hitman.  Knox has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.  It’s a rapid moving form of dementia.  Knox has just a few weeks before his grasp of reality will be gone.  As Knox stoically puts his affairs in order his estranged son, Miles (Marsden) comes to him.

Miles is distraught and needs help.  The kind of help that would be difficult under the best circumstances.  Knox realizes that with his rapidly diminishing capacity it will be next to impossible.

But what’s a father to do?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Knox Goes Away is an amazing film.  It is smart, has heart and features my all-time favorite performance by Michael Keaton (who also directed it).

James Marsden is excellent in his role as Knox’s troubled son.

Al Pacino gives a restrained performance.  Hooo-ha!

Knox Goes Away (2023) 5 of 5 stars.

“Midnight Run” (1988) directed by Martin Brest, starring Robert De Niro & Charles Grodin / Z-View

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Midnight Run (1988)

Director: Martin Brest

Screenplay:  George Gallo

Stars:  Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano, Richard Foronjy, Robert Miranda,  Jack Kehoe, Wendy Phillips, Danielle DuClos, Philip Baker Hall, Tom McCleister, John Toles-Bey, Scott McAfee and Martin Brest.

Tagline: Monday… Escape with their lives from New York… Tuesday… Impersonate F.B.I. agents in Chicago… Wednesday… Steal plane in New Mexico… Thursday… Almost kill each other by accident… Friday… Almost kill each other on purpose…

The Plot…

Jack Walsh (De Niro) is a bounty hunter hired to bring in Jonathan Mardukas (Grodin).  Mardukas shouldn’t be a problem.  He’s just an accountant who embezzled his employer.  The gig should be easy… a midnight run.

Then Walsh learns that Mardukas’ employer is a Mafia boss.  The amount Mardukas stole was $15 million dollars.  Walsh also discovers the FBI is looking to capture Walsh.  To make matters worse, another bounty hunter is also after the reward.  With the mob, the FBI and a rival bond recovery agent on his trail, this will be anything but a midnight run!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Before Charles Grodin was cast, Cher, Robin Williams, Albert Brooks, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Steve Martin and Bruce Willis were considered.  The film would have been very different if any of them were cast.

Midnight Run would make a great double feature with Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  They are both about two guys who don’t like each other at first who in working together to get somewhere on a tight timeline develop a friendship.

Midnight Run (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Bricklayer” (2023) directed by Renny Harlin, starring Aaron Eckhart / Z-View

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The Bricklayer (2023)

Director: Renny Harlin

Screenplay: Hanna Weg, Matt Johnson, based on THE BRICKLAYER by Paul Lindsay

Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Nina Dobrev, Clifton Collins Jr., Tim Blake Nelson, Ilfenesh Hadera, Ori Pfeffer, John T. Woods, David Kennedy and Johanna Harlin.

Tagline: Some secrets are deadly.

The Plot…

Steve Vail (Eckhart) is a retired CIA operative who now makes his living as a bricklayer. When a series of murders links back to the CIA, Vail is brought back to find the traitor.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was expecting a better movie since it starred Aaron Eckhart and was directed by Renny Harlin

The Bricklayer (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Armored Car Robbery” (1950) directed by Richard Fleischer, starring Charles McGraw / Z-View

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Armored Car Robbery (1950)

Director: Richard Fleischer

Screenplay: Gerald Drayson Adams, Earl Felton; story by Robert Leeds, Robert Angus

Stars: Charles McGraw, Adele Jergens, William Talman, Douglas Fowley, Steve Brodie, Don McGuire, James Flavin and Paul Bryar.

Tagline: THE STICK-UP THAT STUNNED THE NATION!

The Plot…

A daring daylight robbery of a baseball stadium nets the crooks $500,000. The thieves didn’t get away clean though. A passing police car was alerted to the crime. A shootout ensued. A cop was killed and one of the crooks gutshot. Now the killed cop’s partner, Lt. Jim Cordell (McGraw) is teamed with a rookie. Their partnership gets off to a rocky start.

Meanwhile, the thieves are having trouble deciding their next move. It’s clear their wounded partner needs quick medical attention. The police are closing in. A surprising decision by their leader changes everything.

$500,000 is a lot of money… if they live to spend it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Armored Car Robbery is a low budget crime drama that benefits from location shooting, film noir visuals as well as competent acting and direction. The final death is pretty wild for a movie made in 1950.

Armored Car Robbery (1950) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Child 44” (2015) starring Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Noomi Rapace & Joel Kinnaman / Z-View

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Child 44 (2015)

Director: Daniel Espinosa

Screenplay: Richard Price, based on  CHILD 44  by Tom Rob Smith

Stars: Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Noomi Rapace, Joel Kinnaman, Mark Lewis Jones, Karel Dobrý and Jason Clarke.

Tagline: How do you find a killer who doesn’t exist?

The Plot…

Leo Demidov (Hardy) was a Russian hero in World War II. After the war Leo became an Agent for Russia’s Ministry of State Security. When a child is found dead by railroad tracks, Leo’s investigation points to murder. But in Stalin’s Russia, murder only occurs in capitalistic societies. Leo is told to list the cause of death as accidental and move on.

Leo digs deeper and discovers many children have been murdered along the train line. All of the killings have been listed as accidents. A serial killer is actively preying on children. Leo is warned to drop his investigation. Failure to follow orders will make Leo an enemy of the government. But if he complies more children will be slaughtered.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Child 44 is based on Tom Rob Smith’s awesome novel of the same name.

The film was banned in Russia.

The first cut of Child 44 was reportedly five and a half hours long. I think the material might have been better served as a limited series. The movie is still good, but I think that there might have been an even better one with the additional footage.

Child 44 (2015) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Fast X” (2023) starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez & Jason Mamoa / Z-View

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Fast X (2023)

Director: Louis Leterrier

Screenplay: Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin; story by Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin, Zach Dean based on characters by Gary Scott Thompson

Stars: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, John Cena, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Alan Ritchson, Daniela Melchior, Joaquim de Almeida, Rita Moreno, Pete Davidson, Gal Gadot, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Rooker  and Jason Momoa.

Tagline: The end of the road begins

The Plot…

Years ago, Dom (Diesel) and his crew took down drug lord Hernan Reyes (de Almeida).  Reyes lost his life and the family fortune.  Once that happened, Reyes’ son, Dante (Mamoa) began planing the ultimate revenge.

Now the time is right.  Dante is ready to wipe out Dom, his family and his crew.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise when it first started.  Each film got bigger and more outrageous.  Now they’re to the point, that physics and logic are out the window.  Put your mind in neutral and you’ll enjoy the ride… if there’s nothing better to watch.

The word family is said 56 times.  That’s about once every two and a half minutes.  C’mon, man.  We get it.  Family is everything.

Fast X was originally supposed to be the first of a two part finale.  Now it has expanded to a three part ending.

Jason Mamoa plays against character as a flamboyant, androgynous nut.  He’s a hoot and brings a needed freshness to the franchise.

Fast X (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Like a Dragon – Yakuza” – The Teaser is Here!

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I never played the game, but I’ll give Like a Dragon – Yakuza a shot when it premieres on Prime.

Released in 2005 by SEGA, the ‘Yakuza’ game series was positioned as an entertaining game for adults, which found massive fanfare amongst its target audience. The series depicts the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and people living in a huge entertainment district, Kamurochō, a fictional district modeled after the violent Shinjuku ward’s Kabukichō, that acts as the backdrop of the gameplay.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza showcases modern Japan and the dramatic stories of these intense characters, such as the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, that games in the past have not been able to explore.

Coming October 24 to Prime.

ROBERT B. PARKER’S BURIED SECRETS: A JESSE STONE NOVEL by Christopher Farnsworth!

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I’m a fan of Robert B. Parker.  I’m also a Christopher Farnsworth fan.  So when I learned that Farnsworth was selected by Robert B. Parker’s estate to continue the Jesse Stone series, I took notice.  Here’s the lowdown…

Police Chief Jesse Stone investigates the mystery behind a dead body found strewn with photos of murder victims and placed on top of $2 million in cash, before a mob of hit men converge on Paradise.

Just another day in Paradise . . .

Chief of Police Jesse Stone is on his way home from a long shift when a call comes in for a welfare check on an elderly resident of the wealthy seaside town of Paradise, Massachusetts. Inside a house packed with junk and trash is a man’s dead body. It’s a sad, lonely end, but nothing criminal . . . until Jesse finds the photos of murder victims strewn around the corpse, on top of a treasure trove of $2 million in cash.

Jesse takes on the case and finds a trail leading to an aging mobster who will do whatever it takes to keep the past from coming to light. Before long, Jesse has a price on his head as hit men converge on Paradise to take back the cash and destroy any remaining evidence. But the real danger might be coming from inside his own department. Jesse Stone must unearth the truth buried under the wreckage of a dead man’s life . . . before he winds up in the ground himself.

BURIED SECRETS drops on February 4, 2025.