Category: Crime

A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novel by Douglas Lumsden / Z-View

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A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novel by Douglas Lumsden

Publisher: Independently published (November 17, 2019)

First sentence…

If I had failed to notice that he was packing a quarter of a ton of rock-hard muscle into his seven-and-a-half foot frame, or if I hadn’t observed the loose grayish skin that made his face look as if it were made of wet clay, the large close-set ears that rose to a point next to his hairless skull, his blood-red sunken eyes glowing like half-hidden warning lights beneath a stony brow ridge, his predator teeth behind oversized dark ruddy lips, and his large knobby hands with clawed fingers that extended like eight thorny tendrils, I wouldn’t have known he was a troll.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Our story takes place in a world where trolls, gnomes, were-rats, ocean nymphs, adaro, Dragon Lords, elves and other mystical creatures live along side humans.  Alexander Southerland is a human private detective.  He’s getting by (barely), by knowing the players and using his smarts.

One night Southerland is enjoying a quiet drink in a bar.  His peaceful evening is ruined when a seven-and-a-half-foot tall troll pulls up a chair.  The beast is a cop.  Detective Stonehammer provides his credentials and a warning.  He tells Southerland that a sexy dame is going to come to him wanting help.  Southerland is to turn her down.  Southerland asks how much she’s paying.  Stonehammer says it doesn’t matter since Southerland ain’t takin’ the job.  And with that fair warning, the troll leaves.

Against his better judgment, Southerland meets with the woman.  Although he initially turns her down, curiosity gets the best of him.  She may be playing him, but it doesn’t matter once you’re in too deep.  Southerland finds himself in the middle of a gang war, on the run from crooked cops and corrupt politicians… and those are just the humans!  Discovering what is in the locked box will either kill or save him.  The smart money ain’t on him livin’.

+++++

A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR is my first book by Douglas Lumsden.  Normally, I don’t read fantasy.  If you’re story has elves and mystical creatures, I’m not you’re audience.  Yet something about the opening pages of Lumsden’s story drew me in. (Oh, and let’s not forget the cool cover!)

I love crime, noir and detective stories.  Add the right mix of humor and violence and I’m on board.  I don’t normally read stories with elves, gnomes and fantasy aspects.  Still, I kept thinking about the tale Lumsden set up.  I decided to give A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR a try.

I’m glad I did.  Alexander Southerland is the type of hero I like in a detective yarn.  Smart, tough and with enough attitude to get him in tight jams as he tries to (mostly) do the right thing.  I even enjoyed the trolls and other creatures.  While I’m not ready for a constant diet of this genre, when I do want another taste, I know Douglas Lumsden is open for business with other tales.

Rating:

“Cahill U.S. Marshal” (1973) starring John Wayne and George Kennedy / Z-View

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Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973)

Director: Andrew V. McLaglen

Screenplay: Harry Julian Fink, Rita M. Fink, story by Barney Slater, Jr.

Stars: John Wayne, George Kennedy, Gary Grimes, Neville Brand, Clay O’Brien, Marie Windsor, Morgan Paull, Dan Vadis, Royal Dano, Denver Pyle, Jackie Coogan, Rayford Barnes, Harry Carey Jr., Walter Barnes, Paul Fix, Vance Davis, Hank Worden and Pepper Martin.

Tagline: Break the law and he’s the last man you want to see. And the last you ever will.

The Plot…

United State Marshal and widower, J.D. Cahill (Wayne) is often away from home tracking down robbers and killers.  While Cahill is gone, his two sons are left in the care of an old man. Abe Fraser (Kennedy) sees an opportunity to con the boys into helping him and his gang rob the bank.  He promises no one will get hurt.

Sadly, during the robbery the town’s sheriff and another man are killed.  Cahill’s youngest son hides the loot and refuses to tell where.  Fraser tells the brothers that he will return in a short time and will get the cash or kill them.  When Marshal Cahill returns the boys are afraid to tell their father what happened.

As Marshal Cahill tracks the robbers, he begins to suspect there’s more to the story.  If he doesn’t figure it out, more will die… including his sons.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Andrew McLaglen directed John Wayne in five films.  Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) was the last.

John Wayne wasn’t a fan of the way the film turned out.  He was quoted as saying, “It just wasn’t a well done picture. It needed better writing, it needed a little better care in making.”

Part of the problem may have been the fact that Wayne’s mentor, director John Ford died from cancer during filming.  Wayne, himself had to have a cancerous lung removed 9 years earlier.  Wayne also suffered from emphysema.  Ford’s death and Wayne’s declining health made for a rough shooting schedule.

John Wayne’s co-stars in Cahill U.S. Marshal often appeared with Wayne in other films: George Kennedy (3), Clay O’Brien (2); Marie Windsor (3); Royal Dano (2); Denver Pyle (5); Rayford Barnes (3); Harry Carey Jr. (15); Walter Barnes (2); Hank Worden (17) and Paul Fix (26).

Harry Julian Fink and Rita M. Fink also were screenwriters for Big Jake (John Wayne); Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact, and The Dead Pool (all starring Clint Eastwood).

Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) rates 3 of 5 stars.

QUARRY’S RETURN by Max Allan Collins is Coming!

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Max Allan Collins’ QUARRY’S RETURN is scheduled to drop on November 5, 2024.  Here’s the scoop…

The hitman hero of the acclaimed Cinemax series comes out of retirement when his daughter, a true-crime writer, is abducted by the subject of one of her books. A nail-biting suspense thriller from the author of ROAD TO PERDITION.

MWA Grand Master Max Allan Collins’ longest-running series, which inspired the show on Cinemax, makes a ferocious return following the Edgar Award-nominated QUARRY’S BLOOD as aging hitman Quarry is forced to come out of retirement when his true-crime-author daughter is abducted by one of the killers she’s written about. Perfect for fans of Liam Neeson thrillers and authors such as Lee Child.

Sugar: Season 1 (2024) created by Mark Protosevich, starring Colin Farrell / Z-View

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Sugar: Season 1 (2024)

Created by: Mark Protosevich

Director: Fernando Meirelles (Eps. 1-2, 5-6, 8); Adam Arkin (Eps. 3-4, 7)

Teleplay: Mark Protosevich (Eps. 1-2, 5); Mark Protosevich and David Rosen  (Ep. 3); Mark Protosevich and Donald Joh (Ep. 4); Donald Joh and Sam Catlin (Eps. 6-8)

Stars: Colin Farrell, Kirby, Amy Ryan, Dennis Boutsikaris, Nate Corddry, James Cromwell, Miguel Sandoval, Jon Beavers, Darwin Shaw, Julia Belanova, Jordan Bielsky, Jason Butler Harner, Scott Lawrence, Adrian Martinez, Ben Mankiewicz, Paul Schulze, Julie Dretzin, Jaime Alvarez, Emil Beheshti, Massi Furlan, Cameron Cowperthwaite, Matthew Arkin, Christopher Carrington, Zachary Cowan and Anna Gunn.

Tagline: The wrong way is the only way out.

The Plot…

John Sugar (Farrell) is a private eye.  He loves old noir movies and his ’66 Corvette Stingray convertible.  Sugar’s specialty is finding missing people.  He’s very good at it.  Perhaps Sugar’s drive comes from the fact that his sister went missing.  She was never found.

Sugar has been hired by legendary movie producer Jonathan Siegel (Cromwell).  Siegel’s granddaughter, Olivia has disappeared.  Olivia’s father Bernie (Boutsikaris), a famous director, thinks that she’s runaway again with her druggie friends.  He reasons she’ll turn up safe and sound because she always does.

As Sugar digs into the case, he discovers secrets that the wealthy Siegel family wouldn’t want revealed.  Of course Sugar has secrets of his own.  Despite several sources telling Sugar to drop the case, he refuses.

As Sugar gets closer to the truth, others are getting closer to his secrets…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sugar is modern noir with a twist.  It’s stylish and smart.  The audience’s intelligence is respected.  Other shows would take a totally different approach to the material and it wouldn’t be near as good.

Every thing about Sugar is top notch.  It’s well written, well directed and the actors are at the top of their game.  Colin Farrell is perfectly cast as John Sugar.

Mark Protosevich is Sugar‘s creator and he also wrote most of the episodes.  Protosevich is known for his screenplays for The Cell (very underrated), Poseidon, I am Legend and Oldboy (2013).

There is a major twist that comes over halfway through the season. Mark Protosevich allowed hints throughout the previous episodes, but didn’t provide the reveal until the end of episode six.  I loved it! (And I’m proud to say that I guessed what it would be.  When I told my wife my thought, she brushed it off saying, “There’s no way they’d do that.”  I’m glad she was wrong since it was so well done.)

Sugar is set-up so that it could end with one season, or return for more.  I hope it comes back with each season being one case.

Sugar: Season 1 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Frank Miller: American Genius” – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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This is a must-see for me.  I am a HUGE Frank Miller fan.

FRANK MILLER: AMERICAN GENIUS documents the unique journey of an unparalleled American artist. The film explores the half-century career of the legendary comic book artist and writer. Made for his fans following a near death experience, the documentary delves into Miller’s radical and defining influence on art, storytelling and culture. Following his small town beginnings in Vermont, to New York City, Hollywood, and beyond; this intimate documentary delves into his failures, successes, self-destruction and re-discovery.

June 6th – Sneak preview at New York’s, the Angelika. With guest moderator Neil Gaiman. @neilhimself

https://angelikafilmcenter.com/nyc/mo…

June 10th – Premiere at Cinemark Theaters. Moderated by Rosario Dawson. @rosariodawson

https://www.cinemark.com/movies/frank…

www.frankmillermovie.com

“Roadblock” (1951) starring Charles McGraw & Joan Dixon / Z-View

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Roadblock (1951)

Director: Harold Daniels

Screenplay: George Bricker, Steve Fisher story by Richard H. Landau, Daniel Mainwaring

Stars: Charles McGraw, Joan Dixon, Lowell Gilmore, Louis Jean Heydt, Peter Brocco and Milburn Stone.

Tagline: A DAME IN MINK…A STOLEN MILLION and a red-hot payoff in bullets!

The Plot…

Joe Peters (McGraw) is a straight-arrow insurance investigator.  He’s honest, smart and one of the best in the business.  When there’s a tough case, they call Joe Peters.  On a flight home, Joe meets Diane (Dixon).  When bad weather forces an unexpected overnight stay at a hotel, they wind up in the same room.  Joe’s attracted to Diane, but she makes it clear she wants the finer things in life.  Things Joe could never afford on his salary.

As an insurance investigator Joe gets information that passed to the wrong people would result in scores that could set a man for life.  Against his better judgment Joe decides on a one-and-done scheme.  If successful he will be a rich man and get Diane.  But if not it could mean his death.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Roadblock is one of the first movies to film in the Los Angeles River.  Other famous films using this location include Them!, Point Blank, Grease, Terminator 2 and To Live and Die in L.A.. 

Roadblock (1951) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Follow Me Quietly” (1949) / Z-View

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Follow Me Quietly (1949)

Director: Richard Fleischer

Screenplay: Lillie Hayward story by Anthony Mann, Francis Rosenwald

Stars: William Lundigan, Dorothy Patrick, Jeff Corey, Nestor Paiva, Paul Guilfoyle, Frank Ferguson, Douglas Spencer, Paul Bryar and Fred Aldrich.

Tagline: Police baffled by the FACELESS KILLER!

The Plot…

Police Lieutenant Harry Grant (Lundigan) is frustrated.  A serial killer known as The Judge has struck again.  At the crime scene a note from the killer taunting the police was found. How many more people have to die before The Judge is brought to justice?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lawrence Tierney was scheduled to star, but off-screen antics (arrests for public intoxication and fighting) led to a change.

Follow Me Quietly (1949) rates 2 of 5 stars.

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH by Coy Hall / Z-View

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A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH by Coy Hall

Publisher: Shotgun Honey Books (November 10, 2023)

First sentence…

The Marley Caldwell Palace of Motion Pictures was a lot of name for a second-run theater on the edge of East 14th and Sycamore Street.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The year is 1956.  And it’s not a good one for Royce Pembrook.  He’s an ex-con.  He works at a rundown theater that shows features making their last lap.  He lives in a one room apartment and it ain’t on the good side of town.

But just a few years back Pembrook was on top of the world.

He was a conman.  And a great one.  Pembrook did his best work running séances.  Pembrook’s charm, quick wit and ability to think on his feet made him a favorite of rich, grieving widows.  Life was good.

Until it wasn’t.

A stint in prison cured Pembrook of his conman ways.  He busts his hump working at the theater doing all the jobs the owner doesn’t want.  And he’s just getting by.

Then one night Anna Vogel shows up.  Pembrook hasn’t seen her in years.  Anna worked with him on the circuit.  She was good, but when they teamed it was magic.  Anna’s on the run with a purse full of stolen cash.  She needs Pembrook’s help to escape the city and the killer after her.

Pembrook, against his best judgment, throws caution to the wind.  He quits his job and takes off with Anna.  Another city and they’re back to their old ways.  What Royce Pembrook doesn’t yet know is that Anna’s plan is working perfectly.

+++++

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH is my first book by Coy Hall.  I promise it won’t be my last.  I loved the unique story, the fast pace, interesting characters.  It had just the right mix of mystery, suspense, violence and humor.  I hope we get more Royce Pembrook stories, but until then I plan to check out Hall’s other novels.

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“The Evil That Men Do” (1984) starring Charles Bronson / Z-View

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The Evil That Men Do (1984)

Director: J. Lee Thompson

Screenplay: John M. Crowther, David Lee Henry based on THE EVIL THAT MEN DO by R. Lance Hill

Stars: Charles Bronson, Theresa Saldana, Joseph Maher, José Ferrer, René Enríquez, John Glover, Enrique Lucero, Roger Cudney, Joe Seneca, Conrad Hool and Raymond St. Jacques.

Tagline: Most criminals answer to the law. The world’s most savage executioner must answer to Bronson.

The Plot…

Holland (Bronson) is a retired hitman living a peaceful life on a remote beach.  When an old friend asks Holland to kill a sadistic torturer known as the Doctor, Holland initially refuses. After seeing video evidence of the number of people the Doctor has killed and maimed, Holland decides to come out of retirement for one more hit.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jill Ireland (Bronson’s wife and co-star in many of his films) was originally slated to play the role that went to Theresa Saldana.  Ireland lobbied for Saldana to get the part.  Theresa Saldana had survived a brutal stabbing by a stalker and was looking to get back into feature films.

The Evil That Men Do is based on a book written by R. Lance Hill.  Hill also received credit as screenwriter on the film, but chose to use the penname David Lee Henry.

This is the 5th of 9th films that starred Charles Bronson and was directed by J. Lee Thompson. The films in order are: The White Buffalo (1977), St. Ives (1976), Cabo Blanco (1980), 10 to Midnight (1983), Murphy’s Law (1986), Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987), Messenger of Death (1988) and Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects (1989).

The Evil That Men Do (1984) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Parish”: Season 1 (2024) starring Giancarlo Esposito / Z-View

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Parish: Season 1 (2024)

Based on: The Driver by Danny Brocklehurst, Jim Poyser
Developed by: Danny Brocklehurst, Sunu Gonera

Director: Sunu Gonera (Eps. 1-2); Laura Belsey (Eps. 3-4); Ernest Dickerson (Ep. 5); Karen Gaviola  (Ep. 6)

Teleplay: Danny Brocklehurst & Sunu Gonera and Theo Travers (Ep. 1); Theo Travers and Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado  (Ep. 2); Ashley Cardiff and Theo Travers (Ep. 3); J. David Shanks & Matt Wheeler (Ep. 4); Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado & Sunu Gonera and Theo Travers (Ep. 5 – story by Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado and Cori Uchida & Adam Lash); Theo Travers & Hanna McIntosh (Ep. 6 – story by Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado)

Stars: Giancarlo Esposito, Zackary Momoh, Paula Malcomson, Skeet Ulrich, Ivan Mbakop, Bonnie Mbuli, Arica Himmel, T.C. Matherne, Currie Graham, Bradley Whitford, Nicholas Logan.

Tagline: The wrong way is the only way out.

The Plot…

Gracián “Gray” Parish (Esposito) wants to be a good man.  This wasn’t always true.  Years ago, Gray was a criminal best known for his skills as a getaway driver.  But when Gray met Ros (Malcomson) he walked away from his gangster friends and never looked back.  They had a son and daughter.  Gray started a taxi/limo service.  Life was good.

Until it wasn’t.

Gray’s 16 year old son was recently gunned down in the street.  The killer never caught.

Then Gray’s best friend, fresh out of prison shows up needing a favor.  Despite his best intentions Gray is pulled in.  When things go sideways, Gray finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between the Tongais, a powerful gang into everything from drugs to human trafficking.  With cops closing in, and unable to trust anyone, Gray discovers his son’s killer may be close.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Well written, well directed and well acted.  Well, I hope we get a season two.

Parish: Season 1 (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Specialist” (1994) starring Sylvester Stallone & Sharon Stone / Z-View

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The Specialist (1994)

Director: Luis Llosa

Screenplay: Alexandra Seros based on THE SPECIALIST novels by John Shirley

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Rod Steiger, Eric Roberts, Mario Ernesto Sánchez, Emilio Estefan Jr. and Tony Munafo.

Tagline: The government taught him to kill. Now he’s using his skills to help a woman seek revenge against the Miami underworld.

The Plot…

May Munro (Stone) wants revenge.  When May was a young girl, hidden in a closet, she witnessed Thomas Leon (Roberts) brutally murder her mother and father.  Leon is the son of Joe Leon (Steiger), a notorious organized crime boss.  To get close enough to kill him will be impossible.  So may seduces Ray Quick (Stallone) to do it.  Quick is an ex-CIA demolition expert.  Although reluctant at first, Quick can’t resist May’s charms.  What Quick doesn’t know is that May is playing him… or is she?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Reportedly at one point David Fincher was set direct.  Stallone was on board with Fincher at the helm, but the studio balked due to the box office of Alien 3.

In 1993, The L.A. Times reported that The Specialist was the best unproduced thriller script in Hollywood according to a poll of agents, producers and studio executives.

Sharon Stone plays a character much younger than she was at the time of filming.  Stone was supposed to have witnessed Eric Roberts kill her parents when she was a child.  Roberts is just two years older than Stone.

Sly Stallone wrote the scene where Eric Roberts threatens him with a knife.  He wrote the scene since otherwise they had no scenes together.

The cat that Stallone adopts in the film also would go on to appear in Assassins, another Stallone movie.

It’s no secret that I’m a Stallone fan, so keep in mind your mileage may vary.

The Specialist (1994) rates 4 of 5 stars.