Category: Crime

“The Roundup: Punishment” starring Don Lee – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Don Lee is back and we have the trailer and poster for The Roundup: Punishment.

IN THEATERS MAY 3.

During the investigations of a drug trafficking app, the Monster Cop Ma Seok-do (Don Lee) and his team discover a connection between the wanted app developer, who was killed in the Philippines, and a massive illegal online gambling organization. Meanwhile in the Philippines, Baek Chang-gi, a former elite soldier, has been controlling the Korean online illegal gambling market, terrorizing it with kidnap, assault and murder. His partner, the IT genius CEO, Chang Dong-chul plans an even larger scheme in Korea. To put an end to the escalating threat, Detective Ma expands the operation by proposing an unexpected alliance to Jang, and unfolds the biggest roundup mission to hunt down the criminals, collaborating with the cyber unit and Metro Investigations.

“Pushover” (1954) starring Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone & E.G. Marshall / Z-View

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Pushover (1954)

Director:  Richard Quine

Screenplay: Roy Huggins based on THE NIGHT WATCH by Thomas Walsh and RAFFERTY by Bill Ballinger

Stars: Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone, E.G. Marshall, Allen Nourse, James Anderson, Tony Barrett, Phil Chambers, Alan Dexter, Anne Loos, Marion Ross, Paul Richards and Dick Crockett.

Tagline: HOT-BLOODED BLONDE…COLD-BLOODED GUY…and MURDER!

The Plot…

Detective Paul Sheridan (MacMurray) is sent undercover to befriend Lona McLane (Novak).  Lona is the girlfriend of Harry Wheeler (Richards), the prime suspect in a bank robbery where a security guard was killed and the thieves made off with over $200,000.00.  Paul and Lona hit it off.

The police have placed Lona’s apartment under 24 hour surveillance by Paul, an alcoholic cop named Paddy (Nourse) and Detective Rick McAllister (Carey).  Paul is surprised when Lona shows up at his house when he’s off-shift.  Lona tells Paul that she knows he’s a cop.  That she loves him.  That if Paul will kill Harry, they could run away together with the bank cash.

Paul refuses… at first.  But he’s in love and the temptation is too great.  Paul and Lona come up with a plan, but like the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Kim Novak’s credit says, Introducing, this wasn’t her first on-screen appearance.  She was just 21 when Pushover was released.  She definitely comes off as sexier,  older and more world-weary than a 21 year old.

Roy Huggins’s script was based on two books not written by him. Huggins was himself a novelist and screenwriter.  He was also writer, creator and/or producer of television series that include Maverick, 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive, Hunter, and The Rockford Files.

Marion Ross of Happy Days fame appears uncredited as Mrs. Crockett.

Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak are excellent.  Kudos also to Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone and E.G. Marshall.

Pushover (1954) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Die Hard” Trivia!

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Rob Hunter at Film School Rejects posted 37 Things We Learned from Steven E. de Souza’s ‘Die Hard’ Commentary. (Sadly the piece is no longer available.) But here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each…

8. Sinatra was actually the first of many actors to decline the role. “You have to view this movie in the context of the time it was made. In the 1980s there had been all these action movies with these muscular, steroid, pumped up, roid rage heroes.” He adds that he played a role in that, “mea culpa,” as a reference to films like Commando (1985) and The Running Man (1987). The only one he mentions by title, though, is 1985’s Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) — which he didn’t write. The point being that McClane spends a big chunk of the time trying to hide and call the cops, something action stars of the decade weren’t too keen on. “So in that context, this guy is a coward, he’s a pussy.” (The fact that McClane didn’t act like an action hero made him more believable.  It made the film better. – Craig)

12. After Sinatra said no, Fox took the script to other stars, but they were turned down by “Arnold, then Sly, then Clint Eastwood, then Mel Gibson, then Richard Gere, then Don Johnson, then Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Kurt Russell, James Caan, and Burt Reynolds who was a Hail Mary call from our producer.” In desperation, the studio made the offer to Willis whose management was well aware of the film’s hard release date — and negotiated a killer deal as a result. (I believe Willis ended up getting $5million for his role.  It was interesting that when the movie was first being advertised it didn’t focus on him being the star. The feeling was that the studio had waaay overpaid.  Turns out they got a bargain. – Craig)

7. The novel is actually a sequel to 1960’s The Detective, also based on a Thorp novel, which stars Frank Sinatra in the lead role. When Fox moved forward on Die Hard they has to approach Sinatra and offered him the role. “He said ‘I’m too old and too rich to do this, and the chases in the building would have to be on Rascal scooters.’” The character names were all changed to sever that connection, and they also took the opportunity to age down the retired cop character to a younger, active police officer. (I am so glad that Sinatra had the good sense to pass.  I’ve read the novel (NOTHING LASTS FOREVER) and it isn’t near as good as “Die Hard” turned out to be.  As you’ll see if you click over to Hunter’s article, many of the things fans love about “Die Hard” happened by accident or good luck. Everything came together to make a classic movie. – Craig)

“The Crooked Circle” (1932) starring Zasu Pitts & James Gleason / Z-View

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The Crooked Circle (1932)

Director:  H. Bruce Humberstone

Screenplay: Ralph Spence (original screenplay), Tim Whelan (additional dialogue)

Stars: Zasu Pitts, James Gleason, C. Henry Gordon, Raymond Hatton, Berton Churchill, Spencer Charters, Robert Frazer, Frank Reicher and Christian Rub.

Tagline: WHAT TIME IS IT WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 13? THRILLS will creep on you-LAUGHS will leap on you! IN ZASU PITTS FIRST FEATURE PICTURE

The Plot…

The Crooked Circle, a secret group of criminals, has vowed to kill Colonel Theodore Walters.  Walters is a member of the Sphinx Club, a group of amateur detectives.

When the Sphinx Club meets at a creepy, old mansion, the Crooked Circle plan to make good on their vow.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Crooked Circle is a variation on “The Old Dark House” movies that were popular in the era.  Hidden passageways, ghosts, bad guys and a touch of comedy are staples of this genre.

Zasu Pitts and James Gleason were the top billed stars, but their characters aren’t the main focus of the film.

Zasu is her real name.  Her mother made it up taking the last two letters of Eliza and the first two letters of Susan.  Her mother’s sisters were named Eliza and Susan.

Zasu Pitts was the inspiration for Popeye’s girlfriend, Olive Oyle!

The Crooked Circle (1932) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Where Danger Lives” (1950) starring Robert Mitchum / Z-View

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Where Danger Lives (1950)

Director:  John Farrow

Screenplay: Charles Bennett, story by Leo Rosten

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Claude Rains, Faith Domergue, Maureen O’Sullivan, Ralph Dumke, Harry Shannon, Philip Van Zandt and Jack Kelly.

Tagline: She’s tempting to look at – dangerous to know!

The Plot…

Dr. Jeff Cameron (Mitchum) is about to leave work when an attempted suicide named Margo Lannington (Domergue) is brought in.  Jeff saves the young woman.  In short order, Jeff falls in love.  Suddenly one evening, Margo says that her father is taking her on a trip out of the country the next day.  Jeff attempts to talk Margo into not going.  She says she has no choice and leaves Jeff in the restaurant. After several drinks Jeff decides to ask Margo’s father for permission to marry her.

Jeff arrives at Lannington’s mansion.  He is invited in by Margo’s father (Reins) who listens to Jeff speak about his whirlwind romance of Margo.  Margo enters the room and is surprised to see Jeff.  She tells him to leave.  Jeff says, that he’s there to ask her father for permission to marry her.  Margo’s father says, “I don’t know why you kept calling me her father.  I’m her husband.”

Jeff is shocked. Margo says she loves Jeff, but he’s upset because she lied to him.  As he walks out, Jeff hears Margo scream.  He runs back in.  Margo is on the floor.  She’s obviously been struck by her husband.  Jeff and the husband struggle.  Jeff is struck several times with fireplace poker, but manages to knock her husband unconscious.

Jeff leaves the room to get a bandage for his head.  When Jeff returns he’s shocked to find that Margo’s husband isn’t knocked out.  He’s dead.  Jeff wants to call the police, but Margo convinces him that they’d never believe it was self-defense.  They had been seen dating and no court would believe their story.

Reluctantly, Jeff leaves with Margo.  Their plan is to cross into Mexico and escape.  But like the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Before Jeff meets Margo, he’s dating Julie Dorn (O’Sullivan).  Despite dumping her, going on the run and being wanted for murder, she immediately takes him back.  It didn’t ring true, but it did give the movie a happy ending.

Maureen O’Sullivan was director, John Farrow’s wife. Speaking of John Farrow, I’m a fan of other movies that he directed.  They include: 5 Came Back, The Big Clock, Hondo, Back from Eternity (a remake of 5 Came Back) and The Unholy Wife.

Mitchum’s star power, Claude Rein’s small (but important) role and a nice twist at the end which gets Mitchum’s character off the hook for murder elevate this film.

Where Danger Lives (1950) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Town” directed by Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm & Jeremy Renner / Z-View

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The Town (2010)

Director:  Ben Affleck

Screenplay: Peter Craig, Ben Affleck, Aaron Stockard based on PRINCE OF THIEVES by Chuck Hogan

Stars: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, George Carroll, Owen Burke, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper and Victor Garber.

Tagline: Welcome to the bank robbery capital of America.

The Plot…

Doug MacRay (Affleck), “Jem” Coughlin (Renner), “Gloansy” MacGloan (Carroll) and “Dez” Elden (Burke) have been friends for years.  Now in their early twenties they are accomplished bank robbers.  When the latest heist goes sideways, Jem takes bank teller Claire Keesey (Hall) hostage during their getaway.

When Claire is released unharmed, FBI agents think she may have been working with the bank robbers.  Because Claire may have information she’s given to the FBI, the thieves decide Doug should “get close” to her.  Doug sets up a random encounter.  He and Claire hit it off.  Soon Doug finds himself falling for her.

As the FBI begin to close in, Doug and his crew are given their next robbery assignment.  When Doug refuses the job, Claire’s life is threatened.  No matter what Doug chooses, things are not going to end well.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jeremy Renner was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.  Renner was also a nominee for the Best Supporting Actor Award by the National Society of Film Critics, USA.  The Screen Actors Guild also nominated him as Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

Pete Postlethwaite was nominated for a British Academy Film Award as Best Supporting Actor.

Kudos to Ben Affleck who shows his prowess as a director.

The Town (2010) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Last Stop in Yuma County” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for The Last Stop in Yuma County works.

Deal me in!

THE LAST STOP IN YUMA COUNTY | In Theaters & On Digital May 10 |

While stranded at a rural Arizona rest stop, a traveling salesman is thrust into a dire hostage situation by the arrival of two bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty—or cold, hard steel—to protect their bloodstained fortune.

Directed by: Francis Galluppi
Cast: Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Sierra McCormick, Nicholas Logan, Michael Abbott Jr., Connor Paolo, Alex Essoe, Robin Bartlett, Jon Proudstar, Sam Huntington, Ryan Masson, Barbara Crampton, Gene Jones, Faizon Love, and Richard Brake

“Black Mass” (2015) starring Johnny Depp / Z-View

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Black Mass (2015)

Director:  Scott Cooper

Screenplay: Mark Mallouk, Jez Butterworth based on BLACK MASS: WHITEY BULGER, THE FBI AND A DEVIL’S DEAL by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neil

Stars: Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemons, Rory Cochrane, David Harbour, Adam Scott, Corey Stoll, Julianne Nicholson, W. Earl Brown, Bill Camp, Mark Mahoney, Brad Carter, Scott Anderson, James Russo and Juno Temple.

Tagline: Based on the true story of one of the most notorious gangsters in U.S. history

The Plot…

When FBI agent John Connolly (Edgerton) is assigned to the Boston area where he was raised, he gets an outrageous idea.  Growing up, Connolly was friends with James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp).  Bulger now controls one of the major crime gangs in Boston.  Connolly wants to make Bulger a FBI informant.

Reluctant at first, Bulger agrees when he realizes he can use the FBI connection to his advantage.  Protected by his “FBI informant” status, Bulger uses the information he gets from Connolly to take out rival gangs.  Bulger becomes even more powerful.  Realizing he’s been used Connolly has no recourse but to protect Bulger.  Bulger’s hunger for power continues to drive him to commit worse crimes.  Soon Connolly will be unable to protect Bulger, and even more importantly himself.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

As outrageous as it sounds, Black Mass is based on real-life criminal James “Whitey” Bulger.  Bulger’s brother was a US senator.  Whitey was at one time #1 on the FBI’s Most Wanted List!  Bulger was, as the film shows pre-end credits, captured and sent to prison.  While in prison, he was repeatedly stabbed and beaten to death by prisoners.

Johnny Depp is unrecognizable as Whitey Bulger. Depp has said that this role is his favorite performance of all the roles he’s played.  For his part Depp was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

Depp is supported by an outstanding cast.  Special mention to Joel Edgerton, Jesse Plemons and Juno Temple for their performances.

Black Mass (2015) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Killer That Stalked New York” (1950) / Z-View

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The Killer That Stalked New York (1950)

Director:  Earl McEvoy

Screenplay: Harry Essex based on Smallpox, the Killer That Stalks New York by Milton Lehman (1948 Cosmopolitan article)

Stars: Evelyn Keyes, Charles Korvin, Dorothy Malone, Lola Albright, Barry Kelley, Carl Benton Reid, Ludwig Donath, Art Smith, Whit Bissell, Roy Roberts, Harry Shannon  and Jim Backus.

Tagline: One woman brings terror to 8,000,000 people!

The Plot…

Sheila Bennet (Keyes) ha just returned to New York City from Cuba.  What the authorities don’t know is that she has smuggled in $50,000.00 in diamonds.  What Sheila doesn’t know is that her partner-in-crime, her husband, has been cheating on her with her sister.  Another thing that Sheila doesn’t know is that she has contracted small pox.

The disease spreads fast and soon citizens are dying.  Although the authorities are doing their best to track down the unknown carrier of the disease, the city begins to panic.  How many more will die?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Killer That Stalked New York (1950) is a docudrama based on Milton Lehman’s article about a real small pox outbreak in 1947.

The Killer That Stalked New York (1950) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Black Raven” (1943) / Z-View

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The Black Raven (1943)

Director:  Sam Newfield

Screenplay: Fred Myton

Stars: George Zucco, Charles Middleton and Glenn Strange.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A terrible thunderstorm is raging when five people arrive at The Black Raven motel seeking shelter.  A gangster, a young couple planning to elope, the girl’s father who plans to stop the wedding, and a bank employee (with $50,000.00 that he embezzled).  In short order, the girl’s father is murdered.  The hotel’s owner, Amos Bradford (Zucco) works to solve the crime aided by his not-too-bright employee, Andy (Strange).  Andy is a huge man afraid of his own shadow.  When the Sheriff arrives looking for an escaped convict, he learns of the murder and is ready to bring in anyone to resolve the case.

Can Mr. Bradford find the killer before he strikes again?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Black Raven is an old spooky house-type story popular at the time.  It’s supposed to be a thriller/comedy.  Unfortunately it’s not that thrilling or funny.  I will give Glenn Strange (who would later play Frankenstein and even later play the bartender in the long-running series Gunsmoke) credit for giving it his all as Andy.

The Black Raven (1943) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Payback” (1999) starring Mel Gibson & Gregg Henry / Z-View

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Payback (1999)

Director:  Brian Helgeland

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland, Terry Hayes based on THE HUNTER by Richard Stark aka Donald Westlake

Stars: Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bellor, Bill Duke, Deborah Kara Unger, John Glover, William Devane, Lucy Liu, Jack Conley, Kris Kristofferson, Kwame Amoaku, James Coburn and David Paymer.

Tagline: Get ready to root for the bad guy.

The Plot…

Porter is a career criminal.  After ripping off a Chinese gang for $140,000.00, Porter is betrayed by his crime partners.  Shot repeatedly in the back and left for dead, Parker doesn’t die.  Once he recovers, Parker is determined to get his cut of the job back.  Parker doesn’t care that he’s up against the Outfit or that the Chinese gang is gunning for him.  Parker wants his $70,000.00.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Payback (1999) is based on Richard Stark’s novel, THE HUNTER.  The novel was first filmed as Point Blank directed by John Boorman and starred Lee Marvin.

Brian Helgeland’s adaptation came to Mel Gibson’s attention who wanted to star in the movie.  Helgeland wanted to direct and it would be his first feature film.  He didn’t think Gibson would want to work with a first-time director.  But Gibson did.

Unfortunately, Gibson and Helgeland didn’t see eye-to-eye on how the film was shaping up.  Two days after winning an Academy Award (Best Screenplay Adaptation for LA Confidential), Gibson had Helgeland fired.  About one third of the movie was reshot.  Paul Abascal is credited with directing the reshoots.  Helgeland still got director’s credit.  This became the theatrical release reviewed here.

A director’s cut was released on DVD in 2007. It features a darker tone (more in line with noir), Kris Kristofferson isn’t in this version, but Sally Kellerman’s voice (as a female version of Kristofferson’s character) is. Some of the characters killed in the theatrical version survive in the director’s cut.

Gibson felt that Helgeland’s version was making his character less assessible to the audience.  After the release of the director’s cut (years later), Helgeland said he could now appreciate the theatrical, audience-friendly cut, but he was shooting a grittier noir film with a less than happy ending.  I think that both films work.

Gibson is excellent as Parker.  He is supported by an amazing cast.  Gregg Henry as Val Resnik is a scene-stealer.  Kudos also to Bill Duke, Deborah Kara Unger, William Devane, Lucy Liu, James Coburn and David Paymer.

Payback (1999) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Samurai” (1967) directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, starring Alain Delon / Z-View

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The Samurai (1967)

Director:  Jean-Pierre Melville

Screenplay: Jean-Pierre Melville, Georges Pellegrin

Stars: Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon and Cathy Rosier.

Tagline: There is no solitude greater than that of the samurai.

The Plot…

Jef Costello (Delon) is a contract killer for the mob.  As Costello walks away from a hit on a nightclub owner, he is seen by the club’s pianist (Rosier).  Soon Costello is brought in for a police line-up.  Rosier and a few other potential witnesses fail to identify Jef as the killer.  Although the police don’t have enough evidence to hold him, the commissaire still believes Jef is the killer.

When Jef goes to collect his fee for the hit, he is almost killed by the mob.  They believe that Jef is now compromised.  They believe that if the police bring Jef in for the killing, it will put them at risk.  Their plan is to kill Jeff.  Meanwhile the police are closing in.

Alone and without friends or resources, what chance does one man have against the mob and the police?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jean-Pierre Melville wrote the screenplay specifically for Alain Delon to star.  This, of course, made Alain Delon the perfect choice for the role.  Kudos also to Cathy Rosier.  I wish we got to see her in many more roles.

The Samurai is one of the most influential films in the history of cinema. John Woo’s The Killer and Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai are two examples of films that can be traced back to The Samurai.  Other directors similarly influenced include Walter Hill, John Frankenheimer, Michael Mann, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, David Fincher and many others.

The film is included on Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” list and THE 1001 MOVIES YOU MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE, edited by Steven Schneider and Ian Haydn Smith.

When The Samurai was released in the US, it was titled The Godson to cash in on the success of The Godfather.

The Samurai has an almost dream-like feel at times.  Hats off to Jean-Pierre Melville for having the vision and talent to bring everything together to make a classic film.

The Samurai has an 8.0 rating on the IMDb.  At Rotten Tomatoes it has an 100% rating with critics and 94% with audiences.

The Samurai (1967) rates 4 of 5 stars.