Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I like the To Catch a Killer trailer. Deal me in.
Baltimore. New Year’s Eve. A talented but troubled police officer (Shailene Woodley) is recruited by the FBI’s chief investigator (Ben Mendelsohn) to help profile and track down a disturbed individual terrorizing the city.
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo
Directed by: Damián Szifron
Release Date: 4/21/23
Duel (1971)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Richard Matheson
Stars: Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott, Gene Dynarski, Lucille Benson, Tim Herbert, Charles Seel, Shirley O’Hara and Carey Loftin.
Tagline: A duel is about to begin between a man, a truck, and an open road. Where a simple battle of wits is now a matter of life and death.
The Plot…
David Mann (Weaver), a salesman, is having a bad day. He had an argument with his wife and she’s still ticked. He has another stop to make before heading home and it’s a long drive both ways. Mann’s day is about to get a lot worse when on a remote section of road an old tanker truck is creeping along. Mann finally gets a chance to pass and does. Almost immediately the tanker takes the lead back and then quickly slows down. As Mann tries to pass again, the trucker tries to force him off the road. The trucker makes it clear he plans to kill Mann. Miles out on a deserted road, what chance does Mann have?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Duel was the tv movie that put Steven Spielberg on the map. He had directed a some television episodes (Marcus Welby, Night Gallery, The Name of the Game, The Psychiatrist, Columbo and Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law) prior to helming Duel. The response to Spielberg’s tv movie was so good that Spielberg was brought back to shoot additional scenes to bring the film to feature length. Duel was given a release in Europe, Australia and even a limited US release.
Richard Matheson provides the screenplay based on his short story of the same name. Matheson’s resume contains so many winners and Duel is on that list.
Dennis Weaver does an excellent job of acting especially since he’s often the only person on screen. It’s interesting to note the number of other performers who actually appear in the film because it’s Weaver and the trucker from hell that we remember.
I watched Duel when it premiered. I was spending the night at my grandparents. My grandpa and I watched together. (We both liked it a lot.)
Duel earns 4 of 5 stars.
That’s Marco Finnegan’s take on Sly as Jack Carter! When the opportunity came to get a sketch from Marco I jumped on it. Marco knows what to put in and more importantly what to leave out. His art style reminds me of Alex Toth and Darwyn Cooke.
I first became aware of Marco’s art when he teamed with Ace Atkins on two Nick Travers graphic novels: Last Fair Deal Gone Down and Crossroad Blues.
I was already reading Ace Atkins novels, so I decided to seek out more of Marco’s art. If you’re so inclined you can as well on his website or his Twitter. Marco is currently the artist on 007, Dynamite Comics new James Bond comics.
I like the poster and trailer for Florida Man. Since it is on Netflix, checking it out will be a no-brainer.
Murder. Manhunts. Manatees. FLORIDA MAN, a new Netflix limited series from creator Donald Todd (Ugly Betty, This Is Us), follows a struggling ex-cop (Edgar Ramírez) who is forced to return to his home state of Florida to find a Philly mobster’s runaway girlfriend. What should be a quick gig becomes a wildly spiraling journey into buried family secrets, and an increasingly futile attempt to do the right thing in a place where so much is wrong.
Also starring Abbey Lee, Anthony LaPaglia, Otmara Marrero, Lex Scott Davis, Emory Cohen, Clark Gregg, Isaiah Johnson, Paul Schneider and Lauren Buglioli.
How cool is this Femme Fatal art by theboysinthelab? Very cool. If you agree, you might be happy to know it is available as a t-shirt. If you’re so inclined, click over and check it and other designs out.
The Scarlet Clue (1945)
Director: Phil Rosen
Writer: George Callahan based on the character by Earl Derr Biggers
Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Ben Carter, Benson Fong, Virginia Brissac, Robert Homans and Leonard Mudie
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Charlie Chan (Toler), aided by his valet Birmingham (Moreland) and his son Tommy (Fong) are working for the US Government tracking down spies trying to steal radar secrets. The trail leads to a radio station where one of the many suspects is murdered… with no visible cause for the death! As Charlie gets closer to solving the murder, the more at risk he, his son and Birmingham become!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Scarlet Clue features a murder that’s pretty shocking for a Charlie Chan film made in 1945.
Mantan Moreland and Ben Carter recreate two of their nightclub acts for the film. The more screen time a movie gives Mantan, the better the film will be.
At one point Charlie, his son and Birmingham are learning about the dangers of some of the radio station equipment. In the scene it appears that Sidney Toler was actually shocked!
The Scarlet Clue earns 4 of 5 stars.
Kiss the Blood Off My Hands (1948)
Director: Norman Foster
Writer: Leonardo Bercovici (screenplay),Walter Bernstein, Ben Maddow (adaptation), Hugh Gray (dialogue), Philip MacDonald (uncredited) based on the novel Kiss the Blood Off My Hands by Gerald Butler
Stars: Joan Fontaine, Burt Lancaster, Robert Newton, Jay Novello and Reginald Sheffield
Tagline: “A Hunted Man! A Love-Haunted Woman! Caught! With Every Kiss More Reckless, More Dangerous Than the Last”
The Plot…
Bill Saunders (Lancaster) is a former POW suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. He’s on the run for accidentally killing a man. In order to escape the police, Bill enters a window. Jane Wharton (Fontaine) wakes to find a stranger in her room. Jane believes Bill that the man’s death was an accident.
Bill and Jane slowly develop a relationship. All is going well until, Harry Carter (Newton) a local hood, recognizes Bill from the fight that killed a man. Carter says he will go to the police unless Bill helps him with a planned robbery. Bill wants no part of the deal, but knows if he goes to jail he’ll lose Jane.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Kiss the Blood Off My Hands was ahead of it’s time in the portrayal of PTSD. Yet, the love affair and ending of the film is right out of the 40s.
Kiss the Blood Off My Hands earns 3 of 5 stars.
I Got a Monster is a documentary of the real case of Wayne Jenkins and his special task force of corrupt cops. Jenkins’ story became the basis of We Own This City starring Jon Bernthal. Cops like Jenkins give all police officers a bad name. Which is sad and wrong.
Deception is reality. Kiefer Sutherland stars in Rabbit Hole, coming to Paramount+ 27th March. Get ready for a mountain of entertainment from Paramount+, the brand-new streaming service that’s always worth watching. With blockbuster movies, new originals and exclusive series plus a huge variety of iconic drama, action, reality, comedy, documentaries and kids shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Boston Strangler starring Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon looks good. Since it’s going to be on HULU watching will be a no-brainer.
Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon star in the true-crime thriller Boston Strangler, streaming March 17 on Hulu.
“Boston Strangler” from 20th Century Studios and writer/director Matt Ruskin premieres March 17, 2023, exclusively on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ under the Star banner in all other territories. The trailer for the true-crime thriller about the trailblazing reporters who broke the story of the notorious Boston Strangler murders of the 1960s is available now.
“Boston Strangler” stars two-time Oscar® nominee Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game,” “Pride & Prejudice”), Emmy® nominee Carrie Coon (“Fargo,” “The Gilded Age”), Alessandro Nivola (“Amsterdam”), David Dastmalchian (“Dune”), Morgan Spector (“Homeland”), Bill Camp (“Joker”), and Academy Award® winner Chris Cooper (“Adaptation”). Written and directed by Matt Ruskin (“Crown Heights”), the film is produced by Ridley Scott (“The Martian”), Kevin J. Walsh (“House of Gucci”), Michael Pruss (“American Woman”), Josey McNamara (“Promising Young Woman”), and Tom Ackerley (“I, Tonya”), with Michael Fottrell (“The Fate of the Furious”) and Sam Roston serving as executive producers. Sam Roston is overseeing for Scott Free and Bronte Payne for LuckyChap.
The film follows Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley), a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole (Carrie Coon), yet the duo finds themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era. Nevertheless, McLaughlin and Cole bravely pursue the story at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth.
The other day I wrote about the deal that Bad Hand Books is running on Laird Barron’s next Isaiah Coleridge tale, THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL. For the first 30 days (which started February 15th) 100% of profits from pre-orders will go directly to support Laird Barron’s recovery from a serious illness. How cool is that? Get an awesome book from an Independent Publisher and help support the author’s recovery – all at the same time.
And like those late night commercials, I get to say, “But wait! There’s more!” Laird Barron has agreed to sign all pre-orders! Wow! The deal just got even better. So if you were on the fence, climb on down and get your order in!
If you’ve never read an Isaiah Coleridge novel, here’s the downlow…
Coleridge is an ex-mob enforcer-turned-private investigator. So far there have been three Isaiah Coleridge novels: BLOOD STANDARD; BLACK MOUNTAIN and WORSE ANGELS. (Barron writes them so that new readers can jump in at any point)
Coming in late Spring, a new Isaiah Coleridge yarn will become available. THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL novella is set after the events of WORSE ANGELS. Isaiah Coleridge takes on what seems like a simple case, but soon finds himself dragged into a dark world of mayhem, mysticism, music, and movie magic.
I’m in. I hope you’ll consider joining me.
Past Tense by Jason McNamara (writer) and Alberto Massaggia (artist) looks interesting. See what you think…
Ashley is a tour guide at PAST TENSE, a company that sends camera drones into the past to view history’s most depraved events.
When Ashley discovers Silas Green, an unknown serial killer working in the past, she begins hosting “exclusive” tours of his murders. The only problem? Silas is still alive in the present. And when he learns of his newfound infamy, he is inspired to come out of retirement to make Ashley his final victim: Now and forever.
There is no time to hide in this neo-noir thriller from indie comic veterans Jason McNamara (The Rattler), Alberto Massaggia (Hotline Miami), and Paul Little (Bomb Queen).
Pre-Orders are available now for a June 20, 2023 release.
If you’ve never read one of Laird Barron’s Isaiah Coleridge tales, you’re missing out. Coleridge is an ex-mob enforcer-turned-private investigator. So far there have been three Isaiah Coleridge novels: BLOOD STANDARD; BLACK MOUNTAIN and WORSE ANGELS. That’s about to change.
Coming in late Spring, a new Isaiah Coleridge yarn will become available. THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL novella is set after the events of WORSE ANGELS. Isaiah Coleridge takes on what seems like a simple case, but soon finds himself dragged into a dark world of mayhem, mysticism, music, and movie magic.
THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL will be published by Bad Hand Books. For the first 30 days (which started February 15th) 100% of profits from pre-orders will go directly to support Laird Barron’s recovery from a serious illness. How cool is that? Get an awesome book from an Independent Publisher and help support the author’s recovery – all at the same time.
I’m in. I hope you’ll consider joining me.
The Drop (2014)
Director: Michaël R. Roskam
Writer: Dennis Lehane based on his 2009 short story “Animal Rescue”
Stars: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, John Ortiz, Matthias Schoenaerts, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Chris Sullivan, Jeremy Bobb and James Colby
Tagline: None
The Plot…
Bob Saginowski (Hardy) is a mild mannered bartender. He works in his cousin Marv’s bar. Well, it used to be Marv’s, back when Marv was the local tough guy. Everyone knew Marv. He was into a little bit of everything that made money, but Marv was a big fish in a small pond. That was then. Now the bar is Marv’s in name only. A Chechen gang calls the shots. The Chechens use the bar as a drop spot for illegal money.
When Bob finds an abused puppy, he and Nadia nurse it back to health. Bob keeps the puppy and begins a relationship with Nadia (Rapace). Things go south when Eric Deeds (Schoenaerts) shows up. Deeds is rumored to have killed someone from the neighborhood years ago. Everyone knows Deeds is a violent nut. Bob learns that Deeds was Nadia’s former boyfriend and the one who abused the puppy. Deeds wants money or else…
When the bar is robbed, the Chechens inform Marv and Bob that the stolen money is expected to be returned or heads (and other body parts) will roll. The Chechens think Marv and maybe Bob were behind the robbery. Plus time is running out before Eric Deeds shows up for his money.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I read Dennis Lehane’s short story, Animal Rescue, before seeing The Drop. I loved the story and was happy to see the film live up to my expectations. This is my favorite Tom Hardy film. Hardy is usually an imposing figure so it was cool to see him play the mild mannered, somewhat slow of thought, Bob Saginowski to perfection. This was James Gandolfini’s last film. His role is totally opposite of Tony Soprano and Gandolfini nails it.
The Drop earns 5 of 5 stars.
Titan Comics and Hard Case Crime will publish Noir Burlesque written and drawn by Enrico Marini. Originally published in 2021 by Europe Comics, the US Edition will feature a translation by Dan Christensen. Here’s the lowdown…
“Everybody has everything to lose…”
An atmospheric, violent crime caper set in 1950s New York, with everything from femme fatales to double-crosses.
A heist gone wrong forces Slick to do a job for his employer, Rex, to repay the debt he owes. But Slick is in love with Caprice, Rex’s ex-call girl wife-turned-burlesque legend and Rex also has the only way for Slick to avenge his murdered father.
In this hardboiled noir thriller, everybody has everything to lose…
I had hoped Noir Burlesque would get a English edition. Pre-orders are available now for a September 5, 2023 release. Deal me in!
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