Category: Crime

“Gone in the Night” (2022) starring Winona Ryder / Z-View

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Gone in the Night (2022)

Director:  Eli Horowitz

Screenplay:  Eli Horowitz, Matthew Derby

Stars: Winona Ryder, Dermot Mulroney, John Gallagher Jr., Owen Teague and Brianne Tju 

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

When Kath (Ryder) and her younger boyfriend Max (Gallagher) arrive at a remote cabin they’d rented, it’s occupied by another couple.  Al (Teague) and Greta (Tju) claim to have booked the cabin as well.  Unable to reach the owner, the four decide to make the best of it and share the cabin for the night.

As the evening wears on, Greta appears to be a wild child.  And attracted to Max.  Kath decides to call it a night and heads to bed.  Max says he’ll be in shortly.  When Kath wakes up the next morning, it’s clear she’s slept alone.  She goes out looking for Max.  Instead she finds Al who is upset.  He says that Greta and Max took off in the night.

Kath is visibly shaken.  She drives home.  She’s done with Max, but obsessed with the girl who stole her boyfriend.  As she follows clues to learn about Greta, Kath finds that the evening at the cabin wasn’t as random as it appeared.  Digging too deep could get her killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It’s interesting that Gone in the Night and Barbarian both have a similar start.  But then Gone in the Night becomes a mystery thriller while Barbarian is straight up horror.

Winona Ryder’s character is obsessed with finding out the truth about the evening / Greta, but also with having a man.  I wish her character was stronger and made better decisions.  The writers did give her a smart move near the end of the movie.  Dermot Mulroney doesn’t have a lot to do, but it’s good seeing him on screen.  The surprise star was Brianne Tju.  She owns every scene she’s in.  I’d seen Tju before in 47 Meters Down: Uncaged, but she didn’t make the impact she does here.  Tju is someone to watch.

The plot twist in Gone into the Night isn’t one you’ll see coming, even if you do kind of figure out what’s going on.  I almost gave Gone into the Night a higher rating, but I don’t do half stars, so…

Gone in the Night earns 2 of 5 stars.

“No Exit” (2022) / Z-View

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No Exit (2022)

Director:  Damien Power

Screenplay:  Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari based on the novel  No Exit by Taylor Adams

Stars: Havana Rose Liu, Danny Ramirez, David Rysdahl, Mila Harris, Dennis Haysbert, Dale Dickey and Jen Van Epps

Tagline:  How far would you go for a stranger?

The Plot…

Darby (LIu) received word that her mother experienced a life threatening brain aneurysm.  Despite a developing blizzard, Darby steals a car and heads for home.  As the storm worsens, Darby is forced to take shelter in a remote mountain visitor’s center.  The roads are closed and the storm has already knocked out cell towers.  Darby is going to have to hunker down in the shelter.

In the refuge Darby finds a married couple, Ed (Haysbert) and Sandi (Dickey), and two guys, Ash (Ramirez) and Lars (Rysdahl).  Everyone seems in pretty good spirits, except for Lars who is obviously a loner and a bit strange.  When Darby goes outside she hears a noise coming from a van in the lot.  She peeks inside and sees a little girl bound and gagged.  When Darby hears someone coming to check on her, she sneaks away from the van and acts like she’s just checking for cell service.

Darby goes back into the shelter but has no idea who came in the van.  The little girl will freeze to death if something isn’t done soon.  But who can Darby trust?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

No Exit has a great set-up with strangers stuck in an isolated visitor’s center.  They’re cut off from help and one (or more) of them is a killer.

It’s fun trying to guess who the kidnapper is.  I was right, but No Exit contained two huge twists that I didn’t see coming.

No Exit earns 3 of 5 stars.

CALIFORNIA BEAR by Duane Swierczynski is Coming!

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Duane Swierczynski’s new novel California Bear sounds like a must-buy.  Here’s the synopsis…

A cinematic new mystery from an award-winning crime writer, California Bear follows two unlikely vigilantes whose decision to take justice into their own hands pits them against the villains behind California’s coldest cases—and their own twisted histories.

California Bear drops on September 5, 2023.  Pre-orders are available now.

“Farewell, My Lovely” (1975) starring Robert Mitchum / Z-View

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Farewell, My Lovely (1975)

Director:  Dick Richards

Screenplay:  David Zelag Goodman based on Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Charlotte Rampling, John Ireland, Sylvia Miles, Anthony Zerbe, Harry Dean Stanton, Jack O’Halloran, Joe Spinell, Sylvester Stallone, Kate Murtagh, Ted Gehring  and Logan Ramsey

Tagline:  I need another drink … I need a lot of life insurance … I need a vacation … and all I’ve got is a coat, a hat, and a gun !

The Plot…

Moose Malloy (O’Halloran) just finished a seven year prison stretch.  Now the big lug wants to reconnect with his girl, Velma.  He hasn’t heard from her in years, but believes once he sees her all will be as it was.  So Moose hires Marlowe (Mitchum) to find her. Marlowe explains that seven years is a long time, they have little to go on and Velma has probably moved on.  (That last part nearly gets Mitchum’s face rearranged.)

So Mitchum reluctantly takes on the case.  As he digs deeper, people start dying… and Marlowe may be next.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Farewell, My Lovely is a classic tale of love and betrayal.  It’s been adapted as a film three times and all are good.

My first thought was Mitchum (legend that he is) was a bit old to play Phillip Marlowe.  But as the movie progressed, my thinking changed to, “Why not an older world weary take on the PI?”.  Jack O’Halloran (in his first role!) is perfectly cast as the slow thinking mountain of a man determined to find his old flame.  The supporting cast includes many familiar faces including Charlotte Rampling, John Ireland, Sylvia Miles, Anthony Zerbe and Harry Dean Stanton.  Sly Stallone and Joe Spinell have small roles, but would go on to appear in Rocky the following year! Kudos to Kate Murtagh for her take on a tough madam who can take a punch as good as she gives!

Dick Richards does an excellent job of creating a world that feels like LA in 1941.  David Shire’s wonderful soundtrack adds to the feel of the era.

Every version of Farewell, My Lovely is worth a look. This one is no exception.

Farewell, My Lovely earns 4 of 5 stars.

Craig’s “The Best of 2022”

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As we start 2023, let’s pause for a look at the BEST OF 2022. I hope you see something that you enjoyed or gets you interested to check out. Here we go…

Movies and Limited Series

In 2022, I watched 409 movies and limited series. That number is up 37 from last year. None were seen in a theater! My favorite films and limited series released in 2022 included (in alpha order):

  • The Batman
  • Better Call Saul: Final Season
  • The English
  • God Forbid
  • Interceptor
  • Interview with a Vampire: Season 1
  • Ozark: Final Season
  • The Patient
  • Primal: Season 2
  • Reacher: Season 1
  • RRR
  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
  • Top Gun: Maverick
  • Werewolf By Night

Tulsa King would have made the list, but since the season hasn’t finished yet, I haven’t added it. It will definitely make next year’s Best Of list.

Books

In 2022, I read 37 books (2 less than last year). My favorites from this year included (in the order I read them):

  • Love & Bullets Megabomb Edition by Nick Kolakowski

  • Boise Longpig Hunting Club by Nick Kolakowski

  • The Devil’s Own Piss… by Whiskey Leavins

  • 61 Hours by Lee Child

  • Ice Station by Matthew Reilly

  • At Their Own Game by Frank Zafiro

  • IQ by Joe Ide

  • Murder in Grease Paint by Whiskey Leavins

  • And Sometimes I Wonder About You by Walter Mosley

  • Righteous by Joe Ide

  • Trouble is What I Do by Walter Mosley

  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino

  • Later by Stephen King

  • Down the River unto the Sea by Walter Mosley

I’m surprised I didn’t read anything by Joe Lansdale this year. How did that even happen??

My Most Popular Posts of the Year

I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2022 and some thoughts for each…

10. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – Dropped from #7 last year. Second year in a row to drop.

09. Batman & Manbat by Marshall Rogers & John Beatty! New to the list!

08. The Different Covers for David Morrell’s First Blood. New to the list!

07. “Clean” starring Adrian Brody – The Poster and Trailer are Here! New to the list!

06. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – was in the 8th spot last year.

05. Evidence Points to NEW Suspect as the Zodiac Killer. New to the list!

04. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer – came in the #3 spot last year and #2 the year before.

03. Dracula Through the Ages – was in our 4th spot last year. Flipped places with Louis Meyers.

02. The TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Coming and the Full Schedule is Out! – was the most popular post last year but was beat out this year by Schwarzenegger and Williams.

01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – regains the #1 spot for the year.

My All-Time Most Popular Posts

The top 4 didn’t change and only one new post broke in to the All-Time most popular posts. Let’s see how things shook out…

10. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – dropped from 7th to 10th. Two years in a row of drops. May not make the list next year.

09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – was in the 9th spot for the last two years.

08. The TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Coming and the Full Schedule is Out! – New to the list!  I love the love that the TZ is getting!

07. Steve Reeves as Superman – was the #5 all-time most popular post last year.

06. Dracula Through the Ages – up from the 10th spot. Vampires are in.

05. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – from 6th to 5th. Two years in a row of moving up!

04. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – No change!

03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – No change!

02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – No change!

01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 last year and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.

It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.

“Leap Year” (1924) starring Fatty Arbuckle / Z-View

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Leap Year (1924)

Director:  James Cruze, Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle (uncredited)

Screenplay: Walter Woods from a story by Sarah Y. Mason

Stars: Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Stanley Piper (Arbuckle) lives with his rich uncle.  As his Uncle prepares for a trip, he warns Stanley about falling in love with every woman he meets.  Stanley is in love with just one woman.  But through a series of mix-ups several women believe that Stanley has proposed to them… and they’re all heading to see Stanley at his Uncle’s mansion.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle was at one time arguably the most popular actor in Hollywood.  He was also one of the highest paid!  Arbuckle was a breakout star from his appearances in shorts for Keystone Studios.  Roscoe Arbuckle served as a mentor to Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Bob Hope.

Arbuckle was making his move into feature length films when he was charged with rape and manslaughter in the death of actress Virginia Rappe.  He was tried three times!  The first two trials resulted in hung juries.  Arbuckle was acquitted in the third trial.  For all intents and purposes, Roscoe Arbuckle was finished as a big Hollywood star.  He didn’t work much and when he directed it was under the name William Goodrich.  Roscoe Arbuckle died in his sleep in 1933.  He was just 46 years old.

Leap Year was completed in 1921, but because of the scandal it wasn’t released in the United States until 1981 for a limited run.  1924 is listed as the year of release due to the film being shown in Finland.  Leap Year showcased Fatty Arbuckle in his final feature length film.

Leap Year earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields” (2022) / Z-View

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Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields (2022)

Director:  Jessica Dimmock

Stars: Tim Miller

Tagline: None.

The Story…

There’s a 25 acre area of land a little over 25 miles south of Houston that runs along Interstate 45.  This area is known as The Texas Killing Fields.  Thirty-three bodies of brutally murdered young girls and women were found in this patch of land.  Even more young girls and women from this area are still missing.

Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields focuses on four of these victims.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I don’t know which is crazier: that so many girls and women disappeared with no trace and no murderer caught for years, or that there were TWO killers working independently using the same dumping ground.

I was surprised to learn that Tim Miller’s (founder of Texas EquuSearch) daughter was one of the victims.  Miller founded Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery Team.  They provide assistance to families of lost and missing persons.  I became aware of Miller and his organization when he participated in the search for Caley Anthony.  I had no idea Miller’s daughter was the victim of a serial killer.

Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields has a compelling story, but was a bit padded at three episodes.  I felt bad for the innocent men accused of being the killers.  I was glad to find that two killers (could there have been more) were arrested and convicted.

Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Bullet Train” (2022) directed by David Leitch, starring Brad Pitt / Z-View

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Bullet Train (2022)

Director:  David Leitch

Screenplay: Zak Olkewicz based on Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka (Sam Malissa – Translator)

Stars: Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Sandra Bullock, Bad Bunny and Zazie Beetz

Tagline: The end of the line is just the beginning.

The Plot…

An operative with the code name Ladybug (Pitt) boards a bullet train with a simple job: Retrieve a briefcase full of cash.  Ladybug has had a string of bad luck. He hopes this easy assignment is just what he needs.  Little does Ladybug know that several assassins are on the train.  Each killer has his/her own agenda, but when paths cross people die…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When Bullet Train was first announced, I was stoked.  I loved the idea of several assassins on a bullet train fighting it out.  David Leitch’s track record as a director: John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw made him the perfect choice to helm the production.  The novel by Kōtarō Isaka was a best-seller.  Everything was coming together to make a cool movie.

I bought Isaka’s book and could not get into it.  The assassins were high school students.  One of them droned on and on about Thomas the Train.  It’s rare that I don’t finish a book.  I quit this one.  Then the ads started to appear for the movie.  They made it look like a COMEDY with a little action.  Not what I was hoping for.  Still, I was willing to give Bullet Train a chance.

I’m glad I did.  Yes, Bullet Train is full of quirky characters.  Yes, it has comedy.  But there’s more than enough action to balance it out.  I liked the story.  Leitch keeps things moving.  His background in stunts and previous directing gigs serves him well.  The cast plays things straight so as an audience we buy in.  Brad Pitt was the perfect choice to star and he’s got a great supporting cast.  Channing Tatum and Ryan Reynolds have uncredited cameos that are the icing on the cake.

Bullet Train exists in it’s own universe.  It’s crazy, quirky and I’m glad I made a visit.

Bullet Train earns 4 of 5 stars.

Humphrey Bogart’s 16 Noirs Ranked!

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Anthony Crislip, at /Film, recently posted All 16 Humphrey Bogart Noir Films, Ranked.  Here’s how our lists compare.

CRISLIP

ZABLO
16. Sirocco *** Tokyo Joe
15. Tokyo Joe *** The Enforcer
14. Knock On Any Door *** Dead Reckoning
13. Deadline — U.S.A. 13. Sirocco
12. They Drive By Night 12. Deadline — U.S.A.
11. The Enforcer 11. Knock On Any Door
10. Conflict 10. They Drive By Night
9. Dark Passage 9. Conflict
8. The Desperate Hours 8. Dark Passage
7. Dead Reckoning 7. The Desperate Hours
6. High Sierra 6. The Harder They Fall
5. The Harder They Fall 5. High Sierra
4. Key Largo 4. In A Lonely Place
3. The Maltese Falcon 3. The Maltese Falcon
2. The Big Sleep 2. The Big Sleep
1. In A Lonely Place 1. Key Largo

*** Means I haven’t seen the film.

My top three might change depending on my mood.  They’re all great.

I would have included Bogart in To Have and Have Not on my list.  It would have come in at #4.

“Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery” (2022) starring Will Arnett, Jason Bateman & Maya Rudolph / Z-View

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Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery (2022)

Director:  Laura Murphy

Screenplay: Krister Johnson

Stars: Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Pete Davidson, Maya Rudolph, Sean Hayes and Dennice Cisneros

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Detective Terry Seattle (Arnett) and his new partner in training, Jason Bateman, have an easy shift. They’re providing security for a photo op at city hall with Santa, the mayor and some orphans.  It’s a cakewalk assignment until the lights go out and Santa is killed.  Seattle and Bateman have until sunrise to solve the crime.  Luckily there are two surprise guests coming to help…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Murderville has a great set-up.  The guests on the show don’t ever see a script.  They don’t even get to see the sets until filming starts.  Then there is a murder. The guest stars try to solve who did it using real clues as they adlib their way through the episode.  At the end, each guest star is given three suspects.  The star then picks the suspect he/she believes is the killer as well as the clues that led to the decision.  It’s fun to play along as a viewer.

Jason Bateman, Maya Rudolph and Pete Davidson are the guest stars.  It’s hilarious that not one of the stars thinks a provided suspect is the killer.  At one point Pete Davidson does something unexpected and Arnett quickly adlibs to keep the bit working.  Oh and Sean Hayes as Santa cannot stop cracking up… even after he’s been murdered!

Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Clean” (2021) starring Adrien Brody / Z-View

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Clean (2021)

Director:  Paul Solet

Screenplay: Paul Solet, Adrien Brody 

Stars: Adrien Brody, Glenn Fleshler, Mykelti Williamson, John Bianco and RZA, 

Tagline: Revenge is a Dirty Business

The Plot…

Clean (Brody) is a city garbage collector.  After a day picking up trash, Clean works repairing broken equipment he found on the route. Clean is haunted by memories from his past. Divorced and guilty over his baby daughter’s death, Clean is trying to change the man he used to be.  There’s a young girl who lives in the neighborhood.  She reminds Clean of his daughter.  When the girl is brutally attacked by a mob boss’ son, Clean takes revenge. Now the boss plans to have his gang kill the girl, her mother and Clean…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Clean isn’t a bad film.  It’s got a time-tested plot. A former bad man suffering from guilt is trying to make amends.  Adrien Brody is an excellent actor.  The film has a gritty look which you want for this type of film.  What stops it from being better is it is so generic.  We know the beats to expect and there are no surprises.

Clean earns 2 of 5 stars.

RIP: Mike Hodges

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Mike Hodges, the British writer, director and producer died on December 17, 2022.  Mr. Hodges was 90.

Mike Hodges began his career as a teleprompter operator for British television.  In his down time, Mr. Hodges began writing scripts. His writing was good enough to get him noticed. Mike Hodges directing career began with episodes of British television shows.  He continued writing screenplays.

Suspect (1969) and Rumour (1970) were two scripts that he wrote and directed for Thames Television.  The strength of his work on those two films led to him getting to adapt Ted Lewis’ novel Jack’s Return Home.  Mr. Hodges directed his adaptation which was retitled, Get Carter.  If he never made another film, Mike Hodges would be remembered for this crime classic.

Mike Hodges continued directing, but he also branched out to write stage plays, radio plays and novellas.

Some of Mr. Hodges’ feature films include: Get Carter; The Terminal Man; Damien: The Omen II; Flash Gordon; A Prayer for the Dying; Croupier and I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike Hodges’ family, friends and fans.

“Door Mouse” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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So far I like what I see from the poster and trailer for Door Mouse.  Deal me in.

In this gritty super-stylish thriller, Mouse (Hayley Law), is an irreverent dancer at a dead-end burlesque club run by Mama (Famke Janssen), a tough, shady club owner. When Mouse’s only friends and fellow club dancers go missing under mysterious circumstances, nobody at the club seems too concerned about them, and the police couldn’t care less. Mouse and her constant sidekick Ugly (Keith Powers) quickly realize that it is up to them to dig up all the dirt and start the hunt for the culprits. Desperate for answers and with time running out, Mouse chooses a very risky play that plunges her further down the rabbit hole and into a sordid underworld, leaving her out in the open. What she discovers is that corruption runs deep, monsters are real, and that sometimes, justice is meant to be taken into your own hands.

“Q & A” (1990) starring Nick Nolte, Timothy Hutton and Armand Assante / Z-View

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Q & A (1990)

Director:  Sidney Lumet

Screenplay: Sidney Lumet based on the novel Q & A by Edwin Torres

Stars: Nick Nolte, Timothy Hutton, Armand Assante, Patrick O’Neal, Lee Richardson, Luis Guzmán, Charles S. Dutton, Jenny Lumet, Paul Calderon, Dominic Chianese, Leonardo Cimino, Fyvush Finkel and John Capodice

Tagline: When the questions are dangerous, the answers can be deadly.

The Plot…

Late one night Al Reilly (Hutton) is awakened by a call from Kevin Quinn (O’Neal), the head of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau.  Quinn wants Reilly to investigate a police shooting.  Mike Brennan (Nolte) a decorated NY city cop with a reputation for being tough killed a small-time Puerto Rican hood.  Brennan claims it was self-defense.  Quinn tells Reilly it’s an open-and-shut case.

Reilly, Detective Luis Valentin (Guzmán) and Detective Sam Chapman (Dutton) conduct a Q & A of all the witnesses.  Brennan claims he was following up on an informant’s tip and shot in self-defense.  Bobby Texador (Assante) a Puerto Rican crime boss was there. He says he didn’t see a thing.  It turns out Texador’s wife, Nancy (Lumet) was once involved with Reilly.  She disappeared from Reilly’s life six years ago without a word.  Texador tells Reilly he knows about the relationship and threatens him.

Quinn wants Reilly to wrap up the investigation and clear Brennan.  Reilly and Valentine don’t believe that things went down the way Brennan says.  Chapman warns them that Brennan has connections upstairs and with some shady folks.  Reilly decides to dig deeper.

When Brennan finds out Reilly is still investigating the shooting he threatens Reilly. Now Reilly is feeling pressure from his boss, plus the threats from Brennan and Texador have him on edge.  Many people will die before the truth is known… but will justice win out?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sidney Lumet pulled together an all-star cast for Q & A.  Nick Nolte, Timothy Hutton and Armand Assante have never been better.  Luis Guzmán and Charles S. Dutton are always solid.  Jenny Lumet (Sidney Lumet’s daughter) is perfect in her role as Assante and Hutton’s love interest.  A special shout out for Fyvush Finkel’s performance as a slimy lawyer.

Sidney Lumet made several great films during his career.  He was nominated for Academy Awards as Best Director five times.  Although Q & A didn’t get the same recognition, it should have.

Q & A is set up so that the audience knows from the start that Brennan is a cold-blooded killer.  We know the danger that Reilly is in before he does.  The tension builds as Reilly digs deeper.  The mystery for the audience isn’t IF Brennan murdered the guy, but WHY he murdered him.  There’s also the subplot of why Reilly’s girl left him all those years ago.  How did she end up with the crime boss Bobby Texador?  And what will Texador do when he finds out Reilly still loves his wife?

Q & A earns 5 of 5 stars.