Category: Movies

“Rocky IV” 40th Anniversary Alt Poster by Sahin Düzgün!

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How cool is this alt Rocky IV 40th Anniversary poster created by Sahin Düzgün? Very cool is the correct answer.  Sahin is a graphic designer, poster artist  and movie lover from Berlin, Germany.

Here is what Sahin had to say about his design: Forty years later, the spirit of Rocky IV still hits like a punch to the chest — the snow, the sweat, the cold determination. It’s that relentless 80s intensity mixed with raw emotion, a clash of worlds, and a reminder of how powerful a simple underdog drive can be.

Rocky: Going in one more round when you don’t think you can – that’s what makes all the difference in your life.

“The Convert” (2023) directed by Lee Tamahori, starring Guy Pearce / Z-View

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The Convert (2023)

Director: Lee Tamahori

Screenplay: Shane Danielsen, Lee Tamahori; story by Michael Bennett; based on WULF by Hamish Clayton

Stars: Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Antonio Te Maioha, Jacqueline McKenzie, Lawrence Makoare, Dean O’Gorman and Duane Evans Jr. 

Tagline: A fight for peace. A heart at war.

The Plot…

1830s.  Thomas Munro, a British preacher is sent to New Zealand to spread the word.  When Munro arrives he finds  two Māori tribes at war.  Munro realizes the British traders are profiting from the tribe’s war.  When Munro’s efforts to bring peace are rejected, he finds himself taking sides.  Munro’s faith is tested as he reverts to the violent man he was in the past.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Guy Pearce is always solid.

It was cool to see how the title plays into the story.

The Convert (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“There Are No Saints” (2022) starring José María Yazpik, Paz Vega with Ron Perlman and Tim Roth / Z-View

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There Are No Saints (2022)

Director: Alfonso Pineda Ulloa

Screenplay: Paul Schrader

Stars: José María Yazpik, Shannyn Sossamon, Paz Vega, Tommy Flanagan, Ron Perlman, Tim Roth and Neal McDonough.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Neto Niente, a former mob enforcer known as The Jesuit, was just released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit.  Things get worse when his ex-wife’s husband kills her and kidnaps his son.  Now Niente is on a quest to save his son.

Things don’t always go as planned.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film reportedly was a tough production.  Screenwriter, Paul Schrader was originally set to direct.  Because of production delays, Schrader moved on.  Oscar Isaac was originally set to star, but dropped out when the film lost financing.  Brian Cox was originally in the cast.  Reshoots were required when he dropped out and was replaced by Ron Perlman.

If you’re expecting a happy ending, don’t.  This one is brutal and dark.

There Are No Saints (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Rip” (2026) written & directed by Joe Carnahan, starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno with Scott Adkins and Kyle Chandler / Z-View

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The Rip (2026)

Director: Joe Carnahan

Screenplay: Joe Carnahan, story by Joe Carnahan, Michael McGrale

Stars: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, Kyle Chandler, Daisuke Tsuji, Nestor Carbonell, Lina Esco, Cliff Chamberlain, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Marco Morales, Sal Lopez, Angel Rosario Jr. and Scott Adkins.

Tagline: Count the money. Count it again. Count on no one.

The Plot…

Rumors of crooked cops in the Miami-Dade Police Department are gaining traction.  When Captain Jackie Velez is murdered, suspicion falls on her Tactical Narcotics Team.  The TNT consists of Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Detectives J.D. Byrne, Mike Ro, Numa Baptiste, and Lolo Salazar.  One or more of them may be dirty.

Just before the end of the day, Dumars recieves a tip about a house in a new subdivision containing drug money.  It is the only occupied house in the area.  Dumars informs the team that it is supposed to contain $100,000 to $200,00 in cartel cash.

Desi Molina answers the door.  Desi is a young woman who recently inherited the house from her grandmother.  She lives alone.  Desi reluctantly lets the team in.  The search of the house reveals a hidden space in the attic.  The team discovers $20 million dollars in cash.

Lieutenant Dumars tells the team that they are not going to follow standard protocal.  Normally they would call in the location and amount of the seizure.  Dumars says he’s worried about crooked cops.  Dumars orders the team to give him their cell phones.  One or more of them could be crooked.  Or is Dumars one of the bad cops?

Then a call comes to the house. Dumars answers.  The voice on the other end says to take the amount of money called in and leave the rest.  They have 30 minutes to comply.  If they don’t everyone in the house will be executed.

Dumars and the team aren’t sure how to proceed.  Was it the cartel or dirty cops calling?  How did they know the money had been found?  Who can they trust?  What is the best thing to do?

The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I went in to The Rip thinking it would be good.  I was wrong.  It was great.  I absolutely loved it.  Writer/director Joe Carnahan has crafted a story that has mystery, tension, suspense and action.  Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are joined by Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, and Kyle Chandler.  All are perfectly cast.

I love the mystery of who to trust.  The tension continues to mount as the minutes tick off.  Trapped with a team that may not have your back in a deserted subivision.  Afraid to call back-up because of dirty cops with the cartel closing in.

The Rip gets my highest recommendation.

The Rip (2026) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Running Man” (2025) directed by Edgar Wright, starring Glen Powell / Z-View

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The Running Man (2025)

Director: Edgar Wright

Screenplay: Michael Bacal, Edgar Wright based on THE RUNNING MAN by Stephen King

Stars: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, William H. Macy, Alyssa Benn, David Zayas, Greg Townley, Karl Glusman, Joey Ansah, James Frecheville, Lee Pace, Sean Hayes, Chris Rogers, Debi Mazar and Jayme Lawson.

Tagline: Survive 30 days while the world hunts you down.

The Plot…

In a dystopian future, most of the population lives in poverty.  Those lucky enough to have jobs barely get by.  The masses spend their days glued to the television watching game shows where contestants can win large sums of money.  The most popular is The Running Man hosted by Bobby Thompson.  Contestants actually risk their lives to play.  They are called runners, and are given $1,000 as well as a 12 hour head start.  Then, if they can survive 30 days, they will win one billion dollars.  Life changing money.  But there is a risk.  In addition to the show’s hunters, any one in the country can kill a runner.  If a citizen kills the runner, they win a small cash prize.

When Ben Richards is unable to afford needed medicine for his daughter, he decides to try out for a television show.  He hopes to win enough cash to pay for his daughter’s meds.  Richards is shocked when he is picked to appear on The Running Man.  He doesn’t want to die, but if he could somehow win, his family would be set forever.

Let the game begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in the original The Running Man, appears on money used in the movie.

Stephen King’s novel, written in 1982, is a futuristic tale set in 2025, the same year as the film’s release.

The film starts out well enough, but by it’s very nature is so over the top that Geln Powell’s character, despite finding himself in tough situations, never really feels in danger.

The Running Man (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Police Story” (1985) directed by and starring Jackie Chan / Z-View

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Police Story (1985)

Director: Jackie Chan

Screenplay: Jackie Chan, Edward Tang

Stars: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung.

Tagline: From the master of action comes more screen excitement than you’ve ever seen.

The Plot…

Sergeant Chan Ka-Kui, an undercover officer in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force was part of a task force to bring down crime lord Chu Tao.  Things go sideways.  Now Tao wants revenge and his target is Sergeant Chan.

Step back, Jackie Chan is ready to roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Police Story is famous for several big stunts and set pieces.  In one, Jackie slides several stories down a pole of Christmas lights in a mall.  In this stunt, Chan burned his hands, injured two vertebrae and dislocated his pelvis.  The pole slide was done in one take, without rehearsals and without the use of wires.

Sly Stallone paid homage to a Jackie Chan action beat in Police Story.  In Tango & Cash, Stallone’s character stops a semi, the same way that Chan stops the bus.

Police Story (1985) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Wrecking Crew” (2026) starring Dave Bautista and Jason Mamoa / Z-View

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The Wrecking Crew (2026)

Director: Ángel Manuel Soto

Screenplay: Jonathan Tropper

Stars: Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin, Maia Kealoha, Stephen Root, Miyavi, David Hekili Kenui Bell, Lydia Peckham, Branscombe Richmond, Stephen Oyoung and Claes Bang.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Jonny Hale is a reservation cop living in Oklahoma.  James Hale is a Navy Seal living in Hawaii.  The two are half brothers who haven’t seen each other in ten years.  When their father is killed in a hit and run, Jonny returns to Hawaii for the funeral.

Jonny believes that his father was murdered.  Although unconvinced at first, James comes around when it becomes clear the Yakuza were involved.

Now Jonny and James have teamed to find the killers.  Hawaiians should take cover.  Things are about to get crazy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Wrecking Crew features David Hekili Kenui Bell final film role. He died on June 12, 2025.

Dave Bautista and Jason Mamoa have great chemistry.  Kudos also to Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin and Stephen Root.

I wanted to like this film more, but it was a bit too over-the-top to be taken seriously.  They really leaned into the humor to the point that I never felt concerned for the duo’s safety.  The action (with a couple of gory scenes as well) is ratcheted up to match the humor.  Still, watching Bautista and Mamoa tear through the bad guys isn’t a bad way to spend an hour and half.

The Wrecking Crew (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Diablo” (2025) starring Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror / Z-View

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Diablo (2025)

Director: Ernesto Díaz Espinoza

Screenplay: Mat Sansom, story by Mat Sansom, Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza

Stars: Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Alanna De La Rossa, Lucho Velasco.

Tagline: There’ll Be Hell to Pay

The Plot…

Elisa, the daughter of Vincente, an extremely rich and ruthless Mexican mob boss, has been kidnapped. Kris Chaney, an ex-con has Elisa and is trying to escape with her back to the United States.  Vincente has his entire criminal network looking for them plus he’s hired El Corvo, a psychopathic killer who will stop at nothing to finish his assignment.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Chris has little chance of survival.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you don’t see the plot twist coming, get your eyes checked.  ; )

Diablo (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Thicket” (2024), starring Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke and Leslie Grace with Gbenga Akinnagbe / Z-View

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The Thicket (2024)

Director: Elliott Lester

Screenplay: Chris Kelley, based on THE THICKET by Joe R. Lansdale

Stars: Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Ned Dennehy, James Hetfield, Macon Blair, Arliss Howard, Leslie Grace,  Ryan Robbins, Teach Grant,  Derek Gilroy, Roger LeBlanc and David Midthunder.

Tagline: Death comes fast in Texas

The Plot…

Jack, his sister Lula and their grandfather Caleb, are on their way to Caleb’s 700 acre ranch in Montana.  At a ferry crossing they come across the infamous outlaw Cut-Throat Bill and her gang.  Caleb is murdered.  Jack left for dead and Lula is kidnapped.

Jack makes it to the next town.  There he sees part-time bounty hunters / grave diggers Reginald Jones and Eustace Howard in action.  Jones and Howard make an unlikely pair.  Jones has dwarfism and Howard is a black man.  Jack wants to hire them to help him rescue his sister.  Jones and Howard are hesitant to go against Cut-Throat Bill and her gang.  When Jack tells them he owns a 700 acre ranch in Montana and offers them land if they take on the job.  They agree knowing that success is unlikely.

What chance does a young kid, and part-time bounty hunters have against Cut-Throat Bill and her gang?  Let’s find out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Thicket is based on Joe R. Lansdale’s novel of the same name released by Mulholland Books on September 10, 2013.  Making the film was a longtime passion project for Peter Dinklage.  Dinklage was first linked to the project in 2014.

Juliette Lewis has never been better.  She owns every scene as the frightening and murderous Cut-Throat Bill.

The Thicket (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.