Category: Movies

“The Out-Laws” (2023) starring Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan & Ellen Barkin / Z-View

Posted on by

The Out-Laws (2023)

Director: Tyler Spindel

Screenplay: Evan Turner, Ben Zazove

Stars: Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind, Julie Hagerty, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery, Dean Winters and Mo Gallini.

Tagline: None

The Plot…

Owen Browning (Devine) is about to marry the love of his life, Parker McDermott (Dobrev).  The plans are set when Owen and Parker learn that Parker’s estranged parents are going to be able to attend after all.  While there can be difficulty when two families come together, the greater the differences, the more likely the problems.  Owen’s parents are straightlace, a bit out of touch and like Owen, a bit nerdy.  Parker’s parents are hip, cool and thrillseekers.

Things are complicated when Owen’s bank (he’s the manager) is robbed by the famous Ghost Bandits duo.  Unfortunately for Owen he begins to believe his future in-laws are out-laws.  And he ain’t wrong!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

The Out-Laws is a high concept film.  Think Meet the Parents meets Bonnie and Clyde.  It has an excellent cast with Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty. And they help make The Out-Laws an okay way to spend an hour and a half.  The truth is the cast deserved better… as did the audience.

The Out-Laws (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Rebel” Director’s Cut starring Sylvester Stallone Gets Theatrical Premiere!

Posted on by

About a year ago, Robert Schnitzer informed me of his plans to remaster Rebel which starred a very young Sylvester Stallone.  Mr. Schnitzer even came to the StalloneZone message boards to interact with fans and answer questions about the movie (which was originally titled No Place to Hide). Mr. Schnitzer is proud to announce that Rebel has been recut, restored, remastered and will get its theatrical premiere on October 7th.

“District B13” (2004) directed by Pierre Morel, starring David Belle & Cyril Raffaelli / Z-View

Posted on by

District B13 (2004)

Director: Pierre Morel

Screenplay: Luc Besson, Bibi Naceri

Stars: David Belle, Cyril Raffaelli, Tony D’Amario and Dany Verissimo-Petit.

Tagline: Welcome to District B13 Welcome to the future

The Plot…

Three years ago crime became so bad in some Paris suburbs the government built high guarded walls around the troubled districts.  Heavily armed police man checkpoints in and out.  District B13 is one of them.

Leïto (Belle) lives in the district.  He does what he can to oppose the gangs.  After Leïto destroyed one of their drug shipments, the gang targeted him for execution.

When a nuclear bomb is stolen and tracked to District B13, Damien Tomaso (Raffaelli), an undercover cop, is sent in.  The bomb will explode in 24 hours.  Once in, Tomaso finds himself in an uneasy alliance with Leïto.  Millions of lives are at stake and the clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

I’m surprised District B13 doesn’t get more love.  It’s a fun action film with charismatic leads. The fight scenes are inventive.  Oh, and did I mention it features parkour?  That should be no surprise since it stars David Belle who is credited with being one of the fathers of the sport.

District B13 spawned a sequel, District 13: Ultimatum and an American remake, Brick Mansions which starred Paul Walker with David Belle (reprising his role).  It was Paul Walker’s final film.

District B13 was directed by Pierre Morel in his directorial debut.  Morel followed District B13 by helming Taken and From Paris with Love, both movies that I recommend.

District B13 (2004) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Hard Times” (1975) directed by Walter Hill, starring Charles Bronson & James Coburn / Z-View

Posted on by

Hard Times (1975)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Walter Hill, Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell from a story by Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell

Stars: Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Jill Ireland, Strother Martin, Margaret Blye, Michael McGuire, Michael McGuire, Bruce Glover, Robert Tessier, Nick Dimitri, Maurice Kowalewski, Naomi Stevens, Brion James and Frank McRae.

Tagline: New Orleans, 1933. In those days words didn’t buy much.

The Plot…

1933.  The depression rages.  A man known only as Chaney (Bronson) travels the rails from town to town.  He makes some money and moves on.  In New Orleans, Chaney happens on a warehouse where underground fights are taking place.  High rollers bet on the outcomes of each match.

Chaney watches with interest.  Chaney later meets with Spencer “Speed” Weed.  Weed manages fighters.  Chaney offers Weed the opportunity to manage him. They agree on percentages and head back to the warehouse.  When a promoter offers odds for anyone to take on his fighter, Chaney accepts. Odds are given and bets placed.  Chaney has six dollars to his name and bets it all on himself.  When he easily knocks out the other fighter, Speed sees dollar signs.

Speed tells Chaney he has a plan. If Chaney can beat a well known undefeated fighter, they stand to make a lot of money.  Chaney agrees.  Little do they know the double crosses that await.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Hard Times was Walter Hill’s directorial debut.  Hill followed Hard Times by directing The Driver, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Southern Comfort, 48hrs. and Streets of Fire.  What other director came out of the shoot with so many hits?

Hill’s original idea was for Chaney to be a younger actor. Someone like Jan Michael Vincent.  While that would have worked, when Charles Bronson expressed interest, it was pretty much a done deal.  I think that having Chaney be an older guy (Bronson was 53 at the time) works to the film’s benefit.

Bronson and Hill got along well, but never made another film together.  Bronson wasn’t happy with Hill’s opinion of Jill Ireland’s (Bronson’s wife) acting.  He also didn’t like that some of her scenes were cut.

Hard Times is one of my favorite Charles Bronson films.  It’s gets better with each new viewing.

Hard Times (1975) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Frank Miller’s Very Limited Signed & Numbered SIN CITY: Marv & Nancy Callahan Lithographs!

Posted on by

Frank Miller has teamed with MEL Publisher for a very limited set of two signed and numbered SIN CITY lithographs.

  • SIN CITY – MARV , 2022
    Lithograph in black on BFK Rives 400 grams paper.
    Numbered edition of 60 copies
    Signed in pencil by the artist
    160 x 107 cm
    Printed on the presses of the Idem workshop, Paris.
    Cost is approximately  $3,729.39
  • SIN CITY – NANCY CALLAHAN , 2022
    Screen printing in 3 colors on BFK Rives 300 grams paper.
    Numbered edition of 50 copies
    Signed in pencil by the artist
    90 x 62 cm
    Printed on the presses of the Tchikebe workshop in Marseille.
    Cost is approximately  $1,278.68

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial Official Trailer directed by William Friedkin, starring Keifer Sutherland – The Trailer is Here!

Posted on by

This looks good.  Deal me in!

Caine Mutiny Court-Martial follows a U.S. naval first officer who’s standing trial for orchestrating a mutiny after his captain shows signs of becoming unhinged and jeopardizes the lives of his crew. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, Jake Lacy, Monica Raymund, Lewis Pullman, Jay Duplass, Tom Riley And Lance Reddick. Streaming October 6 with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan. The stars have aligned. Paramount+ is the streaming home of SHOWTIME. Try Paramount+ for free today: https://prmntpl.us/PPlusYT

Subscribe to the SHOWTIME YouTube channel: http://goo.gl/esCMib

About The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial: Barney Greenwald, a skeptical lawyer, reluctantly defends an officer of the navy who took control of the Caine from its captain, Lt. Philip Francis Queeg (Kiefer Sutherland), while caught in a violent sea storm. As the court-martial proceeds, however, Greenwald increasingly questions if it was truly a mutiny or rather the courageous acts of a group of sailors who could not trust their unstable leader. Written and directed by Academy Award®-celebrated filmmaker William Friedkin and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk of the same name. The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial streaming October 6 with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan.

“Steamboat Bill, Jr.” (1928) starring Buster Keaton!

Posted on by

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

Director: Charles Reisner, Buster Keaton (uncredited)

Writer: Carl Harbaugh

Stars: Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Marion Byron and Joe Keaton.

Tagline: What a thrill! Worth the price of admission alone to see what happened to Buster when the twister hit the town.

The Plot…

William “Steamboat Bill” Canfield is a big, rugged man’s man.  Bill owns and operates the Stonewall Jackson which is an old paddlewheel tourist ship.  J. J. King, a rich business man, has brought in a new steamer and plans to put Steamboat Bill out of business.

Bill’s son (who he hasn’t seen in years) just graduated college and has arrived for a visit. Steamboat Bill is shocked to discover his son is small, awkward and wimpy.  Bill Sr. is determined to make a man out of his son. To complicate matters, Bill Jr. has a budding romance with Kitty, who has also returned from college.  The rub is Kitty is J.J. King’s daughter!

Let the good times sail!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Steamboat Bill, Jr. is considered a classic.  It’s in the National Film Registry.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. features one of the most famous and copied stunts of all time.  If you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve probably seen a clip of the stunt.  As a tornado hits the town, Keaton is standing in the street.  The front of an entire house falls down on Keaton.  Luckily, the upstairs window is open and Keaton fits through perfectly.  Many movies and television shows have recreated this stunt, but Keaton was the first!

Steamboat Bill, Jr. was also the inspiration for Mickey Mouse’s debut in Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie!

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“London After Midnight” starring Lon Chaney – A Rare Still!

Posted on by

I continue to hold out hope that someday a print of London After Midnight will be found.  London After Midnight starred Lon Chaney, was directed and co-produced by Tod Browning.  There is no known copy of the film (the last known print was destroyed in a fire in the 1960s) and is considered to be the most “sought-after” lost film. From WikipediA…

London After Midnight (also marketed as The Hypnotist) is a lost 1927 American silent mystery film with horror overtones directed and co-produced by Tod Browning and starring Lon Chaney, with Marceline Day, Conrad Nagel, Henry B. Walthall and Polly Moran. The film was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and was based on the scenario “The Hypnotist”, also written by Browning.

I truly hope that a copy of the film is found for fans, like me, to see.

“The Cosmic Hoax: An Expose” (2021) / Z-View

Posted on by

The Cosmic Hoax: An Expose (2021)

Director: Michael Mazzola

Writer: Michael Mazzola

Stars: Steven M. Greer, Paola Harris, Carol Rosin and Daniel Sheehan.

Tagline:  None

The Plot…

Dr. Steven Greer believes that our government (and other governments) know about and are in contact with different aliens species. This has been going on for over 100 years.  Greer creates an interesting timeline and provides interviews with other like-minded people/”experts” as well as other evidence (although nothing conclusive).  It makes for an interesting presentation.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

I’m a sucker for well done docs on this (and other conspiracies).  Do not think that my viewing or high rating means I am a believer though.

The Cosmic Hoax: An Expose (2021) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011) starring Chris Evans & Hugo Weaving / Z-View

Posted on by

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Director: Joe Johnston

Screenplay: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely based on Captain America comics created by Joe Simon, Jack Kirby

Stars: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones,  Dominic Cooper, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, Kenneth Choi, Martin T. Sherman and Stan Lee.

Tagline:  The first Avenger

The Plot…

World War II rages.  Steve Rogers (Evans) wants to be a soldier and do his part in the war effort.  Although a patriotic young man, Rogers is small, frail, unhealthy and keeps getting turned down.  While attempting again to enlist, Dr. Erskine (Tucci) overhears Rogers’ story.  Erskine is head of a secret program designed to create “super soldiers”.  Steve Rogers would be a perfect candidate.

The process changes Rogers from a frail unhealthy man into a perfect physical specimen.  That combined with Rogers’ ethics and humanity make him worthy of the title Captain America.

Meanwhile in Germany, Johann Schmidt (Weaving) aka The Red Skull is the leader of Hydra, Schmidt is working to create a weapon of mass destruction.  It will be up to Captain America and a small band of soldiers to go behind enemy lines and put an end to the Red Skull’s plans.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Captain America is one of the first comics I ever read as a child.  Seeing Cap and his cast of characters (especially the Red Skull) on screen was this kid’s dream come true.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Continental: From the World of John Wick” | Opening Fight Scene – Sneak Peek

Posted on by

This looks better and better.

The three-part event will explore the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centerpiece of the John Wick universe through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott, as he’s dragged into the Hell-scape of 1970’s New York City to face a past he thought he’d left behind. Winston charts a deadly course through the hotel’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the hotel where he will eventually take his future throne.

“Batman & Bill” (2017) / Z-View

Posted on by

Batman & Bill (2017)

Director: Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce

Stars: Marc Tyler Nobleman, Bill Finger, Fred Finger, Portia Finger, Thomas Andrae, Jerry Bails, Otto Binder,
Athena Finger, Judy Flam, Stacey C. Friends, Carmine Infantino, Stan Lee, Todd McFarlane, Daniela Nobleman  and Bob Kane.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

For decades one of the biggest “secrets” that insiders knew was that Bob Kane wasn’t the sole creator of Batman. Despite this knowledge, every appearance of The Dark Knight contained the credit “Created by Bob Kane”.  The truth of the matter is Bill Finger was the creator of Batman’s costume, Robin, Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, Commissioner Gordan, the Batcave, Gotham City and more.  Yet Bill Finger received no credit or compensation while Bob Kane got rich and famous.

Batman & Bill is the story of one man’s quest to right this wrong.  Despite overwhelming odds justice finally prevailed.  This is that story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Although the general public didn’t know about Bill Finger, it wasn’t a secret among comic book professionals and many fans. Bob Kane for years claimed he was the sole creator of Batman.  The publishers of Batman and all its spinoffs knew differently.  It wasn’t until after Bill Finger’s death that Kane started to give Finger some credit.  Still, Kane was the only one listed on any Batman comic, movie or merchandise.

When Marc Tyler Nobleman learned of this injustice, he made it his life’s mission to right that wrong.  He had nothing to gain, but like a true superhero wanted justice to be served.  And it finally was.

Batman & Bill (2017) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Give ’em Hell Malone” (2009) starring Thomas Jane & Ving Rhames / Z-View

Posted on by

Give ’em Hell Malone (2009)

Director: Russell Mulcahy

Screenplay: Mark Hosack

Stars: Thomas Jane, Ving Rhames, Elsa Pataky, Chris Yen, French Stewart, Leland Orser, Chris Yen, William Abadie, Doug Hutchison, David Andriole  and Gregory Harrison.

Tagline: Hard to love… Harder to kill.

The Plot…

Malone (Jane), a private detective, is hired to retrieve a suitcase.  When he recovers the goods, Malone finds himself in a building full of hard cases trying to kill him.  Although wounded, he survives.  Now Malone is determined to find out what the case contained and who set him up… even if he has to kill a lot of people to get answers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Give ’em Hell Malone is full of hits and misses, but man, it swings for the fence every chance it gets.  The film reminds me of a cross between Streets of Fire, Sin City and every tough private eye film ever made.  I mean that in the best way possible.

Give ’em Hell Malone opens in the middle of a protracted gun battle!  There’s a mystery about the contents of the suitcase Malone is hired to retrieve.  Give ’em Hell Malone is set in an undefined time period. It feels retro yet modern. 

The movie features a great cast playing over the top characters:

  • Malone – the hero who takes a beating and keeps moving forward
  • Boulder (Rhames) – Malone’s one time friend who now works for someone who wants Malone dead
  • Matchstick (Hutchison) – the burn-scarred psycho pyromaniac
  • Frankie the Crooner (Stewart) – the small time entertainer (and I mean small time)
  • Murphy (Orser) – Malone’s friend who learns that saying the wrong thing can make things get hot fast.
  • Evelyn (Pataky) – Murphy’s sexy sister who has an agenda of her own
  • Mauler (Yen) – the little assassin with big knives
  • Whitmore (Harrison) – the man with the power working behind the scenes

Give ’em Hell Malone isn’t a great film, but it is a fun one.  Not every scene works, but in every scene you can see what they were working for.  If you’re in the right frame of mind, a fan of noir, old-time detective movies and more modern films like Sin City and Streets of Fire, then you’d probably enjoy Give ’em Hell Malone a shot.  There has been talk of a sequel and I’d love it to happen.

Give ’em Hell Malone (2009) rates 4 of 5 stars.