Juan Saniose presents “The Man. The Myth. The Legend.”
Juan Saniose presents The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
Category: Movies
“The Thicket” (2024), starring Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke and Leslie Grace with Gbenga Akinnagbe / Z-View
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.
“Halloween” Alt Poster by Chris Koehler!
John Carpenter’s Halloween was a little independent film that jumpstarted the slasher genre. Actually it poured gas on all horror films due to it’s success. Although many would follow in Carpenter’s footsteps none was as good.
Chris Koehler has created an alt Halloween poster worthy of the film. I love how this red variant makes Michael Myers “pop”.
“London Calling” (2025) directed by Allan Unger, starring Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor with Rick Hoffman and Aidan Gillen / Z-View
London Calling (2025)
Director: Allan Ungar
Screenplay: Levin Menekse, Quinn Wolfe, Allan Ungar
Stars: Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Rick Hoffman, Aidan Gillen, Neil Sandilands, Brandon Auret, Milton Schorr, Dumani Siphosethu Mtya, Karl Thaning and Arnold Vosloo.
Tagline: Answer the call
The Plot…
After Tommy Ward accidentally killed a London cartel lord’s son, Tommy escaped to the United States. Now Tommy wants to go back to London since that is where his son lives. Harry, Tommy’s current employer offers Tommy a deal. If Tommy will teach Julian (Harry’s son) to become a man, Harry will get Tommy safe passage back to London. All Tommy has to do is take Julian on a hit.
Taking Julian along is a dangerous proposition. It becomes worse when Tommy becomes a target himself.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor had good on-screen chemistry. There were some funny moments, but the film became to over-the-top for me. Your mileage, as always could vary.
London Calling (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Civil War” Tribute Poster by Nuno Sarnadas!
I love the creativity of this Civil War tribute poster by Nuno Sarnadas. Sardanas is a professional artist and movie lover based in Switzerland.
Nuno Sarnadas has more art on display at his webpage.
“Okay. What kind of American are you?” – Unnamed Soldier
“Hold the Dark” (2018) directed by Jeremy Saulnier, starring Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgård and Riley Keough / Z-View
Hold the Dark (2018)
Director: Jeremy Saulnier
Screenplay: Macon Blair, based on HOLD THE DARK byWilliam Giraldi
Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgård, James Badge Dale, Riley Keough, Julian Black Antelope, Eric Keenleyside and Tantoo Cardinal.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Russell Core arrives at the small, remote village of Keelut, Alaska. Core came at the request of Medora Slone. Three children from the village (including Medora’s young son) are missing. A wolf pack is blamed. Although there is no hope the children are alive, Medora wants Core to track and kill the pack.
Core agrees. What he and others will soon learn, something much more sinister than a wolf pack is responsible.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
My main interest in this film was actor Jeffrey Wright (who is always excellent) and director Jeremy Saulnier (I loved his work on Rebel Ridge).
Hold the Dark (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Emperor of the North” by Tony Stella!
Emperor of the North is so underrated. Great performances and one of the most brutal movie fights ever. It stars Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Keith Carradine.
Tony Stella’s painting is worthy of Emperor.
“Stay off the tracks. Forget it. It’s a bum’s world for a bum. You’ll never be Emperor of the North Pole, kid”. – A No. 1
“Cold Meat” (2024) / Z-View
Cold Meat (2024)
Director: Sébastien Drouin
Screenplay: Sébastien Drouin, James Kermack, Andrew Desmond
Stars: Allen Leech, Nina Bergman, Yan Tual.
Tagline: Outside is dangerous. Inside is deadly.
The Plot…
David Peterson is driving through a blinding snowstorm when he stops at a diner as it is closing. With most places closed because of the storm, David is glad to get a hot coffee and a piece of pie. As he begins to eat, an angry man enters.
He’s the waitress’ ex. When the man starts to get rough, David speaks up. He cautions the man about his behavior. The man warns David, who calmly replies that if the police are called, it will be the waitress’ and his word about what went down. The ex angrily leaves.
David finishes his meal and gasses up before heading back into the blinding snowstorm. As he’s driving on a remote road, he sees the waitress’ ex in a huge truck bearing down on him. David is nearly forced off the road. He speeds up and is able to beat the truck around a corner. David drives off-road and turns off his lights. The truck passes by. David waits until he is sure it is safe to leave.
Only to find his car stuck in the quickly fallen snow. Unable to get his car free, David realizes he may freeze to death before the snowstorm passes.
The blizzard is going to be the least of David’s worries.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I like the set-up of the story. There’s a nice twist early on. The tension increases throughout the film, but the ending is a bit of a let-down.
Cold Meat (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Nightmare” (1964) / Z-View
Nightmare (1964)
Director: Freddie Francis
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster
Stars: David Knight, Moira Redmond, Brenda Bruce, Jennie Linden.
Tagline: THREE SHOCKING MURDERS…did she DREAM them? …or DO them?
The Plot…
Six years ago Janet Freeman saw her mother stabbed to death. Janet was eleven. Nightmares have haunted her since. Now seventeen, the night terrors have become so bad that Janet has been sent home from boarding school to recover.
At home, the nightmares become worse and even more realistic. Is Janet dreaming of murders or commiting them?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
There are worse ways to spend 82 minutes…
Nightmare (1964) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Daylight” Alt Poster by Pete Lloyd!
Daylight is a movie that doesn’t get enough love. So I was glad to see this alt nice poster created by Pete Lloyd.
Hold Your Breath
“Double Indemnity” Alt Poster by Angora!
Double Indemnity is one of my all-time favorite movies. Angora has come up with an alt poster that I hope brings more eyes to the film.
“A Working Man” (2025) starring Jason Statham / Z-View
A Working Man (2025)
Director: David Ayer
Screenplay: Sylvester Stallone, David Ayer based on LEVON’S TRADE by Chuck Dixon
Stars: Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Maximilian Osinski, Cokey Falkow, Michael Peña, Noemi Gonzalez, Emmett J. Scanlan, Emmett J. Scanlan and David Harbour.
Tagline: Human traffickers beware.
The Plot…
Levon Cade is a former Royal Marine Commando now working as a construction foreman. When his boss’ daughter is kidnapped, Levon uses his skills to find her and do what he does best.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
A Working Man is the second film written by Sly Stallone that stars Jason Statham. Homefront (2013) was the first.
A Working Man (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“The Godfather Part II” by Mark Levy!
This Godfather Part II art was created by Mark Levy for The Godfather trilogy custom box set.
“I don’t want anything to happen to him while my mother’s alive.”
“Year 10” (2024) / Z-View
Year 10 (2024)
Director: Ben Goodger
Screenplay: Ben Goodger
Stars: Alexander Anderson, Emma Cole, Joseph Coleman and Luke Massy.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Ten years into an apocalyptic future, civilization has collapsed. People survive in the wilderness avoiding wild dogs and cannibals.
When a roving tribe of cannibals kills his father, and steals their provisions, a young man must get back the medicine the man-eaters stole. Medicine needed to keep his girlfriend alive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
There is not a single line of dialogue in the entire film. This makes little sense. Did everyone forget how to speak?
Year 10 has an interesting concept, but there are too many coincidences for my taste.
Year 10 (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Unit 234” (2024) starring Don Johnson, Isabelle Furhman and Jack Huston / Z-View
Unit 234 (2024)
Director: Andy Tennant
Screenplay: Derek Steiner
Stars: Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jack Huston, James DuMont, Manny Galan, Jason Altman, Lia Lando and Christopher James Baker.
Tagline: Some doors should never be opened.
The Plot…
Laurie Saltair is working the overnight shift at her remote storage facility. A man named Jules comes in wanting to get into Unit 234. But it’s not the man who rents the unit. After a tense exchange of words, the man leaves. Laurie decides to check to see what’s in container 234.
She’s shocked to discover a man on a gurney. The man has sutures from a recent surgery. He says his name is Clayton and he’s been kidnapped. They have already taken one of his kidneys and plan to steal more of his organs!
Suddenly the electricity and phone lines to the facility are cut. Laurie frees Clayton from the gurney. As they look for refuge, Jules and two thugs head for Unit 234.
It’s going to be a long night.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Unit 234 is a low-budget thriller that is better than expected. Don Johnson and Isabelle Fuhrman’s acting raises the bar as does the twist ending that you won’t see coming.
Unit 234 (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
