Category: Movies

“Malone” (1987) starring Burt Reynolds / Z-View

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Malone (1987)

Director: Harley Cokeliss

Screenplay: Christopher Frank, William P. Wingate

Stars: Burt Reynolds, Cliff Robertson, Kenneth McMillan, Cynthia Gibb, Scott Wilson, Lauren Hutton, Tracey Walter and Dennis Burkley.

Tagline: He didn’t start the fight… but he’ll sure as hell finish it.

The Plot…

Malone (Reynolds) is a retired C.I.A. assassin.  While driving across country, Malone’s car breaks down outside a small town.  He pushes the car to the only gas station for miles and meets the owner, Paul Barlow (Wilson) and his teenage daughter Jo (Gibb).  Barlow allows Malone to stay at his house while they wait for the car part to arrive.  Malone learns that a rich man named Delaney (Robertson) is buying up all the property in the area and is putting a squeeze on Barlow.  When thugs are sent to convince Barlow to sell, Malone steps in.  Soon Malone finds himself going against Delaney and his former allies at the C.I.A..

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Does it get any more mid-80s than Burt Reynolds, Cliff Robertson, Kenneth McMillan, Cynthia Gibb, Scott Wilson and Lauren Hutton?

Burt Reynolds described Malone as a retelling of Shane and he’s not far off… except the young boy is now a teenage girl with the hots for Malone.

If you’re a Burt Reynolds fan you’ll enjoy Malone more than a non-fan so keep that in mind as you consider my rating.  I’m a Reynolds fan.

Malone (1987) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Wheelman” (2017) starring Frank Grillo / Z-View

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Wheelman (2017)

Director: Jeremy Rush

Screenplay: Jeremy Rush

Stars: Frank Grillo, Garret Dillahunt, Shea Whigham, John Cenatiempo, George Carroll and Seth Ayott.

Tagline: Think Fast. Drive Faster.

The Plot…

In the middle of a bank robbery, the getaway driver learns that he’s been set-up and the thieves plan to kill him after they escape.  Once the cash is in the trunk, the driver races off leaving the crooks behind.  Now he must figure out how he can save his daughter and ex-wife from the thugs who betrayed him.  The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Wheelman is a great example of how to do crime fiction right.  Kudos to Jeremy Rush the writer/director for creating a sleek action film that starts off quick and only slows down enough for viewers to catch their breath.

Rush is supported by a wonderful cast.  Frank Grillo was the perfect choice for the wheelman.  The always great Garret Dillahunt and Shea Whigham have small but important roles.

If like me, you’re a sucker for a good crime film, than you can’t go wrong with Wheelman.

Wheelman (2017) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Heat” (1987) starring Burt Reynolds / Z-View

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Heat (1987)

Director: Dick Richards, Jerry Jameson

Screenplay: William Goldman based on his novel Heat

Stars: Burt Reynolds, Karen Young, Peter MacNicol, Howard Hesseman, Diana Scarwid, Joseph Mascolo, Alfie Wise and Joe Klecko.

Tagline: Nick Escalante isn’t a violent man by nature. He’s just good at it. Protection is his business. Especially when it comes to his friends

The Plot…

Nick Escalante (Reynolds) is a Vegas bodyguard.  When a female escort is brutalized by a mobster’s son named Danny DeMarco, Escalante agrees to help her get revenge.  Things go sideways when the DeMarco calls in hitters to take out Escalante.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There’s a fun subplot with Peter MacNicol playing a rich, timid man who wants Escalante to teach him to be tough.

Heat was a troubled production.  Burt Reynolds and director, Dick Richards didn’t get along.  At one point Reynolds punched Richards, who then left the production.  Jerry Jamison was brought in to direct until Richards eventually returned.  Richards sued and won $500,000 from Reynold for the assault.

If you’re a Burt Reynolds fan, you’ll like Heat better than nonfans since the movie gets a lot of mileage from Reynolds likeability.

Heat (1987) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Gallery of Horror” (1967) starring Lon Chaney Jr. & John Carradine / Z-View

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Gallery of Horror (1967)

Director: David L. Hewitt

Screenplay: Gary R. Heacock, Russ Jones, David Prentiss

Stars: Lon Chaney Jr., John Carradine.

Tagline: So shocking it will sliver your liver!

The Plot…

John Carradine introduces and stars in one of five shorts in this horror/comedy anthology.  The segments, each with a “twist” ending include…

  • The Witches Clock: a couple in Salem Massachusetts buy a spooky old mansion that may have once been owned by a witch.
  • King of the Vampires: Scotland yard detectives are after a serial killer that may be a vampire
  • Monster Raid: a man returns from the dead to take revenge on those who killed him
  • Spark of Life: A doctor tries to follow the experiments of Dr. Frankenstein by bringing a dead man back to life.
  • Count Alucard: (Alucard is Dracula spelled backwards). is in for the surprise of his life…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

John Carradine and Lon Chaney Jr. must have been hurting for cash to appear in this low-low budget movie. Crowd scenes consist of a just a few folks on screen with sounds of a mob.  The sets look like something out of a micro budget production.  The stories are on the same level.  Each features a twist that can be seen coming from a mile away.  I could see Gallery of Horror shown as a double feature with Plan 9 from Outer Space.

Gallery of Horror (1967) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“AKA” (2023) starring Alban Lenoir / Z-View

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AKA (2023)

Director: Morgan S. Dalibert

Screenplay: Morgan S. Dalibert, Alban Lenoir

Stars: Alban Lenoir, Eric Cantona and Kevin Layne.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Adam Franco (Lenoir) is a French government agent assigned to infiltrate the Pastore crime family.  To do so Franco will need to gain the trust of the cartel’s leader, Victor Pastore (Cantona).  Once done, Franco will be able to take down the entire Pastore mob.  When Pastore’s son is kidnapped by a rival gang, Franco puts his mission at risk to save the kid…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Alban Lenoir isn’t a traditionally handsome movie star.  He gives off a Charles Bronson vibe.  Lenoir shows a greater range in AKA than in some of his previous outings and he’s more than effective in his action scenes.  I’d love to see him return for another outing as Adam Franco.

If you’re a fan of action movies with heart you should enjoy AKA.

AKA (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: Alan Arkin

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Alan Arkin, the multi-award-winning actor, director and writer died yesterday of natural causes.  Mr. Arkin was 89.

Alan Arkin performed as an actor/director on Broadway, an actor/director/writer for television and an actor/director of feature films.  In 1963, Mr. Arkin won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role in Enter Laughing. In 1967, Alan Arkin won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming.  He was nominated twice for an Academy Award for Best Actor; and twice for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, winning in 2007 for his role in Little Miss Sunshine.

Some of Alan Arkin’s television appearances include: East Side/West Side; Sesame Street (5 episodes); Captain Kangaroo; Carol Burnett & Company; St. Elsewhere (3 episodes); Harry (7 episodes); Chicago Hope; 100 Centre Street (12 episodes) and Will & Grace;

Some of Alan Arkin’s feature films include: The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming; Wait Until Dark; Inspector Clouseau; The Heart is a Lonely Hunter; Catch-22; Last of the Red Hot Lovers; Freebie and the Bean; The Seven-Per-Cent Solution; Fire Sale; The In-Laws; Edward Scissorhands; The Rocketeer; Glengarry Glen Ross; So I Married an Axe Murderer; Grosse Pointe Blank; Little Miss Sunshine; Stand Up Guys and Grudge Match.

My first memory of Alan Arkin was his performance as Roat in Wait Until Dark.  He was sinister, scary and deserved an award for his performance.  Another favorite is Mr. Arkin’s co-starring role with Peter Falk in The In-Laws.  I also loved his performance as Louis ‘Lightning’ Conlon the aged fighter/trainer in Grudge Match.  I could list more films (Glengarry Glen Ross, The Rocketeer, etc.), but it’s easier to just say that any production that Alan Arkin appeared in was better for having him on board.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Alan Arkin’s family, friends and fans.

“Justified: City Primeval” – Just Doing My Job Teaser!

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Here’s the latest teaser for Justified: City Primeval.

Timothy Olyphant is back to reprise his role as everyone’s favorite gun-slinging lawman. FX’s Justified: City Primeval premieres July 18 on FX. Stream on Hulu.

Starring Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis and Boyd Holbrook. Raylan Givens left the hollers of Kentucky and is balancing life as a U.S. Marshal with being a part-time father. A chance encounter sends him to Detroit and on a collision course with a violent sociopath and a formidable defense attorney.

“The Virtuoso” (2021) starring Anson Mount, Abbie Cornish & Anthony Hopkins / Z-View

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The Virtuoso (2021)

Director: Nick Stagliano

Screenplay: James C. Wolf, Nick Stagliano

Stars: Anson Mount, Abbie Cornish, Anthony Hopkins, David Morse and Richard Brake. 

Tagline: Every betrayal begins with trust.

The Plot…

To repay a debt, an assassin known as The Virtuoso (Mount) is given the time (5pm) and location (a small town diner) where he will find his target (who is also a hitman), but no other information.  When he arrives at the diner, there are several possible targets: a couple eating dinner, a lone man having a meal, the waitress and a Deputy Sheriff.

Not everyone is who they seem to be.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I thought the plot was interesting.  But truth be told, would a “virtuoso” assassin take an assignment knowing only the time and location of his target?  There are other things that his character does that brings into question his talent as a master assassin.

The Virtuoso features a first person narration that just doesn’t work.  A little of that goes a long way and there’s a lot of that.

The Virtuoso (2021) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Blacklight” starring Liam Neeson / Z-View

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Blacklight (2022)

Director: Mark Williams

Screenplay: Nick May, Mark Williams from a story by Nick May, Brandon Reavis

Stars: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn

Tagline: They’re gonna need more men

The Plot…

Travis Block (Neeson) is a government agent who has done a lot of shady things in his past.  Now, he wants to retire to spend time with his granddaughter.  When Travis finds out that his boss is authorizing hits on citizens, Travis finds himself in the fight of his life.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I can usually make it through a Liam Neeson action film.  I tapped out of Blacklight after 44 minutes.  I’m not alone.  Blacklight currently has a 4.8 rating on IMDb.  On Rotten Tomatoes Blacklight has an 11% favorable rating.  Your mileage may vary.

REBEL MOON by V. Castro – Novelization of Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon” is Coming!

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It’s been years (decades?) since I bought a movie novelization.  I may have to break that streak with REBEL MOON by V. Castro.  It drops December 26, 2023.  Here’s the downlow…

Embark on an interstellar adventure like no other in V. Castro’s thrilling official novelization of Zack Snyder’s epic new film.

Zack Snyder’s epic new science fiction blockbuster Rebel Moon novelized by V. Castro, two-time Bram Stoker Award-nominated author. Experience Rebel Moon on the page in this pulse-pounding novelization.

RIP: Julian Sands

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Yesterday the remains found earlier this week were positively identified as Julian Sands.  Mr. Sands had been missing since January after hiking near Mount Baldy about 50 miles northeast of Los Angels.  Julian Sands was 65 years old.  No cause of death has been determined.

Mr. Sands worked in television, feature films as well as live theater.

Some of Julian Sand’s television appearances include: Play for Today; Chicago Hope; Jackie Chan Adventures (26 episodes); Stargate SG; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Law & Order: Criminal Intent; 24 (11 episodes); Smallvile (2 episodes); Dexter and Gotham (2 episodes).

Some of Julian Sand’s feature films include: Oxford Blues; The Killing Fields; A Room with a View; Warlock; Arachnophobia; Boxing Helena; Warlock: The Armageddon; Leaving Los Vegas; The Million Dollar Motel; Ocean’s 13 and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 

My favorite Julian Sands role was as Vladimir Bierko during Season 5 of 24.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Julian Sand’s family, friends and fans.

“The Collective” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for The Collective.  The poster is pretty generic, but the trailer gives hope for a better than average film.  Fingers crossed.

A group of righteous assassins called The Collective take aim at a highly sophisticated human trafficking ring backed by a network of untouchable billionaires. With their backs against the wall, The Collective has no choice but to put their most important mission in the hands of rookie assassin Sam Alexander.

Cast: Lucas Till, Ruby Rose, Mercedes Varnado, Paul Ben-Victor, Tyrese Gibson, and Don Johnson

In Theaters, On Demand and Digital: August 4, 2023

“Elysium” (2013) written/directed by Neill Blomkamp, starring Matt Damon & Jodie Foster / Z-View

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Elysium (2013)

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Screenplay: Neill Blomkamp

Stars: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, William Fichtner, Faran Tahir and Adrian Holmes.

Tagline: Rebel Against.

The Plot…

The year is 2154.  The Earth’s rich have moved to a giant orbiting space station named Elysium.  There things are great.  The air is fresh, they have the best food, even parks with trees and grass.  The advances in medical technology make it possible to cure most disease on Elysium.  On Earth it is a different story.  The population lives in poverty.  The air is tainted, the food bad.  A job, if you’re lucky to get one, pays poorly.

When Max Da Costa (Damon) is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation while at work, he is told he has five days to live and then fired.  Da Costa, with nothing to lose, joins a rebel group planning a coup on the Elysium government,

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I liked Elysium.  It is filled with a cast of great actors.  Matt Damon, the always-amazing Jodie Foster and William Fichtner are standouts.  The story isn’t bad, but perhaps writer/director Neill Blomkamp hit the nail on the head when he said,

“I feel like I executed all of the stuff that could be executed, like costume and set design and special effects very well. But, ultimately, it was all resting on a somewhat not totally formed skeletal system, so the script just wasn’t there; the story wasn’t fully there.”

If Elysium sounds like something you’d like, you probably will.  It’s not a bad way to spend a little less than two hours.