Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I like the looks of Heart of Stone. Deal me in.
Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Alia Bhatt, Matthias Schweighöfer in HEART OF STONE. Only on Netflix August 11.
Gal Gadot is Agent Rachel Stone, the only intelligence operative who stands between her global, peace-keeping organization and the loss of its most valuable — and dangerous — asset, codenamed: The Heart.
How about some behind the scenes footage from Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon? I’ll be honest, initially I wanted more Army of the Dead. I still do, but the more I hear and see of Rebel Moon, the more excited I am for it. I love the cast which includes Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Anthony Hopkins, Cary Elwes and Djimon Hounsou. I’m fully on board for Rebel Moon. Deal me in!
Only on Netflix December 22.
From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes REBEL MOON, an epic science-fantasy event decades in the making.
When a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival. Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge. As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process, a new army of heroes is formed.
Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo (2019)
Director: Brett Harvey
Writers: Scott Dodds, Brett Harvey
Stars: Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Michelle Rodriguez and Robert Rodriguez.
Tagline: I owe a debt. A debt to society
The Plot…
The life and times of Danny Trejo.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Danny Trejo is one of the most easily recognized stars in Hollywood. Trejo has over 445 acting credits on his resume. With that said, it was an amazing journey to get to his current status since Trejo spent much of his childhood addicted to drugs and in juvenile detention. As a young adult Danny Trejo served time at San Quentin for drug and robbery convictions.
Yet despite all that, Danny Trejo turned his life around. Now when he’s not on location filming for his latest project, Danny Trejo spends his time speaking at prisons, youth centers and giving back to the community that used to fear him.
Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo (2019) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Black Magic (1944)
Director: Phil Rosen
Screenplay: George Callahan based on characters created by Earl Derr Biggers
Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Frances Chan and Frank Jaquet.
Tagline: Weirdest case of the screen’s top sleuth!
The Plot…
Charlie Chan (Toler) is ready to head home to Honolulu when he gets called to investigate a murder that occurred during a seance attended by his daughter. The occultist was killed by a gun that cannot be found and a bullet that didn’t go through his body but also cannot be found!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
This is the only Charlie Chan film where he is assisted by his daughter instead of one of his sons. Also his daughter, Frances Chan is played by an actress named Frances Chan!
Mantan Moreland is back to provide comedy relief.
When Charlie is asked a question about his investigation, Chan asks the man, “Can you keep a secret?” The man responds, “Of course.” Charlie says, “So can I” as he walks away.
Black Magic (1944) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Cold Pursuit (2019)
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Screenplay: Frank Baldwin based on In Order of Disappearance by Kim Fupz Aakeson
Stars: Liam Neeson, Laura Dern, Micheál Neeson, Tom Bateman, Domenick Lombardozzi, Jim Shield, Aleks Paunovic, Glenn Ennis and Emmy Rossum.
Tagline: Revenge is best served cold.
The Plot…
Citizen of the Year, Nels Coxman (Neeson), is a mild-mannered Colorado snowplow driver. When Coxman learns that his son was murdered by members of a drug cartel, he decides to take out as many members of the cartel as he can.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Cold Pursuit is one of those movies that gets better as it goes along. That’s because it doesn’t take itself too seriously, provides interesting characters and more plot twists that expected in a “revenge flick”.
Liam Neeson is always good. Standouts in the supporting cast include…
Stick around for the end credits — there’s not another scene but the credit design adds to the fun.
Cold Pursuit (2019) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Blacula (1972)
Director: William Crain
Screenplay: Joan Torres, Raymond Koenig, Richard Glouner
Stars: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala, Elisha Cook Jr. and The Hues Corporation.
Tagline: Blacula! – Dracula’s Soul Brother!
The Plot…
In 1780, Dracula turned Prince Mamuwalde (Marshall) into a vampire and mockingly gave him the name Blackula. Dracula then sealed Prince Mamuwalde in a coffin where he remained a prisoner for nearly 200 years. When the coffin is opened in 1972, Blackula is released to terrorize modern day LA.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I had avoided watching Blackula for decades because I thought it was going to be all-out comedy. I was wrong. Blackula, despite the funny title, is a straight up horror film. Before William Marshall accepted the title role, he demanded that the character be treated with dignity. Changes were made to the character’s background and the movie is played straight. Blackula is the first black vampire to appear on film!
It was cool to see Elisha Cook, Jr. in a small role as well as the singing group, The Hues Corporation, best known for the hit Rock the Boat.
Blackula (1972) rates 3 of 5 stars.
The poster and trailer for The Channel is here.
After their bank heist goes wrong, a desperate criminal, his out-of-control brother, and their motley crew of ex-marines must escape New Orleans and the determined FBI agent who pursues them.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
Director: Ted Post
Screenplay: Paul Dehn from a story by Paul Dehn, Mort Abrahams based on characters created by Pierre Boulle
Stars: James Franciscus, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, Linda Harrison, Paul Richards, Victor Buono, James Gregory, Jeff Corey, Natalie Trundy, Thomas Gomez, Gregory Sierra and Charlton Heston.
Tagline: The bizarre world you met in ‘Planet of the Apes’ was only the beginning… What lies beneath may be the end!
The Plot…
A spaceship sent on a rescue mission crashes on an unidentified planet. Brent (Franciscus), the sole survivor, realizes he has somehow gone forward in time. As he explores his new surroundings, Brent comes across Nova (Harrison) a beautiful, but mute woman. Nova is wearing Taylor’s dogtags. Taylor is one of the astronauts his crew was sent to rescue.
Brent soon sees that the planet is populated by intelligent apes and humans are speechless savages. Hunted by apes, Brent and Nova hope to escape into the Forbidden Zone where something even more dangerous than apes awaits them.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I loved (and still love) Planet of the Apes. I had such high hopes for Beneath the Planet of the Apes. Charlton Heston was set to return. This time Heston would be joined by James Franciscus (who I liked in Valley of Gwangi and various guest spots on tv). How could this go wrong?
Let me count the ways… Heston’s role amounts to a glorified cameo. The ape civilization is made less threatening when we see young apes protesting the war (shades of Viet Nam). The whole subplot with disfigured humans who worship a nuclear bomb seems like it was cribbed from a bad episode of Star Trek. Other than Highlander to Highlander 2, I’ve never been as disappointed in a sequel.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) rates 2 of 5 stars.
The anticipation builds…
“Marshal, welcome to Detroit.” 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.
I’m a sucker for a good crime story. Mob Land starring John Travolta, Stephen Dorff and Kevin Dillon looks to fit the bill. Deal me in.
A young father gets in over his head after a robbery goes wrong. Some debts can’t be repaid with money.
MOB LAND Official Trailer (2023) John Travolta, Stephen Dorff, Ashley Benson, Kevin Dillon
Se7en (1995)
Director: David Fincher
Writer: Andrew Kevin Walker
Stars: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Cassini, Peter Crombie, Reg E. Cathey, R. Lee Ermey, George Christy, Hawthorne James, Richard Roundtree, John C. McGinley, Mark Boone Junior, Leland Orser, Richard Schiff, Charles S. Dutton and Andrew Kevin Walker.
Tagline: Seven deadly sins. Seven ways to die.
The Plot…
Just one week from retirement, veteran detective William Somerset (Freeman) is teamed with young rookie detective, David Mills (Pitt). Their styles and personalities are at odds from the start. Somerset is even-keeled, patient and methodical. Mills is short-tempered, eager and prone to rush in.
Somerset and Mills are assigned a murder investigation where the killer mutilated the victim before slowly murdering him. When another body turns up, Somerset and Mills realize that they’re dealing with a serial killer who is using the seven deadly sins to determine his victims and method of murder. The killer is intelligent, but insane… and he knows that Somerset and Mills are on the case.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
What could have been a very generic and exploitive serial killer movie is anything but. Andrew Kevin Walker created a story that is compelling and clever. The old cop just a week from retirement teamed with a young hotshot is so played out.. but not in the hands of Walker. The situation is what it is, and adds to the personalities of Somerset and Mills. The finale is one of the best ever.
David Fincher is an amazing director and Se7en is a masterpiece. The film stars Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, but the supporting actors/actresses are just as amazing. It’s cool seeing familiar faces before they were “known” popping up throughout the film. Everything from the opening credits to the final shot are perfection.
Se7en (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Treat Williams died yesterday, the result of a motorcycle accident. Mr. Williams was 71.
Treat Williams was an actor who performed on stage, television and in feature films. Mr. Williams appeared in several off-Broadway and Broadway productions including Grease; Stephen Sondheim’s Follies (which won him a Drama League Award); The Pirates of Penzance and David Mamet’s Oleanna.
Treat Williams began his feature film career in 1975’s Deadly Hero. Four years later Mr. Williams’ earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Hair. Then two years later, Treat Williams was nominated for his second Golden Globe award for his starring role in Prince of the City. In 1984, he earned his third Golden Globe nomination for the television production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Some of Treat Williams’ television appearances include: Dempsey; A Streetcar Named Desire; J. Edgar Hoover; Drug Wars: The Camarena Story; Eddie Dodd (6 episodes); Tales from the Crypt; Batman: The Animated Series (2 episodes); Good Advice (19 episodes); Journey to the Center of the Earth; UC Undercover; Everwood (89 episodes); Brothers & Sisters (4 episodes); Heartland (9 episodes); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; The Simpsons; Eve of Destruction (2 episodes); Hawaii 5-0 (2 episodes); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; American Odyssey (10 episodes); Confirmation; Chicago Fire (16 episodes); The Christmas House; The Christmas House 2; We Own This City (2 episodes); Chesapeake Shores (53 episodes) and Blue Bloods (6 episodes).
Some of Treat Williams’ feature film appearances include: Deadly Hero; Marathon Man; The Eagle Has Landed; Hair; 1941; The Empire Strikes Back; Prince of the City; The Pursuit of DB Cooper; Once Upon a Time in America; Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead; Mulholland Falls; The Phantom; Deep Rising; The Substitute 2; The Deep End of the Ocean; The Substitute 3 and Deadfall.
My favorite Treat Williams performance is in Prince of the City. I recently watched him again in Mulholland Falls. It is always a, uh treat, to see Treat Williams’ name in the credits. I thought it was pretty daring when he played Stanley Kowalski in a television movie of A Streetcar Named Desire. Not only was he following Marlon Brando, but to do it on television seemed risky at the time. What a great actor and what a great career!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Treat Williams’ family, friends and fans.
The poster and trailer for They Cloned Tyrone (and the fact that it’s on Netflix) have me on board. Deal me in.
A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio (John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx) onto the trail of a nefarious government experience conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper.
If you follow Drew Struzan on Twitter, then you’ve probably seen this rare concept piece that Struzan did for Rocky IV. Even still, it’s worth another look. Oh, and click on the art to see a “director’s cut”.
