Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Rich Hennemann is a freelance artist. A few years ago I picked up his sketchbook and a sketch and I was hooked. Since then I’ve gotten several sketches from Rich. This Sly as Rambo is one from my collection. I already have another commission from Rich in the works.
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Screenplay: Micho Robert Rutare, story by Dan Trachtenberg, Micho Robert Rutare, based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas
Stars: Voices of Michael Biehn, Doug Cockle, Rick Gonzalez, Lauren Holt, Lindsay LaVanchy, Jeff Leach, Piotr Michael and Andrew Morgado.
Tagline: Hunt the enemy, before they hunt you!
The Plot…
In the year 841, Vikings, led by warrior woman Ursa, have just defeated the Krivich clan. The Krivich’s leader, Zoran killed Ursa’s father when she was a child. Now Ursa and her son Anders will have revenge. A Predator is invisibly watching. Once a victor has been determined, the Predator will attack. It will be a vicious battle to the death.
In the 1629, Kenji returns to confront his brother. Twenty years prior, Kenji and his brother Kiyoshi had been boys. Each child was given a sword. Ordered to battle. The winner would become the clan’s new Warlord. Kenji refused to fight, even as Kiyoshi attacked. Rather than battle his brother, Kenji ran off.
Now Kenji sneaks into his brother’s fortress. As the brothers battle, a Predator, undetected, silently watches. The predator will fight the winner to the death.
The year is 1941. World War II rages. A small group of US Airmen take off to engage the enemy in aerial battle. On the ground, mechanic John Torres sees a strange craft destroying both US and enemy planes. Torres gets a beat-up plane working. He takes off to warn his squad. When Torres arrives, he and Captain Vandy are the only survivors. The Predator space ship is ready to engage them. It will be a fight to the death.
Ursa, Kenji and Torres are awakened from suspended animation. They are on a foreign planet. Predators led the three to the center of an arena. A large Predator incites the crowd. Ursa, Kenji and Torres will fight to the death. The winner will face the Predator gladiator/warlord. To make it even more interesting, a giant dragon-like beast is released. Who/what will survive?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Michael Biehn now joins Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen as the only actors to have roles in Alien, Terminator and Predator films.
Predator: Killer of Killers has many Easter eggs that are open to speculation. Is the Gladiator Predator wearing a cape made of Xenomorph tails? In one of the Predator cryo-tanks we get a glimpse of a muscular make human. Is he Dutch from Predator? Maybe it is Royce from Predators? Naru from Prey is definitely in one of the cryo-tanks. The flintlock pistol from Predator 2 and Prey makes an appearance.
I liked Predator: Killer of Killers, but not as much as most folks. It currently has a 7.6 rating on IMDb and at Rotten Tomatoes in has a 95% rating from reviewers and 90% from viewers. There were too many unanswered questions (including the final resolution) for my taste. Still, I enjoyed the film, just not as much as most everyone else. Your mileage may vary.
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars
It was announced today that Harris Yulin died on June 10, 2025, from cardiac arrest. Mr. Yulin was 87.
Mr. Yulin appeared on stage, television and in feature films. He made his theater debut in 1963 (Next Time I’ll Sing to You). His feature film (End of the Road) and television debut (Neither Are We Enemies) both came in 1970. Throughout his career Mr. Yulin alternated between stage, television and feature films. Mr. Yulin also taught at The Juilliard School for eight years.
In 1996 Harris Yulin was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Frasier. In 1997, Mr. Yulin was nominated for a CableAce Award as Guest Actor in a Dramatic Special or Series for his appearance in La Femme Nikita. In 2019, Harris Yulin was nominated by the Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for his performance in Ozark.
Some of the television projects that feature Harris Yulin include: Neither Are We Enemies; Incident at Vichy; The ABC Afternoon Playbreak; Kojak; Melvin Purvis G-Man; Barnaby Jones; The Greatest Gift; The F.B.I. Story: The FBI Versus Alvin Karpis, Public Enemy Number One; The Missiles of October; Parker Adderson, Philosopher; Little House on the Prairie; Caribe; Barnaby Jones; SWAT; Police Woman; Ironside; Insight; Most Wanted; Wonder Woman; When Every Day Was the Fourth of July; As the World Turns (2 episodes); Robert Kennedy and His Times; Cagney & Lacey; Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago Eight; Traitor in My House; WIOU (18 episodes); Civil Wars; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Truman; Frasier; Le Femme Nikita; Screen One; American Masters; Vengeance Unlimited; The X-Files; American Experience (2 episodes); Buffy the Vampire Slayer (3 episodes); Mister Sterling (3 episodes); 24 (9 episodes); Third Watch (2 episodes); Law & Order; Entourage; Cashmere Mafia (2 episodes); Canterbury’s Law; Law & Order (2 episodes); Loving Leah; Damages; Rubicon (2 episodes); Pan Am; Nikita (3 episodes); Forever; The Blacklist; Veep (2 episodes); Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (5 episodes); Ozark (12 episodes); Murphy Brown (2 episodes); For the People; Billions (3 episodes); Divorce (4 episodes); I Know This Much is True and FBI: Most Wanted.
Some of Harris Yulin’s feature film appearances include: End of the Road; Doc; The Midnight Man; Night Moves; St. Ives; Scarface; The Believers; Another Woman; Ghostbusters 2; Narrow Margin; Final Analysis; Clear and Present Danger; Cutthroat Island; Murder at 1600; Bean; Cradle Will Rock; The Hurricane; Rush Hour 2; Training Day; The Place Beyond the Pines and Omni Loop.
Harris Yulin was so good in so many roles it is impossible to pick just one. Whenever I saw his name in the credits I knew the film or television show just got more interesting.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Harris Yulin’s family, friends and fans.
Tin Soldier starring Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, Scott Eastwood and John Leguizamo – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Tin Soldier has the makings of another fun drive-in movie.
Deal me in.
Jamie Foxx will put you under his spell in this cult compound extraction thriller.
The Bokushi preaches to hundreds of war veterans, drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons. After several failed infiltration attempts, the government – in the form of military operative Emmanuel Ashburn – recruits Nash Cavanaugh, an ex-special forces asset, who was once a disciple of The Bokushi. Nash agrees to use his vulnerable past and insider knowledge of the enigmatic leader to finally get revenge on the man who took everything from him, including the love of his life.
Starring Jamie Foxx (Collateral), Robert De Niro (Cape Fear), Scott Eastwood (Suicide Squad), John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!), Joey Bicicchi (No Way Out) and Rita Ora (Fifty Shades of Grey), Tin Soldier is directed by Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer) from a script co-written with Jess Fuerst.
Bang starring Jack Kesy and Peter Weller – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
If like me, you enjoy a fun drive-in movie (even if there are no more drive-ins), then Bang looks to fit the bill.
Deal me in.
Bang, one of the most feared hitmen, questions his violent life after a near-death experience. Seeing a future beyond bloodshed, he wants out—but his crime boss won’t let go without a fight.
The film will be released in select theaters, digital, and on demand on July 11th.
The Accountant 2 (2025)
Director: Gavin O’Connor
Screenplay: Bill Dubuque, based on characters created by Bill Dubuque
Stars: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Alison Wright, Daniella Pineda, Robert Morgan, Grant Harvey, Andrew Howard, Yael Ocasio, Lombardo Boyar, Michael Tourek, Fernando Chien, Talia Thiesfield and J.K. Simmons.
Tagline: He sees what others can’t. He does what others won’t.
The Plot…
Raymond King, the retired director of the Financial Crimes Division of the US Treasury is found murdered. King was working a case. Before he was killed, King was able to write on his arm, “Find the Accountant”. Marybeth Medina, King’s former protégé, and current FCD director, knows the meaning. She and King had worked with Christian Wolf aka The Accountant on a case eight years prior.
Marybeth reaches out to Wolf and informs Wolf of King’s murder. King and Marybeth meet. She has access to all of the data King was using, but can’t decipher it’s meaning. In short order Wolf determines the links. King was working on bringing down an international human trafficking cartel.
Realizing that he’s going to need help, Wolf contacts his estranged hitman brother, Braxton. Things are about to heat up.
Let’s go!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Accountant was released in 2016. This sequel was announced in 2017. A third film is a possibility. At one point a television series was also considered.
Affleck and Bernthal have real chemistry as brothers. The scene at the cowboy bar is a highlight.
The Accountant 2 (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars
The Vanishing (1988)
Director: George Sluizer
Screenplay: George Sluizer, Tim Krabbé, based on The Golden Egg by Tim Krabbé
Stars: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets and Johanna ter Steege.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Rex and Saskia are young and in love. While on vacation in France, they stop at a busy gas station. They stretch their legs and take a break in a nearby grassy area. As Rex waits at the car, Saskia heads in to get drinks for the road.
She never returns.
When Rex realizes Saskia should have been back, he searches the gas station and surrounding area. Nobody saw anything. Rex goes to the police. Searches and appeals to the public turn up no clues.
Rex is obsessed with finding Saskia. He makes sure posters with Saiska’s picture and information about her disappearance are always up. He follows up on even the smallest possibility. Rex realizes Saskia is probably not alive. Still, it torments Rex to not know what happened to her.
Three years after her disappearance, Rex is contacted by Saiska’s kidnapper. He wants to meet.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Stanley Kubrick reportedly considered The Vanishing the most terrifying film he’d ever seen. Entertainment Weekly listed The Vanishing as one of the all-time scariest films ever made. The Vanishing is a movie that doesn’t have jump scares. There is no unstoppable killer or traditional monsters. And that makes it even more frightening.
The Vanishing will stay with you. You’ll think about the movie long after you finish watching it. THAT ending. The killer alone practicing his moves. The fact that Rex gets his wish.
The success of The Vanishing, the Dutch film was optioned to be remade in the United States. George Sluizer, who co-wrote and directed the original, was brought on to direct the American remake. Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis and Sandra Bullock were brought on to star. The budget was set at $20 million dollars (over ten times the budget of the original). The ending was changed because “American audiences don’t like sad endings.” Change the ending and you’re making a totally different film. Why bother? Audiences and critics overwhelmingly prefer the original.
The Vanishing (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars
Psycho II (1983)
Director: Richard Franklin
Screenplay: Tom Holland, based on characters created by Robert Bloch
Stars: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia, Hugh Gillin, Claudia Bryar, Robert Alan Browne, Lee Garlington, Jill Carroll, Chris Hendrie, Tom Holland, Osgood Perkins and Dennis Franz.
Tagline: It’s 22 years later, and Norman Bates is coming home.
The Plot…
Twenty-two years have passed since the murders that made Norman Bates infamous have passed. Norman has spent that time in a mental institution. His therapist believes that Norman is now sane. Therefore a judge rules that Norman be set free.
Norman returns home with plans to re-open the Bates Motel. In the meantime, he takes a job at a local diner. When Mary, a waitress at the diner, suddenly becomes homeless, Norman offers her a place to stay. She reluctantly accepts. Not long after, Norman begins to get messages from his dead mother.
Norman begins to fear for his sanity and Mary’s safety.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Making a sequel to an Alfred Hitchcock classic is a tale, dangerous order. Psycho II fills the bill better than you might expect.
The actor playing a young Norman Bates is Anthony Perkins’ son Osgood.
The original Bates house was able to be used for this sequel, but the hotel had to be rebuilt.
The scene where Norman plays the piano is actually Anthony Perkins playing. He was an accomplished pianist.
Robert Bloch’s novel PSYCHO II and the movie sequel tell different stories.
Critics praised Anthony Perkins and Meg Tilly’s on-screen chemistry. In reality, they didn’t get along. Perkins actually wanted her fired after filming was underway. Tilly called making the film the worst experience of her career. She didn’t attend the movie’s premiere.
Dennis Franz steals every scene he’s in. Franz could play a sleazy character with the best of them.
Psycho II (1983) rates 4 of 5 stars
Solomon Kane (2009)
Director: M. J. Bassett
Screenplay: M. J. Bassett; based on characters created by Robert E. Howard
Stars: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Mark O’Neal, Christian Dunkley-Clark, James Babson, Marek Vasut and Pete Postlethwaite.
Tagline: Fight evil… With evil.
The Plot…
In the year 1600, Solomon Kane is a ruthless mercenary. Kane and his raiders steal and plunder. During an attack on a fortress, demons appear. Kane’s crew are killed. A Devil’s Reaper says that Kane has led a life of sin. The Reaper has been sent to claim Kane’s soul. Kane barely escapes.
Shaken to his core, Kane joins a monastery and renounces violence. After a year Kane is forced to leave. As Kane walks, unsure of where his path will lead, he is attacked by highwaymen. Kane refuses to fight back. Badly beaten, Kane is left for dead.
The Crowthorns, a Puritan family finds and nurses Kane back to health. The Crowthorns are on a journey to the New World. Kane accepts an invitation to join them.
Without warning, they are attacked. Kane is able to fight off his attackers. Meredith Crowthorn, the young daughter is kidnapped. The rest of the family is killed. Kane learns that a cult making raids to collect slaves.
Kane is determined to rescue Meredith. He believes that if successful, he will redeem his soul.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Solomon Kane was originally planned as a trilogy. The two sequels were never made.
Solomon Kane (2009) rates 2 of 5 stars
The Plane (2023)
Director: Jean-François Richet
Screenplay: Charles Cumming, J. P. Davis; story by Charles Cumming
Stars: Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Evan Dane Taylor, Paul Ben-Victor, Daniella Pineda, Otis Winston, Joey Slotnick, Jessica Nam and Tony Goldwyn.
Tagline: The crash was only the beginning.
The Plot…
Due to a sudden violent storm a flight bound for Honolulu loses power. Turbulence violently tosses the airliner. A crew member and police officer are killed during the sudden shake-up. The cop was bringing in Louis Gaspare, a suspect for murder.
When the plane loses power, the pilot, Brodie Torrance has just minutes to make an emergency landing. With no other options, Torrance sits down on a small island.
Brodie tells the to passengers grab available food and water. He gets them off the plane. Brodie then takes the still handcuffed Gaspare with him. The two set out to find if other people live on the island.
The others on the island are a rebel militia that specializes in kidnappings for ransom. If the ransom isn’t paid, they think nothing of beheading their victims. The militia have learned of the plane’s arrival. They’re armed and heading to capture a planeload of hostages.
It will be up to Brodie and Gaspare to protect the passengers until help arrives. What chance does a pilot and suspected murderer have against a small army?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Plane reminded me of a throwback action film of the 1980s. That’s a good thing.
A sequel for Mike Colter’s character, Louis Gaspare, is in pre-production. Tentatively titled Ship, it picks up after Louis disappeared into the jungle. His participation in the showdown with the militia, leads to an international manhunt. Gaspare sneaks aboard a cargo ship and discovers it’s transport for a human trafficking ring. Deal me in!
The Plane (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars
Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale – The trailer is here.
Although the poster and trailer leave out “A Love Tale” that is reportedly the official title of the film. Besson wrote the screenplay which he adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel. Dracula: A Love Tale stars Caleb Landry Jones, Christoph Waltz and Zoë Bleu.
DRACULA Trailer International (2025) Caleb Landry Jones, Christoph Waltz, Matilda De Angelis, Luc Besson
The Man in My Basement trailer is here.
It’s based on a novel by Walter Mosley. Mosley also co-wrote the screenplay. That alone is enough to get me on board. I’ve had Mosley’s novel on my to-be-read-bookcase for far too long. I need to change that.
Down on his luck, Charles Blakey (Corey Hawkins) agrees to rent his basement to a mysterious stranger (Willem Dafoe), unaware he may be letting in a force much darker than he imagined.
Strange Days (1995)
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Screenplay: James Cameron, Jay Cocks; story by James Cameron
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tomas Milian, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Vincent D’Onofrio, Glenn Plummer, Richard Edson, Josef Sommer, Nicky Katt, Michael Jace, Jim Ishida, Todd Graff and William Fichtner.
Tagline: you know you want it
The Plot…
1999 is almost over. The New Year is almost here. Civil unrest rules. The streets of LA are full of soldiers and cops.
Lenny Nero, an ex-cop, makes his living selling illegal SQUID recordings. Using a small machine that plays the SQUID recordings and with the proper headset, a user is able to watch and experience whatever was recorded. Think virtual reality on steroids. The user sees and feels all of the sensations.
Lenny is still reeling. The love of his life (or so he thought), Faith Justin left him. Or so he thought. Faith dreams of being a singer. She’s now hooked up with music promoter, Philo Grant.
It’s been a bad couple of days. Now Lenny has discovered that cops are looking for him. He has no idea why. It can’t be because of the recordings he sells. He’s too careful. Maybe Philo Grant is behind his problems. That would make sense.
What Lenny doesn’t know is he has the key to a murder conspiracy. And it isn’t just the cops he can’t trust.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Strange Days is a sci-fi murder mystery love story. And it works on all levels.
When Faith Justin is singing, it’s Juliette Lewis’ voice we hear.
James Cameron did uncredited editing on the film.
Loretta “Mace” Mason, played by Angela Bassett, is an awesome character. She could have carried her own spin-off.
Strange Days (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars
Bone Tomahawk, written and directed by S. Craig Zahler, doesn’t get enough love. Aurelio Lorenzo has created an alt poster that is a worthy tribute.
The Order (2024)
Director: Justin Kurzel
Screenplay: Zach Baylin; based on THE SILENT BROTHERHOOD: INSIDE AMERICA’S RACIST UNDERGROUND by Kevin Flynn, Gary Gerhardt
Stars: Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, George Tchortov, John Warkentin and Marc Maron.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
FBI Agent Terry Husk is relocated to a small town in Idaho. Husk is looking for a change of pace. The long hours he put in on major cases took a toll on his marriage. He hopes his wife and daughter will eventually join him.
When a member of the Aryan Nation goes missing, leads indicate he was murdered. As Husk digs deeper he learns that a series of bank robberies as well as a counterfeiting scheme are being used to raise money for a major terrorist act.
Husk is joined by Deputy Jamie Bowen. They need evidence to bring down the anarchists before their plan is launched. The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
While based on real events, the FBI Agent Terry Husk is fictional.
The Order (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars
