Category: Movies

“Wolfs” (2024) written & directed by Jon Watts, starring George Clooney & Brad Pitt / Z-View

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Wolfs (2024)

Director:  Jon Watts

Screenplay: Jon Watts

Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Kymbali Craig, Linda Carola, Vladimir Sizov, Sammy Horowitz and Frank Trigg.

Tagline: They’re not partners. They’re not friends. They’re… Wolfs.

The Plot…

Margaret (Ryan), a Manhattan District Attorney gets a hotel room with a young man she just met.  When the man unexpectedly dies, Margaret uses a number she was given in case of emergencies.

Soon a fixer (Clooney) arrives to clean up the mess.  As the fixer prepares to remove the body, another fixer (Pitt) arrives.  He says the the hotel owner called him.  She was watching via a hidden camera.  The two fixers argue about who will do the job.  They reluctantly agree to team for the clean-up and disposal of the body.

Then a cache of drugs is found on the body.  The hotel owner convinces the fixers to find and return the drugs to their original owner.  Burdened with a dead body and drugs, the fixers learn much to late that nothing is as it seems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Apple wanted and announced a sequel, but writer/director Jon Watts refused, even returning advance money he’d been given.  Watts was upset because at the last minute, Apple decided to not give Wolfs a theatrical release.

George Clooney’s character’s BMW’s New York license plate is 3ABM582. Winston Wolf, (played by Harvey Keitel), the fixer in Pulp Fiction, drove an Acura NSX with the California license plate is 3ABM582.  It’s also interesting to note we never learn the names of Clooney or Pitt’s characters.  But the title of the movie is Wolfs which sounds like a call back to Winston Wolf.

I liked the movie, but expected more with Clooney and Pitt as the leads.

Wolfs (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

Guillermo del Toro’s “FRANKENSTEIN” – The Trailer is Here!

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The trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s FRANKENSTEIN is here.  I’m going to check it out.  My worry is that too many viewers will expect the Universal movie Frankenstein and not Mary Shelley’s novel.

Written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, FRANKENSTEIN is on Netflix this November.

Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, with Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz.

Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation. #TUDUM

“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone / Z-View

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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese; based on KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI by David Grann

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Jason Isbell, William Belleau, Louis Cancelmi, Scott Shepherd, Tatanka Means and Brendan Fraser.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Early in the 20th century oil was found on the Oklahoma Osage Nation reservation.  Members of the Osage tribe shared in the mineral rights. This made the Osage the wealthiest people per capita in the United States. Law required court-appointed guardians to oversee the distribution of money since the Osage were seen as incompetent.

At the end of World War I, Ernest Burkhart arrived at his uncle “King” Hale’s large ranch on the reservation.  King was known as a friend of the Osage.  He was anything but.

King tells Ernest if he marries an Osage woman, and she dies, he would inherit her oil rights.  Her death would make Ernest a wealthy man.  Ernest learns that many Osage have died from mysterious illnesses, accidents and suicide.

Ernest meets and woos an Osage named Mollie.  They marry.  Shortly after, Mollie becomes sick.

As more mysterious deaths occur, the Osage council sends a representative to Washington to request help.  Soon FBI agent Tom White arrives on the reservation.  White begins his investigation as King sets in motion a plan of his own.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Killers of the Flower Moon was nominated for ten 2024 Academy Awards…

  • Best Achievement in Costume Design – Jacqueline West
  • Best Achievement in Production Design – Jack Fisk (production designer), Adam Willis (set decorator)
  • Best Achievement in Film Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Best Achievement in Cinematography – Rodrigo Prieto
  • Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Robbie Robertson
  • Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – Scott George
    For “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)”
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert De Niro
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Lily Gladstone
  • Best Achievement in Directing – Martin Scorsese
  • Best Motion Picture of the Year – Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese, Daniel Lupi

King Hale, Ernest Burkhart, Mollie and Tom White were real people.  Records implicate King Hale in the deaths of multiple murders to gain oil rights.  While the movie focuses on King/Ernest and Mollie, there were many others like King/Ernest taking advantage of the Osage.  Between 1918 and 1931 estimates of up to 150 deaths have been made.

Martin Scorsese met with Osage leadership prior to starting the film.  Scorsese cast 40 Osage actors as well as hundreds of Osage as extras.

When the script was first brought to Leonardo DiCaprio, it was written from FBI agent, Tom White’s perspective.  DiCaprio suggested that put the focus on an outsider’s perspective.  The film would be better served from another view.  The script was, as Martin Scorsese say, re-constructed.

Martin Scorsese (81) became the oldest person was 81 nominated for a Best Director Academy Award with this movie.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Revenge” (1990) directed by Tony Scott, starring Kevin Costner, Anthony Quinn and Madeleine Stowe / Z-View

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Revenge (1990)

Director:  Tony Scott

Screenplay: Jim Harrison, Jeffrey Alan Fiskin; based on Revenge by Jim Harrison

Stars: Kevin Costner, Anthony Quinn, Madeleine Stowe, Tomas Milian, Joaquín Martínez, James Gammon, Jesse Corti, Sally Kirkland, Gerardo Zepeda, Miguel Ferrer, Joe Santos and John Leguizamo.

Tagline: A passion that cannot be denied. A betrayal that cannot be forgiven.

The Plot…

Jay Cochran was a Navy jet pilot.  He recently retired early.  Now Jay’s time is his own.

Jay decides to accept an invitation to visit his wealthy friend Tiburon “Tibey” Mendez in Mexico.  Jay is warned that Mendez is a reputed crime boss.  Jay isn’t concerned.

When Jay arrives at Tibey’s estate he is met by Cesar, Tibey’s right-hand man.  Jay is admonished for being late.  Jay responds, that he’s a guest, not an employee.  This doesn’t sit well with Cesar.  Jay sees armed guards positioned throughout the estate.

Tibey is legitimately happy to see Jay.  Although Tibey is much older than Jay, their friendship is genuine.  Jay is formally introduced to Mireya, Tibey’s wife.  She’s beautiful.  And much younger than Tibey.

During Jay’s visit, his independent attitude doesn’t sit well with Cesar.  At a dinner thrown by Tibey, two of the guests try to provoke Jay.  Jay doesn’t back down and his answers could be seen as poking fun.  After dinner, Tibey has a private meeting with the two men.  They are surprised when Tibey takes Jay’s side.  The penalty for insulting Tibey’s friend is severe.

Jay and Mireya begin spending more time together.  The attraction between the two is undeniable.  As they become closer, the inevitable happens.  Shortly after, Jay says that he must go.  Mireya begs him to stay.  They decide to leave together.  Both understand that if Tibey discovers their affair, his revenge would be savage.  Tibey’s response to the slightest offense is always extreme.  To be betrayed by his wife and best friend would require an unimaginable response of violence.

Jay and Mireya plan their getaway.  They’re unaware that Tibey knows everything.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The sex scenes between Costner and Stowe were totally improvised.

Before Tony Scott was brought on to direct, John Huston was considered.  Huston didn’t want Costner to star.  Huston wanted Jack Nicholson to play Tibey.  When Huston left the project, Orson Welles was considered to helm the project.  Costner considered directing it himself.  Ultimately he served as Executive Producer and star.

Anthony Quinn and Madeline Stowe play husband and wife in Revenge.  In 2002, they re-teamed in Sly Stallone’s Avenging Angelo.  There they play father and daughter in what turned out to be Quinn’s final film.

Tony Scott said that Revenge was his favorite film that he directed.

James Gammon is memorable in a small but important role.  Same for Miguel Ferrer and John Leguizamo.

Revenge is one of my all-time favorite films.

Revenge (1990) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Untold: Deal with the Devil” (2021) / Z-View

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Untold: Deal with the Devil (2021)

Director:  Laura Brownson

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Christy Martin was born Christy Salters.  She excelled in sports in high school.  Christy attended college on a basketball scholarship.  She entered a “tough woman” contest on a lark.  Christy won.  After winning three consecutive “tough woman” contests, Christy was introduced to boxing trainer/coach Jim Martin.

Although reluctant at first, Martin decided to train/manage Christy.  After a 2-1-1 start, Christy went on an undefeated streak that made her the face of women’s boxing.  She was one of the first female fighters to appear on a Pay-Per-View card.  Don King became her promoter.  Christy was the on the undercard of a Mike Tyson title defense because Tyson was impressed with her fighting.

Along the way, Christy and Jim Martin became involved.  They married.  Money and fame followed.  All was good.

Until it wasn’t.

Christy had a secret that she’d suppressed.  Jim was controlling and older than her father.  Drugs came into play.  Christy was going to divorce Jim when he repeatedly stabbed and shot her.  And that isn’t the final twist to the story.

Thoughts…

I thought I knew the Christy Martin story, but that final twist is stranger than fiction.

Untold: Deal with the Devil (2021) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Untold: Shooting Guards” (2025) / Z-View

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Untold: Shooting Guards (2025)

Director:  Walter Thompson-Hernandez

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton were players for the NBA’s Washington Wizards.  The two got into an argument on the team plane.  It escalated to the point that threats were made.

Before the next practice both players brought guns into the locker room.  Additional threats were made before made before cooler heads prevailed.  When it became known that both players had violated NBA rules, the NBA and police became involved.

Both players were suspended for the remainder of the year.  Crittenton was released and never played another game.  Arenas was traded and played a few more years.

Unfortunately for Javaris Crittenton, he got involved with the wrong crowd when he went back to his old neighborhood.  After being robbed twice, Crittenton decided to take the law into his own hands.  He tracked down who he thought had robbed him.  Crittenton then did a drive-by.  The person he killed was an innocent bystander.  A young mother who had nothing to do with the robberies.

This is the story of the events leading up to the Gilbert Arenas /Javaris Crittenton incident and Crittenton’s murder trial.  There is much more to each story… and was justice served in either case?

Thoughts…

So many professional athletes, especially those that come straight out of high school don’t have the maturity needed.  Especially when big money and guns are involved.

Untold: Shooting Guards (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Untold: Malice at the Palace” (2021) / Z-View

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Untold: Malice at the Palace (2021)

Director:  Floyd Russ

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The NBA’s Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers have always had a bitter rivalry.  On November 19, 2004, the two teams met in a game that was never finished.  The previous year the Pistons knocked the Pacers out of the playoffs.  This was one of the first games of the season.  Tensions were high.

The Pacers were on track to an easy win.  With less than a minute left Ron Artest of the Pacers fouled Ben Wallace of the Pistons.  Both were known for their tempers.  Wallace started to go after Artest.  The players were separated.  Artest went over to the scoring table and laid down.  Fans were going crazy and one threw a beer from the stands.  It Artest in the chest.  Artest went up into the stands after the fan he THOUGHT had thrown it.  Other fans went after Artest.  More Pacer players went to Artest’s aide.

Then all hell broke loose.

This is that story.

Thoughts…

Ron Artest was a hot-head.  Despite being the player who went into the stands, he comes off more sympathetic than you may want to believe.  It turns out that Artest suffered from depression and anxiety issues.  He was working through those problems at the time.  This isn’t to excuse him from going into the stands, but does explain his behavior.

If you were of age at the the time of the incident, even if you weren’t a basketball fan, you couldn’t avoid coverage of the incident.  This documentary does an excellent job of setting up the events leading to and the punishments handed down after.

Untold: Malice at the Palace (2021) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Untold: Caitlyn Jenner” (2022) / Z-View

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Untold: Caitlyn Jenner (2022)

Director:  Crystal Moselle

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Every four years an Olympic athlete earns a gold medal in the decathlon.  The decathlon consists of ten events over two days.  Day One: 100 meter dash; long jump; shot put; high jump and 400 meter run.  Day two: 110 meter hurdles; discus throw; pole vault; javelin throw and 1500 meter run.  Because of the variety of events and the different strengths and skills needed, the decathlon gold medalist is considered by many to be the world’s greatest athlete.

In 1976, Bruce Jenner was the Olympic Gold medalist.

This documentary explores Bruce Jenner’s life, his desire to become the World’s Greatest Athlete, and the inner turmoil he faced since childhood.  Although a Gold Medal winner, a world famous celebrity, Jenner struggled with identity issues for decades.  Bruce ultimately transitioned into Caitlyn Jenner.  This is his/her story.

Thoughts…

I was a huge fan of Bruce Jenner.  His story to become the world’s greatest athlete was inspiring.  He was married to his college sweetheart and she supported his efforts to train daily for the Olympics.  They seemed destined to have it all.

I was disappointed when they divorced.  Later Bruce had some face work done and a nose job.  I thought the nose job made him look too feminine.  Also I wondered why such a good looking guy would want to mess with his looks.  Why fix something that ain’t broken?

I had no idea of Jenner’s identity issues.  This is that story.

Untold: Caitlyn Jenner (2022) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Untold: The Fall of Favre” / Z-View

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Untold: The Fall of Favre (2025)

Director:  Rebecca Gitlitz

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Brett Favre played 20 seasons as an NFL quarterback.  Over the course of his career Favre led his team to a Super Bowl championship, three times was voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, once the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, three times voted First-Team All Pro, elven times voted to the Pro Bowl, was twice the NFL’s Passing Leader, and he set the record for most consecutive starts with 297.

Favre was considered a football living legend.  On the field he was considered a god.  Off the field he was far from it.

Although married, Favre wouldn’t be considered a role-model.  It came out later in his career that he was a womanizer.  Worse still he repeatedly pursued a woman through intermediaries, and text messages.  Each time the woman told him, “No.”  But Favre persisted, ultimately sending her pictures of his penis.  She rebuffed him at every turn.  In fact, she never met him or was in the same room with him, despite both being employed by the New York Jets.  At the end of the season, she was fired.

Two years later, the story came out.

Turns out that Favre also was involved in 2022 Mississippi welfare scandal.  Money earmarked for the state’s poorest, saw millions diverted to build a volleyball gym at the school where Favre’s daughter attended, and money to other of Favre’s causes.  Text messages came to light from Favre asking if the media could find out if he was paid and how much he got.  Why would he worry, if everything was on the up-and-up.  Making it even worse, Mississippi is the poorest state of our fifty.

This is story of The Fall of Favre.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you wondered why we no longer see Brett Favre making product endorsements, now you know.  It’s too bad that Favre wasn’t as good a human being as he was a football player.

Untold: The Fall of Favre (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Untold: The Liver King” (2025) / Z-View

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Untold: The Liver King (2025)

Director:  Joe Pearlman

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

This documentary looks at the rise and fall of Brian Johnson aka The Liver King.  Johnson became an influencer who promoted what he called an “ancestral lifestyle”.  Johnson said that by eating large amounts of raw meat and organs, specifically liver, one would become healthier with much more energy.

Johnson claimed that he was undersized as a kid and often bullied.  His research into a healthier lifestyle led him to his understanding of a diet that made our ancestors strong.   Johnson repeatedly denied ever using steroids.  He claimed that his muscles came from eating raw meat and exercise.  Johnson started a supplement company based around based around eating raw meat and his nine “ancestral tenets”.  He made millions.

Later it came to light that Brian Johnson was a liar.  He not only regularly used multiple steroids and testosterone, but was spending over $10,000.00 a month on pharmaceuticals.  Johnson’s reputation was shot.  His subscribers base dwindled and he was named in a class action suit for $25 million for his deception.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I had never heard of The Liver King before this documentary.  If anyone ever came off as a snake oil salesman, it is Brian Johnson.

Untold: The Liver King (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Lady in the Lake” (1946) directed and starring Robert Montgomery, also starring Audrey Totter and Lloyd Nolan / Z-View

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Lady in the Lake (1946)

Director:  Robert Montgomery

Screenplay: Steve Fisher; based THE LADY IN THE LAKE by Raymond Chandler

Stars: Robert Montgomery, Audrey Totter, Lloyd Nolan, Tom Tully, Leon Ames, Dick Simmons, Morris Ankrum, Lila Leeds, Charles Bradstreet and Jayne Meadows.

Tagline: YOU AND ROBERT MONTGOMERY STAR IN AN EXCITING AND UNUSUAL MYSTERY-THRILLER -EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO HIM HAPPENS TO YOU!

The Plot…

Private Eye, Phillip Marlowe decides to take a shot at writing.  When Marlowe is called into the publisher’s office, he thinks they want to buy his story.  Adrienne Fromsett, is the publishing editor.  She wants to buy Marlowe’s story.  She also wants to hire Marlowe to find Chrystal Kingsby.  Chrystal is her boss’ wife.  She hasn’t been seen for two months.

After some back and forth, Marlowe accepts the job.  What sounds like a missing person’s case turns out to be a multiple murder investigation.  And Marlowe is the main suspect.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film is shot from the viewpoint of Marlowe.  The only time he is seen is by reflections in mirrors and windows or when he speaks directly to the audience.  It’s odd seeing this decades before video games made it popular.

Lady in the Lake (1946) rates 3 of 5 stars