Category: Movies
“Revenge” (1990) directed by Tony Scott, starring Kevin Costner, Anthony Quinn and Madeleine Stowe / Z-View
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tim Shinn Draws “Rambo 2” Too!
Tim Shinn draws Rambo, Two, too.
“Untold: The Liver King” (2025) / Z-View
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
“Highlander” Tribute Painting by Den Beauvais!
Den Beauvais created this sweet Highlander tribute painting. Beauvais is making high quality Giclee prints on canvas available.
“Lady in the Lake” (1946) directed and starring Robert Montgomery, also starring Audrey Totter and Lloyd Nolan / Z-View
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
“CAUGHT STEALING” screenplay by Charlie Huston, directed by Darren Aronofsky, starring Austin King, Regina King & Zoe Kravitz – The Trailer is Here!
The trailer for Caught Stealing is here and I am sold.
The film’s based on Charlie Huston’s novel CAUGHT STEALING. I’ve been a fan of the book (and Charlie Huston) since I first read it nearly two decades ago. CAUGHT STEALING is the first of a trilogy that gets my highest recommendation. I hope the movie can match the level of excellence.
He was just supposed to watch the cat. Now he’s running for his f**king life.
Austin Butler stars in Darren Aronofsky’s #CaughtStealingMovie – only in theatres August 29.
Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high-school baseball phenom who can’t play anymore, but everything else is going okay. He’s got a great girl (Zoë Kravitz), tends bar at a New York dive, and his favorite team is making an underdog run at the pennant.
When his punk-rock neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters. They all want a piece of him; the problem is he has no idea why. As Hank attempts to evade their ever-tightening grip, he’s got to use all his hustle to stay alive long enough to find out…
Caught Stealing is directed by Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky, screenplay by Charlie Huston, based on his book of the same name.
The film stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and Carol Kane.
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Screenplay by: Charlie Huston
Based on the book by: Charlie Huston
Produced by: Jeremy Dawson, Dylan Golden, Ari Handel, Darren Aronofsky
Executive Producers: Charlie Huston, Ann Ruark
Cast:
Austin Butler
Regina King
Zoë Kravitz
Matt Smith
Liev Schreiber
Vincent D’Onofrio
Griffin Dunne
Benito A Martínez Ocasio
Carol KaneCredits not final
“Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man” (1951) starring Bud Abbott & Lou Costello / Z-View
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)
Director: Charles Lamont
Screenplay: Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, John Grant; story by Hugh Wedlock Jr., Howard Snyder; based THE INVISIBLE MAN by H.G. Wells
Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Arthur Franz, Sheldon Leonard, Sam Balter, John Daheim, Bobby Barber and William Frawley.
Tagline: AS PRIVATE EYES…they’re getting an Eyeful!
The Plot…
Bud and Lou get their first case after graduating from Detective School. Tommy Nelson, a middleweight boxing contender on the lam from the cops after being accused of killing his manager, wants their help. Tommy’s plan is to take a potion his fiancée’s uncle invented. The drink will turn him invisible. Tommy believes that once no one can see him, he can sneak around and get the evidence on the real killer.
Bud and Lou agree to help. Let the good times roll!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The plot of this film (minus the Abbott & Costello comedy) was to be a sequel to The Invisible Man. The success of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein caused the studio to reformat the idea to fit the comedy of A & C.
The final scene of this movie has Lou briefly turning invisible. As he reappears his legs appear to be on backwards. While it makes no sense, it probably got some laughs.
Don’t Touch the Loot aka Grisbi (1954) rates 3 of 5 stars
RIP: George Wendt
It was announced today that George Wendt died today. No cause of death was given. Mr. Wendt was 76.
George Wendt graduated from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, with a B.A. in economics. After seeing The Second City, Mr. Wendt became motivated to try his hand at comedy. In 1975, he became a part of The Second City troupe.
In 1978, Mr. Wendt appeared in his first feature film. It was an uncredited role in Robert Altman’s A Wedding. His next role didn’t come until 1980, but that year he appeared in Bronco Billy, My Bodyguard, Avery Schreiber Live from Second City and The Gift of the Magi. The roles just kept coming for the rest of his career.
George Wendt was best known for his role as Norm Peterson on Cheers. Mr. Wendt appeared in all 269 episodes. Each year from 1984 – 1989, George Wendt was nominated for a Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Norm.
If the only role George Wendt ever played was Norm on Cheers, he would still be an important (and loved) part of television history.
Some of the television projects that feature George Wendt include: Avery Schreiber Live from Second City; Hart to Hart; Soap; Taxi; Alice; Making the Grade (6 episodes); Cheers (269 episodes); Cheers: Uncle Sam Malone; M*A*S*H; Likely Stories, Vol. 4; Garfield Specials; Garfield in the Rough; St. Elsewhere; The Twilight Zone; The Tortellis; Mickey’s 60th Birthday; Arena; The Magical World of Disney; Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary Special; Wings; Tales from the Crypt; Michael Jackson: Black or White; Roc; Seinfeld; Bob; The Edge; The Building; The Larry Sanders Show; The Martin Short Show; The Simpsons; Columbo: Strange Bedfellows; The George Wendt Show (8 episodes); Good Company; Spin City; The Naked Truth (13 episodes); The List; Madigan Men (4 episodes); TV Funhouse; Strange Relations; Becker; Sabrina the Teenage Witch (6 episodes); Frasier; Saturday Night Live (8 episodes); George Lopez (2 episodes); Modern Men (7 episodes); Masters of Horror; Guy Walks into a Bar; The Green Grass; Family Guy (2 episodes); Less Than Kind; Ghost Whisperer; The Stay-at-Home Dad; Hot in Cleveland; Harry’s Law; The Seven Year Hitch; Kickin’ It; Portlandia; Franklin & Bash; Clipped (10 episodes); Children’s Hospital; Fresh Off the Boat; Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell; The Goldbergs; Christmas 9 to 5 and Fancy Nancy (11 episodes).
Some of George Wendt’s feature film appearances include: A Wedding; Bronco Billy; My Bodyguard; Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again; Airplane II: The Sequel; Dreamscape; Fletch; House; Gung Ho; Forever Young; The Little Rascals; The Prime Gig; Wild About Harry; Garage: A Rock Saga; Edmond; Saturday Morning; The Independents and I Lost My Body.
It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw George Wendt, but I do know that he was a HUGE part of Cheers’ success. Mr. Wendt was perfectly cast as Norm Peterson and his one-liners as he entered the bar each week were a highlight.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to George Wendt’s family, friends and fans.
