Category: Movies

“Werewolves” (2024) starring Frank Grillo / Z-View

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Werewolves (2024)

Director:  Steven C. Miller

Screenplay: Matthew Kennedy

Stars: Frank Grillo, Katrina Law, Ilfenesh Hadera, Sam Daly, Ian Whyte, Dane DiLiegro and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A year ago, during a supermoon, anyone exposed to moonlight changed into a werewolf.  Millions were killed.  Now, as another supermoon approaches, people are preparing for the worst.

Wes Marshall, ex-military, fortified his sister-in-law Lucy’s house. Lucy lives there with her young daughter Emma.  Wes then heads across town to join a team of scientists who have prepared an antidote they call Moonscreen.  If it works, it will stop the werewolf supermoon transformation.

When the experiment goes sideways, Wes will be forced to fight his way back across town to save Lucy and Emma.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I knew going in this would be a shlocky drive-in movie.  Still, I expected it to be better.

Werewolves (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.

Sly Stallone as Freddy Hefflin from “Cop Land” by Rich Hennemann!

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Rich Hennemann is an amazing 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.

Heading in to October each year, Rich takes sketch suggestions.  He then picks one a day to draw.  The person who suggested the piece has first dibs. I sugested Sly Stallone from Cop Land and it was picked for the 20th.  Of course I purchased the piece. I couldn’t be more pleased.  There will be more art from Rich in my future.  If you’re a sketch collector, you owe it to yourself to get a piece as well.

“The Killing” Alt Poster by Rich Davies!

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When folks talk about the great films of Stanley Kubrick, one that doesn’t get mentioned enough is The Killing.  It’s not only one of my favorite Kubrick movies, it’s one of my all-time favorites.

The Killing is also a favorite of Rich Davies.   Davies created the very cool alt poster above.  It also comes in a color variant, but I prefer the mono one myself.  You can check out more of Davies’ art here.

“Despair” by Yvan Quinet!

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In First Blood, Sylvester Stallone did something you seldom see action stars do.  He showed that John Rambo wasn’t just a strong, fearless fighting machine.  Sly gave Rambo heart.  Feelings.  And provided audiences with an emotional scene many stars wouldn’t want to do.  It was a showcase for Stallone’s bravery and acting range.

Yvan Quinet has beautifully captured the moment in a piece he calls “Despair”.  It is available as a limited edition fine art Giclee print in two sizes.

You can see more of Yvan Quinet’s art at his website and/or his Instagram page.

“Play Dirty” written/directed by Shane Black; starring Mark Wahlberg and Lakeith Standfield / Z-View

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Play Dirty (2025)

Director:  Shane Black

Screenplay: Shane Black, Charles Mondry, Anthony Bagarozzi; based on the PARKER novels by Richard Stark

Stars: Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key, Chukwudi Iwuji, Gretchen Mol, Tony Shalhoub, Hemky Madera, Alejandro Edda, Claire Lovering and Thomas Jane.

Tagline: Even robbers get robbed.

The Plot…

Parker is a professional thief.  He was part of a crew that robbed a horse track count room.  The heist went sideways, but they got away with the cash.  At the hideout as Parker and the team are getting ready to divide the loot, Zen, the getaway driver betrays them.  She shoots them all and makes off with the dough.

Parker, left for dead, survives.  Once he recovers he makes it his mission in life to track down Zen, get the money back and take her life.  It won’t be easy.  Especially when Parker decides to also rob a crime syndicate known as the Outfit.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film was originally supposed to reteam Robert Downey, Jr. and writer/director Shane Black.  They had worked together before on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.  When Downey dropped out, Mark Wahlberg was chosen to replace him.

Play Dirty is the fifth movie adaptation of Richard Stark’s Parker character.  The other films are: Point Blank (1967) starring Lee Marvin; The Outfit (1973) starring Robert Duvall; Payback (1999) starring Mel Gibson; Parker (2013) starring Jason Statham and now Play Dirty starring Mark Wahlberg.

Play Dirty is okay, but your time would be better served watching one of the other Parker adaptations.

Play Dirty (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Angel Heart” (1987) written & directed by Alan Parker; starring Mickey Rourke, Robert DeNiro & Lisa Bonet / Z-View

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Angel Heart (1987)

Director:  Alan Parker

Screenplay: Alan Parker; based on FALLING ANGEL by William Hjortsberg

Stars: Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet, Charlotte Rampling, Dann Florek, Kathleen Wilhoite and Pruitt Taylor Vince.

Tagline: Harry Angel has been hired to search for the truth… Pray he doesn’t find it.

The Plot…

1955.  Louis Cypher wants money owed to him.  Before the War, Cypher entered into a contract with a singer who went by the stage name Johnny Favorite.  Favorite became a very popular crooner… then World War II hit and Favorite’s star waned.  But for a time, Johnny Favorite was the flavor of the day.  Favorite never paid Cypher his due.  And you don’t run out on Louis Cypher.

So Cypher hires New York Private Eye Harry Angel.  He’s to track down Johnny Favorite and report back to Cypher.  What sounds like an easy assignment becomes anything but.  Angel will find the trail leads to New Orleans and black magic, voodoo and more than one murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Unless you were around at the time of the film’s release it’s hard to imagine the controversy the casting of Lisa Bonet caused.  At that time she was one of the stars of The Cosby Show.  The show was a network juggernaut.  Bill Cosby (despite what came out about him later) always promoted comedy for the entire family. Bonet’s role in Angel Heart, was very sexual with a prolonged nude sex scene. Plus it was her first feature film role.  She more than held her own.

Angel Heart is an under-rated horror film.

Angel Heart (1987) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Elixir” (2025) / Z-View

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The Elixir (2025)

Director:  Kimo Stamboel

Screenplay: Kimo Stamboel, Agasyah Karim, Khalid Kashogi

Stars: Mikha Tambayong, Eva Celia, Donny Damara, Marthino Lio

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

An extended family has come together to join others in a remote Indonesian village.  The family has come to take part in a celebration.  Prior to the party, family arguments ensue.  The patriarch and head of the family business has had company scientists working on an anti-aging potion.  He hopes that this new serum will save his company.  Perhaps if the business thrives again, the family will get along better.

When he takes the potion, it turns him into a zombie.

Let the madness begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The movie begins with a bang.  Then it quickly backs up five hours to show us what caused the excitement.  Instead of an action-packed zombie flick that takes off, we get a family drama.  I had zero interest in any of the characters.  So when the zombie action starts up again after 30 minutes or so, I didn’t care who lived or died.

At 42 minutes I tapped out.  Your mileage, as always, may vary.

The Elixir (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“A Single Shot” (2013) starring Sam Rockwell, Jeffrey Wright, Kelly Reilly, Jason Isaacs & Willam H. Macy / Z-View

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A Single Shot (2013)

Director:  David M. Rosenthal

Screenplay: Matthew F. Jones; based on A SINGLE SHOT by Matthew F. Jones

Stars: Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy, Kelly Reilly, Jason Isaacs, Joe Anderson, Jeffrey Wright, Ophelia Lovibond, Amy Sloan, W. Earl Brown, David Flannery, A.C. Peterson and Ted Levine.

Tagline: One mistake.  One secret.  One chance.

The Plot…

John Moon has lost a lot.  First it was the family farm.  Then his wife and child.  His work at the factory doesn’t pay enough.  Times are tough.

It’s not hunting season, but John decides to risk it. He needs the meat.  John hikes deep into the woods.  He spots a big stag and takes a shot.  The wounded beast runs off.  John doesn’t want the buck to suffer and tracks it.  Deeper in the woods, John bends down to check the trail.  He hears movement and looks up to see a flash of brown and white.  John fires and hears the animal fall.

John pushes through the brush to where he heard the animal fall.  It’s a young woman.  She’s dead.  Killed by John. John considers his options.  Turning himself in won’t change anything for the girl.  It’ll destroy his family.  And put him in prison.  Why was she out here anyway?

John decides to bury her.  He looks around for a spot and John discovers a box full of money.

John makes another decision.  It’s an easier one.  He takes the money. Then does his best to remove any evidence he was there.  Finished, John hikes out.

John is paranoid as the days pass.  Bad men have a way of finding what’s theirs.  And soon they will.

Then they will come for it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Both the novel and movie are worth a look.

William H. Macy and Jeffrey Wright are always good.

A Single Shot (2013) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“A House of Dynamite” (2025) directed by Kathryn Bigelow / Z-View

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A House of Dynamite (2025)

Director:  Kathryn Bigelow

Screenplay: Noah Oppenheim

Stars: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, Malachi Beasley, Brian Tee, Brittany O’Grady, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Willa Fitzgerald, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Kyle Allen, Kaitlyn Dever and Jason Clarke.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

It begins as a normal day.

But that all changes when an intercontinental balistic missle containing a nuclear warhead is discovered in flight towards the United States.  With just minutes to determine a response and who was responsible for the launch, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A House of Dynamite is a rare movie experinece.  It is one of the most tense, thrilling and well made films I have ever seen.  Everything about it works.  It is well written, well directed, well cast and the actors, from the leads to each supporting role are at the top of their game.  With that said, Idris Elba has never been better (and he’s always very good).

The structure of the film is brilliant.  We are taken from a normal day to the absolute most tense moment imaginable and then back to the start of the day from another perpective. Each time this happens we get a bit more information, but that only ratchets the tension.

Obviously this isn’t a documentary, but don’t expect a traditional movie good guy – bad guy resolve.  There is no terrorist wanting to set the world on fire.  There is no government traitor with a grudge.  There is no super villian wanting money.  There is simply an ICBM from an unknown origin on the way to destroy a major US city… and our response could mean the end of our country or worse yet, the end of the world.

A House of Dynamite is the rare movie that will make you think.  Seriously think.  What would YOU do in that situation?

A House of Dynamite (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.