Category: Movies

“Fruitvale Station” (2013) written & directed by Ryan Coogler; starring Michael B. Jordan / Z-View

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Fruitvale Station (2013)

Director:  Ryan Coogler

Screenplay: Ryan Coogler

Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Chad Michael Murray, Ahna O’Reilly, Ariana Neal, Joey Oglesby and Kevin Durand.

Tagline: Every step brings you closer to the edge.

The Plot…

The true story of the last day of life for 22 year old Oscar Grant III (Jordan) who was shot in the back by a police officer in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day 2009.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ryan Coogler’s first feature film is an impressive debut.  Even more so when you consider that he also wrote it.

Michael Jordan and Ocatavia Spencer are, as always, at the top of their game.

Kevin Durand is perfect in his role as one of the cops.

Fruitvale Station (2013) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters” (2022) / Z-View

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Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters (2022)

Director:  Kevin Konrad Hanna, Jim Demonakos

Stars: Mike Mignola, Christine Mignola, Mike Carlin, Art Adams, Stephen Green, Duncan Fegredo, Guillermo del Toro, Patton Oswalt and Ron Perlman.

Tagline: The secret origin of Hellboy

The Plot…

Documents the life of Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy, from his early days trying to break into comics to the success of his Hellboy universe in comics, prose and movies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mignola’s relationship with Guillermo del Toro is interesting.  Especially when Mignola said, “Hellboy wouldn’t do that” and del Toro responded, “My Hellboy would.”  Mignola seemed to take it well.  He understood that the comic Hellboy and the “movie” Hellboy were not exactly the same.  But this could be what led to there not being a third del Toro Hellboy movie.

Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters (2022) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Freaky Tales” starring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn and Jay Ellis – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Freaky Tales has brought me on board.

Deal me in.

Freaky Tales – in theaters April 4, 2025. Starring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, and Tom Hanks

Set in 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales is a multi-track mixtape of colorful characters — an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teen punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector — on a collision course in a fever dream of showdowns and battles.

Executive produced by hip-hop pioneer Too $hort, and featuring an all-star ensemble including Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Ji-young Yoo, Angus Cloud, and Tom Hanks, this pulpy blend of explosive action, edgy humor, gory kills, and sly twists and turns makes for one wild ride.

“Beyond the Borders” starring Zoe Saldaña, Garret Hedlund and Adria Arjona – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for Beyond the Borders starring Zoe (The Lioness) Saldaña, Garret (Tulsa King) Hedlund and Adria (True Detective) Arjona.

Beyond the Borders premieres March 3rd.

Deal me in.

Along the treacherous U.S.-Mexico border, private dancer Esmee (Zoe Saldaña) kills a cartel member in self-defense. Fearing for her life, she flees Mexico with a group of undocumented immigrants led by a ruthless Coyote. Before crossing, a young mother she befriended is torn from the group, forcing Esmee to safeguard the woman’s daughter—and igniting a harrowing fight for survival.

“The Champion” (1949) starring Kirk Douglas / Z-View

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The Champion (1949)

Director:  Mark Robson

Screenplay:  Carl Foreman; based on Champion by Ring Lardner

Stars: Kirk Douglas, Arthur Kennedy, Marilyn Maxwell, Paul Stewart, Ruth Roman, Ruth Roman, Harry Shannon, John Daheim, Esther Howard, Sam Balter (voice), Polly Bergen (voice), Mushy Callahan and Bill Baldwin.

Tagline:  Fighting or loving, he was the… CHAMPION

The Plot…

Michael “Midge” Kelly (Douglas) and his brother, Connie (Kennedy) are down on their luck.  They hitched-hiked across country after sending their entire savings to become partners in a diner.  Only to find out they had been scammed.

When a local boxing promotor needs a fighter at the last minute, he offers Midge $35 to step in.  Midge does.  Although outclassed, Midge shows heart and that he can take a punch.  Boxing manager, Tommy Hailey (Stewart) offers to become Midge’s manager.  Midge declines.

Later when Midge realizes that professional boxing might provide the kind of life he dreams of, he reconnects with Tommy Hailey.  Midge is a fast learner and tough.  Midge climbs in the rankings beating everyone put in front of him.  Outside the ring, Midge sees every woman as a conquest.  Fame is going to his head.

As Midge gets closer to a title fight, he gets farther away from the people who truly care for him.  What is Midge willing to give up to become the Champion?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Champion was nominated for six 1950 Academy Awards, winning one…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture – Dimitri Tiomkin
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Franz Planer
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay – Carl Foreman
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Arthur Kennedy
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Kirk Douglas
  • Winner – Best Film Editing: Harry Gerstad

Most folks know that Champion made Kirk Douglas a star.  He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar. The film led to Warner Bros. signing him to a seven year contract.  Director Mark Robson, co-stars Lola Albright and Ruth Roman were also signed to studio contracts.

The Champion (1949) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Amber Alert” (2024) starring Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams / Z-View

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Amber Alert (2024)

Director:  Kerry Bellessa

Screenplay:  Kerry Bellessa, Joshua Oram

Stars: Hayden Panettiere, Tyler James Williams, Kevin Dunn, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Dinora Walcott, Kruz Valero and Claire Slemmer.

Tagline: Two Strangers Are Her Only Hope.

The Plot…

Jaq (Panettiere) is running late.  She offers a nice tip to Shane (Williams), an Uber driver who was quitting for the day to get to his son’s birthday.  During the drive an Amber Alert comes across.  At the next stop light, Jaq believes the car ahead is holding the kidnapped little girl.  Shane isn’t so sure.  As they try to get a closer look, the driver runs the light and jumps on the highway.

Jaq and Shane follow the speeding car.  Jaq calls 911 but are put on hold since so many calls about the alert are coming in.  As the driver heads away from the city, the little girl’s only hope are two strangers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The writers and director made a film in 2012 titled Amber Alert.  The 2024 film is a bigger budget re-working.

My favorite scene is when the driver confronts Jaq and Shane in a deserted lot on the highway.

Amber Alert (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Jack Carter by Sam Banchard aka Shlepzig!

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Sam Banchard aka Shlepzig had a unique style.  I loved it.  In addition to being an artist, Sam was a teacher, a fencer, a husband and so much more.  I met Sam in 2022 at HeroesCon.  I got the commission above, went back for another and introduced my friends to his art.  They got pieces and all commented on how humble and nice Sam was.

Sadly Sam passed away at the end of 2024.  He was way too young.  Thankfully his art will live on.

“The Third Man” (1949) written by Graham Greene; directed by Carol Reed; starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten / Z-View

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The Third Man (1949)

Director:  Carol Reed

Screenplay: Graham Greene

Stars: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Paul Birch, Martin Boddey and Bernard Lee.

Tagline:  HUNTED…By a thousand men! Haunted…By a lovely girl!

The Plot…

World War 2 is over.  Vienna is divided into five occupation zones—one zone for each of the Allied powers and one international zone.  The black market thrives.

Holly Martins (Cotten) comes to Allied-occupied Vienna.  Martins has been promised a job by his good friend, Harry Lime (Welles).  Martins is shocked to learn that Harry was killed crossing the street when he was hit by a car.  Still reeling from the news, Martins attends Harry’s funeral.

Afterwards, Martins talks to different people and their stories don’t add up.  Martins then goes to the Allied Authority, Major Calloway (Howard) and demands an investigation into Harry’s death.  Major Calloway informs Martins that Harry Lime was involved in the black market.  Lime was behind the theft of penicillin from military hospitals.  Lime diluted the medicine until it had to curative effect.  Lime then sold it on the black market at outrageous prices.  Because of the dilution, dozens of people, many children died.  If Lime had lived he was about to be arrested.

At first Martins doesn’t believe Major Calloway… but the evidence is there.  His childhood friend, Harry Lime had become a despicable person responsible for the death of many including little children.  That night as Martins walks a deserted street across the way he sees Harry Lime.  Martins calls out, but Harry runs away.

Determined to get to the bottom of this Martins makes it his mission to find Harry… even if it kills him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Third Man was nominated for three 1951 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Oswald Hafenrichter
  • Nominee for Best Director – Carol Reed
  • Winner for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Robert Krasker

Orson Welles was concerned that filming in real sewers would make him sick.  His close-ups were done in a studio with long shots in a sewer feature a body double.

Welles was offered a straight salary or a percentage of the profits.  He opted for a straight salary.  Because the film was so successful, Welles would have made much more with a percentage of profits.

The film was popular during it’s initial release, was nominated for three Academy Awards and remains popular to this day.  It currently has an 8.1/10 score on IMDb.  At RottenTomatoes it has a 99% rating from reviewers and 93% from all users.

Although Orson Welles is the film’s star, he finished his part in one week of filming.  He doesn’t show up in the movie until the movie is 2/3 over.

The Third Man is a classic.  Well written, well directed, well cast and well acted.  Well… what do you expect, I said, “It’s a classic.”

I love the final scene when Holly Martins waits for Anna to catch up to him.  He’s hoping they have a chance at romance.  She walks by without even looking his way.

The Third Man (1949) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Arcadian” (2024) starring Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell & Maxwell Jenkins / Z-View

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Arcadian (2024)

Director:  Benjamin Brewer

Screenplay:  Michael Nilon

Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, Sadie Soverall and Samantha Coughlan.

Tagline:  The next sunset might be their last

The Plot…

Fifteen years ago the world as we know it ended.  Now the few who survived live in fortified houses away from cities.  Paul (Cage) and his twin sixteen year old sons, Joseph and Thomas, live in a remote farmhouse.  They scavenge during the day, but make sure they are behind locked doors and windows before nightfall.  It’s not safe to be outside when the nocturnal killing creatures begin to hunt.

One day when Thomas doesn’t make it home before dark, Paul makes sure Joseph is safely locked in.  Paul then heads out to find Thomas before the monsters do.

This will not end well.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I like the originality of the monsters.  When their jaws start clacking it’s dinner time!

Arcadian (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Shadow of the Wolf” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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“Shadow of the Wolf” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Deal me in.

Shadow of the Wolf – Watch the trailer now!

On Demand and On Digital March 25. Starring Raniero Monaco Di Lapio, Marianna Di Martino, Elisabetta De Vito, Fabrizio Vona, Simone Riccioni, Ettore Belmondo, Massimiliano Vado, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, and Christopher Lambert.

Christopher Lambert and Maria Grazia Cucinotta star in a chilling tale of horror. When Nico returns from overseas to say farewell to his ailing mother, he discovers something monstrous is happening in the small town he once called home. As the list of grizzly murder victims begins to grow and the authorities fear the killer is a beast unlike anything they have ever seen, Nico senses a savage transformation within himself and uncovers the terrifying secret his family could never reveal.