Category: Movies

“Trap” (2024) written & directed by M. Night Shyamalan, starring Josh Hartnett / Z-View

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Trap (2024)

Director:  M. Night Shyamalan

Screenplay: M. Night Shyamalan 

Stars: Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Alison Pill, Marcia Bennett, M. Night Shyamalan, Lochlan Miller and Hayley Mills.

Tagline:  30,000 fans. 300 cops. 1 serial killer. No escape.

The Plot…

From all appearances Cooper (Harnett) is a great guy.  He’s a firefighter, outgoing and friendly.  Cooper is married with two kids.  A real family man.

Because his daughter, Riley (Donoghue) earned great grades on her last report card, Cooper takes her to a Lady Raven (S, Shyamalan) concert.  As they enter the arena, Cooper notices a huge police presence.  When they get inside, there are even more cops.  They seem to be everywhere.  Well, safety should be a priority for events this well attended.

Once the concert starts, Cooper notices men are being escorted out by the police.  Now curious and concerned, Cooper tells his daughter he’s going to the restroom.  Then using his charm, Cooper learns a secret.  The police are there because they got a lead that the serial killer known as The Butcher is in attendance.  Every exit is covered.  Police and FBI are there in force.  They have a description of The Butcher and anyone fitting it, will be questioned before he is allowed out.

Cooper is concerned.  Not because a serial killer is at the concert.  No.  Cooper is concerned because he is The Butcher.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Saleka Shyamalan makes her film debut.  She is M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter and a singer/songwriter.  Saleka wrote and performed all of the songs in the movie.  The official Trap movie soundtrack is titled Lady Raven and features all of the songs from the movie.

The concert feels real.  Kudos to M. Night, Saleka and all involved.

Some aspects come off as very contrived, but M. Night Shyamalan is adept at keeping things moving.  This way viewers go with the flow.  I was expecting Cooper to get caught or escape then fade to credits.  M. Night Shyamalan had a different idea.  There’s no big twist (as in some of his films) but there are some unexpected turns.  I enjoyed the ride.

Trap (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“JFK” (1991) directed by Oliver Stone, starring Kevin Costner / Z-View

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JFK (1991)

Director: Oliver Stone

Screenplay: Oliver Stone, Zachary Sklar based on ON THE TRAIL OF ASSASSINS by Jim Garrison and CROSSFIRE: THE PLOT THAT KILLED KENNEDY by Jim Marrs

Stars: Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Sally Kirkland, Jay O. Sanders, Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones, Michael Rooker, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, Donald Sutherland, Ed Asner, Brian Doyle-Murray, John Candy, Wayne Knight, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Vincent D’Onofrio, Dale Dye, Lolita Davidovich, John Larroquette, Ron Rifkin  and Martin Sheen (narration).

Tagline:  He’s a District Attorney. He will risk his life, the lives of his family, everything he holds dear for the one thing he holds sacred… the truth.

The Plot…

New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Costner) has doubts about the Warren Commission’s findings that Lee Harvey Oswald (Oldman) acted alone in the assassination of President Kennedy.  Garrison puts together a team to investigate.  The team discovers new evidence, witnesses that were ignored, and more.

Garrison will ultimately indict a New Orleans business man, Clay Shaw (Jones) for his role in the assassination of President Kennedy.  Was Garrison a hero or a conspiracy nut?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

JFK was nominated for eight 1992 Academy Awards and won two…

  • Nominee for Best Picture: A. Kitman Ho, Oliver Stone
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Tommy Lee Jones
  • Nominee Best Director: Oliver Stone
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: Oliver Stone, Zachary Sklar
  • Nominee for Best Sound: Michael Minkler, Gregg Landaker, Tod A. Maitland
  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Score: John Williams
  • Winner for Best Cinematography: Robert Richardson
  • Winner for Best Film Editing: Joe Hutshing, Pietro Scalia

JFK is riveting cinema.  The story is compelling.  The direction, editing, use of various film stocks, vintage real footage mixed with recreations is movie-making at it’s best.  Director Oliver Stone was at the top of his game.  He was supported by an amazing cast.

The scene where Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested in the theater was filmed in the actual theater where the real arrest took place. Money from the film was used to restore the theater.

The scene of Jack Ruby killing Lee Harvey Oswald was shot in the Dallas City Hall basement where the actual murder took place.

The scenes of Lee Harvey Oswald shooting from the sixth floor window of the Texas School Book Depository were filmed in the real building, but from the fifth floor window.  The sixth floor is now a museum.  Views as seen from the sixth floor window were actually taken from that window.  Only the cameraman, Stone and a couple of others were allowed at the window.

Woody Harrelson’s father, Charles Harrelson, was convicted of killing federal judge John H. Wood Jr. (and two others). Charles Harrelson claimed that he took part in the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  Harrelson claimed he was one of the three “tramps” questioned the day of the murder.  Harrelson drew diagrams and claims he can be seen in photos taken that day.  The FBI has discounted his claims.

JFK is Oliver Stone’s favorite of all the films he directed.

In response to criticism that he made up much of the “facts” presented, Oliver Stone published an annotated version of his screenplay, in which he proved attribution for every claim made in the film.

JFK (1991) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Laura” (1944) directed by Otto Preminger, starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb & Vincent Price / Z-View

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Laura (1944)

Director: Otto Preminger

Screenplay: Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, Elizabeth Reinhardt, Ring Lardner Jr. (uncredited) based on LAURA by Vera Caspary

Stars: Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson and Dorothy Adams.

Tagline:  No picture was ever so irresistible as Laura.  No picture was ever so breath-taking!

The Plot…

Laura Hunt (Tierney), an attractive successful young woman, was brutally murdered at the entrance to her apartment.  The shotgun blast to the face destroyed her beauty as it took her life.  Detective Mark McPherson (Andrews) is put in charge of the investigation.

Detective McPherson interviews Laura’s closest friends…

  • Waldo Lydecker (Webb) is a famous newspaper columnist and radio personality.  Waldo gave Laura her start, by endorsing an ad she created and introducing her to movers and shakers.  Waldo is much older than Laura but has great affection for her. Waldo doesn’t care for Laura’s latest boyfriend who is a scam artist.
  • Shelby Carpenter (Price) is Laura’s boyfriend.  She was considering marriage to Shelby despite his past.
  • Ann Treadwell (Anderson) is a rich society dame.  Ann has repeatedly given Shelby money and is in love with him.
  • Bessie (Adams) is Laura’s housekeeper.  She is totally devoted to Laura.

As McPherson learns more about Laura, her beauty and exceptional personality, he becomes infatuated with her.

Then something totally unexpected happens.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Laura was nominated for five Academy Awards and won one…

  • 1945 Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Clifton Webb
  • 1945 Nominee for Best Director: Otto Preminger
  • 1945 Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay: Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, Elizabeth Reinhardt
  • 1945 Nominee for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White: Lyle R. Wheeler, Leland Fuller, Thomas Little
  • 1945 Winner Best Cinematography, Black-and-White: Joseph LaShelle

Vincent Price considered Laura the best film he was ever in.

Clifton Webb had a career in silent films.  He then became a theater actor and hadn’t appeared on screen in 15 years.  Otto Preminger wanted him for the role of Waldo.  Studio head Darryl F. Zanuck was against the casting because Webb was a homosexual.  Preminger persisted.  Zanuck said to give Webb a screen test.  Webb said, “If Zanuck wants to see me act, he can come to the theater.”  Preminger filmed Webb in a stage performance.  When Zanuck saw this “screen test” he was upset with how Preminger got the footage, but agreed to the casting.

Otto Preminger put together Laura as a project for him to produce and direct.  However when Darryl Zanuck returned from the service to head the studio, he nixed this.  Zanuck had problems with Preminger in the past. Zanuck said Preminger could serve as a producer, but not director of the film.  Rouben Mamoulian was given the job.  Nobody liked the dailes Mamoulian shot.  Zanuck replaced Mamoulian with Preminger.

Laura provided inspiration for Burt Reynold’s Sharky’s Machine.

Laura (1944) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Big Combo” (1955) starring Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Jean Wallace, Brian Donlevy, Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman / Z-View

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The Big Combo (1955)

Director: Joseph H. Lewis

Screenplay: Philip Yordan

Stars: Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Jean Wallace, Brian Donlevy, Robert Middleton, Lee Van Cleef, Earl Holliman, Helen Walker, Jay Adler, John Hoyt, Ted de Corsia, Helene Stanton, Roy Gordon, James McCallion and Whit Bissell.

Tagline:  The Most Startling Story The Screen Has Ever Dared Reveal!

The Plot…

Detective Lt. Leonard Diamond (Wilde) has made it his personal mission to bring down a crime boss known as Mr. Brown (Conte).  Brown has his fingers in organized crime across the city.  Brown is feared because of his sadistic tendencies and willingness to destroy anyone who crosses him.  Brown is supported by Fante (Van Cleef) and Mingo (Holliman) thugs whose loyalty to is unquestioned.

Detective Diamond is infatuated with Mr. Brown’s girl, Susan (Wallace).  Susan wants out of the relationship, but Mr. Brown would see her dead rather than lose her.  Detective Diamond believes the key to taking down Mr. Brown is a mystery woman named Alicia.

Detective Diamond is getting close to the truth.  Now he is in the crosshairs of Mr. Brown, Fante and Mingo.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jack Palance was set to play Mr. Brown, but reportedly became upset when they producers refused to hire his wife.  He left shortly before filming was to start, but recommended Richard Conte to replace him.  (Interestingly enough Jean Wallace was Cornell Wilde’s wife at the time.)

The Big Combo pushed the boundaries of what was allowed in movies at the time.  Detective Diamond has a casual sexual relationship with a stripper.  Mr. Brown isn’t married to Susan, but they’re also in a sexual relationship.  Thugs Fante and Mingo are clearly lovers.  The torture scene is much more brutal than usually seen in movies of this era.

The Big Combo (1955) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Agency” starring Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith & Richard Gere – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Deal me in!

The Agency: Covert CIA agent Martian is ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind unexpectedly reappears, their romance reignites, pitting his career, his real identity and his mission against his heart while hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.

Starring Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith and Richard Gere.

“Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” starring Gerard Butler, O’Shea Jackson Jr. – The New Trailer is Here!

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Deal me in!

Gerard Butler (Plane, Has Fallen series) and O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton, Godzilla: King of the Monsters) return in the sequel to 2018’s action-heist hit Den of Thieves.

In DEN OF THIEVES: PANTERA, Big Nick (Butler) is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie (Jackson), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s largest diamond exchange.

Lionsgate presents, in association with eOne and TT Entertainment, a TT Entertainment production. An eOne Features production. A G-Base and Diamond Film Productions production.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera – in theaters January 10! Starring Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr

“Second Wind” (1966) original title: Le deuxième souffle, directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, starring Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Christine Fabréga and Michel Constantin / Z-View

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Second Wind (1966) original title: Le deuxième souffle

Director: Jean-Pierre Melville

Screenplay: Jean-Pierre Melville, José Giovanni based on the novel Le deuxième souffle by José Giovanni

Stars: Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Christine Fabréga and Michel Constantin.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Gustave “Gu” Minda has escaped prison and is on the lam.  He needs money to get out of the country before Police Commissaire Blot’s team find him.

Gu is offered a spot on a dangerous rip-off.  Two armed motorcycle cops will escort an armored truck (with two more armed guards) and over a ton of platinum.  The score will not only get Gu enough cash to slip out of the country, but set him up for life.

Of course the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The more I think about this film, the more I like it.

One of my favorite characters in this movie is Alban (Michel Constantin), Gu’s sister’s bodyguard.

Second Wind (1966) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Dick Dynamite: 1944” – Two Posters and a Trailer!

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The two posters and the trailer for Dick Dynamite: 1944 are so over-the-top low-budget fun-looking, I have got to check out the movie.

Deal me in.

In the dying days of World War II, Dick Dynamite and his ragtag team of Nazi-killing commandos must stop a group of depraved German scientists from turning the population of New York into flesh-eating zombies.

“One False Move” (1992) starring Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Cynda Williams & Michael Beach / Z-View

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One False Move (1992)

Director: Carl Franklin

Screenplay: Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson

Stars: Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Cynda Williams, Michael Beach, Jim Metzler, Earl Billings, Natalie Canerday, Robert Ginnaven and Kevin Hunter.

Tagline:  There was no crime in Star City, Arkansas. No murder. And no fear. Until now.

The Plot…

Ray (Thorton), his girl Fantasia (Williams) and Lane ‘Pluto’ Franklin (Beach) went on a crime spree.  They committed six brutal murders in two locations in one night.  Now they’ve got several thousand dollars and a big bag of cocaine.  They plan to sell the cocaine for $200,000 to a buyer in another state.  The three pack the car and leave LA.

Cops investigating the murder scenes figure out who the killers are and where they’re heading.  LAPD detectives Dud Cole (Metzler) and his partner John McFeely (Billings) head to Star City, Arkansas.  There they meet their liaison Police Chief Dale ‘Hurricane’ Dixon (Paxton).  Hurricane has never had to draw his gun in six years as Chief of Police.  He’s excited to be part of a “big city” task force.  The LA cops see that Hurricane is in over his head.

The bodies pile up as Ray, Fantasia and Pluto make their way to star city.  Hurricane’s past will come back to haunt him.

This will not end well.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

One False Move was originally made to go straight to video.  It won several awards in film festivals and then was given a limited release.  Word spread and it went into a wide theatrical release.

Billy Bob Thorton and Cynda Williams played lovers in the movie.  They were married after filming ended.  Sadly, they were divorced a couple of years later.

Carl Franklin’s direction is top notch.

Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton and Cynda Williams are excellent.  Michael Beach steals every scene he’s in.  He’s THAT frightening as the genius level sociopathic killer.

One False Move (1992) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Royal Hotel” (2023) starring Julia Garner and Jessica Henswick / Z-View

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The Royal Hotel (2023)

Director: Kitty Green

Screenplay: Kitty Green, Oscar Redding based on Hotel Coolgardie by Pete Gleeson

Stars: Julia Garner, Jessica Henwick, Toby Wallace, James Frecheville and Hugo Weaving.

Tagline:  A fun adventure is all they wanted

The Plot…

Hannah (Garner) and Liv (Henwick) are backpacking across Australia.  When their money runs low, the only job the employment agency offers is bartending at a remote pub in a mining town hours from civilization.  They are warned that the place gets wild.  The girls are looking for adventure, so they take the job.

The pub is in the middle of nowhere.  No wifi.  Hot water is a luxury.  The pub is full of drunken men.  Miners letting off steam party hard.  The dirty jokes, sexism and rude behavior disturbs Hanna.  She’s ready to leave after the first night.  Liv plays it off as boys being boys.  Besides there isn’t a bus for several days.  So Hannah agrees to tough it out.

Big mistake.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Hotel Royal was inspired by the documentary Hotel Coolgardie (2016).

Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick are, as The Hollywood Reporter says, “superb”.  Sadly the film doesn’t live up to their performances.

The Royal Hotel (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Blood for Dust” (2023) starring Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington & Josh Lucas / Z-View

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Blood for Dust (2023)

Director: Rod Blackhurst

Screenplay: David Ebeltoft, story by Rod Blackhurst, David Ebeltoft

Stars: Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington, Josh Lucas, Nora Zehetner, Stephen Dorff, Algin Mendez and Ethan Suplee.

Tagline:  Breaking Bad Meets Fargo.

The Plot…

Cliff (McNary) is  paying the price for his past bad choices.  He had an affair with his boss’ wife.  Cliff also convinced his boss to go in on a scheme to embezzle money from the company.  When the theft came to light, Cliff’s boss took the fall.  His boss then committed suicide.  Cliff was fired.

Cliff got work as a traveling salesman, but then his new boss heard the rumors.  Cliff was fired again.  The word was out. Cliff couldn’t find a job anywhere.  With bills piling up and a son with cancer, Cliff became desperate.  So when Ricky (Harington), an old buddy, offered him a job running drugs and guns, Cliff took it.

Cliff is hoping for one big score and to get out clean.  That ain’t happening.  There’s two double crosses that will make sure of that.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The tagline is Breaking Bad Meets Fargo.  That’s a close description.  I’d just add, “without the humor.”

Blood for Dust (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Three Days of the Condor” (1975) directed by Sydney Pollack, starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson & Max von Sydow / Z-View

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Three Days of the Condor (1975)

Director: Sydney Pollack

Screenplay: Lorenzo Semple Jr., David Rayfiel based on SIX DAYS OF THE CONDOR by James Grady

Stars: Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, Max von Sydow, Addison Powell, Walter McGinn, Tina Chen, Michael Kane, Jess Osuna,  Patrick Gorman, Hansford Rowe, Hank Garrett, Ed Crowley, James Keane and John Houseman.

Tagline:  The CIA knows him as Condor. What he knows about them has just made him an Endangered Species.

The Plot…

Joe Turner (Redford) works for the CIA… as a research analyst.  He’s part of a small team.  Their cover is the American Literary Historical Society in New York City.  They read and analyze books and magazines from around the world.  They’re looking for hidden messages, ideas for operations… anything useful. Typed reports are sent to CIA headquarters.

The job is very mundane.  Usually the biggest excitement is “what’s for lunch” and whose turn is it to get it?  As it happens, today Joe is up.  He heads out the backdoor since it’s raining and runs over to the deli.

Joe returns with the sandwiches to find everyone in the office murdered.  Joe is shocked.  No one in the office was a field agent.  Who would want them dead?  And why?

Joe quickly leaves.  He finds a phone booth and reports the hit to CIA headquarters.  Joe is given instructions that will bring him in.  When he shows up at the arranged location, Joe is almost gunned down.

On the run, unsure of who he can trust, Joe must figure out why he’s marked for murder.  Even if he does, what chance does a research analyst have against trained killers?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Three Days of the Condor was nominated for one Academy Award

  • 1976 Nominee Oscar for Best Film Editing:  Fredric Steinkamp, Don Guidice

Kudos for using Hank Garrett as an assassin.  He doesn’t look like a stereotypical movie hitman. But he sure fought like one.

Three Days of the Condor (1975) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Back in Action” starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Back in Action starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz is here.  This looks like fun.

Deal me in.

Years after giving up life as CIA spies to start a family, Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) find themselves dragged back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.