Category: Trivia

“The Wire” Season 5 created by David Simon / Z-View

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The Wire: Season 4 (2008)

Created by: David Simon

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1, 10) David Simon from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns;
  • (ep. 2) William F. Zorzi from a story by David Simon, William F. Zorzi
  • (ep. 3) Chris Collins from a story by David Simon, Chris Collins
  • (eps. 4, 6) Ed Burns from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns
  • (ep. 5) David Mills from a story by David Simon, David Mills
  • (ep. 7) Richard Price from a story by David Simon, Richard Price
  • (ep. 8) Dennis Lehane from a story by David Simon, Dennis Lehane
  • (ep. 9) George Pelecanos from a story by David Simon, George Pelecanos

Directed by:

  • Joe Chappelle (eps. 1, 9)
  • Ernest Dickerson (ep. 2)
  • Scott Kecken & Joy Kecken (ep. 3)
  • Dan Attias (ep. 4)
  • Agnieszka Holland (ep. 5)
  • Seith Mann (ep. 6)
  • Dominic West (ep. 7)
  • Anthony Hemingway (ep. 8)
  • Clark Johnson (ep. 10)

Stars: Dominic West, Reg E. Cathey, Aidan Gillen, Clark Johnson, Tom McCarthy, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce, Sonja Sohn, Michelle Paress, John Doman, Deirdre Lovejoy, Lance Reddick, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Jamie Hector, Neal Huff, Corey Parker Robinson, Tristan Wilds, Jermaine Crawford, Seth Gilliam, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Andre Royo, Domenick Lombardozzi, Michael Kostroff, Jim True-Frost, Frankie Faison, Chad Coleman, Robert F. Chew, Method Man, Felicia Pearson and Michael K. Williams.

Tagline: Read Between the Lines.

The Plot…

The economy is hurting everyone.  Budget cuts have forced The Baltimore Sun newspaper to cut personnel.  Carcetti, the newly elected mayor isn’t able to institute the changes he wanted because of the school system shortfall.  Money needed to be diverted there.  This has caused shortfalls for the police who are no longer getting or being paid overtime.  The Major Crimes Unit has been shut down.  This has left the Vacant Buildings Murders and the Stansfield Investigation stopped in their tracks.

McNulty, back to his old drinking ways, comes up with a plan.  He arrives on a murder scene before anyone else.  He then disfigures the corpse and ties a ribbon around the dead man’s wrist.  McNulty figures if there is a serial killer on the loose, the department will have to find funds to investigate.  He leaks the story to a reporter.

A dead homeless person.  The story doesn’t create a buzz.  So McNulty takes it to the next level.  He uses dentures to put bite marks on another homeless person who died on the street.  He leaks the story.  Now it appears there is a serial killer with a sexual fetish preying on the homeless.  The killer seems to be escalating.  More murders are assured.  No one is safe.

The story takes off. Under pressure to catch the killer, the mayor (who wants to run for Governor in the next election) finds funds to bring back the Major Crimes Unit.  McNulty now has access to unlimited overtime that he plans to use to bring down the Stansfield crime family and solve the Vacant Buildings Murders.  Despite institgating a plan that would get him fired and arrested, McNulty seems to have things under control.

Then a Baltimore Sun Reporter claims that the killer is in contact with him.  Although the reporter is lying everyone believes him.  Papers are flying off the stands. The reporter keeps upping the ante with his tales of the killer contacting him.  Soon the FBI is called in.

McNulty knows the reporter is lying but the only way to prove it is to turn himself in.  With the publicity the case is getting, plus the Feds itching to get involved, McNulty feels the noose tightening.

Meanwhile Omar is back to his old ways ripping off drug dealers.  But now there is a price on his head.  And every criminal in the city is looking to collect.

Marlo is feeling his increasing power.  He shuts down the co-op.  Snoop and Chris are turned loose on any who oppose him.  Especially anyone considered a snitch.  Michael, who had been on the rise in Marlo’s organization may be talking to the cops.  If that’s the case, he has to disappear.

The Wire’s final season goes out with a bang.  Not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Wire was a Nominee for a 2008 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series –  David Simon (writer/story by), Ed Burns (story by) for the -30- episode

The Wire‘s final season builds upon everything that came before. It finished as it started: well written, well directed and well acted.

The Wire: Season 5 (2008) earns 5 of 5 stars.

THE STEPS (A Memoir) by Sylvester Stallone is Coming!

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For years Sylvester Stallone fans have hoped Sly would write his memoir.  And now he has.  It’s titled THE STEPS.  Here’s the lowdown…

A gritty, inspiring, heart-wrenching memoir by the Academy Award-winning legend and icon Sylvester Stallone, about his unlikely path to stardom and the creation of the greatest underdog story ever told.

In the fifty years since Sylvester Stallone ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, he and those steps have become symbols of resilience and determination, and have inspired millions from all over the world to pursue their dreams.

In THE STEPS, Stallone recounts how he pursued his own dreams. A culmination of decades of reflection, Stallone shares where he came from — a difficult birth, an even more difficult childhood, years of struggle in school being misunderstood — and he explains how the real story of a successful life is built by facing, embracing, and ultimately overcoming our challenges. It’s found in the distances we are willing to go and the steps we must take to get from where we are to where we want to go.

In a narrative framed between his arrival in New York City in 1969 and the triumph of Rocky at the 1977 Academy Awards, Stallone weaves a vivid and propulsive portrait of struggle, subsistence, and ultimately success. He writes of his early days and later years, too, and the persistence, creativity, and resilience that led not only to the creation of Rocky but to a career filled with remarkably iconic roles. THE STEPS is a testament to Stallone’s extraordinary life and a profound meditation on the importance of vision and willpower and hard work.

THE STEPS will be released on May 5, 2026.  Pre-orders are available now.  If you order from one of the links below, we will get a small percentage of each sale, without increasing the price of the book.  Your support is appreciated.

THE STEPS hardcover

THE STEPS paperback/large print

THE STEPS Kindle

“Sphere” (1998) directed by Barry Levinson / Z-View

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Sphere (1998)

Director:  Barry Levinson

Screenplay:  Stephen Hauser, Paul Attanasio; adaptation by Kurt Wimmer; based on SPHERE by Michael Crichton

Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote, Liev Schreiber, Queen Latifah, Bernard Hocke, James Pickens Jr. and Huey Lewis.

Tagline: A Barry Levinson film

The Plot…

A spacecraft is discovered on the ocean floor under 300 years of coral growth. A team of the best minds in their field was formed. U.S. Navy Captain Harold Barnes will lead the squad that includes astrophysicist Dr. Ted Fielding, psychologist Dr. Norman Goodman, marine biologist Dr. Beth Halperin and mathematician Dr. Harry Adams.

As the team goes down, a vicious storm approaches topside.  Communication will be lost until the weather clears.

The exploration team is surprised to discover that the spacecraft appears to be American.  Further, a huge sphere of unknown make-up is in the craft.  It reflects everything in the room except the people.

The team returns to their craft to recharge.  They are surprised when their computers begin to display encoded messages.  Once deciphered the communication appears to be coming from the sphere.  Everything the crew says or does is known by the sphere.  While they wait for the storm topside to clear, strange things begin happening.  And one member of the crew doesn’t seem to be himself.

And then things go really bad…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sphere is an interesting film right up until the final resolution.  THAT killed it for me.

Dustin Hoffman was reportedly disappointed in the film.  He felt that some issues could have been corrected had the film not have a hard release date.

Sphere (1998) rates 2 of 5 stars.

RIP: Robert Redford

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It was announced that Robert Redford died today in his sleep. Mr. Reford was 89.

Charles Robert Redford was born in Santa Monica, California.  He attended Van Nuys High School in Van Nuys, California.  According to Mr. Redford his focus was on sports and art rather than academics.  After his graduation in 1954, Robert Redford attended the University of Colorado.  After a year and a half, Mr. Redford was kicked out.

Instead of trying to find another college, Robert Redford decided to travel.  He lived for a time in France, Spain, and Italy.  When Mr. Redford returned to the United States he settled in New York. He took painting classes at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, as well as classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan.

In 1959, Robert Redford made his Broadway debut in small parts in Tall Story and later that year in The Highest Tree.  Mr. Redford reprised his Tall Story role when it was made into a feature film in 1960.  At this point Robert Redford began alternating between stage, television and feature films.  As his career progressed Robert Redford continued to act, but also worked as a producer and director.

Robert Redford’s career included multiple awards for his work.  Examples include…

Nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two…

  • 1974 Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Sting
  • 1981 Winner for Best Director for Ordinary People
  • 1995 Nominee for Best Director for Quiz Show
  • 1995 Nominee for Best Picture for Quiz Show, shared with: Michael Jacobs, Julian Krainin, Michael Nozik
  • 2002 Winner for Honorary Award as an Actor, director, producer, creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere. 

Nominated for two Directors Guild of America Awards, winning one…

  • 1981 Winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Ordinary People
  • 1995 Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Quiz Show

Nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards…

  • 1963 Nominee for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor for Alcoa Premiere in the episode “The Voice of Charlie Pont”
  • 2013 Nominee for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special for All the President’s Men Revisited; shared with: Andrew Lack, Laura Michalchyshyn, Nancy Daniels, Denise Contis, Peter Schnall

Nominated for eleven Golden Globe Awards, winning six…

  • 1966 Winner Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer – Male for Inside Daisy Clover
  • 1975 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1977 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1978 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1981 Winner Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for Ordinary People
  • 1993 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for A River Runs Through It
  • 1994 Winner Cecil B. DeMille Award
  • 1995 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for Quiz Show
  • 1999 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for The Horse Whisperer
  • 2014 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for All Is Lost
  • 2019 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for The Old Man & the Gun

Some of the television projects that feature Robert Redford include: Maverick; Rescue 8; The Deputy; Playhouse 90; Tate (2 episodes); Perry Mason; The Iceman Cometh; Our American Heritage; Play of the Week (3 episodes); Naked City; The Americans; Whispering Smith; Route 66; Bus Stop; The New Breed; Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Twilight Zone; Dr. Kildare (2 episodes); Alcoa Premiere; The Untouchables; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (2 episodes); The Dick Powell Theater; Breaking Point; The Virginian; The Defenders; One More Chance and Dark Winds.

Some of Robert Redford’s feature films include: Tall Story; War Hunt; Inside Daisy Clover; The Chase; This Property is Condemed; Barefoot in the Park; Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Downhill Racer; Tell Them Willie Boy is Here; The Hot Rock; Jeremiah Johnson; The Candidate; The Way We Were; The Sting; The Great Gatsby; The Great Waldo Pepper; Three Days of the Condor; All the President’s Men; A Bridge Too Far; The Electric Horseman; Ordinary People (director); Brubaker; The Natural; Out of Africa; Legal Eagles; The Milagro Beanfield War (director); Havana; Sneakers; A River Runs Through It (voice and director); Quiz Show (director); Indecent Proposal; The Horse Whisperer (star and director); The Legend of Bagger Vance (director); The Last Castle; Spy Game; An Unfinished Life; Charlotte’s Web; The Conspirator (director); All is Lost; Captain America: The Winter Soldier; The Old Man and the Gun and Avengers: End Game.

I first became aware of Robert Redford before I ever saw him in anything.  I can remember my mom and her friends gushing over how handsome he was.  I first saw him act in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  I could see what the ladies were talking about.  My two favorite Robert Redford performances are in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Three Days of the Condor.  Of course Mr. Redford was good in everything.  I enjoy seeing him popup in unexpected places like Alfred Hitchcock or The Twilight Zone.  As good an actor as he was, I hope people realize he was also a great human being.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Robert Redford’s family, friends and fans.

“The Alto Knights” (2025) directed by Barry Levinson, starring Robert De Niro / Z-View

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The Alto Knights (2025)

Director:  Barry Levinson

Screenplay:  Nicholas Pileggi

Stars: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Rispoli, James Ciccone, Wallace Langham, Ed Amatrudo, Mike Seely and Brian Scolaro.

Tagline: The most dangerous enemy is an old friend

The Plot…

Frank Costello and Vito Genovese grew up together as best friends.  They became notorius crime bosses for different families.  When Costello plans to retire he informs Genovese.  Genovese smells a doublecross.  Soon a gang war irrupts.  Who will survive?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Who cares?  I tapped out after about 30 minutes.

A lot of the movie is voice overs played as old time photos appear.  I also thought having De Niro play both parts was more distracting than it should be.

Although Robert De Niro plays both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, an actor was hired to play opposite De Niro during filming.  De Niro felt it was needed to get the best performance.  So the actor would play Costello while De Niro acted as Genovese.  The De Niro and the actor would switch parts and redo the scenes.  The actor hired has been kept a secret.

The Alto Knights (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“Predator 2” (1990) starring Danny Glover / Z-View

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Predator 2 (1990)

Director:  Stephen Hopkins

Screenplay:  Jim Thomas, John Thomas based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas 

Stars: Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Kevin Peter Hall, Rubén Blades, Maria Conchita Alonso, Robert Davi, Adam Baldwin, Kent McCord, Morton Downey Jr., Calvin Lockhart, Steve Kahan, Henry Kingi, Elpidia Carrillo, Lilyan Chauvin and Bill Paxton.

Tagline: He’s in town with a few days to kill.

The Plot…

1997.  Los Angeles is suffering one of the worst summer heat waves in history.  When temperatures rise, tempers flare which is only adding to problems facing L.A.’s finest.  A gang war between Columbian and Jamacan drug cartels is in full force.  Gunfire and turf battles erupt with frequency. Lieutenant Mike Harrigan and his drug task force have their hands full.

When Special Agent Peter Keyes leading a Federal Task Force arrives, Harrigan thinks that they’ve come to assist in taking down the cartels.  Soon Harrigan will learn the real reason.  A Predator has come to town to collect trophies.

Hunting season is now open.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kevin Peter Hall returned to play the Predator.  For scenes at the end of the movie where additional Predators show up, members of the L.A. Lakers were recruited for the roles.

John McTiernan, director of the original Predator, was getting $2 million a film and producers didn’t want to pay that much.

Elpidia Carrillo, who played Anna in the first film, is listed in the credits, but you will have to look hard to find her.  Carrillo shows up on a video monitor in Federal Agent Keye’s mobile headquarters.  Carrillo filmed other scenes that didn’t make the final cut.

Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Steve Kahan co-starred in Lethal Weapon (1987).  Kahan played Glover’s boss in all the Lethal Weapon films.

It was nice seeing Kent McCord of Adam-12 fame in a supporting role.

I loved Predator.  Predator 2 is good, but falls short of the original.  Predator 2 leans more into the humor, over-the-top scenes and gore.

Predator 2 (1990) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Wire” Season 4 created by David Simon / Z-View

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The Wire: Season 4 (2006)

Created by: David Simon

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1,13) David Simon from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns;
  • (ep. 2) David Mills from a story by Ed Burns, David Mills
  • (ep. 3) Richard Price from a story by Ed Burns, Richard Price
  • (ep. 4) Dennis Lehane from a story by Ed Burns, Dennis Lehane
  • (eps. 5, 11) Ed Burns from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns
  • (ep. 6) Eric Overmyer  from a story by Ed Burns, Eric Overmyer 
  • (ep. 7) William F. Zorzi from a story by Ed Burns, William F. Zorzi
  • (ep. 8) Richard Price from a story by Ed Burns, Richard Price
  • (ep. 9) Kia Corthron from a story by Ed Burns, Kia Corthron
  • (ep. 10) Eric Overmyer from a story by Ed Burns, Eric Overmyer
  • (ep. 12) George Pelecanos from a story by Ed Burns,  George Pelecanos

Directed by: Joe Chappelle (eps. 1, 12); Christine Moore (ep. 2); Seith Mann (ep. 3); Jim McKay (ep. 4); David Platt (ep. 5); Dan Attias (ep.6); Anthony Hemingway (ep. 7); Agnieszka Holland (ep. 8); Alex Zakrzewski (ep. 9); Ernest Dickerson (ep. 10, 13); Brad Anderson (ep. 11)

Stars: Aidan Gillen, Jim True-Frost, Domenick Lombardozzi, Reg E. Cathey, Jamie Hector, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, John Doman, Clarke Peters, Robert Wisdom, Seth Gilliam, Corey Parker Robinson, Frankie Faison, Dominic West, Deirdre Lovejoy, Andre Royo,  J. D. Williams, Chad Coleman, Glynn Turman, Robert F. Chew, Method Man, Hassan Johnson, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Felicia Pearson, Michael Kostroff, Isiah Whitlock, Jr., Delaney Williams, Amy Ryan, Paul Ben-Victor  and Michael K. Williams.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

With Stringer Bell dead, Marlo has expanded his crew to take over the Barksdale territory.  The police are surprised that Marlo’s expansion hasn’t led to dead bodies.  It has, but Marlo has figured a way to keep them under cover.  Chris and Snoop continue taking bodies but they never turn up.

Herc, on the Mayor’s security detail figures it will be an easy way to promotion.  Then Herc accidentally learns something that may cost him his job.

Councilman Carcetti continues his efforts to become Baltimore’s new Mayor.  Carcetti’s rise in the polls forces Mayor Royce to take stern actions.  Dirty tricks and questionable ethics are par for the course.

Michael’s willingness to do what it takes to control his corner impresses Marlo.  Omar bids his time until he is ready to make his move against Marlo’s organization.

Former Major Crimes Unit Officer Roland ‘Prez’ Pryzbylewski takes a teaching job at a local high school.  Ex-con Cutty, trying to stay out of trouble with his parole officer begins working as a truant officer.  Bubbles is repeatedly beaten and robbed by a street thug.  His police friends are no help.  When Bubbles has reached his limit, he plans revenge that backfires in a way that will haunt him for life.

Deputy Commissioner Rawls sees the shifting political sands as an opportunity for advancement. Former Baltimore Police Major Howard “Bunny” Colvin accepts a position supported by a government grant to work with the most disruptive high school students.  The plan isn’t supported by district or state guidelines, but seems to be working.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Wire was a Nominee for a 2005 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series –  George Pelecanos (writer/story by), David Simon (story by) for the Middle Ground episode

Each season of The Wire builds upon the last. The series continues to be well written, well directed and well acted.

The series spends as much time with the criminals as the cops. This season we get political intrigue, the impact politics has on police work and a local at students headed in the wrong direction and their impact on school settings. Kudos to the writers for making each character and storyline important.

I cannot wait to start season 5.

The Wire: Season 4 (2006) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Charlie Chan on Broadway” (1937) starring Warner Oland / Z-View

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Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937)

Director:  Eugene Forde

Screenplay:  Charles Belden. Jerome Cady story by Art Arthur Robert Ellis, Helen Logan

Stars: Warner Oland, Keye Luke, J. Edward Bromberg, Leon Ames, Marc Lawrence, Douglas Fowley and Lon Chaney Jr..

Tagline: DEATH STRIKES TWICE IN MANHATTAN’S GAYEST SPOTS!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Oland) and his son Lee (Luke) are in pulled into the murder investigation of a woman who knew political secrets and had threatened to tell all.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lon Chaney Jr, appears uncredited in one of his first roles.

This was Warner Oland’s 15th and second-t0-last outing as Charlie Chan.

Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“City on Fire” (1987) directed by Ringo Lam, starring Chow Yun-Fat and Danny Lee / Z-View

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City on Fire (1987)

Director:  Ringo Lam

Screenplay: Tommy Sham; story by Ringo Lam

Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Yueh Sun, Danny Lee. 

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Ko Chow is an undercover cop who has infiltrated a group of jewel thieves.  When a robbery goes sideways, people are killed.  The crooks barely get away.  The cops aren’t far behind.  The thieves think someone ratted them out.  The cops want them all dead or alive.

Ko Chow is in a tight spot… and it’s getting tighter.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

City on Fire provided the inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs.

Chow Yun-Fat and Danny Lee would re-team two years later in John Woo’s The Killer.

City on Fire (1987) rates 3 of 5 stars

Rating:

“The Wire”: Season 3 (2004) created by David Simon / Z-View

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The Wire: Season 3 (2004)

Created by: David Simon

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 1, 12) David Simon from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns;
  • (ep.2, 8) Richard Price from a story by David Simon, Richard Price
  • (ep. 3) Dennis Lehane from a story by David Simon, Dennis Lehane
  • (ep. 4, 11) George Pelecanos from a story by David Simon, George Pelecanos
  • (ep. 5, 10) Ed Burns from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns
  • (ep. 6) Rafael Alvarez  from a story by David Simon, Rafael Alvarez
  • (ep. 7) Joy Lusco from a story by David Simon, Joy Lusco
  • (ep. 9) David Simon from a story by David Simon, George Pelecanos

Directed by: Ed Bianchi (ep. 1); Steve Shill (ep. 2); Rob Bailey (ep. 3); Ernest Dickerson (eps. 4, 12); Dan Attias (ep. 5); Leslie Libman (ep.6); Tim Van Patten (ep. 7); Agnieszka Holland (ep. 8); Alex Zakrzewski (ep. 9); Christine Moore (ep. 10); Joe Chappelle (ep. 11)

Stars: Dominic West, Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Robert Wisdom, Wood Harris, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, J. D. Williams, John Doman, Frankie Faison, Deirdre Lovejoy, Andre Royo, Jim True-Frost, Wendell Pierce, Corey Parker Robinson, Robert F. Chew, Method Man, Michael Potts, Hassan Johnson, Isiah Whitlock, Jr., Jamie Hector, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Felicia Pearson, Glynn Turman, Callie Thorne, Chad Coleman, Maria Broom  and Michael K. Williams.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The towers are razed for new development.  This leaves the Barksdale drug organization without territory.  Councilman Tommy Carcetti begins a run for Mayor of Baltimore.  Since it is an election year, crime becomes a campaign issue.  Pressure is put on the Baltimore PD to get crime statistics down… even if they have to massage them.

Police Major Covin comes up with an unauthorized and controversial plan to actually lower the crime stats by forcing drug dealer to move to low population areas of the city where they can freely sell drugs. Covin knows that higher ups and the mayor would never approve of his idea, but he moves forward anyway.

A new and ruthless drug dealer begins to encroach on Stansfield territory.  Omar continues to steal cash and drugs from dealers.  Omar is becoming a legend. Brother Mouzone, a ruthless killer, is brought in to find and eliminate Omar.

Meanwhile the major crimes unit deals with political demands and personal issues as they work to bring down the city’s drug traffickers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Each season of The Wire builds upon the last. The series continues to be well written, well directed and well acted.

The series spends as much time with the criminals as the cops. This season we get political intrigue and the impact politics has on police work. Kudos to the writers for making each character and storyline important.

New recurring characters introduced in The Wire Season 3 that are amazing include Jamie Hector (Marlo Stanfield), Gbenga Akinnagbe (Chris Partlow), and Felicia Pearson (Snoop).

I cannot wait to start season 4.

The Wire: Season 3 (2004) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Charley Varrick” (1973) directed by Don Siegel; starring Walter Matthau and Joe Don Baker / Z-View

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Charley Varrick (1973)

Director:  Don Siegel

Screenplay: Dean Riesner, Howard Rodman; based on THE LOOTERS by John H. Reese

Stars: Walter Matthau, Joe Don Baker, Felicia Farr, Andrew Robinson, Sheree North, Norman Fell, Benson Fong, Woodrow Parfrey, William Schallert, Jacqueline Scott, Marjorie Bennett, Rudy Diaz, Colby Chester, Hope Summers, Craig R. Baxley, Don Siegel, John Vernon, Bob Steele and Charles Matthau. 

Tagline: It’s not easy to rob the Mob and stay alive.

The Plot…

Charley Varrick wasn’t always a criminal.  At one time he was a stunt pilot.  Then a crop duster.  When his crop business went south, Charley became a bank robber.  He was always careful to pick small banks in remote locations.

When Charlie and his three man crew knock off a bank in a no name town, things go sideways.  Two of his crew are killed along with the bank’s security guard.  Charlie and Harmon get away with the loot.  They’re shocked to discover they have $750,000.00.  There is no way that tiny bank should have that kind of cash.  Radio reports are that the thieves made off with $2,000.00.

Charlie realizes that the bank was being used by the mob to launder money.  He knows that if you steal from the mob, they will find and kill you no matter how long it takes.  Charlie tells Harmon they’ll need to sit on the money for a few years.  If they’re lucky, they’ll live to slowly spend it.  Harmon just wants his cut now — he plans to live it up.

As if that isn’t bad enough, the cops are working the case.  Worse still, the mob has hired a stone cold killer to track down the cash and kill the thieves.

It’s not easy to rob the Mob and stay alive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Walter Matthau’s son, Charlie plays the role of the little boy in front of the bank that gets robbed.

Director Don Siegel plays a character named Murphy.

Surprisingly Walter Matthau wasn’t a fan of the finished film.

Joe Don Baker is perfect as the sadistic killer who dominates every scene he’s in.

Charley Varrick (1973) rates 5 of 5 stars

“WWE: Unreal” – Season 1 (2025) / Z-View

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WWE: Unreal – Season 1 (2025)

Director: (Eps. 1-5) Terrell Riley, Steve Trout

Stars: Demi Bennett (Rhea Ripley); Mark Calaway (The Undertaker); John Cena; Jacob Fatu; Dominik Gutiérrez (Dominik Mysterio); Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson; Paul Levesque (‘Triple H’); Darren Matthews (William Regal); Stephanie McMahon; Bruce Prichard; CM Punk; Cody Rhodes; Jesse “The Body” Ventura; Joshua Samuel Fatu (Jey Uso); Paul Heyman; Colby Lopez (Seth Rollins); Logan Paul; Dusty Rhodes; Michael Seitz (Michael Hayes); Jade Cargill; Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte Flair); Brian ‘Road Dogg’ James and Ric Flair.

Tagline: It’s More Real Than You Think

The Plot…

WWE Unreal gives fans unprecedented access behind-the-scenes at how professional wrestling works.  Cameras are allowed into the writers’ room as the executives on the creative team prepare for the WWE Netflix premiere and events leading up to Wrestlemania 41.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was a kid everyone involved in professional wrestling worked to make sure that it was thought of as “real”.  Then in 1989, Vince McMahon announced professional wrestling  wasn’t a legitimate sport, but instead was sports entertainment.  The bumps and injuries are real, but the match outcomes are predetermined.  Pro wrestling fans didn’t care.

I haven’t watched pro wrestling in years, but I was interested in the behind-the-scenes access.  I wasn’t disappointed.  In fact, WWE Unreal got me interested in watching again.

WWE: Unreal – Season 1 (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Chinatown” (1974) written by Robert Towne; directed by Roman Polanski; starring Jack Nicholson & Faye Dunaway / Z-View

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Chinatown (1974)

Director:  Roman Polanski

Screenplay: Robert Towne

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez, John Hillerman, Darrell Zwerling, Diane Ladd, Roy Jenson, Richard Bakalyan, Joe Mantell, Bruce Glover, James Hong, Jerry Fujikawa, Rance Howard, Burt Young  and Roman Polanski. 

Tagline: You get tough. You get tender. You get close to each other. Maybe you even get close to the truth.

The Plot…

The year is 1937.  It’s been a hot summer and Los Angeles is going through a terrible drought.  The heat is putting folks on edge.  Especially farmers.

Jake Gittes is a private detective.  His bread and butter is getting the goods on cheating spouses. So when Evelyn Mulwray hires Jake to find out if her husband, Hollis, is cheating he does.  Hollis is.  Jake gives the photos to prove it to Mrs. Mulwray.

When the compromising photos of Hollis and a young woman (definitely not his wife) show up in the paper, the affair is made public.  Jake is surprised the pictures were made public, since it wasn’t by him.  Jake is even more surprised when the real Mrs. Mulwray shows up at his office threatening legal action.  Jake was duped.

But why?

When Hollis Mulwray is found dead in an L.A. reservoir.  Jake decides to investigate. That night he heads down to the reservoir.  Suddenly water begins rushing through the basin.  Jake makes it out only to be confronted by the Water Department Security Chief Claude Mulvihill and a short thug. Mulvihill warns Jake to stop asking questions.  The little gangster pulls a knife.  He asks Jake if he understands what happens to people who stick their nose where it doesn’t belong.  He then shows him.

Jake is even more determined to find answers.  Why was he set up?  Why was Hollis Mullwray killed?  Who killed him? Why are huge amounts of water being wasted nightly in the middle of a drought?  Jake wants answers.  In his search for the truth, Jake will uncover a sinister secret that had been hidden for years.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Chinatown was nominated for eleven 1975 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score – Jerry Goldsmith
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Sam O’Steen
  • Nominee for Best Sound – Charles Grenzbach, Larry Jost
  • Nominee for Best Costume Design – Anthea Sylbert
  • Nominee for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration – Richard Sylbert, W. Stewart Campbell, Ruby R. Levitt
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography – John A. Alonzo
  • Nominee for Best Director – Roman Polanski
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Faye Dunaway
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Jack Nicholson
  • Nominee for Best Picture – Robert Evans
  • Winner for Best Writing, Original Screenplay – Robert Towne

Jack Nicholson actually slaps Faye Dunaway in the movie.  They had tried several takes where they faked the slap and they didn’t look real.  So Dunaway told Nicholson to really slap her.  He did and that is the shot that was used.

Dunaway and director Roman Polanski clashed several times during filming.  At one point she asked what her character’s motivation was for a scene.  Polanski responded with, “Just say the f***ing words. Your salary is your motivation!”

Ali McGraw was originally scheduled to play Evelyn Mulwray.  She lost the role when she left her husband for Steve McQueen.  McGraw’s husband was Chinatown‘s producer, Robert Evans.

Phillip Lambro wrote the film’s music score.  After a test screening, Robert Evans decided a new score was needed. Jerry Goldsmith was hired with only 10 days to write and record a new score.  Goldsmith’s score was nominated for an Academy Award.

Chinatown is a classic.  Most reviewers and audiences rate it a 5 out of 5.  I liked it a lot, but not as much as most folks.  Your mileage may vary.

Chinatown (1974) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Long Distance” (2024) starring Naomi Scott & Anthony Ramos / Z-View

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Long Distance (2024)

Director:  Josh Gordon, Will Speck

Screenplay:  Spenser Cohen

Stars: Anthony Ramos, Naomi Scott, Kristofer Hivju and Zachary Quinto. 

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A spaceship carrying off-world miners is hit by asteroid.  As the ship begins to explode, escape pods are jettisoned.  One carrying Andy lands on a nearby planet.  Andy has a small air supply and his AI-equipped spacesuit.  When radioing for other survivors, Andy hears back from only one.  Her name is Naomi and she’s trapped in her escape pod.

Andy sets out to free her unaware of the creatures and dangerous terrain ahead.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Long Distance starts with a literal bang.

Although Naomi Scott gets top billing, she doesn’t appear on screen until about halfway through the movie.

Zachary Quinto voices Andy’s spacesuit AI.

Long Distance (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars