Category: History

“Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes” (2025) / Z-View

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Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes (2025)

Directed by: Joe Berlinger

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes is a three episode limited series that features vintage unheard recordings as well as modern day interviews with David Berkowitz, some survivors of his attacks and those involved in capturing him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you’re at all familiar with the Son of Sam killings, there is nothing earth shattering presented.  The recordings didn’t provide insight.  Although Berkowitz confessed to all of the murders, he’s changed his story over the years.

The Last of Us: Season 2 (2025) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Dark Side of the Ring”: Season 2 / Z-View

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Dark Side of the Ring: Season 2 (2020)

Created by:  Evan Husney, Jason Eisener

Director:  Jason Eisener

Stars: Chris Jericho, Jim Ross, Dean Malenko, Vickie Guerrero, James E. Cornette, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Steve Austin, Vince Russo, Bruce Prichard, Sam Fatu, Don Muraco, Jimmy Hart, David Schultz, John Stossel, Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, B. Brian Blair, Joe Laurinaitis, Paul Ellering, Nikita Koloff and Dave Meltzer.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Each episode of Dark Side of the Ring profiles a professional wrestler or event that has become infamous among professional wrestling insiders.  Interviews with those who were there, archival footage and reenactments are used in each episode.

  • Ep. 1:  Benoit – Part One.  Chris Benoit was a wrestling superstar.  At the top of his game, Benoit had it all.  A beautiful wife and wonderful 7-year-old-son, plus everything that fame and fortune could buy.  From the outside life looked great.  Then over a period of three days, Chris Benoit murdered his wife, his son and himself.

 

  • Ep. 2: Benoit – Part Two.  What caused Benoit to go off the rails?  Steroids?  Taking so many head shots in pro wrestling?  Those close to the tragedy speak for the first time.

 

  • Ep. 3: The Life and Crimes of New Jack. Jerome Young aka New Jack was a wrestler known for his extreme antics in and out of the ring.  Some of New Jack’s stunts resulted in real life charges.  In one match he incorrectly “bladed” an opponent severing two of the man’s artery’s.  His opponent survived after 50 stitches. New Jack was charged with aggravated assault.  In another match New Jack tasered an opponent then threw him him from a 40′ scaffold.  His opponent missed the tables that were to break his fall and instead landed on the top rope.  New Jack said he meant to do that.  There are several other incidents… like the time he stabbed an opponent with a real knife.

 

  • Ep. 4: The Brawl for All. In 1998, Tough Man Competitions and the UFC were gaining in popularity.  The WWE had legitimate roughnecks working for them.  Problem was most were mid-card wrestlers.  So someone came up with the idea to have real fights.  Contestants would wear boxing gloves and fight in three one minute rounds.  Fans hated it.  Several wrestlers were hurt.  And it was hard to promote – why weren’t the top level superstars competing?

 

  • Ep. 5: Jimmy Snuka and the Death of Nancy Argentino.  Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka was a pro wrestling superstar.  Sadly, Snuka may have committed murder — and got away with it.  On May 10, 1983, Snuka called for an ambulance. His mistress, Nancy Argentino, was severely injured. She later died from traumatic brain injuries. Autopsy findings revealed more than two dozen cuts and bruises on her head, ear, chin, arms, hands, back, buttocks, legs, and feet. The Forensic pathologist said the case should be investigated as a homicide. Snuka had previously been arrested for beating Miss Argentino.  No charges were filed.  Then 32 years later, Snuka was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for Argentino’s death.  Yet, Snuka never stood trial.

 

  • Ep. 6: The Assassination of Dino Bravo.  Dino Bravo was a popular pro wrestler in Canada before branching out to other organizations.  Bravo always did well in the ring during his twenty-two year career.  But outside the ring, things went south.  At the age of 44, Bravo was found dead from eleven gunshots to the head and torso.  His murderer(s) were never caught.

 

  • Ep. 7: David Schultz: The Slap Heard Round the World.  These days everyone knows that pro wrestling is sports entertainment.  For decades that wasn’t the case.  Wrestlers and promoters went out of their way to make sure that professional wrestling was thought of as “real”.  On December 28, 1984, 20/20 reporter John Stossel was backstage at a Madison Square Garden event.  Stossel approached David “Dr. D” Schultz with the cameras rolling and started an interview.  Stossel told Schultz he thought wrestling was fake.  Schultz responded by slapping Stossel hard in the head. When Stossel got up, visibly shaken, Schultz gave him another slap which again knocked him down.  Stossel sued.  Schultz was fired.  Schultz said that he hit Stossel at the direction of Vince McMahon. This is the story of those slaps and the aftermath.

 

  • Ep. 8: Cocaine & Cowboy Boots: The Herb Abrams Story. Herb Abrams called himself Mr. Electricity.  Abrams had a plan to build a wrestling organization that would rival the WWE.  He even got a million dollars to produce a weekly wrestling show.  Sadly things went south.  Before Abrams died police found him in his New York City office nude, covered in baby oil, and destroying his office furniture with a baseball bat.

 

  • Ep. 9: The Last Ride of the Road Warriors.  The Road Warriors were one of the most popular tag teams of their generation.  Legitimate tough guys, they were popular with fans everywhere.  At the top of their game, things started to unravel.  Alcohol and substance abuse by one would bring both down.

 

  • EP. 10: The Final Days of Owen Hart.  Owen Hart came from the Hart Wrestling Dynasty.  Stu Hart was Owen’s father and Bret Hart, his brother.  On May 23rd 1999, Owen was to make a dramatic and comedic entrance to the ring.  He was to be lowered from the rafters.  Then Owen would dangle a few feet above the ring as if he couldn’t get released.  Sadly, the stunt went wrong.  Owen was released from the harness while still eighty feet in the air.  He fell to his death.  Owen’s widow and others discuss the mistakes made.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dark Side of the Ring is must-see viewing for fans of professional wrestling.  Even if you think you know the stories covered, new information and insights are presented.

Dark Side of the Ring: Season 2 (2020) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Dark Side of the Ring”: Season 1 (2019) / Z-View

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Dark Side of the Ring: Season 1 (2019)

Created by:  Evan Husney, Jason Eisener

Director:  Jason Eisener

Stars: Dutch Mantell, Scott Hall, Jimmy Hart, Lanny Poffo, Jake Roberts, Eric Bischoff, Lex Luger, Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, James E. Cornette, Bruce Prichard, Earl Hebner, Vince Russo, Ric Flair, Ted DiBiase, Owen Hart, Mick Foley, Tony Atlas, Kevin Von Erich, Abdullah the Butcher and Dave Meltzer.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Each episode of Dark Side of the Ring profiles a professional wrestler or event that has become infamous among professional wrestling insiders.  Interviews with those who were there, archival footage and reenactments are used in each episode.

Ep. 1: The Match Made in Heaven.  Randy The Macho Man Savage was one of the most popular wrestlers of his time.  When he brought on Miss Elizabeth as his manager, his popularity went even higher.  Elizabeth became as popular as Savage.  Maybe more so.  They were in love both in the wrestling world and real-life.  But there was no happily- ever-after in their future.  No, their love would end in tragedy.

  • Ep. 2: The Montreal Screwjob.  There was a long pro wrestling tradition that a champion who was retiring, or leaving a territory, would lose the title before going. Bret The Hitman Hart was the WWF Champion. Hart was leaving the WWF to go to the WCW.  Vince McMahon, owner of the WWF, was worried that Hart would break tradition and take the title with him.  So behind the scenes McMahon created a plan to make sure the championship belt didn’t leave with Hart.  McMahon’s conspiracy became known as the The Montreal Screwjob.  It changed the face of professional wrestling forever.  Now there was no doubt that backstage decisions determined in-ring outcomes.

 

  • Ep. 3: The Killing of Bruiser Brody.  Bruiser Brody was intimidating.  He stood 6’8″ and weighed 300 pounds.  Brody had the reputation of being contentious.  What made it worse was Brody was often out of control.  It wasn’t an act.  Brody frequently argued with fellow wrestlers and promoters.  While wrestling in Puerto Rico, Brody got into a locker room argument with José González, better known as Invader 1.  Before the night was over Brody lay dying in the shower the result of stab wounds from González.

 

  • Ep. 4: The Last of the Von Erichs.  Fritz Von Erich (real name Jack Adkisson) was a popular wrestling villain.  Von Erich had six sons.  His first child was killed in a freak accident at the age of six. The five other sons all grew up to become professional wrestlers.  Sadly, four of the five would die at a very young age.  Three from suicide.  Many said the family was cursed.  The only surviving son discusses the family legacy.

 

  • Ep. 5: The Mysterious Death of Gorgeous Gino. Gino Hernandez was a wrestling star on the rise.  He got over in every territory.  The fame and money was starting to come.  Unfortunately Gino got mixed up with the wrong crowd and he was using drugs.  When friends became concerned and busted into his apartment, they found his decomposing body.  Did Gino overdose?  Was he murdered?  The autopsy report was full of errors.  His family never saw his body.  Did Gino fake his own death?

 

  • Ep. 6: The Fabulous Moolah.  Mary Lillian Ellison better known as The Fabulous Moolah was the first woman to be inducted in the WWF Hall of Fame.  She holds the record as longest reigning champion in combination of all of her reigns.  She held the title on and off for 28 years!  Moolah was also THE booker and promoter for women wrestlers across the country.  This is where he reputation goes off the rails. All the promoters worked with Moolah to book women wrestlers.  Moolah wouldn’t sign a woman unless she signed a contract to train with her.  Moolah charged them for training.  They must also live on her compound.  Moolah charged them for rent.  Then, as their agent Moolah got 25% or more of their pay.   Sadly that is not the worst of the accusations.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dark Side of the Ring is must-see viewing for fans of professional wrestling.  Even if you think you know the stories covered, new information and insights are presented.

Dark Side of the Ring: Season 1 (2019)rates 5 of 5 stars

“A Savage Art: The Life and Cartoons of Pat Oliphant” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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A Savage Art: The Life and Cartoons of Pat Oliphant – the poster and trailer are here!

Deal me in.

In theaters September 5.
https://asavageart.com/

Patrick Oliphant was a giant slayer. In addition to being a fearless stunt pilot, executing dangerous maneuvers just to blow off a little steam, he bravely took on presidents, popes and the American corporate class with his mighty pen.

An Australian transplant, Oliphant was America’s most renowned and feared political cartoonist for five decades. With his biting wit and masterful drawing skills he attacked individual and institutional corruption, collusion, greed, hypocrisy and arrogance, no matter the size or status of his enemies.

A Savage Art is the story of Oliphant’s life and celebrated career, told in interviews with Pat, his family, friends and colleagues, in archival footage, and featuring hundreds of his cartoons.

A Savage Art also outlines the history of political cartoons, showing how important and impactful political cartoonists have been throughout the ages, and how, in our current climate of political partisanship and corporate control of the media, political cartoonists like Oliphant are critical to checking the powers that be.

Directed by Bill Banowsky

“Saving Private Ryan” (1998) directed by Steven Spielberg; starring Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon and Tom Sizemore / Z-View

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Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Director:  Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Robert Rodat

Stars: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Davies, Ted Danson, Paul Giamatti, Dennis Farina, Max Martini, Nathan Fillion, Ryan Hurst, Dale Dye, Bryan Cranston, David Wohl and Vin Diesel.

Tagline:  The mission is a man.

The Plot…

June 6, 1944.  D Day.  Operation Overlord is underway.  American forces storm the German fortified beaches of Normandy.  The coastline has been divided into five sections.  At Omaha Beach the American forces face the most resistance.

Omaha Beach is heavily fortified with German machine gun nests, artillery, as well as mines and barbed wire.  The US soldiers coming ashore have a wide-open beach with no cover making them easy targets.  The Germans hold the high ground.  Yet the US soldiers, despite heavy losses ultimately prevail.

Immediately following the Battle of Omaha Beach, Captain Miller is given an assignment.  The US Department of War has learned that the Ryan family has four sons in the service.  Against all odds, three of the four Ryan men have been killed in action.  The fourth, Private James Ryan is behind enemy lines with the 101st Airborne.  Captain Miller’s mission is to put together a team, penetrate into enemy territory, find Private Ryan and get him safely out.  Ryan will be given a ticket home.

Captain Miller enlists six battle-tested soldiers and an interpreter with no combat experience to accompany him.  No all will survive.  Private Ryan may already be dead.

The man is the mission.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Saving Private Ryan was nominated for eleven 1999 Academy Awards.  It won five…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score – John Williams 
  • Nominee for Best Makeup – Lois Burwell, Conor O’Sullivan, Daniel C. Striepeke
  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration – Thomas E. Sanders, Lisa Dean
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Robert Rodat
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Tom Hanks
  • Nominee for Best Picture – Steven Spielberg, Ian Bryce, Mark Gordon, Gary Levinsohn
  • Winner for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Gary Rydstrom, Richard Hymns
  • Winner for Best Film Editing – Michael Kahn
  • Winner for Best Sound – Gary Rydstrom, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson, Ron Judkins
  • Winner for Best Cinematography – Janusz Kaminski
  • Winner for Best Director – Steven Spielberg

 Frank Darabont and Scott Frank did uncredited rewrites on Robert Rodat’s screenplay.  John Milius also made suggestions.

Saving Private Ryan opens with the storming of Omaha Beach.  It runs over 20 minutes and sets the tone for all to follow.  It is one of the most amazing and realistic depictions of battle put on film.  There were up to 1,000 extras and cost $11 million to film.

During his research Steven Spielberg spoke with many World War II veterans.  They asked that Spielberg not make a typical Hollywood war movie.  They wanted the audience to understand the brutality and terror of war.  Spielberg was surprised that Saving Private Ryan became a hit, despite the realism of the opening scene.  Spielberg further said that he would have refused to cut the film even if it had to be released with an NC-17 rating.

The Department of Veterans Affairs set up a special 800 number for past and current soldiers traumatized from the film.  There were reportedly 100s of calls to the line.

Steven Spielberg cast Matt Damon as Private Ryan because he wanted an unknown actor with All-American good looks.  Before Saving Private Ryan was released, Damon was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar and won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, both for Good Will Hunting.  By the time Saving Private Ryan was released Damon was a star.

Vin Diesel wasn’t a star when hired for Saving Private Ryan. Steven Spielberg saw Diesel’s self-directed short films, Multi-Facial (1995) and Strays (1997).  He recognized Diesel’s talent.

Nathan Fillion, Ryan Hurst and Bryon Cranston appear in small roles.

Saving Private Ryan is a classic.

Saving Private Ryan (1998) rates 5 of 5 stars

10 Unsolved Presidential Mysteries!

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Selme Angulo at Listverse posted 10 Presidential Mysteries That Are Still Unsolved.  It’s a really interesting and fun article that looks at…

  • A President who was rumored to not be a  natural-born US citizen.  (And no it wasn’t Barack Obama!)
  • A President who many thought was our first gay President. His niece was our First Lady.  He also “had a longtime male “roommate” for much of his adult life”.
  • A President who many claim died because of his inauguration speech.  It remains the longest in US history.
  • A President who had a stroke so his wife took over the running of the country.
  • A President who took time to go “fishing” but instead had a dangerous surgery at sea.
  • A President who suddenly died in office.  Some believe he was poisoned… by his wife!
  • A President who died because of the treatment he received from his doctors.
  • A President who had almost 4,000 hours of recordings… except for one gap.  What could have been said that was so damaging?
  • A President whose brain went missing after his autopsy.
  • A President who may have ordered the cover-up of UFO evidence.

Click over and find the answers to these mysteries.  Kudos to Selme Angulo and Listverse for a fun read.

“American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden” (2025) / Z-View

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American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden (2025)

Director:  Mor Loushy, Daniel Sivan

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden is a three episode documentary about the intelligence and years that went into finding Osama bin Laden.

After 9/11, the CIA determines that Osama bin Laden was the mastermind behind the attacks.  A team is put together to determine bin Laden’s location.  Despite an interview with ABC news and releasing tapes threatening more attacks, Osama bin Laden cannot be found.

Despite near misses, the hunt for Osama bin Laden continues.  Years pass and Al-Qaida continues making attacks throughout the world.

Ten years pass.  Finally a credible clue emerges.  US intelligence might know where Osama bin Laden is.  The evidence is ALL circumstantial.  President Obama orders a highly classified and dangerous mission.  Seal Team Six is sent in to bring back Osama bin Laden dead or alive.

Thoughts…

The behind the scenes information from people makes this documentary special.

I still cannot wrap my head around the mistake of letting a suicide bomber in a secure CIA compound without a search outside first.

It was interesting that not everyone was on board with President Obama’s decision to go forward with the mission without clear proof that Osama bin Laden was there.

American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone / Z-View

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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese; based on KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI by David Grann

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Jason Isbell, William Belleau, Louis Cancelmi, Scott Shepherd, Tatanka Means and Brendan Fraser.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Early in the 20th century oil was found on the Oklahoma Osage Nation reservation.  Members of the Osage tribe shared in the mineral rights. This made the Osage the wealthiest people per capita in the United States. Law required court-appointed guardians to oversee the distribution of money since the Osage were seen as incompetent.

At the end of World War I, Ernest Burkhart arrived at his uncle “King” Hale’s large ranch on the reservation.  King was known as a friend of the Osage.  He was anything but.

King tells Ernest if he marries an Osage woman, and she dies, he would inherit her oil rights.  Her death would make Ernest a wealthy man.  Ernest learns that many Osage have died from mysterious illnesses, accidents and suicide.

Ernest meets and woos an Osage named Mollie.  They marry.  Shortly after, Mollie becomes sick.

As more mysterious deaths occur, the Osage council sends a representative to Washington to request help.  Soon FBI agent Tom White arrives on the reservation.  White begins his investigation as King sets in motion a plan of his own.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Killers of the Flower Moon was nominated for ten 2024 Academy Awards…

  • Best Achievement in Costume Design – Jacqueline West
  • Best Achievement in Production Design – Jack Fisk (production designer), Adam Willis (set decorator)
  • Best Achievement in Film Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Best Achievement in Cinematography – Rodrigo Prieto
  • Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Robbie Robertson
  • Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – Scott George
    For “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)”
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert De Niro
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Lily Gladstone
  • Best Achievement in Directing – Martin Scorsese
  • Best Motion Picture of the Year – Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese, Daniel Lupi

King Hale, Ernest Burkhart, Mollie and Tom White were real people.  Records implicate King Hale in the deaths of multiple murders to gain oil rights.  While the movie focuses on King/Ernest and Mollie, there were many others like King/Ernest taking advantage of the Osage.  Between 1918 and 1931 estimates of up to 150 deaths have been made.

Martin Scorsese met with Osage leadership prior to starting the film.  Scorsese cast 40 Osage actors as well as hundreds of Osage as extras.

When the script was first brought to Leonardo DiCaprio, it was written from FBI agent, Tom White’s perspective.  DiCaprio suggested that put the focus on an outsider’s perspective.  The film would be better served from another view.  The script was, as Martin Scorsese say, re-constructed.

Martin Scorsese (81) became the oldest person was 81 nominated for a Best Director Academy Award with this movie.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Untold: Deal with the Devil” (2021) / Z-View

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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

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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

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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

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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

“Compulsion” (1959) directed by Richard Fleischer, starring Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Diane Varsi and Bradford Dillman / Z-View

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Compulsion (1959)

Director:  Richard Fleischer

Screenplay: Richard Murphy; based on COMPULSION by Meyer Levin

Stars: Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Diane Varsi, Bradford Dillman, E.G. Marshall, Martin Milner, Richard Anderson, Robert F. Simon, Edward Binns, Robert Burton, Louise Lorimer, John Alban, Don Anderson, Terry Becker, Russ Bender and Gavin MacLeod .

Tagline: You know why we did it? Because we damn well felt like doing it!

The Plot…

Judd Steiner and Artie Straus are best friends.  It’s only natural.  They have much in common.  Both are from wealthy families.  They travel in the most elite social circles.  Both Judd and Artie have superior intellects.  Although still in their late teens, they’re law students.

Judd and Artie see everyone as less than them.  They feel because they are so intellectually superior laws don’t apply to them.  To that end, they have been committing small crimes just to prove they’re are so smart that they would never be caught.

Then they decide to commit the ultimate crime.

Murder.

They pick a young boy at random and kill him.

They’re confident that they left no clues.  And even more sure that if they did, with their superior intellect, no one could trip them up.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Compulsion is based on the real life murder trial of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. Leopold and Loeb kidnapped and murdered a fourteen year old boy.  They did it to prove to themselves their superior intellect would allow them to commit the perfect crime.  Their families hired Clarence Darrow to defend them.  At the time, the case was considered the trial of the century.

When the film came out, Leopold sued for invasion of privacy.  Because he had written a book about the crime himself, he didn’t prevail. (Loeb wasn’t involved in the lawsuit.  He had been killed by another prison years before.)

Orson Welles received top billing but doesn’t appear on screen until 65 minutes into the 99 minute film.

It’s hard for me to believe that Compulsion wasn’t nominated for a single Academy Award.  I could see nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Actor (Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman) and Best Supporting Actor (Orson Welles).

Alfred Hitchcock did his own loose adaption of the Leopold-Loeb murder with his film Rope.

Compulsion (1959) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Raging Bull” (1980) directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert DeNiro, Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci / Z-View

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Raging Bull (1980)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin; based on RAGING BULL: MY STORY by Jake LaMotta, Joseph Carter, Peter Savage

Stars: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana, Mario Gallo, Frank Adonis, Bernie Allen  and Charles Scorsese.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The rise and fall of former middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta.  LaMotta was known as the Raging Bull because of his quick temper and violence in the ring.  Sadly out of the ring, he was just as fast to fly into a rage and get physical with his family and friends. Life is hard on everyone when you’re your own worst enemy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Raging Bull was nominated for eight 1981 Academy Awards and won two…

  • Nominee for Best Picture – Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Joe Pesci
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Cathy Moriarty
  • Nominee for Best Director – Martin Scorsese
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography – Michael Chapman
  • Nominee for Best Sound – Donald O. Mitchell, Bill Nicholson, David J. Kimball, Les Lazarowitz
  • Winner for Best Film Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Robert De Niro

Robert DeNiro worked for over four years to convince Martin Scorsese to make Raging Bull.  Scorsese was coming off New York, New York, which had failed to live up to expectations, and a cocaine overdose.  Although he didn’t like sports movies, Scorsese gave in.  The movie revitalized Scorsese’s career and shot DeNiro to superstardom.

DeNiro gained sixty pounds to play LaMotta in later life.  They shot the early scenes and then shut down production for a four months to give DeNiro time to add the weight.

Jake LaMotta gave his autobiography to Robert DeNiro with an inscription saying DeNiro was the only actor to play him.  When the film was made LaMotta was often on the set.

Raging Bull features Cathy Moriarty’s film debut.

John Turturro makes his film debut as the man at table at Webster Hall.

When Jake LaMotta saw the finished film, he asked his former wife, Vickie LaMotta, if he was really that bad.  ‘Worse” she replied.  And he really was.  The movie just touches on some of the worst aspects of his life.

Raging Bull (1980) rates 5 of 5 stars