Category: Z-View

“Emperor of the North” (1973) directed by Robert Aldrich; starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Keith Carradine / Z-View

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Emperor of the North (1973)

Director:  Robert Aldrich

Screenplay: Christopher Knopf

Stars: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Keith Carradine, Charles Tyner, Malcolm Atterbury, Simon Oakland, Harry Caesar, Hal Baylor, Matt Clark, Joe Di Reda, Liam Dunn, Robert Foulk, Jim Goodwin, Sid Haig, Karl Lukas  and Elisha Cook Jr.

Tagline:  You can ride Shack’s train and live you will be Emperor of the North

The Plot…

The Great Depression is in full swing.  A sub-culture of hobos travel the country by freight-hopping.  That is, they jump on trains without paying and hide in freight cars.  These vagabonds would often help themselves to whatever was being transported.

In an effort to keep the drifters off their trains, the railroad companies hired thuggish conductors.  These de facto enforcers would throw the hobos off the trains usually after a good beating. If the bums were lucky they lived with just bruises or broken bones.

The meanest and toughest of all railroad conductors was a brute known as Shack.  No hobo ever was able to ride the #19.  Most didn’t even try.  Shack carried a hammer as a matter of course.  He also had other tricks he used to maim or kill anyone who dared try to ride his train.  His reputation was perfect.

Then A-#1 came along.  Word was A-#1 got the best of Shack and rode the #19.  Of course no one was sure.  Especially since a young drifter, who called himself Cigaret was claiming it wasn’t A-#1 who outsmarted Shack.  It was him.

Now A-#1 has put out word that he’s going to ride the #19 all the way to Portland.  Shack’s heard.  He and his hammer will be waiting.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Emperor of the North was originally titled Emperor of the North Pole.  The title was changed because studio execs thought people would think it was a Christmas movie. Emperor of the North Pole was a hobo term explained in the movie.

Some posters for the movie had the tagline “Lee Marvin & Ernest Borgnine meet in the fight of the century”.  Their fight lives up to the tagline.  It is one of the most brutal movie fights up to that time.

Emperor of the North is underrated.

Emperor of the North (1973) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Deadsight” (2018) / Z-View

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Deadsight (2018)

Director:  Jesse Thomas Cook

Screenplay: Liv Collins, Kevin Revie

Stars: Liv Collins, Adam Seybold.

Tagline:  You’ll never see them coming.

The Plot…

A man with no memory how he got there, wakes up handcuffed to a gurney in an ambulance.  No one else is in the vehicle.  Worse still, the man’s eyes are bandaged.  When he pulls back the wraps, his vision is practically nothing.

The man works himself lose although still handcuffed to a rail of the gurney.  He’ll have to use it for a cane.  When he exits the ambulance, he discovers that a zombie apocalypse has started.  Through sheer luck the man comes across a deserted (he hopes) farm house.

Meanwhile, pregnant police officer Mara Madigan is looking for shelter.  She spots a deserted (she hopes) farm house.

Soon a pregnant woman and blind man will join forces in an effort to survive the zombie apocalypse.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I tapped out after about thirty minutes.  Your mileage may vary.

Deadsight (2018) rates 1 of 5 stars

“The Woman in the Yard” (2025) starring Danielle Deadwyler / Z-View

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The Woman in the Yard (2025)

Director:  Jaume Collet-Serra

Screenplay: Sam Stefanak

Stars: Danielle Deadwyler, Okwui Okpokwasili, Peyton Jackson, Estella Kahiha, Russell Hornsby  and Chad Pitter.

Tagline:  Don’t Let Her In

The Plot…

Ramona is still recovering from an auto accident that killed her husband.  Ramona is barely holding it together. If not for her teenage son Taylor, Ramona would be in a much worse situation.  Taylor is making sure that mom and Annie are fed and the house is in order.  Still, life on a remote farm is difficult in the best of times.  Then the power goes out.

How could things be worse?

Then one morning a woman veiled in black from head to toe shows up.  The woman is seated in a chair in the front yard.  When Ramona approaches, the woman will only say, “Today’s the day.”

Unable to call for help, the car unusable because of the wreck that killed her husband, and Ramona still on crutches, the family is worried about the woman in the yard.

Then the woman begins to move closer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Woman in the Yard has an interesting set-up and a creepy factor.  At the start.  Sadly, as the movie progresses it loses both momentum and creepiness.

The Woman in the Yard (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Dead Zone” (2022) starring Michael Jai White / Z-View

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Dead Zone (2022)

Director:  Hank Braxtan

Screenplay: Michael Klug, Tim Ogletree; story by Michael Lurie, Jeffrey Giles

Stars: Michael Jai White, Antuone Torbert and Jeff Fahey.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

A squad of soldiers are sent into a zombie-infested town.  Their fate of humanity depends on their success.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was hoping for a much better film.  I barely made it through so I will barely rate it 2 stars.

Dead Zone (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Heads of State” (2025) starring Idris Elba, John Cena and Priyanka Chopra Jonas / Z-View

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Heads of State (2025)

Director:  Ilya Naishuller

Screenplay: Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Harrison Query; story by Harrison Query

Stars: Idris Elba, John Cena, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sarah Niles, Katrina Durden, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Sharlto Copley,  Steven Cree and Stephen Root.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

British Prime Minister Sam Clarke and Will Derringer, the newly elected US President, don’t like each other.  Unfortunately their disdain becomes obvious during a joint press conference.  In order to present solidarity, the two decide to fly together to the NATO summit on Air Force One.

When terrorists attempt to kill Clarke and Derringer, they found themselves forced to trust each other in order to survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Heads of State was a better film than I was expecting.  I attribute much of that to the chemistry between Elba and Cena.

Heads of State (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars

THE CONCRETE SMILE: A GRIFTER’S SONG 1 by Frank Zafiro / Z-View

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THE CONCRETE SMILE: A GRIFTER’S SONG 1 by Frank Zafiro

First sentences…

“Jack-a-reno!”

Sam hated that.  Even if Jack had been his real name, he would have hated it…”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Sam and Rachel are lovers.  On the run.  That’s because they’re also grifters who conned the wrong folks.  Mafia folks.  Now Sam and Rachel have to keep moving.  And they have to keep scamming to pay the cost of a life on the run.

Their latest mark is Jacobson.  He owns a concrete company.  Jacobson thinks some folks want to buy his business. Jacobson has done his due diligence.  The folks buying have an opportunity to make millions, but their timeline is running thin. And they need Jacobson’s company to make it happen.

So Jacobson thinks he has the upper hand.  He’ll buy THEIR BUSINESS and he’ll make the millions.  One of the first rule of a con — make the mark want to give you their money.  Sam and Rachel have the hook in.  They just need a few more days.

Then the pair discover that they’ve been discovered.  They need to blow town before the mob’s hitman zeroes in on them.  Sadly, they need the score more.

The clock is ticking… tick… tick… tick…

+++

THE CONCRETE SMILE: A GRIFTER’S SONG 1 is a fast, fun read.  Clocking in at just 71 pages, Zafiro has laid the foundation for a fun crime series.  I look forward to more Grifter Songs.

Rating:

“The Fool Killer” (1965) starring Anthony Perkins and Edward Albert / Z-View

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The Fool Killer (1965)

Director:  Servando González

Screenplay: Morton S. Fine, David Friedkin; based on THE FOOL KILLER by Helen Eustis

Stars: Anthony Perkins, Edward Albert, Henry Hull, Salome Jens, Dana Elcar, Arnold Moss and Lana Wood.

Tagline:  All the secret joys, the sudden terrors of being young and free and far from home

The Plot…

Life after the civil war could be tough.  For George Mellish who is twelve years old and an orphan, it is unbearable.  George’s foster parents took him so he could help with chores.  When George accidentally knocks over the butter churn, his step-father beats him.

That’s the final straw for George.  He gathers his few possessions and runs away.  When George hears a train approaching, he attempts to board it.  He throws his few goods onto a car and attempts to follow them.  The train is just too fast.  George trips and falls down as the train speeds away.

Now with just the clothes on his back, George continues walking.  What lies ahead is an incredible journey that may not end well. George will meet strange characters and possibly the legendary serial murderer known as The Fool Killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Edward Albert stars and it is his first credited role.  Edward Albert is the son of Eddie Albert. (Funny, but it would seem their names should be switched.)

The Fool Killer feels like a childhood fable.  It has a dreamlike quality with strange characters and a unique pace.  It’s part boyhood adventure, part mystery and part horror.

The Fool Killer (1965) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Night of the Hunter” (1955) directed by Charles Laughton; starring Robert Mitchum, Lillian Gish, Shelley Winters, Billy Chapin and Sally Jane Bruce / Z-View

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                                  Night of the Hunter alt poster by Laurent Carbonelle

Night of the Hunter (1955)

Director:  Charles Laughton

Screenplay: James Agee; based on THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER by Davis Grubb

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason, Evelyn Varden, Don Beddoe, Billy Chapin, Sally Jane Bruce, Gloria Castillo, Corey Allen, Paul Bryar and Peter Graves.

Tagline: The scenes…the story…The stars BUT ABOVE ALL – THE SUSPENSE!

The Plot…

The Great Depression has a stranglehold on the country.

Harry Powell is the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Powell claims to be a traveling preacher.  In truth Powell is a psychotic serial killer.

Powell’s hatred for women consumes him.  He says to himself, “There are things you do hate, Lord. Perfume-smellin’ things, lacy things, things with curly hair…There’s too many of them. I can’t kill the world.”  Powell travels the countryside taking advantage of the weak.  He steals and kills without regret.  Then moves on to find the next victim.

Powell is caught in a stolen car.  Sent to prison, he is celled with Ben Harper.  Harper and a friend, unable to find jobs become desperate enough to rob a bank.  Two men and Harper’s friend were killed in the theft.  Harper made it home to hid the bank’s $10,000.  As the police came to arrest him, he told his two small children where the money was hidden, and made them swear to never tell.

Harry Powell learns of the $10,000 robbery and attempts to get Harper to tell where he hid the loot.  Harper takes the secret to his grave when he is hanged for his crimes.  When Powell is released from prison he decides to call on Harper’s widow.

Powell plans to woo and wed widow Harper.  Once he finds the hidden cash, he’ll kill the woman and her little children too.

“It’s a hard world for little things.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Night of the Hunter is based on Davis Grubb’s novel THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER.

Night of the Hunter is sadly the only film ever directed by Charles Laughton.

When Mitchum’s character is seen in silhouette in the distance riding a horse, it is actually a dwarf on a pony.  The scene was filmed in forced perspective.

Robert Mitchum said that Charles Laughton was his favorite director and Night of the Hunter was the favorite film that he starred in.

The Harry Powell character was based on a real serial killer named Harry Powers.  Powers found his victims through “lonely hearts” advertisements.  Powers killed women and their children then stole their money and valuables.  When Powers was caught, police found many letters from women wanting to meet him.  Powers was convicted and hung for his crimes.

There’s a shot of Winters that is haunting.  It will stay with you forever.

Stephen King has called Night of the Hunter the scariest film of all time.

Night of the Hunter is a classic.  Everyone should watch it at least once.

Night of the Hunter (1955) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Total Recall” (1990) directed by Paul Verhoeven; starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin and Ronny Cox / Z-View

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Total Recall (1990)

Director:  Paul Verhoeven

Screenplay: Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Gary Goldman; story by Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Jon Povill; based on “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin, Ronny Cox, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson Jr., Michael Champion, Roy Brocksmith, Ray Baker, David Knell, Alexia Robinson, Debbie Lee Carrington, Lycia Naff, Robert Costanzo and Dean Norris.

Tagline: How would you know after memory implantation if your mind is yours?

The Plot…

The year is 2084.  Mars is now a colonized planet.  The leader of the planet is Vilos Cohaagen.  Cohaagen is a dictatorial ruler who came to power thanks to his management of the mining of turbinium ore.  Cohaagen rules with an iron hand.

Douglas Quaid is a construction worker on Earth.  Quaid continues to have recurring nightmares about being on Mars.  In his dreams Quaid is involved with a woman and on a mysterious mission.  Quaid realizes that a trip to Mars is out of the question.  So he decides to check out Rekall.

Rekall uses the latest technology to implant memories that are no different than one would actually have experienced.  Quaid decides to purchase a memory of Mars.  Because the memories are implanted a customer can be or do anything.  Quaid decides to be a secret agent sent on a mission to save Mars.  Once the memory is implanted, he will believe that everything he remembers is true.

During the implant stage, Quaid begins struggling.  The Rekall techs see that Quaid has had a procedure to repress memories.  Concerned that unlocking these memories would put them at odds with Cohaagen, the Rekall workers shut down the process.  

On the way home Quaid is attacked.  Quaid is surprised to discover he is able to kill his attackers.  Now he’s confused.  Is he a former spy?  Is it just a memory?  If he is a spy, and his cover is blown, who can he trust?  What was his mission?

A trip to Mars will be required to discover the truth.  But can Quaid ever really be sure?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Total Recall (1990) was nominated for three 1991 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Stephen Hunter Flick
  • Best Sound – Nelson Stoll, Michael J. Kohut, Carlos Delarios, Aaron Rochin
  • Winner for Special Achievement Award – Eric Brevig, Rob Bottin, Tim McGovern, Alex Funke

Arnold Schwarzenegger was supposed to star in Robocop, directed by Paul Verhoeven.  But the deal fell through.  When Schwarzenegger saw Robocop, he was determined to do a film with Verhoeven.  Verhoeven was in talks to direct Black Rain. When the film was delayed, Schwarzenegger lobbied to get Verhoeven on board to helm Total Recall.  Since Verhoeven also wanted to work with Schwarzenegger, he passed on Black Rain.

Patrick Swayze was originally set to star with Bruce Beresford as director. When Dino De Laurentis’ company went bankrupt Schwarzenegger convinced Carolco to buy the rights. In early drafts the Quaid character was called Quill and was an accountant.  Once Arnold was on board the named changed as did the occupation.  Quaid was now a muscular construction worker.

Russell “Highlander” Mulcahy had been in talks to direct Total Recall.  Sylvester Stallone wanted Mulcahy to direct Rambo III (1988).  Stallone won out.  Ironically, Mulcahy was fired just a few weeks into filming due to creative differences with Stallone. Peter MacDonald (Rambo III‘s second-unit director) took over.

DC published a Total Recall comic book adaptation written by Elliot S. Maggin and drawn by Tom Lyle.

Total Recall (1990) rates 4 of 5 stars

“28 Days Later” written by Alex Garland; directed by Danny Boyle; starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brenden Gleeson and Megan Burns / Z-View

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28 Days Later (2002)

Director:  Danny Boyle

Screenplay: Alex Garland

Stars: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Megan Burns, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer, David Schneider, Toby Sedgwick, Noah Huntley, Kim McGarrity, Luke Mably, Stuart McQuarrie and Brendan Gleeson.

Tagline: Day 1: Exposure – Day 3: Infection – Day 8: Epidemic – Day 15: Evacuation – Day 20: Devastation

The Plot…

Jim awakens after being in a coma for 28 days.  He’s in a hospital bed, but the hospital is deserted.  Jim throws on some clothes and heads out into the street.  Broad daylight and no one is seen.

Jim goes into a church.  In the sanctuary are dozens of people.  Most show signs of major physical trauma.  They appear to be sleeping.  When a priest sees Jim and begins to attack, the infected come out of their slumber and attack as well.

Jim barely escapes.  Jim comes to realize that while he was in a coma, a fast-acting virus turned normal people into mindless, frenzied, killing machines.  There are few survivors in a city that once held over 7 million souls.  Jim meets and befriends three who have endured: Selena, a young woman about his age, Frank, a middle-aged man and his teenage daughter Hannah.

A radio broadcast repeats the message that protection can be found at a location outside of Manchester.  The four debate if there is truly salvation there.  The broadcast could be outdated.  Everyone there could be dead.  The people there could be as dangerous as the infected.  The journey will require them to pass through multiple congested areas.

Ultimately the group decides to go.  Unexpected dangers await. Not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Megan Burns, who plays Frank’s teenage daughter Hannah, had appeared in only one other film prior to 28 Days Later.  Megan retired from acting after 28 Days Later to pursue a career as a musician.  Her stage name is Betty Curse.

28 Days Later re-invigorated the zombie genre.  Although some argue that the infected aren’t zombies, since they have lost control of their bodies and reasoning, I think they fit the definition.

28 Days Later is a classic.  Well written, well directed and well acted.  <Chef’s kiss>

28 Days Later (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Reign of Fire” (2002) starring Matthew McConaughey and Christian Bale / Z-View

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Reign of Fire (2002)

Director:  Rob Bowman

Screenplay: Gregg Chabot, Kevin Peterka, Matt Greenberg; story by Gregg Chabot, Kevin Peterka

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Christian Bale, Izabella Scorupco, David Kennedy,
Alexander Siddig, Terence Maynard, Alice Krige and Gerard Butler.

Tagline: Fight Fire With Fire

The Plot…

In 2002, workers drilling in the London Underground opened a passage into an undiscovered cave.  A gigantic dragon awoke.  Soon it and other dragons emerged.  In short order, cities and the people living in them were destroyed.  A young boy named Quinn witnessed the first dragon emerging from the underground when it killed his mother.

2020.  Most of the world’s population is long gone.  The few survivors have banded together in small communities.  Quinn is now a leader of a group that took refuge in Bamburgh Castle.  The group is barely hanging on.  The food supply is low. Crops won’t come to harvest for a few weeks.  A dragon recently attacked and destroyed part of the crop when it attacked and killed a community member.

Quinn and the community are shocked when a heavily armored military squad pulls up to the castle entrance.  They request entrance.  The convoy contains a tank, a helicopter and many armed soldiers.  The leader of the troop is Van Zan.  Quinn isn’t sure if the new arrivals are true military or raiders looking to steal whatever they can.  One thing Quinn knows is his community has no chance in a firefight.

He allows them in.  Soon all hell will break loose.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bale did an excellent job in his role but McConaughey OWNED every scene he was in. The direction, production values, special effects were all top notch.

Gerard Butler has a supporting role as Bale’s friend.  Four years later Butler would become an international star with the release of 300.

Reign of Fire (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Vindicta” (2023) starring Elena Kampouris, Jeremy Piven and Sean Astin / Z-View

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Vindicta (2023)

Director:  Sean McNamara

Screenplay: Ian Neligh; story by Steven Paul

Stars: Elena Kampouris, Jeremy Piven, Travis Nelson, Daniel Cudmore, Bradley Stryker, Robin Atkin Downes and Sean Astin.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

As riots rage across Seattle, a serial killer begins taking victims. The killer’s prey are first responders… police, fire and rescue workers.  The maniac leaves Latin phrases by each mutilated body.

Lou is a rookie paramedic.  Her proficiency in Latin allows her to decipher the killer’s message.  Detective Russo will rely on Lou to assist with future clues.  As the bodies pile up, Lou realizes that the killer is taking vengeance and those close to her may be next.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.  Definitely would qualify for a drive-in movie.  There are worse ways to spend an hour and 27 minutes.

Vindicta (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars

“28 Years Later” written by Alex Garland; directed by Danny Boyle; starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes / Z-View

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28 Years Later (2025)

Director:  Danny Boyle

Screenplay: Alex Garland

Stars: Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Edvin Ryding, Chi Lewis-Parry, Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes.

Tagline:  Time didn’t heal anything.

The Plot…

2002. In Britain a fast spreading infection turns people into mindless, frenzied, killing machines.  The source is called the Rage Virus.  The virus is passed through bites, blood or saliva.  There is no cure.

As a horde attacks, Jimmy, a twelve-year-old boy sees his mother taken down.  Jimmy runs to the church where his father is minister.  The swarm of infected follows closely behind.  Jimmy’s father gives the boy a small cross and tells him to “run!”.  As the infected burst into the church, Jimmy’s father allows himself to be taken so that Jimmy may escape.

28 years later.  The Rage Virus is contained to the British Isles which are now quarantined from the rest of the world.  Military vessels patrol to make sure no one gets in or out.  The virus has mutated.  Some infected have grown bigger, faster and have limited reasoning.

Survivors either live alone or in small fortified villages.  One such refuge is on a coastal island connected to the mainland by a causeway that is underwater except at low tide.  Sentries stand watch 24 hours a day.

Jamie, his wife Isla and their twelve-year-old son Spike live on this island.  Jamie is a scavenger for the community.  Isla has been sick.  She’s started to hallucinate.  She’s weak and getting worse.

From time to time Jamie goes back to the mainland to search for needed items.  Timing is crucial.  He must leave at low tide and return before the water rises.  If he fails to do so, tides are too strong and deep.  Getting back to the island is then impossible.

Jamie believes that Spike is mature enough for his first trip to the mainland.  The minimum age is usually fifteen.  Going against convention, Jamie takes Spike over.  When Spike learns that a doctor used to live within traveling distance, he wants to take his mother there.  Jamie tells Spike the trip would be much too dangerous.  Worse still, the doctor is out of his mind.

If Spike survives his first trip to the mainland, he is determined to take his mother to the doctor.

That is IF he survives…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

28 days later upped the ante with the zombie genre. (And let’s not quibble if the rage-infected are zombies.)

There is a nice surprise twist near the end of the film.

The final scenes have a different feel than the rest of the film.  Many will find/have found the change jarring.  These scenes set up the next film in the series.

I’ve always contended that the best part of zombie/apocalyptic films is at the very beginning when people are unsure of what is happening or how to best respond.  Having the virus mutate and having Spike make the mainland journey for the first time was a smart move.  The audience is learning about the changes along with Spike.  I hope the next film doesn’t make the infected blasé.

28 Years Later (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars

THE BOUNCER by David Gordon / Z-View

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THE BOUNCER by David Gordon

First sentence…

When the drunken football player went berserk and tried to steal a stripper, everyone yelled to get the bouncer.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Joe Brody was expelled from Harvard.  So he joined the military.  Joe was calm under pressure and had brains.  So it’s not surprising his path led to Special Forces.  Once out of the service, Joe got into contact with his childhood friend, Gio Caprisi.  Caprisi gave Joe a job bouncing at one of his strip joints.

On the surface, Caprisi is a family man who runs a few clubs.  Dig deep enough and you’ll find Caprisi is the crime boss of one of the New York families.  Dig deeper and you’ll find Caprisi has even darker secrets.

When the FBI raids one of Caprisi’s strip clubs, Joe is brought in for questioning.  Joe’s arresting officer is Agent Donna Zamora.  No denying there’s chemistry between the two.  Joe is released in short order.  Still the club is going to be shut down until the feds finish their investigation.

So when Joe is offered good money to drive on an arms deal, he accepts.  Things go sideways almost from the start.  Joe is able to make it out taking a thug named Clarence with him.  Clarence is impressed with Joe’s coolness under pressure.

Clarence offers Joe the opportunity to come in on a job that’s about to kick off.  If Joe joins in, five guys will split a million bucks.  All they have to do is steal a vial… of perfume.  A very special well guarded vial indeed.  Joe decides to join in.  The payoff is worth the risk.

Meanwhile Caprisi is dealing with the feds and problems with other crime families.  Thinking he’s a step or two ahead Caprisi makes a secret deal.

+++

THE BOUNCER is the first in the series.  I enjoyed the ride and look forward to more.

Rating:

BURN TO SHINE: A JOE LEDGER AND ROGUE TEAM INTERNATIONAL NOVEL by Jonathan Maberry / Z-View

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BURN TO SHINE by Jonathan Maberry

First sentence…

“You’re going to want to take that call,” I said.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Joe Ledger is an ex-Army Ranger and ex-Baltimore police detective.  Ledger was recruited into the United States’ several-levels-above-top-secret Department of Military Sciences.  This organization dealt with threats to the US,.  Most of their missions involved stopping terrorists using advanced technology to create bio-weapons.  Some of Ledger’s assignments ventured into the realm of the supernatural… and while Ledger might not believe in that “stuff” — his team had to deal with it.  Ultimately because of threats to the world, Rogue Team International was formed.

The man calls himself Mr. October.  He’s been known by other names.  Mr. October is fine… for now.  Mr. October has plans to change the world.  Chaos will reign.

She should be dead. She was dead.  She remembers that much.  Slowly her memory is coming back.  Mr. October calls her Mother Mary.  Mother Mary’s IQ is on a genius level scale that is off the charts.  As intelligent as she is, Mary is just as insane.  She wants to see the world burn.  It has to burn to shine.

Mr. October has the financial resources to get Mary whatever she needs to make a virus strain more potent than ever seen before.  The virus will infect people across the country.  The infected will become “bombs” spreading the plague.   The US… and then the world will fall.

Joe Ledger and his team are sent to Pine Deep.  From past experience Ledger knows to count on strange things.  Groups of heavily armed men, gearing up for battle, usually indicate a militia.  The “soldiers” look like skinheads.  But the mission they’re preparing for is much more sinister.  And even the “soldiers” have no idea how they’re being used.

It’s been said it’s impossible to stop an assassin willing to die.  How do you stop an army of those assassins?

Joe Ledger and his team are going to find out.  Or die trying.

+++

Fans of Jonathan Maberry’s Pine Deep series/characters will get a kick out of their inclusion in BURN TO SHINE.

Jonathan Maberry has another winner!  I love the Joe Ledger tales.

Rating: