Category: Z-View

“8 Days to Hell” (2022) / Z-View

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8 Days to Hell (2022)

Director:  Shane Woodson

Screenplay by:  Harold Pepper, Shane Woodson

Starring:  Eric Roberts and Shane Woodson

Tagline: The devil pays a visit to Los Angeles

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

8 Days to Hell is a low-budget horror anthology consisting of seven connected tales.  Each tale is designated as a “day”.  I made it through day five before I tapped out.  It just wasn’t for me.  For example…

Day One – an actor tries out for the part of a gangster.  After his audition the producer (Roberts) berates the actor’s performance saying he should have projected Brando-style machismo and a frightening image.  The actor leaves, has a drink, is encouraged by a vision/demon and then goes back to re-audition.  This time he does a bad Brando voice and shoots the producer.

Day Two – The actor is having sex with a woman and she turns into a preying mantis who kills the man.

I should have stopped watching there.  Your mileage may differ, but 8 Days to Hell just wasn’t for me, so it gets 1 of 5 stars.

“Intrusion” (2021) / Z-View

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Intrusion (2021)

Director:   Adam Salky

Screenplay by:  Chris Sparling

Starring:  Freida Pinto, Logan Marshall-Green, Robert John Burke and Megan Elisabeth Kelly.

Tagline:  The Quietest Towns Hide the Darkest Secrets

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Meera (Pinto) and her mild mannered husband, Henry (Marshall-Green) have just moved into their new house located on the outskirts of a small town.   Henry’s an architect who designed and built the house.  It’s ultra-modern, beautiful and near perfect.  The only issue is occasionally the water pipes make a weird noise.

One night, Meera and Henry wake to the sound of home invaders.  Henry has a hidden gun that Meera knew nothing about.  He gets the gun and helps Meera get outside.  As Henry attempts to follow, the intruders attack him.  Henry kills all three.  The police arrive and identify the three as members of the Cobb family – local habitual criminals.  Coincidentally, Christine Cobb, a member of the same clan went missing shortly before the break-in.

Meera is surprised that her husband had a gun and was able to kill the three men.  While the home invasion has her shook, it hasn’t affected Henry.  Meera begins to notice some strange behaviors from Henry.  As she digs into the situation, she feels her life is in danger.  But is Henry also at risk or the one she should be afraid of?

Intrusion rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Frankenstein 1970” (1958) / Z-View

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Frankenstein 1970 (1958)

Director:  Howard W. Koch

Screenplay by:  Richard H. Landau, George Worthing Yates, based on a story by Aubrey Schenck, Charles A. Moses, based on characters from Frankenstein (1818 novel) by Mary Shelley

Starring:  Boris Karloff, Jana Lund and Don ‘Red’ Barry.

Tagline:WARNING! “Frankenstein 1970” is the most blood-freezing horror ever created! This picture may be too dangerous for people with weak hearts! Beware!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Set in the future, in 1970, the last Frankenstein, Baron Victor von Frankenstein (Karloff) is now an old, disfigured scientist.  He needed money to purchase an at-home atomic reactor to complete his secret experiments, so Frankenstein rented out his castle to a crew producing a monster movie.  Little do they know that Frankenstein has a secret underground lab where he is nearly finished with his creation, a huge monster made from body parts of the dead.  When members of the movie crew begin disappearing, the police are called in.  Will they be able to solve the mystery?  Will they stand a chance against the Frankenstein 1970 monster?

Frankenstein 1970 was shot in eight days and it’s low budget shows.  The creature looks more like a mummified beekeeper than a Frankenstein monster,  but Karloff gives it his all.  Frankenstein 1970 rates 2 of 5 stars.

“No Time to Die” (2021) / Z-View

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No Time to Die (2021)

Director:  Cary Joji Fukunaga

Screenplay:  Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Story by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Cary Joji Fukunaga

Starring: Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, Christoph Waltz  and Billy Magnussen

Tagline: Bond is Back

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Five years ago Bond (Craig) was almost killed in an assassination attempt that appeared to be setup by Madeline (Seydoux), a woman he deeply loves.  After putting her on a train and vowing to never see her again, Bond dropped off the grid.

Now Bond has been contacted by Felix Leiter (Wright), his friend and CIA contact.  Leiter wants Bond’s help in capturing Lyutsifer Safin (Malek) and taking down Project Heracles – nanobots created to kill people based on specific DNA codes.   Bond agrees and finds himself at odds with his MI6 (British Secret Service) as well as the new 007 (Lynch)!  The stakes are raised when Project Heracles is used against SPECTRE and Madeline becomes involved.

No Time To Die is the bookend to Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale.  No Time to Die doesn’t feel like a typical James Bond film.  It is grimmer.  There’s no subtle winks at the audience.  There’s a weight and sadness to Bond. Let’s break it down…

The Story: I liked the story. As with most James Bond films the stakes are high and probably never higher.

Craig’s Bond:  My favorite James Bond film is Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig.  I thought he was perfect as James Bond who is just coming into MI6.  He’s not yet the suave Bond who is capable to handle every situation.  With that said, Sean Connery remains my favorite Bond.  So, getting back to No Time to Die, Craig is now an older Bond.  He gets the opportunity to show us the suave Bond, but there’s a weariness to him.  It works for this film, but my preference is the Bond that Sean Connery embodied.

The Opening / Song:  Usually Bond films open with a big stunt.  No Time To Die takes a bit to get to the stunt sequence, but it should satisfy fans.  Billie Eilish provides the opening song.  I thought it was just okay and the same with the title sequence.

New 007:  Lashana Lynch plays the new 007.  I like the rivalry between Lynch and Craig; as well as their growing respect.  Lynch is good in what she’s given to do and has charisma.

Paloma: Ana de Armas is Bond’s new partner early in the film.  She’s pretty and believable in the action beats.

Madeline: Léa Seydoux returns and is believable as the woman that James Bond would fall in love with.

MI6: Ralph Fiennes returns as M.  This time he’s at odds with Bond.  Their scenes are tense and I loved their exchanges.  Ben Whishaw returns as Q.  He has a small but important role; he’s not just the gadgets guy any more.  I love Naomie Harris as Moneypenny.  I can never get enough of her.

Felix Leiter:  Jeffrey Wright is such a great actor.  It is great that he had an expanded role.

Lyutsifer Safin:  Rami Malek is perfect.  Safin is scary not because of his physical presence, but his voice and look (this dude never blinks) let’s you know you’re dealing with a cold blooded killer.

Blofeld: Christoph Waltz returns in a small but pivotal role.  The movie is better by having him.

Primo (Cyclops):  James Bond films are famous for their memorable henchmen.  Dali Benssalah excels as Primo, the killer with the bionic eye.

Logan Ash:  Billy Magnussen plays a character you love to hate… and does it well.

I really liked No Time to Die.  I can’t say it exceeded my expectations, but it did surprise me.  There’s a twist I didn’t believe was coming.  No Time to Die makes a good bookend to the Daniel Craig Bond era and rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Blood Crime” (2002) / Z-View

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Blood Crime (2002)

Director: William A. Graham

Screenplay:  Mark Lawrence Miller, Preston A. Whitmore II

Starring:  James Caan, Johnathon Schaech and Elizabeth Lackey.

Tagline: Revenge can be murder.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Daniel Pruitt (Schaech) and his wife Jessica (Lackey) are camping in the woods.  Daniel leaves Jessica for a snack run to a nearby store.  When he returns, Jessica has been brutally attacked.  As he races to get her to the hospital, he sideswipes a semi.  When the driver gets out, Jessica identifies the man as her attacker!  Daniel severely beats the trucker and leaves him in the back of the semi.

When Daniel gets to the hospital, Jessica identifies an orderly as her attacker!  Daniel sees a group of officers and demands to see the Sheriff McKenna (Caan).  McKenna tries to put Daniel off, but relents and says, “Walk with me. Give me a minute.”   They go to another room where a body is covered by a sheet.  When the sheet is lifted, it is the trucker that Daniel beat up…  who happens to be Sheriff McKenna’s son!

Daniel didn’t kill the Sheriff’s son, but the evidence makes him look guilty!  Daniel believes that whoever attacked Jessica is also the murderer.  Daniel is running out of time to prove his innocence and find the person who did the crimes. Sheriff McKenna plans to murder whoever killed his son and Daniel looks guilty.  As you can imagine it all comes to a, uh, smashing ending.

Blood Crime rates 2 of 5 stars.  Not even James Caan can save this one.

“Interceptor” (2022) / Z-View

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Interceptor (2022)

Director:  Matthew Reilly

Screenplay:   Matthew Reilly, Stuart Beattie

Starring:  Elsa Pataky, Luke Bracey, Aaron Glenane, Mayen Mehta and Chris Hemsworth.

Tagline:  The World’s last defense.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers

Captain J.J. Collins (Pataky) has just been reassigned to one of two remote US interceptor launch locations.  These interceptor sites protect the US from nuclear strikes by taking out the nukes before they get close enough to do damage.  Collins’ reassignment feels like a demotion for bringing charges against a respected General.

As Collins is getting acclimated, word comes in that the other US interceptor site has been taken down by terrorists.  As Collins and crew process this information, terrorists attempt to breach their control center.  The commanding officer and all of the soldiers outside of the control center are killed.  The terrorists plan to take out this last interceptor site and then launch sixteen stolen nukes at cities across the US.  They are led by the brilliant and egotistical, Alexander Kessel (Bracey) who is sending a video feed to the world.  The only thing standing between the fall of the United States is Captain J.J.  Collins and two soldiers.  They’re outnumbered, outgunned, but not out of the fight!

I absolutely loved Interceptor.  If you’re a fan of 80s action movies, then this should be your jam.

Matthew Reilly, is an internationally best-selling author who writes non-stop action novels.  He co-wrote and directed Interceptor.  I had no idea Reilly was branching out.  Interceptor was his first time directing, but you’d never know it.  I hope to see him helming future films.

Stuart Beattie, who co-wrote Interceptor, is probably best known as the screenwriter for Collateral starring Tom Cruise and 30 Days of Night.  Interceptor fits nicely in his resume.

Elsa Pataky is believable as the smart, tough as nails, Captain J.J. Collins.  I could see her starring in a sequel.  Pataky’s husband, Chris Hemsworth, has a small, uncredited role.  He’s there for some comic relief and I enjoyed his part.

Luke Bracey excels as the arrogant Alexander Kessel.  He makes an excellent villain.  He’s cocky, overconfident and sure of his charm.  It was cool seeing him trying to hold it together as his plan was failing.

Aaron Glenane plays a soldier you just want to smack.  He’s got a stupid look to match his intellect.  Hats off to Glenane for making the most of his character.

Interceptor isn’t going to win any Academy Awards.  It’s not a film that will change your life, but if you’re looking for an hour and a half of fun action, then give Interceptor a try.  I loved it and Interceptor earns 5 of 5 stars.

ROBERT B. PARKER’S IRONHORSE by Robert Knott / Z-View

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Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse by Robert Knott

Hardcover : ‎ 374 pages
Publisher: ‎ G.P. Putnam’s Sons

First sentence…

Virgil was sullen.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Territorial Marshall Virgil Cole and his Deputy, Everette Hitch are on a passenger train after delivering prisoners.  On board, in addition to Cole, Hitch and various passengers are the Governor of Texas, his wife, two daughters, a few bodyguards and $500,000.00 in cash!  When Bloody Bob Brandice and some cutthroats attempt steal the cash, Cole and Hitch disrupt their plans.

As the train barrels through the rainy night, Bloody Bob matches wits and blazing six guns with Cole and Hitch.  Things are looking bad for the thieves until they do something unexpected — they disconnect the train cars from the engine!  Cole, Hitch and passengers are on a runaway train as the cars with Bloody Bob, his crew and the Governor’s daughters get farther and farther away!

Robert Knott was an excellent choice to continue Robert B. Parker’s Cole & Hitch series.  Ironhorse is an easy read and starts off like a, uh, runaway train.  I’m a fan of the series and this book.  It rates 4 of 5 stars.

Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse Hardcover

Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse Kindle

Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse Paperback

“The Wizard of Oz” (1925) / Z-View

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The Wizard of Oz (1925)

Director: Larry Semon

Screenplay:  Larry Semon, L. Frank Baum Jr. based on The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Starring:  Larry Semon, Dorothy Dwan, Frank Alexander, Charles Murray, Josef Swickerd, Oliver Hardy, Mary Carr and Spencer Bell.

Tagline: The Thrilling Comedy Cyclone! The Wonderful Land of Oz! The Den of Man Eating Lions! The Famous Scarecrow and Tin Man! The Startling Airplane Rescue! The 100 Foot Leap for Life! All combined in the greatest screen novelty ever made.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The movie begins with a toymaker reading The Wizard of Oz to his granddaughter…

Dorothy (Dwan) is a just-turned 18 year old who was left on Auntie Em’s (Carr) doorstep as a baby.  In reality, Dorothy is the rightful heir to the throne in the land of Oz.  When a tornado deposits Dorothy, and three farmhands in Oz, the evil Prime Minister Kruel (Swickerd) realizes that the true ruler has returned.

Kruel sends his soldiers to do away with Dorothy and crew.  To escape, one of the farmhands disguises himself as a scarecrow, another a tin woodsman and later the third ends up in a lion suit.  Will Dorothy survive and be crowned queen?  Will Prime Minister Kruel and Lady Vishuss be deposed?  (Psst!  It’s a kid’s book, so what do you think?)

Larry Semon was a popular comedian of the day.  Semon wrote, produced and starred in this version of The Wizard of Oz.  The Scarecrow gets most film time and he’s played by, you guessed it, Larry Semon.  Semon had a love for big budgets and tons sight gags. The Wizard of Oz has both.  We get a lot of visual gags, and the ending even features Semon climbing and swinging between towers while being shot at with a canon, a leap to a rope ladder from a passing plane and more.

A young pre-Laurel & Hardy, Oliver Hardy appears in the film playing the farmhand who becomes the Tin Man.  Spencer Bell (an African-American actor) is billed a G. Howe Black and appears in a few scenes that even at that time were thought as demeaning as his billing.

The Wizard of Oz (1925) earns a 3 of 5 star rating.

“The Wind and the Lion” (1975) / Z-View

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The Wind and the Lion (1975)

Director:  John Milius

Screenplay:   John Milius

Starring:  Sean Connery, Candice Bergen, Brian Keith, John Huston, Geoffrey Lewis and Steve Kanaly.

Tagline: Between the wind and the lion is the woman. For her, half the world may go to war.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers

The year is 1904.  In Morroco, Germany, France and Britain are trying to gain influence with the Sultan Abdelaziz.  Mulai Ahmed el Raisuli (Connery) wants his country free of the influence of other countries and the corrupt Sultan.  In an effort to create an international incident and inspire an uprising against the Sultan, Raisuli kidnaps a visiting American citizen, Eden Pedecaris (Bergin) and her two young children.

Theodore Roosevelt (Keith) is running for re-election and plans to use the rescue of Eden and her children to help his campaign.  Despite the fears that sending in the marines will cause, Roosevelt does just that.  Eden and her children lives hang in the balance as German soldiers, US marines, Moroccans and Raisuli’s followers prepare for war.

John Milius has created a rousing story based on true incidents but fictionalized for the screen.  Sean Connery is charismatic as Raisuli,  Candice Bergin plays a smart woman and she’s never looked prettier.  Brian Keith was born to play Teddy Roosevelt.  If there are any nits to pick with The Wind and the Lion they take a back seat to Milius’ power as a director and storyteller.  The Wind and the Lion rates 4 of 5 stars.

“RRR” (2022) / Z-View

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RRR (2022)

Director:  S.S. Rajamouli

Screenplay:   S. S. Rajamouli from a story by Vijayendra Prasad

Starring:  Ram Charan, N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris, Ray Stevenson and Alison Doody.

Tagline: None

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

RRR is a film that defies description.  If someone had described it to me prior to me seeing it, I would have said, “Pass” and missed out on a movie experience that I look forward to repeating.  So, I’ll do my best to review RRR, but, no matter what you think after my review, you should give it a look.

Set in 1920, India is under British rule.  The British Governor, Scott Buxton (Stevenson) thinks the people he governs are heathens.  Buxton’s wife, Catherine (Doody) is a sadistic wretch.  While visiting a village, Catherine tells her husband she wants to take one of the children home with her.  Governor Buxton orders his soldiers to get the child. Despite the pleas of the mother and villagers, they leave with the little girl.

Bheem (Rao, Jr.), a warrior who lives in the forest vows to bring her back.  Bheem will find himself up against the might of the British army and Ram (Charan) an Indian soldier fighting for the British!

Before that happens we will get back story of both warriors.  We see how Bheem and Ram meet while saving a boy from a raging fire.  Bheem and Ram become best friends and then mortal enemies, only to learn that both possess a secret that will change everything!

RRR is at times an action movie, a drama, a love story, a war movie and a musical.  RRR seamlessly changes genres and keeps the story flowing.  The action is over the top crazy (in a great way)!  The director pulls out all the stops — we get slow-motion entrances, heroes doing the impossible (but we believe it while watching — at least most of the time).  When the action becomes too outrageous, we watch with a smile.

The love story (between Bheem and an English woman) is sweet and innocent. It provides opportunities for humor, an insight to how most of the British view the population.  It also leads to one of my many favorite scenes in RRR (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) — a dance off.  Yep.  A dance off.  But it works!

The heroes are heroic and the villains are despicable. RRR is a movie that wears its heart on its sleeve.  It shamelessly has fun as it presents the story of a legend.  I absolutely loved RRR and it earns my highest rating 5 of 5 stars.

“The Old Guard” (2020) / Z-View

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The Old Guard (2020)

Director:  Gina Prince-Bythewood

Screenplay:   Greg Rucka based on The Old Guard comic series by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez

Starring:  Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Harry Melling.

Tagline: Forever is Harder Than It Looks

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Andy (Theron) leads a team of centuries-old near-immortals who take on missions to improve the world.  When Steven Merrick (Melling), a drug company executive learns of the near-immortals, he puts together a group of mercenaries to capture Andy’s team.  Merrick plans to experiment on the near-immortals to discover their secrets to longevity.

I was expecting more from The Old Guard.  I’m a long time fan of Greg Rucka’s writing (both novels and comics).  For some reason the story/dialogue just didn’t resonate with me.  The action scenes were good.  There’s one horrifying thing that happens to one of the near-immortals that will stay with you.  Other than that The Old Guard played out like a good, but not great action flick.  The Old Guard rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Unforgivable” (2021) / Z-View

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The Unforgivable (2021)

Director:  Nora Fingscheidt

Screenplay:   Peter Craig, Hillary Seitz, Courtenay Miles based on Unforgiven, a British limited series by Sally Wainwright

Starring:  Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jon Bernthal, Aisling Franciosi, Richard Thomas, Tom Guiry, Emma Nelson and Will Pullen.

Tagline: No one walks free of their past.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Ruth Slater (Bullock) has just been released from prison after serving twenty years for the murder of a sheriff. She has two goals.  The first is to make sure that her younger sister, Katie (Franciosi) is doing alright and the second is to get on with her life.  Neither goal is going to be easy.

After Ruth’s imprisonment, Katie was adopted.  Katie has splotchy memories of a traumatic incident, but no idea of her life before adoption.  Katie’s adoptive parents do not want Ruth to have any contact with Katie.

When Keith (Guiry), one of the sons of the murdered sheriff, sees that Ruth Slater has been released from prison he is enraged.  He blames Ruth for all of the crappy things in his life that began with the murder of his dad.  Keith plans to kill Ruth.

Ruth’s refusal to back down from meeting with Katie, and Keith’s plans to kill Ruth are going to play out in unpredictable ways.

I was impressed with how good The Unforgivable is since it could have easily gone the Lifetime Movie route.  The Unforgivable is a dark story that is well written, well directed featuring an excellent cast.  Kudos to Sandra Bullock for starring in a movie where she doesn’t look like a movie star and is believable as an ex-con.

Viola Davis has a small, but pivotal role.  Vincent D’Onofrio plays an attorney married to Davis’ character.  I loved the interactions between these two amazing actors.

Jon Bernthal is one of my favorite actors.  He has a small role as a potential love interest for Ruth.  Their scene in the diner is heartbreaking… especially later when we learn more.

Richard Thomas is excellent as Katie’s adoptive dad.  It’s good to see Thomas in more roles.

I figured out The Unforgivable early on, and had most of it right.  The ending did surprise me though.  I really liked The Unforgivable so of course it rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Horn Blows at Midnight” (1945) / Z-View

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The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945)

Director:  Raoul Walsh

Screenplay:  Sam Hellman, James V. Kern based on an idea by Aubrey Wisberg

Starring:  Jack Benny, Alexis Smith, Dolores Moran, John Alexander, Margaret Dumont, Robert Blake and Mike Mazurki

Tagline: Benny’s from Heaven and the laughs are out of this world!!!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Athanael (Benny), plays third trumpet in the orchestra of a live late night radio show.  During a commercial break, Athanael falls asleep.  And dreams…

Athanael dreams he’s an angel trumpet player in heaven’s orchestra.  He’s given the job to go to Earth and signal it’s destruction by blowing his trumpet at midnight.  A woman who wants to commit suicide and two fallen angels are determined to stop Athanael from blowing his horn.  Will Athanel sound his trumpet and destroy the earth?  Will he fail and become a fallen angel?  Do we really care since this is all a dream?

And that is one of the problems with The Horn Blows at Midnight.  It’s all a dream.  Whatever happens doesn’t matter.

It. Is. A. Dream.

There are some humorous moments when Athanael and several cast members are hanging off a building or when Athanael ends up in and clinging to a gigantic cup of coffee (again high up on a building).

I’m a Jack Benny fan and love his standup comedy and  television show.  Benny joked for years about how bad The Horn Blows at Midnight is.  After seeing it, I realize Benny wasn’t joking..

The Horn Blows at Midnight rates 2 of 5 stars.

RIGHTEOUS by Joe Ide / Z-View

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Righteous by Joe Ide

Hardcover: ‎ 336 pages
Publisher: ‎Mulholland Books

First sentence…

Isaiah was seventeen years old when his older brother, Marcus, was killed in a hit-and-run..

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Isaiah Quintabe, who everyone calls IQ because of his superior intellect, is back.  Ten years have passed since IQ’s brother, Marcus, was killed.  Isaiah gets by taking on “cases the police can’t or won’t touch.”  They don’t pay much, but Isaiah doesn’t need much.

Out of the blue IQ gets a call from Sarita Van.  Sarita was Marcus’ girlfriend back in the day.  IQ and Sarita haven’t spoken in years.  Now she needs IQ’s help.  Sarita’s sister, Janine and her boyfriend Benny, are degenerate gamblers.  Not only are loan sharks closing in, but they’ve done something to get a Chinese crime cartel after them as well.  IQ agrees to go to Vegas to rescue Sarita’s sister and try to work out something with the Chinese cartel.

In IQ’s mind, he’ll save Sarita’s sister, come back the hero and maybe have a life with Sarita.  If only.

Lucky for IQ, his occasional partner (and former gang banger), Dodson agrees to accompany him.  Things are much worse than IQ could imagine.  Soon he finds himself at odds with a loan shark and his seven foot enforcer, the Chinese cartel and Seb, a crime lord who uses a cane made from a human femur and whose intellect rivals IQ’s.   Janine and Benny are on the run and it is up to IQ to find and save them.  He’ll be lucky if he can save himself.  Oh, and now he has information that his brother was targeted to be killed.  It wasn’t a simple hit-and-run!

Joe Ide has another winner.  Righteous rates 5 of 5 stars.

Righteous Hardcover
Righteous Trade Paperback
Righteous Kindle

“Batman” (2022) / Z-View

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Batman (2022)

Director:  Matt Reeves

Screenplay:  Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, based on Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, John Turturro  and Andy Serkis

Tagline:  Unmask The Truth

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

A sadistic, extremely intelligent psycho killer is murdering political figures in Gotham City.  At each murder scene, the killer who has been dubbed The Riddler, leaves a message for Batman (Pattison).  Meanwhile Selena Kyle aka Catwoman (Kravitz) is investigating the disappearance of one of her friends.  When Batman and Selena realize that their investigations overlap, they form an uneasy alliance.  As the Riddler’s body count goes up, it becomes clear that the corruption goes deep… perhaps all the way to the Wayne Foundation and Batman’s father.

The Batman doesn’t feel like a super hero movie.  Instead it plays out more like a mystery or a noir thriller.  That’s a good thing.  Even the music doesn’t scream SUPER HERO.  Let’s break it down…

The Story: I liked the story and was surprised that Bruce Wayne’s dad was shown in a different light.

Batman:  Robert Pattison makes an excellent Batman.  I liked that they played up the “strike fear into the hearts of criminals” aspect.  Criminals would hear Batman’s heavy footsteps coming closer in the dark before they could see him.  This is a more violent Batman but not (usually) excessively so.

Bruce Wayne:  The way they portrayed Bruce Wayne threw me a bit.  A times I thought he looked like a young John Cazale or  Cesare from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Having Bruce Wayne as a recluse does help to explain why he isn’t seen in public more often.

Selina Kyle aka Catwoman:  Zoë Kravitz owns this role.  She’s tiny but believable as a tough woman.  The screen loves her and she stole every scene she was in.

The Riddler:  The new take on this character is money.  He was smart, frightening and crazy.  The Zodiac Killer on steroids.  Paul Dano deserves an ovation!

The Penguin: Colin Farrell is unrecognizable under the make-up and latex, but his character doesn’t look made-up.  Farrell did a fine job.

Carmine Falcone: John Turturro was amazing.  He had the crime boss / godfather part down pat.  Turturro’s role was one of my favorite parts of the movie.

Alfred:  I like the new direction they took with Alfred.  No longer the old man with amusing quips, this is the Alfred that served as Bruce Wayne’s bodyguard and mentor from childhood to adult.  Andy Serkis nailed the part.

Jim Gordon:  Jeffrey Wright  makes a great Jim Gordon.  Wright is such an under-rated actor, I was glad to see him in The Batman.

The Batmobile:  Batman’s car didn’t look like any of the previous Batmobiles.  It looked like a built up car that could do what needed to be done.  I liked that and the fact it was never referred to as “the Batmobile.”  I also loved the scene where the criminals could hear the monstrous motor revving, before they saw it.  Again playing up the strike fear into the criminals.

The Batcave:  I loved the brief look we got at it.  All of those bats flying around was a great touch.

The Batman exceeded my expectations.  I hope the entire team returns for a sequel.  The Batman earned 4 of 5 stars.