Category: Z-View

“Strange Days” (1995) directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett & Juliette Lewis / Z-View

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Strange Days (1995)

Director:  Kathryn Bigelow

Screenplay: James Cameron, Jay Cocks; story by James Cameron

Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tomas Milian, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Vincent D’Onofrio, Glenn Plummer, Richard Edson, Josef Sommer, Nicky Katt, Michael Jace, Jim Ishida, Todd Graff and William Fichtner.

Tagline: you know you want it

The Plot…

1999 is almost over.  The New Year is almost here.  Civil unrest rules.  The streets of LA are full of soldiers and cops.

Lenny Nero, an ex-cop, makes his living selling illegal SQUID recordings.  Using a small machine that plays the SQUID recordings and with the proper headset, a user is able to watch and experience whatever was recorded.  Think virtual reality on steroids.  The user sees and feels all of the sensations.

Lenny is still reeling. The love of his life (or so he thought), Faith Justin left him.  Or so he thought. Faith dreams of being a singer.  She’s now hooked up with music promoter, Philo Grant.

It’s been a bad couple of days.  Now Lenny has discovered that cops are looking for him.  He has no idea why.  It can’t be because of the recordings he sells.  He’s too careful.  Maybe Philo Grant is behind his problems.  That would make sense.

What Lenny doesn’t know is he has the key to a murder conspiracy.  And it isn’t just the cops he can’t trust.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Strange Days is a sci-fi murder mystery love story.  And it works on all levels.

When Faith Justin is singing, it’s Juliette Lewis’ voice we hear.

James Cameron did uncredited editing on the film.

Loretta “Mace” Mason, played by Angela Bassett, is an awesome character.  She could have carried her own spin-off.

Strange Days (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Mobland”: Season 1 (2025) created by Roan Bennett, starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren / Z-View

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Mobland: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Ronan Bennett

Director:  Guy Ritchie (Eps. 1-2), Anthony Byrne (Eps. 3-4, 9-10), Daniel Syrkin (Eps. 5-6); Lawrence Gough (Eps. 7-8)

Teleplay by:  Ronan Bennett and Jez Butterworth 

Starring: Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Paddy Considine, Joanne Froggatt, Lara Pulver, Anson Boon, Geoff Bell, Teddie Allen, Mandeep Dhillon, Emily Barber, Janet McTeer, Jordi Mollà , Jasmine Jobson, Luke Mably, Daniel Betts and Emmett J Scanlan.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Two London crime families, the Harrigans and the Stevensons have long existed with an uneasy truce.  That changes when Tommy Stevenson, the only son of crime boss Richie Stevenson, disappears.  Tommy was last seen with Eddie Harrigan, the grandson of Conrad Harrigan.  Conrad is the patriarch of the Harrigans.

As the two families prepare for war, Harry Da Souza, a fixer for the Harrigans at first works to keep the peace.  When actions from both families make peace impossible, Harry must…

  • make sure his wife and daughter are safe
  • consider opportunities to leave the Harrigans
  • find the mole selling out the Harrigans
  • attempt to save two kidnapped Harrigan family members set to be executed
  • put himself in a position of “owing a favor” to an international cartel operative
  • deal with Eddie Harrigan’s violent, psychotic outbursts while staying loyal to the family
  • and much, much more

Harry sees that Conrad is losing his grip.  Ten years ago, no one would have come against the Harrigans.  Now Richie Stevenson’s family may have the upper hand.  Complicating things is Conrad’s wife, Maeve, sees herself as the power behind the throne.  Maeve not only encourages Eddie in his antics, but also takes steps to increase the friction between the Harrigans and the Stevensons.

Harry is considered a valuable player.  He is calm and cool in the worst situations.  Harry knows how to resolve the worst complications.  Harry realizes that Conrad’s leadership is faltering.  Harry also knows that Maeve and Eddie would like Harry “gone”.  With his wife ready to take his daughter and leave him, Harry knows their lives are as at risk as his.

The powder keg is going to explode.  Not all will survive.

Thoughts…

Mobland features an amazing cast.  Tom Hardy is perfect as the fixer Harry Da Souza.

Pierce Brosnan has never been better.  His portrayal of Conrad Harrigan is 180 degrees from the cool, Bond-type character he does so well.  This role shows Brosnan’s range.

Helen Mirren as Maeve Harrigan shows a different side of her as well.  Her Maeve is a devious, power-hungry, smart, scary woman who more than holds her own with the men around her.

Geoff Bell as Richie Stevenson is a formidable foe.  Bell gets to show his range in this role.

Anson Boon as Eddie is perfect.  Boon plays a cocky, arrogant, crazy young wanna-be who is at times scary and other times weak, but always despicable.

Paddy Considine, Janet McTeer, Jasmine Jobson, Emmett J Scanlan and Mandeep Dhillon all also shine.

Kudos to the writers for creating a series with so many varied and interesting characters.  The twists and turns as the tension ratchets up make for must-see viewing.  I cannot wait for season two.

Mobland: Season 1 (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Order” (2024) starring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult and Tye Sheridan / Z-View

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The Order (2024)

Director:  Justin Kurzel

Screenplay: Zach Baylin; based on THE SILENT BROTHERHOOD: INSIDE AMERICA’S RACIST UNDERGROUND by Kevin Flynn, Gary Gerhardt

Stars: Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, George Tchortov, John Warkentin and Marc Maron.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

FBI Agent Terry Husk is relocated to a small town in Idaho.  Husk is looking for a change of pace.  The long hours he put in on major cases took a toll on his marriage.  He hopes his wife and daughter will eventually join him.

When a member of the Aryan Nation goes missing, leads indicate he was murdered.  As Husk digs deeper he learns that a series of bank robberies as well as a counterfeiting scheme are being used to raise money for a major terrorist act.

Husk is joined by Deputy Jamie Bowen.  They need evidence to bring down the anarchists before their plan is launched.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

While based on real events, the FBI Agent Terry Husk is fictional.

The Order (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Wolfs” (2024) written & directed by Jon Watts, starring George Clooney & Brad Pitt / Z-View

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Wolfs (2024)

Director:  Jon Watts

Screenplay: Jon Watts

Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Kymbali Craig, Linda Carola, Vladimir Sizov, Sammy Horowitz and Frank Trigg.

Tagline: They’re not partners. They’re not friends. They’re… Wolfs.

The Plot…

Margaret (Ryan), a Manhattan District Attorney gets a hotel room with a young man she just met.  When the man unexpectedly dies, Margaret uses a number she was given in case of emergencies.

Soon a fixer (Clooney) arrives to clean up the mess.  As the fixer prepares to remove the body, another fixer (Pitt) arrives.  He says the the hotel owner called him.  She was watching via a hidden camera.  The two fixers argue about who will do the job.  They reluctantly agree to team for the clean-up and disposal of the body.

Then a cache of drugs is found on the body.  The hotel owner convinces the fixers to find and return the drugs to their original owner.  Burdened with a dead body and drugs, the fixers learn much to late that nothing is as it seems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Apple wanted and announced a sequel, but writer/director Jon Watts refused, even returning advance money he’d been given.  Watts was upset because at the last minute, Apple decided to not give Wolfs a theatrical release.

George Clooney’s character’s BMW’s New York license plate is 3ABM582. Winston Wolf, (played by Harvey Keitel), the fixer in Pulp Fiction, drove an Acura NSX with the California license plate is 3ABM582.  It’s also interesting to note we never learn the names of Clooney or Pitt’s characters.  But the title of the movie is Wolfs which sounds like a call back to Winston Wolf.

I liked the movie, but expected more with Clooney and Pitt as the leads.

Wolfs (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

THE BIG EMPTY by Robert Crais / Z-View

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THE BIG EMPTY: AN ELVIS COLE AND JOE PIKE NOVEL by Robert Crais

First sentence…

Sadie Given woke from a troubled sleep, the stupid phone babbling like an angry turkey, gobble-gobble, gobble-gobble.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Traci Beller has the wholesome good looks of the girl next door.  That is, if your neighbor is in her early twenties and adorable.  Traci’s looks, personality and baking ability have captured an audience. She’s a super influencer.

Now that the money is rolling in, Traci seeks out the detective best known for his ability to find missing persons.  Elvis Cole.

Traci explains to Elvis that ten years ago, when she was just 13, her dad, Tommy Beller, went to work and didn’t came home.  There was never a call or a letter.  Nothing.  Things had been good at home.  He had no enemies. Tommy Beller just vanished.  Other private eyes had looked into Tommy’s disappearance, but all had come up empty.

Elvis explains that after ten years, odds are nothing could be found.  Traci, in tears, pleads.  Elvis reluctantly agrees to see what he can discover.

Elvis begins asking questions of the last folks to have seen Tommy Beller.  Although Tommy is remembered, nothing special sticks out.  But as word gets out who Elvis is looking for, he finds himself being followed by rough looking guys in a Challenger.

Elvis decides to turn the tables.  He trails the Challenger to a house.  Elvis is more than capable, so when two guys come at him, he’s not worried.  Then a truck pulls up and more big men get out…

Sheer numbers are the deciding factor.  Left  unconscious and badly beaten, the thugs think they’ve scared Elvis off.  They figure once he gets out of the hospital, Elvis will let the ten year old disappearance go cold again.

Instead Elvis calls Joe Pike.  Once Elvis heals, they’re going to find out what happened to Tommy Beller.

+++

I’ve been a fan of Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole tales since THE MONKEY’S RAINCOAT.  The stories always are fun and entertaining.

THE BIG EMPTY has one of the most unexpected twists in years.

Rating:

“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

“Revenge” (1990) directed by Tony Scott, starring Kevin Costner, Anthony Quinn and Madeleine Stowe / Z-View

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Revenge (1990)

Director:  Tony Scott

Screenplay: Jim Harrison, Jeffrey Alan Fiskin; based on Revenge by Jim Harrison

Stars: Kevin Costner, Anthony Quinn, Madeleine Stowe, Tomas Milian, Joaquín Martínez, James Gammon, Jesse Corti, Sally Kirkland, Gerardo Zepeda, Miguel Ferrer, Joe Santos and John Leguizamo.

Tagline: A passion that cannot be denied. A betrayal that cannot be forgiven.

The Plot…

Jay Cochran was a Navy jet pilot.  He recently retired early.  Now Jay’s time is his own.

Jay decides to accept an invitation to visit his wealthy friend Tiburon “Tibey” Mendez in Mexico.  Jay is warned that Mendez is a reputed crime boss.  Jay isn’t concerned.

When Jay arrives at Tibey’s estate he is met by Cesar, Tibey’s right-hand man.  Jay is admonished for being late.  Jay responds, that he’s a guest, not an employee.  This doesn’t sit well with Cesar.  Jay sees armed guards positioned throughout the estate.

Tibey is legitimately happy to see Jay.  Although Tibey is much older than Jay, their friendship is genuine.  Jay is formally introduced to Mireya, Tibey’s wife.  She’s beautiful.  And much younger than Tibey.

During Jay’s visit, his independent attitude doesn’t sit well with Cesar.  At a dinner thrown by Tibey, two of the guests try to provoke Jay.  Jay doesn’t back down and his answers could be seen as poking fun.  After dinner, Tibey has a private meeting with the two men.  They are surprised when Tibey takes Jay’s side.  The penalty for insulting Tibey’s friend is severe.

Jay and Mireya begin spending more time together.  The attraction between the two is undeniable.  As they become closer, the inevitable happens.  Shortly after, Jay says that he must go.  Mireya begs him to stay.  They decide to leave together.  Both understand that if Tibey discovers their affair, his revenge would be savage.  Tibey’s response to the slightest offense is always extreme.  To be betrayed by his wife and best friend would require an unimaginable response of violence.

Jay and Mireya plan their getaway.  They’re unaware that Tibey knows everything.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The sex scenes between Costner and Stowe were totally improvised.

Before Tony Scott was brought on to direct, John Huston was considered.  Huston didn’t want Costner to star.  Huston wanted Jack Nicholson to play Tibey.  When Huston left the project, Orson Welles was considered to helm the project.  Costner considered directing it himself.  Ultimately he served as Executive Producer and star.

Anthony Quinn and Madeline Stowe play husband and wife in Revenge.  In 2002, they re-teamed in Sly Stallone’s Avenging Angelo.  There they play father and daughter in what turned out to be Quinn’s final film.

Tony Scott said that Revenge was his favorite film that he directed.

James Gammon is memorable in a small but important role.  Same for Miguel Ferrer and John Leguizamo.

Revenge is one of my all-time favorite films.

Revenge (1990) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Dope Thief: Season 1” starring Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura / Z-View

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Dope Thief: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Peter Craig; based on DOPE THIEF by Dennis Tafoya

Director:  Ridley Scott (Ep. 1), Jonathan van Tulleken (Eps. 2, 6), Tanya Hamilton (Ep. 3); Marcela Said (Eps. 4-5, 7); Peter Craig (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:  Peter Craig

Starring:  Brian Tyree Henry, Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Amir Arison, Nesta Cooper, Kate Mulgrew and Ving Rhames, .

Tagline:  No one gets away clean.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Ray Driscoll and Manny Carvalho have been friends since reform school.  They’re adults now and still struggling.  Then they come up with a plan for easy money.

Ray and Manny use fake badges to pose as DEA agents.  They bust into small time drug houses with guns drawn.  Wearing DEA jackets, they flash their badges and zip-tie the dealers.  Ray and Manny then scoop up the dealer’s cash and disappear.

It’s a good gig. It works every time.

Until Ray and Manny take down the wrong drug house.  A house run by a cartel.

Now Ray and Manny are on the run.  They and everyone they love are targets to tortured and murdered.

Thoughts…

I could see Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura getting nominations for their acting.  Kate Mulgrew is a hoot.  Ving Rhames is always a welcome addition.

 

“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

A DANGEROUS MAN by J.L. Engel / Z-View

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A DANGEROUS MAN by J. L. Engel

First sentences…

“9-1-1. What’s your…”

The emergency operator’s standard question was cut short by the sporadic sounds of gunfire.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

A DANGEROUS MAN features one of the most compelling openings to any book you’ll ever read.  A little girl, hidden in a closet, is one the phone with 9-1-1.  In the background gunfire is heard getting closer and closer.  The child is panicked, the operator is doing her best to determine the location of the call to send help… then the operator hears this:

“Listen closely… Anna is safe.  I’m going to give you an address where to find her and get her home.”

And this…

“When the police arrive, they’ll find Anna locked in a conference room on the second tier.  It’s up the stairs and to the left.  What they’ll find below is much more disturbing.  I advise the police to enter with extreme caution.. As best I can tell I’ve killed everyone else.  Except for the other victims.”

THAT is our introduction to a vigilante the FBI has labeled Ghost.  Ghost is a former government operative whose family was killed by a Russian crime cartel led by Yuri “The Wolf” Kurikova.  Ghost is working his way up the food chain intent on killing “The Wolf” and destroying his organization.

So far, Ghost has been unstoppable.  He’s 6’5″ and 260 pounds of muscle.  Although grieving for his family, Ghost has turned the misery into an unquenchable rage.  Using his skills, Ghost has trail of bodies across the country as he gets closer to taking down The Wolf.

The F.B.I. have been a step behind. They’ve assigned Cameron Slate to lead the investigation to bringing down the Ghost.  Slate is closing in.

The Wolf has hired twin assassins, Nikolai and Natasha to find and kill Ghost.  The twins’ abilities rival those of Ghost.  And they may have the edge given Natasha’s brutality and love of violence.

It will all come to a head in Boston.

If you like all out action, characters like John Wick, Frank Castle and John Creasey, then  A DANGEROUS MAN is for you.

Rating:

“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

“Untold: The Fall of Favre” / Z-View

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Untold: The Fall of Favre (2025)

Director:  Rebecca Gitlitz

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Brett Favre played 20 seasons as an NFL quarterback.  Over the course of his career Favre led his team to a Super Bowl championship, three times was voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, once the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, three times voted First-Team All Pro, elven times voted to the Pro Bowl, was twice the NFL’s Passing Leader, and he set the record for most consecutive starts with 297.

Favre was considered a football living legend.  On the field he was considered a god.  Off the field he was far from it.

Although married, Favre wouldn’t be considered a role-model.  It came out later in his career that he was a womanizer.  Worse still he repeatedly pursued a woman through intermediaries, and text messages.  Each time the woman told him, “No.”  But Favre persisted, ultimately sending her pictures of his penis.  She rebuffed him at every turn.  In fact, she never met him or was in the same room with him, despite both being employed by the New York Jets.  At the end of the season, she was fired.

Two years later, the story came out.

Turns out that Favre also was involved in 2022 Mississippi welfare scandal.  Money earmarked for the state’s poorest, saw millions diverted to build a volleyball gym at the school where Favre’s daughter attended, and money to other of Favre’s causes.  Text messages came to light from Favre asking if the media could find out if he was paid and how much he got.  Why would he worry, if everything was on the up-and-up.  Making it even worse, Mississippi is the poorest state of our fifty.

This is story of The Fall of Favre.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you wondered why we no longer see Brett Favre making product endorsements, now you know.  It’s too bad that Favre wasn’t as good a human being as he was a football player.

Untold: The Fall of Favre (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars