Category: Z-View

“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

“The Madness: Season One” (2024) starring Colman Domingo / Z-View

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The Madness (2024)

Created by:  Stephen Belber

Directors:  Clément Virgo (Eps. 1-2; 7-8); Jessica Lowrey (Eps. 3-4); Quyen Tran (Eps. 5-6)

Teleplay: Stephen Belber (Eps. 1; 8); Stephen Belber & V. J. Boyd (Ep. 2); Obehi Janice & Dana Kitchens (Ep. 3); Maurice Williams & Liz Ellis (Ep.4; story by Maurice Williams); Katie Swain (Ep. 5); Felicia Hilario (Ep. 6); V. J. Boyd & Dana Kitchens (Ep.7; story by Jeanine C. Daniels)

Stars: Colman Domingo, Marsha Stephanie Blake, John Ortiz, Bradley Whitford, Tamsin Topolski, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Gabrielle Graham, Deon Cole, Ennis Esmer, Hudson Wurster, Lochlan Miller, Alison Wright, Eugene Clark, Rothaford Gray, Chris Henry Coffey and Stephen McKinley Henderson.

Tagline: You can’t escape.

The Plot…

Muncie Daniels is on the verge of making it big.  Muncie is becoming well known, not for being the son of an activist infamous for murder,  but for being a television celebrity.  Muncie’s talk show guest ratings have been high, and an offer for his own show is in the works.  Unfortunately, Muncie’s home life has suffered.  He has a grown daughter from a woman he never married.  He also has an estranged wife and teenage son.

When Muncie decides to take a weekend for himself to decompress, he rents a cabin in the woods.  As he’s getting things in, Muncie meets the man in the next cabin over.  The man informs Muncie that if he ever needs anything to pop over.

Later, Munice is surprised when all the power in the cabin goes out.  Muncie heads over to his neighbor’s to see if the power is on there.  No one answers the knock on the door, so Muncie heads around back.  He is shocked to see…

… two men cutting up his neighbors body!

Muncie takes off running through the woods with the killers in pursuit.  Before it is over, Muncie finds himself framed for the murder of his neighbor.  Worse still Muncie discovers a billionaire in behind the conspiracy. Now wanted by the FBI and every police department in the country, Muncie must find a way to clear his name.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The story starts of well enough but as the episodes go on it meanders and drags.  The plot is excellent.  The actors, especially Colman Domingo, John Ortiz, Deon Cole, Bradley Whitford and Stephen McKinley Henderson shine.

The problem is the story.  At times it meanders and drags.  If someone had come in with a final edit to make the story leaner, allow the characters to make better (more realistic) decisions, then my rating would have been higher.

The Madness (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Running Scared” (2006) written & directed by Wayne Kramer, starring Paul Walker / Z-View

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Running Scared (2006)

Director:  Wayne Kramer

Screenplay: Wayne Kramer

Stars: Paul Walker, Cameron Bright, Chazz Palminteri, Vera Farmiga, Karel Roden, Johnny Messner, Ivana Milicevic, Michael Cudlitz, Bruce Altman, Arthur J. Nascarella, John Noble, Idalis DeLeon, David Warshofsky, Jim Tooey, Thomas Rosales Jr. and Elizabeth Mitchell.

Tagline: Its Find The Gun, Or Death…

The Plot…

When a drug deal goes bad, a shootout occurs.  Several people are killed.  Tommy Perello and his crew are the only survivors.  Perello orders Joey Gazelle, an up-and-comer, to get rid of the guns his gang used in the drug deal.

Joey takes the guns, but heads home before ditching the weapons.  Once home, Joey hides the arms in the basement.  Joey doesn’t realize that his son Nicky and Nicky’s friend from next door, Oleg, saw where the weapons were hidden.  Oleg steals one of the revolvers.

As soon as Oleg gets home his abusive stepfather, Anzor, starts in.  Oleg has had enough and shoots his stepdad.  Oleg runs off taking the gun with him.

Hearing the shot, Joey next door. Anzor is wounded. He explains Oleg shot him.  Joey realizes that Oleg used a gun that Joey was supposed to have ditched.  That gun will link Joey and Perello’s crew to the drug deal’s multiple murders.

The police will be out in full force looking for Oleg.  Joey’s got to find Oleg before the cops.  If they find Oleg first, Joey and his crime partners will get life in prison.  If they’re lucky.  If Tommy Perello or the crew discover what happened, the end result will be even worse.

Oleg is on the move.  So is Joey.  Both are running scared.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Running Scared has more twists than a rollercoaster. The movie starts in the middle of a drug deal that suddenly goes bad. An insane shootout takes place and we’re off an running. Along the way we’ll meet drug dealers, pimps, crooked cops, child molesters, and Russian mobsters.

The movie maintains momentum as Joey [Paul Walker] attempts to retrieve a stolen gun used in a mob killing. Then finds himself on a mission to save a kid.

Paul Walker does a fine job in the starring role.  The supporting cast is first rate: Chazz Palminteri, Vera Farmiga, Michael Cudlitz, Arthur J. Nascarella, John Noble, Elizabeth Mitchell, Bruce Altman and David Warshofsky shine.

Writer/director Wayne Kramer is a talent to keep an eye on.  His direction of the action scenes is inventive.  His story doesn’t take us on the expected journey.  Kudos to him.

Paul Walker’s brother appears in the scene retracing the path of a bullet and Walker’s character is shown in both houses.  It is actually Paul’s brother sitting at the kitchen table.

Running Scared is an underrated gem.

Running Scared (2006) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Shade” (2003) written & directed by Damian Nieman; starring Stuart Townsend, Gabriel Byrne, Thandie Newton, Jamie Foxx, Melanie Griffith and Sylvester Stallone / Z-View

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Shade (2003)

Director:  Damian Nieman

Screenplay: Damian Nieman

Stars: Stuart Townsend, Gabriel Byrne, Thandie Newton, Jamie Foxx, Melanie Griffith, Sylvester Stallone, Dina Merrill, George Tovar, Frank Medrano, Jason Cerbone, Mark De Alessandro, Glenn Plummer, Carl Mazzocone, Bo Hopkins, Mark Boone Junior, Tony Burton, Michael Dorn and Hal Holbrook.

Tagline: When gambling your life, leave nothing to chance.

The Plot…

Tiffany and Miller are card hustlers and con artists.  They are pulling off scams to get enough money to get Vernon into a high stakes underground poker game.  Vernon is a card shark as well as a sleight of hand artist.  With a $250,000.00 buy-in, there will be enough money in the game to set the three for life… if Vernon can win.

The main obstacle will be Dean “the Dean” Stevens.  His poker skills are legendary.  Of course if Vernon can’t beat the Dean fairly, there are other ways to win… if he’s willing to bet his life and those of Tiffany and Miller.

Let’s deal.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Damian Nieman, the writer/director of Shade is also a professional card magician. Nieman taught the cast the skills needed to perform their tricks on camera.

Shade (2003) rates 4 of 5 stars

“I Trapped the Devil” (2019) / Z-View

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I Trapped the Devil (2019)

Director:  Josh Lobo

Screenplay: Josh Lobo

Stars: Scott Poythress, AJ Bowen, Susan Burke, Jocelin Donahue and Chris Sullivan.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Steve’s got a lot going on.  He’s stressed and unsure of what to do next.

Things get worse when his brother, Matt and Matt’s wife Karen, show up unannounced.  Steve knows that Matt and Karen have been worried about him.  They think that his mental state is deteriorating.  Steve knows he’s not crazy.

But how is he going to explain to them that the man trapped in his basement is actually the devil?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I Trapped the Devil has a great concept.  Sadly the movie never comes close to reaching the potential presented.   I made it through the whole thing, so I’ll give it two out of five stars.  Truthfully, you’d be better off to watch the Twilight Zone episode, The Howling Man.

I Trapped the Devil (2019) rates 2 of 5 stars

“The Devil and Daniel Webster” (1941) directed by William Dieterle; starring Edward Arnold and Walter Huston / Z-View

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The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)

Director:  William Dieterle

Screenplay: Dan Totheroh, Stephen Vincent Benét; based on The Devil and Daniel Webster  by Stephen Vincent Benét

Stars: Edward Arnold, Walter Huston, Jane Darwell, Simone Simon, Gene Lockhart, John Qualen and H.B. Warner.

Tagline: What would YOU give for seven years of power, luxury, wealth…all the thrills you ever wanted and never dared to seek?

The Plot…

Jabez Stone has been going through a string of bad luck.  Newly married, Jabez has struggled making a go as a farmer.  Worried he won’t have enough money to care for his new wife and mother, in a fit of rage Jabez declares he’d sell his soul for two cents.  Suddenly a man appears.

The man calls himself Mr. Scratch.  Scratch says that if  Jabez would like seven years of riches and prosperity, it will only cost him his soul.  Before Jabez can answer, Scratch makes a bag of gold coins appear.  Jabez thinks the gold would solve all of his problems.  And seven years is a long time away… surely he can think of a way to break the deal.

Jabez signs the contract.

Jabez’s luck changes immediately.  His personality does as well… just not as fast.  Jabez becomes greedy.  Scratch manipulates things from behind the scenes.

Seven years passes quickly.  Scratch will be collecting Jabez’s soul soon.  Then Jabez gets an idea… perhaps the great lawyer Daniel Webster can find a way to break the contract.

Daniel Webster meets Mr. Scratch and realizes Jabez has made a deal with the devil.  Webster takes the case… but what chance does a mere mortal have against Mr. Scratch?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Devil and Daniel Webster was nominated for two 1942 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Walter Huston
  • Winner for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture – Bernard Herrmann

The Devil and Daniel Webster was first released with the title All That Money Can Buy.  In different territories it was released as Mr. Scratch or Here is a Man or Daniel and the Devil.

Thomas Mitchell was originally cast as Daniel Webster.  He was injured during a carriage ride scene.  He was thrown from the carriage and was hospitalized for months before recovering.  Edward Arnold was then cast as Webster.  All of Mitchell’s scenes has to be reshot.

The effects shots of Mr. Scratch and others called up from hades are pretty cool.  Especially for the time.

The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) rates 4 of 5 stars

PEOPLE LIKE US: A GRIFTER’S SONG, Book 2 by J.D. Rhodes / Z-View

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PEOPLE LIKE US ( A GRIFTER’S SONG, BOOK 2) by JD Rhodes

First sentence…

Aunt Sally was the real deal, Sam said.

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.

When Sam is contacted by his former mentor, Aunt Sally, she says that she needs his help with a big money scam she’s set up.  A rich Civil War memorabilia collector needs to be reeled in.  Sam’s ready to join Sally on the score.  Rachel isn’t so sure.

Aunt Sally could be scamming them.  Luring Sam and Rachel in where the mob can punch their tickets.  THAT would put big money in Sally’s hands.  Sam says Sally would never do that.  Sally can be trusted.

The need for quick cash outweighs Rachel’s fears.  They agree to help Aunt Sally.  Soon Sam and Rachel will know if Sally can be trusted.  They’ll also learn that a mob hitman is in town, closing in on them.  Coincidence?

Rating:

“A Fistful of Dollars” (1964) directed by Sergio Leone; starring Clint Eastwood / Z-View

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A Fistful of Dollars (1964)

Director:  Sergio Leone

Screenplay: Víctor Andrés Catena, Jaime Comas Gil, Sergio Leone, Fernando Di Leo (uncredited), Duccio Tessari (uncredited) Tonino Valerii; written by Adriano Bolzoni, Mark Lowell, Víctor Andrés Catena, Sergio Leone; based on Yojimbo (1961)  by Akira Kurosawa, Ryūzō Kikushima

Stars: Clint Eastwood

Tagline:  In his own way he is, perhaps, the most dangerous man who ever lived!

The Plot…

When a gunfighter rides into the frontier town of San Miguel, he learns that two crime families are at war.  Seeing an opportunity to get rich, the gunslinger decides to play both sides of the street.

It’s a plan that could cost him his life.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A Fistful of Dollars was seen as overly violent when first released.  Critics said The Man with No Name was just another gun thug willing to kill anyone for money.  In fact before A Fistful of Dollars was shown on ABC in 1975, a prologue was added.  It featured a stand-in for Eastwood, a couple of shots of Eastwood’s eyes and Harry Dean Stanton as a government official.  Eastwood’s character is offered a pardon if he goes to San Miguel and cleans up the town.  Now instead of a greedy coldblooded killer, Eastwood is a man on a mission for justice. Bah!

Akira Kurosawa sued since A Fistful of Dollars is basically Yojimbo as a western. Leone settled out of court, reportedly for 15% of the worldwide receipts of A Fistful of Dollars.  What’s funny is that Yojimbo is an adaption of Dashiell Hammett’s gangster novel RED HARVEST.  The lone gunfighter becomes a ronin going against samurai for Yojimbo.

Clint Eastwood was offered the role after it was turned down by Steve Reeves, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Charles Bronson and Richard Harrison.  The role was then offered to the star of the television series Rawhide, Eric Fleming.  Fleming turned it down, but suggested his Rawhide co-star, Clint Eastwood.  The rest is history.

A Fistful of Dollars (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Commando” (1985) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger / Z-View

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Commando (1985)

Director:  Mark L. Lester

Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza; story by Joseph Loeb III,  Matthew Weisman, Steven E. de Souza

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, James Olson, David Patrick Kelly, Alyssa Milano, Drew Snyder, Michael DeLano,
Bob Minor, Michael Adams, Gary Carlos Cervantes, Chelsea Field, Bill Paxton  and Bill Duke

Tagline:  Somewhere, somehow, someone’s going to pay.

The Plot…

John Matrix, a retired Special Forces Commando, is the single parent of a young daughter.  They live in a remote mountain house.  Life is great.

When a military helicopter flies in unannounced, Matrix knows bad news is coming.  Matrix’s former commander informs him that every member of his former squad has been executed.

Just then shots ring out.

A team of mercenaries attacks.  Matrix puts up a valiant fight, but his daughter is kidnapped.  The kidnappers work for Arius, the former dictator of Val Verde. Matrix  is told that if he kills Val Verde’s current leader, Matrix’s daughter will be released.  If not, she will be killed.  Matrix has less than twelve hours to complete his assignment.

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Commando is a classic 80s action movie.  It features over-the-top scenes, a hero who quips as he performs feats of strength and kills countless bad guys without breaking a sweat… all to a cool soundtrack.

Harold Lloyd’s Beverly Hills mansion was used for the final shootout with Arias’ soldiers.  If it looks familiar it could be because the mansion was also used in the final shootout in Beverly Hills Cop.

Val Verde is a fictional country, but the name has also appeared in Predator and Die Hard II.

Arnold’s line, “I lied” still makes me smile no matter how many times I’ve seen it delivered.

Commando (1985) rates 4 of 5 stars

“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: