Category: Z-View

HIGH FIVE: AN IQ NOVEL by Joe Ide / Z-View

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HIGH FIVE: AN IQ NOVEL by Joe Ide

First sentence…

Isaiah Quintabe’s East Long Beach neighborhood hadn’t changed much over the years.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Isaiah Quintabe, aka IQ because he’s super smart, is back. IQ was orphaned in high school. So he went to work.  He earned money from neighborhood folks needing help. After IQ found a a young runaway word spread. Soon he was getting  “cases the police couldn’t or wouldn’t touch.” The jobs didn’t pay much. Sometimes the reward was food or a service IQ needed.

But that was over a decade ago. Now IQ is the go-to guy when folks need a real detective.

IQ is hired by Angus Byrne to exonerate his daughter Christina.  She witnessed a murder and is the primary suspect.  The job is complicated by the fact that Byrne is a notorious arms dealer.  He wants his daughter cleared at all costs.  Should IQ fail, Byrne has promised to maim IQ’s girlfriend.  Even if Christina is guilty Byrne wants her vindicated.

The police are preparing to arrest Christina.  IQ is under the gun and the clock is ticking.  Then he discovers Christina suffers from multiple personality disorder.  Meanwhile a gang war is brewing and two female assassins have IQ in their crosshairs.

Rating:

“24 Hours To Live” (2017) starring Ethan Hawke / Z-View

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24 Hours To Live (2017)

Director:  Brian Smrz

Screenplay:  Zach Dean, Jim McClain, Ron Mita

Stars: Ethan Hawke, Paul Anderson, Nat Boltt, Liam Cunningham, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Tanya van Graan, Alex Anlos, Brendan Sean Murray, Clayton Evertson, Marty Kintu and Rutger Hauer.

Tagline:  Contracted to Kill.  Fighting to Survive.

The Plot…

Travis Conrad (Hawke) is a hitman killed while on a mission.  Brought back to life by an experimental drug, Conrad learns that the folks behind the hit only wanted the information he obtained.  That is why they brought him back to life… and that is why they plan to kill him now.

On the run, with just 24 hours to live, Conrad plans to get payback.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

24 Hours To Live isn’t a bad way to spend an hour and a half.

24 Hours To Live (2017) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“To Be Or Not To Be” (1942) directed by Ernst Lubitsch; starring Carole Lombard & Jack Benny / Z-View

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To Be Or Not To Be (1942)

Director: Ernst Lubitsch

Screenplay:  Edwin Justus Mayer, Ernst Lubitsch (uncredited); story by Melchior Lengyel

Stars: Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Felix Bressart, Lionel Atwill, Stanley Ridges, Sig Ruman, Charles Halton, George Lynn, Henry Victor, Halliwell Hobbes, Rudolph Anders and Robert Stack.

Tagline:  We announce the presentation of Carole Lombard’s last picture. An exciting romantic comedy keyed to an ever-mounting tempo of suspense. Jack Benny at his best in a surprisingly different comic role.

The Plot…

1942.  World War II rages across Europe.  In Poland, Professor Siletsky, a Nazi spy has a list of fighters in the Polish underground. If Silersky gets the list to Nazis, dozens of fighters will die and the Polish war effort will be crippled.

The only hope is a drama troupe led by Joseph Tura (Benny) and his wife Maria (Lombard).  The troupe plans to impersonate Nazi leadership and take possession of Siletsky’s list.

What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

To Be Or Not To Be was nominated for one 1943 Academy Award…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture – Werner R. Heymann

Sadly, this was Carole Lombard’s last film.  Lombard, her mother and all on board died in a plane crash on January 16, 1942.  Carole Lombard was 33.  She was on a war bond tour at the time of the crash.

To Be Or Not To Be was released on March 6, 1942.  Jack Benny was so upset that he didn’t attend a preview showing of the film just one week after Lombard’s death.  Benny had also cancelled his weekly radio show the week that Carole Lombard died.

Carole Lombard said making To Be Or Not To Be was the happiest experience she ever had making a film.  Jack Benny said this movie was the only great film.  Ernst Lubitsch felt that To Be Or Not To Be was one of his best films.

Ernst Lubitsch, the film’s co-writer and director wrote the lead with Jack Benny in mind.

To Be Or Not To Be is a classic!

To Be Or Not To Be (1942) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Brotherhood of the Wolf” (2001) starring Samuel Le Bihan & Mark Dacascos / Z-View

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Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)

Director:  Christophe Gans

Screenplay:  Christophe Gans, Stéphane Cabel

Stars: Samuel Le Bihan, Mark Dacascos, Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci.

Tagline: The year is 1766… The hunt for a killer has begun

The Plot…

The year is 1764.  A beast, some call it a monster, is killing the people of Gévaudan.  Grégoire de Fronsac (Le Bihan) and his Iroquois friend Mani (Dacascos) are sent to find and kill the creature.

They have no idea what awaits them.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Brotherhood of the Wolf has a toe in history.  There really was a Beast of Gévaudan. It was described as a wolf-like creature.  (It was probably a wolf or wolves.) During the years 1764 to 1767, the beast was blamed for as many as 100 killings.

I saw Brotherhood of the Wolf when it was first released in 2001.  I liked it better then (4 of 5 stars).  I downgraded it now partly due to the creature effects and the fact that everyone knows martial arts in 1764 France. Mark Dacascos as Mani, is still my favorite part of the movie.

Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Act of Violence” (1948) starring Van Heflin & Robert Ryan / Z-View

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Act of Violence (1948)

Director:  Fred Zinnemann

Screenplay:  Robert L. Richards; story by Collier Young

Stars: Van Heflin, Robert Ryan, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor, Phyllis Thaxter, Berry Kroeger, Taylor Holmes, Will Wright, Rudolph Anders and Barbara Billingsley (voice).

Tagline: He’s the only one that came out alive … and now he wants my life … to atone for the others’

The Plot…

Frank Enley (Heflin) is living the good life. Frank served proudly in the war. Now he has a job he loves.  Frank is married to a wonderful woman who loves him. They have a beautiful little girl.  Frank is a respected member of the community.  Life is great.

Then Joe Parkson (Ryan) shows up.

Parkson was in a prisoner of war camp with Frank.  Parkson knows that Frank Enley gave the Nazis information about a planned escape.  The Nazis killed all the US soldiers trying to get away except Parkson.  Parkson almost died and was left with a permanent limp.

Now that Parkson has found Frank Enley, he’s going to kill him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Act of Violence bombed at the box office it has gained a positive following over the years.  It currently has a 7.5/10 rating on the IMDb.  At Rotten Tomatoes it scored 94% from critics and 76% from site users.

I’m in the minority on this one.  I found it to be just okay.

Act of Violence (1948) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Dillinger” (1945) starring Lawrence Tierney / Z-View

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Dillinger (1945)

Director:  Max Nosseck

Screenplay:  Philip Yordan, William Castle (uncredited)

Stars: Lawrence Tierney, Anne Jeffreys, Eduardo Ciannelli, Marc Lawrence, Fred Aldrich, Sam Balter (voice), Dick Elliott and Elisha Cook Jr..

Tagline: His Story Is Written in Bullets, Blood and Blondes!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of John Dillinger (Tierney).

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dillinger was Lawrence Tierney’s first starring role.

Dillinger (1945) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Hitler’s Executioners” aka “The Nuremberg Trials” (1961) / Z-View

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Hitler’s Executioners aka The Nuremberg Trials (1961)

Director:  Félix Podmaniczky

Writers:  Joe J. Heydecker, Johannes Leeb

Tagline: THE ACTUAL FILM! Written by Hitler Himself in the Blood of His 6 Million Victims! With Scenes Actually Filmed by Hitler! REVEALED AT LAST!

The Plot…

Documentary covering the Nuremberg trials.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Originally released as The Nuremberg Trials in 1958.  Rereleased in 1961 as Hitler’s Executioners.

The movie posters look like they are for a 1950s/1960s horror movie.  Sadly, the horror is all too real.

Hitler’s Executioners aka The Nuremberg Trials (1961) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“King of the Roaring 20’s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein” (1961) starring David Janssen / Z-View

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King of the Roaring 20’s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein (1961)

Director:  Joseph M. Newman

Screenplay:  Jo Swerling; story by Leo Katcher; based on THE BIG BANKROLL: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ARNOLD ROTHSTEIN, KING OF THE ROARING 20S by Leo Katcher

Stars: David Janssen, Dianne Foster, Jack Carson, Dan O’Herlihy, Mickey Shaughnessy, Keenan Wynn, William Demarest, Regis Toomey, Robert Ellenstein, Tim Rooney, Mickey Rooney, John Alban, Fred Aldrich and Diana Dors.

Tagline: THE HELL-BENT, JAZZ-CRAZED ERA AND THE MAN WHO RULED IT ALL!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of Arnold Rothstein (Janssen).

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Johnny Burke as a child was played by Tim Rooney.  As an adult, he is played by Mickey Rooney.  Tim Rooney is Mickey Rooney’s son.

King of the Roaring 20’s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein (1961) rates 2 of 5 stars.

THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabriel Iglesias / Z-View

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THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabriel Iglesias

First sentences…

Luekemia.  That’s what the doctor said.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Mario’s life has gone to hell.  His daughter has cancer.  The medical bills are piling up.  Desperate to save his daughter, Mario takes a job from a friend who lives outside the law.  Mario agrees to kill a terrible man.

After, Mario is surprised.  Killing comes easy to him.  He’s good at it.  So Mario agrees to more jobs.  Bad people only. Drug dealers and child molesters.  Only people who “deserve” it.

Then his daughter dies.  His wife leaves him.  It was all for nothing.

Mario hates what he’s become.  He hates what he’s lost.  Mario wants to win his wife back.  They could start over.  But that would take life changing money.  Enough so he and his wife could move away and never work again.

So when Mario learns of a job that could give him that, he agrees.  It won’t be a murder for hire hit.  No.  Something much more dangerous.  Mario, an old friend, and a thug named Juanca will cross the border into Mexico.  There they will rip off a drug cartel and return to the states.  If they’re caught, a slow painful death awaits.  If they’re successful, can he trust Juanca or his old friend?  Money split two ways goes further than divided by three.

It’s a suicide mission, but if he survives…

Rating:

“Woman on the Run” (1950) starring Ann Sheridan & Dennis O’Keefe / Z-View

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Woman on the Run (1950)

Director:  Norman Foster

Screenplay:  Alan Campbell, Norman Foster, Ross Hunter (dialogue); based on Man on the Run by Sylvia Tate

Stars: Ann Sheridan, Dennis O’Keefe, John Qualen, Ross Elliott, Joan Shawlee, J. Farrell MacDonald, Steven Geray and Victor Sen Yung.

Tagline: As Startling as Your OWN Scream in the Night!

The Plot…

Frank Johnson (Elliott) is the sole witness to a murder.  Just as Johnson sees the murderer, the murderer sees Johnson.  In order to save himself, Johnson goes on the run with his wife, the police and the murderer close behind!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Woman on the Run fell into the public domain.  Beware of low-grade copies.

Woman on the Run (1950) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Al Capone” (1959) starring Rod Steiger / Z-View

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Al Capone (1959)

Director:  Richard Wilson

Screenplay:  Malvin Wald, Henry F. Greenberg

Stars: Rod Steiger, Martin Balsam, Fay Spain, Nehemiah Persoff, Robert Gist, Lewis Charles, Joe De Santis, Sandy Kenyon, Raymond Bailey, Al Ruscio, Louis Quinn, Ron Soble, Steve Gravers, Fred Aldrich and James Gregory.

Tagline: It was the age of speakeasies and jazz… when everybody sinned, ginned and broke the laws… while a vicious crime lord almost took over the nation!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of Al Capone (Steiger).

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Rod Steiger and Martin Balsam would go on to become Academy Award winners but not for this one.

Al Capone (1959) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Young Dillinger” (1965) starring Nick Adams & Robert Conrad / Z-View

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Young Dillinger (1965)

Director:  Terry O. Morse

Screenplay:  Arthur Hoehl, Donald Zimbalist

Stars: Nick Adams, Robert Conrad, John Ashley, Dan Terranova, Mary Ann Mobley, John Hoyt, Anthony Caruso, Emile Meyer, Frank Gerstle, Wally Rose, Walter Sande, Joy Harmon and Victor Buono.

Tagline: The Big Thrill-Story of the Killer Who Became Public Enemy No. 1!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of John Dillinger (Adams), Pretty Boy Floyd (Conrad) and Baby Face Nelson (Ashley) joining forces to rob banks throughout the midwest.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Robert Conrad won the role of Jim West for The Wild, Wild West during production of Young Dillinger. Although Conrad plays Pretty Boy Floyd in this one, in 1979 Conrad would play Dillinger in The Lady in Red.

Young Dillinger (1965) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Devil Rides Out” (1968) starring Christopher Lee / Z-View

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The Devil Rides Out (1968)

Director:  Terence Fisher

Screenplay:  Richard Matheson; based on THE DEVIL RIDES OUT by Dennis Wheatley

Stars: Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Leon Greene.

Tagline: The beauty of woman… the demon of darkness… the unholy union of “The Devil’s Bride”!

The Plot…

Duc de Richleau (Lee) discovers that his friend’s grown son is mixed up with aa devil-worshipping coven.  It may be too late to save him, but De Richleau is going to try.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It was Christopher Lee’s idea to adapt the Wheatley novel.  Lee has said it is one of his favorite of the Hammer films.

The Devil Rides Out (1968) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Ragtime” (1981) directed by Milos Foreman; starring James Cagney, Elizabeth McGovern & Howard E. Rollins Jr. / Z-View

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Ragtime (1981)

Director:  Miloš Forman

Screenplay: Michael Weller, Bo Goldman (uncredited); based on RAGTIME by  E.L. Doctorow

Stars: James Cagney, Elizabeth McGovern, Howard E. Rollins Jr., Brad Dourif, Moses Gunn, Kenneth McMillan, Pat O’Brien, Donald O’Connor, James Olson, Mandy Patinkin, Mary Steenburgen, Debbie Allen, Jeffrey DeMunn, Robert Joy, Bruce Boa, Jeff Daniels, Fran Drescher, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Jeter, Ted Ross, John Ratzenberger and Norman Mailer.

Tagline: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was Ragtime

The Plot…

An African-American baby is left in the yard of a wealthy family.  When the police discover the young unwed mother nearby, they are ready to put the child in an orphanage and the mother in jail.  The family decides to take in the mother and child until the mother can get on her feet.

The baby’s father shows up.  His name is Coalhouse Walker Jr.  He wants to marry the mother and support the child now that he has a job.  The wedding is planned and all is looking up until a group of racist firemen put horse manure in Coalhouse’s new car.  When the police and the courts refuse to make things right, Coalhouse decides to get his own revenge… against the city.

The famous architect Stanford White has placed a nude statue at the top of Madison Square Garden.  Evelyn Nesbit, a former chorus girl reportedly posed for the figure.  Now Evelyn is married to millionaire Harry Kendall Thaw.  Thaw is outraged and demands that White remove the statue.  White refuses.  Thaw murders White at a huge social event.  The court case will be considered the trial of the century.

These events will converge to become a part of American lore.  Like the tagline says, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was Ragtime.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ragtime was nominated for eight 1982 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee – Best Music, Original Score: Randy Newman
  • Nominee – Best Music, Original Song: Randy Newman for the song “One More Hour”
  • Nominee – Best Costume Design: Anna Hill Johnstone
  • Nominee – Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: John Graysmark, Patrizia von Brandenstein, Tony Reading, George DeTitta Sr., George DeTitta Jr., Peter Howitt
  • Nominee – Best Cinematography: Miroslav Ondrícek
  • Nominee – Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Michael Weller
  • Nominee – Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Elizabeth McGovern
  • Nominee – Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Howard E. Rollins Jr.

Ragtime would be James Cagney’s final film.  He hadn’t appeared in a movie in 20 years.  Cagney was in poor health during filming and so in most of his scenes he is seated.

This was also Pat O’Brien’s final film.  O’Brien and Cagney co-starred together in several films during the 30s and the 40s.

Jeff Daniels made his film debut in Ragtime.

Ragtime (1981) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Gladiator II” (2024) directed by Ridley Scott; starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal / Z-View

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Gladiator II (2024)

Director:  Ridley Scott

Screenplay:  David Scarpa; story by Peter Craig, David Scarpa based on characters created by David Franzoni

Stars: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Alec Utgoff, Riana Duce and Rory McCann.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

It’s been sixteen years since the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, known as the last of the Five Good Emperors.  Rome is now ruled by the twin brothers Geta (Quinn) and Caracalla (Hechinger). The twin Emperors care nothing for their subjects.  Geta and Caracalla crave power and look to control the world. To that end they sent the great General Acacius (Pascal) to conquer lands in their honor.  When Acacius returns victorious, the twin Emperors host on-going gladiatorial games to celebrate.

General Acacius has seen too many soldiers die for no reason other than the demands of the Emperor twins.  The Roman people suffer and Acacius plans to return Rome to the people.  In ten days his soldiers will march into the city and Acacius will lead the revolt.  What Acacius doesn’t see coming is a betrayal.

Macrinus (Washington) also sees the time of the twins rule is coming to an end.  Macrinus believes that he can make moves behind the scenes to put himself in power.  He buys a young gladiator named Hanno (Mescal).  Macrinus plans to use Hanno’s abilities in the arena to make him a for the people.  Meanwhile Macrinus will become close friends with the twins.  When the time is right, Macrinus will have the twins killed and assume control.

As each faction moves to take control of the throne, the twins learn of the deception.  Many will die and Rome may never recover.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Gladiator 2 was nominated for one Academy Award…

  • 2025 Nominee – Best Achievement in Costume Design: Janty Yates, David Crossman

If you’ve seen Gladiator, you’ve seen Gladiator II is a snarky kind of take.  But truthfully, it’s not too far off.  Both movies hit the same beats.  The good news it that the story, cast, direction and special effects are entertaining.

Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal own their scenes. I’m surprised that Denzel wasn’t nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award.  (This is the first time he hasn’t been the leading man in a film since Antwone Fisher.)

Some folks were upset that this film makes it appear that Maximus (Crowe) from Gladiator, (supposedly) cheated on his wife since he is the father of Hanno.  Granted, if that’s the case, it does tarnish the character.  My bigger nit to pick is that Lucilla, who was unlikable in the first film, has done a 180.

Ah, but why complain when we have gladiators fighting: gladiators, baboons, rhinos, sea battles, sharks and more.  “Are we not entertained?”

Why, yes, yes we are.

Gladiator II (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.