Category: Z-View

“Con Air” (1997) written by Scott Rosenberg; directed by Simon West, starring Nicholas Cage, John Cusack & John Malkovich / Z-View

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Con Air (1997)

Director:  Simon West

Screenplay: Scott Rosenberg

Stars: Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Colm Meaney, Mykelti Williamson, Nick Chinlund, Renoly Santiago, Ving Rhames, Dave Chappelle, Rachel Ticotin, Steve Eastin, Danny Trejo, M.C. Gainey, Landry Allbright, Monica Potter, Brendan Kelly, Jesse Borrego and Steve Buscemi.

Tagline:  Buckle Up!

The Plot…

Eight years ago Cameron Poe, a decorated Army Ranger was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.  A drunken thug had attacked Poe and his pregnant wife.  Poe accidentally killed the man.  Poe has been a model prisoner and is set to be paroled.

Poe is one of the convicts set to board a prison transport plane.  Most of the other felons are headed to a supermax prison.  They include a serial rapist, an arsonist, a drug lord, a mass murderer, a terrorist, a psycho criminal genius, and a serial killer.

The convicts take over the plane.  They murdered to get control.  They’ll kill anyone who tries to stop them.  It will be up to Poe to see they don’t succeed in their escape.

As the tag line says, “Buckle Up!”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Con Air was nominated for two 1998 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Best Music, Original Song – Diane Warren, For the song “How Do I Live”.
  • Nominee for Best Best Sound – Kevin O’Connell,Greg P. Russell, Art Rochester

Con Air is dedicated to Phil Swartz, an effects specialist who was killed when a rigged plane fell and crushed him.

Con Air is a fun, over-the-top action film.  Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Con Air (1997) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Braveheart” (1995) directed & starring Mel Gibson / Z-View

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Braveheart (1995)

Director:  Mel Gibson

Screenplay: Randall Wallace

Stars: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen, Sean Lawlor, James Cosmo, Ralph Riach, Ellen Greene, Brendan Gleeson, Tommy Flanagan and Brian Cox.

Tagline:  Every man dies, not every man really lives.

The Plot…

In the year 1280, King Edward 1 of England known as Longshanks conquers Scotland.  Longshanks installs Overlords to rule.  The people of Scotland have lost their freedom and are treated poorly.  William Wallace was just a boy.  His father and older brother were killed in the war to keep Scotland free.  William was sent away to live with his Uncle.

Now a man, William returns to the village of his birth.  He sees firsthand the mistreatment of the Scottish people.  William secretly marries his childhood sweetheart.  They wed in secret because Longshanks has granted his English Overlords jus primae noctis.  This law allows the English rulers the right to have sex with any Scottish female.  The Overlords especially like to take advantage of this on the bride’s wedding night.

When pushed too far, William leads the overthrow of the local English ruler.  The Scottish people rally around William’s charismatic leadership.  Soon he has a small army.  After winning several battles, William allows a survivor to live.  William tells him, “Go back to England and tell them there that Scotland’s daughters and her sons are yours no more. Tell them Scotland is free.”

Longshanks is unwilling to give up Scotland.  He sends his armies to put down the rebellion and kill William Wallace.

All men die, but not all truly live.  This is the story of William Wallace

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Braveheart was nominated for ten 1996 Academy Awards and won five…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score – James Horner
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Steven Rosenblum
  • Nominee for Best Best Sound – Andy Nelson, Scott Millan, Anna Behlmer, Brian Simmons
  • Nominee for Best Costume Design – Charles Knode
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Randall Wallace
  • Winner for Best Makeup – Peter Frampton, Paul Pattison, Lois Burwell
  • Winner for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Lon Bender, Per Hallberg
  • Winner for Best Cinematography – John Toll
  • Winner for Best Director – Mel Gibson
  • Winner for Best Picture – Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr., Bruce Davey

Braveheart, while fictionalized, does what Gibson intended.  It entertains and inspires.

Braveheart (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Léon: The Professional” (1994) written & directed by Luc Besson; starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman & Natalie Portman / Z-View

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Léon: The Professional (1994)

Director:  Luc Besson

Screenplay: Luc Besson

Stars: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel, Don Creech, Michael Badalucco, Ellen Greene and Frank Senger.

Tagline:  A professional hitman, an innocent witness, a corrupt detective who went too far

The Plot…

Twelve year old Mathilda is about to walk into her family apartment when she realizes something is wrong.  So she walks past the door and down to her neighbor Leon’s home.  Leon is hesitant but allows Mathilda in.

Leon knew Mathilda came from a dysfunctional household.  She lived with her little brother, stepmother and father.  Leon and Mathilda learn that her dad was working with drug-dealing DEA agents.  When the cooked cops discovered that dad was stealing from them, they decided to make an example of him.  Mathilda almost walked in as the cops were killing her father, step-mother and even her little brother.

Mathilda has no one.  She begs Leon to take her in.  He agrees to let her stay.  Mathilda is surprised to learn that her simple-minded neighbor is a professional killer.  Mathilda asks Leon to train her.  She wants to avenge her little brother.  Leon’s apartment contains many weapons.  He teaches Mathilda basics about some of them.

While Leon is on a job, Mathilda gathers some of Leon’s guns.  She then leaves him a note and heads out to kill the corrupt cops that murdered her little brother.  Leon knows that a little 12 year old girl has no hope of surviving a gun battle with trained cops.

But he might.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jean Reno came up with the idea to play Leon as mentally slow and emotionally repressed. Reno felt that audiences would then better accept that 12 year old Mathilda was safe living with a grown man.

The International version contains more scenes of  “awkward sexual tension” than the American release.  American test audiences did not like the scenes where Mathilda professes to love Leon.  Natalie Portman has said that she’s asked more about this film than any of her other performances.  She further stated that Mathilda and Leon’s relationship hasn’t aged well.

Leon is Natalie Portman’s feature film debut.

Keith A. Glascoe played Benny.  Glascoe later left acting to become a NY City Fireman. Mr. Glascoe died in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001.  RIP.

Léon: The Professional (1994) rates 5 of 5 stars

“In the Line of Fire” (1993) directed by Wolfgang Petersen; starring Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich and Rene Russo / Z-View

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In the Line of Fire (1993)

Director:  Wolfgang Petersen

Screenplay: Jeff Maguire

Stars: Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo, John Leguizamo, Dylan McDermott, Gary Cole, Fred Thompson, John Mahoney, Sally Hughes, Elsa Raven, Arthur Senzy, Patrika Darbo  and Tobin Bell.

Tagline:  An assassin on the loose. A president in danger. Only one man stands between them…

The Plot…

November 22, 1963.  Frank Horrigan was a young secret service agent hand-picked by President Kennedy to serve on his security detail.  That day President Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald.  The memory still haunts Horrigan.

Nearly 30 years later, Horrigan, nearing retirement is the only active Secret Service agent who was on President Kennedy’s detail the day he was assassinated. Being a secret service agent is a young man’s job.

During an investigation Horrigan finds a wall filled with articles and photographs of infamous assassinations.  Included is a cover photo of the current President.  A bold red marker has been used to draw a rifle’s crosshairs over the President’s face.  Horrigan gets a search warrant and returns.  He finds only one photo on the wall.  It is of President Kennedy taken on the day he was assassinated.  Behind Kennedy stands Horrigan.  In the photo, Horrigan’s face has been circled with a bold red marker.

Later Horrigan receives a phone call from a man who identifies himself as “Booth”.  Booth says that he is going to kill the President.  Booth taunts Horrigan about failing to save President Kennedy.  This call will be just the first of the killer’s game.  Horrigan knows that this isn’t some crank. The threat to the President is real.  What Horrigan doesn’t know is the caller is an ex-CIA assassin with a grudge.

What chance does an aging Secret Service Agent have against a trained assassin?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In the Line of Fire was nominated for three 1994 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Anne V. Coates
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Jeff Maguire
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – John Malkovich

Clint Eastwood (at the age of 62) wearing a safety harness actually did hang six stories above  the street for one of the scenes.

Speaking of Eastwood’s age, he initially turned down the role. He felt he time had passed to play someone in their early 50’s.  Thankfully, Eastwood was wrong and convinced to play the part.

John Malkovich improvised the scene where he puts Eastwood’s gun in his mouth.

In the Line of Fire (1993) rates 5 of 5 stars

THE LONG LAVENDER LOOK: A TRAVIS MCGEE NOVEL by John D. MacDonald / Z-View

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THE LONG LAVENDER LOOK by John D. MacDonald

First sentences…

Late April.  Ten o’clock at night.  Hustling south on Florida 112 through the eastern section of Cypress County, about twenty miles from the intersection of 112 and the Tamiami Trail.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

At night on a deserted Florida back road after a long day, Travis McGee and his buddy Meyer are making good time. Eighty miles an hour good time.  Suddenly a scantily clad woman runs across the road.  McGee is able to avoid hitting her but his car goes off the road.  It hits hard and begins sinking.

McGee and Meyer are bruised and battered but nothing is broken.  They make it out and to the shore.  Then watch as the car sinks in swamp water.

With no options but to walk to the nearest town, they begin their trek.  There’s little hope of a passing car so late at night on a deserted road.  McGee and Meyer are happy to see a truck with a burly driver approaching.  They feel their luck has turned.

Then the driver starts shooting at them.

+++

THE LONG LAVENDER LOOK features Travis McGee at his best.  (John D. MacDonald too.)

Rating:

“Carlito’s Way” (1993) directed by Brian De Palma; starring Al Pacino & Sean Penn / Z-View

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Carlito’s Way (1993)

Director:  Brian De Palma

Screenplay: David Koepp; based on CARLITO’S WAY and AFTER HOURS by Edwin Torres 

Stars: Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo, Ingrid Rogers, Luis Guzmán, James Rebhorn, Richard Foronjy, Frank Minucci, Adrian Pasdar, John Ortiz, Al Israel, Rick Aviles, Jaime Sánchez  and Viggo Mortensen.

Tagline:  In his world, you got to shoot your way out. He wanted out. He’d do anything to get there.

The Plot…

The year is 1975.  When Carlito Brigante gets released from prison after serving just five years of a thirty year stretch, he is determined to leave a life of crime behind.  Carlito hopes to get back with his ex-girlfriend Gail.  Once he has the cash, they’ll retire to the Caribbean.

How hard should it be to walk the straight and narrow?

Carlito’s cousin, Guajiro, asks Carlito to accompany him on a drug deal. Guajiro just wants Carlito there for moral support.  It will be an easy exchange.  Of course things go south.  Guajiro is killed.  Carlito shoots his way out with the cash from the drug deal.

Carlito’s buddy Dave Kleinfeld, is the lawyer who used a legal technicality to get Carlito out of prison.  Now Dave wants Carlito’s help with some thing not exactly legal.  How can Carlito turn him down?

Plus Benny Blanco, a young hotshot gangster wanna-be wants to go into “business” with Carlito.  Carlito turns Benny down repeatedly.

Carlito’s dream of a life free of crime in paradise with Gail is put at risk with every move he makes.

Will Carlito’s way become a dream or nightmare?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Carlito’s Way is based on two novels (CARLITO’S WAY and AFTER HOURS) by Edwin Torres.  Torres also wrote the novel Q&A which was the basis for the movie of the same name.  Torres, in addition to being a novelist, was a New York State Supreme Court Judge.

Carlito’s Way is based on two novels.  Most of the film comes from the second book, AFTER HOURS.  The title of the first novel was kept as the title of the movie, mostly to void confusion with Martin Scorsese’s movie After Hours.

When folks think of Al Pacino’s greatest films, they think Godfather I & II, Heat and Dog Day Afternoon.  Carlito’s Way should be on that list.

Carlito’s Way (1993) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Predator” (1987) directed by John McTiernan; starring Arnold Schwarzenegger / Z-View

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Predator (1987)

Director:  John McTiernan

Screenplay: Jim Thomas, John Thomas

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, R.G. Armstrong, Shane Black,
Franco Columbu and Sven-Ole Thorsen.

Tagline:  If it bleeds, we can kill it…

The Plot…

A helicopter carrying a diplomat is shot down in a Central American jungle.  The CIA sends in Agent Al Dillon to oversee the rescue mission led by Major “Dutch” Schaefer and his team of mercenaries.

Shortly after their drop-off in the jungle, the team finds three skinned corpses strung upside down from a tree.  Dutch learns that his team was sent in under false pretenses.  Even worse, as the team will soon discover, an alien predator with advanced technology is stalking them.

It wants warrior trophies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jean-Claude Van Damme (5’9″) was originally cast as the Predator.  It was soon decided that JCVD’s Predator (much shorter than Schwarzenegger and the rest of his squad) was not imposing enough.  Kevin Peter Hall (7’2″) ended up playing the Predator.

John McTiernan was chosen to helm Predator after Ridley Scott, James Cameron, John Milius, John Carpenter, Renny Harlin and others turned it down.  McTiernan proved to be the right choice.

Kevin Peter Hall can be seen as one of the helicopter pilots at the end of the film.  John McTiernan gave him the role as a reward for his performance in the Predator suit.

Shane Black, the actor who plays one of the rescue squad soldiers is better known as the screenwriter for Lethal Weapon and other films.

Both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura would go on to become state governors in real life.

Predator is a classic.

Predator (1987) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Die Hard 2” directed by Renny Harlin; starring Bruce Willis / Z-View

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Die Hard 2 (1990)

Director:  Renny Harlin

Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza, Doug Richardson; based on 58 MINUTES by Walter Wagner

Stars: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson, Franco Nero, William Sadler, Dennis Franz, Art Evans, Fred Thompson, Tom Bower, Sheila McCarthy, Don Harvey, Tony Ganios, Robert Patrick, John Leguizamo and John Amos.

Tagline: Wrong Place, Wrong Time, Same John McClane

The Plot…

Christmas Eve two years after the events at Nakatomi Tower.  John McClane is now a lieutenant with the LAPD.

While waiting to pick up his wife at the at Dulles International Airport, McClane notices two men sneaking into a restricted area.  McClane pulls his police ID and follows.  When McClane identifies himself, the two men pull guns and begin shooting.  McClane returns fire.  After a short gun battle, McClane kills one. The second man escapes.

McClane meets with Carmine Lorenzo airport police chief, and Ed Trudeau, air traffic control director.  McClane is concerned that the two men were part of a bigger team planning a major terrorist attack.  Neither Lorenzo or Trudeau are willing to accept that.

McClane is right.  What nobody knows is the Ramon Esperanza, a cartel drug lord, is in custody.  He’s on a plane headed for  Dulles International.  A squad of ex-military mercenaries led by disgraced US Colonel William Stuart have plans to liberate Esperanza.  It will be up to McClane to stop them.

What chance does one cop have against a group of heavily armed terrorists?  Anyone remember Nakatomi Tower?

Yippi-Ki-Yay, mother*******.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Die Hard 2 is loosely based on the Walter Wagner novel 58 MINUTES.  A lot was changed for the film.  Don’t read the book expecting Die Hard 2 the movie.

Die Hard was loosely based on Roderick Thorp’s novel NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.  Thorp was given credit in Die Hard 2 for creating  “certain original characters”.  His name was misspelled as Thorpe in the credits.

Because Willis’ ad-libbed many of the most popular lines in Die Hard, he was given free reign to ad-lib all he wanted in Die Hard 2.

Die Hard 2 did almost twice the box office of Die Hard.  This insured that the franchise would continue.

Roman Esperanza, the drug lord, was said to be from Val Verde.  This is the same fictional country used in Commando.  John McClane and John Matrix could have teamed up!

Die Hard 2 is a worthy follow-up to the original.

Die Hard 2 (1990) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Die Hard” (1988) directed by John McTiernan; starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman / Z-View

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Die Hard (1988)

Director:  John McTiernan

Screenplay: Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza; based on NOTHING LASTS FOREVER by Roderick Thorp

Stars: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, De’voreaux White, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, James Shigeta, Alexander Godunov, Andreas Wisniewski, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Lorenzo Caccialanza  and Al Leong.

Tagline: High above the city of L.A. a team of terrorists has seized a building, taken hostages and declared war. One man has managed to escape. An off-duty cop hiding somewhere inside. He’s alone, tired… and the only chance anyone has got.

The Plot…

New York City detective John McClane has flown to LA on Christmas Eve.  McClane is hoping to get back with with his estranged wife, Holly.  But first they have to attend Holly’s work Christmas party at the Nakatomi Towers.  Holly’s moving up in the Nakatomi corporation and that’s one of the problems in the McClane marriage.

The party is just getting underway when John arrives.  He excuses himself to clean up in one of the company restrooms.  Everyone else is gathered together for the party’s kick-off.  That’s when a group of heavily armed terrorists led by Hans Gruber busts in.  They take everyone at the party hostage.  Except for John McClane.

McClane realizes what is happening. He’s alone and unarmed.  The terrorists have cut off all communications to/from the tower.  When they realize McClane is there, one of the armed terrorists is sent to retrieve him.  McClane manages to kill the terrorist.  He takes the assassins machine gun and radio.

As the terrorists move forward with their plan (and it ain’t getting a ransom for the Nakatomi party-goers), they begin to hunt for John McClane.  Killing him with be a bonus.  What chance does one tired off-duty cop have against a band of armed mercenaries?

Yippi-Ki-Yay, mother*******.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Die Hard was nominated for four 1989 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Visual Effects – Richard Edlund, Al Di Sarro, Brent Boates, Thaine Morris
  • Nominee for Best Sound Effects Editing – Stephen Hunter Flick, Richard Shorr
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Frank J. Urioste, John F. Link
  • Nominee for Best Sound – Don J. Bassman, Kevin F. Cleary, Richard Overton, Al Overton Jr.

Die Hard is loosely based on the Roderick Thorp novel NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.  A lot was changed for the film.  Don’t read the book expecting Die Hard the movie.

Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and many other big name movie stars were offered the role of John McClane.  Even Frank Sinatra was courted to play the lead.  Everyone asked turned it down.  Bruce Willis, a television lead at a time when tv was seen as way below feature films, was paid $5 million to star.  In many of the first posters and ads for Die Hard, Willis’ name was not played up.  The movie went on to be a hit with audiences and shot Bruce Willis into the top tier of movie actors.

Die Hard features Alan Rickman’s first feature film role.  He is perfect as Hans Gruber.

Die Hard was added to the National film registry by the Library of Congress in 2017 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Hart Bochner is on point as the smarmy executive that overplays his hand with Hans Gruber.

Die Hard is one of the best action movies ever made.  Scratch the word action and the sentence is still true.

Die Hard (1988) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Sling Blade” (1996) written, directed and starring Billy Bob Thornton / Z-View

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Sling Blade (1996)

Director:  Billy Bob Thornton

Screenplay: Billy Bob Thornton; based on Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade by Billy Bob Thornton

Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Brent Briscoe, Mickey Jones and Robert Duvall.

Tagline: A simple man. A difficult choice.

The Plot…

Karl Childers is a mentally challenged man who has been in state custody for decades.  From the time Karl was born he was abused by his mother and father.  When Karl was twelve he accidentally caught his mother and a teenage boy having sex.  Karl believed the boy was raping his mother so Karl killed the kid using a sling blade.  When it became clear that his mom was enjoying the sex, Karl killed her as well.

At the state home Karl never had a problem.  Passive and shy, Karl spent most days just staring out a window.  So the state determined that Karl was no longer a danger to society and scheduled his release.  Karl begged his doctor to stay, but was forced to leave.

Now Karl has returned to his small hometown.  He gets a job repairing small engines.  Karl meets and befriends Frank Wheatley.  Frank is twelve.  His mother is divorced and in an abusive relationship.  Frank’s mom sees Karl is a kind man. Despite her boyfriend Vaughn’s misgivings she invites Karl to live in their garage.  Vaughn says that Karl could end up killing her or Frank.

Karl sees that Vaughn is a bully and cruel to everyone.  Karl especially worries about how Vaughn treats Frank.  Things are about to reach a breaking point.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sling Blade was nominated for two 1997 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Bob Thornton
  • Winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published – Billy Bob Thornton

Sling Blade is based on a short film written by Billy Bob Thornton and directed by George Hickenlooper.  It starred Billy Bob Thornton, Molly Ringwald and J. T. Walsh.

Billy Bob Thornton made his feature film directorial debut with Sling Blade.  It is also the film that made Thornton a famous actor.

Sling Blade (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964) directed by Stanley Kubrick; starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott / Z-View

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Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Director:  Stanley Kubrick

Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern, Peter George; based on RED ALERT by Peter Bryant (pseudonym of Peter George)

Stars: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, Peter Bull, James Earl Jones, Tracy Reed, Jack Creley, Robert O’Neil, Glenn Beck, Shane Rimmer, Hal Galili and Keenan Wynn.

Tagline: “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!”

The Plot…

Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper is mentally unstable.  Nobody realizes this until Ripper has put his plan into motion.  Ripper believes the Soviets are poisoning Americans through the use of fluoride in the water supply.  Ripper’s solution is to put his base on a condition red alert (so no one can get in or out).  Armed guards with shoot to kill orders will ensure this.  Ripper also confiscated all personal radios and shut down outside communication.  Ripper then ordered two Bombers carrying nuclear weapons to drop them on cities in Russia.  Since they can only communicate with him, the pilots believe the US is under attack.  They fly towards Russia intent on dropping their payload.

Once Merkin Muffley, the US President, gets word of what is happening, there is little time before the bombs drop.  President Muffley knows Russia will respond in kind.  That would trigger an all-out war.  Mutually assured destruction.

President Muffley brings General Buck Turgidson, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other officials into the War Room to formulate a plan.  Included in the group is a former Nazi, now a US scientist named Dr. Strangelove and Soviet Ambassador Alexi de Sadesky.  They get  Soviet Premier Dimitri Kisov on the hotline.  Kisov promises if a single bomb is detonated on Russian soil, they will unleash their doomsday device!

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dr. Strangelove was nominated for four 1965 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium – Stanley Kubrick, Peter George, Terry Southern
  • Nominee for Best Director – Stanley Kubrick
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Peter Sellers
  • Nominee for Best Picture – Stanley Kubrick

George C. Scott as General Turgidson trips in the War Room and then quickly gets up and continues talking.  Scott really tripped but didn’t break character.  Kubrick thought he was just acting.  The accident stayed in the film.

Peter Sellers was paid $1 million or 55% of the film’s budget.  In the film Sellers plays three characters so maybe the producers got a bargain.

Peter Sellers improvised most of his lines including the classic he yelled as Dr. Strangelove, “Mein Führer! I can walk!”  Peter Bull as the Soviet Ambassador can be seen breaking character when Sellers says it.

James Earl Jones thought that Slim Pickens stayed in character even off camera.  It wasn’t until later that Jones leaned that Pickens always talked like that.  Speaking of James Earl  Jones, Dr. Strangelove was his feature film debut.

Dr.  Strangelove is a classic.  Everyone should see it at least once.  (And it gets better with each repeated viewing.)

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Requiem for a Heavyweight” (1962) written by Rod Serling, directed by Ralph Nelson, starring Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney & Julie Harris / Z-View

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Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)

Director:  Ralph Nelson

Screenplay: Rod Serling

Stars: Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Julie Harris, Stanley Adams, Madame Spivy, Val Avery, Herbie Faye, Jack Dempsey, Barney Ross, Rory “Haystacks” Calhoun, Willie Pep and Muhammad Ali.

Tagline: They beat him… they broke him… they betrayed him… but they could not crush the towering dignity of a real fighter!

The Plot…

Louis “Mountain” Rivera was good at one thing.  Fighting.  In his last bout, a young fighter put a beating on the 37 year old Rivera.  Rivera was pummeled so badly that no doctor is going to clear him for future fights.  Fighting is all Rivera knows.  Now that is gone.

For years Rivera’s fight winnings have supported Rivera, his manager Maish Rennick, and Army, his cutman.  They have no savings.  Even worse Maish is in debt to Ma Greeny.  Ma deals harshly with those who don’t pay their debts.

When Rivera meets a woman named Grace, he begins to have hope.  Maish realizes that he’s about to lose his meal ticket.  That means no money coming in.  When Ma Greeny and her thugs show up, they will expect to be paid.  As Rivera’s manager, Maish is supposed to protect Rivera.  What he’s about to set up will break him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ralph Nelson was a 1963 Nominee Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures.

The National Board of Review named Requiem for a Heavyweight one of the top ten films of 1962.

Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) made his film debut as the young fighter who defeats Mountain Rivera at the start of the film.

Jackie Gleason, best know for his comedic skills on The Honeymooners, shows he’s just as adept as a dramatic actor.

Requiem for a Heavyweight first appeared as a television movie before becoming a feature film.  The television production featured Jack Palance as Mountain Rivera, Ed Wynn as Maish and his son Keenan Wynn as Army.   Ralph Nelson directed both versions.

Requiem for a Heavyweight is another example of the Rod Serling’s stellar writing talent.

Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) rates 5 of 5 stars

THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos / Z-View

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THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos

First sentence…

He called the place Pappas and Sons Coffee Shop.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

1972.  When Alex’s plans to hangout with his girlfriend get cancelled, he decides to go riding with his buddies, Billy and Pete.  Cruising with the guys and some beer isn’t as fun as he’d have had with Karen, but it’s something to do.

As they drive aimlessly, trading jokes and insults, the boys end up near Heathrow Heights.  The black kids at their school were bussed in from Heathrow.  Billy, behind the wheel, starts talking about driving through Heathrow Heights.  Alex is ready to go home, but to say so now would mark him as “chicken”.  Instead Alex asks, “What are we gonna do when we get in there?”  “Raise a little hell” is the answer.  Alex doesn’t want to, but keeps quiet.

When they see a few black kids near the street, Billy slows the car.  Pete hits one with a Hostess pie as he yells racial slurs.  Billy guns the car.  He thinks a turnaround is straight ahead.

It’s a dead end.

One of the boys jumps out of the car and runs.  The other two see the black kids angry and coming toward them fast.  Each are punched.  Then a shot rings out.

Thirty-five years later.  Everyone involved in the incident has been affected.  One kid was killed.  One kid sent to prison.  Thirty-five years later and they’re no longer kids.  One of the survivors contacts another he hasn’t seen since the incident.  If they meet would it be for revenge or healing?  Does it have anything to do with the boy, now a bitter man, that was sent to prison?  Are they aware he’s now out?  Do they even know that the ex-con plans on getting restitution, one way or another?

George Pelecanos has written another winner.

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BITTER ROOT: THE NEXT MOVEMENT #1 created by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene / Z-View

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BITTER ROOT: THE NEXT MOVEMENT #1 created by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene

Coloring: Matt Herms

Lettering: Hasson Otsmane-Elhaou

Publisher: Image Comics

Going back as far as can be told the Sangeryes have been Jinoo hunters. Jinoo were once human.  They became so poisoned by greed, hate, racism and other evils that the Jinoo became monsters. Some could be cured.  Others had to be killed.  But the cost to the Sangerye family was heavy.

Now, in the year 1964, the United States government say the Jinoo have been eliminated.  The Sangerye family knows differently.

When a bus load of young civil rights activists are brutally murdered in Mississippi, government agents are sent down.  The agents discover the destroyed bus.  The corpses, at least those that they can find, were butchered.  Recent attacks in Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana were increasingly brutal.  This is even worse.

The lead agent is unwilling to say Jinoo have returned. Meriah Manigo, a member of the Sangerye family knows differently.  And she’s now on site.

The original BITTER ROOT series received my highest recommendation.  I love that the original creative team of writers David F. Walker and Chuck Brown along with artist Sanford Greene have returned.   They haven’t missed a beat as they continue the BITTER ROOT story.  Kudos also to colorist Matt Herms and letterer Hasson Otsmane-Elhaou.

Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t read the original series.  You don’t need it to enjoy BITTER ROOT: THE NEXT MOVEMENT.  (But I do encourage you to seek out the original series as well!)

BITTER ROOT: THE NEXT MOVEMENT #1 gets my highest recommendation.

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FULLY LOADED #1 created, written, illustrated and lettered by Jimmy Broxton / Z-View

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FULLY LOADED #1: THERE GOES THE FUTURE Part 1 created, written, illustrated and lettered by Jimmy Broxton

Publisher: Verity/Scratch Comics

The year is 2065.  Ten years ago Carson Blake betrayed the only “family” he ever knew.  And the only woman he ever loved.  So he left the city.  No reason to go back.

Then Blake gets a call.

It’s from Austin Roper.  The one man who knew how to get in touch.  Austin Roper.  The bravest and most loyal soldier Blake knew.  Austin Roper.  The man who saved Blake’s life.

Roper tells Blake, “Atticus and his crew have kidnapped my wife and kids.  If I can’t get you to come back –”  Roper doesn’t even finish the sentence.  Blake is on his way.

Now Blake has a reason to return.  Better buckle up.

Jimmy Broxton’s Fully Loaded checks all the right boxes.  It has a vibe that feels like Broxton took the best parts of Blade Runner, Frank Miller’s Sin City, The Road Warrior, classic gangster movies and filtered them all through his sensibilities.

Broxton introduces us to the Fully Loaded world while moving the story forward.  There’s a mystery to exactly what Blake did that put him at odds with the family and cost him the love of his life.  Broxton has created a story with all the makings of a fun ride.  Honor, betrayal, loyalty, are all coming into play.

Broxton’s art is amazing.  Printed in beautiful black and white.  Jaw-dropping double-page spreads.  Atmosphere oozes off every page.  And let’s not forget Broxton’s use of lettering as sound effects.

Jimmy Broxton’s Fully Loaded was offered as a trade edition on Zoop.  I supported the campaign, but couldn’t pass on issue one when I saw it was available.  In addition to the story, Broxton gives us four pages that appear as ads from 2065 plus one page hinting at next issue.  I cannot wait!

FULLY LOADED #1 gets my highest recommendation.

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