Category: Z-View

Best of 2024: FILMS / BOOKS / Posts

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As we start 2025, let’s take a look at the BEST OF 2024. I hope you see something that you enjoyed or gets you interested to check out. Here we go…

Movies and Television Series

In 2024, I watched 396 movies and tv series. That number is down 13 from last year. My favorite films and limited series released in 2024 included (in alpha order):

  • American Nightmare
  • Apollo 13: Survival
  • Arnold
  • Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons
  • Carry-On, The
  • Cross: Season 1
  • Fargo: Season 5
  • From Darkness to Light
  • Greatest Night in Pop, The
  • Interview with the Vampire: Season 2
  • Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (A)
  • Mr. McMahon
  • Reacher: Season 2
  • Rebel Ridge
  • Shogun
  • Stallone Family, The Season 2
  • Sugar: Season 1

Books

In 2024, I read 46 books (up 25 from last year) My favorites from this year included (in the order I read them):

  • A Seance for Wicked King Death by Coy Hall
  • Racing the Light by Robert Crais
  • Ways of the Wolfe, The by James Carlos Blake
  • There and Back by Eric Beetner
  • The Wake-Up by Robert Ferrigno
  • The Amateurs by Marcus Sakey
  • Blood Grove by Walter Mosley
  • Scarecrow Returns by Matthew Reilly
  • The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos
  • Bright Orange for the Shroud by John D. McDonald
  • Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker

My Most Popular Posts of the Year

I continue to find some surprises in what became my most popular posts each year. Here are the top ten for 2024 and some thoughts for each…

  • 10. SYFY’s 2023/2024 Twilight Zone New Year’s Eve Marathon Schedule is Up! -– Who doesn’t love the Twilight Zone?
  • 09. Top 10 Most Iconic Horror Movie Villains – After two years in the 10th spot, it moves into 9th place.
  • 08. Dracula Through the Ages – Fell from the #3 spot last year.
  • 07. Steranko’s Concept Art for “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” – New to the list!
  • 06. Philip Marlowe – Who Played Him Best? Ranking the Actors Who Played Him! – New to the list.
  • 05. “Arcadian” starring Nicholas Cage – The Poster and Trailer are Here! – New to the list.
  • 04. Louis Meyers: Evidence He was the Zodiac Killer. – Same spot as last year (and the year before.)
  • 03. Batman – “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night” by Snoopy (Charles Schulz), Len Wein & Walt Simonson! – Came in at #3 for the first time on the list.
  • 02. New Evidence Points to Gary Francis Poste as The Zodiac Killer! – Jumped to the #2 spot in for the first appearance on the list.
  • 01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk”. – Returned to the #1 spot. It was #2 last year.

My All-Time Most Popular Posts

  • 10. Joel Osteen in Jacksonville – held on to the 10th spot for three years in a row.
  • 09. Gadot & The Rock Strike a Pose – in the 9th spot for the last four years.
  • 08. Steve Reeves as Superman – No change.
  • 07. TOP 10 MOST ICONIC HORROR MOVIE VILLAINS! – No change.
  • 06. New Billy the Kid Photo Discovered – Moves down from 5th.
  • 05. Dracula Through the Ages – Moves up to the 5th spot.
  • 04. SYFY’s 2023/2024 TWILIGHT ZONE New Year’s Eve Marathon is Up! – No change.
  • 03. Zodiac Killer Code Cracked? – No change!
  • 02. Louis Meyers: Evidence He Was the Zodiac Killer – No change!
  • 01. Schwarzenegger in “King Lear” & Robin Williams in “Jack and the Beanstalk” – was #1 for the last two years and continues to be our most popular post of all-time.

It’s always interesting to see which topics resonate with fans and continue to be popular long after their initial post.

“Taken” (2008) starring Liam Neeson / Z-View

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Taken (2008)

Director: Pierre Morel

Screenplay:  Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen

Stars: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky, Holly Valance, Katie Cassidy, Xander Berkeley, Olivier Rabourdin, Arben Bajraktaraj, Radivoje Bukvic and Leland Orser.

Tagline: They took his daughter. He’ll take their lives.

The Plot…

Bryan Mills (Neeson) is a retired Green Beret, CIA operative who provides security for celebrities.  Mills is on the phone talking to his teenage daughter when she is kidnapped by sex traffickers.  One of the kidnappers takes the phone.

Mills tells him:  “I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.”

The kidnapper responds by saying: “Good luck.”

Big mistake.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Pierre Morel was on a roll.  He directed District B13, followed that with Taken and then helmed From Paris With Love.

Jeff Bridges was originally set to play Bryan Mills.  When he dropped out, Liam Neeson got the role.  Neeson thought the film might go direct to video, instead it became a huge hit.  Taken spawned two sequels.  Following the success of Taken, Neeson’s career leaned into action roles.

Taken (2008) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Monster” (2016) written and directed by Bryan Bertino / Z-View

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The Monster (2016)

Director:  Bryan Bertino

Screenplay:  Bryan Bertino

Stars: Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine, Aaron Douglas, Christine Ebadi and Scott Speedman.

Tagline: Stay in the light.

The Plot…

A divorced mother and her young daughter are driving through remote woods one stormy evening.  When a wolf crosses their path, they wreck.  The wolf is killed.  The car axel is busted.  Stranded and alone, they call for a tow truck.

They don’t know that a monster is watching and ready for his next meal.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Monster was originally titled There Are Monsters.

I made it through the film.  Barely.  I’m giving it a two star rating for that reason, but it almost earned a 1.  As always, your mileage may vary.

The Monster (2016) rates 2 of 5 stars.

BRIGHT ORANGE FOR THE SHROUD: A TRAVIS MCGEE NOVEL by John D. MacDonald / Z-View

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BRIGHT ORANGE FOR THE SHROUD: A TRAVIS MCGEE NOVEL by John D. MacDonald

First sentence…

Another season was ending.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Travis McGee is shocked when Arthur Wilkinson shows up unannounced.  Arthur is near death.

A year ago Arthur was on top of the world.  He was part of the Florida beach crowd partying the nights away.  Arthur wasn’t a playboy.  Most thought him odd.  But Arthur was a nice guy with a considerable inheritance.  That made Arthur the perfect target for Wilma Ferner.  She was a looker.  Soon enough Wilma and Arthur were married and moved away.

In less than a year Wilma had drained Arthur’s bank account.  She got Arthur to invest in what turned out to be a scam. Once the money was gone so was Wilma.

McGee plans to nurse Arthur back to health.  Then he’s going to find Wilma and her scam artists… and make them pay.

Rating:

“Maxxxine” (2024) written & directed by Ti West, starring Mia Goth / Z-View

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Maxxxine (2024)

Director:  Ti West

Screenplay:  Ti West

Stars: Mia Goth, Charley Rowan McCain, Simon Prast, Deborah Geffner, Elizabeth Debicki, Uli Latukefu, Moses Sumney, Ned Vaughn, Kevin Bacon, Marcus LaVoi, Sophie Thatcher and Giancarlo Esposito.

Tagline: Hollywood is a killer.

The Plot…

1985.  Video is all the rage.  Now it is easy to rent a movie and watch it in the privacy of your home.  Maxine Minx is an adult film star.  She dreams of making it in mainstream films.  Despite all odds, Maxine auditions and gets a starring role in Puritan 2.

It is also a dangerous time to be in the adult entertainment.  A serial killer who tortures and mutilates his victims is stalking women in the industry.  Shortly after two of Maxine’s friends are found dead, branded with satanic symbols, a sketchy private eye shows up.  He tells Maxine that unless she meets with his employer, the mystery man will ruin her.  Maxine sees that he knows something about her that could end her dreams.

As Maxine decides what to do, the serial killer now has her in his sights.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Maxxxine is the third in a trilogy.  The first two films are X (2022) and Pearl (2022).

Kevin Bacon owns every scene he’s in.

Maxxxine (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Scrooge” aka “A Christmas Carol” (1951) starring Alistar Sim / Z-View

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Scrooge aka A Christmas Carol (1951)

Director:  Brian Desmond Hurst

Screenplay:  Noel Langley based on A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens

Stars: Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Michael Hordern, Francis De Wolff, Miles Malleson and Ernest Thesiger.

Tagline: One of the world’s most loved character actors, Alastair Sim, in a masterful portrayal of one of the world’s best loved characters, Scrooge!

The Plot…

Ebenezer Scrooge is an old, cheap businessman whose only joy in life is making money.  He doesn’t pay his workers much and never donates to charity.  Scrooge alienates family members and see holidays as a way for business to make more money.  But they won’t get his!

On Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by a ghost who tells him that he will later be visited by three ghosts: the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.  Scrooge will be shown his life and learn that unless he changes, the afterlife won’t be paradise.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The films original title was Scrooge.  When it came to the US, it was retitled as A Christmas Carol.

Scrooge aka A Christmas Carol (1951) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga” (2024) / Z-View

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The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga (2024)

Director:  Chapman Way, Maclain Way

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Kevin Curtis had to give up his career as an Elvis impersonator when he married and started a family.  Curtis got work as a janitor at the North Mississippi Medical Center.  When Curtis went into an off-limits area he told everyone who would listen that he found a severed head there. Ultimately Curtis was fired.  Curtis claimed the hospital was involved in black market selling of illegally harvested human organs.

Curtis became obsessed with conspiracy theories about the black market for human organs.  Curtis reached out to Steve Holland, his local House of Representatives legislator.  When Holland wouldn’t help Curtis, a feud developed.  Curtis discovered that Holland owned several funeral homes.  This led to Curtis’ belief that Holland was involved in the human organs black market.

As Curtis became more obsessed with overlapping conspiracy theories his life crumbled.  Curtis’ relationship with his brother (also an Elvis impersonator) ended.  After Curtis discovered his wife was cheating on him with James Everett Dutschke, they divorced.  Dutschke was a member of mesa, a karate instructor and wanna-be politician.  Curtis and Dutschke hated each other and each kept upping the ante in their feud.

Ultimately Curtis was arrested for sending Rican in a letter to President Obama, Judge Sadie Holland, and Senator Roger Wicker.  Curtis claimed he was innocent and Dutschke set him up.  Dutschke said Curtis was unhinged.

Both Dutschke and Curtis are known liars.  This time one of them is telling the truth.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you can get past the all over the place opening of The Kings of Tupelo, you’re in for a tale that is hard to believe.  The over the top, Southern to the bone characters are real people that would fit nicely in a Joe Lansdale novel or The Dukes of Hazard.   I liked visiting, but wouldn’t want to live there.

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…” (2024) / Z-View

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Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (2024)

Director:  Hamish Hamilton

Screenplay:  Jamie Foxx

Stars: Jamie Foxx.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

About a year ago Jamie Foxx was hospitalized.  His family clamped down on news about the cause of Foxx’s illness.  No photos.  No interviews.  So… of course speculation and rumors ran rampant.  Jamie Foxx had died.  Jamie Foxx was replaced by a clone.  Jamie Foxx had been poisoned.  Etc. Etc. Etc.

Thankfully Jamie Foxx fully recovered.  It took a lot of time and intensive rehab, but he did it.  And now Jamie Foxx wants to set the record straight.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jamie Foxx: What Happened Was is billed as a comedy special.  Which is unfortunate.  If you tune in to see Foxx’s comedy, you’ll get glimpses.  The laughs are mixed with a lot of Foxx talking about getting sick and his recovery.  Much of that is NOT funny.  And that’s fine… if you’re not expecting an all-out comedy special.

Jamie Foxx is talented.  He’s a comedian.  An actor.  A singer.  His impressions rock.  This special gives us glimpses of those talents and reminders of Foxx’s past success.  They’re found as Foxx talks about his stroke and recovery.  If you tune in thinking you’ll get a brief summary of what happened to Jamie followed by a comedy special, you’ll be disappointed.  I blame that on how the special was advertised.

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) / Z-View

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National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Director:  Jeremiah S. Chechik

Screenplay:  John Hughes based on characters created by John Hughes

Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Randy Quaid, Miriam Flynn, Cody Burger, Ellen Latzen, William Hickey, Mae Questel, Nicholas Guest, Nicolette Scorsese, Brian Doyle-Murray and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Tagline: There’s No Place Like Home For A Holiday!

The Plot…

Clark (Chase) and Ellen (D’Angelo) Griswald have invited their parents to spend Christmas (and the 10 days leading up to it) and their house.  Preparing for the holidays (when you’re hosting) can be stressful. Having both sets of in-laws at the same time even more so.  Add to that Clark has over-extended to surprise his family with a new swimming pool.  The check will bounce if his Christmas bonus doesn’t arrive soon.

Plus his yuppie neighbors are always creating issues.  The Christmas lights aren’t working, the tree is too big…  Oh, and don’t forget that Uncle Lewis (Hickey) and his senile wife Aunt Bethany (Questel) are coming Christmas Day.  With his kids complaining, the in-laws making comments, finishing up at work for the Christmas (still no bonus check?)… how could things get any worse.

That’s when Ellen’s cousin’s family – Catherine (Flynn), her dumb as bricks husband (Quaid), their two kids Rocky (Burger) and Ruby Sue (Latzen), and their aptly named Rottweiler, Snots, show up unannounced.

Let the good times roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mae Questel was the voice of Betty Boop in the 1930s.  Christmas Vacation was her last film appearance.

Brian Doyle-Murray, who plays Clark’s boss in this film, appeared in National Lampoon’s Vacation as another character (the clerk at Kamp Komfort).

Snots was Beverly D’Angelo’s real life dog.  Aunt Bethany’s cat was Beverly D’Angelo’s real life cat.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a stone cold classic.  Every scene is a winner.  It’s well written, well cast and well directed.  This film is required viewing each year at Christmas time.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) rates 5 of 5 stars.

THE MAN WHO CAME UPTOWN by George Pelecanos / Z-View

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THE MAN WHO CAME UPTOWN by George Pelecanos

First sentence…

When Antonius thought of all the things that they’d wrong the day of the robbery, wearing hoodies might have been at the top of the list.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Michael Hudson is in prison awaiting trial.  Michael is at a cross roads.  If found guilty of robbery, his life will go in one direction.  If the jury decides he’s not guilty, another.  Problem is, he’s guilty. And they have him dead to rights.  Michael was the getaway driver in a job that went bad.

It’s sad to realize your potential too late.  Michael’s not a bad looking guy.  He’s not dumb.  Michael could make something of his life, given another chance.  Michael’s decided if he somehow gets freedom, he’s done with crime.  He’ll get a job. Any job.  Then he’ll continue to better himself.

A miracle happens.  Private investigator Phil Ornazian sends word to Michael not to worry.  Sure enough and soon enough Michael is released.  The witness identifying Michael is no longer sure it was him.  Unbelievable.  A sentence of five years in a federal pen vanished.

Michael is done with crime.  He gets a job as a dishwasher and starts planning for the future.

Then Michael is visited by Ornazian.  Time to pay the piper.  Ornazian and a retired cop moonlight by ripping off drug dealers and pimps.  It’s easy money since the folks they steal from would never go to the cops.  Ornazian needs a getaway driver for a score.  Michael isn’t interested.  Ornazian reminds Michael that he owes him.  Who knows, maybe the witness’ memory comes back.

Michael agrees to drive… one last time.

Rating:

“The Sons of Katie Elder” (1966) starring John Wayne & Dean Martin / Z-View

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The Sons of Katie Elder (1966)

Director:  Henry Hathaway

Screenplay:  William H. Wright, Allan Weiss, Harry Essex; based on story by Talbot Jennings

Stars: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Martha Hyer, Michael Anderson Jr., Earl Holliman, Jeremy Slate, James Gregory, Paul Fix, George Kennedy, Dennis Hopper, John Doucette, James Westerfield, Rhys Williams, John Qualen, Rodolfo Acosta and Strother Martin.

Tagline: From the four winds they came, the four brothers, their eyes smoking and their fingers itching…

The Plot…

The year is 1888.  Katie Elder’s four grown sons have come home for her funeral.  Home is the small frontier town of Clearwater.  John (Wayne), the oldest, is an infamous gunfighter. Tom (Martin) is a professional gambler who drifts from town to town.  Matt (Hollimann) is a store owner.  Bud (Anderson) just graduated high school.

The three oldest brothers had left years ago.  They had been sending their mom money since dad died six months ago.  They were unaware that their father had been murdered.  Or that their mom had the family ranch stolen from her.

But they know now.  And they’re going to right those wrongs.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It has always bugged me that Katie Elder had four sons that ranged in age from about 60 to 17. How young was she when she had her first child?  Because her eldest son was about 40 years older than the youngest!?! (The film’s conceit was that her eldest son was in his late 30’s.  John Wayne was in his late 50s when he played the part.)

The Sons of Katie Elder was John Wayne’s first film after surgery for lung cancer.  He had the cancer and two ribs removed just four months earlier.  The production was initially set to film in October of 1964, but was postponed until January 1965!

The hearse used to transport Katie Elder now resides in front of the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World.

Tommy (Old Yeller) Kirk was originally cast as the youngest brother.  After Kirk was arrested for possession of marijuana the role was recast.

Three actors played two roles in The Sons of Katie Elder.  Karl Swenson played both Doctor Isdell and the bartender.  Jerry Gatlin is uncredited but played one of the Hasting’s gunmen and the railroad worker.  Boyd ‘Red’ Morgan, also uncredited played a member of the posse and the blacksmith.

Doc Holliday’s woman known as Big Nose Kate sometimes went under the alias Kate Elder.  Her real name was Mary Katherine Horony Cummings.

The Sons of Katie Elder (1966) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“From Darkness to Light” written & directed by Eric Friedler, Michael Lurie / Z-View

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Director:  Eric Friedler, Michael Lurie

Screenplay: Eric Friedler, Michael Lurie

Stars: Jerry Lewis, Mel Brooks, Martin Scorsese, Harry Shearer and Sarah Silverman.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

In 1971, producer Nat Wachsberger, approached Jerry Lewis about directing and starring in an adaption of THE DAY THE CLOWN DIED by Joan O’Brien.  Lewis knew the story of Helmut, a once famous clown now a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp.  Nazis see Helmut entertaining the children.  The Nazis then use Helmut to lead the kids to the gas chamber.  Lewis was intrigued.  It would be a fine line to walk — finding humor in a dark story and at the same time present a film that said something about the human condition.  Lewis was told he could tweak the script and would have full control of the film.

Lewis agreed.  He lost 35 pounds preparing for the role.  Lewis cleared his schedule and threw himself fully into the project.  With just a couple of weeks of filming left, Lewis learned the producer’s rights to the film ran out.  The producer couldn’t (or wouldn’t) come up with money to re-secure the movie rights. Further money to complete the film wouldn’t be coming.  Lewis reportedly paid $2 million of his own money to cover costs.

The Day the Clown Cried became a thing of legend.  Never completed. Never released.  A rough cut was seen by just a very few people.  In fact, most folks didn’t know the story behind the story… until now.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I always wondered if The Day the Clown Cried would be released.  Now I know why it wasn’t.  Lewis was questioned about the movie from 1972 to his death.  He refused to show footage and would only say he wasn’t happy with the job that he did.

In August 2015, it was reported that Jerry Lewis donated a copy of The Day the Clown Cried to the Library of Congress.  Lewis stipulated that the unfinished film not be screened until 2024.  In August 2024, a limited screening was held.

From Darkness to Light is a wonderful documentary.  With vintage interviews, footage and stills from the film, viewers are treated to answers to the many mysteries of The Day the Clown Cried.

From Darkness to Light (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Carry-On” (2024) starring Taron Egerton, Sofia Carson, Dannielle Deadwyler and Jason Batemen / Z-View

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The Carry-On (2024)

Director:  Jaume Collet-Serra

Screenplay:  T.J. Fixman

Stars: Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler, Logan Marshall-Green, Dean Norris, Sinqua Walls, Curtiss Cook, Joe Williamson, Gil Perez-Abraham, Benito Martinez, Adam Stephenson and Theo Rossi.

Tagline: Every holiday season, millions travel safely by air. This Christmas will be different.

The Plot…

Christmas Eve.  Ethan Kopek (Egerton) and his girlfriend Nora (Carson) just found out they’re going to have a baby.  They plan to marry.  Nora is in management for an airline.  Ethan is a TSA agent at the same airport.  Life is good.

Ethan and Nora arrive at the airport full of travelers.  They kiss and head to their jobs.  Ethan talks to his supervisor about a promotion.  Ethan’s boss is open to the suggestion.  He moves Ethan to a new position — running a baggage-scanning lane.  Things are hectic but going well… until Ethan is given an earbud that he’s told to wear.

Ethan hears a voice telling him that him being moved to the new position is unfortunate.  Ethan has a choice, let a specific carry-on case pass through or Nora will be killed.  Ethan is shocked.  How can they know about Nora so quickly?  The voice says that Ethan and Nora are being watched.  Any attempt to contact the authorities or anyone and Nora dies.  The voice tells Ethan, “all you have to do is nothing.”

Ethan quickly learns that they are watching his every move.  When Ethan gets a message to one of his co-workers, the man is killed before he can read it.  Ethan realizes he is in way over his head.

If he doesn’t do as told, Nora dies.  If he allows the carry-on through, an airplane full of Christmas travelers will die.

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Carry-On is an intelligent thriller that is well directed and well cast.

Kudos to writer T.J. Fixman for creating an action picture that doesn’t depend on anyone (hero or villain) doing something stupid for the film to work.  This is T.J. Fixman’s first live action script.  I look forward to his next.

Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman make great adversaries.  Kudos also to Danielle Deadwyler and Theo Rossi – they elevate every scene they’re in. It was nice seeing Dean (Breaking Bad) Norris and Benito (The Shield) Martinez is supporting roles.

The Carry-On is surprisingly good.

The Carry-On (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Black Gravel” (1961) directed by Helmut Käutner / Z-View

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Black Gravel (1961)

Director:  Helmut Käutner

Screenplay:  Helmut Käutner, Walter Ulbrich

Stars: Helmut Wildt, Ingmar Zeisberg, Wolfgang Büttner, Anita Höfer and Peter Nestler.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Post-World War II West Germany.  The population struggles with shortages of jobs, and life’s necessities such as food, water and housing.  The major source of revenue for the small village of Sohnen is the nearby American Air Force base.  The soldiers spend their money on booze and broads.  The black market flourishes.

Robert Neidhardt has always made his way on the outskirts of the law.  Now he owns a huge truck and drives for Air Base construction projects.  Neidhardt makes extra cash working with a group diverting black gravel from the construction sites to a private buyer.

One evening Neidhardt  stops to assist (for a price) a couple stranded on the side of the road. The car belongs to American Air Force Major John Gaines.  Neidhardt offers to tow the car into town for ten bucks.  Major Gaines agrees.  He and his wife get into Neidhardt’s truck.  Neidhardt is shocked.  The Major’s wife, Inge, is Neidhardt’s former lover.  She left one day with no explanation.

The next morning Neidhardt calls on Inge.  Although they are still attracted to each other, Inge wants no part of Neidhardt.  She knows they’re bad for each other.  But the attraction is too strong.

Soon Neidhardt’s affair, his illegal trucking activities, and the death of two young lovers will put his life at risk.  Despite his best efforts, the noose is tightening…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Black Gravel is extremely dark.  It features adult themes.  Black Gravel was edited and shown with a more upbeat ending during the initial release.  In 2009, the film was restored to the version shown now.  It’s hard hitting and not for everyone.

I’m surprised Black Gravel is better known among fans of noir.

Black Gravel (1961) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Gunga Din” (1939) directed by George Stevens, starring Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Sam Jaffe / Z-View

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Gunga Din (1939)

Director:  George Stevens

Screenplay:  Joel Sayre, Fred Guiol; story by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur; based on Gunga Din from BARRACK ROOM BALLADS by Rudyard Kipling

Stars: Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Sam Jaffe, Eduardo Ciannelli, Montagu Love, Robert Coote, Abner Biberman and Lumsden Hare.

Tagline:  Armies and elephants!…Love and laughter!…Breathless adventure inspired by Kipling’s heroic odyssey of fighting in India!…Astride its eye-staggering scenes, three lusty sons of the sword…reckless in love, ruthless in war and dauntless in peril!

The Plot…

In the 1880s, India’s Northwest frontier was dangerous in the best of times.  When all contact is lost with the Tantrapur British outpost, a squad of  25 soldiers is sent to investigate.  The colonel includes his three best men: Sergeant Archibald Cutter (Grant), Sergeant MacChesney (McLaglen) and Sergeant Ballantine (Fairbanks).  The three are cutups, and discipline problems, but veterans that can be counted on when things go sideways.  Also accompanying the squad is Gunga Din (Jaffe).  Din is of low status regulated to carrying water or other such menial tasks.  Din dreams of someday being a soldier.

The squad finds the outpost deserted.  Before they can fix the telegraph, they are attacked.  Although most of the team is wiped out, the three Sergeants, Gunga Din and a few others escape.  They are shocked to learn that a murderous cult known as the Thuggee have returned.  Thought to have been wiped out decades ago, the Thuggee have secretly been organizing.

The Thuggee plan to kill all nonbelievers.  They are on the move.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Only Gone with the Wind earned more at the box office in 1939 than Gunga Din.

The giant gong used in the opening sequence was the same gong used in King Kong.

Gunga Din was the most expensive film RKO had produced up to that point.  Even still it went over budget by a half a million dollars.

The Thuggees were an actual religious cult.  They would gain the confidence of travelers.  Later they would strangle the poor soul and steal their good. Thuggees were the inspiration for the word “thug”.

Gunga Din (1939) rates 5 of 5 stars.