Category: Z-View

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.

Rating:

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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“Predator: Killer of Killers” (2025) / Z-View

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Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)

Director:  Dan Trachtenberg

Screenplay: Micho Robert Rutare, story by Dan Trachtenberg, Micho Robert Rutare, based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas

Stars: Voices of Michael Biehn, Doug Cockle, Rick Gonzalez, Lauren Holt, Lindsay LaVanchy, Jeff Leach, Piotr Michael and Andrew Morgado.

Tagline:  Hunt the enemy, before they hunt you!

The Plot…

In the year 841, Vikings, led by warrior woman Ursa, have just defeated the Krivich clan.  The Krivich’s leader, Zoran killed Ursa’s father when she was a child.  Now Ursa and her son Anders will have revenge. A Predator is invisibly watching. Once a victor has been determined, the Predator will attack.  It will be a vicious battle to the death.

In the 1629, Kenji returns to confront his brother.  Twenty years prior, Kenji and his brother Kiyoshi had been boys.  Each child was given a sword. Ordered to battle.  The winner would become the clan’s new Warlord.  Kenji refused to fight, even as Kiyoshi attacked.  Rather than battle his brother, Kenji ran off.

Now Kenji sneaks into his brother’s fortress.  As the brothers battle, a Predator, undetected, silently watches.  The predator will fight the winner to the death.

The year is 1941.  World War II rages.  A small group of US Airmen take off to engage the enemy in aerial battle.   On the ground, mechanic John Torres sees a strange craft destroying both US and enemy planes.  Torres gets a beat-up plane working.  He takes off to warn his squad. When Torres arrives, he and Captain Vandy are the only survivors.  The Predator space ship is ready to engage them.  It will be a fight to the death.

Ursa, Kenji and Torres are awakened from suspended animation.  They are on a foreign planet.  Predators led the three to the center of an arena.  A large Predator incites the crowd.  Ursa, Kenji and Torres will fight to the death.  The winner will face the Predator gladiator/warlord.  To make it even more interesting, a giant dragon-like beast is released.  Who/what will survive?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Michael Biehn now joins Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen as the only actors to have roles in Alien, Terminator and Predator films.

Predator: Killer of Killers has many Easter eggs that are open to speculation.  Is the Gladiator Predator wearing a cape made of Xenomorph tails? In one of the Predator cryo-tanks we get a glimpse of a muscular make human.  Is he Dutch from Predator? Maybe it is Royce from Predators? Naru from Prey is definitely in one of the cryo-tanks.  The flintlock pistol from Predator 2 and Prey makes an appearance.

I liked Predator: Killer of Killers, but not as much as most folks.  It currently has a 7.6 rating on IMDb and at Rotten Tomatoes in has a 95% rating from reviewers and 90% from viewers. There were too many unanswered questions (including the final resolution) for my taste.  Still, I enjoyed the film, just not as much as most everyone else.  Your mileage may vary.

Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars

“The Accountant 2” (2025) starring Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and Cynthia Addai-Robinson / Z-View

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The Accountant 2 (2025)

Director:  Gavin O’Connor

Screenplay: Bill Dubuque, based on characters created by Bill Dubuque

Stars: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Alison Wright, Daniella Pineda, Robert Morgan, Grant Harvey, Andrew Howard, Yael Ocasio, Lombardo Boyar, Michael Tourek, Fernando Chien, Talia Thiesfield and J.K. Simmons.

Tagline: He sees what others can’t. He does what others won’t.

The Plot…

Raymond King, the retired director of the Financial Crimes Division of the US Treasury is found murdered.  King was working a case.  Before he was killed, King was able to write on his arm, “Find the Accountant”.  Marybeth Medina, King’s former protégé, and current FCD director, knows the meaning.  She and King had worked with Christian Wolf aka The Accountant on a case eight years prior.

Marybeth reaches out to Wolf and informs Wolf of King’s murder.  King and Marybeth meet.  She has access to all of the data King was using, but can’t decipher it’s meaning.  In short order Wolf determines the links.  King was working on bringing down an international human trafficking cartel.

Realizing that he’s going to need help, Wolf contacts his estranged hitman brother, Braxton.  Things are about to heat up.

Let’s go!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Accountant was released in 2016.  This sequel was announced in 2017.  A third film is a possibility.  At one point a television series was also considered.

Affleck and Bernthal have real chemistry as brothers.  The scene at the cowboy bar is a highlight.

The Accountant 2 (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Happy Face” (2025) starring Annaleigh Ashford & Dennis Quaid / Z-View

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Happy Face (2025)

Created by: Jennifer Cacicio; based on Happy Face by Melissa Moore and SHATTERED SILENCE by Moore and M. Bridget Cook

Director: Michael Showalter (Eps 1), Jennifer Getzinger (Ep. 2), Steven Piet (Ep. 3); Laurel Parmet (Ep. 4); Ramaa Mosley (Ep. 5); Darren Grant (Ep. 6); Samira Radsi (Ep. 7); Darren Grant (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:  Jennifer Cacicio (Eps. 1, 8); Andrew Gettens & Lauren Mackenzie (Ep. 2); Adam Toltzis & Sal Calleros (Ep. 3); Sarah Beckett (Ep. 4); Erica Saleh & Inda Craig-Galván (Ep. 5); Bam Johnson, story by Andrew Gettens & Lauren Mackenzie (Ep. 6); Tiffany Ezuma & Brandi Nicole Payne (Ep. 7)

Starring: Annaleigh Ashford, James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Khiyla Aynne, Benjamin Mackey, David Harewood, Damon Gupton, Michael O’Neill, Charles Zuckermann, Marci T. House and Dennis Quaid.

Tagline: Melissa, You Can’t Hide Forever

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Melissa is happily married to Ben.  They have two children.  They also have a secret.  Melissa is the daughter of the infamous serial killer known as Happy Face.  Melissa and Rex have kept Melissa’s dad a secret. No one at their work knows.  Their friends are unaware.  Even Melissa and Max’s children are unaware that grandpa is a serial killer.  Melissa’s dad has written her dozens of letters from prison.  She never reads them.  She won’t accept his calls.

Melissa works as a make-up artist on The Dr. Greg Show.  One day she is called into the office.  The Happy Face Killer contacted Dr. Greg.  Happy Face informed Dr. Greg that Melissa is his daughter.  Further, he said that he is ready to confess to an additional murder, but will only make the confession to his daughter.

Melissa thinks her dad is just playing for attention.  She initially refuses to meet.  Then she learns that a man sits on death row for the murder her father is ready to admit he committed.  Reluctantly, Melissa agrees to meet with her dad.  Dr. Greg loves the story.  His ratings are going through the roof as The Happy Face Killer slowly doles out information about the murder.

As the clock ticks down and an innocent man’s execution date draws near, Melissa marriage, her relationship with her children suffer.  Melissa is compelled to try to save the man on death row… but what if her dad is truly playing everyone?

Expect twists.

Thoughts…

Happy Face is based on a true story.

Dennis Quaid is more creepy than menacing.  Which makes him even scarier as a serial killer.

Happy Face (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Vanishing” (1988) directed by George Sluizer, starring Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets  and Johanna ter Steege / Z-View

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The Vanishing (1988)

Director:  George Sluizer

Screenplay: George Sluizer, Tim Krabbé, based on The Golden Egg by Tim Krabbé

Stars: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets  and Johanna ter Steege.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Rex and Saskia are young and in love.  While on vacation in France, they stop at a busy gas station.  They stretch their legs and take a break in a nearby grassy area.  As Rex waits at the car, Saskia heads in to get drinks for the road.

She never returns.

When Rex realizes Saskia should have been back, he searches the gas station and surrounding area.  Nobody saw anything.  Rex goes to the police.  Searches and appeals to the public turn up no clues.

Rex is obsessed with finding Saskia.  He makes sure posters with Saiska’s picture and information about her disappearance are always up.  He follows up on even the smallest possibility.  Rex realizes Saskia is probably not alive.  Still, it torments Rex to not know what happened to her.

Three years after her disappearance, Rex is contacted by Saiska’s kidnapper.  He wants to meet.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Stanley Kubrick reportedly considered The Vanishing the most terrifying film he’d ever seen.  Entertainment Weekly listed The Vanishing  as one of the all-time scariest films ever made.  The Vanishing is a movie that doesn’t have jump scares.  There is no unstoppable killer or traditional monsters.  And that makes it even more frightening.

The Vanishing will stay with you.  You’ll think about the movie long after you finish watching it. THAT ending.  The killer alone practicing his moves.  The fact that Rex gets his wish.

The success of The Vanishing, the Dutch film was optioned to be remade in the United States.  George Sluizer, who co-wrote and directed the original, was brought on to direct the American remake.  Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis and Sandra Bullock were brought on to star.  The budget was set at $20 million dollars (over ten times the budget of the original).  The ending was changed because “American audiences don’t like sad endings.”  Change the ending and you’re making a totally different film.  Why bother?  Audiences and critics overwhelmingly prefer the original.

The Vanishing (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars

JOE LEDGER: SECRET MISSIONS, VOLUME 2 by Jonathan Maberry / Z-View

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JOE LEDGER: SECRET MISSIONS VOLUME TWO by Jonathan Maberry

First sentence…

The card was tucked into the cleft of a crack in the vinyl of my old Ford Escape’s dashboard.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Joe Ledger is an ex-Army Ranger and ex-Baltimore police detective.  Ledger was recruited and is now an agent for the United States’ several-levels-above-top-secret Department of Military Sciences.  This organization deals with threats not only to the US, but the world.  Most of their missions involve stopping terrorists using advanced technology to create bio-weapons.  Some of Ledger’s assignments have ventured into the realm of the supernatural… and while Ledger might not believe in that “stuff” — his team has to deal with it.

JOE LEDGER: SECRET MISSIONS VOLUME  TWO features six tales.  Five by Maberry and one (Mr. Church’s Day Off) by Ray Porter.

  • Three Guys Walk into a Bar – A serial killer (killers?) has come to Pine Deep.  Police Chief Malcolm Crow and Deputy Mike Sweeney might be a bit put out when a PI named Sam Hunter and Joe Ledger show up.  But before long, they’ll be glad the two have arrived.  A serial killer is a terrible thing.  What’s come to Pine Deep is much, much worse.
  • Alter Boy – Toys was damned.  Things he had done in the past assured it.  Even the name everyone called him, Toys, was a moniker he hated.  But he lived with it.  Just like he lived with memories of acts for which he could never atone.  No matter how much good he did Toys knew his soul would never be saved.  Then Toys met a woman.  And over time as their relationship deepened Toys began to have hope.
  • Dog Days – New recruits to the  Department of Military Sciences (and other US agencies) hear stories about Joe Ledger and his dog partner Ghost.  Their exploits are legendary.  How a warrior and his canine became partners (family?) was born from tragedy.  Dog Days is that tale.
  • Twilight Falls – Over the Sahara desert a jet leaves chemtrails.  Shortly after whatever life below falls over dead.  Men, women, children… even camels.  This has happened several times.  Whoever is behind the jet may be testing efficiency for a mass event.  Ledger, Top and Bunny perform a HALO drop.  Easy in.  Getting out not so much.
  • All the Devils are Here – In 1971 a natural gas field in the desert of Turkmenistan collapsed.  It created a huge crater which filled with methane gas.  Geologists thought it would quickly burn off.  The fire has been raging since.  The locals call it the Gates of Hell.  An insane man with access to The Unlearnable Truths believes the fiery crater is a true door to hell.  And the psycho plans to open it.
  • Mr. Church’s Day Off – When you’re a hands-on leader of an international organization responsible for keeping the world safe, do you ever get time off?

If you’ve never read any of the Joe Ledger novels, this is a good jumping on point.  Don’t let the Volume Two in the title scare you.  You’ll get a nice taste of the kind of tales that feature Ledger along with some crossovers from other characters/situations in the Maberry universe.

Jonathan Maberry has another winner!  Joe Ledger tales are the best!

Rating:

“Psycho II” (1983) starring Anthony Perkins and Meg Tilly / Z-View

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Psycho II (1983)

Director:  Richard Franklin

Screenplay: Tom Holland, based on characters created by Robert Bloch

Stars: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia, Hugh Gillin, Claudia Bryar, Robert Alan Browne, Lee Garlington, Jill Carroll, Chris Hendrie, Tom Holland, Osgood Perkins  and Dennis Franz.

Tagline: It’s 22 years later, and Norman Bates is coming home.

The Plot…

Twenty-two years have passed since the murders that made Norman Bates infamous have passed.  Norman has spent that time in a mental institution.  His therapist believes that Norman is now sane.  Therefore a judge rules that Norman be set free.

Norman returns home with plans to re-open the Bates Motel.  In the meantime, he takes a job at a local diner.  When Mary, a waitress at the diner, suddenly becomes homeless, Norman offers her a place to stay.  She reluctantly accepts.  Not long after, Norman begins to get messages from his dead mother.

Norman begins to fear for his sanity and Mary’s safety.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Making a sequel to an Alfred Hitchcock classic is a tale, dangerous order.  Psycho II fills the bill better than you might expect.

The actor playing a young Norman Bates is Anthony Perkins’ son Osgood.

The original Bates house was able to be used for this sequel, but the hotel had to be rebuilt.

The scene where Norman plays the piano is actually Anthony Perkins playing.  He was an accomplished pianist.

Robert Bloch’s novel PSYCHO II and the movie sequel tell different stories.

Critics praised Anthony Perkins and Meg Tilly’s on-screen chemistry.  In reality, they didn’t get along.  Perkins actually wanted her fired after filming was underway.  Tilly called making the film the worst experience of her career.  She didn’t attend the movie’s premiere.

Dennis Franz steals every scene he’s in.  Franz could play a sleazy character with the best of them.

Psycho II (1983) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Solomon Kane” (2009) starring James Purefoy / Z-View

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Solomon Kane (2009)

Director:  M. J. Bassett

Screenplay: M. J. Bassett; based on characters created by Robert E. Howard

Stars: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Mark O’Neal, Christian Dunkley-Clark, James Babson, Marek Vasut and Pete Postlethwaite.

Tagline: Fight evil… With evil.

The Plot…

In the year 1600, Solomon Kane is a ruthless mercenary.  Kane and his raiders steal and plunder.  During an attack on a fortress, demons appear. Kane’s crew are killed.  A Devil’s Reaper says that Kane has led a life of sin.  The Reaper has been sent to claim Kane’s soul.  Kane barely escapes.

Shaken to his core, Kane joins a monastery and renounces violence.   After a year Kane is forced to leave.  As Kane walks, unsure of where his path will lead, he is attacked by highwaymen.  Kane refuses to fight back.  Badly beaten, Kane is left for dead.

The Crowthorns, a Puritan family finds and nurses Kane back to health.  The Crowthorns are on a journey to the New World.  Kane accepts an invitation to join them.

Without warning, they are attacked.  Kane is able to fight off his attackers. Meredith Crowthorn, the young daughter is kidnapped.  The rest of the family is killed.   Kane learns that a cult making raids to collect slaves.

Kane is determined to rescue Meredith.  He believes that if successful, he will redeem his soul.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Solomon Kane was originally planned as a trilogy.  The two sequels were never made.

Solomon Kane (2009) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Plane” (2023) starring Gerard Butler & Mike Colter / Z-View

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The Plane (2023)

Director:  Jean-François Richet

Screenplay: Charles Cumming, J. P. Davis; story by Charles Cumming

Stars: Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Evan Dane Taylor, Paul Ben-Victor, Daniella Pineda, Otis Winston, Joey Slotnick, Jessica Nam and Tony Goldwyn.

Tagline: The crash was only the beginning.

The Plot…

Due to a sudden violent storm a flight bound for Honolulu loses power. Turbulence violently tosses the airliner.  A crew member and police officer are killed during the sudden shake-up.  The cop was bringing in Louis Gaspare, a suspect for murder.

When the plane loses power, the pilot, Brodie Torrance has just minutes to make an emergency landing.  With no other options, Torrance sits down on a small island.

Brodie tells the to passengers grab available food and water.  He gets them off the plane. Brodie then takes the still handcuffed Gaspare with him. The two set out to find if other people live on the island.

The others on the island are a rebel militia that specializes in kidnappings for ransom.  If the ransom isn’t paid, they think nothing of beheading their victims.  The militia have learned of the plane’s arrival.  They’re armed and heading to capture a planeload of hostages.

It will be up to Brodie and Gaspare to protect the passengers until help arrives.  What chance does a pilot and suspected murderer have against a small army?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Plane reminded me of a throwback action film of the 1980s.  That’s a good thing.

A sequel for Mike Colter’s character, Louis Gaspare, is in pre-production.  Tentatively titled Ship, it picks up after Louis disappeared into the jungle.  His participation in the showdown with the militia, leads to an international manhunt. Gaspare sneaks aboard a cargo ship and discovers it’s transport for a human trafficking ring.  Deal me in!

The Plane (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars

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

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Strange Days (1995)

Director:  Kathryn Bigelow

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

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

Tagline: you know you want it

The Plot…

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

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

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

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

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

James Cameron did uncredited editing on the film.

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

Strange Days (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars

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

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Mobland: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Ronan Bennett

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

Teleplay by:  Ronan Bennett and Jez Butterworth 

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

Tagline:  None.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thoughts…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Order (2024)

Director:  Justin Kurzel

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

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

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

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

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

The Order (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

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

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Wolfs (2024)

Director:  Jon Watts

Screenplay: Jon Watts

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

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

The Plot…

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

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

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

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

Wolfs (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars

THE BIG EMPTY by Robert Crais / Z-View

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

First sentence…

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

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

+++

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

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

Rating: