Category: Z-View

“Killer’s Game” (2024) starring Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins & Ben Kingsley / Z-View

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Killer’s Game (2024)

Director: J. J. Perry

Screenplay: Rand Ravich, James Coyne, based on THE KILLER’S GAME by Jay Bonansinga

Stars: Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins, Ben Kingsley, Raffaello Degruttola, Domonkos Pardanyi and Sharon Rabinowitz.

Tagline: Winning is all in the execution.

The Plot…

Joe Flood (Bautista) has made his living as a hit man.  He only takes contracts on evil men.  No women.  No children.  No civilians.

Joe meets a dancer named Maize (Boutella) and they begin dating.  It soon becomes clear that they’re falling in love.  Joe’s never been happier although his headaches have been getting worse.  When Joe goes to the doctor, results show he has a fatal disease with no cure.  The disease is fast moving and will leave Joe blind, in pain and mindless in a matter of months.

Joe decides to take matters into his own hands.  He breaks it off with Maize.  Then Joe uses his connections to put a hit on himself.  When word gets out, hit teams from around the world are determined to collect the two million dollar bounty.

The Joe gets a call from his doctor.  The test result were mixed up.  Another patient has the disease, not Joe.  Except for his headaches, Joe is perfectly healthy.  The doctor says Joe could live for years.

Of course the doc doesn’t know about the hit men and women on their way to punch Joe’s ticket.  Since there’s no calling off the hit, Joe’s only way to survive is to kill the killers.

Game on.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is the second time Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella appeared together in a film.  The first was Hotel Artemis (2018) which I highly recommend.

Killer’s Game (2024) is a fun ride.  It features over the top characters, cartoonish violence, a bit of romance and a twist or two.

Killer’s Game (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996) directed by Robert Rodriguez, written by Quentin Tarantino, starring George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis & Quentin Tarantino / Z-View

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From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, story by Robert Kurtzman

Stars: George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Quentin Tarantino, Ernest Liu, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Tom Savini, Fred Williamson, Brenda Hillhouse, John Saxon, Marc Lawrence, Kelly Preston, John Hawkes, Greg Nicotero, Robert Rodriguez and Michael Parks.

Tagline: From Quentin Tarantino. From Robert Rodriguez. From Dusk Till Dawn

The Plot…

Seth (Clooney) and Richie (Tarantino) Gecko are bank robbers on the run.  They’re desperate to get to across the border to Mexico.  If they make it, they’ll meet Carlos at a strip club called The Titty Twister.  From there, for a price, they’ll be taken to a sanctuary.

The trip won’t be easy.  Every cop including the Texas Rangers are after them.  There are roadblocks, constant news reports plus Richie is liable to royally screw things up.  Seth is a thief and will kill anyone who attempts to bring him in, but there are lines he won’t cross.  Richie is a sadist, sexual deviant and is an eager killer.

Opportunity presents itself when the Gecko brothers see Jacob Fuller (Keitel) and his two teenage kids, Scott (Liu) and Kate (Lewis) outside their RV.  They kidnap the family and force Jacob to drive them across the border.

Now it’s a short journey to The Titty Twister.  Once there the family will be set free and the brothers will go to sanctuary.  Or so they think.  No one can imagine the horrors that await.  Not everyone will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I love how From Dusk Till Dawn morphs from a crime flick to a horror movie.

There are movie easter eggs throughout the film.  Earl McGraw (Michael Parks) appears here and in Kill Bill, Planet Terror and Death Proof.  Big Kahuna Burgers, made famous in Pulp Fiction (and later Death Proof) show up.  A Precinct 13 shirt worn by Scott is a reference to John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13.  The crotch-gun that Sex Machine uses was also seen in Rodriguez’s film Desperado. Chango Beer seen in this film was also a beverage in Desperado.

Cheech Marin plays three roles in the film: a border patrol agent, the barker at The Titty Twister and Carlos.

From Dusk Till Dawn fits in perfectly with Rodriguez and Tarantino’s Grindhouse double feature… instead make it a triple feature that would run from, uh, dusk till dawn.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Organ Trail” (2023) starring Zoé De Grand Maison and Clé Bennett / Z-View

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Organ Trail (2023)

Director: Michael Patrick Jann

Screenplay: Megan Turner

Stars: Zoé De Grand Maison, Lisa LoCicero, Olivia Grace Applegate, Sam Trammell, Nicholas Logan, Michael Abbott Jr., Alejandro Akara, Clé Bennett, Jessica Frances Dukes and Thomas Lennon.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The year is 1870.  The Archer family, Abraham, Celeste, and their teenage children, Tobias and Abby are traveling across the frontier in a covered wagon.  One evening they come across a massacre.  Everyone except a young woman named Cassidy has been brutally murdered.  The Archers treat Cassidy’s wounds and tell her she can travel with them.

Late that night, the four murderers, Logan, Rhys, Brody, and Felix return.  They kill everyone in the Archer family except Abby.  It turns out Cassidy is with the four men.  Abby is bound and taken to a deserted ghost town.  It is the base of operations for the killers.  They routinely use Cassidy to slow down travelers who they then kill and rob.  Cassidy’s injuries were because she tried to escape the men.

The men are sadistic, perverted killers.  Now they have two women to use as bait on unsuspecting travelers. Abby realizes that escape is unlikely and will likely result in her death.

Abby plans to leave the first chance she gets.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Organ Trail is western/horror mashup.

Zoé De Grand Maison and Clé Bennett are both new actors to me.  I will be keeping an eye out for their future performances.  They were excellent.

Nicholas Logan once again makes an excellent scary bad guy.

Organ Trail (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Big Bang” (2010) directed by Tony Krantz, starring Antonio Banderas & Sam Elliott / Z-View

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The Big Bang (2010)

Director: Tony Krantz

Screenplay: Erik Jendresen

Stars: Antonio Banderas, Thomas Kretschmann, William Fichtner, Sienna Guillory, Delroy Lindo, Autumn Reeser, James Van Der Beek, Jimmi Simpson, Bill Duke, Rebecca Mader, Robert Maillet, Snoop Dogg and Sam Elliott.

Tagline: The search for the ultimate missing person ends… at the beginning of time.

The Plot…

Late one evening private eye Ned Cruz (Banderas) is in his office after a rough day.  When Anton ‘The Pro’ Protopov (Maillet) suddenly appears in front of his desk, Cruz is shocked.  Who wouldn’t be?  Anton is a solid,  7 foot tall ex-prize fighter, ex-con.  Anton’s career ended when he killed an opponent in the ring.

Anton wants Cruz to find Lexie.  Lexie wrote Anton regularly while he was in prison. Anton didn’t know Lexie, but wants to meet her.   And he’s willing to pay.

As Cruz follows leads, people turn up dead.  Then Cruz realizes he’s being followed. Cruz isn’t surprised since there’s $30 million in diamonds at the center of the case.

Soon Cruz is pressured by Anton and three crooked cops.  Cruz is in over his head and that’s before the trail leads to a genius/crazy physicist on the verge of discovering the “God particle”.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Big Bang owes a lot to Farewell, My Lovely.  It’s more of a love letter than rip off.

If you’re into physics, you’ll get a kick out of the Easter eggs in this film.

The Big Bang (2010) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Eyes Without a Face” (1960) / Z-View

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Eyes Without a Face (1960)

Director: Georges Franju

Screenplay: Boileau-Narcejac, Jean Redon, Claude Sautet; dialogue by Pierre Gascar; based on Les Yeux sans visage by Jean Redon

Stars:  Pierre Brasseur; Alida Valli; Juliette Mayniel; Alexandre Rignault; Béatrice Altariba; François Guérin and Édith Scob.

Tagline: Beautiful women were the victims of his FIENDISH FACIALS!!!

The Plot…

Dr. Génessier is a brilliant surgeon.  His work with skin grafts is cutting edge.  When Génessier causes an accident that destroys his adult daughter’s face, he is determined to repair it with skin grafts.  But to do that he will need young women’s faces!

When women begin disappearing, the police are baffled… until…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Eyes Without a Face was not well received when first released.  Over the years it has become a cult classic.

Eyes Without a Face is a stylish horror film with a nightmarish quality.

Eyes Without a Face (1960) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Apollo 13: Survival” (2024) / Z-View

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Apollo 13 Survival (2024)

Director: Peter Middleton

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Apollo 13 was halfway to the moon when catastrophe struck.  An explosion disabled the electrical system and life-support system.  NASA’s Mission Control needed to formulate a plan to use the tools and items on board to find a way to safely bring the Apollo 11 crew back.  Astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise lives hung in the balance.

“Houston, we have a problem.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Apollo 13 Survival provides never before seen footage as well as behind-the-scenes access to one of the greatest comeback triumphs in NASA’s history.

Apollo 13 Survival (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“American Me” (1992) directed by Edward James Olmos, starring Edward James Olmos & William Forsythe / Z-View

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American Me (1992)

Director: Edward James Olmos

Screenplay: Floyd Mutrux, Desmond Nakano; story by Floyd Mutrux

Stars: Edward James Olmos, William Forsythe, Pepe Serna, Lopez, Dyana Ortelli, Lance August, Cody Glenn, Don Pugsley and William Smith.

Tagline: In prison they are the law. On the streets they are the power.

The Plot…

American Me follows three friends, Montoya Santana (Olmos), JD (Forsythe) and Mundo (Serna) from their days of youthful crime to their leadership of the powerful La Eme gang.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

American Me is based on real people and events, but was fictionalized.  Some of the choices made were not well received.  Reportedly at least three of the consultants for the film were murdered after the movie’s release.  Danny Trejo talks about the problems and the people who were killed in this interview (start at 24:32).

Several scenes were shot at Folsom State Prison and the California Institution for Men.  Real gang members, prisoners and guards are seen on screen.

Edward James Olmos’ debut as a director.

American Me (1992) rates 4 of 5 stars.

THERE AND BACK by Eric Beetner / Z-View

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THERE AND BACK by Eric Beetner

First sentence…

THE ROCK SLID from the hand and turned twice in the air, the edge serrated in a peak like a mountain range, blood filling the cracks and fissures.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Eight junior executives at a tech company are selected to attend a wilderness retreat.  The trip is billed as a team building exercise.  Not everyone believes it.  There are four opportunities for promotion coming up.  There are eight employees attending.  Do the math.

The drive takes them six and a half hours into the wilderness.  We’re talking remote.  No cell reception.  No other people.  No roads once they’re in.  Although there will be guides going along, no one could have foreseen the accident.  And who would have guessed that the guides would be killed?

The eight are lost.  Little water.  Few supplies.  They won’t be missed for days.  They may not survive that long.  As the hours pass, civility is gone.  No one knows the right thing to do.  Move on.  Wait for help?  Tension mounts as tempers rise.

Eight went in.  Five came out.  What happened to the three that didn’t make it?  The survivors have a secret.  And you know what they say about a secret… “Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.”  Five, not three came back.

+++++

I’m a huge fan of Eric Beetner’s novels. Each new novel is an automatic pick-up.  Most of his stories are crime yarns.  THERE AND BACK involves crime, but at it’s heart is the mystery of what happened and the survivors’ secret.  THERE AND BACK is an ambitious work and Beetner pulls it off.

Rating:

“To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) directed by Robert Mulligan, starring Gregory Peck, Mary Badham and Phillip Alford / Z-View

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To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Director: Robert Mulligan

Screenplay: Horton Foote; based on TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee

Stars: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcox Paxton, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley, William Windom, Crahan Denton, Richard Hale and Robert Duvall.

Tagline: The most beloved and widely read Pulitzer Prize Winner now comes vividly alive on the screen!

The Plot…

Summer is always the best time for Scout (Badham), her older brother Jem (Alford) and their friend Dill (Megna).  Like most kids, they play games, stay out until dark and share stories.  Often their tales involve Boo Radley who lives in the scary house just down the way.  Since no one has ever seen Boo, imaginations run wild. Scout’s Dad, Atticus (Peck) warns the children to stay away from the Radley house.  This just makes the stories more exciting.

Atticus is a widowed lawyer and well respected in the town.  That is until, he agrees to defend a black man accused of raping a white woman.  Taking on this case in Alabama in the early 1930s sets off a certain segment of the population.  Unfortunately, even Scout and Jem aren’t safe from taunts and threats.

As the case progresses, tension throughout the small town escalates.  Before it is over, the powder keg will blow and the truth about Boo Radley will be known.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic.  It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three…

  • nominee Best Music, Score – Substantially Original: Elmer Bernstein
  • nominee Best Cinematography, Black-and-White: Russell Harlan
  • nominee Best Director: Robert Mulligan
  • nominee Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Mary Badham
  • winner Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White: Alexander Golitzen, Henry Bumstead, Oliver Emert
  • winner Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Horton Foote
  • winner Best Actor in a Leading Role: Gregory Peck
  • winner Best Picture: Alan J. Pakula

Brock Peters, who played Tom Robinson the man accused of rape in the film, gave Gregory Peck’s eulogy at his funeral.

First credited role of Robert Duvall and film debut of William Windom.

The character Dill was based on Truman Capote, a childhood friend of author Harper Lee.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Conan the Barbarian” (1982) directed by John Milius, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger & James Earl Jones / Z-View

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Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Director: John Milius

Screenplay: John Milius, Oliver Stone; based on CONAN THE BARBARIAN by Robert E. Howard

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow, Sandahl Bergman, Ben Davidson, Cassandra Gava, Gerry Lopez, Mako, Valérie Quennessen, Franco Columbu, Nadiuska, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Ron Cobb and William Smith.

Tagline: Slave. Barbarian. Warrior. Thief… Conan.

The Plot…

When Conan (Scwarzenegger) was a boy, his parents and entire village were massacred by a cult led by Thulsa Doom (Jones).  Conan was sold into slavery to work on the Wheel of Pain at a remote mill.  He grows into manhood.  The wheel has made Conan huge and muscular.  A passing traveler, buys Conan to turn him into a gladiator.

Conan is undefeated in the gladiator pits.  After countless wins, Conan earns his freedom.

Over the years, the cult of Thulsa Doom has grown.  Surrounded by warriors and his own mystical powers, Doom continues his heartless rule.  But now Conan has plans to avenge his parents.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Arnold was perfectly cast as Conan.

Sven-Ole Thorsen who appears as the warrior Thorgrim would go on to appear in a total of 15 films with Arnold Schwarzenegger either as an actor or stuntman.

Arnold was signed for three sequels.  Only one was made and it fell far short of the original.

Conan the Barbarian (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Rebel Ridge” written & directed by Jeremy Saulnier, starring Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson and Annasophia Robb / Z-View

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Rebel Ridge (2024)

Director: Jeremy Saulnier

Screenplay: Jeremy Saulnier

Stars: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, Daniel H. Chung, Dana Lee, C.J. LeBlanc, Brannon Cross, Chelsea Bryan, Al Vicente  and James Cromwell.

Tagline: Their laws. His rules.

The Plot…

Terry Richmond (Pierre) gets word that his younger brother has been arrested in the small town of Shelby Springs.  If his brother can’t come up with $10,000 for bail, he’ll be transported to the state prison to wait until trial.  Terry knows if his brother is sent to prison, he’ll be marked for death because of problems with a gang leader serving time there.

So Terry lets his business partner buy him out of the restaurant they co-own.  Terry then takes the $30,000 and heads directly to Shelby Springs.  If the bail isn’t paid by the end of the day, his brother heads to prison and certain death.  Just outside of the city limit, Terry is pulled over.  The cop gives Terry a hard time.  Despite that, Terry stays polite and calm.  This seems to upset the officer more.  Then the cop discovers Terry has $30,000 in cash.

Despite Terry’s explanation, the cop confiscates the cash.  The officer says that until Terry can prove the money is from a legit source, the town will keep it as a civil forfeiture.  The cop leaves with the cash.  Terry heads into town.

Terry meets with Chief Sandy Burnne (Johnson) and explains the situation.  The money is from a legit source and he needs to pay his brother’s bail to keep him from certain death.  Burnne listens, then tells Terry to hit the road.  He can sue to get the money back, but that will cost more than the amount he’s lost.

The clock is ticking on saving his brother.  Chief Sandy Burnne has a small police force backing him up.  What none of them know is Terry Richmond is a close combat expert who used to train marines.  Terry is a patient man.  Even a patient man has his limits.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Aaron Pierre has a career as an action star if he wants it.  Don Johnson is always good, but here he’s at the top of his game.

John Boyega was originally set to star and had filmed some scenes.  Boyega then left the production, opening the door for Pierre.

Rebel Ridge is like an updated First Blood.  Expect several twists and a rousing good time.

Kudos to writer and director Jeremy Saulnier.  He’s a talent to watch.

Rebel Ridge (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Killer” (2024) directed by John Woo / Z-View

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The Killer (2024)

Director: John Woo

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland, Josh Campbell, Matt Stuecken; based on The Killer by John Woo

Stars: Nathalie Emmanuel, Omar Sy, Sam Worthington, Diana Silvers, Saïd Taghmaoui, Tchéky Karyo and Aurélia Agel.

Tagline: A classic. Reloaded.

The Plot…

Zee (Emmanuel) is a hit woman known as The Queen of the Dead.  On a job, Zee successfully eliminates all of her targets.  Unfortunately Jenn Clark, a singer is wounded, causing her to losing her sight.  Although Zee had been hired to execute everyone, she takes pity and allows Jenn to live.

This decision turns Zee’s employers against her.  Now Zee has a crime cartel and the police on her trail.  An unlikely alliance with a police inspector may be her saving grace.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Killer (1989) is a classic.  I’m a huge fan of it, so I was looking forward to see what Woo would do with the remake.  Sadly, it fell far short of my expectations.

There had been talk of a The Killer remake for years.  In 1992, Walter Hill and David Giler worked up a script.  The hope was Richard Gere and Denzel Washington would star.  Nicholas Cage had expressed interest if a remake was ever created.

The Killer (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Sorcerer” (1977) directed by William Friedkin, starring Roy Scheider / Z-View

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Sorcerer (1977)

Director: William Friedkin

Screenplay: Walon Green basede on LE SALAIRE de la PEUR by Georges Arnaud

Stars: Roy Scheider, Amidou, Ramon Bieri, Peter Capell, Jacques François, Frank Pesce, Tom Signorelli and Joe Spinell.

Tagline: WANTED. Four men willing to drive a cargo of death to escape a life in hell.

The Plot…

Four men, on the run from their home countries have ended up in a small South American village.  They are:

  • Nilo, a Mexican hitman.
  • Kassem, an Arab terrorist
  • Victor, a French banker who embezzled millions
  • Jackie (Scheider), a U.S. getaway driver. During his last robbery one of his partners killed the brother of a Mafia kingpin.  Jackie, like each of these men has been marked for death.

All four men have by accident ended up in the same poor South American village.  They eek out a meager living working long hours for an American oil company.  When one of the company’s oil wells explodes, the only way to put out the resulting fire is by explosion.

Two truckloads of highly explosive nitroglycerin need to be transported to the oil well.  The journey will go through rainforests, over raging rivers, dangerous mountain roads, and areas where bandits kill travelers.  The company offers a huge bonus for any drivers willing to attempt the suicide mission.

Nilo, Kassem, Victor and Jackie are selected.  The four men will have to overcome personal differences and all of the obstacles of the trip… even then not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Stephen King has said that Sorcerer is his all time favorite movie.

Director William Friedkin said that the shoot was plagued by malaria, food poisoning and injury.  Friedkin contacted malaria and lost 50 pounds.

The decaying bridge scene over a raging river is a classic.  Despite looking like it could collapse at any moment, it was a special effect masterpiece.  It cost $1 million to construct.  The water below was only one and a half feet deep.  Friedkin created the visual effect of a raging river using wind machines, helicopters and huge water hoses.  The visuals are amazingly real.

Reportedly Friedkin wasn’t happen with Scheider in the starring role.  Friedkin wanted Steve McQueen.  McQueen would only agree if his wife, Ali McGraw was also cast.  Friedkin refused, so McQueen dropped out.  Friedkin then went after Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Gene Hackman and Kris Kristofferson without success.  Friedkin agreed to have Scheider take the lead.  Friedkin later called it the worst casting decision he ever made.

The film has achieved a cult status, but was considered a failure when released.

The final scene is a classic.  A sound effect lives the viewer to determine the ending.

Sorcerer (1977) rates 4 of 5 stars.

SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark & Sean Phillips / Z-View

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SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark (artist), Sean Phillips (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Jack Herriman is surprised when he gets a call from his dead father’s former partner, Detective Paul Raymonds.  Jack’s dad was assassinated in the line of duty when Jack was a teenager. Jack didn’t deal with the loss well and made some bad choices. Detective Raymonds helped Paul along the way.

But that was years ago.  Jack turned his life around.  He got clean.  Jack began working as a Private Investigator.  Detective Raymonds wants Jack to find a missing woman named Maggie. Maggie is the daughter of Raymonds’ mistress.

Finding Maggie is surprisingly easy.  She’s a free spirit. Jack follows the leads and meets her.  After some back and forth, they decide to talk over a meal.  Maggie agrees to call her mother and reassure her she’s safe.  There’s chemistry between Jack and Maggie.  As he drops her at her hotel room, they both agree they’ll see each other again.

The next morning Maggie is found murdered in her hotel room.  In a bag is $10,000 in cash.

Now the case is personal.  Jack is determined to find Maggie’s killer.  The trail will lead to other crimes, a family conspiracy and secrets that are as sickening as they are shocking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

SCENE OF THE CRIME was the first time that Ed Brubaker worked with both Michael Lark and Sean Phillips.  Brubaker would go on to have celebrated runs on Daredevil and Gotham Central.  Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips would go on to create the Criminal series and so many other classic tales.

The book also contains the following extras…

  • Intro by Brian Michael Bendis
  • Covers from the original comic series
  • Gods and Sinners, a heartbreaking short tale featuring Jack Herriman
  • The Untold Story of Scene of the Crime by Ed Brubaker
  • Examples of Michael Larks pencils and Sean Phillips inks

SCENE OF THE CRIME by Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark (artist), Sean Phillips (artist) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“The Faculty” (1998) directed by Robert Rodriguez / Z-View

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The Faculty (1998)

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Screenplay: Kevin Williamson; story by David Wechter, Bruce Kimmel

Stars: Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy, Salma Hayek, Famke Janssen, Piper Laurie, Christopher McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Patrick, Usher, Daniel von Bargen, Elijah Wood, Jon Abrahams, Danny Masterson, Harry Knowles and Jon Stewart.

Tagline: Six students are about to find out their teachers really are from another planet.

The Plot…

When some members of the Herrington High faculty begin to act strangely, only a few students notice. Delilah (Brewster) and Casey (Wood) secretly see two teachers turning another faculty member and realize aliens are involved.

Only four of their closest friends believe what is happening.  As more of the faculty and students are turned the six students realize it is up to them to stop the alien takeover.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Faculty is like a love letter to horror movies of the 1950s geared to high school students with a nice helping of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing.

The Faculty features Jordana Brewster and Usher’s film debut.

Bebe Neuwirth and Robert Patrick own their scenes.

The Faculty (1998) rates 4 of 5 stars.