Category: Z-View

“We Bury the Dead” (2024) starring Daisy Ridley / Z-View

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We Bury the Dead (2024)

Director: Zak Hilditch

Screenplay: Zak Hilditch

Stars:  Daisy Ridley, Brenton Thwaites, Mark Coles Smith.

Tagline:  Volunteers needed.

The Plot…

When the US military accidentally detonates an experimental bomb off the island of Tasmania, those not instantly killed are left brain dead.  Some of these victims regain mobility.  With that mobility comes an overriding instinct to attack and kill.

 The military is going in to terminate the zombies.  They are accepting civilian volunteers to identify and bury victims.  Ava Newman volunteers.  Ava’s husband was on a business trip to Woodbridge, a city on the island.   Ava holds out hope that her husband survived unscathed.

Once inland, Ava convinces Clay, another volunteer, to help her find her husband.  Ava and Clay break away from their military unit and head into the city alone.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

We Bury the Dead has an interesting concept.  The trailer looked good.  Sadly the movie didn’t work for me as well as I hoped.  My biggest complaint comes from the final scenes in the film.  No spoilers, but it was a step too far for me to suspend my disbelief.

We Bury the Dead (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.

LEATHER MAIDEN by Joe Lansdale / Z-View

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LEATHER MAIDEN by Joe R. Lansdale

First sentences…

When you grow up in a place, especially if your childhood is a good one, you fail to notice a lot of the nasty things that creep beneath the surface and wiggle about like hungry worms in rotten flesh.  But they’re there.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Cason Statler, a Gulf War vet and Pulitzer Prize-nominated reporter was on top of the world.  Then he blew it. Cason had an affair with his boss’ wife… and the boss’ thirty-year-old stepdaughter.  That cost Cason his job… and his reputation.

So Cason returned to his small hometown of Camp Rapture, Texas where he was able to get a job as a reporter for the local newspaper.  It’s a big step down for a Pulitzer Prize nominee.  Cason is drinking too much.  He’s fighting jealous feelings towards his older brother who is a happily married college professor.  Plus Cason is spending too much time checking up on his ex-wife.

One day digging through old files, Cason discovers the unsolved murder of Caroline Allison.  Caroline was an intelligent college student who just vanished.  The only clue was her abandoned car.  Cason realizes this could be his ticket back to the big leagues.  He begins a series of articles about Caroline.  As Cason digs deeper he discovers other linked crimes of blackmail, torture and murder.  Worse still Cason’s brother is somehow involved.

Cason has no choice but to keep digging, no matter the cost.

+++

Joe Lansdale has written another winner.

Rating:

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” (2026) starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman / Z-View

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Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026)

Director: Olivia Newman

Screenplay:  Olivia Newman, John Whittington; based on REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt.

Stars:  Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Colm Meaney and Alfred Molina.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Tova is a widow who is becoming increasingly withdrawn.  Tova never got over the death of her 18 year old son, who died years ago.  Recently Tova’s husband passed.   Her only real joy these days comes from her job as a night janitor at the local aquarium.  She takes pride in her work and enjoys the solitude.  Surprisingly, Tova enjoys talking to the aquarium’s aging octopus, Marcellus.

Marcellus, like all octupi, is extremely intelligent.  Marcellus’ goal is to escape his tank, and return to the ocean before he dies.

Cameron Cassmore, young aspiring musician, is driving through town when his van breaks down.  Needing funds to repair his van, Cameron accepts a job at the aquarium.  It’s a means to an end.

Tova sees Cameron as a slacker.  Cameron views Tova as an old busybody.

Tova, Cameron and Marcellus’ lives will change when a mystery is solved.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES was Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel and a runaway bestseller.

Two of Sally Fields’ close relatives also appear in the film.  Sasha Craig (Fields’ daughter-in-law) plays Cameron’s mother in flashback scenes. Noah Craig (Fields’ grandson) plays Marco.

Alfred Molina voices the octopus Marcellus.

Remarkably Bright Creatures surprised me.  It was much better than I anticipated.  A great cast and a wonderfully adapted story make for a fun movie.

Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Satan Met a Lady” (1936) starring Bette Davis, William Warren and Marie Wilson / Z-View

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Satan Met a Lady (1936)

Director: William Dieterle

Screenplay:  Brown Holmes; based on THE MALTESE FALCON by Dashiell Hammett.

Stars:  Bette Davis, Warren William, Alison Skipworth, Arthur Treacher, Porter Hall, Olin Howland and Marie Wilson.

Tagline: She recalled how three men met their death…searching for a treasure that had left a trail of blood through twelve centuries!

The Plot…

Detective Ted Shane has just returned to town. Milton Ames, Shane’s former partner reluctantly agrees to work with Shane again.  They parted ways since Shane, a lady’s man, once was romantically involved with Ames’ wife.  Shane has a paying client and money overrides hurt feelings.

A woman named Valerie Purvis wants to hire Shane and Ames to find a man named Farrow.  When both Ames and Farrow are found murdered, Shane realizes there is much more to this case than a missing man.

Shane is soon approached by Madam Barrabas and Kenneth, her slow-witted, trigger happy son.  They want  to hire Shane to find an 8th century jewel-filled ivory horn.  An English gentleman, Anthony Travers, wants to hire Shane to find it as well.  And don’t you know, that’s what Valerie is after too.

Shane, never one to turn down money, decides to play each against the other and accepts payment from all.  Shane’s charm and quick wit have always served him well, but this time he may be in over his head.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Satan Met a Lady is based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel THE MALTESE FALCON.  Screenwriter, Brown Holmes not only changed the title, he changed the names of the characters (including the lead), the sex of the main antagonist and the object everyone wanted.

Bette Davis hated the script and complained to studio head Jack Warner.  She said she would not do the film.  Warner promised Davis better scripts in the future and then suspended her without pay.  Reluctantly Davis agreed to the movie.  Unfortunately she hated the end result and often said it was her worst film.

I recently revisited Satan Met a Lady.  I enjoyed it much more than previous viewings.  I always liked the movie, but this time out liked it even more.  I think in the past I compared this adaption of THE MALTESE FALCON to Huston and Bogart’s take.  Obviously Satan Met a Lady suffered by comparison.  I was also influenced by Bette Davis’ feelings about the film.  This time out, I put past feelings aside and enjoyed a lighthearted 1930s comedy/mystery.

Much of my enjoyment of Satan Met a Lady came from Marie Wilson’s performance as the ditzy, sexy blonde assistant.

Satan Met a Lady (1936) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Young Mr. Jazz” (1919) starring Harold Lloyd and Snub Pollard / Z-View

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Young Mr. Jazz (1919)

Director: Hal Roach

Screenplay: Hal Roach, Sam Taylor, H. M. Walker

Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Harold is in love.  Unfortunately the girl’s father is way overprotective.  Harold and  his girl make a plan to sneak off for a date.  When Harold picks her up, her father sees and gives chase.  Harold and his girl end up in a dive bar full of thieves and thugs.

Soon enough Harold’s pocket is picked.  When the bill comes due, the hard case bartender will collect one way or another.  Then the girl’s dad enters and in no time at all, his cash is stolen.  Now without a way to pay what is owed, Harold will be in a fight for his life against the bartender and his crook friends.

Last call!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Young Mr. Jazz is a short (10 minute) short.  Still, Harold Lloyd has ample time to demonstrate his athletic/acrobatic abilities.

Young Mr. Jazz (1919) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Forgotten Sweeties” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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Forgotten Sweeties (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Anita Garvin, Shirley Palmer.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charley and his new wife, Lillian, are surprised to learn that Charley’s ex-girlfriend, Shirley has moved into the apartment across from them.  Worse still, Shirley’s new husband Ira is the jealous type.  When Ira learns about Charley, things take a turn for the worst.

Let the antics begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor.  Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.

Forgotten Sweeties was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.

Forgotten Sweeties (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Wounds” (2019) written & directed by Babak Anvari, starring Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson & Zazie Beetz / Z-View

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Wounds (2019)

Director: Babak Anvari

Screenplay:  Babak Anvari; based on THE VISIBLE FILTH by Nathan Ballingrud

Stars:  Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, Zazie Beetz.

Tagline: Don’t call it in.

The Plot…

Will is a bartender in a New Orleans dive tavern.  One night after a vicious fight that left his friend badly wounded, Will finds a cell phone on the floor.  He puts it in his back pocket and forgets about it.  Early the next morning Will remembers the phone.  When Will looks to see who owns it, he discovers grisly photos and videos.

Then the phone rings…  that call will be the start of terrible things.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I liked the premise and set up for Wounds.  Sadly it never lives up to either.

Wounds (2019) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Many Scrappy Returns” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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Many Scrappy Returns (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Eugenia Gilbert, Anita Garvin and Bull Montana.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charley and his wife have Charlie’s brother, Wellington and Wellington’s wife over for dinner.  Things go sideways when Wellington tries to put a move on Charley’s maid.  Worse still she thinks that it was Charley getting fresh.  When the maid’s husband gets wind of the advance, all bets are off!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor.  Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.

Many Scrappy Returns was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.

Many Scrappy Returns (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Pluribus”: Season 1 (2025) created by Vince Gilligan, starring Rhea Seehorn / Z-View

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Pluribus: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Vince Gilligan

Director:

  • Vince Gilligan (Eps. 1-2)
  • Gordon Smith (Eps. 3; 5; 9)
  • Zetna Fuentes (Ep. 4)
  • Gandja Monteiro (Ep. 6)
  • Adam Bernstein (Ep. 7)
  • Melissa Bernstein (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:

  • Vince Gilligan (Eps. 1-2)
  • Gordon Smith (Ep. 3)
  • Alison Tatlock (Ep. 4)
  • Ariel Levine (Ep. 5)
  • Vera Blasi (Ep. 6)
  • Jenn Carroll (Ep. 7)
  • Jonny Gomez (Ep. 8)
  • Alison Tatlock & Gordon Smith (Ep. 9)

Starring:  Rhea Seehorn, Karolina Wydra, Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Miriam Shor and John Cena.

Tagline: Happiness is contagious.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Astronomers are shocked when a SETI radio signal turns out to be a legit alien transmission.  The signal is determined to be a code for an RNA sequence.  Scientists begin working on it immediately.  A lab mishap infects one of the researchers.  Soon a geometric infection spreads.  One infected becomes two – two become four.

Within very little time the entire human population has been exposed.  Every person infected becomes part of the hive mind collective.  The infection rate is almost 100%.  There are only thirteen people in the world who remain unaffected.

With the infection what one person knows, they all know.  The infected appear calm and happy and they readily admit that the want to assimilate the uninfected.

Carol Sturka is one of the thirteen uninfected.  Her goal is to find a way to save the human race.

Thoughts…

Vince Gilligan has another winner.

Pluribus is the Latin word meaning “many”.  The Pluribus logo changes the “i” to a “1” which is very clever.

It was an interesting choice to make Rhea Seehorn’s character more than a bit unlikeable.

I look forward to season 2.

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

THE HUNTER SAGA: HUNTER / HUNTER’S MOON / THE LAST HUNT by James Byron Huggins

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THE HUNTER SAGA by James Byron Huggins

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

First sentence…

‘That boy dies in four hours.”

In HUNTER, Nathaniel Hunter, one of the world’s best trackers, leads a US Military squad into the wilds of Alaska.  A creature that wiped out a scientific installation is on the loose.  The beast, the result of experiments using prehistoric RNA, is unlike anything ever seen by modern man.  The monster is the ultimate killing machine, an apex predator without hesitation or mercy.

+++

First sentence…

It consumed Angus Staford as it had consumed dead men since the beginning of time, effortlessly crushing bone without removing its scarlet stare from the surrounding night.

In HUNTER’S MOON, Nathaniel Hunter travels to the moors of England.  An army scientist, using protocols that fabricated the prehistoric creature in HUNTER, has infected himself creating a superior beast. This leviathan kills then returns to the savage wilderness of the English moors.  Local police and military units that faced the creature were wiped out.  Hunter barely survived against the original monster.  This new creature is more powerful and resourceful.

+++

First sentence…

‘We’re going to kill Hunter.”

In THE LAST HUNT, Nathaniel Hunter is living a peaceful life in his Montana mountainside cabin unaware that he’s been marked for death. Scipio Dante, the genius sociopathic billionaire scientist behind the prehistoric RNA experiments that created modern day monsters, wants Hunter dead.

Dante has perfected the serum that creates the nearly unkillable beasts.  Now those infected become monsters that retain human consciousness.  Dante along with two others will take the serum. As insurance, Dante has hired a team of mercenaries led by Roska.  Roska is a tracker with skills that match Hunter’s.

Nathaniel Hunter has no idea of the storm that is coming to his doorstep.  Three unkillable prehistoric apex predators with human consciousness, and a mercenary squad led by his equal are en route.

+++

Nathaniel Hunter was created with Sylvester Stallone in mind.  As you read the series, it’s easy to imagine a younger Sly as Hunter.  Sly Stallone optioned the rights to adapt Hunter as a film or television series.  Although one has been rumored for years, it has yet to happen.  Fans would love to see it.

The Hunter Trilogy gets my highest recommendation.  They are fast paced.  Well written and fun rides.  Byron Huggins knows his stuff and it shows.

HUNTER rates 5 of 5 stars.

HUNTER’S MOON rates 5 of 5 stars.

THE LAST HUNT rates 5 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“The Rink” (1916) written, directed and starring Charlie Chaplin / Z-View

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The Rink (1916)

Director: Charlie Chaplin, Edward Brewer (technical director)

Screenplay:  Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Bryan, Maverick Terrell

Stars:  Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Henry Bergman, Albert Austin.

Tagline: Can you imagine the excruciatingly comedy capers of Charley on a pair of roller skates?

The Plot…

Charlie is a terribly clumsy waiter.  On his lunch hour Charlie likes to go to the skating rink where he is graceful beyond belief.  Still, Charlie being Charlie…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charlie Chaplin was a man of many talents.  He wrote screenplays, acted, directed, produced, composed music and wrote songs.  Who knew he could also skate so well?

In addition to his physical comedy, Chaplin made me smile when as a waiter he figured a fat man’s dinner bill by the stains on his clothes.

The Rink (1916) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Are Brunettes Safe?” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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Are Brunettes Safe? (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Lorraine Eason Will Walling.

Tagline: You can only choose one.

The Plot…

Charley plays a newspaper advice columnist.  Charley gets a letter from a man saying he hasn’t seen his mother in years and he will not be able to return home.  The man encloses a photo of himself.  Charley is surprised to see that the man looks exactly like him.

That’s when Charley gets an idea.  Charley will travel to the man’s small town.  He’ll visit the man’s mother and see if he can impersonate the man.  It’ll make a great human interest story.

What Charley doesn’t know, but is about to find out: the man is infamous in the town!  He is wanted for robbing the town’s bank.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Are Brunettes Safe? is a 20 minute silent film from Hal Roach, the producer famous for Laurel & Hardy, Harold Lloyd and Our Gang shorts.

Are Brunettes Safe? (1927) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Eternity” (2025) starring Mile Teller, Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner / Z-View

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Eternity (2025)

Director: David Freyne

Screenplay:  Pat Cunnane, David Freyne

Stars: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, Olga Merediz, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Barry Primus and Betty Buckley.

Tagline: You can only choose one.

The Plot…

Larry and Joan have been married for 65 years.  Although they’ve been together for a lifetime, it is Joan’s second marriage.  When she was very young, Joan was briefly married.  Her husband, Luke, was killed in the Korean War.

Although Joan has terminal cancer, it is Larry who dies first when he chokes on a pretzel.

When Larry awakens as a young man, he discovers he’s in the afterlife.  Anna, Larry’s Afterlife Coordinator explains that he must decide in which themed afterlife he wants to spend his eternity.  Once selected, a person cannot change their theme.  Eternity theme salespeople are constantly touting their products.

Larry decides to wait for Joan to make his eternity selection.  That way they can always be together.  Soon enough Joan arrives.  Larry is surprised to find that Joan’s first husband, Luke has also waited for her.  He also wants to spend eternity with her.

Joan is faced with an impossible choice.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Eternity is better than I anticipated.  The Afterlife Coordinators are a hoot.  I also got a kick out of the different themes available for eternity.

Eternity (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Incredible Mr. Limpet” (1964) starring Don Knotts / Z-View

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The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964)

Director: Arthur Lubin

Screenplay:  Joe DiMona, Jameson Brewer, John C. Rose; based on MR. LIMPET by Theodore Pratt

Stars: Don Knotts, Carole Cook, Jack Weston, Andrew Duggan and Paul Frees (voice).

Tagline: The man who turned into a fish… and became America’s deadliest secret weapon!

The Plot…

War War II rages.  Henry Limpett, a mild-mannered bookkeeper, would love nothing more than to enlist and help the war effort.  Each time Henry’s tried he’s been rejected due to his many health issues.

Henry, his wife and his best friend George go to Coney Island for the day.  As Henry is looking down into the ocean, he falls.  Henry can’t swim so George dives in to save him.  Despite several attempts, George is unable to find Henry.  Everyone believes Henry has drowned.

But he hasn’t.  Somehow Henry Limpet has turned into a fish!  Even more amazing as a fish, Henry has a power that may help turn the tide of the war!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film moves from live action to animation once Limpet turns into a fish.

It’s funny how much the fish looks like Don Knotts — or is it how much he looks like a fish?

I saw the film when it was first released. I was five and the theater was full of kids.  We loved it.  I recently re-watched it again with my grandson who is six.  He enjoyed it as well.  Your mileage may vary depending on your age and the audience you’re watching with.

The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Detective Hole”: Season 1, starring Tobias Santelmann & Joel Kinnaman / Z-View

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Detective Hole (2026)

Created by: Jo Nesbø

Director:

  • Øystein Karlsen (Eps. 1; 5; 7-9)
  • Anna Zackrisson (Eps. 3-4; 6)

Teleplay by: Jo Nesbø

Starring:  Tobias Santelmann, Ellen Helinder, Anders Baasmo, Pia Tjelta and Joel Kinnaman.

Tagline: Not every devil hides in the dark.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Detective Harry Hole is tormented by the accidental death of his partner, killed in a high speed chase when Hole was driving.  The killer that they were after was never caught.

It’s been five years.  Hole drinks too much and his work and social life is suffering.  Harry’s investigation of a series of brutal ritualistic murders pushes Harry to the limit.  When clues indicate the killer / killers may have ties to the police, Harry doesn’t know who to trust.

Harry’s refusal to stand down puts him and everyone he loves in the killers crosshairs.

Thoughts…

This season adapts THE DEVIL’S STAR, the fifth book in the Harry Hole series.

Tobias Santelmann and Joel Kinnaman are excellent.

Detective Hole starts slow but builds to an exciting climax.  I look forward to future seasons.