Category: Z-View

“Dillinger” (1945) starring Lawrence Tierney / Z-View

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Dillinger (1945)

Director:  Max Nosseck

Screenplay:  Philip Yordan, William Castle (uncredited)

Stars: Lawrence Tierney, Anne Jeffreys, Eduardo Ciannelli, Marc Lawrence, Fred Aldrich, Sam Balter (voice), Dick Elliott and Elisha Cook Jr..

Tagline: His Story Is Written in Bullets, Blood and Blondes!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of John Dillinger (Tierney).

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dillinger was Lawrence Tierney’s first starring role.

Dillinger (1945) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Hitler’s Executioners” aka “The Nuremberg Trials” (1961) / Z-View

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Hitler’s Executioners aka The Nuremberg Trials (1961)

Director:  Félix Podmaniczky

Writers:  Joe J. Heydecker, Johannes Leeb

Tagline: THE ACTUAL FILM! Written by Hitler Himself in the Blood of His 6 Million Victims! With Scenes Actually Filmed by Hitler! REVEALED AT LAST!

The Plot…

Documentary covering the Nuremberg trials.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Originally released as The Nuremberg Trials in 1958.  Rereleased in 1961 as Hitler’s Executioners.

The movie posters look like they are for a 1950s/1960s horror movie.  Sadly, the horror is all too real.

Hitler’s Executioners aka The Nuremberg Trials (1961) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“King of the Roaring 20’s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein” (1961) starring David Janssen / Z-View

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King of the Roaring 20’s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein (1961)

Director:  Joseph M. Newman

Screenplay:  Jo Swerling; story by Leo Katcher; based on THE BIG BANKROLL: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ARNOLD ROTHSTEIN, KING OF THE ROARING 20S by Leo Katcher

Stars: David Janssen, Dianne Foster, Jack Carson, Dan O’Herlihy, Mickey Shaughnessy, Keenan Wynn, William Demarest, Regis Toomey, Robert Ellenstein, Tim Rooney, Mickey Rooney, John Alban, Fred Aldrich and Diana Dors.

Tagline: THE HELL-BENT, JAZZ-CRAZED ERA AND THE MAN WHO RULED IT ALL!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of Arnold Rothstein (Janssen).

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Johnny Burke as a child was played by Tim Rooney.  As an adult, he is played by Mickey Rooney.  Tim Rooney is Mickey Rooney’s son.

King of the Roaring 20’s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein (1961) rates 2 of 5 stars.

THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabriel Iglesias / Z-View

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THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabriel Iglesias

First sentences…

Luekemia.  That’s what the doctor said.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Mario’s life has gone to hell.  His daughter has cancer.  The medical bills are piling up.  Desperate to save his daughter, Mario takes a job from a friend who lives outside the law.  Mario agrees to kill a terrible man.

After, Mario is surprised.  Killing comes easy to him.  He’s good at it.  So Mario agrees to more jobs.  Bad people only. Drug dealers and child molesters.  Only people who “deserve” it.

Then his daughter dies.  His wife leaves him.  It was all for nothing.

Mario hates what he’s become.  He hates what he’s lost.  Mario wants to win his wife back.  They could start over.  But that would take life changing money.  Enough so he and his wife could move away and never work again.

So when Mario learns of a job that could give him that, he agrees.  It won’t be a murder for hire hit.  No.  Something much more dangerous.  Mario, an old friend, and a thug named Juanca will cross the border into Mexico.  There they will rip off a drug cartel and return to the states.  If they’re caught, a slow painful death awaits.  If they’re successful, can he trust Juanca or his old friend?  Money split two ways goes further than divided by three.

It’s a suicide mission, but if he survives…

Rating:

“Woman on the Run” (1950) starring Ann Sheridan & Dennis O’Keefe / Z-View

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Woman on the Run (1950)

Director:  Norman Foster

Screenplay:  Alan Campbell, Norman Foster, Ross Hunter (dialogue); based on Man on the Run by Sylvia Tate

Stars: Ann Sheridan, Dennis O’Keefe, John Qualen, Ross Elliott, Joan Shawlee, J. Farrell MacDonald, Steven Geray and Victor Sen Yung.

Tagline: As Startling as Your OWN Scream in the Night!

The Plot…

Frank Johnson (Elliott) is the sole witness to a murder.  Just as Johnson sees the murderer, the murderer sees Johnson.  In order to save himself, Johnson goes on the run with his wife, the police and the murderer close behind!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Woman on the Run fell into the public domain.  Beware of low-grade copies.

Woman on the Run (1950) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Al Capone” (1959) starring Rod Steiger / Z-View

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Al Capone (1959)

Director:  Richard Wilson

Screenplay:  Malvin Wald, Henry F. Greenberg

Stars: Rod Steiger, Martin Balsam, Fay Spain, Nehemiah Persoff, Robert Gist, Lewis Charles, Joe De Santis, Sandy Kenyon, Raymond Bailey, Al Ruscio, Louis Quinn, Ron Soble, Steve Gravers, Fred Aldrich and James Gregory.

Tagline: It was the age of speakeasies and jazz… when everybody sinned, ginned and broke the laws… while a vicious crime lord almost took over the nation!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of Al Capone (Steiger).

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Rod Steiger and Martin Balsam would go on to become Academy Award winners but not for this one.

Al Capone (1959) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Young Dillinger” (1965) starring Nick Adams & Robert Conrad / Z-View

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Young Dillinger (1965)

Director:  Terry O. Morse

Screenplay:  Arthur Hoehl, Donald Zimbalist

Stars: Nick Adams, Robert Conrad, John Ashley, Dan Terranova, Mary Ann Mobley, John Hoyt, Anthony Caruso, Emile Meyer, Frank Gerstle, Wally Rose, Walter Sande, Joy Harmon and Victor Buono.

Tagline: The Big Thrill-Story of the Killer Who Became Public Enemy No. 1!

The Plot…

The fictionalized account of John Dillinger (Adams), Pretty Boy Floyd (Conrad) and Baby Face Nelson (Ashley) joining forces to rob banks throughout the midwest.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Robert Conrad won the role of Jim West for The Wild, Wild West during production of Young Dillinger. Although Conrad plays Pretty Boy Floyd in this one, in 1979 Conrad would play Dillinger in The Lady in Red.

Young Dillinger (1965) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Devil Rides Out” (1968) starring Christopher Lee / Z-View

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The Devil Rides Out (1968)

Director:  Terence Fisher

Screenplay:  Richard Matheson; based on THE DEVIL RIDES OUT by Dennis Wheatley

Stars: Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Leon Greene.

Tagline: The beauty of woman… the demon of darkness… the unholy union of “The Devil’s Bride”!

The Plot…

Duc de Richleau (Lee) discovers that his friend’s grown son is mixed up with aa devil-worshipping coven.  It may be too late to save him, but De Richleau is going to try.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It was Christopher Lee’s idea to adapt the Wheatley novel.  Lee has said it is one of his favorite of the Hammer films.

The Devil Rides Out (1968) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Ragtime” (1981) directed by Milos Foreman; starring James Cagney, Elizabeth McGovern & Howard E. Rollins Jr. / Z-View

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Ragtime (1981)

Director:  Miloš Forman

Screenplay: Michael Weller, Bo Goldman (uncredited); based on RAGTIME by  E.L. Doctorow

Stars: James Cagney, Elizabeth McGovern, Howard E. Rollins Jr., Brad Dourif, Moses Gunn, Kenneth McMillan, Pat O’Brien, Donald O’Connor, James Olson, Mandy Patinkin, Mary Steenburgen, Debbie Allen, Jeffrey DeMunn, Robert Joy, Bruce Boa, Jeff Daniels, Fran Drescher, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Jeter, Ted Ross, John Ratzenberger and Norman Mailer.

Tagline: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was Ragtime

The Plot…

An African-American baby is left in the yard of a wealthy family.  When the police discover the young unwed mother nearby, they are ready to put the child in an orphanage and the mother in jail.  The family decides to take in the mother and child until the mother can get on her feet.

The baby’s father shows up.  His name is Coalhouse Walker Jr.  He wants to marry the mother and support the child now that he has a job.  The wedding is planned and all is looking up until a group of racist firemen put horse manure in Coalhouse’s new car.  When the police and the courts refuse to make things right, Coalhouse decides to get his own revenge… against the city.

The famous architect Stanford White has placed a nude statue at the top of Madison Square Garden.  Evelyn Nesbit, a former chorus girl reportedly posed for the figure.  Now Evelyn is married to millionaire Harry Kendall Thaw.  Thaw is outraged and demands that White remove the statue.  White refuses.  Thaw murders White at a huge social event.  The court case will be considered the trial of the century.

These events will converge to become a part of American lore.  Like the tagline says, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was Ragtime.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ragtime was nominated for eight 1982 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee – Best Music, Original Score: Randy Newman
  • Nominee – Best Music, Original Song: Randy Newman for the song “One More Hour”
  • Nominee – Best Costume Design: Anna Hill Johnstone
  • Nominee – Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: John Graysmark, Patrizia von Brandenstein, Tony Reading, George DeTitta Sr., George DeTitta Jr., Peter Howitt
  • Nominee – Best Cinematography: Miroslav Ondrícek
  • Nominee – Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Michael Weller
  • Nominee – Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Elizabeth McGovern
  • Nominee – Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Howard E. Rollins Jr.

Ragtime would be James Cagney’s final film.  He hadn’t appeared in a movie in 20 years.  Cagney was in poor health during filming and so in most of his scenes he is seated.

This was also Pat O’Brien’s final film.  O’Brien and Cagney co-starred together in several films during the 30s and the 40s.

Jeff Daniels made his film debut in Ragtime.

Ragtime (1981) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Gladiator II” (2024) directed by Ridley Scott; starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal / Z-View

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Gladiator II (2024)

Director:  Ridley Scott

Screenplay:  David Scarpa; story by Peter Craig, David Scarpa based on characters created by David Franzoni

Stars: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Alec Utgoff, Riana Duce and Rory McCann.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

It’s been sixteen years since the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, known as the last of the Five Good Emperors.  Rome is now ruled by the twin brothers Geta (Quinn) and Caracalla (Hechinger). The twin Emperors care nothing for their subjects.  Geta and Caracalla crave power and look to control the world. To that end they sent the great General Acacius (Pascal) to conquer lands in their honor.  When Acacius returns victorious, the twin Emperors host on-going gladiatorial games to celebrate.

General Acacius has seen too many soldiers die for no reason other than the demands of the Emperor twins.  The Roman people suffer and Acacius plans to return Rome to the people.  In ten days his soldiers will march into the city and Acacius will lead the revolt.  What Acacius doesn’t see coming is a betrayal.

Macrinus (Washington) also sees the time of the twins rule is coming to an end.  Macrinus believes that he can make moves behind the scenes to put himself in power.  He buys a young gladiator named Hanno (Mescal).  Macrinus plans to use Hanno’s abilities in the arena to make him a for the people.  Meanwhile Macrinus will become close friends with the twins.  When the time is right, Macrinus will have the twins killed and assume control.

As each faction moves to take control of the throne, the twins learn of the deception.  Many will die and Rome may never recover.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Gladiator 2 was nominated for one Academy Award…

  • 2025 Nominee – Best Achievement in Costume Design: Janty Yates, David Crossman

If you’ve seen Gladiator, you’ve seen Gladiator II is a snarky kind of take.  But truthfully, it’s not too far off.  Both movies hit the same beats.  The good news it that the story, cast, direction and special effects are entertaining.

Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal own their scenes. I’m surprised that Denzel wasn’t nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award.  (This is the first time he hasn’t been the leading man in a film since Antwone Fisher.)

Some folks were upset that this film makes it appear that Maximus (Crowe) from Gladiator, (supposedly) cheated on his wife since he is the father of Hanno.  Granted, if that’s the case, it does tarnish the character.  My bigger nit to pick is that Lucilla, who was unlikable in the first film, has done a 180.

Ah, but why complain when we have gladiators fighting: gladiators, baboons, rhinos, sea battles, sharks and more.  “Are we not entertained?”

Why, yes, yes we are.

Gladiator II (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Channel” (2023) written & directed by William Kaufman; starring Clayne Crawford and Max Martini / Z-View

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The Channel (2023)

Director:  William Kaufman

Screenplay: William Kaufman; story by Paul Reichelt

Stars: Clayne Crawford, Max Martini, Nicoye Banks, Juliene Joyner, Jaren Mitchell, E.K. Spila, Linds Edwards, Todd Jenkins, Gary Cairns, Mike Lobo Daniel, Paul Rae, Jay Moses, Tyler Galpin  and Michael Thomas.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Jamie’s daughter needs a life-saving operation.  So he agrees to join his brother Mic and a crew of ex-soldiers on a bank robbery.  When the heist goes sideways, cops are killed.  Now the FBI has brought in a crack team and the city has been locked down.

Mic was already on edge. Now he’s out of control.  As the cops and FBI close in the body count rises.  Family got Jamie into this mess… now family might get him killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Channel has enough action to entertain.  While it at times feels like a low-budget Heat, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  The run-in with the gang bangers with the acid bath is memorable.

Max Martini can be seen on The Lioness Season 2 as Tracer.

The Channel (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

ROBERT B. PARKER’S BUCKSKIN by Robert Knott / Z-View

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ROBERT B. PARKER’S BUCKSKIN by Robert Knott

First sentence…

An all-day celebration had been taking place.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The fever has come to Appaloosa.  Gold was discovered just north of town on land owned by two groups.  A group of business men led by Henry Baptiste own one piece.  The other belongs to the McCormick brothers.  The McCormicks bought their land from Baptiste before the gold was found.  Now Baptiste has regrets, but the McCormicks aren’t selling the land back.  Tempers have flared.  Both sides brought in gunmen.

First a miner disappeared.  Then another was found dead.  Now one of the Baptiste’s men has been murdered. So US Marshall Virgil Cole and his Deputy Everette Hitch are called in.  

Meanwhile, miles away, a sociopathic escaped convict hooks up with a mysterious woman with grudge.  The woman plans to use the psycho as an instrument of retribution.  The escaped con and his muse head for Appaloosa.

The citywide Appaloosa Days festival is going to be one to remember.

Rating:

“Special Ops: Lioness” aka “Lioness”: Season 2 (2023); created by Taylor Sheridan; starring Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Michael Kelly with Morgan Freeman and Nicole Kidman / Z-View

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Special Ops: Lioness aka Lioness: Season 2 (2024)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan

Director: Taylor Sheridan (Eps. 1-2); Michael Friedman (Eps. 3-4); Stephen Kay  (Eps. 5-8)

Teleplay: Taylor Sheridan (Eps. 1-8)

Stars: Zoe Saldaña, Lays la De Oliveira, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Genesis Rodriguez, Michael Kelly, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Thad Luckinbill, Hannah Love Lanier, Nicole Kidman, Bruce McGill, Jennifer Ehle, Martin Donovan, Taylor Sheridan, Celestina Harris, Martin Donovan, Max Martini, Kirk Acevedo, Robyn Lively,
Jay Huguley, Demián Castro and Morgan Freeman.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Joe McNamara (Saldaña) is a CIA squad leader in charge of the Lioness program.  When a cartel sends assassins to the US, a Congresswoman is kidnapped and family massacred.  Joe’s team is sent to Mexico to retrieve the Congresswoman.

After the mission, it is decided that the leadership of the cartel is getting too bold.  A message will be sent on Mexican soil.  It will be Joe and the Lioness program that delivers it.  The new recruit to the program has the connection needed, but can she be trusted… when it’s a family member she will betray?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Season two is even better than season one.  It starts with a bang and never lets up.

Taylor Sheridan writes every episode, directs the first two and even shows up acting in some.

Special Ops: Lioness aka Lioness: Season 2 rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Smuggler’s Cove” (1948) starring Leo Gorcey and the Bowery Boys / Z-View

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Smuggler’s Cove (1948)

Director:  William Beaudine

Screenplay: Tim Ryan, Edmond Seward; based on Smuggler’s Cove 1933 serial in Blue Book Magazine by Talbert Josselyn

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, Martin Kosleck, Paul Harvey, William ‘Billy’ Benedict, David Gorcey, Benny Bartlett, Eddie Gribbon, Gene Roth, Emmett Vogan and John Bleifer.

Tagline: They’re SLY SPIES…In a Harum-Scarem Adventure!!

The Plot…

Slip mistakenly believes he’s inherited a creepy old remote mansion.  He takes the gang to see his new digs.  What none of them know – but will soon find out — is a gang of criminals are using the deserted house as a base of operations!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Smuggler’s Cove is one of the best of all the Bowery Boys movies.  The old house is full of hidden passages, paintings used for spying, false panels — everything you’d expect in a film of this era.

Smuggler’s Cove (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Bad Shepherd” (2024) directed by Geo Santini; starring Christos Kalabogias, Scotty Tovar, Justin Taite, Brett Zimmerman and Geo Santini / Z-View

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The Bad Shepherd (2024)

Director:  Geo Santini

Screenplay: Ryan David Jahn

Stars: Christos Kalabogias, Scotty Tovar, Justin Taite, Brett Zimmerman, Annie Gonzalez and Geo Santini.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Paul, John, Leonard and Travis — four friends loaded into one truck driving on a remote dirt road for a weekend hunting.  The truck accidentally strikes and kills a woman walking alone. When the friends get out to check on the woman’s condition, they find she’s dead.

Not far from the dead woman is a bag full of cash.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Bad Shepherd is a low-budget crime/horror/thriller.  I love the twist.  The acting was fine — especially Scotty Tovar and Geo Santini.  Kudos also to Santini for his direction.  After viewing the movie, the title makes me smile.

The Bad Shepherd (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.