Category: Z-View

“Bring Him to Me” (2023) starring Barry Pepper, Jamie Costa & Sam Neill / Z-View

Posted on by

Bring Him to Me (2023)

Director: Luke Sparke

Screenplay: Tom Evans

Stars: Barry Pepper, Jamie Costa, Sam Neill, Rachel Griffiths and Liam McIntyre.

Tagline: When is it too late to turn back?

The Plot…

When a well planned robbery goes bad, the crime boss has questions.  Now the getaway driver and one of the thugs involved are headed back to provide answers.

Two problems: 1.  It appears that they’re being followed.  2.  They may be heading to a certain death.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bring Him to Me was a wonderful surprise.  I loved everything about it. The story, the cinematography, the direction and acting are all top notch.

Bring Him to Me features my favorite performances by Barry Pepper and Sam Neil. Jamie Costa was excellent in his role.

Bring Him to Me (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Knox Goes Away” (2023) directed by and starring Michael Keaton / Z-View

Posted on by

Knox Goes Away (2023)

Director: Michael Keaton

Screenplay: Gregory Poirier

Stars: Michael Keaton, Ray McKinnon, Paul Perri, Suzy Nakamura, Dennis Dugan, James Marsden, Jimmy Ortega, Lela Loren, Sasha Neboga, Marcia Gay Harden and Al Pacino.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

John Knox (Keaton) is a hitman.  Knox has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.  It’s a rapid moving form of dementia.  Knox has just a few weeks before his grasp of reality will be gone.  As Knox stoically puts his affairs in order his estranged son, Miles (Marsden) comes to him.

Miles is distraught and needs help.  The kind of help that would be difficult under the best circumstances.  Knox realizes that with his rapidly diminishing capacity it will be next to impossible.

But what’s a father to do?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Knox Goes Away is an amazing film.  It is smart, has heart and features my all-time favorite performance by Michael Keaton (who also directed it).

James Marsden is excellent in his role as Knox’s troubled son.

Al Pacino gives a restrained performance.  Hooo-ha!

Knox Goes Away (2023) 5 of 5 stars.

“Midnight Run” (1988) directed by Martin Brest, starring Robert De Niro & Charles Grodin / Z-View

Posted on by

Midnight Run (1988)

Director: Martin Brest

Screenplay:  George Gallo

Stars:  Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano, Richard Foronjy, Robert Miranda,  Jack Kehoe, Wendy Phillips, Danielle DuClos, Philip Baker Hall, Tom McCleister, John Toles-Bey, Scott McAfee and Martin Brest.

Tagline: Monday… Escape with their lives from New York… Tuesday… Impersonate F.B.I. agents in Chicago… Wednesday… Steal plane in New Mexico… Thursday… Almost kill each other by accident… Friday… Almost kill each other on purpose…

The Plot…

Jack Walsh (De Niro) is a bounty hunter hired to bring in Jonathan Mardukas (Grodin).  Mardukas shouldn’t be a problem.  He’s just an accountant who embezzled his employer.  The gig should be easy… a midnight run.

Then Walsh learns that Mardukas’ employer is a Mafia boss.  The amount Mardukas stole was $15 million dollars.  Walsh also discovers the FBI is looking to capture Walsh.  To make matters worse, another bounty hunter is also after the reward.  With the mob, the FBI and a rival bond recovery agent on his trail, this will be anything but a midnight run!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Before Charles Grodin was cast, Cher, Robin Williams, Albert Brooks, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Steve Martin and Bruce Willis were considered.  The film would have been very different if any of them were cast.

Midnight Run would make a great double feature with Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  They are both about two guys who don’t like each other at first who in working together to get somewhere on a tight timeline develop a friendship.

Midnight Run (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Cannonball!” (1976) starring David Carradine / Z-View!

Posted on by

Cannonball! (1976)

Director: Paul Bartel

Screenplay: Paul Bartel, Donald C. Simpson

Stars: David Carradine, Bill McKinney, Veronica Hamel, Gerrit Graham, Robert Carradine, Belinda Balaski, Judy Canova, Archie Hahn, Carl Gottlieb, Mary Woronov, James Keach, Dick Miller, Stanley Bennett Clay, David Arkin, John Herzfeld, Louisa Moritz, John Alderman, Paul Bartel, Roger Corman, Joe Dante, Martin Scorsese, Don Simpson, and Sylvester Stallone..

Tagline: The annual Trans-American outlaw road race – A cross country demolition derby without rules!

The Plot…

The annual Trans-America Grand Prix is an illegal cross-country road race.

Ex-con Coy “Cannonball” Buckman (Carradine) hopes to win the race. If he does, Coy is guaranteed a spot on the Modern Motors racing team. Coy’s biggest competition in the race is Cade Redman (McKinney) who is also racing for the spot on the Modern Motors racing squad. Other racers include a couple of young lovers, a country western singer, three waitresses, a German racer, a wealthy couple’s driver, and others.

Once the race starts anything goes and it becomes a high speed demolition derby. Not everyone will survive and only one can win.

Start your engines!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

After the success of Death Race 2000, producer Sam Gelfman wanted another, but more realistic car chase movie. Gelfman brought back Death Race 2000 director, Paul Bartel and the movie’s star David Carradine. Bartel was not interested, but needed the money. It was Bartel’s idea to include cameos of his friends who were writers and directors.

Cannonball is Veronica Hamel’s first credited feature film role.

Sly Stallone appears in one scene and is uncredited.

Cannonball! (1976) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Bricklayer” (2023) directed by Renny Harlin, starring Aaron Eckhart / Z-View

Posted on by

The Bricklayer (2023)

Director: Renny Harlin

Screenplay: Hanna Weg, Matt Johnson, based on THE BRICKLAYER by Paul Lindsay

Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Nina Dobrev, Clifton Collins Jr., Tim Blake Nelson, Ilfenesh Hadera, Ori Pfeffer, John T. Woods, David Kennedy and Johanna Harlin.

Tagline: Some secrets are deadly.

The Plot…

Steve Vail (Eckhart) is a retired CIA operative who now makes his living as a bricklayer. When a series of murders links back to the CIA, Vail is brought back to find the traitor.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was expecting a better movie since it starred Aaron Eckhart and was directed by Renny Harlin

The Bricklayer (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Armored Car Robbery” (1950) directed by Richard Fleischer, starring Charles McGraw / Z-View

Posted on by

Armored Car Robbery (1950)

Director: Richard Fleischer

Screenplay: Gerald Drayson Adams, Earl Felton; story by Robert Leeds, Robert Angus

Stars: Charles McGraw, Adele Jergens, William Talman, Douglas Fowley, Steve Brodie, Don McGuire, James Flavin and Paul Bryar.

Tagline: THE STICK-UP THAT STUNNED THE NATION!

The Plot…

A daring daylight robbery of a baseball stadium nets the crooks $500,000. The thieves didn’t get away clean though. A passing police car was alerted to the crime. A shootout ensued. A cop was killed and one of the crooks gutshot. Now the killed cop’s partner, Lt. Jim Cordell (McGraw) is teamed with a rookie. Their partnership gets off to a rocky start.

Meanwhile, the thieves are having trouble deciding their next move. It’s clear their wounded partner needs quick medical attention. The police are closing in. A surprising decision by their leader changes everything.

$500,000 is a lot of money… if they live to spend it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Armored Car Robbery is a low budget crime drama that benefits from location shooting, film noir visuals as well as competent acting and direction. The final death is pretty wild for a movie made in 1950.

Armored Car Robbery (1950) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Child 44” (2015) starring Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Noomi Rapace & Joel Kinnaman / Z-View

Posted on by

Child 44 (2015)

Director: Daniel Espinosa

Screenplay: Richard Price, based on  CHILD 44  by Tom Rob Smith

Stars: Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Noomi Rapace, Joel Kinnaman, Mark Lewis Jones, Karel Dobrý and Jason Clarke.

Tagline: How do you find a killer who doesn’t exist?

The Plot…

Leo Demidov (Hardy) was a Russian hero in World War II. After the war Leo became an Agent for Russia’s Ministry of State Security. When a child is found dead by railroad tracks, Leo’s investigation points to murder. But in Stalin’s Russia, murder only occurs in capitalistic societies. Leo is told to list the cause of death as accidental and move on.

Leo digs deeper and discovers many children have been murdered along the train line. All of the killings have been listed as accidents. A serial killer is actively preying on children. Leo is warned to drop his investigation. Failure to follow orders will make Leo an enemy of the government. But if he complies more children will be slaughtered.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Child 44 is based on Tom Rob Smith’s awesome novel of the same name.

The film was banned in Russia.

The first cut of Child 44 was reportedly five and a half hours long. I think the material might have been better served as a limited series. The movie is still good, but I think that there might have been an even better one with the additional footage.

Child 44 (2015) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“In Search of the Last Action Heroes” (2019) / Z-View

Posted on by

In Search of the Last Action Heroes (2019)

Director: Oliver Harper

Screenplay: Oliver Harper, Timon Singh

Stars: Scott Adkins, Shane Black, James Bruner, Ronny Cox, Boaz Davidson, Steven E. de Souza, Bill Duke, Mark Goldblatt, Jenette Goldstein, Jeffrey Greenstein, Mario Kassar, Al Leong, Mark L. Lester, Sheldon Lettich, Peter MacDonald, Eric Roberts, Cynthia Rothrock, Paul Verhoeven, Vernon Wells, Michael Jai White and Graham Yost.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A look at the action films of the 80s and 90s featuring interviews with some of the folks who made them.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you’re a fan of action movies, especially those made in the 80s and 90s, this one is for you. The filmmakers cover the whole action movie range from big budget franchise flicks to low budget direct to video movies. Interviews with writers, directors and some of the best known “B” movie stars.

In Search of the Last Action Heroes (2019) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987) written & directed by John Hughes, starring Steve Martin & John Candy / Z-View

Posted on by

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Director: John Hughes

Screenplay: John Hughes

Stars: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean, Carol Bruce, Olivia Burnette, Martin Ferrero, Larry Hankin, Richard Herd, Susan Kellermann, Matthew Lawrence, Edie McClurg, George Petrie, Gary Riley, Charles Tyner, Diana Castle, Ben Stein, Troy Evans, Richard Fike, William Windom and Kevin Bacon.

Tagline: What he really wanted was to spend Thanksgiving with his family. What he got was three days with the turkey.

The Plot…

Advertising executive, Neal Page (Martin) is beat. A boring business trip to New York City has left Neal ready for family time.  Thanksgiving is in a couple of days and Neal is flying home tonight.

Or so he thinks.

An accidental encounter with shower curtain salesman, Dell Griffith (Candy) costs Neal his cab.  Which is par for the course for Neal going forward.  Once on the plane he finds himself squeezed in next to Dell.  When their plane is diverted because of weather, Neal discovers no other flights are scheduled.  To make matters worse all hotels are sold out.  So when Dell offers to share the room he was able to book, Neal agrees.

The next morning, they discover weather has grounded all flights.  Neal just wants to get home.  Dell suggests that they forget the plane and take a train.  Neal agrees.

Neal and Dell are just two guys who want to get home in time for Thanksgiving.  What else could go wrong?

Everything.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ leads are perfectly cast and features my favorite John Candy role.

“Those aren’t pillows!” is the first thing I think of when someone mentions this film.

The first cut of the film was reportedly over three hours long.  John Hughes then edited it down to two hours.  Some of the scenes from that cut (that didn’t make the final film) appear in trailers.  The released cut of Planes, Trains and Automobiles was one hour and 33 minutes.

Michael McKean and Kevin Bacon are the fourth and fifth credited stars.  Both appear in just one scene.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Fast X” (2023) starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez & Jason Mamoa / Z-View

Posted on by

Fast X (2023)

Director: Louis Leterrier

Screenplay: Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin; story by Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin, Zach Dean based on characters by Gary Scott Thompson

Stars: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, John Cena, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Alan Ritchson, Daniela Melchior, Joaquim de Almeida, Rita Moreno, Pete Davidson, Gal Gadot, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Rooker  and Jason Momoa.

Tagline: The end of the road begins

The Plot…

Years ago, Dom (Diesel) and his crew took down drug lord Hernan Reyes (de Almeida).  Reyes lost his life and the family fortune.  Once that happened, Reyes’ son, Dante (Mamoa) began planing the ultimate revenge.

Now the time is right.  Dante is ready to wipe out Dom, his family and his crew.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise when it first started.  Each film got bigger and more outrageous.  Now they’re to the point, that physics and logic are out the window.  Put your mind in neutral and you’ll enjoy the ride… if there’s nothing better to watch.

The word family is said 56 times.  That’s about once every two and a half minutes.  C’mon, man.  We get it.  Family is everything.

Fast X was originally supposed to be the first of a two part finale.  Now it has expanded to a three part ending.

Jason Mamoa plays against character as a flamboyant, androgynous nut.  He’s a hoot and brings a needed freshness to the franchise.

Fast X (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Fast Charlie” (2023) starring Pierce Brosnan / Z-View

Posted on by

8Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin, James Caan, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Christopher Matthew Cook, Toby Huss, Fredric Lehne, David Kallaway, Anissa Matlock and Sharon Gless.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

For years Charlie Swift (Brosnan) has been a fixer and friend of mob boss Stan Mullen (Caan).  When a young gangster sees an opportunity to move up, he has Mullen and his crew wiped out.

Only one problem.

Charlie Swift survived.  Now Charlie’s out for vengeance.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Fast Charlie is based on Victor Gishler’s crime novel GUN MONKEYS. (Highly recommended!)

This is James Caan’s last role. Mr. Caan had late-stage COPD and was confined to a wheelchair for his performance.

Pierce Brosnan played James Bond in four films.  In Fast Charlie, one of Charlie’s guns is a a Walther PPK, which was James Bond’s weapon of choice.  When Charlie is about to kill Benny, he is in front of a cabinet labeled number 7.  Bond, of course was 007.

Fast Charlie (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Hudson Hawk” (1991) starring Bruce Willis / Z-View

Posted on by

Hudson Hawk (1991) 

Director: Michael Lehmann

Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza, Daniel Waters story by Bruce Willis, Robert Kraft

Stars: Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Andie MacDowell, James Coburn, Richard E. Grant, Sandra Bernhard, Don Harvey, David Caruso, Andrew Bryniarski, Lorraine Toussaint, William Conrad (voice) and Frank Stallone.

Tagline: Catch the excitement. Catch the laughter. Catch the Hawk.

The Plot…

Eddie “Hudson Hawk” Hawkins, the semi-famous cat burglar, was just released from prison.  One his first day out, Hawk’s parole officer and others want to blackmail Hawk into stealing a few famous pieces of art.  The final thefts will involve creations made by Leonardo da Vinci.

Hawk doesn’t want to go back to prison or be killed so he reluctantly agrees.  Little does he know the motives behind the blackmailers are nothing short of world domination!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hudson Hawk performed poorly at the box office and with critics.  Part of the problem was the marketing.  It was advertised as an action film.  Audiences expected something along the lines of Die Hard.  What they got was more of a live action Looney Toons.

This marks William Conrad’s last outing as a narrator.

Hudson Hawk isn’t a great film.  It’s a screwball action comedy.  Yeah, it’s over-the-top.  It’s unrealistic.  But if you go in with the understanding that what you’re watching takes place in a cartoon-like world, you should have a fun ride.

Of course your mileage may differ.

Hudson Hawk (1991) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“House of Usher” aka “The Fall of the House of Usher” (1960) directed by Roger Corman, written by Richard Matheson, starring Vincent Price / Z-View

Posted on by

House of Usher aka The Fall of the House of Usher (1960) 

Director: Roger Corman

Screenplay: Richard Matheson based on “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Stars: Vincent Price, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey and Harry Ellerbe.

Tagline: He buried her alive… to save his soul!

The Plot…

Philip Winthrop (Damon) travels to the remote Usher estate.  Philip intends to leave with his fiancée Madeline Usher (Fahey) so they can be married.  Madeline’s brother Roderick (Price) warns Philip that the Usher bloodline is cursed.  All of the Usher ancestors went mad and committed evil deeds.  Roderick wants the Usher bloodline to end.  If Philip and Madeline marry, Roderick feels that the curse will continue.

Both Philip and Roderick are determined to have their way… only one will.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Prior to House of Usher, American International Pictures (AIP) focused on low budget black and white films destined to be second (or third) features at drive-ins.  The demand for these type of films was in decline so AIP rolled the dice.  House of Usher was given a higher budget and made in color.  The gamble paid off.

House of Usher was the first of eight films based on Edgar Allan Poe short stories directed by Roger Corman.

House of Usher aka The Fall of the House of Usher (1960) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“1917” (2019) directed by Sam Mendes / Z-View

Posted on by

1917 (2019) 

Director: Sam Mendes

Screenplay: Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns

Stars: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays, Colin Firth, Andy Apollo, Billy Postlethwaite, Gabriel Akuwudike, Andrew Scott, Robert Maaser, Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Strong.

Tagline: Time is the enemy.

The Plot…

The year is 1917.  World War I rages.  Officers on the British front lines are surprised to see German troops withdrawing.  The British mistakenly believe that the Huns are retreating.  They’re not.  What the Germans are actually doing is a systematic extraction.  They want the British to believe that they’re on the run.  They know the British will believe the time to attack is now.  What the British on the front don’t realize is they’re being tricked into running headlong into a trap.

British officers away from the front get aerial evidence of the trap.  Unfortunately communication to the front is down.  Two young British corporals are selected to slip behind enemy lines with orders to the British officers stand down.  Time is of the essence.  The errand is a suicide mission, but if the message isn’t delivered, thousands of British soldiers will be massacred.

Time is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

1917 was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning three

  • winner Best Achievement in Cinematography – Roger Deakins
  • winner Best Achievement in Visual Effects – Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler, Dominic Tuohy
  • winner Best Achievement in Sound Mixing – Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson
  • nominee Best Motion Picture of the Year
  • nominee Best Achievement in Directing – Sam Mendes
  • nominee Best Original Screenplay – Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
  • nominee Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling – Naomi Donne, Tristan Versluis, Rebecca Cole
  • nominee Best Achievement in Production Design – Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales
  • nominee Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Thomas Newman
  • nominee Best Achievement in Sound Editing – Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate

Sam Mendes and his editor, Lee Smith worked together to make the film appear as if it was shot in one continuous take.  It works.

1917 is based on director Sam Mendes’ grandfather’s experiences in World War I.  The film is dedicated to Mendes’ grandfather.

1917 (2019)  rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Lonesome Dove” (1989) starring Robert Duvall & Tommy Lee Jones / Z-View

Posted on by

Lonesome Dove (1989) 

Director: Simon Wincer

Teleplay: William D. Wittliff based on LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry

Stars: Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, Robert Urich, Frederic Forrest, D.B. Sweeney, Ricky Schroder, Anjelica Huston, Chris Cooper, Timothy Scott, Glenne Headly, Barry Corbin, William Sanderson, Barry Tubb, Gavan O’Herlihy, Frederick Coffin, Lanny Flaherty, David Carpenter, James Terry McIlvain, Sonny Carl Davis, Nina Siemaszko and Steve Buscemi.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Augustus “Gus” McCrae (Duvall) and Woodrow Call (Jones) are legendary Texas Rangers.  But their legends were made years ago.  Now they live quiet lives running a tiny ranch outside the small town of Lonesome Dove. Joshua Deets (Glover) and Pea Eye Parker (Scott), men that rode with them in their Ranger days, help with the ranch.  Also assisting is Newt Dobbs (Schroder), a young man Gus and Woodrow took in when Newt’s prostitute mother died years ago.

Gus and Woodrow couldn’t be more different.  Gus loves life, women, gambling and fun.  Woodrow is a workaholic who seldom laughs. Despite these disparities, Gus and Woodrow couldn’t be better friends.  And they both miss their wild days as Rangers.  When a friend passing through tells them about the beauty and opportunities in Montana, it isn’t long before Woodrow dreams of one last adventure.

Woodrow wants to drive a huge heard of cattle to Montana.  There they’ll start a big ranch in pristine country.  Gus surprisingly has a practical attitude.  They’re no longer young bucks.  They’re not cattlemen.  The territory is wild and full of hostile Indians.  Woodrow holds firm.  The more Gus thinks about it, the more he likes the idea of one last hurrah.

Gus and Woodrow are joined by Deets, Pea, Newt, and a few folks from town who decide to join the cattle drive.  They’ll face inhospitable land, drought, cattle thieves, Indian war parties and challenges they never dreamed of.  Not everyone will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lonesome Dove was nominated for 19 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning seven

  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Casting for a Miniseries or a Special
  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special
  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special (Dramatic Underscore) 
  • winner Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special
  • winner Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or a Special 
  • winner Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special
  • winner Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Special

Larry McMurtry originally wrote a feature film screenplay. His dream cast was John Wayne (Woodrow), Jimmy Stewart (Gus) and Henry Fonda (Spoon).  I think McMurtry was lucky that it wasn’t made.  The story is big and features a huge cast.  It needed the extra time that the mini-series provided.

Lonesome Dove features such a strong cast and no matter who he was paired with Robert Duvall owned the scene.

Lonesome Dove (1989)  rates 5 of 5 stars.