Category: Z-View

“The Killing” (1956) directed by Stanley Kubrick, starring Sterling Hayden / Z-View

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The Killing (1956) 

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick; dialogue by Jim Thompson; based on CLEAN BREAK by Lionel White

Stars: Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Jay C. Flippen, Ted de Corsia, Marie Windsor, Elisha Cook Jr., Joe Sawyer, James Edwards, Timothy Carey, Kola Kwariani, Dorothy Adams, James Griffith, Joe Turkel, William ‘Billy’ Benedict, Charles Cane, Robert B. Williams and Vince Edwards

Tagline: These 5 Men Had a $2,000,000 Secret Until One of them told this Woman!

The Plot…

Johnny Clay (Hayden) has been a crook his whole life.  Now he’s ready to settle down and marry Fay (Gray). Johnny has planned one last score.  It will be big.  Two million dollars big. He’s going to knock over a race track.

Johnny has put together his team: two race track workers in need of cash, a cop on the take, a sniper and a pro wrestler.  Johnny has planned for every contingency… except one.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Killing is arguably Stanley Kubrick’s best film.  Kirk Douglas loved it so much, he got Kubrick to direct Douglas’ next film, Paths of Glory.  Two years later, when Douglas fired Anthony Mann early in the filming of Spartacus, Douglas turned to Kubrick to finish the film.

The studio didn’t like the non-linear structure of The Killing.  Re-editing only made things more confusing. So it was released in the non-linear form Kubrick wanted.  Quentin Tarantino claims The Killing is a huge influence on the format of  Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction.

Kola Kwariani (the chess playing pro wrestler) and Stanley Kubrick would often play chess in a chess/checker lounge as shown in the film.

In a film full of memorable co-star performances, Timothy Carey stands out for his uniquely strange acting.

The Killing (1956)  rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (2024) starring Eddie Murphy / Z-View

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Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) 

Director: Mark Molloy

Screenplay: Will Beall, Tom Gormican, Kevin Etten; story by Will Beal; based on characters created by Danilo Bach and Daniel Petrie Jr.

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot, Kevin Bacon, Luis Guzmán, Christopher McDonald and Steven Berkoff

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When Detroit police detective Axel Foley (Murphy) receives a call from his old pal P.I. Billy Rosewood (Reinhold), Foley learns that his grown estranged daughter’s life is in danger.  Foley arrives in Beverly Hills. He discovers that an attempt on his daughter’s life was made and Billy is missing.

As Axel digs into the case, he uncovers a conspiracy going to the highest levels.  Now both Axel and his daughter are targets.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Will Beal, who came up with the story and co-wrote the screenplay, is a former L.A. cop turned writer.  Beal’s L.A. REX is excellent.

Steven Berkoff, who played the villain in the original film, has a brief uncredited cameo as a motorist.

This is director Mark Molloy’s first feature film.

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F hits all the right beats for fans of the series.  It has a plausible reason for Foley to return to Beverly Hills.  It brings back characters in a way that works.  It gives Foley a daughter (that wasn’t mentioned in Beverly Hills Cop III, although she would have been born).  It references the past films, even going so far as to say that Foley’s third case in Beverly Hills wasn’t his “finest hour”.  Beverly Hills III was easily the least favorite of the series.  It uses the famous Axel F theme from the original Beverly Hills Cop by composer Harold Faltermeyer.

For some reason Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F works when it shouldn’t.  When we see Axel driving a snow plow through the city, destroying dozens of vehicles, we ignore the fact that this would probably injure or kill pedestrians as well.  We accept the fact that he is able to keep his job.

When he gets his “partner” to steal a helicopter and fly down Beverly Hills Streets the only damage is to vehicles.  People are never hurt. That’s why Axel and Bobby walk away from a helicopter crash without even a limp or bruise.

The same is true when there is a shoot-out on a crowded Beverly Hills Street.  Only the bad guys die.  I guess it is because in a Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F shootout, the bad guys fire dozens of shots and always miss.  Later when Axel is hit, the bad guy was shooting at his daughter and Axel jumps in front of her.

The fact that we are able to ignore these things is evidence that Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F works.

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)  rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Daylight” (1998) starring Sylvester Stallone and Amy Brenneman / Z-View

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Daylight (1998) 

Director: Rob Cohen

Screenplay: Leslie Bohem

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Amy Brenneman, Viggo Mortensen, Dan Hedaya, Jay O. Sanders, Karen Young, Claire Bloom, Barry Newman, Stan Shaw, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Renoly Santiago, Renoly Santiago, Danielle Harris, Trina McGee, Marcello Thedford, Jo Anderson, Mark Rolston, Rosemary Forsyth, Luoyong Wang, Tony Munafo, Nestor Serrano, Rob Cohen  and Sage Stallone

Tagline: HOLD YOUR BREATH

The Plot…

When an explosion seals a tunnel beneath the Hudson River, time is running out for the few survivors.  Despite it being a suicide mission, ex-NYC Medical Services Chief Kit Latura (Stallone) goes in.  As the air dwindles, the water levels rise and tempers flare, Latura and the survivors search for a way out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Daylight was nominated for one Academy Award

  • nominee Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Richard L. Anderson, David A. Whittaker

Daylight is the second time that Sly and his son Sage appeared together in a movie.

Cameos include: director Rob Cohen as a businessman and Associate Producer Tony Munafo as a waste truck driver.

Stan Shaw, who plays a Transit cop trapped in the tunnel also played the boxer named Dipper who gets Rocky’s locker in Rocky.

Daylight is a throwback to the disaster movies like The Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake and The Towering Inferno.

Daylight (1998)  rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Dead Heist” (2007) / Z-View

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Dead Heist (2007) 

Director: Bo Webb

Screenplay: Anghus Houvouras, Eric Tomosunas, Bo Webb

Stars: Big Daddy Kane

Tagline: The perfect heist…the wrong night.

The Plot…

When a small town bank robbery goes sideways due to the start of a zombie apocalypse, the thieves and cops find themselves fighting for their lives.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Made on a micro-budget and it shows.

Loved the idea, not so much the execution.

Dead Heist (2007)  rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Last Man Standing” (1996) written & directed by Walter Hill, starring Bruce Willis / Z-View

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Last Man Standing (1996) 

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Walter Hill based on Yojimbo by Akira Kurosawa

Stars: Bruce Willis, Bruce Dern, William Sanderson, Christopher Walken, David Patrick Kelly, Ned Eisenberg, Alexandra Powers, Ken Jenkins, Ted Markland, Leslie Mann, Patrick Kilpatrick, Luis Contreras, Raynor Scheine, Tiny Ron, John Paxton, Michael Cavalieri, Matt O’Toole and Michael Imperioli

Tagline: There are two sides to every war. And John Smith is on both of them.

The Plot…

John Smith (Willis), a prohibition gun thug, is on the lam.  Smith is headed for Mexico when he stops in a small nearly deserted border town.  Two rival gangs, one Italian, the other Irish, have run most of the townsfolk off.  The two crews have an uneasy truce.  But both gangs are looking for a way to wipe out the other.

John Smith sees easy money in his future.  It’s risky, but Smith plans to work both sides with neither realizing it.  The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Last Man Standing, like A Fistful of Dollars, is based on the Japanese film Yojimbo directed and co-written by Akira Kurosawa.  Many think that Kurosawa based his story on Dashiell Hammett’s RED HARVEST.  Kurosawa says that his film was actually based on Hammett’s THE GLASS KEY.

Last Man Standing has a John Woo feel to it.

Last Man Standing (1996)  rates 3 of 5 stars.

Syfy’s Twilight Zone 4th of July Marathon – 10 Episodes Not to Miss!

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Tomorrow Syfy channel’s 4th of July Twilight Zone Marathon starts at 6am!  It will run for 24 hours.  Here are a few episodes not to miss!

Thursday, July 4th

“Atlas” (2024) starring Jennifer Lopez / Z-View

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Atlas (2024) 

Director: Brad Peyton

Screenplay:  Leo Sardarian, Aron Eli Coleite

Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown, Paul Ganus, Zoe Boyle, Gloria Cole and Mark Strong

Tagline: The future of humanity is in her hands

The Plot…

In the future, Harlan (Liu), an AI soldier begins a war against humanity.  Millions of people are killed before nations of the world join forces.  The tide turns, but Harlan escapes.  Years later Harlan is discovered on a planet in deep space.

A military expedition is sent to capture Harlan.  Atlas Shepherd (Lopez), the daughter of Harlan’s creator demands to accompany the soldiers.  Atlas is given clearance.

As the military team begins descent to the planet, they are attacked.  Atlas is the sole survivor thanks to her battle suit’s AI technology.  Realizing that her AI powered armor could turn on her, Atlas’ first instinct is to shut it down.  But if she wants to survive…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Much of Atlas felt like I was watching a video game not a movie.

Why not just leave Harlan alone?  He’s millions of miles away.

Sterling K. Brown is always a welcome addition to any movie.

Atlas (2024)  rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ (2024) starring Will Smith & Martin Lawrence / Z-View

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Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) 

Director: Adil & Bilall

Screenplay:  Chris Bremner, Will Beall, based on characters by George Gallo

Stars: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Eric Dane, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, Rhea Seehorn, Dennis McDonald, Tiffany Haddish, Joe Pantoliano, DJ Khaled, John Salley, Bianca Bethune and Michael Bay

Tagline: Miami’s finest are now its most wanted.

The Plot…

Reports come out posthumously that Captain Howard (Pantoliano) was a corrupt cop working with a drug cartel. Detectives Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) know that isn’t true.  They decide to clear Captain Howard’s name.

Mike and Marcus learn that Captain Howard left behind information listing the corrupt state and federal cops.  As they follow the evidence, Mike and Marcus are targeted for execution. Our Bad Boys are framed for murder.  Now there is a manhunt for them.  Both police and crooked cops are ready to shoot to kill.

The question now is… Bad Boys, Bad Boys, what ‘cha gonna do when they come for you?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There’s a fun subplot where Marcus, after waking up from a coma, believes he cannot die.

Eric Dane makes a great villain.  Wish he had more scenes.  Rhea Seehorn also needed more screen time.

Jacob Scipio has the makings of an action star.

Michael Bay, who directed Bad Boys 1 and 2 has a cameo as an upset motorist.

Bad Boys: Ride of Die is a fun run.  If you’re fans of the previous films, you should enjoy this one.  The comedy got to be a bit over the top for me and the plot was pretty by-the-numbers.  Still, I ain’t complaining – when the Bad Boys mount up, I ride.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)  rates 3 of 5 stars.

“A Quiet Place: Day One” (2024) written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, starring Lupita Nyong’o & Joseph Quinn / Z-View

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A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) 

Director: Michael Sarnoski

Screenplay:  Michael Sarnoski, story by John Krasinski, Michael Sarnoski, based on characters by Bryan Woods, Scott Beck

Stars: Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff and Djimon Hounsou

Tagline: Stay quiet. Stay alive.

The Plot…

Samira (Nyong’o) has terminal cancer.  She reluctantly joins her hospice group for a trip into New York City.  While there an alien invasion begins.  Separated from her group, Samira struggles to survive.  The creatures are deadly, but blind with hearing sensitive to the smallest sound.

What chance does anyone have of surviving?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The first day of any “apocalypse” should be the most interesting.  People from different backgrounds are thrown together.  Everyone is trying to figure out what is going on.  No one is sure of the right things to do.  It was a smart move to take us back to Day One of the alien invasion.

It was even smarter to have Djimon Hounsou reprise his role from A Quiet Place Part II.

Lupita Nyong’o reaffirms what an excellent actress she is.

A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Way of the Gun” (2000) written & directed by Christopher McQuarrie, starring Ryan Phillippe, Benicio Del Toro, Juliette Lewis, Taye Diggs & James Caan / Z-View

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Way of the Gun (2000) 

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Screenplay: Christopher McQuarrie

Stars: Ryan Phillippe, Benicio Del Toro, Juliette Lewis, Taye Diggs, Nicky Katt, Geoffrey Lewis, Dylan Kussman, Scott Wilson, Kristin Lehman, Armando Guerrero, Sarah Silverman and James Caan

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Parker (Phillippe) and Longbaugh (Del Toro) are two  low-life criminals just barely getting by.  When they learn about a rich couple paying a surrogate mother one million bucks for carrying their child, they see a big payday.  They’ll kidnap the mother and hold her for hostage.  What Parker and Longbaugh don’t know is that the baby’s father is a powerful criminal.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Way of the Gun is well written, well directed, well cast and well acted.  With that said, it is also vulgar and violent.  The two main characters are not good people.  Yet, Way of the Gun is a movie that I truly love.  If you can get past the opening scenes, the story and acting will draw you in.  Way of the Gun isn’t your typical Hollywood movie.

Way of the Gun has an unusual car chase that goes from high speed to a walking pace.  The idea was Del Toro’s who said he saw the same thing on an episode of Cops.

The gun handling and gun fight scenes were supervised by a Navy SEAL and are accurate to every bullet fired and where it went… except for one part of the final shootout.  In that instance the director wanted to wink at how most movie gunfights never reload.

Parker and Longbaugh were the real names of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  The final shootout in Way of the Gun was filmed in the same location as the final gun battle in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

James Caan is awesome in this film.  It is one of my favorite Caan performances.  It’s interesting to note that Caan plays Juliette Lewis’ father in this film.  Her real father, Geoffrey Lewis also appears in the movie.

Way of the Gun (2000)  rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” (2024) directed & starring Kevin Costner / Z-View

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Director: Kevin Costner

Screenplay: Jon Baird, Kevin Costner, story by Jon Baird, Kevin Costner, Mark Kasdan

Stars: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Tim Guinee, Giovanni Ribisi, Danny Huston, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Will Patton, Jim Lau, Georgia MacPhail, Hayes Costner, Luke Wilson, James Russo, Jon Beavers, Dale Dickey, Charles Halford, Jamie Campbell Bower, Austin R. Grant, Ariel Llinas, David O’Hara and Jeff Fahey

Tagline: The story of a nation unsettled.

The Plot…

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 looks at the lives of those attempting to move west and settle on land already held by native Americans.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is, as the title indicates, part one of a four part story.  The movie doesn’t have traditional pacing or character arcs.  If you know this going in, you shouldn’t be disappointed when the film ends, since the story will continue.  However, if you go in expecting a complete story, you’ll be let down.

My expectation was we would get a big story with Kevin Costner playing the main character who interacts with a large cast.  This isn’t the case.  Costner doesn’t even make an appearance until 66 minutes into the movie.  There are multiple storylines in Horizon, Chapter 1 and Costner’s is just one.

The writing, acting and direction are all superb.  Many familiar faces appear throughout the film.  Jamie Campbell Bower and Jon Beavers are standouts in the roles as the antagonists of Kevin Costner’s character.

Kevin Costner took a risk by investing his own money to make the film(s).  Costner also had faith that audiences would accept a four part story where each chapter doesn’t follow traditional Hollywood pacing or structure.  I’m willing to go along for the ride.  Chapter One left me looking forward to the rest of the tale. My rating for Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is based on what we’ve seen so far.  I imagine once the full tale is told and we can view/rate the entire story, Horizon (the complete saga) will receive a higher rating.

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Oppenheimer” (2023) written and directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Cilian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr. and Florence Pugh / Z-View

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Oppenheimer (2023)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Screenplay: Christopher Nolan based on AMERICAN PROMETHEUS by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherman

Stars: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Scott Grimes, Jason Clarke, Kurt Koehler, Tony Goldwyn, John Gowans, James D’Arcy, Kenneth Branagh, Harry Groener, Gregory Jbara, Ted King, Steven Houska, Matthew Modine, Casey Affleck, James Remar, Gary Oldman and Josh Hartnett

Tagline: The World Forever Changes

The Plot…

As World War II rages, the United States and Germany are racing to create an atomic bomb.  J. Robert Oppenheimer is recruited by the US army to co-ordinate scientists chosen for the project.  After Germany surrenders, Oppenheimer and others question the use of the bomb on Japan.  After the war, Oppenheimer’s loyalty to the US is questioned and his reputation put at risk.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Oppenheimer was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won seven…

  • nominee Best Sound – Willie D. Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo, Kevin O’Connell
  • nominee Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling – Luisa Abel
  • nominee Best Achievement in Production Design – Ruth De Jong (production designer), Claire Kaufman (set decorator)
  • nominee Best Achievement in Costume Design – Ellen Mirojnick
  • nominee Best Adapted Screenplay – Christopher Nolan
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Emily Blunt
  • winner Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Ludwig Göransson
  • winner Best Achievement in Film Editing – Jennifer Lame
  • winner Best Achievement in Cinematography – Hoyte Van Hoytema
  • winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr.
  • winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Cillian Murphy
  • winner Best Achievement in Directing – Christopher Nolan
  • winner Best Motion Picture of the Year – Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan

Oppenheimer is a dramatization of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life from 1926 to 1959.

Robert Downey, Jr. considers Oppenheimer to be his best film.

Many of the famous actors/actresses appearing in Oppenheimer took small roles and pay cuts to work with Sir Christopher Nolan.

Oppenheimer is an exceptional film from top to bottom.  The film and everyone who was nominated/won an award for it is deserving.  Because it’s not a movie that I will not often revisit, I’m giving it 4 of 5 stars.  Don’t let that fool you though, it is an excellent movie.

Oppenheimer (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

QT8: The First Eight (2019) / Z-View

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QT8: The First Eight (2019)

Director: Tara Wood

Screenplay: Tara Wood

Stars: Quentin Tarantino, Zoë Bell, Louis Black, Bruce Dern, Robert Forster, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Diane Kruger, Lucy Liu, Michael Madsen, Eli Roth, Tim Roth, Kurt Russell, Stacey Sher, Scott Spiegel, Christoph Waltz and Steve Buscemi

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

QT8: The First 8 features behind-the-scenes stories from those that were there about the making of Quentin Tarantino’s first eight films.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you’re a Tarantino or movie fan, you should enjoy this.  I did.

QT8: The First Eight (2019) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Demolition Man” (1993) starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes / Z-View

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Demolition Man (1993)

Director: Marco Brambilla

Screenplay: Daniel Waters, Robert Reneau, Peter M. Lenkov, story by Peter M. Lenkov, Robert Reneau

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Gunton, Glenn Shadix, Grand L. Bush, Pat Skipper, Steve Kahan, Mark Colson, Andre Gregory, Troy Evans, Don Charles McGovern, Bill Cobbs, Dan Cortese, Jack Black, Adrienne Barbeau (voice), Rob Schneider, Jesse Ventura and Denis Leary

Tagline: The world’s most dangerous cop. The world’s most ruthless criminal. The 21st Century isn’t big enough for both of them.

The Plot…

In the near future, a maniac named Simon Phoenix (Snipes) kidnaps a busload of people.  Phoenix then fortifies himself in an abandoned warehouse protected by his gang.  A thermal reading shows no signs of the hostages.  The clock is ticking to keep the captives alive.  As the police prepare an assault, LAPD Detective John Spartan (Stallone) goes in alone.  Spartan works his way to Phoenix and they battle.  When Spartan gains the upper hand, Phoenix ignites an accelerate to blow up the building.

Spartan makes it out with Phoenix under arrest.  He then learns that the hostages were in the building.  All killed by the blast.  Because Spartan didn’t wait for authorization to go in, he is made a scapegoat.  Both Phoenix and Spartan are sentenced to the California Cryo-Penitentiary.  They will be placed in suspended animation for the length of their sentences.

Thirty-six years pass.

Simon Phoenix is revived from cryofreeze for his parole hearing.  Phoenix escapes his cuffs.  He kills the warden and guards.  Phoenix makes his escape into a world where violence is a thing of the past.  Phoenix is easily tracked. Officers are sent to arrest him. Phoenix kills them all.  It is then decided, they will revive John Spartan.  Spartan arrested Phoenix before.  He can do it again… they hope.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In the original script the entire movie takes place in the future.  Fred Dekker, who did uncredited rewrites, suggested the movie open in the past to show Spartan and Phoenix’s clash.  Dekker’s rationale, “If you don’t show Kansas, Oz isn’t all that special.”

When Demolition Man was released overseas, references to Taco Bell (dubbing and digitally) where changed to Pizza Hut.  Taco Bell wasn’t known in many overseas countries.

Lori Petty was originally cast as Lenina Huxley.  After a few days of filming, Petty left and Sandra Bullock got the role. Creative differences and/or lack of chemistry with Sly Stallone have been given as reasons for the change.

Jack Black appears as one of the Wasteland Scraps.  Adrienne Barbeau is heard (uncredited) as the mainframe computer’s voice.  Rob Schneider appears uncredited.

A scene where Sly Stallone fights Jesse Ventura was cut before the film’s release.

The Demolition Man song was written by Sting for Grace Jones and appeared on her album Nightclubbing, released in 1981.  It was re-recorded by Sting for use in Demolition Man‘s end credits.  Sting then released Demolition Man featuring the song and other live tracks.

The opening sequence of Demolition Man (with the helicopter under attack, bungee jump to the roof, gunfights with gang and fight with Simon Phoenix) is one of Sly’s best.  It has a John Woo feel to it.

When I first saw Demolition Man I thought it had too much comedy/satire.  The film has grown on me over the years.

Demolition Man (1993) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Patriot” (2000) directed by Roland Emmerich, starring Mel Gibson & Heath Ledger / Z-View

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The Patriot (2000)

Director: Roland Emmerich

Screenplay: Robert Rodat

Stars: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, Tchéky Karyo, Rene Auberjonois, Tom Wilkinson, Donal Logue, Leon Rippy, Jay Arlen Jones, Joey D. Vieira and Trevor Morgan.

Tagline: Some things are worth fighting for.

The Plot…

Benjamin Martin (Gibson) is a veteran of the French and Indian War.  He was a hero and his exploits were legendary.  But that was years ago.  Benjamin is older and a widower with seven children.  As many colonists enlist in the Continental Army, Benjamin refuses.  He fears for his children if he were to be killed.

Despite his father’s wishes, Gabriel Martin (Ledger) enlists.  Gabriel becomes a dispatcher for the Continental Army.  When a battle spills over onto the Martin farm, Benjamin Martin tends to wounded soldiers of both armies.  Gabriel is one of them.

Colonel William Tavington (Isaacs) and his British Dragoons arrive.  Tavington thanks Benajamin Martin for tending to the British soldiers.  He orders all of the wounded rebel soldiers to be killed.  Tavington then orders Benjamin Martin’s house burned and his son, Gabriel to be hung as a spy.  Benjamin pleads for his son’s life, arguing that Gabriel was wearing a uniform and carrying dispatches in an official bag.  Rules of War specify that properly uniformed dispatchers are not spies.  Tavington doesn’t care.  When Gabriel’s younger brother attempts to free Gabe, Tavington shoots and kills the child.

As Tavington, his Dragoons ride off, a separate contingent of British soldiers take Gabriel to be hung.  Benjamin races into his burning house and from a chest grabs weapons he used in the French and Indian War.  Benjamin Martin hoped to keep his family safe. But his young son has been killed and the war brought to him…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Patriot was nominated for three Academy Awards…

  • nominee Best Cinematography – Caleb Deschanel
  • nominee Best Music, Original Score – John Williams
  • nominee Best Sound – Kevin O’Connell, Greg P. Russell, Lee Orloff

For the first time ever, the the Smithsonian Institution worked with producers to ensure the accuracy of the films costumes and settings.

Benjamin Martin is based on two real people: Francis Marion, a.k.a. The Swamp Fox and militia leader General Andrew Pickens who lost a son and had his estate burned before he returned to war.

The Patriot (2000) rates 5 of 5 stars.