Category: Z-View

“Mayor of Kingstown”: Season 3 (2024) starring Jeremy Renner / Z-View

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Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (2024)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon

Director: Christoph Schrewe (Eps. 1-2, 9-10); Nina Lopez-Corrado (Eps. 3-4); Paul Cameron  (Ep. 5-6); Guy Ferland (7-8)

Teleplay: Dave Erickson (Ep. 1-10); Regina Corrado (Ep. 2); Wendy Riss (Ep. 3); Aalia Brown (Ep. 4); Christian Donovan (Ep. 5); James Arcega Tinsley (Ep. 6); Wendy Riss & Molly Forman (Ep. 7); ; Regina Corrado & Dave Erickson (Ep. 10)

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Hugh Dillon, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley, Michael Beach, Yorick van Wageningen, Nichole Galicia, Necar Zadegan, Lane Garrison, Mark Ivanir, Denny Love, Derek Basco, Gratiela Brancusi, Richard Brake, Paula Malcomson, Nona Parker Johnson, Dylan Kenin, Rob Kirkland, Matthew Del Negro and Kenny Johnson.

Tagline: You can’t bury the past.

The Plot…

The prison riot left gangs without leadership.  As they battle to determine their status, a Russian mob moves into town.  Each gang jockeys to get Mike to assist their rise to the top.  Mike and Bunny’s relationship is pushed to the breaking point.  As the body count rises, Mike comes up with a plan…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mayor of Kingstown continues to be well written, well directed, well acted with production values that rival those of feature films.

Jeremy Renner is perfect as the no-nonsense Mike McClusky.  Other standouts in the acting department include Hugh Dillon, Emma Laird, Nichole Galicia, Tobi Bamtefa and Hamish Allan-Headley.  Actually, I should probably list every supporting actor/actress because they are all perfectly cast.

The surprises, twists and ever building tension make each episode must-see tv.  I hope we get a season four.

Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Red Light” (1949) starring George Raft & Virginia Mayo / Z-View

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Red Light (1949)

Director: Roy Del Ruth

Screenplay: George Callahan, Charles Grayson (additional dialogue); based on the story “This Guy Gideon” by Don “Red” Barry

Stars: George Raft, Virginia Mayo, Gene Lockhart, Raymond Burr, Harry Morgan, Barton MacLane, Arthur Franz, Ken Murray, Stanley Clements, Arthur Shields, Frank Orth, Phillip Pine, Leonard Bremen and William Frawley.

Tagline: The raw, ruthless story of a strong-arm guy…and the blonde he used to bait his deadly trap!

The Plot…

John Torno (Raft) is a successful business man.  John’s younger brother, Jess (Franz) is a Catholic Chaplin just brought home from a World War II prisoner of war camp.  John idolizes Jess who he raised.  He’s a war hero who has dedicated his life to helping others.

So when Jess is murdered, John makes it his life’s mission to find the killer.  And get revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Raymond Burr made an excellent heavy in this and other films early in his career.

Red Light (1949) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Trigger Point” (2021) starring Barry Pepper & Colm Feore / Z-View

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Trigger Point (2021)

Director: Brad Turner

Screenplay: Michael Vickerman

Stars: Barry Pepper, Colm Feore, Eve Harlow, Carlo Rota, Jayne Eastwood, Nazneen Contractor, Laura Vandervoort, Karen Robinson, Greg Bryk and Rainbow Sun Francks.

Tagline: Everyone breaks.

The Plot…

Nicolas Shaw (Pepper) used to be a US special agent.  He was part of a special team that targeted the worst and took them out by any means.  Then Shaw was captured and tortured.  During his abuse, Shaw finally gave up the names of others on his squad.  He was then framed for their murders.

So Shaw went into hiding.  He lived a quiet in a remote location.  Shaw thought he was safe until, Elias Kane (Feore), his former boss, showed up.  Kane’s daughter was kidnapped and Kane needs Shaw’s help.

Shaw has no choice…but can Kane be trusted?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

After seeing (and loving) Barry Pepper in Bring Him to Me, I had high hopes for Trigger Point.  What a letdown.  To make things even worse, it ends setting up a sequel.  Bah!

Trigger Point (2021) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992) directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins & Keanu Reeves / Z-View

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Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Screenplay: James V. Hart, based on DRACULA by Bram Stoker

Stars: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E. Grant, Billy Campbell, Sadie Frost, Tom Waits, Monica Bellucci, Jay Robinson, Laurie Franks and Cary Elwes.

Tagline: Love Never Dies

The Plot…

1462.  When Vlad Dracula (Oldman) returns from a victorious war campaign, he learns that his defeated enemies sent messages that they had killed Dracula in battle.  His wife Elisabeta became so distraught that she committed suicide.

Vlad Dracula is beside himself.  How could God let this happen?  A Priest tells Dracula that Elisabeta committed a cardinal sin by killing herself.  Her soul will be damned to hell.  Dracula loses it.  He renounces his Christian God and vows to use the powers of darkness to avenge her!  Dracula drives his sword into the chapel’s huge crucifix. When blood begins flowing from the cross, Dracula drinks it.

Four hundred years pass. Feeling the need to leave his homeland, Dracula has settled on London as his new home.  When Dracula sees a photograph of Mina Harker, he is convinced she is the reincarnation of Elisabeta.

Dracula will have her at all costs.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bram Stoker’s Dracula was nominated for four Academy Awards and won three…

  • nominee Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: Thomas E. Sanders, Garrett Lewis
  • winner Best Costume Design – Eiko Ishioka
  • winner Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Tom C. McCarthy, David E. Stone
  • winner Best Makeup – Greg Cannom, Michèle Burke, Matthew W. Mungle

Francis Ford Coppola was determined to use only effects available when movies first started (since this was the time period of most of this movie).  He used no CGI.  Coppola made use of forced perspective, rear projection, miniatures, matte paintings and more.  For instance, to create a sense of increasing claustrophobia, he gradually had the walls move in during a scene.  For some vampire scenes the film was run in reverse to make their movements seem off.  One of my favorite of Coppola’s effects is how Dracula’s shadow moves independently of him!

Liam Neeson wanted the role of Van Helsing, but Anthony Hopkins was riding a popularity wave after Silence of the Lambs, so it went to him.  Steve Buscemi turned down the role of Renfield.  Tom Waits was a perfect choice.

Actors who auditioned for the part of Dracula include: Armand Assante, Gabriel Byrne, Antonio Banderas, Viggo Mortensen and Andy Garcia.  Of that group I’d have given the nod to Assante or Banderas.

Coppola wanted Johnny Depp to play Jonathan Harker.  Charlie Sheen auditioned for the role.  The studio wanted an actor more popular with young girls.  Keanu Reeves was awarded the part.

I’m a fan of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  I love that Coppola swung for the fences.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Driver” (1978) written & directed by Walter Hill, starring Ryan O’Neal and Bruce Dern / Z-View

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The Driver (1978)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Walter Hill

Stars: Ryan O’Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani, Ronee Blakley, Matt Clark, Felice Orlandi, Joseph Walsh, Rudy Ramos, Sandy Brown Wyeth, Bob Minor and Nick Dimitri.

Tagline: To break the driver, the cop was willing to break the law.

The Plot…

A getaway driver (O’Neal) has a reputation as THE one to use if you’re planning any kind of heist.  Although the driver’s identity isn’t known, a detective (Dern) has become obsessed with catching this wheelman.  The detective is willing to break the law to make the arrest.  The driver is willing to risk his life to prove he’s the best.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Driver is the second film written and directed by Walter Hill.  Hill’s intent was to create a “pure genre” film.  The main characters aren’t given names other than their archetype.

Steve McQueen turned down the lead.  He didn’t want to do another “car picture” after Bullitt and The Getaway.

Charles Bronson, who had starred in Hill’s last film, Hard Times, was then offered the lead.  Bronson didn’t want to work with Hill again.  He felt that Hill’s editing of Hard Times put Jill Ireland (Bronson’s wife) in a bad light.

While Sylvester Stallone was filming F.I.S.T., he was approached about starring.  Stallone ultimately turned down the role.

Ryan O’Neal reached out to Walter Hill.  He wanted to play the Driver.  Hill and O’Neal were on the same page with how the role should be played.  The rest is history.

Walter Hill approached Robert Mitchum about playing the Detective.  Mitchum turned down the offer.

When The Driver was released it didn’t do well at the U.S. box office.  Isabelle Adjani said she felt the film hurt her career. Walter Hill said the studio gave him a six inch stack containing reviews of The Driver.  Only one was positive.  Hill later said in an interview, ” “Had I not been shooting The Warriors at the time, I don’t think my career would have survived.

Over the years, The Driver‘s reputation has improved.  Quentin Tarantino is a fan.  The Driver also served as an influence of other films including Driver and Baby Driver.

Although I’m a Walter Hill fan, The Driver isn’t one of my favorites of his films.  I get what he was going for.  It just doesn’t work as well for me as many of his other films.

The Driver (1978) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Devil’s Peak’ (2023) starring Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Hopper Penn, Katelyn Nacon & Jackie Earle Haley / Z-View

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Devil’s Peak (2023)

Director: Ben Young

Screenplay: Robert Knott, based on WHERE ALL LIGHT TENDS TO GO by David Joy

Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Hopper Penn, Katelyn Nacon, David Kallaway, Mark Ashworth, Mark Ashworth, Elena Sanchez, Sean Freeland and Jackie Earle Haley.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Jacob McNeely (Penn) is 18 years  old and in love with Maggie (Nacon).  But there are problems.  Jacob is from the wrong side of the tracks.   His dad, Charlie (Thorton) is the area’s meth/drug dealer.  Maggie’s middle class, smart and headed for college.

Charlie tells Jacob to drop her.  Jacob refuses and wants the money that Charlie has always said he was holding for Jacob.  People who don’t do as Charlie asks have a habit of disappearing.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

With this cast, I was expecting a better film.

Devil’s Peak (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Breakwater” (2023) written & directed by James Rowe, starring Dermot Mulroney, Darren Mann, Alyssa Goss & Mena Suvari / Z-View

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Breakwater (2023)

Director: James Rowe

Screenplay: James Rowe

Stars: Dermot Mulroney, Darren Mann, Alyssa Goss, Don Henderson Baker, JD Evermore, Celia Rose Gooding, Mike Stanley, Sonja Sohn, Timothy Douglas Perez, Blaque Fowler, Kenneth Nance Jr. and Mena Suvari.

Tagline: The deepest secrets are the last to rise.

The Plot…

Dovey (Mann) is a young man about to be released from prison.  He was sent there on a trumped up charge.  While in the joint Dovey was protected by a respected con named Ray Childress (Mulroney).

Right before Dovey is released Childress shares a photo of his daughter.  He tells Dovey that they haven’t seen each other in years.  She won’t talk to him.  Childress asks Dovey to go to her.  Make sure she is safe and doing well.  Dovey feels he owes Childress and makes the commitment.

What Doey doesn’t know is that the woman isn’t Childress’ daughter.  And if Dovey finds her, she’ll be targeted for murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Breakwater is an enjoyable low budget crime film.  Dermot Mulroney plays a convict the other inmates fear, not because he’s a beast, but because he’s smart.  Mulroney is surprisingly menacing.  Darren Mann is believable as the naive ex-con who wants to do what’s right.

Breakwater (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Red Right Hand” (2024) starring Orlando Bloom, Garret Dillahunt & Andie MacDowell / Z-View

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Red Right Hand (2024)

Director:  Ian Nelms, Eshom Nelms

Screenplay: Jonathan Easley

Stars: Orlando Bloom, Garret Dillahunt, Andie MacDowell, Brian Geraghty, Scott Haze, Jeremy Ratchford,  Nicholas Logan, Evan Gamble, Daniel David Stewart and Chapel Oaks.

Tagline: God. Family. Survival.

The Plot…

Cash (Bloom) used to run with the wrong crowd.  He was in a life of crime and he was good at it.

That was then.

Now Cash lives an honest, quiet life with his (screwup) brother-in-law and niece. The three of them are the only family they have left.  When his brother-in-law gets in debt to the local crime boss, Cash knows how it will end… unless he can find a way to get the obligation cleared.

Against his best judgment, Cash rejoins Big Cat’s crew. If the crimes don’t get him killed, Big Cat might.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Andie MacDowell was an interesting choice to play the sadistic crime boss.  I liked her over-the-top performance.

Orlando Bloom and Garret Dilahunt were solid.

The story is a bit over the top and reminded me of something that Burt Reynolds would have starred in at the start of his movie career.

Red Right Hand (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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.