Category: Z-View

“The Boy Who Cried Werewolf” (1973) / Z-View

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The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973)

Director:  Nathan Juran

Screenplay: Bob Homel

Stars: Kerwin Mathews, Robert J. Wilke, George Gaynes, David S. Cass Sr., Tim Haldeman

Tagline: Possible in this day and age? Those who didn’t believe… are dead!

The Plot…

It’s Ritchie’s weekend with his dad.  They decide to camp out.  That night while walking back to the cabin, they are attacked by a werewolf.  Dad is bitten, but manages to impale the creature.  When police arrive they find a dead man on the fence.  Later when Dad starts acting strange, Ritchie knows his dad is becoming a werewolf.  Even worse no one believes him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Like a bad 1970s tv movie, but we don’t even get the benefit of commercials.

The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973) earns 1 of 5 stars.

“The Equalizer 3” (2023) directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Denzel Washington & Dakota Fanning / Z-View

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The Equalizer 3 (2023)

Director:  Antoine Fuqua

Screenplay: Richard Wenk based on The Equalizer by Michael Sloan, Richard Lindheim

Stars: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning

Tagline: Justice knows no borders.

The Plot…

Robert McCall (Washington) finds himself in the small Italian town of Altamonte while he recovers from a gunshot wound,  McCall’s road to recovery is a slow one.  As time passes, McCall is accepted and treated with kindness by the locals.  He begins to think that Altamonte may become his new home.  McCall loves the pace and peacefulness.

When a crime boss and his gang begin to move in on the town businesses, McCall decides to get involved.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Equalizer 3 is the fifth teaming of Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua.  Their other collaborations are Training Day (2001), The Equalizer (2014), The Magnificent Seven (2016) and The Equalizer 2 (2018).

The Equalizer 3 is the second teaming of Denzel Washington and his co-star Dakota Fanning.  They first appeared together in Man on Fire (2004).

The Equalizer 3 is a worthy follow-up to the first two films.

The Equalizer 3 (2023) earns 4 of 5 stars.

Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only (2023) / Z-View

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Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only (2023)

Director:  Rashidi Natara Harper

Stars: Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Cedric The Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Keith Robinson, Tony Rock and Wanda Sykes.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Kevin Hart and Chris Rock take us behind the scenes and back to their humble starts in comedy as they prepare for a series of New York shows.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was expecting to see some of the show highlights featuring the comedy of Kevin Hart and Chris Rock.  That’s not the focus of this documentary which instead features each comedian (and others) talking about the rise to the top.

Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only (2023) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Asteroid City” (2023) written and directed by Wes Anderson / Z-View

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Asteroid City (2023)

Director:  Wes Anderson

Screenplay:  Wes Anderson; story by Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola

Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Hope Davis, Steve Park, Liev Schreiber, Steve Carell, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, Adrien Brody, Rita Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie and Matt Dillon.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Set up as a television documentary of a play written by a famous playwright, Asteroid City follows the story of the play as well as the making of it.  The play is in color and widescreen. Set in an imagined 1950s where futuristic and retro designs are merged.  The behind the scenes “making of” is in black and white, television ratio.

The play concerns the happenings at a Science convention for children being held in Asteroid City.  When a UFO appears, the military gets involved.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was attracted to Asteroid City because of it’s amazing cast and the look of the trailer.  It is interesting at the start, but when the movie was over I felt like I’d seen an experimental play that fell short.  It’s not terrible and it held my attention, but left me feeling flat.  Your mileage may vary.

Asteroid City (2023) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Room 237” (2012) / Z-View

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Room 237 (2012)

Director:  Rodney Ascher

Screenplay: Rodney Ascher

Stars: Archival footage featuring Stanley Kubrick, Stephen King, Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers, Joe Turkel, Barry Nelson, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

Tagline: Some movies stay with you forever…and ever…and ever.

The Plot…

Room 237 features nine segments that explore theories that Stanley Kubrick imbedded hidden messages and themes within The Shining.  Some of the theories include that Kubrick directed fake footage of the first moon landing since we really didn’t land with Apollo 11, cultural assimilation of Native Americans or American Imperialism or Genocide are the real themes of the film.  There are more.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you don’t like one of the theories, don’t worry, another will soon be presented.  A lot of sizzle, but no steak.

Room 237 (2012) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“World War II: From the Frontlines” (2023) / Z-View

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World War II: From the Frontlines (2023)

Director:  Rob Coldstream

Stars: John Boyega (narrator)

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Using remastered archival footage and interviews with participants from all sides, this six episode docuseries presents an overview of World War II.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

You will want to watch World War II: From the Frontlines for the remastered, colorized footage and interviews.  Although there are six episodes, this is more of a Cliff Notes version of World War II.  There is often a lack of context, some facts are mistaken and major events ignored.  I was disappointed that Iwo Jima wasn’t even mentioned.

World War II: From the Frontlines (2023) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“The Creator” (2023) / Z-View

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The Creator (2023)

Director:  Gareth Edwards

Screenplay: Gareth Edwards, Chris Weitz; story by Gareth Edwards

Stars: John David Washington, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, Ralph Ineson and Ken Watanabe.

Tagline: Humanity evolves.

The Plot…

When a nuclear warhead is exploded over Los Angeles, Artificial Intelligence is blamed.  In turn, most Western nations declare war and move to exterminate all A.I. “beings”.  One of the end goals is to exterminate Nirmata, the genius behind recent A.I. advancements.

Former U.S. Army sergeant Joshua Taylor (Washington) is called back to duty.  Taylor had worked undercover and was married to Nirmata’s daughter.  She was thought to have been killed in a US military strike.  Recent video has surfaced and she may be alive.  Taylor is led to believe that if he participates in the mission, he may find his wife is still alive.  The mission is to destroy the next generation of A.I. before it reaches full power.

Taylor agrees.  The team is dispatched.  Taylor discovers that there has been an advancement in AI.  It is in the form of a young girl.  Taylor also learns that he and the world have been lied to.  Now, Taylor and the “girl” are on the run.  The fate of the world could hang in the balance.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

For a film dealing with artificial intelligence, it has a lot of heart.

Allison Janney may surprise a lot of folks in her role as a hardened military commander.  She’s excellent.

The Creator (2023) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1953) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello & Boris Karloff / Z-View

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Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)

Director:  Charles Lamont

Screenplay: Lee Loeb, John Grant; story by Sid Fields, Grant Garett;inspired by The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Boris Karloff, Helen Westcott, Reginald Denny, John Dierkes, Harry Cording and Craig Stevens.

Tagline: The Laughs Are Twice as MONSTER-OUS as Ever Before!

The Plot…

A maniacal serial killer stalks the streets of London.  Slim (Abbott) and Tubby (Costello), American cops sent over to study England’s police methods, are pulled into the case.

Let the good times roll!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In this version, Dr. Jekyll isn’t such a nice guy.  In most outings, it isn’t until he becomes Mr. Hyde that he becomes evil.

Boris Karloff appeared with Abbott and Costello four years earlier in Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer.

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) earns 5 of 5 stars.

THE BIG BUNDLE by Max Allan Collins / Z-View

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THE BIG BUNDLE by Max Allan Collins

Publisher: Hard Case Crime

First sentence…

A middle-aged man taking stock of his life is to be expected.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

When Nate Heller is called in to assist authorities, he has reason for concern.  Six-year-old Bobby Greenlease was kidnapped nearly a week ago.  The kidnappers demanded $600,000 (a record ransom at that time) for the little boy’s safe return.  The ransom amount isn’t the concern.  Bobby’s daddy is a millionaire.  He can easily afford the demand.  Further he’s more than willing to pay for his son’s safe return.  Heller’s concern is the kidnappers are idiots.  They’ve already bungled a drop-off.  Stupid criminals make stupid mistakes.  Heller fears that Bobby is already dead.

Bobby’s dad insists on no F.B.I. or police interference when the cash is dropped off.

I won’t give away the outcome of the case other than to say, when the ransom money is recovered, $300,000 is missing.

Five years later, Heller is called back to revisit the case.  Who ended up with the missing $300,000?  As Heller digs into the evidence he discovers that both Bobby Kennedy and Jimmy Hoffa are interested in his findings.  And not for the same reasons.  People are murdered as Heller get closer to the truth.  He could be next.

+++++

I’m a huge fan of Max Allan Collins’ Nate Heller series.  Heller is a fictional detective who finds himself in the middle of real crimes.  Heller ages in real time as the series progresses. His tales are fiction based on extensive research and historical fact. Heller has been in the mix on everything from the Lindbergh baby kidnapping/murder to the suspicious death of Marilyn Monroe, to the Kennedy assassinations (both Jack and Bobby) and more. It’s fun watching Heller interact with famous (and infamous) folks right out of our history books. Equally enjoyable is Collins’ take on the crimes and what may have really happened.

I’m usually familiar with Nate Heller’s cases.  I wasn’t with this one.  Not knowing how the kidnapping would turn out (and Collins’ excellent writing) kept me turning pages.  Then once the kidnapping is resolved, the mystery of the missing $300,000 comes into play.  THE BIG BUNDLE is like two Nate Heller yarns in one.  It doesn’t get any better.

THE BIG BUNDLE is another great addition to the Nate Heller legacy.  It gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“Son of Frankenstein” (1939) starring Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone & Bela Lugosi / Z-View

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Son of Frankenstein (1939)

Director:  Rowland V. Lee

Screenplay: Wyllis Cooper based on characters created by Mary Shelley

Stars: Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill and Josephine Hutchinson.

Tagline: AFTER 20 YEARS Driven by the same crazy ambition that made his father create the terrifying monster that stalks in the night! See his juggernaut of destruction loosed upon the world!

The Plot…

Baron Wolf von Frankenstein (Rathbone), son of Henry Frankenstein, has brought his wife and young son back to live in Castle Frankenstein.  Baron hopes to rebuild the family reputation, but is surprised to find that the villagers still harbor deep resentment.  The haven’t forgotten the murders and destruction brought about by his father’s creation.

Wolf meets Ygor (Lugosi), a strange, deformed man who survived being hung for robbing graves.  When Ygor shows Wolf that his father’s creation lies in a coma below the castle, Wolf decides to revive the creature.  The operation is a success.  Sadly the creature will on follow the commands of Ygor.  Unknown to Wolf, Ygor has scores that he plans to settle using the monster.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Rowland V. Lee felt that producers had low-balled Bela Lugosi’s salary.  Since the script wasn’t complete as filming started, Lee continued to pad Lugosi’s part.  This increased Lugosi’s pay and created one of his best non-Dracula roles.

Surprisingly, this is the first Frankenstein film that shows the electrodes in the monster’s neck being hit with electricity to bring him to life.

Son of Frankenstein (1939) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“The Mad Ghoul” (1943) / Z-View

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The Mad Ghoul (1943)

Director:  James P. Hogan

Screenplay: Brenda Weisberg, Paul Gangelin, Hanns Kräly

Stars: David Bruce, Evelyn Ankers, George Zucco, Robert Armstrong, Turhan Bey, Charles McGraw and Milburn Stone.

Tagline: A NEW SENSATION IN HORROR!

The Plot…

Dr. Morris (Zucco) has had success in experimenting with an ancient Mayan gas that makes those exposed to it, obedient and without a will of their own.  When Dr. Morris learns that his lab assistant’s girlfriend, Isabel (Ankers) loves another man, Morris believes it to be him.  Then Morris learns Isabel loves the handsome, Eric Iverson (Bey).

Dr. Morris decides to use the gas on his lab assistant.  Morris will then compel his assistant to kill Iverson.  Then Morris will have Isabel to himself.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

One of the rare times that the wisecracking reporter who breaks the case gets murdered.

The Mad Ghoul (1943) earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Lawman: Bass Reeves” – Season 1 (2023) starring David Oyelowo / Z-View

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Lawman: Bass Reeves – Season 1 (2023)

Created by: Chad Feehan

Director: Christina Alexandra Voros (eps. 1-3, 7 & 8); Damian Marcano (eps. 4-6)

Screenplay: Chad Feehan (ep.1 & 8); Jewel Coronel (ep.2); Jacob Forman & Ning Zhou (ep. 3); J. Todd Scott (ep.4); Terence Anthony (ep.5); Jacob Forman (ep.6); Chad Feehan & K.C. Scott (ep.7)

Stars: David Oyelowo, Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Barry Pepper, Dennis Quaid, Grantham Coleman, Shea Whigham and Donald Sutherland.
.

Tagline: Some legends are true.

The Plot…

Dramatization of the life of Bass Reeves.

Bass Reeves was born a slave, escaped to freedom and became one of the first black Deputy US Marshalls. Over his 30 plus years as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Reeves arrested approximately 3,000 felons.  He killed 14 men without ever being shot himself.  He was smart, fearless and relentless.

It’s time his story was told.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Way back in 2013, I did a post called The Life and Times of Deputy U.S. Marshall Bass Reeves.  At that time I called for a movie or tv series about Bass Reeves.  I’m happy to report that Lawman: Bass Reeves was worth the wait.  Everything about the series is first rate.

The writing and direction are top notch.  All of the characters are well cast.  David Oyelowo who plays Bass Reeves was nominated for a Critics Choice and Golden Globe Award.  He deserves every honor available – he’s amazing in this role.  Dennis Quaid and Barry Pepper have never been better.  Let’s not forget to mention the talents of Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton and Shea Whigham.

Bring on season 2.

Lawman: Bass Reeves – Season 1 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Bye Bye Barry” (2023) / Z-View

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Bye Bye Barry (2023)

Director:  Paul Monusky, Micaela Powers. Angela Torma

Stars: Barry Sanders, Tim Allen, Jeff Daniels, Eminem, Jemele Hill, Calvin Johnson, Dan Patrick, Rodney Peete, Jalen Rose, Emmitt Smith and Bill Belichick.

Tagline: The Greatest Mystery in Sports History.

The Plot…

Barry Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.  In his junior year, Sanders rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in just 11 games.  He was a unanimous choice for the All American team and he won the Heisman Trophy.

The following year, Barry Sanders went into the NFL draft and was selected by the Detroit Lions.  Sanders made an immediate impact and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.  Barry Sanders went on to play ten years for Detroit.  He led the league in rushing four times and in rushing touchdowns once.  Barry Sanders was selected for the Pro Bowl every year that he played.  He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (1997), the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year (1994, 1997), and led the league in rushing touchdowns (1991).

Barry Sanders had earned 15,269 rushing yards (the most ever by any NFL player in a 10-year span).  He was just 1,457 rushing yards short of Walter Payton’s career rushing record.  Fans everywhere knew that if Sanders had a healthy year, he would become the new NFL rushing king.  But just one day before the Lions opened their training camp, Barry Sanders announced his retirement.

By a fax.

Barry Sanders was healthy and in the prime of his career.  Yet, he walked away from his multimillion dollar contract and never looked back.

Why?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Barry Sanders is arguably the best running back to ever play the game.  He was humble and cared more about the team than individual records.  Although I’m a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, I always enjoyed watching Barry Sanders play.  He was so good.  And so likeable.

After watching Bye Bye Barry, I found reasons to admire him even more.

Bye Bye Barry (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Finestkind” (2023) written & directed by Brian Helgeland, starring Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega & Tommy Lee Jones / Z-View

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Finestkind (2023)

Director:  Brian Helgeland

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland

Stars: Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, Tommy Lee Jones, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Lolita Davidovich, Clayne Crawford, Meghan Leathers, Celeste Oliva and Tim Daly.
.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charlie (Wallace) and Tom (Foster) are half-brothers.  They have the same mother, but different fathers.  Because of this, they come from opposite worlds.  Charlie’s father is a rich attorney.  Tom’s dad is a working class fisherman.  At one time Charlie and Tom had a great relationship. But they drifted apart.

Now that Charlie’s graduated college he wants to spend the summer fishing with Tom.  Despite some bad luck at first, Charlie’s summer is looking up.  He and Mabel (Ortiz) have hit it off.  Tom and his fishing crew have accepted him.  Now if Tom and his dad could just patch up their differences.  Things go sideways when Tom gets greedy.

Really sideways.  Losing Tom’s dad’s boat bad.

So they decide to do a “one-time” drug deal.  What they don’t know is that someone has a plan of their own.  One that will lead to betrayal and murders.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a Brian Helgeland fan.  As a writer we can thank him for L.A. Confidential, Man on Fire, Mystic River, Assassins, Payback and more.  He also directed films such as Payback and 42.  With Finestkind, Helgeland served as both screenwriter and director.

Finestkind doesn’t follow the typical Hollywood screenplay format.  Some reviewers have complained that Finestkind can’t decide if it’s a family drama or a crime story.  I find that a silly complaint. The guy who wrote it, directed it.  He knew exactly what he wanted, a family drama that involves a crime story.  Others have nitpicked that the movie takes too long to get to the crime, twists and action.  I like that Finestkind doesn’t follow the expected movie timeline.

Helgeland takes his time.   We come to understand the characters, their lives and the choices they’ve made. Helgeland is supported by an excellent cast.  Tommy Lee Jones is always great and I’d put his performance here near the top of his resume.  Ben Foster always delivers.  Jenna Ortega is a powerhouse.  The camera and audiences love her.  With good reason.  Toby Wallace is new to me, but I’ll be watching for his future films.  Kudos to Clayne Crawford for a smaller but important role.  He nails it.

Finestkind (2023) earns 4 of 5 stars.

“The Lair” (2022) / Z-View

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The Lair (2022)

Director:  Neil Marshall

Screenplay: Neil Marshall, Charlotte Kirk

Stars: Charlotte Kirk, Jonathan Howard and Neil Marshall.

Tagline: Unlocked. Unleashed.

The Plot…

Shot down in Afghanistan, Royal Air Force pilot Captain Kate Sinclair (Kirk) is attacked by enemy forces.  Gunfire forces Sinclair to break into an abandoned underground bunker.  Sinclair’s battle with the enemy awakens deadly creatures that begin attacking.  She survives and is picked up by a unit stationed near the bunker.

Sinclair is unable to convince the soldiers that the monsters exist.  That’s about to change since the creatures have tracked her to the camp.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Neil Marshall is hit or miss for me.  Hits include Dog Soldiers and The Descent.  Doomsday and Hellboy fall into the latter category.  Unfortunately so does The Lair.

The Lair starts off well enough.  It has an interesting plot.  There’s action galore.  The acting is okay.  It goes off the rails when the creatures begin shooting tentacles out of their eyes and mouths.  If you’re looking for a way to spend a mindless hour and 37 minutes, then The Lair may fit the bill.

The Lair (2022) earns 2 of 5 stars.