Category: Z-View

“Fallout”: Season 1 (2024) starring Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten & Walter Goggins / Z-View

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Fallout: Season 1 (2024)

Created by: Graham Wagner, Geneva Robertson-Dworet

Based on Fallout by Bethesda Softworks

Director: Jonathan Nolan (Eps. 1-3); Daniel Gray Longino (Ep. 4); Clare Kilner (Ep. 5); Frederick E.O. Toye (Ep. 6); Frederick E.O. Toye, Clare Kilner (Ep. 7); Wayne Yip (Ep. 8)

Teleplay: Geneva Robertson-Dworet & Graham Wagner (Eps. 1-3); Kieran Fitzgerald  (Ep. 4); Carson Mell (Ep. 5); Karey Dornetto (Ep. 6); Chaz Hawkins (Ep. 7); Gursimran Sandhu (Ep. 8)

Stars: Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Kyle MacLachlan, Walton Goggins, Sarita Choudhury, Leslie Uggams, Michael Cristofer, Mykelti Williamson, Matt Berry, Zach Cherry, Rodrigo Luzzi, Cameron Cowperthwaite, Michael Emerson, Michael Rapaport, Dale Dickey, Jake Garber, Frances Turner, Glenn Fleshler, Angel Desai, Harry Sutton Jr., Fred Armisen.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

As World War III began, wealthy people who had connections made their way to underground “vaults”.  These fallout shelters were prepped so that the inhabitants could stay underground until it was safe to return to the surface.

200 years have passed.  The vault people have led a sheltered life.  Everyone is polite and kind.  When members of another vault are invited over, it turns out that they are surface dwellers who brutally attack the vault folks.  One of the vault leaders, Overseer Hank MacLean (MacLachlan) is kidnapped.

Lucy MacLean (Purnell), Hank’s young adult daughter ventures to the surface to rescue her dad.  Totally unprepared for the savages, monsters and ghouls living on the surface, Lucy is determined to find her father or die trying.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I went into season one of Fallout having never played the game or knowing much about it.  My main reasons for watching were Walter (Justified) Goggins and Ella (Army of the Dead) Purnell.  They did not disappoint.

Fallout is an odd mix of futuristic retro, Mad Max-type characters, gore and silliness.  It all comes together pretty well.

I enjoyed Fallout season 1 enough that I’ll tune in if there is a follow-up.

Fallout: Season 1 (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novel by Douglas Lumsden / Z-View

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A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novel by Douglas Lumsden

Publisher: Independently published (November 17, 2019)

First sentence…

If I had failed to notice that he was packing a quarter of a ton of rock-hard muscle into his seven-and-a-half foot frame, or if I hadn’t observed the loose grayish skin that made his face look as if it were made of wet clay, the large close-set ears that rose to a point next to his hairless skull, his blood-red sunken eyes glowing like half-hidden warning lights beneath a stony brow ridge, his predator teeth behind oversized dark ruddy lips, and his large knobby hands with clawed fingers that extended like eight thorny tendrils, I wouldn’t have known he was a troll.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Our story takes place in a world where trolls, gnomes, were-rats, ocean nymphs, adaro, Dragon Lords, elves and other mystical creatures live along side humans.  Alexander Southerland is a human private detective.  He’s getting by (barely), by knowing the players and using his smarts.

One night Southerland is enjoying a quiet drink in a bar.  His peaceful evening is ruined when a seven-and-a-half-foot tall troll pulls up a chair.  The beast is a cop.  Detective Stonehammer provides his credentials and a warning.  He tells Southerland that a sexy dame is going to come to him wanting help.  Southerland is to turn her down.  Southerland asks how much she’s paying.  Stonehammer says it doesn’t matter since Southerland ain’t takin’ the job.  And with that fair warning, the troll leaves.

Against his better judgment, Southerland meets with the woman.  Although he initially turns her down, curiosity gets the best of him.  She may be playing him, but it doesn’t matter once you’re in too deep.  Southerland finds himself in the middle of a gang war, on the run from crooked cops and corrupt politicians… and those are just the humans!  Discovering what is in the locked box will either kill or save him.  The smart money ain’t on him livin’.

+++++

A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR is my first book by Douglas Lumsden.  Normally, I don’t read fantasy.  If you’re story has elves and mystical creatures, I’m not you’re audience.  Yet something about the opening pages of Lumsden’s story drew me in. (Oh, and let’s not forget the cool cover!)

I love crime, noir and detective stories.  Add the right mix of humor and violence and I’m on board.  I don’t normally read stories with elves, gnomes and fantasy aspects.  Still, I kept thinking about the tale Lumsden set up.  I decided to give A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR a try.

I’m glad I did.  Alexander Southerland is the type of hero I like in a detective yarn.  Smart, tough and with enough attitude to get him in tight jams as he tries to (mostly) do the right thing.  I even enjoyed the trolls and other creatures.  While I’m not ready for a constant diet of this genre, when I do want another taste, I know Douglas Lumsden is open for business with other tales.

Rating:

“Cahill U.S. Marshal” (1973) starring John Wayne and George Kennedy / Z-View

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Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973)

Director: Andrew V. McLaglen

Screenplay: Harry Julian Fink, Rita M. Fink, story by Barney Slater, Jr.

Stars: John Wayne, George Kennedy, Gary Grimes, Neville Brand, Clay O’Brien, Marie Windsor, Morgan Paull, Dan Vadis, Royal Dano, Denver Pyle, Jackie Coogan, Rayford Barnes, Harry Carey Jr., Walter Barnes, Paul Fix, Vance Davis, Hank Worden and Pepper Martin.

Tagline: Break the law and he’s the last man you want to see. And the last you ever will.

The Plot…

United State Marshal and widower, J.D. Cahill (Wayne) is often away from home tracking down robbers and killers.  While Cahill is gone, his two sons are left in the care of an old man. Abe Fraser (Kennedy) sees an opportunity to con the boys into helping him and his gang rob the bank.  He promises no one will get hurt.

Sadly, during the robbery the town’s sheriff and another man are killed.  Cahill’s youngest son hides the loot and refuses to tell where.  Fraser tells the brothers that he will return in a short time and will get the cash or kill them.  When Marshal Cahill returns the boys are afraid to tell their father what happened.

As Marshal Cahill tracks the robbers, he begins to suspect there’s more to the story.  If he doesn’t figure it out, more will die… including his sons.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Andrew McLaglen directed John Wayne in five films.  Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) was the last.

John Wayne wasn’t a fan of the way the film turned out.  He was quoted as saying, “It just wasn’t a well done picture. It needed better writing, it needed a little better care in making.”

Part of the problem may have been the fact that Wayne’s mentor, director John Ford died from cancer during filming.  Wayne, himself had to have a cancerous lung removed 9 years earlier.  Wayne also suffered from emphysema.  Ford’s death and Wayne’s declining health made for a rough shooting schedule.

John Wayne’s co-stars in Cahill U.S. Marshal often appeared with Wayne in other films: George Kennedy (3), Clay O’Brien (2); Marie Windsor (3); Royal Dano (2); Denver Pyle (5); Rayford Barnes (3); Harry Carey Jr. (15); Walter Barnes (2); Hank Worden (17) and Paul Fix (26).

Harry Julian Fink and Rita M. Fink also were screenwriters for Big Jake (John Wayne); Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact, and The Dead Pool (all starring Clint Eastwood).

Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Last Voyage of the Demeter” (2023) / Z-View

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The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)

Director: André Øvredal

Screenplay: Bragi Schut, Jr., Zak Olkewicz, story by Bragi Schut, Jr., based on “The Captain’s Log” from DRACULA by Bram Stoker

Stars: Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian, Jon Jon Briones, Stefan Kapicic and Javier Botet.

Tagline: The Legend of Dracula is Born.

The Plot…

The year is 1897.  Captain Elliott is making his final voyage.  Ready to retire and raise his young grandson, Elliott sails to England leading a small crew.  Little does anyone know that one of the large wooden crates they are transporting contains Dracula.  No, they have no idea… but soon they will know!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

André Øvredal described The Last Voyage of the Demeter as “basically Alien on a ship in 1897.”  He’s not wrong.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Sugar: Season 1 (2024) created by Mark Protosevich, starring Colin Farrell / Z-View

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Sugar: Season 1 (2024)

Created by: Mark Protosevich

Director: Fernando Meirelles (Eps. 1-2, 5-6, 8); Adam Arkin (Eps. 3-4, 7)

Teleplay: Mark Protosevich (Eps. 1-2, 5); Mark Protosevich and David Rosen  (Ep. 3); Mark Protosevich and Donald Joh (Ep. 4); Donald Joh and Sam Catlin (Eps. 6-8)

Stars: Colin Farrell, Kirby, Amy Ryan, Dennis Boutsikaris, Nate Corddry, James Cromwell, Miguel Sandoval, Jon Beavers, Darwin Shaw, Julia Belanova, Jordan Bielsky, Jason Butler Harner, Scott Lawrence, Adrian Martinez, Ben Mankiewicz, Paul Schulze, Julie Dretzin, Jaime Alvarez, Emil Beheshti, Massi Furlan, Cameron Cowperthwaite, Matthew Arkin, Christopher Carrington, Zachary Cowan and Anna Gunn.

Tagline: The wrong way is the only way out.

The Plot…

John Sugar (Farrell) is a private eye.  He loves old noir movies and his ’66 Corvette Stingray convertible.  Sugar’s specialty is finding missing people.  He’s very good at it.  Perhaps Sugar’s drive comes from the fact that his sister went missing.  She was never found.

Sugar has been hired by legendary movie producer Jonathan Siegel (Cromwell).  Siegel’s granddaughter, Olivia has disappeared.  Olivia’s father Bernie (Boutsikaris), a famous director, thinks that she’s runaway again with her druggie friends.  He reasons she’ll turn up safe and sound because she always does.

As Sugar digs into the case, he discovers secrets that the wealthy Siegel family wouldn’t want revealed.  Of course Sugar has secrets of his own.  Despite several sources telling Sugar to drop the case, he refuses.

As Sugar gets closer to the truth, others are getting closer to his secrets…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sugar is modern noir with a twist.  It’s stylish and smart.  The audience’s intelligence is respected.  Other shows would take a totally different approach to the material and it wouldn’t be near as good.

Every thing about Sugar is top notch.  It’s well written, well directed and the actors are at the top of their game.  Colin Farrell is perfectly cast as John Sugar.

Mark Protosevich is Sugar‘s creator and he also wrote most of the episodes.  Protosevich is known for his screenplays for The Cell (very underrated), Poseidon, I am Legend and Oldboy (2013).

There is a major twist that comes over halfway through the season. Mark Protosevich allowed hints throughout the previous episodes, but didn’t provide the reveal until the end of episode six.  I loved it! (And I’m proud to say that I guessed what it would be.  When I told my wife my thought, she brushed it off saying, “There’s no way they’d do that.”  I’m glad she was wrong since it was so well done.)

Sugar is set-up so that it could end with one season, or return for more.  I hope it comes back with each season being one case.

Sugar: Season 1 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Countdown” (1967) starring James Caan & Robert Duvall / Z-View

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Countdown (1967)

Director: Robert Altman

Screenplay: Loring Mandel based on THE PILGRIM PROJECT by Hank Searles

Stars: James Caan, Robert Duvall, Joanna Moore, Barbara Baxley, Charles Aidman, Steve Ihnat, Steve Ihnat, Bobby Riha, Robert Buckingham, William Conrad (voice), Mike Farrell and Ted Knight.

Tagline: The motion picture that puts a man on the moon … and you will follow him every terrifying second of the way …

The Plot…

The time is the late 1960s.  Russia and the United States are in a race to be the first to land a man on the moon.

At NASA astronauts training to be on the first team to land on the moon have their session cut short.  The mission commander, Chiz (Duvall) is called to a meeting.  The Russians have moved up their timeline.  They are launching in just four weeks.  There is no way the US squad will be ready, but there was a contingency plan in case something like this happened.

The US will send up one astronaut to land on the moon.  Supplies and a pod will be sent up first.  The astronaut will then live there for several months until a properly trained team will be launched to retrieve him.

Chiz is excited.  He will be the first man on the moon!

Then Chiz learns that Russia, in a political move is sending up civilians to prove that theirs is a nonmilitary operation.  The President has decided that NASA must do the same.  Because Chiz is an Air Force colonel, he is eliminated from the mission.  Lee (Caan), a civilian being trained as part of Chiz’s team, will be the one to go.

Chiz argues that Lee isn’t ready, he doesn’t have the training and will die if he’s sent.  When it becomes clear that Lee is the chosen one, Chiz demands to lead the completion of Lee’s training.

The race is on…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

NASA gave complete cooperation for filming and it shows!  Cape Canaveral was a location.

Countdown was Robert Altman’s return to feature films after directing television projects for ten years.  Things did not end well.  When Altman had completed shooting, he was fired.  Further, he was not welcome on the studio lot.  The studio head, Jack Warner, hated that in some scenes Altman had two actors speaking at the same time.

Altman would go on to use overlapping dialogue in his future feature films.  Robert Altman was an Academy Award nominee as Best Director five times (M*A*S*H; Nashville; The Player; Short Cuts and Gosford Park).

Because of Altman’s firing, new footage including a more upbeat ending was filmed by William Conrad.  Conrad was an Executive Producer on the film as well as the voice of the television announcer.  Altman’s ending had James Caan’s character, as his air supply ran out, walking in the wrong direction from the lunar pod.

Countdown was released a year and a half before the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Countdown (1967) rates 3 of 5 stars.

BITTER ROOT (Hardcover Omnibus) by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene / Z-View

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BITTER ROOT (Hardcover Omnibus) by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown (writers), Sanford Greene (artist)

Publisher: Image Comics

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The roaring ’20s!  What a time to be alive.  The depression had yet to hit and the Harlem Renaissance was in full swing.  W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Cab Callaway, Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson and Marcus Garvey all became well known for their gifts to American culture.  Most folks, even today, know their names.

But have you ever heard of the Sangerye family? Going back as far as can be told the Sangeryes have been monster hunters.  They fought the evil creatures that came forth into our world.  Some monsters could be cured.  Others had to be killed.  But the cost to the Sangerye family was heavy.  Now, the Sangerye matriarch, old Etta Sangerye, knows her time is coming to an end.  She must pick a successor to lead the family.

But who?

Etta has relied on the old ways with potions and medicine. To cure when possible, not kill. But the new generation wants action and to battle head-on.

As the Sangeryes discover a greater evil has made its way to earth and threatens humanity, they must find a family member to lead them.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was late coming to BITTER ROOT.  When I skimmed some of the early issues, I misjudged it.  I thought the monsters didn’t look like traditional monsters.  Maybe it was more of a kids book.  I was so wrong.  BITTER ROOT is well written and well drawn, but it’s much more than an action/monster comic.  It has heart.  And no pun intended, soul.  You will care about the characters.  The story has universal appeal.

I’m glad I got the omnibus because it’s full of variant covers, sketches, insightful articles and more.

BITTER ROOT has won several awards including 2020 Ring Award for Best Series and the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series in 2020 and 2022.

BITTER ROOT gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“Roadblock” (1951) starring Charles McGraw & Joan Dixon / Z-View

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Roadblock (1951)

Director: Harold Daniels

Screenplay: George Bricker, Steve Fisher story by Richard H. Landau, Daniel Mainwaring

Stars: Charles McGraw, Joan Dixon, Lowell Gilmore, Louis Jean Heydt, Peter Brocco and Milburn Stone.

Tagline: A DAME IN MINK…A STOLEN MILLION and a red-hot payoff in bullets!

The Plot…

Joe Peters (McGraw) is a straight-arrow insurance investigator.  He’s honest, smart and one of the best in the business.  When there’s a tough case, they call Joe Peters.  On a flight home, Joe meets Diane (Dixon).  When bad weather forces an unexpected overnight stay at a hotel, they wind up in the same room.  Joe’s attracted to Diane, but she makes it clear she wants the finer things in life.  Things Joe could never afford on his salary.

As an insurance investigator Joe gets information that passed to the wrong people would result in scores that could set a man for life.  Against his better judgment Joe decides on a one-and-done scheme.  If successful he will be a rich man and get Diane.  But if not it could mean his death.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Roadblock is one of the first movies to film in the Los Angeles River.  Other famous films using this location include Them!, Point Blank, Grease, Terminator 2 and To Live and Die in L.A.. 

Roadblock (1951) rates 3 of 5 stars.

The Savage Sword of Conan #2 (2024) / Z-View

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Savage Sword of Conan #2 is out and it is a solid follow-up to the outstanding first issue.

It features two covers to choose from.  I selected the variant cover with art by Nick Marinkovich (shown above).  Dave Dorman did the other cover.

The issue features a letter column.

Pinups included are: Conan I Was by Rafael Kayanan, Conan: Lair of the Serpent by Gerado Zaffino (shown below) and Solomon Kane by Nick Marinkovich.  All of the pinups in this issue are examples of artists at the top of their game.  I’d love to see a full length Conan story from each of these three.

The issue features a full-length Conan story, Conan: Leaving the Garden by Jim Zub (writer) and Richard Pace (artist).  Conan is gravely (no pun intended) wounded.  Near death, Conan is found by a young boy. The monsters that wiped out the caravan Conan was traveling with are near.  If the creatures don’t find him and his wounds don’t kill him, Conan will have his revenge.

Jim Zub creates a horrific tale of human/monsters who worship a god that commands they bury their victims in gardens for a yearly feast!  I look forward to more Conan tales from Zub.

Richard Pace’s art is not as finished as one might expect.  It’s raw and at times sketchy (I don’t mean that in a bad way), but it works for the story.

The second story features the next installment of Solomon Kane in Master of the Hunt by writer/artist Patrick Zircher.  Solomon Kane continues his search for a missing man and his son.  How much time is left before the ancient beast will need to feed again?  Will Kane find the father and son in time?

Patrick “Patch” Zircher is having a ball writing and drawing Solomon Kane. It shows in every panel.  I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Savage Sword of Conan #2 (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Follow Me Quietly” (1949) / Z-View

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Follow Me Quietly (1949)

Director: Richard Fleischer

Screenplay: Lillie Hayward story by Anthony Mann, Francis Rosenwald

Stars: William Lundigan, Dorothy Patrick, Jeff Corey, Nestor Paiva, Paul Guilfoyle, Frank Ferguson, Douglas Spencer, Paul Bryar and Fred Aldrich.

Tagline: Police baffled by the FACELESS KILLER!

The Plot…

Police Lieutenant Harry Grant (Lundigan) is frustrated.  A serial killer known as The Judge has struck again.  At the crime scene a note from the killer taunting the police was found. How many more people have to die before The Judge is brought to justice?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lawrence Tierney was scheduled to star, but off-screen antics (arrests for public intoxication and fighting) led to a change.

Follow Me Quietly (1949) rates 2 of 5 stars.

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH by Coy Hall / Z-View

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A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH by Coy Hall

Publisher: Shotgun Honey Books (November 10, 2023)

First sentence…

The Marley Caldwell Palace of Motion Pictures was a lot of name for a second-run theater on the edge of East 14th and Sycamore Street.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The year is 1956.  And it’s not a good one for Royce Pembrook.  He’s an ex-con.  He works at a rundown theater that shows features making their last lap.  He lives in a one room apartment and it ain’t on the good side of town.

But just a few years back Pembrook was on top of the world.

He was a conman.  And a great one.  Pembrook did his best work running séances.  Pembrook’s charm, quick wit and ability to think on his feet made him a favorite of rich, grieving widows.  Life was good.

Until it wasn’t.

A stint in prison cured Pembrook of his conman ways.  He busts his hump working at the theater doing all the jobs the owner doesn’t want.  And he’s just getting by.

Then one night Anna Vogel shows up.  Pembrook hasn’t seen her in years.  Anna worked with him on the circuit.  She was good, but when they teamed it was magic.  Anna’s on the run with a purse full of stolen cash.  She needs Pembrook’s help to escape the city and the killer after her.

Pembrook, against his best judgment, throws caution to the wind.  He quits his job and takes off with Anna.  Another city and they’re back to their old ways.  What Royce Pembrook doesn’t yet know is that Anna’s plan is working perfectly.

+++++

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH is my first book by Coy Hall.  I promise it won’t be my last.  I loved the unique story, the fast pace, interesting characters.  It had just the right mix of mystery, suspense, violence and humor.  I hope we get more Royce Pembrook stories, but until then I plan to check out Hall’s other novels.

A SÉANCE FOR WICKED KING DEATH gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“The Crazies” (1973) written & directed by George A. Romero / Z-View

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The Crazies (1973)

Director: George A. Romero

Screenplay: George A. Romero based on The Mad People by Paul McCollough

Stars: Lane Carroll, Will MacMillan, Harold Wayne Jones, Lloyd Hollar, Richard France, Ned Schmidtke, George A. Romero and A.C. McDonald.

Tagline: Why are the good people dying?

The Plot…

When a military plane crashes near a small town, the water supply is contaminated with a powerful bio-weapon.  Soon townspeople are starting to act violent towards themselves and each other.  When the military shows up the town is put on lockdown.  As more citizens and soldiers become infected, the decision to nuke the town becomes more likely.

Will anyone survive?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Romero was given a micro-budget for filming.  Most of the actors had little to no training and were locals.  Even some high school students played soldiers in hazmat suits.

The burning house was actually being used by local firefighters for a training exercise.  Romero got permission to film it.

Remade in 2010 starring Timothy (Justified) Olyphant and Radha (Pitch Black) Mitchell

The Crazies (1973) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Evil That Men Do” (1984) starring Charles Bronson / Z-View

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The Evil That Men Do (1984)

Director: J. Lee Thompson

Screenplay: John M. Crowther, David Lee Henry based on THE EVIL THAT MEN DO by R. Lance Hill

Stars: Charles Bronson, Theresa Saldana, Joseph Maher, José Ferrer, René Enríquez, John Glover, Enrique Lucero, Roger Cudney, Joe Seneca, Conrad Hool and Raymond St. Jacques.

Tagline: Most criminals answer to the law. The world’s most savage executioner must answer to Bronson.

The Plot…

Holland (Bronson) is a retired hitman living a peaceful life on a remote beach.  When an old friend asks Holland to kill a sadistic torturer known as the Doctor, Holland initially refuses. After seeing video evidence of the number of people the Doctor has killed and maimed, Holland decides to come out of retirement for one more hit.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jill Ireland (Bronson’s wife and co-star in many of his films) was originally slated to play the role that went to Theresa Saldana.  Ireland lobbied for Saldana to get the part.  Theresa Saldana had survived a brutal stabbing by a stalker and was looking to get back into feature films.

The Evil That Men Do is based on a book written by R. Lance Hill.  Hill also received credit as screenwriter on the film, but chose to use the penname David Lee Henry.

This is the 5th of 9th films that starred Charles Bronson and was directed by J. Lee Thompson. The films in order are: The White Buffalo (1977), St. Ives (1976), Cabo Blanco (1980), 10 to Midnight (1983), Murphy’s Law (1986), Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987), Messenger of Death (1988) and Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects (1989).

The Evil That Men Do (1984) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Great Wall” (2016) starring Matt Damon & Pedro Pascale / Z-View

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The Great Wall (2016)

Director: Yimou Zhang

Screenplay: Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro, Tony Gilroy story by Max Brooks, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz

Stars: Matt Damon, Tian Jing, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau and Pedro Pascal.

Tagline: One of mankind’s greatest wonders. 1700 years to build. 5500 miles long. What were they trying to keep out?

The Plot…

In ancient China, William Garin (Damon) and Pedro Tovar (Pascal) lead a group of mercenaries on a mission to get gunpowder.  One night the group is attacked by a strange beast.  Only William and Tovar survive.  The next day they reach the Great Wall.  There they are taken prisoner as spies by the Nameless Order.  The Nameless Order are a trained army that stand guard at the Wall.

As William and Tovar are being questioned the call to battle is sounded.  The Wall is being attacked by thousands of monsters like the one who wiped out William’s group.  Although the Wall is fortified by soldiers using various weapons, several of the creatures make it to the top.  William and Tovar join the fight.  The monsters are driven back, but at the cost of many lives.

Because of their bravery William and Tovar are no longer prisoners.  They are free to leave.  As the Nameless Ones prepare for the next monster attack, Tovar steals kegs of gunpowder and makes his escape.  Garin is unaware of Tovar’s actions.

As the monsters prepare another attack, the Nameless Ones and Garin ready themselves for a fight to the death.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Great Wall was an epic production.  Over 100 translators were needed to provide instructions to the cast and crew.

Although most of the filming took place in China, they weren’t allowed to film on the Great Wall.

I enjoyed the inventive machinery and methods used to fight the monsters.

I went in with low expectations for The Great Wall.  It’s a fun movie if you’re looking for light adventure.

The Great Wall (2016) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Parish”: Season 1 (2024) starring Giancarlo Esposito / Z-View

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Parish: Season 1 (2024)

Based on: The Driver by Danny Brocklehurst, Jim Poyser
Developed by: Danny Brocklehurst, Sunu Gonera

Director: Sunu Gonera (Eps. 1-2); Laura Belsey (Eps. 3-4); Ernest Dickerson (Ep. 5); Karen Gaviola  (Ep. 6)

Teleplay: Danny Brocklehurst & Sunu Gonera and Theo Travers (Ep. 1); Theo Travers and Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado  (Ep. 2); Ashley Cardiff and Theo Travers (Ep. 3); J. David Shanks & Matt Wheeler (Ep. 4); Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado & Sunu Gonera and Theo Travers (Ep. 5 – story by Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado and Cori Uchida & Adam Lash); Theo Travers & Hanna McIntosh (Ep. 6 – story by Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado)

Stars: Giancarlo Esposito, Zackary Momoh, Paula Malcomson, Skeet Ulrich, Ivan Mbakop, Bonnie Mbuli, Arica Himmel, T.C. Matherne, Currie Graham, Bradley Whitford, Nicholas Logan.

Tagline: The wrong way is the only way out.

The Plot…

Gracián “Gray” Parish (Esposito) wants to be a good man.  This wasn’t always true.  Years ago, Gray was a criminal best known for his skills as a getaway driver.  But when Gray met Ros (Malcomson) he walked away from his gangster friends and never looked back.  They had a son and daughter.  Gray started a taxi/limo service.  Life was good.

Until it wasn’t.

Gray’s 16 year old son was recently gunned down in the street.  The killer never caught.

Then Gray’s best friend, fresh out of prison shows up needing a favor.  Despite his best intentions Gray is pulled in.  When things go sideways, Gray finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between the Tongais, a powerful gang into everything from drugs to human trafficking.  With cops closing in, and unable to trust anyone, Gray discovers his son’s killer may be close.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Well written, well directed and well acted.  Well, I hope we get a season two.

Parish: Season 1 (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.