Category: Z-View

“Hard Boiled Mahoney” (1947) starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Dan Seymour & the Bowery Boys / Z-View

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Hard Boiled Mahoney (1947)

Director: William Beaudine

Screenplay: Cy Endfield, Edmond Seward, Tim Ryan

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, William ‘Billy’ Benedict, David Gorcey, Dan Seymour, Pierre Watkin, Bernard Gorcey, Patti Brill and Noble Johnson.

Tagline: DEFECTIVE DETECTIVES!

The Plot…

A woman mistakenly thinks that Slip (L. Gorcey) and Satch (Hall) are detectives.  She hires them to find her sister.  The clues lead to Dr. Rolfe Carter (Watkin).  Slip and Satch arrive at Dr. Carter’s office just as he’s being murdered.  Slip is knocked unconscious.  He awakens to find that he’s been set up to take the fall.

Slip escapes.  Now Slip, Satch and the rest of the Bowery Boys need to find the real killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

This is one of the Bowery Boys better outings.

Dan Seymour is a welcome addition to the cast.  He plays the main bad guy.  You may know Seymour from his appearances in To Have and Have Not, Key Largo, The Big Heat, or another of his over 100 acting credits.

Patti Brill is in only a few scenes as Slip’s girl, but she makes an impact.

Heads up: There is a scene where two of the Bowery Boys are disguised as a shoe shiner and customer.  The shoe shiner is in blackface.

Hard Boiled Mahoney (1947) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Why Worry?” starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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Why Worry? (1923)

Director: Fred Newmeyer, Sam Taylor

Screenplay: Sam Taylor (story), H.M. Walker (titles)

Stars: Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, John Aasen, Wally Howe.

Tagline: Come and See the Enormous Giant, 8ft. 9in. high, who helps Harold Quell a Revolution in Six reels of the cleverest and funniest humor imaginable.

The Plot…

Harold Van Pelham (Lloyd) is a wealthy hypochondriac.  Pelham decides to go to the South American island of Paradiso for his health.  There Pelham finds himself in the middle of a revolution… winds up rooming with men who are to be shot at dawn… befriends a giant… takes on an army… and finds true love!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Why Worry really takes off when Lloyd befriends the giant with a toothache.  Repeated attempts to remove the giant’s tooth bring laughs.

The funniest scene has Lloyd repeatedly jumping on a commandant and hitting him until the soldiers he was leading (from the rear) realize what is happening.  Lloyd then runs off with the soldiers after him and the Captain again leading from behind.  Lloyd then knocks the Captain down and starts beating him again.  This happens several times with Lloyd using some inventive means to get his licks in.

It’s hard to believe Why Worry premiered 100 years ago.

Why Worry? (1923) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Beast” (2022) starring Idris Elba / Z-View

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Beast (2022)

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Screenplay: Ryan Engle, story by Jaime Primak Sullivan

Stars: Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley, Iyana Halley, Leah Jeffries.

Tagline: Sometimes the rustle in the bushes actually is a monster.

The Plot…

Dr. Nate Samuels (Elba) was separated from her wife when she developed cancer and died.  Now, in an effort to reconnect with his two teenage daughters he’s taken them on vacation to Africa.  Samuels’ old friend, Martin Battles (Copley) is a biologist with access to restricted areas of the preserve.  As they drive across the savannah they are able to get close to many wild animals.  When they reach a small village on the preserve  they are shocked to find all the villagers dead.  A rouge lion is on the loose.  Before Nate, his daughters and Martin can get back to the truck, the lion attacks.  Martin is badly injured.  Now the group is stranded.  The lion will return.  Their only hope for survival rests with Nate.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Watching Beast is an okay way to spend an hour and a half if you’re willing to put your brain on hold.

Beast (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” – Season 2(2023) / Z-View

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Season 2 (2023)

Director:  Chris Fisher (Ep.11); Valerie Weiss (Ep. 12); Amanda Row (Ep. 13); Eduardo Sánchez (Ep. 14); Jordan Canning (Ep. 15); Dan Liu (Ep. 16); Jonathan Frakes (Ep. 17); Jeff W. Byrd (Ep. 18); Dermott Downs (Ep. 19); Maja Vrvilo  (Ep. 20)

Teleplay by:  Henry Alonso Myers & Akiva Goldsman (Ep. 11); Dana Horgan (Ep. 12); David Reed (Ep. 13); Kirsten Beyer & Davy Perez (Ep. 14); Kathryn Lyn & Henry Alonso Myers (Ep. 15); Onitra Johnson & David Reed (Ep. 16); Kathryn Lyn & Bill Wolkoff (Ep. 17); Davy Perez (Ep. 18); Dana Horgan & Bill Wolkoff (Ep. 19); Henry Alonso Myers (Ep. 20)

Starring:  Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Melissa Navia, Christina Chong, Rebecca Romijn, Celia Rose Gooding, Babs Olusanmokun, Gia Sandhu, Carol Kane, Melanie Scrofano, Dan Jeannotte, Clint Howard, Martin Quinn and Paul Wesley.

Tagline:  None

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is the prequel to the original Star Trek series.  Set ten years prior to Star Trek, Strange New Worlds follows the adventures of the crew of the Enterprise under the command of Christopher Pike (Mount).  Characters from the original series (Spock, Nurse Christine Chapel, Uhura, T’Pring, James T. Kirk and watch for Montgomery Scott) are joined by new crew members (Erica Ortegas, La’an Noonien-Singh, Una Chin-Riley).

I was a fan of the original Star Trek series, cartoon and movies with the original cast.  I never watched any other Star Trek productions.  So I’m not a die hard fan of everything Star Trek.  Believe me, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is exceptional.  Everything from the production values, the cast, the direction and the music is spot on.  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a love letter to everything the original series strived to be.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is perfectly cast.  Anson Mount is amazing in his role, but so are Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Celia Rose Gooding and Melissa Navia.  The series is well written with each major cast member displaying personality and getting a showcase in season 2.  If you’re a fan of the original series there are things that begin in Strange New Worlds that will reverberate in the original series (the relationship between Spock and Nurse Chapel; seeing Nyota Uhura’s growth into a Star Fleet officer, the romance that will fail between Spock and T’Pring, and more).

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Season 2 different characters were given the spotlight.  This allowed us to better understand them and at the same time see how they perceived others.  I wasn’t thrilled when I read about the crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks.  I don’t watch the series and didn’t think it would be my cup of tea.  I had the same feelings when I read that episode 19 would be a “musical”.  I’m happy to say the writers made both episodes work.  While I’m still not planning to check out Lower Decks, the crossover was good. Truth be told, the musical episode is one of my favorites of the season, and probably the most memorable.

I loved every episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and cannot wait for season 3.  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Reptile” (2023) starring Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, Alicia Silverstone & Domenick Lombardozzi / Z-View

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Reptile (2023)

Director: Grant Singer

Screenplay: Grant Singer, Benjamin Brewer, Benicio del Toro from a story by Grant Singer, Benjamin Brewer

Stars: Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, Alicia Silverstone, Domenick Lombardozzi, Frances Fisher, Ato Essandoh, Mike Pniewski, Catherine Dyer, Michael Beasley, James Devoti and Matilda Lutz.

Tagline: Shed the Lies

The Plot…

When real estate agent Summer Elswick (Lutz) is brutally murdered, Detective Tom Nichols (del Toro) and his partner, Detective Dan Cleary (Essandoh) get the case.  As they dig into the murder several suspects begin to appear.  There’s Summer’s boyfriend, Will Grady (Timberlake), co-owner of the real estate company she worked for.  The murder victim’s ex-husband also looks good for it.  Then there’s the guy who thinks Grady was responsible for his father’s death.  Maybe he did it to get revenge.

The twisted truth is there.  Nichols will just have to dig through the lies and alibies.  He won’t like what he discovers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Reptile features an excellent cast.

  • Benicio del Toro always brings his “A” game.
  • Justin Timberlake surprised me.  He plays the boyfriend of the murder victim.  The guy’s just drained due to her death… or is he?
  • Alicia Silverstone is great as del Toro’s sexy wife.  She appears to be devoted and in love.  But is she?
  • I love when Domenick Lombardozzi shows up in a movie/series.  I first took notice of him in Tulsa King.  Then I went, “Yeah, that’s the guy from…”  Lombardozzi is always solid.
  • Eric Bogosian,  Frances Fisher and Mike Pniewski are in smaller, but important roles.  They are welcome additions to the cast.

Hats off to director and co-writer Grant Singer for creating a murder mystery populated by characters that all feel real.  Singer handles the action and quiet moments well.  I look forward to his next project.

Reptile (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

ALL SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby / Z-View

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ALL SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby

Hardback: ‎ 352 pages
Publisher: ‎ Flatiron Books (June 6, 2023)

First sentence…

Charon County was founded in bloodshed and darkness.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in Charon County, Virginia.  Titus grew up there.  He then served ten years as a F.B.I. agent.  Now he’s come home. Hopefully to do some good. Although elected by a majority, there are still some who can’t get past Titus’ skin color.

When an active shooter call comes in, Titus and his deputies rush to the local high school.  They arrive to find one of the community’s most beloved teachers murdered by a former student.  As the young killer walks out, gun in hand, Titus attempts to take him in to custody without more bloodshed.  Unfortunately, one of Titus’ deputies fatally shoots the kid.

Titus’ investigation into the teacher’s murder uncovers evidence of more crimes.  The beloved teacher, a pillar of the community, was involved in sadistic crimes against children.  As Titus digs deeper it becomes clear that three people were torturing and killing children.  Two are dead.  But one is still alive.  Hiding in plain sight among the people of Charon County.

Things become even more complicated. Evidence surfaces that Titus’ Deputy may have had a secret reason to kill the kid.

Another person is murdered.  The killer stages the body to let the world (and Sheriff Crown) know it is related to the murders of the children.  The killer begins taunting Titus.  Publicity about the gruesome murders puts the town on edge.  It also gives those who oppose Titus as Sheriff a reason to remove him from office.

As Titus continues to dig into the evidence, he uncovers dark secrets hidden for decades.  Of course Titus has a secret of his own.  The real reason he left the F.B.I..

Thoughts…

S.A. Cosby is one of my must-buy authors.  He won the Anthony Award for Best Novel two years in a row for BLACKTOP WASTELAND and RAZORBLADE TEARS.  Both get my highest recommendation.  As does Cosby’s MY DARKEST PRAYER.

ALL SINNER’S BLEED is another winner.  Titus Crown is a great lead character.  I was surprised by the ending, but it felt right.  Especially Crown’s last act.

Each novel that Cosby has created made me hope for a sequel.  Yet, each new book brought new lead characters that I come to love.  Perhaps a crossover is due.  Truth is, it doesn’t matter what Cosby writes.  I, like many, many others will be in line to buy it.
Rating:

“No One Will Save You” (2023) written & directed by Brian Duffield, starring Kaitlyn Dever / Z-View

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No One Will Save You (2023)

Director: Brian Duffield

Screenplay: Brian Duffield

Stars: Kaitlyn Dever, Zack Duhame, Geraldine Singer, Dane Rhodes.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Brynn (Dever) is a young woman living on the outskirts of a small town.  A tragic event turned many of those in town against Brynn. Now she suffers from anxiety and is a bit of a recluse.  When Brynn wakes one night to discover that aliens are invading, she realizes that to survive, she will have to save herself.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Hats off to Brian Duffield who wrote and directed No One Will Save You.  The film is engaging from the start.  Duffield knows how to tell a story.  He chooses interesting camera angles and shots.  Duffield’s scares don’t rely on jump takes and he knows how to create tension.

No One Will Save You is basically a one woman show.  Thankfully, Kaitlyn “Justified” Dever is up to the task.  She was excellent.  Dever’s performance is even more impressive taking into account there are less than ten words spoken in the entire movie.

Stephen King said this about “NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU: Brilliant, daring, involving, scary. You have to go back over 60 years, to a TWILIGHT ZONE episode called ‘The Invaders’ to find anything remotely like it. Truly unique.”

I agree with everything Stephen King wrote.  If you feel a “but” coming, you’re right.  No One Will Save You is all that Mr. King said…

…BUT, movies are sometimes like trips.  It’s not about the destination, but the journey.  Where No One Will Save You fell short is the ending. I didn’t hate how the film concluded, but for me, it was a step below everything that came before.  The ending provides plenty to think about and discuss.  I loved everything up to the end.  I hope that doesn’t put potential viewers off watching No One Will Save You, because the journey is worth the trip.

No One Will Save You (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Most Dangerous Game” (1932) starring Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Leslie Banks & Robert Armstrong / Z-View

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The Most Dangerous Game (1932)

Director: Ernest B. Schoedsack, Irving Pichel

Screenplay: James Ashmore Creelman based on “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell

Stars: Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Leslie Banks, Robert Armstrong, Noble Johnson, Steve Clemente and James Flavin.

Tagline: Arresting, strange and terrible in the story of the polished Russian sportsman who lured ships to their doom…then drove the male survivors into his inland jungle, to be hunted down like animals!

The Plot…

Bob Rainsford (McCrea) is a well known big game hunter on a ship traveling near an uncharted island.  The ship hits something that causes it to quickly begin sinking and explode.  Bob swims to the island only to discover he is the sole survivor.

Bob is surprised to find a huge house owned by Count Zaroff (Banks).  Zaroff welcomes Bob into his home. The Count introduces Bob to Eve (Wray) and her brother Martin (Armstrong). Eve and Martin survived an earlier ship wreck and made it to the island.

Count Zaroff is pleased to have the pleasure of hosting Bob Rainsford, the famous big game hunter.  Zaroff explains that he is also a hunter. Zaroff claims to have hunted every kind of animal and was getting bored until he discovered “the most dangerous” game.

When Bob and Eve are alone, she says that two sailors who survived their shipwreck have gone missing. Bob shares his belief that the ships were sunk on purpose.  As Eve and Bob go through Zaroff’s mansion they stumble onto his trophy room.  To their horror, they discover that Count Zaroff hunts humans.  They will soon be his prey.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

The Most Dangerous Game and King Kong share a lot in common.  Both films were produced by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.  Ernest B. Schoedsack co-directed both movies. Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, James Flavin and Noble Johnson appeared in both films.  Both movies used the same sets!

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell has been adapted and used as inspiration for countless movies.

A preview of “The Most Dangerous Game” contained a more detailed look at Count Zaroff’s trophy room.  It featured mounted human heads, heads in bottles and stuffed full figures of men Zaroff had murdered.  When several in the preview audience walked out, the scene was shortened.

Beware of bad copies. The Most Dangerous Game (1932).  Iy fell into public domain and there are some shoddy prints out there.

The Most Dangerous Game (1932) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Memory” starring Liam Neeson & Guy Pearce / Z-View

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Memory (2022)

Director: Martin Campbell

Screenplay: Dario Scardapane based on De Zaak Alzheimer by Jef Geeraerts, Carl Joos, Erik Van Looy

Stars: Liam Neeson, Guy Pearce, Taj Atwal, Monica Bellucci and Ray Stevenson.

Tagline:  His mind is fading. His conscience is clear.

The Plot…

Alex Lewis (Neeson) is a hitman.  Lewis has early stage Alzheimer’s.  Lewis has been forgetting things. His memory is getting worse.  Vincent Serra (Pearce) is an FBI agent on the Child Exploitation Task Force.  While Lewis and Serra should be at odds, they find themselves working together to bring down a protected child trafficker.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

I was expecting a lot more from Memory.  Martin Campbell directed Casino, one of my favorite James Bond movies.  Campbell’s two lead actors, Liam Neeson and Guy Pearce elevate any production they’re in.  Taj Atwal, who I hadn’t seen before, was also a welcome addition.  With that said, Memory wasn’t the action-thriller I was hoping for.  It was what you’d get if you were expecting a by the numbers hitman/cop movie.  Memory won’t leave most of the viewing audience with many good ones.

Memory (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Runaway Train” (1985) directed by Andrey Konchalovskiy, starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts & Rebecca DeMornay / Z-View

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Runaway Train (1985)

Director: Andrey Konchalovskiy

Screenplay: Djordje Milicevic, Paul Zindel, Edward Bunker based on a story by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni (uncredited),Ryūzō Kikushima

Stars: Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, Kyle T. Heffner, John P. Ryan, T.K. Carter, Kenneth McMillan, Edward Bunker, Reid Cruickshanks, John Bloom, Danny Trejo, Tom ‘Tiny’ Lister, Dennis Franz and Hank Worden.

Tagline: Once it starts, nothing can stop it!

The Plot…

Stonehaven Maximum Security Prison is located in the remote Alaskan wilderness.  “Manny” Manheim (Voight) is a hardened convict. For the last three years Manny has lived in solitary confinement at the order of  Warden Ranken (Ryan).  Rankin hates Manny because he is a hero to the other inmates, is an escape risk (two attempts so far) and he cannot be broken.  When a court order forces Rankin to release Manny from solitary, Rankin’s hatred for Manny grows.

Soon Manny has a plan for escape.  Manny and a young convict named Buck (Roberts) make it out.  In a rail yard, they see a train of four cars slowly pulling away.  Once on board, Manny and Buck think they’re home free.  When the engineer has a heart attack, the train continues to pick up speed, burning off the brakes in the process.  Now Manny, Buck and one other person yet to be discovered are on a runaway train.  There’s no way to stop it,  Jumping from the train would be suicide.

Let the action begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Runaway Train was nominated for three Academy Awards:

  • Best Actor in a Leading Role: Jon Voight
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Eric Roberts
  • Best Film Editing: Henry Richardson

Akira Kurosawa originally planned to make Runaway Train in the 1960s!  His intended stars were Lee Marvin and Henry Fonda.  The script was dusted off in 1982 and Cannon Films backed the revised movie.

Runaway Train features the film debuts of Danny Trejo and Tim “Tiny” Lester.  Dennis Franz also appears uncredited as a cop.

Danny Trejo got the job thanks to Eddie Bunker.  Bunker recognized Trejo who was on set visiting a production assistant.  Both Trejo and Bunker (who co-wrote and appears in the film) served time together at San Quentin. Bunker got Trejo a job as an extra and boxing coach to Eric Roberts.  Trejo said that the $320 a day salary was more than he ever made from any of his robberies.

Runaway Train features my favorite performances by Jon Voight, Eric Roberts and Rebecca De Mornay.  John P. Ryan is great as the sadistic warden.  Kudos also to Andrey Konchalovskiy for his amazing job in helming a dramatic action-thriller with heart.

Runaway Train (1985) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Out-Laws” (2023) starring Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan & Ellen Barkin / Z-View

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The Out-Laws (2023)

Director: Tyler Spindel

Screenplay: Evan Turner, Ben Zazove

Stars: Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind, Julie Hagerty, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery, Dean Winters and Mo Gallini.

Tagline: None

The Plot…

Owen Browning (Devine) is about to marry the love of his life, Parker McDermott (Dobrev).  The plans are set when Owen and Parker learn that Parker’s estranged parents are going to be able to attend after all.  While there can be difficulty when two families come together, the greater the differences, the more likely the problems.  Owen’s parents are straightlace, a bit out of touch and like Owen, a bit nerdy.  Parker’s parents are hip, cool and thrillseekers.

Things are complicated when Owen’s bank (he’s the manager) is robbed by the famous Ghost Bandits duo.  Unfortunately for Owen he begins to believe his future in-laws are out-laws.  And he ain’t wrong!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

The Out-Laws is a high concept film.  Think Meet the Parents meets Bonnie and Clyde.  It has an excellent cast with Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty. And they help make The Out-Laws an okay way to spend an hour and a half.  The truth is the cast deserved better… as did the audience.

The Out-Laws (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Joe Pickett”: Season 2 (2023) / Z-View

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Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023)

Written by: John Erick Dowdle (ep. 11, 20 ); Stacy Chbosky (eps. 12, 18); Isaac Gomez (ep. 13); Nelson Greaves (eps. 14, 19); Sarah Marie Masson (ep. 15); Diego D. Moreno (ep. 16); Alice Dennard (ep. 17);

Directed by: Stephen Woolfenden (eps. 11 – 12); Blackhorse Lowe (eps. 13 – 14); Drew Dowdle (eps. 15 – 16); Janice Cooke (eps. 17 – 18); Shana Stein (eps. 19 – 20)

Stars: Michael Dorman, Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, Mustafa Speaks, Skywalker Hughes, Kamryn Pilva, David Alan Grier, Chad Rook, Aadila Dosani, Patrick Gallagher, Emily Alabi, Sean Wei Mah, Alex Breaux and Chris Gauthier

Tagline: None

The Plot…

When a hunter doesn’t return home, Joe (Dorman) rides out in a remote section of wilderness to look for him.  Joe happens on Caleb and Camish Grimmengruber aka the Grim brothers.  The two live off the grid and are distrustful of the government.  One thing leads to another and the Grim brothers attempt to kill Joe.  Although they succeed in killing Joe’s horse, and badly wounding Joe, he barely makes it out alive.

In the mean time the hunter has been found… murdered.  He was decapitated and left hanging upside down from a tree.  Because the man was wealthy and of some importance, the Governor flies in.  He meets with the Sheriff and head of the area’s Fish and Game commission.  The Governor demands that the two groups work together to quickly find the murderer.

Not totally healed from the Grim Brothers’ attack, Joe finds himself thrust into an investigation that is going to lead to corruption and more murders by people in high places.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Joe Pickett: Season One was surprisingly good.  Season 2 is even better.

The series features some of the best acting you will find anywhere.  Standouts include: Michael Dorman (Joe Pickett), Julianna Guill (Marybeth Pickett), Sharon Lawrence (Missy, Marybeth’s mother), Mustafa Speaks (Nate Romanowski), Skywalker Hughes (Sheridan, one of the Pickett’s daughters) and Chad Rook (Deputy McLanahan).

Kudos to this season’s writers:

  • I love that events from season one had major ramifications in season two.
  • Joe and Marybeth’s relationship is so well written (and acted).
  • Each episode ended with a cliffhanger making us want to move on to the next episode.
  • All of the characters are given backstory without hindering the main focus of the season.
  • It was cool to see David Alan Grier get a cameo that has a major impact going forward.
  • The Grim Brothers are two of the creepiest bad guys you can imagine.  They get an interesting character arc.

Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023) ends with some great twists.  I hope we get a third season.

Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“District B13” (2004) directed by Pierre Morel, starring David Belle & Cyril Raffaelli / Z-View

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District B13 (2004)

Director: Pierre Morel

Screenplay: Luc Besson, Bibi Naceri

Stars: David Belle, Cyril Raffaelli, Tony D’Amario and Dany Verissimo-Petit.

Tagline: Welcome to District B13 Welcome to the future

The Plot…

Three years ago crime became so bad in some Paris suburbs the government built high guarded walls around the troubled districts.  Heavily armed police man checkpoints in and out.  District B13 is one of them.

Leïto (Belle) lives in the district.  He does what he can to oppose the gangs.  After Leïto destroyed one of their drug shipments, the gang targeted him for execution.

When a nuclear bomb is stolen and tracked to District B13, Damien Tomaso (Raffaelli), an undercover cop, is sent in.  The bomb will explode in 24 hours.  Once in, Tomaso finds himself in an uneasy alliance with Leïto.  Millions of lives are at stake and the clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

I’m surprised District B13 doesn’t get more love.  It’s a fun action film with charismatic leads. The fight scenes are inventive.  Oh, and did I mention it features parkour?  That should be no surprise since it stars David Belle who is credited with being one of the fathers of the sport.

District B13 spawned a sequel, District 13: Ultimatum and an American remake, Brick Mansions which starred Paul Walker with David Belle (reprising his role).  It was Paul Walker’s final film.

District B13 was directed by Pierre Morel in his directorial debut.  Morel followed District B13 by helming Taken and From Paris with Love, both movies that I recommend.

District B13 (2004) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Hard Times” (1975) directed by Walter Hill, starring Charles Bronson & James Coburn / Z-View

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Hard Times (1975)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Walter Hill, Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell from a story by Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell

Stars: Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Jill Ireland, Strother Martin, Margaret Blye, Michael McGuire, Michael McGuire, Bruce Glover, Robert Tessier, Nick Dimitri, Maurice Kowalewski, Naomi Stevens, Brion James and Frank McRae.

Tagline: New Orleans, 1933. In those days words didn’t buy much.

The Plot…

1933.  The depression rages.  A man known only as Chaney (Bronson) travels the rails from town to town.  He makes some money and moves on.  In New Orleans, Chaney happens on a warehouse where underground fights are taking place.  High rollers bet on the outcomes of each match.

Chaney watches with interest.  Chaney later meets with Spencer “Speed” Weed.  Weed manages fighters.  Chaney offers Weed the opportunity to manage him. They agree on percentages and head back to the warehouse.  When a promoter offers odds for anyone to take on his fighter, Chaney accepts. Odds are given and bets placed.  Chaney has six dollars to his name and bets it all on himself.  When he easily knocks out the other fighter, Speed sees dollar signs.

Speed tells Chaney he has a plan. If Chaney can beat a well known undefeated fighter, they stand to make a lot of money.  Chaney agrees.  Little do they know the double crosses that await.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Hard Times was Walter Hill’s directorial debut.  Hill followed Hard Times by directing The Driver, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Southern Comfort, 48hrs. and Streets of Fire.  What other director came out of the shoot with so many hits?

Hill’s original idea was for Chaney to be a younger actor. Someone like Jan Michael Vincent.  While that would have worked, when Charles Bronson expressed interest, it was pretty much a done deal.  I think that having Chaney be an older guy (Bronson was 53 at the time) works to the film’s benefit.

Bronson and Hill got along well, but never made another film together.  Bronson wasn’t happy with Hill’s opinion of Jill Ireland’s (Bronson’s wife) acting.  He also didn’t like that some of her scenes were cut.

Hard Times is one of my favorite Charles Bronson films.  It’s gets better with each new viewing.

Hard Times (1975) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Steamboat Bill, Jr.” (1928) starring Buster Keaton!

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Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

Director: Charles Reisner, Buster Keaton (uncredited)

Writer: Carl Harbaugh

Stars: Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Marion Byron and Joe Keaton.

Tagline: What a thrill! Worth the price of admission alone to see what happened to Buster when the twister hit the town.

The Plot…

William “Steamboat Bill” Canfield is a big, rugged man’s man.  Bill owns and operates the Stonewall Jackson which is an old paddlewheel tourist ship.  J. J. King, a rich business man, has brought in a new steamer and plans to put Steamboat Bill out of business.

Bill’s son (who he hasn’t seen in years) just graduated college and has arrived for a visit. Steamboat Bill is shocked to discover his son is small, awkward and wimpy.  Bill Sr. is determined to make a man out of his son. To complicate matters, Bill Jr. has a budding romance with Kitty, who has also returned from college.  The rub is Kitty is J.J. King’s daughter!

Let the good times sail!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Steamboat Bill, Jr. is considered a classic.  It’s in the National Film Registry.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. features one of the most famous and copied stunts of all time.  If you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve probably seen a clip of the stunt.  As a tornado hits the town, Keaton is standing in the street.  The front of an entire house falls down on Keaton.  Luckily, the upstairs window is open and Keaton fits through perfectly.  Many movies and television shows have recreated this stunt, but Keaton was the first!

Steamboat Bill, Jr. was also the inspiration for Mickey Mouse’s debut in Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie!

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) rates 5 of 5 stars.