Category: Z-View

“Detective Hole”: Season 1, starring Tobias Santelmann & Joel Kinnaman / Z-View

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Detective Hole (2026)

Created by: Jo Nesbø

Director:

  • Øystein Karlsen (Eps. 1; 5; 7-9)
  • Anna Zackrisson (Eps. 3-4; 6)

Teleplay by: Jo Nesbø

Starring:  Tobias Santelmann, Ellen Helinder, Anders Baasmo, Pia Tjelta and Joel Kinnaman.

Tagline: Not every devil hides in the dark.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Detective Harry Hole is tormented by the accidental death of his partner, killed in a high speed chase when Hole was driving.  The killer that they were after was never caught.

It’s been five years.  Hole drinks too much and his work and social life is suffering.  Harry’s investigation of a series of brutal ritualistic murders pushes Harry to the limit.  When clues indicate the killer / killers may have ties to the police, Harry doesn’t know who to trust.

Harry’s refusal to stand down puts him and everyone he loves in the killers crosshairs.

Thoughts…

This season adapts THE DEVIL’S STAR, the fifth book in the Harry Hole series.

Tobias Santelmann and Joel Kinnaman are excellent.

Detective Hole starts slow but builds to an exciting climax.  I look forward to future seasons.

FAREWELL, AMETHYSTINE : AN EASY RAWLINS MYSTERY by Walter Mosley / Z-View

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FAREWELL, AMETHYSTINE : AN EASY RAWLINS MYSTERY by Walter Mosley

First sentences…

“Naw, naw, man.  They wanna kick her outta that school because she a Black woman want the Constitution to practice what it preach.  All kinda white revolutionaries and, and, and activist teachers up there at UCLA and they don’t make a peep about them.”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Monday morning.  Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins is chatting with his buddies when she comes in.  She is Amethystine Stoller, an extremely beautiful, young black woman. Amethystine wants to hire Easy to find her missing ex-husband.  Her ex, Curtis Fields is an accountant.  He’s also white.  An interracial couple, even in 1970, still raises a lot of eyebrows.

Easy feels an immediate attraction to Amethystine.  He also doesn’t trust her.  Two reasons not to take the case.

But he does.

When Easy finds Curtis’ dead body, things get complicated.  Curtis was involved with gangsters, gamblers, blackmail and corrupt politicians. Easy tries to reach his buddy on the LAPD, Detective Melvin Suggs,  but he’s surprised to find Suggs is also missing.  Suggs’ wife has been implicated in a blackmail murder.

As Easy follows the clues, he realizes that the cases may be related and the corruption runs deep.  Easy is going to need backup, so he reaches out to his friend, Fearless Jones.  Together, Easy and Fearless will follow the clues that take them deep into LA’s dangerous underbelly where murders, double-crosses and blackmail are the norm.

+++

This is Walter Mosley’s sixteenth Easy Rawlins novel.  They never disappoint.

Rating:

“Kill” (2023) / Z-View

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Kill (2023)

Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Screenplay:  Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Stars: Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Abhishek Chauhan, Harsh Chhaya and Tanya Maniktala.

Tagline: This journey is one-way.

The Plot…

Amrit and Tulika are in love and wish to be married.  Amrit is an Army commando.  Tulika, the daughter of a wealthy businessman.  Tulika’s father has arranged for her to be married to the son of a wealthy business associate.

Tulika’s father has arranged for the family to travel by train to New Delhi for the wedding.  Amrit and his commando buddy Viresh have secretly booked passage on the train as well.  Amrit’s plan is to get Tulika to elope with him.

All of that changes when a large group of ruthless bandits enters the train. There plan was to rob everyone, but when they learn that a rich business man is on board they decide to rob everyone and kidnap his daughter.

As the express train barrels along it will be up to Amrit and Viresh to save the day.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Reportedly this film is based on a real event.  In 2010, a retired Nepal commando traveling on the Maurya Express single-handedly took on 30 – 4o bandits.  Although he was severely wounded, he killed three and wounded eight of the terrorists.

Kill was nominated for eight International Indian Film Academy Awards and won five.  It was nominated for fourteen Filmfare Awards and won six.

Most reviewers like this film better than me.  I thought it was good, but became a bit redundant.  As always, your mileage may vary.

Kill (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“4Got10” starring Dolph Lundgren, Johnny Messner, Vivica Fox and Danny Trejo / Z-View

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4Got 10 aka The Good, the Bad, and the Dead (2015)

Director: Timothy Woodward Jr.

Screenplay: Sean Ryan

Stars: Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Vivica A. Fox and Michael Paré.

Tagline: Who can you trust?

The Plot…

Brian Barnes comes to.  He’s in the desert, has been shot and is surrounded by several dead bodies.  The sound of a cop car pulling up is what woke him.  Brian closes his eyes and plays dead.

Sheriff Olson and his Deputy get out.  They quickly survey the scene.  In the van they find cocaine and bags of money.  A drug deal gone sideways.  There’s three or four million in cash just sitting there.  The Deputy says he’s going to call in for backup.  Sheriff Olson says, “Hold up… That’s a lot of money…”

Olson throws out the idea that they keep the cash.  The Deputy thinks Olson is joking.  He moves to make the call.  Sheriff Olson shoots the Deputy in the back.  As Olson moves to get the cash, he realizes Brian is alive.

Brian wounds Sheriff Olson and takes off with the cash.  As Brian fights to remember why he was at the drug deal, he must stay on the run.  Sheriff Olson, a relentless FBI agent and the drug lord who lost his son and cocaine when the drug deal went bad are closing in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The plot is better than the finished film.

4Got 10 aka The Good, the Bad, and the Dead (2015) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Patient Zero” (2018) starring Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer and Stanley Tucci / Z-View

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Patient Zero (2018)

Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky

Screenplay: Mike Le

Stars: Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer, John Bradley, Clive Standen, Agyness Deyn and Stanley Tucci.

Tagline:  Find the Disease. Find the Cure.

The Plot…

A virus has wiped out most of the population. Once infected humans quickly become enraged, unable to think or communicate.  A large group of civilians, soldiers and CDC scientists have found shelter in an underground bunker.

The scientists bring in captured infected for study to find a cure.  They’re surprised to discover that one of their test subjects, a former professor, doesn’t show the normal signs of infection.  Even more shocking is the professor’s ability to understand and communicate  with those infected.   The scientists believe the professor could be the key to a cure.  The professor believes that he (and others like him) are the next step in human evolution.

As the scientists work on a cure, the professor has a plan of his own…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Fans of Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger tales will be disappointed to learn that this film has nothing to do with the first novel in his series.  Still, fans of zombie movies should enjoy this one.

Patient Zero (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Blood Star” (2024) starring John Schwab & Britni Camacho / Z-View

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Blood Star (2024)

Director: Lawrence Jacomelli

Screenplay: Victoria Taylor, Lawrence Jacomelli, George Kelly

Stars: John Schwab, Britni Camacho, Sydney Brumfield, Travis Lincoln Cox, Felix Merback, Wyomi Reed and Brandon Brown.

Tagline:  There is just one law.  Run.

The Plot…

Bobbi Torres is driving a remote strip of New Mexico highway.  When Bobbi sees a gas station she pulls in for a fill-up.  At another pump is Sheriff Bilstein who tries to strike up a conversation with Bobbi.  The cop definitely gives off a strange vibe.  When Bobbi declines his offer of a soda, he drives off.

Bobbi pays for her gas and heads out.  A few miles down the road Bobbi is surprised when a cop car falls in behind her and hits the lights.  Bobbi pulls over.  Up walks Sheriff Bilstein.  Bilstein says that trash Bobbi threw out of her car broke his light-bar.  Although not true, Bobbi realizes that arguing is not going to get her anywhere.  Then Bilstein takes her cell phone and demands she drive back to the gas station.

Soon enough Bobbi realizes that Bilstein is a psycho who intends to kill her.  Alone on a deserted road her options are limited… but Bobbi’s not giving up without a fight.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Blood Star is better than you might think.  Although not a classic, it’s a fun ride.

Blood Star (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Bad Blonde” (1953) starring Barbara Payton and Tony Wright / Z-View

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Bad Blonde aka The Flanagan Boy (1953)

Director: Reginald Le Borg

Screenplay: Guy Elmes, Richard H. Landau; based on THE FLANAGAN BOY by Max Catto

Stars: Barbara Payton, Frederick Valk, Tony Wright, Sid James.

Tagline: Sure, I accept favors from men!

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

When Johnny Flanagan beats a carnival boxing champ, he’s introduced to boxing promoter Giuseppe Vecchi.  Vecchi decides to become Flanagan’s manager.  Vecchi is impressed with with Flanagan’s skills.  Problem is, Lorna, Vecchi’s young wife, is impressed with Flanagan as well.

At first Flanagan wants nothing to do with Lorna.  But she’s relentless.

Soon enough Lorna and Flanagan want Vecchi out of the way.  And they have the perfect plan to make it happen.

Or do they?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bad Blonde is the title The Flanagan Boy was released under in the United States.

Bad Blonde comes off as a low-budget, uncredited reworking of The Postman Always Rings Twice.

Bad Blonde aka The Flanagan Boy (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars

HOLE by Gerry Brown with art by Eduardo Risso / Z-View

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HOLE by Gerry Brown with art by Eduardo Risso

First sentences…

They came for Hole while he was in the library.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Emile Hole’s size didn’t fit his demeanor.  Emile was very large, long haired man with small round glasses that looked too small for his face.  Emile’s voice didn’t help either.  It was way too light.  You wouldn’t find Emile in the weight room.  No, he’d be found in the prison library sitting alone in a small chair reading.

Even in the best conditions prison would be rough on men like Emile.  Moundsville State Prison was about as far as you could get from the best conditions.  The guards either were crooked or looked the other way.  Gangs ran Moundsville.  Davie and his Warlords were at the top of the heap.

The Warlords ran a profitable business.  One of their best money-making endeavors was to video-tape the beating of a new inmate.  They’d then send the video to the inmate’s family with a request for on-going payments to prevent further beatings.  It always worked.

So when the gang gave Emile a tune-up and sent the video to Emile’s brother Vint, they expected the money to come rolling in.

Man, were they wrong.

Vint’s going to pay the Warlords, but not in the way they’re expecting.  See Vint’s got skills.  Skills better left contained.  But now, Vint’s got reason to let loose.  And he’s going to.

+++

Eduardo Risso’s art was what got me interested in HOLE.  Then I read the sample and was hooked.  Gerry Brown has crafted a fun prison/revenge story that’s a fast, fun read.

HOLE is only available on Kindle but the price is less than a buck.  It’s worth a buck just to see Risso’s illustrations.

Rating:

“War Machine” (2026) starring Alan Ritchson / Z-View

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War Machine (2026)

Director: Patrick Hughes

Screenplay: Patrick Hughes, James Beaufort; story by Patrick Hughes

Stars: Alan Ritchson, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Keiynan Lonsdale, Daniel Webber and Dennis Quaid.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Soldiers wishing to become Army Rangers are called by numbers, not names.  These warriors are put through months of grueling training.  Each week a percentage of the GIs wash.  In the final days the remaining potential rangers are sent on a mission.  If successful, they become Army Rangers.

Despite his avoidance of leadership roles in training, Soldier #81 is put in charge of the final mission.  Dropped in a remote wilderness area, the trainees are on there own.  Against all odds, the potential rangers find themselves fighting an unstoppable war machine from another planet.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Alan Ritchson performed many of his own stunts.

Director Patrick Hughes appears onscreen in a cameo as Master Sergeant Hughes.

Dennis Quaid is great in a small, but important role.

War Machine (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Ballerina” (2025) starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves / Z-View

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Ballerina (2025)

Director:Len Wiseman; Chad Stahelski (uncredited for reshoots)

Screenplay: Shay Hatten; based on characters created by Derek Kolstad

Stars: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves.

Tagline:  The past can be a trigger.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Eve Macarro was the child of assassins.  After the death of her mother, Eve was being raised by her father.  When a cult came to kill him, Eve’s father helped her escape before he was murdered.  Eve was then raised by the the Ruska Roma.

The Ruska Roma appeared to be an academy that trained children to become experts in ballet.  It is actually a front.  Although trained to be dancers, the children’s real instruction was so they would become proficient assassins and body guards.

Eve becomes one of the best.

After one of her missions, Eve discovers that her target was in the same cult that killed her father.  Despite being warned to take no action against them, Eve is determined to avenge her father’s death.

Even if it turns the Ruska Roma against her.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ana de Armas did most of her own stunts.

Ballerina is set in the world of John Wick and takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4.

Director Len Wiseman’s original cut fell short of expectations. Chad Stahelski reportedly reshot much of Ballerina without Len Wiseman’s involvement.  This pushed back the release date about a year.

Ballerina (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Bent” (2018) starring Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García / Z-View

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Bent (2018)

Director: Robert Moresco

Screenplay: Robert Moresco; based on DEADLY CODES by JP O’Donnell

Stars: Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara, Andy García and Vincent Spano.

Tagline: Corruption has its own set of rules.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Detective Danny Gallagher was framed and sent to prison.  He’s out now and bent on revenge.  Danny trusts his mentor Jimmy Murtha and a sexy government agent named Rebecca.

But his trust may be misplaced.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a fan of Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García.  I was hoping Bent would be a lot better.

Bent (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Bunker” (2022) / Z-View

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Bunker (2022)

Director: Adrian Langley

Screenplay: Michael Huntsman

Stars: Roger Clark, Luke Baines, Patrick Moltane, Kayla Radomski and Julian Feder.

Tagline: None.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

World War I.  A squad of British soldiers have been hunkered down in their trench.  Word reaches them that the Germans they’ve been fighting have retreated.  The British commander orders his men to move along the trench and take over the German outpost.

Along the way, the British soldiers see several mutilated bodies.  Once at the outpost they find a door barricaded shut.  When they break through, they discover a German soldier secured to a cross.  Shelling begins and the doorway collapses sealing the British soldiers in.

Now trapped in the darkness, they begin to hear and see strange things.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bunker moved at a sloooow pace.  The British soldiers were trapped, but I had to get out.

Bunker (2022) rates 1 of 5 stars

“Apex” starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton / Z-View

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Apex (2026)

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Screenplay: Jeremy Robbins

Stars: Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton

Tagline: Hunt. Survive.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Five months ago, adrenaline junkie Sasha and her boyfriend were mountain climbing when an avalanche knocked him unconscious.  As he hung limp the safety line attached to Sasha began to pull her down.  Either she had to cut him loose or they both would die.

She did the unthinkable.

Now Sasha has come to a remote part of the Australian outback. The remote mountains, raging rapids and harsh conditions are unforgiving.  Perhaps Sasha has a death wish.

Sasha’s will to live will be tested when she crosses path with a psychopath.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charlize Theron was quoted as saying this is her favorite of all the films she’s made.  Stars often say that their current film is their favorite.  In this case it may be true.  Theron and Apex director Baltasar Kormákur are signed to make another film together.

Taron Egerton is believable as the psycho but his portrayal isn’t as frightening as it could be.  He’s more manic than maniac.  Some of the background characteristics (the jerky, what happened to the family that was missing) could have worked to make Egerton’s killer much more scary and dangerous.  They would have had to lean a bit more into tension and terror and I don’t think they wanted to do that at the expense of action.

Apex (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Dark Winds” Season 4 / Z-View

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Dark Winds Season 4 (2026)

Created by: Graham Roland

Director:

  • Craig Zisk (Ep. 1),
  • Zahn McClarnon (Ep. 2)
  • Chris Eyre (Eps. 3, 5, 7)
  • Jim Chory (Ep. 4)
  • Steven Paul Judd (Ep. 6)
  • Erica Trimblay (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:

  • John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd (Eps. 1, 4),
  • Max Hurwitz & Wenonah Wilms (Eps. 2, 5)
  • Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay (Eps. 3, 6)
  • Shaandiin Tome & Shandton Williams II (Eps. 7)
  • Max Hurwitz & Thomas Brady (Ep. 8)
    Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman

Starring:  Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez.

Tagline:  None

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Lt. Leaphorn, Sgt. Chee, and Sgt. Manuelito find themselves on the trail of a teenage runaway.  The girl left her boarding school with her boyfriend.  They’re on the run but from who?  And why?

Things become even more confusing when a mysterious female assassin shows up looking for the kids.  Leaphorn, Chee and Manulito follow the trail that leads to LA.  They’re a step behind the assassin and if they don’t catch up, the kids will die along with the reason they’re being hunted.  

Thoughts…

 Moving the action to LA was an interesting idea.   I did miss the feel of action on the reservation since that location is almost like an additional character.

Dark Winds continues to entertain and the set-up for season 5 is a winner.

THE BULLET GARDEN: AN EARL SWAGGER NOVEL by Stephen Hunter / Z-View

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THE BULLET GARDEN: AN EARL SWAGGER NOVEL by Stephen Hunter

First sentences…

“No, no,” said Basil St. Florian.  “Bren guns.  We need the Bren guns.  It is simply not feasible without Bren guns.  Surely you understand?”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

July 1944.  D-Day was a month ago and a success.  Since then Nazis snipers have killed hundreds of Allied soldiers daily.  The snipers strike with no warning and then fade away before a counter-attack can take shape.  Somehow these Nazi sharpshooters know where the American GIs are going to be and the safest locations to kill as many as possible.

Army intelligence has come up short in a solution.  General Eisenhower decides that perhaps the Army’s best marksman might have insight.  So Gunnery Sergeant Earl Swagger, a decorated war hero and our military’s best shot is brought in.  Swagger is given carte blanche to figure out a response to the Nazi snipers.

Swagger realizes that part of the problem is the military intelligence operatives working on a solution are doing it from a safe location far from the front.  They’re eating well, sleeping well and going to parties and social events.  Swagger knows as dangerous as it will be, he will need to work on a solution from the front.

Swagger is given an aide, a former Harvard student who is the son of a wealthy American.  Swagger doubts the kid will be much help until the kid tells him:  “I’ve been here long enough to know the politics of this place. I know who wants you to succeed and those who’d like to see you fail. They don’t like the idea of a NCO figuring out what they couldn’t… and I can get you anything you want or need.”

Someone is tipping off the Nazis to American troop movements.  This gives the enemy snipers the ultimate advantage.  Swagger’s a great shot and an unsurpassed hunter but he will find himself up against a squad of snipers led by Nazi with skills equal to his.

Stephen Hunter has written another winner.

Rating: