“Tulsa King” – The Season Two Trailer is Here!

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I cannot wait!

In season two, Dwight (Stallone) and his crew continue to build up and defend their growing empire in Tulsa but, just as they get their bearings, they realize that they’re not the only ones who want to stake their claim. With looming threats from the Kansas City mob and a very powerful local businessman, Dwight struggles to keep his family and crew safe while keeping track of all his affairs. Plus, he still has unfinished business back in New York. TULSA KING’s Second Season Premieres on Sunday, Sep. 15

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

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Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3 (2024)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon

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

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

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

Tagline: You can’t bury the past.

The Plot…

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

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

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

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

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

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Red Light (1949)

Director: Roy Del Ruth

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

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

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

The Plot…

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

Red Light (1949) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Old Man: Season 2” starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I enjoyed the first season of The Old Man and am looking forward to the second.  Check out the teaser and trailer below.  Oh, and how about the cool season two poster?

The stakes couldn’t get any higher. Don’t miss the two-episode premiere of FX’s The Old Man, 9.12 on FX. Stream on Hulu.

In FX’s The Old Man Season 2, former CIA agent “Dan Chase” (Jeff Bridges) and former FBI Assistant Director “Harold Harper” (John Lithgow) set off to recover “Emily Chase” (Alia Shawkat) after she is kidnapped. As the stakes rise and secrets are uncovered, Emily finds herself in an identity crisis with dire implications, and “Zoe McDonald” (Amy Brenneman) makes surprising moves into Chase’s world.

Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow are back. FX’s The Old Man OFFICIAL TRAILER. 9.12 on FX. Stream on Hulu.

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

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Trigger Point (2021)

Director: Brad Turner

Screenplay: Michael Vickerman

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

Tagline: Everyone breaks.

The Plot…

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

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

Shaw has no choice…but can Kane be trusted?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

Trigger Point (2021) rates 2 of 5 stars.

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

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Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

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

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

Tagline: Love Never Dies

The Plot…

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

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

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

Dracula will have her at all costs.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Driver (1978)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Walter Hill

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

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

The Plot…

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Driver (1978) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Paradox Effect” starring Harvey Keitel, Olga Kurylenko & Oliver Trevena – Anyone See This One?

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The Paradox Effect poster and trailer are here.  It doesn’t look bad (or great).  Anyone seen this one?

Estranged from her daughter because of a past life of drug-abuse, Karina is taking all the steps she can towards being the mother she needs to be. One night Karina hears the discharge of a muted weapon and a body breaking through heavy glass.

Looking up, she locks eyes with the man who pulled the trigger and she is captured.

The mastermind of it all is crime lord Silvio and his vicious gangsters who forces Karina and Covek, a deadly killer threatened by him, to go on a journey against time.

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

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Devil’s Peak (2023)

Director: Ben Young

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

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

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

With this cast, I was expecting a better film.

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

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

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Breakwater (2023)

Director: James Rowe

Screenplay: James Rowe

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

Tagline: The deepest secrets are the last to rise.

The Plot…

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

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

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

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

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

Breakwater (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Charles Cyphers

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Charles Cyphers died on August 4, 2024 after a brief illness.  Mr. Cyphers was 85.

Charles Cyphers was a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  He also earned a BA in theatre arts from California State University, Los Angeles.  Although best known for his work in television and feature films, Charles Cyphers was proud of his work in L.A. theater.  Mr. Cyphers won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for best performance by an actor for his role in The Caretaker and a dramalogue award for best performance by an actor.

Television projects that feature Charles Cyphers include: The F.B.I.; Cannon (2 episodes); The Manhunter; The Missiles of October; The Six Million Dollar Man (3 episodes); The Bionic Woman; Phyllis; Charlie’s Angels; Roots; Wonder Woman; The Tony Randall Show; Our Town; The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald; Barnaby Jones (4 episodes); The Betty White Show (14 episodes); Alice; Starsky and Hutch (3 episodes); Elvis; Friendly Fire; Lou Grant; Hart to Hart; The Executioner’s Song; The Quest; Benson; Little House: Look Back to Yesterday; The Dukes of Hazzard (2 episodes); Rituals; Airwolf; Matlock; Dallas (2 episodes); Our House; Hill Street Blues (3 episodes); Santa Barbara; Simon & Simon; Night Court; China Beach; 21 Jump Street; Freddy’s Nightmares; Jake and the Fatman; Mancuso, F.B.I.; The Outsiders; Murder She Wrote; Roc; F.B.I.: The Untold Stories; Renegade; Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; California Dreams; SeaQuest 2032; The George Carlin Show (3 episodes); Slider; Deadly Games; Seinfeld; ER; Jag; The George Wendt Show; Murder One (4 episodes); Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher (41 episodes); Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Pensacola: Wings of Gold and Any Day Now (2 episodes).

Feature films that Charles Cyphers appeared in include: Cool Breeze; Truck Turner; Vigilante Force; Assault on Precinct 13; MacArthur; Coming Home; Gray Lady Down; Halloween; A Force of One; The Onion Field; The Fog; Borderline; Escape from New York; Halloween II; Death Wish II; Honkytonk Man; Grizzly II: The Revenge; Big Bad Mama II; Major League; Gleaming the Cube; Loaded Weapon I; Murder in the First and Halloween Kills.

I probably first saw Charles Cyphers on one of his television guest appearances since he appeared on many of the shows we regularly watched.  I first took notice of him with Escape from New York.  After that I noticed him whenever he popped up in a movie of television appearance.  What a great career Mr. Cyphers had.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Charles Cypher’s family, friends and fans.