“Play Dirty” written & directed by Shane Black; starring Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Play Dirty written & directed by Shane Black; starring Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Shane Black has written some bangers in the past.  I hope Play Dirty joins the list.  It has a decent cast and is based on the Richard Stark Parker novels.

Deal me in.

It’s time to rob the robbers.

Play Dirty starring Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield is streaming on Prime Video October 1.

An expert thief rolls out the biggest heist of his life in Play Dirty, an action-packed thriller from director Shane Black. Parker (Mark Wahlberg), along with Grofield (LaKeith Stanfield), Zen (Rosa Salazar) and a skilled crew, stumble onto a score that pits them against the New York mob in this gritty, clever caper.

Starring Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key, Chukwudi Iwuji, Nat Wolff with Thomas Jane and Tony Shalhoub

Directed by Shane Black
Written by Shane Black & Charles Mondry & Anthony Bagarozzi
Based on The “Parker” Book Series By Richard Stark

“The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear” (1991) starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley and George Kennedy / Z-View

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)

Director:  David Zucker

Screenplay: David Zucker, Pat Proft; based on Police Squad! by David Zucker,  Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker

Stars: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, O.J. Simpson, Robert Goulet, Richard Griffiths, Jacqueline Brookes, Anthony James, Tim O’Connor, Peter Mark Richman, Peter Van Norden, Gail Neely, Mel Tormé, Zsa Zsa Gabor, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and Lloyd Bochner. 

Tagline: If you see only one movie this year…you ought to get out more often.

The Plot…

Dr. Albert Meinheimer is an advisor to the President.  Meinheimer supports renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.) and plans to get the President to move the country in that direction.  Quentin Hapsburg, of Hexagon Oil has other ideas.  Hapsburg kidnaps Meinheimer and replaces him with a lookalike.

And that’s where Frank Drebin and the police squad come in.

Annnnnnnd action!

 

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you enjoyed Airplane and The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, then you should get a kick out of The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear.

Lloyd Bochner has a brief cameo.  He is seen in a crowd carrying a large book titled TO SERVE MAN, as he yells, “It’s a cookbook!  It’s a cookbook!”.  This of course refers to the classic Twilight Zone episode, To Serve Man which he starred in.

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) rates 4 of 5 stars

“The Wire: Season Two” created by David Simon / Z-View

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The Wire: Season 2 (2003)

Created by: David Simon

Teleplay by: (eps. 1-3, 6, 9, 12) David Simon from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns; (ep.4) Joy Lusco from a story by David Simon, Joy Lusco; (ep. 5, 10) Ed Burns from a story by David Simon, Ed Burns; (ep. 7) Rafael Alvarez from a story by David Simon, Rafael Alvarez; (ep. 8, 11) George Pelecanos from a story by David Simon, George P. Pelecanos.

Directed by: Ed Bianchi (eps. 1-2); Elodie Keene (eps. 3-4); Steve Shill (eps. 5-6); Thomas J. Wright (ep. 7); Dan Attias (ep. 8); Tim Van Patten (ep. 9); Rob Bailey (ep. 10);  (ep. 11); Ernest Dickerson (ep. 11); Robert F. Colesberry (ep. 12)

Stars: Dominic West, Chris Bauer, Paul Ben-Victor, John Doman, Idris Elba, Wood Harris, Deirdre Lovejoy, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Amy Ryan, Sonja Sohn, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Jim True-Frost, Andre Royo, James Ransone, Pablo Schreiber, Al Brown, Frankie Faison, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Bill Raymond, Hassan Johnson, Delaney Williams, Maria Broom, Callie Thorne, Michael K. Williams, Charley Scalies, Melanie Nicholls-King and Robert Hogan.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When one woman is found dead floating in the in the Port of Baltimore, the investigation turns up a shipping container full of dead women.  Human traffickers are bringing in young girls on cargo ships along with drugs and weapons.  This wouldn’t happen without support from dock workers.

The major crimes unit, is told to change their focus from bringing down the Barksdale crime family to solving the murders on the docks.

But maybe they can work on both… if they don’t mind working out of the chain of command.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Wire continues to look and feel real. In fact some of the smaller roles (both police and criminals) are played by real-life police and criminals.  Some of the characters are based on real-life people and events.

The series is well written, well directed and well acted.  So many of the unknown actors (when the series started) went on to have great careers.

I love that the series spends as much time with the criminals as the cops.  It’s interesting to see both groups struggling to stay one step ahead of the other.

Chris Bauer as Frank Sobotka is a great addition to the cast.  If Rocky was remade in 2003, Bauer could have played Paulie.

When I saw that the docks were going to be a major location, I was worried.  I loved the city beat and the team working to take down the Barksdale family.  I shouldn’t have been concerned.  The story just got bigger without losing it’s focus.  Kudos to the writers for making each character and storyline important.

I cannot wait to start season 3.

The Wire: Season 2 (2003) earns 5 of 5 stars.

Rocky at 50 by John Beatty!

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I was diggin’ through the Zablo vault and came across this sketch of Sly Stalloneas Rocky at 50 that John Beatty gifted me waaay back in 1998.  John was just messing around with no reference. I love the looseness of the lower part of this sketch.  Contrast that with the upper piece that John tightened up.  It’s cool to see the foundation and thought process as an artist as he/she moves through a piece.

Who knew that eight years later Sly would make Rocky Balboa?  Maybe Beatty did!

“Chinatown” (1974) written by Robert Towne; directed by Roman Polanski; starring Jack Nicholson & Faye Dunaway / Z-View

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Chinatown (1974)

Director:  Roman Polanski

Screenplay: Robert Towne

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez, John Hillerman, Darrell Zwerling, Diane Ladd, Roy Jenson, Richard Bakalyan, Joe Mantell, Bruce Glover, James Hong, Jerry Fujikawa, Rance Howard, Burt Young  and Roman Polanski. 

Tagline: You get tough. You get tender. You get close to each other. Maybe you even get close to the truth.

The Plot…

The year is 1937.  It’s been a hot summer and Los Angeles is going through a terrible drought.  The heat is putting folks on edge.  Especially farmers.

Jake Gittes is a private detective.  His bread and butter is getting the goods on cheating spouses. So when Evelyn Mulwray hires Jake to find out if her husband, Hollis, is cheating he does.  Hollis is.  Jake gives the photos to prove it to Mrs. Mulwray.

When the compromising photos of Hollis and a young woman (definitely not his wife) show up in the paper, the affair is made public.  Jake is surprised the pictures were made public, since it wasn’t by him.  Jake is even more surprised when the real Mrs. Mulwray shows up at his office threatening legal action.  Jake was duped.

But why?

When Hollis Mulwray is found dead in an L.A. reservoir.  Jake decides to investigate. That night he heads down to the reservoir.  Suddenly water begins rushing through the basin.  Jake makes it out only to be confronted by the Water Department Security Chief Claude Mulvihill and a short thug. Mulvihill warns Jake to stop asking questions.  The little gangster pulls a knife.  He asks Jake if he understands what happens to people who stick their nose where it doesn’t belong.  He then shows him.

Jake is even more determined to find answers.  Why was he set up?  Why was Hollis Mullwray killed?  Who killed him? Why are huge amounts of water being wasted nightly in the middle of a drought?  Jake wants answers.  In his search for the truth, Jake will uncover a sinister secret that had been hidden for years.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Chinatown was nominated for eleven 1975 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score – Jerry Goldsmith
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Sam O’Steen
  • Nominee for Best Sound – Charles Grenzbach, Larry Jost
  • Nominee for Best Costume Design – Anthea Sylbert
  • Nominee for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration – Richard Sylbert, W. Stewart Campbell, Ruby R. Levitt
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography – John A. Alonzo
  • Nominee for Best Director – Roman Polanski
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Faye Dunaway
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Jack Nicholson
  • Nominee for Best Picture – Robert Evans
  • Winner for Best Writing, Original Screenplay – Robert Towne

Jack Nicholson actually slaps Faye Dunaway in the movie.  They had tried several takes where they faked the slap and they didn’t look real.  So Dunaway told Nicholson to really slap her.  He did and that is the shot that was used.

Dunaway and director Roman Polanski clashed several times during filming.  At one point she asked what her character’s motivation was for a scene.  Polanski responded with, “Just say the f***ing words. Your salary is your motivation!”

Ali McGraw was originally scheduled to play Evelyn Mulwray.  She lost the role when she left her husband for Steve McQueen.  McGraw’s husband was Chinatown‘s producer, Robert Evans.

Phillip Lambro wrote the film’s music score.  After a test screening, Robert Evans decided a new score was needed. Jerry Goldsmith was hired with only 10 days to write and record a new score.  Goldsmith’s score was nominated for an Academy Award.

Chinatown is a classic.  Most reviewers and audiences rate it a 5 out of 5.  I liked it a lot, but not as much as most folks.  Your mileage may vary.

Chinatown (1974) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Bitter Root: The Next Movement” by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown & Sanford Greene – Preorders Available Now!

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I am a huge fan of Bitter Root by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown and Sanford Greene.  So you’d be right to think that picking up Bitter Root Volume 4: The Next Movement is a no-brainer.  Here’s the lowdown…

A Lie built a House of Oppression. The Bitter Truth will burn it down.

It is 1964, the height of the Civil Rights Movement. A group of activists have gone missing, and a new generation of the Sangerye family must face a menace far worse than anything their ancestors ever encountered. The monstrous jinoo—creatures born out of hate and racism—have evolved into a threat that few people are willing to acknowledge, and even fewer know how to fight.

A bold new chapter in the epic saga of the multiple Eisner Award-winning series collects BITTER ROOT: THE NEXT MOVEMENT #1-5.

Pre-orders for the October 28, 2025 release are available now.

Deal me in.

Jack Carter & Massimo Miller – Rich Hennemann Goes Full Tilt!

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Rich Hennemann is a freelance artist. A few years ago I picked up his sketchbook and a sketch and I was hooked. Since then I’ve gotten several sketches from Rich. The one above is my most recent.

I requested Sly Stallone as Jack Carter teamed with Massimo Miller from Jason Copland’s FULL TILT (which gets my highest recommendation!).   Rich came through like he always does.  He absolutely nailed the piece.  Great likenesses, atmosphere, attitude and setting.  I couldn’t be more pleased.

“Occupation” (2018) / Z-View

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Occupation (2018)

Director:  Luke Sparke

Screenplay: Luke Sparke

Stars: Dan Ewing, Temuera Morrison, Stephany Jacobsen, Jacqueline McKenzie and Bruce Spence. 

Tagline: First contact will be mankind’s last stand.

The Plot…

When a world-wide alien invasion begins a group of small town Australians band together to fight back.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Luke Sparke pitched the movie as “Independence Day crossed with Red Dawn“.  Great concept, but poor execution.  I tapped out at the 67 minute mark.

Occupation (2018) rates 1 of 5 stars

“Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” – Two Teasers & One Poster Are Here!

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Here we have two trailers and one poster for Splinter Cell: Deathwatch coming to Netflix on October 14th.

Deal me in.

Get your first look at Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, a new animated series from Netflix and Ubisoft Film & Television coming soon. #GeekedWeek

From the creator of the “John Wick” franchise comes Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, a new animated series from Netflix and Ubisoft, inspired by the iconic video game franchise.

Liev Schreiber is Sam Fisher, only on Netflix on October 14th.

“Freaky Tales” (2024) starring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn and Jay Ellis / Z-View

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Freaky Tales (2024)

Director:  Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Screenplay: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Stars: Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Too $hort, Jack Champion and Tom Hanks. 

Tagline: In 1987, Oakland was hella freaky.

The Plot…

Freaky Tales features four fictionalized interconnected stories about real events that took place in Oakland, California in 1987.

  • “Strength in Numbers: The Gilman Strikes Back” – A group of skinheads attacks kids attending a punk rock nightclub.  It’s not the first time.  It won’t be the last.  But the kids have had enough.  Next time they’ll be prepared to strike back.  Hard.

 

  • “Don’t Fight the Feeling” – Two young women, Barbie and Entice leave the punk rock nightclub just before the skinheads attack.  Barbie and Entice are rappers who preform under the stage name Danger Zone.  They want to be stars.  And they will get an opportunity… if they can rise to the occasion.

 

  • “Born to Mack” – Clint wants to end his life of crime.  His wife is pregnant and will deliver his first child soon.  Unfortunately Clints bosses want him to perform one last job — something to do with a pro basketball player.

 

  • “The Legend of Sleepy Floyd” – While Sleepy Floyd, a pro basketball player, is having a record setting game, his house is being robbed by a group of skinheads.  During the robbery his girlfriend is murdered.  Little do the skinheads know, they picked on the wrong guy.  Sleepy not only has super martial arts skills, he has supernatural powers.  And he will have his revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Freaky Tales has it’s moments, but it was just a little too, freaky for me.

Freaky Tales (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars