Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
The poster and trailer for Predator: Killer of Killers from Prey director Dan Trachtenberg is here.
Watch the new trailer for Predator: Killer of Killers.
An all-new movie from the director of Prey, Dan Trachtenberg.
Streaming June 6 on Hulu and with #HuluOnDisneyPlus.
Compulsion (1959)
Director: Richard Fleischer
Screenplay: Richard Murphy; based on COMPULSION by Meyer Levin
Stars: Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Diane Varsi, Bradford Dillman, E.G. Marshall, Martin Milner, Richard Anderson, Robert F. Simon, Edward Binns, Robert Burton, Louise Lorimer, John Alban, Don Anderson, Terry Becker, Russ Bender and Gavin MacLeod .
Tagline: You know why we did it? Because we damn well felt like doing it!
The Plot…
Judd Steiner and Artie Straus are best friends. It’s only natural. They have much in common. Both are from wealthy families. They travel in the most elite social circles. Both Judd and Artie have superior intellects. Although still in their late teens, they’re law students.
Judd and Artie see everyone as less than them. They feel because they are so intellectually superior laws don’t apply to them. To that end, they have been committing small crimes just to prove they’re are so smart that they would never be caught.
Then they decide to commit the ultimate crime.
Murder.
They pick a young boy at random and kill him.
They’re confident that they left no clues. And even more sure that if they did, with their superior intellect, no one could trip them up.
The best laid plans…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Compulsion is based on the real life murder trial of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. Leopold and Loeb kidnapped and murdered a fourteen year old boy. They did it to prove to themselves their superior intellect would allow them to commit the perfect crime. Their families hired Clarence Darrow to defend them. At the time, the case was considered the trial of the century.
When the film came out, Leopold sued for invasion of privacy. Because he had written a book about the crime himself, he didn’t prevail. (Loeb wasn’t involved in the lawsuit. He had been killed by another prison years before.)
Orson Welles received top billing but doesn’t appear on screen until 65 minutes into the 99 minute film.
It’s hard for me to believe that Compulsion wasn’t nominated for a single Academy Award. I could see nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Actor (Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman) and Best Supporting Actor (Orson Welles).
Alfred Hitchcock did his own loose adaption of the Leopold-Loeb murder with his film Rope.
Compulsion (1959) rates 5 of 5 stars
I love Joseba Alexander‘s Dracula drawing. I wouldn’t mind a full-length story by Alexander featuring his take on the King of the Vampires.
MUSCLE by John Davies
First sentence…
Saturday night at the Hive was quieter than usual.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Frankie Collins is a legitimate tough guy. Everything he’s earned in life, including his reputation, he got because of his ability to fight. Frankie’s older now, but his reputation holds. Although Frankie has a business, he still works as a bouncer so folks know he hasn’t gotten soft.
Because of his reputation, there’s seldom trouble when Frankie’s at the door. So when a young wanna-be gangster gets crossways with Frankie, tension fills the air. The kid is cocky but no fool. Time passes. Bad looks turn to words. Then the kid does something that demands a response.
Frankie is surprised when the kid publicly challenges him to a street fight. No weapons, but anything else goes. Of course Frankie accepts.
In a few days they will fight. Frankie knows if the kid beats him, he’ll lose more than the fight. The kid is younger. Maybe stronger. Frankie starts to have doubts. Is he too old? Does he still have it in him? Frankie knows he will die before he would ever quit. And that would soon the kid just fine.
++++
MUSCLE is a lean mean novella. If you think you know how this one ends, think again.
Rating:
Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Director: Terence Fisher
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster; based on FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley
Stars: Peter Cushing, Hazel Court, Christopher Lee.
Tagline: PLEASE TRY NOT TO FAINT. Not recommended for people of nervous disposition.
The Plot…
As he waits for his execution, Victor Frankenstein recounts how he ended up headed to the gallows. Frankenstein was obsessed with bringing the dead back to life since he was a boy. Working with Paul Krempe, another scientist, the two achieved success with reviving a dead dog.
Krempe wanted to share their results with the world. Frankenstein wanted to keep their success a secret and begin experimenting with reviving dead humans. Very quickly Krempe sees that Frankenstein is obsessed. Frankenstein robs graves, pays for body parts and even resorts to murder to get the parts he needs.
When his creature comes to life, Frankenstein is shocked to learn he cannot control it. And the monster isn’t happy.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Curse of Frankenstein was a huge box office success. Over the years, the film’s reputation has grown. I’m in the minority, because the movie just doesn’t resonate with me. I hate the creature’s design. It reminds me of a bad attempt to monsterize Cesare the the somnambulist from 1920’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Dr. Frankenstein is totally unlikable, so who cares if he hangs?
Christopher Lee (who plays the monster) reportedly complained to Peter Cushing during the start of filming, that he had no lines. Cushing replied, “You’re lucky. I’ve read the script.” If this isn’t true, it should be.
As always, your mileage may vary but for me…
Curse of Frankenstein (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars
John Wick’s Fight with Tomahawks by Alyn Spiller!
Peacemaker: Season 1 (2022)
Created by: James Gunn; based on characters from DC Comics
Director: James Gunn (Eps. 1-3, 6, 8), Jody Hill (Ep. 4), Rosemary Rodriguez (Ep. 5); Brad Anderson (Ep. 7)
Teleplay by: James Gunn
Starring: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Dee Bradley Baker, Chukwudi Iwuji, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow, Crystal Mudry, Elizabeth McCarthy Meek, Lenny Jacobson, Kevin O’Grady, Natalia Safran, Darryl Scheelar, Christopher Heyerdahl, Ryan Jefferson Booth and Robert Patrick.
Tagline: They Give Peace a Bad Name
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Chris Smith aka Peacemaker wants to be a hero for peace. He doesn’t care how many people he has to kill to achieve it. Smith is recruited to join Task Force X and is given a support team to assist with his missions.
When things go sideways, it appears there is a mole on the team. But who? When Vigilante and Judomaster show up, things get even crazier. And that’s before Smith’s father who is prison attempts to sell out his son and the team. Oh, and did I mention that there’s an alien invasion brewing?
Thoughts
Peacemaker received one 2022 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program – Wayne Dalglish (stunt coordinator), Gaston Morrison (stunt coordinator)
James Gunn wrote all episodes on spec!
Each episodes features a post-credits scene.
The series takes place in Charlton County as an Easter Egg to fans. Peacemaker was first published by Charlton Comics.
Peacemaker is a fun show… even more so for comic fans. Bring on season 2.
I love that Sinners is inspiring artists to come up with amazing posters to celebrate the movie. This beauty is by Liza Shumska.
Tom Ralston nailed his faux paperback cover for The Terminator.
It was announced today that Joe Don Baker died on May 7, 2025. No cause of death was given. Mr. Baker was 89.
Joe Don Baker was a high school standout in football and basketball. He attended North Texas State College on a sports scholarship. Mr. Baker graduated with a BA in Business Administration. Joe Don Baker then served two years in the US Army. After his enlistment, Mr. Baker moved to New York City to attend the Actors Studio.
Joe Don Baker began getting stage work as well as guest appearances on television shows. Mr. Baker’s big break came when he played Buford Pusser in Walking Tall. By this point, Joe Don Baker was alternating between feature films and television roles, but Walking Tall was the film that made him famous.
Some of the television projects that feature Joe Don Baker include: Honey West; Iron Horse; Judd for the Defense; The Felony Squad; Bonanza; Gunsmoke (2 episodes); The Big Valley; Mod Squad; Bracken’s World; Lancer (3 episodes); The F.B.I.; The Most Deadly Game; The High Chaparral; Mission Impossible; Welcome Home Soldier Boys; Ironside; That Certain Summer; Doc Elliott; The Streets of San Francisco; To Kill a Cop; Power; Eischied (13 episodes); Edge of Darkness (6 episodes); In the Heat of the Night (4 episodes); Citizen Cohen; The Wild West; Traps; The Siege at Ruby Ridge; George Wallace; Poodle Springs and The Cleaner.
Some of Joe Don Bakers’ feature film appearances include: Cool Hand Luke; Guns of the Magnificent Seven; Wild Rovers; Junior Bonner; The Valachi Papers; Walking Tall; Charley Varrick; The Outfit; The Natural; Fletch; The Living Daylights; Cape Fear; Reality Bites; Congo; Goldeneye; Mars Attacks!; Tomorrow Never Dies; Joe Dirt; The Commission; The Dukes of Hazzard and Mud.
It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw Joe Don Baker because he appeared in so many of the shows I watched as a kid. I do remember how much buzz he got for starring as Buford Pusser in Walking Tall. I always enjoyed seeing Joe Don Baker show up in a show or movie, because he made everything he was in better.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Don Baker’s family, friends and fans.
Count the Hours (1953)
Director: Don Siegel
Screenplay: Doane R. Hoag, Karen DeWolf; story by Doane R. Hoag
Stars: Teresa Wright, Macdonald Carey, Dolores Moran, Adele Mara, Edgar Barrier, Ralph Dumke and Jack Elam.
Tagline: Strange things happen in the night!
The Plot…
Late one night, Fred Morgan and his live-in housekeeper are killed during a home invasion/robbery. The next morning the bodies are discovered and the police arrive. George and Ellen Braden are the first to be questioned.
George and Ellen Braden live in a small house on the farm and assist with the chores. George says they didn’t hear anything. His wife says she heard gunshots and told George. This makes the police suspicious. The couple are brought in for more questioning. Sixteen hours later George says he’ll sign anything to get them to let up on his wife.
George is charged with the murder of Fred Morgan and his housekeeper. Doug Madison is assigned to serve as George’s defense counsel. Doug starts out believing George is guilty. Slowly as Doug digs into the case, he changes his mind. With all the evidence pointing to guilt and George’s life on the line, the clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Count the Hours is a low budget thriller made in just 9 days!
John Alton, the Director of Photography, was given a budget of $4,000.00 for all of the equipment for rigging (overhead lighting, cables, brackets, piping, etc.). Alton told the Producer that if he was given a raise of $2,000.00 to his salary, he would do it without rigging. The lack of traditional studio lighting greatly contributes to the film’s atmosphere.
Director Don Siegel’s sixth outing as a feature film director. His excellent direction (along with John Alton’s lighting) help make this low budget thriller a winner.
Count the Hours (1953) rates 3 of 5 stars
If crime is a disease, Ethan Pro would like you to meet the cure.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017)
Director: S. Craig Zahler
Screenplay: S. Craig Zahler
Stars: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Don Johnson, Victor Almanzar, Willie C. Carpenter, Mustafa Shakir, Clark Johnson, Michael Medeiros, Jonathan Lee and Tom Guiry.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Bradley Thomas is a 6’5″ bruiser with an anger problem. When Bradley is laid off and unable to get work, he turns to dealing drugs. Things go well for a while. Then Bradley’s boss gets a new partner named Eleazar. When Bradley is sent on a delivery with two of Eleazar’s thugs, things go sideways. After a shootout with the police, Bradley is arrested, tried and sentenced to seven years in a medium-security prison.
Eleazar reaches out to Bradley. Eleazar threatens to kill Bradley unborn child unless Bradley kills another inmate. The problem is the other inmate is in Redleaf, a maximum security prison reserved for the worst of the worst.
Bradley does what he must to get transferred to Redleaf. Once there, Bradley is the target of Warden Tuggs and the guards. Worse still, Bradley learns that Eleazar and his gang on inmates of the prison. Bradley has been set up for execution.
With no options and only a desire to save his wife and unborn child, Bradley prepares for what comes next.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you only know Vince Vaughn from comedies, check out Brawl in Cell Block 99. You’ll believe he’s a thug. He put on 15 pounds of muscle working out for the role.
Don Johnson is excellent.
S. Craig Zahler wrote Brawl in Cell Block 99 before Bone Tomahawk.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) rates 5 of 5 stars
Tony Stella shows once again, with this Predator poster, why is he one of the best in the business.
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Director: Drew Goddard
Screenplay: Drew Goddard
Stars: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Mayo Methot, Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman, Nick Offerman, Mark O’Brien, Charles Halford and Shea Whigham.
Tagline: Seven strangers. Seven secrets. All roads lead here.
The Plot…
1959. The El Royale used to be THE place to stay. Now it’s luster is gone. Felix O’Kelly checks in and hides a bag of money under the floorboards of a room. Not long after, O’Kelly’s partner shows up.
And kills O’Kelly.
Ten years pass. The El Royale is a dump.
One night four strangers arrive separately and check into separate rooms. The four are: a priest named Daniel Flynn, a singer named Darlene Sweet, a salesman named Laramie Seymour Sullivan and a free spirit who calls herself Emily Summerspring. Some of the four are not as they appear. Among them is an FBI agent on a mission for J. Edgar Hoover. One is looking for the missing bag of money. The night will also involve a kidnapping, a cult and murder(s).
This night will be full of bad times at the El Royale.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bad Times at the El Royale is under-rated. Kudos to writer/director Drew Goddard and his great cast.
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) rates 4 of 5 stars
