“Peninsula” (2020) Presented by “Train to Busan” / Z-View

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Peninsula (2020)

Director:  Yeon Sang-ho

Screenplay: Yeon Sang-ho, Ryu Yong-jae

Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Kwon Hae-hyo, Kim Min-jae, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Do-yoon, Lee Re and Lee Ye-won.

Tagline: Escape the Apocalypse

The Plot…

A zombie virus outbreak left South Korea a wasteland.  When the apocalypse started, Jung-seok, a Korean marine, brought his sister, her husband and their little boy to a military safe location.  While there a man infected with the zombie virus made it through.  When the man turned, Jung-seok’s sister and child were killed.  Both Jung-seok and his brother-in-law have carried the guilt of not being able to save them.

Four years later, Jung-seok (now a civilian), his brother-in-law and two others are offered a job that will make them rich.  Chinese gangsters say that a truck containing $20 million is located in the Busan peninsula.  If the four can make it to the truck and bring it back, they are promised $10 million to split.

Jung-seok and his three partners take the gig.  They know the area is overrun with zombies.  What they don’t know is that a rouge military and others have made the area home. And they don’t like strangers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a huge fan of Train to Busan. I consider it a classic zombie movie.  So you can imagine my anticipation to see Train to Busan‘s writer/director Yeon Sang-ho’s sequel, Peninsula.  Sang-ho cowrote and directed Peninsula.  Unfortunately it falls short of the original.  I’m reminded of how I felt after seeing Escape from LA since I loved Escape from New York.

Although Peninsula is a Train to Busan sequel, no characters from the original film appear.  It’s another story set in the same world as the first film.  I wouldn’t mind seeing more tales from Busan.

Peninsula (2020) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Three the Hard Way” (1974) starring Jim Brown, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly / Z-View

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Three the Hard Way (1974)

Director:  Gordon Parks Jr.

Screenplay: Eric Bercovici, Jerrold L. Ludwig

Stars: Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly, Sheila Frazier, Jay Robinson, Richard Angarola, Marian Collier,
Alex Rocco, Corbin Bernsen and Howard Platt.

Tagline: Action explodes all over the place when the big three join forces to save their race!

The Plot…

When Jimmy Lait’s (Brown) friend unexpectedly shows up with a gunshot wound, Lait gets him to a hospital.  Almost delirious and dying, Lait’s friend says “they’re going to kill us all… just us”.  Later that night, Lait’s friend is executed.

Lait does some digging and learns that a white supremist group plans to poison the water supply of Detroit, Washington, D.C. and LA.  The poison is fatal only to African Americans.  Lait recruits two of his friends, Jagger Daniels (Williamson) and Mister Keyes (Kelly) to help him take down the Neo-Nazis before they can wipe out thousands.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was in ninth grade my girlfriend and I went to see Three the Hard Way.  It was playing as part of a double feature with Return of the Dragon.  When my girlfriend (now my wife) realized the plot of Three the Hard Way, she whispered, “We’re the only white people in here.”  I said, “We’ll be alright.”  And of course we were.  I liked Three the Hard Way a lot better seeing it in a theater in the ninth grade.

Three the Hard Way features Corbin Bernsen’s first credited feature film role.  Corbin’s father was co-producer of the film.

If you’re a fan of kung fu and blaxploitation movies, you should enjoy Three the Hard Way.

Three the Hard Way (1974) rates 2 of 5 stars

“1923”: Season 2 (2025) written by Taylor Sheridan, directed by Ben Richardson, starring Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Jerome Flynn and Timothy Dalton / Z-View

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1923: Season 2 (2025)

Written by: Taylor Sheridan (Eps. 1-7)

Directed by: Ben Richardson (Eps. 1-7)

Stars: Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann, Isabel May, Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Michelle Randolph, Timothy Dalton, Caleb Martin, Robert Patrick, Sebastian Roché, Michael Spears, Jamie McShane, Madison Elise Rogers, Brian Konowal, Jeremy Gauna, Jennifer Carpenter, James Healy Jr. and C. Thomas Howell.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Season 2 picks up where season 1 left off.

1923 follows three main storylines:

  • John Dutton is trying to hold the ranch together.  One of the most brutal winters in memory has set in.  Cattle prices are down. The bank won’t loan enough money to buy hay to feed the heard.  The sadistic and super rich landowner Donald Whitfield (Dalton) has moved forward with plans to steal the Dutton spread.  Since he couldn’t buy the land, Whitfield has recruited a motley group of gun thugs to kill everyone on Dutton land.  Whitfield will then get the land for the cost of back taxes.
  • Spencer Dutton (Sklenar), a decorated War hero and big game hunter meets multiple challenges (that’s an understatement) as he travels home.  Spencer became separated from his new bride Alexandra.  She’s also on a journey to meet Spencer at the Dutton ranch in Montana.  For all the setbacks hindering Spencer, Alexandra is running into even more.  If Spencer doesn’t make it home in time, all will be lost.
  • Teonna Rainwater (Nieves) is still on the run.  She killed in self-defense, but the Marshall and Priest chasing her just want her dead.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kudos to series creator (and writer of each episode) Taylor Sheridan.  There is no sophomore slump with 1923.  Each storyline remains compelling with characters that you love or hate.  It’s so well written, acted and directed that when the storyline shifts from one to the next, you don’t mind.  In addition to the three main intertwined stories, there are additional characters with side stories.

1923 continues to be perfectly cast from the starring roles to the smallest guest appearances.  The direction, editing and music jell to create one of the best shows on television.  Although I’m sad to see it end, the story has been told and it’s epic.

1923: Season 2 (2025) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Black Belt Jones” (1974) starring Jim Kelly / Z-View

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Black Belt Jones (1974)

Director:  Robert Clouse

Screenplay: Oscar Williams, story by Fred Weintraub, Alexandra Rose

Stars: Jim Kelly, Gloria Hendry, Scatman Crothers, Alan Weeks, Andre Philippe, Eddie Smith, Alex Brown, Earl Jolly Brown, Marla Gibbs, Ted Lange, Robert Wall  and Eric Laneuville.

Tagline: Enter Jim ”Dragon” Kelly. He clobbers the mob as BLACK BELT JONES.

The Plot…

When the mafia learns of a new civic center set to be constructed, they buy up all of the land except for one building.  It is owned by “Pop” Byrd and houses his karate dojo.  When “Pop” refuses to sell out, they send in a local drug dealer and his crew.  They figure after a beating or two, “Pop’ will happily sell out.

They didn’t know “Pop” was friends with Black Belt Jones.  Their mistake.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

 Warner Bros. made Black Belt Jones after the success of Enter the Dragon (and death of Bruce Lee).  Black Belt Jones reteams Enter the Dragon‘s director, Robert Claus and co-star Jim Kelly.  The film was marketed to make sure fans wouldn’t miss the connection.

If you’re a fan of kung fu and blaxploitation movies, you should enjoy Black Belt Jones.

Black Belt Jones (1974) rates 3 of 5 stars

“A Southern Yankee” (1948) starring Red Skelton / Z-View

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A Southern Yankee (1948)

Director:  Edward Sedgwick

Screenplay: Harry Tugend, written by Melvin Frank, Norman Panama; based on  Buster Keaton‘s The General.

Stars: Red Skelton, Brian Donlevy, Arlene Dahl, George Coulouris, Lloyd Gough and  John Ireland.

Tagline: HE’S A SPY FOR BOTH SIDES!

The Plot…

The year is 1865.  The Civil War is winding down, but spies are still a danger. Especially in a Union Army town. Aubrey Filmore (Skelton) is a hotel bellman who dreams of catching a rebel spy.  Problem is, Aubrey struggles to be an effective bellman.  He just isn’t soldier material.

When word arrives that the rebel spy known as The Grey Spider is coming to town, Aubrey goes on full alert.  Totally by accident, Aubrey discovers The Grey Spider’s identity and plans.  When The Grey Spider discovers Aubrey, Aubrey accidentally knocks him out.  Aubrey then turns The Grey Spider over to Colonel Baker.  Because nobody knows what The Grey Spider looks like, it is decided that Aubrey should impersonate him and go behind enemy lines.

It’s a suicide mission, but as Colonel Baker, “What do we have to lose.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

 A Southern Yankee is loosely based on Buster Keaton’s The General.  Buster Keaton was on set some during filming of A Southern Yankee and helped come up with the gags.

A Southern Yankee (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Raging Bull” (1980) directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert DeNiro, Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci / Z-View

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Raging Bull (1980)

Director:  Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin; based on RAGING BULL: MY STORY by Jake LaMotta, Joseph Carter, Peter Savage

Stars: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana, Mario Gallo, Frank Adonis, Bernie Allen  and Charles Scorsese.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The rise and fall of former middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta.  LaMotta was known as the Raging Bull because of his quick temper and violence in the ring.  Sadly out of the ring, he was just as fast to fly into a rage and get physical with his family and friends. Life is hard on everyone when you’re your own worst enemy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Raging Bull was nominated for eight 1981 Academy Awards and won two…

  • Nominee for Best Picture – Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Joe Pesci
  • Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Cathy Moriarty
  • Nominee for Best Director – Martin Scorsese
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography – Michael Chapman
  • Nominee for Best Sound – Donald O. Mitchell, Bill Nicholson, David J. Kimball, Les Lazarowitz
  • Winner for Best Film Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Robert De Niro

Robert DeNiro worked for over four years to convince Martin Scorsese to make Raging Bull.  Scorsese was coming off New York, New York, which had failed to live up to expectations, and a cocaine overdose.  Although he didn’t like sports movies, Scorsese gave in.  The movie revitalized Scorsese’s career and shot DeNiro to superstardom.

DeNiro gained sixty pounds to play LaMotta in later life.  They shot the early scenes and then shut down production for a four months to give DeNiro time to add the weight.

Jake LaMotta gave his autobiography to Robert DeNiro with an inscription saying DeNiro was the only actor to play him.  When the film was made LaMotta was often on the set.

Raging Bull features Cathy Moriarty’s film debut.

John Turturro makes his film debut as the man at table at Webster Hall.

When Jake LaMotta saw the finished film, he asked his former wife, Vickie LaMotta, if he was really that bad.  ‘Worse” she replied.  And he really was.  The movie just touches on some of the worst aspects of his life.

Raging Bull (1980) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Isle of Fury” (1936) starring Humphrey Bogart / Z-View

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Isle of Fury (1936)

Director:  Frank McDonald

Screenplay: Robert Hardy Andrews, William Jacobs; based on THE NARROW CORNER by W. Somerset Maugham

Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Margaret Lindsay, Donald Woods, E.E. Clive and George Regas.

Tagline: IN LOVE WITH THE MAN SWORN TO CAPTURE HER HUSBAND DEAD OR ALIVE!

The Plot…

On a terrible stormy night on the island of Tankana, Val Stevens and Lucille Gordon are being married.  During the ceremony word is brought that a ship has hit the off shore reef and is sinking.  Val rushes the wedding vows, calls for some of his workers and goes with them in an attempt to find survivors.

Val is able to save two.  Deever, the ship’s Captain and a man named Eric Blake.  In short order, Val and Blake become good friends. Such good friends in fact, that Val offers Blake to join him in Val’s pearl harvesting business.  What Val doesn’t know is that Eric and Val’s wife are falling in love.  And maybe worse, Val came to the island to bring Val back to the United States where he is wanted for murder!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

 Humphrey Bogart wears a mustache that gets my vote for one of the worst in cinema history.

Isle of Fury at just one hour.  Perhaps that’s why it feels short on characterization.

Isle of Fury (1936) rates 2 of 5 stars

The RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON by Max Allan Collins is Coming!

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Dashiell Hammet’s THE MALTESE FALCON is not only a classic noir novel, but also the same could be said for the 1941 John Huston (writer/director) movie adaptation.  On January 6, 2026, Max Allan Collins and Hard Case Crime present RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON.  Here’s the lowdown…

Hardboiled noir that picks up where legendary author Dashiell Hammett left off, telling the story of iconic private eye Sam Spade and the quest for the priceless Maltese Falcon.

THE GREATEST PRIVATE EYE OF ALL TIME RETURNS TO FINISH THE JOB

Legendary mystery writer Dashiell Hammett only wrote one novel about detective Sam Spade: THE MALTESE FALCON, the most famous private eye story ever told. But the case was never really solved – the priceless golden, bejeweled bird that men and women had been dying to possess turned out to be a fake.

Now, Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Max Allan Collins (author of ROAD TO PERDITION) brings closure to this crime classic, reuniting all the surviving members of the original cast alongside femme fatales, crooked collectors, and greedy gangsters for one more thrilling, deadly chase through the streets, wharves, morgues, bars, and back alleys of 1920s San Francisco – and finally answers the question, Whatever became of the Maltese falcon…?

Pre-orders are available now.