Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Scott Adkins and Alice Eve star in Take Cover. Check out the poster and trailer!
A burned-out professional sniper (Scott Atkins) finds himself trapped in an all-glass penthouse by a lethal competitor and must find a way to survive and escape with little to no cover between him and the killer.
In Theaters and On Demand October 4.
No Questions Asked (1951)
Director: Harold F. Kress
Screenplay: Sidney Sheldon; story by Berne Giler
Stars: Barry Sullivan, Arlene Dahl, Jean Hagen, Richard Anderson, Moroni Olsen, Danny Dayton, William Phipps, Howland Chamberlain and Robert Osterloh.
Tagline: M-G-M presents the inside story of the men and their women in the “stolen goods” racket.
The Plot…
Steve Keiver (Sullivan) wants to marry Ellen Sayburn (Dahl). Trouble is he can’t afford her lifestyle. Not on his insurance investigator’s salary. When some valuable furs are stolen, Keiver gets a brainstorm. It’s risky, but Ellen is worth it.
Keiver meets with some locally known mobsters. Keiver puts out word he will accept the furs, no questions asked. In turn he will pay them $7,500 of the $10,000 insurance reward. Keiver will keep $2,500 for his trouble.
Surprisingly, Keiver’s deal is accepted. Keiver takes the money to buy a ring for Ellen. Then he learns that she’s with someone else. So when mobsters come to Keiver with more stolen goods, he’s more than eager to act as the go-between with the insurance companies. The insurance companies like getting the goods back, but aren’t too happy with Keiver. The cops even less so. But he’s not doing anything illegal. Immoral maybe, but not illegal.
As Keiver gets in deeper with the crooks, it’s only a matter of time before things go sideways. And when things go bad, people get killed.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
No Questions Asked has an interesting idea that quickly loses steam.
No Questions Asked (1951) rates 2 of 5 stars.
London After Midnight is a lost film from 1927. It was directed by Tod “Dracula” Browning and starred Lon “The Man of One Thousand Faces” Chaney.
London After Midnight was one of eight films Browning and Chaney made together, The last known copy of the film was destroyed in the MGM vault fire of 1965. I continue to hope another copy of the film will turn up one day.
Alien Romulus (2024)
Director: Fede Álvarez
Screenplay: Fede Álvarez, Rodo Sayagues; based on characters by Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Stars: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu, Rosie Ede, Daniel Betts and Ian Holm (facial and vocal reference).
Tagline: They went looking for a new life. It found them.
The Plot…
In the year 2142, on the distant mining planet LV-410, workers live on a planet barely hospitable. When the mining company, Weyland-Yutani, unilaterally extends all miners contracts, six friends come up with a plan to escape.
The team consists of…
The plan is to board a derelict spacecraft recently discovered in low orbit. Andy will interface with the ship’s operating system. Then they will access the crio-chambers that will allow them to escape to civilization.
Easy-peasy.
But the best laid plans often go sideways. The friends quickly realize they’re in a fight for their lives when they discover xenomorphs on the ship.
And the xenomorphs discover them.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Alien Romulus takes place between Alien and Aliens. There are many easter eggs / callbacks to both of those films (and others in the franchise including video games).
Fede Álvarez’s direction is top notch. He was the right choice to revitalize the franchise.
David Jonsson is amazing as Andy. I’d never seen Jonsson act before, but he is someone I will watch for.
Alien Romulus (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Here we have the poster and trailer for Killer Heat starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Richard Madden. Looks pretty good so…
Deal me in.
Jealousy can drive you to the edge. KILLER HEAT, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Richard Madden, is streaming on Prime Video September 26.
I’m a Stephen King fan and ‘SALEM’S LOT is one of my favorite novels by him. Loved the 1979 mini-series adaptation, and am looking forward to the new film.
Check out the poster and trailer.
Deal me in.
They used to tell stories about this place.
Based on Stephen King’s terrifying novel, the new Max Original film #SalemsLot, from the creator of The Conjuring Universe and a producer of It, premieres October 3 exclusively on Max.
Nick Kolakowski has a new novel coming out on March 25, 2025. WHERE THE BONES LIE sounds like a winner…
Centered around the small California town of San Douglas, Where the Bones Lie is an electrifying new mystery noir novel, perfect for fans of Jordan Harper.
For Dash Fuller, Hollywood’s underbelly is home sweet home. He’s spent years helping to disappear the film industry’s worst secrets, and it’s left him a cynical burnout who loves bourbon a little too much. But when a young woman named Madeline Ironwood comes to him with a peculiar quest, Dash sees it as a chance for redemption.
Madeline is the daughter of Ken Ironwood, a notorious smuggler and murderer who disappeared 20 years ago. Ken’s skeleton was recently discovered in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake, and Madeline wants to know who killed him.
Dash agrees to help, and as this desperate daughter and jaded cynic claw their way through a world of sun-bleached secrets, crooked cops, and Hollywood thugs, they soon uncover a massive conspiracy involving some of LA’s most powerful people.
Get ready for a fast-paced, darkly funny thriller with a twist you won’t see coming
Preorders are available now.
Revenge of the Creature (1955)
Director: Jack Arnold
Screenplay: Martin Berkeley, story by William Alland
Stars: John Agar, Lori Nelson, John Bromfield, Nestor Paiva, Grandon Rhodes, Dave Willock, Robert B. Williams, Charles Cane, Bill Baldwin, Clint Eastwood, Brett Halsey and Ricou Browning.
Tagline: ALL-NEW 3-D THILLS!
The Plot…
An expedition returns to the Amazon’s Black Lagoon. They capture the Creature and bring it to the Ocean Harbor Oceanarium in Florida. Professor Clete Ferguson (Agar) and Helen Dobson (Nelson) are the two main scientists studying the beast.
The Creature becomes enamored with Helen. When the Creature escapes, it goes after Helen. As one of the movie’s taglines says, “Monster Escapes! Terror Seizes City! …a woman’s beauty the lure for his dangerous desires!“
Oh my!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Revenge of the Creature was originally released in 3D, but theaters could request a regular version. The studio released both since the 3ED craze was dying.
Marineland in Saint Augustine, Florida doubled for the Ocean Harbor Oceanarium. I was in heaven as a kid when I went to Marineland and was able to walk the same paths as The Creature from the Black Lagoon!
Revenge of the Creature falls short of the original.
Ricou Browning appears again (uncredited) playing the Creature. He did appear on-screen as one of the lab technicians. Interestingly enough, Clint Eastwood also appears uncredited as a lab worker.
Revenge of the Creature (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars.
The poster and trailer for Unit 234: The Lock Up are here. It stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Don Johnson and Jack Huston.
Deal me in.
After the discovery of an unconscious man in a locked unit, the lone employee of a remote storage facility must fight to survive the night.
Overtime is hell for Isabelle Fuhrman in this tense white-knuckle thriller. After a shocking discovery of an unconscious man in a locked unit, the lone employee of a remote storage facility must fight to survive the night against a ruthless gang, dead set on retrieving their precious cargo – at any cost.
Starring Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan: First Kill), Don Johnson (Knives Out) and Jack Huston (Kill Your Darlings), Unit 234: The Lock Up is written by Derek Steiner and directed by Andy Tennant (Fool’s Gold).
LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN By Ace Atkins (writer) and Marco Finnegan (artist)
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Nick Travers is a Tulane University blues historian. You’d never know that by just looking. Nick played pro ball for the New Orleans Saints. But those glory days are behind him. Now still a young man, Nick spends time at JoJo’s bar drinking too much and listening to Fats make his sax sing.
Fats is an old-time bluesman and Nick’s friend. Fats’ gambling and drinking often eat up his paycheck before the week is over. So when Fats takes a break, Nick offers to buy him a meal. As they’re talking Fats says that he’s in love. Real love. He’s found a woman and she’s something.
Two days later Fats is dead. Self-inflicted gun shot is the reported cause.
Nick is given the task to clean out Fats’ apartment. It’s a sad job. Too many memories. Then it gets worse. Nick realizes that Fats’ beloved saxophone is missing. Nick is determined to learn who took it.
As Nick begins looking for the sax, he gets information that leads him down a different path. One that involves human trafficking, rich and powerful men and the woman that Fats loved.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I first became aware of Ace Atkins when he took over writing Robert B. Parker’s Spencer novels. Atkins was the perfect choice to continue the series. Which led me to Ace Atkins’ Quinn Colson novels. Each new novel became a must read. So when I learned that Ace had done a graphic novel with Marco Finnegan, it was a quick buy. I wasn’t let down.
Atkins has created a great protagonist. A college professor built like a thug. A bluesman. Someone willing and able to right wrongs and go the distance for a friend. The Nick Travers novels have now moved to my “must-get” list.
Marco Finnegan was a great choice to create the art for this graphic novel. Finnegan was an Atkins fan and actually reached out to Ace with samples of his art. The two hit it off and the end result was LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN. Finnegan’s art is black and white with gray wash which is an excellent choice for a noir story. I’m a fan of Marco’s art thanks to LAST FAIR DEAL.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Chris Brunner’s wraparound cover. It’s the icing on the cake.
LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN By Ace Atkins (writer) and Marco Finnegan (artist) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Rating:
Here’s Richard Amsel’s poster for The Big Sleep. Back in the 1970s, Amsel was one of the most popular artists working. His art graced record and magazine covers, movie posters and more. Sadly, Richard Amsel died when he was just 37 years old.
Fall (2022)
Director: Scott Mann
Screenplay: Scott Mann, Jonathan Frank
Stars: Grace Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardner, Mason Gooding, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jasper Cole, Julia Pace Mitchell.
Tagline: Fear reaches new heights.
The Plot…
Becky (Currey), her husband Dan (Gooding) and their best friend Shiloh (Gardner) are free climbing a mountain when Dan slips and falls to his death.
A year passes.
Becky quit climbing. She drinks too much and sometimes thinks of ending it all. Shiloh is now an internet star. She livestreams her daring climbs. Shiloh visits Becky and hoping to end her depression invites Becky to join her on a climb. Shiloh plans to scale a 2,000 foot decommissioned television tower that sits in a remote desert location.
Becky reluctantly agrees. Both women are having such a blast climbing that they miss some danger signs. They make it to the top of the tower. Then a mishap sends the only ladder crashing down. Stuck 2,000 feet on a small perch in the middle of nowhere… what chance do they have?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Fall was surprisingly good. You’re almost guaranteed to get sweaty palms and stomach butterflies.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s role is so small it’s more of a cameo.
Fall (2022) rates 4 of 5 stars.
The poster is pretty generic, but I like the trailer to Depravity.
Deal me in.
When three residents suspect their reclusive neighbor is a serial killer, they break into his apartment only to uncover a hidden fortune in stolen art. But their discovery turns into a nightmare as they’re ensnared in a sadistic game of survival, where every corner hides a new horror. Outsmart the killer, or become his next victim.
Starring Victoria Justice, Devon Ross, Taylor John Smith, and Dermot Mulroney. From the writer of THE FIGHTER and THE FINEST HOURS.
In Theaters and On Digital October 11, 2024
Wolverine by Marco Turini!
The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019)
Director: Ben Berman
Screenplay: Ben Berman
Stars: John Edward Szeles (aka The Amazing Jonathan), Eric André, Criss Angel, Penn Jillette, Max Maven, Scott ‘Carrot Top’ Thompson and ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic.
Tagline: Magic. Meth. Mayhem.
The Plot…
The Amazing Jonathan was a magician/comedian who regularly appeared on television, in Vegas and around the country. But that was decades ago. After being diagnosed with a fatal heart condition, Jonathan gets the itch to perform again. Ben Berman agrees to create a documentary of Jonathan’s final tour.
Berman begins filming. The Amazing Jonathan has earned enough to live in a mansion and never work again. The stress of preparing for the tour, let alone the actual performing could kill him. So why not live out his final days in the comfort from the wealth he’s earned? Then Berman learns that Jonathan still smokes meth regularly.
Death wish, maybe?
As the documentary continues, Berman discovers that The Amazing Jonathan has another documentary crew filming… and another… ultimately there are four crews with each thinking that they have the rights to The Amazing Jonathan’s story.
The film starts out interesting enough. I remember seeing The Amazing Jonathan perform many times on television. His act was entertaining. As the documentary continued, I began to lose interest. Jonathan comes off in a bad light. It’s not just smoking the meth. What kind of person enters deals with multiple crews for the same thing. And the documentary director decides to smoke meth with Jonathan to prove… what?
The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019) rates 2 of 5 stars.
