“The Glass House” (1972) directed by Tom Gries, screenplay by Tracy Keenan Wynn, starring Vic Morrow, Alan Alda, Clu Gulager & Billy Dee Williams / Z-View

Posted on by

The Glass House aka Truman Capote’s The Glass House (1972)

Director: Tom Gries

Screenplay: Tracy Keenan Wynn; story by Truman Capote, Wyatt Cooper

Stars: Vic Morrow, Alan Alda, Clu Gulager, Billy Dee Williams, Kristoffer Tabori, Scott Hylands, Roy Jenson, Alan Vint, Luke Askew, G. Wood and Dean Jagger.

Tagline: The most brutal prison story ever filmed!

The Plot…

It’s Brian Courtland’s (Gulager) first day on the job as a prison guard.  The same day a new  bus load of prisoners arrive. In the new group is college professor Jonathan Paige (Alda) and a nineteen year old named Allan Campbell (Tabori).  Paige is there on a manslaughter charge for accidentally killing a man.  Campbell was caught selling marijuana.  Neither Paige nor Campbell are built for prison.  The jury is still out on Courtland.

All three quickly learn that Hugo Slocum (Morrow) is the inmate who runs things.  Slocum leads a gang of convicts.  He also has at least one guard on the take.  What Slocum says goes.  Failure to fall in line leads to a beating or worse.  Slocum and his crew think nothing of killing to keep their power.

Paige warns Allan about Slocum.  Allan is young and naive and doesn’t see how he’s being played. Slocum is treating Allan good, offering protection with no strings attached.  Or so it seems.

The Warden (Jagger) wants Paige put to work in the prison pharmacy.  Courtland warns against that.  He knows Slocum’s man works there.  To switch him out will cause problems for Paige.  The warden doesn’t want to hear it.

When Paige starts work in the pharmacy, he learns about Slocum’s system to get drugs into the prison.  Paige refuses to play along.  He becomes a marked man.  Slocum decides to make an example out of Allan in the worst possible way.

What chance does Paige have?  He’s a college professor in a corrupt prison, marked for death by the con who runs things.  Don’t expect a happy ending.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Glass House was nominated for three Primetime Emmys and won one…

  • winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama – A Single Program: Tom Gries
  • nominee for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama – Adaptation: Tracy Keenan Wynn
  • nominee for Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing for Entertainment Programming – For a Special or Feature Length Program Made for Television: Gene Fowler Jr.

The Glass House was filmed at Utah State Prison.  Real prisoners were seen in the movie.

The Glass House was filmed for television, but a cut released for theaters and video features slight male nudity and profanity.

I saw The Glass House when it premiered on television.  I was thirteen.  It opened my eyes to things I’d never considered.  Over 50 years later it still is powerful filmmaking.  You might not believe it was made for tv.

Director Tom Gries directed episodes of many television programs and feature films that I enjoyed as a kid.  He’s probably best known for directing Charles Bronson in Breakheart Pass and Breakout in the same year.  The Glass House is my favorite of his films.

Screenwriter Tracey Keenan Wynn was the son of actor Keenan Wynn.  He had written the excellent television movie The Tribe starring Darrin McGavin and Jan-Michael Vincent two years prior.  Wynn won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama – Original Teleplay.  He followed The Glass House with The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman.  For that he won another Primetime Emmy for  Best Writing in Drama – Adaptation.  Wynn followed with the screenplays for The Longest Yard starring Burt Reynolds and Harper starring Paul Newman.  Wynn was on quite a roll.

Vic Morrow should have won or at least been nominated for a Primetime Emmy.  This is arguably his best performance ever.

A young Bill Dee Williams coming off of Brian’s Song has a co-starring role.

The Glass House aka Truman Capote’s The Glass House (1972) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Dead Ringer” (1964) starring Bette Davis, Karl Malden & Peter Lawford / Z-View

Posted on by

Dead Ringer (1964)

Director: Paul Henreid

Screenplay: Albert Beich, Oscar Millard; based on The Other aka Dead Pigeon by Rian James

Stars: Bette Davis, Karl Malden, Peter Lawford, Philip Carey, Jean Hagen, George Macready, Estelle Winwood, George Chandler, Cyril Delevanti, Monika Henreid, Ken Lynch, Henry Beckman and Bert Remsen.

Tagline: Mirror, mirror, on the wall, now who’s the fairest twin of all?

The Plot…

For nearly two decades, twin sisters Margaret and Edith (Davis) haven’t spoken.  Their friendship ended when Margaret cheated with Edith’s fiancé Frank DeLorca.  To add insult, Margaret faked being pregnant and married the extremely wealthy man.

So Margaret got the life of luxury.  Money, a mansion, maids and a butler.  Edith barely got by.  With each passing year Edith has grown more bitter.

So when Edith sees a funeral notice for Frank, she decides it is time for revenge.  Edith and Margaret are identical sisters.  No one can tell them apart by looking.  So if Edith killed Margaret and took her place who would know?

Who would know indeed.  The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Paul Henreid is best known as the actor who played Laszlo in Casablanca.

Dead Ringer (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars.

MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL by Saurav Mohapatra & Vivek Shinde / Z-View

Posted on by

MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL BOOK ONE: GOOD COP, BAD COP by Saurav Mohapatra (writer), Vivek Shinde (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Five years ago life was good.  Arjun Kadam was happily married.  He was a cop with a bright future.  Kadam was personally selected by the Chief to join the Mumbai Encounter Squad.  The squad was a strike force authorized to use whatever force necessary to take down the worst criminals.

But that was then.

After Kadam’s wife died, things began to spiral.  The Squad was crossing lines in the name of justice that were questionable at best.  Then a hit and run driver put Kadam in a coma and killed the little girl he was talking with.

Now Kadam has recovered. He’s no longer a cop.  Kadam’s dealing with depression and drug dependency.  The thing that keeps Kadam going is his determination to find the little girl’s killer.

Kadam’s journey will take him from slums and back alleys to the richest Bollywood nightclubs.  As Kadam digs deeper into the Mumbai Underworld the difference between gangsters and cops becomes blurred.  No longer a cop, Kadam is on his own.  Survival is unlikely when mobsters and out of control cops want you dead.

Arjun Kadam doesn’t care.  He’s going to take them all down… or die trying.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you’re a fan of noir, The Shield, and 100 Bullets, then MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL is for you.  Featuring a non-linear storyline and wonderful art, it reads like a novel.  Saurav Mohapatra has the tough guy dialogue down.  Vivek Shinde’s art compliments the story with his exciting visuals and muted colors.  (It was originally conceived to be done in ink wash.)

As the story unfolds we get interludes by different artists that take us deeper in the world of MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL.  I found the different art styles interesting and added to my enjoyment of the main storyline. The interludes are…

  • Remaster by Sid Kotian
  • House of Cards by Saumin Patel
  • Missed Call by Vinay Brahmania and Shounak Jog
  • Full Moon by Vinay Brahmania
  • Demand and Supply by Devaki Neogi

MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL gets my highest recommendation!

MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL BOOK ONE: GOOD COP, BAD COP by Saurav Mohapatra (writer), Vivek Shinde (artist) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“The Long Riders” (1980) directed by Walter Hill, starring the Carradine Brothers, the Keach Brothers and the Quaid Brothers / Z-View

Posted on by

The Long Riders (1980)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Bill Bryden, Steven Phillip Smith, Stacy Keach, James Keach

Stars: David Carradine, Stacy Keach, Dennis Quaid, Keith Carradine, Robert Carradine, James Keach, Randy Quaid, Kevin Brophy, Harry Carey Jr., Christopher Guest, Nicholas Guest, Felice Orlandi, Pamela Reed, James Remar, Fran Ryan, Savannah Smith Boucher, Edward Bunker, Tim Rossovich and Sonny Landham.

Tagline: They were nine men from four families. They rode together from Missouri to Minnesota, and from Texas to Tennessee. This is their story…and it’s as close to the truth as legends can ever be.

The Plot…

The exploits (and eventual demise) of The James Gang.  After the Civil War ended three groups of brothers Jesse and Frank James, Cole, Jim and Bob Younger, plus Ed and Clell Miller became famous for their daring stagecoach, train and bank robberies.  Although they were stone cold killers, they became legends.

This is their story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

After James and his brother, Stacy Keach played the Wright Brothers in a tv movie, James got the idea for them to play Jesse and Frank James.  The story was developed as a play and ultimately an off-Broadway production ran.

When James Keach and Robert Carradine starred together in the television film, The Hatfields and the McCoys, they discussed the proposed James Gang movie.  Robert though he and his brothers should play the Youngers.

When the film was first announced Beau and Jeff Bridges were to play the Millers.  When Jeff became unavailable, the Quaids came on to play the Millers.

Everything was coming together as a six hour mini-series called The Bandit Kings.  When Fred Silverman became NBC’s President he cancelled all mini-series set up before he came on board.

Walter Hill agreed to direct, David Carradine gave up his normal profit participation, and the Keach Brothers gave up their Executive Producer pay to get the film made.

Director Walter Hill was on a roll.  The Long Riders was his fourth time at the helm.  His previous three films were Hard Times, The Driver and The Warriors.  After The Long Riders his next three movies were Southern Comfort, 48hrs. and Streets of Fire.  What a start!!

The Long Riders (1980) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Elevation” starring Anthony Mackie is Here!

Posted on by

The trailer for Elevation starring Anthony Mackie is here.

Deal me in.

Set in the post-apocalyptic Rocky Mountains, a single father and two women venture from the safety of their homes to face monstrous creatures to save the life of a young boy. The film stars Anthony Mackie, Morena Baccarin, and Maddie Hasson and is directed by George Nolfi.

Vertical will release the thriller in theaters on November 8, 2024.

“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane & Keanu Reeves – The Trailer is Here!

Posted on by

From the World of John Wick — say no more.

Deal me in.

Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Ballerina follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina – in theaters June 6! Starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves.

“Killer’s Game” (2024) starring Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins & Ben Kingsley / Z-View

Posted on by

Killer’s Game (2024)

Director: J. J. Perry

Screenplay: Rand Ravich, James Coyne, based on THE KILLER’S GAME by Jay Bonansinga

Stars: Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Scott Adkins, Ben Kingsley, Raffaello Degruttola, Domonkos Pardanyi and Sharon Rabinowitz.

Tagline: Winning is all in the execution.

The Plot…

Joe Flood (Bautista) has made his living as a hit man.  He only takes contracts on evil men.  No women.  No children.  No civilians.

Joe meets a dancer named Maize (Boutella) and they begin dating.  It soon becomes clear that they’re falling in love.  Joe’s never been happier although his headaches have been getting worse.  When Joe goes to the doctor, results show he has a fatal disease with no cure.  The disease is fast moving and will leave Joe blind, in pain and mindless in a matter of months.

Joe decides to take matters into his own hands.  He breaks it off with Maize.  Then Joe uses his connections to put a hit on himself.  When word gets out, hit teams from around the world are determined to collect the two million dollar bounty.

The Joe gets a call from his doctor.  The test result were mixed up.  Another patient has the disease, not Joe.  Except for his headaches, Joe is perfectly healthy.  The doctor says Joe could live for years.

Of course the doc doesn’t know about the hit men and women on their way to punch Joe’s ticket.  Since there’s no calling off the hit, Joe’s only way to survive is to kill the killers.

Game on.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is the second time Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella appeared together in a film.  The first was Hotel Artemis (2018) which I highly recommend.

Killer’s Game (2024) is a fun ride.  It features over the top characters, cartoonish violence, a bit of romance and a twist or two.

Killer’s Game (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996) directed by Robert Rodriguez, written by Quentin Tarantino, starring George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis & Quentin Tarantino / Z-View

Posted on by

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, story by Robert Kurtzman

Stars: George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Quentin Tarantino, Ernest Liu, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Tom Savini, Fred Williamson, Brenda Hillhouse, John Saxon, Marc Lawrence, Kelly Preston, John Hawkes, Greg Nicotero, Robert Rodriguez and Michael Parks.

Tagline: From Quentin Tarantino. From Robert Rodriguez. From Dusk Till Dawn

The Plot…

Seth (Clooney) and Richie (Tarantino) Gecko are bank robbers on the run.  They’re desperate to get to across the border to Mexico.  If they make it, they’ll meet Carlos at a strip club called The Titty Twister.  From there, for a price, they’ll be taken to a sanctuary.

The trip won’t be easy.  Every cop including the Texas Rangers are after them.  There are roadblocks, constant news reports plus Richie is liable to royally screw things up.  Seth is a thief and will kill anyone who attempts to bring him in, but there are lines he won’t cross.  Richie is a sadist, sexual deviant and is an eager killer.

Opportunity presents itself when the Gecko brothers see Jacob Fuller (Keitel) and his two teenage kids, Scott (Liu) and Kate (Lewis) outside their RV.  They kidnap the family and force Jacob to drive them across the border.

Now it’s a short journey to The Titty Twister.  Once there the family will be set free and the brothers will go to sanctuary.  Or so they think.  No one can imagine the horrors that await.  Not everyone will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I love how From Dusk Till Dawn morphs from a crime flick to a horror movie.

There are movie easter eggs throughout the film.  Earl McGraw (Michael Parks) appears here and in Kill Bill, Planet Terror and Death Proof.  Big Kahuna Burgers, made famous in Pulp Fiction (and later Death Proof) show up.  A Precinct 13 shirt worn by Scott is a reference to John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13.  The crotch-gun that Sex Machine uses was also seen in Rodriguez’s film Desperado. Chango Beer seen in this film was also a beverage in Desperado.

Cheech Marin plays three roles in the film: a border patrol agent, the barker at The Titty Twister and Carlos.

From Dusk Till Dawn fits in perfectly with Rodriguez and Tarantino’s Grindhouse double feature… instead make it a triple feature that would run from, uh, dusk till dawn.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Wolfs” starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt – The 2nd Trailer is Here!

Posted on by

The second trailer for Wolfs starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt is here.

Deal me in.

He works alone. So does he. Wolfs is streaming September 27 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/Wolfs_

George Clooney and Brad Pitt reunite for the action comedy WOLFS. Clooney plays a professional fixer hired to cover up a high profile crime. But when a second fixer (Pitt) shows up and the two “lone wolves” are forced to work together, they find their night spiraling out of control in ways that neither one of them expected.

“Organ Trail” (2023) starring Zoé De Grand Maison and Clé Bennett / Z-View

Posted on by

Organ Trail (2023)

Director: Michael Patrick Jann

Screenplay: Megan Turner

Stars: Zoé De Grand Maison, Lisa LoCicero, Olivia Grace Applegate, Sam Trammell, Nicholas Logan, Michael Abbott Jr., Alejandro Akara, Clé Bennett, Jessica Frances Dukes and Thomas Lennon.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The year is 1870.  The Archer family, Abraham, Celeste, and their teenage children, Tobias and Abby are traveling across the frontier in a covered wagon.  One evening they come across a massacre.  Everyone except a young woman named Cassidy has been brutally murdered.  The Archers treat Cassidy’s wounds and tell her she can travel with them.

Late that night, the four murderers, Logan, Rhys, Brody, and Felix return.  They kill everyone in the Archer family except Abby.  It turns out Cassidy is with the four men.  Abby is bound and taken to a deserted ghost town.  It is the base of operations for the killers.  They routinely use Cassidy to slow down travelers who they then kill and rob.  Cassidy’s injuries were because she tried to escape the men.

The men are sadistic, perverted killers.  Now they have two women to use as bait on unsuspecting travelers. Abby realizes that escape is unlikely and will likely result in her death.

Abby plans to leave the first chance she gets.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Organ Trail is western/horror mashup.

Zoé De Grand Maison and Clé Bennett are both new actors to me.  I will be keeping an eye out for their future performances.  They were excellent.

Nicholas Logan once again makes an excellent scary bad guy.

Organ Trail (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.