“Death Proof”Alt Poster by John Cordero!
Death Proof by John Cordero. Now THAT is a great alt poster.
“Devil’s Peak’ (2023) starring Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Hopper Penn, Katelyn Nacon & Jackie Earle Haley / Z-View
Devil’s Peak (2023)
Director: Ben Young
Screenplay: Robert Knott, based on WHERE ALL LIGHT TENDS TO GO by David Joy
Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Hopper Penn, Katelyn Nacon, David Kallaway, Mark Ashworth, Mark Ashworth, Elena Sanchez, Sean Freeland and Jackie Earle Haley.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Jacob McNeely (Penn) is 18 years old and in love with Maggie (Nacon). But there are problems. Jacob is from the wrong side of the tracks. His dad, Charlie (Thorton) is the area’s meth/drug dealer. Maggie’s middle class, smart and headed for college.
Charlie tells Jacob to drop her. Jacob refuses and wants the money that Charlie has always said he was holding for Jacob. People who don’t do as Charlie asks have a habit of disappearing.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
With this cast, I was expecting a better film.
Devil’s Peak (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Breakwater” (2023) written & directed by James Rowe, starring Dermot Mulroney, Darren Mann, Alyssa Goss & Mena Suvari / Z-View
Breakwater (2023)
Director: James Rowe
Screenplay: James Rowe
Stars: Dermot Mulroney, Darren Mann, Alyssa Goss, Don Henderson Baker, JD Evermore, Celia Rose Gooding, Mike Stanley, Sonja Sohn, Timothy Douglas Perez, Blaque Fowler, Kenneth Nance Jr. and Mena Suvari.
Tagline: The deepest secrets are the last to rise.
The Plot…
Dovey (Mann) is a young man about to be released from prison. He was sent there on a trumped up charge. While in the joint Dovey was protected by a respected con named Ray Childress (Mulroney).
Right before Dovey is released Childress shares a photo of his daughter. He tells Dovey that they haven’t seen each other in years. She won’t talk to him. Childress asks Dovey to go to her. Make sure she is safe and doing well. Dovey feels he owes Childress and makes the commitment.
What Doey doesn’t know is that the woman isn’t Childress’ daughter. And if Dovey finds her, she’ll be targeted for murder.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Breakwater is an enjoyable low budget crime film. Dermot Mulroney plays a convict the other inmates fear, not because he’s a beast, but because he’s smart. Mulroney is surprisingly menacing. Darren Mann is believable as the naive ex-con who wants to do what’s right.
Breakwater (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.
RIP: Charles Cyphers
Charles Cyphers died on August 4, 2024 after a brief illness. Mr. Cyphers was 85.
Charles Cyphers was a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He also earned a BA in theatre arts from California State University, Los Angeles. Although best known for his work in television and feature films, Charles Cyphers was proud of his work in L.A. theater. Mr. Cyphers won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for best performance by an actor for his role in The Caretaker and a dramalogue award for best performance by an actor.
Television projects that feature Charles Cyphers include: The F.B.I.; Cannon (2 episodes); The Manhunter; The Missiles of October; The Six Million Dollar Man (3 episodes); The Bionic Woman; Phyllis; Charlie’s Angels; Roots; Wonder Woman; The Tony Randall Show; Our Town; The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald; Barnaby Jones (4 episodes); The Betty White Show (14 episodes); Alice; Starsky and Hutch (3 episodes); Elvis; Friendly Fire; Lou Grant; Hart to Hart; The Executioner’s Song; The Quest; Benson; Little House: Look Back to Yesterday; The Dukes of Hazzard (2 episodes); Rituals; Airwolf; Matlock; Dallas (2 episodes); Our House; Hill Street Blues (3 episodes); Santa Barbara; Simon & Simon; Night Court; China Beach; 21 Jump Street; Freddy’s Nightmares; Jake and the Fatman; Mancuso, F.B.I.; The Outsiders; Murder She Wrote; Roc; F.B.I.: The Untold Stories; Renegade; Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; California Dreams; SeaQuest 2032; The George Carlin Show (3 episodes); Slider; Deadly Games; Seinfeld; ER; Jag; The George Wendt Show; Murder One (4 episodes); Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher (41 episodes); Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Pensacola: Wings of Gold and Any Day Now (2 episodes).
Feature films that Charles Cyphers appeared in include: Cool Breeze; Truck Turner; Vigilante Force; Assault on Precinct 13; MacArthur; Coming Home; Gray Lady Down; Halloween; A Force of One; The Onion Field; The Fog; Borderline; Escape from New York; Halloween II; Death Wish II; Honkytonk Man; Grizzly II: The Revenge; Big Bad Mama II; Major League; Gleaming the Cube; Loaded Weapon I; Murder in the First and Halloween Kills.
I probably first saw Charles Cyphers on one of his television guest appearances since he appeared on many of the shows we regularly watched. I first took notice of him with Escape from New York. After that I noticed him whenever he popped up in a movie of television appearance. What a great career Mr. Cyphers had.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Charles Cypher’s family, friends and fans.
Rocky Balboa by Lucas Bernard!
Lucas Bernard created this knockout art of Sly Stallone as Rocky Balboa! You can see more of Bernard’s art here.
“Red Right Hand” (2024) starring Orlando Bloom, Garret Dillahunt & Andie MacDowell / Z-View
Red Right Hand (2024)
Director: Ian Nelms, Eshom Nelms
Screenplay: Jonathan Easley
Stars: Orlando Bloom, Garret Dillahunt, Andie MacDowell, Brian Geraghty, Scott Haze, Jeremy Ratchford, Nicholas Logan, Evan Gamble, Daniel David Stewart and Chapel Oaks.
Tagline: God. Family. Survival.
The Plot…
Cash (Bloom) used to run with the wrong crowd. He was in a life of crime and he was good at it.
That was then.
Now Cash lives an honest, quiet life with his (screwup) brother-in-law and niece. The three of them are the only family they have left. When his brother-in-law gets in debt to the local crime boss, Cash knows how it will end… unless he can find a way to get the obligation cleared.
Against his best judgment, Cash rejoins Big Cat’s crew. If the crimes don’t get him killed, Big Cat might.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Andie MacDowell was an interesting choice to play the sadistic crime boss. I liked her over-the-top performance.
Orlando Bloom and Garret Dilahunt were solid.
The story is a bit over the top and reminded me of something that Burt Reynolds would have starred in at the start of his movie career.
Red Right Hand (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Hounds of War” starring Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick & Rhona Mitra – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Hounds of War. An action film starring Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick, and Rhona Mitra?
Deal me in.
Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick, and Rhona Mitra star in Hounds of War about the best military mercenaries money can buy. Known as ‘The Hounds’, they are sent on a final mission by their creator: a carefully planned trap set up to destroy them. XYZ Films will release director Isaac Florentine’s Hounds of War on digital on September 6, 2024.
“Dead Money” starring Emile Hirsch, David Keith, India Eisley, Jackie Earle Haley & Rory Culkin – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
How about the poster and trailer for Dead Money starring Emile Hirsch, David Keith, India Eisley, Jackie Earle Haley, Rory Culkin and Peter Facinelli?
Deal me in.
DEAD MONEY is in theaters and on digital September 13
Directed by Luc Walpoth
Starring: Emile Hirsch, David Keith, India Eisley, Jackie Earle Haley, Rory Culkin, Peter Facinelli.When a home poker game is robbed by armed men, pro poker player Andy and his girlfriend Chloe get caught in the middle. Now, Andy must play the best poker of his life at the biggest game in town to save his and Chloe’s lives.
“Rebel Ridge” starring Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson & Annasophia Robb – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Here we have the poster and trailer for Rebel Ridge starring Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson and Annasophia Robb. It definitely is following the First Blood framework. I like what they’re showing.
Deal me in.
A former Marine grapples his way through a web of small-town corruption when an attempt to post bail for his cousin escalates into a violent standoff with the local police chief. He didn’t start this fight, but he will finish it.
Rebel Ridge, the next film by Jeremy Saulnier, comes to Netflix September 6th.
“Bring Him to Me” (2023) starring Barry Pepper, Jamie Costa & Sam Neill / Z-View
Bring Him to Me (2023)
Director: Luke Sparke
Screenplay: Tom Evans
Stars: Barry Pepper, Jamie Costa, Sam Neill, Rachel Griffiths and Liam McIntyre.
Tagline: When is it too late to turn back?
The Plot…
When a well planned robbery goes bad, the crime boss has questions. Now the getaway driver and one of the thugs involved are headed back to provide answers.
Two problems: 1. It appears that they’re being followed. 2. They may be heading to a certain death.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bring Him to Me was a wonderful surprise. I loved everything about it. The story, the cinematography, the direction and acting are all top notch.
Bring Him to Me features my favorite performances by Barry Pepper and Sam Neil. Jamie Costa was excellent in his role.
Bring Him to Me (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Knox Goes Away” (2023) directed by and starring Michael Keaton / Z-View
Knox Goes Away (2023)
Director: Michael Keaton
Screenplay: Gregory Poirier
Stars: Michael Keaton, Ray McKinnon, Paul Perri, Suzy Nakamura, Dennis Dugan, James Marsden, Jimmy Ortega, Lela Loren, Sasha Neboga, Marcia Gay Harden and Al Pacino.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
John Knox (Keaton) is a hitman. Knox has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. It’s a rapid moving form of dementia. Knox has just a few weeks before his grasp of reality will be gone. As Knox stoically puts his affairs in order his estranged son, Miles (Marsden) comes to him.
Miles is distraught and needs help. The kind of help that would be difficult under the best circumstances. Knox realizes that with his rapidly diminishing capacity it will be next to impossible.
But what’s a father to do?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Knox Goes Away is an amazing film. It is smart, has heart and features my all-time favorite performance by Michael Keaton (who also directed it).
James Marsden is excellent in his role as Knox’s troubled son.
Al Pacino gives a restrained performance. Hooo-ha!
Knox Goes Away (2023) 5 of 5 stars.
Marv by Christian Lichtner!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv by Christian Lichtner.
“Midnight Run” (1988) directed by Martin Brest, starring Robert De Niro & Charles Grodin / Z-View
Midnight Run (1988)
Director: Martin Brest
Screenplay: George Gallo
Stars: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano, Richard Foronjy, Robert Miranda, Jack Kehoe, Wendy Phillips, Danielle DuClos, Philip Baker Hall, Tom McCleister, John Toles-Bey, Scott McAfee and Martin Brest.
Tagline: Monday… Escape with their lives from New York… Tuesday… Impersonate F.B.I. agents in Chicago… Wednesday… Steal plane in New Mexico… Thursday… Almost kill each other by accident… Friday… Almost kill each other on purpose…
The Plot…
Jack Walsh (De Niro) is a bounty hunter hired to bring in Jonathan Mardukas (Grodin). Mardukas shouldn’t be a problem. He’s just an accountant who embezzled his employer. The gig should be easy… a midnight run.
Then Walsh learns that Mardukas’ employer is a Mafia boss. The amount Mardukas stole was $15 million dollars. Walsh also discovers the FBI is looking to capture Walsh. To make matters worse, another bounty hunter is also after the reward. With the mob, the FBI and a rival bond recovery agent on his trail, this will be anything but a midnight run!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Before Charles Grodin was cast, Cher, Robin Williams, Albert Brooks, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Steve Martin and Bruce Willis were considered. The film would have been very different if any of them were cast.
Midnight Run would make a great double feature with Planes, Trains and Automobiles. They are both about two guys who don’t like each other at first who in working together to get somewhere on a tight timeline develop a friendship.
Midnight Run (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Cannonball!” (1976) starring David Carradine / Z-View!
Cannonball! (1976)
Director: Paul Bartel
Screenplay: Paul Bartel, Donald C. Simpson
Stars: David Carradine, Bill McKinney, Veronica Hamel, Gerrit Graham, Robert Carradine, Belinda Balaski, Judy Canova, Archie Hahn, Carl Gottlieb, Mary Woronov, James Keach, Dick Miller, Stanley Bennett Clay, David Arkin, John Herzfeld, Louisa Moritz, John Alderman, Paul Bartel, Roger Corman, Joe Dante, Martin Scorsese, Don Simpson, and Sylvester Stallone..
Tagline: The annual Trans-American outlaw road race – A cross country demolition derby without rules!
The Plot…
The annual Trans-America Grand Prix is an illegal cross-country road race.
Ex-con Coy “Cannonball” Buckman (Carradine) hopes to win the race. If he does, Coy is guaranteed a spot on the Modern Motors racing team. Coy’s biggest competition in the race is Cade Redman (McKinney) who is also racing for the spot on the Modern Motors racing squad. Other racers include a couple of young lovers, a country western singer, three waitresses, a German racer, a wealthy couple’s driver, and others.
Once the race starts anything goes and it becomes a high speed demolition derby. Not everyone will survive and only one can win.
Start your engines!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
After the success of Death Race 2000, producer Sam Gelfman wanted another, but more realistic car chase movie. Gelfman brought back Death Race 2000 director, Paul Bartel and the movie’s star David Carradine. Bartel was not interested, but needed the money. It was Bartel’s idea to include cameos of his friends who were writers and directors.
Cannonball is Veronica Hamel’s first credited feature film role.
Sly Stallone appears in one scene and is uncredited.
Cannonball! (1976) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“The Bricklayer” (2023) directed by Renny Harlin, starring Aaron Eckhart / Z-View
The Bricklayer (2023)
Director: Renny Harlin
Screenplay: Hanna Weg, Matt Johnson, based on THE BRICKLAYER by Paul Lindsay
Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Nina Dobrev, Clifton Collins Jr., Tim Blake Nelson, Ilfenesh Hadera, Ori Pfeffer, John T. Woods, David Kennedy and Johanna Harlin.
Tagline: Some secrets are deadly.
The Plot…
Steve Vail (Eckhart) is a retired CIA operative who now makes his living as a bricklayer. When a series of murders links back to the CIA, Vail is brought back to find the traitor.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I was expecting a better movie since it starred Aaron Eckhart and was directed by Renny Harlin
The Bricklayer (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.
