“Fallout” – The “Behind the Scenes” Clip is Here!

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I’ve never played the game, but I’m looking forward to Fallout the series.

Hear from the legendary Todd Howard, executive producer James Altman, and more on the process behind adapting the iconic RPG series to Amazon’s post-apocalyptic sci-fi series.

Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. Two-hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind—and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.

The series comes from Kilter Films and executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. Nolan directed the first three episodes. Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner serve as executive producers, writers, and co-showrunners.

Fallout stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Aaron Moten (Emancipation) and Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight). Athena Wickham of Kilter Films also executive produces, along with Todd Howard for Bethesda Game Studios and James Altman for Bethesda Softworks. Amazon MGM Studios and Kilter Films produce in association with Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks.

The series cast includes Moisés Arias (The King of Staten Island), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest), Leslie Uggams (Deadpool), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance), Johnny Pemberton (Ant-Man), Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O’Hagan (Law & Order: SVU), and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time).

Fallout will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide starting April 11, 2024.

“Where Danger Lives” (1950) starring Robert Mitchum / Z-View

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Where Danger Lives (1950)

Director:  John Farrow

Screenplay: Charles Bennett, story by Leo Rosten

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Claude Rains, Faith Domergue, Maureen O’Sullivan, Ralph Dumke, Harry Shannon, Philip Van Zandt and Jack Kelly.

Tagline: She’s tempting to look at – dangerous to know!

The Plot…

Dr. Jeff Cameron (Mitchum) is about to leave work when an attempted suicide named Margo Lannington (Domergue) is brought in.  Jeff saves the young woman.  In short order, Jeff falls in love.  Suddenly one evening, Margo says that her father is taking her on a trip out of the country the next day.  Jeff attempts to talk Margo into not going.  She says she has no choice and leaves Jeff in the restaurant. After several drinks Jeff decides to ask Margo’s father for permission to marry her.

Jeff arrives at Lannington’s mansion.  He is invited in by Margo’s father (Reins) who listens to Jeff speak about his whirlwind romance of Margo.  Margo enters the room and is surprised to see Jeff.  She tells him to leave.  Jeff says, that he’s there to ask her father for permission to marry her.  Margo’s father says, “I don’t know why you kept calling me her father.  I’m her husband.”

Jeff is shocked. Margo says she loves Jeff, but he’s upset because she lied to him.  As he walks out, Jeff hears Margo scream.  He runs back in.  Margo is on the floor.  She’s obviously been struck by her husband.  Jeff and the husband struggle.  Jeff is struck several times with fireplace poker, but manages to knock her husband unconscious.

Jeff leaves the room to get a bandage for his head.  When Jeff returns he’s shocked to find that Margo’s husband isn’t knocked out.  He’s dead.  Jeff wants to call the police, but Margo convinces him that they’d never believe it was self-defense.  They had been seen dating and no court would believe their story.

Reluctantly, Jeff leaves with Margo.  Their plan is to cross into Mexico and escape.  But like the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Before Jeff meets Margo, he’s dating Julie Dorn (O’Sullivan).  Despite dumping her, going on the run and being wanted for murder, she immediately takes him back.  It didn’t ring true, but it did give the movie a happy ending.

Maureen O’Sullivan was director, John Farrow’s wife. Speaking of John Farrow, I’m a fan of other movies that he directed.  They include: 5 Came Back, The Big Clock, Hondo, Back from Eternity (a remake of 5 Came Back) and The Unholy Wife.

Mitchum’s star power, Claude Rein’s small (but important) role and a nice twist at the end which gets Mitchum’s character off the hook for murder elevate this film.

Where Danger Lives (1950) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Town” directed by Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm & Jeremy Renner / Z-View

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The Town (2010)

Director:  Ben Affleck

Screenplay: Peter Craig, Ben Affleck, Aaron Stockard based on PRINCE OF THIEVES by Chuck Hogan

Stars: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, George Carroll, Owen Burke, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper and Victor Garber.

Tagline: Welcome to the bank robbery capital of America.

The Plot…

Doug MacRay (Affleck), “Jem” Coughlin (Renner), “Gloansy” MacGloan (Carroll) and “Dez” Elden (Burke) have been friends for years.  Now in their early twenties they are accomplished bank robbers.  When the latest heist goes sideways, Jem takes bank teller Claire Keesey (Hall) hostage during their getaway.

When Claire is released unharmed, FBI agents think she may have been working with the bank robbers.  Because Claire may have information she’s given to the FBI, the thieves decide Doug should “get close” to her.  Doug sets up a random encounter.  He and Claire hit it off.  Soon Doug finds himself falling for her.

As the FBI begin to close in, Doug and his crew are given their next robbery assignment.  When Doug refuses the job, Claire’s life is threatened.  No matter what Doug chooses, things are not going to end well.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jeremy Renner was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.  Renner was also a nominee for the Best Supporting Actor Award by the National Society of Film Critics, USA.  The Screen Actors Guild also nominated him as Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

Pete Postlethwaite was nominated for a British Academy Film Award as Best Supporting Actor.

Kudos to Ben Affleck who shows his prowess as a director.

The Town (2010) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Appaloosa” (2008) starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger & Jeremy Irons / Z-View

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Appaloosa (2008)

Director:  Ed Harris

Screenplay: Robert Knott, Ed Harris based on APPALOOSA  by Robert B. Parker

Stars: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Timothy V. Murphy, Luce Rains, Boyd Kestner, Cerris Morgan-Moyer and James Gammon.

Tagline: Feelings get you killed.

The Plot…

Randall Bragg (Irons) is a rancher who lives outside the town of Appaloosa.  When Bragg and his men ride into town they do as they wish.  Laws be damned.  After a disturbance, the town’s Marshall and two deputies are brutally gunned down when they try to serve a warrant.

Marshall Virgil Cole (Harris) and his partner, Deputy Everett Hitch (Mortensen) agree to become  Appaloosa’s lawmen.  They have a reputation for no nonsense.  Bragg learns of Cole and Hitch and rides into town with his crew to intimidate them.  Bragg sees that Cole and Hitch won’t back down or tolerate nonsense.  This puts them on a collision course that won’t end well for anyone.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Appaloosa is based on the first novel in Robert B. Parker’s Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series.  Since Parker’s death Robert Knott (the co-screenwriter on this movie) has continued the book series.  At one point it was thought that there would be more movies based on the books, but they never happened.

Appaloosa (2008) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Last Stop in Yuma County” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for The Last Stop in Yuma County works.

Deal me in!

THE LAST STOP IN YUMA COUNTY | In Theaters & On Digital May 10 |

While stranded at a rural Arizona rest stop, a traveling salesman is thrust into a dire hostage situation by the arrival of two bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty—or cold, hard steel—to protect their bloodstained fortune.

Directed by: Francis Galluppi
Cast: Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Sierra McCormick, Nicholas Logan, Michael Abbott Jr., Connor Paolo, Alex Essoe, Robin Bartlett, Jon Proudstar, Sam Huntington, Ryan Masson, Barbara Crampton, Gene Jones, Faizon Love, and Richard Brake

“Black Mass” (2015) starring Johnny Depp / Z-View

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Black Mass (2015)

Director:  Scott Cooper

Screenplay: Mark Mallouk, Jez Butterworth based on BLACK MASS: WHITEY BULGER, THE FBI AND A DEVIL’S DEAL by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neil

Stars: Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemons, Rory Cochrane, David Harbour, Adam Scott, Corey Stoll, Julianne Nicholson, W. Earl Brown, Bill Camp, Mark Mahoney, Brad Carter, Scott Anderson, James Russo and Juno Temple.

Tagline: Based on the true story of one of the most notorious gangsters in U.S. history

The Plot…

When FBI agent John Connolly (Edgerton) is assigned to the Boston area where he was raised, he gets an outrageous idea.  Growing up, Connolly was friends with James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp).  Bulger now controls one of the major crime gangs in Boston.  Connolly wants to make Bulger a FBI informant.

Reluctant at first, Bulger agrees when he realizes he can use the FBI connection to his advantage.  Protected by his “FBI informant” status, Bulger uses the information he gets from Connolly to take out rival gangs.  Bulger becomes even more powerful.  Realizing he’s been used Connolly has no recourse but to protect Bulger.  Bulger’s hunger for power continues to drive him to commit worse crimes.  Soon Connolly will be unable to protect Bulger, and even more importantly himself.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

As outrageous as it sounds, Black Mass is based on real-life criminal James “Whitey” Bulger.  Bulger’s brother was a US senator.  Whitey was at one time #1 on the FBI’s Most Wanted List!  Bulger was, as the film shows pre-end credits, captured and sent to prison.  While in prison, he was repeatedly stabbed and beaten to death by prisoners.

Johnny Depp is unrecognizable as Whitey Bulger. Depp has said that this role is his favorite performance of all the roles he’s played.  For his part Depp was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

Depp is supported by an outstanding cast.  Special mention to Joel Edgerton, Jesse Plemons and Juno Temple for their performances.

Black Mass (2015) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Break” – Two Posters and a Trailer are Here!

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I like the looks of Break.  Check out the two posters and trailers and see what you think.

Release Date: In Select Theaters April 26th & On Digital June 11th

Directed by: Will Wernick

Starring: Darren Weiss, Braedyn Bruner, Victor Rasuk, Jeff Kober, Patricia Belcher, Caleb Emery, Suzen Baraka, Uriah Shelton, Wendy Braun, Petra C. Matheson, Rick Fitts

Synopsis: Eli learns that his absent father was a Detroit pool hall legend. He journeys into the scene, and must confront the realities and danger of the game – and himself.

“The Naked Prey” (1965) directed by and starring Cornel Wilde / Z-View

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The Naked Prey (1965)

Director:  Cornel Wilde

Screenplay: Clint Johnston, Don Peters

Stars: Cornel Wilde, Gert van den Bergh, Ken Gampu.

Tagline: Stripped, weaponless, alone and only ten desperate seconds ahead of the killers!

The Plot…

When a 1800s safari enters a tribe’s territory, one of the warriors demands a tribute.  Even though the “gifts” wouldn’t amount to much, the man who paid for the safari refuses.  The guide suggests that to not pay would be seen as an insult and the toll would be minimal.  The man again refuses and pushes the warrior out of his way as he walks off.

Later the expedition is overrun by tribal warriors.  They kill all but five members of the safari including the guide. The members of the expedition are killed by brutal methods.  The guide is saved for last.  He is stripped of all weapons and clothes.  Totally naked he will be given a short head start.  Then the best warriors from the tribe will chase him down and kill him.

What chance does he have?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The script was based on a real life adventure that took place in 1808.  John Colter was a fur trapper.  He and another trapper were captured by Blackfoot Indians.  His partner was killed and Colter was given a head start to run for his life.  He survived.

This was Cornel Wilde’s favorite film that he directed.

The Naked Prey was filmed on location in Southern Africa

The Naked Prey (1965) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Interview with the Vampire” The Season 2 Trailer is Here!

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Looking good!

ABOUT INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE A luxury apartment covering an entire single floor of a high rise. Where the Vampire has granted the interview with the man he once judged to be unworthy. And where the journalist Daniel Molloy has hustled, for a second shot at the interview that got away from him 40 years earlier…

Based on Anne Rice’s iconic novel, Interview with The Vampire follows Louis’ epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality, as told to the journalist Daniel Molloy. Chafing at the limitations of life as a black man in 1900’s New Orleans, Louis finds it impossible to resist Lestat’s offer of the ultimate escape: joining him as his vampire companion.

But Louis’s intoxicating new powers come with a violent price, and the introduction of Lestat’s newest fledgling, the child vampire Claudia, soon sets them on a decades-long path of revenge and atonement. A sensuous, contemporary reinvention of Anne Rice’s revolutionary gothic novel. Interview with the Vampire Season 2 Official Trailer | Premieres May 12 | AMC+

“Plane Nuts” (1933) starring Moe Howard, Larry Fine & Curly Howard / Z-View

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Plane Nuts (1933)

Director:  Jack Cummings

Screenplay: Ted Healy, Matty Brooks, Moe Howard

Stars: Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Ted Healy, Curly Howard.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Ted Healy and His Stooges perform vaudeville routines with MGM dancers performing between acts.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Three Stooges before they became famous as The Three Stooges.  For die-hard Stooges fans only.

Plane Nuts (1933) rates 2 of 5 stars.