Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Terminator Zero has my interest. And look at that cast! Timothy Olyphant and Rosario Dawson!
From Skydance, Production I.G, Masashi Kudō and Mattson Tomlin comes one of the most anticipated anime series of the year, TERMINATOR ZERO.
Starring Timothy Olyphant, Rosario Dawson, Sonoya Mizuno, André Holland & Ann Dowd – TERMINATOR ZERO premieres on August 29th (Judgement Day) only on Netflix.
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 Duncan Fegredo.
Crawlspace (2022)
Director: L. Gustavo Cooper
Screenplay: Jacob D. Wehrman
Stars: Henry Thomas, Bradley Stryker, C. Ernst Harth, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Andrei Kovski and Charles Jarman.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Robert Mitchell (Thomas) is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is underneath a remote, isolated cabin working on the plumbing. Three men arrive unaware that Mitchell is below them. Two of the men begin to torture the third. They want to know where he hid a small fortune of stolen loot.
Mitchell hears a commotion and witnesses the man’s murder. The killers become aware of Mitchell and the loot hidden below. It then becomes a game of cat and mouse as the murderers attempt to kill Mitchell.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Crawlspace isn’t a great movie, but it is fun. Even more so if you pretend that Mitchell is actually Home Alone‘s Kevin who grew up to be a plumber. ; )
Crawlspace (2022) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Brats (2024)
Director: Andrew McCarthy
Stars: Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Jon Cryer, Bret Easton Ellis, Lea Thompson, Timothy Hutton, Demi Moore, Howard Deutch and Rob Lowe.
Tagline: Everybody wanted to be in the Brat Pack. Except them.
The Plot…
In the 1980s a group of young actors and actresses were getting rich and famous. They often appeared in movies as an ensemble. The were young, rich and in demand. Things took a sideways turn when a writer for New York magazine wrote a profile about the group headlined Hollywood’s Brat Pack.
The label took hold even though it wasn’t clear which young actors were in the so-called pack. For many painted with the Brat the impact was quick and negative. Movies were cancelled. Work became hard to get. Who in Hollywood wanted to work with young brats who felt entitled and never paid their dues.
Now, 40 years later, Andrew McCarthy, one of the so-called Brat Pack decided to reach out to others tarnished by the label.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
While I haven’t seen many of the movies that would fall into the Brat Pack resume, I was interested in this documentary. The Brat Pack label went viral. Everyone knew what it meant even if no one was sure who exactly was in the pack.
It was interesting to see many of the stars. I was happy that those who participated in the documentary were in good places.
I was surprised how difficult it was for Andrew McCarthy to contact some of the people he reached out to. Good on Andrew for being humble about it and for getting a laugh from the situation as the movie ended.
Demi Moore seemed to be at ease with how things have worked out for her. I was happy to see that.
Of all the folks negatively impacted by the Brat Pack label, it seemed that Andrew McCarthy took it hardest. It felt like doing this doc brought him some peace of mind. I hope so.
Brats (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Aurelio Lorenzo‘s exceptional alt poster for Better Call Saul is a reminder of just how great that show is!
Lockout (2012)
Director: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather
Screenplay: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather, Luc Besson, story by Luc Besson, (influenced by Escape from New York by John Carpenter, Nick Castle and Escape from L.A. by John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kurt Russell)
Stars: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Vincent Regan, Joe Gilgun, Tim Plester, Peter Hudson and Lennie James.
Tagline: Take no prisoners.
The Plot…
The year is 2079. When a riot results in convicts taking over the Earth’s orbiting prison, it’s only a matter of time before they learn that the President’s daughter, Emilie (Grace) is there. Emilie has disguised herself as part of the prison medical staff.
The President and his advisors know the prisoners will execute all captured staff if an assault team is sent up. They decide that one capable man, working alone could infiltrate the prison and rescue the President’s daughter.
The man for the job is a former government agent named Snow (Pearce). Snow was recently framed for the murder of Colonel Frank Armstrong. Armstrong had discovered a double-agent was working at the upper levels of our government. Snow reluctantly agrees to the suicide mission.
The clock is ticking…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
There’s no denying the parallels to John Carpenter’s Escape from New York. So much so that John Carpenter sued the film’s makers for plagiarism and won.
I’m a huge fan of Lockout. Pearce was the right choice to play Snow the buff, wise cracking bad ass. (When Pearce auditioned for the role, the directors told him he was too skinny. He promised to bulk up. Obviously he kept his word.)
Joe Gilgun plays a psycho convict to perfection.
Lockout (2012) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Brian’s Song (1971)
Director: Buzz Kulik
Screenplay: William Blinn, based on I AM THIRD by Gale Sayers, Al Silverman
Stars: James Caan, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden, Bernie Casey, Shelley Fabares, David Huddleston, Judy Pace, Harold ‘Happy’ Hairston, Stephen Coit, Stu Nahan, Dick Butkus and Doreen Lang
Tagline: An inspiring true story of friendship and courage.
The Plot…
Brian Piccolo and Gayle Sayers are rookie running backs drafted to the Chicago Bears. Piccolo is white, outgoing and a jokester while Sayers is black and shy. Despite their differences and competing for the same position, they become friends. When both make the team they become the NFL’s first interracial roommates and best friends.
Their friendship deepens when Piccolo assists Sayers through a long arduous knee rehabilitation. Later Piccolo becomes sick and Sayers is ready to return the favor. That’s when they learn Piccolo has an aggressive terminal cancer.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Brian’s Song was nominated for eleven Primetime Emmy Awards and won five…
Louis Gossett Jr. was cast as Gayle Sayers. Gossett tore his Achilles’ tendon before filming started and was replaced by Billy Dee Williams.
Brian’s Song was so popular in the US that it received a theatrical run in Europe.
Stu Nahan who plays a sportcaster in some of the Rocky movies plays a speaker at one of the awards ceremonies.
One of the best made-for-television movies ever. It’s better than most feature films.
Brian’s Song (1971) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Shelley Duvall died peacefully at her home today. Ms. Duvall’s cause of death was complications from diabetes. Shelley Duvall was 75.
Ms. Duvall was a writer, actress and producer. She was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards:
After graduating high school in 1967, Shelley Duvall attended South Texas Junior College. Her major was nutrition and diet therapy. A chance meeting with Robert Altman at a party led to him casting her in Brewster McCloud, a film he was shooting on location in Texas. Altman was so awed by Shelley Duvall’s acting that he cast her in his next three films. Robert Altman wasn’t the only one impressed. Ms. Duvall continued to act in feature films and television until she retired in 2002. Then last year she was coaxed out retirement to appear in The Forest Hills.
Television projects that feature Shelley Duvall include: Cannon; Love American Style; Baretta; Saturday Night Live; The Paul Simon Special; Twilight Theater; Faerie Tale Theater (3 episodes); The Twilight Zone; Tall Tales & Legends; Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme; The Ray Bradbury Theater; L.A. Law; Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Frasier.
Feature films that feature Shelley Duvall include: Brewster McCloud; McCabe & Mrs. Miller; Thieves Like Us; Nashville; Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull’s History Lesson; Annie Hall; 3 Women; The Shinning; Popeye; Time Bandits; Roxanne; Suburban Commando; The Portrait of a Lady and The Forest Hills.
The first time I saw Shelley Duvall was in The Shinning. As perfect as Ms. Duvall was for that role, I think there was another part that she was even better suited to play. That was as Olive Oyl in Popeye which is my favorite Shelley Duvall performance.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Shelley Duvall’s family, friends and fans.
DOUBLE BARREL BLUFF by Lou Berney looks to be a winner…
Multi-award winning and USA Today bestselling crime writer Lou Berney returns to his critically acclaimed thriller series starring former mob wheelman Shake Bouchon, who finds himself dragged into a high-stakes hostage rescue, among the mighty temples and shadowy underground of Cambodia.
During his years as a wheelman for the Armenian mob in Los Angeles, Shake Bouchon didn’t think of himself as the settling-down type. But now he’s happily married to Gina, the love of his life—and former adversary—in Indiana, of all places.
The great thing about Bloomington, for two people with checkered pasts, is that everyone is nice and no one knows them. Until the day a brutal Armenian thug who has always hated Shake shows up in his backyard. He demands that Shake help him find his missing mob boss, the pakhan—the dangerous and beautiful Alexandra “Lexy” Ilandryan, who also happens to be Shake’s ex-girlfriend.
Shake’s got a lot of history with Lexy, so he reluctantly agrees to travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where she was last seen. Once there, he finds himself tangled in an underworld of Cambodian gangsters, mob politics, and opportunistic expats, where the stakes aren’t clear and everyone is looking to score. With only the help of a clairvoyant hippie and the Armenian thug, Shake becomes involved in a high-stakes negotiation for Lexy that might cost him his own life.
But perhaps most threatening of all is Gina’s wrath when she arrives in Cambodia intent on saving Shake from himself—and from all the people trying to kill him.
With Lou Berney’s trademark wit, flawless plotting, vibrant locale, and memorable characters, Double Barrel Bluff is another unputdownable, globe-trotting adventure.
Preorders now for a November 5, 2024 release.
Lifeboat (1944)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenplay: Jo Swerling, story by John Steinbeck
Stars: Tallulah Bankhead, John Hodiak, Walter Slezak, William Bendix, Mary Anderson, Henry Hull, Heather Angel, Hume Cronyn, Canada Lee and William Yetter Jr.
Tagline: What happens when six men and three women are alone in an open boat ?
The Plot…
During a World War II a submarine sinks a passenger ship, but is also sunk. There are only eight survivors. They end up in the same lifeboat. Introductions show they’re from diverse backgrounds. There are three ship workers, a famous columnist, a rich man, and three ship passengers (one a mother whose baby was killed in the attack).
When they see another man attempting to get in the lifeboat, they assist him. The last survivor turns out to be a German soldier from the submarine. The initial thought is to kill him. Luckily for him, the vote is to spare his life.
Lost at sea, with little food or water, the odds of survival are slim. What none know is one of them has secrets that could get them all killed.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Lifeboat was nominated for three Academy Awards…
It was a rough shoot completed in a gigantic water tank. The actors were in a free-floating boat constantly sprayed with water and a mist concoction of water/oil/dry ice. Twice production had to be stopped due to actors’ illnesses and injury.
Lifeboat has no musical score which was unusual for the time.
Alfred Hitchcock originally wanted his cameo to be a dead body floating in the water. It was changed and Hitch’s image appears in a newspaper ad.
William Bendix steals every scene he’s in.
Lifeboat (1944) rates 5 of 5 stars.
If season two of The Old Man matches season one, we’re in for a fun ride.
The stakes couldn’t get any higher. Don’t miss the two-episode premiere of FX’s The Old Man, 9.12 on FX. Stream on Hulu.
In FX’s The Old Man Season 2, former CIA agent “Dan Chase” (Jeff Bridges) and former FBI Assistant Director “Harold Harper” (John Lithgow) set off to recover “Emily Chase” (Alia Shawkat) after she is kidnapped. As the stakes rise and secrets are uncovered, Emily finds herself in an identity crisis with dire implications, and “Zoe McDonald” (Amy Brenneman) makes surprising moves into Chase’s world.
FULL TILT by Jason Copland (letters by Troy Peteri)
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Two hundred years in the future five crime families control New Manhattan. With trouble in paradise a sitdown was arranged for the boss of each family and his/her adviser. It did not end well.
An assassin appeared. It was a massacre. Massimo Miller, the consigliere of the Chessa family was the only survivor. Massimo was wounded, but barely survived. The cops and new crime bosses (even for the Chessa family) believe that Miller was the executioner.
Now badly inured and alone, Massimo has one thing on his mind: vengeance. To get it, Massimo will have to travel across the city with the soldiers of the five families and cops on his trail. How can one man, even one as formidable as Massimo have a chance? There’s only one way… go full tilt.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Jason Copland’s FULL TILT is a masterpiece. The mobster storyline in a sci-fi setting is perfect for Copland’s world building. He’s developed interesting, original characters built using genre troupes. Copland’s story and art raise the bar. I’m sad for the folks who missed out.
Rating:
Below are examples of unfinished/unlettered pages used to promote FULL TILT.
