Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
This looks like fun!
Deal me in!
This first scene from FALLOUT that finds Lucy (Ella Purnell) at odds with The Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a little out of her depth attempting to address a Wasteland conflict using Vault Dweller tactics. As her efforts to de-escalate the situation fail and tensions arise, Lucy finds additional support from a member of the Brotherhood of Steel. All episodes of FALLOUT arrive April 11th on Prime Video.
The Abyss (1989)
Director: James Cameron
Screenplay: James Cameron
Stars: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, John Bedford Lloyd, J.C. Quinn, Kimberly Scott, Adam Nelson, Dick Warlock, Jimmie Ray Weeks, J. Kenneth Campbell, Ken Jenkins and Chris Elliott.
Tagline: Deep below the blue surface, there lies a place no one has ever dreamed of…..
The Plot
A United States military nuclear submarine has an encounter with something deep in the ocean and sinks. The sub comes to rest near the Cayman Trough, the deepest point in the Caribbean Sea. Soviet Ships are heading to the location to try to salvage whatever they can. In an effort to beat the Russians, the US sends in a Navy SEAL team to work with Deep Core crew members. Deep Core is a civilian company developing deep water vehicles for drilling. To complicate matters a hurricane will hit the area in hours.
The civilian crew and the Navy Seals form an uneasy alliance that begins to fray when they reach the ocean floor. The Seals have a hidden agenda… and there is something down there that no one was expecting.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
By all account The Abyss was a difficult shoot. Tensions were high. The actors did most of the stunts. Both Ed Harris and James Cameron were in danger of drowning in different situations. Both Ed Harris and Elizabeth Mastrantonio have not spoken highly about their experience making the film.
Fluid breathing is a real thing. The rats used in the movie’s scenes actually breathed the specially treated fluid and were not harmed in the process.
The Abyss features an excellent cast from the stars to the supporting actors. I was surprised by the turn of Michael Biehn’s character.
The Abyss was nominated for four Academy Awards (Best Cinematography: Mikael Salomon; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: Leslie Dilley, Anne Kuljian; Best Sound: Don J. Bassman, Kevin F. Cleary, Richard Overton, Lee Orloff and won one for Best Effects, Visual Effects: Hoyt Yeatman, Dennis Muren, John Bruno, Dennis Skotak.)
The Abyss (1989) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Matt Ferguson created this awesome limited edition print (as well as three variants for The Crow. They go on sale tomorrow at Bottleneck Gallery.
I enjoyed part one and think that part two will be even better.
REBEL MOON — PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER continues the epic saga of Kora and the surviving warriors as they prepare to sacrifice everything, fighting alongside the brave people of Veldt, to defend a once peaceful village, a newfound homeland for those who have lost their own in the fight against the Motherworld. On the eve of their battle the warriors must face the truths of their own pasts, each revealing why they fight. As the full force of the Realm bears down on the burgeoning rebellion, unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge, and legends are made.
From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, REBEL MOON is a 2-part movie event decades in the making.
REBEL MOON — PART ONE: A CHILD OF FIRE is now playing on Netflix.
REBEL MOON — PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER premieres on Netflix April 19, 2024.
Rob Hunter at Film School Rejects posted 29 Things We Learned from the ‘Road House’ Commentary. Sadly the post is no longer available, but here are three of my favorites from it…
The script called for a blind guitarist who played the instrument in his lap, and it was a direct reference to Jeff Healey who writer David Lee Henry had seen perform in Canada. The film’s music supervisor actually brought in Healey to audition, and he obviously got the job. (It was a plus and added to the film that they were able to get Healey for the film. – Craig)
Elliott initially declined the role of Wade as he felt it was too similar to the one he played in Mask (1985), but Herrington brought him in for a meeting to talk more about the character, and he changed his mind. “I can’t imagine this picture without Sam Elliott.” (Sam Elliott was definitely a plus. He added gravitas to the film and it wouldn’t have worked as well without him. – Craig)
Keith David plays the new bartender, Ernie, and his original introductory scene — he comes to the bar with his girlfriend, gets into a fight with some rednecks, and is helped by Dalton — was cut from the film as it was already running too long. (Other scenes that were cut include Swayze fighting and Wade explaining his rose tattoo. An extended cut would be interesting. – Craig)
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 Mirko Fascella.
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Death and Other Details (2024)
Created by: Heidi Cole McAdams & Mike Weiss
Director: Marc Webb (ep 1); David Petrarca (ep.2); Alrick Riley (eps. 3 – 4); Yangzom Brauen (eps. 5 – 6); James Griffiths (eps. 7 – 8); Dinh Thai (eps. 9 – 10)
Teleplays: Heidi Cole McAdams & Mike Weiss (ep. 1); Ryan Maldonado & Eduardo Javier Canto (ep.2); Nick Bragg (ep. 3); Mike Weiss (ep. 4); Jess Kimball Leslie (ep.5); Louisa Levy & Paul Alan Cope (ep.6); Myung Joh Wesner (ep. 7); Heidi Cole McAdams & Angela Zhou (ep. 8); Louisa Levy (ep. 9); Heidi Cole McAdams & Mike Weiss (ep.10)
Stars: Violett Beane, Lauren Patten, Angela Zhou, Hugo Diego Garcia, Pardis Saremi, Linda Emond, Mandy Patinkin, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Danny Johnson, Karoline, Jayne Atkinson and Jere Burns.
Tagline: All suspects aboard.
The Plot…
When Imogene (Beane) was a young girl, her mother was killed in a car explosion. Although Rufus Cotesworth (Patinkin), who many consider the world’s greatest detective, investigated, the killer was never found.
Now Imogene finds herself along with Rufus and a luxury cruise liner full of wealthy guests. When a murder at sea takes place, Rufus is tasked with finding the murderer. The problem is that everyone has secrets and possible motives for the killing,
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Death and Other Details starts off well enough. It has a nice cast, an interesting backstory and a mystery or two to solve. As the series continues it spirals out more characters, more backstories, and nothing is as it seems. My interest in Death and Other Details dwindled as the storyline became more outlandish.
Death and Other Details (2024) earns 2 of 5 stars.
Secret Agent (1936)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenplay: Charles Bennett, Alma Reville, Ian Hay, Jesse Lasky Jr. based on the story by W. Somerset Maugham and the play by Campbell Dixon
Stars: John Gielgud, Madeline Carroll, Robert Young, Peter Lorre, Sebastian Cabot, Michael Redgrave, Michael Rennie.
Tagline: Dead Women Tell No Tales Was The Motto of This Charming Lady Killer!
The Plot…
British Captain Edgar Brodie (Gielgud) is recruited for a secret mission to to identify and eliminate a German agent. Brodie is given a fake identity as Richard Ashenden. He is also given a “wife” named Elsa to assist with the mission. Ashenden and Elsa are teamed with a foreign agent (Lorre) called “The General” (also known as “the hairless Mexican – although he isn’t a general, hairless or a Mexican).
As Ashenden and Elsa move forward with the mission, they will encounter double agents, secret messages, and lines that they are unwilling to cross that The General will without hesitation.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Seeing John Gielgud and Robert Young looking so, uh, young is a hoot. Especially since I knew them from Arthur and Marcus Welby, MD.
Sebastian Cabot, Michael Redgrave and Michael Rennie appear in uncredited roles.
Another Alfred Hitchcock winner.
Be aware that the copyright lapsed and there are many bootleg and low quality versions on the market.
Secret Agent (1936) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Rose Red (2002)
Director: Craig R. Baxley
Screenplay: Stephen King
Stars: Nancy Travis, Matt Keeslar, Kimberly J. Brown, David Dukes, Judith Ivey, Matt Ross, Julian Sands, Kevin Tighe, Julia Campbell, Emily Deschanel and Stephen King.
Tagline: If Some Houses Are Born Bad, This One Was Created In Hell.
The Plot…
Dr. Joyce Reardon (Travis), a university psychology professor with an interest in the supernatural, has put together a diverse team of psychics that will stay in a famous mansion that legend says is haunted. The mansion, named Rose Red, got it’s reputation because of 23 people who died or disappeared while there. The team will discover the legend is true…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I’m not a huge fan of haunted house movies. If you are, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy Rose Red more than I did.
Rose Red (2002) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Black Dragons (1942)
Director: William Nigh
Screenplay: Robert Kehoe, Harvey Gates
Stars: Bela Lugosi, Clayton Moore and Keye Luke
Tagline: See him pit his terror against Japan’s treacherous agents in the U.S.A.!
The Plot…
Prior to World War II Japan and Germany secretly killed and replaced six top US business leaders. They did this by murdering the men and replacing them with Japanese agents who had facelifts performed by a Nazi doctor. The Japanese agents could destroy the USA’s war efforts and provide information to assist the Axis. When one of the spies is killed, Detective Dick Martin (Moore) is assigned to the case and discovers the evil plan. It is up to Detective Martin and an unknown ally to bring down the foreign agents.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Filming on Black Dragons began about one and one half months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor making it one of the first movie responses.
If you buy the fact that the plastic surgery made the Japanese spies look exactly like the men they replaced, you still have to believe that they had perfect voice matches and knew each man’s personal history (including secrets) so they could fool friends and family.
It’s cool to see The Lone Ranger (Clayton Moore) paired with Dracula (Bela Lugosi).
Keye Luke who played Charlie Chan’s son in several films (and went on to a long Hollywood career) has a small role as one of the agents that Bela Lugosi operates on.
Black Dragons (1942) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Bad City (2022)
Director: Kensuke Sonomura
Screenplay: Hitoshi Ozawa
Stars: Hitoshi Ozawa, Katsuya
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Kaiko City is overrun with crooked cops, corrupt politicians and street gangs. A small task force, led by Torada (Ozawa) a former police captain framed for murder, is put together to take down the crime bosses by any means necessary.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Hitoshi Ozawa has charisma. This is the first film I’ve seen him in, but he has an older, tough guy aura that made Charles Bronson popular. Katsuya reminded me a bit of Don Lee. (That’s a good thing.) I don’t know the name of the main villain that used knives, but he was excellent.
If you enjoy action/crime flicks, you should enjoy Bad City.
Bad City (2022) rates 3 of 5 stars.
The Breathe poster is pretty generic, but the trailer has me interested.
Deal me in.
Breathe – Watch the trailer now! In Theaters, On Digital, and On Demand April 26. Starring Jennifer Hudson, Milla Jovovich, Sam Worthington, Common, Quvenzhané Wallis
I like the poster and the trailer for Atlas has me interested in seeing more.
Jennifer Lopez is ATLAS. Premiering on Netflix May 24.
Eric Carmen’s wife announced that he had died over the weekend. No specific date or cause of death was given. Eric Carmen was 74.
Eric Carmen taught himself guitar, but was a classically trained pianist. Mr. Carmen first fame came as lead singer of The Raspberries. Eric Carmen was also the writer or co-writer of the groups hit songs such as Go All the Way and I Want to Be With You.
Eric Carmen left The Raspberries to pursue a solo career. His biggest hits were All By Myself and Never Gonna Fall in Love Again from his first solo album. Mr. Carmen would go on to write, sing, perform and produce for himself and others for the remainder of his career. Eric Carmen produced the mega hit Hungry Eyes from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
Eric Carmen’s hits, both with The Raspberries and solo, were a big part of my childhood. I still find myself smiling (and singing along) when I hear them.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric Carmen’s family, friends and fans.
SONNY BOY by Al Pacino is going to be released on October 8, 2024. Here’s the lowdown…
From one of the most iconic actors in the history of film, an astonishingly revelatory account of a creative life in full.
To the wider world, Al Pacino exploded onto the scene like a supernova. He landed his first leading role, in The Panic in Needle Park, in 1971, and by 1975, he had starred in four movies—The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon—that were not just successes but landmarks in the history of film. Those performances became legendary and changed his life forever. Not since Marlon Brando and James Dean in the late 1950s had an actor landed in the culture with such force.
But Pacino was in his midthirties by then, and had already lived several lives. A fixture of avant-garde theater in New York, he had led a bohemian existence, working odd jobs to support his craft. He was raised by a fiercely loving but mentally unwell mother and her parents after his father left them when he was young, but in a real sense he was raised by the streets of the South Bronx, and by the troop of buccaneering young friends he ran with, whose spirits never left him. After a teacher recognized his acting promise and pushed him toward New York’s fabled High School of Performing Arts, the die was cast. In good times and bad, in poverty and in wealth and in poverty again, through pain and joy, acting was his lifeline, its community his tribe.
SONNY BOY is the memoir of a man who has nothing left to fear and nothing left to hide. All the great roles, the essential collaborations, and the important relationships are given their full due, as is the vexed marriage between creativity and commerce at the highest levels. The book’s golden thread, however, is the spirit of love and purpose. Love can fail you, and you can be defeated in your ambitions—the same lights that shine bright can also dim. But Al Pacino was lucky enough to fall deeply in love with a craft before he had the foggiest idea of any of its earthly rewards, and he never fell out of love. That has made all the difference.
SONNY BOY by Al Pacino Hardcover
SONNY BOY by Al Pacino Paperback
SONNY BOY by Al Pacino Kindle
SONNY BOY by Al Pacino Audio CD
