“Mayor of Kingstown”: Season 4 (2025) starring Jeremy Renner and Edie Falco / Z-View

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Mayor of Kingstown: Season 4 (2025)

Created by: Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon

Directors:

  • Christoph Schrewe (Eps. 1-2; 5-6; 9-10)
  • Leslie Hope (Eps. 3-4)
  • Guy Ferland (Eps. 7-8)

Teleplay:

  • Dave Erickson (Eps. 1; 10)
  • Aalia Brown (Ep. 2)
  • Christian Donovan (Ep. 3)
  • James Arcega Tinsley (Ep. 4)
  • Wendy Riss (Eps. 5; 8)
  • Molly Forman (Ep. 6)
  • Christian Donovan & Jeremiah Wessling (Ep. 7)
  • Hugh Dillon (Ep. 9)

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Hugh Dillon, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley, Nishi Munshi, Necar Zadegan, Nichole Galicia, Michael Beach, Lane Garrison, Richard Brake, D Smoke,Phil Rice, Denny Love, Laura Benanti, Lennie James and Edie Falco.

Tagline: You can’t bury the past.

The Plot…

After the events last season Kyle is headed for prison.  Mike is working every angle to get Kyle released. Evelyn is willing to cut Kyle a deal if he gives up Ian.  This puts Ian on edge and eager to do whatever it takes to get clear… including murder.

Mike meets with the new warden, Nina Hobbs.  She’s a hardcase and won’t give Mike (or Kyle) any consideration.  But she’s got secrets that could be exploited.

Meanwhile Bunny is offered a chance to work with a Detroit gangster named Frank Moses.  Moses is a legend. Bunny’s looking for a partner.  Moses is looking to expand his empire.

With Kyle in prison, Merle Callahan, the leader of the Arian Nation has a new way to get to Mike.  By hurting Kyle.

The tension mounts as the season progresses.  Every encounter is dangerous.  Several won’t survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mayor of Kingstown continues to be one of the best (if not the best) written, directed, an acted television series.  It has production values that rival those of feature films.

Jeremy Renner is perfect as the no-nonsense and fearless Mike McClusky.  Other standouts in the supporting cast include Edie Falco, Lennie James, Hugh Dillon, Tobi Bamtefa and Hamish Allan-Headley.  Actually, I should probably list every supporting actor/actress because they are all perfectly cast.

The surprises, twists and ever building tension make each episode must-see tv.

Mayor of Kingstown has been renewed for a shortened (8 episode) final season.  I cannot wait.

Mayor of Kingstown: Season 4 (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Good Time” (2017) directed by Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, starring Robert Pattison, Benny Safdie and Jennifer Jason Leigh / Z-View

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Good Time (2017)

Director: Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie

Screenplay: Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie

Stars: Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Barkhad Abdi and Laurence Blum.

Tagline: Are you ready for a Good Time?

The Plot…

Connie is a small time criminal who takes care of Nick, his mentally impaired and often violent younger brother.  Tired of struggling, Connie and Nick rob a bank.  During the getaway, a dye pack explodes ruining the cash and causing them to wreck the getaway car.  Now on foot, they are chased by the police.  Connie escapes.  Nick is caught.

Knowing that Nick won’t survive the night in lockup, Connie moves through New York City’s underworld, in an effort to raise enough cash to bail Nick out before his temper gets him killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Much of the movie was improvised.  Only Robert Pattinson and Benny Safdie were given scripts.  They other actors were given background and information about their characters.  The scenes were then improvised. The mall chase scene was done during regular hours.  The background characters were not actors and their reactions were real.

Benny Safdie is perfect as Nick.  He steals every scene.

Robert Pattison’s performance in Good Time is what brought him to Matt Reeves attention and made Reeves want him for The Batman.

Eric Roberts originally played the bail bondsman.  The scene was shot in Eric Paykert’s office.  Paykert is an actual bail bondsman.  The Safdies decided to reshoot the scene using Paykert as the bondsman.  Paykert’s real wife played his on-screen wife as well.

Josh Safdie said about the feel of the film: “We wanted to make a piece of entertainment that has a pulpy feel to it. The movie takes place in only one night. It’s a film like a dream, like a nightmare.” Mission accomplished.

Good Time (2017) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” – The Poster & Teaser Trailer are Here!

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The poster and teaser trailer for Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is here!

Deal me in.

Some things are meant to stay buried.

#LeeCroninsTheMummy only in theaters April 17, 2026.

Hot off the record-setting resurrection of EVIL DEAD RISE, writer/director Lee Cronin turns to one of the most iconic horror stories of all time with an audacious and twisted retelling: LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY.

The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace — eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare.

The film stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, May Calamawy, Natalie Grace, with Veronica Falcón. The film is written and directed by Cronin, and produced by James Wan, Jason Blum and John Keville. The executive producers are Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Macdara Kelleher and Lee Cronin.

Cronin is supported behind the camera by a team of sterling film artisans, including director of photography Dave Garbett, production designer Nick Bassett, editor Bryan Shaw, costume designer Joanna Eatwell, music by Stephen McKeon and casting by Terri Taylor and Sarah Domeier Lindo.

New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster and Blumhouse Present, A Wicked/Good Production, A Lee Cronin Film: LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, only in theaters and IMAX in North America on April 17, 2026, and internationally beginning 15 April 2026.

“Wake Up Dead Man”: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) written & directed by Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis and Jeremy Renner / Z- View

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Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)

Director: Rian Johnson

Screenplay: Rian Johnson

Stars: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, James Faulkner, Noah Segan, Kit Burden and Jeffrey Wright.

Tagline: He works in mysterious ways.

The Plot…

Benoit Blanc is asked to help solve a murder that occurred at Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude, a rural parish in upstate New York.  Jefferson Wicks, the controversial and charismatic Monsigner was stabbed in the back with a devil’s head knife.  Wicks was murdered in the middle of his sermon. He briefly stepped into a closet where he was killed.  Wicks had been in full view of the assembly.  No one else was in the closet and there were no other entrances or secret passageways.

Jud Duplenticy, the new assistant Priest, is the main suspect.  Jud claims his innocence and reluctantly works with Benoit to figure out who pulled off an impossible murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Benoit Blanc is this generation’s Columbo.  And that’s a wonderful thing.

Wake Up Dead Man is my favorite of the three Knives Out Mysteries.

Josh Brolin and Glenn Close shine.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“One Battle After Another” (2025) written & directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti / Z-View

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One Battle After Another (2025)

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson; based on VINELAND by Thomas Pynchon

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Chase Infiniti, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, Wood Harris, Starletta DuPois and Kevin Tighe.

Tagline: Some search for battle, others are born into it…

The Plot…

Bob and his sixteen year old daughter, Willa live off the grid in California.  Bob’s a stoner and over-protective of Willa.

But for good reason.

Seventeen years ago, Bob’s real name was Pat.  Pat was a member of a revolutionary group that robbed banks, broke immigrants out of detention centers and bombed military instilations.  Willa’s mother was also a member of the militant group.  She abandoned Pat and Willa when she fled to Mexico to avoid prison.

Bob and Willa’s peaceful existence is about to be shattered.  Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw, for secret personal reasons, wants Willa dead.

Lockjaw has the might of the US military at his disposal… and he’s closing in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

One Battle After Another made more critics’ annual “best of” lists in 2025 than any other film, including the most 1st-place votes.

One Battle After Another features Chase Infiniti’s film debut.  She is excellent.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro and Teyana Taylor are perfectly cast.  Sean Penn, who is always excellent, deserves an Academy Award for his performance as Col. Lockjaw.

One Battle After Another is an excellent film.  It features over-the-top characters and outlandish situations.  It’s full of action with the right amount of humor.  I wouldn’t argue with anyone calling it their #1 film of the year (although I’d go with Sinners).  The acting, directing and writing is excellent.  However, I don’t feel that One Battle After Another is a film I’ll often revisit.  Your mileage as always may vary.

One Battle After Another (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Bang! It’s Sly Stallone by Josh Greathouse!

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Josh Greathouse‘s Bang: The Ballad of the Tiger is a fun take on battle comics.  If you enjoy monsters, empires, ancient evil, against a girl wh0 is a kung fu expert (and her sidekck), then check out Bang!  Josh is up to volume 3 now.

You can even get an option for a sketch with each purchase.  Usually Josh creates a drawing of one of his Bang characters.  Because I just collect Stallone sketches, Josh makes an exception for me and draws Sly in a “Bang hat”.

“Crime 101” starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry – The 2nd Poster & Trailer are Here!

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Crime 101 starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry – The Second Poster and Trailer are Here!

He’s untraceable.

Watch the new trailer for #Crime101 starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry.

See the movie only in theaters and IMAX February 13.

Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads.

Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher. As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.

Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter). Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out the cast.

THE BURGLAR IN THE RYE: A Bernie Rhodenbarr Mystery by Lawrence Block

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THE BURGLAR IN THE RYE: A Bernie Rhodenbarr Mystery by Lawrence Block

First sentences…

The lobby was a bit worse for the wear.  The large oriental carpet had seen better days, lots of them.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Bernie Rhodenbarr is a witty, mild-mannered book lover.  Bernie can usually be found running his used bookstore.  Where Bernie is never sledom found is at his second profession.  Bernie’s a thief.

Alice Cottrell, the former teenage lover of the world-famous, reclusive author Gulliver “Gully” Fairborn visits Bernie in his bookstore.  Gully is the author of NOBODY’S BABY, the novel that influenced a generation.  Even Bernie felt the book had a positive impact on his life, changing the way he looked at the world.  Instead of a sequel or following up NOBODY’S BABY, Gully became a traveling recluse.  He wanted no publicity and his life kept private.

Anthea Landau. Gully’s former agent, kept years of Gully’s private letters.  She plans to auction them off in a few days keeping the money for herself.  Gully wants the letters destroyed.  Anthea wants to pay Bernie to steal them before the auction.

Bernie decides t0 take possession of the letters.  Landau lives at The Padington, a once famous, but no rundown hotel.  Bernie takes a room.  Getting into Landau’s apartment late at night is a breeze.  Bernie quietly enters her bedroom and after a brief search finds the letters.  As he’s exciting, Bernie sees a huge knife sticking out of Landau’s chest.

She wasn’t sleeping.  She was dead. Recently murdered.

And now the cops are about to enter the room.

If Bernie can’t find a way out, and discover who killed Landau, he’ll  take the fall.

+++

THE BURGLAR IN THE RYE is the ninth Bernie Rhodenbarr novel.  Each story features a murder mystery full of witty dialogue, a healthy does of humor, interesting characters, multiple suspects and a conclusion where Bernie brings everyone together to explain the intricacies of the tale and expose the murderer.

Bernie Rhodenbarr tales are always fun.

Rating:

“The Great Flood” (2025) / Z-View

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The Great Flood (2025)

Director: Kim Byung-woo

Screenplay: Kim Byung-woo, Han Ji-su

Stars: Kim Da-mi, Park Hae-soo

Tagline: The Last Day on Earth, The One Choice for Survival.

The Plot…

An-na wakes up to find her apartment is flooding.  But… it is not just her apartment.  Water is everywhere.

And rising.

An-na gets her six year old son and heads to higher floors.  The water rises almost as fast as the people seeking higher ground.

As she struggles against the crowd to move up with her son, An-na recieves a call.  An asteroid made impact at the South Pole which triggered a world-wide flood.  Hee-jo, a government agent is in route to rescue An-na and her son.  Because An-na is a leading expert in AI, she (and her son) are going to be saved.

The government has known for months about the impending doomsday event.  Preparations have been made to save people essential for the survival of humanity.  An-na and her son will be saved… if they can just last until help arrives.

The water is rising…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I liked the initial idea of a mother and her young son trying to stay alive during a unprecedented flood.  But as the movie went on it morphed from a disaster film into a sci-fi movie.  Unfortunately, the more it ventured into scifi/AI, the less interesting it became.  As always, your mileage may vary.

The Great Flood (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.