“Goldfinger” by Tony Stella!
Wow! Goldfinger by the ever amazing Tony Stella!
Category: Movies
“Tall in the Saddle” (1944) starring John Wayne, Ella Raines & Ward Bond / Z-View
Tall in the Saddle (1944)
Director: Edwin L. Marin
Screenplay: Michael Hogan, Paul Fix; based on TALL IN THE SADDLE by Gordon Ray Young
Stars: John Wayne, Ella Raines, Ward Bond, George ‘Gabby’ Hayes, Audrey Long, Elisabeth Risdon, Donald Douglas, Paul Fix, Russell Wade, Emory Parnell, Harry Woods, and Clem Bevans.
Tagline: A Man Looking For TROUBLE…could always find it in Santa Inez!
The Plot…
Rocklin (Wayne) a big stoic cowboy arrives in Santa Inez. Rocklin has come to town to take the foreman job at Red Cardell’s ranch. Only problem is Red was recently murdered.
Despite some run-ins and encouragement to move on, Rocklin is determined to find out who killed Red.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Ward Bond was a friend and regular co-star of John Wayne. They appeared in 23 films together.
If you’re a fan of old school westerns, you should enjoy Tall in the Saddle.
Tall in the Saddle (1944) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Megalopolis” – The IMAX Poster and new trailer is here!
The IMAX Poster and new trailer for Megalopolis is here!
I’m not sold on the movie yet, but it does seem to demand being seen in a theater.
Deal me in.
MEGALOPOLIS is a Roman Epic set in an imagined Modern America. The City of New Rome must change, causing conflict between Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), who remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.
MEGALOPOLIS: The Ultimate IMAX Experience on September 23. In theaters & IMAX everywhere September 27. Starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Kathryn Hunter, and Dustin Hoffman
“To Catch a Killer” (2023) directed by Damián Szifron, starring Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo and Ralph Ineson / Z-View
To Catch a Killer (2023)
Director: Damián Szifron
Screenplay: Damián Szifron, Jonathan Wakeham
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo, Ralph Ineson, Richard Zeman, Dusan Dukic, Jason Cavalier, Darcy Laurie, Mark Camacho, Marcello Bezina and Maurizio Terrazzano.
Tagline: A city at the center of chaos. A detective with special skills. A madman testing her limits.
The Plot…
A sniper from a high rise begins shooting New Year’s Eve rooftop partiers. Dozens of people are killed. The sniper is fast and efficient. One shot. One kill. Police throughout the area are called to respond. An explosion rocks the building used by the sniper. As people begin pouring out of the structure, street cop, Eleanor Falco (Woodley) begins recording faces and tells other officers to do the same.
Special Agent Lammark of the FBI (Mendelsohn) is put in charge of the case. He learns that Eleanor had the presence of mind to record those exiting the building. Lammark speaks with her and is quickly impressed with her frankness and intuition. Lammark invites Eleanor to join him and FBI agent Jack McKenzie (Adepo) on the case. She accepts.
Lammark gets some pushback from higher ups at the FBI. Eleanor had applied to the Bureau and been rejected. She had no college and things in her background that made her unacceptable. Lammark stands his ground and Eleanor is kept on the team.
The sniper killed dozens of people. Another mass killing is coming soon. As Lammark, Eleanor and McKenzie work the case, the public outcry intensifies. Politicians and FBI brass put the pressure on Lammark.
Then they get the break they need…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I absolutely loved To Catch a Killer. Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn and Ralph Ineson give power house performances. This is Damián Szifron’s first time directing an English language film and he hit a home run. Kudos also to Damián Szifron and Jonathan Wakeham for their screenplay.
To Catch a Killer (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Conan by Mahmud Asrar!
How cool is Mahmud Asrar‘s Conan? Very cool I say!
“Smile 2” – The Poster and Full Trailer are Here!
The poster and full trailer for Smile 2 have arrived. I enjoyed the original Smile, so I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Would it kill you to smile? Watch the New Trailer for #Smile2 – Only in theatres October 18. #SmileMovie
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
“The Living Ghost” (1942) / Z-View
The Living Ghost (1942)
Director: William Beaudine
Screenplay: Joseph Hoffman; Howard Dimsdale (original story)
Stars: James Dunn, Joan Woodbury, Paul McVey, J. Farrell MacDonald.
Tagline: SPOOK CHASER… A reckless sleuth follows the trail of a white ZOMBIE!
The Plot…
When wealthy banker Walter Craig disappears, his best friend, Ed Moline (McVey) hires retired PI, Nick Trayne (Dunn) to find him. Trayne has his hands full. Everyone is suspect and that includes Craig’s ex-wife Helen, his daughter Tina and her fiance Arthur, his sister Delia, her husband George, Craig’s friend Tony, Craig’s secretary and even Cedric the butler
When Walter Craig turns up in a zombie-like state, the case changes from a missing person to a who dunnit.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
What could have been a fun old dark house murder mystery/comedy ends up being a lackluster affair. The title indicates a ghost but we end up with more of a zombie. Not that a ghost would have livened things up.
The Living Ghost (1942) rates 2 of 5 stars.
The Classic Universal Monsters by Eric “The Goon” Powell!
The classic Universal Monsters by Eric “The Goon” Powell.
“Bloodshot” (2020) starring Vin Diesel / Z-View
Bloodshot (2020)
Director: David S. F. Wilson
Screenplay: Jeff Wadlow, Eric Heisserer; story by Jeff Wadlow; based on Bloodshot by Kevin VanHook, Don Perlin, Bob Layton
Stars: Vin Diesel, Eiza González, Toby Kebbell, Talulah Riley, Lamorne Morris, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson,
David Dukas, Charlie Bouguenon, Alex Anlos and Guy Pearce.
Tagline: Being a hero is in his blood.
The Plot…
Ray Garrison (Diesel) is an elite US Marine. Shortly after a successful mission, Garrison and his wife go on vacation. In short order they are kidnapped by a terrorists led by Martin Axe (Kebbell). Garrison refuses or is unable to provide the information Axe wants. Axe then executes Garrison’s wife and kills Garrison.
Or so he thinks.
Garrison wakes up in a laboratory. Although Garrison was dead, he’s been resurrected by Dr. Emil Harting (Pearce). Experimental nanorobotics have replaced Garrison’s blood. He’s now super strong and almost instant healing powers. Harting thinks he has created a super soldier to do his bidding.
Garrison has plans of his own…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Based on the popular Valiant comic series.
Lamorne Morris, an American, plays a Brit. Toby Kebbell is British plays an Australian. Guy Pearce is Australian plays an American.
I thought I would like Bloodshot more.
Bloodshot (2020) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Lethal Weapon (1987) directed by Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson & Danny Glover / Z-View
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Director: Richard Donner
Screenplay: Shane Black; Jeffrey Boam (uncredited)
Stars: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Jackie Swanson, Ebonie Smith, Bill Kalmenson, Lycia Naff, Don Gordon, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Jason Ronard, Blackie Dammett, Mary Ellen Trainor, Jack Thibeau, Ed O’Ross, Joan Severance and Al Leong.
Tagline: After 20 years on the force, police detective Roger Murtaugh has come face-to-face with the most dangerous killing machine in Los Angeles… his new partner.
The Plot…
Martin Riggs (Gibson) was a Special Forces Ranger. Now he’s a Los Angeles police Sergeant. Since the unexpected death of his wife, Riggs’ behavior has become erratic. Riggs’ Captain thinks Riggs is faking it to get early retirement. The police psychologist isn’t so sure. So the Captain teams Riggs with 20 year veteran Homicide Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Glover). The Captain figures Murtaugh will keep Riggs in line.
Murtaugh quickly discovers Riggs ain’t faking it.
An old friend of Murtaugh contacts him for help. The friend’s daughter is into drugs, prostitution and pornography. When Murtaugh and Riggs investigate, they discover a high level para-military organization acting as a drug cartel.
Now Murtaugh and Riggs are marked for death. If the cartel doesn’t kill them, Riggs’ death wish might.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Director Richard Donner dedicated the film to legendary stuntman, Dar Robinson, who died shortly after filming was completed.
Gibson was 30 playing a character that is 38. Glover was 40 playing a 50 year old.
Blackie Dammett whose real name is John Kiedis plays a drug dealer that gets The Three Stooges treatment from Gibson. Dammett is the father of Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Richard Donner brought in Jeffrey Boam for an uncredited rewrite of Shane Black’s script. Donner thought Black’s take was too dark. Boam was brought in again for a clean-up on Lethal Weapon 2. Boam then wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon 3.
Traci Wolfe played Murtaugh’s teenage daughter that had a crush on Riggs. At the time of filming Wolfe was 26 and Gibson was 30.
Lethal Weapon is one of my all-time favorite films. Notice I didn’t just say “action films”. Everything about this one is right.
Lethal Weapon (1987) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Vampyr” (1932) directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer / Z-View
Vampyr (1932)
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Screenplay: Christen Jul, Carl Theodor Dreyer; based on the story In a Glass Darkly by Sheridan Le Fanu
Stars: Julian West, Maurice Schutz, Rena Mandel, Jan Hieronimko, Sybille Schmitz and Henriette Gerard.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Allan Gray, a drifter walking through the countryside takes a room at an inn. Late that night he is awakened from his sleep by a stranger in his room. The man leaves a note, “To Be Opened Upon My Death” and quickly leaves. Gray attempts to follow the man and arrives at a castle. Looking in he sees an old woman and shadows of people although no one else is seen. The shadows appear to move on their own.
As Gray investigates further he will find the old man shortly before the gent is murdered. Gray opens the note which speaks of demons called vampyrs. Gray believes that the old man’s young daughter is becoming a vampyr.
Can she be saved? Must she be destroyed? Gray must decide. The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Many consider Vampyr a classic. For whatever reason it didn’t resonate with me. Your mileage, as always, may vary.
Although it was created when sound films had arrived, it still presents much information in title cards used in silent films.
Most of the characters in this film were not played by professional actors.
Vampyr (1932) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Apartment 7A” starring Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest & Kevin McNally – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
I’ve been looking forward to the poster and trailer for Apartment 7A starring Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally. I’m not disappointed.
Deal me in.
An ambitious young dancer Terry Gionoffrio (Julia Garner, Ozark) dreams of fame and fortune in New York City, but after suffering a devastating injury, an older, wealthy couple (Dianne Wiest, I Care a Lot, and Kevin McNally, Pirates of the Caribbean film series) welcomes her into their home in the luxury apartment building the Bramford.
When fellow resident and influential Broadway producer (Jim Sturgess, Across the Universe) offers her another chance at fame, it seems that all her dreams are finally coming true. However, after an evening she can’t fully remember, disturbing circumstances soon have her second-guessing the sacrifices she’s willing to make for her career as she realizes that something evil is living not only in Apartment 7A, but in the Bramford itself.
Additional supporting cast includes Marli Siu (Everything I Know About Love), Andrew Buchan (All the Money in the World), Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean) and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Wonka).
Apartment 7A is streaming on Paramount+ on September 27 in the U.S. and Canada, Latin America and Brazil and on September 28 in the U.K., France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Australia. Availability in additional international Paramount+ markets to come at a later date. The film will also be available for purchase on digital beginning Friday, September 27.
“Atomic Blonde” (2017) directed by David Leitch, starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman & Sofia Boutella / Z-View
Atomic Blonde (2017)
Director: David Leitch
Screenplay: Kurt Johnstad based on The Coldest City by Antony Johnston, Sam Hart
Stars: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Toby Jones, James Faulkner, Bill Skarsgård, Sam Hargrave, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Til Schweiger, Declan Hannigan and Sofia Boutella.
Tagline: Talents can be overrated.
The Plot…
1999. The cold war rages. When a MI6 agent is executed and microfilm containing The List of every active secret agent is stolen, Lorraine Broughton (Theron) is sent undercover to Berlin. Her mission is to recover The List at all costs.
Lorraine is warned that a KGB double agent only known as The Satchel is active in the area. Immediately after arriving in Berlin, an assassination attempt on Loraine is attempted. She barely survives. Loraine then meets her contact David Percival (McAvoy), an MI6 deep undercover agent. As Loraine works to find The List, she encounters Delphine Lasalle (Boutella) who claims to be a French agent.
Not sure who she can trust, Lorraine must find The List before it falls into enemy hands. Failure to do so will cost the lives of dozens of agents… including her.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
David Leitch co-directed John Wick. He decided to do this film rather than John Wick Chapter 2.
Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves trained together. Reeves was getting in shape for John Wick Chapter 2.
There is a fight scene that moves up/down stairs and through several rooms that last about ten minutes. It appears (thanks to clever editing) to be done in one continuous shot.
Charlize Theron, James McAvoy and Sofia Boutella are perfect. The supporting cast is amazing.
David Leitch has created an action classic.
Atomic Blonde (2017) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Die Alone” starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, Kimberly-Sue Murray & Frank Grillo – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
We have the poster and trailer for Die Alone starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, Kimberly-Sue Murray, and Frank Grillo.
Deal me in.
Lost in a world reclaimed by nature and overrun by mysterious creatures, a young man with amnesia teams up with an eccentric survivalist to find his missing girlfriend.
Cast: Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, Kimberly-Sue Murray, Frank Grillo
In THAEATERS, On DEMAND and On DIGITAL October 18th, 2024
“The Ghost and the Guest” (1943) / Z-View
The Ghost and the Guest (1943)
Director: William Nigh
Screenplay: Morey Amsterdam; original story by Milt Gross
Stars: James Dunn, Florence Rice, Anthony Caruso and Sam McDaniel.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Webster Frye (Dunn) and his bride, Jackie (Rice) plan to honeymoon in the old remote house her father bought her. When Webster and Jackie arrive they are surprised to find Ben Bowron. Bowron says that the famous jewel thief Honeyboy left him the house in his will.
Before you know it Honeyboy’s coffin is brought to the house. Then a bunch of criminals show up for Honeyboy’s burial service. They are followed by some cops and a lawyer. If this sounds like a great mix for a fun romp, it is. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t live up to the potential.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Morey Amsterdam of The Dick Van Dyke Show fame wrote the screenplay. You’d think it would be funnier.
The Ghost and the Guest (1943) rates 2 of 5 stars.
