Category: Books

“The Specialist” (1994) starring Sylvester Stallone & Sharon Stone / Z-View

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The Specialist (1994)

Director: Luis Llosa

Screenplay: Alexandra Seros based on THE SPECIALIST novels by John Shirley

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Rod Steiger, Eric Roberts, Mario Ernesto Sánchez, Emilio Estefan Jr. and Tony Munafo.

Tagline: The government taught him to kill. Now he’s using his skills to help a woman seek revenge against the Miami underworld.

The Plot…

May Munro (Stone) wants revenge.  When May was a young girl, hidden in a closet, she witnessed Thomas Leon (Roberts) brutally murder her mother and father.  Leon is the son of Joe Leon (Steiger), a notorious organized crime boss.  To get close enough to kill him will be impossible.  So may seduces Ray Quick (Stallone) to do it.  Quick is an ex-CIA demolition expert.  Although reluctant at first, Quick can’t resist May’s charms.  What Quick doesn’t know is that May is playing him… or is she?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Reportedly at one point David Fincher was set direct.  Stallone was on board with Fincher at the helm, but the studio balked due to the box office of Alien 3.

In 1993, The L.A. Times reported that The Specialist was the best unproduced thriller script in Hollywood according to a poll of agents, producers and studio executives.

Sharon Stone plays a character much younger than she was at the time of filming.  Stone was supposed to have witnessed Eric Roberts kill her parents when she was a child.  Roberts is just two years older than Stone.

Sly Stallone wrote the scene where Eric Roberts threatens him with a knife.  He wrote the scene since otherwise they had no scenes together.

The cat that Stallone adopts in the film also would go on to appear in Assassins, another Stallone movie.

It’s no secret that I’m a Stallone fan, so keep in mind your mileage may vary.

The Specialist (1994) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Westworld” (1973) written & directed by Michael Crichton, starring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin & James Brolin / Z-View

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Westworld (1973)

Director: Michael Crichton

Screenplay: Michael Crichton

Stars: Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, Norman Bartold, Alan Oppenheimer, Linda Gaye Scott, Steve Franken, Michael T. Mikler, Terry Wilson, Majel Barrett, Anne Randall, Charles Seel and Dick Van Patten.

Tagline: Boy, have we got a vacation for you…

The Plot…

In the near future those that can afford it go to an adult theme park named Delos.  Delos is divided into three separate sections: West World, Medieval World and Roman World.  Each world is designed to replicate the eras of their name.  Robots almost indistinguishable from humans populate each world.  Guest interact and act out their greatest fantasies.  Want to be a bank robber in the old west?  Overthrow a king?  Partake in Roman orgies?  You can do all these things and more.

Repeat visitor John Blane (Brolin) and his buddy, first timer Peter Martin (Benjamin) are visiting West World. They’re having a blast.  Until things start to go wrong… very wrong.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I saw West World when it was first released in 1973.  I was 15 and loved it.  I’ve re-watched it many times over the years and still love it. I thought that James Brolin would be the last man standing.  I was so shocked when it turned out I was wrong.

Years after West World Michael Crichton created another amusement park that goes sideways with his novel (and later a film) Jurassic Park.

The film is set in the near future… 1983.

Silent film star, Harold Lloyd’s estate was used for Roman World filming and is listed in the credits!

Alan Oppenheimer plays one of the technicians in charge of the robots.  Oppenheimer in the following year will play Dr. Rudy Wells, in a similar role on The Six Million Dollar Man.

As the robots begin to malfunction and the problem spreads from robot to robot we get one of the first instances of computer viruses!

Yul Brynner’s character dresses almost exactly as the character he played in The Magnificent Seven.

Westworld (1973) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Shōgun” (2024) starring Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano & Hiroyuki Sanada / Z-View

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Shōgun (2024)

Created by Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks, based on Shōgun by James Clavel

Director: Jonathan van Tulleken (Eps.1-2); Charlotte Brändström (Ep. 3); Frederick E.O. Toye (Eps. 4-5, 9-10); Hiromi Kamata (Ep. 6); Takeshi Fukunaga (Ep. 7); Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour (Ep. 8)

Teleplay: Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks (Eps. 1-2); Shannon Goss (Eps. 3, 8); Nigel Williams & Emily Yoshida (Ep. 4); Matt Lambert (Eps. 5, 7); Maegan Houang (Ep. 6); Rachel Kondo & Caillin Puente (Ep. 9); Maegan Houang & Emily Yoshida (Ep. 10)

Stars: Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Yûki Kedôin, Akiko Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Sanada, Takehiro Hira

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

17th century.  John Blackthorne (Jarvis), one of the few surviving sailors shipwrecked in Japan, finds himself a pawn in a power struggle between factions.  Literally a stranger in a strange land, Blackthorne is viewed as a savage.  Yet, using his cunning and skills he will rise to a position of respect, not realizing the depth of deception and long-range plans being formed around him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This miniseries is based on James Clavell’s novel of the same name.  Clavell based many of the characters in his book on real historical figures.  James Clavell’s daughter (Michaela Clavell) served as an executive producer of the series.

Shōgun is amazing from top to bottom.  Great writing, acting, directing and production values make this series a joy to watch.

Shōgun currently has an 8.8/10 rating on IMDb.  At Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 99% rating with reviewers and a 90% average audience score.

Shōgun (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“L.A. Confidential” (1997) directed by Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger & Danny DeVito / Z-View

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L.A. Confidential (1997)

Director: Curtis Hanson

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson based on L.A. CONFIDENTIAL by James Ellroy

Stars: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, David Strathairn, Ron Rifkin, Matt McCoy, Paul Guilfoyle, Paolo Seganti, Elisabeth Granli, Sandra Taylor, Steve Rankin, Graham Beckel, Allan Graf, Symba Smith, Brenda Bakke and Simon Baker.

Tagline: Everything is suspect…everyone is for sale…and nothing is what it seems.

The Plot…

The year is 1953.  Three L.A. detectives find themselves at odds when investigating a series of murders.

  • Straight laced, by-the-book, Ed Exley (Pearce) is the son of a police legend.  Exley’s father was killed in the line of duty.  The murderer never caught.
  • Jack Vincennes (Spacey) is most concerned with his role as technical advisor on a popular cop tv show. Vincennes makes additional cash by providing inside info on celebrity busts to the publisher of a sleazy gossip rag.
  • Bud White (Crowe) isn’t above throwing a beat-down on criminals and is willing to cross certain lines to get justice.

When a police scandal known as Bloody Christmas, puts the reputation of the L.A. police force in jeopardy, Exley devises a solution.  This gets Exley a promotion, but puts him at odds with most of the force.  Then a multiple killing at a coffee house that includes one of the disgraced police officers is assigned to Exley.  Evidence leads to three African-American ex-cons. A shootout ensues and Exley kills them in self-defense.  Exley is cited for bravery and the case closed…

However inconsistences compel Exley to take a closer look.  Were he, as well as the suspects, set up? The evidence points to police and political corruption.  Still an outcast, despite his medal of valor, if Detective Exley refuses to back down, he will be the next targeted for murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

L.A. Confidential is based on the novel by James Ellroy.

L.A. Confidential was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and won two:

  • Best Picture (nominee) – Arnon Milchan, Curtis Hanson, Michael G. Nathanson
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role (winner) – Kim Basinger
  • Best Director – Curtis Hanson (nominee)
  • Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published (winner) – Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson
  • Best Cinematography (nominee) – Dante Spinotti 
  • Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (nominee) – Jeannine Oppewall (art director), Jay Hart (set decorator)
  • Best Sound (nominee) – Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer, Kirk Francis
  • Best Film Editing (nominee) – Peter Honess
  • Best Music, Original Dramatic Score (nominee) – Jerry Goldsmith

Kevin Spacey asked director Curtis Hanson who he would dream cast in the role of Jack Vincennes if the film had been shot in the 1950s.  Hanson surprised him.  Dean Martin, because of his slick, loose style and questionable character was his choice. (Although that choice surprised me as well, I like it! – Craig)

Simon Baker, perhaps best known for his television series The Mentalist, made his feature film debut in L.A. Confidential.

Kevin Spacey got top billing but had less screen time than the other two leads.

L.A. Confidential (1997) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“30 Days of Night” (2007) starring Josh Harnett, Melissa George & Danny Huston / Z-View

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30 Days of Night (2007)

Director: David Slade

Screenplay: Steve Niles, Stuart Beattie, Brian Nelson based on 30 Days of Night by Steve Niles & Ben Templesmith

Stars: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Mark Boone Junior, Elizabeth Hawthorne and Nathaniel Lees.

Tagline: They’re Coming!

The Plot…

The remote city of Barrow, Alaska, because of it’s location has a month of darkness once a year.  Most of the city’s inhabitants leave.  Those that stay have to live with “30 days of night”.  This year they will also have to deal with a coven of vampires who have come to Barrow to feast!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Steve Niles conceived 30 Days of Night as a graphic novel.  Although he pitched the idea, there was no interest.  Niles then reworked the idea and pitched 30 Days of Night as a movie.  Again there was no interest.  Niles put the idea on the back-burner until a discussion at IDW Publishing brought 30 Days of Night back from the, uh, dead.  Niles and artist Ben Templesmith’s 30 Days of Night comic was a hit.  This led to several movie studios showing interest in adapting 30 Days of Night.

A picture of Steve Niles can be seen in the attic hideout.

30 Days of Night does a great job of building suspense and ratcheting the tension as the vampires destroy Barlow’s ability to communicate with the outside world.  Then we see vampire attacks to those on the outskirts of the city.  The full-on attack of the city with the overhead shots of the mayhem is still a favorite scene.

Danny Huston is amazing as Marlow the leader of the vampire coven.  Kudos also to Ben Foster.

30 Days of Night (2007) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Pushover” (1954) starring Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone & E.G. Marshall / Z-View

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Pushover (1954)

Director:  Richard Quine

Screenplay: Roy Huggins based on THE NIGHT WATCH by Thomas Walsh and RAFFERTY by Bill Ballinger

Stars: Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone, E.G. Marshall, Allen Nourse, James Anderson, Tony Barrett, Phil Chambers, Alan Dexter, Anne Loos, Marion Ross, Paul Richards and Dick Crockett.

Tagline: HOT-BLOODED BLONDE…COLD-BLOODED GUY…and MURDER!

The Plot…

Detective Paul Sheridan (MacMurray) is sent undercover to befriend Lona McLane (Novak).  Lona is the girlfriend of Harry Wheeler (Richards), the prime suspect in a bank robbery where a security guard was killed and the thieves made off with over $200,000.00.  Paul and Lona hit it off.

The police have placed Lona’s apartment under 24 hour surveillance by Paul, an alcoholic cop named Paddy (Nourse) and Detective Rick McAllister (Carey).  Paul is surprised when Lona shows up at his house when he’s off-shift.  Lona tells Paul that she knows he’s a cop.  That she loves him.  That if Paul will kill Harry, they could run away together with the bank cash.

Paul refuses… at first.  But he’s in love and the temptation is too great.  Paul and Lona come up with a plan, but like the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although Kim Novak’s credit says, Introducing, this wasn’t her first on-screen appearance.  She was just 21 when Pushover was released.  She definitely comes off as sexier,  older and more world-weary than a 21 year old.

Roy Huggins’s script was based on two books not written by him. Huggins was himself a novelist and screenwriter.  He was also writer, creator and/or producer of television series that include Maverick, 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive, Hunter, and The Rockford Files.

Marion Ross of Happy Days fame appears uncredited as Mrs. Crockett.

Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak are excellent.  Kudos also to Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone and E.G. Marshall.

Pushover (1954) rates 4 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.

“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+

“Hitchcock/Truffaut” (2015) / Z-View

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Hitchcock/Truffaut (2015)

Director:  Kent Jones

Screenplay: Kent Jones, Serge Toubiana based on HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT by François Truffaut

Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, François Truffaut, Wes Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, David Fincher, Paul Schrader and Martin Scorsese.

Tagline: The Greatest Story Hitchcock Ever Told

The Plot.

In 1962, François Truffaut was on a hot streak.  Seen as one of the best young directors of the time, Truffaut  was already a triple Oscar nominee and double-award winner at Cannes.  Truffaut was also a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock.  So later that year, over the course of a week, Francois Truffaut and Alfred Hitchcock met for eight plus hours daily.  They discussed in detail Hitchcock’s films, his rationale for directing decisions and his thoughts on filmmaking.

Their conversations were recorded and transcribed. In 1966, Truffaut released HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT.  The book reached legendary status among filmmakers.  This documentary explores the interviews and highlights from Truffaut’s interviews with Hitchcock.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is a must-see for Hitchcock fans.

Hitchcock/Truffaut (2015) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Marlowe” (2022) starring Liam Neeson / Z-View

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Marlowe (2022)

Director:  Neil Jordan

Screenplay: William Monahan, Neil Jordan based on THE BLACK-EYED BLONDE by Benjamin Black

Stars: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange.

Tagline: Los Angeles, 1939. Outside the spotlight lies a city of secrets.

The Plot…

Phillip Marlowe (Neeson), a LA Private Eye, is hired by the heiress Clare Cavendish (Kruger) to find her missing lover.  Marlowe quickly learns that the absent Romeo was drunk in the gutter when he was run over by a boozed up driver.  While making his report to Cavendish, she informs Marlowe that she’s seen her lover after the date he was supposedly killed.

Marlowe decides to dig deeper and soon uncovers corruption that runs deep into the movers and shakers of the city.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In Raymond Chandler’s novels, Phillip Marlowe’s age ranges from 33 to 42.  Liam Neeson was 70 for this role.  That makes him the oldest actor to play Marlowe by nearly ten years.  Robert Mitchum was 58 and 61 when he played the part.  At one point in this film, Marlowe (Neeson) says to himself, “I’m too old for this shit.”  I agree.

Neil Jordan does an excellent job of making the film feel like it is 1939 in LA.  One goof that jumped out at me is when Marlowe tips a hatcheck girl $20.  That is equivalent to almost $450 today.

I’m a fan of most movie adaptations of Phillip Marlowe, but this one was just okay.  The film moved slowly, and Neeson just didn’t work as Marlowe for me.

Marlowe (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Devil in a Blue Dress” (1995) directed by Carl Franklin, starring Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle & Tom Sizemore / Z-View

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Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)

Director:  Carl Franklin

Screenplay:  Carl Franklin based on DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS by Walter Mosley

Stars: Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, Don Cheadle, Maury Chaykin, Terry Kinney, Albert Hall, Lisa Nicole Carson, Jernard Burks, John Roselius, Beau Starr, L. Scott Caldwell and Barry Shabaka Henley.

Tagline: In a world divided by black and white, Easy Rawlins is about to cross the line.

The Plot…

The year is 1948. Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins (Washington) has just been laid off and has a house payment coming due.  He needs a job, so when a white PI named DeWitt Albright (Sizemore) offers him a job, Easy accepts.  All he has to do is find a missing white woman involved with some political heavyweights.

When another woman ends up murdered,  Albright turns on Easy.  To make matters worse crooked cops give Easy 24 hours to find the real killer or they’ll frame him.  Easy brings in his friend Raymond “Mouse” Alexander (Cheadle) to help him.  Mouse is a stone-cold killer, but sometimes it take one to catch one.  The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Devil in a Blue Dress, the novel and the movie get my highest recommendation.

Carl Franklin’s adaption and direction are first rate.  Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle were perfect as Easy and Mouse. Tom Sizemore was excellent as DeWitt Albright.  It’s a shame that Franklin, Washington and Cheadle didn’t reteam to film more of Mosley’s stories.  At least one got this one.

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Interview with the Vampire: Season 2” – An Extended Trailer is Here!

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Loved the first season. Here’s an an extended look at Interview with the Vampire: Season 2.

Picking up from the bloody events in New Orleans in 1940 when Louis and Claudia conspired to kill Lestat, Louis tells of his adventures in Europe, a quest to discover Old World Vampires, and the Theatre Des Vampires in Paris. It is in Paris that Louis first meets the Vampire Armand. Their courtship and love affair will prove to have devastating consequences both in the past and in the future, and Molloy will probe to get to the truths buried within the memories.

Season 2 of #InterviewWithTheVampire premieres May 12 on AMC and AMC+.

Stephen King’s “Rose Red” starring Nancy Travis / Z-View

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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.