Category: Z-View

“Another 48 Hrs.” (1990) directed by Walter Hill, starring Eddie Murphy & Nick Nolte / Z-View 

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Another 48 Hrs. (1990) 

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: John Fasano, Jeb Stuart, Larry Gross; story by Fred Braughton; based on characters by Roger Spottiswoode, Walter Hill, Larry Gross. Steven E. de Souza

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Nick Nolte, Brion James, Kevin Tighe, Ed O’Ross, David Anthony Marshall, Andrew Divoff, Bernie Casey, Ted Markland, Felice Orlandi, Page Leong, Hoke Howell, Frank McRae and Tisha Campbell.

Tagline: The Boys Are Back In Town

The Plot…

San Francisco Detective Jack Cates (Nolte) on the trail of a big-time drug dealer known as the Iceman, kills a man in self-defense. Because no one could find the dead man’s gun Cates is now under investigation by Internal Affairs. Cates did find evidence that the Iceman has targeted Reggie Hammond (Murphy) for execution.

With outlaw bikers and the Iceman‘s hitmen targeting them, Cates and Hammond must stick together to survive.

The Boys Are Back in Town!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The original cut was 2 hours and 25 minutes.  It was then cut to 2 hours and finally one hour and 35 minutes.  Frank McRae and Brion James had their roles substantially reduced.  McRae now only appears in the background of a scene and is uncredited.  James said at the time, “I was the third lead and now I looked like a dressed extra.”  In the trailer Cates tells Reggie that he’s on a deadline to catch Iceman, that was cut — so now there’s no mention of 48 hours.

In a scene when Reggie calls old friends, one is named Willie Biggs.  That was originally Murphy’s character’s name, but he thought it sounded like a typical Hollywood black man’s name.

The story is credited to Fred Braughton.  That is the pen-name Eddie Murphy used when writing it.

Tisha Campbell is listed in the credits as Amy Kirkland.

For the first film Nick Nolte was paid one million dollars and got top billing.  Eddie Murphy made $450,000.00.  For this one Murphy got top billing and seven million dollars, while Nolte made three million dollars.

I loved 48 Hrs.  I like Another 48 Hrs.  It could be because of the major cuts to the finished film.  I’d love to see a director’s edition.

Another 48 Hrs. (1990) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“48 Hrs.” (1982) directed by Walter Hill, starring Nick Nolte & Eddie Murphy / Z-View

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48 Hrs. (1982) 

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Roger Spottiswoode, Walter Hill, Larry Gross, Steven E. de Souza

Stars: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O’Toole, Frank McRae, James Remar, David Patrick Kelly, Sonny Landham, Brion James, Kerry Sherman, James Keane, Greta Blackburn, Margot Rose, Denise Crosby, Olivia Brown, Todd Allen, Jack Thibeau, Ola Ray and Jonathan Banks.

Tagline: The boys are back in town. Nick Nolte is a cop. Eddie Murphy is a convict. They couldn’t have liked each other less. They couldn’t have needed each other more. And the last place they ever expected to be is on the same side. Even for… 48 HRS

The Plot…

When San Francisco detectives, Cates (Nolte),  Algren (Banks) and Van Zant (Keane) attempt to arrest two escaped convicts, things go sideways.  Algren and Van Zant are killed.  The convicts get away.

Detective Cates has a plan to catch the killers.  He’s getting a 48 hour supervised prison release for Reggie Hammond (Murphy). Hammond is a fast-talking, hip con man and thief.  Hammond also worked with one of the convicts.  Cates believes Hammond’s inside info will lead him to the convicts.

Cates and Hammond take an instant dislike to each other.  Over the next 48 hours they may develop a friendship… if they survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The idea of a cop and a convict working together had been floating around for a while.  Paramount hired Walter Hill to write a script with the idea that Clint Eastwood would play the convict.  Hill did, but when he finished he said he thought the script would work better with Eastwood playing the cop and someone like Richard Pryor playing the convict.  The project went into limbo until a few years passed.  Hill was brought back to work with Nolte and Eddie Murphy (in his feature film debut).

Eddie Murphy wasn’t the first actor considered for the role.  Gregory Hines was.  Other actors considered before Murphy included Howard Rollins, Jr. and Denzel Washington.

Eddie Murphy’s character’s name originally was Willie Biggs.  Murphy thought it sounded like a “Hollywood, made-up, black guy’s name” so it was changed to Reggie Hammond.

Nick Nolte was paid one million dollars and got top billing.  Eddie Murphy made $450,000.00.  For the sequel Murphy got top billing and seven million dollars, while Nolte made three million dollars.

Director Walter Hill has a brief cameo as a convict in the opening chain gang scene.

Nolte and Murphy, Remar and Landham are perfectly cast.  Each pair has the right chemistry.

48 Hrs. (1982) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Spirit” (2008) written and directed by Frank Miller / Z-View

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The Spirit (2008) 

Director: Frank Miller

Screenplay: Frank Miller, based on The Spirit by Will Eisner

Stars: Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Jaime King, David Brian Martin, Eva Mendes, Eric Balfour, Louis Lombardi, Sarah Paulson, Dan Lauria and Frank Miller.

Tagline: My city screams. She is my lover. And I am her spirit.

The Plot…

Denny Colt (Macht) was a rookie cop killed on the job. Colt was dead… until he wasn’t.  Now Colt has become a masked crimefighter known as The Spirit.  Supervillains beware!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a Frank Miller fan from his early days on Daredevil comics.  I’ve followed his work through the years and was excited to see that he was writing and directing The Spirit.   Over the years I’d read more than a couple of Will Eisner’s Spirit stories.

I tried to watch The Spirit more than a few times in the past.  It was just too over-the-top for me. I never made it all the way through. It also didn’t seem to be The Spirit from Eisner’s tales.  Recently I decided to stick it out and watch the movie all the way through.  It didn’t get better.

I wish Frank Miller had written and directed a Sin City movie instead of this one.

The Spirit (2008)  rates 1 of 5 stars.

“One-Eyed Jacks” (1961) directed by and starring Marlon Brando / Z-View

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One-Eyed Jacks (1961) 

Director: Marlon Brando

Screenplay:  Guy Trosper, Calder Willingham, Rod Serling (uncredited),Sam Peckinpah (uncredited); based on THE AUTHENTIC DEATH OF HENDRY JONES by Charles Neider

Stars: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Pina Pellicer, Katy Jurado, Ben Johnson, Slim Pickens, Larry Duran, Sam Gilman, Miriam Colon, Elisha Cook Jr., Rodolfo Acosta, Ray Teal, John Dierkes, Hank Worden, ‘Snub’ Pollard and Timothy Carey.

Tagline: The motion picture that starts its own tradition of greatness.

The Plot…

After robbing a bank, Rio (Brando) and his partner, Dad (Malden) are pinned down by Mexican Federales.  Rio talks Dad into taking their only horse to ride to a ranch a few miles away.  Dad is to get fresh mounts and return for Rio.  Dad takes the bank loot and rides off.

Dad makes it to the ranch.  Instead of getting two fresh horses, he gets one.  Dad then rides off leaving Rio to be captured.

After five years in a tough Mexican prison, Rio escapes.  Determined to get revenge, Rio tracks down Dad. Rio discovers that Dad has turned his life around.  Dad is now married with an adopted daughter.  He’s also sheriff of a frontier town.

Rio rides in to town unaware of the surprises that await.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

THE AUTHENTIC DEATH OF HENDRY JONES by Charles Neider was a fictional tale based on real-life outlaw, Billy the Kid.  The script went through so many revisions that the final film has little resemblance to the book.

Stanley Kubrick was set to direct with Brando and Spencer Tracy starring.  Brando used his power to instead hire Karl Malden.  Just a few weeks before filming was to begin, Kubrick bowed out.  Brando stepped in.

Budgeted at two million dollars, the film ended up costing six million.  Originally scheduled for a three month shooting schedule, principal filming lasted six months.  Brando shot over a million feet of film.  There were reportedly five additional hours of film that didn’t make the cut.

One-Eyed Jacks (1961)  rates 3 of 5 stars.

John Carpenter Presents “Body Bags” (1993) / Z-View

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Body Bags (1993) 

Directors: John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Larry Sulkis

Screenplay:  Billy Brown, Dan Angel

Stars: John Carpenter, Tom Arnold, Tobe Hooper, Robert Carradine, Alex Datcher, Peter Jason, Molly Cheek, Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, David Naughton, George ‘Buck’ Flower, David Warner, Sheena Easton, Greg Nicotero, Debbie Harry, Mark Hamill, Twiggy, John Agar, Roger Corman, Charles Napier and Stacy Keach.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A scary coroner (Carpenter) introduces three tales…

  • The Gas Station.  A serial killer is operating in an area where a young woman has her first night working at a remote gas station.
  • Hair.  Richard Coberts (Keach) is a vain man concerned about losing his hair.  Nothing he’s tried so far as worked.  Then he learns about a new procedure guaranteed to grow hair.
  • Eye.  A pro baseball player (Hamill) on the verge of being called up to the big league gets into an accident that destroys one of his eyes.  Thinking he has nothing to lose, he agrees to an experimental eye transplant…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Body Bags was developed as a series for Showtime.  It would be their answer to HBO’s Tales from the Crypt.  Ultimately Showtime decided to not go forward with the project.

Body Bags is full of famous people showing up in cameos.

I would rank the three segments: The Gas Station (3 of 5), Hair (2 of 5) and Eye (2 of 5).

Body Bags (1993) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“American Fiction” (2023) written & directed by Cord Jefferson, starring Jeffrey Wright / Z-View

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American Fiction (2023) 

Director: Cord Jefferson

Screenplay: Cord Jefferson based on ERASURE by Percival Everett

Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Sterling K. Brown, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Raymond Anthony Thomas, Okieriete Onaodowan, Miriam Shor, J.C. MacKenzie and Keith David.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) is a writer and college professor.  Monk has had a couple of books published.  Although the books were critically praised, they were far from best sellers.  Monk’s latest book was turned down with publishers saying it wasn’t “black enough”.

To compound things, Monk’s mom’s mental health is rapidly deteriorating.  It’s clear she’s going to need the support of her family.  Monk’s brother just went through a divorce.  He won’t be much help.  His sister is willing, but there are issues.  Monk is feeling the pressure of life bearing down.

Monk’s exasperation grows when the novel WE’S LIVES IN DA GHETTO makes the best seller list.  The novel panders to the lowest common denominator and features typical black stereotypes.  Out of frustration, Monk begins writing.  His story features everything one would expect in a blaxploitation story – drugs, gangs, a deadbeat dad and a son who couldn’t rise above his surroundings.  When Monk is finished he has a book length story.  As a joke he submits it under the name Stagg R. Leigh, an ex-con who is one the run from the cops.

When Monk gets several offers as high as $750,000, he realizes that nobody gets the joke.  He tells his editor to decline the deal, but his mother’s bills are adding up.  So…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

American Fiction was nominated for five Academy Awards and won one…

  • nominee Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Laura Karpman
  • nominee Best Motion Picture of the Year – Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Jeffrey Wright
  • nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Sterling K. Brown
  • winner Best Adapted Screenplay – Cord Jefferson

I thought American Fiction would be funny.  It is.  I didn’t realize how much heart it would have.  American Fiction is one of the best movie surprises I’ve had in recent years.

American Fiction is Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut.

American Fiction (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Amityville Uprising” (2022) / Z-View

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Amityville Uprising (2022) 

Director: Thomas J. Churchill

Screenplay: Thomas J. Churchill

Stars: Scott C. Roe, Mike Ferguson, Kelly Lynn Reiter, Troy Fromin.

Tagline: To Serve. To Protect. And to Fight the Undead.

The Plot…

An explosion at a military base produces a cloud that releases acid rain over Amityville.  The contaminated downpour turns town folk into zombies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Amityville Uprising sounded like a low budget drive-in movie that might be a fun way to spend an hour and a half.  I tapped out after 31 minutes.  I was still waiting to see a zombie.

Amityville Uprising (2022) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“Crawlspace” (2022) starring Henry Thomas / Z-View

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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) directed by Andrew McCarthy / Z-View

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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.

“Lockout” (2012) starring Guy Pearce & Maggie Grace / Z-View

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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) starring James Caan & Billy Dee Williams / Z-View

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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…

  • winner Outstanding Single Program – Drama or Comedy – Paul Junger Witt (producer)
  • nominee Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – James Caan
  • nominee Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Dee Williams
  • winner Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Drama – Jack Warden
  • nominee Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama – A Single Program – Buzz Kulik
  • winner Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama – Adaptation – William Blinn
  • nominee Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition – For a Special Program – Michel Legrand
  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for Entertainment Programming – For a Special or Feature Length Program Made for Television – Joseph F. Biroc (cinematographer)
  • nominee Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing – Marvin I. Kosberg (sound editor), Harold E. Wooley (sound editor), Wayne Fury (sound editor), Ralph Hickey (sound editor), Paul Laune (sound editor), George C. Emick (sound editor), Monty Pearce (sound editor)
  • nominee Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Mixing – William J. Montague (sound mixer), Alfred E. Overton (sound mixer)
  • winner Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing for Entertainment Programming – For a Special or Feature Length Program Made for Television – Bud S. Isaacs (editor)

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.

“Lifeboat” (1944) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Tallulah Bankhead, John Hodiak, Walter Slezak & William Bendix / Z-View

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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…

  • nominee Best Director – Alfred Hitchcock
  • nominee Best Writing, Original Story – John Steinbeck
  • nominee Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Glen MacWilliams

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.

FULL TILT by Jason Copland / Z-View

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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.

“Life” (2017) starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson & Ryan Reynolds / Z-View

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Life (2017) 

Director: Daniel Espinosa

Screenplay: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick

Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ariyon Bakare

Tagline: Fear life. Not death.

The Plot…

An unmanned probe returns to the International Space Station with soil samples from Mars.  The six astronauts aboard the station are surprised to find a single cell organism in the soil.  As they experiment with the sample it begins to grow exponentially.  It escapes it’s container and devours a lab rat. Then the creature turns its sights on the astronauts.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Daniel Espinosa said the twist ending is in the spirit of The Twilight Zone and Night of the Living Dead.

I hate it when movie characters repeatedly make stupid decisions.  Especially when they’re supposed to be intelligent.

Life (2017)  rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Interview with the Vampire”: Season 2 (2024) starring Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Eric Bogosian, Delainey Hayles & Assad Zaman / Z-View

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Interview with the Vampire: Season 2 (2024)

Directors:  Craig Zisk (eps. 1, 5); Levan Akin (eps. 2-4, 8); Emma Freeman (eps. 6-7)

Teleplay: Hannah Moscovitch (ep. 1); Jonathan Ceniceroz & Shane Munson (ep. 2); Heather Bellson (ep. 3); Coline Abert & A. Zell Williams (ep. 4); Jonathan Ceniceroz & Hannah Moscovitch (ep. 5); Hannah Moscovitch & Shane Munson (ep. 6); Kevin Hanna & Rolin Jones (ep. 7); Rolin Jones (ep. 8)

Stars: Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman, Delainey Hayles, Ben Daniels, Esme Appleton, Christopher Geary, Khetphet Phagnasay, Andrew Van Wilpe, Jan Hofman, Ben Bradshaw, Roxane Duran, Luke Brandon Field, Elander Moore, Justin Kirk, Blake Ritson, Stanislav Callas, Ed Birch, Roxane Duran and Bally Gill

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Interview with a Vampire is an adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel, Interview with a Vampire.

Through a series of interview flashbacks we learn that in World War II’s final years Louis (Anderson) and Claudia’s (Hayles) search for other vampires lead to Romania and Paris.  They are discovered by a vampire coven in Paris.  All is not what it seems.  Jealously, lies and betrayals abound.  Most will not survive.

Daniel Malloy (Bogosian) discovers government agents are aware of the vampires.  Malloy also determines that he’s not being told the truth throughout the interview.  Malloy realizes with increasing certainty that his life is in danger.

When the interview concludes lies will be uncovered, truths revealed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Interview with the Vampire Season 1 was a tour de force.  Season 2 meets and exceeds the bar that it set.  The series continues to be well written with wonderful actors joined by top notch directors.

Delainey Hayles who replaced Bailey Bass as Claudia does an excellent job.

There are more twists and surprises in season two.

I love the idea of a coven of vampires hiding in plain sight.  The vampire pretend to be human actors playing vampires on stage nightly.  The audience has no idea that the victims killed on stage are not actors.

Ben Daniels as Santiago provides a riveting performance as Santiago.

I have no idea how season 3 can live up to, let alone surpass season 2… but I’ll be ready to find out.

Interview with the Vampire: Season 2 (2024) earns 5 of 5 stars.