“The Pitt” Season 2 starring Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa / Z-View

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“The Pitt” Season 2 (2026)

Created by: R. Scott Gemmill

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 16; 30) R. Scott Gemmill
  • (ep. 17) Joe Sachs & R. Scott Gemmill
  • (eps. 18; 29) Noah Wyle
  • (eps. 19; 24) Cynthia Adarkwa
  • (eps. 20; 25) Simran Baidwan
  • (ep. 21) Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman & R. Scott Gemmill
  • (eps. 22; 26) Valerie Chu
  • (eps. 23; 28) Joe Sachs
  • (ep. 27) Danny Hogan & R. Scott Gemmill

Directed by:

  • John Wells (eps. 16; 30)
  • Damian Marcano (eps. 17; 20; 25; 28)
  • Uta Briesewitz (eps. 18; 22; 26; 29)
  • John Cameron (eps. 19; 23)
  • Noah Wyle (ep. 20)
  • Shawn Hatosy (ep. 24)
  • Amanda Marsalis  (ep. 27)

Stars: Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez and Sepideh Moafi.

Tagline: The work never stops.

The Plot…

The Pitt follows Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in real time as he works a major hospital emergency room that is understaffed and overworked.  It is the fourth of July.

Let the fireworks begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Pitt was nominated for 13 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 5…

  • Nominee for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup – Myriam Arougheti, Thomas Floutz, Chris Burgoyne, Martina Sykes for episode “4:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) – Todd Grace, Ed Carr, Von Varga, Tami Treadwell for episode “6:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) – Bryan Parker, Kristen Hirlinger, Vince Tennant, Joshua Adeniji, Roland N. Thai, Lyndsey Schenk, Sam Lewis, Nicholas Kmet, Adam DeCoste, Alex Ullrich for episode “7:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) – Merry Lee Traum, Marie-Flore Beaubien, Leesa Simone for episode “7:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – Joe Sachs for episode “2:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – R. Scott Gemmill for episode “7:00 A.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series – John Wells for episode “7:00 A.M.”
  • Winner for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series – Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, Erica Berger 
  • Winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – Shawn Hatosy
  • Winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Katherine LaNasa
  • Winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Noah Wyle
  • Winner for Outstanding Drama Series – Damian Marcano, Michael Hissrich, R. Scott Gemmill, John Wells, Michelle Lankwarden, Simran Baidwan, Erin Jontow, Amanda Marsalis, Terri Murphy, Cynthia Adarkwa, Noah Wyle, Joe Sachs

The Pitt continues to be must-see tv for me.

Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa have won well deserved Emmys for their performances on The Pitt.

“The Pitt” Season 2 (2026) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Harbinger Down” (2015) starring Lance Henriksen / Z-View

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Harbinger Down (2015)

Director:  Alec Gillis

Screenplay: Alec Gillis

Stars: Lance Henriksen, Giovonnie Samuels, Matt Winston

Tagline: Terror is just beneath the surface.

The Plot…

Stephen along with his graduate students Sadie and Ronelle are aboard the fishing boat Harbinger.  They are at sea to study the effects of global warming on whales.  The Harbinger is crewed by ship captain Graff and his crew which consists of Bowman, Roland, Big G, Dock, Svetlana and Atka.

When an large foreign object is discovered on sonar, they bring it aboard.  To their surprise they discover they’ve found a crashed Soviet lunar module.  Aboard is a dead cosmonaut…

… as well as the alien that killed him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Harbinger Down comes off as a low-budget homage (re-imagining? rip-off) of John Carpenter’s The Thing.  At the start of the film, the date is given as June 25 1982, which happens to be the day JC’s The Thing was released.

When the crew first discovers the module, Graff asks “Is that a man in there, or something?” This is the same question asked by Doctor Copper in John Carpenter’s The Thing.

In John Carpenter’s The Thing, Childs asks about “voodoo shit” in regard to the alien.  Here a character makes the same “voodoo shit” reference to the monster.

Harbinger Down (2015) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Reservoir Dogs” Alt Poster by Nick Charge!

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Reservoir Dogs was my introduction to Quentin Tarantino.  It and Pulp Fiction are my Tarantino favs.  Depending on my mood, they alternate in the top spot.

Nick Charge has created a clever alt poster for Reservoir Dogs.  Look into Mr. Blonde’s shades and I’ll bet you begin to hear “Stuck in the Middle with You”.

If you’d like to see more of Nick Charge’s art, you can on his Instagram.

“You shoot me in a dream, you better wake up and apologize.” – Mr. White

“Badland Rising” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Badland Rising is here.  It looks to be a good low-budget crime/action film.

Deal me in.

A former soldier working in construction to save his family’s farm, is eager to return to his wife and son. But his homecoming is derailed when he inadvertently becomes entangled in the bloody aftermath of a botched mob robbery. While escaping the chaos, Dave unknowingly acquires a bag of money, making him the target of ruthless criminals.

CAST: Jake Ryan, Nathan Phillips, Steve Mouzakis

The film will be on digital and VOD on June 12th.

UNFINISHED TALES by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips!

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Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ new graphic novel, UNFINISHED TALES, drops December 8, 2026.  Here’s the lowdown…

“Brubaker and Phillips don’t hit a wrong note.” — Shane Black

A shocking new original graphic novel from the legendary team of Brubaker and Phillips!

Finnegan Blake is one of the most successful authors in the world, but he can’t enjoy all the fame and fortune anymore. Because Finn is ten years past his deadline on the final book in his epic fantasy series, and has no hope of ever finishing it. Until an old friend shows up with the perfect solution to his writers block. But their pact soon turns dark, as egos clash and old secrets emerge, leading Finn to wonder exactly what kind of deal he’s made, and how far he’s willing to go to get this final book onto the bestseller list. Most writers would kill for Finn’s life… will he?

The Lord of the Rings meets The Talented Mr Ripley in this paranoid thriller by the grand masters of comics noir. UNFINISHED TALES is the must-have graphic novel for the Christmas season, from the red hot creators of RECKLESS, THE FADE OUT, KILL OR BE KILLED and CRIMINAL (coming in 2026 to Prime Video).

“Shoot the Piano Player” (1960) directed by François Truffaut / Z-View

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Shoot the Piano Player (1960)

Director:  François Truffaut

Screenplay: François Truffaut, Marcel Moussy; based on DOWN THERE (aka SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER) by David Goodis

Stars: Charles Aznavour, Marie Dubois, Nicole Berger, Michèle Mercier and Albert Rémy.

Tagline: A Film for Adults

The Plot…

Charlie Koller is a piano player in a small jazz club.  Charlie  comes in each night, plays the piano and keeps to himself.  He’s a low key guy.  Léna, a waitress at the club, is starting to fall in love with Charlie.  Although Léna knows a bit about Charlie’s past, she keeps it secret.

One night when Charlie is playing, a man comes rushing in the club. The man is Charlie’s estranged brother.  He’s on the run from two thugs who aren’t far behind.  Although Charlie wants no part of his brother’s problem, he can’t stand by and do nothing.  The choice to get involved will bring forth the past Charlie has kept hidden and result in several murders.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although based on David Goodis’ excellent novel, DOWN THERE, the screenplay makes significant changes to the protagonist making him more confident and stronger.

Due to budget restraints, Truffaut often filmed on the streets of Paris where they could, improvising dialogue as they went along.

While I’m a fan of Shoot the Piano Player, I like the novel even better!

Shoot the Piano Player (1960) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Crime 101” (2026) written and directed by Bart Layton, starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan and Halle Berry / Z-View

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Crime 101 (2026)

Director:  Bart Layton

Screenplay: Bart Layton; based on Crime 101 by Don Winslow

Stars:  Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Halle Berry and Nick Nolte.

Tagline:  One Heist Connects Them All

The Plot…

Mike is a meticulous jewel thief.  He carefully plans his robberies to minimize all risks.  Mike never has to resort to violence, leaves no clues and is gone well before the police arrive.  Mike’s goal is to get enough money to walk away from this life and start a new one without looking back.

Mike has successfully pulled off a string of robberies and believes that no one has linked that one man is behind them all.

He’s wrong.

LAPD Detective Lou Lubesnick is convinced that there are about a dozen robberies that were committed by the lone thief.  All of the jobs were done with easy access to a highway.  The thief had obviously cased the job and knew the comings and going of all the employees.  And not a single job resulted in anyone being hurt.  Although Detective Lubesnick is convinced, his bosses aren’t.  But that isn’t deterring Lubesnick.

Mike’s fence, Money also helps identify potential jobs.  When Money pushes Mike to take down a jewelry store without enough time to figure out how to make it work, Mike passes.  Money gets hires a hothead named Ormon for the heist.  This puts Mike at odds with both Money and Ormon.

As Detective Lubesnick closes in, Mike sees an opportunity for a job that will either set him up with the money needed to walk away… or get him killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Crime 101 is based on a novella by Don Winslow.

Crime 101 checks all the boxes – excellent story and direction plus a great cast.

Crime 101 (2026) rates 5 of 5 stars

“We’re No Angels” (1955) directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov / Z-View

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We’re No Angels (1955)

Director:  Michael Curtiz

Screenplay: Ranald MacDougall; based on La Cuisine Des Anges by Albert Husson

Stars:  Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov, Joan Bennett, Basil Rathbone, Gloria Talbott and Leo G. Carroll.

Tagline:  A strangler… A swindler… A safecracker… Yet you’ll love them!

The Plot…

Joseph, a thief, along with Albert and Jules who are murderers escape from the Devil’s Island French Prison.  They make it to a small town where they plan to steal enough funds to make it aboard a ship for their final escape.

The convicts decide to go into a store, steal clothes and money and make their getaway.  Once in the store they discover that the store is failing.  The nice family running the store is on the verge of losing everything.  Against their better judgment the three convicts decide to stay at the store until nightfall.  While there the boys decide to fix the leaking roof… help with sales… cook the family a nice dinner and more.

The longer Joseph, Albert and Jules stay the less likely they are to getaway.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

We’re No Angels is based on the French play La cuisine des anges (The Angels’ Kitchen) by Albert Husson.  Interestingly enough, there was a Broadway play, My Three Angels by Sam and Bella Spewack which was was also based on the French play.  The Spewacks sued Paramount because parts of their play were incorporated into the movie without proper permission or payment.

We’re No Angels (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Season 4 – The Teaser is Here!

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The first teaser for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 is here.

Deal me in!

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 premieres July 23 only on Paramount+.

The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, led by Captain Christopher Pike, embarks on a series of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars. On their journey, they will battle inner demons and external threats, encounter colorful new characters, reunite with familiar faces and confront terrifying aliens. Through it all, they strive to embrace a bright, hopeful future.

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1941) starring Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Berman & Lana Turner / Z-View

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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)

Director:  Victor Fleming

Screenplay: John Lee Mahin, Percy Heath, Samuel Hoffenstein; based on STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE by Robert Louis Stevenson

Stars:  Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, Lana Turner, Donald Crisp, Ian Hunter, Barton MacLane, Frederick Worlock, Lumsden Hare, Lawrence Grant and Forrester Harvey.

Tagline:  Do you have secret longings that you dare not reveal? If you do, it’s the Mr. Hyde in you – and you can find out all about him from M-G-M’s fascinating, revealing film!

The Plot…

1887.  Dr. Jekyll and Beatrix Emery are in love and wish to be married.  Beatrix’s father is not happy with the relationship.  To delay the marriage Beatrix’s dad takes her on a prolonged trip out of country.

Meanwhile Dr. Henry Jekyll continues his experiments to separate the good and evil in humans.  With Beatrix gone, Jekyll decides to ingest his serum himself.  It works by changing Dr. Jekyll’s appearance and personality.  He’s no longer a calm and kind person.  Now he’s become harsh, crude and sadistic.  Jekyll takes to calling himself Mr. Hyde when he’s under the influence of his serum.

Late one night Hyde saves Ivy Peterson from an attacker as she is walking home.  This leads to Hyde becoming infatuated with Ivy… in an unhealthy relationship.  As time passes Jekyll spends more and more time as Hyde.  Hyde’s behavior becomes more outrageous as he gets into bar fights and instigates mayhem.  His behavior with Ivy also takes a turn for the worst.

Soon Beatrix will return…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Because of the Hays Code Ivy’s profession was changed from a prostitute to a barmaid.

Spencer Tracy had hoped to play Hyde without use of make-up, but ultimately it was decided to use some.  Even still, the transformation from Jekyll to Hyde isn’t enough to make it believable that Jekyll wouldn’t be recognized.

Spencer Tracy also wanted the roles of Beatrix and Ivy to be played by the same actress.  Just as Tracy’s Jekyll and Hyde were the two sides (good and bad) of the same person, Beatrix and Ivy would be the female version.

Neither Beatrix nor Ivy appear in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella.  They first appear in the stage play adapted by T.R. Sullivan.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) is basically a remake of the 1931 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  Sadly, the remake falls far short of the original which was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one.  Part of the problem is the Hays Code and part is that the transformation from Jekyll to Hyde is lacking.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) rates 3 of 5 stars