“A History of Violence” (2005) directed by David Cronenberg, starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris and William Hurt / Z-View

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A History of Violence (2005)

Director:  David Cronenberg

Screenplay:  Josh Olson; based on A History of Violence by John Wagner & Vince Locke

Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, William Hurt, Peter MacNeill and Ed Harris.

Tagline: Tom Stall had the perfect life… until he became a hero.

The Plot…

Tom Stall is the mild-mannered owner of a small diner in a quiet Indiana town.  Tom is married to Edie.  They have two teenaged children, Jack and Sarah.  Life is good.

That changes when two wanted murderers attempt to rob Tom’s diner.  When his waitress is threatened Tom springs into action.  With surprising ease Tom kills both thugs. As word spreads Tom is celebrated as a hero.  The story makes the national news.

Not long after, Carl Fogarty, a Philadelphia mobster shows up. Fogarty contends that Tom is actually Joey Cusack, a mob hitman.  Tom is shocked and denies it.

Whether Tom is or isn’t Joey Cusack, is of little matter.  Tom and his family are now targets of the mob.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A History of Violence was nominated for two 2006 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay – Josh Olson
  • Nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – William Hurt

William Hurt’s well deserved Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination was the result of his only scene which lasted less than 10 minutes.

A History of Violence was adapted from the graphic novel by John Wagner & Vincent Locke.

The thing that stayed with me after watching A History of Violence was the dual nature in all of us. So… was Viggo really Tom Stall or Joey Cusak? The things that Joey did that made him a killer were the same actions that made Tom Stall a hero.

A History of Violence (2005) rates 5 of 5 stars.

QUARRY’S REUNION by Max Allan Collins / Z-View

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QUARRY’S REUNION by Max Allan Collins

First sentences…

I hadn’t killed anybody for money, or for free for that matter, in a long time.  So seeing her, and knowing that one option would be to snuff her out like a candle’s flame, I wondered what, if any, other options I had.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Jack Keller was one of the many aliases the professional contract killer known as Quarry used over the years.  Quarry wasn’t his real name, but the one he used for… business purposes.

After a stint as a marine sniper, Quarry was recruited by the Broker, to join a stable of mostly ex-military men who killed for money.  Quarry became a target when he refused to murder without question.  Quarry survived, took down the Broker and went out on his own.  For the next couple of decades, Quarry used his skills to protect people.

But that was years ago.

Now retired, Quarry is known as Jack Keller, a quiet affable widower.  So when Quarry’s high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Kemper, reaches out to him, he’s surprised. Complicating matters is the fact that Mary Ann appears to know about his “life” as Quarry.

Mary Ann needs help — the very kind Quarry is an expert at providing.  Someone wants Mary Ann’s daughter dead.  There are several suspects, but as bodies pile up (not all caused by Quarry), time is running out.

+++

I am a HUGE fan of Max Allan Collins’ Nate Heller novels.  QUARRY’S REUNION is my first Quarry novel. If, like me, you’re new to the character, don’t worry.  Collins quickly brings readers up to speed. QUARRY’S REUNION is the perfect jumping on tale for a series that started fifty years ago.

QUARRY’S REUNION is an easy, fun read.  As the yarn unfolded, it reminded me of something Lawrence Block might have written. (THAT is a great compliment.)  It wasn’t until I finished the novel that it occurred to me that Quarry’s “Keller” alias was probably a tip of the fedora to Block and his hitman character.

In QUARRY’S REUNION Max Allan Collins did something unexpected. Just as the story is barreling along — with the suspects known and the casualties mounting — Collins shifts tone. What started as a pulp revenge tale transforms from a “whodunit” into a “how-and-why- he/she-dunit,” in the best Rex Stout / Nero Wolfe tradition. Genius. Pure genius.

The beautiful cover by Paul Mann is a bonus!

QUARRY’S REUNION gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“28 Weeks Later” (2007) starring Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau and Idris Elba / Z-View

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28 Weeks Later (2007)

Director:  Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

Screenplay:  Rowan Joffé, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, E. L. Lavigne, Jesús Olmo

Stars:  Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Catherine McCormack, Mackintosh Muggleton, Imogen Poots and Idris Elba.

Tagline: It’s Not Over

The Plot…

It’s been 28 weeks since the Rage Virus spread uncontrolled throughout Britain.  Now with the assistance of NATO, a safe zone has been established. The settlement is patrolled and protected by US military forces.  Survivors undergo testing to ensure that they are virus-free before being allowed to take up housing in the settlement.

Every precaution has been taken.

It won’t be enough.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When 28 Weeks Later was released Robert Carlyle was the biggest name in the cast. Harold Perrineau, from Lost was probably second. Since then Jeremy Renner and Idris Elba would be in the running for top billing.

Although 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle was unable to return to direct, he did serve as a producer of 28 Weeks Later.  Boyle also directed the opening farmhouse sequence and some second unit scenes.

28 Weeks Later (2007) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Savages” (2012) directed by Oliver Stone, starring Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio del Toro, Salma Hayek and Shea Whigham / Z-View

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Savages (2012)

Director:  Oliver Stone

Screenplay:  Shane Salerno, Oliver Stone, Don Winslow; based on SAVAGES by Don Winslow

Stars:  Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio del Toro, Salma Hayek and Shea Whigham.

Tagline: Young. Beautiful. Deadly..

The Plot…

Ben (a pacifist) and Chon (ex-military) are best friends who share a thriving marijuana business and a woman named Ophelia. The relationship works as well as their multi-million dollar pot business.

All is paradise until a brutal Mexican cartel (is that redundant?) decides to move in on their pot trade. When Ben and Chon refuse their offer, the cartel kidnaps Ophelia.

Nothing will stop Ben and Chon from getting her back.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ron Kovic, the subject of Oliver’s Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July, makes a cameo as a wheelchair-bound customer.

The novel by Don Winslow provides a solid foundation. The screenplay by Shane Salerno, Don Winslow and Olver Stone isn’t afraid to make changes to the great source material.

Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Blake Lively, Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro and John Travolta are excellent. Oliver Stone delivers.

Savages (2012) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Sly Stallone is Cosmo Carboni by Rich Hennemann!

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Rich Hennemann is one of the first artists I look to commission each year at HeroesCon (and also a couple of times through the year).

Every October, Rich asks fans to send in their character requests.  They can be from comics, movies, television, novels — anywhere.  He then picks a character for each day to draw.  The person who requested the character gets first option to buy the art.  If that person doesn’t want it, the art becomes available for anyone to purchase.

This year I requested Sly Stallone as Cosmo Carboni from Paradise Alley.  As you can see Rich selected Cosmo for one of the days and I purchased it.  Rich always comes through like a champ.  If you collect art, you deserve a piece or twelve from Rich.

“Signs” (2002) written & directed by M. Night Shyamalan, starring Mel Gibson / Z-View

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Signs (2002)

Director:  M. Night Shyamalan

Screenplay:  M. Night Shyamalan

Stars:  Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix and M. Night Shyamalan.

Tagline: The first sign you can’t explain. The second sign you can’t ignore. The third sign you won’t believe..

The Plot…

Graham Hess, a former Episcopal Priest, is a single father with two young children.  They live on Graham’s farm outside a small town in rural Pennsylvania. Six months ago, Graham’s wife was killed when a car struck her as she was out for a walk.  After his wife’s death, Graham lost his faith in God and quit the church. Graham’s younger brother Merrill, a high school baseball star who washed out of the minor leagues, moved in to help with the kids.

When a large crop circle suddenly appears in his cornfield, Graham blames teenage vandals.  Then get creepy when Graham sees shadows that appear to be people in his cornfield and even his roof.  Next crop circles on other farms start appearing.  This is followed by multiple reports of UFOs over major cities around the world.  Rumors of an alien invasion spread  like wildfire.

And then it happens.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

M. Night Shyamalan said that The Birds, Night of the Living Dead, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers were his main influences for Signs.  He had the cast watch The Birds prior to filming.

M. Night Shyamalan said Sign‘s title has two meanings. “One is the crop signs, but it is also about faith and the existence of signs from above.”

Signs is a fun popcorn movie.  It’s funny, suspenseful, frightening and reaffirming.

***SPOILER*** Some critics of the film point out it was stupid of the aliens to invade Earth since water creates a big problem for them. (And Earth is mostly covered by water.)  This is easily discounted if we assume that Earth, despite it’s issues for the aliens, is the best planet they can get to for their survival.

Signs (2002) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Hangmen Also Die” (1943) directed by Fritz Lang, starring Brian Donlevy, Walter Brennon and Anna Lee / Z-View

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Hangmen Also Die (1943)

Director:  Fritz Lang

Screenplay: John Wexley; story by Fritz Lang, Bertolt Brecht

Stars:  Brian Donlevy, Walter Brennan, Anna Lee, Gene Lockhart, Dennis O’Keefe
and Alexander Granach.

Tagline: Fritz Lang’s masterpiece of intrigue and deception.

The Plot…

World War II rages.  Nazis control Czechoslovakia.  Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi in charge of the occupation is so brutal he’s been given the nickname “The Hangman of Europe”.  The Czech resistance’s scheme to assassinate Heydrich is a success, but the escape plan goes sideways.

Dr. František Svoboda, the Hangman’s killer goes on the run.  As the Nazis close in, a young woman named Mascha helps hide Svoboda.  Unable to find their leader’s killer, the Nazis begin a door-to-door search.  They also round up civilians for executions.

With the Nazis closing in and the execution of innocents underway it appears all hope is lost…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Hangmen Also Die! was nominated for two 1944 Academy Awards…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture – Hanns Eisler
  • Nominee for Best Sound, Recording – Jack Whitney

There really was a Nazi named Reinhard Heydrich nicknamed “The Hangmen”.  Although Heydrich was assassinated, Hangmen Also Die! is a fictionalized account.

Hangmen Also Die! was made during the height of World War II.  Hangmen Also Die! went into production just four months after the death of Reinhard Heydrich.

The Nazi response to the assassination was…

  • to wipe the village of Lidice off the map.  They dynamited and bulldozed buildings and even plowed over the local cemetery.
  • All 173 men and teenage boys over the age of 15 were lined up and shot by an execution squad.
  • Out of 105 children, 82 were murdered in gas vans. A small handful were deemed “racially suitable for Germanization” and given to SS families.
    • The remaining women were sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp.
  • The village of Ležáky was also burned to the ground.  All men and women were killed and the children taken away.
  • The Czech Orthodox Church was banned and its property confiscated.  The Bishop Gorazd, the priests, and church lay leaders were arrested, tortured, and executed by firing squad.
  • The country was placed under martial law.  Executions were held daily with the names of those killed announced on the radio.   It was estimated that approximately 5,000 people were murdered or executed during the Nazi reprisals.

Hangmen Also Die (1943) rates 4 of 5 stars.