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NOVEMBER ROAD by Lou Berney

First sentences…

Behold!  The Big Easy in all its wicked splendor!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Frank Guidry is living the life he could only imagine as a boy.  Guidry’s charm, smarts and ruthlessness made him a valuable asset to New Orleans’ mob boss Carlos Marcello.  Now Guidry is a fixer for Marcello.  This comes with benefits.  Guidry’s a known man in New Orleans. He gets the best seats at restaurants. He’s respected.  Women are attracted to him.  Even Seraphine, Marcello’s right hand and brains of the outfit fell for Guidry’s charms. Guidry believes he’ll rise even higher in Marcello’s organization.

Then President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas.

Within hours of Kennedy’s murder, associates of Carlos Marcello start turning up dead.  No way it is a coincidence.  Guidry is worried.  Marcello had Guidry drive a car to Dallas before the assassination.  It was a strange request.  Guidry didn’t think much of it at the time.  But now he’s concerned.  Was it used as the getaway car after the assassination?  If so, Guidry is one of the few people who can tie Carlos Marcello to the President’s murder.  That means Guidry is marked for death.

Maybe he’s reading too much into the errand.

Then Seraphine tells Guidry he needs to return to Dallas to “get rid” of the car.  Seraphine also wants to know the hotel that Guidry is going to use.  Now there is no doubt.  Guidry is sure he’s next on the hit list.  His only chance is to run.

If Guidry can make it to Las Vegas, a contact who hates Marcello will help him escape. Getting to Vegas quick and gone is the plan.  But when Guidry sees a woman and two little girls beside a broken down car, he stops to assist.  Charlotte is heading to California with her two girls to start a new life.  Her car engine is beyond repair.  Guidry realizes that the hitmen sent after him won’t be looking for a man with a woman and two kids.  Guidry offers to take them along if they’ll accompany him to Vegas.  There he promises to help her get a car for the rest of her trip.

Although hesitant at first, Charlotte agrees.  Guidry realizes that Marcello and the killers he sends will think Guidry is racing to Vegas.  If he slows down, they may think he got away.  Then he can slip into Vegas with Charlotte and her kids and his escape will be complete.

There are two things Guidry didn’t count on.  One: He and Charlotte falling in love.  Two: The killer Marcello sent is Barone.  Barone is a ruthless, intelligent, killing machine.  Barone never quits until he’s target is hit.

+++

I loved NOVEMBER ROAD.  At the start of the tale Guidry isn’t sure if he’s been set up or not.  If he has, he needs to run.  But if he hasn’t been set up and he runs, that will surely mark him for execution.  We also see right away that Guidry is all about self-preservation.  Will that change with Charlotte and her girls?

The time on the road for both Guidry and the killer provides for interesting situations for both.  The tension builds as bodies pile up and the killer closes in.

NOVEMBER ROAD has an ending that surprises and satisfies.

Rating:

“Rambo III” – Mick McGinty’s Rare Prelims for the Announcement Poster!

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Rambo III was initially going to be directed by Russell “Highlander” Mulcahy.  Two weeks into production, Mulcahy left due to creative differences. Peter MacDonald was brought in, and the rest is history.

But when Rambo III was first announced one of the ads had Rambo on horseback with a crossbow.  The art above is some of the studies created by Mick McGinty before the final piece was created.  Click on the photo above to see a trilogy-sized version.

“Kill” (2023) / Z-View

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Kill (2023)

Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Screenplay:  Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Stars: Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Abhishek Chauhan, Harsh Chhaya and Tanya Maniktala.

Tagline: This journey is one-way.

The Plot…

Amrit and Tulika are in love and wish to be married.  Amrit is an Army commando.  Tulika, the daughter of a wealthy businessman.  Tulika’s father has arranged for her to be married to the son of a wealthy business associate.

Tulika’s father has arranged for the family to travel by train to New Delhi for the wedding.  Amrit and his commando buddy Viresh have secretly booked passage on the train as well.  Amrit’s plan is to get Tulika to elope with him.

All of that changes when a large group of ruthless bandits enters the train. There plan was to rob everyone, but when they learn that a rich business man is on board they decide to rob everyone and kidnap his daughter.

As the express train barrels along it will be up to Amrit and Viresh to save the day.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Reportedly this film is based on a real event.  In 2010, a retired Nepal commando traveling on the Maurya Express single-handedly took on 30 – 4o bandits.  Although he was severely wounded, he killed three and wounded eight of the terrorists.

Kill was nominated for eight International Indian Film Academy Awards and won five.  It was nominated for fourteen Filmfare Awards and won six.

Most reviewers like this film better than me.  I thought it was good, but became a bit redundant.  As always, your mileage may vary.

Kill (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“4Got10” starring Dolph Lundgren, Johnny Messner, Vivica Fox and Danny Trejo / Z-View

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4Got 10 aka The Good, the Bad, and the Dead (2015)

Director: Timothy Woodward Jr.

Screenplay: Sean Ryan

Stars: Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Vivica A. Fox and Michael Paré.

Tagline: Who can you trust?

The Plot…

Brian Barnes comes to.  He’s in the desert, has been shot and is surrounded by several dead bodies.  The sound of a cop car pulling up is what woke him.  Brian closes his eyes and plays dead.

Sheriff Olson and his Deputy get out.  They quickly survey the scene.  In the van they find cocaine and bags of money.  A drug deal gone sideways.  There’s three or four million in cash just sitting there.  The Deputy says he’s going to call in for backup.  Sheriff Olson says, “Hold up… That’s a lot of money…”

Olson throws out the idea that they keep the cash.  The Deputy thinks Olson is joking.  He moves to make the call.  Sheriff Olson shoots the Deputy in the back.  As Olson moves to get the cash, he realizes Brian is alive.

Brian wounds Sheriff Olson and takes off with the cash.  As Brian fights to remember why he was at the drug deal, he must stay on the run.  Sheriff Olson, a relentless FBI agent and the drug lord who lost his son and cocaine when the drug deal went bad are closing in.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The plot is better than the finished film.

4Got 10 aka The Good, the Bad, and the Dead (2015) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Patient Zero” (2018) starring Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer and Stanley Tucci / Z-View

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Patient Zero (2018)

Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky

Screenplay: Mike Le

Stars: Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer, John Bradley, Clive Standen, Agyness Deyn and Stanley Tucci.

Tagline:  Find the Disease. Find the Cure.

The Plot…

A virus has wiped out most of the population. Once infected humans quickly become enraged, unable to think or communicate.  A large group of civilians, soldiers and CDC scientists have found shelter in an underground bunker.

The scientists bring in captured infected for study to find a cure.  They’re surprised to discover that one of their test subjects, a former professor, doesn’t show the normal signs of infection.  Even more shocking is the professor’s ability to understand and communicate  with those infected.   The scientists believe the professor could be the key to a cure.  The professor believes that he (and others like him) are the next step in human evolution.

As the scientists work on a cure, the professor has a plan of his own…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Fans of Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger tales will be disappointed to learn that this film has nothing to do with the first novel in his series.  Still, fans of zombie movies should enjoy this one.

Patient Zero (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Thobias Daneluz’s Art for David Morrell’s FIRST BLOOD!

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Yesterday I shared First Blood pieces by Thobias Daneluz.  They were personal pieces.  Today we get to see art Thobias created for David Morrell’s FIRST BLOOD novel released in Portugal.

Check out Thobias’ Instgram to see more of his art.

“I don’t think you understand. I didn’t come to rescue Rambo from you. I came here to rescue you from him.” – Colonel Trautman

“Blood Star” (2024) starring John Schwab & Britni Camacho / Z-View

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Blood Star (2024)

Director: Lawrence Jacomelli

Screenplay: Victoria Taylor, Lawrence Jacomelli, George Kelly

Stars: John Schwab, Britni Camacho, Sydney Brumfield, Travis Lincoln Cox, Felix Merback, Wyomi Reed and Brandon Brown.

Tagline:  There is just one law.  Run.

The Plot…

Bobbi Torres is driving a remote strip of New Mexico highway.  When Bobbi sees a gas station she pulls in for a fill-up.  At another pump is Sheriff Bilstein who tries to strike up a conversation with Bobbi.  The cop definitely gives off a strange vibe.  When Bobbi declines his offer of a soda, he drives off.

Bobbi pays for her gas and heads out.  A few miles down the road Bobbi is surprised when a cop car falls in behind her and hits the lights.  Bobbi pulls over.  Up walks Sheriff Bilstein.  Bilstein says that trash Bobbi threw out of her car broke his light-bar.  Although not true, Bobbi realizes that arguing is not going to get her anywhere.  Then Bilstein takes her cell phone and demands she drive back to the gas station.

Soon enough Bobbi realizes that Bilstein is a psycho who intends to kill her.  Alone on a deserted road her options are limited… but Bobbi’s not giving up without a fight.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Blood Star is better than you might think.  Although not a classic, it’s a fun ride.

Blood Star (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Thobias Daneluz’s “First Blood” Art!

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These First Blood pieces by Thobias Daneluz are fire.  I’ve said before it would be cool to see Thobias adapt all of the Rocky films.  Well, let’s add the Rambo franchise to the list.  Check out Thobias’ Instgram to see more of his art.

“I could have killed ’em all, I could’ve killed you. In town you’re the law, out here it’s me. Don’t push it! Don’t push it or I’ll give you a war you won’t believe. Let it go. Let it go!” – John Rambo