The best of the John Sayles films, which is saying a lot. Sayles is an auteur of independent films. He wrote, directed and edited LoneStar. It all start with two off-duty soldiers finding human bones on an abandoned Army rifle range looking for old bullets. Then a sheriff’s star is discovered among the bones. It … More LoneStar (1996)
Tough guy Jean-Claude Van Damme was quite a successful actor during the 1980s and 1990s, his films were international hits. Since then, the quality and success of his films have taken a nosedive. I noticed his series (Jean-Claude Van Johnson) on Prime, a fictionalization of his real life. I tuned in to watch an episode, … More Van Damme
Tommy Lee Jones has starred in numerous murder mysteries, including some high profile film productions. Some good, some not. He has also been in some smaller films, some not even on the radar, but there are some gems. More money does not ensure quality. The bigger the subject, the greater the expectation and chance for … More Tommy Lee Jones: Murder Mysteries
Way back in the dark ages of television. Harry Orwell was a former police detective who was shot and retired on medical disability. David Janssen was of course, The Fugitive, and although a respected actor, struggled to find another successful project after that series. Harry O, although a quality show, lasted just two seasons. Television … More Harry O (Television Series)
Outside of Osama Bin Laden, this was maybe the greatest manhunt in history. The hunt for, and abduction of, Nazi Adolf Eichmann. There have been a number of books written about the hunt and capture of Eichmann, including one by Peter Malkin, one of the Mossad agents involved in the operation. Neal Bascomb’s book The … More Operation Finale (2018)
Gordon Liddy has left the building. He died this week at age 90. Liddy was one of the central figures of the Watergate break-in. A former FBI agent and lawyer, sworn to uphold the law, he helped plan and execute the break-in at the Democratic headquarters in addition to other dirty tricks. Liddy would be … More G. Gordon Liddy and Watergate
Likely a film you have never heard of; but should. After Bullitt (1968), police films became grittier and more stylish. Dirty Harry followed Bullitt and The Laughing Policeman followed Dirty Harry. Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood and Walter Matthau. Walter Matthau? Yep. In the early 1970s, Matthau was hot, and he starred in a group of … More The Laughing Policeman (1973)
Kevin Costner. Diane Lane. Let Him Go. A film few people saw. It is an unsettling and grim film. Had I dug a little deeper and read some reviews, I might have skipped over this film. I like both lead actors, and Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice) is a favorite of mine, but it is a … More Let Him Go (2020)
Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese have made nine films together. De Niro and Joe Pesci have made seven films together. De Niro, Pesci and Scorsese have collaborated on four films. Raging Bull (1980) Not the first pairing of De Niro and Scorsese, but the first involving Pesci, who made a serious impression in his … More De Niro, Pesci & Scorsese
He has to be the unluckiest person. Every film role has him working to avoid a calamity or rushing to clear him name. What other person has such back luck? Since Taken (2008), Liam Neeson has specialized in this action/thriller genre. A brooding action star for much of his career, even when he plays a … More Liam Neeson: Lucky or Unlucky?
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