Last Resort Films Jukebox: Booster Gold: Back in Time

 

1. "Superman" - Goldfinger


2. "Miami Vice Theme" - Jan Hammer


3. "My Eyes Adored You" - Frankie Valli


4. "Everywhere" - Fleetwood Mac


5. "Donna" - Ritchie Valens


6. "Ladies Night" - Kool & The Gang


7. "Winner Takes It All" - ABBA

Now Showing: Booster Gold: Back in Time

 

Booster Gold: Back in Time
Genre: Action/Superhero/Comedy
Directors: Phil Lord & Chris Miller
Writer: Chad Taylor
Based on DC Comics characters
Cast: Billy Magnussen, Dan Stevens, Jason Clarke, Camila Mendes, Alexandra Daddario, Julia Roberts, Ralph Ineson, Camille Kostek, Julia Fox, Jake Weary

Plot: 1815. At the Battle of Waterloo, General Michel Ney (Jason Clarke) fights for Napoleon’s army but is on the losing side. After Napoleon is dethroned, Ney is arrested for treason and put to trial as a part of the Second White Terror. His lawyer tries to argue that Ney cannot be prosecuted in French court because his hometown has recently been annexed by Prussia but Ney himself objects as he proudly proclaims that he is French. He is sentenced to death by firing squad. The executioner asks Ney if he has any last words but he just smiles and shakes his head. He is brutally executed by a team of five. Hours later, the gravediggers go to retrieve his body but it is missing. They shrug and walk away.

The next morning, the executioner wakes up to start his day. He yawns and opens his eyes to the horror of a decapitated head on the pillow next to him. It is the judge who sentenced Ney to death. The executioner panics to get up but finds that four other heads lay in the bed with him - his four colleagues on the firing squad. “Any last words?” he hears as he turns around and finds Ney, seemingly fully healed, with a sword at his throat.

“Skeets, play ‘Superman’ by Goldfinger.”

A repaired version of Skeets plays the song as Booster Gold (Billy Magnussen) begins heating a dish in the microwave. The camera pulls out to reveal that he is on roller blades as he begins to skate his way throughout the Vanishing Point - home to the Time Masters. As he dances, he realizes he forgot to add water to his dish and furiously skates his way back to the kitchen to find that he has started a small fire. The music continues to play as he frantically searches for a fire extinguisher while also trying to keep his balance on the skates. His search is fruitless so he moves on to plan B and throws a towel over it so that he can pick it up. In a panic, he skates the burning microwave to the Point’s door and throws it out as it evaporates into the timestream. Elsewhere, a loud thud is heard as Rip Hunter (Dan Stevens) returns in his Time Sphere.

Booster nervously skates his way to see Rip and they both look a bit exhausted. “The craziest thing just happened,” they say at the same time. “Aw, was that a father-son moment? You go first…” Booster says as Rip shows off his bloodied hand and describes his adventures with the Justice League. Booster is wide-eyed and walks back his statement that the craziest thing just happened to him. Rip asks what happened and Booster says nonchalantly that they’ll just need a new microwave.

In the present day, the camera sits on a reclusive mansion in the dead of night. The man (Jason Clarke) sleeps soundly in his bed but is startled awake by a sudden cough. He rushes to the bathroom where he begins coughing up blood. Hours later, his personal physician arrives and performs a check-up. The doctor says that he will need to perform more blood tests but it appears that his patient has an aggressive form of cancer. After the doctor leaves, the man angrily punches a wall. When he returns to bed, he looks down to his hand and discovers that his wounds are not healing.

Booster tosses and turns in his bed, unable to sleep. He looks at his bedside table of pictures of April and Ted. Rip enters and asks him how he’s feeling, immediately realizing he should be the one being asked that. Booster can sense that Rip is going to invite him on a mission and says that he is not sure if he’s ready yet. Emotionally. Rip lets out a sigh and says he understands but that he really needs Booster to join him for this one. Rip says that it will all make sense later but that this is more than a one-man job. Booster agrees to listen.

The man goes by many names but the Time Masters know him by the codename Vandal Savage. A neanderthal who interacted with gasses from a meteor that gave him immortality. He’s been an agent of chaos throughout history, becoming the wealthiest man in the world and amassing a body count in the tens of thousands in the process. But he has always been difficult to track down. Now it appears that the actions of Extant and the Justice League have caused a disruption in the timestream that has him losing that power. Booster asks why can’t they just let him die. Rip says that Savage has his sights set on something - somewhere - more dangerous.

The Eye of Antiope sits in its impenetrable case as the camera zooms out to reveal the majestic land of Themyscira. Booster and Rip, dressed like Miami Vice characters, ride in on a boat as they survey the land. Booster asks for clarification that men are not allowed on this island. Rip says that it is a little more complicated than that. Booster is befuddled as he says they won’t even be able to explain their mission because they’ll be killed immediately. He asks if they should’ve dressed up like women and Rip gives him a disapproving look. He says that he has done his research and knows of a weak spot that they can make their entry.

Donna Troy (Camila Mendes) and her friend Epione (Camille Kostek) sit on a dock, smoking an herbal substance from Epione’s healing kit. In the distance, Epione spots the boat quickly approaching. Donna wonders if it is Diana returning from her mission in the outside world but springs into action upon realizing it is strangers. Epione asks if Donna is sure she wants to do that given that they’ve been smoking and Donna says she will be fine. Booster enters a near-trance upon seeing Epione as time slows down and 'My Eyes Adored You' plays. He asks Rip if he believes in love at first sight. Rip laughs and says Booster must really have a type - but he better make sure she’s not his ancestor this time. Booster raises his hands up and says that they come in peace. Before he knows it, a spear strikes his shoulder and he falls in shock. Donna turns to Epione and says “see?”.

Donna leaps down to the boat and begins hand-to-hand combat with Rip and defeats him rather quickly, much to his chagrin. With her hand at his throat, she asks why she shouldn’t pierce him like she did his friend. Struggling for breath, he explains that they are here to warn of an attack that could lead to the death of all Amazons. Donna says that is not possible but he explains that an evil force is intent on taking the Eye of Antiope, which grants immortality, for himself. Donna is shaken by this news and backs away as Epione, one of the chief Amazonian healers, rushes to Booster’s aid and begins treating his wound. When she places her hands on his shoulders, they lock eyes and time slows down. “Did it hurt?” she asks. Booster smiles, quipping back “when I fell from heaven?”. Epione giggles but looks confused and says no, she was referring to the pressure on his wound. Rip interrupts this little moment and says they need to get on the move and Donna says they need to go see Queen Hippolyta.

Vandal arrives via ship to a stormy beach that is reminiscent of Themyscira but more ravaged. His body is already noticeably thinner. Two male guards quickly approach and threaten him but he surrenders and says he is here to see Hephaestus. They ask who is visiting and Vandal says “an old friend”. He is taken to see Hephaestus (Ralph Ineson), the god of fire and the blacksmith for every weapon in Themyscira and the rest of the Greek pantheon. “Theseus?” Hephaestus asks, recalling their previous interactions during Herakles’ siege, when Vandal went by a different name. Vandal requests they sit down and talk.

Vandal reveals his plan to attack Themyscira and obtain the Eye of Antiope. Heph warns against this as their weapons are very well-equipped given that he created them. Vandal removes his gear and shows Heph his weakening body and says that it is his last hope. Heph asks why Vandal has come to him after all of these centuries. Vandal says that this has all come on very quickly and so he hasn’t had time to amass an army to support him. And he knows Heph has the manpower to help him as they look out on Heph’s village, flush with muscular young men working in his factory. Heph asks what he would get out of sacrificing his workforce. Vandal, with a smile, says the one thing that Hephaestus wants the most in this world.

Back on Themyscira, the quartet move up a trail towards the palace of Queen Hippolyta. Ahead of the boys, Epione comments that Booster is pretty easy on the eyes and Donna scoffs, saying he is no Steve Trevor. Rip, overhearing this, asks if they rate every man on the scale of Steve Trevor and Epione points out that is the practically the only man they know. Donna says that the scale is now Steve Trevor to Booster Gold, with Rip in between. Rip looks to his father and feels bad about this teasing and says that surely he himself should be the low end.

Booster, now exasperated, asks if they can take a break. Hiking is his least favorite leisurely activity. Epione offers him her hand and says that she can carry him on her back if he’d like. Booster perks up and says he would like that. They are interrupted when a large owl attacks Rip and then sets its sights on Booster. Frightened by a bird the size of himself, Booster cowers in fear while Donna is quick to lasso the bird into control. Epione looks down to Rip and sees that he has been mauled across his back pretty badly. She begins to tend to his wounds and Rip tells Donna and Booster to go ahead without them since they are running out of time.

Hephaestus gives Savage a tour of his village. Savage asks Heph to remind him of how he met Aphrodite. Heph’s story stretches back to his birth, when he was rejected from Mount Olympus because of his deformities and subsequently raised to be an ironworker. In an attempt to win back the admiration of his father, he arranged for a golden throne to be sent to Olympus for his mother but in reality it was trap that bound her to it. Zeus promised his daughter Aphrodite’s hand in marriage to the first person who could free Hera. Everyone assumed it would be Ares but only Hephaestus knew the way to unlock it. While his marriage with Aphrodite was rocky initially, he considered himself lucky everyday to be wed to the most beautiful woman in the world.

And then came the attack on Amazonia and she has not been seen since. He suspects that Ares has something to do with. Savage promises to return to her to him. Hephaestus then offers Vandal in on the secret of his workers. Like him, they too were rejects. The lost sons of Themyscira. Due to Amazonian customs, every boy born on the island is sent away at birth, never to return. And that is where Hephaestus saw an opportunity to offer guidance to generations of orphans like himself. Savage’s eyes widen and he asks Heph to confirm that the men he will be bringing into battle are Amazonians with a grudge to hold. Heph nods and introduces Vandal to his finest soldier: Jason (Jake Weary), twin brother of Diana. Jason kneels before them and says it will be an honor to serve them.

As Booster and Donna make their way to see Hippolyta, there is an awkward tension in the air after Booster’s previous cowardice. He tries to break the silence by asking what an owl’s favorite rock band is. Donna looks confused and asks what is a rock band. Booster explains that the answer is The Who but then he seems befuddled and asks if they don’t have music here on the island. She says they have traditional folk songs but has never heard of rock music…is it like people playing drums on rocks? Booster laughs and then asks if this means they don’t have karaoke. She raises her eyebrows at the sound of that word and he says he can’t believe she’s lived her whole life without karaoke. “Strix,” she says. Booster looks confused. She says he can use his big fancy words then she can too. That was a Strix back there, an Ancient Greek bird, not an owl. They don’t like men. Booster says that is good to know and says that should justify his fear.

As Epione treats Rip’s wounds, she asks what he does for a living. He says that this - time-traveling, saving the world, yada yada - his kind of his full-time gig. She asks if that is what he wanted to be when he grew up. He admits that he had pretty good role models to look up to but he was actually studying to get his doctorate in Anthropology when he got roped into this line of work. Epione smiles widely upon hearing doctor and asks if he is a healer like her. He laughs and says it’s not really the same kind of doctor. But he is certainly more of a healer than a fighter, pointing to his back wounds and injured hand from the Extant fight. Epione suggest they go to the Temple of Aphrodite as that is where the Eye of Antiope is kept.

As the other two near Queen Hippolyta’s palace, Booster asks Donna if she knows Wonder Woman. Herface lights up and she describes Diana as her best friend in Themyscira. When she is around anyway. Booster asks if she ever wishes she could go out in the real world like Diana does. After a beat, Donna says that Diana is the best representative that Themyscira could have. But she would be lying if she didn’t feel like her talents are wasted here being purely in defensive mode. There’s an urge in her to go out and help people. He says it is pretty great. But then she begins to backtrack and says she is helping people, her people. And without the Amazonians, the rest of the world would be in peril. She says that, to be honest, sometimes she misses her friend too. This makes Booster momentarily pause before saying he gets that.

The guards at the palace take a defensive stance but Donna says that she has a visitor here to see the Queen. They looks skeptical and Donna then says that he is a friend of Diana’s. Upon hearing this, they quickly let their guard down and they are welcomed in to see Queen Hippolyta. The Queen hugs Donna and then tells Booster that she heard he knows her daughter. Booster goes along with the lie and says they’ve fought a few battles. Donna slowly looks back at him angrily and he is confused before Hippolyta clarifies if they were enemies. Booster laughs and then says that was his bad, they’ve fought a few battles together.

They lay out the Vandal’s planned attack on the island to the Queen. Booster apologizes for coming short-handed but he says that the Justice League is pretty battered at the moment so it was the perfect moment for Vandal’s attack. Hippolyta says she will make a call out to Diana but Booster says that the attack is imminent and that they need to mobilize every soldier on Themyscira as Savage has Hephaestus on his side. Hippolyta’s face drops and Donna asks what that means. Hippolyta tells her that the man who made all of their weapons surely knows all of the weaknesses of those weapons as well. She thanks Booster for coming and says that they will prepare for battle immediately.

Vandal, Hephaestus, and their fleet sail into the beaches of Themyscira. Savage, although weakened physically, gives his soldiers a fiery speech. He removes his shirt to reveal many scars across his body. lists some of the many battles he has fought in over the centuries and one thing has always remained the same: those who show no fear are those who yield victory. And for them, victory means immortality. Immortality that was stolen from them. Jason raises his sword in the air and lets out a battle cry as the rest of the soldiers follow suit, some of them touting guns. When Booster sees this, a look of fear rushes over his eyes as he says they have guns. Donna shrugs and says they have arrows. Booster says “oh great” but nervously whispers “exactly” under his breath.

Savage and his men launch a full-scale attack on the island. Bullets and arrows are exchanged as the Amazons stand their position. Hephaestus charges forward with The Aegis, the strongest shield in all of the world. While things are fairly even initially, the artillery of the Savage’s men allows them to gain an early advantage as their line continues to move forward.

Leading the charge, Vandal reaches the Temple of Aphrodite. Hephaestus, just behind, takes a break from battle to look in awe at the temple made in honor to his love. Rip and Epione stand in front of the gates of the Temple and Rip says that Vandal’s journey ends him. Vandal turns to Heph and asks who the hell this is. Heph shrugs his shoulders. Vandal says that he fought beside Genghis Khan, do you think he is afraid of a little blonde man. Rip charges at him and they battle it out over the Temple steps. While Vandal’s cancer means that he is not at full strength, he still proves to be a better fighter than Rip. Vandal gets his hand around Rip’s throat but is interrupted by an arrow from Epione. He slowly turns to look at her and just laughs as Jason emerges from behind her and shoves a sword through her back.

Savage and his men overtake the Temple and are able to retrieve the Eye. As he holds it in his hands, Hippolyta enters the room and says that she just wants to ask why he is doing this. She then turns to Heph and asks how he could help in such an act. Vandal says that is bold of her to talk after what she did to all of these men, once boys who were exiled from this beautiful land. And for what? Because of their reproductive organs? Hippolyta says she does not know what he is talking about. Jason walks up to the queen with his sword but Vandal says there is no need and holds up the Eye. He says now that they have this, she will die naturally…just like everyone else.

Booster, Donna, and other Amazons continue fighting but things begin to halt once it seen that Savage has obtained the Eye. Donna then spots a bloodied Epione on the ground and her eyes begin to well up as her fists clench. Murmurs then begin to spread amidst the Amazons and now it is Savage’s soldiers who stop and stare. Everyone looks to the beach as Wonder Woman (Alexandra Daddario) stands in full armor and she calls out to her fellow natives, saying that this is battle is not yet over. Donna, amidst her tears, smiles and tells Booster she is ready to put her body on the line to save Themyscira, if it’s the last thing she does on Earth. Booster whispers to himself that that was kind of hot.

Wonder Woman fiercely charges into the battlefield as her arrival has seemed to rejuvenate the Amazon soldiers. They begin to valiantly fight back as Booster and Donna prove to be a formidable fighting duo, which grows to a trio when Diana reaches the heart of the battle to help. The tides turn in the fight and the Amazons begin to win the upper hand, defeating the invaders when their weapons do not prove as powerful compared to the fight knowledge of the Amazons. The soldiers are clearly outmatched. After seeing what he did to Epione, Donna personally takes on Jason and handily defeats him after repeatedely punching her metal wrist bracelets into his throat.

Vandal sees his soldiers being defeated and comes to the realization that Hippolyta must’ve been right and that Heph was lying about the origins of the soldiers. He goes to confront Hephaestus about it and Heph pushes back, asking Vandal if he took him as a fool. He pulls Vandal closer and says that he knows the truth. The film flashes back to Vandal’s days as Theseus. While Hephaestus is away, Theseus discovers Aphrodite (Julia Fox) alone and has her cornered. He begins to forcibly kiss her but she valiantly fights him off, causing him to stab her repeatedly with his dagger.

Back on Themyscira, Vandal’s dagger is now firmly planted in Hephaestus’s stomach. Heph drops The Aegis and falls down on top of it as Vandal hurries to his ship with the Eye, where Booster is there waiting for him. Vandal asks who this is - the twin of the blonde boy from earlier. Booster shakes his head and says “I’m his father.” Vandal is weirded out about this but, like Rip earlier, Booster uses this moment to attack and the two of them begin battle on the ship. As they fight, Vandal’s gun falls from his holster and they struggle over it. Booster, stronger than Savage, is able to gain control and holds the gun to his enemy’s head. His finger hovers on the trigger. He closes his eyes.

In a flashback, we see the moment where Brother Blood similarly holds a gun to Ted Kord’s head. Elsewhere, Booster is sitting in his time sphere watching as the time hits the moment of Ted’s death. He is crying uncontrollably as he must let it happen.

Back on the ship, Booster’s hand is trembling and he drops the gun. Vandal hits him with an uppercut and then pulls out his sword, saying he always preferred these. Now back to full strength, Savage watches as the bruises on his hands heal. Savage’s sword presses against the throat of a helpless Booster. “What is a man worth without his life?” he asks Booster. The blade pierces Booster’s skin as he struggles for to speak.

“His legacy.”

Savage is hit in the head by The Aegis, temporarily knocking him down. Rip climbs on top of Vandal and begins delivering punches left and right. With Rip on the edge of death, Booster intervenes and tells his son that he has more than proven himself. They should let him die the natural way, pointing to Donna retrieving the Eye of Antiope. They turn Savage’s ship around to return the Eye of Antiope back to Themyscira. The ship comes to shore and Donna gives the Eye to Diana to return it to its rightful place. When she does, they look on as the Amazonians slowly start to regain their strength and promptly defeat the soldiers once and for all.

With his army defeated and lacking the strength to reach the Eye of Antiope, Savage lays weak on the ground with resignation in his eyes. Suddenly, a burning sensation emerges in the sky. Savage, upon seeing this, recognizes it as a comet similar to the one that gave him his immortality in the first place. He musters the strength he can to celebrate in joy, realizing that this is his last hope for restoring his life. The Amazons rush to take cover while Donna steps forward and examines the comet more closely.

Savage continues laughing maniacally while Donna squints and comments “...that’s not a comet.” The flaming object gets closer as Booster’s eyes light up in excitement. “It’s...a...MICRO-WAVE!” he shouts, as a roar of celebration emerges from the warriors. Savage dies on the beaches of Themyscira. Rip hugs his father and says that he knew that they could help get this job done.

As they leave, Donna shouts out Booster’s name and he freezes. ‘Donna’ by Ritchie Valens begins to play in his head as we see flashbacks to Rip desperately convincing Booster to come on this mission and then interrupting Booster’s multiple attempts to flirt with Epione. His eyes widen and he turns to ask Rip “it’s her, isn’t it?”. Booster then looks disappointed as he remembers the rule that he can’t get attached to anyone from the past as they can’t move beyond their own death in the timestream. Rip simply points to the Eye of Antiope and reminds him that Amazons live forever. Booster kisses Rip on the forehead and turns around to see Donna smiling at him.

2263
A well-equipped team of bandits attack a bank in Metropolis. Booster Gold responds to the call with Donna Troy by his side. Between the two of them, they handedly take down the robbers and high-five afterwards. This moment is interrupted by a small boy entering the bank and they both freak out. Goldstar (Natalie Dormer) rushes in chasing after him, profusely apologizing and saying that he wanted to join the fun. Young Rip approaches one of the criminals and tries to kick him but misses and falls to the ground. Booster and Donna laugh as they pick him up. Goldstar says that he’ll need to work on that and Booster responds: “Don’t worry, he’s gonna be great.” Booster smiles at the camera and waves goodbye.

Credits: We hear the song ‘Ladies Night’ playing somewhere on Themyscira. We enter a tavern to find that Booster has installed a karaoke machine on the island as a few Amazons sing the song while Booster and Donna watch on and laugh. Someone tells Booster it is his turn up next and he scrambles to pick a song. He passes by ‘How Will I Live’ on the list but he chooses to pass on it, simply smiling to himself instead.

He takes the stage and giddily says he is going to introduce them to one of the greatest bands to ever grace this Earth. He then spots Donna in the crowd and says he’s dedicating this one to the winner of his heart. ABBA’s ‘The Winner Takes It All’ plays as Booster drunkenly sings it. A friend turns to Donna and says this sounds like a song about a break-up. She shrugs her shoulders and says it sounds romantic to her as Booster sings the final note off-key to end the credits.

Release: Blue Ridge

 

Blue Ridge
Genre: Thriller
Director: David Mackenzie
Writers: Jimmy Ellis & John Malone
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Robert Pattinson, Patrick Wilson, Walton Goggins, Antony Starr, Joe Cole, Abbie Cornish, Rashida Jones, Linda Hunt






Budget: $49,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $43,730,772
Foreign Box Office: $27,341,392
Total Profit: -$21,000,002

Reaction: We were hoping that the star power of McConaughey and Pattinson could push the film to a hit, but it didn't happen. The marketing department has some theories, but there's no real way of knowing why it underperformed.

"The script of Blue Ridge from collaborators Ellis and Malone has a strong 1970s feel, which is what I feel they were going for. If that is indeed the case, they certainly succeeded. That said, the film also feels like its own thing in how it plots its story. The villain is a unique one and having two main characters who both want very different things is a fresh take."- Sam Morris, Oregonian

"Matthew McConaughey may be in the news for reasons other than his acting lately, but he still knows how to bring the goods when motivated. Clearly that was the case with Blue Ridge as McConaughey gives one of the best performances of his career. His performance is nearly met by Pattinson though, who does a lot with a less flashy role. The story is fairly by the books as a Appalachian take on the well-worn tale of 'The Fugitive'."- Frank Estelle, Boca Breeze

"Blue Ridge pulls off a charming, sleek and haunting style that pays homage to the suspense and detective movies of the past, including an tour-de-force performance by Matthew McConaughey, who no doubt should be a contender for the GRA. The rest of the cast also deserves praise for their efforts, especially Antony Starr who comes out of nowhere as a depraved sketch artist. In the end, it's a vicious tale of a man who rises from the hell that is prison and becomes a free man, one that should resonate with others for many seasons to come." - Mitchell Parker, New York Times

Rated R for violence and language

A Second Look: Missing Men

 

Welcome back for another edition of A Second Look with Jeff Stockton! In this segment I will take a "second look" at a past LRF release with a fresh set of eyes.

Over the past several seasons, writer Jimmy Ellis has become one of the most active writers in LRF history, but he was a rookie when he wrote this segment's film: Missing Men. Jimmy Ellis' debut film was a throwback war thriller from director Clint Eastwood starring Casey Affleck, Billy Magnussen, Jared Leto and others. Looking back at my thoughts from that time period, it would appear that I didn't really think much about it at all oddly enough. I didn't even specifically mention it in that round's The Roundup outside of commenting on Ellis being one of the two new writers debuting that round (the other being Grim O'Grady, who would never be seen again). In my review, which was mildly positive, I appreciated the old-school nature of the film and that it didn't try to do too much.

Looking back at Missing Men now, I still appreciate that it doesn't try to make any political or social points, that it is just a throwback war thriller like they used to make back in the day. The performances are all pretty bland - other than Leto, who recognizing how boring the other roles were, probably took that as permission to completely over-act. There are some good action/war moments, but the film isn't really anything special. If you like those older action-war films with stars like Charles Bronson, Chuck Norris, etc. then you'll like it, but if those films aren't your cup of tea you won't.

Original Grade: C+

New Grade: C+

Missing Men link: https://lrfdatabase.weebly.com/missing-men.html

Now Showing: Blue Ridge

 

Blue Ridge
Genre: Thriller
Director: David Mackenzie
Writers: Jimmy Ellis & John Malone
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Robert Pattinson, Patrick Wilson, Walton Goggins, Antony Starr, Joe Cole, Abbie Cornish, Rashida Jones, Linda Hunt

Plot: Floyd Self (Matthew McConaughey) sits with his head in his hands in a courtroom. Across the room from him, Buncombe County prosecutor Daniel Lawson (Robert Pattinson), delivers a closing statement, saying that if it was up to him he would sentence Self to death, but the decision is not up to him. He looks toward the jury box and says that it’s up to them instead. Self’s defense attorney, Ruth Payne (Rashida Jones), objects to Lawson’s monologue. The judge tells them both to have a seat. The jury finds Self guilty of one count of murder, and the judge sentences him to life in prison to the disappointment of both Self and Lawson. Self continues to profess his innocence as the bailiff leads him out of the room. Lawson, on the other hand, expresses his annoyance that Self didn’t get the chair. As he is being escorted through the doorway, Self exchanges eye contact with Lawson. Ruth turns to Self’s distraught wife, Dorothy (Abbie Cornish), and assures her that she will continue to fight on Floyd’s behalf throughout the appeals process.

Two and a half years later, Floyd Self sits in his prison cell in the rundown and dilapidated old Craggy Correctional Center. He looks skinnier and more pale than he did before. Elsewhere in the prison, Warden Moses Beekman (Walton Goggins) is approached by Lawrence Childs (Joe Cole), an officer for the county sheriff’s department who is stationed at the prison. Childs informs Beekman that a badly decomposed dead body has been found up in the Blue Ridge Mountains and he believes it may be connected to the murder committed by Floyd Self a few years back. Beekman tells Childs to contact the district attorney and him in his office.

Self is retrieved from his cell and escorted to Warden Beekman’s office. Along the way, he notices Daniel Lawson staring him down. Once Self is seated and cuffed in the office, Beekman, Childs and Lawson all enter. Beekman cuts straight to the chase and demands Self tell him how many more bodies there are out there. Lawson is taken aback by the statement and asks what exactly is going on. Beekman looks over to Childs, who tells Lawson that a body with wounds matching Self’s previous victim was found, badly decomposed. Lawson angrily demands why this is the first he’s hearing of this, in front of Self no less. Lawson argues with Beekman and Childs about them keeping information from him. As they argue, Self calmly says that he killed the woman and many others. Lawson, Beekman and Childs all become silent in an instance. Lawson asks Self to repeat what he said, and Self says that there are more bodies than they have bags for. Lawson asks Beekman and Childs for a moment alone with Self. The begrudgingly leave the office. Lawson digs through his briefcase and pulls out a map of the region. He attempts to broker a deal with Self: if Self will mark the locations on the map, Lawson will get Self a transfer to a nicer prison. Self insists that he can only locate the bodies in person as the landmarks he used to get around won’t be found on a simple map. Lawson exits the office, leaving Self alone. In the hallway, Lawson tells Beekman that he wants to take Self out to the mountains so he can lead him to the location of the other victims. Beekman says it isn’t a very good idea to take a convicted killer into the mountains, but Lawson says that the pros outweigh the cons and suggests that Beekman and Childs work as the prisoner escort so that they can keep it quiet until they find what they’re looking for.

Childs drives a prison van along the windy, foggy mountain roads of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. Lawson and Beekman sit behind him, with Self chained up in the back of the van. Once they reach a high, steep road, Self finally speaks up and tells them that they are close and should pull over. As they pull over, they let Self out of the van. The four men walk further up the mountainside and deeper into the dense morning fog. Self points to a carving on a tree, telling them that is one of his landmarks. As the men look at the carving, Self makes a run for it, escaping into the fog. Beekman tells Childs to shoot him, but Lawson says they can’t kill Self if they want to find the bodies and insists Childs merely catch up to him and re-apprehend him. Childs, Lawson and Beekman all chase Self until he reaches a cliffside waterfall. Childs orders Self to stop and surrender as he has nowhere left to run. Self smiles at Childs, then he jumps off the waterfall, disappearing into the fog, down toward the water hundreds of feet below. Lawson, Childs and Beekman hike down to the bottom of the waterfall, but are unable to find any sign of Self. Lawson comments that if Self is still alive, they’re going to need a Marshal to help track him down.

US Marshall Eugene Baxter (Patrick Wilson) arrives at Lawson’s office and immediately chastises Lawson for having such a poor plan and letting Self play him the way he did. Even though he is critical of Lawson’s attempt to grab headlines to further his career, he agrees to track down Self, but only on account that they do things his way from now on. Lawson asks if they’re going to call in some hounds to sniff Self out in the woods. Baxter says that they’re not going to look for Self in the forest, they’re going to figure out what Self wants to go and find him there. Lawson is confused by the notion, so Baxter explains that nobody escapes custody without a plan of where they’ll go.

Deep in the woods of the Blue Mountain Range, Floyd Self manages to break his chains with a large rock. He sees the sun is getting ready to set. Self finds a small cave and makes a small fire. Self huddles around the fire to get through the night. As soon as dawn breaks, Self is on his feet, hiking toward civilization.

Lawson and Baxter pay Self’s wife, Dorothy, a visit. She is adamant that she hasn’t seen Floyd and has no idea where he is currently. Lawson gives her his business card and pleads with her to give him a call if she happens upon her husband. Dorothy tears the card up and throws it in Lawson’s face. She insists that her husband didn’t kill anyone, then orders the men off of her property. Self watches the encounter from a park across the street, smiling at his wife’s actions.

Back in the car, Baxter asks Lawson why he thinks Self suddenly made a plan to escape the prison. Lawson explains that, for the past two and a half years, Self had maintained his innocence in the one murder he was tried and convicted of, but all of a sudden he made claims about there being many more victims. Baxter says it’s pretty obvious to him that Self lied to make an escape. Baxter goes on to say that someone who escapes like Self is going to do one of two things. He’s either going to try to make a run for it, or he is going to try to clear his name. Baxter suggests that Lawson pull all the case files on Self for all the information on Self and his case they can get.

At the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, sketch artist Curt Hansen (Antony Starr) overhears chatter in the office between Beekman, Baxter and Lawson about the case. They are trying to keep their volume low, but Hansen overhears something the piques his interest, then seems to annoy him. As Baxter exits the office, Hansen scurries away to avoid his eavesdropping being detected.

Self sneaks into his wife’s house, knowing she kept newspaper clippings from the trial. He reads through them until he finds the name of the eye witness that supposedly saw him abduct the victim, an older woman named Mrs. Mooney. Dorothy wakes up and cries tears of joy upon seeing Floyd again without bars between them. Dorothy makes him some food and helps him get the broken handcuffs off of his wrists. She suggests they just go up to Canada or someplace the cops would never find them. Self says that North Carolina is the only home he knows, so he needs to clear his name and find the real killer. He doesn’t want to be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life. Dorothy begrudgingly accepts her husband’s plan and finds a Mrs. Moody in the phonebook and gives him the address. With a kiss, Self gets on his way.

Self arrives at the Moody residence and can see that Mrs. Moody (Linda Hunt) is still awake. He knocks on the door, and Moody slowly makes her way to the door to answer. When she opens the door, Self can see that not only does Moody not recognize him, but she also appears to be practically blind. He asks her about the murder she witnessed. Moody laughs about it, saying that she never really saw anything, she just happened upon the location. She was fed a description of the suspect. Self asks her who told her what to say. Mrs. Moody thinks about it for a moment, trying to remember. She then says it was the guy drawing the picture, he told her what the guy looked like. Self gives Mrs. Moody a hug and thanks her profusely before leaving.

Later in the the evening, Mrs. Moody pours herself some tea as she is getting ready for bed when she hears another knock at her door. She opens the door, but no one is standing there. Curt Hansen then appears behind her and says hello to her. Mrs. Moody says that he recognizes his voice. Hansen grabs Moody by the hair and slashes her throat with a hunting knife.

A neighbor finds Mrs. Moody’s body in the morning and calls the police. Baxter and Lawson find out about the murder and head to the crime scene. Lawson is eager to pin the murder on Self, stating that must have gone to kill the witness of his crime the night before. Baxter shakes his head at this saying he doesn’t buy it. Since Self always maintained his innocence, it would not benefit his case to kill someone involved in the case especially since he was already convicted. On top of that, killing Mrs. Moody would not help Self make a run for it or clear his name. Lawson is annoyed that the logic doesn’t support his suspicions of Self and begrudgingly agrees with Baxter’s assessment of Moody’s death.

Self sneaks inside of a house, startling his former defense attorney Ruth Payne. He assures her he doesn’t want to hurt her. She says she believes him, but can’t help him. She says that she has been trying to help him for over two years, and while she hasn’t succeeded, she did always believe in his innocence. Self asks her for one thing: the name and address of the police artist who drew his sketch. Payne asks why, and Self says that he thinks the sketch artist is involved in the murders and could potentially be the one who framed him. Payne searches through her notes and finds the man’s name, Curt Hansen, and address. Self thanks Payne, and she tells him not to do anything foolish.

Lawson is informed by Childs that an unidentifiable fingerprint has been found at the Moody crime scene. Lawson asks why that should concern him. Childs says that it doesn’t match Self, but it does match another unidentified print found at the crime scene of Self’s first victim. Lawson isn’t interested in having Self’s prior convictions overturned, or him being wrong, so he demands that Childs discount the findings. Lawson asks Childs to keep this information just between them until he has more information. Childs reluctantly agrees after Lawson hints that it will help Childs’ career to go along with him.

Self is waiting behind Hansen’s house, when Hansen arrives covered in blood - confirming for Self that Hansen is a murderer. Hansen smiles at Self before running away. Self chases after him for a long while, but Hansen gets away when Self is hit by a car backing out of a driveway.


Hansen, out of breath, stops running. He walks toward a house - the residence of Dorothy Self. Hansen knocks on the door. As soon as Dorothy answers, Hansen pounces on her and knocks her unconscious. He carries her outside and puts her into the trunk of her own car.

Lawson and Baxter arrive at Dorothy’s house to follow up with her and find the front door open, but Dorothy is nowhere to be found. Baxter recognizes signs of a struggle. Lawson sits down with his head in his hands. It has finally dawned on him that he may have convicted an innocent man of murder.

Baxter and Lawson are going over evidence at the sheriff’s office when Floyd Self walks into the station with his hands up. Childs comes out of an office and immediately aims his gun at Self, who calmly announces that he knows who the real killer was. Lawson notices the commotion and apologizes to Self, saying that he has doubts about the case. Lawson asks Childs to lower his weapon. Self is surprised that Lawson has changed his tune after all this time, but Lawson says that Dorothy may have been kidnapped by the real killer. Self then says that Curt Hansen is the real killer. Childs is caught off guard as he recognizes the name as the department’s sketch artist. Lawson and Baxter question Self about what he knows. Childs interrupts, saying that he knows Hansen has a cabin up in the mountains. Lawson tells Self to stay at the station while the proper authorities go out to find Hansen and Dorothy. Self says he’s coming along whether they like it or not - besides, nobody knows those mountains like he does. Baxter approves the idea, forcing Lawson to begrudgingly accept that he has to work with the man he tried to put on death row.

Hansen drags Dorothy’s unconscious body into his cabin and ties her to a chair. He slaps her around until he wakes up. She struggles to try to get free, which elicits laughter from Hansen. Dorothy spits at Hansen, who says that he originally planned on simply killing her, but after getting a good look at her he now thinks she may be more fun alive than dead.

Self, Baxter and Lawson ride on horseback up the mountains as no roads have been built in the area they’re searching. The tension between Self and Lawson is apparent. Baxter tries to make a bit of small talk to lighten the mood, but Self and Lawson don’t bite. Self eventually asks Lawson why he was so adamant that he was the killer based on some pretty flimsy evidence, like the eyewitness report of a mostly blind woman. Lawson tenses up and doesn’t answer the question. Self rides ahead of the others.

Finally the trio see a plume of smoke off in the horizon. Self tells Baxter and Lawson that there are not very many cabins this deep into the mountains. Baxter says they need to approach with caution. They tie up the horses and continue on foot to avoid detection. As they slowly walk toward the cabin, they hear Dorothy scream. Self begins sprinting toward the cabin. Baxter and Lawson follow. Self bursts through the cabin door where Hansen is about to rape Dorothy. Hansen quickly reaches for a pistol, shooting Self in the shoulder. The gunshot doesn’t slow down Self though, who continues charging at Hansen, who fires again, hitting Self in the arm. Self tackles Hansen to the ground and begins choking him. Hansen grabs a piece of firewood and hits Self in the head with it. Hansen then runs out of the house, but is quickly gunned down by Baxter and his shotgun. Self, despite his gunshot wounds, unties Dorothy and holds her. Lawson walks into the cabin and sees Floyd and Dorothy embracing. Lawson offers his hand out to Self in an attempt to apologize for being wrong all along. Self hesitates, but then shakes Lawson’s hand, accepting his apology. Floyd and Dorothy walk away from the cabin with their arms around each other.

Lawson arranges for Floyd Self’s conviction to be overturned and fully expunged from his record. He publicly apologizes to Self during a press conference and announces that he is stepping down as District Attorney of Buncombe County, planning on running for Mayor of Asheville, North Carolina, instead.

In Development

 

The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands: Rounding out the cast of the third Dark Tower film will be Lin Shaye (Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman, The Call), Rupert Grint (Burial Rites, Queen Mary), Greg Grunberg (A Star Is Born, Star Trek Beyond) and Ricky Gervais (Special Correspondents, David Brent: Life on the Road) in a voice role. Matt Reeves directs the Stephen King adaptation, which has been written by Matt Parker.

The Producer: Joe Manganiello (Lady Red, Archenemy), Scott Caan ("Hawaii Five-0", Untogether), Rob McElhenney ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", "Mythic Quest") and Noel Fisher (Superman: The Last Son of Krypton, "Shameless") have joined The Producer, starring and directed by Bradley Cooper. Manganiello and Cann will play friends of the drug dealer played by Shailene Woodley, while McElhenney will play her limo driver boyfriend. Fisher will play the assistant of Cooper's character who helps with his music promotion business in New York. Lon Charles penned the film.

Judas Iscariot: Paddy Considine (Hex, Macbeth), Tobias Menzies (Death of the Artist, "The Crown"), Aidan Gillen (Still Lives, Splinter Cell: Conviction) and Levi Miller (Streamline, American Exit) have all joined the Tom Hardy-led Biblical film, Judas Iscariot. Considine and Miller will play two of Jesus' followers: Simon and John, Menzies will play Pontius Pilate, and Gillen will play Caiaphas - a Jewish high priest. Jeff Nichols directs from a script by John Malone.

The Big One: Bill Murray (Boys of the Bayou, So This Is What It Feels Like) has signed on for a pivotal role in Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film, The Big One. He will play the mayor of an idylic 1950s town. Daisy Edgar-Jones (Caesar Part II, Fresh) and Bella Heathcote (Stepford, At the Mountains of Madness) have also joined in supporting roles. Jimmy Ellis and John Malone wrote the film, which will be the first release of Season 24.

Graduation Trip: Ty Simpkins (Black Hole, Sleeping Beauties), Molly Gordon (Tail, "Winning Time") and  Steve Buscemi (No Laughing Matter, Maple Leaf) will round out the cast of the teen comedy Graduation Trip from director Gregg Araki and writer Alex Conn. Simpkins and Gordon will play two of the students on their senior class trip, while Buscemi will play the school principal.

Knight Rider: Chris Pratt (Recursion, Kindred) and Dakota Johnson (The Void, Superman: The Last Son of Krypton) are set to star in a big screen adaptation of the hit 1980s TV series, Knight Rider. Pratt will play a secret agent who is teamed up with a AI-powered super car, voiced by Hugh Laurie (Superman: The Last Son of Krypton, Haunted). Johnson will play the female lead, a woman who joins forces with Pratt's character, Michael Knight, to solve a conspiracy. DJ Caruso (Carbon, XIII) is set to direct the film based on an adaptation by Joshua Collins (Calvin and Hobbes, EarthBound).

Premiere Magazine #228