L.A. Noire 1.3 - Warrants Outstanding

L.A. Noire - Warrants Outstanding

Genre: Crime

Director: Gavin O'Connor

Writer: John Malone

Based on the video game

Cast: Joe Alwyn, Brent Sexton, Michael Mosley, Christopher Abbott, Katie Findlay, Josh Charles, Reed Diamond, Happy Anderson, Gabriel Basso and Jordan Gelber

Plot:Plot: 1942 - At Camp Elliott, Sgt. Chisholm (Reed Diamond) explains that part of the tradition of the Marine Corps and especially being an officer in the Marine Corps is the ability to make tough decisions. He explains that the right decision isn't always the popular one, and that the right decision very well get the men you care about killed. He says that the ratings he has asked them to give each other and each cadidate's ability to give them frankly and truthfully will directly affect their chances of successfully becoming an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He then gives the floor to Cole Phelps (Joe Alwyn) to give his ratings for his fellow officer candidates. He gives fairly good ratings to each of his fellow candidates, including Hank Merrill (Gabriel Basso), but gives Jack Kelso (Christopher Abbott) a failing score in every possible category. Kelos grits his teeth as Phelps reads the ratings in front of the everyone. Sgt. Chisholm orders Kelso to explain himself. Kelso apologizes to Sgt. Chisholm, but goes on to say that he joined the Marine Corps to fight the enemey, not get involved in this schoolboy chickenshit. Sgt. Chisholm demands Kelso to head to his office immediately. Kelso then storms out of the room.

1947 - Phelps and his partner Roy Dunn (Michael Mosley) are driving in their squad car when Dunn asks Phelps to tell him about his time in the war. Phelps tells Dunn that friends who want to stay friends should never discuss religion or politics, and his case the war. As they continue driving, Dunn spots a man walking down the side of the road. He recognizes the man as Wendell Bowers (Happy Anderson). Phelps asks how he knows the man, and Dunn explains that he put Bowers away before and that he jumped parole. Dunn flicks on the squad car's siren and makes a sudden U-turn to face Bowers with the car. Dunn tells Phelps to chase after him, while he heads him off in the car. Phelps jumps out of the car and begins chasing Bowers down an alley way.

Phelps chases Bowers down a long series of alley ways. Dunn, in the squad car, cuts Bowers off. Bowers then proceeds to climb up the ladder of a fire escape. As Phelps follows Bowers up the fire escape, Dunn starts firing his service revolver at Bowers. Phelps yells at Dunn to stop firing, he doesn't want to get hit by any fragments or ricocheting bullets. Phelps then yells at Bowers to stop once again, saying he's only making things worse with each step. Bowers escapes to the rooftop of the building. When Phelps finally reaches the roof, he sees Bowers climbing up a pipe toward the top of a neighboring building. Phelps grabs hold of the pipe and starts climbing.

Once Phelps gets to the next rooftop, he finds Bowers waiting for him. Phelps tells Bowers there is nowhere to run now and implores him to come along willingly. Bowers laughs at Phelps' suggestion and pulls out a switchblade. Phelps disarms Bowers with one quick move. Bowers begins punching Phelps in the stomach, knocking him to his knees. Bowers tries to kick Phelps in the face, but Phelps rolls over to his side and pulls out his revolver. Phelps quickly fires two shots into the chest of Bowers. Clutching his chest, Bowers begins stumbling backward, falling over the edge of the building. Phelps looks over the edge to the street below where he sees Bowers' body lying on the sidewalk next to Dunn in the parked squad car. Phelps yells down to Dunn and asks if Bowers is dead. Dunn looks at the two bullet holes in Bowers' chest and yells back in the affirmative. Dunn then adds that he almost hit the squad car.

Malcolm Carruthers (Jordan Gelber), the County Coroner, arrives on the scene at the same time as Detectives Rusty Galloway (Brent Sexton) and Floyd Rose (Josh Charles). Carruthers tells Phelps that he thought he told Phelps to not kill anyone. Phelps corrects Carruthers, saying that Carruthers told him not to kill as many people in the future. This time he only killed one criminal, not three like at the bank robbery. Floyd jokes about not wanting to be on Phelps' bad side. Galloway reminds Phelps of what he said about making a name for yourself not always being a good thing.

Phelps finishes up his paperwork at the station and returns home just in time for dinner with his wife Marie (Katie Findlay) and his two young daughters. Over the dinner of chicken and salad, Marie asks Phelps if anything interesting happened at work today. He looks down at the plate in front of him and tells Marie it was just another day at war. Marie is confused by his answer, and Phelps laughs it off, saying he meant another day on the force. She gives him a concerned look. Phelps tells her that nothing all that interesting happened. He stopped a couple jaywalkers and wrote some tickets, nothing exciting. 

Manson 1.3 - Long Way Down

Manson - Long Way Down

Genre: Biography / Crime

Director: Antonio Campos

Writer: Lon Charles

Cast: Jim Sturgess, Julia Garner, Juliette Angelo, Emilio Estevez, Chris Mulkey, Lew Temple, Jenna Fischer, Justin Chatwin and Jay R. Ferguson

Plot: 1965. High school student Lynette Fromme (Juliette Angelo) and her family move to Redondo Beach. Her father William (Lew Temple) explains to her that this is a fresh start for the entire family and implores Lynette to make the best of this new opportunity.

Meanwhile in downtown Los Angeles, new Deputy District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi (Emilio Estevez) sets up his desk at the Los Angeles County Justice Center. Just as he gets ready to settle in and look over a stack of possible cases to prosecute, his wife Gail (Jenna Fischer) enters the office and brings him a sandwich for lunch at his first day in his new office.

1960. Charles Manson (Jim Sturgess) is still taking guitar lessons from former gangster Alvin Karpis (Chris Mulkey), but isn't really making much progress. While Manson plays the guitar, a guard taunts him, saying that Manson has all the time in the world to get better since he's never getting out. Manson calmly looks up and says get out of where. Phil Kaufman (Justin Chatwin) overhears this and begins laughing. Manson yells at Kaufman to stop laughing at him. Kaufman walks over and introduces himself. Kaufman asks Manson what he did to get locked up, and Manson says that he isn't locked up, he's right at home. Kaufman is confused by the response and tells Manson that he got busted for smuggling marijuana.

1965. Lynette is smoking weed and drinking beer at the beach with some classmates when they are busted by the police. William picks her up from the police station later that night. He yells at her in the car and tells her that if she doesn't turn things around that he'll kick her out of the house.

Bugliosi starts looking through the folders of cases and comes across the paperwork for misdemeanor charges against the teenage Lynette Fromme. He decides he doesn't want to waste his time on such a penny ante case and has the charges against Lynette dropped. His co-workers are confused why he would drop the charges on such an easy open and shut case. Bugliosi tells them that he cares about ridding the world of evil and he doesn't believe that ruining the life of a teenage girl by locking her up for smoking a little marijuana really helps his cause.

1961. Charles Manson lays in his prison cell bunk day dreaming of life as a rock star. He starts singing a song, but is distracted by his cellmate, Lafayette Raimer (Jay R. Ferguson) reading a book. Manson asks what the book is, and Raimer begins telling Manson about the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Manson has never heard of such a thing and asks Raimer to teach him about it. Raimer tells Manson that we are all immortal spiritual beings, and that experiences extend well beyond a single life time, but that we need not be crippled by our pasts. Manson begins repeating the tenets Raimer is expounding, making them his own.

1965. Mary Brunner (Julia Garner) walks across the stage at her college graduation at the University of Wisconsin. After the graduation ceremony, Mary gleefully talks to her family about how excited she is to start her new job as a library assistant in California at the University of California at Berkeley. Mary packs up her things into her car and begins driving toward her destiny in the Golden State.

Have Gun - Will Travel 1.3 - Strom Brewing

Have Gun - Will Travel : Outlaw

Genre: Western

Director: Frank Darabont

Writer: Dwight Gallo

Based on the television series

Cast: Walton Goggins, Benedict Wong, Lara Jean Chorostecki, Steve Howey, Ed O'Neill, Kate Upton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Austin Nichols

Plot: 1865. Paladin (Walton Goggins) looks out the window of his suite as a storm rages outside. A woman, Cassandra (Lara Jean Chorostecki), lays in his bed. She tells him she had fun. Paladin tells her the fun was Paladin starts to get dressed for the day when Cassandra pulls out a gun and aims it at him. Paladin says that he took the bullets out of the gun. She pulls the trigger, but only hears a click. Paladin then directs her to look in her purse. She does so and finds a necklace. Cassandra thanks Paladin for a lovely time, and Paladin sees her out of the suite. Chan (Benedict Wong) enters and hands Paladin the daily newspaper. Paladin reads an article about a murder warrant being taken out against a man named Johnny Kincaid for killing a cowboy and setting a fire that killed two more. Paladin mentions the article to Chan and comments that it sounds like it could be a good time.

Paladin gets off a train in Kingman, Arizona, and quickly tracks down Kincaid (Steve Howey) through the local saloon. Paladin asks Kincaid to come along peacefully, but of course they never do, and Kincaid tries to go for his gun. Paladin shoots Kincaid in the shoulder and ties him up. They come back to the deserted train station to catch the next train. Kincaid says that he never liked the smell of towns like Kingman. Paladin eventually gets impatient of waiting and heads into the general store and asks the owner Ray (Ed O'Neill) when the next train is scheduled to arrive. Ray explains that Paladin will have to wire ahead for the train as it does not have any scheduled stops here. When Paladin says that he's there to collect a warrant for Kincaid's arrest, Ray tells Paladin that he can chain up Kincaid to a post in front of his store.

That night, Paladin goes to the telegraph office and sends two wires out - one to schedule the train and another to the sheriff to report that he has captured Kincaid alive. Paladin then goes back to the general store to stand guard on Kincaid. Paladin is starting to fall asleep when Kincaid asks how much Paladin is getting for bringing him in. Paladin says that it is impolite to discuss financial matters. Kincaid asks if he can stretch his legs a bit after being chained to the post for hours. Paladin reluctantly unchains Kincaid and takes him to the bar to get a drink. One man in the bar, Ben (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), complains about the lack of girls and that nothing ever happens in a town like Kingman.

In the bar, Joe Culp (Austin Nichols), card player and cattleman, asks Paladin why he's even bothering to keep Kincaid alive since he gets paid whether Kincaid is alive or dead. Culp then starts to complain that Kindcaid is stinking up the bar. Paladin asks him to stop lest he resort to violence. Paladin then sees Ben start to draw a gun. Paladin orders him to stop. Kincaid asks Culp if he needs people like Kincaid to hate and chuckles to himself. Culp grabs Paladin and knocks him to the floor while Ben pulls him gun and trains it on Paladin. The other patrons in the bar begin considering hanging Kincaid because they have nothing better to do. Ray enters the bar and tells everyone that it's all gone far enough and aims a gun at Ben. Paladin reveals that he has his handy derringer ready and says that Ben should thank Ray for coming in and saving his life. Paladin then stands up and punches out Culp.

In the middle of the night in the store, Paladin watches as Culp and the others watch the store from the front of the bar. Kincaid figures that they'll come after him soon enough. Ray asks Kincaid if he really killed the three men. Kincaid confirms that he did, but only because they burned three hundred head of sheep. A young woman, Dot (Kate Upton), arrives at the store and tells Paladin that Culp sent her over to tell Paladin that they're going to hang Kincaid, and they'll kill Paladin if he stands in their way. Paladin asks her to relay a message in response to Culp. He tells her that he has no intention of giving Kincaid up because he promised him a fair trial. Ray tells Dot to stay out of the way. Dot leaves the store to give the message to Culp and the others. Paladin asks Ray if any of the men are dangerous, and Ray says that Culp is really the one to worry about.

A torch slams into the store window, but Paladin and Ray manage to quickly put out the flame. Culp and Ben then enter the store guns drawn. They hit Paladin with the butts of their rifles. Culp then stomps on Paldin's right hand and takes Paladin's derringer and gun belt. Later, Paladin wakes up and worries that his hand may be broken from the stomp. The townspeople watch as Culp and Ben string Kincaid up to hang. Paladin calls out to Culp, saying that he's never seen Kincaid before, thus should have no animosity towards him. Kincaid spits on Culp, and Culp shoots Kincaid in the head.

Once Culp and the others leave, Paladin goes over to Kincaid's corpse. Ray comes out of his store and tells Paladin that there was nothing he could do. He warns Paladin that they won't pay him to take back multiple bodies, and that Culp would already be a handful with both good hands. Paladin, seething, says that Culp should have killed him, and walks away. 

Survivor: Last Resort 2.3 - New Zealand Episode 3

Survivor: Last Resort 2.2 - New Zealand Episode 2
Writer: Chad Taylor

Upon the Tasman tribe returning to their camp, Rick Bradley stares deeply into the fire, choosing to say nothing. Karin seems unbothered by him voting against her and has a general ambivalence to his grudge. Gregory and Earl, meanwhile, are deep in self-reflection about their current situation. They realize that they need to sway at least two of their tribemates to vote on their side. Given the fluidity caused by the Bradley-Karin tension, there at least seems to be a foot in the door.

For the Maori tribe, their immunity win has helped create a stability - although everyone is still aware of the fractured nature of the tribe. Bobby has worked at strengthening his bond with Rick and they’ve promised to take each other to the finals. In confessional, Bobby says they’ve named their sub-alliance ‘Talladega Nights’. In confessional, Rick says he doesn’t know what that means but he’ll roll with it. Amanita and Vinolia, the other two members of the alliance, notice this bonding and decide to make their own sub-alliance.

Over the last several days, the contributions of Kenny Red Thunder have become appreciated around camp. He stays to himself, for the most part, but he is also incredibly considerate and this has gained the respect of his tribe-mates - even those not in his alliance (specifically the Amanita & Vinolia duo). Rick starts to observe this and it bothers him for some reason. He thinks Kenny is putting on act to help him climb out of the minority. He is quick to clarify: minority in the context of the tribal power balance.

At the immunity challenge, the Maori tribe wins for a second straight time. Unlike last time, there is no one to solely pin the blame for the losing tribe.

There is an uneasiness amongst the Tasman camp as there are multiple ways that this tribal council can go. In Jill’s eyes, if she can hold together the four who voted out Suzanne (Alexandra, Albert, Karin, herself), then they can choose whoever they want of the other three. Her and her right-hand-woman Alexandra discuss this and Jill wants to target Gregory since he brought up her name last time. Alexandra still advocates that she can use Gregory as her pawn but Jill keeps a hard stance. This does create a bit of a rift between the two.

Meanwhile, Earl is not ready to go out lying down. He lays out his plan to Gregory: they secure Bradley’s vote and then go in hard on Albert. Their first talk is with Bradley, who has still not said much since the last tribal council. He tells them that he is just trying to repress any potential emotional outbreak. He tells them that he will not be voting on the same side as Karin.

Their conversation with Albert is much more fluid. Albert doesn’t reveal his cards - as in, how close he is with Alexandra and Jill - but he is open to hearing what they have to say. Earl pushes in on the idea that it seems that a female coalition is forming, despite the men outnumbering them. Earl and Gregory go the next two votes, then Bradley, and then Albert is on his own. Who’s the logical choice to go next? When thinking about this, Albert tells them that this is a good point and that he will think it over.

As everyone is off scrambling for the votes, Jill notices a small note under their sleeping structure. She unrolls it and it is a Hidden Immunity Idol clue. It tells her that the location of the idol at the next Immunity challenge, and she will be tasked with obtaining it without being caught by the others. In confessional, she tells herself that all she needs to do is survive this one tribal council and the reward will be waiting.

At tribal council, they talk about losing twice in a row and how to prevent that from becoming a trend. Multiple people are honest about a potential shift in voting strategy, as last time Suzanne was voted out because she was bad at challenges. As they know now, how much did that really help? Another topic that comes up is the ongoing cold war between Bradley and Karin. However, it is everyone but those two because Karin seems uninterested and Bradley is still “suppressing his anger”. When Jeff tries to probe into whether or not there are clear divisions in the tribe, Jill’s alliance plays it coy and says there is not. Earl is openly against this and says it is easy for someone in the majority to say that. Albert is conspicuously quiet during all of this, which is not lost on Jill. Jeff tells them it is time to vote.

After collecting the votes, Jeff says if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it. No one does, yet. He’ll read the votes.

First vote…..Jill

…..Gregory

…..Jill

…..Gregory

…..Gregory

3 votes Gregory, 2 votes Jill

…...Karin. Karin bats her eyes at Rick Bradley.

The third person voted off of Survivor: Last Resort - New Zealand...Gregory. The tribe has spoken.

In his post-show confessional, Gregory seems genuinely upset at his ouster. He says that it is not exactly unexpected but that he feels a bit betrayed by Alexandra. They were on different sides but he thought that they had a connection that could at least keep him around longer than Earl. He jokingly says that he is going to go and downvote all of her YouTube videos when he gets home.