L.A. Noire 1.4 - Buyer Beware

L.A. Noire - Buyer Beware

Genre: Crime

Director: Gavin O'Connor

Writer: John Malone

Based on the video game

Cast: Joe Alwyn, Michael Mosley, Brian F. O'Byrne, Katie Findlay, Elon Gold and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers

Plot: 1947 - Officers Cole Phelps (Joe Alwyn) and Ralph Dunn (Michael Mosley) are walking on their beat when they hear gunshots ring out around the block. They quickly run toward the shots and find a man dead on the sidewalk in front of a shoe store with two bullet holes in his back. Phelps is baffled that someone would commit such a brazen crime in broad daylight on a busy street. Dunn starts setting up a perimeter around the crime scene and suggests that Phelps start looking for clues before the homicide dicks show up. Phelps searches the pockets of the deceased, but only finds a layaway ticket from a jewelry store for a pair of pearl earrings with the name "C. Galletta" on it. While setting up the perimeter, Dunn finds a gun in a garbage ca and calls over Phelps to collect it. Dunn mentions there's a gun store just a couple blocks away, so they could check out to see if they can identify the owner.

Phelps heads into the shoe store where he finds Clovis Galletta (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers) crying. Phelps asks her is she knows the victim, and she tells him that it is her boss, Everett Gage. He asks her to give him a breakdown of the events that led to the death of Mr. Gage. She says that she was a in a store on her lunch break, when Mr. Gage stormed in yelling that she was late getting back. They then walked back when she heard the gunshots and turned around, only to see Mr. Gage fall to the ground. Not fully believing her story, Phelps asks her about the pearl earrings and what happened at the jewelry store. Clovis breaks down, worried that she'll lose the earrings she's been paying for for a year. Phelps says she should be more worried about losing her freedom and asks for the real story. She tells him that the owner of the jewelry store, Edgar Kalou, was showing her a watch when Gage burst in, telling her to get back to work. Kalou then began yelling at Gage. They then left and he was shot in the back when they were returning. Phelps asks who shot Gage, and she tells him it was Edgar Kalou. Phelps asks why, and she tells him that Gage hated Jews. A squad car of uniformed officers arrives on the scene. Dunn tells them to maintain the perimeter while they head to the jewelry store to seek out a lead.

Phelps and Dunn arrive at the jewelry store and are greeted by a man behind the counter (Elon Gold) who offers them a good price on a watch. Phelps asks if he is Edgar Kalou, but the man says he isn't, but that Mr. Kalou is out back lying down. The man offers to go and get him. Once the man gets to the back door, he starts running. Phelps hops over the counter and gives chase. Phelps chases him through the back alley, across the street, and into a park. Phelps fires a warning shot into the air and tells Kalou the next one will be aimed at the back of his head if he keeps running. Kalou stops running and puts his hands in the air. Phelps formally places Edgar Kalou under arrest for the murder of Everett Gage and has him taken to the nearby Wilshire Police Station.

Phelps heads over to the Wilshire Station to fill out some paperwork pertaining to the arrest and is greeted by Captain James Donnelly (Brian F. O'Byrne). Donnelly commends Phelps on showing the initiative to track down the killer himself rather than rest on his laurels. Donnelly then offers Phelps the opportunity to conduct the interview with Edgar Kalou. Donnelly tells Phelps that the goal is to find motive, opportunity, hard evidence and or a confession. If he fails in the former, he can always use a modicum of force to obtain the latter. Donnelly says that in this case, the evidence is overwhelming, but a confession would make everyone's life easier, and would be an excellent way to show that he has the chops to be a detective. Phelps nods and heads into the interview room.

When Phelps enters the room, Kalou demands to see his lawyer. Phelps tells him that a lawyer isn't going to help him now - he shot a man dead in cold blood. Phelps tells Kalou that he witnesses that can testify that Kalou followed Gage and the girl back to the shoe store and shot Gage in the back. Kalou says Gage was a bastard, but claims he had nothing to do with the shooting. Phelps tells him that Miss Galletta has already made a statement, placing Kalou at the scene of the crime. Kalou loses his temper and begins yelling at Phelps about how Gage has been trying to ruin his jewelry business for years just because he's a Jew and Gage hated Jews. Kalou says he's glad he killed Gage, the Jew hating bastard. Phelps stands up and calmly informs Kalou that he is being charged with the first degree murder of Everett Gage.

Phelps leaves the interview room. In the hallway, Captain Donnelly pats Phelps on the back and says he's going to have a word with the Chief of Police about Phelps, since man with such an unwavering sense of justice should not merely have the word "officer" in front of his name. Phelps thanks Donnelly and begins to walk away when Donnelly stops him. Donnelly offers him a piece of advice: get two suits and have them pressed - Phelps will be needing them. When Phelps returns home that night, his wife Marie (Katie Findlay) asks him how work was. Phelps smiles and says he thinks he just got promoted.

Manson 1.4 - The Shadow of Your Smile

Manson - The Shadow of Your Smile

Genre: Biography / Crime

Director: Antonio Campos

Writer: Lon Charles

Cast: Jim Sturgess, Julia Garner, Beau Mirchoff, Natalia Dyer, Justin Chatwin and Brad Leland

Plot: Plot: 1967. Charles Manson (Jim Sturgess) is paroled from prison at 32 years old. He starts walking away from Terminal Island. He sticks his thumb out to hitchhike as he continues walking down the road. Eventually a truck pulls over and offers Manson a lift. Manson hops into the cab as the driver pulls away. The truck driver pulls out a joint and begins smoking it. Manson looks at it, and the truck driver offers him a hit. Manson accepts and comments that times certainly have changed a lot since the last time he was free.

Charles Manson is walking down a busy San Francisco street when he pickpockets the wallet of a young woman, Mary Brunner (Julia Garner). He takes a few dollars from the wallet and then calls after the young woman. Mary turns around, and Manson tells her that she dropped her wallet and didn't want anyone else to take off with it. Mary is very appreciative of Manson returning her wallet to her before some unsavory type could make off with it. Manson asks her if she would like to get a drink or some food with him - his treat. She accepts, and together they walk down the street.

1964. Charles Watson (Beau Mirchoff) is pledging at the Pi Kappa Alpha house at North Texas State University. The frat brothers tell the pledges that in order to be accepted they must complete a scavenger hunt. The pledges are all several beers deep when Watson and his partner get to the next item on the list: four typewriters. Watson drunkenly describes his high school as having row after row of battered type writers. The next day, Watson wakes up on the floor of his bedroom at his parents' house with a throbbing hangover next to four stolen typewriters. Watson shamefully enters the kitchen as his parents are sitting down for breakfast and told them what he did.

Watson sits in the backseat of his parents' car as they take him to see a lawyer, Roland Boyd (Brad Leland). Boyd takes Watson to the police station without his parents. When they get to the station, Boyd tells Watson to wait out in the waiting area while he goes to talk to the police officers. Boyd comes back several minutes later and says they can leave now. On the drive back, Boyd gives Watson a stern talk about staying out of trouble in the future.

1961. Charles Manson is still in prison at Terminal Island. He is discussing the music industry with Phil Kaufman (Justin Chatwin). Manson expresses great interest in trying to make it in the music business and is hitting Kaufman up for any contacts he could possibly use. Kaufman agrees to give him the name of a contact at Universal, Gary Stromberg, but that he better use the rest of his time in prison to keep practicing guitar and working on his songs.

1967. Manson is drinking at a topless bar when he sees a young woman, Susan Atkins (Natalia Dyer) on the stage. Later that night, Manson shows up at a house party where Susan happens to be staying with some drug dealers. Manson quickly ingratiates himself with the dealers and they all act like old friends. Manson notices an acoustic guitar off to the side in a room. Manson picks up the guitar and begins strumming away. Susan enters the room and sits down on a couch. Manson begins singing and playing "The Shadow of Your Smile", looking at Susan in the eyes the entire time. She watches, smiling, mesmerized. After he is done playing, Manson grabs Susan by the hand and leads her into a bedroom where they have sex.

Have Gun - Will Travel 1.4 - Storm Brewing - Part II

Have Gun - Will Travel : Outlaw

Genre: Western

Director: Frank Darabont

Writer: Dwight Gallo

Based on the television series

Cast: Walton Goggins, Ed O'Neill, Kate Upton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Austin Nichols, Leo Gregory and Lyle Lovett

Plot: Joe Culp (Austin Nichols), Ben (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and the others head back to the bar where they start pouring themselves shots of whiskey. They ask Culp if he's going to leave Paladin laying out in the street. Culp tells them that Paladin is no threat to anyone anymore. One of the men in the bar, Roy Smith (Leo Gregory), says no one mentioned gunning down a helpless, unarmed Kincaid. Hell, none of them even knew Kincaid or the people he supposedly killed. Culp asks Roy what he means to do about it. Roy says he is not shedding tears for Kincaid's death, but it just ain't right to gun down a man with his hands tied behind his back. Culp says they'll claim that Kincaid tried to escape and Paladin got in the way. He's sure if pressed, Ray (Ed O'Neill) will back them up.

Paladin crawls over to Kincaid's body and then turns as Ray comes out of his shop. He says he couldn't do anything to stop them. Paladin stands up and says Culp is going to regret not killing him the first time and walks off. Dot (Kate Upton) comes over and says that Roy is a good man and threatens to tell Culp. Paladin tells her to go ahead and do that. Dot tells Paladin that she plans and marrying Roy and asks him to not kill him.

Paladin enters the bar. Culp says that he didn't want to hurt Paladin, but Kincaid got under his skin. He regrets pullling the trigger. Paladin tells Culp that he can live and stand trial or go for his gun. Culp hesitates to think, and Paladin insults him for pausing. Culp then goes for his gun, but even with his left hand, Paladin is too fast for Culp and shots him dead. Ray comes into the bar and says Paladin took a chance shooting left-handed. Paladin says guns are his profession and that Culp was a fool. Dot comes in and begs Paladin not to go after the others, but Paladin walks past her and leaves. Ray asks Dot where Roy is, and Dot says she can't tell him until she knows what side Ray is on.

Paladin goes out to Kincaid's body, says that he made him a promise, and then carries the body into the store. Ray says Kincaid is as good as the men who killed him. Dot says that Kincaid got what he had coming to him, and Paladin should be satisfied that justice was served. Paladin says that the men who killed Kincaid will die for a better reason. Dot tells him that he's no better than the killers and runs out. Ray says that Dot has a point, and that the other men just watched Culp kill Kincaid, and that the other men would never be able to hang or kill someone without Culp. Paladin grabs a pair of manacles from the store and says that they can surrender to him or die. Ray asks Paladin if he wants any help. Paladin refuses, but Ray grabs and gun and follows him anyways.

Paladin and Ray go to see the telegraph operator, Sam Osser (Lyle Lovett), who hands Paladin a telegraph. Paladin reads it silently, but doesn't mention what it says. Sam tells them that Ben, Roy and the others are at the train station and wanted to warn them. Sam says that he feels guilty because he is the one who told them who Kincaid was. Paladin thanks Sam for his candor. Ray asks Paladin if he's going to kill Ben and Roy out of a sense of justice or revenge. Paladin doesn't give an answer and leaves the telegraph office and heads toward the train station.

Paladin goes into a stable to get into a shooting position. Ray approaches the train station, but Ben tells him that's close enough. Paladin tosses the chains out and tells Ben to put them on or he'll open fire. Paladin grabs a pail and tosses it out. Ben starts shooting at it. Paladin then fires on Ben, killing him.

In the morning, Paladin tells Ray and Sam that he still hasn't been able to find Roy. Dot comes out and tells them that Roy is eaten up with guilt and isn't like Culp or Ben. Dot says that Paladin is just as bad as Culp and the others, but Paladin tells her that he had a reason for what he has done. Roy finally comes out of hiding and says he's sick to death about what they did to Kincaid, but he's not going to let Paladin put him in chains. Paladin pulls out the wire he received and shows it to Roy. It says that they found the real killer and Kincaid was innocent. Roy stares at the wire in shock, then crumples it up and tosses it to the ground. Roy tosses his gun to the ground. Dot breaks into tears and hugs Roy. 

Survivor: Last Resort 2.4 - New Zealand Episode 4

Survivor: Last Resort 2.4 - New Zealand Episode 4
Writer: Chad Taylor

The episode starts out with the immunity challenge. The tribes raced up and down three A-frames carrying ropes, then four members used them to pull a heavy wooden crate filled with puzzle pieces across a ramp. Two tribemates then used the pieces to solve a puzzle; the first pair to complete it won immunity and pillows and blankets for the camp. Jill volunteers herself to be on the puzzle because she knows a Hidden Immunity Idol is hidden under the platform. She successfully eludes anyone seeing her but this slows down her ability to solve the puzzle and, as a result, Maori win the challenge.

However, Jeff informs them afterwards that both tribes will be voting someone out this episode. Since Maori won the challenge, they will get to sit in and observe Tasman’s tribal council.

At Tasman, they enjoy their new pillows and blankets that will make camp more comfortable. While it sucks that they are still voting someone out, at least they won their third straight challenge. Given this lack of conflict, more relationships have blossomed on the tribe. As the two young women on the tribe, Sage opens up to Vinolia about being trans on reality television. She is honest about the hate she fears she’ll receive once they get home, but she even fears that here: how much can she talk about her identity around Rick, for example? This opens Vinolia eyes and she thanks Sage for trusting her to someone she could talk to about this. She relays this conversation to Amanita, signalling an improved social standing for the Outsiders.

Rick is still annoyed at Kenny’s stellar performance in challenges, even if it is winning them immunity (or at least rewards). Bobby, who likes to micro-manage in the game, says in a confessional that he is growing worried about Rick’s tendency to give in to his emotions. That’s not how Jim Marshall did it last season. Meanwhile, the tension between Kenny and Rick is eased by the complete lack of Mickey at camp. He has been socially on his own ever since that first day but he has only worsened this as he goes to search for another Idol. HIs tribemates are not dumb and agree that he is painting a bigger target on his back.
At Maori, morale is low after another loss and knowing that the other tribe will get to pick up intel on them. In private, Jill tells Alexandra about her idol. They don’t think they’ll need to use it this week as it should be obvious: Earl.

Earl has lost his two closest allies but he will not give up that easily. He strategizes a plan, first by trying to secure an alliance with Bradley, who at least didn’t vote for Suzanne or Gregory. In confessional, he admits that this hard for him as Bradley is everything he is not: brash, aggressive, cocky. But in Survivor, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Last time, Earl and Gregory tried to rope in Albert but that didn’t work. So this time, he tries the opposite route: he goes to Jill and comes up a little white lie. Earl says that, before the Gregory vote, Albert came to him worried about the growing women’s alliance of JIll, Alexandra, and Karin. Obviously he is lying (he came to Albert with that) but Earl’s dad-like sincerity buys him some good faith and Jill can’t help but feel paranoid. She calls an alliance meeting, where Albert admits to meeting with them but says that he absolutely did not propose going against them. Afterwards, Alexandra tries to talk Jill down from the ledge but Jill is understandably peaved: she’s been voted for the last two tribal councils. Now she can’t decide what to do, both in regards to her vote and her idol.

Both tribes arrive at Tribal Council, with Maori starting off in observance mode. It doesn’t take long into Tribal Council for the tribe divisions and history to emerge: the Bradley/Karin feud, Rick’s allegiance to Gregory and Suzanne, etc. Tensions do start to rise when Albert confronts Earl about his lie to Jill. Earl is defensive and is cool as a cucumber in this interaction. Albert, meanwhile, is clearly overwhelmed with frustration. Jill, meanwhile, is quiet in this exchange as she doesn’t want to show to many of her cards to the other tribe. Jeff tells them it is time to vote.

After everyone has voted, he says that if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it. JIll stares down but then back up, deciding against playing hers.

He’ll read the votes…

….Albert

….Earl

….Earl

….Albert

Two votes Albert, two votes Earl

…...Albert

…...The fourth person voted off of Survivor: Last Resort - New Zealand: Albert. The tribe has spoken.

As Tasman leave, Maori are pretty shocked by the blindside. Jeff asks them about their experience just now and they think it will be of great help going forward. They voice their frustration about having to be here despite winning the challenge. Bobby, a Survivor purist, says that sometimes you have to roll with the punches in regards to the twists of the game. The topic moves to the tribe dynamic, which they admit has been up and down over the last few days. Rick talks vaguely about an ongoing conflict but this is mostly one-sided feud so Kenny remains silent. Meanwhile, Vinolia says she’s had the opposite experience as she has had some really heartfelt moments lately. Jeff tells them it is time to vote.

After everyone has voted, he says that if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it. Everyone looks to Mickey, who does not have one.

First vote….Mickey

…..Rick

…..Mickey

…..Mickey

….Mickey

The fifth person voted out of Survivor: Last Resort - New Zealand: Mickey. The tribe has spoken.

Votes for Earl: Albert, Karin
Votes for Albert: Alexandra, Bradley, Jill, Earl

Votes for Mickey: Rick, Bobby, Kenny, Amanita, Vinolia, Sage
Votes for Rick: Mickey