A Film Review; The People Vs. Fritz Bauer

Los Angeles, CA—I heard the buzz about this German entry in the various film festivals.  It sounded very intriguing and something I should see. 

When the Second World War ended Germany went about the business of cleansing the nation of the Nazi stains and war criminals. There were two competing German interests, one was the somewhat closeted but still committed Nazis within the government and the other was the mindset that this ugly chapter of history needed final burial.

Exacting justice for war criminals by the new Germany was really a half-hearted effort at best so soon after the war.  It was more about letting other nations do what they must to track and put the old Nazis on trial. 

The three most hunted war fugitive Nazi criminals were Martin Bormann, Josef Mengele and Adolf Eichmann.  This amazing story about Adolf Eichmann’s capture was hidden by the German government for more that a decade.

The protagonist  here was a closeted Gay, German Jewish lawyer, Fritz Bauer. Bauer was a political activist before the war opposing the Nazis rise to power. When the Nazi’s gained control Bauer was arrested but somehow escaped the grim fate of so many other Jews. In 1935 Bauer emigrated to Denmark and later Sweden.  Bauer teamed up with Willie Brandt who would later emerge as Germany’s Chancellor. 

Amazingly Bauer re-entered Germany as a prosecutor and judge in the Frankfurt/Hessen courts. He took up chasing the old nazis and became a pariah of the Nazi sympathizers. Bauer also fought long and hard for compensation for the victims of the Nazi regime while receiving constant death threats.  

Bauer risked being arrested for treason by handing over information about Adolf Eichmann’s living a quiet and modest life in Argentina to Israeli Mossad agents.  Bauer knew that if he shared the information with German authorities that Eichmann would be tipped off and flee avoiding capture. 

Bauer’s superiors tried to unsuccessfully manipulate and control Bauer by exposing his gay activities in Denmark.  Homosexual activity was a criminal offense at the time. 

Enough about the history and now let’s talk about this terrific film. 

Bauer was masterfully portrayed by actor Burghart Klausner.  Bauer’s trusted prosecution associate, a fictional character, Karl Angermann was really well played by Ronald Zehrfeld.  Angermann helps Bauer but he’s caught up in a romance with a transgender cabaret singer, Victoria, convincingly played by Lilith Strangenberg. 

Angerman’s career becomes threatened when German intelligence agents produced compromising pictures of him and Victoria getting it on at her club.  That came after Bauer warned him to stay away from Victor/Victoria. 

The film’s script came from Lars Kraume and Oliver Guez. The words on the page were brought to the screen in an excellent way under the direction of Lars Kraume.

This chapter in History deserved to see the light. Overall it’s a great film and a serious contender for the Oscars.  This is a film that definitely should not be missed

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the incredibly talented star of this film, Burgart Klausner last year after he appeared in Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks.

Visiting with Burghart Klausner at The Villa Aurora Pre-Oscar Reception  

See the trailer here!

   

My Film Review of a Great Thriller! This Last Lonely Place

Los Angeles, CA—I see a lot of films most of which are really forgettable.  I have a policy of only reviewing films that I totally enjoy.  This one certainly meets my criteria!  It’s called, This Last Lonely Place staring Rhys Coiro, Xander Berkeley and Carly Pope. 

The Humphrey Bogart Estate through Santana Films, produced this film, both written and directed by Steve Anderson.  It’s a Noir style film of the kind I always enjoy when the story is terrific as this one.

Military veteran Sam Taylor (Rhys Coiro) is an L.A. taxi cab driver on his last scheduled shift before leaving for Hawaii to hopefully reunite with his ex and two young daughters. He picks up a fare, Frank Devore (Xander Berkeley) and the tale begins.  Devore is a troubled investment banker with a lot of questionable cash.  Soon they are joined by Devore’s hot mistress, Faye Gardner (Carly Pope) and this surprising plot thickens. You will be taken for an unforgettable and wild night ride through Iconic L.A. neighborhoods.  Telling you anymore would spoil everything! 

The cast and crew delivered this fast paced story to the screen in top form.

Let me also say that this low budget film was an outstanding example of blowing away any big money projects.  The late Alfred Hitchcock had a gift for doing great things without building huge sets or creating over-blown special effects.  This films moves on very well with an amazing script.  

I see many quality films that don’t get the publicity-hype and distribution they deserve.  Accordingly too often, the film audiences will miss some real gems.  This film was made in 2014 and is only now getting released.  

May I suggest finding where this film is playing and seeing it very soon.  You wont be sorry!  I will purchase the DVD when it is released for my personal film library. Please share this with your friends.

View the trailer:

Stolen Guns A Partial Solution

I Call This The Safe Traveler!

Chicago, Il--It's small but deadly. A well placed slash or two and an attacker can bleed out in less than a minute.  Folded it's the size of your driver's license and has a profile that will evade frisks and even X-ray equipment if placed properly in a briefcase or purse. 

This is for use in places where politicians have outlawed self defense like the UK and Gun Free Zones.  It was made by Spyderco of Golden, Colorado. The bad news is that they discontinued making this model. Like my American Express card, I don't leave home without it!

The horrible Cold Case of a Murdered/Missing child in Phoenix, AZ.

Phoenix, AZ--A sad story I worked on two decades ago.  My investigation was funded by the Disney owned TV show called,  The Crusaders, Two tender aged twin boys with sadistic monsters for parents were victims of epic abuse and torture. One child vanishes after a severe beating and the other is cruelly beaten until a court takes him away for his own safety in Boise, ID where the parents relocated.

The mother was finally arrested and convicted for felony child abuse against the surviving brother of that lad became my client.  The man who prosecuted Charleen showed me the heartbreaking photos of the surviving twins injuries as tears flowed down his cheeks. Today Walter hose is deceased and Charleen Hose is institutionalized for dementia. The boys's remains have never been located.

Reporter Donna Rossi from KPHO in Phoenix revisited this nightmare with Montana private investigator Michael Toth.

Combating Wrongful Convictions, Redefining Criminal Defense Investigators and powers.

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Phoenix, AZ—Most of my blog visitors know I’m a longtime criminal defense investigator and have worked on many high profile cases helping the wrongfully accused.  

The defense and prosecution is supposed to have parity and equal treatment in the courts but it’s all just pretend.  There is a huge laundry list of issues that work against the accused before their trial even begins.  

One thing that troubles me is seeing the same prosecutors in large jurisdictions working every day before the same judges.  They literally sometimes even sleep together. When a criminal defense attorney comes to their court he or she is an outsider and often treated that way. 

The police have enormous powers to gather evidence such as the Grand Jury subpoena.  They can arrest those who obstruct investigations, tamper with witnesses and can most importantly obtain search warrants.

Defense investigators should just like cops be able to surreptitiously record conversations with suspects, cops and witnesses. 

Defense investigators need similar powers.  Search warrants enable nearly, always instant cooperation for records, documents and physical evidence.  For defense investigators important evidence they learn about is often destroyed or concealed before it can be seized denying fair trials for those accused of crimes. 

Defense investigators are often at odds with police and cannot rely on their assistance. In some cases police attempt to meddle in the defense investigation and that corrupts witnesses and the evidence itself.  Unfortunately sometimes police officers engage in criminal activity in order to convict the innocent. That goes double when it’s a police officer wrongfully accused of a crime! 

Let me suggest that defense investigators trained and licensed should be given limited police powers to arrest criminal suspects and seize evidence. The courts should provide evidence lockers and laboratory testing away from police crime labs to avoid conflict of interest.

Just my opinion and thoughts.  The benefit is that this simple reform another step to fairness in our deeply flawed criminal justice system. In the end it will save millions in cash and a few lives.  

Arrested or Charged With A Serious Crime? What You need from Me!

Disgraced Former Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca Alzheimer's and Prison may never meet!

Los Angeles, CA--When the FBI began investigating abuse of prisoners at LA County Jail, Sheriff Baca and his minions covered up, obstructed and lied to investigators.  Running a large jail is a lot of things but easy is never one of them.  Inmates misbehave and assault jailers and jailers sometimes understandably overreact.  It's bound to happen. 

Most of the time it is never the crime that is all that bad but covering up and getting caught is what's always  reprehensible and unforgivable.

In any event a plea deal was worked out with prosecutors that would give the 74 year-old  Baca only six months behind bars. That truly would've been a slap on the wrist.  When the judge got wind of the sweetheart deal he rejected it outright. 

Baca had two choices, gamble on the judge's uncertain punishment or stand trial before the jury of his peers.  Going to trial would give Baca in effect a life sentence if he was convicted.  Reportedly Baca suffers from Alzheimer's disease.  

By Baca electing to go to trial he can remain free on bail for as long as three years as the case works its way through the system.  Frankly under the circumstances that's the best choice because by the time the trial begins Baca may know longer be competent to stand trial! 

I am no fan of Lee Baca.  The reason is simple in that he has denied all but a few connected politicians the ability to protect themselves with concealed a weapons permits.  He flatly denied permits in the most populous and crime ridden county in the state. Frankly I would let him go to the gallows for that violation of constitutional rights.

I doubt that Baca will ever see the inside of a jail cell and will have escaped Justice all together. 

Hacking Government Computers and Exposing Lies to the American People is the Best National Defense!

Chicago Police Manpower Crisis Partial Solutions...

A Wonderful Self-Defense Handgun!

This SIG P245 has been around at least 20 years.  Releasable, accurate and simple to operate!

We are Witnessing the Evolution of Citizen Video Journalism

Dallas, TX--Watching television news coverage of the BLACK LIVES MATTER inspired slaughter of cops gives us clear insight into the evolution of news delivery to the masses. 

Participants, observers and the curious are recording breaking news with their smartphones. Missing are the video creator's coherent voiceovers or explanations of the motivations or reasonings behind the recorded events. 

News is becoming nothing more that the aggregation of videos shot by amateurs with their smartphones. Now if only they could learn to hold their phones horizontally and steady!  They also must get as close to the action as possible.  What's next in the learning curve for the citizen photojournalist is editing software, post production voiceovers and those audio issues.  

The electronic news gathering capabilities of today's smart phones is nothing less than astonishing.  For the most part the unblinking eye of a cell  phone camera is more trustworthy than this spin put on the news by "professional" journalists. 

When you add in the use of a camera drone anybody can do news as competently as any news organization in the world. Of course there is the necessity of literacy, storytelling capability and absolute objectivity.  

We are at the dawn of citizen journalism as the era of A few really wealthy media companies controlling the entire message they spoon-feed to the public is ending.  News is being rapidly democratized as everyone can now manufacture their own political propaganda just as well as CNN.  

Those who are serious about video journalism (or VJ) should take an online course offered  by TheVJ.com.  The compensation for VJ work is finally becoming standardized and reliable.  Those people with the most compelling video will be rewarded.  Now's the time to learn how to do it right.  Yes, you too can become video literate! 

Governor Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown's Tyranny

The European Union is a Victim of its Own Success!

London, UK—The European Union seemed like a good idea however It became too big for its britches and was ruling Europe with an iron fist.  The EU became absolutely tyrannical.  

This Socialist ruled EU monster was destroying Europe with its recent mandate to allow millions of Islamic, so-called refugees to invade member nations.  Refugees or invaders became the question and its impact was and is purely negative. 

The new “guests” absolutely abhor Western culture, food and the way of life of Europeans. They come with zero job skills, ability to speak, read or write the languages of the Euro Nations. The result has been violent crime, terrorism, social conflict and a huge financial burden on the taxpayers. 

The purpose of inviting the Islamic guests was to pollute the vote and guarantee Socialist control of the Euro nations for generations to come. Socialism only endures with a majority of totally dependent people, void of all self-reliance. 

Now the UK voters have spoken and have broken the yoke of EU slavery!  Now other EU member nations are looking to get out too!  

The obvious parallel for America is reigning in our out-of-control over-bloated Federal Government extorting taxes, dictating to and over-regulating every aspect of our lives.  The EU member nations have lost control and their sovereignty like we have ours!

Americans need to re-evaluate the control of the Socialist controlled Federal Government’s iron grip on our lives and our states. We need not submit like sheep to build and strengthen a Socialist nation our founders would have soundly rejected.

The American Congress is not controlled by Republicans or Democrats despite the labels they wear. They, for the most part are corrupt Communists and Socialists disloyal to America and especially its Constitution.  

As for the UK, I congratulate them as they move forward governing themselves.  Self-reliance, independence and self government has returned to the UK.  Margaret Thatcher would be proud!  

Guns and Bodyguards are only for Politicians and Celebrities!

Martial Law, you, Cops and the Military.

Washington, DC—Only Farmers, the well armed and the prepared have a chance should things get out-of-hand.   

This divided nation has huge challenges ahead.  The political Left wants total domination over this nation and will stop at nothing to achieve a totalitarian Marxist state.  

The summer promises to have intense racial conflicts not to mention the hostile pre-election political climate. 

Should Barack Obama declare Martial Law our cops and military will initially balk.  The real muscle will surface when food shipments to major urban areas is interrupted. 

The moment they cut cell phones, power and water to our homes citizens will begin to gladly board buses to be delivered to FEMA camps.  They will direct us at least until the power to our cellphones fails. 

As for the cops and military we need only look at history.  The despotic leaders like Hitler and Stalin simply allow these public servants to keep confiscated property including homes and businesses.  Total corruption will rule.  Yes, much of our military and cops will fall to do the devil’s work. 

There is only one way for Americans to end such a conflict.  The homes and families of every Leftist politician must be quickly located and attacked.  They are the only ones that could possibly want a truce. War is an ugly business. 

The horror of such a historical event is just a matter of when not if.  History is the teacher.  What plans do you have to protect yourself and families?  Will you trust your government should Martial Law be declared?  

Every bad government always promises good things to the people they seek to control.  There will be good food and water for all if you cooperate.  They will promise to return citizens to their homes.  People will always believe what their told as denial because their new way of life.  

The second Amendment along with quick and decisive resistance is our only chance to thwart this kind of thing.  The sad truth is that most Americans would march to the ovens rather than to resist. That’s why Holocausts happen throughout history.  

Why Arn't You Creating and Posting Smart Phone Video?

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Posters Cause Liberals to Panic In West Hollywood

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West Hollywood, CA--This Morning inhabits of this predominately Gay city woke up this morning seeing these Shoot Back posters everywhere.  The send a strong and solid message of resistance to the horror show we now call, The Pulse Nightclub Massacre.

Reaction of panicked local politicians was quick as they ordered city workers to immediately remove them.  The politicians told the media that the posters were way out of character for their residents and sent the “wrong” message.  Wow!  I must ask if they are they really that candyassed? 

I know a lot of Gays, and yes they tend to be Liberal, but on the issue of self-defense they are divided.  There is a large pro-gunfights organization, The Pink Pistols that supports, protects and defends the simple words of the Second Amendment.  They have not lost their sense of self-preservation. 

What I’m horrified about is these same gunrights hating Gays demand that first responders place their lives on the line protecting them from harm!  I ask, why bother when these fools are so unwilling to protect themselves or each other! 

How brainwashed are these people that they have lost all instinct for simple survival. Gays have been the target of countless hate crimes and murders.  They are vulnerable and deserve protection but everyone has a responsibility to resist criminals, bullies and terrorists!  

My Gay friends are just that, my friends. I want then safe and free from harm.  That has to begin with their own sense of survival and desire to live.  

The police don’t have the manpower to begin to protect Americans from attacks by terrorists.  They will respond in time to clean up the mess. I implore my Gay friends to get firearms and the necessary training because their lives may depend upon that.  

A Two Minute Video History of Gun Control in America

Another Terrorist Attack, But Will We ever Learn?

Orlando, FL--In light of another mass casualty shooting this time in a crowded Gay Bar we have little choice but to plan ahead for more of the same.

Our ignorant politicians nearly always respond to this kind of threat with every type of failed gun prohibition, TSA style checkpoints and of course those Gun Free Zones. 

We've learned on thing we can’t deny.  Nearly everyone of the active shooter events are stopped either by gunfire by a good guy or suicide of the gunmen. The are only stopped by the type of force they inflict on others. 

As for the TSA style checkpoints at venues, they are a total farce.  Putting unarmed, untrained, un-vetted marginal people in pseudo police uniforms to stop terrorism is laughable.  Additionally this type of faux security makes a mockery of our Fourth Amendment rights to be free of unreasonable searches. 

Any determined armed terrorist/criminal need only display their weapons to totally defeat these search gauntlets. The crowds of people waiting patiently to have their privacy violated are certainly ripe targets for mayhem. 

Shopping malls, sports arenas, theaters, schools or any venue must have a workable and realistic plan. The failed Monkey See Monkey Do response is simply no option.  

The Right Approach

Our cops can’t do this alone.  They're not enough of them, nor can we afford sufficient numbers of them to make a difference. 

We have already in place a huge force of vetted Concealed weapon License holders. They are our veterans, ex-cops, well-trained and trustworthy civilians.  

We need to open our arms to these folks inviting them to bring their weapons and courage to our venues. Somehow we've not learned that gun prohibitions only impact the law abiding folks and never the criminals. 

The right to keep and bear arms is here and is not going away any time soon. Frankly the idea of that right was to allow for better public safety. 

No matter where we stand on guns and gun rights we all claim the same desire to end murder and mayhem. We have failed with the old ideas and new it’s time to try something that works.