The True Story Behind Boneyard

Boneyard is inspired by (and fairly closely based on) the true crime case of West Mesa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, just like in the movie. The film is also dedicated to the victims of that unsolved case.

While the West Mesa case remains unsolved, we do know that the remains discovered in 2009 belonged to girls and women. Also, we know that they disappeared between 2001 and 2005.

The 11 victims in the true case are:

Jamie Barela, age 15
Monica Candelaria, age 22
Victoria Chavez, age 26
Virginia Cloven, age 24
Syllannia Edwards, age 15
Cinnamon Elks, age 32
Doreen Marquez, age 24
Julie Nieto, age 24
Veronica Romero, age 28
Evelyn Salazar, age 27
Michelle Valdez, age 22

At one point, the unknown serial killer is called the “Bone Collector” which threw me off. However, this was one of the names used for the suspected serial killer. The complete name used for him was “West Mesa Bone Collector“.

Thirty years after getting squeezed out in an epic battle for control of Paramount Pictures, Barry Diller appears to be trying again.

The 82-year-old media titan is among the suitors who have expressed interest in buying the Redstone family’s Massachusetts-based holding firm, National Amusements Inc., which controls the voting shares of media company Paramount Global, according to two knowledgeable people who were not authorized to comment publicly.

Paramount Global includes the historic Hollywood studio, broadcast network CBS and a collection of cable TV channels such as MTV and Nickelodeon.

Back in 1994, media mogul Sumner Redstone famously triumphed over Diller in a hard-fought bidding war for control of the Melrose Avenue film studio. Redstone ultimately paid $10 billion for the asset, which many in the industry (including some of Redstone’s own executives) believed was way too steep.

Redstone’s media company, then known as Viacom, then bought Blockbuster video chain for its cash flow that the company needed to service the debt on the Paramount purchase.

Diller, who had run Paramount in the 1970s — overseeing a period of growth and acclaimed movies — withdrew from the bidding with a characteristic shrug. The mogul went on to run Universal, before making a fortune by building a formidable digital media businesses, IAC.

The New York Times first reported Diller’s interest in National Amusements.

Other potential buyers have also surfaced in recent months, making overtures to mogul Shari Redstone who oversees the family’s empire since her father began dealing with health issues eight years ago. Sumner Redstone died in 2020.

The list of potential suitors includes former top Seagram and Warner Music executive Edgar Bronfman Jr., as well as Hollywood producer Steven Paul (“Ghost in the Shell,” “Baby Geniuses”). Any deal is contingent on due diligence and coming up with enough cash to entice the Redstone family to leave a business where they’ve been major players for decades.

Bronfman, the former entertainment executive and liquor scion, pushed his family to acquire Universal Studios Inc. before selling it to France’s Vivendi more than two decades ago. He is backed by Bain Capital and has suggested paying more than $2 billion for the Redstone firm.

It’s unclear whether Diller will submit an offer to NAI, one of the knowledgeable people said.

“IAC does not comment on rumors or speculation,” a company spokesperson said late Monday.

NAI is struggling under a mound of debt. For months, Shari Redstone worked behind the scenes to sell NAI to tech scion David Ellison in a two-phase, nearly $8-billion deal that would have seen him eventually merge his production company Skydance Media with Paramount.

But in June, after months of high drama and boardroom tension, Redstone reversed course and Paramount Global’s proposed sale to Ellison’s Skydance Media collapsed.

The Ellison deal would have provided about $2.2 billion for NAI, or about $1.7 billion for the Redstone heirs once NAI’s debts had been paid.

National Amusements said it supports Paramount’s recently installed triumvirate of executives serving in an “office of the CEO”: division heads George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins. It also backed their business plan, which includes $500 million in cost-cutting, and the board’s efforts “to explore opportunities to drive value creation for all Paramount shareholders.”

Language: Hindi

Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Cast: Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Tanya Maniktala, Abhishek Chauhan, Ashish Vidyarthi, Adrija Sinha, Harsh Chhaya

 It’s true that we don’t really need stars to make a successful film. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s Kill has totally killed it with all its energy.  It is fresh, bold and a unique story that not many have thought about and that’s what makes it different. Violent no doubt, but don’t most movies have an element of violence?

I believe Kill is a path breaking Indian action film, but definitely not for the faint heart. It is true that I am not too fond of extreme bloodshed, murder and also not to forget the smashing of head scenes. But keeping my choices aside, I would say Kill is a well-made film and the action sequences are simply mind-blowing. Having watched the movie at the
Red Sea International Film Festival
last year for the first time, I wonder, why did it take so long for the film to be released in India?

It’s insanely violent. What works for Kill is the simple storyline and no beating around the bush. Not much twist and turns and most importantly hitting the hammer right on the nail and sometimes on the people too. The action takes place inside the train with no unnecessary drama, dancing and singing. The concept is daring and fresh for the Indian audience and that makes 
Kill
 stand out. No flying cars, choppers and superman stunts and most importantly actors like Lakshya, Raghav Juyal and the battalion of dacoits are relatable to the Indian audience. They look like ordinary guys and that’s what makes them special. Lakshya plays the role of an army man, Amrit who is a great boyfriend to Tulika played by Tanya Maniktala.

Lakshya has done a brilliant job, but the actor to look out for is Raghav Juyal. He has a promising career ahead of him. He is one evil character you can’t stop hating. Raghav’s performance is intense and the dialogue delivery, expressions, and every action is absolutely compelling. I must say that this man truly knows his craft. The best thing that the movie brings out is that murderers too have emotions.

If you are looking for a high energy action film 
Kill
 is one such must watch. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’ has no doubt done a brilliant job as a director, but without cinematographer Rafey Mehmood probably this film wouldn’t have been such a hit. The best part about the film Kill is that not even once will you get bored. No matter how much at times I hated the gory action scenes and tried closing my eyes, the more I got interested in what’s happening next. The discomfort of the blood splatter, the punching, kicking, stabbing and smashing of head all in a train will surely make you think twice before booking a train ticket next time!

Rating: 4 out of 5

WATCH the trailer of Kill here: