Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
It’s easy to forget just how amazing Stand By Me is. Thankfully this alt poster by Mike Empleado is a great reminder.
“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?” – Gordie
Nighthawks (1981)
Director: Bruce Malmuth
Screenplay: David Shaber; story by David Shaber, Paul Sylbert
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, Lindsay Wagner, Persis Khambatta, Nigel Davenport, Joe Spinell, Tony Munafo, Catherine Mary Stewart and Rutger Hauer.
Tagline: One man can bring the world to its knees and only one man can stop him.
The Plot…
Terrorist attacks across Europe are on the rise. In response, the United States created the Anti-Terrorist Action Command (ATAC). Under the direction of British Police Inspector Peter Hartman, the ATAC squad is made up of the best of the best. Detectives Deke DaSilva and Matthew Fox of the Street Crimes Unit are transferred to ATAC.
When Wulfgar, an international terrorist, claims responsibility for a New York bombing, the ATAC squad knows they must find and end Wulfgar by whatever means necessary.
Soon DaSilva and Fox will get the chance.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
David Shaber’s original script was meant to become French Connection 3. Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) would be teamed with a wisecracking partner. Hackman didn’t want to return, so 20th Century Fox sold the script to Universal where it was reworked into Nighthawks.
Nighthawks features the American debut of Rutgar Hauer. Hauer was offered a role in the big budget film Sphinx at the same time as Nighthawks. His salary for Sphinx would have been much more, but he opted to co-star in Nighthawks.
The original director, Gary Nelson (best known as the director of Freaky Friday and The Black Hole) was the original director. Nelson was fired after a week of filming. Bruce Malmuth was Nelson’s replacement. Since Malmuth couldn’t make the next scheduled day of shooting, Stallone directed the subway chase scene.
Legendary stuntman Dar Robinson was the stunt coordinator on Nighthawks. Sylvester Stallone did most of his own stunts including hanging from the Roosevelt Island Tramway 250 feet over the East River.
At the time of Nighthawks‘ release many people believed that a terrorist attack on American soil was unrealistic. Then came the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing and 2001 World Trade Center attack (to name a few).
Nighthawks original cut was much longer (reportedly 2 1/2 hours vs the 99 minute theaterical version) and more violent. Scenes with Lindsay Wagner, Rutger Hauer and Persis Khambatta were removed to streamline the film. To reduce violence, an extended shootout in the disco was cut and the final standoff between Stallone and Hauer was cut. I would love to see Stallone get a chance to create a new cut of Nighthawks (like he did for Rocky IV).
Some Nighthawks lobby cards/promotional photos show scenes deleted from the film. These include (Think what Stallone could do with these!):
Nighthawks is an under-rated film.
Nighthawks (1981) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Pale Rider by Yvan Quinet
“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth beast said: “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold a pale horse. And his name that sat on him was Death.” – Megan Wheeler (reading from the Book of Revelation)
Lover Stalker Killer (2024)
Director: Sam Hobkinson
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Dave Kroupa was newly divorced and wanted a new start. He moved to another town and got a job as a mechanic. Although he was ready to date he didn’t want anything longterm.
Dave met Liz Golyar. She was a single mom who agreed to go out with Dave. They seemed like a good match since she didn’t want to be tied down in a relationship. They begin dating with the agreement each was free to date others.
Dave then met Cari Farver when she came into the auto shop. He was attracted to her and asked her out. One night when Cari was at Dave’s Liz unexpectedly dropped in. It was a short visit.
Shortly after Liz began getting mencing messages. Cari was threatening Liz’s life because of her involvement with Dave. The police went to question Cari, but she was nowhere to be found. The threats against Liz not only continued but escalated. E-mails, social media posts and break-ins followed. The police continued efforts to find Cari, but they had no luck. Liz’s house was even burned down.
The threats continued for four years. Then the police discovered a photo that changed everything.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Although I guessed the twist early on (and you probably will as well), it is a crazy life-is-stranger-than-fiction tale. Think Play Misty for Me on steroids.
Lover Stalker Killer (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Esteban Salinas is a freelance illustrator. I first saw Esteban on Whatnot where he runs commission auctions and then livestreams himself creating the requested art. It’s always a blast to watch and I decided to join in. The result is this quick study of Sly Stallone as Rocky.
If you’d like to see more of Esteban’s art, you can at his website or at Whatnot.com where he uses the screenname deviant_apple.
Death Wish (1974)
Director: Michael Winner
Screenplay: Wendell Mayes; based on DEATH WISH by Brian Garfield
Stars: Charles Bronson, Vincent Gardenia, William Redfield, Hope Lange, Steven Keats, Stuart Margolin, Kathleen Tolan, Olympia Dukakis, Art Evans, John Herzfeld, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Eric Laneuville, Saul Rubinek and Jeff Goldblum.
Tagline: Vigilante, city style — Judge, Jury, and Executioner
The Plot…
When his wife is murdered and his daughter raped and left for dead, Paul Kersey, a mild-mannered middle-aged architect is told that finding the killers is unlikely. It was a random crime. One of many that happen daily and nightly in New York City.
Kersey decides to start carrying a weapon. When a mugger attempts to rob him, Kersey kills the thug. Kersey is surprised to get away with the homicide.
They say that the first killing is the hardest. Kersey discovers that to be true as he becomes Judge, Jury, and Executioner of criminals prowling the streets and subways after dark.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Death Wish is based on Brian Garfield’s novel of the same name. Several changes were made for the adaption including changing the protagonist’s name, job and making him bigger and more physical than the mild-mannererd accountant in the book. Brian Garfield said he thought Bronson was miscast — Garfield also didn’t like the changes made to his book.
Death Wish features the film debut of Jeff Goldblum. John Herzfeld, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and Eric Laneuville make cameos as muggers.
Jill Ireleand, Charles Bronson’s real life wife, usually appears in his films as his wife/love interest. Bronson didn’t want her in this film because of the scene where she would be “humiliated” by the muggers. Bronson suggested “someone like Hope Lange”. So the producers got Hope Lange.
Although there are rumors that Denzel Washington appears uncredited in Death Wish as a mugger, and the actor looks like him, Washington denies it is him. Further, Washington hadn’t started acting at that time!
Death Wish is the fourth of sixth films that director Michael Winner and Charles Bronson made.
The success of Death Wish led to four sequels and a reboot starring Bruce Willis. Before Willis, Sylvester Stallone was set to direct and star in a remake.
I saw Death Wish when it was first released and many times over the years. It holds up. I was surprised that Paul Kersey never found/had a run-in with the punks who murdered his wife and raped his daughter. A lot of movies would have forced that.
Death Wish (1974) rates 4 of 5 stars.
300 and both Sin City films are the movies that come closest to replicating the comics that inspired them. Today we have a 300 tribute poster by Nuno Sardanas that Leonidas would approve.
“You have many slaves, Xerxes, but few warriors. It won’t be long before they fear my spears more than your whips.“ – King Leonidas
Sly Stallone by Hethe Srodawa.
Backrooms (2026)
Director: Kane Parsons
Screenplay: Will Soodik; based on Backrooms by Kane Parsons
Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell.
Tagline: See how far it goes.
The Plot…
Clark wanted to be an architect. Instead he owns a struggling furniture superstore. He’s in a failing marriage and drinks too much. Things at home are so rough, Clark’s moved into the basement of his store.
Late one night the power begins to flicker. Clark sees a light coming from a wall. When he moves over to check it out, he goes through the wall. On the other side Clark discovers a maze of backrooms that appear to go on forever.
Clark decides to investigate, only to discover too late, he’s not alone. And whatever is down there has bad intentions… and is searching for him.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Backrooms began as an anthology of video segments uploaded by Kane Parsons to Youtube. Due to the popularity of the series several movie studios expressed interest in a feature film adaptation.
To create Backrooms 30,000 square feet of maze were built.
With Backrooms release, Kane Parsons became the youngest person to direct a film to open at #1 at the box office. He was just 20 years old.
Backrooms reminds me of an extended episode of The Twilight Zone. I just wish Backrooms had a stronger ending.
Backrooms (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Man, sometimes art can take me back to my childhood. This piece by Roy Chang does that. Staying up late on weekends to watch horror movies hosted by Sammy Terry. Of course when my friends and I got together, talk would turn to the best monsters and who would when if they ever met up. This art reminded me of those days.
Ah, but I digress.
Chang posted this piece on his Instagram page. (You should follow him!) A fan requested the team-up (What an awesome idea!) as part of this year’s Cartoon Art Museum fundraiser. Chang came through with a winner!
Tom Skerritt died yesterday from natural causes. Mr. Skerritt was 93.
After high school Tom Skerritt enlisted in the Air Force for a four year tour of duty. After his service was complete, Mr. Skerritt aattended the University of California, Los Angeles with thoughts of majoring in English or becoming a film director. After a role in a stage production of The Rainmaker, and good reviews, Tom Skerritt got the acting bug.
Roles on television and in feature films quickly followed. Tom Skerritt’s career lasted over 50 years with 176 roles on his resume.
Some of Tom Skerritt’s television performances include: Laramie; The Real McCoys; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; My Three Sons; Wagon Train; My Favorite Martian; Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea; The Magical World of Disney; The Fugitive (2 episodes); The Time Tunnel; 12 O’Clock High (5 episodes); Combat! (6 episodes); Mannix; Cimarron Strip; Run for Your Life; Felony Squad; Death Valley Days (5 episodes); Lancer; Hawaii 5-0; Medical Center; The Name of the Game; Bracken’s World; The Virginian (6 episodes); Nichols; The FBI (4 episodes); Gunsmoke (5 episodes); Bonanza (2 episodes); Get Christie Love!; Kolchak: The Night Stalker; Cannon (3 episodes); Barnaby Jones; SWAT; Baretta; Ryan’s Four (5 episodes); The Parent Trap II; The Twilight Zone; Danger Bay; Cheers (6 episodes); The China Lake Murders; ABC Afterschool Specials; Picket Fences (88 episodes); Chicago Hope; Into the Wild Blue; Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (2 episodes); High Noon; Path to War; Will & Grace; The West Wing; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; The Grid (6 episodes); Category Seven: The End of the World (2 episodes); Huff (3 episodes); Fallen (2 episodes); The Dead Zone; Brothers & Sisters (7 episodes); The Closer; Leverage (2 episodes); White Collar; The Good Wife (2 episodes); Madam Secretary and Journey Back to Christmas.
Some of Tom Skerritt’s feature film appearances include: War Hunt; MASH; Wild Rovers; Harold & Maude; Fuzz; Big Bad Mama; The Devil’s Rain; The Turning Point; Up in Smoke; Ice Castles; Alien; The Dead Zone; Top Gun; Space Camp; Steel Magnolias; Singles; A River Runs Through It; Contact; Smoke Signals; Tears of the Sun; Ted; Lucky and Broke.
I don’t know the first time I saw Tom Skerritt act. He was in so many of my favorite shows when I was young. My favorite Tom Skerrit roles are in Alien and The Dead Zone. He was so good in both (and everything he did).
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom Skerritt’s family, friends and fans.
A true story of an unknown actor who believed he wasn’t meant to just write Rocky, but to play Rocky Balboa. Facing constant rejection, Sylvester Stallone risks everything, refusing to give up the lead role against impossible odds.
CAST: Anthony Ippolito, AnnaSophia Robb, Toby Kebbell, P. J. Byrne, Jay Duplass, Matt Dillon, Stephan James, and Tracy Letts
This Batman art by Federico Vicentini is giving me Neal Adams mixed with Marshall Rogers vibes… and that’s a good thing. Anyone else getting that?
Marjoe (1972)
Director: Howard Smith, Sarah Kernochan
Stars: Marjoe Gortner
Tagline: You Keep the Faith…Marjoe Keeps the Money.
The Plot…
Marjoe Gortner’s parents were traveling evangelists. While still a small child, his parents discovered Marjoe’s ability to mimick adults. They devised the story that Marjoe while taking a bath was struck by the Holy spirit. Marjoe was ordained at the age of four. His parents practiced with Marjoe the words to say, the hand gestures to make and the body language to project for each sermon. Marjoe was a sensation everywhere they went. After each sermon the money poured in.
Marjoe, in his twenties, decided to expose the methods used to dupe folks. He took a documentary crew with him on his last revival tour.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Marjoe was nominated and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, Features –Howard Smith, Sarah Kernochan
Marjoe’s father appeared in one scene unaware that the documentary was an exposé.
Marjoe Gortner went on to have a career as an actor.
Marjoe (1972) rates 4 of 5 stars.
This is the first sketch I ever got from Mark Pennington. It is, of course, Sly Stallone as Rambo. I got it way back in 2003 at either a MegaCon or Tampa Convention. I followed it up with an Old Man Jack Carter and another Rambo.
Mark Pennington graduated from the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in 1985.
Upon graduation Mark became a toy designer at Hasbro. Mark created designs for the G.I. Joe line of action figures including a Rocky Balboa GI Joe that never saw production! Mark’s first work as an inker in the comic book industry was for SQP on Judge Dredd!
