“Reservoir Dogs” Alt Poster by Riccardo Rosanna!
Riccardo Rosanna’s cool alt Reservoir Dogs poster!
“Rocky 3” by Brian Haberlin!
I discovered this cool Rocky 3 painting by Brian Haberlin in the collection of Kirk Dilbeck.
When I asked for permission to share the piece, Kirk reached out to Brian to make sure it was okay with him. Brian said, “Okay but please post that I did this as a TEEN. That it’s really old. :)”
Talk about talent. Check out Haberlin’s current work. When you’re done there give Dilbeck’s collection a look. Plan to stay a bit of time in both. (And it’s well worth the time!)
“Fallen” (1998) starring Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland & James Gandolfini / Z-View
Fallen (1998)
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Screenplay: Nicholas Kazan
Stars: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz, James Gandolfini, Elias Koteas, Robert Joy.
Tagline: Don’t trust a soul.
The Plot…
Detective John Hobbes is surprised to find serial killer Edgar Reese is so cheerful when he is about to be executed. Reese shows no remorse as he taunts the witnesses and sings “Time is On My Side” as justice is served.
Following Reese’s execution, a new series of murders occur. The killer uses the same methods as Reese. Detective Hobbes and his partner Jonesy believe a copycat is at play. As they investigate the new murders, friends and strangers begin to say and do strange things around Hobbes. It is almost as if they are taunting him. It is especially disconcerting to hear them sing “Time is on my side”.
Then Hobbes discovers an occult connection to Reese. Could it be possible that a demon took possession of the humans behind the murders? If true, this demon can transfer from one body to another simply by touch. Hobbes cannot believe that a supernatural force, a demon, could be involved.
Then the demon makes it’s presence known.
Hobbes is at a loss. How do you defeat a demon that can possess anyone around you? One thing is for sure… he can’t trust a soul.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Fallen is better than I thought it would be. Much of that credit goes to the cast — especially Denzel Washington, John Goodman and James Gandolfini.
Other taglines for the film include:
- I ALMOST died… – this is a good one, but only makes real sense after seeing the movie.
- Detective John Hobbes is searching for a criminal he’s already met… already caught… and already killed – is a bit too spot on and long
- Time is on my side…. – is perhaps my favorite (along with the one on the poster I used).
Fallen (1998) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“The Pitt” Season 3 Trailer is Here!
The Pitt is arguably the best show on televsion. Today we get the first Season 3 trailer.
Deal me in.
Time to get back to it.
Season 3 of #ThePitt premieres in January on HBO Max.
Zorro by Federico Vicentini!
This Zorro sketch by Federico Vicentini gets two thumbs up in a Z formation. (If you know, you know.)
“Escape From New York” (1981) directed by John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton & Adrienne Barbeau / Z-View
Escape from New York (1981)
Director: John Carpenter
Screenplay: John Carpenter, Nick Castle
Stars: Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton, Adrienne Barbeau, Season Hubley, Tom Atkins, Charles Cyphers, Douglas “Ox” Baker, Jamie Lee Curtis (voice) and Frank Doubleday.
Tagline: 1997. New York City is now a maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane.
The Plot…
In the future New York City has been turned into a maximum security prison. Forty-foot walls with armed sentries make sure anyone imprisoned there never gets out. Inside there are no guards. Gangs created by the worst of the worst rule. Marauding cannibals live in the tunnels underground. New York is hell on earth.
The United States, Russia and China are on the verge of war. US President John Harker is scheduled to speak at a peace conference in a little over 24 hours. Harker has in his posession a tape that explains a secret process for nuclear fusion. This would create an endless energy source for all nations — if peace can be achieved.
When an attack on the President’s life brings down Air Force One, the President survives in an escape pod… that lands behind the New York City prison walls.
A rescue squad is sent in only to be met with the news the President is alive but the prisoner of The Duke of New York, leader of the prison’s biggest gang. The squad is given 30 seconds to leave or the President will be killed.
They leave.
Deterrmined to save the President, and retrieve the cassette he carries, a plan is developed. Snake Plissken, a former Special Forces soldier, recently arrested will be offered immunity for his crimes, if he successfully rescues the President in time for the Peace conference. Plissken reluctantly agrees.
Worried that Plissken won’t follow through, he is injected with an explosive micro-capsule that will explode in 23 hours. If he returns with the President before time has expired, the capsule will be neutralized.
Plissken is on his way in. The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Jamie Lee Curtis provides the opening narration as well as the computer’s voice in the first prison scene.
Kurt Russell has said that Escape from New York is his favorite of all his film and that Snake Plissken is the favorite of the characters he’s played. It was also Russell’s idea to give Snake an eyepatch. Also once Lee Van Cleef was signed, it was Russell’s idea to imitate Clint Eastwood’s delivery.
Although most consider Snake Plissken to be Kurt Russell’s signature role, studio execs were not sold on him. At the time Russell was still best known as a Disney star. Execs wanted someone like Charles Bronson, Chuck Norris, Nick Nolte or Tommy Lee Jones.
Snake was written with Kurt Russell in mind. Same for Adrienne Barbeau as Maggie and Ernest Borgnine as Cabbie.
James Cameron created the matte-painted buildings.
Season Hubley and Kurt Russell share a scene and were also married at the time. John Carpenter and Adrienne Barbeau were also married when the film was made.
Warren Oates was originally signed to play Brain. Oates became ill and suggested Harry Dean Stanton for the role. Stanton was perfect. Sadly Oates died later that year.
Frank Doubleday, who plays Romero, is only in a couple of scenes, but is so memorable.
I saw Escape from New York the weekend it was released (and many, many times over the years). It remains a favorite.
Escape from New York (1981) rates 5 of 5 stars.
CASSIDY’S GIRL by David Goodis / Z-View
CASSIDY’S GIRL by David Goodis
First sentence…
It was raining in Philadelphia as Cassidy worked the bus through heavy traffic on Market Street.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
A few years ago Jim Cassidy was flying high. Literally. Cassidy was a well paid airline pilot. Life was good. Really good.
But that was then.
Cassidy was piloting a plane that crashed. 78 people were on board. Eleven survived. Cassidy was one of them. The airline needed a scapegoat. Cassidy was made to order. They said Cassidy had been to a party the night before. He had. They said when he was flying the plane that crashed, he was drunk. He wasn’t.
That didn’t matter. Cassidy was fired. He lost his pilot’s license and was lucky not to be put on trial.
Since then Cassidy’s life spiraled. He lost everything. He drank too much. Way too much. After a night of of boozing it up, he and Mildred, another drunk, got married. It was a match made in hell.
Cassidy drives a bus by day while Mildred spends the time at a nearby bar drinking. Cassidy comes home to find her drunk or still at the bar. Then he starts drinking. They fight. Have sex. Rinse and repeat.
Then Cassidy finds Mildred and Haney Kenrick getting friendly at the bar. Cassidy decides he’s had enough. He tells Mildred he’s leaving her. She asks for another chance. Even though Cassidy is done, Kenrick wants Cassidy out of the way…
… and Kenrick has a plan.
+++
David Goodis takes us into a world of drunks, schemers and losers beaten down by the world and their own frailties. CASSIDY’S GIRL is noir at it’s darkest. I like the duality of the title. If I have any nit to pick, it is the ending is a bit too pat and upbeat for all that has come before.
This is my third Goodis novel and he’s yet to disappoint.
Rating:
“Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man!” by J. Beers!
When I was a kid Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman was one of our favorite Sammy Terry’s Nightmare Theater movies. Even though they didn’t fight until the end of the film, having both Frankenstein and the Wolfman in the same film was a treat!
J. Beers created this alt poster. He used Karloff’s Frankenstein head instead of Lugosi’s. Beers also made the creative decision to make the piece a battle between cold and warm colors. How cool is that?
“You think I’m insane. You think I don’t know what I’m talking about. Well you just look in that grave where Lawrence Talbot is supposed to be buried and see if you find a body in it!” – Lawrence Talbot
Source: J. Beers Instagram.
“Untold – Mr. T: I Pity the Fool” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Here we have the poster and trailer for Untold – Mr. T: I Pity the Fool.
Deal me in!
A retrospective feature documentary about Laurence Tureaud… better known as Mr. T.
The “Breaking Bad” Cast by Thobias Daneluz!
If there’s ever a Breaking Bad adaptation, I nominate Thobias Daneluz to do the art. Check out Thobias’ Instgram to see more of his art. (And plan to stay awhile.)
“I am not in danger, Skyler. I AM the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot, and you think that of me? No! I am the one who knocks!” – Walter White
Dutch vs The Predator by Leo Leibelman!
Leo Leibelman is a freelance artist who has provided art for comics, trading cards, novels, instructional materials, film storyboards and more. Leo Leibelman takes commissions.
Dutch vs The Predator by Leo Leibelman.
“You’re one… *ugly* motherfucker!” – Dutch
“The Long Walk” (2025) / Z-View
The Long Walk (2025)
Director: Francis Lawrence
Screenplay: JT Mollner; based on THE LONG WALK by Stephen King.
Stars: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Jordan Gonzalez, Roman Griffin Davis, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer and Mark Hamill.
Tagline: The task is simple: Walk or Die
The Plot…
Following a civil war, the US has become a military dictatorship. Each year and event known as The Long Walk is held. Fifty boys, one from each state, is randomly selected to particpate in the televised event.
The boys are given food and water. Once The Long Walk starts it goes until there is one winner. Participants must walk at a sustained speed of atleast 3 miles per hour. Fall below that speed and a warning is issued. After the third warning, the walker is executed.
The Long Walk ends when only one person left. The winner gets a big cash prize and one wish answered. The event is held to inspire patriotism and work ethic in a country working to recover from a great economic depression.
Friendships are formed as the boys begin their trek… but there can be only one survivor.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
In Stephen King’s novel the participants must maintain a walking speed of 4mph. King asked that the speed be changed to 3mph for the movie. He felt that 4mph was unrealistic for the distance they had to cover.
Way back in 1988, George “Night of the Living Dead” was attached to direct an adaptation of The Long Walk.
In a cast of exceptional actors, David Jonsson and Mark Hamill are standouts.
Kudos also to JT Mollner for his excellent screenplay.
I thought the ending was the weakest part of an exceptional movie. I have since learned that there was an alternate ending. I would have preferred the alternate ending much more. ***SPOILER ALERT*** In the alterate ending, Pete spares the Major’s life. A postscript reveals Pete mails three envelopes filled with cash are mailed each month to Hank’s widow, Ray’s mother, and Art’s grandmother.
The Long Walk (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.
THE FINE ART OF ROCKY: AN ARTISTIC TRIBUTE FROM THE SCREEN TO CANVAS by John Rivoli with a foreward by Sylvester Stallone is coming soon!
Rocky and Sly Stallone fans are in for a treat. THE FINE ART OF ROCKY: AN ARTISTIC TRIBUTE FROM THE SCREEN TO CANVAS by John Rivoli with a foreward by Sylvester Stallone is coming soon!
THE FINE ART OF ROCKY is an immersive exploration and celebration of an iconic character — in time for his 50th anniversary.
Part art book and part retrospective of the first six Rocky films, this one-of-a-kind book invites fans to revisit the iconic franchise through artist John Rivoli’s collection of large-scale original paintings and iconic posters, showing this beloved character in a whole new light.
THE FINE ART OF ROCKY, readers follow Rivoli on his journey to portray Rocky through the lens of fine art and seeks to prove, once and for all, that Rocky is an art film worthy of being called a masterpiece. Rocky takes center stage in more than 70 paintings, posters, and other unique artworks, highlighting unforgettable moments from the Rocky franchise presented in original and unique perspectives as well as art collaborations with Sylvester Stallone.
UNIQUE GIFT FOR FANS & COLLECTORS: A fitting tribute to a landmark franchise and a great way to return to the ring, this art book offers a detailed account of the importance and meaning of each piece as well as an exploration into the techniques used, historical influences, and sources of inspiration that shaped each work.
SIDE-BY-SIDE ART: Experience an iconic scene from each of the six Stallone Rocky films that inspired each painting, including four exclusive paintings to this book.
OWN A PIECE OF ROCKY HISTORY: A celebration of a one-of-a-kind cinematic icon on his 50th anniversary milestone, this art book showcases Rocky in all his glory in multiple mediums and art forms.
PERFECT GIFT: Officially licensed by MGM/Amazon and with foreword from Sylvester Stallone, this is a special gift for Rocky fans, cinephiles, museum lovers, pop culture fans, and art educators.
THE FINE ART OF ROCKY: AN ARTISTIC TRIBUTE FROM THE SCREEN TO CANVAS will be released October 6, 2026.
Pre-orders are available now!
Deal me in!
“Wild Angels” (1966) directed by Roger Corman, starring Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern & Diane Ladd / Z-View
The Wild Angels (1966)
Director: Roger Corman
Screenplay: Charles B. Griffith, Peter Bogdanovich (uncredited)
Stars: Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern, Diane Ladd, Buck Taylor, Norman Alden, Gayle Hunnicutt, Dick Miller and Michael J. Pollard.
Tagline: Their credo is violence…Their God is hate…and they call themselves ‘The Wild Angels’
The Plot…
When “Loser’s” motorcyle is stolen, his Wild Angels’ brothers head down to Mexico to get it back. A run-in with another gang and the cops leaves Loser in bad shape. When Loser dies, the Wild Angels decide to give him a grand send-off.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Roger Corman used real Hell’s Angels as extras.
The Wild Angels features Diane Ladd’s feature film debut.
The Wild Angels (1966) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Jaws” Alt Poster by Niccolò Fioriti!
Niccolò Fioriti’s alt Jaws poster is worthy of the classic.
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” – Brody
