Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Sara Deck created the cool alt Frankenstein poster above. On Wednesday it will be released as a limited edition, officially licensed print from Vice Press and Bottleneck Gallery. You can see more of Sara Deck’s art at her Instagram page.
Today Joe Otterson at Variety posted Andy Kaufman to Be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame. Good for Andy and good for the WWE. I say that without any hint of sarcasm. While I was never a fan of Kaufman’s comedy, nor a pro wrestling fan when Kaufman’s career led him to the squared circle, I do believe he should be in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Andy Kaufman’s humor was always a bit too bizarre for me. I hadn’t watched professional wrestling since I was a kid in Indiana. Yet, when there was an Andy Kaufman / Pro Wrestling crossover, something special happened. Remember this was a time when everyone involved in professional ‘rasslin’ went to great lengths to make sure fans believed all that happened inside and outside the ring was real.
Andy Kaufman began showing up a professional wrestling arenas where he would declare himself the Women’s Champion of the World. While one would normally think that was stupid-funny (and it was), what it did was enrage fans. Kaufman began getting matches against women and of course he beat them, which only made people more upset.
Then Kaufman appeared on David Letterman’s show with Jerry “The King” Lawler. Lawler was a babyface, aka a favorite of professional wrestling fans. Kaufman and Lawler got into an argument. Lawler ending up slapping Kaufman out of his chair. Letterman appeared to be shocked as Lawler stormed off set and Kaufman needed medical assistance. The encounter blew up and was reported everywhere. Kaufman actually checked himself into a hospital and stayed there for several days! Of course this led to a series of sold out arenas where Kaufman and Lawler would battle. Behind the scenes the two were buddies and ranking in bank.
If you talk to professional wrestling fans, probably 99% know about the Andy Kaufman/Jerry Lawler/David Letterman incident. What’s even crazier is the high percentage of non-wrestling fans who know about it over 40 years later. So yeah, I say, Andy Kaufman deserves to be in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Hats off to the WWE for making it happen.
The Last Lullaby (2008)
Director: Jeffrey Goodman
Writer: Peter Biegen, Max Allan Collins
Stars: Tom Sizemore, Sasha Alexander, Sprague Grayden, Bill Smitrovich, Ray McKinnon and Jerry Hardin
Tagline: There comes a time in your life when you want to be exactly who you are.
The Plot…
Price (Sizemore) is a retired hitman bored with his new life. When a high-priced contract with a tight completion date falls into his lap, Price takes it. The target is pretty, small-town librarian named Sarah (Alexander). One night as Price is watching her, Sarah is attacked. Price saves her. One thing leads to another, and soon Price is falling for his mark. As the deadline approaches Price will need to make a decision.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Price is based on Max Allan Collins’ hitman Quarry. Collins has written several novels featuring this character.
Tom Sizemore was such a talented actor.
Ray McKinnon is billed as Ominous Figure and he is! I wish that they had done more with him. McKinnon is so good at being creepy.
Sprague Grayden has a small role. I always like her film/tv appearances and this is no exception.
The Last Lullaby (2008) rates 3 of 5 stars.
How High Is Up? (1940)
Director: Del Lord
Writer: Elwood Ullman
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Bruce Bennett, Vernon Dent and Cy Schindell
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The boys are repairmen who decide to drum up business by poking holes in some workers’ lunchboxes. When the laborers catch on to the ruse, our guys run away. Looking to ditch the irate mob, Larry, Curly and Moe take jobs working construction on the top levels of a high rise. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Curly gets the best laughs trying to walk on a greased girder. There are also the expected chuckles when the boys try handling hot rivets.
How High Is Up? (1940) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Barry Windsor-Smith created this unused and rarely seen poster concept for Conan II. It’s worth clicking over to The Bristol Board to see a biggie-sized version.
Eerie Archives Volume 3 is available for pre-order now. It’ll be 256 pages and feature one of my favorite Frank Frazetta covers. It drops on October 10, 2023. Here’s the lowdown…
Cousin Eerie is back with a casket full of blood-chilling tales of terror and the macabre!
Eerie magazine was one of the finest horror comics magazines ever published, and the original issues are expensive and hard to find. Eerie Archives Volume 3 presents another collection of fearful fables in a value-priced softcover format by a host of comics greats, including Archie Goodwin, Joe Orlando, Angelo Torres. Jeffrey Jones, and more. Includes adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Telltale Heart” and “Masque of the Red Death.” Foreword by Gail Simone.
Collects Eerie magazine issues #11–#15.
Deal me in. Pre-Orders are available now.
Pandora’s Box (1929)
Director: Georg Wilhelm Pabst
Writer: G.W. Pabst, Ladislaus Vajda based on Die Büchse der Pandora (“Pandora’s Box”) and Erdgeist (“Earth Spirit”) by Frank Wedekind
Stars: Louise Brooks, Fritz Kortner, Francis Lederer, Carl Goetz, Gustav Diessl and Michael von Newlinsky
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Lulu (Brooks) is a beautiful woman who uses her charms to get whatever she wants. Lulu is currently the mistress of Dr. Ludwig Schön (Kortner). When Schön announces he is going to marry a woman of his same social class, Lulu’s actions set in motion a tragic series of events that will lead to multiple murders.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Lulu is Louise Brooks most famous role. The part almost went to Marlene Dietrich. Brooks was the director’s first choice, but didn’t think he could get her. Dietrich was in Pabst’s office to sign the contract when word came that Brooks was available. Years later Dietrich was understandably miffed.
It is easy to see why Louis Brooks created such a sensation in this role. The camera loves her. She projected both innocence and sexuality. Sadly, Brooks would only make 9 more films and she hit hard times in later years. When Pandora’s Box was rediscovered in the late 70s, Brooks was redisovered as well.
Fritz Kortner reminds me so much of Kelsey Grammer in this film.
SPOILER WARNING:
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The ending with Jack the Ripper was a surprising and bold move.
Pandora’s Box (1929) earns 4 of 5 stars.
Rocky by Dean Beattie is one of the commissions I got from Dean when he opened up a commission list. I jumped on board, got this beauty, a Jack Carter & John Wick piece a Rambo head sketch and two of his sketchbooks. I’ll post the other art soon. If you’d like to see more of Dean’s art you can at his webpage or his Instagram.
Hal Dresner died yesterday from cancer. He was 85.
Mr. Dresner was a writer and producer of television programs and feature films. He was an uncredited writer on the Paul Newman classic, Cool Hand Luke. One of the most famous lines in movie history, “What we have here is a failure to communicate” is attributed to Hal Dresner.
Some of Hal Dresner’s television work includes: Night Gallery (3 episodes); The Harvey Korman Show (creator & writer – 3 episodes); Husbands, Wives & Lovers (creator & writer – 10 episodes) and Poor Richard.
Some of Hal Dresner’s feature film work includes: .Cool Hand Luke (uncredited writer); The April Fools (screenplay); Catch 22 (screenplay); Sssssss (screenplay); The Eiger Sanction (screenplay) and Zorro: The Gay Blade (screenplay).
I probably first saw Hal Dresner’s work on a Night Gallery episode. My favorite Hal Dresner screenplay is The Eiger Sanction. It’s interesting to note that if he did nothing more than come up with the Cool Hand Luke line, “What we have here is a failure to communicate”, his place in movie history would be assured.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hal Dresner’s family, friends and fans.
Creepy Archives Volume Three will drop on September 6, 2023. It’ll be 288 pages of comic greatness topped by an awesome Frank Frazetta cover.
Cast your bloodshot eyes and feed your fetid imagination on the deliciously deranged tales of terror unearthed from the spine-chilling pages Creepy magazine!
Featuring virtuoso turns by comics legends Archie Goodwin, Frank Frazetta, Steve Ditko, Neal Adams, Gray Morrow and other masters of the macabre, Creepy proves that fear can be fun!
Collects Creepy issues #11–#15 in a value-priced paperback edition and includes original letters pages, text features, and ads.
Deal me in. Pre-Orders are available now.
The Ghost Breakers (1940)
Director: George Marshall
Writer: Walter DeLeon based on the play The Ghost Breaker by Paul Dickey and Charles W. Goddard
Stars: Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Richard Carlson, Willie Best, Pedro de Cordoba, Virginia Brissac, Noble Johnson, Anthony Quinn, Tom Dugan, Paul Fix, Lloyd Corrigan and Robert Elliott
Tagline: The two stars of “The Cat and the Canary” find love and laughter in a haunted house!
The Plot…
On a voyage to Cuba Mary Carter (Goddard) and Larry Lawrence (Hope) develop a flirtatious relationship. Mary is going to Cuba to claim an inheritance. Larry ended up on the ship by accident. When Mary is told about ghosts and zombies on the land and mansion she’s inherited, Larry decides to stick around. The mansion is just as creepy as she’d been told. It’s full of secret passageways, walls with hidden panels, and a painting that looks just like Mary. When what appear to be ghosts and zombies show up, it may be time to sell!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Due to the success of The Cat and The Canary, the studio wanted to quickly re-team Hope and Goddard. The Ghost Breakers fit the bill. Although they play different characters, the plots of both films are very similar.
This is the third time the play The Ghost Breakers was made into a film. The first two versions were silent. It was remade for a fourth time as Scared Stiff in 1953 with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
The Ghost Breakers (1940) earns 3 of 5 stars.
Lance Reddick died today from natural causes. He was 60.
In high school Lance Reddick’s focus was on music. After graduation he attended the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree. Mr. Riddick later attended the Yale School of Drama where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Lance Reddick appeared on television and in feature films throughout his career.
Some of Lance Reddick’s television appearances include: New York Undercover; The Nanny; The West Wing; Falcone (3 episodes); Oz (12 episodes); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (6 episodes); Law & Order: Criminal Intent; Law & Order (3 episodes); CSI: Miami (3 episodes); The Wire (60 episodes); Lost (4 episodes); It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia; Fringe (90 episodes); The Blacklist (2 episodes); Intelligence (5 episodes); Quantum Break (4 episodes); American Horror Story (4 episodes); Duck Tales (voice – 5 episodes); Castlevania (voice – 10 episodes); Corporate (18 episodes); Bosch (68 episodes); Young Sheldon and Resident Evil (8 episodes).
Some of Lance Reddick’s feature film appearances include: Great Expectations; The Siege; Don’t Say a Word; Jonah Hex; White House Down; Oldboy; John Wick; John Wick: Chapter 2; John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum; Angel Has Fallen; One Night in Miami; Godzilla vs Kong and John Wick: Chapter 4.
I first saw Lance Reddick in Lost. He had a unique look and stage presence. Then I started seeing him more and more in both television and feature films. Whenever Lance Reddick’s name appeared in the credits, I knew I was in for a treat. My favorite Lance Reddick role was as Charon in the John Wick films. Lance Reddick was a special type of actor who could appear in action films, dramas, comedies as well as provide voice work for animated projects. What a career he had.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lance Reddick’s family, friends and fans.
The Gang’s All Here (1941)
Director: Jean Yarbrough
Writer: Edmond Kelso
Stars: Frankie Darro, Marcia Mae Jones, Jackie Moran, Keye Luke, Mantan Moreland, Robert Homans and Paul Bryar
Tagline: Frankie risks his life for a new sweetie, and then finds out she’s two-timing him for another motor jockey!
The Plot…
Frankie (Darro) and Jefferson (Moreland) get jobs driving for The Overland Transport Company, unaware that Overland’s trucks have been the targets of several hijackings that left the drivers dead. When Frankie and Jefferson survive an attempt to drive them off the road, they decide to find out who is behind the attacks. As they get closer to the truth, the targets on their backs grow bigger.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
My main interest in The Gang’s All Here was Mantan Moreland. He’s the bright spot in the movie, and I wish he was given more to do.
It was interesting that in such a low budget production would feature so many actors that would have long careers and even appear in some classic films:
Frankie Dario played Robby the Robot in Forbidden Planet! Marcia Mae Jones had a role in The Way We Were. Jackie Moran was in Gone with the Wind! Keye Luke had a long career but is best known as Charlie Chan’s #1 son. Robert Homans was in The Grapes of Wrath. Paul Bryar had a small role in Butch Cassady and the Sundance Kid.
The Gang’s All Here (1941) earns 2 of 5 stars.
Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022)
Director: Elvis Mitchell
Writer: Elvis Mitchell
Stars: Elvis Mitchell (voice), Margaret Avery, Harry Belafonte, Suzanne De Passe, Antonio Fargas, Laurence Fishburne, Sheila Frazier, Whoopi Goldberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Glynn Turman, Mario Van Peebles, Billy Dee Williams and Zendaya
Tagline: Is That Black Enough For You?!? How One Decade Forever Changed the Movies (And Me)”
The Plot…
Elvis Mitchell, the writer and director of Is That Black Enough for You?!?, is a film scholar and film critic. Here he explores the history and impact that African-American cinema had on all films and American culture. There is an emphasis on the 1970s. The film makes use of film clips as well as interviews with many of the artists who lived through this period.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I greatly enjoyed Is That Black Enough for You?!?. The two hours and 15 minutes flew by. It was interesting to see the history of how African-Americans were portrayed in movies and the impact the late 60s and early 70s had when more black artists were able to take control of their films. The interviews are the glue that holds it all together, The film clips reminded me of many movies I’d seen in my youth and many more I’d like to see.
When the film was over, it left me wanting to dig deeper into the history of black artists such as Paul Robeson, Mantan Moreland (who sadly wasn’t mentioned), Oscar Micheaux and many others. The topic is so huge it would be hard to cover in just one film and I’m sure that fed in to Mitchell’s decision to focus on the late 60s though the mid 70s. I would love to see a streaming series that took a deeper look. Elvis Mitchell, are you listening?
Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022) earns 4 of 5 stars.
CAIN coming from Dark Horse this November sounds very interesting.
Legendary filmmaker Walter Hill and award-winning television and comic writer Mike Benson bring their neo-noir thriller to Dark Horse
Dark Horse is proud to team up with film legend Walter Hill and award-winning television and comic writer Mike Benson to present Cain, a thrilling neo-noir tale of a blind hitman operating in the gritty world filled with crime and violence. Hill and Benson are joined by interior artist Beni R. Lobel, colorist Jordi Escuin Llorach and letterer Frank Cvetkovic, with Lobel also providing the cover art for this original graphic novel.
Meet Cain, born blind, but with a unique ability to sense the world around him. Raised from birth by a rogue CIA agent, he’s grown into a borderline alcoholic and sex addict who travels the globe, living off the grid and taking out gangsters, deviants, and corrupt politicians—all while engaging in his own hedonistic pursuits as a hitman.
Cain is a thrilling and mysterious neo-noir tale of a blind professional hitman, operating within a relentless underworld environment of criminal violence, sex, betrayal, and death.
CAIN: Once you’re in the dark – I’m the boss.
The 88 page CAIN hardcover is available for pre-order now.
