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
“I.S.S.” (2023) / Z-View
I.S.S. (2023)
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Screenplay: Nick Shafir
Stars: Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, John Gallagher Jr., Masha Mashkova, Costa Ronin and Pilou Asbæk.
Tagline: The war on Earth will be decided in space.
The Plot…
Kira Foster and Christian Campbell are American asatronauts who just arrived to the I.S.S. (International Space Station). There they meet American Commander Gordon Barrett and Russian cosmonauts Weronika Vetrov, Nicholai Pulov and his brother Alexey Pulov.
Kira and Christian are happy to discover the comradery among the group. Everyone works as a team with no political rifts. The astronauts and cosmonauts are truly friends.
Kira is in awe of Earth seen from the ISS. Awe changes to terror as Kira witnesses nuclear explosions appear across the planet. The rest of the ISS crew stares in disbelief as the explosions light up the Earth. Attempts to contact ground support fail.
Commander Gordon recieves a secret coded message from US ground control. Russia initiated an attack on the US and nuclear war commenced. Gordon is told take control of the ISS “by any means necessary”. Gordon secretly informs the US astronauts of their orders. He is sure that the cosmonauts have received the same message from their government.
The war on Earth will be decided in space.
Blast off.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I love the concept of American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS when a nuclear war breaks out. While the movie is good, it fell short of my expectations.
I.S.S. (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Bruce Lee by Tom Ralston!
Bruce Lee in his famous yellow and black track suit from Game of Death by Tom Ralston.
“It is better to die a broken piece of jade than to live a life of clay.” – Billy Lo
“Little Big Man” (1970) starring Dustin Hoffman / Z-View
Little Big Man (1970)
Director: Arthur Penn
Screenplay: Calder Willingham; based on LITTLE BIG MAN by Thomas Berger
Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Martin Balsam, Jeff Corey, Chief Dan George, Faye Dunaway, Aimee Eccles, William Hickey, James Anderson, Alan Oppenheimer, Thayer David, Annette O’Toole and Richard Mulligan.
Tagline: Little Big Man Was Either The Most Neglected Hero In History Or A Liar Of Insane Proportion!
The Plot…
Jack Crabb is 121 years old. A historian records Jack as he recounts his life story. According to Jack, his parents were killed by Indians. Jack and his sister were taken captive. His sister escaped, and Jack was raised for a few years by the Indians. Jack was given the name Little Big Man.
While still in his teens, Jack is “rescued” and sent to live with Reverend Silas Pendrake and his young sexually unfulfilled wife. From there Jack’s life took unexpected twists and turns including…
- Jack’s time with a traveling snakeoil salesman
- Jack’s adventures as a feared gunslinger known as the Soda Pop Kid
- Jack’s time as Wild Bill Hickok’s close friend
- Jack’s married life as a partner in a general store
- Jack’s travels west, attacked by Indians (again) and reunited with his Indian family
- Jack’s troubles with a Contrary brave
- Jack’s run-ins with General George Armstrong Custer
- Jack’s claim to be the only white man who survived the Battle at the Little Big Horn
- and even more
Jack aka Little Big Man is Either The Most Neglected Hero In History Or A Liar Of Insane Proportion!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Chief Dan George was a 1971 Academy Award Nominee for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role. This was the first time a Native American received an Academy Award nomination.
There was an actual historical figure named Little Big Man. He was an Oglala Lakota warrior who did fight at the Battle of Little Big Horn.
When Dustin Hoffman’s character is adopted, Faye Dunaway plays his new mother. Hoffman is four years older than Dunaway in real life.
Little Big Man features Annette O’Toole’s film debut.
Little Big Man (1970) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Predator” Alt Poster by Roger Motzkus!
Roger Motzkus presents his alt poster for Predator… and it’s a winnah.
“There’s something out there waiting for us… and it ain’t no man. We’re all gonna die.” – Billy
