Marv by Kevin Castaniero!

Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv by Kevin Castaniero.
Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views

Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv by Kevin Castaniero.

Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (2000)
Director: Kevin Brownlow
Stars: Lon Chaney, Kenneth Branagh, Forrest J. Ackerman, Ray Bradbury, Lon Chaney Jr., Jackie Coogan and Orson Welles.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Lon Chaney, “The Man of a Thousand Faces,” was the child of deaf parents. At the age of 19, Chaney, went on the road playing in vaudeville and theater acts.
At 22, Lon Chaney married Cleva Creighton, a sixteen year old singer. The troubled marriage produced one son and lasted eight years. It ended when his wife attempted suicide. A scandal followed and Lon Chaney left theater for motion pictures.
For several years Lon Chaney made his living playing bit parts for Universal. Chaney did his own make-up and was adept at transforming his look into whatever character he was to play. In 1919, Lon Chaney got the role that made him a star in The Miracle Man. Bigger and better roles followed.
Chaney became famous for his ability to disappear into a character. Whether he was playing a double amputee (The Penalty), an armless knife-thrower (The Unknown), a deformed hunchback (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), a little old lady (The Unholy Three), a horrifying skull-faced psycho (The Phantom of the Opera), or any of the other roles he took on, audiences were thrilled. Despite his characters physical and moral failings, Chaney brought a sense of humanity to each.
At the height of his stardom, Lon Chaney developed lung cancer and died shortly after being diagnosed. The man died. His legend lives on.
This is his story.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Lon Chaney is my favorite silent movie star. Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces is an excellent documentary well worth your time.
Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (2000) rates 5 of 5 stars.



George Romero’s follow-up to his classic Night of the Living Dead is of course, Dawn of the Dead. While I prefer the original, many folks think Dawn is the best of Romero’s zombie films. Who am I to argue?
Dawn of the Dead alt poster by Garreth Gibson.
” Every dead body that is not exterminated becomes one of them. It gets up and kills! The people it kills get up and kill!” – Dr. Foster

The Huckleberry by Phil Meatchem who calls Doc Holiday his favorite Val Kilmer performance. I couldn’t agree more.
“Why, Johnny Ringo, you look like somebody just walked over your grave.” – Doc Holliday

Footloose (1984)
Director: Herbert Ross
Screenplay: Dean Pitchford
Stars: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Dianne Wiest, John Lithgow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Penn.
Tagline: He’s a big-city kid in a small town. They said he’d never win. He knew he had to.
The Plot…
Ren and his mother moved from Chicago to the small town of Bomont, Utah. It’s a huge change for Ren, a high school senior, but he’s trying to adapt. Ren has made a few friends. Willard, a real country boy, is his closest buddy. Ariel, a girl Ren’s attracted to, likes him as well. Unfortunately, Ren has made a few enemies. Reverand Moore, Ariel’s father, sees Ren as a bad influence. Ariel’s older ex-boyfriend, Chuck Cranston is looking for a chance to get a couple of friends and beat-up Ren.
When Ren learns there is a city ordinance that bans dancing, he makes it his mission to get an exception for the Senior Prom. This only makes Reverand Moore dislike him more (no pun intended).
Ren’s not a quiter. The odds are against him. But like Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, the kid’s gotta dance.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Footloose was nominated for two 1985 Academy Awards…
In the opening credits over 150 different pairs of dancing feet were shot. Most were cast and crew. Kenny Loggins wore the gold shoes.
While it is true that Chris Penn was not a good dancer (one of the reasons that led to the scenes of Kevin Bacon teaching him how to move), Kevin Bacon also had five different doubles for all of his dance scenes. One of Bacon’s dance doubles was Peter Tramm who was at the time married to Marine Jahan. Jahan was the uncredited dance double for Jennifer Beals in Flashdance.
Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow played Lori Singer’s parents. Wiest is just 9 years older than Singer. Lithgow just twelve.
Frances Lee McCain played Ren’s mother. She is only twelve years older than Kevin Bacon.
Footloose is a fun little movie full of cliches, dancing and music. If you go with it, you should have a fun time.
Footloose (1984) rates 3 of 5 stars.



Patrick Stewart died on October 28, 2026. He was 86.
Patrick Stewart was encouraged by his teachers to get into acting. By the age of twelve, Patrick was a member of local drama groups. He quit school at the age of 15. Patrick Stewart worked at a various jobs, attended drama classes and continued to seek roles in local plays.
His first professional stage appearance was in 1959 at the Theatre Royal, Bristol in Cyrano de Bergerac. In 1964 Mr. Stewart’s first television credit appears on his acting resume. It wasn’t until 1975 that Patrick Stewart got a feature film credit. When Patrick Stewart was chosen to play Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation (the role that made him famous), the Los Angeles Times referred to him as an “unknown British Shakespearean actor”.
Some of Patrick Stewart’s television work includes: Story Parade; Theatre 625; BBC Play of the Month; Play for Today; Fall of Eagles (3 episodes); Anthony and Cleopatra; Omnibus (2 episodes); North and South (4 episodes); The Madness; I, Claudius (4 episodes); Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; The BBC Television Shakespeare; Little Lord Fauntleroy; Smiley’s People; Maybury (20 episodes); Star Trek: The Next Generation (176 episodes); Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; 500 Nations (3 episodes); Moby Dick (2 episodes); A Christmas Carol; Frasier; The Lion in the Winter; High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman (8 episodes); Extras; Hamlet; The Hollow Crown (2 episodes); Futurama; The Simpsons (2 episodes); The Daily Show; Oscar’s Hotel for Fantastical Creatures; Robot Chicken (3 episodes); Blunt Talk (20 episodes); National Theatre Live: No Man’s Land; Family Guy (15 episodes); Star Trek: Picard (30 episodes); Bait (2 episodes) and American Dad! (125 episodes).
Some of Patrick Stewart’s feature film work includes: Hennessy; Excalibur; The Plague Dogs; Dune; Wild Geese II; Lifeforce; L.A. Story; Gunmen; Robin Hood: Men in Tights; Star Trek: Generations; Star Trek: First Contact; Conspiracy Theory; Safe House; Star Trek: Insurrection; The Prince of Egypt; X-Men; Star Trek: Nemesis; X2: X-Men United; X-Men: The Last Stand; X-Men Origins: Wolverine; The Wolverine; X-Men: Days of Future Past; Green Room; Logan; Charlie’s Angels; Dr. Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness and The Sheep Detectives.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Patrick Stewart’s family, friends and fans.

Rocky Balboa by Manuel Brancato!
“You had the talent to become a good fighter, but instead of that, you become a legbreaker to some cheap, second rate loanshark!” – Mickey Goldmill

Beetlejuice (1988)
Director: Tim Burton
Screenplay: Michael McDowell, Warren Skaaren; story by Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson
Stars: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder and Glenn Shadix.
Tagline: In This House… If You’ve Seen One Ghost… You Haven’t Seen Them All.
The Plot…
Adam and Barbara Maitland are almost home when they swerve to avoid hitting a dog. Their car goes over a bridge and into the river.
When Adam and Barbara wake up they’re home.
And dead.
Adam and Barbara are now ghosts in their country home. When their house is sold, the new owners are a New York real estate developer, his wife who considers herself an artist and their goth daughter.
Adam and Barbara hate changes made to the house by the new owners. So they decide to scare the new family into moving. That doesn’t work so Adam and Barbara decide they’ll move on. But because of afterlife red tape and bureaucracy, Adam and Barbara can’t leave their former house for 125 years. The afterlife is like nothing they could have imagined.
Adam and Barbara learn about Betelgeuse, a self-proclaimed bio-exorcist. Despite warnings that Betlegeuse is a rude, crude, spirit that cannot be trusted, Adam and Barbara decide to ask for his help.
Be careful what you ask for… you just might get it.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Beetlejuice was nominated and won one Academy Award for Best Make-up – Ve Neill, Steve LaPorte, and Robert Short.
Catherine O’Hara met her future husband, Bo Welch who was production designer for Beetlejuice, during filming.
Tim Burton originally wanted Sammy Davis, Jr. to play Beetlejuice. The studio wouldn’t agree.
Sylvia Sidney plays a smoking ghost with a hole in her throat through which she exhales smoke. Sadly Ms. Sidney died from throat cancer at the age of 88.
Geena Davis is so cute in this film.
Michael Keaton is perfect as Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars.



Randy Martin and his his wife, Laura were one of the first people that I knew who had an art themed collection. Theirs is Edward Scissorhands. Anyway, I was at one of the first (maybe even the first) conventions when I started getting Sylvester Stallone character sketches. Randy (who is a collector, not a professional artist) said he had an idea for a Stallone sketch. I said (in my best Rocky III voice), “Go for it!”
The result is a, pardon the expression, knockout! It still brings a smile to my face.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -Season 4 (2026)
Created by: Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman Jenny Lumet; based on Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry
Teleplay by:
Directed by:
Stars: Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, Martin Quinn, Rebecca Romijn and Carol Kane.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
During Season 4 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise face more dangerous adventures.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been nominated for two PrimeTime Emmy Awards…
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is perfectly cast. Anson Mount is perfect in his role, but so are Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Celia Rose Gooding and Melissa Navia. The series is well written with each major cast member displaying personality and getting a showcase.
I am a fan of the original Star Trek series, cartoon and movies with the original cast. I never watched any other Star Trek productions. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds changed that. I’ve been a big fan of the show, but found this season to veer in directions that weren’t as entertaining. Each season took chances with some episodes, but this season had more misses than past seasons. With that said, I’m still looking forward to season 5.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2025) earns 4 of 5 stars.



Peter Medak died on October 27, 2026. He was 88.
Peter Medak was born in Budapest, Hungary. In 1956, Mr. Medak moved to Britain and began a career in the movie industry. In 1963, Peter Medak was hired to direct television movies for Universal Pictures. In 1967, he began making feature films for Paramount.
Some of Peter Medak’s television work includes: Court Martial; Strange Report (2 episodes); The Persuaders; The Third Girl from the Left; Space: 1999 (2 episodes); The Professionals; Return of the Saint; Hart to Hart (4 episodes); Remington Steele; Magnum, P.I.; St. Elsewhere; Crime Story; The Twilight Zone (7 episodes); Fairie Tale Theatre (5 episodes); Beauty and the Beast; China Beach; Tales from the Crypt; Kindred: The Embrace (2 episodes); Homicide: Life on the Street (6 episodes); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Chicago Hope; David Copperfield; The Wire; Carnivale; The Guardian (3 episodes); House; South Beach; Agatha Christie’s: Miss Marple; In Justice; Masters of Horror; Breaking Bad; Cold Case; Hannibal (2 episodes); The Assets (2 episodes); Hand of God (3 episodes) and The Ghost of Peter Sellers.
Some of Peter Medak’s feature film work includes: Negatives; The Ruling Class; Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon (short); The Changeling; Zorro: The Gay Blade; The Krays; Romeo is Bleeding and Species II.
My favorite feature film is The Changeling. It’s an under-rated gem.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Peter Medak’s family, friends and fans.

It’s hard to believe I got this Rocky Balboa convention sketch from Koi Pham over two decades ago!

Animals (2026)
Director: Ben Affleck
Screenplay: Connor O. McIntyre, Billy Ray, Ben Affleck
Stars: Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher, Luis Gerardo Méndez and Steven Yeun.
Tagline: Power can’t protect you.
The Plot…
Mark Kimball is an independent candidate running for Mayor of Los Angeles. The race has been an uphill battle that’s put a strain on his marriage to Abigail.
With election day near, Mark is just a few percentage points from the lead. To get money needed to put him over the top, Mark secretly signs over his family’s savings. Once he wins, the money will be paid back.
Then the unthinkable happens. Mark and Abigail’s son is kidnapped. The kidnapper’s ransom demand is out of reach since Mark secretly used the money for his campaign. If they go to the police, the kidnappers promise to kill their son.
With nowhere else to turn Mark and Abigail enlist the aid of Dayle. Dayle works outside the law, but has success in dealing with kidnappers. Dayle doesn’t come cheap and payment delays carry a high interest rate. As Dayle questions Mark and Abigail secrets held by each are exposed.
Then something unexpected happens. And it changes everything.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Animals was originally going to star Matt Damon and Jennifer Garner (Ben Affleck’s ex-wife) with Affleck still directing. When filming was delayed, Damon had to back out. With Damon out, Affleck decided to take the starring role. Garner then decided to pass on her role. Kerry Washington was then signed.
Just weeks before filming was to start, Affleck halted production. Highest 2 Lowest directed by Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington had been announced. The plots of Animals and Highest 2 Lowest were similar. Affleck decided to make changes to Animals to make it a more morally ambiguous drama exploring marriage, public image, and personal integrity.
Gillian Anderson is excellent as Dayle. It’s my favorite of Gillian Anderson role.
Animals (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.



Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026 from pancreatic cancer. She was 80.
Saint James was born Susan Jane Miller. She began a modeling career as a teenager. When Susan Miller decided on a career in acting she changed her name to Susan Saint James.
Ms. Jame’s first role was in a television movie called Fame is the Name of the Game. Susan Saint James continued to get television guest appearances, and when Fame is the Name of the Game was adapted into an on-going series (Name of the Game), she was brought back as one of the stars. Her acting as Peggy Maxwell earned Susan Saint James 4 Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Primetime Emmy Nominations with one win.
The same year that Name of the Game ended, Susan St. James got the co-starring role with Rock Hudson in McMillan and Wife. Susan Saint James left the series after five years (and two more Outstanding Lead Actress Primetime Emmy niminations) due to a contract dispute. The series ran with a name change (McMillan) for a much shortened sixth season.
After leaving McMillan and Wife, Susan Saint James began alternating between movie and television roles. In 1984, Ms. James returned to television in a starring role on Kate & Allie. The series ran for six seasons and earned Susan Saint James two more Outstanding Lead Actress Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
After Katie & Allie ended Susan Saint James took retired from acting, only returning for a few special opportunities.
Some of Susan Saint James’s television performances include: Fame is the Name of the Game; Ready and Willing; Ironside (2 episodes); It Takes a Thief (5 episodes); McCloud; Alias Smith & Jones; The Name of the Game (38 episodes); Magic Carpet; McMillan & Wife (34 episodes); Sex and the Single Parent; S.O.S. Titanic; MASH; Kate & Allie (122 episodes); The Drew Carey Show; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Suits; The Haunting of Bly Manor and Upload (3 episodes).
Some of Susan Saint James’s feature film appearances include: P.J.; What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?; Outlaw Blues; Love at First Bite; How to Beat the High Cost of Living and Carbon Copy.
My favorite Susan Saint James role was as Peggy Maxwell on Name of the Game. Who wouldn’t want her as a secretary/member of the team? Susan Saint James was the rare actress who was good whether it was a drama or comedy.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Susan Saint Jame’s family, friends and fans.

Walter Koenig died on October 25, 2026 from natural causes. Mr. Koenig was 90.
After high school Walter Koenig attended Grinnell College in Iowa where he was a pre-med student. Mr. Koenig transferred to UCLA where he received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. While at UCLA, he decided to try acting. Walter Koenig moved to New York to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.
Mr. Koenig’s first role was an uncredited part on Combat! in 1962. Many other television appearances followed. Then in 1967, Walter Koenig appeared on Star Trek as Chekov, in the role that made him famous. Following Star Trek, Mr. Koenig continued to act on television and in movies in a career that spanned over 60 years.
Some of Walter Koenig’s television performances include: Combat!; The Untouchables; General Hospital (2 episodes); The Great Adventure; The Lieutenant; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; Ben Casey; Mr. Novak (3 episodes); Gidgit; I Spy; Jericho; Star Trek (36 episodes); Mannix; Medical Center; The Viriginian; Ironside; The Starlost (2 episodes); The Questor Tapes; Columbo; Bring ‘Em Back Alive; Anthony and Cleopatra; The Real Ghostbusters; Viva Variety; Almost Perfect; Babylon 5 (12 episodes); Diagnosis Murder; The Privateers; Son of the Beach; Futurama; Star Trek: Phase II; Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters (11 episodes) and Star Trek: Picard.
Some of Walter Koenig’s feature film appearances include: Star Trek: The Motion Picture; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; Stara Trek V: The Final Frontier; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; Staar Trek: Generations; Drawing Down the Moon; Scream of the Bikini and Raging Midlife.
I may have first seen Walter Koenig on one of his many television guest appearances prior to Star Trek. It is his signature role on Star Trek though that brought him to my (and the world’s attention). Star Trek was already a popular show among my friends and I. The inclusion of Mr. Koenig only increased the show’s popularity.
I met Walter Koenig at a convention years ago. I was there with my buddy, comic artist John Beatty, was a guest of the show. I was walking around before the convention started and saw Walter Koenig behind his table. I walked over, shook his hand and told him I was a fan. Mr. Koenig was gracious and humble. It was a short interaction, but one I fondly remember.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Walter Koenig’s family, friends and fans.