“Cobra” by Rudy Ao!
If a movie poster is what you need, Rudy Ao is the cure! What a cool painting!
“I don’t deal with psychos. I put ’em away.” – Marion Cobretti
Author: Craig Zablo
“Poltergeist” Alt Poster by Chris Koehler!
Chris Koehler alt poster for Poltergeist that works!
“Now clear your minds. It knows what scares you. It has from the very beginning. Don’t give it any help, it knows too much already.” – Tangina
FEVER HOUSE by Keith Rosson / Z-View
FEVER HOUSE by Keith Rosson
First sentences…
Tim Reed sits in the driver’s seat of his ancient and rust-punched Datsun hatchback, balancing a screwdriver on the tip of his finger. Hutch and Tim are killing time, waiting for some poor guy to come home so they can terrify him and, if necessary, perform grievous harm to the architecture of the man’s body. It’s the usual deal: reluctance to pay a debt owed.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Tim and Hutch are leg-breakers for Peach Sorreno. Although the two are more than willing to throw a beatdown on deadbeats who’ve borrowed from Peach, when Tim and Hutch show up to collect, more often than not they come away with money. That’s par for the course and the way it’s been working that night.
Until they get to Wesley.
Wesley’s a methhead. He claims he has no money. When Tim and Hutch search Wesley’s apartment, they find a severed hand in his refrigerator. Tim and Hutch decide to take Wesley and the hand to Peach’s warehouse. There they’ll sort out what to do next.
What Tim and Hutch don’t know, but will soon learn is the hand causes anyone near it to get violent, murderous thoughts. These urges become so strong and persistant that those under the influence lose control and act on them. They will brutally murder anyone near. Worse still, the killed by a person under the influence of the demon hand, reanimate as zombies with the same sadistic killing urges.
As the madness spreads two factions work to recover the hand…
- Peach Sorreno knows Tim and Hutch had the hand, but do they still? Sorreno wants it badly, and brings in Nick Coffin, one of his “fixers” to resolve the issue.
- A US government black ops organization that deals with the occult has been searching for the hand. Under the direction of David Lundy (who wants the demon hand to weaponize it), two field agents, John Bonner and Samantha Weils are boots on the ground.
With each passing minute, the fevor spreads. One infected becomes two. Two become four. If the hand isn’t recovered and destroyed, it could be the end of the world.
+++
When I started FEVER HOUSE I expected a crime novel with horror overtones. What I got was an epic, crime/conspiracy/horror/demonic/apocalyptic tale that I absolutely loved. I’ve already purchased the sequel and it’s nearing the top of my next-to-read pile.
FEVER HOUSE gets my highest recommendation.
Rating:
“The Wrecking Crew” (2026) starring Dave Bautista and Jason Mamoa / Z-View
The Wrecking Crew (2026)
Director: Ángel Manuel Soto
Screenplay: Jonathan Tropper
Stars: Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin, Maia Kealoha, Stephen Root, Miyavi, David Hekili Kenui Bell, Lydia Peckham, Branscombe Richmond, Stephen Oyoung and Claes Bang.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Jonny Hale is a reservation cop living in Oklahoma. James Hale is a Navy Seal living in Hawaii. The two are half brothers who haven’t seen each other in ten years. When their father is killed in a hit and run, Jonny returns to Hawaii for the funeral.
Jonny believes that his father was murdered. Although unconvinced at first, James comes around when it becomes clear the Yakuza were involved.
Now Jonny and James have teamed to find the killers. Hawaiians should take cover. Things are about to get crazy.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Wrecking Crew features David Hekili Kenui Bell final film role. He died on June 12, 2025.
Dave Bautista and Jason Mamoa have great chemistry. Kudos also to Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin and Stephen Root.
I wanted to like this film more, but it was a bit too over-the-top to be taken seriously. They really leaned into the humor to the point that I never felt concerned for the duo’s safety. The action (with a couple of gory scenes as well) is ratcheted up to match the humor. Still, watching Bautista and Mamoa tear through the bad guys isn’t a bad way to spend an hour and half.
The Wrecking Crew (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“John Wick” Alt Poster by Vlad Rodriguez!
Vlad Rodriguez is a Miami based illustrator. Rodriguez has a passion for film. Here’s his alt poster for John Wick!
“Paradise”: Season 2 – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Check out the poster and trailer for Paradise: Season 2.
Deal me in!
It was never just about the bunker!
Xavier searches for Teri out in the world and learns how people survived the three years since ‘The Day’. Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays and new secrets are uncovered about the city’s origins.
Marv by Lucas Doggu!
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 a Marv by Lucas Doggu.
VAMPIRELLA by Nic Klein!
VAMPIRELLA by Nic Klein! Klein, pun intended, nailed it.
“Diablo” (2025) starring Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror / Z-View
Diablo (2025)
Director: Ernesto Díaz Espinoza
Screenplay: Mat Sansom, story by Mat Sansom, Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza
Stars: Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Alanna De La Rossa, Lucho Velasco.
Tagline: There’ll Be Hell to Pay
The Plot…
Elisa, the daughter of Vincente, an extremely rich and ruthless Mexican mob boss, has been kidnapped. Kris Chaney, an ex-con has Elisa and is trying to escape with her back to the United States. Vincente has his entire criminal network looking for them plus he’s hired El Corvo, a psychopathic killer who will stop at nothing to finish his assignment.
Outnumbered and outgunned, Chris has little chance of survival.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you don’t see the plot twist coming, get your eyes checked. ; )
Diablo (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Juan Saniose presents “The Man. The Myth. The Legend.”
Juan Saniose presents The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
“The Thicket” (2024), starring Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke and Leslie Grace with Gbenga Akinnagbe / Z-View
The Thicket (2024)
Director: Elliott Lester
Screenplay: Chris Kelley, based on THE THICKET by Joe R. Lansdale
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Ned Dennehy, James Hetfield, Macon Blair, Arliss Howard, Leslie Grace, Ryan Robbins, Teach Grant, Derek Gilroy, Roger LeBlanc and David Midthunder.
Tagline: Death comes fast in Texas
The Plot…
Jack, his sister Lula and their grandfather Caleb, are on their way to Caleb’s 700 acre ranch in Montana. At a ferry crossing they come across the infamous outlaw Cut-Throat Bill and her gang. Caleb is murdered. Jack left for dead and Lula is kidnapped.
Jack makes it to the next town. There he sees part-time bounty hunters / grave diggers Reginald Jones and Eustace Howard in action. Jones and Howard make an unlikely pair. Jones has dwarfism and Howard is a black man. Jack wants to hire them to help him rescue his sister. Jones and Howard are hesitant to go against Cut-Throat Bill and her gang. When Jack tells them he owns a 700 acre ranch in Montana and offers them land if they take on the job. They agree knowing that success is unlikely.
What chance does a young kid, and part-time bounty hunters have against Cut-Throat Bill and her gang? Let’s find out.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Thicket is based on Joe R. Lansdale’s novel of the same name released by Mulholland Books on September 10, 2013. Making the film was a longtime passion project for Peter Dinklage. Dinklage was first linked to the project in 2014.
Juliette Lewis has never been better. She owns every scene as the frightening and murderous Cut-Throat Bill.
The Thicket (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON by Max Allan Collins / Z-View
THE RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON by Max Allan Collins
Publisher: Hard Case Crime
First sentence…
Samuel Spade, leaning back in his swivel-chair, studied the modest pine tree that might have sprouted tinsel-trimmed from where his late partner’s desk had till lately stood.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
THEN…
Detective Sam Spade was pulled into the search for the legendary Maltese Falcon, a jewel-encrusted gold statuette intended as a gift for the 16th century King of Spain. Spade’s partner was murdered. Spade was the prime suspect.
Brigid O’Shaughnessy who hired Spade, was willing to use money, her female charms and anything else to get Spade’s protection from criminals after the Falcon. The others were Casper Gutman, an obese gentleman malefactor and his thugs, Cairo and Wilmer Cook. Gutman depended on his brains and lies. When that didn’t work, Cairo and Cook would use their guns.
In addition to Spade’s partner, two others were killed in pursuit of the bird. Turns out Brigid was the murderess. She’s now behind bars. So is Cairo. But the story doesn’t end there…
NOW…
About a week has passed since Sam Spade’s life was upended. Rhea Gutman, the teenage daughter of Casper Gutman, wants to hire Spade to find the Maltese Falcon. Rhea informs Spade, her father was murdered, but she wants to complete his life’s mission. Rhea believes the Falcon is somewhere close. Spade accepts her retainer.
In short order, Spade is approached independently by several people who also want the Falcon.
- Dixie Monahan, an infamous and dangerous Chicago gambler. He has no legal claim to the bird, but sees an opportunity to make money.
-
Corinne Wonderly, the younger sister of the imprisoned Brigid O’Shaughnessy wants to get and sell the Falcon. She plans to use the money raised to help her sister get a good lawyer.
-
Stewart Blackwood is a British Museum curator. He claims that he legally purchased the Maltese Falcon and it was stolen. Blackwood has a bill of sale.
Never one to turn down money, Spade accepts retainers from each.
Spade then works to untangle the lies, double crosses, twisted motivations and shifting alliances brought on by greed and self-preservation. Several people have already died in pursuit of the jewel-encrusted bird.
More will as well.
+++++
Recently Max Allan Collins gave away several copies of RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON. I was a lucky winner. Truth be told, I would have bought a copy had I not won one.
Collins is an author that I follow. I’m a huge fan of Max Allan Collins’ Nate Heller series. Every new Heller tale is a must-buy for me. Collins also completed several of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer novels (from partially finished manuscripts and outlines). I’ve read almost all of them. Collins’ Quarry crime novels are also good. I’ve read some of them. Same could be said for Collins’ Ms. Tree comics, his Dick Tracy strips and his movie adaptations and other novels. Max Allan Collins can be counted on to deliver a great tale each time out, but it’s his Nate Heller series that does it best for me.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON shouldn’t be thought of as a sequel. It’s a continuation of the story. Taking on Hammet’s classic characters was a bold move. I’m very happy to say that Collins met the challenge.
Collins is to be commended. Not only for daring to step up and continue Hammet’s classic, but also for his ease at transporting readers to 1928 San Franciso. Collins take on Spade and the other characters feels like Hammet from their motivations to dialogue. Collins humor (just the right amount) and witty dialogue shine. The plot twists are unexpected, but not outlandish. They work to provide a surprisingly and satisfying climax.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON not only reaches the bar set by Collins’ Nate Heller novels but that of Hammet in the original tale. I don’t say this lightly.
I’d love to see Collins provide us with another Sam Spade outing. Maybe even one that crosses over with Nate Heller.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON gets my highest recommendation.
Rating:
Dave Wachter Draws “First Blood”!
While digging through the Zablo Vault, I came across a Dave Wachter sketch of Sly Stallone as John Rambo from First Blood that I somehow never posted. Well, it’s time to fix that!
You can see more of Dave’s art at his site. – Craig
“Halloween” Alt Poster by Chris Koehler!
John Carpenter’s Halloween was a little independent film that jumpstarted the slasher genre. Actually it poured gas on all horror films due to it’s success. Although many would follow in Carpenter’s footsteps none was as good.
Chris Koehler has created an alt Halloween poster worthy of the film. I love how this red variant makes Michael Myers “pop”.
“London Calling” (2025) directed by Allan Unger, starring Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor with Rick Hoffman and Aidan Gillen / Z-View
London Calling (2025)
Director: Allan Ungar
Screenplay: Levin Menekse, Quinn Wolfe, Allan Ungar
Stars: Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Rick Hoffman, Aidan Gillen, Neil Sandilands, Brandon Auret, Milton Schorr, Dumani Siphosethu Mtya, Karl Thaning and Arnold Vosloo.
Tagline: Answer the call
The Plot…
After Tommy Ward accidentally killed a London cartel lord’s son, Tommy escaped to the United States. Now Tommy wants to go back to London since that is where his son lives. Harry, Tommy’s current employer offers Tommy a deal. If Tommy will teach Julian (Harry’s son) to become a man, Harry will get Tommy safe passage back to London. All Tommy has to do is take Julian on a hit.
Taking Julian along is a dangerous proposition. It becomes worse when Tommy becomes a target himself.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor had good on-screen chemistry. There were some funny moments, but the film became to over-the-top for me. Your mileage, as always could vary.
London Calling (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.
