Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Rich Hennemann is one of the first artists I look to commission each year at HeroesCon (and also a couple of times through the year). At HeroesCon 2026, I gave Rich a request of Jack Carter and one of three other characters. He would make his pick and surprise me at the show.
Rich chose to pair Carter with John Wick and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re a sketch collector, you owe it to youself to have a piece by Rich in your collection.
High and Dizzy (1920)
Director: Hal Roach
Screenplay: Frank Terry, H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis.
Tagline: The Cleverest and Most Rollicking Comedy Ever Produced
The Plot…
Harold is a young doctor with a new practice. He goes to great lengths to appear busy. When an older man brings his grown daughter in, Harold is smitten. So is the young lady. She needsa cure for sleepwalking. Unfortunately her father isn’t impressed with Harold. Dad and his daughter leave.
Harold decides to take out his frustration with a few (too many drinks). After a few close calls with a cop, Harold ends up in a high rise. Wouldn’t you know it, the sleepwalking beauty lives there.
Rise and shine!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Harold Lloyd and his co-star, Mildred Davis were married three years after the release of High and Dizzy. They would have three children and remain married until her death on August 18, 1969. Harold Lloyd died on March 8, 1971.
High and Dizzy (1920) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Take a Chance (1918)
Director: Alfred J. Goulding
Screenplay: Alfred J. Goulding
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Bud Jamison.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Harold sees a girl (Bebe) and is smitten. Before he can make any headway, Bebe’s boyfriend, Snub, pulls up. She gets in the front seat while Harold sneaks in the back.
Harold secretly influences Bebe and Snub into an argument. They arrive at the park. Harold continues to try to woo Bebe. When two escaped convicts show up, one knocks Harold out and exchanges clothes with him as well. Then the police chasing the escaped cons show up, they see Harold in prison clothes.
The chase is on!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Don’t go in to Take a Chance looking for a sensible story… even by early film standards. Take a Chance feels like two partial films stuck together. The first, a romantic comedy and the second, a slapstick chase. It’s not Harold Lloyd’s finest but at this stage in his career, Harold Lloyd wasn’t yet Harold Lloyd the silent film star.
Take a Chance (1918) rates 3 of 5 stars.
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.
The Terminator / Terminator: Dark Fate by Leo Leibelman.
“My name is Sarah Connor. When I was about her age… a Terminator was sent to kill me to stop the birth of my son, John. Leader of the Resistance.” – Sarah Connor
The Marathon (1919)
Director: Alfred J. Goulding
Screenplay: H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Bud Jamison.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
A rich young woman has her pick of possible suitors. Her stern father, a retired heavyweight boxer, oversees her choices. When a slick potential boyfriend butters up to her daddy, he becomes the father’s choice. Harold, another suitor, is willing to fight for his chance to date the young lady.
Put up your dukes and may the funniest man win!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The mirror gag appears in this film. Harold and his brother Gaylord (who also plays the Chief of Police) pull off the famous routine. It’s interesting to note, that Charlie Chaplin was the first to do the mirror comedy skit on film in Floorwalker (1916). But it was Duck Soup starring The Marx Brothers that made the routine famous.
Bud Jamison, co-star of dozens of Three Stooges shorts, appears uncredited as The Rich Girl’s Father. Jamison was just six years older than Bebe Daniels, the actress who played his daughter.
The Marathon (1919) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Bumping Into Broadway (1919)
Director: Hal Roach
Screenplay: Hal Roach, Harold Lloyd; titles by H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard.
Tagline: Two thousand feet of girls and giggles with a kick like moonshine.
The Plot…
A “girl” dreams of being an actress. The “boy” in the room next door dreams of being a playwright. Neither have found success. When the boy learns that the girl is going to be evicted for not paying her rent, he gives her the last of his money. All he has to do now is avoid his tough landlady and her big bouncer until he can raise the cash for his rent.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bumping into Broadway is the final film made/released before the accident that cost Harold Lloyd is right thumb and forefinger. During a photo shoot a prop bomb exploded causing Lloyd’s injury. In his future films Lloyd wore a glove or keep his right hand hidden.
Bumping into Broadway is the first two-reel film that featured Lloyd’s “glasses” character.
Bumping Into Broadway (1919) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Luiz Tavares presents Sly Stallone as Cobra, The Long Arm of the Law!
“I don’t deal with psychos. I put ’em away.” – Marion Cobretti
A Night in the Show (1915)
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin
Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Charlotte Mineau, Dee Lampton, Edna Purviance, Leo White and
Tagline: Uproariously Funny Charley Chaplin As a Dude and a Bum A Double Portion of Comedy
The Plot…
A Night in the Show follows two theater-goers: Mr. Pest and Mr. Rowdy (both played by Charlie Chaplin). Mr. Pest is well-dressed man who has a great seat right up front. Pest is rudely oblivious to all around him. Mr. Rowdy watches from a cheap balcony seat. Rowdy has had too much too drink and disrupts in his own way.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Chaplin adapted A Night in the Show from one of his stage plays.
Bud Jamison who appeared in nearly 40 Three Stooges shorts appears uncredited in the balcony.
A Night in the Show (1915) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Captain Kidd’s Kids (1919)
Director: Hal Roach
Screenplay: H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, “Snub” Pollard
Tagline: THERE ARE BARRELS OF LAUGHTER TO BACK UP THE SPECIAL $100,000 HAROLD LLOYD TWO REEL COMEDY “CAPTAIN KIDD’S KIDS
The Plot…
A wealthy young man discovers that his fiancé ‘s mother is taking her on a cruise so that she cannot marry. The young man boards a ship and heads off to catch up with his bride-to-be. As the ship sails, the young man dreams… he’s on an all woman pirate ship…
… and they want to hang him!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Harold Lloyd and Bebe Daniels made nearly 100 short films together. This was their last together.
Captain Kidd’s Kids (1919) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Doug LaRoca calls his poster Rocky Steps. If it would look good hanging on your wall, you’re in luck. It’s available as a limited edition print.
The Dead Zone (1983)
Director: David Cronenberg
Screenplay: Jeffrey Boam; based on THE DEAD ZONE by Stephen King
Stars: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom, Anthony Zerbe, Colleen Dewhurst and Martin Sheen.
Tagline: In his mind, he has the power to see the future. In his hands, he has the power to change it.
The Plot…
Everything is going great for Johnny. He’s got a job teaching at a local school. He’s in love with Sarah, a teacher at the same school and she’s in love with him. Soon they will be married.
After a date with Sarah, as Johnny is driving home, a freak auto accident occurs. Johnny survives, but is left in a coma. When Johnny wakes up…
… FIVE YEARS HAVE PASSED.
Johnny has lost more than time. He learns Sarah is married and has a child. The wreck left him with a limp. His full physical recovery will take time. Yes, Johnny lost a lot. But he also gained a power. When Johnny makes physical contact with a person, he sometimes sees glimpses of their future.
Rumors spread about the man who cheated death who can now see the future. Some people are doubtful. Others think Johnny has been granted evil powers. Still others want Johnny to see their future so they can gain from the insight.
Sheriff Bannerman is skeptical, but has nothing to lose. A serial killer continues to kill and leaves no clues. Johnny reluctantly agrees to assist Bannerman. Along the way, Johnny discovers something even more deadly than a sadistic killer.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
When Johnny first discovers his new power, he sees a child trapped in a burning room. As Johnny witnesses this vision, sweat breaks out all over his face. The “sweat” is actually a flame retardant put on Christopher Walken to protect him from the flames. It turned out to be a happy accident since it created a cool effect that wasn’t intentional.
THE DEAD ZONE was the first Stephen King novel to reach #1 on the best selling hardcover list.
Christopher Walken was an excellent choice to play Johnny.
Martin Sheen plays Greg Stillson, a shyster politician running for President. Sixteen years later, Sheen began playing President Josiah Bartlet on the West Wing.
The Dead Zone is my favorite film directed by David Cronenberg.
The Dead Zone (1983) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Rope is perhaps Alfred Hitchcock’s most under-rated film. It’s one I love and enjoy revisiting. Sahin Düzgün has created a very cool alt poster tribute to the movie.
Here is what Sahin had to say about his design: A visual exploration of Hitchcock’s classic psychological thriller.
Brandon: Nobody commits a murder just for the experiment of committing it. Nobody except us.
Assistant Wives (1927)
Director: James Parrott
Screenplay: H.M. Walker
Stars: Charley Chase, Edna Marion, Anita Garvin.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Charley and his bride are just getting by. Charley needs a raise and figures if he can buddy-up to his boss, it will come. He invites his boss to dinner. Because of a misunderstanding, the boss thinks a waitress at the diner across the street is Charley’s wife.
Charley figures this could work to his advantage. Since the boss likes the waitress, Charley offers her a payday if she acts as his wife over dinner. Things go sideways when Charley’s wife and the waitress’ boyfriend see Charley and the waitress getting chummy.
Dinner is served!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor. Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.
Assistant Wives was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.
Assistant Wives (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Trap House (2025)
Director: Michael Dowse
Screenplay: Gary Scott Thompson, Tom O’Connor; story by Gary Scott Thompson.
Stars: Dave Bautista, Jack Champion, Sophia Lillis, Tony Dalton, Whitney Peak, Inde Navarrette, Zaire Adams, Kate del Castillo and Bobby Cannavale.
Tagline: This isn’t a raid, it’s a reckoning.
The Plot…
Ray Seale is a DEA Agent. On one of his drug house raids, they encountered heavy resistance. One of his agents was killed. Ray’s son, Cody, attended high school with the killed agent’s son. Cody was upset that his friend’s family would now face financial hardship and the DEA wasn’t doing anything to help.
When Ray takes Cody to an active crime scene, Cody gets an idea. He and his high school friends will use DEA info and equipment to rip off cartel drug houses. They will give the drug money they steal to his friend’s family.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I like Dave Bautista and Bobby Cannavale. Bautista and director, Michael Douse worked together on Stuber, which I rated 3 of 5 stars. Unfortunately Trap House fell short. I tapped out early on.
Bautista takes his son to an active crime scene and let’s him walk around? The high school kids are smarter than the DEA agents? They are easily able to get DEA equipment? Without any experience they are able to take down cartel houses? Yeah, no.
As always, your mileage may differ.
Trap House (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.
