Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Paul Mann created this amazing First Blood poster. If you’ve never visited Mr. Mann’s website (or his Instagram page) you owe it to yourself to check out all of his beautiful art. Plan to spend some time. It will be time well spent.
Netflix comes up with interesting documentaries and Blood Brothers looks to be another good one. Deal me in.
Blood Brothers tells the extraordinary and ultimately tragic story of the friendship between two of the most iconic figures of the 20th century: Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all time, and Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam’s – and black America’s – most incendiary and charismatic leader.
This was the unlikeliest of friendships – the brash Olympic Champion who spoke in verse to the amusement of the white press and the ex-con intellectual-turned-revolutionary who railed against the evils of white oppression and dismissed sports as a triviality. But their bond was deep, their friendship real.
I like the poster (dig that shadow) and trailer for Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster. Deal me in!
Beginning just before his debut as Frankenstein’s creation, BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER compellingly explores the life and legacy of a cinema legend, presenting a perceptive history of the genre he personified. His films were long derided as hokum and attacked by censors. But his phenomenal popularity and pervasive influence endures, inspiring some of our greatest actors and directors into the 21st Century – among them Guillermo Del Toro, Ron Perlman, Roger Corman & John Landis all of whom and many more contribute their personal insights and anecdotes.
Yesterday we ranked every Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie, today we’ll rank Sly Stallone’s prison movies. The idea came from Ryan Simon’s Every Sylvester Stallone Prison Movie Ranked From Worst To Best at ScreenRant. I imagine there are a couple of surprises in my rankings…
|
Simon |
Zablo |
8. Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018) |
8. Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018): I agree with Sly’s assessment. |
7. Escape Plan: The Extractors (2019) |
7. Escape Plan: The Extractors (2019): Sly & Bautista had chemistry and don’t that Stallone fight scene. |
6. Lock Up (1989) |
6. Demolition Man (1993): I like Demolition Man, but wish it had the same tone throughout as the opening helicopter scene. |
5. Judge Dredd (1995) |
5. Escape Plan (2013): I almost put this in the 4th spot. Sly & Arnold! |
4. Escape Plan (2013) |
4. Judge Dredd (1995): I wish they’d left out Rob Schnieder and played it straight. Armand Assante from Paradise Alley! |
3. Victory (1981) |
3. Tango & Cash (1989): Sly & Kurt Rusell in a fun action film! |
2. Tango & Cash (1989) |
2. Victory (1981): Not flashy, but directed by John Huston and co-starring Michael Caine! Also under-rated. |
1. Demolition Man (1993) |
1. Lock Up (1989): is under-rated in my book! |
I like the looks of The Survivalist. Deal me in!
A year and a half after the fall of civilization due to a viral outbreak, a former FBI agent is forced to protect a young woman immune to the disease from a dangerous gang leader hunting her.
Cast: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, John Malkovich, Jenna Leigh Green
Available in THEATERS, on DIGITAL and ON DEMAND, October 1st
Kyle Wilson at ScreenRant posted Every Arnold Schwarzenegger Action Movie Ranked From Worst To Best. I love lists and decided to play along. Here’s how things shook out:
|
Wilson |
Zablo |
28. Batman And Robin (1997) |
28. Conan The Destroyer (1984): I couldn’t believe the drop in quality from Conan to Conan the Destroyer. |
27. Red Sonja (1985) |
27. Red Sonja (1985): Sometimes it is better to say nothing. |
26. The Expendables 3 (2014) |
26. End Of Days (1999): I don’t remember much about End of Days other than not liking it. |
25. The Expendables (2010) |
25. The 6th Day (2000): See above. |
24. The Expendables 2 (2012) |
24. Batman And Robin (1997) was an all around over-the-top mess. |
23. Collateral Damage (2002) |
23. Collateral Damage (2002): I don’t remember much about this at all and that’s never good. |
22. The 6th Day (2000) |
22. The Running Man (1987): This just didn’t work for me on any level – it wasn’t funny and it wasn’t scary. |
21. Terminator Genisys (2015) |
21. Kindergarten Cop (1990): I thought it was just okay. |
20. Raw Deal (1986) |
20. Raw Deal (1986): I want to revisit Raw Deal. I thought it was okay with the potential to be better. I want to see how it has aged. |
19. Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003) |
19. Terminator Genisys (2015): Another okay film. |
18. Conan The Destroyer (1984) |
18. Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003): See above. |
17. Eraser (1996) |
17. Red Heat (1987): Like Raw Deal, this had potential. I need to revisit it. |
16. End Of Days (1999) |
16. The Last Stand (2013): was better than I thought it would be. |
15. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) |
15. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019): While not on the level of the first two Terminator movies, it is better than those that followed. |
14. Escape Plan (2013) |
14. Last Action Hero (1993): I liked this film! |
13. Red Heat (1987) |
13. Total Recall (1990): Another Arnold classic! |
12. Sabotage (2014) |
12. Escape Plan (2013): I liked it and was surprised at how well received it was by fans and critics. |
11. Last Action Hero (1993) |
11. The Expendables 3 (2014): Sly and Arnold IV (see above for III). |
10. The Last Stand (2013) |
10. The Expendables 2 (2012): Sly & Arnold II. |
9. Kindergarten Cop (1990) |
9. The Expendables (2010): Finally Sly and Arnold together in a movie! |
8. Conan The Barbarian (1982) |
8. Conan The Barbarian (1982): I am a big fan of this movie. I would love to see King Conan with the right script and director. |
7. True Lies (1994) |
7. Eraser (1996): I liked this better than most folks. I need to revisit it. |
6. Commando (1985) |
6. Sabotage (2014): Nice change of pace for Arnold. I’m a huge fan. |
5. The Running Man (1987) |
5. True Lies (1994): I wish we had sequels to this one. |
4. Predator (1987) |
4. Commando (1985): A great mix of action and humor! |
3. The Terminator (1984) |
3. The Terminator (1984): A classic! |
2. Total Recall (1990) |
2. Predator (1987): A classic. Too bad we never got a sequel with Dutch! |
1. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) |
1. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991): IMHO, Arnold’s greatest film! |
What we have today is an excerpt from the unsold and unaired pilot for The Orson Welles Show. The show was planned for a 90 minute time slot and would feature Orson Welles interviewing/interacting with guest celebrities. While Mr. Welles was a fantastic director and actor, I’m not sure his strong suit would also include interviewing others. I also find it somewhat funny that both Burt Reynold and Orson Welles appear to be wearing the same outfit.
Matthew Jackson, at Mental Floss, came up with some really great trivia items in his 18 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Goldfinger. Before you click over here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each…
THERE ARE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE BOOK VERSION OF GOLDFINGER AND THE MOVIE. (In the novel Goldfinger plans to steal all the gold from Fort Knox. In the movie he plans to set off a dirty bomb in Fort Knox making the gold there unusable. The movie version is a cleverer idea and aligns more with what a Bond villain would do. – Craig)
GOLDFINGER ESTABLISHED MANY JAMES BOND FIRSTS. (There are things we expect to see in every Bond film and Goldfinger established many of them: a cold open with Bond on an unrelated mission; an opening theme performed by a popular recording artist; and established the relationship between Bond and Q. – Craig)
GOLDFINGER’S FAMOUS LASER BEAM SCENE CAUSED A HEADACHE FOR THE VISUAL EFFECTS TEAM. (This is perhaps the most iconic scene between Bond and a villain and it is interesting to read how the scene was created and why the sweat we see on Connery’s face is real as the laser beam inches towards his crotch. – Craig)
I love that Deadline recognized Sly Stallone for having a number #1 film at the box office for six decades straight! Mindboggling, isn’t. And there is more to come. Click on the photo above to see a bigger scan.
Here’s Sly’s response posted on his official instagram:
Thank you for making me feel like I’m on top of the world. It’s been a great career thanks to all of you! Keep punching, sly. Thank you @jamesgunn
It wasn’t until I watched about half of the first trailer below that I thought, “Yeah, this is going to be one for me.” I like both the trailers and the poster for Small Engine Repair. Deal me in.
Frank (John Pollono), Swaino (Jon Bernthal) and Packie (Shea Whigham) are lifelong friends who share a love of the Red Sox, rowdy bars and Frank’s teenaged daughter Crystal (Ciara Bravo). But when Frank invites his pals to a whiskey-fueled evening and asks them to do a favor on behalf of the brash young woman they all adore, events spin wildly out of control. Based on Pollono’s award-winning play, Small Engine Repair is a pitch-black comedic drama with a wicked twist, and a powerful exploration of brotherhood, class struggle and toxic masculinity.
Directed by John Pollono
Starring: Jon Bernthal, Shea Whigham, Jordana Spiro, John Pollono
In theaters 9/10/21.
I know Selma Blair from the Fog and Hellboy movies. I know she has been in many other films, but I didn’t see them. Until I saw the trailer for Introducing, Selma Blair, I had no idea she was dealing with Multiple Sclerosis. Ms. Blair appears to be a tenacious fighter with a sense of humor. I have a feeling I’ll be adding another movie to the list of Selma Blair films I’ve seen.
Director Rachel Fleit’s deeply intimate and powerful feature of one woman’s journey of personal acceptance and resilience, Introducing, Selma Blair, follows the singular actress as she reckons with the next chapter of her life after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The film explores complex issues ranging from dissecting deep-rooted myths about beauty, and the collective fear around disability and mortality. Complete with her trademark wit and humor, the film follows Blair as she reconciles a journey of monumental transition.
In theaters October 15 and streaming October 21 on discovery+.
George Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead is one of my all-time favorite horror movies. It spawned several Romero directed sequels as well as reboots and remakes with some being very good and some not. I’ll leave it to you to decide where Night of the Animated Dead will fall. I do wish the animation was more realistic.
Revisit George A. Romero’s 1968 horror classic in an altogether unprecedented presentation as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Night of the Animated Dead, a new, star-studded animated recreation of the thriller coming September 21, 2021 to Digital and October 5, 2021 to Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD.
In Night of the Animated Dead, siblings Barbara and Johnny visit their father’s grave in a remote cemetery in Pennsylvania when they are suddenly set upon by zombies. Barbara flees and takes refuge in an abandoned farmhouse along with stranded motorist Ben and four local survivors found hiding in the cellar. Together, the group must fight to stay alive against the oncoming horde of zombies while also confronting their own fears and prejudices.
Night of the Animated Dead features the voice talents of Josh Duhamel (Jupiter’s Legacy, Transformers) as Harry Cooper, Dulé Hill (The West Wing, Psych) as Ben, Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps) as Barbara, James Roday Rodriguez (A Million Little Things, Psych) as Tom, Katee Sackhoff (The Mandalorian, Battlestar Galactica) as Judy, Will Sasso (MadTV) as Sheriff McClelland, Jimmi Simpson (Westworld) as Johnny and Nancy Travis (Last Man Standing) as Helen Cooper.
Executive Producers are Richard Potter (Diciembres), Thomas DeFeo (The Seventh Day) and Jamie Elliott (Fighting with My Family). Producers are Ralph E. Portillo, p.g.a. (Buddy Games), Robert Feldman, p.g.a. (Dr. Shroud) and Kevin Kasha (I Spit on Your Grave). Animation services were provided by Demente Animation Studio. The original Night of the Living Dead was written by George A. Romero (Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead) and John Russo (The Majorettes, Santa Claws). Night of the Animated Dead was produced by Michael J. Luisi, p.g.a. (The Call, Oculus) and directed by Jason Axinn (To Your Last Death).
The trailer for Prisoners of the Ghostland is so over the top that it demands that you see more. I know I want to. The fact that Sofia Boutella co-stars is another reason to tune in. Could this be Nicolas Cage’s comeback?
Starring Nicolas Cage, Sofia Boutella, Bill Mosley, Nick Cassavetes, Tak Sakaaguchi
Directed by Sion SotoIn the treacherous frontier city of Samurai Town, a ruthless bank robber is sprung from jail by a wealthy warlord, The Governor, whose adopted granddaughter has run away. Strapped into a leather suit that will self-destruct within five days if he doesn’t find the missing girl, the bandit sets off on a journey to find the young woman — and his own path to redemption.
Patricia (Pat) Hitchcock, an actress, producer and writer, died on August 9th at the age of 93. Pat Hitchcock was the only child of director Alfred Hitchcock.
Her very first role was an uncredited part in her father’s 1936 film Sabotage. As a teenager Pat Hitchcock performed on stage in summer stock productions. When she graduated high school Pat Hitchcock attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed on stage.
Before deciding to marry and raise a family, Pat Hitchcock appeared in three films. The two most famous were Stage Fright and Strangers on a Train, both directed by her father. In 1956, Mrs. Hitchcock had an uncredited role in The 10 Commandments. In 1960, she appeared in one of her father’s most famous films, Psycho. Pat Hitchcock also appeared in ten episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Pat Hitchcock also worked on Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.
Alfred Hitchcock was the first director I knew by name. As a child I loved watching his movies and looking for his cameos. When I was older I learned that his daughter appeared in some of his films and his television series and I enjoyed looking for her appearances.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and fans.
Drew Struzan, one of the legends of movie poster art, was recently interviewed by Erik Sharkey for /Film.com. The interview is well worth a read. If you click over you’ll find out about Drew Stuzan’s…
Before you click over, I want to highlight this exchange about Drew Struzan’s First Blood poster:
Erik Sharkey: I always thought your artwork for the movie First Blood was a powerful poster of a single figure.
Drew Struzan: Well, thank you. It’s a guy with a big gun, and the first thing we know is that he was in a war of some kind, but I want the image to be beautiful. I want it to be kind. I want it to be loving. Big tough guy with a big gun and bullets, how does that relate to what I’m saying? What’s the color in it? It’s basically a blue picture. And blue is the most comforting and loving color you can paint. Does it not look peaceful? I could have painted blood dripping from them, which a lot of movie posters have done, but that’s not what I paint. I want to make the world a better and more beautiful, peaceful, and kind place. So, you’ll see that in every picture I paint.
