Army of the Dead: A Film by Zach Snyder: The Making of the Film is the official companion to Zack Snyder’s latest zombie film.
From the director of Dawn of the Dead, Watchmen, and Man of Steel, comes Army of the Dead, Zack Snyder’s eagerly awaited return to the zombie scene, starring Dave Bautista. Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.
Army of the Dead: A Film By Zach Snyder: The Making of the Film takes readers behind the scenes of this much-anticipated film and reveals the locations, characters, and zombies. The book is full to the brim with exclusive on-set photography, costume designs, storyboards by Zack Snyder, and more, and accompanied by cast and crew interviews.
Screenplay: Zack Snyder & Shay Hatten and Joby Harold.
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera, Omari Hardwick, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Tig Notaro, Raúl Castillo, Huma Qureshi and Richard Cetrone.
Tagline: Always Bet on Dead.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Las Vegas has been overrun by zombies. The President has ordered the city walled off and set for nuclear destruction in 48 hours. The clock is ticking…
Scott Ward is ex-military. Most of his team survived the zombie outbreak in Vegas when they were sent in to save high ranking government officials. Ward was given a medal for his efforts. Now he flips burgers in a diner. So when super-rich Bly Tanaka offers Ward $50 million to put together a team to enter the city and get $200 million from Bly’s casino vault, Ward accepts the offer.
Ward brings together his crew: former members of his military squad plus a helicopter pilot to fly them out, an adrenaline junkie, a safe cracker and a “coyote” who knows how to get into the city. Odds are they will all die, but the team agrees the risk is worth the reward.
Tanaka provides them with schematics of the safe, weapons and his security captain who will go along to make sure that they don’t run off with all the cash should they survive.
As the team moves into the city they learn that not all zombies are created equal. Some are fast moving, with the ability to think and communicate with the other zombies. There is almost a hive mentality about them.
Not everyone on Ward’s team has the same outcome in mind. There are plot twists and betrayals. Friendships form, relationships are tested and most will not survive.
Thoughts…
I love Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. The action starts immediately. The opening scenes hint at how the zombie apocalypse started and how deadly the zombies are. Snyder uses the credits to creatively show the fall of Vegas. This is definitely a Zack Snyder movie — if you’re not a fan of his work, you probably won’t like this. If you are a fan, then there’s a lot to love.
The cast is excellent. Because there are so many characters, each with a unique personality, it is important to get the right actors for each role. Several standout: Bautista, Purnell, Hardwick & Schweighöfer, Rossi, Dillahunt and Notaro shine.
Snyder isn’t just making a movie, he’s creating a universe. There are two Army of the Dead prequels in development (one animated!) and there is the possibility of a sequel. Snyder doesn’t give us all the answers — instead he provides us with enough information to fill in the blanks. There are nods to other movies (Aliens, Planet of the Apes, etc.). The soundtrack is excellent.
If you’re just looking for a fun ride, Army of the Dead provides one. However, if you like to look deeper into the film. there’s a lot there to discuss. Were those UFOs in the opening credits? What about the robot zombie? What was it doing there? Where did it come from? (And the exposition of the robot is so subtle, I missed it on the first viewing.) How did the first zombie get created? And THAT ending!!
Tig Notaro replaced Chris D’Elia when allegations of D’Elia’s sexual misconduct surfaced. Notaro was digitally inserted into many scenes. Although she often shares the screen with Bautista, they two never actually met.
Kacie Lillejord, at ScreenRant created her list of the 10 Best Underrated Sylvester Stallone Characters. I love lists, so I decided to play along. Using just Lillejord’s choices, I ranked the same characters. (Please note that the higher on the list, the more underrated.) Afterwards I mention four Stallone characters that didn’t make her list, but would have made mine.
10/10 Sergeant Joseph “Joe” Bomowski from Stop or My Mom Will Shoot
10/10 Sheriff Freddy Heflin from Cop Land
9/10 Sergeant Deke DaSilva from Nighthawks
09/10 Sergeant Deke DaSilva from Nighthawks
8/10 Judge Joseph Dredd from Judge Dredd
08/10 Gabriel “Gabe” Walker from Cliffhanger
7/10 Frank The Repairman from Las Vegas
07/10 Lieutenant Marion Cobretti from Cobra
6/10 Sheriff Freddy Heflin from Cop Land
06/10 Frank The Repairman from Las Vegas
5/10 Gabriel “Gabe” Walker from Cliffhanger
05/10 Lincoln Hawk from Over the Top
4/10 Lieutenant Marion Cobretti from Cobra
04/10 Ray Tango from Tango & Cash
3/10 Sergeant John Spartan from Demolition Man
03/10 Sergeant John Spartan from Demolition Man
2/10 Ray Tango from Tango & Cash
02/10 Judge Joseph Dredd from Judge Dredd
1/10 Lincoln Hawk from Over the Top
01/10 Sergeant Joseph “Joe” Bomowski from Stop or My Mom Will Shoot
Characters that didn’t make Lillejord’s list that would have made mine:
Jack Carter from Get Carter: Jack Carter has so much potential plus Sly had scenes that showcased some of his best acting.
Cosmo Carboni from Paradise Alley: Wise-cracking and cynical but with a kind heart.
Robert Rath from Assassins: Sly played an intelligent assassin who wanted out. This character had a lot of potential.
Jimmy “Bobo” Bonomo from Bullet to the Head: Sly played an assassin who came up from the streets and wasn’t ready for the “modern” world. I liked the character and would have liked to have seen more.
If you like Seinfeld and you like trivia, do I have a post for you! Jennifer M. Wood at Mental Floss posted 41 Facts About Seinfeld. Before you click over, here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each…
JASON ALEXANDER DIDN’T THINK SEINFELD HAD A CHANCE. (Isn’t that exactly what George would have thought as well? – Craig)
THE REAL SOUP NAZI SAYS SEINFELD RUINED HIS LIFE. (I never met the real Soup Nazi, but I did see the guy who played him signing at a comic convention. Interestingly enough, he didn’t appear to like having his photo taken (perhaps because he was selling autographed ones). What happened next is kind of funny. – Craig)
“THE CONTEST” WAS INSPIRED BY A REAL-LIFE CONTEST LARRY DAVID HAD WITH A FRIEND. (So, the funniest episode of the series was based on a real-life contest. I feel pretty confident my buddy, who I won’t name to protect the guilty, would lose, uh, hands-down, to ANYONE in that type of contest, – Craig)
Everything about Narco Sub screams “drive-in” movie.
Let’s start with the title, Narco Sub. Definitely let’s you know the type of movie you’re in for.
The trailer even has the old style voice over narration. The story — a good, family man forced to go alone against a cartel to save his family. Stars — no “A-List” but a few known “B” list and “Introducing” the new action hero. Ah, a did you catch Lee Majors in the trailer? No? Guess who is listed first on the movie poster?
With that said, Narco Sub might still be a worthy movie. Some drive-in movies are. I guess we’ll have to watch it to see. Who’s with me?
If No Sudden Move is as good a movie as the teaser looks, then we are in for a masterpiece. Steven Soderbergh directs Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, David Harbour, Ray Liotta, Jon Hamm, and Brendan Fraser! No Sudden Move just moved to the front of the must-see class when it premieres on HBOMax, July 1st.
An all-star cast. A not-so-perfect heist. From Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh, #NoSuddenMove premieres at the #TribecaFestival on June 18. Streaming on HBO Max July 1.
When we talk tv shows on the message board, 24 continues to be one of the most popular. And for good reason. The series ran for nine seasons, with 204 episodes and earned the 2004 Golden Globe for Best Drama Series and the award for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Scott Beggs at Mental Floss must be a fan as well. He recently posted 25 Surprising Facts About 24. Before you click over, here are three of my favorites with my thoughts on each…
24‘S PRODUCERS ALMOST SCRAPPED THE REAL-TIME FORMAT AFTER SEASON 1. (I’m glad that Keifer Sutherland lobbied to keep the real-time format. It not only made sure that tension was ever-present but it made the show unique. – Craig)
THERE’S A NOD TO STAND BY ME IN 24. Milo Pressman is a character in Stand By Me who owns a junkyard (and a mean junkyard dog). Milo Pressman is also a character in 24. (I did not know this. I love little Easter Eggs in movies and shows. – Craig)
Charles Grodin, the multitalented actor and author, died today at the age of 86 from bone cancer. Mr. Grodin, whose acting career spanned over 60 years worked in feature films, television and on Broadway.
His first role was an uncredited part in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He then transitioned to television making guest appearances until his role in the feature film Rosemary’s Baby. For the rest of his career Charles Grodin alternated between feature films, television movies and tv series. Along the way, Mr. Grodin wrote plays, books, hosted his own talk show and was a political commentator for 60 Minutes.
Before researching Charles Grodin’s acting resume, I would have said that the first time I saw him was in Rosemary’s Baby. I would have been wrong. Prior to that film, Mr. Grodin had made appearances on television programs for well over a decade. I must have seen him in The F.B.I., Captain Nice, or The Guns of Will Sonnet first.
My favorite Charles Grodin movie role was in Midnight Run with Robert DeNiro. I’m surprised there never was a sequel since Midnight Run was so well received by critics and fans. Other memorable Charles Grodin movie appearances included roles in King Kong, Heaven Can Wait, Seems Like Old Times, and Beethoven.
Charles Grodin was able to stay active over the length of his acting career (on stage and screen), had the talent to write plays, memoirs, screenplays, an award-winning television special as well as host his own show — all of this is evidence of his many talents.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Charles Grodin’s family, friends and fans.
The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 – the Poster and Trailer are Here! I applaud the poster. Finally, real artwork and not just photoshopped heads of the movie’s stars. The trailer has a good mix of humor with a horror theme plus a little blaxploitation thrown in. Call me crazy, but call me when this movie premieres. I want to see it.
Here’s a cool International poster for Nighthawks starring Sylvester Stallone, Rutger Hauer. and Billy Dee Williams. Lindsay Wagner, Persis Khambatta and Joe Spinell also are featured. Nighthawks was Rutger Hauer’s first US film.
If you haven’t seen Nighthawks you should consider giving it a view, it is more than worth your time. You’ll find Nighthawks was ahead of the curve in regard to terrorism on US soil (I remember some folks saying it would never happen here) and buddy cop movies. Click on the photo to see a bigger version of the poster.
One of my favorite movies (it gets my highest recommendation) is The Big Heat. Released the year I was born (1958), The Big Heat was directed by Fritz Lang and starred Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Jocelyn Brando, Alexander Scourby and Lee Marvin.
I probably watch The Big Heat at least once a year. TCM was showing it the other night. I was checking out Twitter when the drawing above came into view. Yes! Patrick Zircher aka Patch must have been watching! How cool is Patch’s take on Glenn Ford as Dave Bannion? Too cool not to share!
Patch is pretty active on Twitter. His posts are thoughtful and his art is wonderful. Often we get both in a single helping.
Mark Mancini at Mental Floss came up with 13 Facts About Boris Karloff and they’re worth a look. Before you click over, here are my three favorite…
BORIS KARLOFF WAS IN THE ORIGINAL SCARFACE. (When we think of Karloff, we think of horror movies, but he played in all types of movies. It is strange seeing him show up in Scarface though. – Craig)
VAL LEWTON’S HORROR MOVIES WERE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR BORIS KARLOFF. (Karloff loved acting and felt that the roles that Lewton provided allowed his to showcase his talents. I like that Karloff gave credit to Lewton for the opportunities. – Craig)
BORIS KARLOFF POKED FUN AT HIS OWN CAREER IN THE HIT PLAY ARSENIC & OLD LACE. (I love this bit of trivia. Karloff played the role on Broadway, but due to his lack of experience had to be convinced. I’ll let Mark Mancini take it from there —
“You have just murdered a man,” (Producer) Crouse said (to Karloff), setting the scene. “[And] when questioned about it, you say ‘I killed him because he said I looked like Boris Karloff.’” Karloff loved the idea of ribbing himself on stage and took the part.
I love that Boris Karloff had a sense of humor. Can you imagine the audience’s reaction when he said that line? It’s too bad that Boris Karloff was unable to play the role when Arsenic and Old Lace was turned into a feature film (no discredit to Raymond Massey intended).
This rarely seen Bernie Wrightson riff on The Creature from the Black Lagoon is one of my favorite Wrightson and Creature drawings. Thanks to the Estate of Bernie Wrightson for sharing it.
Alan Sepinwall, Maria Fontoura, David Fear and Rob Sheffield at The Rolling Stone took on the monumental task of Ranking the 100 All-Time Best Sitcoms. Ken Levine (who’s written for shows that made the list) explains why creating this ranking is a fool’s errand. While I agree with Ken, I’m fool enough to play along.
Of the top 100 on their list, I’ve seen less than half. 41 to be exact. Since we’re just going to compare their top 10 to mine, that won’t be an issue since I’ve seen all of their top choices regularly except for two. So without further fanfare, here are Rolling Stone’s All-Time Best Sitcoms compared to mine.
Rolling Stone
Craig
10. Larry Sanders Show (HBO, 1992-1998)
10. Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968): Episodes featuring Barney are among the best sitcom episodes ever.
9. Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009-2015)
9. Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS, 1970-1977): was must-see tv.
8. Honeymooners (CBS, 1955-1956)
8. Modern Family (ABC, 2009-2020): Started as a fun watch and then became must-see.
7. Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS, 1970-1977)
7. Frasier (NBC, 1993-2004): I’m one of the folks that prefer Frasier to Cheers.
6. M*A*S*H (CBS, 1972-1983)
6. Big Bang Theory (CBS, 2007-2019): I came to this one late, but then caught up. BBT became must-see for us.
5. All in the Family (CBS, 1971-1979)
5. Sanford and Son (NBC, 1972-1977): S&S is often compared to All in the Family, but I think that S&S holds it’s own against AitF (and is better when comparing the later seasons of each)
4. I Love Lucy (CBS, 1951-1957)
4. Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS, 1996-2005): I didn’t start watching ELR until near the end of the run. It grew on me and I’ve now seen every episode at least once.
3. Seinfeld (NBC, 1989-1998)
3. I Love Lucy (CBS, 1951-1957): Every episode until they move to the country is classic.
2. Cheers (NBC, 1982-1993)
2. Seinfeld (NBC, 1989-1998): was required viewing since everyone discussed the latest episode the day after it aired. Holds up under multiple viewings.
1. Simpsons (Fox, 1989-Present)
1. Honeymooners (CBS, 1955-1956): Simple format, perfectly cast and still funny over half a century later.
I was surprised that Two and a Half Men didn’t make the All-Time Greatest list. The years featuring Charlie Sheen would have made mine. It just didn’t work for me once he was gone. Jon Cryer was still funny but, for me, the magic left with Charlie. (And while we’re on the topic of Jon Cryer — wouldn’t he have made a great Barney Fife??)
Death in Texas hits my sweet spot. The poster ain’t bad, but that trailer pulled me in. Ronnie Gene Blevins, Lara Flynn Boyle, Bruce Dern and Stephen Lang and look to deliver the goods. Deal me in for this crime flick.
Billy Walker is finally let out of prison after serving a seven-year sentence for manslaughter, only to find out that the only person who stuck by him during the entire ordeal, his mother, is now dying of liver failure. After visiting her doctor, Billy learns that he must break a few more laws in order to get his mother to the top of the transplant list in order to save her life.
Starring: Ronnie Gene Blevins, Lara Flynn Boyle, Bruce Dern, Stephen Lang
Director: Scott Windhauser
