Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I Play Rocky starring Anthony Ippolito – The Trailer is Here! It is a winner. If the film is as good as the trailer we are in for an amazing film.
His whole life was a million-to-one shot.
I Play Rocky, based on the incredible true story, starring Anthony Ippolito – only in theaters this November.
Reggy The Marker Artist. presents Thunderlips vs Rocky Balboa!!
“To all my love slaves out there: Thunderlips is here. In the flesh, baby. The ultimate male versus… the ultimate meatball. Ha, ha, ha.” – Thunderlips
A Day’s Pleasure (1919)
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin
Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Jackie Coogan.
Tagline: “A DAY’S PLEASURE”. You’ll say so!
The Plot…
Charlie just wants to take his family out for a day’s pleasure. And he will if…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Way back in 1919, Charlie Chaplin does the “leaning” move that Michael Jackson would make famous in his Smooth Criminal video.
A Day’s Pleasure (1919) rates 4 of 5 stars.
When I saw the poster for Mayday, I had negative feelings. I’m not a big Ryan Reynolds fan. I initially thought he and Kenneth Branagh were making snow angels. Ah, another dumb buddy comedy.
I think I was wrong.
Yeah, Mayday is a comedy… but it is an action comedy. The trailer makes it look like the right mix of action and comedy. Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh (who I didn’t recognize) look to have good chemistry. And Branagh makes for a tough guy! (Who’d have thought that?) Oh, and in the poster, they’re not making snow angels, they are sliding down a mountain!
Deal me in!
Kenneth Branagh’s steely eyes alone could’ve ended the Cold War.
Mayday on @AppleTV.
Here are the poster and trailer for The Whisper Man starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan and Adam Scott.
Deal me in.
The deadliest killers can’t be silenced.
Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Alex North. When his eight-year-old son is abducted, a widowed crime writer looks to his estranged father, a retired former police detective, for help, only to discover a connection with the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as “The Whisper Man.”
The final trailer for The Dog Stars directed by Ridley Scott; starring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce is here.
Deal me in.
The world that was doesn’t exist. THE DOG STARS, a Ridley Scott film, starring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley, arrives in theaters and IMAX August 28.
Based on Peter Heller’s captivating bestseller, “The Dog Stars” features a critically acclaimed ensemble, including Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce.
The screenplay is by Mark L. Smith, based upon the novel by Peter Heller, and the producers are Ridley Scott, p.g.a., Michael Pruss, p.g.a., Mark L. Smith, and Cliff Roberts, p.g.a., with Lily Brooks-Dalton, Brandon Scott Smith, Peter Heller, Aidan Elliott serving as executive producers.
The film tells the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley (Josh Brolin), has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world. But when Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, he ventures into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exist.
An Eastern Westerner (1920)
Director: Hal Roach
Screenplay: Frank Terry, H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Noah Young.
Tagline: A Riot of Rollicking Fun!
The Plot…
Harold is the son of wealthy parents. Harold parties all night and sleeps during the day. In an effort to toughen up his son, Harold is sent to his Uncle’s ranch out west. Harold arrives in the frontier town of Piute Pass.
Almost immediately Harold becomes smitten with a beautiful woman. The girl, along with her father are seeking work from Tiger Lip Tompkins. He’s the hardcase that runs the town. When the girl refuses Tiger Lip’s advances, he kidnaps her father.
Meanwhile Harold is literally dealing with cardsharps, roughnecks and gunslingers. When Harold learns of the girl’s problem, he decides to win her over, by saving her dad.
Mount up!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Harold Lloyd made this film after an accident that cost him his right thumb and index finger. For the rest of his career Lloyd wore a flesh-colored prosthetic glove. Despite the loss of fingers, Lloyd was able to continue his acrobatic stunts.
This film is made in 1920, but it’s obvious that Cowboy movies had already established many of the troupes we expect to see: evil gunslinger who runs the town, damsel in distress, saloon card games and card sharks, barroom brawls, etc.
One of the John Wick 2 posters pays homage to the poster for An Eastern Westerner.
An Eastern Westerner (1920) rates 5 of 5 stars.
The Immigrant (1917)
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Bryan, Maverick Terrell
Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Charlie, The Little Tramp, is on a freighter to America. On the journey Charlie sees a young woman traveling with her mother. He’s attacted to her. She seems interested in him. Perhaps a new life together in America is in their future.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
In The Immigrant Chaplin creates a nice mix of humor and romance. Highlights include the Little Tramp in a card game with roughnecks, Charlie helping the woman and her mother by secretly slipping money into her belongings but being caught with his hand in her stuff and then accused of attempting to steal, plus an extended bit coming up short of cash in a restaurant.
Because The Immigrant wasn’t properly copyrighted, many inferior copies are out there. Be aware!
The Immigrant (1917) rates 4 of 5 stars.
One of my favorite scenes from any of the Rambo movies is the stick fight scene in Rambo III. It’s hard to find many photos from it. Above is a rare shot from the scene. Click on the image for a arena-sized version.
Massacre Mafia Style (1974)
Director: Duke Mitchell
Screenplay: Duke Mitchell
Stars: Duke Mitchell, Vic Caesar, Lorenzo Dodo, Peter Milo, Louis Zito, Cara Salerno, Jimmy Williams and George ‘Buck’ Flower.
Tagline: You’re IN… or… you’re IN THE WAY!
The Plot…
Mimi Miceli’s father known as The Padrone, was once a powerful and respected mafia crime boss. That was before The Padrone was tried, convicted and deported. Mimi tried to live a good life. But when Mimi’s wife unexpectantly dies something in him snaps.
Mimi decides to get back into “the life”. He heads to LA where he reconnects with his old time crime partner Jolly Rizzo. Together Mimi and Jolly plan a move to take over west coast organized crime. Step one: kidnap west coast Godfather Chucky Tripoli.
After that it’s top of the world, ma!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Duke Mitchell co-produced, wrote, directed and starred in Massacre Mafia Style. Before this, Mitchell was best known as the cartoon singing voice of Fred Flinstone or one half of the Mitchell / Petrillo nightclub act. Mitchell and Petrillo were a knockoff of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Mitchell sang and Petrillo acted goofy. Mitchell and Petrillo appeared with Bela Lugosi in the low-budget Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla.
Mitchell went on to have a solo nightclub career. Mitchell often crossed paths with many celebrities including Frank Sinatra. Mitchell would use money he saved from singing in an attempt to make low-budget movies. Most were never completed or released. Massacre Mafia Style was the exception.
Duke Mitchell died in 1981. In 2011, a work print of Mitchell’s next film Gone with the Pope, was discovered. It was restored and released on dvd by Grindhouse Releasing. Grindhouse Releasing was co-founded by Academy Award winner Bob Murawski and Sage Stallone (Sylvester Stallone’s son). Grindhouse Releasing also remastered and released Massacre Mafia Style in 2011.
Massacre Mafia Style was released under the following titles: The Executioner, Massacre Mafia Style and Like Father, Like Son. Mitchell preferred Massacre Mafia Style.
Frank Sinatra reportedly responded to Mitchell’s request to appear in his film by saying, “Duke, I love you, but I get real money to make real films.”
Massacre Mafia Style (1974) rates 2 of 5 stars.
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.
