Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Dave Dorman has a different times in his career been known as THE artist for Dungeons and Dragons, G.I. Joe, Indiana Jones, Star Wars and more.
Dorman created an amazing cover for The Expendables Go to Hell but nearly 15 years before that I commissioned Mr. Dorman for his take on Rocky Balboa. As you can see, it’s a knockout.
A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
Director: Sergio Leone
Screenplay: Víctor Andrés Catena, Jaime Comas Gil, Sergio Leone, Fernando Di Leo (uncredited), Duccio Tessari (uncredited) Tonino Valerii; written by Adriano Bolzoni, Mark Lowell, Víctor Andrés Catena, Sergio Leone; based on Yojimbo (1961) by Akira Kurosawa, Ryūzō Kikushima
Stars: Clint Eastwood
Tagline: In his own way he is, perhaps, the most dangerous man who ever lived!
The Plot…
When a gunfighter rides into the frontier town of San Miguel, he learns that two crime families are at war. Seeing an opportunity to get rich, the gunslinger decides to play both sides of the street.
It’s a plan that could cost him his life.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
A Fistful of Dollars was seen as overly violent when first released. Critics said The Man with No Name was just another gun thug willing to kill anyone for money. In fact before A Fistful of Dollars was shown on ABC in 1975, a prologue was added. It featured a stand-in for Eastwood, a couple of shots of Eastwood’s eyes and Harry Dean Stanton as a government official. Eastwood’s character is offered a pardon if he goes to San Miguel and cleans up the town. Now instead of a greedy coldblooded killer, Eastwood is a man on a mission for justice. Bah!
Akira Kurosawa sued since A Fistful of Dollars is basically Yojimbo as a western. Leone settled out of court, reportedly for 15% of the worldwide receipts of A Fistful of Dollars. What’s funny is that Yojimbo is an adaption of Dashiell Hammett’s gangster novel RED HARVEST. The lone gunfighter becomes a ronin going against samurai for Yojimbo.
Clint Eastwood was offered the role after it was turned down by Steve Reeves, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Charles Bronson and Richard Harrison. The role was then offered to the star of the television series Rawhide, Eric Fleming. Fleming turned it down, but suggested his Rawhide co-star, Clint Eastwood. The rest is history.
A Fistful of Dollars (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars
Commando (1985)
Director: Mark L. Lester
Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza; story by Joseph Loeb III, Matthew Weisman, Steven E. de Souza
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, James Olson, David Patrick Kelly, Alyssa Milano, Drew Snyder, Michael DeLano,
Bob Minor, Michael Adams, Gary Carlos Cervantes, Chelsea Field, Bill Paxton and Bill Duke
Tagline: Somewhere, somehow, someone’s going to pay.
The Plot…
John Matrix, a retired Special Forces Commando, is the single parent of a young daughter. They live in a remote mountain house. Life is great.
When a military helicopter flies in unannounced, Matrix knows bad news is coming. Matrix’s former commander informs him that every member of his former squad has been executed.
Just then shots ring out.
A team of mercenaries attacks. Matrix puts up a valiant fight, but his daughter is kidnapped. The kidnappers work for Arius, the former dictator of Val Verde. Matrix is told that if he kills Val Verde’s current leader, Matrix’s daughter will be released. If not, she will be killed. Matrix has less than twelve hours to complete his assignment.
The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Commando is a classic 80s action movie. It features over-the-top scenes, a hero who quips as he performs feats of strength and kills countless bad guys without breaking a sweat… all to a cool soundtrack.
Harold Lloyd’s Beverly Hills mansion was used for the final shootout with Arias’ soldiers. If it looks familiar it could be because the mansion was also used in the final shootout in Beverly Hills Cop.
Val Verde is a fictional country, but the name has also appeared in Predator and Die Hard II.
Arnold’s line, “I lied” still makes me smile no matter how many times I’ve seen it delivered.
Commando (1985) rates 4 of 5 stars
Emperor of the North (1973)
Director: Robert Aldrich
Screenplay: Christopher Knopf
Stars: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Keith Carradine, Charles Tyner, Malcolm Atterbury, Simon Oakland, Harry Caesar, Hal Baylor, Matt Clark, Joe Di Reda, Liam Dunn, Robert Foulk, Jim Goodwin, Sid Haig, Karl Lukas and Elisha Cook Jr.
Tagline: You can ride Shack’s train and live you will be Emperor of the North
The Plot…
The Great Depression is in full swing. A sub-culture of hobos travel the country by freight-hopping. That is, they jump on trains without paying and hide in freight cars. These vagabonds would often help themselves to whatever was being transported.
In an effort to keep the drifters off their trains, the railroad companies hired thuggish conductors. These de facto enforcers would throw the hobos off the trains usually after a good beating. If the bums were lucky they lived with just bruises or broken bones.
The meanest and toughest of all railroad conductors was a brute known as Shack. No hobo ever was able to ride the #19. Most didn’t even try. Shack carried a hammer as a matter of course. He also had other tricks he used to maim or kill anyone who dared try to ride his train. His reputation was perfect.
Then A-#1 came along. Word was A-#1 got the best of Shack and rode the #19. Of course no one was sure. Especially since a young drifter, who called himself Cigaret was claiming it wasn’t A-#1 who outsmarted Shack. It was him.
Now A-#1 has put out word that he’s going to ride the #19 all the way to Portland. Shack’s heard. He and his hammer will be waiting.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Emperor of the North was originally titled Emperor of the North Pole. The title was changed because studio execs thought people would think it was a Christmas movie. Emperor of the North Pole was a hobo term explained in the movie.
Some posters for the movie had the tagline “Lee Marvin & Ernest Borgnine meet in the fight of the century”. Their fight lives up to the tagline. It is one of the most brutal movie fights up to that time.
Emperor of the North is underrated.
Emperor of the North (1973) rates 4 of 5 stars
Here’s the poster and trailer for Hollywood Grit starring Max Martini, Tyrese Gibson, Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy. It’ll hit selected theaters on August 22nd.
Deal me in.
When his daughter vanishes from a scandalous Hollywood jazz club, a disgraced detective must battle mobsters, starlets, and his own demons to unearth the sinister truth lurking behind LA’s neon lights.
Starring Max Martini, Tyrese Gibson, Linda Purl, Patrick Duffy, Nikki Howard, Linc Hand, David B. Meadows, Caylee Cowan, and Benito Martinez.
Heads of State (2025)
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Screenplay: Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Harrison Query; story by Harrison Query
Stars: Idris Elba, John Cena, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sarah Niles, Katrina Durden, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Sharlto Copley, Steven Cree and Stephen Root.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
British Prime Minister Sam Clarke and Will Derringer, the newly elected US President, don’t like each other. Unfortunately their disdain becomes obvious during a joint press conference. In order to present solidarity, the two decide to fly together to the NATO summit on Air Force One.
When terrorists attempt to kill Clarke and Derringer, they found themselves forced to trust each other in order to survive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Heads of State was a better film than I was expecting. I attribute much of that to the chemistry between Elba and Cena.
Heads of State (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars
The Fool Killer (1965)
Director: Servando González
Screenplay: Morton S. Fine, David Friedkin; based on THE FOOL KILLER by Helen Eustis
Stars: Anthony Perkins, Edward Albert, Henry Hull, Salome Jens, Dana Elcar, Arnold Moss and Lana Wood.
Tagline: All the secret joys, the sudden terrors of being young and free and far from home
The Plot…
Life after the civil war could be tough. For George Mellish who is twelve years old and an orphan, it is unbearable. George’s foster parents took him so he could help with chores. When George accidentally knocks over the butter churn, his step-father beats him.
That’s the final straw for George. He gathers his few possessions and runs away. When George hears a train approaching, he attempts to board it. He throws his few goods onto a car and attempts to follow them. The train is just too fast. George trips and falls down as the train speeds away.
Now with just the clothes on his back, George continues walking. What lies ahead is an incredible journey that may not end well. George will meet strange characters and possibly the legendary serial murderer known as The Fool Killer.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Edward Albert stars and it is his first credited role. Edward Albert is the son of Eddie Albert. (Funny, but it would seem their names should be switched.)
The Fool Killer feels like a childhood fable. It has a dreamlike quality with strange characters and a unique pace. It’s part boyhood adventure, part mystery and part horror.
The Fool Killer (1965) rates 3 of 5 stars
The poster and trailer for Billy Joel: And So It Goes is here.
Back in the 70s/80s I was a huge Billy Joel fan. Still am.
Deal me in.
There’s always a message in the music.
Billy Joel: And So It Goes premieres July 18 and 25 on HBO Max. #BillyJoelHBO
Total Recall (1990)
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Screenplay: Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Gary Goldman; story by Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Jon Povill; based on “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin, Ronny Cox, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson Jr., Michael Champion, Roy Brocksmith, Ray Baker, David Knell, Alexia Robinson, Debbie Lee Carrington, Lycia Naff, Robert Costanzo and Dean Norris.
Tagline: How would you know after memory implantation if your mind is yours?
The Plot…
The year is 2084. Mars is now a colonized planet. The leader of the planet is Vilos Cohaagen. Cohaagen is a dictatorial ruler who came to power thanks to his management of the mining of turbinium ore. Cohaagen rules with an iron hand.
Douglas Quaid is a construction worker on Earth. Quaid continues to have recurring nightmares about being on Mars. In his dreams Quaid is involved with a woman and on a mysterious mission. Quaid realizes that a trip to Mars is out of the question. So he decides to check out Rekall.
Rekall uses the latest technology to implant memories that are no different than one would actually have experienced. Quaid decides to purchase a memory of Mars. Because the memories are implanted a customer can be or do anything. Quaid decides to be a secret agent sent on a mission to save Mars. Once the memory is implanted, he will believe that everything he remembers is true.
During the implant stage, Quaid begins struggling. The Rekall techs see that Quaid has had a procedure to repress memories. Concerned that unlocking these memories would put them at odds with Cohaagen, the Rekall workers shut down the process.
On the way home Quaid is attacked. Quaid is surprised to discover he is able to kill his attackers. Now he’s confused. Is he a former spy? Is it just a memory? If he is a spy, and his cover is blown, who can he trust? What was his mission?
A trip to Mars will be required to discover the truth. But can Quaid ever really be sure?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Total Recall (1990) was nominated for three 1991 Academy Awards and won one…
Arnold Schwarzenegger was supposed to star in Robocop, directed by Paul Verhoeven. But the deal fell through. When Schwarzenegger saw Robocop, he was determined to do a film with Verhoeven. Verhoeven was in talks to direct Black Rain. When the film was delayed, Schwarzenegger lobbied to get Verhoeven on board to helm Total Recall. Since Verhoeven also wanted to work with Schwarzenegger, he passed on Black Rain.
Patrick Swayze was originally set to star with Bruce Beresford as director. When Dino De Laurentis’ company went bankrupt Schwarzenegger convinced Carolco to buy the rights. In early drafts the Quaid character was called Quill and was an accountant. Once Arnold was on board the named changed as did the occupation. Quaid was now a muscular construction worker.
Russell “Highlander” Mulcahy had been in talks to direct Total Recall. Sylvester Stallone wanted Mulcahy to direct Rambo III (1988). Stallone won out. Ironically, Mulcahy was fired just a few weeks into filming due to creative differences with Stallone. Peter MacDonald (Rambo III‘s second-unit director) took over.
DC published a Total Recall comic book adaptation written by Elliot S. Maggin and drawn by Tom Lyle.
Total Recall (1990) rates 4 of 5 stars
Here we have two posters and the trailer for Chief of War starring Jason Mamoa.
Before the Kingdom, there was war. Chief of War premieres August 1 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_ChiefOfWar
Chief of War follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawai‘I in the late 18th century. Told from an indigenous perspective, Chief of War is a passion project for creators Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, who both share native Hawaiian heritage.
The series features a predominantly Polynesian cast, led by Momoa alongside Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka,Te Kohe Tuhaka and Benjamin Hoetjes.
28 Days Later (2002)
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Alex Garland
Stars: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Megan Burns, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer, David Schneider, Toby Sedgwick, Noah Huntley, Kim McGarrity, Luke Mably, Stuart McQuarrie and Brendan Gleeson.
Tagline: Day 1: Exposure – Day 3: Infection – Day 8: Epidemic – Day 15: Evacuation – Day 20: Devastation
The Plot…
Jim awakens after being in a coma for 28 days. He’s in a hospital bed, but the hospital is deserted. Jim throws on some clothes and heads out into the street. Broad daylight and no one is seen.
Jim goes into a church. In the sanctuary are dozens of people. Most show signs of major physical trauma. They appear to be sleeping. When a priest sees Jim and begins to attack, the infected come out of their slumber and attack as well.
Jim barely escapes. Jim comes to realize that while he was in a coma, a fast-acting virus turned normal people into mindless, frenzied, killing machines. There are few survivors in a city that once held over 7 million souls. Jim meets and befriends three who have endured: Selena, a young woman about his age, Frank, a middle-aged man and his teenage daughter Hannah.
A radio broadcast repeats the message that protection can be found at a location outside of Manchester. The four debate if there is truly salvation there. The broadcast could be outdated. Everyone there could be dead. The people there could be as dangerous as the infected. The journey will require them to pass through multiple congested areas.
Ultimately the group decides to go. Unexpected dangers await. Not all will survive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Megan Burns, who plays Frank’s teenage daughter Hannah, had appeared in only one other film prior to 28 Days Later. Megan retired from acting after 28 Days Later to pursue a career as a musician. Her stage name is Betty Curse.
28 Days Later re-invigorated the zombie genre. Although some argue that the infected aren’t zombies, since they have lost control of their bodies and reasoning, I think they fit the definition.
28 Days Later is a classic. Well written, well directed and well acted. <Chef’s kiss>
28 Days Later (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars
Check out the poster for Caught Stealing. If the movie is as good as the novel, we’re in for a great ride… and maybe a trilogy!
Reign of Fire (2002)
Director: Rob Bowman
Screenplay: Gregg Chabot, Kevin Peterka, Matt Greenberg; story by Gregg Chabot, Kevin Peterka
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Christian Bale, Izabella Scorupco, David Kennedy,
Alexander Siddig, Terence Maynard, Alice Krige and Gerard Butler.
Tagline: Fight Fire With Fire
The Plot…
In 2002, workers drilling in the London Underground opened a passage into an undiscovered cave. A gigantic dragon awoke. Soon it and other dragons emerged. In short order, cities and the people living in them were destroyed. A young boy named Quinn witnessed the first dragon emerging from the underground when it killed his mother.
2020. Most of the world’s population is long gone. The few survivors have banded together in small communities. Quinn is now a leader of a group that took refuge in Bamburgh Castle. The group is barely hanging on. The food supply is low. Crops won’t come to harvest for a few weeks. A dragon recently attacked and destroyed part of the crop when it attacked and killed a community member.
Quinn and the community are shocked when a heavily armored military squad pulls up to the castle entrance. They request entrance. The convoy contains a tank, a helicopter and many armed soldiers. The leader of the troop is Van Zan. Quinn isn’t sure if the new arrivals are true military or raiders looking to steal whatever they can. One thing Quinn knows is his community has no chance in a firefight.
He allows them in. Soon all hell will break loose.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bale did an excellent job in his role but McConaughey OWNED every scene he was in. The direction, production values, special effects were all top notch.
Gerard Butler has a supporting role as Bale’s friend. Four years later Butler would become an international star with the release of 300.
Reign of Fire (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars
28 Years Later (2025)
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Alex Garland
Stars: Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Edvin Ryding, Chi Lewis-Parry, Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes.
Tagline: Time didn’t heal anything.
The Plot…
2002. In Britain a fast spreading infection turns people into mindless, frenzied, killing machines. The source is called the Rage Virus. The virus is passed through bites, blood or saliva. There is no cure.
As a horde attacks, Jimmy, a twelve-year-old boy sees his mother taken down. Jimmy runs to the church where his father is minister. The swarm of infected follows closely behind. Jimmy’s father gives the boy a small cross and tells him to “run!”. As the infected burst into the church, Jimmy’s father allows himself to be taken so that Jimmy may escape.
28 years later. The Rage Virus is contained to the British Isles which are now quarantined from the rest of the world. Military vessels patrol to make sure no one gets in or out. The virus has mutated. Some infected have grown bigger, faster and have limited reasoning.
Survivors either live alone or in small fortified villages. One such refuge is on a coastal island connected to the mainland by a causeway that is underwater except at low tide. Sentries stand watch 24 hours a day.
Jamie, his wife Isla and their twelve-year-old son Spike live on this island. Jamie is a scavenger for the community. Isla has been sick. She’s started to hallucinate. She’s weak and getting worse.
From time to time Jamie goes back to the mainland to search for needed items. Timing is crucial. He must leave at low tide and return before the water rises. If he fails to do so, tides are too strong and deep. Getting back to the island is then impossible.
Jamie believes that Spike is mature enough for his first trip to the mainland. The minimum age is usually fifteen. Going against convention, Jamie takes Spike over. When Spike learns that a doctor used to live within traveling distance, he wants to take his mother there. Jamie tells Spike the trip would be much too dangerous. Worse still, the doctor is out of his mind.
If Spike survives his first trip to the mainland, he is determined to take his mother to the doctor.
That is IF he survives…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
28 days later upped the ante with the zombie genre. (And let’s not quibble if the rage-infected are zombies.)
There is a nice surprise twist near the end of the film.
The final scenes have a different feel than the rest of the film. Many will find/have found the change jarring. These scenes set up the next film in the series.
I’ve always contended that the best part of zombie/apocalyptic films is at the very beginning when people are unsure of what is happening or how to best respond. Having the virus mutate and having Spike make the mainland journey for the first time was a smart move. The audience is learning about the changes along with Spike. I hope the next film doesn’t make the infected blasé.
28 Years Later (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars
Fatima Camiloza is an artist known for her work in board games and illustration. Back around 2012, I was surfing the net. I saw Camiloza was taking water color commissions. Her prices were very reasonable, so I decided to go for one. Above is her take on Sly Stallone as Jack Carter.
