Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
The Changeling is an under-rated horror movie starring George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere and Melvyn Douglas. This alt movie poster by David Seidman is as cool as the movie. It’s also available as a limited edition print.
You can check out more of Seidman’s art here.
I’m not completely sold, but will keep an eye out for more of The Watchers.
From producer M. Night Shyamalan comes “The Watchers,” written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and based on the novel by A.M. Shine. The film follows Mina, a 28-year-old artist, who gets stranded in an expansive, untouched forest in western Ireland. When Mina finds shelter, she unknowingly becomes trapped alongside three strangers who are watched and stalked by mysterious creatures each night.
You can’t see them, but they see everything.
“The Watchers” stars Dakota Fanning (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Ocean’s Eight”), Georgina Campbell (“Barbarian,” “Suspicion”), Oliver Finnegan (“Creeped Out,” “Outlander”) and Olwen Fouere (“The Northman,” “The Tourist”). The film is produced by M. Night Shyamalan, Ashwin Rajan and Nimitt Mankad. The executive producers are Jo Homewood and Stephen Dembitzer.
Joining writer/director Shyamalan behind-the-camera are director of photography Eli Arenson (“Lamb,” “Hospitality”), production designer Ferdia Murphy (“Lola,” “Finding You”), editor Job ter Burg (“Benedetta,” “Elle”) and costume design by Frank Gallacher (“Sebastian,” “Aftersun”). The music is by Abel Korzeniowski (“Till,” “The Nun”).
New Line Cinema presents “The Watchers,” set to open in theaters internationally beginning 5 June 2024 and in North America on June 7, 2024; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Interview with a Vampire: Season 2 – “Start the Tape Teaser” is Here!
What really happened in Paris?
ABOUT INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE
A luxury apartment covering an entire single floor of a high rise. Where the Vampire has granted the interview with the man he once judged to be unworthy. And where the journalist Daniel Molloy has hustled, for a second shot at the interview that got away from him 40 years earlier…Based on Anne Rice’s iconic novel, Interview with The Vampire follows Louis’ epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality, as told to the journalist Daniel Molloy. Chafing at the limitations of life as a black man in 1900’s New Orleans, Louis finds it impossible to resist Lestat’s offer of the ultimate escape: joining him as his vampire companion.
But Louis’s intoxicating new powers come with a violent price, and the introduction of Lestat’s newest fledgling, the child vampire Claudia, soon sets them on a decades-long path of revenge and atonement. A sensuous, contemporary reinvention of Anne Rice’s revolutionary gothic novel.
Start the Tape | Interview with the Vampire Season 2 | Premieres May 12 | AMC+
Here we have a cool riff on The Creature from the Black Lagoon by Mark Schultz.
Source; Pulp Covers.
Deal me in!
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He said he’d be back! Flavio Fernando Girón presents his take on the Terminator’s police station assault. You can see more of Girón’s art here.
I’m looking forward to Season 2. Hopefully it will be as good as the first.
Jacob Anderson, star of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, gives us an exclusive sneak peek at Season 2 with this clip as part of IGN Fan Fest 2024. Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire premieres on May 12, 2024 on AMC and AMC+.
The CANARY trade paperback by Scott Snyder and Dan Panosian is set to premiere on June 25th. Here’s the synopsis…
In 1884 a mine collapsed into itself. What was the dark substance found 666 feet underground?
Blending modern horror, historical fact and Western lore, Scott Snyder and Dan Panosian have created a uniquely terrifying thriller with Canary.
During the final days of the Gold Rush, one mining company in Utah pulled up radioactive Uranium, and then the mine then collapsed in on itself. Legends sprung up about the mine being cursed or even haunted.
Now the Frontier is closed and the gold and silver mines have dried up. The country is becoming “civilized,” and yet, in one stretch of the Rocky Mountains, a terrifying, new kind of violence is suddenly emerging. Random killings. People going mad and murdering neighbors and classmates without real cause. When a schoolboy kills his teacher with a hatchet, a famous federal marshal named Azrael William Holt is called in to investigate the killings. What he and a brilliant young geologist uncover is stranger and more horrifying than anything they could have ever imagined.
This alt Nosferatu poster by Hans Woody is fire. I like it better than the movie. You can see more of Woody’s art here.
The Strain: Season 4 (2017)
Created by: Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Directors: J. Miles Dale (eps. 1 – 2, 10); Kevin Dowling (eps. 3 – 4); Norberto Barba (eps. 5 – 6); Thomas Carter (ep. 7); Paco Cabezas (ep. 8); Jennifer Lynch (ep. 9)
Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (ep. 1, 10); Liz Phang (ep. 2, 8); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 3, 9); Chuck Hogan (ep. 3); Mickey Fisher (ep. 4); Jeff Wadlow (ep. 5); Paul Keables (ep. 6); Andy Iser (ep. 7)
Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Nine months have passed since the bombs went off. A nuclear winter envelopes the world. The strigoi have formed a “partnership” with surviving humans. Humans donate blood to feed the strigoi. Despite people disappearing most humans feel the partnership is their only hope.
Setrakian, Fet, Mr. Quinlan, Gus and the others continue to work separately and together to find a way to kill the Master. If they can do that, the strigoi will be mindless and easier to destroy. When the group comes up with a suicide plan, there is little doubt that all will not survive… the real question is will the Master be killed.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries. The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies. And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul. Here the fate of the world is at risk.
The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories. In different episodes, different characters get the spotlight but viewers don’t get the feeling that it is by the numbers. David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde continue to shine. Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte continue to be great villains. Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan makes a great anti-hero.
Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.
The Strain: Season 4 (2017) earns 5 of 5 stars.
Nefarious (2023)
Director: Chuck Konzelman, Cary Solomon
Screenplay: Chuck Konzelman, Cary Solomon based on A Nefarious Plot by Steve Deace
Stars: Sean Patrick Flanery, Jordan Belfi, Jordan Belfi, Mark De Alessandro and Glenn Beck
Tagline: Speak of the devil.
The Plot…
Edward Wayne Brady (Flanery), an infamous serial killer, is on death row, soon to be executed. Brady claims that he’s possessed by a demon (maybe the devil himself). In an effort to determine Brady’s sanity, Dr. Alan Fischer met with the killer and was ready to declare Brady insane. After the interview, but before Dr. Fischer could render his official determination, he committed suicide.
Dr. James Martin (Belfi) is brought in to the prison to interview and determine if Brady is sane enough to be executed. Dr. Martin goes in thinking that Brady is acting possessed in an effort to avoid the electric chair. As the interview progresses, Brady tells Dr. Martin things he should have no way of knowing. Then strange things begin to occur. Brady tells Dr. Martin that before the day is over Martin will kill three people.
Is Brady insane or possessed. Time will tell…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Nefarious was such a pleasant surprise. It is so good and yet I haven’t heard much buzz about it.
Sean Patrick Flanery gives a performance throughout the film that is simply first rate.
As the interview progresses it’s interesting to see Dr. Martin’s opinion and confidence change. He comes in thinking that Brady is trying to pull a scam to save his life. Then he’s not so sure. One of the best exchanges between the two (and there are many) occurs when Dr. Martin says, “I didn’t know I was in a fight.” Flannery responds, “That’s why you’re losing.”
Nefarious (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.
The Strain: Season 3 (2016)
Created by: Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Directors: GJ. Miles Dale (eps. 1 – 2); Ken Girotti (eps. 3 – 4); Deran Sarafian (eps. 5 – 6); T.J. Scott (eps. 7 – 8); Vincenzo Natali (ep. 9); Carlton Cruse (ep. 10);
Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (eps. 1, 10); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (eps. 2, 6); Chuck Hogan (ep. 3); Regina Corrado (ep. 4); Liz Phang (ep. 5); Chuck Hogan, Glen Whitman (ep. 7); Regina Corrado, Liz Phang (ep. 8); Vincenzo Natali (ep. 9)
Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The battle with the strigoi is in full effect. Police, military and citizens have united. The virus is spreading across the country and throughout the world. Eldritch Palmer considers joining Eph, Fet and Setrakian against the Master.
When the stigoi begin winning the battle, police force prisoners, even those who committed misdemeanors into battle. Gus and Angel find themselves in a no-win situation when they are placed in one of the groups forced to go underground into a strigoi stronghold.
The Ancients, who fear the Master’s reach is growing make an uneasy alliance with Quint. The Master reveals himself as the battle nears the end. Humanity may not survive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries. The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies. And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul. Here the fate of the world is at risk.
The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories. In different episodes, different characters get the spotlight but viewers don’t get the feeling that it is by the numbers. David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde continue to shine. Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte continue to be great villains. Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan makes a great anti-hero.
Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.
The Strain: Season 3 (2016) earns 5 of 5 stars.
The poster is okay, but I think the trailer works. Even gave me a scare.
Deal me in!
NIGHT SHIFT Trailer (2024) Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris
Son of Dracula (1943)
Director: Robert Siodmak
Screenplay: Eric Taylor story by Curt Siodmak
Stars: Lon Chaney Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Frank Craven, Samuel S. Hinds
Tagline: LON CHANEY — MORE THRILLING! MORE TERRIFYING! As History’s Blackest Curse Strikes Again!
The Plot…
Katherine Caldwell, the daughter of a rich New Orleans plantation owner, has fallen under the spell of Count Alucard (Chaney). Little does anyone know that Alucard is Dracula spelled backwards and more importantly, Alucard is a vampire!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
When I was a kid, I thought that Dracula going by the name Alucard was so clever. As an adult, not so much. When I was a kid, I didn’t much care for Lon Chaney, Jr. as Dracula. As an adult I still feel that way.
Son of Dracula shows the first man-into-bat transformation ever seen on screen.
Son of Dracula (1943) rates 2 of 5 stars.
The Strain: Season 2 (2015)
Created by: Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Directors: Gregory Hoblit, Guillermo del Toro (ep. 1); T.J. Scott (ep. 2); Guy Ferland (ep. 3); PJ. Miles Dale (eps. 4 – 5); Howard Deutch (eps. 6 – 7); Kevin Dowling (ep. 8 – 9); Phil Abraham (ep. 10 – 11); Vincenzo Natali (eps. 12 – 13)
Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (ep. 1, 13); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 2, 8, 12); Regina Corrado (ep. 3, 9); Chuck Hogan (ep. 4, 7); Liz Phang (ep. 5, 10); Carlton Cruse, Regina Corrado (ep. 11); Justin Britt-Gibson, Chuck Hogan (ep. 11); Carlton Cruse, David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 12)
Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Mía Maestro, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza and Sean Astin.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
As the strigoi (vampire) virus spreads, most of the world remains clueless. Eph and Nora continue to search for a biological response to kill the virus. The Master has a plan to use Eph’s son to get to Eph. Fet and Dutch grow closer as they clear surrounding buildings.
Gus and Vaun rebel against Eldritch Palmer. Councilwoman Justine Faraldo realizes the strigoi threat is real. She uses her security force to fight the strigoi as she rallies the community to join their efforts. Eph and Nora have success with a biological response to the strigoi, but will anyone in power outside of New York City believe the threat is real?
Setrakian and Fet learn the whereabouts of an ancient book known as the Lumen that may have the answer on how to kill the strigoi. They attempt to purchase it, but learn that Eichhorst is also trying to get it.
As the strigoi’s numbers increase, the Master’s plans move forward. The team becomes aware of Quinlan, a half-vampire, who claims he wants to destroy the Master. Can he/it be trusted?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries. The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies. And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul. Here the fate of the world is at risk.
The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories. Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather played by Corey Stoll is the lead. It isn’t often the “star” is given so many character flaws. Several members of the supporting cast have lived up to the title co-star. Kudos to David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde for playing characters that make the show sing. Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer, the sickly billionaire who aides the Master and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte who has served the Master for decades deserve kudos as well. Season two welcomes Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan and Samantha Mathis as Justine Feraldo the tough councilwoman who refuses to run from the crisis.
Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.
The Strain: Season 2 (2015) earns 5 of 5 stars.
