Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
After a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers and himself on an international manhunt he insists isn’t personal. Watch The Killer, in select theaters and on Netflix November 10
I hope you like Liam Proniewicz’s alt Pulp Fiction poster as much as I do. You can see more of Proniewicz’s art here.
War of the Colossal Beast (1958)
Director: Bert I. Gordon
Screenplay: George Worthing Yates, story by Bert I. Gordon
Stars: Sally Fraser, Duncan ‘Dean’ Parkin, Russ Bender, Jack Kosslyn and Rico Alaniz.
Tagline: The towering terror from hell!
The Plot…
When it is learned that Glenn Manning aka The Amazing Colossal Man is alive, the Army captures him for further study. Manning was caught in the fallout from an atomic bomb test. Although Manning survived the blast, radiation caused him to grow 60 feet tall. Now horribly disfigured and brain damaged, Manning is a threat who may be beyond curing.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
War of the Colossal Beast is the sequel to The Amazing Colossal Man released a year earlier.
The movie gets more exciting once the army captures the Amazing Colossal Man. A word of warning: Be very careful should you ever give a giant an injection. The scenes at the end outside the observatory are the best. The last minute or so of the film appears in color and the change is effective.
War of the Colossal Beast (1958) rates 2 of 5 stars.
G.R. David created this al poster for Terminator 2: Judgement Day starring Sly Stallone. Let’s let David explain…
What if Sylvester Stallone had been the Terminator? Actually, he was! That happened in an alternative universe in one of the best scenes from Schwarzenegger’s movie “Last Action Hero” (one of the most underrated action movie of all time). In this movie there are a lot of funny Easter Eggs and cameos, and the Blockbuster Video Store scene in particular is the funniest by far.
I did many years ago a poster photomontage of the display that appears in that scene. Now, I’ve drawn the poster. It must be stated that it is not a replica of that display; I clearly made some changes (a different Stallone’s face adding sunglasses and just his surname at the top of the poster).
You can see more of G.R. David’s art at his Instagram page.
Ice Station Zebra (1968)
Director: John Sturges
Screenplay: Douglas Heyes, Harry Julian Fink, W. R. Burnett based on Ice Station Zebra by Alistair MacLean
Stars: Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan, Jim Brown, Tony Bill, Lloyd Nolan, Gerald S. O’Loughlin, Ted Hartley, Ron Masak, Sherwood Price, John Orchard, William O’Connell, Michael T. Mikler and Jonathan Goldsmith.
Tagline: An American nuclear sub. a sky full of Russian paratroopers–and a race for the secret of Ice Station Zebra!
The Plot…
A Russian satellite containing information vital to the security interests of Russia and the United States has crashed in the Artic circle. Commander James Ferraday (Hudson) of the US nuclear submarine, Tigerfish, has been directed to retrieve the information at all costs. In addition to his crew, Ferraday is transporting a marine unit that will provide support should Russians attempt to intervene.
While in route, three men are delivered to Ferraday’s sub: David Jones (McGoohan), Boris Vaslov (Borgnine) and Captain Leslie Anders (Brown). Jones is a British intelligence agent. Vaslov a Russian who defected to Britain. Anders is a seasoned soldier sent to command the marine unit. When it becomes obvious that an traitor is onboard, Ferraday’s suspects are one of the new arrivals.
In a race to retrieve information vital to freedom of the world, Commander Ferraday will find himself in the ultimate showdown with a battle-hardened Russian military unit, and a traitor willing to die to stop Ferraday.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Ice Station Zebra was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Cinematography (Daniel L. Fapp) and Best Effects, Special Visual Effects (Hal Millar, J. McMillan Johnson).
Ice Station Zebra is an action thriller layered with the mystery of a traitor willing to die to make sure the Americans don’t succeed. The reveal of the traitor is well done and the way the secret is kept from the characters in the movie (even after the audience learns the traitor’s identity) is clever.
Ice Station Zebra was reportedly Rock Hudson’s favorite of his films. Howard Hughes loved the movie so much he would call the television station he owned and demand they play it. (This was in the days before cable, VHS and DVD players,) Viewers would call and complain that the scheduled shows/movies were pre-empted, but Hughes didn’t care.
I’m a fan of the Ice Station Zebra poster above. They don’t make ’em like that anymore.
Ice Station Zebra (1968) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Robert Vaux came up with his list of the 10 Most Underrated ’90s Movie Heroes. Vaux’s list is an interesting one, although we only had one hero in common. Before you click over, below is my list and rationale for my choices of the 10 Most Underrated ’90s movie heroes.
10. Frank Horrigan from In the Line of Fire (1993): Horrigan was a young Secret Service agent who was part of the team assigned to protect President Kennedy the day he was assassinated. Now he’s older, guilt ridden and determined to save the current President from a clever psycho. Horrigan could be retired on a beach somewhere, but he’s still willing to give his life to protect the leader of the free world. Yeah, that’s a hero.
09. Butch Coolidge from Pulp Fiction (1994): Although Butch accepts money to take a dive, he gets two chances to redeem himself (and does both times). Butch doesn’t follow-through on the set-up. Later Butch and the a man who wants to kill him are captured by two sadistic rapists. Butch has a chance to escape but puts his life on the line to save the man who wants him dead. Wouldn’t you say that qualifies as a hero?
08. Samantha Cain (Charly) from The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996): Samantha begins the movie as a small town school teacher. We could stop right there since most teachers are heroes. But if that isn’t enough for you, by the end of the movie the President offers Samantha a chance to return to the CIA.
07. Lornette “Mace” Mason from Strange Days (1995): Mason is a bodyguard who puts her life on the line repeatedly to save a friend. Hero? Check.
06. John Patrick Mason from The Rock (1996): Despite being held without a trial for 30 years, Mason agrees to help take down an elite military unit threatening to kill untold thousands. Qualifies as a hero in my book.
05. Cameron Poe from Con Air (1997): is a former Army Ranger which by itself makes him a hero. Then when three men attempt to assault his wife, he takes them on. Hero again, right? Well, since Poe accidentally kills one and is sent to prison, maybe not. But when Poe is on a flight of convicts who take over the plane, Poe works to assist the police. So, hero again, right?
04. William Wallace from Braveheart (1995): William Wallace led the battle to free his Scottish countrymen from the rule of the tyrant King Edward I of England. Anyone willing to give their life for the greater good is a hero.
03. Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan from The 13th Warrior (1996): Ahmed is a lover and poet. When he is banished to the North, Ahmed ends up traveling with Viking warriors. Ahmed, despite his fears, joins the warriors to defend a small village from bearlike human cannibals. John Wayne said, “The definition of a hero is someone who is scared but saddles up anyway.” Ahmed qualifies.
02. Freddy Heflin from Cop Land (1997): When Heflin learns of the corrupt police living in his community, he risks his life to save another cop and expose the criminals. Heflin does this despite the NY Detective shutting down his investigation and no other cops willing to take a stand. Heflin is a hero.
01. Hawkeye from Last of the Mohicans (1992): Hawkeye risks his life repeatedly to save others, even people who have wronged him. Hawkeye even offers his life in exchange for the life of another. Hawkeye is recognized as an honorable man by his friends and enemies. If only all heroes were as worthy of the title “HERO” as Hawkeye.
Torpedo Run (1958)
Director: Joseph Pevney
Screenplay: Richard Sale, William Wister Haines
Stars: Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Diane Brewster, Dean Jones, L.Q. Jones, Philip Ober, Richard Carlyle, Don Keefer, Kimberly Beck, Biff Elliot, Al Freeman Jr., Frank Gorshin and Robert Reed.
Tagline: The greatest submarine picture of them all !
The Plot…
Lt. Cmdr. Barney Doyle (Ford) commands the US submarine Greyfish. Their orders are to find and destroy the Shinaru, the Japanese carrier that led the attack on Pearl Harbor. Doyle learns that the Shinaru is protected by battleships and “shield” ships carrying US prisoners including women and children. Two of those prisoners are Cmdr. Doyle’s wife and two year old daughter.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Torpedo Run was nominated for one Academy Award: Best Effects, Special Effects (A. Arnold Gillespie, Harold Humbrock)
There are some tense scenes when the Greyfish goes into a mined harbor and later when a submarine crew needs to abandon ship underwater to another sub!
Ernest Borgnine is especially good as second-in-command Lt. Archer ‘Archie’ Sloan.
Glenn Ford’s character’s tough decision makes him unlikable and I didn’t feel there wasn’t a solid enough redemption arc.
Torpedo Run (1958) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Bob Barker, the revered game show host and animal rights activist died today at the age of 99.
Bob Barker attended Drury College on a basketball scholarship. Mr. Barker joined the Naval Reserve during World War II. He finished his degree in economics after the war. While in college Bob Barker began working on radio. After graduation, he continued to pursue this line of work.
In 1956, Bob Barker became the host of television’s Truth or Consequences. He hosted the program through 1975. In 1972, Bob Barker was picked to host the revival of The Price Is Right. He served in this capacity until June 2007.
Some of Bob Barker’s other appearances include: This Is Your Life; Dream Girl of ’67 (5 episodes); Miss Universe 1967 – 1980; I’ve Got a Secret; The New Truth or Consequences (198 episodes); Tattletales (21 episodes); Match Game (40 episodes); Dinah! (14 episodes); Match Game PM (8 episodes); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (2 episodes); The Price is Right Special (6 episodes); The Price is Right Salutes (6 episodes); The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular (16 episodes); The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (6 episodes); The Bold and the Beautiful (2 episodes); The Price is Right (6,719 episodes); Inside Edition (3 episodes); Entertainment Tonight (9 episodes); Bonanza; Happy Gilmore; How I Met Your Mother; Family Guy (3 3 episodes); WWE Raw and SpongeBob Squarepants.
Bob Barker won 19 Daytime Emmy Awards…
Bob Barker is also a member of the Hollywood Walk of Fame; the Television Hall of Fame (class of 2004) and the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame (class of 2008).
Bob Barker was the perfect host. He not only was comfortable on camera but was able to put contestants at ease. You always got the feeling that what you saw, was the real Bob Barker.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.
Dave Merrell created this sweet alt Pulp Fiction poster. Merrell is a freelance artist based in Manchester, England. If you’d like to see more of Dave Merrell’s art, you can at his site. You can also find him on Facebook and PosterSpy.
Winchester ’73 (1950)
Director: Anthony Mann
Screenplay: Borden Chase, Robert L. Richards story by Stuart N. Lake
Stars: James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally, Millard Mitchell, Charles Drake, John McIntire, Will Geer, Jay C. Flippen, Rock Hudson, John Alexander, Steve Brodie, Abner Biberman, Tony Curtis and James Best.
Tagline: The Gun That Won The West!
The Plot…
Lin McAdam (Stewart) and Dutch Henry Brown (McNally) are sworn enemies. Each would kill the other on sight. When Lin and his buddy, High Spade Frankie Wilson (Mitchell) ride into Dodge City, they learn two things: 1) Dutch Henry is there and 2) the town is holding a shooting contest for a Winchester 1873 repeating rifle.
The only thing that stops Lin and Dutch Henry from shooting it out is the town’s Marshall, Wyatt Earp (Geer). The shooting contest comes down to Lin and Dutch Henry. After several shoot-offs, Lin wins the rifle. It’s a beauty. Lin turns down cash offers to buy it. When Lin takes the rifle to his room, he is jumped by Dutch and two of his buddies. The only thing that stops Dutch from killing Lin is Wyatt Earp and High Spade come running.
Dutch and his crew make their getaway with Lin and High Spade on their trail. Before the final showdown there will be card sharks, saloon girls, Indian attacks, run-ins with a gunfighter, a stagecoach robbery and a reveal of why Lin and Dutch are mortal enemies.
Saddle up. This is a good one!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Jimmy Stewart’s agent worked out a deal for Stewart to make Harvey and Winchester ’73 for a percentage of the profits (50%) on both films rather than his normal $200,000 salary. Stewart ended up making a reported $600,000 for Winchester ’73 because it was so successful. This deal was the first time since sound pictures that a star was given points as part of his/her salary.
Will (Grandpa Walton) Geer seems a bit old to be playing Wyatt Earp. Geer himself felt he was miscast. What makes the part work is the respect Stewart and Mitchell’s characters give Earp.
Dan Duryea, pardon the expression, kills it as Waco Johnny Dean.
Winchester ’73 was a comeback film of sorts for Jimmy Stewart.
It’s interesting to note that the rifle becomes the real star of the film. We follow it as it changes hands in many exciting scenes all in support of Lin McAdams’ journey to get revenge.
Winchester ’73 (1950) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Director: Mel Brooks
Screenplay: Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew aBergman, Richard Pryor, Alan Uger story by Andrew Bergman
Stars: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Mel Brooks, Burton Gilliam, Alex Karras, David Huddleston, Liam Dunn, John Hillerman, George Furth, Jack Starrett, Richard Collier, Dom DeLuise, Richard Farnsworth, Sally Kirkland, Hal Needham, Rodney Allen Rippy and Count Basie.
Tagline: Mel Brooks and the West! Together for the last time!
The Plot…
Quicksand forces the new railroad to change its route. When the dastardly Hedley Lamarr (Korman) learns the railroad will have to go through the town of Rock Ridge, he sees an opportunity to get rich. If Lamarr can get the town’s citizens to leave, he will become owner of all the land.
Lamarr sends his thugs to scare the people into leaving. Instead, they wire the Governor that they need a Sheriff to protect them. Lamarr tricks the Governor into sending an African American who was about to be hung. Lamarr figures that a black Sheriff won’t be much protection and will upset some town folk enough to leave.
Boy, was Lamarr wrong.
Let the fun begin!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Blazing Saddles was nominated for six Academy Awards:
Nominated for
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Madeline Kahn)
Best Film Editing (John C. Howard, Danford B. Greene)
Best Music, Original Song (John Morris – music, Mel Brooks – lyrics, for the song “Blazing Saddles”)
Blazing Saddles wouldn’t be made today. It almost wasn’t in 1973. John Wayne turned down the Waco Kid role. Wayne thought it would tarnish his image. Gig Young was hired but collapsed during the first scene. It was later discovered Young suffered from alcohol withdrawal. Gene Wilder was brought in to replace Young. Richard Pryor was the first choice to play Bart. The studio wouldn’t hire Pryor due to previous drug arrests. Cleavon Little got the role.
The film makes fun of classic western troupes, breaks the fourth wall, features sight and verbal gags. It is all over the place. Everything is fair game. Blazing Saddles isn’t for those easily offended. Everyone else is in for a comedy guaranteed to entertain.
Blazing Saddles (1974) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Here we have the poster and trailer for Gangnam Zombie. I’m always down for a good drive-in movie. Gangnam Zombie looks to fit the bill.
Zombies done Gangnam Style. ; )
GANGNAM ZOMBIE:
Soon after previously normal people begin viciously attacking other citizens in Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district, the zombie population grows exponentially and spreads throughout the region. Now, long after injuries forced him to quit the national taekwondo team, an elite former athlete is given one more opportunity to use his talent on behalf of his country as he takes on one final match—this time, against terrifying hordes of the undead.Directed by: Lee Su-seong
Cast: Ji Il-ju, PARK Ji-yeon, CHO Kyung-hoon
Chris Berning aka Alt Fiction has created a worthy alt poster for one of my favorite crime/horror mashups, From Dusk Till Dawn. You can see more of Berning’s art here.
High Noon (1952)
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Screenplay: Carl Foreman based on The Tin Star short story in Collier’s by John W. Cunningham
Stars: Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Otto Kruger, Lon Chaney Jr., Harry Morgan, Morgan Farley, Harry Shannon, Lee Van Cleef, Sheb Wooley and Jack Elam.
Tagline: Simple. Powerful. Unforgettable.
The Plot…
Will Kane (Cooper) and hi bride are ready to start a new life. It’s their wedding day. Kane is retiring as Marshal of a small western town. He and his young wife Amy (Kelly) are moving to another town to open a store and raise a family.
Shortly after Will and Amy are married, they learn that Frank Miller is set to arrive on the noon train. Miller is a killer that Kane sent to prison. Miller’s trial resulted in a death sentence. Miller swore he would return to kill Kane. Instead of being hung, Miller’s death sentence was commuted. Now Miller is on his way to keep his word. Things get worse when Kane learns that three of Miller’s gang are already in town..
Will Kane knows it’s too late to run. Nobody in town is willing to help Kane face down the killers. What chance does one man alone have against four gunslingers?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
High Noon was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four:
Nominated for…
Best Picture
Best Director (Fred Zinnemann)
Best Writing Screenplay (Carl Foreman)
Won for…
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Winner – Gary Cooper)
Best Film Editing (Winner – Elmo Williams, Harry Gerstad)
Best Music Original Song (Winner – Dimitri Tiomkin: music, Ned Washington: lyrics, for the song “High Noon aka Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'”)
Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Winner – Dimitri Tiomkin)
John Wayne hated High Noon. Every time I revisit the film, I like it better. It’s a great film, expertly directed, with a first rate cast and a story that rings true. At first Will Kane is willing to leave before the train arrives. Then he realizes that Miller and his gang will track him down. Kane thinks it’s better to meet them head on. Kane is sure that he will get support from some of the town members.
It’s interesting the way each person he approaches finds a rationale to not help.
Standouts in the cast include Gary Cooper, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Lon Chaney Jr., Lee Van Cleef and Harry Morgan. High Noon was a comeback film for Gary Cooper. Lloyd Bridges is great as the cocky, immature Deputy who wants to be Marshal. Katy Jurado owns every scene she’s in. In High Noon, Lon Chaney Jr. gives the finest performance of his career. Harry Morgan is a coward doing his best to not appear so to his wife. High Noon was Lee Van Cleef’s feature film debut! Look for Jack Elam in a cameo as a drunk. His part was supposed to be bigger, but it was determined it took away from the suspense of the impending gunfights.
High Noon (1952) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Terry Funk died today. Mr. Funk was 79 years old.
Terry and his older brother, Dory Jr., were the sons of Dorothy and Dory Funk. Their father, Dory Funk Sr. was a high school state and college champion amateur wrestler. After a stint in the Navy, Dory Sr. became a professional wrestler and later a wrestling promoter. So both Funk boys grew up in a professional wrestling family and both would become professional wrestlers.
Terry Funk began his professional wrestling career in 1965, competing in his father’s Western States Sports Promotion. His older brother, Dory was already an established wrestler. They made a formidable team. Terry would go on to wrestle and win championships for all the major promoters as well as on the independent circuit. Later in his career when many wrestlers contemplate retirement, Terry Funk excelled as a hardcore champion, participating in extremely violent matches.
Terry Funk won multiple championships in promotions across the country. Mr. Funk is in the following Professional Wrestling Halls of Fame:
Terry Funk also branched out into acting. His first role was a major one in Sylvester Stallone’s Paradise Alley. Mr. Funk would go on to act in television and feature films.
Some of Terry Funk’s television appearances include: Wildside (6 episodes); Timestalkers, Swamp Thing; Quantum Leap; Tequila and Bonetti (11 episodes); The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and Thunder in Paradise.
Some of Terry Funk’s feature film appearances include: Paradise Alley; Over the Top; Road House; Rambo III (stunts) and Rocky V (stunts).
I was familiar with Terry Funk’s wrestling as a kid growing up in Indiana. Then when we moved to Florida, Terry Funk was a popular bad guy for years. My favorite Terry Funk role, by far, is when he played Frankie the Thumper in Paradise Alley. Mr. Funk and Sylvester Stallone got along well as evidenced by Terry Funk’s appearances in Over the Top, stunt work for Rambo III and Rocky V.
The fact that Terry Funk was able to wrestle for decades is evidence that he was a legitimate tough guy. It’s impressive that everywhere Mr. Funk wrestled, he excelled. Look at the number of Wrestling Hall of Fames feature him. He was one of a kind.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Terry Funk’s family, friends and fans.
