Nosferatu Takes a Victim by Frank Cho!
Can you imagine a full Nosferatu story with art by Frank Cho? I can and it is amazing. Too bad it’s not real. Ah, but you can see more of Frank Cho’s art if you’re so inclined.
Category: Movies
“The Most Dangerous Game” (1932) starring Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Leslie Banks & Robert Armstrong / Z-View
The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
Director: Ernest B. Schoedsack, Irving Pichel
Screenplay: James Ashmore Creelman based on “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
Stars: Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Leslie Banks, Robert Armstrong, Noble Johnson, Steve Clemente and James Flavin.
Tagline: Arresting, strange and terrible in the story of the polished Russian sportsman who lured ships to their doom…then drove the male survivors into his inland jungle, to be hunted down like animals!
The Plot…
Bob Rainsford (McCrea) is a well known big game hunter on a ship traveling near an uncharted island. The ship hits something that causes it to quickly begin sinking and explode. Bob swims to the island only to discover he is the sole survivor.
Bob is surprised to find a huge house owned by Count Zaroff (Banks). Zaroff welcomes Bob into his home. The Count introduces Bob to Eve (Wray) and her brother Martin (Armstrong). Eve and Martin survived an earlier ship wreck and made it to the island.
Count Zaroff is pleased to have the pleasure of hosting Bob Rainsford, the famous big game hunter. Zaroff explains that he is also a hunter. Zaroff claims to have hunted every kind of animal and was getting bored until he discovered “the most dangerous” game.
When Bob and Eve are alone, she says that two sailors who survived their shipwreck have gone missing. Bob shares his belief that the ships were sunk on purpose. As Eve and Bob go through Zaroff’s mansion they stumble onto his trophy room. To their horror, they discover that Count Zaroff hunts humans. They will soon be his prey.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
The Most Dangerous Game and King Kong share a lot in common. Both films were produced by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. Ernest B. Schoedsack co-directed both movies. Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, James Flavin and Noble Johnson appeared in both films. Both movies used the same sets!
“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell has been adapted and used as inspiration for countless movies.
A preview of “The Most Dangerous Game” contained a more detailed look at Count Zaroff’s trophy room. It featured mounted human heads, heads in bottles and stuffed full figures of men Zaroff had murdered. When several in the preview audience walked out, the scene was shortened.
Beware of bad copies. The Most Dangerous Game (1932). Iy fell into public domain and there are some shoddy prints out there.
The Most Dangerous Game (1932) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Argylle” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Deal me in!
Don’t let the cat out of the bag. #ArgylleMovie, in theaters February 2, 2024.
Argylle Only In Theaters February 2 https://www.argyllemovie.com/
— The greater the spy, the bigger the lie.
From the twisted mind of Matthew Vaughn (Kingsman franchise, Kick-Ass) comes Argylle, a razor-witted, reality-bending, globe-encircling spy thriller.
Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World franchise) is Elly Conway, the reclusive author of a series of best-selling espionage novels, whose idea of bliss is a night at home with her computer and her cat, Alfie. But when the plots of Elly’s fictional books—which center on secret agent Argylle and his mission to unravel a global spy syndicate—begin to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, quiet evenings at home become a thing of the past.
Accompanied by Aiden (Oscar® winner Sam Rockwell), a cat-allergic spy, Elly (carrying Alfie in her backpack) races across the world to stay one step ahead of the killers as the line between Elly’s fictional world and her real one begins to blur.
The top-flight ensemble cast features Henry Cavill (The Witcher), John Cena (Fast X), Oscar® winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), Grammy winning pop superstar Dua Lipa (Barbie), Emmy winner and Oscar® nominee Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Emmy winner and comedy icon Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek), Sofia Boutella (Kingsman: The Secret Service), and the legendary Samuel L. Jackson. Alfie is played by Chip, the real-life cat of supermodel Claudia Vaughn (née Schiffer).
Argylle is directed and produced by Matthew Vaughn, from a screenplay by Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman). The film is produced by Matthew Vaughn, Adam Bohling (Kingsman franchise), Jason Fuchs, and David Reid (Kingsman franchise). The executive producers are Adam Fishbach, Zygi Kamasa, Carlos Peres and Claudia Vaughn.
Apple Original Films presents, in association with MARV, a Cloudy production. Argylle is distributed by Universal Pictures.
John Woo’s “The Killer” Alt Poster by Tony Stella!
Tony Stella created this amazing alt poster for John Woo’s The Killer. You can see more of Stella’s art here.
“Memory” starring Liam Neeson & Guy Pearce / Z-View
Memory (2022)
Director: Martin Campbell
Screenplay: Dario Scardapane based on De Zaak Alzheimer by Jef Geeraerts, Carl Joos, Erik Van Looy
Stars: Liam Neeson, Guy Pearce, Taj Atwal, Monica Bellucci and Ray Stevenson.
Tagline: His mind is fading. His conscience is clear.
The Plot…
Alex Lewis (Neeson) is a hitman. Lewis has early stage Alzheimer’s. Lewis has been forgetting things. His memory is getting worse. Vincent Serra (Pearce) is an FBI agent on the Child Exploitation Task Force. While Lewis and Serra should be at odds, they find themselves working together to bring down a protected child trafficker.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
I was expecting a lot more from Memory. Martin Campbell directed Casino, one of my favorite James Bond movies. Campbell’s two lead actors, Liam Neeson and Guy Pearce elevate any production they’re in. Taj Atwal, who I hadn’t seen before, was also a welcome addition. With that said, Memory wasn’t the action-thriller I was hoping for. It was what you’d get if you were expecting a by the numbers hitman/cop movie. Memory won’t leave most of the viewing audience with many good ones.
Memory (2022) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Runaway Train” (1985) directed by Andrey Konchalovskiy, starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts & Rebecca DeMornay / Z-View
Runaway Train (1985)
Director: Andrey Konchalovskiy
Screenplay: Djordje Milicevic, Paul Zindel, Edward Bunker based on a story by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni (uncredited),Ryūzō Kikushima
Stars: Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, Kyle T. Heffner, John P. Ryan, T.K. Carter, Kenneth McMillan, Edward Bunker, Reid Cruickshanks, John Bloom, Danny Trejo, Tom ‘Tiny’ Lister, Dennis Franz and Hank Worden.
Tagline: Once it starts, nothing can stop it!
The Plot…
Stonehaven Maximum Security Prison is located in the remote Alaskan wilderness. “Manny” Manheim (Voight) is a hardened convict. For the last three years Manny has lived in solitary confinement at the order of Warden Ranken (Ryan). Rankin hates Manny because he is a hero to the other inmates, is an escape risk (two attempts so far) and he cannot be broken. When a court order forces Rankin to release Manny from solitary, Rankin’s hatred for Manny grows.
Soon Manny has a plan for escape. Manny and a young convict named Buck (Roberts) make it out. In a rail yard, they see a train of four cars slowly pulling away. Once on board, Manny and Buck think they’re home free. When the engineer has a heart attack, the train continues to pick up speed, burning off the brakes in the process. Now Manny, Buck and one other person yet to be discovered are on a runaway train. There’s no way to stop it, Jumping from the train would be suicide.
Let the action begin!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Runaway Train was nominated for three Academy Awards:
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: Jon Voight
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Eric Roberts
- Best Film Editing: Henry Richardson
Akira Kurosawa originally planned to make Runaway Train in the 1960s! His intended stars were Lee Marvin and Henry Fonda. The script was dusted off in 1982 and Cannon Films backed the revised movie.
Runaway Train features the film debuts of Danny Trejo and Tim “Tiny” Lester. Dennis Franz also appears uncredited as a cop.
Danny Trejo got the job thanks to Eddie Bunker. Bunker recognized Trejo who was on set visiting a production assistant. Both Trejo and Bunker (who co-wrote and appears in the film) served time together at San Quentin. Bunker got Trejo a job as an extra and boxing coach to Eric Roberts. Trejo said that the $320 a day salary was more than he ever made from any of his robberies.
Runaway Train features my favorite performances by Jon Voight, Eric Roberts and Rebecca De Mornay. John P. Ryan is great as the sadistic warden. Kudos also to Andrey Konchalovskiy for his amazing job in helming a dramatic action-thriller with heart.
Runaway Train (1985) rates 5 of 5 stars.
RIP: David McCallum
David McCallum died yesterday at the age of 90.
David McCallum’s parents were professional musicians. For a while it appeared that David might follow in their footsteps. He studied music for a short time. After serving in the British Army’s 3rd Battalion (he was born in Glasgow, Scotland), Mr. McCallum attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
David McCallum had been getting roles in both television and feature films when his breakout role came. He was cast as Russian agent Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. Although the show was conceived as a showcase for Robert Vaughn to play a James Bond-like spy, the audience loved the chemistry between Vaughn and McCallum. David McCallum was elevated from occasional guest to the show’s co-star. Critics also loved Mr. McCallum in this role. He was nominated for two Emmy awards during the series four year run. The Man from U.N.C.L.E remained so popular that in 1983, David McCallum returned to the role for a television movie titled, The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E..
David McCallum’s popularity was such that he released four record albums during the run of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. Unlike many stars of the era, Mr. McCallum did not sing on his records. Instead he wrote some of the compositions, conducted their arrangements and played various instruments as well.
After The Man from U.N.C.L.E ended Mr. McCallum continued to act on television and in feature films. In 2003, he earned the role of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the popular series NCIS. He was a cast member until his death.
Some of David McCallum’s television appearances include: The Rose and the Ring (3 episodes); Our Mutual Friend (10 episodes); The Eustace Diamonds (6 episodes); Emma (5 episodes); Armchair Theater (2 episodes); The Travels of Jamie McPheeters; Perry Mason; The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (105 episodes); The Outer Limits (2 episodes); Please Don’t Eat the Daises; Night Gallery; Marcus Welby; The Six Million Dollar Man; Frankenstein: The True Story; Colditz (26 episodes); The Invisible Man (13 episodes); Kidnapped (13 episodes); Sapphire & Steel (34 episodes); Hart to Hart; The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.; As the World Turns; The A-Team; Matlock; Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Return of Sam McCloud; Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes); Masterpiece Mysteries (3 episodes); Cluedo (6 episodes); Trainer (23 episodes); Law & Order; The Outer Limits; Sex and the City; The Education of Max Bickford (9 episodes); JAG (2 episodes); The Replacements (67 episodes); NCIS: New Orleans (2 episodes) and NCIS (457 episodes).
Some of David McCallum’s feature film appearances include: Hell Drivers; A Night to Remember; Billy Budd; The Great Escape; The Greatest Story Ever Told; The Spy with My Face; The Spy in the Green Hat and The Watcher in the Woods.
My favorite David McCallum role is on The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. Like all the kids my age, we thought he was the coolest. The fact that Mr. McCallum was so popular playing a Russian spy at the height of the cold war is amazing. I am also in awe of the fact that David McCallum was able to stay a working actor for decades. That is a testament to his acting ability.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to David McCallum’s family, friends and fans.
“Reservoir Dogs” Alt Poster by Gary Mills!
Gary Mills has created a clever and beautifully (pardon, the pun) executed alt poster for Reservoir Dogs. You can see more of Mills’ art here.
“The Out-Laws” (2023) starring Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan & Ellen Barkin / Z-View
The Out-Laws (2023)
Director: Tyler Spindel
Screenplay: Evan Turner, Ben Zazove
Stars: Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind, Julie Hagerty, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery, Dean Winters and Mo Gallini.
Tagline: None
The Plot…
Owen Browning (Devine) is about to marry the love of his life, Parker McDermott (Dobrev). The plans are set when Owen and Parker learn that Parker’s estranged parents are going to be able to attend after all. While there can be difficulty when two families come together, the greater the differences, the more likely the problems. Owen’s parents are straightlace, a bit out of touch and like Owen, a bit nerdy. Parker’s parents are hip, cool and thrillseekers.
Things are complicated when Owen’s bank (he’s the manager) is robbed by the famous Ghost Bandits duo. Unfortunately for Owen he begins to believe his future in-laws are out-laws. And he ain’t wrong!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
The Out-Laws is a high concept film. Think Meet the Parents meets Bonnie and Clyde. It has an excellent cast with Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty. And they help make The Out-Laws an okay way to spend an hour and a half. The truth is the cast deserved better… as did the audience.
The Out-Laws (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Rebel” Director’s Cut starring Sylvester Stallone Gets Theatrical Premiere!
About a year ago, Robert Schnitzer informed me of his plans to remaster Rebel which starred a very young Sylvester Stallone. Mr. Schnitzer even came to the StalloneZone message boards to interact with fans and answer questions about the movie (which was originally titled No Place to Hide). Mr. Schnitzer is proud to announce that Rebel has been recut, restored, remastered and will get its theatrical premiere on October 7th.
“District B13” (2004) directed by Pierre Morel, starring David Belle & Cyril Raffaelli / Z-View
District B13 (2004)
Director: Pierre Morel
Screenplay: Luc Besson, Bibi Naceri
Stars: David Belle, Cyril Raffaelli, Tony D’Amario and Dany Verissimo-Petit.
Tagline: Welcome to District B13 Welcome to the future
The Plot…
Three years ago crime became so bad in some Paris suburbs the government built high guarded walls around the troubled districts. Heavily armed police man checkpoints in and out. District B13 is one of them.
Leïto (Belle) lives in the district. He does what he can to oppose the gangs. After Leïto destroyed one of their drug shipments, the gang targeted him for execution.
When a nuclear bomb is stolen and tracked to District B13, Damien Tomaso (Raffaelli), an undercover cop, is sent in. The bomb will explode in 24 hours. Once in, Tomaso finds himself in an uneasy alliance with Leïto. Millions of lives are at stake and the clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
I’m surprised District B13 doesn’t get more love. It’s a fun action film with charismatic leads. The fight scenes are inventive. Oh, and did I mention it features parkour? That should be no surprise since it stars David Belle who is credited with being one of the fathers of the sport.
District B13 spawned a sequel, District 13: Ultimatum and an American remake, Brick Mansions which starred Paul Walker with David Belle (reprising his role). It was Paul Walker’s final film.
District B13 was directed by Pierre Morel in his directorial debut. Morel followed District B13 by helming Taken and From Paris with Love, both movies that I recommend.
District B13 (2004) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Hard Times” (1975) directed by Walter Hill, starring Charles Bronson & James Coburn / Z-View
Hard Times (1975)
Director: Walter Hill
Screenplay: Walter Hill, Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell from a story by Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell
Stars: Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Jill Ireland, Strother Martin, Margaret Blye, Michael McGuire, Michael McGuire, Bruce Glover, Robert Tessier, Nick Dimitri, Maurice Kowalewski, Naomi Stevens, Brion James and Frank McRae.
Tagline: New Orleans, 1933. In those days words didn’t buy much.
The Plot…
1933. The depression rages. A man known only as Chaney (Bronson) travels the rails from town to town. He makes some money and moves on. In New Orleans, Chaney happens on a warehouse where underground fights are taking place. High rollers bet on the outcomes of each match.
Chaney watches with interest. Chaney later meets with Spencer “Speed” Weed. Weed manages fighters. Chaney offers Weed the opportunity to manage him. They agree on percentages and head back to the warehouse. When a promoter offers odds for anyone to take on his fighter, Chaney accepts. Odds are given and bets placed. Chaney has six dollars to his name and bets it all on himself. When he easily knocks out the other fighter, Speed sees dollar signs.
Speed tells Chaney he has a plan. If Chaney can beat a well known undefeated fighter, they stand to make a lot of money. Chaney agrees. Little do they know the double crosses that await.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Hard Times was Walter Hill’s directorial debut. Hill followed Hard Times by directing The Driver, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Southern Comfort, 48hrs. and Streets of Fire. What other director came out of the shoot with so many hits?
Hill’s original idea was for Chaney to be a younger actor. Someone like Jan Michael Vincent. While that would have worked, when Charles Bronson expressed interest, it was pretty much a done deal. I think that having Chaney be an older guy (Bronson was 53 at the time) works to the film’s benefit.
Bronson and Hill got along well, but never made another film together. Bronson wasn’t happy with Hill’s opinion of Jill Ireland’s (Bronson’s wife) acting. He also didn’t like that some of her scenes were cut.
Hard Times is one of my favorite Charles Bronson films. It’s gets better with each new viewing.
Hard Times (1975) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Frank Miller’s Very Limited Signed & Numbered SIN CITY: Marv & Nancy Callahan Lithographs!
Frank Miller has teamed with MEL Publisher for a very limited set of two signed and numbered SIN CITY lithographs.
- SIN CITY – MARV , 2022
Lithograph in black on BFK Rives 400 grams paper.
Numbered edition of 60 copies
Signed in pencil by the artist
160 x 107 cm
Printed on the presses of the Idem workshop, Paris.
Cost is approximately $3,729.39 - SIN CITY – NANCY CALLAHAN , 2022
Screen printing in 3 colors on BFK Rives 300 grams paper.
Numbered edition of 50 copies
Signed in pencil by the artist
90 x 62 cm
Printed on the presses of the Tchikebe workshop in Marseille.
Cost is approximately $1,278.68
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The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial Official Trailer directed by William Friedkin, starring Keifer Sutherland – The Trailer is Here!
This looks good. Deal me in!
Caine Mutiny Court-Martial follows a U.S. naval first officer who’s standing trial for orchestrating a mutiny after his captain shows signs of becoming unhinged and jeopardizes the lives of his crew. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, Jake Lacy, Monica Raymund, Lewis Pullman, Jay Duplass, Tom Riley And Lance Reddick. Streaming October 6 with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan. The stars have aligned. Paramount+ is the streaming home of SHOWTIME. Try Paramount+ for free today: https://prmntpl.us/PPlusYT
Subscribe to the SHOWTIME YouTube channel: http://goo.gl/esCMib
About The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial: Barney Greenwald, a skeptical lawyer, reluctantly defends an officer of the navy who took control of the Caine from its captain, Lt. Philip Francis Queeg (Kiefer Sutherland), while caught in a violent sea storm. As the court-martial proceeds, however, Greenwald increasingly questions if it was truly a mutiny or rather the courageous acts of a group of sailors who could not trust their unstable leader. Written and directed by Academy Award®-celebrated filmmaker William Friedkin and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk of the same name. The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial streaming October 6 with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan.
“Steamboat Bill, Jr.” (1928) starring Buster Keaton!
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Director: Charles Reisner, Buster Keaton (uncredited)
Writer: Carl Harbaugh
Stars: Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Marion Byron and Joe Keaton.
Tagline: What a thrill! Worth the price of admission alone to see what happened to Buster when the twister hit the town.
The Plot…
William “Steamboat Bill” Canfield is a big, rugged man’s man. Bill owns and operates the Stonewall Jackson which is an old paddlewheel tourist ship. J. J. King, a rich business man, has brought in a new steamer and plans to put Steamboat Bill out of business.
Bill’s son (who he hasn’t seen in years) just graduated college and has arrived for a visit. Steamboat Bill is shocked to discover his son is small, awkward and wimpy. Bill Sr. is determined to make a man out of his son. To complicate matters, Bill Jr. has a budding romance with Kitty, who has also returned from college. The rub is Kitty is J.J. King’s daughter!
Let the good times sail!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Steamboat Bill, Jr. is considered a classic. It’s in the National Film Registry.
Steamboat Bill, Jr. features one of the most famous and copied stunts of all time. If you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve probably seen a clip of the stunt. As a tornado hits the town, Keaton is standing in the street. The front of an entire house falls down on Keaton. Luckily, the upstairs window is open and Keaton fits through perfectly. Many movies and television shows have recreated this stunt, but Keaton was the first!
Steamboat Bill, Jr. was also the inspiration for Mickey Mouse’s debut in Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie!
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) rates 5 of 5 stars.
