“Pulp Fiction” Alt Poster by Laurent Carbonelle!
Laurent Carbonelle is back with another alt poster! I love how Carbonelle paid homage to Pulp Fiction’s original poster with his unique take. You can see more of Carnonelle’s art here.
Category: Movies
“Justified: City Primeval” (2023) starring Timothy Olyphant & Boyd Holbrook / Z-View
Justified: City Primeval (2023)
Written by: Dave Andron & Michael Dinner (eps. 1 – 2, 7 – 8); Eisa Davis & Chris Provenzano (eps. 3, 5); Taylor Elmore (ep. 4); Taylor Elmore & V.J. Boyd (ep. 6)
Directed by: Michael Dinner (eps. 1 -2, 8); Jon Avnet (ep. 3); Gwyneth Horder-Payton (ep. 4); Kevin Rodney Sullivan (ep. 5); Sylvain White (ep. 6); Katrelle Kindred (ep. 7)
Stars: Timothy Olyphant, Boyd Holbrook, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Adelaide Clemens, Marin Ireland, Victor Williams, Norbert Leo Butz, Alexander Pobutsky, Terry Kinney, Regina Taylor, Yosef Kasnetzkov, Paul Calderon, Amin Joseph, Walton Goggins, Keith David, Natalie Zea, Luis Guzmán and Vivian Olyphant.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Raylan Givens (T. Olyphant) is a US Marshall and part time father to his 15 year old daughter, Willa (V. Olyphant). Raylan is sent to Detroit to testify in a court case. While testifying, Raylan tests Judge Alvin Guy’s patience. That evening the judge is murdered by a sociopath named Clement Mansell.. Raylan is assigned to the team tracking down the killer.
Mansell is known as The Oklahoma Wildman. He has no fear and kills without remorse. Before it is over, Raylan will find himself dealing not only with Mansell, but an attorney willing to cross the line in her efforts to become a judge, a dirty cop, and the Armenian mob.
“You want a shootin’ match? Let’s go.”
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Elmore Leonard novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit doesn’t feature Raylan Givens. It was adapted to bring back Justified. The novel’s protagonist is Homicide Detective Raymond Cruz. The Cruz character also appeared in Leonard’s Out of Sight novel. When Out of Sight was transformed into a feature film starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, Paul Calderón played Detective Cruz. Calderón also appears as Cruz in Justified: City Primeval.
A hero is only as good as the villain he’s facing. Clement Mansell is a great one. Boyd Holbrook is perfect. Other standouts include:
- Aunjanue Ellis as Carolyn Wilder. Wilder is Mansell’s defense attorney who ends up in a complicated relationship with Raylan. She’s strong, vulnerable and willing to cross lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
- Vondie Curtis-Hall as Marcus “Sweety” Sweeton. Sweety was once a talented musician, crook and friend to Mansell Clement. Now Sweety owns a bar. Sweety is drawn back into the life with the return of Mansell and his plan to get rich.
- Adelaide Clemens as Sandy Stanton. Sandy is Mansell’s
womangirl. She’s in way over her head and sees no way out. - Victor Williams as Detective Wendell Robinson. Williams is best known for his comedic role on The King of Queens. Here he shows his dramatic chops.
- Keith David as Judge Alvin Guy. Keith is only in one episode, but he shines.
Some actors/actresses are born to play a character. Timothy Olyphant is a perfect example. He IS US Marshall Raylan Givens. Everyone remembers the great lines and Olyphant’s delivery. I also love the quiet moments when Olyphant uses his body language, eyes and facial expressions to sell a scene.
It’s not often a series returns and is as great as the original. Justified: City Primeval is a great example that it can be done. There’s an excellent set-up for another season at the end of Justified: City Primeval. I hope it happens.
Justified: City Primeval (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.
“John Wick Chapter 4” Concept Poster by Nuno Sarnadas!
Nuno Sarnadas created this cool concept poster for John Wick Chapter 4. You can see more of Sarnadas’ poster art and more here.
“Paradise Alley” (1978) written, directed and starring Sylvester Stallone / Z-View
Paradise Alley (1978)
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Screenplay: Sylvester Stallone
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Lee Canalito, Armand Assante, Frank McRae, Anne Archer, Kevin Conway, Terry Funk, Joyce Ingalls, Joe Spinell, Aimee Eccles, Tom Waits, Frank Pesce, Ray Sharkey, Frank Stallone, Ted DiBiase, Dory Funk Jr., Don Leo Jonathan, Gene Kiniski, Dick Murdoch, Ray Stevens and Paul Mace.
Tagline: Three brothers… One had the brains, one had the muscle and one had the suit. Together they had a million dollar dream.
The Plot…
The Carboni brothers, Lenny (Assante), Cosmo (Stallone) and Victor (Canalito) are just getting by. Lenny, who returned from the war a hero with a limp, is an undertaker. Cosmo lives by his wits, always looking for a fast buck. Victor hauls ice.
After an evening in Paradise Alley where real (not scripted) wrestling matches take place, Cosmo gets an idea. Victor could become a professional wrestler with Cosmo as his manager. Lenny sees that Cosmo has a good idea, but fears that Victor could be exploited. Victor likes the idea of the brothers working together so Lenny becomes his manager and Cosmo his trainer.
Victor becomes a popular, winning wrestler. This puts him in the crosshairs of Stitch Mahone and Frankie the Thumper. Stitch is a local mobster and Thumper is a big dumb brute who happens to be an undefeated wrestler. As Cosmo begins to have concerns that Victor is being pushed to fight to often, Lenny starts working on a fight with Frankie the Thumper.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Sly Stallone wrote, directed, starred in and sang the title song for Paradise Alley. It was his directorial debut.
Paradise Alley was Terry Funk’s, Lee Canalito’s and Tom Waits’ feature film debut.
Frank McRae as Big Glory and Terry Funk as Frankie the Thumper own their scenes.
The final wrestling match in the Paradise Alley ring during a pouring thunderstorm is amazing.
I rate Paradise Alley higher than most folks. Keep in mind that I am a huge Sly Stallone fan. Your mileage may vary.
Paradise Alley (1978) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Desperation Road” starring Garret Hedlund & Mel Gibson – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Desperation Road is one to keep an eye on. Great source material, starring Garret Tulsa King Hedlund and co-starring Mel Gibson. Yeah, deal me in.
In a small Mississippi town, justice and the law are two very different things. Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson (Braveheart), Garret Hedlund (TRON: Legacy), and Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series) star in a modern noir thriller based on the acclaimed novel by Michael Farris Smith about two lost souls tortured by the mistakes of their past and bound by a secret that keeps them running.
RELEASE DATE: October 6
CAST: Mel Gibson, Garrett Hedlund, and Willa Fitzgerald
“Cliffhanger” Minimalist Poster by John Cordero!
“Your friend just had the most expensive funeral in history.”
John Cordero created this cool alt minimalist Cliffhanger poster and even added the quote with his post of it. THAT is a true Stallone fan. You can see more of Cordero’s art here.
“Night of the Living Dead” (1968) directed by George Romero / Z-View
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Director: George A. Romero
Screenplay: John Russo, George A. Romero
Stars: Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley, Kyra Schon, S. William Hinzman, Bill Cardille, John A. Russo, Russell Streiner and George A. Romero.
Tagline: They won’t stay dead!
The Plot…
When the dead suddenly begin reanimating with a craving for human flesh, a group of strangers find themselves together in a deserted farmhouse. As the group argues about their best moves for survival, the dead continue to gather outside! Soon the farmhouse will be overrun. The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Night of the Living Dead, shot on a shoestring budget with most of the cast taking their first acting roles, reinvented and revitalized zombie movies. Investors in the film, many of the people who worked on the film behind the scenes and some of locals ended up taking on-screen roles as well.
Although NotLD is one of the most profitable independent films of all-time. Sadly, George Romero didn’t see much of the profits due to his little understanding of distribution deals. To make matters worse, the film was released with no copyright notice which at the time placed it in the public domain. Anyone or any company could make a sell copies of the movie with no proceeds going to George Romero or his investors. That’s why there are so many crappy versions available.
NotLD takes place on the first day of a zombie apocalypse. No one knows what is going on or the best course of action. One of the interesting aspects of NotLD is that Harry Cooper argues that everyone is safer in the basement. Cooper is the least likeable of the group and a different course of action is taken. Turns out Cooper’s idea was the best.
Night of the Living Dead (1968) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – The New Poster is Here!
How about the Killers of the Flower Moon poster that just dropped today? I, for one, like it. Hope you do as well.
“The Killer” directed by David Fincher – The Trailer and Poster are Here!
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
“Pulp Fiction” Alt Poster by Liam Proniewicz!
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) produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon / Z-View
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.
“Terminator 2: Judgement Day” starring Sly Stallone by G.R. David!
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) starring Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan & Jim Brown / Z-View
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.
The 10 Most Underrated ’90s Movie Heroes!
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) starring Glenn Ford & Ernest Borgnine / Z-View
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.
