Category: Movies

“Fiend Without a Face” (1958) / Z-View

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Fiend Without a Face (1958)

Director: Arthur Crabtree

Screenplay: Herbert J. Leder

Stars: Marshall Thompson, Terry Kilburn, Michael Balfour, Kim Parker and Peter Madden.

Tagline: New Horrors! Mad Science Spawns Evil Fiends! …Taking form before your horrified eyes!

The Plot…

When locals begin getting murdered around a new US Airforce base, the locals think the military has some involvement.  This prompts Major Cummings (Thompson) to begin an investigation.  As the bodies pile up, evidence points to an unimaginable horror.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I saw this when I was much younger and didn’t care for it, but on a recent re-watch I enjoyed it much more.

Fiend Without a Face (1958) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Rock” (1996) starring Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage & Ed Harris / Z-View

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The Rock (1996)

Director: Michael Bay

Screenplay: David Weisberg, Douglas S. Cook, Mark Rosner from a story by David Weisberg, Douglas S. Cook

Stars: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, John Spencer, David Morse, William Forsythe, Michael Biehn, Vanessa Marcil, John C. McGinley, Gregory Sporleder, Tony Todd, Bokeem Woodbine, Greg Collins, Brendan Kelly, Steve Harris, Danny Nucci and Claire Forlani.

Tagline: Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in.

The Plot…

Brigadier General Francis Hummel (Harris) and a squad of mercenaries have taken control of Alcatraz Island.  They hold the tourists and tour guides hostage.  Hummel has given the government a timeline to pay $100 million which he will distribute to his mercenaries and the families of soldiers who died under his watch.  If he is not paid he has threatened to launch a VX rocket into San Francisco.

John Patrick Mason (Connery) is the only man to ever escape Alcatraz island.  Mason knows all the passageways and tunnels on the island by heart.  He has been held in solitary confinement for the last 30 years for stealing government secrets.  The military and FBI believe that Mason can covertly lead a US Navy Seal team onto the island.  The Seals will then take down Hummel’s mercenaries. Dr. Stanley Goodspeed (Cage), the FBI’s top chemical weapons expert will disarm the rockets.  Of the many problems with this plan is that Mason may not be interested in helping the country that kept him prisoner for half his life without the benefit of a trial and Goodspeed has no field experience.

The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Rock is Michael Bay’s best film.  Bay uses his signature quick cuts to keep the movie moving.  He is also surrounded by an excellent cast from the leads down.  Standouts include Connery, Cage, Harris, Spencer, Morse, and Biehn.  You’ll see familiar faces (McGinley, Todd, Woodbine) in smaller roles.

The Rock is one of those films where everything comes together to create the perfect movie experience.

The Rock (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Love to Love You Donna Summer” / Z-View

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Love to Love You, Donna Summer (2023)

Director: Brooklyn Sudano, Roger Ross Williams

Stars: Donna Summer, Michael McKean, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Johnny Carson, Jimmie ‘JJ’ Walker, Quincy Jones, Arsenio Hall, Merv Griffin, Dionne Warwick, Giorgio Moroder, Janis Joplin and Tom Snyder.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Explores the life and career of Donna Summer using extensive home video recordings and behind the scenes footage of concerts and television appearances.  Co-Directed by Donna Summer’s daughter Brooklyn Sudano.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you only know Donna Summer as the “Queen of Disco” (and she was), you’re missing out on a lot of her story.

Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You Baby” is one song that I remember exactly where I was when I first heard it.  I was in Camelot Records (remember those?) and the song came on over the sound system.  It definitely got a reaction.

Love to Love You, Donna Summer (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Friends of Eddie Coyle” (1973) starring Robert Mitchum / Z-View

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The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)

Director: Peter Yates

Screenplay: Paul Monash based on The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle, Richard Jordan, Steven Keats, Alex Rocco, Joe Santos, Mitchell Ryan, Carolyn Pickman, James Tolkan and Jack Kehoe.

Tagline: It’s a grubby, violent, dangerous world. But it’s the only world they know. And they’re the only friends Eddie has.

The Plot…

Eddie Coyle (Mitchum) is a low-level criminal.  He was convicted of a truck hijacking and is waiting sentencing.  In an effort to get his conviction cleared, Coyle is secretly working as an informant for an ATF agent.  At the same time Coyle is dealing guns to a crew of robbers who have knocked off a couple of banks and look to take down more soon.  As the cops close in on the bank robbers, the time draws near for Coyle’s sentencing.  He’s going to have to make some moves to get out clean…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is such a great 1970s cast for a crime film.  Great source material as well.

The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Sly Stallone’s All-Time Best Movies

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Thomas Leatham and Calum Russell at Far Out came up with their list of The 10 best Sylvester Stallone movies.  Before you click over to see their thoughts on each film, here is how our rankings compared.  I also included some Stallone films that would have made my list, but didn’t make theirs.

Leatham & Russell

Zablo

10. Cobra (George P. Cosmatos, 1986)

09. The Suicide Squad (James Gunn, 2021)

08. Demolition Man (Marco Brambilla, 1993)

07. Rocky IV (Sylvester Stallone, 1985)

06. Cliffhanger (Renny Harlin, 1993)

05. Nighthawks (Bruce Malmuth, 1981)

04. First Blood (Ted Kotcheff, 1982)

03. Cop Land (James Mangold, 1997)

02. Creed (Ryan Coogler, 2016)

01. Rocky (John G. Avildsen, 1976)

10. The Suicide Squad (James Gunn, 2021)

09. Demolition Man (Marco Brambilla, 1993)

08. Cobra (George P. Cosmatos, 1986)

06. Cliffhanger (Renny Harlin, 1993)

06. Rocky IV (Sylvester Stallone, 1985)

05. First Blood (Ted Kotcheff, 1982)

04. Creed (Ryan Coogler, 2016)

03. Nighthawks (Bruce Malmuth, 1981)

02. Cop Land (James Mangold, 1997)

01. Rocky (John G. Avildsen, 1976)
  • Get Carter (Stephen Kay, 2000)
  • Rambo (Sylvester Stallone, 2008)
  • Paradise Alley (Sylvester Stallone, 1978)
  • FIST (Norman Jewison, 1978)
  • Rocky III (Sylvester Stallone, 1982)

“Old Henry” (2021) starring Tim Blake Nelson & Stephen Dorff / Z-View

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Old Henry (2021)

Director: Potsy Ponciroli

Screenplay: Potsy Ponciroli

Stars: Tim Blake Nelson, Scott Haze, Gavin Lewis, Trace Adkins, Stephen Dorff, Richard Speight Jr., Max Arciniega, Brad Carter and Kent Shelton.

Tagline: You can’t bury the past.

The Plot…

Henry (Nelson) is a widower raising his teenage son on a remote farm in the west.  One day, on the outskirts of his farm, Henry finds Curry (Haze), a badly wounded man with a satchel of cash. Henry brings Curry back to the farm.  Curry claims to be a Sheriff on the run from the three robbers who stole the cash. Curry says that when the robbers show up they will claim to be Deputies, but they’re not.

Soon three men ride up.  They claim to be officers of the law who have tracked an outlaw to the farm.  They demand that Henry turn the outlaw and bag of cash over to them.

Henry has a decision to make.  No one is as they seem… including Henry.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Old Henry is a complete joy.  It’s a throwback western of the best kind.  I love the twists in the plot and how our allegiances shift as the movie progresses.  The ultimate reveal at the end is unexpected but completely right.

Stephen Dorff is, as always. excellent.  Tim Blake Nelson shines as Old Henry.

Old Henry (2021) rates 5 of 5 stars.

The All-Time Best Black & White Monster Movies!

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Jordan Payeur at CBR.com came up with a list of the 10 Best Black and White Monster Movies.  Before you click over to see Payeur’s comments on each, here’s my rankings using just Payeur’s list.  I’ve then included several black and white monster movies that would have made my rankings.  What did I miss?

Payeur

Zablo

10. Village of the Damned (1960)

09. The Man Who Laughs (1928)

08. Haxan (1922)

07. Cat People (1942)

06. The Wolf Man (1941)

05. The Mummy (1932)

04. Dracula (1931)

03. Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

02. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

01. Nosferatu (1922)

10. The Man Who Laughs (1928)

09. Village of the Damned (1960)

08. Haxan (1922)

07. Cat People (1942)

06. Nosferatu (1922)

05. The Mummy (1932)

04. The Wolf Man (1941)

03. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

02. Dracula (1931)

01. Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

  • The Phantom Carriage (1921)
  • Frankenstein (1931)
  • The Invisible Man (1933)
  • Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman (1943)
  • Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
  • The Thing from Another World (1951)
  • Them! (1954)
  • Night of the Living Dead (1968)

“The Salton Sea” (2002) starring Val Kilmer and Vincent D’Onofrio / Z-View

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The Salton Sea (2002)

Director: D.J. Caruso

Screenplay: Tony Gayton

Stars: Val Kilmer, Vincent D’Onofrio, Adam Goldberg, Luis Guzmán, Doug Hutchison, Anthony LaPaglia, Peter Sarsgaard, BD Wong, R. Lee Ermey, Meat Loaf and Danny Trejo.

Tagline: If You’re Looking For The Truth, You’ve Come To The Wrong Place.

The Plot…

Danny Parker (Kilmer) survived a tragic incident and now runs with drug addicts and criminals.  But all is not as it seems.  As the tagline says, “If you’re looking for truth, you’ve come to the wrong place.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I first watched The Salton Sea, I was almost ready to tap out when Val Kilmer does something (I won’t give it away) that told me, not all is as it seems.  I had gone in to the film cold and wasn’t aware of the tagline or the plot.  I love the twists and reveals throughout The Salton Sea.

D.J. Caruso has assembled a great cast.  The standout though is Vincent D’Onofrio as Pooh-Bear, a noseless, crazy drug dealer.  D’Onofrio, as he is apt to do, owns every scene he’s in.

On my initial viewing of The Salton Sea, I rated it 5 of 5 stars.  I recently rewatched The Salton Sea and it could be because I knew the plot twists/reveals that I dropped the rating to 4 of 5 stars (which is, of course still really good).

The Salton Sea (2002) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Copshop” (2021) starring Gerard Butler, Frank Grillo & Alexis Louder / Z-View

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Copshop (2021)

Director: Joe Carnahan

Screenplay: Kurt McLeod, Joe Carnahan from a story by Mark Williams, Kurt McLeod

Stars: Gerard Butler, Frank Grillo, Alexis Louder, Toby Huss, Chad L. Coleman, Ryan O’Nan, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Robert Walker Branchaud and Keith Jardine.

Tagline: Someone’s Gotta Take The Hit

The Plot…

Conman and thief, Teddy Murretto (Grillo) is on the run.  People Murretto double-crossed have put a hit on him. As assassin Bob Viddick (Butler) closes in for the kill, Murretto gets himself arrested.  Murretto figures he’ll be safe in the remote police lock-up.  It sounds like a great plan until Viddick is arrested and put in the next cell.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Copshop is such a fun ride.  Kurt McLeod, Joe Carnahan and Mark Williams have created a story that has mystery, tons of action, twists and the right amount of humor.

Carnahan has assembled a great cast.  Butler is perfect as the stoic hitman.  Grillo is always a favorite.  The two surprise stars for me are Alexis Louder and Toby Huss.  Louder has charisma and star power.  Huss is a scary riot.  Once he appears on screen things are taken up a notch.

I really enjoyed Copshop and look forward to watching it again! (I’ve re-watched Copshop several times since my initial viewing.  It gets better with every viewing.  Therefore I’m upping my rating from 4 to 5 stars.  Your mileage, as always, may vary. – Updated September 5, 2025)

Copshop (2021) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Devil Conspiracy” (2022) / Z-View

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The Devil Conspiracy (2022)

Director: Nathan Frankowski

Screenplay: Ed Alan

Stars: Peter Mensah, Joe Anderson.

Tagline: The War of Angels Has Come to Earth

The Plot…

A satanic cult steals DNA from the Shroud of Turin in order to bring Lucifer back to rule the earth.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I liked the idea of advances in technology to make it possible to use DNA from the Shroud of Turin to create a clone.  Using the clone made from Jesus’ blood for evil purposes is an interesting twist.  The Devil Conspiracy has great visuals and starts off well enough, but ultimately doesn’t finish as strong.

The Devil Conspiracy (2022) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Napoleon” directed by Ridley Scott, starring Joaquin Phoenix – The Trailer is Here!

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Deal me in!

Ridley. Joaquin. Napoleon. In theaters November 22

Directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by David Scarpa, “Napoleon” stars Joaquin Phoenix as the French emperor and military leader. The film is an original and personal look at Napoleon’s origins and his swift, ruthless climb to emperor, viewed through the prism of his addictive and often volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine, played by Vanessa Kirby. The film captures Napoleon’s famous battles, relentless ambition and astounding strategic mind as an extraordinary military leader and war visionary. An Apple Studios production in conjunction with Scott Free Productions, “Napoleon” is produced by Scott, Kevin Walsh, Mark Huffam and Phoenix, with Michael Pruss and Aidan Elliott serving as executive producers.

Two “Rocky Balboa” Newspaper Strip Samples by JOE KUBERT!

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Back in January of 2005, I posted about meeting the legendary comic artist, Joe Kubert.  Here is part of what I wrote then:

I had the good fortune to meet Joe Kubert in the early 80’s. He was Guest of Honor at one of Jim Ivey’s OrlandoCons. Joe Kubert was there to pick up his Ignatz award. At the time Mr. Kubert was also promoting a series that he was to write and draw for DC called The Redeemer. Sad to say it never appeared.

Another thing that Joe Kubert worked on that never appeared is, interestingly enough, a proposal for a Rocky Balboa newspaper strip. Mr. Kubert told me that he was approached to work on a daily newspaper strip and that he had in fact worked up character sheets, some daily samples, etc. Sadly the strip was never picked up.

You can imagine how excited I was to hear that JOE KUBERT had drawn Rocky Balboa. I asked Mr. Kubert if the art was available for sale, but it wasn’t. I then asked if I could buy Xeroxes but again, Mr. Kubert politely declined. Man, you just know that those pieces look great… maybe someday we’ll get the chance to see them in a treasury of his work.

The two strips you see above (click on the art to see them biggie-sized) are samples that Joe Kubert created for the proposed Rocky Balboa newspaper strip.  These are the only two I’ve ever seen.  I’m not sure how many others he may have drawn.  One thing I am sure of: Any strip Joe Kubert drew would contain great art.

“Code of Silence” (1985) starring Chuck Norris / Z-View

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Code of Silence (1985)

Director: Andrew Davis

Screenplay: Michael Butler, Dennis Shryack, Mike Gray story by Michael Butler, Dennis Shryack

Stars: Chuck Norris, Henry Silva, Bert Remsen, Mike Genovese, Nathan Davis, Molly Hagan and Dennis Farina.

Tagline: Eddie Cusack’s a good cop having a very bad day.

The Plot…

Sergeant Eddie Cusack (Norris) is in charge of a stakeout to take down some big time drug dealers.  The stakeout goes sideways when the drug dealers are ripped off and killed.  The thieves get away and Cragie, an alcoholic cop on Cusack’s team. accidentally kills a kid. Cragie then plants a gun on the kid to make the killing look legit.  Cusak finds himself alone as he looks to bring Cragie to justice and find the killers.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Code of Silence was originally offered to Clint Eastwood as a potential Dirty Harry film but Eastwood passed.

This was director Andrew Davis’ first action movie.  He would go on to direct action classics like Above the Law; Under Siege and The Fugitive.

I saw Code of Silence when it was initially released and liked it much better then than on a recent re-watch.

Code of Silence (1985) rates 2 of 5 stars.