Category: Movies

Phil Tippett’s “Mad God” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Mad God looks crazy.  Maybe crazy great, crazy good or just plain crazy.  I’ll have to check it out to be sure.  Dig that poster.  Deal me in.

Follow The Assassin through a forbidding world of tortured souls, decrepit bunkers, and wretched monstrosities forged from the most primordial horrors of the subconscious mind. Directed by Phil Tippett (Star Wars, Jurassic Park), the world’s pre-eminent stop motion animator, every set, creature, and effigy in this macabre masterpiece is hand-crafted and painstakingly animated using traditional stop-motion techniques.

Premieres June 16

“Darc” (2018) / Z-View

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Darc (2018)

Director:  Julius R. Nasso

Writers:  Tony Schiena, Dennis Venter

Starring:  Tony Schiena, Armand Assante and Shô Ikushima.

Tagline:  None.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

An Interpol agent named Lafique (Assante) arranges for the early release of a convict known as Darc (Schiena). Lafique then recruits Darc to bring down a Yakuza human trafficking ring. When Darc was a small boy he witnessed the leader of the Yakuza gang kill his mother.  Darc will use all of his martial arts skills in an attempt to avenge his mother and bring down the gang… but will they be enough?

Shaky camera work on several of the fights diminish their effectiveness.  Schiena comes off as a cross between Karl Urban (a good thing) and early Steven Seagal (used to be a good thing).  It would be interesting to see him in a better film.  It’s always good to see Armand Assante.  I wish the movie was as good as the poster.

Darc rates 2 of 5 stars.

Apollo Creed & Rocky Balboa by Joel Tesch!

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It’s no secret I’m a fan of Joel Tesch’s art.  Check out his Apollo Creed & Rocky Balboa piece above and you’ll understand.  Click on it and you can check out a championship-sized version.

This is Joel Tesch’s third appearance here.  His first was with his Spider Rico vs The Italian Stallion at the Resurrection Gym.   His second appearance was with his riff on “Yo, Adrian! I DID IT!!”  I hope there’s a fourth Joel Tesch art appearance in our future.

You can see more of Joel Tesch’s art at his website, Twitter and Instagram.

“The Ghost of Frankenstein” (1942) / Z-View

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The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)

Director:  Erle C. Kenton

Writers:  Scott Darling (screenplay), Eric Taylor (original story)

Starring:  Cedric Hardwicke, Lon Chaney Jr., Ralph Bellamy, Lionel Atwill, Bela Lugosi, Evelyn Ankers and Colin Clive.

Tagline:  The King of all Monsters strikes again! No chains can hold him! No tomb can seal him in!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Ygor (Lugosi) discovers Frankenstein’s monster (Chaney) buried under rubble of Dr. Frankenstein’s castle. Ygor and the monster journey to find Dr. Frankenstein’s son, Ludwig (Hardwicke), who is also a doctor. When they arrive in Ludwig’s town, the monster befriends a young girl.  Townspeople fear the monster is going to hurt the child and attack the monster.  Two villagers are killed before Ygor and the monster escape.

Ygor wants Ludwig Frankenstein to use his father’s notes and put Ygor’s brain in the monster.  While Ludwig considers this, he is visited by his father’s ghost (Ha! THAT explains the title) who says to find a good brain for the monster.  As villagers search for the monster, Ludwig prepares to operate, but whose brain will he use?  And what will be the result?

I have many fun memories of watching The Ghost of Frankenstein with my buddy late at night on Sammy Terry’s Nightmare Theater.  It’s a fun movie for kids.  You have Bela Lugosi (Dracula!) as Ygor and Lon Chaney, Jr. (Wolfman!) as the Monster.  You get the monster fighting villagers on a rooftop, chained in a courtroom (What?) and breaking free, plus the mandatory laboratory scene with electrical arcs and rioting villagers.  What’s not to like?

If you see The Ghost of Frankenstein as an adult for the first time, your mileage may vary quite a bit from mine.  I still enjoy The Ghost of Frankenstein even though we have Ygor and the monster as friends. They were bitter enemies before.  Chaney plays the monster as if it is blind, which explains why the monster’s eyes are always closed and it walks with arms outstretched.  This is never really explained in the movie. The Ghost of Frankenstein isn’t as good as Frankenstein or The Bride of Frankenstein (or even Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein) but I like it well enough to give it 3 of 5 stars.

“The Forever Purge” (2021) / Z-View

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The Forever Purge (2021)

Director: Everardo Gout

Writers: James DeMonaco

Starring: Ana de la Reguera, Tenoch Huerta, Josh Lucas, Will Patton and Zahn McClarnon.

Tagline:  The rules are broken.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

When crazies across the US keep “purging” after the deadline, a rich ranching family joins their Mexican employees in a search for safety.  When they hear that for 24 hours Mexico and Canada have opened their borders to refuges looking for safety, the group heads for Mexico.

Kind of heavy-handed plot, huh?  The rich white family begins to understand how foreign families would leave everything to cross the border for safety.  If this was a better movie perhaps it would just seem ironic.

The Forever Purge rates 2 of 5 stars.

The Forever Purge Blu-ray
The Forever Purge DVD
The Forever Purge 4K

“I’m Charlie Walker” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Both the poster and the trailer for I’m Charlie Walker has nailed the feel of a 70s blaxploitation flick.  Deal me in.

Mike Colter (Marvel’s Luke Cage) stars as Charlie Walker, an earnest entrepreneur working in the construction and trucking industries in 1971 San Francisco. When two oil tankers collide off of the coast, unleashing millions of gallons of oil and spawning an immense environmental disaster, Charlie gets right to work. First, he lands a lucrative contract to clean the coastline. Then, with only three trucks, Charlie puts his heart and his hands into trying to save the coastline, all while grappling with pervasive racism from the company that hired him. Co starring Dylan Baker (Hunters), Safiya Fredericks (Sorry To Bother You), Mark Leslie Ford (Jamojaya), Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick), Steven Wiig (Milk), Emma Caulfield Ford (WandaVision), and Carl Lumbly (The Falcon And The Winter Soldier), this riveting true story is a triumph.

“Vendetta” – Standen, Rossi, Tyson, Jane and Willis – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Vendetta is the definition of a drive-in movie.  It’s a low-budget, genre film with a cast of newcomers with some B and former A-list stars.  I’m a fan of good drive-in movies.  Check out the poster and trailer for Vendetta and tell me what you think.

After the murders of his wife and young daughter at the hands of a ruthless crime family, an ex-marine seeks revenge by picking off members of the gang one by one until he completes his mission, even if it costs him his own life in the process.

Starring Clive Standen, Theo Rossi, with Mike Tyson, Thomas Jane, and Bruce Willis
Directed by: Jared Cohn
Release Date: 5/17/22

“The Wolf of Snow Hollow” (2020) / Z-View

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The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)

Director:  Jim Cummings

Writers: Jim Cummings

Starring: Jim Cummings, Riki Lindhome, Robert Forster and Will Madden.

Tagline:  Welcome to Snow Hollow

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Deputy Sheriff John Marshall (Cummings) is a recovering alcoholic.  He’s losing sleep and his nerves are frayed.  His ex-wife wants sole custody of their daughter.  His father’s (Forster) health is failing and he won’t take care of himself.  Complicating their relationship, John’s father is also John’s boss, the Sheriff.  John’s daughter is staying with him and at the teenage rebellious stage.  No wonder John Marshall has anger issues.

What could happen to make things worse, you ask?  I’m glad you did.

When the first victim’s body is found, badly mutilated with parts missing, word gets out that there is a deranged killer living in their small town community.

Then a second mutilated body is found missing parts. The story becomes they have a serial killer in their midst.

Once the third dismembered body is found, rumors circulate that the werewolf is back!  With each new victim, Deputy Sheriff John Marshall feels himself losing it a bit more.  He’s got to find the killer before he kills again.  And everyone knows there’s no such thing as werewolves, right?  Right?

Jim Cummings wrote, directed and stars in The Wolf of Snow Hollow.  I wonder why he made his character so unlikeable.  Robert Forster is always good and his role in The Wolf of Snow Hollow is no exception.  I like the design of the werewolf and there are a couple of cool scenes where we clearly see how huge it is.  There’s a nice (if not unexpected) twist near the end of the film.  Had I liked the main character better, The Wolf of Snow Hollow may have earned more than 3 of 5 stars.

“Windfall” (2022) / Z-View

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Windfall (2022)

Director: Charlie McDowell

Writers: Charlie McDowell &Jason Segel and Justin Lader & Andrew Kevin Walker

Starring: Jason Segel, Lily Collins, Jesse Plemons and Omar Leyva.

Tagline:  Every Kidnap is a Compromise.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

A man (Segel) breaks into one of a young billionaire’s vacation homes intent to steal whatever cash and goods he can.  Things go south when the billionaire (Plemons) and his wife (Collins) show up.

Windfall starts off feeling like a Hitchcock thriller.  Then switches to comedy and finally drama. This just didn’t work for me.  It was like we’re in the comedy section now.  Ok, time for the drama.  The decisions the characters made didn’t feel real.  I felt like I was watching actors in a play doing what the writers wanted, not like people in a real-life hostage situation.

It is cool how the title of the film ties in to the ending.  I just wish the entire movie was that clever.

Windfall earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Blowback” – Be Careful Who You Betray – The Poster and Trailer for this Crime Flick is Here!

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Blowback is a low-budget crime film that looks to have some of my favorite crime tropes.  Glad to see Randy Couture – he’s perfect for crime/tough guy movies.  Deal me in!

After planning a perfect heist, Nick is ready to score. One problem, his girl and the crew, have other ideas. They take Nick down in a hail of bullets but Nick doesn’t die and in a race for his life, seeks revenge one target at a time.

“Medieval” Starring Ben Foster, Michael Caine and Til Schweiger – The Poster and Teaser are Here!

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I like the poster and teaser for Medieval starring Ben Foster, Michael Caine and Til Schweiger.

Inspired by the true story of Jan Žižka, one of the greatest warriors in history. After the death of its reigning emperor, the Holy Roman Empire is plummeting into chaos while feuding brothers King Wenceslas of Czech and King Sigismund of Hungary battled for control of the empty throne. Daring and righteous mercenary leader Jan Zizka (Ben Foster) is hired by Lord Boresh (Michael Caine) to kidnap the powerful Lord Rosenberg’s (Til Schweiger) fiancée, Lady Katherine (Sophie Lowe), to prevent Rosenberg’s rise to power alongside the corrupt King Sigismund.

Jan believes that Kings are the right hand of God and should be respected and obeyed, no matter what. As Katherine becomes caught in a dangerous political game between the monarchs, Jan falls in love with her strong spirit and dedication to saving the people. In a brave attempt to liberate her, he fights back with a rebel army to battle the corruption, greed, and betrayal rampant amongst those clawing for power. Jan now realizes that the fate of the Empire will be decided by his love for Lady Katherine and that his fate doesn’t lie in the hands of Kings, but in the hands of his own people.

Written and directed by Petr Jákl, Medieval opens in theaters on September 9, 2022, and on digital and On Demand on October 31, 2022.

“A Quiet Place Part II”  (2020) / Z-View

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A Quiet Place Part II   (2020)

Director:  John Krasinski

Writers: John Krasinski (screenplay) based on characters by Bryan Woods & Scott Beck

Starring:  Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Cillian Murphy, John Krasinski, Noah Jupe and Djimon Hounsou.

Tagline:  Silence is Not Enough

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

A Quiet Place Part II begins on day one of the alien invasion.  The aliens are massive creatures with armor-like scales.  Although blind, they are exceedingly fast and strong.  They use their sensitive hearing to locate and kill.  The scenes of the aliens arriving and attacking are worth the price of admission.  The story then picks up where the original film ended.

The Abbotts have been surviving on the family farm since the alien invasion began over a year ago.  Lee Abbott (Krasinski) has been killed by aliens. Lee’s wife, Evelyn (Blunt) is left with her three children, Regan & Marcus as well as a baby. Her oldest, Regan (Simmonds) is deaf.  They accidentally learned that amplified feedback from Regan’s hearing aide disorients the aliens.  While disoriented, the aliens are vulnerable to be destroyed.

With limited supplies, Evelyn and her children leave the farm in hopes of finding other survivors.  Evelyn wants a safe place for her and her children.  Regan wants more.  Regan believes that if she can get to a radio station, she can broadcast how to weaponize sound against the aliens.  Evelyn and Regan both understand the dangers the aliens present… but neither has taken into account that humans can be as dangerous.

A Quiet Place Part II is an excellent follow-up to the original.  I was really happy that in Part II, they take us back to day one of the invasion.  There are terrifying scenes of the aliens attacking.  One scene in particular involves Evelyn escaping an attacking alien and coming head-on with an out of control bus — and then things get worse!

I’m an Emily Blunt fan.  John Krasinski continues to impress both in front and behind the camera.  I didn’t recognize Cillian Murphy at first, but he is a great addition to the cast.  Djimon Hounsou comes in late to the story, but plays a role with heart and does it well.  Millicent Simmonds gets a bigger part this time out, but she is more than up to the task.

A Quiet Place Part II is a worthy  follow-up to the original.  It rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Private Property” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Ignore the boring poster and check out the trailer for Private Property.  I like that we see enough to get an idea of what’s going on but don’t feel we’ve seen the movie.  Deal me in.

This tense and gripping neo-noir thriller walks the fine line between reality and deception. Stuck in a marriage to a rich Hollywood producer (Jay Pharoah, “SNL”), struggling actress Kathryn (Ashley Benson, “Pretty Little Liars”) finds herself attracted to Ben, her new gardener. Then, she meets Ed, the eccentric millionaire who’s just moved in next door, and a BBQ turns into a drunken party. Kathryn awakens to discover that Ben and Ed have been hiding secrets, and that her home — and life — may now be in grave danger.

“Interceptor” Starring Elsa Pataky – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like the look of Interceptor.  It’s like a throwback to an 80s action flick with a female lead.  Elsa Pataky looks believable.  Come June 3rd, I’ll check out Interceptor.

INTERCEPTOR Trailer (2022) Elsa Pataky Action Movie

PLOT: Meet the world’s last defense. One Army captain must use her years of tactical training and military expertise when a simultaneous coordinated attack threatens the remote missile interceptor station she is in command of. Elsa Pataky and Luke Bracey star in INTERCEPTOR, directed by Matthew Reilly.

RELEASE DATE: Watch on Netflix June 3.

CAST: Elsa Pataky, Luke Bracey

“Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman”  (1943) / Z-View

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Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman  (1943)

Director:  Roy William Neill

Writers:  Curt Siodmak

Starring: Lon Chaney Jr., Ilona Massey, Patric Knowles, Lionel Atwill, Bela Lugosi and Dwight Frye.

Tagline:  All New Thrills as Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Four years after the events of The Wolf Man, grave robbers break into Larry Talbot’s crypt.  When light of the full moon hits Talbot’s corpse he comes back to life as the Wolf Man!  Two days later Talbot (Chaney) awakens in a hospital. Talbot remembers killing people in his werewolf form, but is unable to convince Dr. Manning that he is a wolf man.  Thinking Talbot crazy, he is restrained.  Talbot escapes and goes in search of a cure.

Although Dr. Frankenstein is dead, Talbot believes the doctor’s journals may provide an answer.  As he searches for the notes, Talbot frees Frankenstein’s monster, who is buried in ice below the castle.  Posing as a potential buyer of the Frankenstein estate, Talbot meets Dr. Frankenstein’s daughter, Elsa. With the aide of Elsa, Dr. Frankenstein’s journals and laboratory, Dr. Manning believes he can drain the Monster and the Wolf Man of their life energy.  What could possibly go wrong?

The Frankenstein Monster and the Wolf Man in the same movie!  What kid didn’t love that?  Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man was another of our favorites when it appeared on Sammy Terry’s Nightmare Theater.  Although the Monster and the Wolf Man don’t fight until the climax (we wanted more!), their battle destroying the laboratory as flood waters rushed in was always exciting.  Every time I re-watch Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man it takes me back to being a kid excited to see two of our favorite monsters in the same movie!.

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man rates 4 of 5 stars.