Danny Earls’ Marv from Sin City!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is perhaps my favorite comic book character. Danny Earls’ rendition of the big mug is spot on.
Category: Movies
Bruce Lee Gets the Criterion Collection Treatment!
Bruce Lee is getting the Criterion Collection treatment and his fans are going to love it. The seven-disc Blu-ray box set will contain Lee’s greatest hits (The Big Boss / Fist of Fury / The Way of the Dragon / Enter the Dragon / Game of Death) and will be chock full of special features, including alternate versions of the films, interviews, documentaries and much more!
Here’s some of what the seven disc Special Edition will feature…
- 4K digital restorations of The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Game of Death, and The Way of the Dragon, with uncompressed original monaural soundtracks
- New 2K digital restoration of the rarely-seen 99-minute 1973 theatrical version of Enter the Dragon, with uncompressed original monaural soundtrack
- 2K digital restoration of the 102-minute “special-edition” version of Enter the Dragon
- Alternate audio soundtracks for the films, including original English-dubbed tracks and a 5.1 surround soundtrack for the special-edition version of Enter the Dragon
- Six audio commentaries: on The Big Boss by Bruce Lee expert Brandon Bentley; on The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Game of Death, and The Way of the Dragon by Hong Kong–film expert Mike Leeder; and on the special-edition version of Enter the Dragon by producer Paul Heller
- High-definition presentation of Game of Death II, the 1981 sequel to Game of Death
- Game of Death Redux, a new presentation of Lee’s original Game of Death footage, produced by Alan Canvan
- New interviews on all five films with Lee biographer Matthew Polly
- New interview with producer Andre Morgan about Golden Harvest, the company behind Hong Kong’s top martial-arts stars, including Lee
- New program about English-language dubbing with voice performers Michael Kaye (the English-speaking voice of Lee’s Chen Zhen in Fist of Fury) and Vaughan Savidge
- New interview with author Grady Hendrix about the “Bruceploitation” subgenre that followed Lee’s death, and a selection of Bruceploitation trailers
- Blood and Steel, a 2004 documentary about the making of Enter the Dragon
- Multiple programs and documentaries about Lee’s life and philosophies, including Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend (1973) and Bruce Lee: In His Own Words (1998)
- Interviews with Linda Lee Cadwell, Lee’s widow, and many of Lee’s collaborators and admirers, including actors Jon T. Benn, Riki Hashimoto, Nora Miao, Robert Wall, Yuen Wah, and Simon Yam and directors Clarence Fok, Sammo Hung, and Wong Jing
- Promotional materials
- New English subtitle translations and subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by critic Jeff Chang
Bruce Lee’s Greatest Hits: The Criterion Collection will be available July 14, 2020.
The All Time Funniest Movies!
Christopher Dale at Listverse presented his list of the Top 10 Funniest Movies Of All Time. While Dale picked some good comedies, my list would have looked a lot different. First, here’s Dale’s top ten and my rankings of his choices.
|
Dale |
Zablo |
10. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) |
10. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
|
9. Airplane! (1980) |
9. Superbad (2007)
|
8. Caddyshack (1980) |
8. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
|
7. The Naked Gun (1988) |
7. Borat (2006)
|
6. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) |
6. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
|
5. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) |
5. Caddyshack (1980)
|
4. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) |
4. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
|
3. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) |
3. The Naked Gun (1988)
|
2. Borat (2006) |
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
|
1. Superbad (2007) |
1. Airplane! (1980)
|
Movies I would have included but didn’t make the cut… Stepbrothers; Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, The Great Race, Arsenic and Old Lace; Dr. Strangelove; The Princess Bride; Richard Pryor Live....
“Con Air” Trivia and More!
I’m a fan of Con Air so you know I just had to comment on Joey Paur’s Collection of Fun Facts For Nicolas Cage’s CON AIR and a “Making Of” Video at GeekTyrant. Here are three of my favorites and my thoughts…
Stephen Baldwin, William Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Dolph Lundgren, Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, Kurt Russell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Seagal, Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bruce Willis were considered for the part of Cameron Poe.
(I thought Nicholas Cage was great in the role and it’s probably my favorite character he’s played. My top three from the actors listed who didn’t get the part would be: 1) Sly Stallone (No surprise there); 2. Jean-Claude Van Damme and 3) Kurt Russell. – Craig)
Gary Oldman was the first choice to play Cyrus. Kevin Bacon, Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Richard Dreyfuss, James Gandolfini, Ed Harris, Rutger Hauer, William Hurt, Michael Keaton, Michael Madsen, Jack Nicholson, Sean Penn, Ron Perlman, Tim Robbins, Tom Sizemore, John Travolta, Peter Weller, and Bruce Willis were also considered… Willem Dafoe and Mickey Rourke also auditioned for the part of Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom.
(My top three of the actors not selected to play Cyrus the Virus would be 1) Mickey Rourke; 2) Ron Perlman and 3) Michael Madsen. – Craig)
The song “How Do I Live” was nominated for both an Oscar as Best Original Song and a Razzie as Worst Original Song. It did not win either award. it was originally performed by 14-year-old LeAnn Rimes.
(I like the song and find it interesting that it was nominated for both the highest honor (Oscar) and worst (Razzie). – Craig)
The Best Monster Movies of All Time
Jim Vorel and the Paste staff came up with their list of The 50 Best Monster Movies of All Time. The rules were the monsters have to be something inhuman; they kill by physically attacking you with tooth and claw and shouldn’t be supernatural in origin.
I saw 42 of the movies on their list and 9 of the top 10. Using just their list here is how my top five compares to theirs. Would yours be different?
Paste |
Zablo |
5. The Fly (1986) |
5. Bride of Frankenstein (1935) |
4. Jaws (1975) |
4. Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) |
3. Alien (1979) |
3. Jaws (1975) |
2. King Kong (1933) |
2 The Thing (1986) |
1. The Thing (1986) |
1. Aliens (1986) |
Sly Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s All-Time Best Performances
Ben Sherlock at ScreenRant posted his choices for Sylvester Stallone Vs Arnold Schwarzenegger: Each Actor’s 5 Best Performances. I thought I’d compare Sherlock’s Top 5 for Sly and Arnold to mine (using just his five best) and then what I’d include from all of each actor’s filmography.
First up: Sherlock’s choices and both of our ratings…
|
Sherlock’s |
Zablo’s |
Sherlock’s |
Zablo’s |
| 5. John Rambo In First Blood | 5. Lt. Marion Cobretti In Cobra | 5. Wade Vogel In Maggie | 5. Wade Vogel In Maggie |
| 4. Johnny D. Kovak In F.I.S.T. | 4. John Rambo In First Blood | 4. Sheriff Ray Owens In The Last Stand | 4. Sheriff Ray Owens In The Last Stand |
| 3. Lt. Marion Cobretti In Cobra | 3. Johnny D. Kovak In F.I.S.T. | 3. Dutch In Predator | 3. Doug Quaid In Total Recall |
| 2. Sheriff Freddy Heflin In Cop Land | 2. Sheriff Freddy Heflin In Cop Land | 2. Doug Quaid In Total Recall | 2. Dutch In Predator |
| 1. Rocky Balboa In Rocky | 1. Rocky Balboa In Rocky | 1. The T-800 In The Terminator | 1. The T-800 In The Terminator |
Now what I would’ve included from each actor’s filmography.
|
Zablo’s Sly All Films |
Zablo’s Arnold All Films |
| 5. Deke DaSilva in Nighthawks | 5. Harry Trasker in True Lies |
| 4. John Rambo In First Blood | 4. John Matrix in Commando |
| 3. Sheriff Freddy Heflin In Cop Land | 3. John ‘Breacher’ Wharton in Sabotage |
| 2. Jack Carter in Get Carter | 2. Dutch In Predator |
| 1. Rocky Balboa in Rocky | 1. The T-800 In The Terminator |
“Hogan’s Heroes” Trivia
To this day it’s hard for me to believe that anyone would greenlight a TV comedy about a World War II prisoner of war camp. But that’s exactly what happened. Hogan’s Heroes ran for 168 episodes, premiering in September 1965 and airing the last original episode in April 1971. Hogan’s Heroes is the longest running American TV series inspired by World War II. Who would’ve thunk it?
MeTV recently posted 12 Incredibly True Facts about Hogan’s Heroes. Here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each…
The actors playing the four main German roles were Jewish. Klemperer (Klink), Banner (Schultz), Leon Askin (Burkhalter) and Howard Caine (Hochstetter) were Jewish, and all but the latter had fled the Nazis during WWII. Additionally, Robert Clary, who played the cooking French corporal, LeBeau, had been interned at a concentration camp. Klemperer stated at the time, “I am an actor. If I can play Richard III, I can play a Nazi.” The actor insisted that Hogan always won out over his captors.
(I remember at the time there was a bit of controversy from World War II vets, and some who had been in POW camps, as well as those who felt nothing about WW2 was funny. – Craig)
The set was blown up during the making of Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS. What an ignominious fate. Hogan’s Heroes was filmed on Desilu Productions’ RKO Forty Acres backlot. In the making of the trashy 1974 exploitation film Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS, the set was destroyed for the final scene. Hogan’s producers were okay with it, as it saved the cost of having the set demolished.
(What a way to go! – Craig)
The show used the tagline If you liked World War II, you’ll love Hogan’s Heroes! The tagline was sarcastically suggested by comedian and author Stan Freberg in an interview with Bob Crane in The Sunday Times, on September 15, 1965. “Shall we say, ‘If you liked World War II…you’ll love Hogan’s Heroes?'” Freberg dryly asks. “No, let’s not say that, no,” Crane responds. Nevertheless, it became the tagline.
(I wonder if in this age of political correctness, would Hogan’s Heroes ever make it to production? – Craig)
“Spartacus” by Tony Stella!
Tony Stella has created a poster worthy of the classic movie Spartacus. Although we’re not about to die (we hope), Tony Stella, we salute you!
Real-Life Tough Guy: Ward Bond
That’s John Wayne, John Ford and Ward Bond. They’re considered three real-life tough guys.
Most folks know a bunch about John Wayne and to a lesser extent, director John Ford. If you’re like me, you know that Ward Bond appeared in dozens (and dozens) of movies and starred in the TV series Wagon Train. But that’s about it… until I read 13 fascinating facts about Ward Bond and “Wagon Train” at MeTV. Sadly the post is now longer available but here are three of my favorite facts and my thoughts…
Bond appears in more films on the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Movies than any other actor. Bond has perhaps the most enviable filmography of any actor, past or present. Just look at his credits. He acted in seven of the 100 Greatest American Films according to the AFI — It Happened One Night (1934), Bringing Up Baby (1938), Gone with the Wind (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Maltese Falcon (1941), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and The Searchers (1956).
(Wow! I had no idea Bond appeared in more of the 100 Greatest American Films than any other actor! THAT is an amazing fact and a testament to his abilities as an actor. – Craig)
John Wayne accidentally shot Ward Bond on a hunting trip. Even a gun wound could not break up the best friends. Ward left the shotgun to Wayne in his will.
(That’s how tough Ward Bond was – not even John Wayne shooting him could put him down! – Craig)
Bond appeared on ‘Wagon Train’ in crutches after injuring his leg. At the end of “The Clara Beauchamp Story,” Bond stands in a row of military men on a pair of crutches. It was no prop. The actor had suffered an injury in a car accident. The poor (but certainly tough) guy was also hit by a car on his way to John Wayne’s wedding, but he performed his best man duties on crutches.
(Ward Bond was one tough son of a buck! That dude was Marv from Sin City come to life. – Craig)
RIP – Mort Drucker
Mort Drucker, perhaps the world’s best and best known caricaturist has died at the age of 91. Odds are even if you don’t know Mr. Drucker’s name, you know his art. Starting in 1956 and for over fifty years after that Drucker’s art appeared in Mad Magazine’s wildly popular movie and tv satires.
Mr. Drucker’s work also appeared in comic books, movie posters and advertising. His distinctive style made his art recognizable often before you saw his signature. In 2014, Mort Drucker received the National Society of Cartoonists’ Medal of Honor for lifetime achievement.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mort Drucker’s family, friends and fans.
The Best End of the World “Plague” Movies
Ward Hazel at Listverse took a look at his choices for the Top 10 Movies About Plague, Pestilence, And Deadly Disease. Using just Hazel’s list, let’s see how I’d rank them…
|
Hazel |
Zablo |
| 10. The Omega Man, 1971 | 10. Death in Venice, 1971 (I have never seen this.) |
| 09. Blindness, 2008 | 09. Blindness, 2008 (I haven’t seen this either, but it sounds more appealing than Death in Venice.) |
| 08. Outbreak, 1995 | 08. The Andromeda Strain. 1971. (It’s been a while since I’ve seen TAS. It was okay.) |
| 07. I Am Legend | 07. I Am Legend (2007). (The special effects hurt my enjoyment of this one.) |
| 06. The Andromeda Strain | 06. The Omega Man, 1971 (I loved this as a kid, but TOM hasn’t held up as well – still a fun romp.) |
| 05. Contagion, 2011 | 05. Contagion, 2011 (I remember liking this a lot but feeling it wrapped up the ending a bit too fast. Perhaps another viewing is due.) |
| 04. 28 Days Later, 2003 | 04. 12 Monkeys, 1995 (Brad Pitt steals this one!) |
| 03. Train to Busan, 2016 | 03. Outbreak, 1995 (Hard to believe it’s been 25 years. Definitely ahead of the curve.) |
| 02. 12 Monkeys, 1995 | 02. Train to Busan, 2016 (The biggest surprise of 2018. I’m looking forward to Pennisula – the follow-up set in the same universe, but with different characters.) |
| 01. Death in Venice, 1971 | 01. 28 Days Later, 2003 (I love this one and it gets better with each viewing.) |
For this list I would have definitely included World War Z, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead (remake) and The Crazies. Seems like I’m forgetting a few others…
“Extraction” Trailer and New Poster!
How about a new Extraction poster and a trailer. I like the looks of this and will be watching come April 24th.
Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth) is a fearless black market mercenary who embarks on the deadliest mission of his career when he’s enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an international crime lord. Directed by Sam Hargrave, this action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thriller is produced by Joe and Anthony Russo, the visionary directors of Avengers: Endgame.
Frank Frazetta’s “Dusk Til Dawn” Poster!
Here’s a Frazetta painting you don’t see often. Frazetta was commissioned to create a poster for Robert Rdriguez’s From Dusk Til Dawn. Sadly, according to Frazetta’s granddughter, his health prevented him from finishing it in time for it to be used to promote the film.
I’m a huge Frazetta fan. (Who isn’t?) I’m also a fan of Robert Rodriguez. (I guess you could say I ride with El Rey.) It’s cool that Rodriguez commissioned the poster and now owns it. I wonder the reason the creatures in Frazetta’s painting don’t match those in the film.
Speaking of Dusk Til Dawn, I think it is greatly underrated. I love the mashup of crime and horror. Hats off to Rodriguez, Tarantino and all involved.
Source: Frank Frazetta Art.
“True Lies” Trivia!
Joey Pauer at GeekTyrant posted 23 Fun Facts About James Cameron’s TRUE LIES with Behind the Scenes “Making Of” Videos. Here are three of my favorite facts and my comments on each…
Jodie Foster was originally cast as Helen Tasker, but was forced to turn the role down because she was signed on to star in Nell. Rosanna Arquette, Kim Basinger, Annette Bening, Joan Cusack, Geena Davis, Melanie Griffith, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Madonna, Demi Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sharon Stone, Emma Thompson, Lea Thompson, Debra Winger, Sigourney Weaver, Julianne Moore, Julia Roberts, Claudia Wells, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Sandra Bullock and Madeleine Stowe were also all considered for the role of Helen.
(Sometimes casting is perfect and it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role. Look at the number of actresses considered and we can begin to realize sometimes it’s just luck to get the right person. – Craig)
Curtis said that in his contract Schwarzenegger gets top billing then the title then it would have said starring Jamie Lee Curtis but when Cameron finished editing the film and he saw that the film was really “a domestic epic, it’s a film about a marriage.” So Cameron called Schwarzenegger and asked him if it would be ok to put Jamie Lee Curtis’ name before the title, to which Schwarzenegger immediately agreed. In the world of show business, as Curtis said, “The credit is such a coveted, negotiable, commodity” that for Schwarzenegger to give her billing before the title “was a real mensch move on his part.”
(Don’t you love it when you hear a star not acting like a sterotypical star? – Craig)
The appearance and traits of Spencer Trilby (Charlton Heston) is based on Nick Fury. Like Fury, Trilby has an eyepatch, and the same mannerisms; as well as heading a peacekeeping organization.
(Interesting. So Cameron is a comic book fan? – Craig)
Don’t forget to click over and check out the rest of 23 Fun Facts About James Cameron’s TRUE LIES with Behind the Scenes “Making Of” Videos.
